Abstract:
Novel enhanced products and processes for trapping emboli utilize self-expanding skeletons and biodegradable polymer systems, for example stent-like Nitinol® elements and PLGA, to address longstanding issues related to thrombus capture without deleterious impacts on the vasculature or other negative artifacts of the procedure by at least partial post-use dissolution in situ. Drug coating and elution technologies are included as would be known to those skilled in the art.
Abstract:
An apparatus, system and method for providing spot lighting for observing a gemstone is presented. In particular, the spot lighting provided by the invention allows for observing of the fire of a gemstone, i.e. the visible effects of light dispersion into separate colors. The apparatus includes a tube for receiving a portion of a multi-spectral light source, and a mask coupled to the tube for blocking other portions of the light source. By selecting the proper tube dimensions and aligning the tube with both the light source at an inlet and a gemstone at an outlet, the spot lighting source provides direct lighting for isolating and accentuating the effects of fire.
Abstract:
An apparatus, system and method for providing spot lighting for observing a gemstone is presented. In particular, the spot lighting provided by the invention allows for observing of the fire of a gemstone, i.e. the visible effects of light dispersion into separate colors. The apparatus includes a tube for receiving a portion of a multi-spectral light source, and a mask coupled to the tube for blocking other portions of the light source. By selecting the proper tube dimensions and aligning the tube with both the light source at an inlet and a gemstone at an outlet, the spot lighting source provides direct lighting for isolating and accentuating the effects of fire.
Abstract:
This invention involves radioactive medical devices for inhibiting an undesirable hyperplastic response in biological tissue, and a method for making the radioactive medical devices. In a first preferred embodiment, a medical device for inhibiting a hyperplastic response in biological tissue generally comprises polymeric hydrocarbon molecules forming the medical device and a salt or an acid of a radioactive isotope occluded within the polymeric hydrocarbon molecules. In a second preferred embodiment, the medical device comprises a thrombogenic sponge having a radioisotope trapped within the structure of the sponge. Also in a preferred embodiment, a method of creating a medical device according to the present invention comprises: providing a first solvent in a container; introducing a salt or an acid of a radioactive isotope into the first solvent; introducing a second solvent into the first solution so as to form a second solution; and introducing the medical device into the second solution, wherein the ionic components of the radioactive isotope migrate into the molecular structure of the medical device. In another aspect, a method of creating a medical device that inhibits a hyperplastic response in biological tissue comprises placing a salt or an acid of a radioactive isotope in a fluid and permitting the salt or acid to disassociate in solution, submersing the sponge in the solution and permitting the radioactive isotopes to become trapped in the structure of the sponge.
Abstract:
The device for blocking (e.g., embolizing) the side branches of an anatomical passageway under endoscopic guidance. The device comprises an elongate catheter body having a side branch blocking apparatus, such as an embolization catheter, disposed therein and further incorporating an endoscope (e.g., an angioscope). The incorporated endoscope is useable to A) visually locate side branches which emanate from the anatomical passageway and b) visually observe the operation of the side branch blocking apparatus. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing a device of the forgoing character, including methods for performing in situ embolization of the side branches of a vein, under angioscopic visualization. The endoscopic component of the device may also be utilized to visually observe the use and/or effect of one or more separate device, such as valvulotome(s) used for cutting venous valves located within the lumen of a vein.
Abstract:
A switch, connected in series with a current source across a source of operating voltage, is opened and closed in accordance with the ratio of two input signals to produce an output signal. The current source conducts an output current directly or inversely proportional to the sum of the input signals whereby a parameter of the switched output signal, such as slew rate, is proportional to a parameter of the input signals, such as common mode voltage.
Abstract:
Each one of two switching transistors, driven by complementary input signals, has its conduction path connected between a different one of two output terminals and a first point of potential. Connected between each output terminal and a second point of potential are the conduction paths of a load transistor responsive to the signal at the other output terminal, and an input signal responsive transistor. When the switching transistor connected to one output terminal is being turned on, the effective impedance of the input signal responsive transistor connected between that output and the second point of potential is increased, thereby increasing the speed of response of the circuit and minimizing its power dissipation.
Abstract:
A vector generator having a digital input and a cathode ray tube (CRT) display output is disclosed. Digital values specifying the initial point of the line segment in Cartesian coordinates are converted to proportional voltages applied across the capacitors of two identical resistance-capacitance networks which control the positioning of the CRT beam. A second pair of digital values defining the length and direction of the line segment with respect to the initial point are normalized digitally by left shifts until the larger of the pair equals or exceeds a normalization constant. The normalized values are added to the initial point coordinates, and the sums are then converted to proportional voltages applied to the resistors of the two networks. Simultaneously, a timer preset during the normalization operation is started and the CRT beam is turned on to start the drawing of the line segment. As a result of the normalization, the voltages applied to the RC networks are larger than needed to draw the segment. Consequently, the beam will be turned off by the timer well before the outputs of the RC networks reach the applied voltages. Thus, line segments of widely differing lengths are drawn at a normalized fast rate and are displayed at a normalized uniform visual intensity on the CRT.