A medical treatment system including a treatment chamber, a source of an aqueous mist containing a medication, a source of an oxygen-enriched gas, and a control system adapted to alternately surround a human body part with a mist containing a medication and the oxygen enriched gas, which can be used to treat various skin disorders including infected lesions, bacterial infections such as acne (i.e. Propionibacterium acnes), fungal infections such as Athlete's foot (i.e. fungal genus Trichophyton), conditions associated with hair loss including alopecia as well as ulcerations and frostbite resulting from poor circulation. A method of treating skin disorders is also disclosed, that includes providing a mist containing a medication and enriched oxygen gas to the site being treated as well as providing oxygen to the patient during treatment.

A closed loop catheter useable for heat exchange is manufactured by forming a plurality of generally transverse bore holes though a flexible, multilumen catheter body, lacing a tube trough the bore holes so that loops of the tube protrude from the catheter body, connecting one end of the tube to an inflow lumen of the catheter and connecting the other end of the tube to an outflow lumen of the catheter. A heated or cooled heat exchange medium may then be circulated through the tube while the catheter is inserted in the vasculature of a subject, thereby resulting in heat exchange between the subject's flowing blood and the heat exchange medium being circulated through the tube.

An introducer configured with a first curve having a first angle that traverses space of an atrial appendage, a central atrium, caudad to the coronary sinus, and a second curve that has an angle sufficient to align the introducer with an intrinsic curvature of the coronary sinus of a subject.

The invention includes novel devices and methods for inhibiting or preventing colonization of fluid flow networks by bacteria that have upstream surface motility. In certain aspects, the devices and methods of the invention prevent or minimize undesirable bacterial colonization of medical devices and/or treat or prevent bacterial infections.

Medical devices, methods and kits are described. An exemplary medical device comprises a catheter that has a catheter wall and defines a catheter lumen, a bend, and a coil disposed distal to the bend. The catheter defines one or more apertures that extend through the catheter wall and are in communication with the catheter lumen.

A medical device including a shaft having an elongated inner member and an elongated tubular reinforcing member disposed over at least a portion of the inner member. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the outer surface of the inner member is spaced from the inner surface of the reinforcing member, defining a space substantially free of any other structures of the device. In some embodiments, the shaft can include a tip structure disposed on a distal portion of the inner member. In some such embodiments, the reinforcing member has a distal end, and the tip structure is disposed on the distal portion of the inner member adjacent the distal end of the reinforcing member. Additionally, in some embodiments, the reinforcing member can include a plurality of apertures defined therein, for example, to enhance the flexibility or other such characteristics of all or portions of the reinforcing member.

Disclosed herein are methods for treating solid mass tumors with direct delivery of an anti-tumor immunotherapeutic agent to the tumor site. In one aspect, this invention encompasses methods of treating solid mass tumors by direct microinjection via a microcatheter of an anti-tumor immunotherapeutic agent into the microvasculature leading into tumor thereby providing high levels of contact with the tumor while minimizing the degree of systemic buildup of the immunotherapeutic agent.

Vascular access system embodiments can be configured to remove gas and a piercing member from a catheter assembly. In some embodiments, vascular access systems can remove gas and at least a portion of a piercing member concurrently or simultaneously. In some embodiments, vascular access systems can remove gas before removing at least a portion of a piercing member. In several embodiments, a vascular access system can include a first barrel configured to remove gas and a second barrel configured to retract a piercing member.

A sheath introducer for a catheter includes a sheath having a lumen, a hub positioned on a proximal end of the sheath, and a housing positioned on the hub. The hub can include a splittable penetration member having a port in fluid communication with the sheath lumen. The housing can include a valve having a closed upper surface and a channel surrounding the splittable penetration member. Movement of the housing with respect to the hub can expose the port of the splittable penetration member for insertion of the catheter.

Pressure sensing guidewires are disclosed. The pressure sensing guidewires may include a tubular member having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion may have a plurality of slots formed therein. The distal portion may have a first wall thickness along a first region and a second wall thickness smaller than the first wall thickness along a second region. A pressure sensor may be disposed within the distal portion of the tubular member and housed within the second region. An anti-thrombogenic coating may be disposed on an inner surface, an outer surface, or both of the second region of the distal portion of the tubular member.

A catheter includes a catheter body having a proximal end, a beveled distal end, and a lumen therethrough. The beveled distal end defines an elliptical port for releasing contrast or other media through the lumen and from the elliptical port. The catheter may also be used delivering devices or for aspirating or extracting materials from the vasculature or other body lumens. A fixed guidewire extends distally from the distal end of the catheter body, typically from the distal-most edge of the elliptical port. The fixed wire is typically malleable so that it can be manually formed into a desired shape. The elliptical port may be flat or concave.

A medical balloon of a balloon catheter assembly includes a balloon wall formed of at least two layers. The first layer is made of an impervious polymeric material. The second layer, which is integral with the first layer is made of a radiopaque and/or echogenic material and a polymeric material. In the preferred embodiment, there is provided 60 to 80% by weight of radiopaque material in the second layer. It has been found that these concentrations of radiopaque material provide good visibility of the balloon under ultrasonic imaging.

A drug delivery balloon apparatus is disclosed herein, comprising: (a) at least two lumens, comprising a first lumen and a second lumen, (b) a balloon inflation port in fluid communication with the first lumen, (c) a drug delivery port in fluid communication with the second lumen, (d) a guidewire port in fluid communication with the second lumen, wherein the second lumen is configured to receive both a guidewire and a drug solution, (e) an occlusion balloon, (I) a drug delivery balloon, where the occlusion balloon and the drug delivery balloon are in fluid communication with the first lumen, (g) one or more drug delivery channels extending the length of the second lumen, and (h) one or more drug delivery ducts extending from the one or more drug delivery channels to an exterior surface of the second lumen.

Systems and methods for longevity, anti-aging, fatigue management, obesity, weight loss, weight management, delivery of nutraceuticals, and treating hyperglycemia, Alzheimer's disease, sleep disorders, Parkinson's disease, Attention Deficit Disorder and nicotine addiction involve synchronizing and tailoring the administration of nutraceuticals, medications and other substances in accordance with the body's natural circadian rhythms, meal times and other factors. Improved control of blood glucose levels, extended alertness, and weight control, and counteracting of disease symptoms when they are at their worst are possible. An automated, pre-programmable transdermal administration system is used to provide pulsed doses of medications, pharmaceuticals, hormones, neuropeptides, anorexigens, pro-drugs, stimulants, nutraceuticals, phytochemicals, phytonutrients, enzymes, antioxidants, essential oils, fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, coenzymes, or other physiological active ingredient or precursor. The system can utilize a pump, pressurized reservoir, a system for removing depleted carrier solution, or other modulated dispensing actuator, in conjunction with porous membranes or micro-fabricated structures.

A transdermal drug delivery device comprises: a reservoir for holding a drug; and at least one microneedle in fluid communication with the reservoir through which the drug can be delivered transdermally, wherein the transdermal drug delivery device is concealed from view during operation thereof.

An ultrasound catheter with a lumen for fluid delivery and fluid evacuation, and an ultrasound source is used for the treatment of intracerebral or intraventricular hemorrhages. After the catheter is inserted into a blood clot, a lytic drug can be delivered to the blood clot via the lumen while applying ultrasonic energy to the treatment site. As the blood clot is dissolved, the liquefied blood clot can be removed by evacuation through the lumen.

A medical device comprising a subcutaneous access port having an access port body and at least one needle having a removable needle tip and a needle shaft defining a needle lumen; the at least one needle housed within the access port body, the at least one needle extendable and retractable relative to the access port body; and a needle shift mechanism operable such that the at least one needle is extendable from and retractable into the access port body at a plurality of positions of the access port body.

The present disclosure is directed to a medical port drainage assembly that includes a port component and a replaceable catheter. The port component includes a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and tube walls defining a catheter access lumen. A head component is located on a proximal end of the tube and an assembly retention element is located on a distal end of the tube. The head component is deployed outside the patient's body and defines an opening to the catheter access lumen. The assembly retention element is deployed within a lumen of the patient's body. The port component includes a valve assembly which may be a single valve (e.g., a duckbill valve) or a system of valves. The port component also includes a connector for coupling and decoupling the replaceable catheter to the port component.

A connector for a fluid path set for delivery of a fluid to a patient during a procedure is described. The connector includes a magnetic check valve for limiting fluid flow to one direction through the fluid path. The magnetic check valve is configured to open in response to one or more of fluid pressure and change in value of magnetic force in the check valve.

Disclosed herein is a fluid infusion device of the type that delivers medication fluid to the body of a patient. The device includes or cooperates with a fluid reservoir, and the device has a sealing assembly to receive and form a fluid seal with the fluid reservoir. A retractable sealing element surrounding a hollow fluid delivery needle may be used to seal a port of the fluid reservoir. The port may include a pressure vent that is sealed by the retractable sealing element. In one variation, the reservoir includes a moving valve sleeve that holds a septum. The septum moves to allow the reservoir to vent, and to form a seal with the port when the needle pierces the septum. In another variation, the device includes a needleless sealing assembly. In yet other variations, the device uses a needled fluid reservoir.

The present invention relates, inter alia, to dermal systems comprising at least one light source and at least one pharmaceutically and/or cosmetically active ingredient. The dermal systems can be employed in order to enhance the penetration and action of the pharmaceutically and/or cosmetically active ingredient.

The present invention discloses a system and method for monitoring an infusion pump capable of intelligently easing pain. Each infusion pump control terminal is connected with a monitoring server through a wireless AP and a local area network respectively; each human body vital sign sensor is connected with the signal input end of a field programmable gate array FPGA through a sensor interface circuit respectively, an infusion control device is connected with the control signal output end of the field programmable gate array FPGA, the field programmable gate array FPGA is in communication with an ARM processor in a bus coding mode, and the ARM processor is in communication connection with the wireless AP through a WIFI communication module. By means of the system and method for monitoring infusion pump capable of intelligently easing pain, a plurality of basic vital sign data of a patient is collected in real time, corresponding infusion schemes are generated through analysis of the data, the infusion pump is controlled to achieve automatic infusion, monitoring and pain-easing infusion are combined together for coordinative work, and infusion control is more scientific and reliable; patient online perception and feedback is supported, self-improvement of a system is facilitated, and more accurate and reliable infusion schemes can be acquired.

In a length or position measuring system which has an at least locally substantially linear measuring gauge and at least one sensor to be moved relative to the measuring gauge, wherein the measuring gauge includes an incremental track and at least one absolute track and wherein the incremental track and the at least one absolute track have poles arranged in the longitudinal direction of the measuring gauge, the poles of the at least one absolute track form at least two regions in the sensor with different field strengths or signal amplitudes.

The invention relates to a method for analyzing the composition of a gaseous stream comprising at least two gaseous components, one of which is methane; and to a sensor array and a gas sensor comprising such sensor array. The method comprises contacting the gaseous mixture with a sensor, wherein the sensor comprises a sensor array comprising at least two sensor elements, wherein each of said sensor elements comprises a transducer coated with a coating comprising a polymeric material having at least one property that is responsive to one or more of said gaseous components when exposed thereto, wherein said sensor elements differ at least in the composition of the coating, providing an energy input to said transducers that is converted to output signals based on said property, and obtaining said output signals.

A force-biased spring probe pin assembly includes a barrel member having a barrel wall defining an elongate internal cavity with a lower end and an upper end. The assembly also includes a first plunger member reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the lower end of the internal cavity. A spring member is positioned in the internal cavity between the plunger member and the second end of the internal cavity. At least one rectangular cavity formed in the plunger member with a movable cylindrical bearing in the cavity that applies a slight transverse force to the plunger member ensuring good electrical contact between the plunger and the wall of the barrel member. A force-biased spring probe pin assembly includes a barrel member having a barrel wall defining an elongate internal cavity with a lower end and an upper end. The assembly also includes a first plunger member reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the lower end of the internal cavity and a second plunger member reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the upper end of the internal cavity. A spring member is positioned in the internal cavity between the first plunger member and the second plunger member. At least one rectangular cavity formed in the first plunger member with a first movable cylindrical bearing in the cavity that applies a slight transverse force to the first plunger member ensuring good electrical contact between the first plunger member and the wall of the barrel member and at least one rectangular cavity formed in the second plunger member with a second movable cylindrical bearing in the cavity that applies a slight transverse force to the second plunger member ensuring good electrical contact between the second plunger member and the wall of the barrel member

A force biased spring probe pin assembly includes a barrel member having a barrel wall defining an elongate internal cavity with a lower end and an upper end. The assembly also includes a split plunger member comprised of an upper split plunger part separated from a lower split plunger part separated by a diagonal cut reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the lower end of the internal cavity. A spring member is positioned in the internal cavity between the upper split plunger part and the second end of the internal cavity. A force biased spring probe pin assembly includes a barrel member having a barrel wall defining an elongate internal cavity with a lower end and an upper end. The assembly also includes a first split plunger member reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the lower end of the internal cavity and a second split plunger member reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the upper end of the internal cavity. The first and second split plunger members are each comprised of two parts: a first upper plunger part separated from a first lower plunger part by a diagonal cut. A spring member is positioned in the internal cavity between the first and second upper split plunger parts. In each split plunger the diagonal surface of the upper split plunger part exerts a transverse force to the diagonal surface of the lower split plunger part ensuring good electrical contact between the lower split plunger member part and the barrel wall.

A sensored electrical jumper comprises a conductor having a first end and a second end, the first end including a first connection interface and the second end including a second connection interface, a sensor section including at least one sensor disposed over the conductor between the first and second ends, the sensor section sensing at least one of current and voltage of the conductor, and a sensor output conduit extending from the sensor and oriented substantially perpendicular to the conductor axis to protect at least one sensor output wire from leakage current or other potential electrical damage.

A sensing apparatus for characterizing current flow through a conductor includes a plurality of magnetic sensors. In some embodiments, the sensors are grouped in pairs to achieve common mode rejection of signals generated in response to magnetic fields not resulting from current flow through the conductor. Sensors having different levels of sensitivity are used to collect information regarding the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the conductor, where such information is processed in order to characterize the magnetic field. In some cases the sensors are included on or in flexible material that can be wrapped around the conductor.

A method of making a current sensor comprises providing a leadframe having a current conductor portion comprising two sections shaped such that a current to be measured flows in directions oriented obliquely or oppositely with respect to each other,deforming the leadframe to lower the current conductor portion,mounting an isolator on the current conductor portion,mounting a semiconductor chip having a thickness of at least 0.2 mm and comprising two magnetic field sensors composed of four Hall sensors and magnetic field concentrators on the isolator,connecting the semiconductor chip and sensor terminal leads by wire bonds,packaging the semiconductor chip and parts of the leadframe in a plastic housing, andcutting a frame of the leadframe from current terminal leads and the sensor terminal leads.

Precision AC and DC voltage, current, phase, power and energy measurements and calibrations with current ranges from 1 uA to 20 kA and voltage ranges from 1V to 1000 kV are now performed with accuracies of better than one part per million. Continued demand for improved accuracy has led the inventors to address remnant magetization within the current comparators that form the basis of the measuring process within many of the measurement instruments providing the precision AC and DC measurements and calibrations. Accordingly, the inventors present current comparator and measurement system architectures together with control protocols to provide for correction of this remnant magnetization.

A branch current monitor that includes reconfiguration.

Embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods including a switching converter having an output stage including a power switch or first switching device to convert an input switching signal to an output switching signal and a sensor stage including a second switching device and a third switching device. In embodiments, the sensor stage may be coupled to receive the output switching signal from the first switching device and to substantially replicate a condition of the first switching device to generate a continuous signal rather than a switched signal. In embodiments, the continuous signal may allow detection of a current level. In some embodiments, the current level may indicate an overcurrent event. A digital post-processing circuit may be coupled to the switching device to count a number of overcurrent events according to various embodiments. Other embodiments may also be described and claimed.

A system for configuration of power meters.

Various embodiments mitigate the risk of frequency-lock in systems having multiple resonators by dynamically changing the frequency at which at least one of the resonators is driven. More particularly, the drive frequency of at least one of the resonators is changed often enough that the multiple resonators do not have time to achieve frequency lock. Changes in the oscillation of the resonators may be analyzed to determine, for example, acceleration of such systems. Some embodiments implement self-test by assessing expected performance of a system with toggling drive frequencies. More particularly, some embodiments implement self-test by artificially inducing displacement of a movable member of a system.

A voltage of a first capacitor is compared with a threshold voltage and a signal corresponding to the comparison result is generated at each of a first timing during a period after the transfer of a positive charge has ended and before the transfer of a negative charge starts and a second timing during a period after the transfer of the negative charge has ended and before the transfer of the positive charge starts. In each of the case where a positive charge is transferred and the case where a negative charge is transferred, operations (digitization of an integrated value and a feedback operation) of a delta sigma modulator are performed.

An electronic arrangement and method for providing a signal characterized by reduced phase noise having a signal source for providing a stimulus signal, a modulator coupled to the signal source for generating a modulated signal as function of the stimulus signal and a local oscillator signal, and a mixer combining the stimulus and modulated signals to generate a mixed signal that includes a component characterized by a mathematical difference of the stimulus signal and the modulated signal. The modulated signal is substantially identical to the stimulus signal and offset by a frequency of the local oscillator signal, so that the difference component of the mixed signal results in a local oscillator signal wherein the stimulus signal phase noise generated by the signal source has been mathematically cancelled.

A vector network analyzer (VNA) for analyzing the response of a device under test (DUT), the VNA comprising a plurality of VNA ports configured to be connected to the DUT; a plurality of source ports configured to be connected to the VNA ports; a plurality of couplers for coupling a plurality of coupled signals, wherein said plurality of coupled signals are combined to provide a sum signal; and a receiver configured to receive said forward sum signal.

A method for preparing an object to be tested, having a given relative permittivity, intended to be illuminated by an incident electromagnetic wave. The method includes: providing a part including a cavity for housing the object and at least one extension element made from a material having a relative permittivity that is preferably equal to that of the object, the extension element at least partially delimiting the cavity and extending to either side of the cavity in a passage direction of the cavity, over a length at least equal, on either side of the cavity, to one third of the length of the cavity in the passage direction, and placing the object in the cavity, such that the object is in contact with the extension element in the passage direction.

Methods and systems for monitoring an integrity of electrical connectivity between a repair patch and a parent structure include providing the repair patch with an embedded sensor configured to detect electrical conductivity. The repair patch includes a ply of conductive material that overlaps a portion of a conductive layer of the parent structure. A baseline set of sensor data is acquired from the sensor indicative of an electrical connectivity between the ply of conductive material of the repair patch and the conductive layer of the parent structure. One or more additional sets of data may be obtained from the sensor and compared to the baseline set of data to determine an integrity of the electrical connectivity between the ply of conductive material of the repair patch and the conductive layer of the parent structure.

The invention relates to a high-voltage dry apparatus having a semiconductor layer (2) covered by a metal screen (3), this screen (3) being eliminated so as to expose this semiconductor layer (2) over a length, this cable being connected to an element of equipment having an outer envelope (6) mechanically connected to said screen. According to the invention, an electronic monitoring arrangement (20) is contained within said envelope (6), this electronic arrangement (20) being electrically connected to an electrical power supply arrangement (21) surrounding said semiconductor layer (2) and to the metal screen (3) of said cable on either side of said length of the exposed semiconductor layer.

Disclosed are a circuit fault detection system and method for a circuit fault detection. A circuit fault detection system includes: a detection circuit including a diode, a first resistor, and a second resistor, which are positioned between an applied voltage source and a top of a detection target circuit in series, and a third resistor and a fourth resistor, which are positioned between the detection target circuit and a ground in series, an input unit including a first input terminal configured to receive a voltage measured between the first resistor and the second resistor as an input, and a second input terminal configured to receive a voltage measured between the third resistor and the fourth resistor as an input, a controller configured to detect a failure in the detection target circuit and in an operation of the detection target circuit based on values of the voltages detected by the input unit; and a display unit configured to provide a warning to a user when the failure is detected.

A method of detecting an electric arc in an electrical system from a signal originating from at least one sensor detecting acoustic waves in the system, including: a) calculating by means of a processing device, over a sliding window of signal samples, at least one statistical parameter selected from the skewness and the kurtosis of the signal; b) detecting a possible occurrence of an event by taking into account said at least one statistical parameter; and c) performing a frequency analysis of the signal enabling to identify an electric arc when an event is detected at step b).

Systems and methods are disclosed for on-line monitoring of the condition of insulation in electrical devices employing a differential current sensor. In certain embodiments a monitor that can be fitted to existing electrical devices by attachment of the sensor to a pair of phase cables is provided. In other embodiments, an electrical device configured with an insulation monitor is provided.

A system (100, 200) is presented. The system includes a fluid lifting device (102, 202) located inside a well (106, 206), and comprising an electrical motor (108, 208), a three phase cable (114, 214) for coupling the fluid lifting device to a power source (112, 212), at least one high sensitivity differential current transformer (104, 203, 204) for generating imbalance signals (128, 227) representative of an imbalance current in at least one of the electrical motor and the three phase cable, wherein the at least one high sensitivity differential current transformer is disposed such that the at least one high sensitivity differential current transformer surrounds at least a portion of the three phase cable, and a processing subsystem (136, 236) for monitoring the health of at least one of the fluid lifting device and the three phase cable based on the imbalance signals.

A semiconductor device includes first and second semiconductor chips mounted on one package. In the first semiconductor chip, a current generation circuit generates a sense current in accordance with a load current and a fault current indicating that an abnormality detection circuit has detected an abnormality, and allows either one of the currents to flow through a current detecting resistor in accordance with presence or absence of detection of the abnormality. In the second semiconductor chip, a storage circuit stores a current value of the fault current obtained in an inspection process of the semiconductor device as a determination reference value. An arithmetic processing circuit sets a standard range based on the determination reference value, and determines presence or absence of detection of the abnormality based on whether or not a current value indicated by a digital signal of an analog-digital conversion circuit is included within the standard range.

Provided is a method for simply evaluating defects caused in interface states in oxide semiconductor thin films and protective films in TFTs having protective films formed on the surface of oxide semiconductor thin films without actually measuring the characteristics of the same. This evaluation method evaluates defects caused in the interface states by measuring electron states in the oxide semiconductor thin film by a contact method or noncontact method. The defects caused in the interface states are any of the following (1)-(3). (1) Threshold value voltage (Vth,) when a positive bias is applied to the thin-film transistor(2) Difference in threshold value voltage (ΔVth) before and after applying the positive bias to the thin-film transistor(3) Threshold value during the first measurement when a plurality of measurements is made of the threshold value voltage when a positive bias is applied to the thin-film transistor.

The invention concerns a method for locating a fault affecting an electrical appliance that comprises a communication interface and a female electrical connector, the female electrical connector comprising at least one conductive element mounted movable between an active position and a rest position, the female electrical connector comprising test means connected to the conductive element when same is in the rest position; the locating method comprising: a disconnection step; a test step consisting of testing the communication interface by cooperating with the test means of the female electrical connector; a locating step consisting of locating the fault in the electrical appliance or in an external element.

A probe card, a wafer testing system and a wafer testing method are provided. The wafer testing system includes a wafer holder and a probe card. A wafer is held on the wafer holder, and testing pads are formed on the wafer, in which the testing pads are arranged along a test straight line. The probe card includes probes each of which includes an arm portion and a tip portion. An included angle between the test straight line and an extension of a projection line of the arm portion onto the wafer ranges from about 40 degrees to about 55 degrees.

A system can include at least one circuit breaker. The system can also include a prognostic and health monitoring (PHM) system. The PHM system can include at least one measuring device that measures at least one parameter associated with the at least one circuit breaker. The PHM system can also include a controller that receives measurements made by the at least one measuring device and analyzes the measurements to evaluate a performance of the at least one circuit breaker. The measurements can be made while the at least one circuit breaker is in service.

The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device including: a power supply input section to which a first voltage from a battery cell is input; a boosting section including one end to which the first voltage from the power supply input section is input, and another end that, based on a control signal from a controller, outputs the first voltage or a second voltage boosted from the first voltage from as a power supply voltage; and a comparison section including an output section, a first input section connected to the power supply input section and the one end of the boosting section, and a second input section connected to the another end of the boosting section, the comparison section outputting a voltage from the output section that corresponds to a difference between voltages input to the first input section and the second input section.