66results about How to "Reduced collateral damage" patented technology

Methods, devices, and systems for treating the support structures of the body, particularly for incontinence, take advantage of two mechanisms to enhance the support provided by the fascia, ligaments and tendons: first, the invention increases a modulus of elasticity of these tissues, and particularly of the fascial tissues. The increase in modulus can be effected by directing sufficient energy to the fascial tissue so as to promote the formation of scar tissue. The second mechanism attaches tissue planes together, often by directing energy to an interface between adjacent fascial tissues.

The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for in vivo treatment of cell proliferative disorders. The invention can be used to treat solid tumors, such as brain tumors. The methods rely on non-thermal irreversible electroporation (IRE) or supra-poration to cause cell death in treated tumors. In embodiments, the methods comprise the integration of ultra-short electric pulses, both temporally and spatially, to achieve the desired modality of cell death.

A microwave ablation system configured for use in luminal network is provided. The microwave ablation system includes a microwave energy source and a tool for treating tissue. An extended working channel is configured to provide passage for the tool. A locatable guide, translatable through the extended working channel, is configured to navigate the extended working channel adjacent a target.

The present invention enhances the effectiveness of treatment of support tissue structures. Generally, such tissue structures support organs and hold the organs in their proper position for appropriate functioning. When such tissue structures become weak, hyper-elastic, and / or excessively lengthy, the organs of are no longer supported in their proper position. This often leads to physical manifestations such as incontinence, hernias, and the like. Remedies often involve thermal treatment of the support tissue structures, such as thermally inducted controlled shrinkage, contraction, or stiffening of the support tissue structure. To enhance such thermal treatment and diminish the possibility of undesirable heating and damage to nearby tissue surfaces, vasoconstrictive agents are used.

A method for laser processing of Silicon includes placing a Kerr material into engagement with the Silicon forming an interface therebetween. A laser beam is applied having at least one subpulse in a burst envelope operating at a first wavelength. The laser beam passes through a distributive lens focusing assembly and to the Kerr material. The first wavelength is modified to a plurality of second wavelengths, some of which are effective for processing Silicon. Photoacoustic compression processing is produced by the laser pulse energy by a portion of second wavelengths delivered through the interface and to the Silcon which initiates Kerr Effect self focusing which is propagated in the Silicon by additional energy input to the Silicon thus producing a filament within the Silicon.

An apparatus, system and method for the processing of orifices in materials by laser filamentation that utilizes an optical configuration that focuses the incident laser light beam in a distributed manner along the longitudinal beam axis. This distributed focusing method enables the formation of filaments over distances, and the laser and focusing parameters are adjusted to determine the filament propagation and termination points so as to develop a single / double end stopped orifice, or a through orifice. Selected transparent substrates from a stacked or nested configuration may have orifices formed therein / therethrough without affecting the adjacent substrate. These distributed focusing methods support the formation filaments with lengths well beyond ten millimeters in borosilicate glass and similar brittle materials and semiconductors.

Microfluidic devices and methods for their use in producing pulsed microfluidic jets in a fluid environment are provided. The subject microfluidic devices are characterized by the presence of a microfluid chamber at their distal ends. The microfluid chamber is bounded by an opening at one end, a vapor producing means opposite the opening, and side walls between the opening and the vapor producing means. The microfluid chambers are further characterized in that the only way fluid can exit the microfluid chambers is through the opening. In using the subject devices to produce a fluid jet in a fluid environment, the chamber is first contacted with the fluid environment. The vapor producing means is then actuated in a manner sufficient to produce a vapor bubble in the chamber which, in turn, produces a microfluidic jet in the fluid environment. The subject devices and methods find use in a variety of different applications, e.g., cutting tissue, introducing fluid into a cell, and the like.

The present invention relates to methods and devices for treating hard biological tissue (in particular, keratin-rich hard tissues) with electromagnetic energy having a frequency of at least 0.5 MHZ (megahertz) and less than 10 GHZ (gigahertz) (for example, HF, RF or microwave energy), and particularly, to methods aid devices for treating infections, for example, fungal infections of the nail.

The present invention describes a device and system for simulating normal and disease state cardiac functioning, including an anatomically accurate left cardiac simulator for training and medical device testing. The system and device uses pneumatically pressurized chambers to generate ventricle and atrium contractions. In conjunction with the interaction of synthetic mitral and aortic valves, the system is designed to generate pumping action that produces accurate volume fractions and pressure gradients of pulsatile flow, duplicating that of a human heart. Through the use of a remote handheld electronic controller and manual adjustments from a main control panel, the air pressure level, fluidic pressure, and heart rate is controlled to induce contractions that simulate a wide variety of heart conditions ranging from normal heart function to severely diseased or injured heart conditions.

In a sensor-fused munition system and method, the munition is provided with an additional laser designator mode of operation. In the laser designator mode, the munition has the option of initiating a target strike additionally based on whether laser designator energy is detected as being present on the target. This additional mode of operation is preferably achieved using the existing laser receiver of the rangefinder hardware, with minimal additional hardware and software systems for detecting and processing the additional laser designator signal energy. In this manner, collateral damage and false-target firings are decreased to near-zero probability.

A programmable device (eFuse), includes: a substrate (10); an insulator (13) on the substrate; an elongated semiconductor material (12) on the insulator, the elongated semiconductor material having a first end (12a), a second end (12b), a fuse link (11) between the ends, and an upper surface S. The semiconductor material includes a dopant having a concentration of at least 10*17 / cc. The first end (12a) is wider than the second end (12b), and a metallic material is disposed on the upper surface. The metallic material is physically migratable along the upper surface responsive to an electrical current I flowable through the semiconductor material and through the metallic material.

Methods, devices, and systems for treating the support structures of the body, particularly for incontinence, take advantage of two mechanisms to enhance the support provided by the fascia, ligaments and tendons: first, the invention increases a modulus of elasticity of these tissues, and particularly of the fascial tissues. The increase in modulus can be effected by directing sufficient energy to the fascial tissue so as to promote the formation of scar tissue. The second mechanism attaches tissue planes together, often by directing energy to an interface between adjacent fascial tissues.

An ultra high speed miniature two dimensional electro-optic image acquisition system uses prisms of varying geometries to control the amount of horizontal deflection and a Bragg grating to control the amount of vertical deflection. A collimating lens array and a Gaussian profile Bragg grating help confine the beam diameter of the deflected light beam. A separate prism further bends light into the vertical direction. A spherical lens focuses light onto a photodetector array for display.

A microwave ablation system configured for use in luminal network is provided. The microwave ablation system includes a microwave energy source and a tool for treating tissue. An extended working channel is configured to provide passage for the tool. A locatable guide, translatable through the extended working channel, is configured to navigate the extended working channel adjacent a target.

The present invention provides a high-lethality low collateral damage fragmentation warhead. The case is formed of a material that is pulverized upon detonation of the explosive. As a result, the lethality radius of the pulverized case fragments is no greater than that of the gas blast, thus reducing potential collateral damage. Warhead lethality is improved by placing a pattern shaper between the fragment assembly and the explosive. The explosive and pattern shaper have a conformal non-planar interface that shapes the pressure wavefront as it propagates there through to expel metal fragments from the fragmentation assembly with a desired pattern density over a prescribed solid angle.

Described herein are methods and systems for selecting surgical approaches. One example method involves (1) receiving data indicating (a) one or more surgical target regions and (b) one or more surgical portals; (2) determining a plurality of surgical pathways; (3) determining a plurality of surgical approaches; (4) for each surgical approach in the plurality of surgical approaches, determining at least one approach characteristic, for each determined surgical pathway in the respective surgical approach, determining at least one pathway characteristic, and determining a surgical-approach ranking based on the determined at least one approach characteristic and the determined at least one pathway characteristic; (5) selecting a subset of the plurality of surgical approaches based on the determined surgical approach rankings; and (6) causing an output device to provide a representation of the selected subset of the plurality of surgical approaches.

A software application to generate a Precision Fires Image (PFI) which provides a precision targeting coordinate to guide an air launched weapon using a forward deployed hand held hardware device executing the PFI software application. Suitable hardware devices to execute the PFI software application include the Windows CE handheld and the Army Pocket Forward Entry Device (PFED). Precision targeting coordinates derived from the PFI software application are compatible with most military target planning and weapon delivery systems.

A programmable device includes a substrate (10); an insulator (13) on the substrate; an elongated semiconductor material (12) on the insulator, the elongated semiconductor material having first and second ends, and an upper surface S; the first end (12a) is substantially wider than the second end (12b), and a metallic material is disposed on the upper surface; the metallic material being physically migratable along the upper surface responsive to an electrical current I flowable through the semiconductor material and the metallic material.

Formation of solid-water detoxifying reagents for chemical and biological agents. Solutions of detoxifying reagent for chemical and biological agents are coated using small quantities of hydrophobic nanoparticles by vigorous agitation or by aerosolization of the solution in the presence of the hydrophobic nanoparticles to form a solid powder. For example, when hydrophobic fumed silica particles are shaken in the presence of IN oxone solution in approximately a 95:5-weight ratio, a dry powder results. The hydrophobic silica forms a porous coating of insoluble fine particles around the solution. Since the chemical or biological agent tends to be hydrophobic on contact with the weakly encapsulated detoxifying solution, the porous coating breaks down and the detoxifying reagent is delivered directly to the chemical or biological agent for maximum concentration at the point of need. The solid-water (coated) detoxifying solutions can be blown into contaminated ventilation ducting or other difficult to reach sites for detoxification of pools of chemical or biological agent. Once the agent has been detoxified, it can be removed by flushing the area with air or other techniques.

The present invention describes a device and system for simulating normal and disease state cardiac functioning, including an anatomically accurate left cardiac simulator for training and medical device testing. The system and device uses pneumatically pressurized chambers to generate ventricle and atrium contractions. In conjunction with the interaction of synthetic mitral and aortic valves, the system is designed to generate pumping action that produces accurate volume fractions and pressure gradients of pulsatile flow, duplicating that of a human heart. Through the use of a remote handheld electronic controller and manual adjustments from a main control panel, the air pressure level, fluidic pressure, and heart rate is controlled to induce contractions that simulate a wide variety of heart conditions ranging from normal heart function to severely diseased or injured heart conditions.

A circuit fault detector and interrupter which consists of parallel current conduction paths, including a path through a mechanical contactor and a path through a power electronics switch having active feedback control. A fault can be detected by a fault detection circuit within 50 μS of the occurrence of the fault, causing the mechanical contactor to be opened and the fault current to be commutated via a laminated, low-inductance bus through the power electronics switch. The power electronics switch is thereafter turned off as soon as possible, interrupting the fault current and absorbing the inductive energy in the circuit. The fault current can be interrupted within 200 microseconds of the occurrence of the fault, and the device reduces or eliminates arcing when the mechanical contactor is opened.

A design structure for designing and manufacturing a programmable device. The design structure includes a substrate (10); an insulator (13) on the substrate; an elongated semiconductor material (12) on the insulator, the elongated semiconductor material having first and second ends, and an upper surface S; the first end (12a) is substantially wider than the second end (12b), and a metallic material is disposed on the upper surface; the metallic material being physically migratable along the upper surface responsive to an electrical current I flowable through the semiconductor material and the metallic material.

An explosive device composed of: a flux compression generator operative to produce a high intensity electric current when activated; and an electrical payload connected to the generator and constructed to receive the high intensity electric current and cause energy in the current to generate a plate or shaped projectile in the payload and to launch the projectiles into an explosive or insensitive reactive material target for the purpose of initiating the reactive material at single or multiple points.

A device for enabling safe / arm functionality in a gravity dropped weapon detachably connected to an airframe where the device includes: an elastic element disposed in a shell of the weapon; a releasable connection between the weapon and the airframe to release one or more of a stored and generated energy in the elastic element; and a piezoelectric member connected to one end of the elastic member for converting the one or more of the stored and generated energy to an electrical energy. The releasable connection can include: a link having a movable connection for movement of the link relative to the shell between a first position constraining the elastic element from movement and a second position releasing the elastic member to generate the electrical energy; and a lanyard for tethering the link to the airframe such that the link is moved to the second position upon the weapon being released from the airframe.

A device and system for simulating normal and disease state cardiovascular functioning, including an anatomically accurate cardiac simulator for training and medical device testing. The system and device uses pneumatically pressurized chambers to generate ventricle and atrium contractions. In conjunction with the interaction of synthetic valves, which simulate mitral and aortic valves, the system is designed to generate pumping action that produces accurate volume fractions and pressure gradients of pulsatile flow, duplicating that of a human heart. Through the use of a control unit and sensors, one or more parameters, such as flow rates, fluidic pressure, and heart rate, may be automatically controlled, using feedback loop mechanisms to adjust parameters of the hydraulic system to simulate a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions including normal heart function, severely diseased or injured heart conditions, and compressed vasculature, such as hardening of the arteries.