Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100027022 | FIBER OPTIC GYROSCOPE - An improved resonator fiber-optic gyro (RFOG). An example RFOG includes a closed-coil resonator where counter-propagating laser beams are done by fiber couplers. Signals are extracted from the ring resonator using other fiber couplers. The fiber couplers may be fiber spliced couplers, free-space fiber-to-fiber coupling elements or comparable coupling devices. A silicon structure may be used to align components of the gyro or just the coupling elements. The resonator includes a hollow-core fiber. | 02-04-2010 |
20100258527 | METHODS OF PROTECTING SURFACES FROM POLISHING RESIDUE - A method of protecting a surface of a device from residual polishing compound comprises applying a thin barrier layer of coating material to the surface of the device; polishing the surface with a polishing compound; rinsing the polishing compound from the device; and removing the thin barrier layer from the surface of the device to remove the residual polishing compound. | 10-14-2010 |
20130085699 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THERMAL GRADIENT COMPENSATION FOR RING LASER GYROSCOPES - Systems and methods for thermal gradient compensation for ring laser gyroscopes are provided. In one embodiment, a method for producing bias compensated angular rate measurements from a ring laser gyroscope comprises: sampling an angle measurement output from a laser block sensor to obtain an angular rate measurement; obtaining an laser block temperature measurement (T | 04-04-2013 |
20130232739 | MEANS TO ATTACH GETTER TO GETTER RETAINING RING - A retaining clip for a getter is provided. The retaining clip for a getter includes a curved structure including a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, a first-edge surface, and a second-edge surface opposing the first-edge surface, the curved structure curved in a major curve having a major radius-of-curvature and a major axis perpendicular to the major radius-of-curvature; and at least one tab seamlessly extending from at least one of the first-edge surface and the second-edge surface. The curved structure is configured to be operably retained in a getter cavity with the getter that is attached to the at least one tab. | 09-12-2013 |
20150192417 | RING LASER GYROSCOPE WITH INTEGRATED POLARIZATION - A ring laser gyroscope comprises a laser block that defines an optical closed loop pathway configured to contain a lasing gas. A plurality of mirror structures are respectively mounted on the laser block, with each of the mirror structures having a respective reflective surface that is in optical communication with the optical closed loop pathway. A plurality of electrodes are coupled to the laser block, with the electrodes configured to generate a pair of counter-propagating laser beams from the lasing gas in the optical closed loop pathway. At least one optical sensor is coupled to one of the mirror structures, with the optical sensor in optical communication with the closed loop pathway. A polarizer is in optical communication with the optical sensor. The polarizer is configured to pass laser light having substantially one polarization mode to the optical sensor. | 07-09-2015 |
20150204669 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING GAS FLOW BIAS IN AN RF-EXCITED RING LASER GYRO - A ring laser gyroscope comprising: a ring laser gyroscope block comprising an optical cavity filled with a gain medium, the optical cavity having at least three legs that form an optical path; a radio frequency coupler positioned along the optical path, wherein the radio frequency coupler is configured to transmit radio frequency energy which causes two counter-propagating laser beams to form from the gain medium, the laser beams propagating around the optical cavity through the optical path formed by the at least three legs of the optical cavity; a gas flow bypass configured to connect at least one of the at least three legs to at least one other leg of the at least three legs. | 07-23-2015 |
20150270679 | FABRICATION OF CAPACITIVE DISCHARGE ELECTRODES FOR A RING LASER GYROSCOPE - Systems and methods for fabricating capacitive discharge electrodes for a ring laser gyroscope are disclosed. In one example, a laser block for generating a laser in a closed loop path comprises a laser block, wherein an optically closed loop path is formed within the laser block. Additionally, at least two electrodes are formed on the laser block, wherein the at least two electrodes are used in conjunction with a radio frequency power supply to create an electric potential in the laser block which generates at least one laser beam in the closed loop path. The at least two electrodes are manufactured by placing a paste composition on the laser block and securing the paste composition to the laser block. The paste composition also includes a conductive material. | 09-24-2015 |
20160042906 | PARTIALLY INSULATED CATHODE - A partially-insulated cathode for exciting plasma in a plasma chamber is provided. The partially-insulated cathode includes a conductive structure enclosing a cavity having a cavity surface and an insulating material contiguously covering a portion of the cavity surface from the cavity opening up to an insulation height that is less than a cavity height. Cross-sections of the cavity in X-Y planes have at least one respective cavity-width. A cavity opening has a diameter less than a minimum cavity-width of the at least one cavity-width. | 02-11-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130144311 | TISSUE LIGATION DEVICES AND TENSIONING DEVICES THEREFOR - Described here are closure devices and methods for ligating tissue, such as the left atrial appendage, and tensioning devices and mechanism for actuating these devices. The tensioning mechanisms and devices may allow a user to apply one or more predetermined forces to a suture or other portion of the closure devices. The closure devices may comprise a suture loop releasably attached to a snare loop assembly, and a tensioning mechanism or device may be configured to tighten the suture loop and/or release the suture loop from the snare loop assembly | 06-06-2013 |
20140303721 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR ACCESSING AND DELIVERING DEVICES TO A HEART - Described here are devices and systems for accessing and delivering devices to a heart. The left atrial appendage may be used as an access port to allow pericardial access to internal structures of the heart. Systems that may be used to provide access to the heart via the left atrial appendage may comprise a first access element with a first alignment member, a second access element with a second alignment member, a piercing element, and an exchange element. A piercing element may be advanced to pierce the wall of the left atrial appendage to form an access site therethrough. Optionally, an exchange element may be advanced to initiate a track between the inside and outside of the left atrial appendage, which may be used for device delivery. Some systems may further comprise a left atrial appendage stabilization device. | 10-09-2014 |
20150157328 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR CLOSING THE LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE - Described here are devices, systems and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. Some of the methods described here utilize one or more guide members having alignment members to aid in positioning of a closure device. In general, these methods include advancing a first guide having a first alignment member into the left atrial appendage, advancing a second guide, having a second alignment member, into the pericardial space, aligning the first and second alignment members, advancing a left atrial appendage closure device into the pericardial space and adjacent to the left atrial appendage, and closing the left atrial appendage with the closure device. In these variations, the closure device typically has an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a closure element at least partially housed within the elongate body. The closure element comprises a loop defining a continuous aperture therethrough. | 06-11-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090082797 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR REMOTE SUTURE MANAGEMENT - Described here are devices and methods for suture management. In some variations, the devices comprise an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen therebetween, a cantilever blade positioned near the distal end of the elongate tubular member, and an expandable member positioned adjacent the cantilever blade for actuating the cantilever blade. Also described are devices comprising an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen at least partially therebetween, and an aperture in a wall thereof for passage of a suture therethrough. These devices further comprise a blade connected to a blade housing disposed within the lumen, where the blade is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lumen. The blade and blade housing may be slidable within the lumen, or an inner shaft for may be slidable within the lumen. Methods of using the devices are also described. | 03-26-2009 |
20090143791 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR CLOSING THE LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE - Described here are devices, systems and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. Some of the methods described here utilize one or more guide members having alignment members to aid in positioning of a closure device. In general, these methods include advancing a first guide having a first alignment member into the left atrial appendage, advancing a second guide, having a second alignment member, into the pericardial space, aligning the first and second alignment members, advancing a left atrial appendage closure device into the pericardial space and adjacent to the left atrial appendage, and closing the left atrial appendage with the closure device. In these variations, the closure device typically has an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a closure element at least partially housed within the elongate body. The closure element comprises a loop defining a continuous aperture therethrough. | 06-04-2009 |
20090157118 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR CLOSING THE LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE - Described here are devices, systems and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. Some of the methods described here utilize one or more guide members having alignment members to aid in positioning of a closure device. In general, these methods include advancing a first guide having a first alignment member into the left atrial appendage, advancing a second guide, having a second alignment member, into the pericardial space, aligning the first and second alignment members, advancing a left atrial appendage closure device into the pericardial space and adjacent to the left atrial appendage, and closing the left atrial appendage with the closure device. In these variations, the closure device typically has an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a closure element at least partially housed within the elongate body. The closure element comprises a loop defining a continuous aperture therethrough. | 06-18-2009 |
20110087247 | TISSUE LIGATION DEVICES AND CONTROLS THEREFOR - Described here are devices for closing one or more tissues, and handles for controlling these devices. Generally, the devices described here comprise a snare loop assembly, wherein the snare loop assembly comprises a snare and a suture loop, and a handle for controlling the snare loop assembly. In some variations the snare loop assembly may comprise a retention member that may releasably connect the suture loop to the snare. In other variations the devices comprise one or more force-reducing suture locks to help prevent the suture loop from inadvertently disengaging from the snare loop assembly. In still other variations, the excess-suture management features. The handles described here may be configured to remove excess suture from a suture loop, and may also be configured to release the suture loop from the snare loop assembly. | 04-14-2011 |
20110276075 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR ACCESSING AND DELIVERING DEVICES TO A HEART - Described here are devices, methods, and systems for accessing and delivering devices to a heart. The left atrial appendage may be used as an access port to allow pericardial access to internal structures of the heart. Systems that may be used to provide access to the heart via the left atrial appendage may comprise a first access element with a first alignment member, a second access element with a second alignment member, a piercing element, and an exchange element. Some systems may further comprise a left atrial appendage stabilization device. Methods of accessing and delivering devices to the heart via the left atrial appendage may comprise advancing a first access element into the left atrial appendage by an intravascular pathway and advancing a second access element towards the left atrial appendage through the pericardial space. The first and second alignment members may form an attachment through the wall of the left atrial appendage so that the first and second access elements are aligned. A piercing element may be advanced to pierce the wall of the left atrial appendage to form an access site therethrough. Optionally, an exchange element may be advanced to initiate a track between the inside and outside of the left atrial appendage, which may be used for device delivery. Also described here are various methods and devices to create a left atrial appendage access site to help position and operate devices within the heart. | 11-10-2011 |
20110282250 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR TREATING ATRIAL FIBRILLATION - Described here are systems and methods for affecting tissue within a body to form a lesion. Some systems comprise tissue-affecting devices, devices that guide the advancement of the tissue-affecting elements to a target tissue region, devices that locate and secure tissue, and devices that help position the tissue-affecting devices along the target tissue. The methods described here comprise advancing a first tissue-affecting device to a first surface of a target tissue, advancing a second tissue-affecting device to a second surface of the target tissue, and positioning the first and second devices so that a lesion may be formed in the tissue between them. In some variations, the devices, systems, and methods described here are used to treat atrial fibrillation by ablating fibrillating tissue from an endocardial surface and an epicardial surface of a heart. Methods of closing, occluding, and/or removing the left atrial appendage are also described. | 11-17-2011 |
20120095434 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PERICARDIAL ACCESS - Devices and methods for accessing the pericardial space of a heart are described here. Access devices may generally comprise a tissue-engaging member, a tissue-piercing member, and a guide element. The access device may be introduced to the surface of a pericardium, where the tissue-engaging member may be deployed to engage a portion of the pericardium without engaging the epicardial surface of the heart. Once the access device has engaged the pericardium, the device may manipulate the pericardium to increase the distance between a portion of the pericardium and the epicardial surface of the heart. Once a sufficient space has been created, the tissue-piercing member may be advanced to pierce the pericardium and enter the pericardial space. The guide element may then be introduced into the pericardial space to provide an access pathway to the heart for other devices. | 04-19-2012 |