text:
Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, February 15, 2013, 12:00 AM
Town Square
A headmaster's parting lesson for parents
Original post made on Feb 15, 2013
Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, February 15, 2013, 12:00 AM
Comments (18)
a resident of Barron Park
on Feb 15, 2013 at 9:10 am
I think this is a bit odd coming from the HM at Menlo. Our older kids attended PAUSD, and we left this year for private school due to concerns, ironically, about what we felt was a bad social climate and insufficient attention to social-emotional education, coupled with a mediocre music and math education at Terman. Our son attends the Priory (where the slogan is "every child is known and loved for who they are," quite a switcheroo from Gunn, let me tell you, and where BTW I cannot even imagine having an out of control bullying problem in the middle grades or an unresponsive administration but that is another thread).
I digress. When we attended the Menlo open house 2 years ago, the speakers went on and on about how Menlo (this is MIDDLE SCHOOL) is all about academic rigor and that in the middle school kids should plan to do 2.5-3 hours of homework per night. Menlo was competitive, menlo was for kids who wanted to compete academically at the highest level. My son and I looked at each other and he said, "can we leave? I want to go to Priory." I said "yeah, we can get this for free at Gunn. I don't have to pay 50K+ per year for this lunacy." And we left. Not that it matters but my son is very successful academically and I don't want him under pressure, I want him to be a joyful learner. I thought it was a madhouse. So to have the head of school now lecturing us about how parents should calm down about pressure then that place seemed designed to select for the most competitive, high strung, helicopter pressure parents you could get is just weird. Physician, heal thyself.
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Feb 15, 2013 at 12:57 pm
Chris Kenrick,
I logged on to thank you for this report - it would be great if you could post links to the New Yorker cartoons mentioned in the article, if Mr. Colb can share them with us.
It's kind of abrupt to find your post. You contribute so much to the discussions on stress, and often you are funny, but in this case, it feels like an unwarranted burn. I attended a Middle School orientation at Menlo in the past years, and had a different experience from yours. They seem quite aware of supporting their students, and I believe they have a TA system from Middle School, a live adult to accompany a student's social emotional
development. Charging at this article with what I would say is some arrogance, I can't help but suggest, in the most well meaning way, that you take the advice of Physician heal thyself, but more in terms of communicating. Saying the same without it sounding so stressful?
Interestingly, I came away from all of the private school orientations, with the sense that I could get the same for free at PAUSD. But that was for Middle School. For High School, the equation changes, and I often go back and forth about which is better, public or private. Today I'm wishing we would have gone private for HS, but tomorrow not sure.
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Feb 15, 2013 at 1:26 pm
Parent - Menlo is competitive, both academically and athletically. To back up Michelle's comment, the following info is from the current Menlo Student/Parent Handbook (keep in mind that PTA and Pediatric guidelines call for 10 minutes per grade, so 6th grade should have no more than an hour).
Approximate homework times:
6th Grade 2 hours per night
7th Grade 2.5 hours per night
8th Grade 3 hours per night
As far as I can tell, high school in almost every local school is about grades and building a college resume, not about learning.
a resident of College Terrace
on Feb 15, 2013 at 1:48 pm
Palo Alto Mom (no relation ;-) ) was spot-on when she wrote "As far as I can tell, high school in almost every local school is about grades and building a college resume, not about learning." Although a lot of learning takes place, it seems obviously secondary to building their college resumes. A little friendly competition for academic success among schoolmates can be healthy. But there is often far more pressure from the parents than is healthy or constructive.
a resident of Menlo Park
on Feb 15, 2013 at 3:17 pm
Michele... you are right, the physician did heal thyself. He's leaving. Such ideas run contrary to the wants and interest of a board of directors made up of hyper-successful and ultra affluent individuals who are ultimately focused on one goal... achievement.
Norm is going to Reno to remind himself of what the real world is all about and a recognition that it cannot be found in a private school in Atherton, CA, I am sorry to say.
a resident of Barron Park
on Feb 15, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Hi Parent of HS -- I'm sorry I came off wrong there. I didn't mean to sound arrogant. I was just trying to share my reaction to Menlo School's open house that I attended and why I love the Priory. Let me please try again. When my son and I attended the Menlo open house, we were very disappointed with the way the presentation really emphasized competition, and homework. One student speaker said, Menlo school is for students who want to compete at the highest level academically. We work very hard. We push ourselves. There's a lot of homework, so if you don't want to work at the highest level you might not like this. SInce this was for middle school, I really didn't like that at all. I didn't know anything about Menlo and the only preconception I had was that it was very wealthy and we probably wouldn't fit in socially. When we went to the cookie and lemonade thing at the open house, the Menlo mom we talked to said that she had been desperate for her child to select Priory because of the emphasis on the whole child and she felt the homework was excessive. That's my impression is that it was very agro in the direction of "work, work, work." Having put older kids through Gunn, I've had all I can take of that mentality and didn't like what I was hearing. Then at the presentation, when they started talking about excessive homework (what I considered excessive) my son asked if I would be mad if we just left, because he wanted to go to Priory.
So let me say a few words about Priory and why it is good. Comparing the Open Houses is instructive. They say "At Priory every child is known and loved for who they are." I kind of teared up when they said that. Then they have a whole presentation about "balance in the middle" about how they are looking for balanced opportunities to just be kids. All the kids are friends. There are no cliques. There is no bullying. When this latest embarrassing and horrifying incident broke in to the papers, I asked Elliot whether that happened at the Priory and he said everyone is friends, he doesn't even know who is smart or who is good at sports or whatever. Those kids love school, they love their teachers, they love to go to school and they are happy. This is true through high school. I wish I had gone to Priory, I wish my other kids had gone to Priory and I wish every kid could have what we are getting. If your top priority is social emotional learning I can't recommend it highly enough. I think for girls that GMS is also terrific from what I hear, but Priory goes through 12th grade and that's an advantage. I am sure Menlo has fans and I am sure they will post too. No school is perfect but the Priory is awesome.
So, in sum, I thought that Menlo was the most aggressively homework and competition oriented open house I attended of the bay area private schools. I assume it isn't really that much work but they are just seeking to have applications from families to whom that appeals, unlike us, who literally ran away from it. So to have the HM say that parents need to get a grip after holding an open house like that one (maybe others were different) I think is weird. That's just my view and I would be glad to hear (relieved, actually) that it is not really as high pressure as they make it seem.
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Feb 15, 2013 at 4:49 pm
I've heard only great things about Priory, and it would be ideal if the culture at all schools could be managed to turn out like they have it. What may influence Menlo is what someone mentioned, about the parents being overachievers. Palo Alto got this stressful because of similar values.
I actually don't need absolute love, and would settle for no false advertising. If a class is supposed to be 2 hours homework per week, it should not be 4. It all goes back to teachers. And how teachers are managed.
In public school you have less control of the teachers, and steering culture or process in a particular direction. On the other hand, in private school it's probably all about the board. In both, it's about the power players (at Menlo it sounds like its the board).
Speaking of which, we have the district leadership problem at PAUSD, and your focus on the practice of delegating to site based management speaks directly to the lack of a coherent culture driven by 25 Churchill. We now even have the top employee there, hiding stuff. I appreciate what you and WCDB have been pointing out on this.
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Feb 15, 2013 at 5:33 pm
I think Ms. Dauber missed the point of the HM statement. He was talking about how over involved, micromanaging, helicoptering parents hurt their children. He was talking about the pressure parents put on kids to excel at everything so they can get into a top tier school.He was not talking about what the academic expectations at Menlo are. Menlo is a private school that can set their own standards. It requires passing a test to be admitted. A child is told up front how much homework they have. They can make the decision just as Michelle's child did to not go there. Hopefully, they have parents who will respect their decision. Unfortunately, there are probably many stressed out kids at Menlo, and I'm sure there are some at Priory, because their parents are pushing them.
I find it naive for Ms. Dauber to think that bullying doesn't go on at Priory since it goes on at every school in the world. Just as teachers in some of the public schools here don't see bullying, I'm sure that there are teachers at Priory who don't see. Kids, even "good" kids, are very good at keeping their behavior under the radar. Her son may think everyone is friends and there are no bullies, but so do many of the children in the middle and high schools in PAUSD.. Just look at the survey data where the majority of kids say there is no bullying at their school, including the school where this civil rights offense occurred. Private schools tend to keep their incidences very private.
As far as social emotional learning goes, I have a friend who has two children there. She said Menlo has consulted extensively with staff at the Nueva school and have implemented some of their programs. Just because a school is academically rigorous, doesn't mean that they don't care about a child's social emotional needs.
I understand that Ms. Dauber is the School of Law at Stanford. Talk about academic pressure. I hope she is helping Stanford decrease the amount of homework and pressure of those students, many of whom are still teenagers.
a resident of Los Altos Hills
on Feb 15, 2013 at 6:33 pm
You think PAUSD and Menlo are bad, you should check out Castilleja. My daughter had several hours of homework EVERY night, including weekends, holidays, and vacations. Many activities and family events were ruined because she had her nose to the grindstone all the time. After three years of her never having any down time, and having to give up her favorite activities, tennis and horseback riding, we decided to pull her out and put her in Gunn.
She hated it at first, she missed her friends, she felt out of place being a tall blonde. But after a few months of after school sports, she became herself again. Now she chides us for not getting her out of Castilleja sooner. She has since told us that several girls were taking Ritalin, Adderall, and other amphetamines in an effort to sleep less and "cram it all in".
So much for the private education!
a resident of Barron Park
on Feb 15, 2013 at 6:59 pm
Parent-- I think you might be confusing "rigor" with "hours of homework" and competition. Priory is rigorous and has many good college admissions. My son is in Alg 1 in grade 6 and will be in Alg 2 in grade 7. But the decision about his placement was made very very thoughtfully by a team that cares deeply about him with an eye toward homework and social emotional needs. All i can say is i think priory proves that you can have rigor without unnecessary stress and for those of you considering where to go right now, its not hype! i feel lucky every day that he is there. The kind of stress I heard about at Menlo just isn't reflected in my experience at Priory. I think it is because of the conscious decision to live by the Benedictine values and focus on the concept of balance in middle school. These kids are happy and they love school. That's really different than gunn or Terman. In terms of Menlo I am only reporting my experience and it seems like some Menlo or former Menlo parents agree. If they are trying to address this that's great but it tends to prove my point that it is a problem to be addressed.
The point is just that Menlo itself needs to change not necessarily the parents. They are a private school and they have the freedom to decide what to do. They don't have to pander to parents who want something bad for kids. And to do that and take the money and seek those parents and then blame the parents for an attitude blatantly encouraged by the school is wrong. Change the school and you will change the parents. Educators stop doing stuff that's bad for kids like ladeling on the stress in order to get the money or raise your career standing. You can't on the one hand claim the status of professionals and on the other abdicate judgement to the market .
Stanford is very conscious of stress -- a change that happened as the result of a large suicide cluster in 2008. The contrast with Stanford's approach and PAUSDs is highly instructive. We're not perfect we're still working on it. A lot of the stress at Stanford is experienced as a result of hypercompetitive behaviors such as cheating that pur undergrads learnt in high stress high schools to be honest. But we're not so stupid as to argue that stress plays no role. P.s. law school is not teens its grad school.
a resident of Greenmeadow
on Feb 15, 2013 at 7:43 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
a resident of Barron Park
on Feb 15, 2013 at 8:18 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 16, 2013 at 1:40 am
Paly Alum is a registered user.
X-Casti mom is complaining about "several hours of homework every night"? We easily got that at Jordan, especially if a child takes a World Language and higher lane math. The math alone takes 1.5 hours.
I've got two who have been through Jordan and it all depends on the teachers (same as everywhere). My first had a rigorous team of teachers in 6th and my second had a rigorous team in 7th. Both had at least 4 hours of homework per night. In 7th, my child had a minimum of THREE quizzes EVERY week, sometimes there were tests or projects in addition to those 3 quizzes. A mom and I shook our heads because our 10th graders had less homework than our 7th graders.
I agree with poster who wrote" "high school in almost every local school is about grades and building a college resume, not about learning." Unfortunate but so true. But they are learning to compete. Just learning isn't enough to become successful. If one really cares about learning, he is on a pathway to community college - not that there's anything wrong with that - they can learn, not care about their grades, and avoid the SAT. It's a less stressful route!
[Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
Priory has 12 students per classroom, which is way too small for us; it's just not real life. And the 40-minute drive? No way.
a resident of Menlo Park
on Feb 16, 2013 at 7:26 am
Alisyn is a registered user.
This community is fortunate to have excellent schools, both public and private. My children have attended Menlo School for 11 years and have found it to be a joyful place with an outstanding Headmaster and excellent teachers. While they do a lot of homework and work hard to get the best grades possible, they have been engaged in their learning and found joy in the process. Norm Colb has done an outstanding job of hiring interesting teachers and supporting students in the educational process. His message to parents is that we don't need to tell our students that an A is better than a B. They are smart and they already know that. As parents, our job is to support our students and not put added pressure on them. Menlo is a supportive community where students are engaged in their learning and where the arts and athletics are encouraged for all.
a resident of JLS Middle School
on Feb 16, 2013 at 8:10 am
JLS mom of 2 is a registered user.
Paly Alum, [portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff] 4 hours of homework a night in 7th grade? Middle school is "learning to compete" and just learning isn't enough? If you care about learning you should go to community college?
The PAUSD homework policy is 10 minutes per grade per night. For 7th grade that is 70 minutes, one hour and 10 minutes. If students at Jordan are doing 3 times that there is another serious policy violation going on that district officials should be looking into. Probably the people who should be concerned about it are the associate superintendent Charles Young and the secondary ed director Mike Millikin. I am pretty sure that Charles Young actually ran the homework committee that set the policy.
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Feb 16, 2013 at 6:58 pm
isez is a registered user.
The 10-minute per grade level calculations are way off base! So off base, it's laughable.
a resident of Crescent Park
on Feb 16, 2013 at 9:57 pm
big is a registered user.
If its the best chance for college you want, your best chance is at Menlo rather than a public school. Gunn does well, I believe, because of a handful of brilliant kids, often faculty kids, and some Asians who entered niddle school having already been through pubery, and who do nothing but work 24/7.
As for Stanford. Its as the guy playing tennis said today. "now we play Stanford rules" - whats that said his partner. "we cheat" he said.
Now its all about appearances, and branding. Doenst matter if you know anything. Soesnt matter if you cheat. Just get into the Ivies or Stanford or MIT or Caltech and you will be set.
a resident of another community
on Mar 1, 2013 at 3:12 pm
slc is a registered user.
There's pressure all around, even at the schools that are loving and supportive places, because unless one is hiding under a rock, that's reality. I think it's important for parents to acknowledge the reality and then deal with it by being the balancing, reasonable voice that helps to dispel the pervasive anxiety over test grades and courses and homework and college.
I can't speak for the various public schools in this area but I can say with confidence that Menlo offers every type of support for the student who wants it. If there's pressure, it's to be involved in too many activities, both inside and outside of school and it comes from enthusiastic peers. Sure, some of that is build-a-resume talk but some of it really is genuine. Academic pressure is definitely not the defining characteristic of this school. I am sorry that that's what came across in the middle school open house because honestly, it's not the reality.
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A prospecting legend and his hunt for treasure
He's a legendary treasure hunter who has survived grizzly bear attacks in B.C. and a helicopter crash in Peru. Along the way, he's discovered 17 ore bodies, including Chile's Escondida, the world's largest copper mine. Another was Arequipa's Pierina gold … Continue reading
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subset: commoncrawl


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Wheeler, d'Arnaud shining stars of Mets' farm system
By Anthony DiComo / MLB.com
NEW YORK -- It has been years, if not decades, since the Mets headlined their farm system with a pair of prospects as talented as Zack Wheeler and Travis d'Arnaud. The two most significant pieces the Mets acquired in trades for Carlos Beltran in 2011 and R.A. Dickey last winter, Wheeler and d'Arnaud have captivated the Mets as fully as any prospects can.
But they are hardly the only reasons why team executives are so eager to see what happens down on the farm this year. Since taking over as vice president of amateur scouting and player development after the 2010 season, Paul DePodesta has made acquiring impact shortstops and catchers a goal. He went about transforming their system with up-the-middle players, from d'Arnaud to 2012 first-round Draft pick Gavin Cecchini to high-profile international signing German Rosario.
"We sort of identified a couple of areas that we really wanted to strengthen, and now we feel like at every level there's someone that we're excited about," DePodesta said. "I'm really happy with the depth that we've been able to create at those spots. I'm pretty confident that not every one of them will turn out exactly the way we want, but I think we've gotten to the point now where we have enough of them that someone will."
The strength of this system, of course, is still pitching. From Wheeler at Triple-A Las Vegas to Rafael Montero at Double-A Binghamton to a banner rotation at Class A St. Lucie, the Mets feel they have potential aces at every level of the Minors. As DePodesta noted, not all of them will turn into stars. But if the next Jon Niese or Matt Harvey lurks among that group, the Mets are eager to find him.
where to watch
|Travis d'Arnaud
|Las Vegas
|Zack Wheeler
|Las Vegas
|Noah Syndergaard
|St. Lucie
|Brandon Nimmo
|Jeurys Familia
|Las Vegas
|Gavin Cecchini
|Extended ST
|Wilmer Flores
|Las Vegas
|Rafael Montero
|Luis Mateo
|St. Lucie
|Michael Fulmer
|St. Lucie (DL)
|Domingo Tapia
|St. Lucie
|Jacob DeGrom
|St. Lucie
|Hansel Robles
|St. Lucie
|Cesar Puello
|Cory Mazzoni
|Wilfredo Tovar
|Kevin Plawecki
|Matthew Reynolds
|St. Lucie
|Phillip Evans
|German Rosario
|Extended ST
"They're guys that have stuff and throw strikes, and so far they're off to a great start -- almost every single one of them," DePodesta said. "Every night, you go into the day knowing that we have three or four legitimate guys starting games throughout the Minor Leagues, which is really fun."
With those games under way, fans can keep track of the Mets' top prospects throughout the season on MLBPipeline.com and Prospect Watch. Scores, stats, news, schedules, tickets and more are available for all of the organization's Minor League teams on MLBPipeline.com/Mets.
Stacked squads
The Las Vegas 51s are the only team in the country featuring two of MLB.com's Top 10 prospects, with Wheeler and d'Arnaud both starting the season in the desert. Though neither is likely to stay more than a few months, they should combine to put on a show early this summer.
The elite talent in Vegas does not end with those two. MLB.com's fifth-ranked Mets prospect, Jeurys Familia, is back in Triple-A working out of the bullpen. The Mets loved what they saw from Familia in Spring Training, and they believe he has all the skills necessary to develop into a lockdown late-innings reliever. Infielder Wilmer Flores is also in Vegas after breaking out offensively last summer. If he manages to submit another strong offensive season, he could knock on the door to the big leagues by midsummer despite still lacking a long-term defensive home.
Also of note is the rotation at St. Lucie, which includes high-ceiling right-handers Noah Syndergaard, Domingo Tapia, Hansel Robles, Luis Mateo and Jacob DeGrom. Michael Fulmer should join that group after he returns from right knee surgery, which he underwent during Spring Training.
Debuts and Draftees
Though the Mets caught a quick look at Cecchini late last summer, they will get a more significant sample for the first time this season. Cecchini should start at Class A Brooklyn, where he ended last season, with the potential for a promotion later this summer. If everything breaks right, he will take tangible steps toward developing into New York's shortstop of the future.
Other intriguing names from the 2012 Draft class include catcher Kevin Plawecki, who hit eight home runs in 67 Class A games last season, and shortstop Matthew Reynolds, who could ultimately wind up at third base. Those two started at Class A Savannah and St. Lucie, respectively.
Another shortstop to watch closely is Rosario, who will make his professional debut a year after inking a $1.75 million bonus -- more than half the Mets' $2.9 million international signing budget. Rosario is all projection right now but could develop into a superstar if everything breaks right. His journey officially begins this summer.
New kids on the block
d'Arnaud is not simply a new kid -- he's the crown jewel of this system. A power-hitting catcher with a strong reputation for both defense and hitting, d'Arnaud would have made his Major League debut in 2012 had he not torn a ligament in his left knee in June, ending his season. As it is, he started this season back at Las Vegas.
The Mets took on significant risk in acquiring d'Arnaud, dealing reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Dickey to the Blue Jays in a seven-player trade in December. Though the Mets also acquired their catcher of the present in that trade, John Buck, the deal from their perspective centered on d'Arnaud.
The other key chip in that trade was Syndergaard, a hard-throwing right-hander who began this summer at St. Lucie. Though Syndergaard remains a few years away from the big leagues, the Mets believe he has top-of-the-rotation potential. A 6-foot-6 Texan, Syndergaard struck out 122 batters in 103 2/3 innings at Class A Lancaster last season.
Teams on TV
Las Vegas is among a growing number of teams whose games are available on MiLB.TV -- good news for Mets fans, considering both Wheeler and d'Arnaud will spend the early summer with the 51s. The 2013 MiLB.TV package includes more than 3,500 Minor League games streamed live, as well as games archived for on-demand streaming soon after completion.
Anthony DiComo is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyDicomo. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Moral Imperative, More Cowbell versus Red Sox!
You knew it was only going to be a matter of time before the bashing began. You knew it was going to take just one commercial like this one, or even one sentence from someone like me to get this rivalry kicked off again right. I have always been labeled an instigator, but in this series, I am but a fly on the wall. This series doesn't need to be hyped up, it doesn't need my help, it is a monster among itself ready to pounce and destroy. But this series seems to be starting on a timid mark, and right now it surely doesn't need a fire lit under that keg of dynamite under either teams fan base.
Why try and put any exclamation points on this series? Why even try and promote it as a "Must Win" time of the year? If the Rays fan base has not already circled these dates on the calendar back in April with red ink would it still be important to people? So as we venture into Tropicana Field tonight hopefully the 14,000 unsold seats will be overtaken by local fans wanting to show support or fight for the home team. Armed with loud voices and other pesky cowbells, we shall overtake the senses of the Boston Red Sox and gain a small, but vital advantage at least on their minds.
My only answer to that is the fact that there are "Still good seat available" according to the Rays commercials both on the television and the radio concerning this series. And that pisses me off big time! That this region can not even fathom something of this major sports importance this late in a season and correspond with ticket sales is beyond me. I know we are new at this postseason rally stuff, and the excitement might not be as consistent as we all would like it to be, but even if it is a Tuesday night, and the worst night of the week for Rays ticket sales this season, it is beyond me that people are not behind this quest for the playoffs.
Hey, DVR Rescue Me and come on out to the Trop. and support this team like there is no tomorrow. Because if this series starts to go south in any way, it will could change our role from hopeful to spoiler in a matter of innings. For this team to get back into the playoff race they will have to start the longest winning streak of the season. And that is possible, but only if everyone, including the Rays community are on the same page. Because in stark reality, if the Rays fall short in this series, the playoff bubble will burst and the Rays will be fighting to mess up the seedlings for the playoffs instead of playing in them.
For years people around the Tampa Bay are asked for a competitive team and then they will decide to show up at games. Well it is "put up or shut up time" to the Tampa Bay community. This is your moment to make the fans back in Boston know who owns this town. This is our time to show the baseball world and those collective talking heads in Bristol that this town does have baseball fire in its belly. To show indifference or even spot vacant seats in the lower bowl is to give the Red Sox some ammunition to count out the Rays fans. It also gives credo to the MLB that maybe this region, or at least where the stadium is now is a deterrent to attendance.
This is time for everyone to "Feel the Heat!" All season long people have been pushing back Rays losses saying it is "not important at that moment" to consider that one loss important. well, that thinking has gotten us to this fragile point in the season where every loss is so critical it hurts deep to the team's post season plans. How important is the Rays fans coming out to this series? Why should they venture out into the dark night and support this team right now? Because this team needs you!. Plain and simple, black and white. People have asked for this kind of atmosphere and now that we have it, the Trop is still half empty at the start of the game.
This team needs to show the Red Sox Nation and the collective baseball world that the road to the playoffs still have to come through Tropicana Field. But also has the plain white reality that the Rays are against the invisible brick wall right now and that should be double motivation for people to want to get on board and come out and support this team.
Sure the Red Sox will still have their legions of fans here even if we sold out the Trop. because some Boston fans were smart and bought their tickets back early in the season knowing that the Rays last home series between these teams could be a the deciding factor for either of them to rise into the playoff race. But now it comes down to the basics that even a single loss in this series is going to damper more than the possible playoff picture. A simple loss in this series puts all the pressure straight on top of the Rays to keep winning, or the Red Sox to begin winning.
And it doesn't matter if the Red Sox are currently on a 3-game winning streak, this is a whole different set of parameters, and a different set of rules when you play the Rays. Nothing is taken for granted, and nothing is guaranteed to you. So let's consider this for a moment. Just what does this series really mean to Tampa Bay?
***If they sweep the series with the Red Sox, they get within striking range of the Wild Card lead, but are still two games out of the lead.
***If they lose this series, it is the essential nail in the coffin because at 7-games back, the Red Sox would have to go into a huge tailspin for the Rays to consider a spot again this season.
***Even taking 1 out of 3 is not an attractive option right now since that would pop us back another 2 games with just over 30-ish to go in 2009.
So as you can tell, the optimal goal is to sweep the series and gain some control in this Wild Card race. Straight, to the point, all cards on the table. The Rays have not been under the gun like this in 2009. This is the time to see what they are truly made of, and if they have the fortitude and the mustard to sprint back into this playoff picture, or fall behind the leaders and be bystanders for the rest of the season.
And if you think the Red Sox have any plans of letting this team get close again to them, you got another thing coming to you. They will do anything and everything to crush this Rays opposition right here and right now in front of their home fans. And that would be a crushing blow to this Rays team, who praise and thank the fan base all the time for their efforts. The Red Sox have fashioned their rotation to basically resemble a 3-game playoff format and have stacked it in a way to secure as many wins as they can before leaving town.
And believe me, the guys in that Rays and Red Sox clubhouses both know what is at stake tonight. Each player on either team knows the importance of a win. And if you remember what has happened here at Tropicana Field between these two teams in 2009, you see a wide variety of conclusions. You can go onto both ends of the spectrum and see a 1-hitter thrown by Matt Garza that dazed and confused the Red Sox, to a extra inning affair highlighted by a errant catcher's equipment bag making a firm voice in the game.
Expect the unexpected in this series. I am really thinking that a few well-called well-planned trick moves will be the difference in this series. It could be a double steal, it could be a hit and run that ends up in one of the outfield corners. It could even be a steal of home plate by someone. My expectations of this series is easy. I want to see each team sweat, get dirty and play until the last out….period. The outcome of each game I am hoping will come down to one moment that will define that game. I am not asking for a grand slam or even a complete game shutout, but one singular moment should define each game.
And that above everything else will define this series. Who do I think will take the prize? Well, if you have to ask, you have not been reading between the lines here. I would not be surprised if there are brooms here on Thursday night, but I also would not be surprised if there are not any here. This is a critical series in a critical month with results that will echo all the way to next February. One team has to want this more than the other. One team wants to defend their title and regain some respect from the National League. And the other is in attack mode. Knowing that a single defeat can dent their armor and maybe produce a crack that can not be fixed in time.
But the great thing about baseball, besides no time limit is the fact on any given day, anyone can come home with the victory. Both teams are hungry. Both teams have something to prove, but if we also do not come out here and produce noise, cheers and support this team, they could fold like a house of cards. So get those cowbells ready, get those vocal chords wet and ready for some screams and cheers, but mostly get out here for some September pennant action.
This is the last chance in 2009 to make your feelings known to the Red Sox faithful here and at home in Boston. Believe me, Red Sox fans hate those cowbells almost as much as I hate Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond. But now is the call to arms, legs and fingers to those that claim to support this team. This is your teams silent request for you to show up and be loud and proud the next three days.
For if we are not loud and proud and showing our passion and excitement for playoff fever, then we might as well pack away the bells for another season, sit on our hands and watch this season slip away from us and the Rays players. But that is not an option here. So your presence is requested within the confines of Tropicana Field for one of the next three game against the Red Sox. And be sure to either wear your favorite Rays gear, or dress in anything not including the color red. Let's see if we can make the Trop a sea of white and blue and only view a small patch here and there of Red tide.
8 Comments
I'm with you on this one, a sweep is the best path for the excitement you hope for at the beginning of the season. Wouldn't you love to be nipping at the heels of the Sox again this year???!
The next 4 series for the Rays could decide their run. If they take care of business and get the job done, then it is an easier road.
But, if they smack the wall, it is over. Hopefully over the next 6 games with 3 against Boston and 3 against Detroit before reloading and then heading to New York and Boston on the road, the road will be outlined for them.
I would rather go into the last series against the Yankees at home knowing wins can get us there than fight for our lives so early in September.
But then again, that is just me!
Rays Renegade
Cliff, I would be at all three of these games (and all the home games before and after this one) if i could. I would so be there with cowbell in hand and really to lose my voice if I had too. I hope those tickets got sold. It pisses me off that there is not a TON of support for them in their OWN PARK!
I know they are down 5-2 right now…but there is still time life in the game. I hope they KICK BUTT!!!
Cliff – the lack of fan support for the Rays was certainly noted by the Red Sox fans on Twitter last night. It really was quite sad to see. You are right when you said that this series was critical for the Rays. I know it was the result you were looking for, but my Red Sox came out playing as well as they ever have in the Trop. Lester set a season record for strikeouts and Ellsbury made some amazing catches. On to game two tonight.
I know you would be at any, if not all of them without question.
But Tuesday night has been the Rays problem night all season long. And there was nothing besides the St. Petersburg civil elections that could have kept people away past 8 pm.
It is just fraustrating having to see a sea of red mixed almost 50% into our sea of blue, and most of that blue is the seats that stood empty for this contest.
I guess this region doesn't get it yet. I guess they thin the owners will be like the old Hugh Culverhouse Bucs and stay here knowing there is no place better to move.
This franchise doesn't have that luxury. They need the money to keep the product fresh on the field in terms of competitve talent.
And that revenue starts with the bodies in the seats.
Rays Renegade
I made sure to pop about 4 photos up there taken right after the First Pitch, and I have to say my stomach dropped from the site.
I am almost too exhausted from trying to figure out the cause and effect of getting more fannies in the seats.
The team has put a winning product on the field.
The night was not one of those where other options outweighed a person attending the game.
And it ended up being the second WORST attended Red Sox/Rays game EVER.
Rays Renegade
Yeah, really, the people of Tampa Bay need to get down there. You don't want Tropicana Field to be full of Red Sox fans! Seriously, though, I would love it if the Rays won the Wild Card. They may have lost some key contributors, but they're still an exciting young team, and I'd really like to see them in the postseason again this year.-Erinhttp://plunking-gomez.blogspot.com
Even now, as I sit in those stands I feel more like an outsider hopnig they can do it too.
It just seems like a train running out of control with no brakes and we do not know what is going to happen next.
Hopefully tonight we can get some more clarity on what to expect, or not expect out of this squad the rest of the way through the season.
But this also give the Rays front office a advantage to even consider a reloaction idea if the region is so fickle to not even support a winning team.
Rays Renegade


text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|20 Nov 1997
|Filing date
|10 May 1996
|Priority date
|10 May 1996
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Richard Murphy
|Cardiovascular Concepts, Inc.
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (8), Non-Patent Citations (1), Referenced by (62), Classifications (3), Legal Events (8)
|External Links: Patentscope, Espacenet
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of medical diagnostics, and particularly to the field of determining physiologic characteristics of body lumens. In one particular aspect, the invention provides methods and apparatus for measuring the cross-section of a diseased vessel segment.
To properly treat many bodily diseases or abnormalities, certain physiologic characteristics, such as the size of a particular body member, often need to be determined. One example is in the treatment of vascular lesions, stenosed regions, and particularly vascular aneurysms, which often requires the endoluminal placement of tubular prostheses, such as grafts, stents, and other structures. Before the prothesis is placed in the vascular anatomy, the size of the lesion is measured so that a properly sized prosthesis can be selected.
Vascular aneurysms are defined as the abnormal dilation of a blood vessel, usually resulting from disease and/or genetic predisposition which can weaken the arterial wall and allow it to expand. While aneurysms can occur in any blood vessel, most occur in the aorta and peripheral arteries, with the majority of aortic aneurysms occurring in the abdominal aorta, usually beginning below the renal arteries and often extending distally into one or both of the iliac arteries.
Aortic aneurysms are most commonly treated in open surgical procedures where the diseased vessel segment is by-passed and repaired with an artificial vascular graft. Recently, methods for endovaεcular graft placement for the treatment of aneurysms have been proposed. One such method and apparatus for endovascular placement of intraluminal prostheses, including both grafts and stents, is described in co-pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/290,021, filed August 12, 1994, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. A suitable intraluminal prosthesis for such a method includes a radially compressible, tubular frame having a proximal end, a distal end, and an axial lumen therebetween. The prosthesis is delivered to the area of interest via a delivery catheter. The prosthesis is then partially released from the catheter into a blood vessel or other body lumen to allow the prosthesis to radially expand and conform to the interior surface of the lumen being treated. The prosthesis can then be repositioned by the catheter until it is properly placed within the vessel. Optionally, the prosthesis may be implanted within a vessel by expanding a malleable portion of the prosthesis with a balloon catheter. Exemplary graft prostheses are described in co-pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/255,681, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. As previously described, before the endoluminal placement of an intraluminal prosthesis, it is desirable to first determine the appropriate size for the expanded prosthesis so that the prosthesis will properly fit within the body lumen. For instance, in the case of vascular aneurysms, it is often desirable to determine the diameter of the vessel adjacent to the aneurysm so that the prosthesis will match the size of the vessel on either side of the diseased area. In other circumstances, the cross-sectional area or the circumference of a lumen would be helpful. For example, where a prosthesis will conform to a vessel which has an irregular cross-section, it is desirable that the periphery of the implanted prosthesis match the lumen circumference to seal along the periphery. Alternatively, the open cross-section area would be helpful in determining whether placement of a prosthesis is an appropriate therapy for a stenosed lumen. As a final example, it is desirable to select a properly sized balloon catheter to firmly implant the prosthesis within the vessel, but which will not over-expand the prosthesis and damage the healthy vessel walls. Current methods for measuring the open cross section near an effected body lumen employ fluoroscopy. To determine the diameter of a vessel using fluoroscopy, a catheter is inserted into the vessel and a contrast agent is injected into the vessel through the catheter. The blood flow carries the contrast agent along the vessel so that the vessel can be radiographically imaged with a fluoroscope. The fluoroscope produces a planar (or two dimensional) image of the vessel which can be evaluated to determine the existence of a diseased or abnormal area within the vessel. The nominal diameter of the diseased or abnormal area is then estimated by measuring the diameter of the vessel in the area adjacent to the diseased area on the radiographic image. However, such a measurement is typically not particularly accurate since it relies on discerning an ill-defined boundary in a single plane. Such a measurement does not take into account that the vessel is usually not in the same plane as the resulting fluoroscopic image. Another drawback to such procedures in determining the diameter of a vessel is that the vessel is often irregular in cross section, i.e., is not circular. Hence, even if the vessel were in the same plane as the resulting fluoroscopic image of the vessel, it would still be difficult to measure the open diameter of an irregular vessel. Alternative prior art methods for measuring physiological characteristics of lumens have stressed the diseased lumen being measured. To determine lumen wall compliance and internal diameter, it haε been proposed that a balloon be inflated with relatively low pressure fluid within a lumen. By monitoring inflation fluid volume and pressure, wall compliance of an expanding lumen can be determined. By inflating the balloon with sufficient internal pressure to expand the balloon so that it is restrained by the lumen wall, lumen cross-sectional area or diameter can also be measured. However, the balloon must be inflated with sufficient pressure to ensure that it has contacted the lumen wall all along the periphery to obtain an accurate measurment. Additionally, the measurement balloon systems of the prior art have utilized generally cylindrical balloons of non-compliant materials. Hence, the prior art methods have stressed the target region of the diseased lumen by forcing irregular lumens towards a cylindrical shape and by distending the diseased lumen.
Improper determination of the vessel size can result in the selection of a prosthesis that is too small and hence cannot be properly grafted. The endoluminal placement of an improperly sized prosthesis can present a number of serious problems. One problem is that the prosthesis must be removed from the body lumen and replaced with another that is properly sized. This can often be difficult if the prosthesis has been radially expanded while in the body lumen. To remove the expanded prosthesis, the prosthesis must be radially compressed and then withdrawn from the body lumen. Such a procedure increases the risk of injury to the patient as well as unduly increasing operating time and expense.
Methods and apparatus are therefore needed for accurately measuring the cross-section of a body lumen, and in particular the diameter, circumference, and cross-sectional area of a vascular lesion. In one particular aspect, it would be desirable to provide improved methods and apparatus for the measurement of blood vessels in the region adjacent aneurysms so that the proper size of intraluminal prostheses, such as grafts and stents, can be accurately determined. It would be further desirable if such methods and apparatus were simple to use and could be used with existing fluoroscopy technology. Finally, it would be particularly desirable if such measurements could be taken without causing unnecessary stress to the diseased vessel.
2. Description of the Background Art
As previously described, methods and apparatus for placement and repositioning of intraluminal prostheses are described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/290,021, the disclosure of which has previously been incorporated by reference. Suitable graft structures for placement in body lumens are described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/255,681, the disclosure of which has previously been incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Patent No. 5,275,169 describes methods and apparatus for determining the internal cross-sectional area and compliance of a vessel by measuring the volume and pressure of an incompressible fluid within an inflated balloon catheter. U.S. Patent No. 4,651,738 describes a system for monitoring the pressure-volume relationship during conventional angioplasty procedures. U.S. Patent No. 5,171,299 describes a similar apparatus which displays balloon pressure and diameter based on internal balloon pressure during angioplasty. U.S. Patent No. 5,135,488 describes an angioplasty system having a microprocessor for controlling, monitoring, displaying, and recording balloon inflation data. The medical literature also describes such measurements. See, for example, Abele (1980) AJR 135:901-906; Dembe et al. (1991) J. Am . Coll . Cardiol . 18:1259-1262. The use of computer enhanced radiographic imaging techniques for determining vascular lumen diameter is described in Serruys et al. (1984) Am . J . Cardiol . 54:482-488; and Nicols et al. (1984) Circulation 69:512-522.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides methods and apparatus for determining a cross-sectional dimensions of body lumens, and particularly for determining the cross-sectional area, circumference and diameter of target regions within body lumens. Body lumens amenable to the methods and apparatus of the present invention include blood vessels, the intestines, the urethra, and the like. Although suitable for the measurement of most body lumens, the present invention will find its greatest use in the measurement of vascular lesions, particularly vascular aneurysms, vascular stenoses, and the like. Advantageously, the cross-sectional dimensions of such lesions can be used to select the proper size of intraluminal prostheses, such as grafts and stents, the proper balloon for balloon angioplasty procedures, and the proper therapy for that vascular lesion.
The methods of the present invention are carried out without disrupting the cross-sectional characteristics being determined. According to the present methods, a balloon catheter is inflated within a diseased lumen so that a cross- section of the balloon substantially matches the cross-section of the lumen being measured. The present methods then measure a cross-sectional dimension of the balloon within the lumen. As used herein, "cross-sectional dimension" includes all physical dimensions of the body lumen which relate or correspond to the cross-sectional area, specifically including the cross-sectional area, peripheral length (e.g. circumference) , width (e.g. diameter in circular vessels) , and the like. Advantageously, the present methods are performed without significantly distending the diseased lumen prior to selection and application of an appropriate therapy.
The present invention may advantageously be used with other apparatus and methods for measurement of the length of vascular lesions, as disclosed in copending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/380,735 (Attorney Docket No. 16380-16) , the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. Broadly, the present method for measuring a cross- section of a lumen comprises inserting a balloon catheter into the lumen, and aligning the balloon with a target location of the lumen. The balloon is then inflated so that a cross- section of the balloon is substantially the same as the cross- section of the target location of the lumen. A cross- sectional dimension of the inflated balloon is then measured, providing the corresponding dimension of the target location of the lumen.
Advantageously, the methods of the present invention avoid the distending of the lumen required for the pressure/volume monitoring methods of the prior art. Instead, the present methods measure a lumen cross-sectional dimension from a balloon inflated so as to have a cross-section that is substantially the same as the lumen being measured, i.e. with minimal or no luminal distension. As used herein,
"substantially the same" is used to mean that the balloon cross-section conforms to the lumen cross-section without substantially altering the cross-sectional shape or any cross-sectional dimension. Preferably, the balloon changes the measured cross-sectional width by less than 5%, ideally by less than 2%.
In one aspect of the present lumen measurement method, the peripheral surface of the balloon is conformed or matched to the lumen based on a change in a flow through the lumen. The change is preferably measured by a sensing a change in the flow as the balloon is expanded, preferably with a sensor on the catheter. The expansion can thus be terminated when, for example, the flow is substantially blocked by the balloon, before the balloon has applied any significant force against the lumen wall.
In certain embodiments of the present method, a very flexible elastomeric balloon is inflated using a low pressure fluid, expanding the balloon until it is restrained by the lumen wall. The fluid is at sufficiently low pressure that it will not distend the lumen wall, while the elastomeric material allows the balloon to expand to conform with an irregular lumen cross-section. Preferably, an external pressure sensor measures lumen ambient physiological pressure to limit the required inflation fluid pressure. The balloon thereby inflates so as to have substantially the same cross-section as the body lumen, without substantially expanding or otherwise traumatizing the body lumen. Alternative embodiments of the present methods comprise expanding balloons having a conical or tapered shape with low pressure inflation fluid until a portion of the balloon having a cross-section smaller than the lumen is fully expanded, while a portion of the balloon having a cross- section larger than the lumen is not fully expanded. In such embodiments only a portion of the balloon is matched or conformed to the cross-section of the body lumen.
As described in more detail hereinbelow, there are several alternative methods for measuring the cross-section of the inflated balloon. In certain embodiments of the present method, a cross-sectional dimension of the lumen is found by deflating and removing the balloon, and measuring certain irreversible changes which were recorded during the maximum expansion of the balloon within the lumen. For example, a balloon having a plurality of internal segments, where each segment is attached to the inside of the balloon wall to define a balloon diameter, will record a lumen diameter by breaking those segments which are shorter than the maximum inflated balloon diameter.
Alternative embodiments of the present methods determine the expanded balloon cross-section in situ using remote electrical or mechanical indicators. For example, a conductive coil which expands with the balloon wall will vary in electrical characteristics in correlation with balloon cross-section. Hence, measuring the resistance, inductance, or capacitance of such an expanding conductive coil allows immediate calculation of the inflated balloon circumference or diameter.
In further alternative embodiments, measurement elements are interpreted in situ using known imaging modalities, such as fluoroscopy, radiography, ultrasound, or the like. For example, a balloon having elastomeric marker bands on the balloon wall are imaged while inflated to match the lumen cross-section. Preferably, the marker bands provide a sharp image, and increase in width in correlation with increasing balloon circumference, allowing calculation of the lumen circumference from the marker band width. Advantageously, such marker band widths could be accurately measured using known intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) systems from within a lumen of the catheter.
The lesion measurement catheters of the present invention comprise a catheter body having proximal and distal ends, and a balloon disposed at the distal end of the body.
The present catheters will usually include means for matching an inflated diameter of the balloon with a diameter of a target location of a lumen, as described above. Preferably, the present catheters also include a measurement element for measurement of the inflated balloon.
Several alternative embodiments of the measurement element are described. In a preferred embodiment, the balloon is elastomeric and includes an external pressure sensor which indicates the pressure on the outer surface of the catheter. Optionally, an internal pressure sensor measures the pressure of an inflation fluid within the inflated balloon. The diameter of an elastomeric balloon can be correlated from a difference in these two pressures. Alternatively, monitoring the volume of an incompressible inflation fluid allows calculation of the cross-sectional area of the inflated balloon. Advantageously, the external pressure sensor can also measure changes in the flow through the lumen to indicate when the balloon has fully matched or conformed to the lumen cross-section, as described above.
In certain embodiments the measurement element will comprise marker bands to provide an indicator of the balloon's cross-section. Optionally, the marker bands are visible using known imaging techniques, including fluoroscopy, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) , and the like. Preferably, the marker bands are elastomeric and increase in width as the balloon expands, as described above. Alternatively, the marker bands are conductors which change in electrical property as the balloon expands.
Alternative embodiments of the present measurement catheter comprise a balloon and an electrical coil attached to the balloon wall so as to expand the coil as the balloon inflates. Electrical properties of such a coil will vary with balloon cross-sectional dimension.
Further alternative embodiments of the present catheter provide a mechanical measurement of the balloon diameter or circumference. Optionally, a linkage assembly expands to measure the internal balloon diameter. Alternatively, an inelastic coil which expands with the balloon will unwind with an increasing balloon circumference. Such mechanical measurements are optionally imaged using fluoroscopy, X-ray, or ultrasound, or alternatively are transmitted along the catheter body. Still further embodiments of the present lesion measurement catheter include at least one measurement element which is altered by expansion of the balloon within the lumen. Optionally, a plurality of segments or disks corresponding to varying balloon diameters are provided, at least one corresponding to a diameter larger than the lumen and at least one corresponding to a diameter smaller than the lumen. The image of the segments or disks may change under fluoroscopy or ultrasound when a balloon diameter exceeds a corresponding segment or disk diameter. Alternatively, irreversibly overexpanded segments or disks may record the maximum expanded diameter of the balloon after the catheter has been deflated and removed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of a lumen measurement catheter according to the present invention. The catheter is shown with the balloon inflated within a body lumen.
Fig. 2 illustrates the catheter of Fig. 1 in a measuring position.
Fig. 3 illustrates a particular embodiment of the present catheter having elastomeric marking bands. Fig. 4 illustrates the catheter of Fig. 3 with the balloon inflated.
Fig. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present catheter having bands which vary in resistance with balloon circumference. Fig. 6 is an interior view of the catheter of Fig. 5 with the balloon expanded.
Fig. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the present catheter having an electrical coil which expands with the balloon. Fig. 8 illustrates a mechanical linkage which is attached to opposing sides of the inner surface of an alternative embodiment of the present catheter.
Fig. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the present lesion measurement catheter having a flexible conduit attached to the balloon and an inelastic wire disposed within the conduit.
Fig. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the present catheter having a plurality of measurement elements. Fig. 11 illustrates an embodiment of the present catheter having a tapered balloon and a plurality of measurement elementε.
Fig. 12 illustrates an embodiment of the present catheter having a segmented balloon with rupture disks between segments.
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for determining cross-sectional dimensions, such as the internal diameter, circumference, or cross-sectional area, of a body lumen. The methods and apparatus will preferably be used to measure the cross-section of vascular lesions, and will find its greatest use in measuring the diameter of vascular aneurysmε and stenoses. The methods and apparatus can also find use in measuring internal dimensions of other defects or abnormalities. Diameter and peripheral lengths provided by the present invention will be particularly useful in sizing intraluminal prostheses, such as vascular grafts or stents, that are endovascularly placed within the vessel to treat the aneurysm or other abnormality. Cross-sectional areas provided by the invention can also be used to select the proper diameter for a balloon angioplasty catheter or to size other therapeutic devices. An important feature of the present invention is that it allows cross-sectional dimensions to be measured regardless of the orientation of the body lumen within the body. Usually, most body lumens curve throughout the body thereby reducing the accuracy of measurements obtained from conventional fluoroscopy procedures which produce planar images of the lumen. The present invention takes into consideration both the varied orientations of body lumens within the body and their irregular cross-sectional shapes when determining their physiologic characteristics. In making such determinations, the present invention can incorporate the use of existing fluoroscopy technology as well as existing ultrasonic imaging technology. An advantage of the present invention is that the distending of the abnormal or diseased body lumen, as associated with prior art lumen diameter measurements, is avoided. Instead, a cross-section of the present balloon catheter is matched with the lumen diameter. The balloon cross-sectional dimension can then be determined, indirectly providing the lumen diameter. Thus, a proper therapy can be selected based on the existing dimensions of the lumen, before those dimensions are altered. To provide such features and advantages, the invention in one exemplary embodiment provides a luminal lesion measurement catheter 10 as shown in Fig. 1. The catheter 10 includes an elongate tubular body 12 having a proximal end 14, a distal end 16, and a lumen 18 therebetween. Preferably, the length of tubular body 12 will be in the range from about 40 cm to about 200 cm. A balloon 20 is disposed about tubular body 12 near distal end 16. Balloon 20 usually comprises an elastomeric material such as latex. In some embodiments, balloon 20 may alternatively comprise a flexible, inelastic material such as polyurethane, PET, or the like.
Catheter 10 is seen in Fig. 1 inserted into a body lumen 22, with balloon 20 shown in an inflated configuration. Balloon 20 is expandable within lumen 22 so that the balloon cross- section matches and conforms to the lumen cross-section, but need not stress lumen 22 by expanding substantially beyond that point. In this embodiment, expansion is controlled using external sensor 24 attached to distal end 16 proximal of balloon 20. As balloon 20 expands, occlusion of the body lumen will cause a drop in pressure and a reduction in flow F. Sensor 24 may sense either pressure or flow. Regardless, the expansion of balloon 20 is terminated prior to expanding or stressing lumen 22.
Alternatively, expansion of the balloon may be stopped before the flow in the lumen is completely blocked, thereby avoiding all stress on the lumen wall, as well as the hazards of complete blockage of a lumen. Total lumen cross- section are then found by a correlation between the balloon diameter and the change in lumen flow, as measured at external sensor 24. Similarly, bypasε flow lumens (not shown) of known size extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the balloon may alternatively be incorporated.
The diameter of inflated balloon 20 is then measured to determine the diameter of the lumen. The present invention provides several alternative embodiments of balloon diameter measurement elements or means. Preferably, balloon 20 comprises an elastomeric balloon having a known correlation between internal pressure and diameter. An internal pressure sensor 26 provides the internal balloon pressure, and thereby allows balloon diameter to be calculated from internal pressure. Preferably, internal pressure data is combined with external presεure from εensor 24 to provide the pressure difference across balloon 20. As the balloon diameter is most accurately determined by this difference in pressure, this combination provides a very precise indication of balloon diameter.
Optionally, monitoring the volume of an incompressible inflation fluid introduced into catheter 10 from calibrated reservoir R allows the present catheter system to measure both the cross-sectional area and compliance of lumen 22. Once balloon 20 has been matched to the lumen cross-section as described above, the cross-section of the balloon may be calculated from the inflation volume and the inflated balloon length. Clearly, such a calculation is most accurate where balloon 20 is constructed so as to expand radially only, rather than in length.
Further inflation of balloon 20 from calibrated reservoir R will expand the balloon outward against the lumen. Correlating the change in fluid volume of the balloon with the change in pressure (as measured at internal sensor 26) will allow calculation of the lumen wall resilience. An alternative apparatus and method for such a measurement is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,275,169. Fig. 2 illustrates the lesion measurement catheter of Fig. 1 as used to measure a blood vessel cross-section in the region adjacent to an aneurism. Alternatively, the catheter might be used to measure the diameter of the aneurism itself, or to measure the open cross-sectional area of a stenosed region, or the like. Advantageously, the present devices and methods allow such measurements without distending or otherwise traumatizing such diseased lumens. As shown in Fig. 2, catheter 10 has been inserted within an abnormal lumen 30 and aligned with a target region 32. The diameter of target region 32 might, for example, be needed to determine the size of an intraluminal stent to be inserted within lumen 30. Balloon 20 is shown inflated, thereby blocking a normal blood flow F. Thus the pressure and flow acting on external sensor 24 has been altered. This information is transmitted to the physician via wires 34. When flow F is completely blocked by balloon 20, the cross- section of balloon 20 has been matched to the cross-section of target region 32 of lumen 30.
Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment of the present lesion measurement catheter having marker bands for determining the inflated balloon circumference. Catheter 10 has a balloon 40 which is elastomeric. Balloon 40 includes two radiopaque elastomeric marker bands 42 attached to the surface of elastomeric balloon 40. Fig. 3 illustrates balloon 40 in a relaxed configuration having diameter 44, while bands 42 have relaxed width 46. Bands 42 will vary with the peripheral length of elastomeric balloon 40, which in turn will vary with balloon diameter when the balloon is not constrained. Generally, lesion measurement catheters according to the present invention will have a relaxed or unexpanded outer diameter in the range from 2 mm to 12 mm, preferably being in the range from 2 mm to 5 mm. Fig. 4 illuεtrates balloon 40 in an expanded configuration, having an expanded diameter 48. Fully expanded lesion measurement balloons will have diameters in the range from 6 mm to 45 mm, preferably being in the range from 12 mm to 32 mm. As shown here, the expanded balloon remains unconstrained. Bands 42 of expanded balloon 40 have increased in diameter with the balloon, with a corresponding change in measured width 50. However, if the balloon was constrained during expansion by a lumen wall having an irregular cross- section, it will be understood that measured width 50 would vary with the balloon's circumference. Thus, a correlation may be drawn between measured width 50, and balloon circumference. Therefore, fluoroscopy or x-ray imaging which allows measurement of measured width 50 will also provide the circumference of expanded balloon 40.
Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate an embodiment of the present lesion measurement catheter having conductor bands which vary in resistance with balloon circumference. Fig. 5 shows catheter 10 having balloon 60 with three elastomeric resistors 62. Resistors 62 are formed of a polymer or other elastomer having known conductive properties. Suitable materials will change in resiεtance in a predictable manner during elongation, such as polyisoprene with carbon black dispersion or polysiloxane foam with graphite impregnation.
Fig. 6 provides a cut-away view of the interior of balloon 60 in an expanded configuration. Elastomeric resistors 62 each have a gap 64 defining two resistor ends. A wire 66 is attached to each end of the resistor, and extends down the catheter body. As balloon 60 expands within the lumen, elastomeric resistors 62 predictably increase in length and resistance. Measurement of the electrical resistance while balloon 60 is expanded within the lumen allows calculation of the peripheral length of the expanded balloon. Alternatively, the resistors may be elastomeric segments which are attached to opposite sideε of the inner balloon surface to define a diameter. Advantageously, the multiple resistors of this embodiment may be used to provide information on balloon cross-section in more than one target location. Fig 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a lesion measurement system in which balloon cross-section is measured based on changes in the electrical properties of a coil. A balloon 70 has a coil 72 which expands with the inflated balloon wall. Coil 72 may be elastomeric or may alternatively be a flexible wire riding in an elastomeric conduit, as will be described in regard to Fig. 9. Regardless, as the balloon is inflated, the electrical properties of coil 72 will change predictably. In some embodiments, a central wire 74 may be attached to the distal end of coil 72. The balloon circumference and diameter may be correlated from the coil resistance, inductance, or capacitance. Once again, a pair of wires 76 allow measurement while the catheter is inflated within the lumen.
Fig. 8 illuεtrates a mechanical linkage for directly measuring balloon diameter in a further alternative embodiment of the present lesion measurement catheter. A balloon 80 contains a linkage 82 which is bonded to two pads 84 on opposite sides of the inner surface of balloon 80, thereby defining a diameter. Pads 84 support four equal length links 86 which are rotatably joined to form a parallelogram. A diagonal link 88 defines a diagonal of the parallelogram, and is held by a pivot at one end while the other end slides in a sleeve 90. The length of the parallelogram diagonal varies with balloon diameter, allowing balloon diameter to be read from the location of sleeve 90 relative to a set of calibrated radiopaque marking 92 on diagonal link 88. Balloon diameter could be read by fluoroscopy, for example. Alternatively, the diagonal link might extend down the catheter body to be read from a calibrated scale at the proximal end of the catheter. Clearly, a wide variety of alternative mechanical linkages could be used.
Fig. 9 illustrates a further embodiment of the present lesion measurement catheter comprising a balloon 100 and a flexible, inelastic coil 102. Preferably, coil 102 is dispoεed within an open elaεtic conduit 104, which iε bonded to balloon 100. As balloon 100 expands, conduit 104 increases in length, causing coil 102 to unwind. Preferably, one end of the coil is fixed within the conduit, allowing the peripheral length of the conduit to be determined by the position of the free end 108. Optionally, the coil may be formed of a material which provides a sharp image, allowing the coil windings or end position to be monitored by fluoroscopy, radiography, or ultrasound. Alternatively, where the distal end of the coil is fixed, the coil may extend down the catheter to provide an indication of the balloon circumference at the proximal end. As can be seen in the embodiment of Fig. 9, the catheters of the present invention may advantageously include at least one lumen extending through the balloon. Such a lumen may provide access for a guide wire for repositioning the balloon, or other know intravascular deviceε. Preferably, such a lumen may allow introduction of an ultrasonic intravascular probe, as iε shown in copending Patent Application No. 08/380,735 (Attorney Docket No. 16380-16) , previously incorporated by reference. A separate inflation lumen may also be provided (not shown) .
Fig. 10 illustrates a still further embodiment of the present lesion measurement catheter, in which a balloon 110 has a plurality of measurement elements of varying length. The measurement elements may be in the form of segmentε attached to opposite sides of the balloon wall to define a plurality of diameters. Alternately, the elements may be disks or the like. At least one smaller segment 112 corresponds to a diameter smaller than the diameter of the target region of a lumen 114 to be measured, while at least one larger segment 116 is longer. As balloon 110 is inflated to match the body lumen diameter, smaller segments 112 will be broken, while larger segments 116 remain intact. Optionally, the segments would be of a type which would allow visualization by known visualization modalities. Alternatively, the maximum diameter of the inflated balloon can be determined or confirmed after the catheter is removed.
Fig. 11 illustrates a lesion measurement catheter having a conical balloon 120. A plurality of measurement elements are provided, which may be similar to those described regarding Fig. 10, or may advantageously be simple marker rings which provide an image under fluoroscopy or ultrasound, optionally comprising gold or barium sulfate. Once again, at least one smaller ring 122 and at least one larger ring 124 are provided. Preferably, balloon 120 is inelastic, and is allowed to expand under low pressure until reεtrained by a lumen 126, aε described above. The smaller rings 122 are fully expanded, while larger rings 124 are not. When visualized, the image of smaller rings 122 are straight and crisp, while larger segments 124 are wavy and indistinct. Advantageously, such a balloon would not suffer irreversible changes, and would therefore be reusable.
Fig. 12 illustrates a final embodiment of the present lesion meaεurement catheter, in which a flexible segmented balloon 130 includeε a plurality of bursting disks 132 of varying sizes. Each disk sequentially bursts under tension as the segmentε expand under low pressure to fill a body lumen 134. Segments larger than the lumen do not rupture their associated disks, as the lumen walls absorb the outward load. The lumen diameter is thus between the largest burst disk and the smallest intact disk. The intact disks optionally prevent the inflation fluid from flowing into the next larger segment, allowing balloon diameter to be meaεured by incremental fluid volume. Preferably, a radiopaque fluid is retained behind the intact disks, providing a clear indication of the lumen diameter by the number of filled segments, as seen under fluoroscopy, radiography, or ultrasound. Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example, for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modificationε may be practiced within the εcope of the appended claims.
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text:
Aboriginal communities join Tassie forests heritage fight
Ruth Langford and Linton Burgess took their children deep into the Florentine Valley, seeking the Ice Age caves of their ancestors.
"We called out to the old fellas," Ms Langford said. "We let them know we are still here."
The Tasmanian Aboriginal families then drove along a highway running through the state's Wilderness World Heritage Areas to look out over the wild Upper Florentine.
Beneath its forest cloak lies a cave that once yielded human remains estimated by archaeologists to be 12,000 years old.
According to the Abbott government, this cave, and the 7000 hectares of tall old-growth eucalypt and rainforest around it, should lose their World Heritage status.
Having had 150 hectares logged, it is one of the areas in the 74,000 hectares listed last year that should be excised from the World Heritage Area, according to Richard Colbeck, parliamentary secretary to the Minister for Agriculture.
"It is an embarrassment to the World Heritage process, and compromises the outstanding universal values of Tasmania's original World Heritage estate," Senator Colbeck said.
The government will pursue the wind-back request at the annual meeting of the World Heritage Committee in Doha, Qatar, next week.
As lobbying intensifies, Ms Langford is preparing to leave for Doha to fight for continued protection.
"The Tasmania WHA is one of only four combined cultural and natural landscapes on the World Heritage List, anywhere on Earth," she said.
"That is the level of respect the world community shows our precious heritage. Yet the Abbott government, and [Tasmanian Premier Will] Hodgman Liberals are proposing to guarantee further destruction."
The World Heritage Committee has three times asked Australia to properly assess the Aboriginal cultural values of the WHA, she said.
In its dying days, the Rudd government allocated $500,000 for the task, but no work was done, the Environment Department told a Senate committee.
This lack of a cultural assessment was another reason why the extension of the heritage listing should not have gone ahead, Senator Colbeck told the ABC.
Ms Langford, secretary of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, said the government was denying Aboriginal people basic acknowledgement.
"We have a continued relationship and custodianship of land which the global community says is of outstanding universal value. Our cries, our ability to add to the value of this story, are being totally ignored."
Linton Burgess asked for increased protection, and for the Aboriginal community to take control of the cultural assessments, and be given meaningful custody of the Ice Age heritage.
Ms Langford said that for the first time since Tasmania's 1983 Franklin River protection, Aboriginal people were formally campaigning with environmentalists to protect their land.
Activists will fly out to Doha include seasoned international environmental lobbyists Alec Marr and Geoff Law, and World Heritage scientific values expert, Peter Hitchcock.
They expect to tell members of the 21-nation World Heritage Committee that all of the 74,000-hectare area adds to the area's integrity, and according to Environment Department figures, only 4 per cent of that has been heavily disturbed.
The Environment Minister, Greg Hunt, said he would not be attending the meeting, and has ruled out "horse trading" with members of the committee to achieve the wind-back.
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text:
The Wizard of Oz will open Friday at 7:30 p.m. and continue Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with a matinée on Sunday at 2 p.m. It will continue on the following week-end on Friday and Saturday, June 28 – 29, at 7:30 p.m., and the final performance will be a matinée on Sunday, June 30, at 2 p.m.
All performances are in The Center for the Arts.
Tickets are $16 for adults (age 18 to 59) and $12 for Arts Center adult members, senior citizens over age 60 and students age 13 to 17. $8 for youth age 4 to 12, free for age 3 and under.


text:
By Scott T. Sterling with additional reporting by Jay Tilles
Yesterday (Jan. 29), the internet lit up with reports of new Red Hot Chili Peppers song, released in conjunction with the band's upcoming appearance with Bruno Mars at this weekend's Super Bowl XVLIII in New Jersey.
Released as a free download on a website riddled with corporate logos including Pepsi, Dodge Durango and L.A. radio station KROQ (a Radio.com station), the tune quickly raced around social networks as RHCP fans grabbed a copy of the track.
Upon closer (or cursory) inspection, "Abracadabralifornia" revealed itself to be a cheeky parody of the legacy Los Angeles rock band. Nonsensical lyrics about the "jamming out with the Peppermen" and "shopping cart…ESCALATOR!" mimic frontman Anthony Kiedis' often stream-of-consciousness and scat-a-dat-dat wordplay, coupled with a melodic bass line not unlike those Flea has laid down on latter-day RHCP singles.
The track was uncanny enough to fool some media outlets into believing it was an actual Red Hot Chili Peppers' single.
"This song started because me and Zach Galifianakis were at a party with a lot of celebrities, and he was the only person I knew there," explained comedian Jon Daly in a phone interview, who recorded the parody song and claims to be a Chili Peppers fan since the 7th Grade. "It was really uncomfortable for me, so I went up to [Zach] and said, 'Flea just texted me and said he's stuck in traffic.' Zach immediately said, 'oh yeah, I talked to [Anthony] Kiedis. He's parking and should be here soon.' For the rest of that night, we kept talking like the Chili Peppers were good friends of ours. It was just a dumb bit that we did, and part of the bit was singing 'Bingabong Burbank' and 'G-G-G-G-Glendale.'"
Daly connected with his friend Cyrus Ghahremani, who he knew from the band Hot Karate, to write and record the song ("I knew he could make a realistic Chili Peppers song"), but waited until the "perfect moment" to unleash it on the unsuspecting public.
Inspired by the announcement that the Chili Peppers would be playing the Super Bowl halftime show, the pair crafted "a super corporate website" to launch the parody out into the world. Daly followed the song's release by reaching out to famous friends including Aziz Ansari and Patton Oswald to help spread the track into the digital stratosphere.
"I was genuinely concerned that they'd be offended, but then [RHCP drummer] Chad Smith put out that tweet, and that's all I needed: for one of them to acknowledge and like the song," Daly added. "We would've been happy if it hit a couple of comedy blogs. It just exploded. We can't even contain this or keep up with everything that's happening around it."


text:
Hey guys, im feeling a lot better, thanx for asking paulinha
@mrk, i hope everything will work out for you, one way or the other. *hug*
Name: Jasmine or irl Janny
Year you graced us by being born: 1981
Locale: Alkmaar, The Netherlands
Slave to da man? : parttime job at mailorder Lush Netherlands, design, make and sell (gothic) clothing at home.
Spawn?: 1 stepson who is 10 yrs old, and 3 cats
Doing anyone? : been togetehr for almost 6 yrs, married over a yr now, still totally in love.
Tats/Piercings: eyebrowpiercing, nosepiercing, upperearpiercing, 6 earrings, 3 tatts: both shoulders and lower-lowerback.
Attracted to: Tall, dark and handsome. Especially muscled upperarms. Mystery is always welcome, and im a sucker for romance. Yes i read cheesy romancenovels, they are awesome!
Turn offs : arrogance, egoism, injustice, tonguepiercings, know-it-alls.
TV Watching: not much good stuff on dutch tv, thank gawd for digitaltv. True Blood, Nurse Jackie, Monk, that 70s show, project catwalk/runway, sarah connor chronicles, being human.
Reading" The Dresden files part 7, anita blake vampire hunter, part 15, Breaking Dawn. And The Host is lying around aswell.
Lex member you want to recommend....All of them. The all have their own unique qualities and they are like a great family of friends: the lexily.
Favorite movie of all time: LOTR, the labyrinth, the dark crystal, the tenth kingdom, v for vendetta, equilibrium, batmans begins, the dark knight, the nightmare before christmass, the corpse bride, edward scissorhands, charlie and the chocolate factory, POTC, Fataghiro, etc.


text:
It's unfortunate but it's the kind of technical mistake and general imprecision which frequently plagues Erik's stuff, though he can otherwise be good.
To boot the example is invalid because XML IDs can't start with a number, they have to be valid names.
And that pretty much solves the problem. Use a "t" prefix for threads, a "p" prefix for posts... That is, if you need to use IDs for threads which I'm thinking is probably rather useless as XML's hierarchical nature could make that unnecessary. And putting all posts in the same document is probably a bad idea, so posts and threads should probably not be together anyway.
I could go on and on, the point is that whenever a technology is misused, you're bound to see that kind of mismatch.
He not dodging a problem with XML, he's dodging his own ignorance of XML.
-- Robin Berjon [berjon.com]
It depends on your needs. The book doesn't have too many technical errors (though I did catch a few that couldn't be fixed in time unfortunately). It's a good introduction and overview of Perl and XML if you have little or no knowledge of that domain already. If however you do know about Perl and XML then you probably don't need the book as it'll be too simple.
-- Robin Berjon [berjon.com]


text:
I'd give Joubert 2nd in the short above Chan, but Takahashi deserved his first place finish, IMO.
I think it's important theme.In my opinion Joubert must be first after the short.But officials think another http://worldskating.blogspot.com/201...t-program.html
I'd give Joubert 2nd in the short above Chan, but Takahashi deserved his first place finish, IMO.
The Americans are in danger of losing their 3rd place for next year.
That just would not be right.
I think so.
My placement : 1.Joubert 2.Takahashi 3.Kozuka
Well Joubert did a combination that was worth 13.80 base points so all things equal, he would have been 4 points above Dai and Chan, but I kinda feel like his lower PCS were deserved. He doesn't really have transitions and I think when you have a silly program like he does it's hard to get a huge score. Plus I think he and Jeremy both got punished a bit in PCS for bombing so terribly at the Olympics, they have to earn their redemption.
His lower pcs scores were deserved. Actually they could have been lower but he's in a good place. I say good luck with the long because his long isn't nearly as good as his short. I do hope he does well because his country has been kind of mean to him.
Any news on what happened with Oda? I imagine something had to be very, very wrong.
The only thing that was strange about this competition so far is Oda's losing it and not skating in the long program.
Wanted to add that i do hope Joubert skate well but I do hope better skating and choreography make the podium.
Last edited by lavender; 03-24-2010 at 05:57 PM.
i know braian had less transitions than daisuke and chan,
but how can quad jumpers have as much transitions as 3-3 jumpers do in their SP???
thats why judges are stupid.
Also, abott are underscored.


text:
Update: Burst water main closes Freethorpe road
PUBLISHED: 10:49 20 June 2014 | UPDATED: 12:44 20 June 2014
An east Norfolk village road is closed both ways after a burst water main damaged the road surface.
Old Chapel Road in Freethorpe has been shut between Chapelfield and Norwich Road today for repair work, a day after a burst pipe caused damage to the road surface.
A spokesman for Anglian Water said the main was repaired yesterday but due to the location of the work, Old Chapel Road needed to be closed.
He said: "A small number of customers were affected during the work, but the 3" pipe was quickly repaired.
"The road surface is being fully repaired during today and will reopen shortly.
"We're sorry for any disruption caused."