Abstract: Dialysis devices include a frame defined by a plurality of sidewalls that are impermeable to a sample being dialyzed, a pair of dialysis membranes that are each associated with an opposing face of the plurality of sidewalls such that the plurality of sidewalls and the pair of dialysis membranes define a sample chamber, an outer shell surrounding at least a portion of the pair of dialysis membranes, and a cap selectively associated with the sample chamber. The cap can be selectively associated with the sample chamber via an attachment mechanism that is configured to provide aural and/or haptic feedback when the cap forms a tight association with the sample chamber. The cap can be a sensor cap having one or more probes for measuring at least one property of fluid inside and/or outside the sample chamber and a transmitter for transmitting data captured at the probe(s) to a destination device.

Abstract: A method of music therapy informed processes provides an effective online process to help a user regulate their mood through appropriate music selection choices. The method offers mood and music assessments to evaluate the user's mood, music preferences, goals, and understanding of the correlation between various moods and music. A mood sequence formula (MSF) is subsequently created to generate stylized and personalized music medicine pill (MMP) playlists. With additional recommendations of music exercise routine/regimen (MER) to the user, the method delivers therapeutic MMP playlists of the music therapy informed process with personalized music to manage physiological and behavioral responses, emotional regulation, performance and emotional intelligence. Using daily tracking and specific measurement data of biometrical and physiological devices, the user can track the progress and thus enable the method to fine tune the MSF and MMP playlists for the best effectiveness of the music therapy informed method.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly, and method of using the same, is provided. The assembly includes a sample processing card and a substrate attached thereto. The card has an injection port for receiving a test sample; at least one metering chamber; a mixing material source for introducing mixing material(s) to the metering chamber; fluid communication channels fluidly connecting the injection port and the mixing material source to the metering chamber; and at least one output port for delivering the test sample to a sensor (e.g., GMR sensor). The substrate has associated therewith: the sensor for sensing analytes in the test sample; electrical contact portions for an electrical connection with a reader unit; and a memory chip. The assembly further includes a pneumatic interface with port(s) and corresponding communication channel(s) fluidly connected to card.

Abstract: A system for detecting analytes in a test sample, and a method for processing the same, is provided. The system includes a cartridge reader unit that has a control unit and a pneumatic system, and a cartridge assembly that prepares the samples with mixing material(s) through communication channels. The assembly has a memory chip with parameters for preparing the sample and at least one sensor (GMR sensor) for detecting analytes in the sample. The assembly is pneumatically and electronically mated with the reader unit via a pneumatic interface and an electronic interface such that the parameters may be implemented via the control unit. The pneumatic system is contained within the unit and has pump(s) and valve(s) for selectively applying fluid pressure to the pneumatic interface of the assembly, and thus through the communication channels, to move the sample and mixing material(s) through and to sensor.

Abstract: An embodiment includes an artificial chordae tendineae system comprising: a first needle; a flexible first chord coupled to a proximal end portion of the first needle; a first proximal pledget coupled to a proximal end portion of the first chord; a first distal conduit coupled to the first chord between the first proximal pledget and the first needle; wherein: the first distal conduit includes first and second faces; one of the first and second faces includes a first aperture; a sidewall of the first conduit, located between the first and second faces, includes a sidewall aperture that does not directly connect to the first aperture; the sidewall aperture is configured to include a portion of the first chord when the first distal conduit is permanently implanted adjacent tissue but not when the first distal conduit is traversing the tissue before being permanently implanted adjacent the tissue.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a chordal replacement system comprising: a pledget coupled to a first suture length and at least one of a first needle and a first ferrule; a second suture length coupled to the pledget and at least a second needle; and a third suture length coupled to the pledget and at least a third needle; wherein the second and third suture lengths are not monolithic with each other and do not constitute a single suture. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: first and second conduits respectively including first and second barbed rods; first and second shafts; wherein: (a)(i) in a first configuration the first shaft slides distally within the first conduit and couples to a proximal end of the first barbed rod, and (a)(ii) in a second configuration the first shaft slides distally within the first conduit and pushes the first barbed rod out of the first conduit; wherein: (a)(i) in an additional first configuration the second shaft slides distally within the second conduit and couples to a proximal end of the second barbed rod, and (a)(ii) in an additional second configuration the second shaft slides distally within the second conduit and pushes the second barbed rod out of the second conduit. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: Arrangements are provided for assembling multiple substrates for coating within a fluidized bed coater so as to deposit a coating of uniform thickness across the entire exterior surface thereof. One embodiment includes a method for coating orthopedic implants having convex and concave surfaces with pyrocarbon by pyrolytic decomposition of a hydrocarbon.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a sewing cuff for aortic heart valves that better approximates native anatomy by better mating with the crown-like anatomical annulus. Limiting distortion of the crown-like annulus provides better blood flow and overall valve function and provides a physician greater ease of implantation since native anatomy is not flattened. Thus, the surgeon may attach sutures to the fibrous tissue of the crown-like anatomical annulus without distorting the shape of the native anatomy. An embodiment includes a scalloped sewing cuff assembly (with semilunar arches) that tracks the crown-like annulus. Another embodiment provides a sewing cuff positioned over the majority of the valve's length, thus allowing the surgeon greater flexibility as to where he or she can attach sutures to the surgical annulus. Conventional valves, which are primarily “low-profile” devices, do not offer such ability. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed are composite implantable tissue attachment devices comprising a mechanical reinforcing component and a cellular scaffold component. Disclosed devices include a wide, relatively flat portion for supporting long term repair of tissue. Disclosed devices can include a tapered portion at the end of the wide portions that can lead into a narrower elongated extension for aiding in placement of the device during a surgical procedure. The wide portion of the device can provide tensile strength along the longitudinal axis of the device as well as porosity. The wide devices can cover a larger surface area of a delivery site than standard suture. Disclosed materials can be utilized in, e.g., soft tissue repair such as tendon and ligament reconstruction and repair.

Abstract: An embodiment includes an apparatus comprising: a hollow needle with a narrowed inner diameter in a distal third of the needle; and a flexible chord coupled to proximal and distal conduits; wherein the distal conduit is in the needle and distal to the narrowed inner diameter and the proximal conduit is in the needle and proximal to the narrowed inner diameter; wherein: (a)(i) long axes of the proximal and distal conduits are substantially parallel to a long axis of the needle when the proximal and distal conduits are in the needle, and (a)(ii) the proximal and distal conduits are configured to rotate when deployed from the needle such that their long axes are not parallel to a long axis of the chord when the chord is fully extended. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: Arrangements are provided for assembling multiple substrates for coating within a fluidized bed coater so as to deposit a coating of uniform thickness across the entire exterior surface thereof. One embodiment includes a method for coating orthopedic implants having convex and concave surfaces with pyrocarbon by pyrolytic decomposition of a hydrocarbon.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a cardiovascular surgical apparatus comprising: a sleeve including a distal sleeve end, a proximal sleeve end, and a sleeve long axis extending from the distal sleeve end to the proximal sleeve end; a post including a distal post end and a proximal post end; a first projection member, coupled to the distal sleeve end, including a first projection member main body and a first projection member retention body; a second projection member coupled to the proximal sleeve end; wherein (a) the post telescopes distally from within the sleeve and away from the distal sleeve end; (b) at least one of the first and second projection members rotates at least 45 degrees with respect to another of the first and second projection members; and (c) the first projection member retention body includes a long axis generally parallel to the sleeve long axis. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An embodiment comprises a container to include a substrate during processing (e.g., centrifugal or vibratory processing) and protect the substrate from other substrates (e.g., medical implants) that are simultaneously being processed and/or from the polishing environment (e.g. vibratory tub sidewalls) during processing. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a chordal replacement system comprising: a pledget coupled to a first suture length and at least one of a first needle and a first ferrule; a second suture length coupled to the pledget and at least a second needle; and a third suture length coupled to the pledget and at least a third needle; wherein the second and third suture lengths are not monolithic with each other and do not constitute a single suture. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a sewing cuff for aortic heart valves that better approximates native anatomy by better mating with the crown-like anatomical annulus. Limiting distortion of the crown-like annulus provides better blood flow and overall valve function and provides a physician greater ease of implantation since native anatomy is not flattened. Thus, the surgeon may attach sutures to the fibrous tissue of the crown-like anatomical annulus without distorting the shape of the native anatomy. An embodiment includes a scalloped sewing cuff assembly (with semilunar arches) that tracks the crown-like annulus. Another embodiment provides a sewing cuff positioned over the majority of the valve's length, thus allowing the surgeon greater flexibility as to where he or she can attach sutures to the surgical annulus. Conventional valves, which are primarily “low-profile” devices, do not offer such ability. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: Contaminants are filtered from a fluid flow stream and the filter is regenerated by a process including steps of: providing a filter material comprising both carbon and potassium iodide; passing a contaminated fluid stream in contact with the filter material; adsorbing contaminants from the fluid stream onto surfaces in the filter material; passing an electric current through the filter material with adsorbed contaminant thereon; disassociating contaminant from the surfaces of the filter material; and removing disassociated contaminant from the filter material by carrying away the disassociated contaminant in a fluid flow mass.

Abstract: Contaminants are filtered from a fluid flow stream and the filter is regenerated by a process including steps of: providing a filter material comprising both carbon and potassium iodide; passing a contaminated fluid stream in contact with the filter material; adsorbing contaminants from the fluid stream onto surfaces in the filter material; passing an electric current through the filter material with adsorbed contaminant thereon; disassociating contaminant from the surfaces of the filter material; and removing disassociated contaminant from the filter material by carrying away the disassociated contaminant in a fluid flow mass.

Abstract: An embodiment includes an apparatus comprising: a hollow needle with a narrowed inner diameter in a distal third of the needle; and a flexible chord coupled to proximal and distal conduits; wherein the distal conduit is in the needle and distal to the narrowed inner diameter and the proximal conduit is in the needle and proximal to the narrowed inner diameter; wherein: (a)(i) long axes of the proximal and distal conduits are substantially parallel to a long axis of the needle when the proximal and distal conduits are in the needle, and (a)(ii) the proximal and distal conduits are configured to rotate when deployed from the needle such that their long axes are not parallel to a long axis of the chord when the chord is fully extended. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a sewing cuff for aortic heart valves that better approximates native anatomy by better mating with the crown-like anatomical annulus. Limiting distortion of the crown-like annulus provides better blood flow and overall valve function and provides a physician greater ease of implantation since native anatomy is not flattened. Thus, the surgeon may attach sutures to the fibrous tissue of the crown-like anatomical annulus without distorting the shape of the native anatomy. An embodiment includes a scalloped sewing cuff assembly (with semilunar arches) that tracks the crown-like annulus. Another embodiment provides a sewing cuff positioned over the majority of the valve's length, thus allowing the surgeon greater flexibility as to where he or she can attach sutures to the surgical annulus. Conventional valves, which are primarily “low-profile” devices, do not offer such ability. Other embodiments are described herein.