Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring current are provided. In one arrangement, a first charge amplifier integrates a current to be measured. A processing circuit filters an output from the first charge amplifier using a first low pass filter module and a second low pass filter module. A second charge amplifier integrates a current derived from the filtered output from the first charge amplifier. The apparatus is configured to reset the first charge amplifier at the start of each of a plurality of sensing frames. The processing circuit obtains at least a first sample of the output from the first charge amplifier in each sensing frame. The sampling of the first sample alternates from one sensing frame to the next sensing frame between sampling via the first low pass filter module and sampling via the second low pass filter module.

Abstract: A urinary catheter and container. The urinary catheter can include a catheter shaft attached to a handle and a coating disposed on an outer surface of the catheter shaft. The coating can include a hydrogel, water and/or glycerin, and a polyethylene gylcol (PEG). The PEG can have a molecular weight equal to or less than 600, for example one or more of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 300 and PEG 400. The coating can be applied in a wet state and remain wet for an extended period of time in the container, thereby obviating the need for a lubricant, such as a water sachet or gel package, to accompany the catheter in the container. The container can include a gas impermeable foil material. The container can include an adhesive tab covering a perforated section, the adhesive tab including a pull loop.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for distributing, collecting and monitoring assignments by a content management system. The method includes receiving a request for a file request from a teacher to distribute an assignment to one or more students. In response to receiving the request, the teacher is prompted for information associated with the assignment. The information can include a name for the assignment, an assignment file and a collection identifier. In response to receiving the information, one or more metadata tags are generated based on the received information. The file request is distributed along with the one or more metadata tags to the one or more student.

Abstract: An improved blending apparatus for manufactured wood products with a rotating blending drum or cylinder with a pattern of alternating flights of different configurations extending from the interior of the drum. The flights lift the strands as the drum rotates to different heights before the strands free-fall back to the bottom of the drum. One flight is shorter, and may be trapezoidal in cross-section. The second flight is taller, and may have a “bull-nose” configuration with substantially vertical sides. During operation, the design of the bull-nose flight tends to hold more strands and to carry them closer to the top of the drum before the strands drop and fall. In contrast, the shorter height and angled sides of the trapezoidal flight tends to hold fewer strands and to not carry them as high along the side before strands drop and fall.

Abstract: A urinary catheter and container are described. The urinary catheter may have a catheter shaft attached to a handle, and a coating disposed on an outer surface of the catheter shaft. The coating may include a hydrogel, water and/or glycerin, and a polyethylene gylcol (PEG). The PEG may have a molecular weight equal to or less than 600, for example one or more of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 300 and PEG 400. The coating may be applied in a wet state and remain wet for an extended period of time in the container, thereby obviating the need for a lubricant, such as a water sachet or gel package, to accompany the catheter in the container. The container may include a gas impermeable foil material. The container may include an adhesive tab covering a perforated section, the adhesive tab including a pull loop.

Abstract: A sealing device for use as a vascular implant including a frame, the frame having an inflow edge and an outflow edge relative to axial blood flow within a vessel, wherein at least a partial axial extent of the frame is configured to decrease in axial length when expanded from a radially compressed configuration to a radially expanded configuration. The sealing device also includes a membrane layer coupled to a radially outward surface of the at least partial axial extent of the frame between the inflow edge and the outflow edge of the frame, wherein the membrane layer is coupled to the frame at one or more axially spaced connection points such that at least a portion of the membrane layer projects radially outward relative to the frame when the frame is in the radially-expanded configuration.

Abstract: In an embodiment, recommending mobility solutions includes receiving a set of geospatial data corresponding to a geographic location, and generating a set of geospatial clusters based on the geographic location and the set of geospatial data, wherein each geospatial cluster of the set of geospatial clusters has a set of mobility solutions and a set of geographic regions. The method also includes receiving a set of profiling data corresponding to a set of users in each geospatial cluster, and generating a set of profile sub-clusters corresponding to each geographic region based on the set of profiling data. The method further includes identifying a set of met needs and a set of unmet needs of the set of users in each profile sub-cluster, and generating a mobility solution recommendation associated with a set of unmet needs of a set of users in a profile sub-cluster of a geospatial cluster.

Abstract: A sealing device for use as a vascular implant including a frame, the frame having an inflow edge and an outflow edge relative to axial blood flow within a vessel, wherein at least a partial axial extent of the frame is configured to decrease in axial length when expanded from a radially compressed configuration to a radially expanded configuration. The sealing device also includes a membrane layer coupled to a radially outward surface of the at least partial axial extent of the frame between the inflow edge and the outflow edge of the frame, wherein the membrane layer is coupled to the frame at one or more axially spaced connection points such that at least a portion of the membrane layer projects radially outward relative to the frame when the frame is in the radially-expanded configuration.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring current are provided. In one arrangement, a first charge amplifier integrates a current to be measured. A processing circuit filters an output from the first charge amplifier using a first low pass filter module and a second low pass filter module. A second charge amplifier integrates a current derived from the filtered output from the first charge amplifier. The apparatus is configured to reset the first charge amplifier at the start of each of a plurality of sensing frames. The processing circuit obtains at least a first sample of the output from the first charge amplifier in each sensing frame. The sampling of the first sample alternates from one sensing frame to the next sensing frame between sampling via the first low pass filter module and sampling via the second low pass filter module.

Abstract: Parenteral delivery of a beneficial agent using an auto-injector configured for reduction of forces acting on a primary container for the beneficial agent during activation of the auto-injector. The primary container may be disposed within a pressure chamber of the auto-injector such that an increased pressure within the pressure chamber during activation is applied to a stopper of the primary container and an external surface of a sidewall of the primary container. In turn, a pressure differential between a containment volume of the primary container and the pressure chamber may be reduced or eliminated. In turn, forces acing on the primary container in response to the pressure increase in the pressure container may be reduced or eliminated. Configurations are also provided for improved relative movement between a stopper and a sidewall of the primary container for more reliable injection.

Abstract: A transcatheter, percutaneously implantable, prosthetic heart valve is provided that comprises a lattice frame and two or more integrated cusp and leaflet folded structures attached to the lattice frame. The two or more integrated cusp and leaflet folded structures each comprise a flat sheet of biocompatible membrane that is folded to include a substantially conical shape according to a flat folding pattern. The substantially conical shape is further formed by joining apposing sides of the substantially conical shape along a seam. The two or more integrated cusp and leaflet folded structures are each attached along their respective seams to the lattice frame in a direction substantially parallel to an axis of the lattice frame. Embodiments of valves described herein have application within the entire vascular system.

Abstract: A prosthetic vascular valve includes one or more continuous loops of frame material or one or more strands of material that do not form a continuous loop. The frame includes a plurality of longitudinal portions, wherein a membrane is attached to at least one of the longitudinal portions, and wherein the membrane is configured to open and close. During implantation, the frame engages the inner surface of the vein wall and is biased against the vein wall to remain stationary. In use, blood flows from an upstream end to a downstream end, wherein the membrane mitigates regurgitation of the blood as the blood is conveyed through the subject vein.

Abstract: A pallet for supporting a catalyst monolith during coating, comprising a ring with two or more support bars extending across the inside of the ring.

Abstract: A prosthetic vascular valve includes one or more continuous loops of frame material or one or more strands of material that do not form a continuous loop. The frame includes a plurality of longitudinal portions, wherein a membrane is attached to at least one of the longitudinal portions, and wherein the membrane is configured to open and close. During implantation, the frame engages the inner surface of the vein wall and is biased against the vein wall to remain stationary. In use, blood flows from an upstream end to a downstream end, wherein the membrane mitigates regurgitation of the blood as the blood is conveyed through the subject vein.

Abstract: A urinary catheter and container are described. The urinary catheter may have a catheter shaft attached to a handle, and a coating disposed on an outer surface of the catheter shaft. The coating may include a hydrogel, water and/or glycerin, and a polyethylene gylcol (PEG). The PEG may have a molecular weight equal to or less than 600, for example one or more of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 300 and PEG 400. The coating may be applied in a wet state and remain wet for an extended period of time in the container, thereby obviating the need for a lubricant, such as a water sachet or gel package, to accompany the catheter in the container. The container may include a gas impermeable foil material. The container may include an adhesive tab covering a perforated section, the adhesive tab including a pull loop.

Abstract: A transcatheter, percutaneously implantable, prosthetic heart valve is provided that comprises a lattice frame and two or more integrated cusp and leaflet folded structures attached to the lattice frame. The two or more integrated cusp and leaflet folded structures each comprise a flat sheet of biocompatible membrane that is folded to include a substantially conical shape according to a flat folding pattern. The substantially conical shape is further formed by joining apposing sides of the substantially conical shape along a seam. The two or more integrated cusp and leaflet folded structures are each attached along their respective seams to the lattice frame in a direction substantially parallel to an axis of the lattice frame. Embodiments of valves described herein have application within the entire vascular system.

Abstract: Arrangements are disclosed for measuring small electrical currents with high sensitivity, for example in the context of sensing molecular entities, for example via interactions between the molecular entities and a membrane protein inserted in an amphiphilic membrane. In one arrangement there is provided a current sensing circuit (52) configured to integrate the current output by a sensor element (56) during each of a plurality of sensing frames (62). In each sensing frame (62) first and second analogue samples of the integral are taken during first and second time windows (71,72). A readout circuit (54) processes the first and second analogue samples to output a digital output signal representing the current output by the sensor element (56). The processing comprises analogue to digital conversion processing and output processing. The output processing is performed exclusively during periods outside of the first and second time windows.

Abstract: A urinary catheter and container are described. The urinary catheter may have a catheter shaft attached to a handle, and a coating disposed on an outer surface of the catheter shaft. The coating may include a hydrogel, water and/or glycerin, and a polyethylene glycol (PEG). The PEG may have a molecular weight equal to or less than 600, for example one or more of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 300 and PEG 400. The coating may be applied in a wet state and remain wet for an extended period of time in the container, thereby obviating the need for a lubricant, such as a water sachet or gel package, to accompany the catheter in the container. The container may include a gas impermeable foil material. The container may include an adhesive tab covering a perforated section, the adhesive tab including a pull loop.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for distributing, collecting and monitoring assignments by a content management system. The method includes receiving a request for a file request from a teacher to distribute an assignment to one or more students. In response to receiving the request, the teacher is prompted for information associated with the assignment. The information can include a name for the assignment, an assignment file and a collection identifier. In response to receiving the information, one or more metadata tags are generated based on the received information. The file request is distributed along with the one or more metadata tags to the one or more student.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for distributing, collecting and monitoring assignments by a content management system. The method includes receiving a request for a file request from a teacher to distribute an assignment to one or more students. In response to receiving the request, the teacher is prompted for information associated with the assignment. The information can include a name for the assignment, an assignment file and a collection identifier. In response to receiving the information, one or more metadata tags are generated based on the received information. The file request is distributed along with the one or more metadata tags to the one or more student.