Abstract: Endovascular valve formation systems with imaging capabilities and associated devices and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a valve formation and imaging system can include, for example, (i) a valve formation device configured to access a vessel wall and dissect a portion of the vessel wall to form an autologous valve leaflet and (ii) an imaging device configured to image the vessel wall and components of the valve formation device during a valve formation procedure. In some embodiments, the imaging device is integrated into a distal end portion of the valve formation device. In some embodiments, the imaging device is a separate catheter device positionally coupled to the valve formation device and/or components thereof.

Abstract: A fan control system for a variable pitch fan of a work vehicle includes a blade pitch module that adjust a pitch of a plurality of blades of the variable pitch fan to generate airflow in a first direction. A reversing module selectively commands a fan reversal that includes instructing the blade pitch module to temporarily adjust the pitch of the plurality of blades to generate airflow in a second direction. A first timer module, in response to the reversing module commanding the fan reversal, resets and increments a first timer and compares the first timer to a first threshold. A first reversal prevention module, in response to the first timer being less than the first threshold, prevents the reversing module from commanding a fan reversal by indicating that a first type of fan reversal is not permitted.

Abstract: A method includes providing a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) seal arc segment that has radially inner and outer sides, attaching an abradable layer on the radially outer side of the CMC seal arc segment, providing a carrier to support the CMC seal arc segment, the carrier including a ridge, and sliding the CMC seal arc segment relative to the carrier such that during the sliding the ridge cuts a groove into the abradable layer, the ridge remaining disposed in the groove to thereby provide a labyrinth seal that partitions the cooling cavity between the carrier and the CMC seal arc segment into sub-cavities.

Abstract: Thermoplastic starch-based materials formed as a reactive extrusion product from one or more starches, one or more plasticizers, and micro or nano particles or fibers, with such particles or fibers being added before gelatinization of the starch. A diacid or acid anhydride may also be included. Such components are added and then gelatinized together, before blending of a resulting starch-based polymeric material with any other polymer (e.g., polyester biopolymers, polyolefins, or the like). Addition of such nano or micro particles during synthesis of the thermoplastic starch advantageously results in a far more homogenous distribution of such particles or fibers throughout the starch-based material matrix than occurs where addition of similar particles or fibers is attempted after formation of the thermoplastic starch, e.g., when mixing with a partner resin material. Addition of a diacid during synthesis can reduce molecular weight and viscosity, further aiding in achieving substantially uniform distribution.

Abstract: An example printhead includes a circulation channel having an inlet for receiving a fluid and an outlet for expelling the fluid, a first nozzle fluidically coupled to the circulation channel, the first nozzle being operable at a first absolute pressure, and a second nozzle fluidically coupled to the circulation channel, the second nozzle being operable at a second absolute pressure, the absolute second pressure being lower than the first absolute pressure. The absolute pressure in the circulation channel decreases as the fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet, and the first nozzle is positioned closer to the inlet of the circulation channel than the second nozzle.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a primary flow path fluidly connecting a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. A cooling air flowpath is disposed radially outward of the primary flowpath. A first seal spans from an inner diameter of the cooling air flowpath to an outer diameter of the cooling air flowpath. The first seal includes at least one axial convolution and a plurality of pass through features defining a purge airflow. A heat shield is positioned immediately downstream of the first seal and is configured in relation to the first seal such that the purge airflow enters a mixing plenum defined between the heat shield and the first seal.

Abstract: A wearable medical device configured to monitor a patient for cardiac arrhythmias includes a water-resistant belt, ECG sensing electrodes, and therapy electrodes discrete from the ECG sensing electrodes. At least some of the ECG sensing electrodes and therapy electrodes are disposed on one or more common adhesive backings configured to be adhesively attached to the patient's torso. The wearable medical device also includes an elongated cable, including a removable connector, and a control unit configured to be removably electrically coupled to the electrodes via the removable connector. The control unit is configured to monitor a sensed ECG of the patient, and responsive to a detection of cardiac arrhythmia, provide at least one defibrillating pulse to at least one of the therapy electrodes. The control unit is housed in a waterproof case formed from a waterproof material that is sealed to prevent ingress of water during operation in a wet environment.

Abstract: In some examples, a fluid ejection die includes a plurality of nozzles arranged in a plurality of nozzle columns, the plurality of nozzle columns distributed across a width of the fluid ejection die in a staggered manner, wherein nozzles of each respective nozzle column of the plurality of nozzle columns are spaced apart along a length of the fluid ejection die, wherein the plurality of nozzle columns includes a first pair of neighboring nozzle columns that are spaced by a first distance across the width. The plurality of nozzle columns includes a second pair of neighboring nozzle columns that are spaced by a second distance across the width, the second distance being larger than the first distance.

Abstract: Shaped charge devices, systems, and related methods of use. A housing sheet is configurable to form at least part of a shaped charge enclosure enclosing a shaped charge and biasing an explosion in a desired direction. The housing sheet can include one or more incisions in at least one surface thereof. The housing sheet can have at least one connection mechanism integrally formed therein, and the housing sheet can be configurable to form a plurality of sizes of shaped charge housing portions. The housing sheet can also provide for forming a plurality of dimensions of the shaped charge enclosure.

Abstract: An axial flux motor incorporates a rotor having a plurality of pockets receiving magnet assemblies. A retention device is engaged from an inactive surface of at least one magnet assembly to one or more structural elements surrounding an associate one of the plurality of pockets in the rotor.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a primary flow path fluidly connecting a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. A cooling air flowpath is disposed radially outward of the primary flowpath. A first seal spans from an inner diameter of the cooling air flowpath to an outer diameter of the cooling air flowpath. The first seal includes at least one axial convolution and a plurality of pass through features defining a purge airflow. A heat shield is positioned immediately downstream of the first seal and is configured in relation to the first seal such that the purge airflow enters a mixing plenum defined between the heat shield and the first seal.

Abstract: An excisional device for either handheld or stereotactic table use may comprise an outer sheath that may comprise a distal trough shape configured to penetrate and/or cut tissue independently or in concert with work element(s). The articulable work element(s) may comprise articulable beak(s) and may be configured to translate and/or rotate at a first rate and to cut tissue in a direction implied by placement of the trough shaped outer sheath. A first helical element or equivalent assembly may be configured to transport tissue cut by the work element(s) and/or trough, may be co-axially disposed relative to the work element(s) and may be operative to rotate at a second rotation rate that is different than the first rate. A proximal sheath may be co-axially disposed relative to the work element(s) and the first helical element, and may be configured to rotate and actuate the work element(s).

Abstract: An example of a system for monitoring and treating respiratory distress in a patient may include one or more non-invasive monitoring devices to acquire patient condition signals and a respiratory distress monitoring circuit to monitor a state of the respiratory distress using the patient condition signals. The respiratory distress monitoring circuit may include a signal processing circuit to generate patient condition parameters using the patient condition signals and a respiratory distress analyzer, which may include a parameter analysis circuit and a notification circuit. The parameter analysis circuit may be configured to produce a patient condition metric being a function of the patient condition parameters and to perform prediction and/or detection of an exacerbation of the respiratory distress based on the patient condition metric. The notification circuit may be configured to produce an alert notifying a result of the performance of the prediction and/or detection.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a primary flow path fluidly connecting a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. A cooling air flowpath is positioned radially outward of the primary flowpath. A first seal spans from an inner diameter of the cooling air flowpath to an outer diameter of the cooling air flowpath. The first seal includes at least one axial convolution and a plurality of pass through features. A bifurcation feature is positioned downstream of the first seal. The bifurcation feature is configured to direct a portion of an airflow through the first seal into a cooling air passage. A second seal contacts the bifurcation and the first seal, such that fluid radially inward of the bifurcation feature.

Abstract: A cold gas thruster having a two-stage solenoid is provided. Pressurized gas from the inlet flows to the back side of the piston to hold the piston closed. The pressure is maintained by a check ball held by the solenoid armature. When the solenoid is energized, the armature allows the check ball to move to bleed off the pressure holding the piston closed. The piston moves away from its seat and allows the pressurized gas to flow to the outlet creating thrust. When the solenoid coil is de-energized, the check ball is forced against its seat, which blocks the escape of pressure on the back side of the piston, so that it can re-pressurize back up to the inlet pressure. This creates a force imbalance and moves the piston to close the valve and stop the thrust. Different nozzles can be used for different thrust profiles without changing the solenoid.

Abstract: A seal system for a gas turbine engine includes a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) seal arc segment and a carrier supporting the CMC seal arc segment. The CMC seal arc segment defines radially inner and outer sides and has an abradable layer disposed on the radially outer side. There is a cooling cavity radially between the carrier and the abradable layer. The carrier includes a ridge that projects into a groove in the abradable layer and provides a labyrinth seal that partitions the cooling cavity into sub-cavities.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for forming an anti-microbial layer on an apparatus. Also disclosed is a method for improving the anti-bacterial properties of a titanium device coated with titanium-nitride (TiN). Also disclosed is a medical apparatus comprising an anti-microbial layer prepared by the disclosed methods. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A method for determining a predicted lesion size formed in a tissue by receiving or calculating a measure of contact force between the electrode and the tissue, determining a tissue characterization, and calculating the predicted lesion size using both the measure of contact force and the tissue characterization. A system comprising an electronic control unit configured to receive or determine a measure of contact force between the electrode and the tissue, characterize the tissue based on both the measure of impedance and the measure of contact force, and cause the tissue characterization to be either (a) presented to a user, or (b) applied to calculate a metric and cause the metric to be presented to the user.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for forming an anti-microbial layer on an apparatus. Also disclosed is a method for improving the anti-bacterial properties of a titanium device coated with titanium-nitride (TiN). Also disclosed is a medical apparatus comprising an anti-microbial layer prepared by the disclosed methods. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.