Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a hydrophobic polymeric composite comprising a hydrophobic polymer matrix with hydrophobically modified particles dispersed therein is provided. The hydrophobically modified particles may be derived from hydrophilic particles modified with organic moieties. The hydrophobically modified particles may also take in the form of core-shell fibers with hydrophilic particles encapsulated inside the core of said fibers or in the form of monolithic fibers embedded with hydrophilic particles. The method for making hydrophobic polymeric composite comprising each of the various hydrophobically modified particles is also provided. The hydrophobic polymer matrix can be chosen from poly(alpha-hydroxyesters), of carbonates, polyurethanes or polyalkanoates. For example, hydrophilic particles, such as barium sulphate, zirconium oxide, tantalum oxide or bismuth oxide, are dispersed in the hydrophobic biodegradable polymers, such as poly-(L-lactide) (PLLA).

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and a method for continuous monitoring of the heart activities via a mobile device and algorithm to detect heart anomalies based on readings on electrocardiogram (ECG) and phonocardiogram (PCG).

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a hydrophobic polymeric composite comprising a hydrophobic polymer matrix with hydrophobically modified particles dispersed therein is provided. The hydrophobically modified particles may be derived from hydrophilic particles modified with organic moieties. The hydrophobically modified particles may also take in the form of core-shell fibers with hydrophilic particles encapsulated inside the core of said fibers or in the form of monolithic fibers embedded with hydrophilic particles. The method for making hydrophobic polymeric composite comprising each of the various hydrophobically modified particles is also provided. The hydrophobic polymer matrix can be chosen from poly(alpha-hydroxyesters), of carbonates, polyurethanes or polyalkanoates. For example, hydrophilic particles, such as barium sulphate, zirconium oxide, tantalum oxide or bismuth oxide, are dispersed in the hydrophobic biodegradable polymers, such as poly-(L-lactide) (PLLA).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of cell differentiation. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for preparing improved cardiomyocyte-like cells differentiated from at least one multipotent or pluripotent cell, comprising a step of contacting the cardiomyocyte-like cell(s) with at least one agent to promote and/or induce integrin subunit alpha-V (integrin ?v) activity, thereby modulating expression of at least one cardiac gene of said cardiomyocyte-like cells. It also relates to a method for screening for an agent capable of improving cardiomyocytes differentiated from at least one multipotent or pluripotent cell.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an electrocardiographic monitoring system including: a housing configured to be attached to a creature body part, the housing including: a plurality of electrodes confined within the boundary of the housing, the plurality of electrodes arranged a distance apart from each other and accessible from a same exterior surface of the housing; a signal processor configured to receive signals from any one or more of the plurality of electrodes and transmit signals to any one or more of the plurality of electrodes; and a transmitter configured to transmit signals from the signal processor.

Abstract: There is presently provided a device for detecting an analyte particle in a sample. The device comprises a chamber having an interior surface upon which is located an electrode array. The electrode array comprises pairs of electrodes, each pair having an inner electrode and an outer electrode that substantially surrounds the inner electrode. Each pair of electrodes is coated with a capture molecule that recognises and binds the analyte particle that is to be identified and quantified. The device uses a combination of dielectrophoresis and impedance measurements to capture and measure analyte particles from a sample.

Abstract: A haemostatic valve according to an embodiment comprises a valve housing receiving an intravascular device, a first slider arranged on the valve housing moveable in a first direction, and a second slider received in the valve housing moveable in a second direction and elastically biased, the first slider being operatively connected to the second slider via a transmission mechanism so that movement of the first slider towards along the first direction causes the second slider to move away from an elastic valve member along the second direction, and the elastic valve member arranged between and compressible by the second slider, the elastic valve member receiving the intravascular device and compressing the intravascular device when being compressed by the second slider.