Abstract: Devices and methods for crimping a prosthetic heart valve onto a delivery device are described. In some embodiments, valves are crimped over an inflatable balloon and between proximal and distal shoulders mounted on a shaft inside the balloon. Crimping methods can include multiple compression steps with the valve located in different axial positions relative to the crimping jaws at each different step. In some methods, the valve may extend partially outside of the crimping jaws during certain crimping steps, such that the crimping force is only applied to the part of the valve that is inside the jaws. Exemplary crimping devices can include two or more adjacent sets of jaws that close down to different inner diameters, such that different parts of a valve get compressed to different outer diameters at the same time during a single crimping step.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are expandable introducer sheaths and methods of making and using the same. The sheaths minimize trauma to a patient's vasculature by allowing for temporary expansion of a portion of the sheath to accommodate passage of a delivery system for an implant, then return to a non-expanded state after the passage of the device. The sheath includes a foldable inner member having a detached flap structure at its distal tip that facilitates expansion of the sheath lumen to increased diameters, and an elastomeric distal end that reduces push and retrieval forces therethrough. The sheath can include a hemostasis seal on its proximal end to prevent the leakage of blood out of the sheath and prevent ballooning of outer layer of the sheath.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for calculating dynamic ambient occlusion (AO) values for character models to yield high-quality approximations of global illumination effects. The approach utilizes a dual component machine-learning model that factorizes dynamic AO computation into a non-linear component, in which visibility is determined by approximating spheres and their casted shadows, and a linear component that leverages a skinning-like algorithm for efficiency. The parameters of both components are trained in a regression against ground-truth AO values. The resulting model accommodates lighting interactions with external objects and can be generalized without requiring carefully constructed training data.

Abstract: A method of delivery a prosthetic heart valve includes inserting a delivery apparatus and a prosthetic heart valve into a patient's vasculature. The delivery apparatus includes a steerable guide catheter, a balloon catheter, and a flex indicator. The balloon catheter extends coaxially through the guide catheter, the prosthetic heart valve is mounted on a distal end portion of the balloon catheter, and the flex indicator is movably coupled to a handle of the guide catheter. The method further includes adjusting flexion of a steerable section of the guide catheter to position the prosthetic heart valve. The flex indicator moves relative to the handle of the guide catheter as the flexion of the steerable section is adjusted, and the handle comprises one or more visual indicators adjacent the flex indicator to provide visual indication of an amount of flexion of the steerable section of the guide catheter.

Abstract: A multi-chamber cartridge and a nucleic acid extraction module including the same are provided. The multi-chamber cartridge according to an aspect of the present invention may include a sample chamber including a first tube which is an elongated hollow type, a sample chamber body in which a mixing space is formed and one end of the first tube is disposed in the mixing space, a first pressure gasket which can be coupled to the inside of the first tube and is movable along the inner peripheral surface of the first tube, a first separation gasket which is disposed on one surface of the first pressure gasket, coupled to the inside of the first tube, and movable along the inner peripheral surface of the first tube, and a first plunger having one end coupled to the other surface of the first pressure gasket and pressing the first pressure gasket; and a cartridge body which includes an accommodating part in which the sample chamber is detachably accommodated.

Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthetic heart valve includes advancing a distal end portion of a catheter shaft through a patient's vasculature. The distal end portion of the catheter shaft includes an expansion device. A prosthetic heart valve is mounted on the expansion device with the expansion device and the prosthetic heart valve in a compressed configuration. The method further includes positioning the distal end portion of the catheter shaft and the prosthetic heart valve to an implantation location and expanding the prosthetic heart valve and the expansion device to an expanded configuration. The expansion device includes a main body and a plurality of projections extending radially from the main body. The projections are spaced apart relative to each such that there are grooves extending between adjacent projections providing perfusion passageways between the expansion device and the prosthetic heart valve when the expansion device is in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for implanting a radially compressible and expandable prosthetic heart valve in a native heart valve of the heart includes a handle portion and a balloon catheter assembly comprising an elongated balloon catheter shaft extending from the handle portion. The balloon catheter shaft includes a proximal end portion coupled to the handle portion and a distal end portion. The balloon catheter assembly further includes a balloon coupled to the distal end portion and configured to mount a prosthetic heart valve in a radially compressed state. A protective cover encapsulates the balloon, the cover defining a cavity shaped to accommodate the balloon.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes: a touch display; and a processor connected to the touch display, the processor being configured to: based on a predetermined type of a touch input made by continuously touching a plurality of touch points being received through the touch display, render a part of a screen corresponding to a first region of interest which is identified based on first touch coordinate information corresponding to the plurality of touch points; obtain second touch coordinate information corresponding to a predicted touch point which is predicted to be touched after a current time, based on the first touch coordinate information; identify a second region of interest based on the second touch coordinate information; and render a part of the screen corresponding to the second region of interest.

Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthetic heart valve includes advancing a distal end portion of a catheter shaft through a patient's vasculature. The distal end portion of the catheter shaft includes an expansion device. A prosthetic heart valve is mounted on the expansion device with the expansion device and the prosthetic heart valve in a compressed configuration. The method further includes positioning the distal end portion of the catheter shaft and the prosthetic heart valve to an implantation location, and expanding the prosthetic heart valve and the expansion device from the compressed configuration to an expanded configuration. The expansion device includes an inner expandable member and a plurality of outer expandable members. The outer expandable members are distributed such that there are gaps providing perfusion passageways between the expansion device and the prosthetic heart valve when the expansion device is in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for implanting a radially compressible and expandable prosthetic heart valve in a native heart valve of the heart includes a handle portion and an elongated shaft extending from and movable relative to the handle portion. The shaft includes a proximal end portion coupled to the handle portion and a distal end portion configured to mount a prosthetic heart valve in a radially compressed state. The handle portion includes a control member movable longitudinally with respect to the handle portion, the control member engaging a gear assembly operable to convert longitudinal motion of the control member to rotational motion of the gear assembly. The gear assembly engages the elongated shaft such that rotational motion of the gear assembly causes corresponding longitudinal motion of the elongated shaft relative to the handle portion.

Abstract: Methods of non-invasively imaging a subject using two or more antigen-binding constructs that selectively bind to immune cell markers are described.

Abstract: Devices and methods for crimping a prosthetic heart valve onto a delivery device are described. In some embodiments, valves are crimped over an inflatable balloon and between proximal and distal shoulders mounted on a shaft inside the balloon. Crimping methods can include multiple compression steps with the valve located in different axial positions relative to the crimping jaws at each different step. In some methods, the valve may extend partially outside of the crimping jaws during certain crimping steps, such that the crimping force is only applied to the part of the valve that is inside the jaws. Exemplary crimping devices can include two or more adjacent sets of jaws that close down to different inner diameters, such that different parts of a valve get compressed to different outer diameters at the same time during a single crimping step.

Abstract: A non-limiting example method of printing device startup based on computed pen age includes reading a pen manufacturing date encoded in a pen of a printing device. The method includes computing a pen age for the pen of the printing device based on the pen manufacturing date, and selecting a startup level based on the computed pen age.

Abstract: In described examples of a ramp circuit, a first terminal of a capacitor is coupled to a ramp terminal and a second capacitor terminal is coupled to a return terminal. A charge source has an input terminal coupled to a supply terminal and a charge output terminal. A resistor has a first terminal coupled to the return terminal. A first switch is coupled between the ramp terminal and a second terminal of the resistor. A second switch is coupled between the charge output terminal and the ramp terminal.

Abstract: A switch-mode power supply circuit includes a low-side switching transistor, a high-side switching transistor, a low-side current sensing circuit, and a gate driver circuit. The low-side current sensing circuit is coupled to the low-side switching transistor and is configured to sense a current flowing through the low-side switching transistor. The gate driver circuit is coupled to the low-side current sensing circuit and the high-side switching transistor. The gate driver circuit is configured to generate a signal having a first drive strength to switch the high-side switching transistor based on current flowing through the low-side switching transistor being less than a threshold current, and to generate a signal having a second drive strength to switch the high-side switching transistor based on current flowing through the low-side switching transistor being greater than the threshold current. The first drive strength is greater than the second drive strength.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing instant noodles and an instant noodle product from dragon fruits using ultra-sonication technology, wherein the process comprises: a) Pre-processing dragon fruit ingredients; b) Heating the dragon fruit solution to room temperature; c) Activating the dragon fruit solution; d) Removing impurities of the powdery ingredients through a sieve; e) Performing a catalytic reaction between the activated dragon fruit solution and other ingredients of the instant noodles; f) Proofing; g) Pressing the dough; h) Shape cutting into noodles; i) Steaming instant noodles; j) Macerating with seasonings; k) Cooling and frying (instant noodle product from dragon fruits using ultra-sonication technology with frying); 1) Cooling and drying (instant noodle product from dragon fruits using ultra-sonication technology without frying); m) Cooling; n) Drying and cooling; o) Packaging.

Abstract: A delivery sheath includes an outer tubular layer and an initially folded inner tubular layer. When an implant passes therethrough, the outer tubular layer expands and the inner tubular layer unfolds into an expanded lumen diameter. The sheath may also include selectively placed longitudinal support rods that mediate friction between the inner and outer tubular layers to facilitate easy expansion, thereby reducing the push force needed to advance the implant through the sheath's lumen.

Abstract: A network computer system and method are provided in which each user of a group of users is monitored during a respective online session where the user performs a sequence of M activities, to selectively engage users of the group. A determination is made as to the impact of friction for each user of the group of users with respect to an intention of the respective user, and an action is performed for the user based at least in part on the determined impact of friction.

Abstract: A delivery sheath includes an outer tubular layer and an initially folded inner tubular layer. When an implant passes therethrough, the outer tubular layer expands and the inner tubular layer unfolds into an expanded lumen diameter. The sheath may also include selectively placed longitudinal support rods that mediate friction between the inner and outer tubular layers to facilitate easy expansion, thereby reducing the push force needed to advance the implant through the sheath's lumen.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to assigning tasks to various user inputs, and detecting and responding to user inputs. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to assigning tasks to various user inputs received on a back surface of a device, and detecting and responding to user inputs on the back surface of the device.