Abstract: A valvuloplasty catheter has a dog-bone shaped balloon with semi-compliant smaller diameter waist and non-compliant larger diameter bulbous end regions. The balloon centers across the valve with the waist adjacent to the annulus. One bulbous region serves to hyperextend the valve leaflets and the other assists in stabilizing the balloon position to reduce migration. The semi-compliant waist increases in diameter as fluid enters the balloon until it comes into contact with the valve annulus. The pressure within the balloon per unit of volume delivery has a greater slope after contact with the annulus than before resulting in a change in slope for the pressure versus volume curve. The diameter of the balloon and annulus are determined at this inflection point when the balloon contacts the annulus.

Abstract: A valvuloplasty catheter has a dog-bone shaped balloon with semi-compliant smaller diameter waist and non-compliant larger diameter bulbous end regions. The balloon centers across the valve with the waist adjacent to the annulus. One bulbous region serves to hyperextend the valve leaflets and the other assists in stabilizing the balloon position to reduce migration. The semi-compliant waist increases in diameter as fluid enters the balloon until it comes into contact with the valve annulus. The pressure within the balloon per unit of volume delivery has a greater slope after contact with the annulus than before resulting in a change in slope for the pressure versus volume curve. The diameter of the balloon and annulus are determined at this inflection point when the balloon contacts the annulus.

Abstract: An example of an inflatable seal for a door includes a bi-directional airflow pattern of frost-inhibiting heated air. The bi-directional flow pattern enables the seal's discharge opening and supply air blower to both be located well above the floor and preferably above the doorway. If the discharge opening is near the suction inlet of the blower, such an arrangement makes it possible to recover previously heated air by returning some of the warm air back to the blower. In some examples, the seal includes a supply air conduit and a return air conduit with one disposed within the other. The internal conduit may include a relatively stiff elbow to prevent that conduit from becoming kinked near an upper corner of the door.

Abstract: An example of a vertically operating door includes a flexible panel comprising two pliable sheets of material with a plurality of pads or mats of thermal insulation between the two sheets. In some examples, a plurality of horizontally elongate baffles made of pliable strips of material are installed between the two sheets. The baffles effectively divide one large interior volume between the sheets into more manageable smaller volumes or chambers. The baffles restrict the air between the sheets from being forced to the bottom of the panel as the panel ascends and bends across an overhead roller. Without the baffles and smaller chambers, the panel sheets in the area near the bottom of the panel would tend to bulge outward as the door opens.

Abstract: Two or more panels of a power-operated folding door are supported by a novel articulated arm assembly that ensures that the door closes tightly against a wall-mounted seal and easily opens. The articulated arm assembly includes a connector with two spaced-apart pivot points about which two adjoining arms of the assembly can rotate as the door opens and closes. The two pivot points allow the panels to readily fold up and store more compactly when the door is open. To provide an airtight seal where two leading panels come together at the center of the doorway, one or more control mechanisms coupled to the articulated arm assembly ensure that the leading panels overlap when the door is closed.

Abstract: A valvuloplasty catheter has a dog-bone shaped balloon with semi-compliant smaller diameter waist and non-compliant larger diameter bulbous end regions. The balloon centers across the valve with the waist adjacent to the annulus. One bulbous region serves to hyperextend the valve leaflets and the other assists in stabilizing the balloon position to reduce migration. The semi-compliant waist increases in diameter as fluid enters the balloon until it comes into contact with the valve annulus. The pressure within the balloon per unit of volume delivery has a greater slope after contact with the annulus than before resulting in a change in slope for the pressure versus volume curve. The diameter of the balloon and annulus are determined at this inflection point when the balloon contacts the annulus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biocompatible, three-dimensional scaffold useful to grow cells and to regenerate or repair tissue in predetermined orientations. The scaffold is particularly useful for regeneration and repair of cardiac tissue. The scaffold contains layers of alternating A-strips and S-strips, wherein the A-strips within each layer are aligned parallel to each other and preferentially promote cellular attachment over attachment to the S-strips. Methods of producing and implanting the scaffold are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biocompatible, three-dimensional scaffold useful to grow cells and to regenerate or repair tissue in predetermined orientations. The scaffold is particularly useful for regeneration and repair of cardiac tissue. The scaffold contains layers of alternating A-strips and S-strips, wherein the A-strips within each layer are aligned parallel to each other and preferentially promote cellular attachment over attachment to the S-strips. Methods of producing and implanting the scaffold are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biocompatible, three-dimensional scaffold useful to grow cells and to regenerate or repair tissue in predetermined orientations. The scaffold is particularly useful for regeneration and repair of cardiac tissue. The scaffold contains layers of alternating A-strips and S-strips, wherein the A-strips within each layer are aligned parallel to each other and preferentially promote cellular attachment over attachment to the S-strips. Methods of producing and implanting the scaffold are also provided.

Abstract: Two or more panels of a power-operated folding door are supported by a novel articulated arm assembly that ensures that the door closes tightly against a wall-mounted seal and easily opens. The articulated arm assembly includes a connector with two spaced-apart pivot points about which two adjoining arms of the assembly can rotate as the door opens and closes. The two pivot points allow the panels to readily fold up and store more compactly when the door is open. To provide an airtight seal where two leading panels come together at the center of the doorway, one or more control mechanisms coupled to the articulated arm assembly ensure that the leading panels overlap when the door is closed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods of enhancing recovery of function of injured tissue through administration of a composition comprising a relatively pure populations of B lymphocyte cells in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to the injured tissue. Kits are provided to aid in purification of B cells from heterogeneous mixtures of cells and administration of B cells to injured tissue.

Abstract: Distal protection filter and method of using the same. A distal protection filter may be coupled to an elongate shaft. The filter includes a filter material coupled to a filter frame. The shape of the filter may be generally cylindrical or disc shaped. The filter material may capture embolic debris generated during an intravascular intervention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biocompatible, three-dimensional scaffold useful to grow cells and to regenerate or repair tissue in predetermined orientations. The scaffold is particularly useful for regeneration and repair of cardiac tissue. The scaffold contains layers of alternating A-strips and S-strips, wherein the A-strips within each layer are aligned parallel to each other and preferentially promote cellular attachment over attachment to the S-strips. Methods of producing and implanting the scaffold are also provided.

Abstract: A roller door apparatus is provided that includes a roller means and a means journalling the roller means for reversible rotation about a central longitudinal roller axis. The roller door also includes end rail means for a reciprocal linear movement between a first position adjacent the roller means and a second position away from the roller means. Also included is a flexible curtain means with one end attached to the end rail means and the other end attached to the roller means, such that the curtain means closes a door opening with the end rail means in the second position. The curtain means winds onto the roller means when the end rail moves from the second position to the first position and vice versa.