Abstract: A method for removing one or more objects or materials from a body lumen includes delivering a tube and an expandable device to the body lumen to a position proximal to the one or more objects or materials. The expandable device is positioned with a lumen of the tube, and the expandable device includes a lumen extending from a distal portion to a proximal portion. The method further includes proximally retracting the tube such that the expandable device remains in the position proximal to the one or more objects or materials, distally advancing the expandable device such that the distal portion of the expandable device at least partially surrounds the one or more objects or materials, at least partially closing a distal end of the expandable device, and moving the expandable device proximally to remove the expandable device and the one or more objects or materials from the lumen.

Abstract: A medical device may include a main shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end; an actuator at a proximal portion of the medical device; an end effector positioned at a distal end of the main shaft and comprising a first jaw and a second jaw; a motor; and a torque amplification system. The torque amplification system may include a driveshaft coupled to the motor; a spring coupled to the driveshaft and configured to expand or contract in a proximal or a distal direction relative to the driveshaft; a hammer moveably coupled to the driveshaft; and an anvil coupled to the end effector and abutting the hammer. The anvil may be configured to provide a rotational power output to the end effector to move the first jaw and/or the second jaw.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a tissue debridement device and describes an example treatment for ANP using the tissue debridement device. The tissue debridement device has a sheath, a distal tip, and a plurality of rotating tines coupled to the distal tip and the sheath. The distal tip can be adjusted to be closer or further from the sheath to change a diameter of the rotating tines, thereby changing a cutting diameter of the tissue debridement device.

Abstract: In one aspect, the subject invention is directed to a method of preparing a combinatorial drug delivery device based on a predetermined selection of drug components. The method includes: preparing a plurality of containers, each accommodating one of the selected drug components; coupling the containers to a common outlet so that the drug components may be extracted from the containers and dispensed through the common outlet; and, applying negative pressure to extract the drug components from the containers and urge the drug components towards the common outlet.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first optically dimmable switch for providing a first transmittance while the first optically dimmable switch is in a first state and providing a second transmittance distinct from the first transmittance while the first optically dimmable switch is in a second state distinct from the first state. The optical device also includes a dynamic heat source thermally coupled with the first optically dimmable switch. The dynamic heat source is at a first temperature at a first time and is at a second temperature distinct from the first temperature at a second time mutually exclusive from the first time. The optical device may operate as an optical dimming device, which may be used in head-mounted display devices or as dimmable windows or shutters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an inspection apparatus for inspecting a component. The inspection apparatus including a robotic arm. A micro-XRF instrument having an instrument head coupled to the robotic arm. A seat supporting the component within a scanning area during inspection; and a computer in communication with the robotic arm and the micro-XRF instrument.

Abstract: Provided are processes for the formation of electrochemically active materials such as lithiated transition metal oxides that solve prior issues with throughput and calcination. The processes include forming the materials in the presence of a processing additive that includes potassium prior to calcination that produces active materials with increased primary particle grain sizes.

Abstract: A cannulation device is adapted to gain access to the patient's common bile duct. In some instances, the cannulation device includes a first guidewire lumen extending through an elongate shaft and terminating at a first oblique guidewire port, and a second guidewire lumen extending through the elongate shaft and terminating at a second oblique guidewire port. In some instances, the cannulation device includes an inflatable balloon that is inflatable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration in which the inflatable balloon is adapted to occlude the patient's pancreatic duct. In some instances, the cannulation device includes an expandable element that is expandable from a collapsed configuration in which the expandable element is disposed within the guidewire lumen and an extended configuration in which a portion of the expandable element extends distally from a guidewire port.

Abstract: Provided are processes for the formation of electrochemically active materials such as lithiated transition metal oxides that solve prior issues with throughput and calcination. The processes include forming the materials in the presence of a processing additive that includes potassium prior to calcination that produces active materials with increased primary particle grain sizes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for isolating purified water from a waste stream, such as, e.g., a waste stream formed in the manufacture or recycling of batteries, and further e.g., processes for isolating purified water suitable for use in downstream industrial processes from a waste stream generated during delithiation of a lithium metal oxide material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of recycling elements, such as, e.g., lithium and/or nickel, from a solution, such as, e.g., methods of recovering reusable lithium and nickel from a waste stream produced by the delithiation of a lithium nickel oxide material.

Abstract: A medical instrument may include a tube, a sheath provided around and coaxial with the tube, and an inflatable balloon at a distal end of the sheath. The balloon may receive a fluid from a lumen of the sheath, and may have a central opening along a longitudinal axis thereof, and into which the tube extends, a proximal portion, a middle portion adjacent to and distal of the proximal portion, and a distal portion adjacent to and proximal of the middle portion. When the balloon is inflated with the fluid, a maximum diameter of the middle portion may be less than a maximum diameter of the proximal portion, and less than a maximum diameter of the distal portion. The medical instrument may also include an extraction member provided at a distal end of the tube, distal to the balloon, and movable axially relative to the balloon.

Abstract: Intravascular imaging devices as well as methods for imaging are disclosed. An example intravascular imaging device may include a catheter shaft. An imaging core may be disposed within the catheter shaft. The imaging core may include a sheath, an imaging emitter/transducer secured relative to the sheath, a reflector, and a wireless rotary motor coupled to the reflector. An antenna may be disposed adjacent to the imaging transducer. A rectenna may be disposed adjacent to the wireless rotary motor.

Abstract: A medical device may include a main shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end; an actuator at a proximal portion of the medical device; an end effector positioned at a distal end of the main shaft and comprising a first jaw and a second jaw; a motor; and a torque amplification system. The torque amplification system may include a driveshaft coupled to the motor; a spring coupled to the driveshaft and configured to expand or contract in a proximal or a distal direction relative to the driveshaft; a hammer moveably coupled to the driveshaft; and an anvil coupled to the end effector and abutting the hammer. The anvil may be configured to provide a rotational power output to the end effector to move the first jaw and/or the second jaw.

Abstract: A control scheme for a furnace can use real-time and historical data to model performance and determine relationships between different data and performance parameters for use in correcting suboptimal performance of the furnace in real-time. Operational parameters can be logged throughout the cycle for all cycles for a period of time in order to establish a baseline. This data can then be used to calculate the performance of the process. A regression analysis can be carried out in order to determine which parameters affect different aspects of performance. These relationships can then be used to predict performance during a single cycle in real-time and provide closed or open loop feedback to control furnace operation to result in enhanced performance.

Abstract: A medical device comprising an end-effector, including a first feature and a second feature, wherein the first feature and the second feature are pivotably joined to one another, and a motor coupled to a rotatable shaft, wherein the rotatable shaft engages the end-effector, and wherein the motor is configured to rotate the rotatable shaft in a first direction and a second direction, wherein the second direction is opposite of the first direction, wherein a first rotation of the rotatable shaft in the first direction is configured pivot the first feature and the second feature towards one another, and wherein a second rotation of the rotatable shaft in the second direction is configured to pivot the first feature and the second feature away from one another.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to cell encapsulation membranes, devices including the same, and related methods. In an embodiment, a cell encapsulation membrane is included. The cell encapsulation membrane can include a mesh substrate. The mesh substrate can include a first series of fibers extending in a first direction and a second series of fibers extending in a second direction, the first series of fibers intersecting with the second series of fibers, the mesh substrate defining a plurality of apertures disposed between adjacent fibers of the first series and the second series. The cell encapsulation membrane can further include a coating disposed on the mesh substrate, the coating partially occluding the plurality of apertures defined by the mesh substrate and forming pores. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A method receives continuous EEG data for a long duration of time from at least one electrode intracranially implanted in a subject. The method determines a current or predicted brain state from the EEG data using an artificial intelligence (AI) model.

Abstract: Provided are processes of removing lithium from an electrochemically active composition. The process of removing lithium from an electrochemically active composition may include providing an electrochemically active composition and combining the electrochemically active composition with a strong oxidizer optionally at a pH of 1.5 or greater for a lithium removal time. The electrochemically active composition may include Li, Ni, and O. The electrochemically active composition may optionally have an initial Li/M at % ratio of 0.8 to 1.3. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the lithium removal time may be such that a second Li/M at % ratio following the lithium removal time is 0.6 or less, thereby forming a delithiated electrochemically active composition.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a metal melting process in a melting furnace, including determining at least one furnace parameter characterizing a melting furnace, adding a charge containing solid metal into the melting furnace, detecting at least one charge parameter characterizing the charge, firing a burner into the melting furnace to provide heat to melt the charge, and exhausting burner combustion products from the furnace, detecting at least one process parameter characterizing progress of melting the charge, calculating a furnace efficiency based on the at least one furnace parameter, calculating a predicted process pour readiness time based on the at least one charge parameter, the at least one process parameter, and the furnace efficiency, and controlling the metal melting process based on the predicted process pour readiness time.