Abstract: Methods of quickly and easily implanting a quick-connect heart valve prosthesis during a surgical procedure are provided. The heart valve may include a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A safety member disposed between the balloon catheter and handle shaft prevents premature catheter advancement prior to heart valve placement at the annulus, and also may prevent premature balloon inflation prior to full catheter advancement.

Abstract: A quick-connect heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The heart valve may include a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A safety member disposed between the balloon catheter and handle shaft prevents premature catheter advancement prior to heart valve placement at the annulus, and also may prevent premature balloon inflation prior to full catheter advancement.

Abstract: A mobile support system for supporting a concrete pouring hose supports ten to sixteen feet of hose while providing sufficient ground clearance to avoid common obstacles. The mobile support system features large castors and conveniently placed hand holds to permit the mobile support system to be moved safely and easily. The system provides for socketed leg attachment, thereby allowing for ease of disassembly and storage.

Abstract: A mobile support system for supporting a concrete pouring hose supports ten to sixteen feet of hose while providing sufficient ground clearance to avoid common obstacles. The mobile support system features large castors and conveniently placed hand holds to permit the mobile support system to be moved safely and easily. The system provides for socketed leg attachment, thereby allowing for ease of disassembly and storage.

Abstract: A quick-connect heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The heart valve includes a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A small number of guide sutures may be provided for aortic valve orientation. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available valve with a sewing ring with the frame attached thereto. The frame may expand from a conical deployment shape to a conical expanded shape, and may include web-like struts connected between axially-extending posts. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A valve holder is stored with the heart valve and the handle shaft easily attaches thereto to improve valve preparation steps.

Abstract: A mobile support system for supporting a concrete pouring hose supports ten to sixteen feet of hose while providing sufficient ground clearance to avoid common obstacles. The mobile support system features large castors and conveniently placed hand holds to permit the mobile support system to be moved safely and easily. The system provides for socketed leg attachment, thereby allowing for ease of disassembly and storage.

Abstract: A quick-connect heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The heart valve includes a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A small number of guide sutures may be provided for aortic valve orientation. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available valve with a sewing ring with the frame attached thereto. The frame may expand from a conical deployment shape to a conical expanded shape, and may include web-like struts connected between axially-extending posts. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A valve holder is stored with the heart valve and the handle shaft easily attaches thereto to improve valve preparation steps.

Abstract: A quick-connect heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The heart valve may include a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A safety member disposed between the balloon catheter and handle shaft prevents premature catheter advancement prior to heart valve placement at the annulus, and also may prevent premature balloon inflation prior to full catheter advancement.

Abstract: A quick-connect heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The heart valve includes a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable stent frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available valve with a sewing ring and the stent frame attached thereto. The stent frame may expand from a conical deployment shape to a conical expanded shape, and may have a cloth covering its entirety as well as a plush sealing flange around its periphery to prevent paravalvular leaking.

Abstract: A sewing ring for prosthetic heart valves that is connected and configured to pivot outward. A biocompatible fabric covering surrounds at least a portion of the sewing ring, and the ring may be exclusively connected to a stent with the fabric. The sewing ring may be generally planar and of uniform thickness, or may be of varying thickness. The fabric may be used to encompass both the stent and the sewing ring, and may be a single piece. A seam may be provided in the fabric as a discrete pivoting line. The sewing ring may be convertible between bi-stable positions. The ring may extend outward in a frusto-conical shape so as to enable inversion between a position facing the inflow end of the valve and a position facing the outflow end of the valve. The sewing ring may have a compliant insert having a celled construction defined by outer walls and inner ribs. A method of implantation, and a method of assembly of the heart valve is also provided.

Abstract: A quick-connect heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The heart valve includes a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A small number of guide sutures may be provided for aortic valve orientation. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available valve with a sewing ring with the frame attached thereto. The frame may expand from a conical deployment shape to a conical expanded shape, and may include web-like struts connected between axially-extending posts. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A valve holder is stored with the heart valve and the handle shaft easily attaches thereto to improve valve preparation steps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for data analysis according to various aspects of the present invention is configured to automatically select one or more outlier identification algorithms for identifying statistical outliers in test data for components.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for data analysis according to various aspects of the present invention identify statistical outliers in data, such as test data for components. The outliers may be identified and categorized according to the distribution of the data. In addition, outliers may be identified according to multiple parameters, such as spatial relationships, variations in the test data, and correlations to other test data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for data analysis according to various aspects of the present invention is configured to automatically identify a characteristic of a component fabrication process guided by characteristics of the test data for the components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for data analysis according to various aspects of the present invention is configured to automatically select one or more outlier identification algorithms for identifying statistical outliers in test data for components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for data analysis according to various aspects of the present invention is configured to automatically select one or more outlier identification algorithms for identifying statistical outliers in test data for components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for data analysis according to various aspects of the present invention is configured to automatically identify a characteristic of a component fabrication process guided by characteristics of the test data for the components. A method and apparatus according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a test system having a tester, such as automatic test equipment (ATE) for testing semiconductors.

Abstract: Embodiments of logical groups of wafers in semiconductor processing are presented herein.

Abstract: A process and system for compressing bioprosthetic tissue for use in medical implants. The process involves placing the tissue between two compressive surfaces and applying a force to reduce any nonuniformity of thickness in the tissue, while at the same time reduce the overall thickness. One particularly useful application is the compression of bioprosthetic sheet during the preparation of heart valve leaflets. Bovine pericardium may be compressed to reduce its thickness by about 50%, and then formed into heart valve leaflets. The thinned leaflets have substantially the same absolute strength as those made from uncompressed tissue, and are particular desirable for use in minimally invasive valves which must be compressed into a small profile. The thin tissue enables a reduction in the overall size of the minimally invasive heart valve for delivery. For instance, rolled MIS valves may be reduced in size to as small as 20 mm in diameter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for data analysis according to various aspects of the present invention is configured to automatically select one or more outlier identification algorithms for identifying statistical outliers in test data for components.