Abstract: A steerable delivery system is provided for delivering a replacement heart valve to a native heart valve location. The steerable delivery system includes an outer sheath assembly having a capsule along a distal end portion for retaining the replacement heart valve in a compressed configuration. The capsule is constructed to provide both compression resistance and flexibility. The capsule may be formed with an outer polymer layer, a metal middle layer located on a radially inner surface of the outer polymer layer, and an inner liner located on a radially inner surface of the metal middle layer. A fluoroelastomer layer is provided for bonding the inner liner to the metal middle layer. The metal middle layer is preferably a metal hypotube.

Abstract: An air monitoring cassette for monitoring airborne particulate wherein the cassette includes a housing defining an airway therethrough. The housing includes an outlet end for connection to a pump. The housing further includes an inlet end opposite the outlet end and a filter to collect particulate thereon intermediate said outlet end and inlet end. The inlet end includes an outwardly flared inside surface so that particulate laden air can be drawn through the cassette and non-uniform deposition of particulate on the filter reduced.