Abstract: An apparatus for repairing or replacing a mitral valve and a method of using same are disclosed. The apparatus has an atrial band securable to a ring-shaped ventricular band. The ventricular band has an anterior band and a posterior band connectable to the anterior band. The atrial and anterior bands each have a pair of apertures. Each of the apertures is positioned proximate to a respective terminal end of the bands. The apertures of the atrial and anterior bands are arranged to align with one another when their inner surfaces engage. Means are provided to secure the atrial band to the anterior band. When delivered and implanted, the apparatus is arranged to extend across the commissures of the heart, with atrial and anterior bands arranged to press against the atrial and ventricular surfaces of the mitral valve leaflets respectively.

Abstract: A device for stabilizing catheters such as delivery catheters is disclosed. The device includes a radially expandable structure which extends from a proximal end to an opposing distal end. The expandable structure is secured to a stabilizer catheter at its proximal end. The device includes means to position the delivery catheter relative to the expandable structure. The means may include one or more attachment members arranged to extend distally from the distal end of the expandable structure. Each attachment member is coupleable to a connector projecting near a distal tip of the delivery catheter. The means may alternatively include one or more sleeves, each arranged for the respective one of the delivery catheters to insert therethrough. A retractable catheter sheath is moveable along the longitudinal axis of the expandable structure to extend the expandable structure between a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration. A kit for stabilizing catheters is also enclosed.

Abstract: A device for stabilizing catheters such as delivery catheters is disclosed. The device includes a radially expandable structure which extends from a proximal end to an opposing distal end. The expandable structure is secured to a stabilizer catheter at its proximal end. The device includes means to position the delivery catheter relative to the expandable structure. The means may include one or more attachment members arranged to extend distally from the distal end of the expandable structure. Each attachment member is coupleable to a connector projecting near a distal tip of the delivery catheter. The means may alternatively include one or more sleeves, each arranged for the respective one of the delivery catheters to insert therethrough. A retractable catheter sheath is moveable along the longitudinal axis of the expandable structure to extend the expandable structure between a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration. A kit for stabilizing catheters is also enclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a wound treatment apparatus with electronic components integrated within a wound dressing. In some embodiments, a wound dressing apparatus can comprise a wound contact layer, an absorbent layer over the wound contact layer, the absorbent layer comprising one or more apertures, a cover layer configured to cover and form a seal over the wound contact layer and the absorbent layer, and an electronics assembly comprising a negative pressure source. The cover layer can be configured to be compressed within the aperture in the absorbent layer when negative pressure is applied to the wound dressing apparatus and indicate a level of negative pressure below the cover layer. In some embodiments, the wound dressing apparatus can comprise an indicator material layer configured to protrude when negative pressure is applied to the wound dressing apparatus and indicate a level of negative pressure below the cover layer.

Abstract: A device for stabilizing catheters such as delivery catheters is disclosed. The device includes a radially expandable structure which extends from a proximal end to an opposing distal end. The expandable structure is secured to a stabilizer catheter at its proximal end. The device includes means to position the delivery catheter relative to the expandable structure. The means may include one or more attachment members arranged to extend distally from the distal end of the expandable structure. Each attachment member is coupleable to a connector projecting near a distal tip of the delivery catheter.. The means may alternatively include one or more sleeves, each arranged for the respective one of the delivery catheters to insert therethrough. A retractable catheter sheath is moveable along the longitudinal axis of the expandable structure to extend the expandable structure between a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration. A kit for stabilizing catheters is also enclosed.

Abstract: An aerosolizing device for substance delivery to a user comprising: a rotational pump configured to receive a formulation from a source, where the formulation comprises a target substance that is designed to effect a physiological change in the user, and where the rotational pump is further configured to transport the formulation from the source and deliver the formulation in a vapor form with aid of a vaporization element for inhalation by the user are described.

Abstract: A device for generating a condensation aerosol includes vaporization chamber having an upstream first inlet and a downstream outlet. A tube supplies liquid to a heater in the vaporization chamber. The liquid is pumped out of the tube and onto the heater, which vaporizes the liquid. Air flows from inlets through the vaporization chamber, and generally perpendicular to the tube. The vaporized liquid is entrained in the air, forming a condensation aerosol having a particle size in a selected range. A second inlet provides a substantially laminar flow of air into the airflow path, wherein the second inlet is downstream of the heater; and the device capable of changing air flow in the vaporization chamber to change the particle size of the condensation aerosol and/or to change the amount of visible vapor emitted from the device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in the initial positioning, guiding, clamping and removal of a tubular casing used to produce a borehole, including a mainframe with an opening configured to receive, clamp onto and centralize the casing within the mainframe opening.

Abstract: A device for generating a condensation aerosol includes (a) vaporization chamber having an upstream first inlet and a downstream outlet; (b) a heater element in the vaporization chamber between the upstream first inlet and the downstream outlet; (c) an airflow path in fluid communication with the vaporization chamber, wherein the airflow path comprises a second inlet configured to permit a substantially laminar flow of air into the airflow path, wherein the second inlet is downstream of the heater element; and (d) the device having components or apparatus on or in the device for changing air flow in the vaporization chamber. Changing the air flow in the vaporization chamber may be used to change the particle size of a condensation aerosol produced in the vaporization chamber, and/or to change the amount of visible vapor emitted from the device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in the initial positioning, guiding, clamping and removal of a tubular casing used to produce a borehole, including a mainframe with an opening configured to receive, clamp onto and centralize the casing within the mainframe opening.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a wound treatment apparatus with electronic components integrated within a wound dressing. In some embodiments, a wound dressing apparatus can comprise a wound contact layer, an absorbent layer over the wound contact layer, the absorbent layer comprising one or more apertures, a cover layer configured to cover and form a seal over the wound contact layer and the absorbent layer, and an electronics assembly comprising a negative pressure source. A portion of the cover layer overlying the one or more apertures in the absorbent layer can be configured to be compressed within the aperture in the absorbent layer when negative pressure is applied to the wound dressing apparatus. The compressed cover layer can indicate a level of negative pressure below the cover layer. In some embodiments, the wound dressing apparatus can comprise an indicator material layer and a cover layer configured to cover and form a seal over the wound contact layer and the indicator material layer.

Abstract: An undermount support for an appliance and a method for using the support, the support including a frame that is: (a) assembled around the exterior periphery of the appliance; (b) located in supporting contact below the underside of a rim flange of the appliance; and (c) attached to cabinetry supporting a countertop or cooktop. The frame thereby enables the cabinetry to support the appliance by the rim flange.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of processing heat treatable aluminum alloys using an accelerated aging step, along with aluminum alloy products prepared according to the methods. The methods of processing the heat treatable alloys described herein provide a more efficient method for producing aluminum alloy products having the desired strength and formability properties. For example, conventional methods of processing alloys can require 24 hours of aging. The methods described herein, however, substantially reduce the aging time, often requiring eight hours or less of aging time.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing a heart valve and methods of use thereof are provided. The apparatus includes a radially expandable body and a blood-permeable member attached to the body at a first end and having at least one cord at a second end. The length or tension of the at least one cord is adjustable when the apparatus is implanted in a heart such that that the extent of atrial displacement of the heart's mitral leaflets during ventricular contraction can be adjusted. To implant the apparatus in a heart, the apparatus is inserted into a retaining sheath and the retaining sheath is then inserted into the heart. The retaining sheath is retracted from the apparatus and the apparatus is positioned inside the heart. The length or tension of the at least one cord is adjusted to adjust the extent of atrial displacement of the heart's mitral leaflets during ventricular contraction.

Abstract: Described are metal products having spatially non-uniform strength and formability profiles. The spatial non-uniformity of these properties may be achieved by heat-treating the metal product in a spatially non-uniform fashion, such that different portions of the metal product exhibit different strength and formability characteristics. The metal products may be formed into stamped products, with strength and formability characteristics customized to allow for suitable drawing during the stamping process.

Abstract: An undermount support for an appliance and a method for using the support, the support including a frame that is: (a) assembled around the exterior periphery of the appliance; (b) located in supporting contact below the underside of a rim flange of the appliance; and (c) attached to cabinetry supporting a countertop or cooktop. The frame thereby enables the cabinetry to support the appliance by the rim flange.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, devices, systems, and computer readable medium for delivering one or more compounds to a subject. Also described herein are methods, devices, systems, and computer readable medium for transitioning a smoker to an electronic nicotine delivery device and for smoking or nicotine urge relief.

Abstract: An undermount support for an appliance, and a method for using the support, the support including a frame that is: (a) assembled around the exterior periphery of the appliance; (b) located in supporting contact below the underside of a rim flange of the appliance; and (c) attached to cabinetry supporting a countertop or cooktop. The frame thereby enables the cabinetry to support the appliance by the rim flange.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides aluminum alloy articles having improved bond durability at certain surfaces of the article. The disclosure also provides methods of making such materials, for example, via a selective etching process, as well as methods of using such articles in applications that involve bonding the article to other articles, such as other aluminum articles. The disclosure also provides articles of manufacture made from such articles, including bonded aluminum articles. The disclosure also provides aluminum alloy articles having an inert or neutralized surface. The inert or neutralized surfaces described herein are characterized by surfaces containing oxidized copper. Also described herein are methods including etching a surface of the aluminum alloy articles with an oxidant. The resulting aluminum alloy articles exhibit desirable bond durability properties and exceptional corrosion resistance.

Abstract: Disclosed are aluminum alloy products and methods of making and processing such products. Thus, disclosed are aluminum alloy products exhibiting controllable surface properties, including excellent bond durability, low contact resistance, and corrosion resistance. Aluminum alloy products described herein include a migrant element, a subsurface portion having a concentration of the migrant element, and a bulk portion having a concentration of the migrant element. The aluminum alloy product comprises an enrichment ratio of 4.0 or less, wherein the enrichment ratio is a ratio of the migrant element concentration in the subsurface portion to the concentration in the bulk portion. Additionally, the aluminum alloy products surface and/or subsurface can contain phosphorus (e.g., elemental phosphorus or oxidized phosphorus). The phosphorus containing surface provides reduced electronic stress on an electrode tip of a resistance spot welding apparatus, and an extended service lifetime (e.g.