Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing a non-invasive procedure to repair a cardiac valve are described herein. In some embodiments, apparatus and methods are described herein for repairing a mitral valve using an edge-to-edge repair to secure the mitral valve leaflets. Implant securing devices are also described that can be used during a procedure to repair a mitral valve. In some embodiments, an implant securing device includes an outer member and an inner member movably disposed within the outer member. The inner member can be used to hold or secure a suture extending from an implant deployed on an atrial side of a leaflet of a mitral valve, and the outer member can be used to push or move a half hitch knot toward a ventricular side of the leaflet, which can be used to secure the implant in the desired position.

Abstract: A method comprises advancing an elongate tube to a target implantation site, the elongate tube having a needle disposed at least partially therein that has a coiled sutureform wrapped around at least a portion thereof, contacting a distal end of the elongate tube to a target tissue, projecting a tip of the needle from the distal end of the elongate tube to pierce through the target tissue such that the tip of the needle and at least a portion of the coiled sutureform project through the target tissue, advancing a pusher device within the elongate tube and over the needle to push the at least a portion of the coiled sutureform off of the tip of the needle, and proximally pulling one or more suture tails associated with the coiled sutureform to form the coiled sutureform into a knot on a distal side of the target tissue.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an extendable conductor assembly. A conductor of the extendable conductor assembly may be extended (e.g., into a thermal target, such as a preexisting or a newly created feature of a planetary body) and used to thermally couple a rover, vehicle, fixed installation, or other hardware with the thermal target. Thus, the temperature of the hardware may be managed via heat transfer to/from the thermal target. For instance, heat may be transferred from the thermal target to maintain the temperature of the hardware under cold conditions, while excess heat may be transferred to the thermal target under hot conditions. As an example, a rover may form a borehole in the lunar surface, in which a conductor may be extended to facilitate heat transfer between the rover and the Moon accordingly.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler with a blister folding device can include a housing to receive a single blister containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user, and a mouthpiece through which a dose of medicament is inhaled by a user and a blister opening device. The blister opening device can include a blister support element for supporting a blister containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user, and a blister folding element co-operable with the blister support element. The blister folding element and the blister support element can be movable relative to each other between a first position, for insertion of the blister into or onto the blister support element, and a second, burst, position in which the blister folding element has co-operated with the blister support element.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a sample collection assembly for a vehicle. The sample collection assembly includes a perforated ground-engaging member of the vehicle and an associated sample collector. For example, a perforated wheel may collect material from terrain under the vehicle as the wheel rotates (e.g., as may result from movement of the vehicle), which may fall through the perforation and into a sample collector disposed thereunder. In some examples, a ground-engaging member may include one or more grousers, paddles, or scoops, among other terrain interaction features, to further increase the amount of material that is collected. Such terrain interaction features may be unidirectional or bidirectional, thereby offering improved sample collection in one or both directions of operation, respectively. In examples, an image capture device or one or more other sensors may be used to monitor sample collection and/or to process data associated therewith.

Abstract: A semiconductor package comprises a lead frame, a chip, and a molding encapsulation. The lead frame comprises one or more die paddles, a first plurality of leads, and a second plurality of leads. A respective end surface of each lead of the first plurality of leads and the second plurality of leads is plated with a metal. A first respective window on a first side of each lead of the first plurality of leads and the second plurality of leads is not plated with the metal. A second respective window on a second side of each lead of the first plurality of leads and the second plurality of leads is not plated with the metal. A method for fabricating a semiconductor package comprises the steps of providing a lead frame array, mounting a chip, forming a molding encapsulation, and applying a cutting process or a punching process.

Abstract: Described herein are devices for approximating targeted tissue by intertwining two or more sutures together. The sutures are attached to the targeted tissue and routed to a twister device. The twister device secures end portions of the sutures and twists them to intertwine the sutures. Controlling the number of twists provides control over the forces applied to the targeted tissue. In conjunction with visualization feedback, real-time adjustments can be made to achieved targeted results, such as elimination of mitral regurgitation when the disclosed methods and apparatus are applied to mitral valve repair.

Abstract: A respiratory device and system, and in particular a respiratory device that is usable with a plurality of removable electronic function components that that can communicate wirelessly with other devices. In one embodiment, a respiratory device comprises a body, at least a portion of the body defining a volume; a mask communications unit (MCU) at least partially located within the volume; at least one electrical function component in communication with the MCU; and a rechargeable power source at least partially located within the volume, the rechargeable power source providing power to each of the at least one electrical function components.

Abstract: A medical device including a sleeve, one or more inflatable cells, a pump, a conduit and a control unit for controlling the flow of fluid from the pump through the conduit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an in-mask display or feedback system having a lens coupled to a face blank of the mask, the lens covering a facepiece. The feedback system includes a display apparatus coupled to the facepiece, and disposed within an interior of the mask, the display apparatus being powered by a first power source coupled to a housing of the display apparatus. The feedback system further includes a recording device (e.g., a camera) coupled to the face blank, the recording device operable to communicate data (e.g., wirelessly or wired) with the display apparatus. In some approaches, the recording device is powered by a second power source. In other approaches, the first power source provides power to both the recording device and the display apparatus. In another approach, the display apparatus includes an adjustment aperture formed therethrough to allow adjustment of an eye piece housing a display.

Abstract: A semiconductor package comprises a lead frame, a chip, and a molding encapsulation. The lead frame comprises one or more die paddles, a first plurality of leads, and a second plurality of leads. A respective end surface of each lead of the first plurality of leads and the second plurality of leads is plated with a metal. A first respective window on a first side of each lead of the first plurality of leads and the second plurality of leads is not plated with the metal. A second respective window on a second side of each lead of the first plurality of leads and the second plurality of leads is not plated with the metal. A method for fabricating a semiconductor package comprises the steps of providing a lead frame array, mounting a chip, forming a molding encapsulation, and applying a cutting process or a punching process.

Abstract: A respirator includes a frame, a filter layer, and a face seal member. The frame has an outer side and an inner side. The frame defines an opening therethrough. The filter layer is mounted to the outer side of the frame and covers the opening of the frame. The filter layer is configured to prohibit permeation of aerosol, gas, and/or vapor contaminants therethrough. The face seal member is mounted to the inner side of the frame. The face seal member includes a seal contact area configured to engage a facial surface of a wearer. The face seal member incorporates a phase change material therein. The phase change material is configured to provide localized cooling by absorbing heat emitted by the wearer.

Abstract: A transmission is described. The transmission employs a main input sprocket configured to be driven by a drive system of the apparatus implementing the transmission. The main input sprocket is disposed on and coupled to a main axle of the transmission. The transmission further includes an output gear that is configured to float on the main axle and is connected to a driven output component of the apparatus implementing the transmission. By floating on the main axle, the output gear can rotate at a rate that differs from a rotational rate of the main input sprocket. To control a rate at which the output gear rotates relative to the main input sprocket, the transmission employs a reference carrier floating on the main axle. A rotational rate of the reference carrier dictates an amount of torsional relief from the main input sprocket to the output gear.

Abstract: A respiratory mask includes a body having an interior space that defines a plenum between the body and a face of the user when the user is wearing the mask. The respiratory mask also includes a voice transmittal feature in and contiguous with the body that has a voice transmittal membrane that is configured to vibrate in response to sound waves generated by the user such that the voice transmittal membrane transmits the sound waves from the plenum of the body to an ambient environment of the user. The voice transmittal feature thus enhances the intelligibility of a user's speech so that others may more clearly understand what the user is saying. For example, this may increase safety and efficiency in emergency response situations in which the use of a respiratory mask is required.

Abstract: A respirator includes a frame, a filter layer, and a face seal member. The frame has an outer side and an inner side. The frame defines an opening therethrough. The filter layer is mounted to the outer side of the frame and covers the opening of the frame. The filter layer is configured to prohibit permeation of aerosol, gas, and/or vapor contaminants therethrough. The face seal member is mounted to the inner side of the frame. The face seal member includes a seal contact area configured to engage a facial surface of a wearer. The face seal member incorporates a phase change material therein. The phase change material is configured to provide localized cooling by absorbing heat emitted by the wearer.

Abstract: A system for spraying a coating material to a substrate includes an optical sensor that monitors a thickness, a controller that generates a first signal corresponding to an amount of gas propellant to be heated, a second signal corresponding to a temperature to which the gas propellant is to be heated, a third signal corresponding to an amount of a solid powder composition to be mixed with the heated gas, and a fourth signal corresponding to a distance between the nozzle and the substrate, a first regulator that supplies an amount of gas propellant corresponding to the first signal, a heater that heats the gas propellant to the temperature corresponding to the second signal, a second regulator that supplies an amount of solid powder composition corresponding to the third signal, and an actuator that moves the nozzle corresponding to the fourth signal.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an electrical conductor on a substrate by cold spraying includes propelling a solid powder composition that includes copper and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite using a gas propellant, and directing the solid powder composition towards the substrate at a velocity sufficient to cause the solid powder composition to undergo plastic deformation and to adhere to the substrate to deposit the electrical conductor thereon.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for approximating targeted tissue using locking sutures. The locking sutures can be configured to receive suture ends that are interweaved through portions of the locking sutures. In a pre-deployment configuration, a locking suture can slide along suture tails and can be positioned at a target location within a target region. Once a desired position and/or tension is achieved, the locking suture can be transitioned to a post-deployment configuration where the locking suture constricts around the suture tails to inhibit relative movement between the suture tails and the locking suture.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to hydrogels and their use for repairing or supplementing body tissue. The hydrogels are capable of safe injection into patients through fine gauge needles and are suitable for repairing, supplementing, or replacing the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc. Methods of manufacturing and methods of using the hydrogels of the present disclosure to repair or replace tissues are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a needle having a bore and a distal tip, a pusher having a distal end, the pusher being disposed within the bore of the needle for movement between a delivery position within the needle and a deployed position distal to the distal tip of the needle, an elongate tissue anchor including a distal portion and a proximal portion separated by one or more hinges, and a suture disposed at least partially within the pusher and coupled to the elongate tissue anchor.