Abstract: A back-brace assistive device is provided for supporting a proper lifting posture of a user, including a back-brace assembly featuring a series of interconnected and articulating vertebrae assemblies, as well as an upper back plate assembly and a lower back plate assembly, each in connection with the series of the vertebrae assemblies. Each vertebrae assembly fits into the adjacent assembly via a ball joint, and the series of the vertebrae assemblies couples with the upper and the lower back plate assemblies via additional ball joints. At least one support component extends from the upper back plate assembly, across the series of the articulating vertebrae assemblies, to the lower back plate assembly to provide rigidity and articulation support for the vertebrae assemblies. An anchoring mechanism such as a harness attaches to the back-brace assembly to secure the back-brace assembly to the user's back. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

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: A method for promoting contraception by placing a contraceptive device within a uterus without blocking fallopian tubes may involve advancing a distal end of a delivery device through a cervix, advancing the contraceptive device comprising an elongate shape memory member out of the distal end of the delivery device and into the uterus, and limiting inferior migration of the contraceptive device within the uterus. Inferior migration may be limited by allowing the contraceptive device to assume a shape, when subjected to pressure that tends to cause a downward migration of the device within the uterus, in which an expandable middle portion of the device is expanded to contact the inner wall of the uterus and thus limit the downward migration of the device.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus 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 multi-dose dry powder inhaler with a blister folding device is provided. The inhaler comprises a housing containing a blister strip, and a blister opening device. The blister strip comprises a plurality of individual blisters, each blister containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user. The blister opening device comprising a blister support element for supporting one of said blisters, and a blister folding element co-operable with the blister support element, the blister folding element and the blister support element being movable relative to each other between a first position, permitting movement of said 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: 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: A modular material tracking system is provided for tracking material stored on and drawn from a reel using a modular system. The modular material tracking system may include a detection element, digital logic components, location receiver, enclosure, analytic components, interface component, sensor module, and plate module. One or more sensors relative to the reel may detect a position indicative of forward or reverse reel rotation. A processor may analyze signals to count rotations of the reel, which is savable in memory. A battery may provide power. The system may also record the time and location associated with rotations. A method for tracking material stored on and drawn from a reel using a modular material tracking system is also provided.

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: A method and system for personal protective equipment, such as a respirator mask, having a nosecup that is removably coupled to the item of personal protective equipment by at least one of an electronics housing and at least one voicemitter. A respirator mask includes a frame including a voicemitter aperture, a voicemitter, and a nosecup removably coupled to the frame by a rotation of the voicemitter by a predetermined amount to removably lock the nosecup to the frame voicemitter aperture. The mask further includes electronics components, which are housed in an annular electronics housing located within the front portion of the mask body 14 and in contact with a front portion of the nosecup. The nosecup may further be removably coupled to the mask frame by coupling between the annular electronics housing and the mask frame.

Abstract: A method for promoting contraception by placing a contraceptive device within a uterus without blocking fallopian tubes may involve advancing a distal end of a delivery device through a cervix, advancing the contraceptive device comprising an elongate shape memory member out of the distal end of the delivery device and into the uterus, and limiting inferior migration of the contraceptive device within the uterus. Inferior migration may be limited by allowing the contraceptive device to assume a shape, when subjected to pressure that tends to cause a downward migration of the device within the uterus, in which an expandable middle portion of the device is expanded to contact the inner wall of the uterus and thus limit the downward migration of the device.

Abstract: A power supply for an item of personal protective equipment and a method and system for removably coupling the power supply to the item of personal protective equipment, such as a respirator mask. The removable battery cartridge is attached to the mask body in the user's chin area, below the location at which a respirator would be or is attached. Thus, the power supply (battery cartridge) is out of the user's way and is at a location that allow the user to couple or uncouple the cartridge from the mask quickly and easily, even when the user is wearing gloves. In one embodiment, a mask body includes a lower surface and power supply that is removably couplable to the mask body lower surface.

Abstract: A respiratory mask includes a body configured to cover a nose and a mouth of a user. The body includes a face seal configured to at least partially seal the body to a face of the user. The face seal includes a standard reflex seal that is configured to engage in physical contact with the face to form a first segment of a seal between the body and the face. The face seal also includes a reverse reflex seal that is configured to engage in physical contact with the face to form a second segment of a seal between the body and the face. This configuration allows the mask body to float in place with respect to the face seal and preserves the seal between the mask and the face, even when the user is talking or moving his or her face.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for mitral valve repair. The devices and methods implant a plurality of distal anchors at an annulus of the mitral valve (e.g., the posterior annulus) and tension artificial chordae to pull the portion of the annulus toward an opposite edge and inward into the ventricle. This can effectively reduce the size of the orifice and increase coaptation. The delivery devices can be configured to be actuated to form a distal anchor made of a pre-formed knot. The delivery devices deliver the pre-formed knot in an elongate configuration. Actuation of the delivery device causes the pre-formed knot to transition from the elongate configuration to the deployed configuration by approximating opposite ends of a suture coupled to a coiled configuration to form one or more loops. After formation of the knot, the delivery device can be withdrawn.

Abstract: A respirator including an oronasal mask. The oronasal mask has a first portion configured to cover a user's mouth and a second portion configured to cover a user's nose. The second portion includes an eyewear interface. The eyewear interface includes a first side defining a first concavity and a second side opposite the first side, the second side defining a second concavity. The first concavity and the second concavity being configured to receive a nose member of an eyewear.

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: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a handle, an actuator, a pusher device, and a puncture member. A distal anchor is disposed at a distal end portion of an artificial chorda, or suture, and is in a delivery configuration. The artificial chorda, or suture, is coupled to the actuator and extends through a lumen of the puncture member. The actuator can be actuated to move the puncture member distally a preset distance, and to move the pusher device distally such that at least a portion of the distal anchor is moved distal to the distal end of the puncture member and the distal anchor is moved from its delivery configuration to a deployed configuration.

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: 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: 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 multi-dose dry powder inhaler with a blister folding device is provided. The inhaler comprises a housing containing a blister strip, and a blister opening device. The blister strip comprises a plurality of individual blisters, each blister containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user. The blister opening device comprising a blister support element for supporting one of said blisters, and a blister folding element co-operable with the blister support element, the blister folding element and the blister support element being movable relative to each other between a first position, permitting movement of said 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.