Abstract: An instrument for deploying a cardiac valve prosthesis, including a plurality of radially expandable portions, at an implantation site, includes a plurality of deployment elements each independently operable to obtain the radial expansion of a radially expandable portion of the valve prosthesis. Additionally, the instrument is adapted to provide a de-aired, fluid-filled, or gas filled environment in order to minimize and/or prevent air embolism during the implantation procedure. The fluid can contain a drug. A method for deploying the cardiac valve prosthesis includes advancing the instrument to an implant site and independently actuating the radially expandable portions.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated infectious polynucleotides, such as infectious clones, having a nucleotide sequence with identity to PRRS viruses such as VR-2332, Lelystad, or others, and optionally further including a deletion in a region of ORF1 that encodes the nsp2 polypeptide.

Abstract: A cardiac-valve prosthesis is adapted for percutaneous implantation. The prosthesis includes an armature adapted for deployment in a radially expanded implantation position, the armature including a support portion and an anchor portion, which are substantially axially coextensive with respect to one another. A set of leaflets is coupled to the support portion. The leaflets can be deployed with the armature in the implantation position. The leaflets define, in the implantation position, a flow duct that is selectably obstructable. The anchor portion can be deployed to enable anchorage of the cardiac-valve prosthesis at an implantation site.

Abstract: A breakaway hemostasis hub for a catheter or introducer sheath includes a splittable or separable housing, a seal within the housing, an actuator partially slidably disposed within the housing, a pair of spring retainer members in the housing each adapted to receive at least one spring, and a pair of actuator retainer members adapted to retain the seal, the actuator, and the spring retainer members in the housing. The actuator is operable to assume a closed position and an open position and includes a dilator member configured to dilate the seal when the actuator is in the open position. The hub is splittable or separable into two generally symmetrical sub-assemblies to facilitate cutting the catheter for retraction from the patient's body without displacing its payload.

Abstract: An opthalmoscope for examining a patient's eye includes an illumination device for generating an illumination beam Illumination imaging optics image the illumination beam onto the eye and a scanning device scans the illumination beam over the eye. The opthalmoscope also includes an observation device and observation imaging optics for imaging an observation beam generated by reflection of the illumination beam from the eye onto the observation device. An electronic shutter excludes stray light from the observation beam. The observation device comprises an electronic sensor with an array of photosensitive pixels that can respectively be activated and/or read out in rows, and the scanning device includes an electronic drive circuit for reading out at least one pixel row of the sensor.

Abstract: Medical electrical leads equipped with spacer elements and configured for use during medical procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are disclosed. An illustrative medical electrical lead includes a proximal connector, an insulated lead body including at least one electrode, a helically coiled conductor wire, and a helically coiled spacer element interstitially disposed between adjacent turns of the conductor wire.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion into the right atrium from the right subclavian vein has an elongate flexible shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion has a preformed shape including a first arc portion having a curvature of from about 20 degrees to about 50 degrees relative to the proximal portion and a second arc portion extending distally from the first arc and having a curvature of from about 135 to about 200 degrees relative to the first portion. The first arc has an arc radius of from about 6 inches to about 10 inches and the second arc has an arc radius of from about 1 to about 2 inches. The catheter terminates in a generally straight terminal portion extending distally from the preformed shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for treating the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices can employ an expandable treatment device which is deployed at least partially in the subannular space. Fixation devices and methods are also disclosed, which help to secure the treatment device in place.

Abstract: A transvenously implantable medical device (TIMD) includes an electrical lead and a control module. The electrical lead includes one or more electrodes and is adapted for transvenous implantation. The electrical lead is also pre-biased to expand from a collapsed state to an expanded state to mechanically engage an internal wall of a blood vessel. The control module is secured to and in electrical communication with the electrical lead. The control module includes a signal management component and a power component disposed in a housing adapted for implantation into the blood vessel. The control module is adapted for at least one of stimulating and sensing a physiologic response using the one or more electrodes of the electrical lead.

Abstract: An uniquely improved mortar less masonry structure comprising a plurality of concrete masonry units connected to each other by metal bars and metal threaded fasteners thereby forming a reinforcing skeletal system for the masonry to utilize a post tensioned structure. The unique system has been developed with full recessed channels in the masonry unit, anchor bars that fit into the channels and extend across a plurality of masonry units and bolts that act as the tendon for the post tensioning system. This is an improved, rapidly constructed building system that demountably couples each individual masonry unit by an extended bar and bolt system. This extended bar is more efficient and easier to build with as compared to other traditional masonry structures.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead configured to be coupled to a pulse generator in a cardiac rhythm management system. The lead comprises a proximal terminal connector configured for coupling the lead to the pulse generator, and a plurality of longitudinally arranged lead segments each configured to exhibit one or more predetermined physical characteristics based on the implantation location for the respective segment. The lead segments may be pre-fabricated as separate modules optimized for the operating environment and/or delivery requirements of the respective segments. The pre-fabricated modules are longitudinally arranged and joined to form the lead.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead includes a flexible, insulative body defining a proximal region, an intermediate region, and a distal region. The proximal region is configured to be implanted at a subcutaneous implantation site, and is dimensioned to extend from an implantation location of the pulse generator to a location distal to a cardiovascular system entry site. The intermediate region is configured to extend distally from the proximal region to a location distal to a superior vena cava of a patient's heart, and the distal region is configured to extend distally from the intermediate region within the patient's heart. The lead further includes an armoring layer disposed on the lead body covering at least the proximal region.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a double hung window assembly and methods of manufacturing the double hung window assembly. The window assembly includes upper and lower sash assemblies, opposing side jambs, and a pair of opposing jamb liners that each have a length generally equal to a length of the opposing side jambs. At least one jamb recess is located between sash tracks on each of the jamb liners. Each jamb recess retains a jamb filler having a length generally equal to the jamb liner length. Each jamb filler has outer and inner weather stripping recesses, and outer and inner weather stripping. The jamb filler may include a primary exposed surface that is substantially unobstructed by the inner and outer weather stripping. A portion of the outer and inner weather stripping may be compressively secured between the jamb filler and a portion of the jamb liner.

Abstract: An integrated lead head suspension component comprising a spring metal layer, a first conductor layer, a first dielectric layer between at least portions of the spring metal and the first conductor layers, a second conductor layer and a second dielectric layer between at least portions of the first and second conductor layers. The head suspension component includes stacked traces having first and second traces in the first and second conductor layers, respectively. The stacked traces comprise base sections having first widths and gimbal sections having second widths that are less than the first widths. The second dielectric layer can have a generally constant thickness on the base and gimbal sections or, alternatively, a gimbal section thickness that is less than a base section thickness.

Abstract: A subtalar implant device includes a rounded end cap region, a threaded region having threads, and a core having a first end, a second end, a core exterior and a longitudinal axis. The threads can have a shape that varies between the first end and the second end of the core. For example, the threads can include an outer edge having an edge width that varies. Further, the threads can include a thread depth that can vary between the first end and the second end of the core. A thread radius of curvature varies at a different rate than a core radius of curvature. The core can define one or more core apertures that extend through the core at various angles relative to the longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, two core apertures are positioned at an angle greater than zero degrees relative to each other.

Abstract: A spinal disc annulus repair stent for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, which may incorporate suture closure or other means of stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. In an illustrative embodiment, the design of the spinal disc annulus stent advantageously allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for replacing an articular surface of a bone. The implant includes at least one head with a bore and a lateral articular surface generally perpendicular to an axis of the bore. A holding element includes a stem at a proximal end adapted to attach to the bone. A member at a distal end of the holding device is adapted to engage with the bore in the head so that the lateral articular surface is positioned to engage transverse loads. The bore permits limited lateral translation of the head in at least one direction generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the member.