Abstract: Connection systems and methods for establishing optical and electrical connections through a drape are disclosed. A connection system can include a plug and a receptacle, the plug being configured to insert into the receptacle with the drape therebetween. The plug can include an optical terminal extending from a plug housing and an electrical terminal extending from the plug housing. The electrical terminal can be configured as a piercing element for piercing the drape. The receptacle can include an optical receiver within a receptacle housing and an electrical receiver within the receptacle housing. The optical receiver can be configured to form the optical connection with the optical terminal, and the electrical receiver can be configured to form the electrical connection with the electrical terminal when the plug is inserted into the receptacle with the drape therebetween.

Abstract: Closure devices for sealing a puncture and methods of sealing a puncture are described herein. A closure device may be used to position a sealant in a puncture. The sealant may be provided in a sheath which is retracted to expose the sealant in the puncture. A support member may be advanced to compress the sealant. The device may have a lock that prevents the support member from advancing prematurely. The lock may be unlocked when the sheath is at least partially retracted. The device may have an actuator that controls movement of the sheath and the support member. The lock may remain in a locked position until the sheath is at least partially retracted.

Abstract: A method useful for providing a phytonutrient to a subject via mediation of the subject's microbiome is disclosed. The method includes administering a phytofunctional composition to a subject change the phytonutrient producer status of the subject. The method may also include identifying a phytonutrient producer status of the subject by assessing a level of at least one of a preselected phytonutrient and a preselected phytonutrient precursor compound within the subject. A phytofunctional composition useful in the method is also disclosed, and comprises a phytonutrient precursor compound and an active agent. The active agent comprises a probiotic and/or a prebiotic, and is adapted to mediate production of the preselected phytonutrient in the gastrointestinal tract of the subject, thereby changing the phytonutrient producer status of the subject.

Abstract: High strength biomedical materials and processes for making the same are disclosed. Included in the disclosure are nanoporous hydrophilic solids that can be extruded with a high aspect ratio to make high strength medical catheters and other devices with lubricious and biocompatible surfaces. Polymers may be entrapped in pores of materials to provide a durable modification of the materials.

Abstract: A medical device is provided which comprises an implantable vascular access port including a fluid passage operable to introduce fluid to a host and/or remove fluid from the host, the fluid passage accessible through a fluid passage access opening and at least a portion of the fluid passage defined by a needle configured to penetrate cutaneous tissue of the host; and an implantable vascular access catheter connectable with the vascular access port; wherein the vascular access catheter and the vascular access port are connectable to each other within the vascular access port.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method directed to detecting malposition of a medical device within a vessel of a patient, such as an Azygos vein. The medical device can include a multi-core optical fiber including a plurality of core fibers, where each of the plurality of core fibers includes a plurality of sensors is configured to reflect a light signal based on received incident light, and change a characteristic of the reflected light signal for use in determining a physical state of the multi-core optical fiber. The system can include a console having non-transitory computer-readable medium storing logic that, when executed, causes operations of providing a broadband incident light signal to the multi-core optical fiber, receiving reflected light signals, processing the reflected light signals, and determining whether the medical device has entered the Azygos vein of the patient based on the reflected light signals.

Abstract: A tether connector configured to form an electrical connection with a sensor connector through a sterile barrier disposed over the sensor connector. The tether connector can include a housing, an electrical lead extending from the housing, and a first piercing element in the housing orthogonally connected to the electrical lead, the first piercing element configured to pierce the sterile barrier to form the electrical connection with the sensor connector.

Abstract: A catheter placement system including a catheter having a catheter tube distally coupled to a catheter hub having one or more extension legs proximally coupled to the catheter hub. The catheter tube defines one or more lumens where each of the one or more lumens is in fluid communication with one of the extension legs. The catheter placement system further includes a skin nicking device configured to transition between a sheathed configuration and a deployed configuration. The skin nicking device includes a needle defining a needle lumen, having a needle wall including one or more slots in fluid communication with an outside surface of the needle, and one or more blades configured to be aligned with the one or more slots, the one or more blades coupled to a distal end of one or more connecting members within the needle lumen.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a puncture includes a positioning member including a proximal end, a distal end sized for insertion into a puncture, an expandable element on the distal end, and a tension indicator on the proximal end. The tension indicator includes a distal housing portion fixed relative to the proximal end, and a proximal housing portion or handle movable proximally relative to the distal housing portion. The handle is biased towards the distal housing portion such that, when sufficient tensile force is applied between the expandable element and the handle, the handle moves away from the distal housing portion. During use, the distal end is introduced through a puncture into a vessel, the expandable element is expanded, and the positioning member is partially withdrawn until the expanded element contacts a wall of the vessel and the handle separates from the distal housing portion, indicating that sufficient tension is applied.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a puncture includes a cartridge, a pusher member, a sealant, and a tamping device on a proximal end of the cartridge. During use, the cartridge, sealant, and pusher member are advanced over a positioning member and into the puncture by advancing a cartridge hub carrying the tamping device. When further distal advancement of the cartridge is limited, the cartridge hub is further advanced, activating the tamping device, and causing the pusher member to advance relative to the sealant to compress the sealant within the puncture.

Abstract: Methods and devices to facilitate positioning of a catheter into a vessel. Devices include axially concentric assemblies of a piercing needle and a dilator that guides an outer catheter into a vessel, such as a blood vessel. The assemblies described herein can include retraction mechanisms and/or lock mechanisms to control needle positioning during catheterization processes as well as improved valves that prevent leakage of fluid from the proximal end of the devices. The devices and method include the use of novel valves to prevent undesired leakage of fluids through the proximal end of the catheter.

Abstract: Avalanche transceiver, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for identifying a location of a victim buried in an avalanche includes: emitting a signal by a transmitting transceiver of the victim; receiving the signal by a receiving transceiver; and identifying an orientation from the receiving transceiver to the victim based on constructing a straight line from the receiving transceiver to the transmitting transceiver.

Abstract: A medical valve can include a housing that includes a sidewall and defines a chamber. The medical valve can include a septum coupled to the housing. The septum can include a proximal surface and a selectively openable closure positioned within the chamber. The medical valve can further include a plurality of projections that extend away from the sidewall and are configured to contact the proximal surface of the septum to oppose movement of a restricted portion of the septum in a proximal direction such that an aspiration cracking pressure required to open the closure to permit fluid flow through the septum in the proximal direction exceeds an infusion cracking pressure required to open the closure to permit fluid flow through the septum in the distal direction.

Abstract: A door holder and release assembly that is adjustable to account for different differences between the door and where the door holder and release assembly will be installed (e.g., a wall, the floor, another support location). The door holder herein has a base member, a holder member, and a connector. The base member may be configured for operative coupling with a wall or a door. The holder member may be configured for operative coupling with a release assembly on the wall or the door opposite the base member. Moreover, the holder member may be configured to be telescopically operatively coupled with the base member through the connector to position the holder member at varied distances from base member to allow for the accommodation of varying distances between a wall and the door, as well as for minor adjustments that a user may want to make.

Abstract: A connector for implementing multi-faceted interconnection according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first dielectric layer between a first circuit layer and a second circuit layer, a first copper pillar layer connecting the first circuit layer and the second circuit layer in the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer on the first circuit layer, a third circuit layer on the second dielectric layer, and a vertical second copper pillar layer connected to the third circuit layer, wherein an opening is formed in the second dielectric layer to expose the first circuit layer, and the second copper pillar layer exposes side faces facing side end faces of the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: An automated system for creating a road from sand, gravel or aggregate in conjunction with expandable webbing is provided in which expandable webbing and sand, gravel or aggregate may be positioned and deployed by the system to form a road surface. A series of pins may restrain and transport the webbing. An automatic welder may connect sections of webbing. A hopper, conveyor and auger may receive and distribute the sand, gravel or aggregate. The sand, gravel and aggregate may be combined with the expandable webbing and then settled into place in the ground using a vibration plate.

Abstract: A water treatment system having a base assembly and a treatment assembly. The treatment assembly of the system may be configured to filter particulates from water. The base assembly may include a UV reactor operable to disinfect water for consumption.

Abstract: A method for making a badge includes laminating a printed substrate with a back side laminate sheet and a front side laminate sheet and disposing a barrier sheet between at least one of the back side laminate sheet and the printed substrate and the front side laminate sheet and the printed substrate. And a side loading pocket section is formed between at least one of the back side laminate sheet and the printed substrate and the front side laminate sheet and the printed substrate.

Abstract: The various examples are directed to establishing a secure session between a device and a server. The device and the server may establish a session key. The session key may be used for encrypting data. After authenticating the session key, the server may transmit secure session data to the device, and the device may store the secure session data. The server may transmit information for deriving, based on secure session data, the session key to a different server. The device may transmit the secure session data to the server, or to the different server, to re-establish the secure session. The different server may derive, using the information and based on the secure session data, the session key. The different server may re-establish, using the session key, the secure session.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and devices to facilitate positioning of a catheter into a vessel and selectively controlling flow of fluids through the catheter until desired using one or more valves.