Abstract: Vascular access devices, systems, and methods of their use are provided. In one embodiment, a vascular access device includes a catheter, a balloon, and an inflation lumen. The catheter includes an elongate flexible shaft having a proximal end and a distal end with a primary lumen therethrough. The balloon is disposed about the distal end of the catheter. The inflation lumen is in fluid communication with the balloon and extends toward the proximal end of the shaft of the catheter. The balloon is inflatable into a shape having a first open end, a second open end, a sidewall between the first and second open ends, and a passageway therethrough, which, when the balloon is deployed and inflated within a vessel, permits blood flowing in the vessel to flow through the passageway.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described for dynamic value stream management. A computing environment is directed to receive a stream of metrics from station computing devices each positioned at a station in a manufacturing process, where individual ones of the station computing devices have a sensor configured to generate metrics. The computing environment may determine an optimal allocation of resources for each of the stations in the manufacturing process based at least in part on the metrics. If a cycle time of a station falls below a threshold, personnel from another satisfactorily-performing station may be reassigned to the station based on cross-training metrics. A recommended action for the stations may be determined and presented in a display device.

Abstract: Vascular access devices, systems, and methods of their use are provided. In one embodiment, a vascular access device includes a catheter, a balloon, and an inflation lumen. The catheter includes an elongate flexible shaft having a proximal end and a distal end with a primary lumen therethrough. The balloon is disposed about the distal end of the catheter. The inflation lumen is in fluid communication with the balloon and extends toward the proximal end of the shaft of the catheter. The balloon is inflatable into a shape having a first open end, a second open end, a sidewall between the first and second open ends, and a passageway therethrough, which, when the balloon is deployed and inflated within a vessel, permits blood flowing in the vessel to flow through the passageway.

Abstract: Vascular access devices and methods of their use are provided. In one embodiment, a vascular access device includes a catheter (112) and at least one deployable wire (134). The catheter includes a primary lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the catheter. The at least one deployable wire is secured to the catheter and configured to move relative to the catheter between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration.

Abstract: A calcining kettle includes an outer kettle shell, an inner kettle shell, an interior heat exchanger assembly defining at least one tortuous path inside a volume defined by the inner kettle shell, and an agitator within the inner kettle shell. The inner kettle shell is disposed within the outer kettle shell such that the inner kettle shell and the outer kettle shell together at least partially define a jacket adjacent the inner kettle shell. The inner kettle shell and the interior heat exchanger assembly at least partially define a processing volume. The agitator is configured to rotate at least one paddle to cause movement of a feedstock material within the processing volume. A heating device may be structured and adapted to circulate a heat transfer fluid in the at least one tortuous path and the jacket. Calcining methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Treatment methods and devices are provided for percutaneously accessing a patient's thoracic region via a controlled opening in the aorta, so that cardiac procedures, such as a coronary bypass procedure, can be performed in a minimally invasive manner. Advantageously, it may be possible to perform the procedure without placing the patient on cardiopulmonary bypass. The method may include percutaneously delivering at least one catheter into an aorta of a heart, forming a controlled opening in the aorta and pericardium via the at least one catheter to access a thoracic region within the patient's chest, and performing at least one coronary bypass graft procedure through the controlled opening.

Abstract: A system for producing cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) grids. A grid holding element holds a cryo-EM grid in place while a sample deposit element deposits liquid sample from a sample supply onto the grid. A sample shaping element shapes the liquid sample and then a cryogenic sample vitrifying element vitrifies the liquid sample. The shaping element may direct a gas jet towards the grid to reduce the thickness of the liquid sample. The gas jet may mix first and second liquid samples together in midair or on the grid. A storage element stores vitrified cryo-EM grids and includes an electromagnetic field (EMF) source that creates an EMF within the storage element such that the vitrified sample is exposed to the EMF. As a result of being exposed to the EMF, a protein provided with the sample is re-oriented from a first orientation to a second orientation.

Abstract: A system for producing cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) grids. A grid holding element holds a cryo-EM grid in place while a sample deposit element deposits liquid sample from a sample supply onto the grid. A sample shaping element shapes the liquid sample and then a cryogenic sample vitrifying element vitrifies the liquid sample. The shaping element may direct a gas jet towards the grid to reduce the thickness of the liquid sample. The gas jet may mix first and second liquid samples together in midair or on the grid. A storage element stores vitrified cryo-EM grids and includes an electromagnetic field (EMF) source that creates an EMF within the storage element such that the vitrified sample is exposed to the EMF. As a result of being exposed to the EMF, a protein provided with the sample is re-oriented from a first orientation to a second orientation.

Abstract: An electron microscope (EM) preparation and imaging system including an EM device and a sample preparation device for forming a vitreous ice layer containing a liquid sample through vitrification, which are located within a sealable environment. The sample preparation apparatus includes a cryogenically-cooled stage that receives a sample deposit surface, such as a cryo-EM grid, which is cryogenically cooled through direct contact with the stage. A sample dispenser is movable with respect to the stage and is configured to deposit a liquid sample onto the sample deposit surface at a selected rate of deposition. Once the liquid sample is deposited onto the sample deposit surface by the sample dispenser, it is vitrified automatically in place.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are related to a method and a system for administrating an infusion liquid pulse. The system includes a tubing system having an inlet connected to an external reservoir adapted to contain infusion fluids and an outlet connected to a catheter. The tubing system includes a check valve proximate to the inlet and an anti-siphon valve proximate to the outlet. The system further includes an automatic pulse flow generation device. The automatic pulse flow generation device includes an internal reservoir and a bidirectional pump configured to pump infusion fluid from the external reservoir to the internal reservoir and further pump an infusion fluid pulse from the internal reservoir to be injected by the catheter, the infusion liquid pulse has a volume of at least 2 ml and a velocity of at least 5 ml/min.

Abstract: An electron microscope (EM) preparation and imaging system including an EM device and a sample preparation device for forming a vitreous ice layer containing a liquid sample through vitrification, which are located within a sealable environment. The sample preparation apparatus includes a cryogenically-cooled stage that receives a sample deposit surface, such as a cryo-EM grid, which is cryogenically cooled through direct contact with the stage. A sample dispenser is movable with respect to the stage and is configured to deposit a liquid sample onto the sample deposit surface at a selected rate of deposition. Once the liquid sample is deposited onto the sample deposit surface by the sample dispenser, it is vitrified automatically in place.

Abstract: Vascular access devices, systems, and methods of their use are provided. In one embodiment, a vascular access device includes a catheter, a balloon, and an inflation lumen. The catheter includes an elongate flexible shaft having a proximal end and a distal end with a primary lumen therethrough. The balloon is disposed about the distal end of the catheter. The inflation lumen is in fluid communication with the balloon and extends toward the proximal end of the shaft of the catheter. The balloon is inflatable into a shape having a first open end, a second open end, a sidewall between the first and second open ends, and a passageway therethrough, which, when the balloon is deployed and inflated within a vessel, permits blood flowing in the vessel to flow through the passageway.

Abstract: A method and a system are described for administrating an infusion liquid pulse. The system includes a tubing system having an inlet connected to an external reservoir adapted to contain infusion fluids and an outlet connected to a catheter. The tubing system includes a check valve proximate to the inlet and an anti-siphon valve proximate to the outlet. The system further includes an automatic pulse flow generation device. The automatic pulse flow generation device includes an internal reservoir and a bidirectional pump configured to pump infusion fluid from the external reservoir to the internal reservoir and further pump an infusion fluid pulse from the internal reservoir to be infused by a catheter, the infusion liquid pulse has a volume of at least 2 ml and a velocity of at least 5 ml/min.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are related to a method and a system for administrating an infusion liquid pulse. The system includes a tubing system having an inlet connected to an external reservoir adapted to contain infusion fluids and an outlet connected to a catheter. The tubing system includes a check valve proximate to the inlet and an anti-siphon valve proximate to the outlet. The system further includes an automatic pulse flow generation device. The automatic pulse flow generation device includes an internal reservoir and a bidirectional pump configured to pump infusion fluid from the external reservoir to the internal reservoir and further pump an infusion fluid pulse from the internal reservoir to be injected by the catheter, the infusion liquid pulse has a volume of at least 2 ml and a velocity of at least 5 ml/min.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are related to a method and a system for administrating an infusion liquid pulse. The system includes a tubing system having an inlet connected to an external reservoir adapted to contain infusion fluids and an outlet connected to a catheter. The tubing system includes a check valve proximate to the inlet and an anti-siphon valve proximate to the outlet. The system further includes an automatic pulse flow generation device. The automatic pulse flow generation device includes an internal reservoir and a bidirectional pump configured to pump infusion fluid from the external reservoir to the internal reservoir and further pump an infusion fluid pulse from the internal reservoir to be injected by the catheter, the infusion liquid pulse has a volume of at least 2 ml and a velocity of at least 5 ml/min.

Abstract: A system is provided to control fluid flow in a wastewater treatment system through wastewater level manipulation. The wastewater treatment system may include a wastewater treatment plant connected to a plurality of pump stations by a main. Each of the plurality of pump stations may include a wet well with a pump therein. The system may include a central server in communication with a sensor to sense a level of wastewater within the wet well. The pump may be automatically moved to an on position when the level of the wastewater in the wet well is at or above a first level and may be automatically moved to an off position when the level of the wastewater in the respective wet well is at or below a pump cutoff level. The central server may systematically manipulate the first level to selectively set the level of wastewater within the wet well.

Abstract: Treatment methods and devices are provided for percutaneously accessing a patient's thoracic region via a controlled opening in the aorta, so that cardiac procedures, such as a coronary bypass procedure, can be performed in a minimally invasive manner. Advantageously, it may be possible to perform the procedure without placing the patient on cardiopulmonary bypass. The method may include percutaneously delivering at least one catheter into an aorta of a heart, forming a controlled opening in the aorta and pericardium via the at least one catheter to access a thoracic region within the patient's chest, and performing at least one coronary bypass graft procedure through the controlled opening.

Abstract: A liquid-resistant control systems enclosure may include a shell, a shaft and at least one shell anchoring member. The shell may include a top, a shell wall connected to and extending downwardly from a perimeter of the top, and a sleeve. The shaft may extend upwardly through a surface pad and may be adapted to pass through the sleeve. The sleeve may include a sleeve wall extending downwardly from an inner perimeter of an opening in the top. The sleeve may matingly engage the shaft to move the shell between a raised position and a lowered position. The shell may be moveable between a latched position and an unlatched position. The shell may be adapted to be positioned in the latched position when the shell is in the lowered position.

Abstract: A system is provided to control fluid flow in a wastewater treatment system through wastewater level manipulation. The wastewater treatment system may include a wastewater treatment plant connected to a plurality of pump stations by a main. Each of the plurality of pump stations may include a wet well with a pump therein. The system may include a central server in communication with a sensor to sense a level of wastewater within the wet well. The pump may be automatically moved to an on position when the level of the wastewater in the wet well is at or above a first level and may be automatically moved to an off position when the level of the wastewater in the respective wet well is at or below a pump cutoff level. The central server may systematically manipulate the first level to selectively set the level of wastewater within the wet well.

Abstract: A system is provided to control fluid flow in a wastewater treatment system through wastewater level manipulation. The wastewater treatment system may include a wastewater treatment plant connected to a plurality of pump stations by a main. Each of the plurality of pump stations may include a wet well with a pump therein. The system may include a central server in communication with a sensor to sense a level of wastewater within the wet well. The pump may be automatically moved to an on position when the level of the wastewater in the wet well is at or above a first level and may be automatically moved to an off position when the level of the wastewater in the respective wet well is at or below a pump cutoff level. The central server may systematically manipulate the first level to selectively set the level of wastewater within the wet well.