Abstract: A stepped balloon catheter prosthesis deployment system is disclosed for placement of a prosthesis across an Os opening from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen. The prosthesis comprises a radially expansible support at one end, a circumferentially extending link at the other end and at least one frond extending axially therebetween. The prosthesis is configured to be deployed from a stepped diameter balloon with the support in the branch body lumen, with the circumferentially extending link in the main lumen and the frond extendable across the Os.

Abstract: The invention relates to thienopyrimidine and pyrazolopyrimidine compounds of the Formulas (Ia) and (IIa), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the constituent variables are as defined herein compositions comprising the compounds, and methods for making and using the compounds.

Abstract: A stepped balloon catheter prosthesis deployment system is disclosed for placement of a prosthesis across an Os opening from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen. The prosthesis comprises a radially expansible support at one end, a circumferentially extending link at the other end and at least one frond extending axially therebetween. The prosthesis is configured to be deployed from a stepped diameter balloon with the support in the branch body lumen, with the circumferentially extending link in the main lumen and the frond extendable across the Os.

Abstract: An access tube is used for accessing an anatomic space, such as a pericardial space between the parietal and visceral pericardia. The access tube is advanced against the parietal pericardium and an anchor structure thereon embedded into the parietal pericardium. The access tube can then be used to separate the parietal and visceral pericardia and enlarge the pericardial space. After such enlargement, a needle or other access device can be introduced through the access tube into the pericardial space to provide access for a wide variety of purposes, including aspiration, infusion, and guidewire placement.

Abstract: A stepped balloon catheter prosthesis deployment system is disclosed for placement of a prosthesis across an Os opening from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen. The prosthesis comprises a radially expansible support at one end, a circumferentially extending link at the other end and at least one frond extending axially therebetween. The prosthesis is configured to be deployed from a stepped diameter balloon with the support in the branch body lumen, with the circumferentially extending link in the main lumen and the frond extendable across the Os.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a prosthesis delivery system comprising a delivery catheter having an expandable member and a prosthesis carried over the expandable member. The prosthesis includes a radially expandable scaffold section and at least two anchors extending axially from an end thereof; and means for capturing at least the anchors to prevent the anchors from divaricating from the expandable member as the catheter is advanced through a patient's vasculature.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a prosthesis delivery system comprising a delivery catheter having an expandable member and a prosthesis carried over the expandable member. The prosthesis includes a radially expandable scaffold section and at least two anchors extending axially from an end thereof; and means for capturing at least the anchors to prevent the anchors from divaricating from the expandable member as the catheter is advanced through a patient's vasculature.

Abstract: A prosthesis is disclosed for placement across an ostium opening from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen. The prosthesis comprises a radially expansible support at one end, a circumferentially extending link at the other end and at least one spiral frond extending axially therebetween.

Abstract: A stepped balloon catheter prosthesis deployment system is disclosed for placement of a prosthesis across an Os opening from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen. The prosthesis comprises a radially expansible support at one end, a circumferentially extending link at the other end and at least one frond extending axially therebetween. The prosthesis is configured to be deployed from a stepped diameter balloon with the support in the branch body lumen, with the circumferentially extending link in the main lumen and the frond extendable across the Os.

Abstract: A stepped balloon catheter prosthesis deployment system is disclosed for placement of a prosthesis across an Os opening from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen. The prosthesis comprises a radially expansible support at one end, a circumferentially extending link at the other end and at least one frond extending axially therebetween. The prosthesis is configured to be deployed from a stepped diameter balloon with the support in the branch body lumen, with the circumferentially extending link in the main lumen and the frond extendable across the Os.

Abstract: A stepped balloon catheter prosthesis deployment system is disclosed for placement of a prosthesis across an Os opening from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen. The prosthesis comprises a radially expansible support at one end, a circumferentially extending link at the other end and at least one frond extending axially therebetween. The prosthesis is configured to be deployed from a stepped diameter balloon with the support in the branch body lumen, with the circumferentially extending link in the main lumen and the frond extendable across the Os.

Abstract: The methods and apparatus for lead placement on a surface of the heart are employed using an elongated body having proximal and distal end portions. The body defines a lead receiving passageway extending between a proximal inlet and a distal outlet for receiving a lead therethrough for contact with the heart surface. The elongated body is adapted for insertion between a pericardium and an epicardial surface. At least a portion of the body may have a non-circular cross-sectional shape adapted to retain the body orientation between the pericardium and the epicardial surface.

Abstract: A system suited to self-troubleshooting includes a processor which identifies normalized forms of at least some of the words of a natural language user query input by a user. The user query may describe a problem experienced with a machine, such as a printer. The processor retrieves text strings which may comprise problem statements stored in memory. Each retrieved problem statement includes at least one word with a normalized form which is recognized by the processor as being equivalent to one of the identified normalized forms. Each of the retrieved problem statements may be associated with at least one solution sequence for addressing the problem with the machine. In the event that the stored problem statements in memory are not fully responsive, the processor provides one or more options for refinement of the user query based on tags associated with those words of the problem statements which are responsive.

Abstract: The methods and apparatus for lead placement on a surface of the heart are employed using an elongated body having proximal and distal end portions. The body defines a lead receiving passageway extending between a proximal inlet and a distal outlet for receiving a lead therethrough for contact with the heart surface. The elongated body is adapted for insertion between a pericardium and an epicardial surface. At least a portion of the body may have a non-circular cross-sectional shape adapted to retain the body orientation between the pericardium and the epicardial surface.

Abstract: The methods and apparatus for lead placement on a surface of the heart are employed using an elongated body having proximal and distal end portions. The body defines a lead receiving passageway extending between a proximal inlet and a distal outlet for receiving a lead therethrough for contact with the heart surface. The elongated body is adapted for insertion between a pericardium and an epicardial surface. At least a portion of the body may have a non-circular cross-sectional shape adapted to retain the body orientation between the pericardium and the epicardial surface.

Abstract: A method for developing a system for retrieving text related to a selected concept within a text corpus includes identifying a set of semantic classes which express the concept and identifying a set of keywords for each of the semantic classes to be used in text searching in a text corpus. Each set of keywords includes at least one keyword. A plurality of syntactic rules are established which are to be applied to retrieved text which includes keywords. Each of the syntactic rules identifies a first of the semantic classes and a second of the semantic classes. A rule is satisfied when a keyword from the first of the semantic classes is in a syntactic relationship with a keyword from the second of the semantic classes. The syntactic relationship can be any one of a plurality of syntactic relationships.

Abstract: A system for retrieving documents related to a concept from a text corpus includes a set of stored semantic classes which are combinable to express the concept each class including a set of keywords, each set of keywords including at least one keyword. Syntactic rules are applied to identified text portions which include one or more of the keywords. A rule is satisfied when keywords from the first and second semantic classes are in any one of a plurality of syntactic relationships. A concept matching module identifies text portions within the text corpus which include one or more of the keywords, for applying the syntactic rules to the text portions, and for identifying those text portions which satisfy at least one of the rules. Documents to be retrieved may include at least one of the identified text portions.

Abstract: Devices, systems, methods, and kits for treating the tissue structures of the ear make use of a guide structure that can mechanically register a treatment probe with a target region of a target tissue, the guide structure being fittingly received in an auditory canal and often comprising a conformable body such as a compressible foam, or the like. The guide structure may include an articulating mechanism for selectively orienting the treatment probe toward the target region of, for example, a tympanic membrane. The guide structure may also support a videoscopic image capture device, illumination transmitting optical fibers, an aiming beam transmitter, and the like. Such structures facilitate myringotomy, tympanostomy tube placement, and the like, under local anesthesia in a doctor's office.

Abstract: A stepped balloon catheter prosthesis deployment system is disclosed for placement of a prosthesis across an Os opening from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen. The prosthesis comprises a radially expansible support at one end, a circumferentially extending link at the other end and at least one frond extending axially therebetween. The prosthesis is configured to be deployed from a stepped diameter balloon with the support in the branch body lumen, with the circumferentially extending link in the main lumen and the frond extendable across the Os.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a prosthesis delivery system comprising a delivery catheter having an expandable member and a prosthesis carried over the expandable member. The prosthesis includes a radially expandable scaffold section and at least two anchors extending axially from an end thereof, and means for capturing at least the anchors to prevent the anchors from divaricating from the expandable member as the catheter is advanced through a patient's vasculature.