Abstract: A deployment system includes a sheath, a torque able shaft having a handle positioned at its proximal end, a detachable helical first suture anchor positioned at the shafts distal end and an elongate suture fixedly coupled to the suture anchor. The deployment system can be positioned at a first tissue, and the shaft rotated to advance the helical first suture anchor into engagement with the first tissue. The shaft is detached from the first suture anchor thereby deploying it at the first tissue location. Then, the deployment system is removed from the patient, and a second suture anchor is coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The deployment system is re-inserted into the patient and the distal end of the system is moved adjacent a second tissue location, and the process is repeated for a second suture anchor at the second tissue location.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing transport of matter between two media. The system includes a membrane separating the two media wherein the first media contacts at least one surface area of the membrane. Further included is a transducer configured to direct acoustic energy into the first medium proximate the at least one surface area of the membrane. In this manner, the system accelerates transport of the matter from the first to the second media.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices, apparatuses, and/or systems for delivering aerosolized fluorocarbons (FCs). The systems can include a container, an aerosolizer, and an introduction assembly. The aerosolizer can be fluidically coupled to the container and configured to aerosolize fluids from the container. The introduction assembly can be fluidically coupled to the aerosolizer and configured to introduce aerosolized fluids into the pulmonary tissue of a subject. Methods include aerosolizing a FC using an aerosolizer, delivering the FC to the pulmonary tissue of the subject, and contacting the pulmonary tissue of the subject with the FC. Some embodiments include cooling the pulmonary tissue. Cooling the pulmonary tissue can provide a therapeutic benefit to a living subject or it can preserve the pulmonary tissue of a deceased subject for transplantation.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes and provides for methods of packaging medical devices that are to be treated with a fluorinated liquid to alter their surface properties, packaging systems for such medical devices, and methods of utilizing the packaging systems to treat the medical devices. The packaging systems permit effective storage and distribution of medical devices that upon contact with mammalian blood have limited thrombogenicity or are non-thrombogenic and/or are resistant to adhesion of blood cells or clots.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for medical devices comprising one or more components comprised of a fluoropolymer and/or perfluorinated polymer and a liquid comprised of one or more fluorinated and/or perfluorinated liquids, wherein at least a portion of a surface of the one or more components comprised of a fluoropolymer and/or perfluorinated polymer comprises a surface layer of the fluorinated and/or perfluorinated liquid.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) apparatuses treated to comprise lubricating liquid surfaces, hydrophobic or omniphobic surfaces, and/or fluid and solid repellant slippery surfaces that do not stimulate clotting and thrombus formation to the same degree as do the untreated surfaces. The apparatuses permit ECMO procedures to be conducted using less anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet medications than is possible with untreated apparatuses. Also described are methods of using the treated apparatuses to accomplish ECMO procedures on subjects (e.g., human patients) and upon perfused organs.

Abstract: A boiler system is provided comprising: a furnace adapted to receive a fuel to be burned to generate hot working gases; a fuel supply structure associated with the furnace for supplying fuel to the furnace; a superheater section associated with the furnace and positioned to receive energy in the form of heat from the hot working gases; and a controller. The superheater section may comprise a platen including a tube structure with an end portion and a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the tube structure end portion and generating a signal indicative of the temperature of the tube structure end portion. The controller may be coupled to the temperature sensor for receiving and monitoring the signal from the sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods of forming internally lubricated non-stick articles, and coatings, having a low water roll off angle. Also disclosed are materials and compositions for use in the disclosed methods, and the articles and coatings produced by the disclosed methods. The articles and coatings find use in a variety of applications in the biomedical area and in the prevention of biological fouling, such as that which occurs in marine environments.

Abstract: Coating compositions for the preparation of superhydrophobic (SH) and/or oleophobic (OP) surfaces that employ low amounts of volatile organic compounds are described. Also described are the resulting coatings/coated surfaces and methods of their preparation. Such coatings/surfaces have a variety of uses, including their ability to prevent or resist water, dirt and/or ice from attaching to a surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods of forming internally lubricated non-stick articles, and coatings, having a low water roll off angle. Also disclosed are materials and compositions for use in the disclosed methods, and the articles and coatings produced by the disclosed methods. The articles and coatings find use in a variety of applications in the biomedical area and in the prevention of biological fouling, such as that which occurs in marine environments.

Abstract: Methods for preparing durable hydrophobic, oleophobic, and anti-icing coatings by applying a composition that comprises a lacquer binder, one or more types of particles having a size of about 30 microns to about 225 micron, and one or more types of particles modified with hexamethyldisilazane, polydimethylsiloxane or silanizing agents are set forth, along with the resulting coatings and methods of their use.

Abstract: Detecting fouling of a heat exchanger of a boiler includes emitting a spray of pressurized fluid from a nozzle of a sootblower element when the nozzle is adjacent to a surface of the heat exchanger, and sensing a value indicative of a reactive force created by an impact of the pressurized fluid on the surface of the heat exchanger and translated back to the sootblower element through the spray of the pressurized fluid. The method also includes determining when a substantial deposit is on the surface of the heat exchanger indicating fouling based on the value indicative of the reactive force.

Abstract: Highly durable hydrophobic and/or oleophobic coatings and methods and compositions for their production are described herein. Also described herein is a plunger having a hydrophobic surface prepared using the coating compositions described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, compositions and systems for drying coal fines.

Abstract: Coating compositions for the preparation of superhydrophobic (SH) and/or oleophobic (OP) surfaces that employ low amounts of volatile organic compounds are described. Also described are the resulting coatings/coated surfaces and methods of their preparation. Such coatings/surfaces have a variety of uses, including their ability to prevent or resist water, dirt and/or ice from attaching to a surface.

Abstract: A cleaning system and method for cleaning heat transfer surfaces in a boiler using a temperature measuring system for measuring and monitoring wall temperature of an annular wall of the tube of a lance of one or more sootblowers. Controlling a flow of steam or other fluid through the tube during the cooling portions of the strokes based on wall temperature measurements from the temperature measuring system. Infrared or thermocouple temperature measuring systems may be used. The steam or other fluid may be flowed at a default flowrate that may be substantially zero until the temperature measuring system indicates the wall temperature of the annular wall begins to exceed a predetermined temperature limit which may be the softening point of the annular wall. Then the steam or other fluid is flowed at a rate greater than the default flowrate.

Abstract: A boiler system is provided comprising: a furnace adapted to receive a fuel to be burned to generate hot working gases; a fuel supply structure associated with the furnace for supplying fuel to the furnace; a superheater section associated with the furnace and positioned to receive energy in the form of heat from the hot working gases; and a controller. The superheater section may comprise a platen including a tube structure with an end portion and a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the tube structure end portion and generating a signal indicative of the temperature of the tube structure end portion. The controller may be coupled to the temperature sensor for receiving and monitoring the signal from the sensor.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for creating spill-proof or spill-resistant surfaces through the use of hydrophobic or oleophobic (H-SH) edges, borders and/or boundaries that contain the water and other liquids within the inside edges, borders and/or boundaries. Also described herein are spill-proof/spill-resistant surfaces. Liquid (e.g., water and other aqueous solutions/suspensions) heights of 3-6 mm on a level planar surface can be sustained by such edges, borders and/or boundaries. The H-SH borders can be created on glass, metal, wood, plastic, and concrete surfaces.

Abstract: Coating compositions for the preparation of superhydrophobic (SH) and/or oleophobic (OP) surfaces that employ low amounts of volatile organic compounds are described. Also described are the resulting coatings/coated surfaces and methods of their preparation. Such coatings/surfaces have a variety of uses, including their ability to prevent or resist water, dirt and/or ice from attaching to a surface.

Abstract: A boiler system is provided comprising: a furnace adapted to receive a fuel to be burned to generate hot working gases; a fuel supply structure associated with the furnace for supplying fuel to the furnace; a superheater section associated with the furnace and positioned to receive energy in the form of heat from the hot working gases; and a controller. The superheater section may comprise a platen including a tube structure with an end portion and a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the tube structure end portion and generating a signal indicative of the temperature of the tube structure end portion. The controller may be coupled to the temperature sensor for receiving and monitoring the signal from the sensor.