Abstract: The invention relates to a medical implant (1) comprising a patch (2). The implant is adapted to close a defect (3), preferably a an opening in a ventricular or atrial septum (4). The medical implant (1) comprises at least one mechanical anchor (5). The anchor may comprise a barb (6) and is adapted to pierce the patch (2) and/or biological tissue (4) such as to fix the medical implant (1) to said tissue (4). The medical implant can be deployed by a delivery device (7). The delivery device (7) may comprise a balloon (8?, 8?), preferably at least two balloons (8?, 8?).

Abstract: A contact sensor for the repeatable detection of small, high frequency mechanical vibrations in external systems is presented herein. The sensor includes a metal housing with an attachment device at one end and an output at the other end. Inside the metal housing is a core assembly that includes a piezo transducer assembly suspended or isolated between an actuator and a biasing device. The actuator may be in the form of a ceramic sphere that sits at least partially within a recess on the inside of the housing and is in physical contact with the piezo transducer assembly. The biasing device may be in the form of a spring that causes the piezo transducer assembly to be pressed against the actuator at a contestant and known amount of tension.

Abstract: A contact sensor for the repeatable detection of small, high frequency mechanical vibrations in external systems is presented herein. The sensor includes a metal housing with an attachment device at one end and an output at the other end. Inside the metal housing is a core assembly that includes a piezo transducer assembly suspended or isolated between an actuator and a biasing device. The actuator may be in the form of a ceramic sphere that sits at least partially within a recess on the inside of the housing and is in physical contact with the piezo transducer assembly. The biasing device may be in the form of a spring that causes the piezo transducer assembly to be pressed against the actuator at a contestant and known amount of tension.

Abstract: A contact sensor for the repeatable detection of small, high frequency mechanical vibrations in external systems is presented herein. The sensor includes a metal housing with an attachment device at one end and an output at the other end. Inside the metal housing is a core assembly that includes a piezo transducer assembly suspended or isolated between an actuator and a biasing device. The actuator may be in the form of a ceramic sphere that sits at least partially within a recess on the inside of the housing and is in physical contact with the piezo transducer assembly. The biasing device may be in the form of a spring that causes the piezo transducer assembly to be pressed against the actuator at a contestant and known amount of tension.

Abstract: A contact sensor for the repeatable detection of small, high frequency mechanical vibrations in external systems is presented herein. The sensor includes a metal housing with an attachment device at one end and an output at the other end. Inside the metal housing is a core assembly that includes a piezo transducer assembly suspended or isolated between an actuator and a biasing device. The actuator may be in the form of a ceramic sphere that sits at least partially within a recess on the inside of the housing and is in physical contact with the piezo transducer assembly. The biasing device may be in the form of a spring that causes the piezo transducer assembly to be pressed against the actuator at a contestant and known amount of tension.

Abstract: A contact sensor for the repeatable detection of small, high frequency mechanical vibrations in external systems is presented herein. The sensor includes a metal housing with an attachment device at one end and an output at the other end. Inside the metal housing is a core assembly that includes a piezo transducer assembly suspended or isolated between an actuator and a biasing device. The actuator may be in the form of a ceramic sphere that sits at least partially within a recess on the inside of the housing and is in physical contact with the piezo transducer assembly. The biasing device may be in the form of a spring that causes the piezo transducer assembly to be pressed against the actuator at a contestant and known amount of tension.

Abstract: The present invention relates to extracellular polypeptides of Aspergillus fumigatus, to fragments of these polypeptides, to compositions comprising such polypeptides and fragments and to exposed domains and epitopes of these polypeptides. The invention also relates to the use of these polypeptides and fragments for immunisation and for production of antibodies, and to antibodies that recognise and bind the polypeptides. Furthermore, the invention relates to methods of identifying binding partners and inhibitors, and to methods of preventing, treating and diagnosing Aspergillus infections.

Abstract: A method (10) for coating a substrate including at least an elastomer substrate portion with a conductive coating is described. The method includes steps of (i) providing a substrate comprising elastomer material and (ii) coating (13) the substrate with an adhesion promoting layer. The layer comprises a thin layer of B stage heat curable epoxy. The method also includes steps of (iii) pre-curing (15) the adhesion-promoting layer, (iv) disposing (17) a conductive coating atop the layer and (v) post-curing (19) the adhesion-promoting layer.

Abstract: A method (60) for molding (67) a component (73) including a free floating insert (11). The method includes steps of providing an insert (11) including one or more weakened regions (23) coupled to a removable leader (20) and molding (67) a moldable compound (25) about the insert (11) and a portion of the removable leader (20). The method (60) further includes a step of pulling (69) on the removable leader (20) to fracture the weakened regions (23) and thereby detach the removable leader (20) from a molded component (73) including the insert (11) therein. The molding step (67) desirably includes a step of injection molding (67) a thermoplastic material (25) about the insert (11) and the portion of the removable leader (20).