Abstract: A steerable delivery system is provided for delivering a replacement heart valve to a native heart valve location. The steerable delivery system includes an outer sheath assembly having a capsule along a distal end portion for retaining the replacement heart valve in a compressed configuration. The capsule is constructed to provide both compression resistance and flexibility. The capsule may be formed with an outer polymer layer, a metal middle layer located on a radially inner surface of the outer polymer layer, and an inner liner located on a radially inner surface of the metal middle layer. A fluoroelastomer layer is provided for bonding the inner liner to the metal middle layer. The metal middle layer is preferably a metal hypotube.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described herein to provide improved steerability for delivering a prosthesis to a body location, for example, for delivering a replacement mitral valve to a native mitral valve location. The steerable delivery system can contain a steerable rail configured for multi-plane bending to direct a distal end of the delivery system.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein are configured to determine if a trailer is connected to a vehicle. The methods may include determining a connection during an off-state and an on-state of the vehicle. The determinations may be compared to determine whether to enable use of the off-state determination with respect to features of the vehicle.

Abstract: A delivery system includes a suture attachment mechanism for maintaining a connection to a heart valve after initial deployment, thereby allowing recapture of the heart valve if desired. A plurality of suture portions is provided along a distal end portion of the delivery system, each suture portion having a first end fixed to the delivery system and a second end releasably coupled to a retention member on the delivery system. A knob on a handle of the delivery system is actuated for causing the second end of each suture portion to be released from its respective retention member, thereby allowing the suture portions to be decoupled from the heart valve. The suture portions are located only along a distal end portion of the delivery system for improving reliability and consistency.

Abstract: An electrical resistance of a lamp in communication with a computer is determined. A respective classification for each of the electrical resistance, a vehicle length, and a trailer length is determined. Each classification is associated to a respective range of values of one of the electrical resistance, the vehicle length, or the trailer length. Based on the classifications a trailer that is attached to a vehicle is detected. One or more components of the vehicle are actuated to move the trailer.

Abstract: A vehicle air induction assembly includes an air guide, an air duct and a bracket member. The air duct is configured to supply air to an engine air filter. The air guide has an opening therein and is configured to be connected to a vehicle fascia. The air duct is configured to be connected to the air guide such that air flowing through the opening flows into the air duct. The bracket member is connected to the air guide. The bracket member has a first side wall, a second side wall and a lower wall connecting the first and second side walls. The bracket member and the air duct are disposed on opposite sides of the air guide opening. An air inlet is defined by the air guide and the bracket member.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of delivery systems for delivery of replacement heart valves. This can include mitral, aortic, tricuspid, and pulmonary valves. The delivery systems can include one or more different components and configurations that advantageously improve placement of the replacement heart valves during the operation of the delivery system.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for loading and deploying implants from delivery apparatuses. The apparatuses in certain embodiments may comprise crimping devices for compressing an implant for insertion into a portion of a delivery apparatus. The apparatuses in certain embodiments may comprise features of delivery apparatuses allowing for improved loading and deployment of an implant from the delivery apparatuses.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described herein a prosthesis for implantation within a lumen or body cavity and delivery systems for delivering the prosthesis to a location for implantation. A delivery system can include a plurality of components, including a flexible nose cone, multi-layer sheath, and pre-compressed shaft, which can be moveable relative to each other.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein are configured to determine if a trailer is connected to a vehicle. The methods may include determining a connection during an off-state and an on-state of the vehicle. The determinations may be compared to determine whether to enable use of the off-state determination with respect to features of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electrical resistance of a lamp in communication with a computer is determined. A respective classification for each of the electrical resistance, a vehicle length, and a trailer length is determined. Each classification is associated to a respective range of values of one of the electrical resistance, the vehicle length, or the trailer length. Based on the classifications a trailer that is attached to a vehicle is detected. One or more components of the vehicle are actuated to move the trailer.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described herein a prosthesis for implantation within a lumen or body cavity and delivery systems for delivering the prosthesis to a location for implantation. A delivery system can include a plurality of components, including a flexible nose cone, multi-layer sheath, and pre-compressed shaft, which can be moveable relative to each other.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described herein to provide improved steerability for delivering a prosthesis to a body location, for example, for delivering a replacement mitral valve to a native mitral valve location. A delivery component can have a plurality of slots that provide for desired bending of the delivery component, particularly compound bending of the delivery component that can facilitate steering of the delivery component in three dimensions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to delivery systems, devices and/or methods of use to deliver and/or controllably deploy an implant in the form of a prosthesis, such as but not limited to a replacement heart valve, to a desired location within the body. In some embodiments, a replacement heart valve and methods for delivering a replacement heart valve to a native heart valve, such as a mitral valve, are provided. Features of delivery systems are disclosed, as well as echogenic markers for delivery systems.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described herein to provide improved steerability for delivering a prosthesis to a body location, for example, for delivering a replacement mitral valve to a native mitral valve location. A delivery component can have a plurality of slots that provide for desired bending of the delivery component, particularly compound bending of the delivery component that can facilitate steering of the delivery component in three dimensions.

Abstract: A vehicle air induction assembly includes an air guide, an air duct and a bracket member. The air guide is configured to be connected to a vehicle fascia. The air duct is configured to be connected to the air guide. The air duct is configured to supply air to an engine air filter. The bracket member is connected to the air guide. The bracket member has a front wall facing in a forward direction of a vehicle, a rear wall facing in a rearward direction of the vehicle, and an upper wall connecting the front wall and the rear wall. A first air inlet in fluid communication with the air duct is defined by a surface of the air guide and the front, rear and upper walls of the bracket member. The first air inlet faces in a lateral direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for replacing a native heart valve includes advancing a delivery catheter having a valve prosthesis disposed along a distal end portion thereof, wherein the valve includes an inner frame having an hourglass shape and an outer sealing frame connected to and surrounding the inner frame. A valve body is mounted within the inner frame and includes a plurality of leaflets. The leaflets have longitudinal curvatures when in an open position, wherein the curvatures are shaped for conforming to the curved interior surface of the inner frame. This combination of features reduces the possibility of blood stagnating between the leaflets and inner frame, which reduces the possibility of thrombus formation.

Abstract: A vehicle air induction assembly includes an air guide, an air duct and a bracket member. The air guide is configured to be connected to a vehicle fascia. The air duct is configured to be connected to the air guide. The air duct is configured to supply air to an engine air filter. The bracket member is connected to the air guide. The bracket member has a front wall facing in a forward direction of a vehicle, a rear wall facing in a rearward direction of the vehicle, and an upper wall connecting the front wall and the rear wall. A first air inlet in fluid communication with the air duct is defined by a surface of the air guide and the front, rear and upper walls of the bracket member. The first air inlet faces in a lateral direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described herein to provide improved steerability for delivering a prosthesis to a body location, for example, for delivering a replacement valve to a native valve location in a heart. Disclosed are a number of features that can improve steerability or release of the prosthesis into the body location. In one preferred delivery system, a proximal handle can be manipulated to apply tension to a pair of diametrically opposed axial runner wires extending through lumens in a wall of a flexible tubular shaft. By applying tension to a pair of axial runner wires, the tubular shaft can be stiffened along a plane extending substantially through the pair of axial runner wires, while the shaft is permitted to freely bend in a perpendicular plane. This feature advantageously provides the ability to adjust the steerability and flexibility of a tubular shaft to meet the requirements of a particular procedure.

Abstract: A vehicle air induction assembly includes an air guide, an air duct and a bracket member. The air duct is configured to supply air to an engine air filter. The air guide has an opening therein and is configured to be connected to a vehicle fascia. The air duct is configured to be connected to the air guide such that air flowing through the opening flows into the air duct. The bracket member is connected to the air guide. The bracket member has a first side wall, a second side wall and a lower wall connecting the first and second side walls. The bracket member and the air duct are disposed on opposite sides of the air guide opening. An air inlet is defined by the air guide and the bracket member.