Abstract: Apparatus, for use at a valve of a heart of a subject, includes a first catheter, a second catheter, and a translation element. The translation element is connected to, and operatively joins, the distal ends of the first catheter and the second catheter. The translation element is operable to translate the distal ends laterally with respect to each other to transition the apparatus between (i) a first state in which the distal ends are held next to each other for transluminal advancement to the heart, and (ii) a second state in which the distal ends are spaced apart from each other for positioning at a first location on the annulus and a second location on the annulus, respectively. The apparatus is configured to, while in the second state, from the distal ends, anchor a first tissue anchor at the first location, and a second tissue anchor at the second location.

Abstract: An electronic device can include a housing defining an aperture and a display positioned in the aperture. The display and the housing can define an internal volume in which a speaker assembly is positioned. The speaker assembly can include a speaker module and a speaker enclosure in fluid communication, with the speaker enclosure at least partially defining a speaker volume.

Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with an antenna having a resonating element and a light source module mounted to a flexible printed circuit and a metal cowling. The module may emit light through a rear housing wall. The printed circuit may be interposed between the metal cowling and a conductive support plate in the rear housing wall. The printed circuit may include a ground trace coupled to the resonating element. A dimpled pad may couple the ground trace to the support plate. Compressive foam may be used to exert a force against the flexible printed circuit that presses the dimpled pad against the conductive support plate. The ground trace and the dimpled pad may form a return path to ground for the resonating element. The dimpled pad may occupy less height within the device than other structures such as metal springs.

Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with peripheral conductive housing structures, a first antenna, and a second antenna. A gap may divide the housing structures into a first segment forming an arm of the first antenna and a second segment forming an arm of the second antenna. A first feed terminal may be coupled to the first segment and a second feed terminal may be coupled to the second segment. Switchable components may be coupled in parallel between the first and second feed terminals across the gap. The switchable components may be adjusted to tune the frequency response of the first and/or second antenna. The switchable components may have a first state in which only the first feed terminal feeds the first antenna and may have a second state in which both the first and second feed terminals feed the first antenna.

Abstract: A catheter system including a wire, a translatable catheter, and first and second tethers is introduced into a body of a subject. The translatable catheter has a curved portion proximate a distal end of the translatable catheter. The first tether is coupled to the wire, and passes proximally through the translatable catheter. The second tether is attached to the curved portion. The catheter system is positioned such that the wire is disposed at a first location in the body. While the wire remains at the first location, the translatable catheter is translated away from the wire by manipulating the first tether and the second tether. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system is transluminally advanced into a subject. A first portion of the system is positioned adjacent a cardiovascular tissue of the subject, the system including wires disposed at the first portion. The first portion is stabilized at the cardiovascular tissue by positioning a distal portion of the system against a cardiovascular wall of the subject. While the distal portion of the system remains against the cardiovascular wall, the wires are induced to bow laterally such that the wires press against the cardiovascular tissue. While the wires remain pressed against the cardiovascular tissue, the shape of the wires is radiographically imaged. While (i) the first portion remains stabilized, and (ii) the wires remain pressed against the cardiovascular tissue, at least a portion of the system is transluminally implanted at the cardiovascular tissue, facilitated by the imaging. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system is transluminally advanced into the heart of a subject. A first portion of the system is positioned through a native valve of the heart, the system including wires disposed at the first portion. The first portion is stabilized at the native valve by positioning a distal portion of the system within a blood vessel of the subject. While the distal portion of the system remains within the blood vessel, the wires are induced to bow laterally such that the wires press against the native valve. While the wires remain pressed against the native valve, the shape of the wires is radiographically imaged. An anchor is transluminally anchored to tissue of the native valve, facilitated by the imaging. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system is transluminally advanced into the heart of a subject. A first portion of the system is positioned through a native valve of the heart, the system including wires disposed at the first portion. The first portion is stabilized at the native valve by positioning a distal portion of the system within a blood vessel of the subject. While the distal portion of the system remains within the blood vessel, the wires are induced to bow laterally such that the wires press against the native valve. While the wires remain pressed against the native valve, the shape of the wires is radiographically imaged. An anchor is transluminally anchored to tissue of the native valve, facilitated by the imaging. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A catheter system including a wire, a translatable catheter, and first and second tethers is introduced into a body of a subject. The translatable catheter has a curved portion proximate a distal end of the translatable catheter. The first tether is coupled to the wire, and passes proximally through the translatable catheter. The second tether is attached to the curved portion. The catheter system is positioned such that the wire is disposed at a first location in the body. While the wire remains at the first location, the translatable catheter is translated away from the wire by manipulating the first tether and the second tether. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A slurry distributor for use in a continuous manufacturing process includes an inlet opening and a shaped duct adapted to receive a flow of slurry provided at the inlet opening. The shaped duct has a parabolic guide surface adapted to redirect the flow of slurry. An outlet opening in fluid communication with the shaped duct is adapted to discharge the flow of slurry from the slurry distributor.

Abstract: A slurry distributor for use in a continuous manufacturing process includes an inlet opening and a shaped duct adapted to receive a flow of slurry provided at the inlet opening. The shaped duct has a parabolic guide surface adapted to redirect the flow of slurry. An outlet opening in fluid communication with the shaped duct is adapted to discharge the flow of slurry from the slurry distributor.

Abstract: A locker for securing one or more tensioning members and a method of using the same is described. The locker includes a locker body having a passageway through which tensioning members extend. A movable member is coupled to the locker body and traverses the passageway. The movable member is movable between a latent position within the passageway in which the one or more tensioning members are movable relative to the locker body and an activated position within the passageway in which the one or more tensioning members are locked relative to the locker body. A hub surrounds the locker body such that the locker body is retractable with respect to the hub. Retraction of the locker body causes the movable member to move distally from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A tissue anchoring system includes a tissue anchor member that is suitable for anchoring against tissue. The system also includes a tensioning member operatively connected to the anchor member such that the anchor member can slide relative to the tensioning member, the tensioning member capable of being pulled to cause the anchor member to move relative to the tensioning member into a position seated against the tissue. A hand operated deployment catheter is operable to extend and deploy the anchor member therefrom. The deployment catheter includes a rotatable member about which the tensioning member is routed and a clutch assembly for limiting tension within the tensioning member to prevent the deployed anchor from being pulled through the tissue.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems, devices and methods may employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

Abstract: A tissue anchoring system includes a tissue anchor member that is suitable for anchoring against tissue. The system also includes a tensioning member operatively connected to the anchor member such that the anchor member can slide relative to the tensioning member, the tensioning member capable of being pulled to cause the anchor member to move relative to the tensioning member into a position seated against the tissue. A hand operated deployment catheter is operable to extend and deploy the anchor member therefrom. The deployment catheter includes a rotatable member about which the tensioning member is routed and a clutch assembly for limiting tension within the tensioning member to prevent the deployed anchor from being pulled through the tissue.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems, devices and methods may employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems, devices and methods may employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

Abstract: A composting machine is used with an elongated reactor with flails mounted in a frame that moves longitudinally from a finishing end to a starting end during a processing pass. The flails move the organic material in the reactor along the reactor toward the finishing end. The flails are radially mounted on a shaft and the shaft rotates during the processing pass causing the flails to rotate as well. During a return pass, the flails can be made to occupy a horizontal plane so that the frame can return to the finishing end without raising the shaft vertically. Further, a skirt can be mounted adjacent to the flails to limit the distance that the material is moved by the flails. The distance of the skirt from a leading edge of the flails can be increased during the processing pass from the finishing end to the starting end. This allows the machine to be much more efficient as the level of the organic material can be maintained nearly constant from the starting end to the finishing end.

Abstract: A T-handle latch in which a housing is designed for reception in an opening of an item to be latched. A shank of a handle is rotationally disposed in the housing, and an actuating member of the latch is fixed on the end of the shank. The shank may be received in a shank-receiving opening of the actuating member, the opening being elongate so that the actuating member may be fixed in any of a plurality of discrete transverse positions with respect to the shank. Keying elements on the shank and in the shank-receiving opening define the discrete positions and are useful in achieving initial adjustment of the latch, in preventing the latch from slipping out of adjustment during use, and in helping to prevent relative rotation of the shank and the actuating member. Return springs bias the handle toward a neutral, home position. The return springs may be housed completely within the body of the latch, thereby protecting them from accidential damage, dislodging or loss during use, installation or shipping.