Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthetic heart valve includes advancing a distal end portion of a catheter shaft through a patient's vasculature. The distal end portion of the catheter shaft includes an expansion device. A prosthetic heart valve is mounted on the expansion device with the expansion device and the prosthetic heart valve in a compressed configuration. The method further includes positioning the distal end portion of the catheter shaft and the prosthetic heart valve to an implantation location, and expanding the prosthetic heart valve and the expansion device from the compressed configuration to an expanded configuration. The expansion device includes an inner expandable member and a plurality of outer expandable members. The outer expandable members are distributed such that there are gaps providing perfusion passageways between the expansion device and the prosthetic heart valve when the expansion device is in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A method and system for determining of timing for vector following a branched processing model is disclosed. A data source is mined to determine event vectors from a large number of cases that follow a branched processing model. Current event vectors are compared to the mined event vectors with machine learning to predict future nodes for the current event vectors. Historical temporal spacing for the mined event vectors are used to predict temporal position for the current event vector in the future.

Abstract: Expandable docking stations for docking an expandable valve can include a valve seat, one or more sealing portions, and/or one or more retaining portions. The valve seat can be unexpandable or substantially unexpandable beyond a deployed size. The one or more sealing portions can be connected to the valve seat and extend radially outward of the valve seat. The one or more sealing portions can be constructed to expand outward of the valve seat and provide a seal over a range of sizes. The one or more retaining portions can be connected to the one or more sealing portions. The one or more retaining portions are configured to retain the docking station at a deployed position.

Abstract: Expandable docking stations for docking an expandable valve can include a valve seat, one or more sealing portions, and one or more retaining portions. The valve seat can be unexpandable or substantially unexpandable beyond a deployed size. The one or more sealing portions are connected to the valve seat and extend radially outward of the valve seat. The one or more sealing portions are constructed to expand outward of the valve seat and provide a seal over a range of sizes. The one or more retaining portions are connected to the one or more sealing portions. The one or more retaining portions are configured to retain the docking station at a deployed position.

Abstract: A delivery system for stabilizing a catheter shaft across an aortic arch can include one or more stabilizing members configured to fix or stabilize the position of the catheter relative to the aortic arch of a patient.

Abstract: A method and system for allocation of resources is disclosed. A data source is mined to determine event vectors from a large number of cases that follow a branched processing model. Current event vectors are compared to the mined event vectors with machine learning to predict future nodes for the current event vectors. Historical resource allocations for the mined event vectors are used to determine resource allocation for the current event vector over time. Current event vectors are combined to produce a resource allocation curve showing past and future resources allocated.

Abstract: Methods of measuring thickness of a material using cross-capacitance. The method generally includes applying a time-varying signal to a first pad and monitoring a response of a capacitor formed by the first pad, a spaced apart second pad, and the material. The pads may be permanently affixed to the material, in spaced relation to each other. Based on the response, a capacitance of the capacitor is determined. The material may be homogenous or heterogeneous, and has dielectric properties. Because the material acts as a dielectric, the capacitance of the capacitor changes as the thickness of the material changes. Thus, the thickness of the material may be determined based on the determined capacitance. The method may be advantageously employed to measure the thickness of a vehicle tire or other material. Related apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: Docking stations for transcatheter valves are described. The docking stations can include an expandable frame, at least one sealing portion, and a valve seat. The expandable frame can be configured to conform to an interior shape of a portion of the circulatory system when expanded inside the circulatory system. The sealing portion can be configured to contact an interior surface of the circulatory system to create a seal. The valve seat can be connected to the expandable frame and can be configured to support an expandable transcatheter valve. The docking stations are adaptable to different anatomies/locations to allow implantation of a transcatheter valve in a variety of anatomies/locations.

Abstract: A method and system for allocation of resources is disclosed. Authenticated and unauthenticated data sources are mined to determine event vectors from a large number of cases that follow a branched processing model. A current event vector is compared to the mined event vectors with machine learning to predict future nodes for the current event vector. Historical resource allocations for the mined event vectors are used to determine resource allocation for the current event vector over time.

Abstract: A metal structure including a first metal end region, a second metal end region, and an intermediate region between the first metal end region and the second metal end region, wherein the intermediate region comprises a metal nanostructure having a plurality of pores.

Abstract: Methods of forming an electrically conductive layer on a flexible substrate, such as a stretchable electrode, by aerosol jet printing on the flexible substrate while the substrate is strained. In general, a stretchable substrate is initially deformed so that a first surface thereof is under tension. While the substrate is in the strained state, an ink is aerosol jet printed onto the first surface. The ink includes carbon nanotubes, and advantageously other materials such as reduced graphene oxide. Further, while the substrate is still in the strained state, the ink is cured after its application to the substrate. Thereafter, the strain is decreased so that the stretchable substrate contracts, self-organizing into a configuration wherein the substrate's first surface, with the cured ink thereon, has a wrinkled profile. The flexible substrate can then be mechanically expanded and contracted, advantageously repeatedly, with the ink layer maintaining electrical conductivity.

Abstract: Methods of measuring thickness of a material using cross-capacitance. The method generally includes applying a time-varying signal to a first pad and monitoring a response of a capacitor formed by the first pad, a spaced apart second pad, and the material. The pads may be permanently affixed to the material, in spaced relation to each other. Based on the response, a capacitance of the capacitor is determined. The material may be homogenous or heterogeneous, and has dielectric properties. Because the material acts as a dielectric, the capacitance of the capacitor changes as the thickness of the material changes. Thus, the thickness of the material may be determined based on the determined capacitance. The method may be advantageously employed to measure the thickness of a vehicle tire or other material. Related apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of measuring thickness of a material generally includes transmitting an oscillating signal from a first pad, through the material, to a second pad, and measuring the signal reflected back to the first pad. The material may be homogenous or heterogeneous, and has dielectric properties. The signal has its frequency varied over time so that the frequency response of the system (the first pad, the material, and the second pad) may be analyzed. The resonant frequency of the system is determined. The thickness of the material is determined based on the resonant frequency shift caused by a change in thickness of the material. The present invention may be advantageously employed to measure the thickness of a vehicle tire or other material. Related apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method of fabrication of a semiconductor structure. The method of fabrication includes: Forming a trench in a first dielectric material down to a first conductive material of a bottom gate. A sidewall of the trench contacts a top surface of the first conductive material. Depositing a second conductive material on the sidewall of the trench, which forms an electrical connection with the first conductive material. Depositing a second dielectric material in the trench, and on the second conductive material. Depositing a gate dielectric material on the second conductive material and the dielectric materials. Forming a channel material on the gate dielectric material. Depositing another conductive material on the channel material and portions of the gate dielectric material to form a source terminal and a drain terminal.