Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve configured to replace a native heart valve and having a support frame configured to be reshaped into an expanded form in order to receive and/or support an expandable prosthetic heart valve therein is disclosed, together with methods of using same. The prosthetic heart valve may be configured to have a generally rigid and/or expansion-resistant configuration when initially implanted to replace a native valve (or other prosthetic heart valve), but to assume a generally expanded form when subjected to an outward force such as that provided by a dilation balloon or other mechanical expander.

Abstract: A valve sizer for determining an appropriate replacement valve size when performing a heart valve replacement procedure is provided. In one version the valve sizer has a hollow shaft with proximal and distal ends. A movable sizing element couples to the distal end of the shaft and is radially expandable between first, contracted and second, expanded positions. An actuator assembly on a handle includes an actuator coupled to a clutch member via a ball-spring-detent clutch. A rod extends through the shaft and maintains a fixed distance between the handle and a distal hub in the sizing element. Movement of the actuator causes axial movement of the shaft, thereby causing radial expansion of sizing petals relative to the hub. The clutch slips when a predetermined reaction force from the surrounding valve annulus is met by the petals.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve configured to replace a native heart valve and having a support frame configured to be reshaped into an expanded form in order to receive and/or support an expandable prosthetic heart valve therein is disclosed, together with methods of using same. The prosthetic heart valve may be configured to have a generally rigid and/or expansion-resistant configuration when initially implanted to replace a native valve (or other prosthetic heart valve), but to assume a generally expanded form when subjected to an outward force such as that provided by a dilation balloon or other mechanical expander.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve configured to replace a native heart valve and having a support frame configured to be reshaped into an expanded form in order to receive and/or support an expandable prosthetic heart valve therein is disclosed, together with methods of using same. The prosthetic heart valve may be configured to have a generally rigid and/or expansion-resistant configuration when initially implanted to replace a native valve (or other prosthetic heart valve), but to assume a generally expanded form when subjected to an outward force such as that provided by a dilation balloon or other mechanical expander.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical machining apparatus for gear outline, which is used for trimming the gear outline of the gear part of a workpiece and comprises a first moving mechanism, a second moving mechanism, a cathode electrode, and a gear alignment member. The cathode electrode is disposed at the first moving mechanism. The second moving mechanism is connected with the gear alignment member. The gear alignment member includes a plurality of alignment gears for aligning the location of a plurality of teeth of the gear part of the workpiece. Thereby, the plurality of teeth of the workpiece may correspond to the cathode electrode. Then, the cathode electrode may perform electrochemical machining on the plurality of teeth, and thus, trimming the outline of the plurality of teeth.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve configured to replace a native heart valve and for post-implant expansion and having a valve-type indicator thereon visible from outside the body post-implant. The indicator communicates information about the valve, such as the size or orifice diameter of the valve, and/or that the valve has the capacity for post-implant expansion. The indicator can be an alphanumeric symbol or other symbol or combination of symbols that represent information about the characteristics of the valve such as the valve size. The capacity for post-implant expansion facilitates a valve-in-valve procedure, where the valve-type indicator conveys information to the surgeon about whether the implanted valve is suitable for the procedure and informs the choice of the secondary valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool setting device and tool-setting method for electrochemical machining. The tool setting device comprises a motion module, a detection circuit, and a tool setting circuit. The motion module moves a machining electrode. The detection circuit detects an electrical status of the machining electrode and outputs an electrical signal. The tool setting circuit performs calculations according to the electrical signal and gives a change status of the electrical signal. In addition, the tool setting circuit controls the motion module according to the change status of the electrical signal for completing the tool setting procedure.

Abstract: A holder for a hybrid heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The hybrid heart valve includes a non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a self-expandable anchoring stent, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A first suture connects the holder to the valve and constricts an inflow end of the anchoring stent. A second suture connects the holder to the valve and extends down three holder legs to loop through fabric on the valve. Both sutures may loop over a single cutting well on the holder so that severing the first and second sutures at the single cutting well simultaneously releases the tension in the first suture, permitting the inflow end of the anchoring stent to expand, and disconnects the valve holder from the prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A NO2 gas sensing element includes an electrolyte, a reference electrode in contact with the electrolyte, and a sensing electrode selective to NO2 in contact with the electrolyte spaced apart from the reference electrode. The NO2 selective sensing electrode includes an oxide material comprising: (1) a mixed oxide according to the formula (Mn2-u-v-wCovMgwSiO4-u)+?(Mn3Al2Si3O12)+?(SiO2), wherein 0?(u+v+w)?2.0, 0???0.5, and 0???0.1; (2) a mixed oxide according to the formula (Mn2-x-y-zCoyMgzSiO4-x)+?(ZnO)+?(SiO2), wherein 0?(u+v+w)?2.0, 0???0.5, and 0???0.1; or combinations of mixed oxides (1) and (2).

Abstract: A charging pile includes a case and a charging gun base. The charging gun base is received in the case. The charging gun base is exposed from a side of the case. The charging gun base further includes a cover and a snap unit. The cover is coupled onto the case through the snap unit. The cover is rotatable relative to the case, thereby covering or exposing the charging gun base. When covering, the cover renders the charging gun base waterproof.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve configured to replace a native heart valve and having a support frame configured to be reshaped into an expanded form in order to receive and/or support an expandable prosthetic heart valve therein is disclosed, together with methods of using same. Interlocking members or flexible loops are included to limit expansion of the valve to one or two valve sizes, for example, with a 2-mm gap between each valve size. The valve may include an internal structural band with overlapped free ends having structure for limiting expansion, or external loops of suture may be added to the fabric covering which limits expansion.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve configured to replace a native heart valve and for post-implant expansion and having a valve-type indicator thereon visible from outside the body post-implant. The indicator communicates information about the valve, such as the size or orifice diameter of the valve, and/or that the valve has the capacity for post-implant expansion. The indicator can be an alphanumeric symbol or other symbol or combination of symbols that represent information about the characteristics of the valve such as the valve size. The capacity for post-implant expansion facilitates a valve-in-valve procedure, where the valve-type indicator conveys information to the surgeon about whether the implanted valve is suitable for the procedure and informs the choice of the secondary valve.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve configured to replace a native heart valve and having a support frame configured to be reshaped into an expanded form in order to receive and/or support an expandable prosthetic heart valve therein is disclosed, together with methods of using same. The prosthetic heart valve may be configured to have a generally rigid and/or expansion-resistant configuration when initially implanted to replace a native valve (or other prosthetic heart valve), but to assume a generally expanded form when subjected to an outward force such as that provided by a dilation balloon or other mechanical expander.

Abstract: Amorphous propylene-ethylene copolymers are described herein that can include high amounts of ethylene and exhibit desirable softening points and needle penetrations. The desirable combinations of softening points and needle penetrations in these propylene-ethylene copolymers allow them to have a broad operating window. Due their broad operating window, the propylene-ethylene copolymers can be utilized in a wide array of applications and products, including hot melt adhesives.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve configured to replace a native heart valve and having a support frame configured to be reshaped into an expanded form in order to receive and/or support an expandable prosthetic heart valve therein is disclosed, together with methods of using same. Interlocking members or flexible loops are included to limit expansion of the valve to one or two valve sizes, for example, with a 2-mm gap between each valve size. The valve may include an internal structural band with overlapped free ends having structure for limiting expansion, or external loops of suture may be added to the fabric covering which limits expansion.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a common gas chamber and a reference gas chamber that respectively receive an exhaust gas and a reference gas. A Nernst cell is exposed to the common gas chamber and the reference air chamber and provides a reference signal indicative of an oxygen difference between the common gas chamber and the reference gas chamber. An oxygen electrochemical pump cell is exposed to the common gas chamber to provide an oxygen signal indicative of an oxygen-only concentration. A gas electrochemical cell is exposed to the common gas chamber and the reference gas chamber and provides a gas signal indicative of a gas concentration. A processor includes a pulsation module that provides a positive and a negative excitation voltage to the gas electrochemical cell for a duration and that are each followed by a decay curve indicative of the gas concentration.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a common gas chamber and a reference gas chamber respectively configured to receive an exhaust gas and a reference gas. A Nernst cell is exposed to the common gas chamber and the reference air chamber. The Nernst cell provides a reference signal indicative of an oxygen difference between the common gas chamber and the reference air chamber. An oxygen electrochemical pump cell is exposed to the common gas chamber and exhaust gas and provides an oxygen signal indicative of an oxygen only concentration. A NOx electrochemical cell is exposed to the common gas chamber and provides a NOx signal indicative of a NOx concentration. A processor is in communication with the Nernst cell, the oxygen-only electrochemical pump cell and NOx electrochemical cells. The processor outputs oxygen and NOx signals and provide a NOx concentration and oxygen concentration of the exhaust.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve configured to replace a native heart valve and having a support frame configured to be reshaped into an expanded form in order to receive and/or support an expandable prosthetic heart valve therein is disclosed, together with methods of using same. The prosthetic heart valve may be configured to have a generally rigid and/or expansion-resistant configuration when initially implanted to replace a native valve (or other prosthetic heart valve), but to assume a generally expanded form when subjected to an outward force such as that provided by a dilation balloon or other mechanical expander.

Abstract: An inflation system having two pressure vessels integrated into a balloon catheter. A pressurized chamber and a vacuum chamber are integrally attached to proximal end of the balloon catheter and activated by a common valve or switch. Pressure or vacuum is selectively transmitted to the balloon depending on the valve/switch position. The working fluid may be air, or a combination of air and saline with an intermediate piston/cylinder assembly. The balloon catheter may be a part of a heart valve delivery system with a balloon-expandable heart valve crimped onto the balloon.