Abstract: A tympanostomy tube delivery device comprises a shaft assembly, a pressure equalization tube, and a sensor. The shaft assembly comprises a cannula and a pusher operable to translate relative to the cannula. The pressure equalization tube is positioned within the shaft assembly. The pusher is operable to drive the pressure equalization tube out of the shaft assembly. The sensor is operable to detect a physical parameter associated with engagement between the distal end of the shaft assembly and a tympanic membrane. A controller may activate a feedback device to inform an operator that the distal end of the shaft assembly has achieved suitable apposition with the tympanic membrane, based on information from the sensor.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube delivery device comprises a body, a cannula extending distally from the body, and a cylindraceous member disposed within the cannula. The cylindraceous member comprises a tubular portion and a plurality of leaves positioned at the distal end of the tubular portion. The leaves are movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position. The cylindraceous member is slidable relative to the cannula to selectively expose the leaves relative to the open distal end of the cannula. A first leaf of the plurality of leaves has a sharp distal point configured to pierce a tympanic membrane and a longitudinally extending sharp edge. The cylindraceous member may be used to create and dilate a myringotomy incision in a tympanic membrane. The tympanostomy tube delivery device may then be used to deploy a tympanostomy tube through the myringotomy incision.

Abstract: A suture trimmer including an elongate shaft including an elongate lumen extending proximally from a distal end of the elongate shaft, a transverse through-opening disposed proximal the distal end of the shaft, and a groove extending proximally from the distal end of the shaft to a distal end of the opening. A fitting is disposed within the elongate lumen at the distal end of the shaft and extends distally therefrom. A cutting member is slidably received within the lumen of the shaft and configured to move between a proximal end of the opening and the distal end of the opening and cut a suture disposed within and extending from the opening.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube delivery device comprises a shaft assembly, a pressure equalization tube, and a sensor. The shaft assembly comprises a cannula and a pusher operable to translate relative to the cannula. The pressure equalization tube is positioned within the shaft assembly. The pusher is operable to drive the pressure equalization tube out of the shaft assembly. The sensor is operable to detect a physical parameter associated with engagement between the distal end of the shaft assembly and a tympanic membrane. A controller may activate a feedback device to inform an operator that the distal end of the shaft assembly has achieved suitable apposition with the tympanic membrane, based on information from the sensor.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube delivery device comprises a shaft assembly, a pressure equalization tube, and a sensor. The shaft assembly comprises a cannula and a pusher operable to translate relative to the cannula. The pressure equalization tube is positioned within the shaft assembly. The pusher is operable to drive the pressure equalization tube out of the shaft assembly. The sensor is operable to detect a physical parameter associated with engagement between the distal end of the shaft assembly and a tympanic membrane. A controller may activate a feedback device to inform an operator that the distal end of the shaft assembly has achieved suitable apposition with the tympanic membrane, based on information from the sensor.

Abstract: A method for closing a tissue puncture, where the method includes tensioning a suture loop disposed within a vascular tissue of a patient, the suture loop having two free ends and a knot disposed on one of the free end. Those two free ends are disposed through a suture snare comprising a snare. Following detachment of the suture snare from the two free ends, the knot is advanced to close the suture loop and a cutting member is advance towards the knot and the two free ends are cut.

Abstract: A suture trimmer including an elongate shaft including an elongate lumen extending proximally from a distal end of the elongate shaft, a transverse through-opening disposed proximal the distal end of the shaft, and a groove extending proximally from the distal end of the shaft to a distal end of the opening. A fitting is disposed within the elongate lumen at the distal end of the shaft and extends distally therefrom. A cutting member is slidably received within the lumen of the shaft and configured to move between a proximal end of the opening and the distal end of the opening and cut a suture disposed within and extending from the opening.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube delivery device comprises a body, a cannula extending distally from the body, and a cylindraceous member disposed within the cannula. The cylindraceous member comprises a tubular portion and a plurality of leaves positioned at the distal end of the tubular portion. The leaves are movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position. The cylindraceous member is slidable relative to the cannula to selectively expose the leaves relative to the open distal end of the cannula. A first leaf of the plurality of leaves has a sharp distal point configured to pierce a tympanic membrane and a longitudinally extending sharp edge. The cylindraceous member may be used to create and dilate a myringotomy incision in a tympanic membrane. The tympanostomy tube delivery device may then be used to deploy a tympanostomy tube through the myringotomy incision.

Abstract: A suture trimmer including an elongate shaft including an elongate lumen extending proximally from a distal end of the elongate shaft, a transverse through-opening disposed proximal the distal end of the shaft, and a groove extending proximally from the distal end of the shaft to a distal end of the opening. A fitting is disposed within the elongate lumen at the distal end of the shaft and extends distally therefrom. A cutting member is slidably received within the lumen of the shaft and configured to move between a proximal end of the opening and the distal end of the opening and cut a suture disposed within and extending from the opening.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube delivery device comprises a body, a cannula extending distally from the body, and a cylindraceous member disposed within the cannula. The cylindraceous member comprises a tubular portion and a plurality of leaves positioned at the distal end of the tubular portion. The leaves are movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position. The cylindraceous member is slidable relative to the cannula to selectively expose the leaves relative to the open distal end of the cannula. A first leaf of the plurality of leaves has a sharp distal point configured to pierce a tympanic membrane and a longitudinally extending sharp edge. The cylindraceous member may be used to create and dilate a myringotomy incision in a tympanic membrane. The tympanostomy tube delivery device may then be used to deploy a tympanostomy tube through the myringotomy incision.

Abstract: A method for closing a tissue puncture, where the method includes tensioning a suture loop disposed within a vascular tissue of a patient, the suture loop having two free ends and a knot disposed on one of the free end. Those two free ends are disposed through a suture snare comprising a snare. Following detachment of the suture snare from the two free ends, the knot is advanced to close the suture loop and a cutting member is advance towards the knot and the two free ends are cut.

Abstract: A method for an optical communication system and an optical communication system comprising a pump source configured to generate a pump signal having rotating polarization, a polarization sensitive receiver for receiving the optical signal having a polarization tracking cut-off frequency, wherein the polarization of the pump signal is configured to rotate at a predetermined frequency of polarization rotation and the frequency of polarization rotation of the pump signal is higher than the polarization tracking cut-off frequency of the receiver. Suitable for mitigation of cross-polarization modulation (XPolM) related effects in coherent polarization multiplexed quadrature phase shift keying (CP-QPSK) systems.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube delivery device comprises a shaft assembly, a pressure equalization tube, and a sensor. The shaft assembly comprises a cannula and a pusher operable to translate relative to the cannula. The pressure equalization tube is positioned within the shaft assembly. The pusher is operable to drive the pressure equalization tube out of the shaft assembly. The sensor is operable to detect a physical parameter associated with engagement between the distal end of the shaft assembly and a tympanic membrane. A controller may activate a feedback device to inform an operator that the distal end of the shaft assembly has achieved suitable apposition with the tympanic membrane, based on information from the sensor.

Abstract: A method for closing an opening formed in a wall of a body lumen or body tissue can include positioning a splittable carrier tube adjacent to the opening, the carrier tube having a splittable distal end with an outer surface retaining a closure element in a substantially tubular configuration or having an asymmetrically-elongated tubular shape with a trapezoidal longitudinal cross-sectional profile. The method including splitting a distal end of the carrier tube with a splitter and deploying the closure element from the carrier flaps of the carrier tube and over the splitter to allow the closure element to engage at least a portion of the wall of the body lumen or the body tissue and substantially close the opening.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube delivery device comprises a shaft assembly, a pressure equalization tube, and a sensor. The shaft assembly comprises a cannula and a pusher operable to translate relative to the cannula. The pressure equalization tube is positioned within the shaft assembly. The pusher is operable to drive the pressure equalization tube out of the shaft assembly. The sensor is operable to detect a physical parameter associated with engagement between the distal end of the shaft assembly and a tympanic membrane. A controller may activate a feedback device to inform an operator that the distal end of the shaft assembly has achieved suitable apposition with the tympanic membrane, based on information from the sensor.

Abstract: A suture trimmer having a shaft, a cutting member, an actuating device, and a snare. The shaft has a first end and a second end and bounds a bore extending from the first end toward the second end. The shaft has an opening formed in a side adjacent the first end. The cutting member is slidably disposed within the bore of the shaft and can be moved between a first position and a second position, such that when disposed in the second position the cutting member closes the opening formed in the side of the shaft. The actuating device is in communication with the cutting member and is operable to move the cutting member from the first position to the second position. The snare extends through the opening and out of the bore at the first end of the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a closure element can include a splittable carrier tube and a splitter to split the tube. The carrier tube can have an outer surface retaining a closure element in a tubular configuration and can be split into radially-expandable flaps. A closure element can have a shape-memory body having a relaxed configuration with a planar-annular body defining a lumen with tines directed inwardly from the body. The clip can be held in a retaining configuration having a substantially asymmetrically-elongated tubular shape with a trapezoidal longitudinal cross-sectional profile and a proximal end having the tines being longitudinally directed with a first tine being more distally oriented compared to a substantially opposite second tine being more proximal, and retracting to a deploying configuration having a tubular shape with a rectangular longitudinal cross-sectional profile with the first tine being even with the second tine when being delivered.

Abstract: Providing personalized content comprises discovering personal information using an electronic device. Services information related to the personal information is obtained using the electronic device. Personalized content is provided based on applying the services information to the personal information.

Abstract: It is described a method for determining values of geometry parameters of a cone beam computer tomography apparatus, the method comprising: (a) obtaining x-ray projection data captured by the detector from at least three calibration objects arranged at mutually different positions, the x-ray projection data comprising for each calibration object plural projections at different rotation angles; (b) determining for each calibration object a respective ellipse representation from the respective plural projections; (c) performing a random search across candidate values of the geometry parameters for determining the values of the geometry parameters, wherein a cost function depending on the ellipse representations and the geometry parameters is optimized.

Abstract: Providing personalized content comprises discovering personal information using an electronic device. Services information related to the personal information is obtained using the electronic device. Personalized content is provided based on applying the services information to the personal information.