Abstract: Disclosed herein are heart pumps that include a catheter assembly and that can be applied percutaneously. Some embodiments include a locking device that prevents components of the catheter assembly from being separated when in use. The catheter assembly can include an expandable tip. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly includes a housing having a wall structure, a portion of which can have a bulbuous shape or can be deformable. In other embodiments, the housing can be configured to reduce fluttering or deflection of the housing and/or to maintain a gap between the housing and an impeller blade disposed therein.

Abstract: A heart pump and a catheter assembly therefor are provided that include a flexible catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter body having a plurality of lumens therethrough. The catheter body can be sufficiently flexible to extend from a peripheral access to a patient's heart. The catheter assembly can also include an impeller assembly having an impeller and a housing. The impeller assembly can be coupled with the flexible catheter body such that a tensile force applied to opposite ends of the catheter assembly enhances the security of the connection between the catheter body and the impeller assembly.

Abstract: A system for providing data for loading a user system application comprises a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to generate a data for loading a user system application using a template and provide the data for loading the user system application. The memory is coupled to the processor and is configured to provide the processor with instructions.

Abstract: A tool-holding system for centering a cutting tool to be utilized by a machine is disclosed herein. The tool-holding system includes a housing defining a tapered recess to be provided to the machine for receiving at least a portion of the tool, a first alignment portion provided to the housing, and an adaptor including a tapered shank that is to be received within the tapered recess defined by the housing. The adaptor includes an aperture formed in the adaptor for receiving a proximate end of the tool and a tool fastener for securing the proximate end of the tool within the aperture at a predetermined angular orientation therein. A second alignment portion is provided to the adaptor to cooperate with the first alignment portion to establish a predetermined angular orientation of the adaptor relative to the housing while the shank of the adaptor is at least partially inserted into the tapered recess. A fastener is also provided for securing the adaptor within the tapered recess of the housing.

Abstract: A blood pump includes an impeller having a plurality of foldable blades and a cannula having a proximal portion with a fixed diameter, and a distal portion with an expandable diameter. The impeller can reside in the expandable portion of the cannula. The cannula has a collapsed condition for percutaneous delivery to a desired location within the body, and an expanded condition in which the impeller can rotate to pump blood. A flexible drive shaft can extend through the cannula for rotationally driving the impeller within the patient's body.

Abstract: Intraocular lenses (IOLs) and related methods. One embodiment provides an IOL which includes a lens optic and a pair of haptics. The haptics can be coupled to the lens optic and can cause compression of the lens optic when the IOL is fixated in an eye. The lens optic can have a compressed geometry, an uncompressed geometry including an aberration, and a desired geometry. The compressed geometry can be the desired geometry. The aberration can be astigmatism, coma, or spherical aberration. For instance, the aberration can be astigmatism of about 0.17 D at the spectacle plane and of about 0.25 D at the intraocular lens plane. Moreover, the haptics can define a first axis between the haptics; the lens optic can define a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; and the uncompressed geometry can differ from the compressed geometry in the vicinity of the second axis.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a vital bus system for communicating data in a control system are provided. The system includes a plurality of data communication buses configured in a multiple redundant orientation and at least one safety supervisor module including a database including a plurality of logic rules. The logic rules are programmed to receive data from the plurality of data communication buses and to determine the validity of the received data from each bus using one or more of the plurality of the logic rules. If the received data is invalid, the logic rules are programmed to restore the validity of the data using one or more of the plurality of the logic rules. If the data can not be restored the logic rules are programmed to transmit an alert to the control system. Otherwise, the logic rules are programmed to transmit the validated data to an intended destination.

Abstract: A quick-change tool-holding method and system for securing a tool within a primary tapered recess is disclosed. The tool-holding system includes an adaptor having a tapered exterior that closely approximates interior dimensions of the tapered recess to fit snugly within the tapered recess. The adaptor defines a secondary interior tapered recess and includes an exterior threaded portion about an aperture leading into the secondary tapered recess. A threaded fastener is also provided to include a threaded portion that is cooperable with threads provided adjacent to the primary tapered recess to secure the adaptor therein, as well as an aperture through which at least a portion of the exterior threaded portion of the adaptor extends when the adaptor is secured within the primary tapered recess by the threaded fastener. A collet comprising a plurality of slits formed therein is provided to allow the collet to elastically deform and constrict the tool when placed within an internal passage defined by the collet.

Abstract: A tool-holding system for centering a cutting tool to be utilized by a machine is disclosed herein. The tool-holding system includes a housing defining a tapered recess to be provided to the machine for receiving at least a portion of the tool, a first alignment portion provided to the housing, and an adaptor including a tapered shank that is to be received within the tapered recess defined by the housing. The adaptor includes an aperture formed in the adaptor for receiving a proximate end of the tool and a tool fastener for securing the proximate end of the tool within the aperture at a predetermined angular orientation therein. A second alignment portion is provided to the adaptor to cooperate with the first alignment portion to establish a predetermined angular orientation of the adaptor relative to the housing while the shank of the adaptor is at least partially inserted into the tapered recess. A fastener is also provided for securing the adaptor within the tapered recess of the housing.

Abstract: A rotary buffer for buffing and polishing concave surfaces. The rotary buffer includes a malleable cone, a cone shaft, and a mounting shaft. The mounting shaft is configured to be received in a chuck of a rotary power tool. The cone and cone shaft work in conjunction with one another to absorb impact from a surface being buffed and polished and to prevent the rotary buffer from bouncing.

Abstract: A quick-change tool-holding method and system for securing a tool within a primary tapered recess is disclosed. The tool-holding system includes an adaptor having a tapered exterior that closely approximates interior dimensions of the tapered recess to fit snugly within the tapered recess. The adaptor defines a secondary interior tapered recess and includes an exterior threaded portion about an aperture leading into the secondary tapered recess. A threaded fastener is also provided to include a threaded portion that is cooperable with threads provided adjacent to the primary tapered recess to secure the adaptor therein, as well as an aperture through which at least a portion of the exterior threaded portion of the adaptor extends when the adaptor is secured within the primary tapered recess by the threaded fastener. A collet comprising a plurality of slits formed therein is provided to allow the collet to elastically deform and constrict the tool when placed within an internal passage defined by the collet.

Abstract: A balloon catheter has a balloon membrane, a tip connected to the distal end of the balloon membrane and an outer tube connected to the proximal end of the balloon membrane for supplying a medium for inflating and deflating the balloon membrane. A pressure sensor, such as a fiber optic sensor, may be mounted in a pocket in the tip. The pocket may be filled with a flexible substance which both communicates pressure to and protects the pressure sensor. A membrane may overlie the pocket to prevent leakage of the flexible substance therefrom.

Abstract: A motorized wheelbarrow having an electric motor which engages a single wheel by a drive means to generate travel of the motorized wheelbarrow over a support surface.

Abstract: A balloon catheter has a balloon membrane, a tip connected to the distal end of the balloon membrane and an outer tube connected to the proximal end of the balloon membrane for supplying a medium for inflating and deflating the balloon membrane. A pressure sensor, such as a fiber optic sensor, may be mounted in a pocket in the tip. The pocket may be filled with a flexible substance which both communicates pressure to and protects the pressure sensor. A membrane may overlie the pocket to prevent leakage of the flexible substance therefrom.

Abstract: A balloon catheter has a balloon membrane, a tip connected to the distal end of the balloon membrane and an outer tube connected to the proximal end of the balloon membrane for supplying a medium for inflating and deflating the balloon membrane. A pressure sensor, such as a fiber optic sensor, may be mounted in a pocket in the tip. The pocket may be filled with a flexible substance which both communicates pressure to and protects the pressure sensor. A membrane may overlie the pocket to prevent leakage of the flexible substance therefrom.

Abstract: A balloon catheter having a blood pressure sensor connected to the catheter and also a fluid-filled transducer system for adjusting the blood pressure sensor measurements.

Abstract: A balloon catheter has a balloon membrane, a tip connected to the distal end of the balloon membrane and an outer tube connected to the proximal end of the balloon membrane for supplying a medium for inflating and deflating the balloon membrane. A pressure sensor, such as a fiber optic sensor, may be mounted in a pocket in the tip. The pocket may be filled with a flexible substance which both communicates pressure to and protects the pressure sensor. A membrane may overlie the pocket to prevent leakage of the flexible substance therefrom.

Abstract: A system and method for determining mismatched or faulty data records in a telecommunications or other system containing large data sets from records in first and second data sets identifies potentially mismatched or faulty data records in the first data set at least in part by comparing records in the first data set to records in the second data set. The potentially mismatched or faulty records identified as potentially mismatched or faulty are verified as defective using at least one predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A method and system for determining atmospheric disturbances or turbulence is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of sensor arrays, including at least one sensor element, distributed in a predetermined manner. Each of the sensor elements is in communication with a corresponding receiving system that is operable to receive and process energy received from the aircraft. A determination is then made regarding air turbulence by determining a rate of change of signal phase among selected sets of signals received at the receiving systems. A turbulence map is then determined from the determined rate of change of the phase and the angle of the received signal. When the rate of phase change exceeds known levels an indication of turbulence is made.