Abstract: Provided herein is an engagement and care support platform (“ECSP”) computer system including at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device for facilitating senior user engagement. The processor is programmed to: (i) register a user through an application, (ii) register a caregiver associated with the user through the application, (iii) generate a senior profile based upon user personal and scheduling data, (iv) build a daily interactive user interface that reflects the senior profile, (v) display the daily interactive user interface at a first client device associated with the user, (vi) cause the first client device to initiate a daily interaction prompt to the user, (vii) determine whether any user interaction was received in response to the daily interaction prompt, and (viii) transmit a daily update message to a second client device associated with the caregiver, including an indication of whether any user interaction was received.

Abstract: Provided herein is an engagement and care support platform (“ECSP”) computer system including at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device for facilitating senior user engagement. The processor is programmed to: (i) register a user through an application, (ii) register a caregiver associated with the user through the application, (iii) generate a senior profile based upon user personal and scheduling data, (iv) build a daily interactive user interface that reflects the senior profile, (v) display the daily interactive user interface at a first client device associated with the user, (vi) cause the first client device to initiate a daily interaction prompt to the user, (vii) determine whether any user interaction was received in response to the daily interaction prompt, and (viii) transmit a daily update message to a second client device associated with the caregiver, including an indication of whether any user interaction was received.

Abstract: Provided herein is an engagement and care support platform (“ECSP”) computer system including at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device for facilitating senior user engagement. The processor is programmed to: (i) register a user through an application, (ii) register a caregiver associated with the user through the application, (iii) generate a senior profile based upon user personal and scheduling data, (iv) build a daily interactive user interface that reflects the senior profile, (v) display the daily interactive user interface at a first client device associated with the user, (vi) cause the first client device to initiate a daily interaction prompt to the user, (vii) determine whether any user interaction was received in response to the daily interaction prompt, and (viii) transmit a daily update message to a second client device associated with the caregiver, including an indication of whether any user interaction was received.

Abstract: Provided herein is a digital care circle platform for electronic communication between a senior and virtual care circle members. The digital care circle platform may include a chatbot and an application associated with the senior, a mobile application associated with the plurality of virtual care circle members, at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device, and one or more servers, sensors, wearables, and transceivers. The at least one processor may be configured to: (i) accept event posts from the senior via the chatbot and application and from each virtual care circle member of the plurality of virtual care circle members via the mobile application, (ii) detect pro-active check-ins from the senior, and (iii) generate, once a pro-active check-in is detected, an electronic communication detailing the pro-active check-in as a pro-active check-in event, and transmit the pro-active check-in event to the virtual care circle members.

Abstract: A pressure sensor assembly includes a pressure sensor, a pedestal and an electrically conductive header having a header cavity. The pressure sensor includes, an electrically conductive sensing layer having a sensor diaphragm, an electrically conductive backing layer having a bottom surface that is bonded to the sensing layer, an electrically insulative layer having a bottom surface that is bonded to a top surface of the backing layer, and a sensor element having an electrical parameter that changes based on a deflection of the sensor diaphragm in response to a pressure difference. The pedestal is bonded to the electrically insulative layer and attached to the header within the header cavity.

Abstract: An abrading device includes a funnel and an outlet orifice disposed within the funnel for passage of abrasive material, where a distance between the outlet orifice and a bottom end of the funnel is adjustable. An exhaust tube is coupled to the funnel for withdrawal of spent abrasive material from the funnel.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods that include (i) determining a level of soluble ST2 in a biological sample from a subject, (i) comparing the level of soluble ST2 in the biological sample to a reference level of soluble ST2 (e.g., a level of soluble ST2 in the subject at an earlier time point), and (iii) selecting, implanting, replacing, or reprogramming an implanted cardiac device, e.g., an ICD, CRT, or CRT-D device, for a subject having an elevated level of soluble ST2 in the biological sample compared to the reference level of soluble ST2, or selecting a subject for participation in, or stratifying a subject participating in, a clinical study of a treatment for reducing the risk of a ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VTA) event. Also provided are methods for evaluating the risk of a VTA event in a subject. Also provided are kits for performing any of these methods.

Abstract: A portable flexure fixture including a fixture housing, a translatable plug, a load ring, and a support ring. The fixture housing includes a first end opposite a second end, a plug receiving opening extending into the first end and a test opening extending into the second end. The support ring is disposed in the fixture housing. The translatable plug is insertable into the plug receiving opening of the fixture housing and is translatable in both a sample engaging direction and a sample releasing direction. Further, the load ring is coupled to the translatable plug and is positioned at a sample facing end of the translatable plug such that translation of the translatable plug in the sample engaging direction translates the load ring in the sample engaging direction and translation of the translatable plug in the sample releasing direction translates the load ring in the sample releasing direction.

Abstract: A pressure sensor assembly includes a pressure sensor, a pedestal and an electrically conductive header having a header cavity. The pressure sensor includes, an electrically conductive sensing layer having a sensor diaphragm, an electrically conductive backing layer having a bottom surface that is bonded to the sensing layer, an electrically insulative layer having a bottom surface that is bonded to a top surface of the backing layer, and a sensor element having an electrical parameter that changes based on a deflection of the sensor diaphragm in response to a pressure difference. The pedestal is bonded to the electrically insulative layer and attached to the header within the header cavity.

Abstract: A portable flexure fixture including a fixture housing, a translatable plug, a load ring, and a support ring. The fixture housing includes a first end opposite a second end, a plug receiving opening extending into the first end and a test opening extending into the second end. The support ring is disposed in the fixture housing. The translatable plug is insertable into the plug receiving opening of the fixture housing and is translatable in both a sample engaging direction and a sample releasing direction. Further, the load ring is coupled to the translatable plug and is positioned at a sample facing end of the translatable plug such that translation of the translatable plug in the sample engaging direction translates the load ring in the sample engaging direction and translation of the translatable plug in the sample releasing direction translates the load ring in the sample releasing direction.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods that include (i) determining a level of soluble ST2 in a biological sample from a subject, (i) comparing the level of soluble ST2 in the biological sample to a reference level of soluble ST2 (e.g., a level of soluble ST2 in the subject at an earlier time point), and (iii) selecting, implanting, replacing, or reprogramming an implanted cardiac device, e.g., an ICD, CRT, or CRT-D device, for a subject having an elevated level of soluble ST2 in the biological sample compared to the reference level of soluble ST2, or selecting a subject for participation in, or stratifying a subject participating in, a clinical study of a treatment for reducing the risk of a ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VTA) event. Also provided are methods for evaluating the risk of a VTA event in a subject. Also provided are kits for performing any of these methods.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods that include (i) determining a level of soluble ST2 in a biological sample from a subject, (i) comparing the level of soluble ST2 in the biological sample to a reference level of soluble ST2 (e.g., a level of soluble ST2 in the subject at an earlier time point), and (iii) selecting, implanting, replacing, or reprogramming an implanted cardiac device, e.g., an ICD, CRT, or CRT-D device, for a subject having an elevated level of soluble ST2 in the biological sample compared to the reference level of soluble ST2, or selecting a subject for participation in, or stratifying a subject participating in, a clinical study of a treatment for reducing the risk of a ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VTA) event. Also provided are methods for evaluating the risk of a VTA event in a subject. Also provided are kits for performing any of these methods.

Abstract: An abrading device includes a funnel and an outlet orifice disposed within the funnel for passage of abrasive material, where a distance between the outlet orifice and a bottom end of the funnel is adjustable. An exhaust tube is coupled to the funnel for withdrawal of spent abrasive material from the funnel.

Abstract: An abrading device includes a funnel and an outlet orifice disposed within the funnel for passage of abrasive material, where a distance between the outlet orifice and a bottom end of the funnel is adjustable. An exhaust tube is coupled to the funnel for withdrawal of spent abrasive material from the funnel.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a base having at least one high-pressure contact portion and a diaphragm positioned over the base and having an external top surface facing away from the base and internal surfaces facing the base. The internal surfaces comprising a raised perimeter surrounding an interior, a raised central boss within the interior, and a raised boss arm contiguous with and extending from the raised perimeter toward the interior. At least one of the raised boss arm and raised central boss are aligned with and contact a high-pressure contact portion of the base during an over-pressure event.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a base having at least one high-pressure contact portion and a diaphragm positioned over the base and having an external top surface facing away from the base and internal surfaces facing the base. The internal surfaces comprising a raised perimeter surrounding an interior, a raised central boss within the interior, and a raised boss arm contiguous with and extending from the raised perimeter toward the interior. At least one of the raised boss arm and raised central boss are aligned with and contact a high-pressure contact portion of the base during an over-pressure event.

Abstract: A system for providing an internet fax service has an engine to process a raw fax document, received for a user of the internet fax service, using digital character recognition to produce recognized text or an associated formatted text document. A conversion engine may convert the raw fax to native file format being one of a) word processor format, b) spreadsheet format, c) slide presentation format, or d) another format that can be read on a user interface. An internet server is to make the native file format document available to the user over an internet. A fax content processing unit is to perform keyword scanning of the recognized text, and then allows the user to search for stored faxes by keyword. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods that include (i) determining a level of soluble ST2 in a biological sample from a subject, (i) comparing the level of soluble ST2 in the biological sample to a reference level of soluble ST2 (e.g., a level of soluble ST2 in the subject at an earlier time point), and (iii) selecting, implanting, replacing, or reprogramming an implanted cardiac device, e.g., an ICD, CRT, or CRT-D device, for a subject having an elevated level of soluble ST2 in the biological sample compared to the reference level of soluble ST2, or selecting a subject for participation in, or stratifying a subject participating in, a clinical study of a treatment for reducing the risk of a ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VTA) event. Also provided are methods for evaluating the risk of a VTA event in a subject. Also provided are kits for performing any of these methods.

Abstract: An abrading device includes a funnel and an outlet orifice disposed within the funnel for passage of abrasive material, where a distance between the outlet orifice and a bottom end of the funnel is adjustable. An exhaust tube is coupled to the funnel for withdrawal of spent abrasive material from the funnel.

Abstract: An implantable dialysis device with a related medical system for intracorporeal dialysis and ultrafiltration of blood, and methods of use are described. The medical system includes an extracorporeal module, a cutaneous module, and an implantable module. Features of the implantable module facilitate delivery and flow of blood and dialysate through the medical system. A filter pack within the implantable module performs dialysis and ultrafiltration of blood. System cleansing is also described.