Abstract: Provided are systems, methods, and apparatuses directed to a container for storing a liquid, the container including a textured surface configured to increase the liquid's dissolved oxygen content, the textured surface having fluid-obstructions configured to disrupt a flow of the liquid in at least one direction, said disruptions being effective to decrease a surface tension associated with the liquid and increasing a surface area associated with the liquid.

Abstract: Provided are systems, methods, and apparatuses directed to a container for storing a liquid, the container including a textured surface configured to increase the liquid's dissolved oxygen content, the textured surface having fluid-obstructions configured to disrupt a flow of the liquid in at least one direction, said disruptions being effective to decrease a surface tension associated with the liquid and increasing a surface area associated with the liquid.

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.

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: 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.