Abstract: A clot removal system includes a catheter having proximal and distal ends and defining a lumen configured to be filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion, a vacuum pump supplying vacuum, a vent container holding vent liquid, a vent valve configured to fluidically communicate with the vent liquid and with the proximal portion of the liquid column at the proximal end of the catheter, a vacuum valve configured to fluidically communicate with the vacuum and with the proximal portion of the liquid column at the proximal end of the catheter, and a controller configured to carry out a pre-determined pattern of opening and closing the vent and vacuum valves to change a level of vacuum at the distal end and, while changing the level of vacuum at the distal end, to substantially prevent forward flow of the liquid at a distal end of the liquid column.

Abstract: Balloon catheter and methods for making and using balloon catheters are disclosed. An example balloon catheter may include a proximal shaft. A midshaft may be attached to the proximal shaft. The midshaft may have an outer wall. A distal shaft may be attached to the midshaft. A balloon may be coupled to the distal shaft. An inflation lumen may be defined that extends from the proximal shaft, through the midshaft, and into the distal shaft. The inflation lumen may be in fluid communication with the balloon. A core wire may be disposed within the inflation lumen and may be attached to the midshaft.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a system and method for detecting an open circuit in a sensor measurement system. The system including a sensor having a direct current (DC) output, operably connected to a wiring harness and configured to transmit a sensor signal, and a controller, the controller operably connected to the wiring harness. The controller is configured execute a method including receiving a sensor signal from the sensor, AC coupling an AC signal with the sensor signal to form a coupled signal, measuring the coupled signal, determining if an open circuit is present based on the coupled signal and characterizing the sensor as failed if the open circuit is detected.

Abstract: An exemplary assembly of an electrified vehicle includes a compression limiter integrated into a plate of a battery pack array. An exemplary method includes forming a portion of a plate of a battery pack array about a longitudinal axis to provide a compression limiter.

Abstract: A thrombectomy removal system includes a catheter having a distal end and defining a lumen filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a vacuum source, a vent liquid source, and a vacuum and vent control system configured to cyclically connect or disconnect the vacuum source and the vent liquid source to change a level of vacuum at the distal end and substantially prevent forward flow. The vacuum source and the vent source are respectively fluidically connected to the vacuum and vent valves. A manifold connects the proximal portion to the vacuum and vent sources through the valves. Control of the valves prevents forward flow of the distal portion out from the distal end during each cycle. Each cycle can have states including vacuum-only, first double-closed, vent-only, and second double-closed. A time of the double-closed states can be no greater than 30 ms.

Abstract: A thrombectomy removal system includes a catheter having a distal end and defining a lumen filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a vacuum source, a vent liquid source, and a vacuum and vent control system configured to cyclically connect or disconnect the vacuum source and the vent liquid source to change a level of vacuum at the distal end and substantially prevent forward flow. The vacuum source and the vent source are respectively fluidically connected to the vacuum and vent valves. A manifold connects the proximal portion to the vacuum and vent sources through the valves. Control of the valves prevents forward flow of the distal portion out from the distal end during each cycle. Each cycle can have states including vacuum-only, first double-closed, vent-only, and second double-closed. A time of the double-closed states can be no greater than 30 ms.

Abstract: A nested file having a primary file and at least one secondary file embedded therein is parsed using at least one parser of a cell. The cell assigns a maliciousness score to each of the parsed primary file and each of the parsed at least one secondary file. Thereafter, the cell generates an overall maliciousness score for the nested file that indicates a level of confidence that the nested file contains malicious content. The overall maliciousness score is provided to a data consumer indicating whether to proceed with consuming the data contained within the nested file.

Abstract: A nested file having a primary file and at least one secondary file embedded therein is parsed using at least one parser of a cell. The cell assigns a maliciousness score to each of the parsed primary file and each of the parsed at least one secondary file. Thereafter, the cell generates an overall maliciousness score for the nested file that indicates a level of confidence that the nested file contains malicious content. The overall maliciousness score is provided to a data consumer indicating whether to proceed with consuming the data contained within the nested file.

Abstract: A method of forming polymer composites includes mixing a transition metal oxide precursor including at least one transition metal, a polymer as a binder, a solvent for the polymer, and water to form a first solution including polymer-transition metal complexes. The polymer-transition metal complexes are hydrolyzed to produce a plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles, wherein water is added in the mixing in a stoichiometric excess for the hydrolyzing. The solvent and residual of the water remaining after the hydrolyzing are removed. A polymer composite including the transition metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed in the polymer results after the removing, where some of the polymer is chemically conjugated to a surface of the transition metal oxide nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of forming polymer composites having transition metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed therein includes mixing a transition metal oxide precursor including at least one transition metal, a polymer as a binder, a solvent for the polymer, and water to form a first solution including polymer-transition metal complexes. The polymer-transition metal complexes are hydrolyzed to produce a plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles, wherein water is added in the mixing in a stoichiometric excess for the hydrolyzing. The solvent and residual of the water remaining after the hydrolyzing are removed. A polymer composite including a plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed in the polymer results after the removing, where some of the polymer is chemically conjugated to a surface of the transition metal oxide nanoparticles.

Abstract: An external LAA exclusion clip comprises a clipping assembly comprising first and second opposing clip struts each of the clip struts having a tissue-contacting surface and first and second bias surfaces, a bias assembly connecting the first clip strut to the second clip strut to align the first and second clip struts in a strut plane passing through the tissue-contacting surface. The bias assembly comprises at least one first bias spring connected to the first bias surface of the first clip strut and to the first bias surface of the second clip strut and at least one second bias spring connected to the second bias surface of the first clip strut and the second bias surface of the second clip strut. The first bias spring and the second bias spring are configured to permit movement of the first and second clip struts in the strut plane.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus can include a handle portion and at least one rotatable drive shaft. The handle portion has an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism includes a motor and one or more actuators. The rotatable drive shaft has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion is coupled to the motor, and the distal end portion is configured to be releasably coupled to a prosthetic heart valve. The actuation mechanism is configured to control and monitor expansion of the prosthetic heart valve. The handle is configured for actuating the actuation mechanism, tracking a response of native tissue when the prosthetic heart valve is in contact with the native tissue, and stopping expansion of the prosthetic heart valve once a rate of change of expansion of the prosthetic heart valve declines below a threshold.

Abstract: A sensor interface includes a sensor circuit, a drive circuit connected to the sensor circuit with active and inactive states, and a back-bias circuit. The back-bias circuit is connected between the drive circuit and the sensor circuit. The back-bias circuit is arranged to allow current to flow from the drive circuit to the sensor circuit when the drive circuit is in the active state. The back-bias circuit is also arranged to limit current flow from the drive circuit to the sensor circuit when the drive circuit is in the inactive state. Sensor arrangements and open circuit detection methods are also described.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus comprises a handle portion and at least one rotatable drive shaft. The handle portion has an actuation mechanism and a display. The actuation mechanism includes a motor and one or more actuators. The rotatable drive shaft has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion is coupled to the motor, and the distal end portion is configured to be releasably coupled to a prosthetic heart valve. The actuation mechanism is configured to control and monitor expansion of the prosthetic heart valve, and the display is configured to display a diameter of the prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A battery array according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a plurality of battery cells, a support structure surrounding the plurality of battery cells and a first lifting feature protruding from a first wall of the support structure.

Abstract: A catheter comprises a heater control supplying power, a handle, a base catheter with lumen and comprising a proximal section and a distal segment, and a variable stiffness element. The element comprises a heater connected to the heater control, coiled at least at the distal segment, and comprising a shaft portion of a first metallic conductive material and a heater portion of a second metallic conductive material. A jacket is disposed about the heater portion. A variable flex sub-assembly between the catheter and jacket comprises a non-conducting braid and a binding material. Without power, the binding material is stiffened. Responsive to heating of the binding material, the binding material softens to increase flexibility of the variable flex sub-assembly at least at the distal segment. Responsive to removing power, the binding material cools and stiffens to decrease flexibility of the variable flex sub-assembly at least at the distal segment.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a system and method for detecting an open circuit in a sensor measurement system. The system including a sensor having a direct current (DC) output, operably connected to a wiring harness and configured to transmit a sensor signal, and a controller, the controller operably connected to the wiring harness. The controller is configured execute a method including receiving a sensor signal from the sensor, AC coupling an AC signal with the sensor signal to form a coupled signal, measuring the coupled signal, determining if an open circuit is present based on the coupled signal and characterizing the sensor as failed if the open circuit is detected.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) that includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a solid oxide electrolyte having a fuel inlet riser opening and a fuel outlet riser opening. The electrolyte is located between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The SOFC also includes a ceramic support layer on the electrolyte. The ceramic support is layer located around the at least one of a periphery of the electrolyte or at least partially around perimeters of the fuel inlet and fuel outlet riser openings. The ceramic support layer comprises a multi-component material comprising yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and alpha alumina.

Abstract: An assembly includes a prosthetic heart valve and a delivery apparatus. The prosthetic heart valve has a plurality of pivotably connected struts and one or more adjustable elements rotatably coupled to the struts. Rotating the adjustable elements in a first direction relative to the struts radially expands the prosthetic heart valve. Rotating the adjustable elements in a second direction relative to the struts radially contracts the prosthetic heart valve. The delivery apparatus includes one or more motors, one or more drive wires coupled to the motors, and a memory. The drive wires are coupled to the adjustable elements of the prosthetic heart valve. The motors are configured to rotate the drive wires and the adjustable elements to expand and contract the prosthetic heart valve. The memory is configured for storing one or more characteristics of the motors, the drive wires, or the prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus comprises a handle portion and at least one rotatable drive shaft. The handle portion has an actuation mechanism and a display. The actuation mechanism includes a motor and one or more actuators. The rotatable drive shaft has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion is coupled to the motor, and the distal end portion is configured to be releasably coupled to a prosthetic heart valve. The actuation mechanism is configured to control and monitor expansion of the prosthetic heart valve, and the display is configured to display a diameter of the prosthetic heart valve.