Abstract: An implantable prosthetic device includes a flexible hollow tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end. A first flexible portion extends from the proximal end to a middle portion. A second flexible portion extends from the middle portion to the distal end. A first pull wire attaches to the middle portion such that applying tension to the first pull wire causes the first flexible portion to bend in a first bend direction. A second pull wire attaches to the distal end such that applying tension to the second pull wire causes the second flexible portion to bend in a second bend direction. The first bend direction is offset from the second bend direction by about 160 to about 200 degrees.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device is released from tissue of a valve of a patient by applying tension to a movable arm of a clasp in a retraction direction. A fixed arm of the clasp is attached to an inner paddle portion of a paddle of the valve repair device. The inner paddle portion is connected to an outer paddle portion of the paddle of the valve repair device. Pulling the moveable arm of the clasp flexes the inner paddle portion to allow the moveable arm to move in the retraction direction and thereby release the clasp from the valve tissue.

Abstract: A magazine assembly for a firearm and a related method are disclosed. The assembly has a magazine housing defining a track, and a follower assembly. The magazine housing is configured to constrain a cartridge as the cartridge is moved within the magazine assembly such that majority of a proximal surface area of the cartridge does not contact the magazine housing, and a distal tip of the cartridge does not contact the magazine housing.

Abstract: An exemplary implantable prosthetic device has a coaption element and at least one anchor. The coaption element is configured to be positioned within the native heart valve orifice to help fill a space where the native valve is regurgitant and form a more effective seal. The coaption element can have a structure that is impervious to blood and that allows the native leaflets to close around the coaption element during ventricular systole to block blood from flowing from the left or right ventricle back into the left or right atrium, respectively. The coaption element can be connected to leaflets of the native valve by the anchor.

Abstract: Described herein, are battery separators, comprising the following: a microporous polymeric film; and an optional coating layer on at least one side of the microporous polymeric film, wherein at least one of the microporous polymeric film and the optional coating comprises an additive. The additive is selected from the group consisting of a lubricating agent, a plasticizing agent, a nucleating agent, a shrinkage reducing agent, a surfactant, an SEI improving agent, a cathode protection agent, a flame retardant additive, LiPF6 salt stabilizer, an overcharge protector, an aluminum corrosion inhibitor, a lithium deposition agent or improver, or a solvation enhancer, an aluminum corrosion inhibitor, a wetting agent, and a viscosity improver. Also, described herein are batteries, including lithium-ion batteries, comprising one or more of the described separators. Methods for making the battery separators are also described.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for a locking folding knife having a handle lock and a safety switch arranged around and rotatable around a pivot axis of the knife. In an engaged position the switch overlaps at least a portion of the handle lock and prevents it from moving into an unlocked position. A spring, such as a wire form spring, can be arranged within a pocket of the switch, and when the switch is moved between engaged and disengaged positions the spring can be compressed generating a rotational bias on the switch urging the switch toward either the engaged or disengaged position.

Abstract: This invention relates to oil lubricated helium compressor units for use in cryogenic refrigeration systems, operating on the Gifford McMahon (GM) or Brayton cycle. The objective of this invention is to provide redundancy by having a water cooled compressor manifolded to an air cooled compressor and sensors to detect faults so that an expander can be kept running if there is a failure in either the water or air supply.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient includes: a strip of material; a coaption element formed from the strip of material; a pair of paddles formed from the strip of material and connected to the coaption element; a cap attached to the paddles; and a pair of extension members connected to the cap and the paddles via attachment portions. The paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position and are configured to attach to the native valve of the patient. Movement of the cap toward the coaption element causes the pair of paddles to move to the closed position, and movement of the cap away from the coaption element causes the pair of paddles to move to the open position. The extension members extend to end portions attached to the strip material. The end portions extend beyond the strip of material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting at least one unlabeled data object from a set of unlabeled data objects. The present invention receives a set of unlabeled data objects and identifies at least one data object in the set that is considered to differ from the others. The at least one data object is selected for further processing, which may include labeling processes. In some embodiments, the data objects are passed through at least one representation-generating module, and the resulting representations are compared to each other. Differences between the representations are evaluated against at least one criterion. If the differences meet the at least one criterion, corresponding data objects are considered to differ from the others and are then selected for further processing. In some implementations, a sample set of sample data objects may be used. In some implementations, the at least one representation-generating module may comprise a neural network.

Abstract: An accessory mounting interface for a firearm, and a related method, are disclosed. The interface has a firearm accessory, a first elongated fastener, and a second fastener rotationally mated to the first elongated fastener. The first elongated fastener has right-handed threading and is arranged through a through hole in the firearm accessory with a first end extending below first and second halves of a first slot protrusion of the firearm accessory. The second fastener has a length greater than a width, the length measured along a longitudinal axis of the second fastener, the second fastener having a plurality of straight edges. At least one of the plurality of straight edges prevents the second fastener from rotating further than a closed position when the at least one of the straight edges abuts a sidewall of an elongated slot in the firearm.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient includes: a strip of material; a coaption element formed from the strip of material; a pair of paddles formed from the strip of material and connected to the coaption element; a cap attached to the paddles; and a pair of extension members connected to the cap and movable between an open position and a closed position. The paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position and are configured to attach to the native valve of the patient. Movement of the cap toward the coaption element causes the pair of paddles to move to the closed position, and movement of the cap away from the coaption element causes the pair of paddles to move to the open position. In the closed position the extension members are biased in a closing direction.

Abstract: Probe systems for optically probing a device under test (DUT) and methods of operating the probe systems. The probe systems include a probing assembly that includes an optical probe that defines a probe tip and a distance sensor. The probe systems also include a support surface configured to support a substrate, which defines a substrate surface and includes an optical device positioned below the substrate surface. The probe systems further include a positioning assembly configured to selectively regulate a relative orientation between the probing assembly and the DUT. The probe systems also include a controller programmed to control the operation of the probe systems. The methods include methods of operating the probe systems.

Abstract: A method for generating customized dynamic video including partitioning customized dynamic video's timeline, using a predefined partition scheme, into a series of chunk descriptors, each defined by an interval of the timeline and corresponding to a video chunk of the customized dynamic video; for each chunk descriptor, constructing an identifier based on a set of parameters that represent visual characteristics of the video chunk, and associating the identifier to the chunk descriptor, and querying a cache of previously rendered and encoded video chunks for a video chunk indexed by the identifier matching that of the chunk descriptor; and in the case that a video chunk whose identifier matches the queried identifier is found, retrieving the video chunk from the cache; otherwise, rendering and encoding the video chunk, for the chunk descriptor's timeline interval, and saving the video chunk in the cache, indexed by the identifier.

Abstract: A branded fleet server system includes a pre-assembled third-party computer system integrated into a chassis of the branded fleet server system. The pre-assembled third-party computer system is configured to execute proprietary software that is only licensed for use on branded hardware. A baseboard management controller (BMC) included in the server chassis couples with the pre-assembled computer system via one or more cables coupled to ports of the pre-assembled computer system. The BMC enables remote control of the pre-assembled computer system, such as remote power on and power off. Also the BMC may enable automatic and remote software and/or firmware updates to be performed at the pre-assembled computer system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are steerable catheter assemblies and methods of steering catheters that utilize driver and follower mechanisms to accomplish independent control of catheter flex magnitude and catheter flex direction. Some embodiments include a catheter with a first pull wire and a second pull wire that flex the catheter, a control handle coupled to the catheter, a first follower connected to the first pull wire, a second follower connected to the second pull wire, and a driver disposed in the control handle and coupled to the first and second followers. The rotation of the driver coupled to the control handle moves the first and second followers in opposite directions, and axial movement of the driver moves the first and second followers in the same direction.

Abstract: Catheterization methods and apparatuses allow sensing of pressures inside the heart and for removing air from catheters. A delivery system can use the same components that are used to deliver a valve repair or replacement device to measure the pressure in the atrium or other heart chamber. A pressure sensor can be included in one of the catheters of the delivery system or pressure can be sensed through the same port that is used to flush a catheter. The delivery system can be inserted into the heart, delivering the valve repair or replacement device to the native valve, such as the mitral valve, the tricuspid valve, the aortic valve, or the pulmonary valve.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic device includes a coaption portion, paddles, and clasps. The paddles are extendable from a folded closed position to an open position. The clasps each have a fixed arm and a plurality of moveable arms each having a barbed portion. A plurality of hinge portions connect the moveable arms to the fixed arm.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel or improved microporous battery separator membranes, separators, batteries including such separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries. Further disclosed are laminated multilayer polyolefin membranes with exterior layers comprising one or more polyethylenes, which exterior layers are designed to provide an exterior surface that has a low pin removal force. Further disclosed are battery separator membranes having increased electrolyte absorption capacity at the separator/electrode interface region, which may improve cycling. Further disclosed are battery separator membranes having improved adhesion to any number of coatings. Also described are battery separator membranes having a tunable thermal shutdown where the onset temperature of thermal shutdown may be raised or lowered and the rate of thermal shutdown may be changed or increased.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for a follower assembly comprising one or more dummy cartridges, the first thereof comprising an angled follower platform that when pressed between the follower spring and a final live cartridge in the magazine, rotates to a first side of the magazine and enhances follower interaction with a slide lock mechanism. The follower platform may also be angled back to front to further enhance this interaction. The follower platform may include a protruding heel extending laterally from a front portion of the first side of the follower platform configured to interface with the slide lock mechanism. A rear stop may extend from a rear portion of the first side and interface with a downward-facing surface of the magazine near the feed end, wherein contact between these two surfaces causes a front end of the first dummy cartridge to rotate upward.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cash drawer detection and control are disclosed herein. The systems and methods may include use of an adaptor. The adaptor may connect a cash drawer to a point of sale (POS) terminal. The adaptor may include allow for an input signal to be received from the cash drawer. The type of cash drawer can be identified based on the input signal. An output signal operative to open the cash drawer can be generated and transmitted to the cash drawer to open the cash drawer.