Abstract: A new or improved microporous monolayer, bilayer, trilayer, or multilayer membrane, separator membrane, separator, or coated separator is disclosed. The membrane is preferably made up of at least one resin or polymer and at least one additive. The additive may comprise at least one material that improves adhesion of the microporous membrane to a coating, including a polyaramid-containing coating and a PCS coating, or to a different material such as a metallic surface, including an electrode surface. Improvements in adhesion are based on comparisons to similar microporous membranes without the at least one additive. In some preferred embodiments, the at least one additive may comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of a functionalized polymer or the combination of a functionalized polymer and an elastomer. In some embodiments, the functional group of the functionalized polymer may be maleic anhydride (MAH).

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for detecting and displaying a number of rounds in a firearm magazine comprising a maximum number of N rounds. The magazine may comprise a follower, magnets on the follower, and <N magnetic-field-sensing sensors arranged along a path of the magnets when the follower moves along a length of the magazine, the sensors generating round count data based on a position of the one or more magnets relative to the <N magnetic-field-sensing sensors, and a first substantially flat antenna arranged on an inside of the magazine and configured to wirelessly transmit a round count indication to a second substantially flat antenna on the firearm, the round count indication based on the round count data, the second substantially flat antenna affixed to an inside of a magazine well of the firearm and mostly overlapping with the first substantially flat antenna.

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: An exemplary valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient includes: a coaption element having four layers; and a pair of paddles connected to the coaption element. The paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position and are configured to attach to the native valve of the patient.

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: This disclosure describes a firearm stock or arm brace with an adjustable length of pull. The stock or arm brace can include a body and lower stock, where the body includes a buffer tube receiving aperture and the lower stock includes a hollow cavity with a plunger and two concentric springs therein. One or more buttons can be affixed to sides of the plunger in the hollow cavity that can be used to depress the plunger against the force of one or both of the springs. One of the two springs may be shorter than the other and have a greater spring constant than the longer spring. Depressing the plunger against the taller spring may allow a user to adjust the length of pull while greater pressure and engagement of the second spring allows the stock or arm brace to be removed from a buffer tube or receiver extension.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for detecting and displaying a number of rounds in a firearm magazine comprising a maximum number of N rounds. The magazine may comprise a follower, magnets on the follower, and <N magnetic switches arranged along a path of the magnets when the follower moves along a length of the magazine, the switches configured to activate based on a magnetic field exceeding a threshold, and a first antenna arranged on an inside of the magazine and parallel to a firing direction of the firearm, and configured to wirelessly transmit a round count indication to a second antenna on the firearm, the round count indication based on the round count data, the second antenna affixed to an inside of a magazine well of the firearm and mostly overlapping with the first antenna.

Abstract: A valve repair delivery handle includes a housing, an actuation control mechanism, and a clasp control mechanism. The actuation control mechanism includes a knob and an actuation tube. The knob is rotatably coupled to the housing. The actuation tube is coupled to the knob such that rotation of the knob in a first direction moves the actuation tube distally relative to the housing and rotation of the knob in a second direction moves the actuation tube proximally relative to the housing. The clasp control mechanism is coupled to the housing.

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. A clasp is attached to each of the paddles. The clasps have a fixed arm attached to the paddle and a moveable arm. The moveable arm has a barbed portion, a first eyelet, and a second eyelet. The hinge portion connects the fixed arm to the moveable arm. A first intermediate suture loop is attached to the first eyelet and a second intermediate suture loop is attached to the second eyelet. At least one actuation suture is attached to the first and second intermediate suture loops.

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: In accordance with at least selected embodiments, a battery separator or separator membrane comprises one or more co-extruded multi-microlayer membranes optionally laminated or adhered to another polymer membrane. The separators described herein may provide improved strength, for example, improved puncture strength, particularly at a certain thickness, and may exhibit improved shutdown and/or a reduced propensity to split.

Abstract: Calibration chucks for optical probe systems, optical probe systems including the calibration chucks, and methods of utilizing the optical probe systems. The calibration chucks include a calibration chuck body that defines a calibration chuck support surface. The calibration chucks also include at least one optical calibration structure that is supported by the calibration chuck body. The at least one optical calibration structure includes a horizontal viewing structure. The horizontal viewing structure is configured to facilitate viewing of a horizontally viewed region from a horizontal viewing direction that is at least substantially parallel to the calibration chuck support surface. The horizontal viewing structure also is configured to facilitate viewing of the horizontally viewed region via an imaging device of the optical probe system that is positioned vertically above the calibration chuck support surface.

Abstract: A system and method as disclosed herein develops a predicted current remaining useful life (RUL) of a component through a generalized fault and usage model that is designed through a process of simplifying Paris' Law (or other power law) in conjunction with a Kalman Smoother (or other filtering technique). One of the many advantages of this state observer technique is that the backward/forward filtering technique employed by the Kalman Smoother has no phase delay, which allows for the development of a generalized, zero tuning model that provides an improved component health trend, and therefore a better estimate of the predicted current RUL.

Abstract: Described herein is a multilayer microporous film or membrane that may exhibit improved properties, including improved dielectric break down and strength, compared to prior monolayer or tri-layer microporous membranes of the same thickness. The preferred multilayer microporous membrane comprises microlayers and one or more lamination interfaces or barriers. Also disclosed is a battery separator or battery comprising one or more of the multilayer microporous films or membranes. The inventive battery and battery separator is preferably safer and more robust than batteries and battery separators using prior monolayer and tri-layer microporous membranes. Also, described herein is a method for making the multilayer microporous separators, membranes or films described herein.

Abstract: A valve repair system for repairing a native valve of a patient includes a catheter and a valve repair device. The valve repair device is disposed in the catheter. The valve repair device comprises a compressible spacer and a pair of paddles. The pair of paddles are moveable between an open position and a closed position. The valve repair device can transition to a compressed configuration with the compressible spacer between the pair of paddles in the closed position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are steerable catheter assemblies and methods of steering catheters. Some embodiments include a catheter with first and second oppositely disposed pull wires and third and fourth oppositely disposed pull wires 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, a first driver coupled to the control handle and coupled to the first and second followers, a third follower connected to the third pull wire, a fourth follower connected to the fourth pull wire, and a second driver coupled to the control handle and coupled to the third and fourth followers. Rotation of the first driver moves the first and second followers in opposite directions. Rotation of the second driver moves the third and fourth followers in opposite directions.

Abstract: A system for implanting a repair device onto a native valve of a natural heart to repairing the native valve of a patient during a non-open-heart procedure. The system includes a surgical delivery instrument, a valve repair device, and a gripper control mechanism. The surgical delivery instrument has at least one lumen. The valve repair device is configured to be delivered through the lumen of the surgical delivery instrument and to be attached to a native valve of a patient. The valve repair device includes a pair of paddles, and at least four gripping members. The paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position, and the paddles and the at least four gripping members are configured to attach to the native valve of a patient. The gripper control mechanism is configured to independently move each of the at least four gripping members.

Abstract: A valve repair devices and systems for repairing a native valve of a patient include a spacer, a pair of paddles, and a pair of moveable clasp arms. The pair of moveable clasp arms are disposed between the pair of paddles and the spacer. The moveable clasp arms are configured to attach to leaflets of a heart valve. The spacer, the pair of paddles, and the moveable clasp arms are configured such that, when attached to the leaflets, the moveable clasp arms are located between the spacer and first portions of the leaflet, while second portions of the leaflet engage the spacer.

Abstract: A valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient includes a spacer element, a pair of paddles, and a pair of gripping members. The pair of paddles is coupled to the spacer element. The pair of gripping members is disposed between the pair of paddles. The paddles and the gripping members are configured to attach to leaflets of a heart valve. The spacer element extends past side edges of the gripping members, extends past side edges of the paddles, or extends past the side edges of both the gripping members and the paddles.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a sensor bearing unit includes providing a bearing having a first ring and a second ring capable of rotating concentrically relative to one another, and an impulse ring provided with a target holder secured into a groove made in a cylindrical surface of the first ring, and with a magnetic target mounted on the target holder. The method including applying on a first ring blank a heat-treatment in which the metal is hardened, hard machining the groove in the cylindrical surface of the first ring blank after the step of heat treating, and introducing and securing the target holder of the impulse ring inside the groove of the machined first ring. Also a sensor bearing unit.