Abstract: A transseptal puncture system that includes a needle member that includes a distal end, a proximal end and defines a first lumen therethrough, a dilator that includes a distal end, a proximal end and defines a second lumen therethrough, a sheath that includes a distal end, a proximal end and defines a third lumen therethrough, a needle control device that is configured to move the needle member a predetermined distance from a stowed position to a deployed position and a guidewire that includes a distal end and a proximal end and is movable within the first lumen. The needle member is movable within the second lumen and the distal end of the needle member is configured to puncture the septum. The dilator is movable within the third lumen.

Abstract: A system for converting potential energy into electric power from a mixture of gases, such as atmospheric air, including a particular lesser-density-gas, such as nitrogen, and a particular larger-density-gas, such as oxygen. The system includes a gas-separator at an upper-elevation; a gas-flow-conduit that has a gas-exit-port at a lesser-elevation, where the lesser-elevation is significantly lower than the upper-elevation; and an energy-converter positioned on the gas-flow-conduit. The gas-separator is coupled to the gas-exit-port via the gas-flow-conduit. The gas-separator separates the particular larger-density-gas from the gas mixture. The gas-flow-conduit conducts the separated particular larger-density-gas from the gas-separator via the gas-flow-conduit to the energy-converter; and the energy-converter generates electric power from the conducted separated particular larger-density-gas.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for maintaining a desired optical output in a solid state illumination device, where the device is configured to accommodate multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) and to combine light from the LEDs to produce a single optical output. The method includes testing the LEDs before adding them into the device. The testing produces characterizing information that describes how one or more optical properties (e.g., optical power and/or peak wavelength) of the tested LED change with temperature. This characterizing information is stored in a computer-based memory of the device, and the tested LED is added (connected) into the device. Then, during operation, temperature sensors measure a temperature associated with each respective LED in the device, and electrical current to one or more of the LEDs can be adjusted based on the measured temperatures associated with each LED and its stored characterizing information.

Abstract: A transseptal puncture system that includes a needle member that includes a distal end, a proximal end and defines a first lumen therethrough, a dilator that includes a distal end, a proximal end and defines a second lumen therethrough, a sheath that includes a distal end, a proximal end and defines a third lumen therethrough, a needle control device that is configured to move the needle member a predetermined distance from a stowed position to a deployed position and a guidewire that includes a distal end and a proximal end and is movable within the first lumen. The needle member is movable within the second lumen and the distal end of the needle member is configured to puncture the septum. The dilator is movable within the third lumen.

Abstract: A system for converting potential energy into electric power from a mixture of gases, such as atmospheric air, including a particular lesser-density-gas, such as nitrogen, and a particular larger-density-gas, such as oxygen. The system includes a gas-separator at an upper-elevation; a gas-flow-conduit that has a gas-exit-port at a lesser-elevation, where the lesser-elevation is significantly lower than the upper-elevation; and an energy-converter positioned on the gas-flow-conduit. The gas-separator is coupled to the gas-exit-port via the gas-flow-conduit. The gas-separator separates the particular larger-density-gas from the gas mixture. The gas-flow-conduit conducts the separated particular larger-density-gas from the gas-separator via the gas-flow-conduit to the energy-converter; and the energy-converter generates electric power from the conducted separated particular larger-density-gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of delivering drugs having e.g., anti-proliferative activity in the vascular, preferably, the cardiovascular, system locally or systematically using an at least partially drug-coated guidewire. The drug-coated guidewire, particularly an expansion member or portion thereof, is brought into contact with the target tissue or in circulation and the drugs are quickly released into the area surrounding the device in a short time after the contact step. Once the therapeutic drugs are released, they are quickly and effectively absorbed by the surrounding cells or circulation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for maintaining a desired optical output in a solid state illumination device, where the device is configured to accommodate multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) and to combine light from the LEDs to produce a single optical output. The method includes testing the LEDs before adding them into the device. The testing produces characterizing information that describes how one or more optical properties (e.g., optical power and/or peak wavelength) of the tested LED change with temperature. This characterizing information is stored in a computer-based memory of the device, and the tested LED is added (connected) into the device. Then, during operation, temperature sensors measure a temperature associated with each respective LED in the device, and electrical current to one or more of the LEDs can be adjusted based on the measured temperatures associated with each LED and its stored characterizing information.

Abstract: A dispensing and ultraviolet (UV) curing system is disclosed with low backscatter. The system includes a dispenser for dispensing an ultraviolet (UV) curable material onto a substrate and a UV radiation source assembly coupled to the dispenser and operable to facilitate curing the UV curable material that has been dispensed onto the substrate. The UV radiation source assembly has a UV radiation source with a first optical axis and an optical element with a second optical axis. The second optical axis is different than the first optical axis. The optical element is configured such that, during operation, UV radiation from the UV radiation source passes through the optical element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of delivering drugs having e.g., anti-proliferative activity in the vascular, preferably, the cardiovascular, system locally or systematically using an at least partially drug-coated guidewire. The drug-coated guidewire, particularly an expansion member or portion thereof, is brought into contact with the target tissue or in circulation and the drugs are quickly released into the area surrounding the device in a short time after the contact step. Once the therapeutic drugs are released, they are quickly and effectively absorbed by the surrounding cells or circulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming stabilized metal salt particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming stabilized metal salt particles.

Abstract: Embodiments of a light source include a substrate having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A plurality of solid state light emitting diodes (LEDs) form an array, with the plurality of LEDs mounted on the substrate in a row between the first end and the second end. The plurality of LEDs further have a first edge LED and a second edge LED having a first encapsulation lens height relative to the substrate. At least one interior LED having a second encapsulation lens height less than the first encapsulation lens height is disposed between the first edge LED and the second edge LED. The spacing between the plurality of LEDs is substantially uniform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming stabilized metal salt particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of delivering drugs having e.g., anti-proliferative activity in the vascular, preferably, the cardiovascular, system locally or systematically using an at least partially drug-coated guidewire. The drug-coated guidewire, particularly an expansion member or portion thereof, is brought into contact with the target tissue or in circulation and the drugs are quickly released into the area surrounding the device in a short time after the contact step. Once the therapeutic drugs are released, they are quickly and effectively absorbed by the surrounding cells or circulation.

Abstract: A dispensing and ultraviolet (UV) curing system is disclosed with low backscatter. The system includes a dispenser for dispensing an ultraviolet (UV) curable material onto a substrate and a UV radiation source assembly coupled to the dispenser and operable to facilitate curing the UV curable material that has been dispensed onto the substrate. The UV radiation source assembly has a UV radiation source with a first optical axis and an optical element with a second optical axis. The second optical axis is different than the first optical axis. The optical element is configured such that, during operation, UV radiation from the UV radiation source passes through the optical element.

Abstract: Embodiments of a light source include a substrate having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A plurality of solid state light emitting diodes (LEDs) form an array, with the plurality of LEDs mounted on the substrate in a row between the first end and the second end. The plurality of LEDs further have a first edge LED and a second edge LED having a first encapsulation lens height relative to the substrate. At least one interior LED having a second encapsulation lens height less than the first encapsulation lens height is disposed between the first edge LED and the second edge LED. The spacing between the plurality of LEDs is substantially uniform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a set of coupling parts, such as parts for coupling an ostomy bag to a base plate, said base plate being adhered around a stoma. The set of coupling parts provides a connection part that may be interposed between a first coupling part and a second coupling part and where the coupling parts may be connected and disconnected from each other by the same movement of the connection part.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of delivering drugs having e.g., anti-proliferative activity in the vascular, preferably, the cardiovascular, system locally or systematically using an at least partially drug-coated guidewire. The drug-coated guidewire, particularly an expansion member or portion thereof, is brought into contact with the target tissue or in circulation and the drugs are quickly released into the area surrounding the device in a short time after the contact step. Once the therapeutic drugs are released, they are quickly and effectively absorbed by the surrounding cells or circulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising poly-HEMA having a peak molecular weight between about 25,000 and about 100,000, preferably between 25,000 and 80,000 and a polydispersity of less than about 2 to less than about 3.8 respectively and covalently bonded thereon, at least one cross-linkable functional group. The present invention further relates to low polydispersity poly-HEMA suitable for making the crosslinkable prepolymers, processes for functionalizing and purifying said poly-HEMA to form said crosslinkable prepolymers, viscous solutions made from said crosslinkable prepolymers, hydrogels made from said viscous solutions and articles made from said crosslinkable polymers, hydrogels and viscous solutions.

Abstract: A method of managing ideas includes the following steps: (a) maintaining a computer database for accumulating ideas for prospectively patentable inventions; (b) systematically establishing contractual obligations by contributors of said ideas to said database to transfer property rights to inventions respectively derived at least in part from said contributed ideas to a proprietor of said database or to a party in concert with said proprietor; and (c) prior to filing any patent applications for inventions respectively derived at least in part from said accumulated ideas, systematically publishing said accumulated ideas.