Abstract: Disclosed herein is a crimping device for crimping a prosthetic heart valve. The crimping device includes a plurality of crimping jaws circumferentially arranged around a crimping orifice having a central crimping axis, each crimping jaw having an inner crimping wedge. The crimping device also includes a rotating cam wheel adapted to act on the crimping jaws, a stationary outer housing containing the crimping jaws and the cam wheel, and a plurality of guide elements. Each guide element is constrained by fixed grooves in the outer housing for translating the crimping jaws inwardly toward the crimping axis, thereby reducing a size of the crimping orifice. Molded halves are provided for sandwiching the rotating cam wheel, the crimping jaws, and the guide elements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a crimping device for crimping a prosthetic heart valve. The crimping device includes a plurality of crimping jaws circumferentially arranged around a crimping orifice having a central crimping axis, each crimping jaw having an inner crimping wedge. The crimping device also includes a rotating cam wheel adapted to act on the crimping jaws, a stationary outer housing containing the crimping jaws and the cam wheel, and a plurality of guide elements. Each guide element is constrained by fixed grooves in the outer housing for translating the crimping jaws inwardly toward the crimping axis, thereby reducing a size of the crimping orifice. Molded halves are provided for sandwiching the rotating cam wheel, the crimping jaws, and the guide elements.

Abstract: A radially expandable prosthetic valve can comprise an annular frame, at least one expansion mechanism and a cord. The annular frame can be radially collapsible and expandable between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration. The expansion mechanism can comprise a first member attached to the frame at a first location and a second member attached to the frame at a second location axially spaced from the first location. The cord can extend at least partially along the expansion mechanism in a first direction, be reeved around a portion of the second member, and extend at least partially along the expansion mechanism in a second direction opposite the first direction. Applying a proximally directed force to a first portion of the cord can cause the second member to move relative to the first member, which can cause the frame to foreshorten axially and expand radially.

Abstract: A radially expandable prosthetic valve can include an annular frame, at least one expansion mechanism, and a biasing member. The annular frame can be radially collapsible and expandable between a radially compressed configuration and a radially expanded configuration. The at least one expansion mechanism can include a first member attached to the frame at a first location and a second member attached to the frame at a second location axially spaced from the first location. Movement of the first member relative to the second member in a first direction can cause the frame to radially expand, and movement of the first member relative to the second member in a second direction, opposite the first direction, causes the frame to radially compress. The biasing member can exert a biasing force against the first member in the first direction, to cause the first member to move relative to the second member, which can further expand the frame as the native annulus enlarges over time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a crimping device for crimping a prosthetic heart valve. The crimping device includes a plurality of crimping jaws circumferentially arranged around a crimping orifice having a central crimping axis, each crimping jaw having an inner crimping wedge. The crimping device also includes a rotating cam wheel adapted to act on the crimping jaws, a stationary outer housing containing the crimping jaws and the cam wheel, and a plurality of guide elements. Each guide element is constrained by fixed grooves in the outer housing for translating the crimping jaws inwardly toward the crimping axis, thereby reducing a size of the crimping orifice. Molded halves are provided for sandwiching the rotating cam wheel, the crimping jaws, and the guide elements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of crimping a prosthetic heart valve using a compact crimping mechanism. The crimping mechanism includes a plurality of jaws configured for coordinated inward movement toward a crimping axis to reduce the size of a crimping iris around a stented valve. A rotating cam wheel acts on the jaws and displaces them inward. An actuation mechanism includes a lead screw, carriage assembly and a linkage to rotate the cam wheel with significant torque.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of crimping a prosthetic heart valve using a compact crimping mechanism. The crimping mechanism includes a plurality of jaws configured for coordinated inward movement toward a crimping axis to reduce the size of a crimping iris around a stented valve. A rotating cam wheel acts on the jaws and displaces them inward. An actuation mechanism includes a lead screw, carriage assembly and a linkage to rotate the cam wheel with significant torque.

Abstract: An apparatus for rolling a bladder includes a support structure, a rolling pin, and a bladder-mounting pin. The apparatus optionally includes a rolling initiator Rolling a bladder includes inserting the bladder while unrolled into an apparatus for rolling a bladder, inserting the bladder between a rolling pin and a bladder-mounting pin of the rolling machine, and rotating the rolling pin to (a) advance a portion of the bladder between the rolling pin and the bladder-mounting pin, (b) roll the portion of the bladder around the bladder-mounting pin, and (c) drive the bladder-mounting pin to rotate in an opposite direction from that of the rolling pin.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of crimping a prosthetic heart valve using a compact crimping mechanism. The crimping mechanism includes a plurality of jaws configured for coordinated inward movement toward a crimping axis to reduce the size of a crimping iris around a stented valve. A rotating cam wheel acts on the jaws and displaces them inward. An actuation mechanism includes a lead screw, carriage assembly and a linkage to rotate the cam wheel with significant torque.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of crimping a prosthetic heart valve using a compact crimping mechanism. The crimping mechanism includes a plurality of jaws configured for coordinated inward movement toward a crimping axis to reduce the size of a crimping iris around a stented valve. A rotating cam wheel acts on the jaws and displaces them inward. A number of Cartesian guide elements cooperate with the jaws to distribute forces within the crimping mechanism. The guide elements are located between the crimping jaws and an outer housing and are constrained by the outer housing for movement along lines that are tangential to a circle centered on the crimping axis. The guide elements engage at least some of the crimping jaws while the rest are in meshing engagement so as to move in synch. An actuation mechanism includes a lead screw, carriage assembly and a linkage to rotate the cam wheel with significant torque.

Abstract: A radially expandable prosthetic valve can comprise an annular frame, at least one expansion mechanism and a cord. The annular frame can be radially collapsible and expandable between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration. The expansion mechanism can comprise a first member attached to the frame at a first location and a second member attached to the frame at a second location axially spaced from the first location. The cord can extend at least partially along the expansion mechanism in a first direction, be reeved around a portion of the second member, and extend at least partially along the expansion mechanism in a second direction opposite the first direction. Applying a proximally directed force to a first portion of the cord can cause the second member to move relative to the first member, which can cause the frame to foreshorten axially and expand radially.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of crimping a prosthetic heart valve using a compact crimping mechanism. The crimping mechanism includes a plurality of jaws configured for coordinated inward movement toward a crimping axis to reduce the size of a crimping iris around a stented valve. A rotating cam wheel acts on the jaws and displaces them inward. An actuation mechanism includes a lead screw, carriage assembly and a linkage to rotate the cam wheel with significant torque.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of crimping a prosthetic heart valve using a compact crimping mechanism. The crimping mechanism includes a plurality of jaws configured for coordinated inward movement toward a crimping axis to reduce the size of a crimping iris around a stented valve. A rotating cam wheel acts on the jaws and displaces them inward. A number of Cartesian guide elements cooperate with the jaws to distribute forces within the crimping mechanism. The guide elements are located between the crimping jaws and an outer housing and are constrained by the outer housing for movement along lines that are tangential to a circle centered on the crimping axis. The guide elements engage at least some of the crimping jaws while the rest are in meshing engagement so as to move in synch. An actuation mechanism includes a lead screw, carriage assembly and a linkage to rotate the cam wheel with significant torque.

Abstract: A compact crimping mechanism well-suited for use with devices such as stented prosthetic heart valves. The crimping mechanism includes a plurality of jaws configured for coordinated inward movement toward a crimping axis to reduce the size of a crimping iris around a stented valve. A rotating cam wheel acts on the jaws and displaces them inward. A number of Cartesian guide elements cooperate with the jaws to distribute forces within the crimping mechanism. The guide elements are located between the crimping jaws and an outer housing and are constrained by the outer housing for movement along lines that are tangential to a circle centered on the crimping axis. The guide elements engage at least some of the crimping jaws while the rest are in meshing engagement so as to move in synch. An actuation mechanism includes a lead screw, carriage assembly and a linkage to rotate the cam wheel with significant torque.

Abstract: An apparatus for rolling a bladder includes a support structure, a rolling pin, and a bladder-mounting pin. The apparatus optionally includes a rolling initiator Rolling a bladder includes inserting the bladder while unrolled into an apparatus for rolling a bladder, inserting the bladder between a rolling pin and a bladder-mounting pin of the rolling machine, and rotating the rolling pin to (a) advance a portion of the bladder between the rolling pin and the bladder-mounting pin, (b) roll the portion of the bladder around the bladder-mounting pin, and (c) drive the bladder-mounting pin to rotate in an opposite direction from that of the rolling pin.

Abstract: A compact crimping mechanism well-suited for use with devices such as stented prosthetic heart valves. The crimping mechanism includes a plurality of jaws configured for coordinated inward movement toward a crimping axis to reduce the size of a crimping iris around a stented valve. A rotating cam wheel acts on the jaws and displaces them inward. A number of Cartesian guide elements cooperate with the jaws to distribute forces within the crimping mechanism. The guide elements are located between the crimping jaws and an outer housing and are constrained by the outer housing for movement along lines that are tangential to a circle centered on the crimping axis. The guide elements engage at least some of the crimping jaws while the rest are in meshing engagement so as to move in synch. An actuation mechanism includes a lead screw, carriage assembly and a linkage to rotate the cam wheel with significant torque.

Abstract: A drill bit is disclosed that in one embodiment includes a pad configured to extend and retract from a surface of the drill bit, a motor, a linearly movable member coupled to the motor, a hydraulic unit configured to apply force on the pad, and wherein motion of the motor in a first direction causes the linearly movable member in a first direction to cause the hydraulic unit to exert a force on the pad to extend the pad.

Abstract: A solar thermal energy system (20) includes a plurality of modules (22), which are connected end-to-end to define an extended solar trough. Each module includes a frame, having an outer edge of circular profile and an inner edge of parabolic profile, having a focus at a geometrical center of the circular profile. The frame includes first and second end segments (42) at respective first and second ends of the module, and a pair of rigid torque tubes (44) connected longitudinally between the first and second end segments. A motorized drive (46) engages and rotates the outer edge of the frame about the geometrical center. Multiple mirror segments (40) are fitted to the inner edge of the frame. At least one heat transfer tube segment (24) is held stationary at the geometrical center of the frame.

Abstract: A drill bit and method of drilling a wellbore. The drill bit includes a pad configured to extend and retract from a surface of the drill bit, and a force application device configured to extend and retract the pad. The force application device includes a screw driven by an electric motor that linearly moves a drive unit to extend and retract the pad from the drill bit surface. The drill bit may be conveyed by a drill string and the pad may be extended from the drill bit face to drill the wellbore.

Abstract: In one aspect, a drill bit is disclosed that in one embodiment includes a pad configured to extend and retract from a surface of the drill bit and a force application device configured to extend and retract the pad, wherein the force application device includes a force action member that includes a lever action device configured to extend and retract the pad from the drill bit surface. In another aspect, a method of drilling a wellbore is provided that in one embodiment includes: conveying a drill string having a drill bit at an end thereof, wherein the drill bit includes a pad configured to extend and retract from a surface of the drill bit and a force application device that includes a lever action device configured to extend and retract the pad from the surface of the drill bit; and rotating the drill bit to drill the wellbore.