Abstract: Assessment of pulmonary function in coronavirus patients includes use of a computer aided diagnostic system to assess pulmonary function and risk of mortality in patents with coronavirus disease 2019. The CAD system processes thoracic X-ray data from a patient, extracts imaging markers, and grades disease severity based at least in part on the extracted imaging markers, thereby distinguishing between higher risk and lower risk patients. An alternative approach is to use an automatic CAD system to grade COVID-19 from computed tomography (CT) images to determine an accurate diagnosis of lung function.

Abstract: An in vitro three-dimensional multicellular system for maintaining tissue such as heart tissue (e.g. human or other animal heart slices) under physiological conditions is provided. Heart tissue that is cultured using the system remains full viable and functional for at least 6 days. The system is thus suitable to continuously monitor the effects of drugs (e.g. cardiotoxicity) during in vitro testing.

Abstract: An atrial appendage closure device is provided that includes an insertion rod having a first end and a second end. An occluding member having an outer surface and an inner surface is connected to the first end of the insertion rod. The occluding member is moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position such that, in the deployed position, the occluding member is configured to provide a seal between a left atrial appendage and a left atrium of a heart. An anchoring member is further connected to the insertion rod and is configured to slide along the insertion rod to secure the device to a wall of a left atrial appendage. Methods for occluding a left atrial appendage that make use of the closure devices are also provided.

Abstract: Assessment of pulmonary function in coronavirus patients includes use of a computer aided diagnostic system to assess pulmonary function and risk of mortality in patents with coronavirus disease 2019. The CAD system processes thoracic X-ray data from a patient, extracts imaging markers, and grades disease severity based at least in part on the extracted imaging markers, thereby distinguishing between higher risk and lower risk patients.

Abstract: A computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) system and method for non-invasive detection of cancer includes receiving and analyzing data from a plurality of sources, using a neural network to generate an initial classification probability from each data source, assigning weights to the initial classification probabilities, and integrating the initial classification probabilities to generate a final classification. The final classification may be a designation of a tissue, such as a pulmonary nodule, as cancerous or noncancerous.

Abstract: An atrial appendage closure device is provided that includes an occluding portion having a distal surface and a proximal surface opposite the distal surface, the occluding portion being moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position such that, in the deployed position, the occluding portion is configured to provide a seal between a left atrial appendage and a left atrium of a heart. An anchoring portion is operably connected to the occluding member with the anchoring portion being moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position. Methods for occluding a left atrial appendage that make use of the closure devices are also provided.

Abstract: An atrial appendage closure device is provided that includes an insertion rod having a first end and a second end. An occluding member having an outer surface and an inner surface is connected to the first end of the insertion rod. The occluding member is moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position such that, in the deployed position, the occluding member is configured to provide a seal between a left atrial appendage and a left atrium of a heart. An anchoring member is further connected to the insertion rod and is configured to slide along the insertion rod to secure the device to a wall of a left atrial appendage. Methods for occluding a left atrial appendage that make use of the closure devices are also provided.

Abstract: An atrial appendage closure device is provided that includes an insertion rod having a first end and a second end. An occluding member having an outer surface and an inner surface is connected to the first end of the insertion rod. The occluding member is moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position such that, in the deployed position, the occluding member is configured to provide a seal between a left atrial appendage and a left atrium of a heart. An anchoring member is further connected to the insertion rod and is configured to slide along the insertion rod to secure the device to a wall of a left atrial appendage. Methods for occluding a left atrial appendage that make use of the closure devices are also provided.

Abstract: An atrial appendage closure device is provided that includes an occluding portion having a distal surface and a proximal surface opposite the distal surface, the occluding portion being moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position such that, in the deployed position, the occluding portion is configured to provide a seal between a left atrial appendage and a left atrium of a heart. An anchoring portion is operably connected to the occluding member with the anchoring portion being moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position. Methods for occluding a left atrial appendage that make use of the closure devices are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention relate to endoscopic and laparoscopic surgical instruments. More specifically, embodiments of this invention relate to an open loop polypectomy system including a means for securely closing the loop. In some embodiments, the open loop polypectomy system comprises a snare wire and a capture mechanism wherein, when the snare wire is advanced, the snare wire extends from a distal portion of the open loop polypectomy system along a path passing through the capture mechanism. After the snare wire has advanced through the plane of the capture mechanism, retraction of the capture mechanism secures the snare wire, creating a formed loop around a target tissue. Retraction of at least one of the snare wire and capture mechanism contracts the formed loop, resecting the target tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing cavopulmonary support to a subject are provided that include and make use of a first inflatable extravascular cuff configured to be placed around a superior vena cava in the subject and a second inflatable extravascular cuff configured to be placed around an inferior vena cava in the subject. The system further includes a pump that is operably connected to both the first inflatable extravascular cuff and the second inflatable extravascular cuff, as well as a controller that is in communication with the pump. The controller receives one or more user-defined parameters and, in response to the user-defined parameters, independently controls the inflation and deflation of the first inflatable extravascular cuff and the second inflatable extravascular cuff to provide cavopulmonary support.

Abstract: An atrial appendage closure device is provided that includes an insertion rod having a first end and a second end. An occluding member having an outer surface and an inner surface is connected to the first end of the insertion rod. The occluding member is moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position such that, in the deployed position, the occluding member is configured to provide a seal between a left atrial appendage and a left atrium of a heart. An anchoring member is further connected to the insertion rod and is configured to slide along the insertion rod to secure the device to a wall of a left atrial appendage. Methods for occluding a left atrial appendage that make use of the closure devices are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention relate to endoscopic and laparoscopic surgical instruments. More specifically, embodiments of this invention relate to an open loop snare device including a means for securely closing the loop. In some embodiments, a snare device comprises a snare wire and a capture mechanism wherein, when the snare wire is advanced, the snare wire extends from a distal portion of the device along an arcuate path curving back toward the capture mechanism such that, after the snare wire is advanced, activation of the capture mechanism captures the snare wire, creating a formed loop around a target tissue. Retraction of at least one of the snare wire and capture mechanism contracts the formed loop, resecting the target tissue.

Abstract: An endoscopic closure device comprises: a coupling member; a helical needle mounted to the coupling member and carrying a suture; and a plurality of grasping needles, each of said plurality of grasping needles moveable between a storage position and a deployed position. The plurality of grasping needles is configured to be (a) advanced in the storage position into a luminal defect, (b) moved into the deployed position, and (c) then refracted from the luminal defect, thus pulling and drawing tissue surrounding the luminal defect together. Then, upon rotation of the coupling member and the helical needle, the helical needle is driven into and pierces the tissue, carrying the suture through the tissue.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is an in-vivo blood pressure sensor device including a strain transducer and flexible biocompatible material that carries the strain transducer. The flexible biocompatible material is configured to encircle the outside of a blood vessel when surgically installed. A preferred embodiment in-vivo blood pressure sensor device of the invention includes a strain transducer carried by a flexible biocompatible ring that is configured to be surgically installed to encircle a blood vessel. The device also includes passive circuitry encased in biocompatible material for sensing strain in the strain transducer and for providing data to an external reader. The passive circuitry is also configured to be surgically installed in a subject.

Abstract: An endoscopic closure device comprises: a coupling member; a helical needle mounted to the coupling member and carrying a suture; and a plurality of grasping needles, each of said plurality of grasping needles moveable between a storage position and a deployed position. The plurality of grasping needles is configured to be (a) advanced in the storage position into a luminal defect, (b) moved into the deployed position, and (c) then refracted from the luminal defect, thus pulling and drawing tissue surrounding the luminal defect together. Then, upon rotation of the coupling member and the helical needle, the helical needle is driven into and pierces the tissue, carrying the suture through the tissue.

Abstract: A system for culturing cells and/or tissue includes a tissue/cell culture chamber including a tissue/cell culture membrane, at least one collapsible valve fluidly coupled with the tissue/cell culture chamber, a pump fluidly coupled with the tissue/cell culture chamber, and a flow loop including the pump, chamber, and collapsible valve fluidly coupled together.

Abstract: A system for providing cardiac support to a patient and for promoting myocardial repair and recovery, comprises a device for connecting to a vasculature of the patient and a control module. The device includes a pump, defining a blood-receiving volume, and a cannula, in fluid communication with the blood-receiving volume, for anatomizing to the vasculature of the patient such that the blood-receiving volume may receive blood from and return blood to the vasculature of the patient through the cannula. The control module is for controlling the device and includes a means for establishing user-defined parameters, and a means for operating the pump of the device, which is in communication with the means for establishing user-defined parameters such that the operation of the pump is in response to the established user-defined parameters.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is an in-vivo blood pressure sensor device including a strain transducer and flexible biocompatible material that carries the strain transducer. The flexible biocompatible material is configured to encircle the outside of a blood vessel when surgically installed. A preferred embodiment in-vivo blood pressure sensor device of the invention includes a strain transducer carried by a flexible biocompatible ring that is configured to be surgically installed to encircle a blood vessel. The device also includes passive circuitry encased in biocompatible material for sensing strain in the strain transducer and for providing data to an external reader. The passive circuitry is also configured to be surgically installed in a subject.

Abstract: A device and method for maintaining a constant average pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of a pump for a body fluid, leading to an adequate flow for different pathological and physiological conditions, is described. The device and method allow for automatic adjustment of the pump operation to increase or decrease the flow rate of a body fluid to meet the physiological demand of the patient. The device and method also allow the physiological constraints on the pump to be accounted for, preventing suction and minimizing back flow of the body fluid. The device and method allow implicit synchronization of the pump with the natural regulatory mechanism for meeting patient's demand. The natural regulatory system continuously adjusts the parameters of the circulatory system to meet physiological demand for a body fluid.