Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and apparatuses for creating or using a fibrous cell substrate that is formed in a mold using temperature and wettability gradients and that upon which cells can be grown. The disclosed method can include utilizing a temperature gradient and a wettability gradient within a mold to form a porous cell substrate. In particular, the temperature and wettability gradients control nucleation and growth of crystals within the cell substrate solution to form parallel layers of cell substrate. The crystals can be sublimated by freeze drying and the porous cell substrate is seeded. More specifically, the disclosed method includes using pressure and an increased cell mixture viscosity to seed cells deep within the cell substrate. This disclosure also describes an apparatus for forming the structured porous cell substrate.

Abstract: Fluid channel sealing devices, frangible seals, fluid circuits, associated controllers and methods of using the same are provided for controlling fluid distribution using a reconfigurable blocking element having first and second portions to establish a first configuration free of any open channels such that fluid is prevented from flowing through the channel and a second configuration where the first and second portions are separated to establish an open channel and allow fluid to pass.

Abstract: Peritoneal dialysis admixing and/or treatment devices, methods, and systems are disclosed. The systems, methods, and devices provide high-level guarantees of sterility and employ relatively inexpensive disposable components to provide pumping. Disclosed systems, methods, and devices and features thereof are adapted for point of use generation of medicament. In particular, admixing systems that employ independently-replaceable long term concentrate are disclosed. Features are directed to assurance of sterility and accurate admixing of water and concentrate to generate ready-to-use medicaments and other benefits.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for managing disposable sensors and electrode gel are disclosed. According to an embodiment, a sensor assembly configured to be attached to a patient includes one or more electrode modules. Each of the one or more electrode modules includes an electrode, electrode gel disposed in a storage location on the electrode module, wherein electrode gel is not in contact with the electrode in the storage location, and a deformable cap configured to move the electrode gel from the storage location into contact with the electrode in response to a deformation of the deformable cap.

Abstract: Peritoneal dialysis admixing and/or treatment devices, methods, and systems are disclosed. The systems, methods, and devices provide high-level guarantees of sterility and employs relatively inexpensive disposable components to provide pumping. Disclosed systems, methods, and devices and features thereof are adapted for point of use generation of medicament. In particular admixing systems that employ independently-replaceable long term concentrate are disclosed. Features are directed to assurance of sterility and accurate admixing of water and concentrate to generate ready-to-use medicaments and other benefits.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a structural frame for a body of a motor vehicle, the structural frame defining, at least in part, an occupant compartment of the vehicle, the structural frame comprising a pair of spaced pillars joined together at an upper region of each pillar to a roof crossmember and further joined together at respective points below the roof crossmember to a structural cross-brace, the structural cross-brace is further arranged to support a pair of spaced apart vehicle suspension connectors and, wherein the structural cross-brace projects from the pillars beyond the suspension connectors so that the space in the occupant compartment between the pillars is substantially unobstructed by the structural cross-brace and, at least a portion of the structural cross-brace is accommodated within the occupant compartment.

Abstract: A blood treatment system with pressure sensors may be configured to control blood flow to and from the patient and use readings of the pressure sensors to determine a change in a pressure drop across a flow restriction in the blood circuit to estimate a condition of the machine or the patient, or outputting data responsive to the estimation. Further embodiments employ measurement of pressure drop to detect abnormal viscosity or viscosity variations in order to detect possible infection.

Abstract: Fluid channel sealing devices, frangible seals, fluid circuits, associated controllers and methods of using the same are provided for controlling fluid distribution using a reconfigurable blocking element having first and second portions to establish a first configuration free of any open channels such that fluid is prevented from flowing through the channel and a second configuration where the first and second portions are separated to establish an open channel and allow fluid to pass.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and apparatuses for creating or using a fibrous cell substrate that is formed in a mold using temperature and wettability gradients and that upon which cells can be grown. The disclosed method can include utilizing a temperature gradient and a wettability gradient within a mold to form a porous cell substrate. In particular, the temperature and wettability gradients control nucleation and growth of crystals within the cell substrate solution to form parallel layers of cell substrate. The crystals can be sublimated by freeze drying and the porous cell substrate is seeded. More specifically, the disclosed method includes using pressure and an increased cell mixture viscosity to seed cells deep within the cell substrate. This disclosure also describes an apparatus for forming the structured porous cell substrate.

Abstract: A blood treatment system with pressure sensors may be configured to control blood flow to and from the patient and use readings of the pressure sensors to determine a change in a pressure drop across a flow restriction in the blood circuit to estimate a condition of the machine or the patient, or outputting data responsive to the estimation. Further embodiments employ measurement of pressure drop to detect abnormal viscosity or viscosity variations in order to detect possible infection.

Abstract: Fluid channel sealing devices, frangible seals, fluid circuits, associated controllers and methods of using the same are provided for controlling fluid distribution using a reconfigurable blocking element having first and second portions to establish a first configuration free of any open channels such that fluid is prevented from flowing through the channel and a second configuration where the first and second portions are separated to establish an open channel and allow fluid to pass.

Abstract: A ladder safety mechanism comprises at least one clamp, preferably a pair of spaced apart clamps, attachable part way along a ladder, to secure the ladder to part of a structure. In some embodiments, the mechanism includes at least one manually operated actuator, such as a rope or cable, coupled to the at least one clamp to enable a user located at the bottom of the ladder to open the at least one clamp to receive the part of a structure. In some embodiments, the at least one clamp is automatically secured to the part of the structure by placing the clamp onto the structure. The at least one manually operated actuator also enables a user located at the bottom of the ladder to open the at least one clamp to release the part of the structure. The at least one clamp is oriented substantially perpendicularly to a part of the structure to which the ladder is to be attached.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for managing communication characteristics in a wireless network. The method includes obtaining, by the network device, information indicative of operational characteristics of one or more of a configuration of a deployed network, signal strength, network congestion and the network device and determining a degradation associated with each of the one or more of the configuration of the deployed network, the signal strength, the network congestion and the network device, based at least in part on the obtained information. In some embodiments, the method further includes determining an extent of speed degradation based on each of the determined degradations.

Abstract: An electrode configured to adhere to a patient's skin to conduct electrical potentials therefrom includes a substrate, a skin adhesive configured to adhere the electrode to a patient's skin, and a conductor plate mounted on the substrate. A conductive gel is configured to contact the patient's skin and to conduct electrical potentials from the patient's skin to the conductor plate when the electrode is adhered to the patient's skin. A removable separator is positioned between the conductive gel and the conductor plate, wherein the removable separator is configured to be removed prior to operating the electrode to conduct electrical potentials.

Abstract: Gyroscope data can be used to generate upsampled signal. Multiple mobile devices are spaced apart from each other in a spatial arrangement. Each mobile device includes a gyroscope sensor to detect mechanical vibrations caused by signals originating within a vicinity of a mobile device that includes the gyroscope sensor. Each mobile device includes one or more respective processors to receive representations of the mechanical vibrations sensed by the gyroscope sensor at a sampling frequency, and transmit the representations received at the sampling frequency as a respective vibration signal associated with sampling times. The signal processor is coupled to the multiple mobile devices. The signal processor generates a processed upsampled signal by interleaving the vibration signal received from each mobile device and processing the interleaved signal using one or more machine learning filters, and transmitting the processed upsampled signal.

Abstract: A medical lead includes a lead body, an electrical connector, an electrical conductor, and a sleeve. The lead body includes a distal end and a proximal end defining a longitudinal axis of the lead body. The electrical connector is positioned near the proximal end of the lead body. The electrical conductor extends about the longitudinal axis of the lead body. The sleeve is coupled to an insulative material of the lead body and positioned around the electrical conductor. The electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the electrical connector. The sleeve is not fixed to the electrical conductor. In response to bending of the medical lead, the conductor may move within the sleeve to relieve strain created by the bending.

Abstract: Fluid channel sealing devices, frangible seals, fluid circuits, associated controllers and methods of using the same are provided for controlling fluid distribution using a reconfigurable blocking element having first and second portions to establish a first configuration free of any open channels such that fluid is prevented from flowing through the channel and a second configuration where the first and second portions are separated to establish an open channel and allow fluid to pass.

Abstract: A medical lead includes a lead body, a connector, an electrical conductor, and a sleeve. The lead body includes a distal end and a proximal end defining a longitudinal axis of the lead body. The connector is positioned near the proximal end of the lead body. The electrical conductor extends about the longitudinal axis of the lead body. The sleeve is coupled to an insulative material of the lead body and positioned around the electrical conductor. The electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the connector. The sleeve includes a fixed portion that is fixed to the electrical conductor and an unfixed portion that is not fixed to the electrical conductor. In response to bending of the medical lead, the conductor may move within the unfixed portion to relieve strain created by the bending.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a structural frame for a body of a motor vehicle, the structural frame defining, at least in part, an occupant compartment of the vehicle, the structural frame comprising a pair of spaced pillars joined together at an upper region of each pillar to a roof crossmember and further joined together at respective points below the roof crossmember to a structural cross-brace, the structural cross-brace is further arranged to support a pair of spaced apart vehicle suspension connectors and, wherein the structural cross-brace projects from the pillars beyond the suspension connectors so that the space in the occupant compartment between the pillars is substantially unobstructed by the structural cross-brace and, at least a portion of the structural cross-brace is accommodated within the occupant compartment.

Abstract: Peritoneal dialysis admixing and/or treatment devices, methods, and systems are disclosed. The systems, methods, and devices provide high-level guarantees of sterility and employs relatively inexpensive disposable components to provide pumping. Disclosed systems, methods, and devices and features thereof are adapted for point of use generation of medicament. In particular admixing systems that employ independently-replaceable long term concentrate are disclosed. Features are directed to assurance of sterility and accurate admixing of water and concentrate to generate ready-to-use medicaments and other benefits.