Abstract: A temporary subvalvular check valve has a collar and an expandable seal structure connected by pivotable struts that together support flexible leaflets. The check valve can be introduced along a tool shaft and positioned in a chamber or vasculature by expanding the seal structure against an adjacent wall. Cardiac function is augmented during valve procedures, such as valve excision, valve implantation, or valve leaflet replacement, by placing the temporary check valve just upstream of the valve being treated. The temporary check valve is collapsible so that it can be inserted through a small incision or port in the apex of the heart or through the aorta, into the ventricular cavity. Such a system thus does not require arrest or pacing of the heart and will allow such valve repair or replacement procedures to be done without concern for time or compromise to the patients' physiology.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating transapical removal of a prosthetic heart valve, i.e., percutaneously implantable valve (PIV), with-out open-heart surgery. The apparatus includes a holding tool for holding the PIV, a cutting tool for separating the PrV from fibrotic tissue accumulating around the PIV, and a removal tool for extracting the PIV from the heart.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for an adjustable display screen such as for a notebook computer or other portable device. In some examples, at least one display screen rail may be rotatably coupled to a back edge of a notebook computer base unit at a hinge rod. The display screen of the notebook computer may slide along and/or pivot on the at least one display screen rail in a direction to bring the display screen toward a user of the notebook computer while leaving room for the user to access a keyboard located on a top surface of the base unit. Mechanisms may be coupled to the notebook computer to transmit motion of the display screen along a first display screen rail to motion of the display screen along a second display screen rail, thereby mitigating binding of the display screen as it slides along the display screen rails.

Abstract: A valve assembly with an exchangeable valve member and a docking station, and a tool set that facilitates the exchange of a valve member. The tool set includes a stabilizer or holding tool for holding the docking station during an exchange procedure, a valve extraction or removal tool for removing an existing valve member from an installed docking station, and an insertion tool for installing a replacement valve member.

Abstract: A cardiovascular valve system including a permanent base unit that is affixed to the patient using conventional sutures or staples, and a collapsible valve having a collapsible frame that mates with the permanent base unit, and supports valve leaflets. An installed collapsible frame may be re-collapsed and disengaged from the permanent housing. A new collapsible valve is then installed, to resume the function of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A cardiovascular valve assembly comprising a base member that is affixed to a patient using conventional sutures or staples, and a replaceable valve member including a valve frame that supports a plurality of valve leaflets. The valve member mates with the base member, and can be detached from the base member for convenient replacement.

Abstract: A cardiovascular valve and assembly that facilitates valve installation and exchange. A mechanical cardiovascular valve having multiple sections and/or folding components provides easier valve installation. The cardiovascular valve assembly includes an exchangeable mechanical or bioprosthetic valve and a docking station to allow convenient replacement of a first valve with a second valve of the same or different type.

Abstract: Tools for the removal and installation of exchangeable cardiovascular valves. The tools facilitate rapid exchange of a cardiovascular valve member mounted in the aortic position (retrograde exchange) or the mitral position (transapical exchange).

Abstract: A cardiovascular valve assembly comprised of a base member and an exchangeable valve member detachably mountable thereto. The base member includes a tubular body. The valve member includes a valve frame that supports a plurality of valve leaflets. The diameter of the tubular body can be increased to receive an exchangeable valve member having larger dimensions.

Abstract: A cardiovascular valve assembly comprising a base member that is affixed to a patient using conventional sutures or staples, and a replaceable valve member including a valve frame that supports a plurality of valve leaflets. The valve member mates with the base member, and can be detached from the base member for convenient replacement.

Abstract: A cardiovascular valve system including a permanent base unit that is affixed to the patient using conventional sutures or staples, and a collapsible valve having a collapsible frame that mates with the permanent base unit, and supports valve leaflets. An installed collapsible frame may be re-collapsed and disengaged from the permanent housing. A new collapsible valve is then installed, to resume the function of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A cardiovascular valve system including a permanent base unit that is affixed to the patient using conventional sutures or staples, and a collapsible valve having a collapsible frame that mates with the permanent base unit, and supports valve leaflets. An installed collapsible frame may be re-collapsed and disengaged from the permanent housing. A new collapsible valve is then installed, to resume the function of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A pseudo-random number generating circuit and method, comprising: a plurality of pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) units combined in a cascade structure of several layers to produce a pseudo-random output stream, the PRNG units of any given layer running more slowly than those PRNG units of more downstream layers of the cascade structure and running more quickly than those PRNG units of more upstream layers of the cascade structure, the PRNG units including a relatively slow but cryptographically very secure PRNG unit feeding the most upstream layer of the cascade structure, and very fast, but possibly cryptographically insecure PRNG unit at the most downstream layer.

Abstract: A cardiovascular valve system including a permanent base unit that is affixed to the patient using conventional sutures or staples, and a collapsible valve having a collapsible frame that mates with the permanent base unit, and supports valve leaflets. An installed collapsible frame may be re-collapsed and disengaged from the permanent housing. A new collapsible valve is then installed, to resume the function of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A system for minimally invasive insertion of a bioprosthetic heart valve. The system includes a collapsible tissue-based valve system, a catheter-based valve delivery system, a surgical platform and a device tracking and visualization system. The collapsible valve system includes: (i) a permanent outer frame (10) that is affixed to the patient using conventional sutures or staples, and (ii) a collapsible valve (20) having a collapsible inner frame (21) that mates with the outer frame (10), and supports valve leaflets (13). The inner frame (21) is moved to a collapsed position and located at the previously installed outer frame (10). The inner frame (21) is then expanded to lock the inner frame (21) to the outer frame (10). The inner frame (21) may be re-collapsed and disengaged from the outer frame (10). A new collapsible valve (20) is then installed, to resume the function of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A tissue equivalent and method of making and using same is provided herein. The tissue equivalent disclosed herein is particularly useful in the repair or replacement of mitral valve chordae, and is prepared by combining collagen with living tissue cells to form a collagen gel and controlling shrinkage of the collagen gel to cause collagen fibrils in the collagen gel to align along a single axis in an unbranched configuration or multiple paths in a branched configuration.

Abstract: A cardiovascular valve system including a permanent base unit that is affixed to the patient using conventional sutures or staples, and a collapsible valve having a collapsible frame that mates with the permanent base unit, and supports valve leaflets. An installed collapsible frame may be re-collapsed and disengaged from the permanent housing. A new collapsible valve is then installed, to resume the function of the prosthesis.

Abstract: An apparatus for fatigue testing a material comprising a first clamp and a second clamp to secure the material, means for rotating the first clamp in one direction relative to the second clamp and means for rotating the second clamp in an opposite direction relative to the first clamp thereby bending the material, and a pair of cam mechanisms for translating the first and second clamps in opposite directions thereby stretching the material. The apparatus is capable of bending and stretching the material within one complete cycle.

Abstract: A pseudo-random number generating circuit and method, comprising: a plurality of pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) units combined in a cascade structure of several layers to produce a pseudo-random output stream, the PRNG units of any given layer running more slowly than those PRNG units of more downstream layers of the cascade structure and running more quickly than those PRNG units of more upstream layers of the cascade structure, the PRNG units including a relatively slow but cryptographically very secure PRNG unit feeding the most upstream layer of the cascade structure, and very fast, but possibly cryptographically insecure PRNG unit at the most downstream layer.

Abstract: A method for carrying out a medical procedure using a 3-D tracking and imaging system (1600). A surgical instrument, such as a catheter, probe, sensor, pacemaker lead, needle, or the like is inserted into a living being, and the position of the surgical instrument is tracked as it moves through a medium in a bodily structure. The location of the surgical instrument relative to its immediate surroundings is displayed to improve a physician's ability to precisely position the surgical instrument. The medical procedures including targeted drug delivery, sewing sutures, removal of an obstruction from the circulatory system, a biopsy, amniocentesis, brain surgery, measurement of cervical dilation, evaluation of knee stability, assessment of myocardial contractibility, eye surgery, prostate surgery, trans-myocardial revascularization (TMR), robotic surgery, and evaluation of RF transmissions.