Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve 300 may include a collapsible and expandable stent 306 having a proximal end 302, a distal end 304, an annulus section adjacent the proximal end, and a plurality of cells connected to one another in annular rows around the stent, a cuff 312 attached to the stent, and a sealing member 322 attached to the cuff and extending from a proximal end 313 of the cuff to a free edge 323. The sealing member 322 may be movable between an extended condition in which the free edge 323 is located proximally of the proximal end 302 of the stent 306, and an inverted condition in which the free edge is located distally of the proximal end of the stent and a first surface 324 of the sealing member confronts an outward-facing surface of the cuff. Various mechanisms for moving the sealing member 322 are also described.

Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) turbine blade assembly includes a rotor, a CMC turbine blade, and at least one dovetail sleeve. The rotor has a blade slot with at least one slot surface. The slot surface is at a slot angle. The CMC turbine blade is received in the blade slot. The CMC turbine blade includes a dovetail root having at least one root surface. The root surface is at a root angle. The root angle is at least 5 degrees greater than the slot angle. The dovetail sleeve is received in the blade slot of the rotor. The dovetail sleeve has at least one inner surface contacting at least one root surface and at least one outer surface contacting at least one slot surface to radially retain the CMC turbine blade in the blade slot. A dovetail sleeve and a method of mounting a CMC turbine blade are also disclosed.

Abstract: A delivery device (10) for an implantable medical device includes an inner shaft (26) extending in a longitudinal direction and defining a compartment (23) adapted to receive the medical device in an assembled condition, an outer shaft (22) surrounding a longitudinal portion of the inner shaft, and a distal sheath (24) operatively attached to the outer shaft (22). The distal sheath (24) is slidable between a first position enclosing the compartment (23) and a second position exposing the compartment (23) for deployment of the medical device. A sleeve 30 surrounds at least a longitudinal portion of the outer shaft (22) and provides a substantially blood tight bearing surface that facilitates sliding movement of the delivery device (10) in an introducer (2).

Abstract: This invention relates to a polymeric pipe, and more particularly a polymeric pipe where the pipe comprises a crosslinked polyolefin formed from extruded polyolefin comprising a photoinitiator and a reactive extrusion species. More particularly, this invention relates to the manufacturing of plastic pipes and tubing by utilizing co-rotating twin screw extrusion combined with photo-induced crosslinking, of thermoplastic polymers such as polyethylene, to produce PEX pipes and tubing.

Abstract: A preform CMC article is disclosed comprising an interior ply structure having at least one interior CMC ply including at least one longitudinal CMC ply disposed along the article length, an exterior shell ply forming an article surface and having at least one exterior CMC ply substantially surrounding the interior ply structure, and at least one wicking portion in which the interior ply structure penetrates the exterior ply shell with an exposed edge of the longitudinal CMC ply disposed at the article surface. A CMC article is disclosed including the interior ply structure and the exterior ply shell, wherein the longitudinal CMC ply includes an exposed edge disposed at the surface of the CMC article. A method for forming the CMC article is disclosed including wicking a melt infiltration agent into the article through the wicking portion into the interior ply structure along the longitudinal CMC ply.

Abstract: A delivery device for a collapsible medical device may include a handle and a delivery assembly having a compartment for receiving the medical device. A catheter member may extend from the handle to the delivery assembly. The catheter member may have a first portion with a first compliance value and a second portion with a second compliance value different from the first compliance value. An internally threaded member may be fixedly connected to the delivery assembly. An externally threaded member may have a first portion operatively connected to the actuation member and a second portion threadedly coupled to the internally threaded member so that manipulation of the actuation member causes axial movement of the compartment relative to the catheter member.

Abstract: A device for holding an implantable medical device includes a jar for receiving the implantable medical device, and a ring coupleable to the jar. The ring has a plurality of channels adapted to receive retaining features of the implantable medical device to stabilize the medical device within the jar.

Abstract: A turbine component patch delivery system can include a compressed gas source fluidly connected to a delivery line comprising a dispensing end. The turbine component patch delivery system can further include one or more turbine component patch carriers that can be projected out of the dispensing end of the delivery line by the compressed gas source, wherein each of the one or more turbine component patch carriers comprise a turbine component patch material housed within a breakaway shell.

Abstract: A device for repositioning an implant within a lumen of a subject including (a) a catheter having forward and rearward ends and a collapsible and expansible stop element mounted adjacent the forward end of the catheter, the stop element being adapted to engage a wall of the lumen when expanded and to provide one or more passages extending from a rear side of the stop element to a forward side of the stop element when the stop element is expanded and engaged with the wall of the lumen and (b) one or more snares, each snare having engagement features, the stop element and the snares being constructed and arranged so that the snares can be positioned extending through the one or more passages with their engagement features forward of the stop element.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polymeric pipe, and more particularly a polymeric pipe where the pipe comprises a crosslinked polyolefin formed from extruded polyolefin comprising a photoinitiator and a reactive extrusion species. More particularly, this invention relates to the manufacturing of plastic pipes and tubing by utilizing co-rotating twin screw extrusion combined with photo-induced crosslinking, of thermoplastic polymers such as polyethylene, to produce PEX pipes and tubing.

Abstract: A method of forming an article includes forming a plurality of channels and ridges in a silicon-containing layer on a surface of a substrate of the article using a mask placed on the surface of the substrate or the silicon-containing layer.

Abstract: A delivery device for a collapsible medical device may include a handle and a delivery assembly having a compartment for receiving the medical device. A catheter member may extend from the handle to the delivery assembly. The catheter member may have a first portion with a first compliance value and a second portion with a second compliance value different from the first compliance value. An internally threaded member may be fixedly connected to the delivery assembly. An externally threaded member may have a first portion operatively connected to the actuation member and a second portion threadedly coupled to the internally threaded member so that manipulation of the actuation member causes axial movement of the compartment relative to the catheter member.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a ply is disclosed. The method includes printing the ply, the ply including a near net shape and a ceramic matrix composite nonwoven material. A ply is disclosed wherein the near net shape is a predetermined layer of an article. A method for manufacturing an article is also disclosed. The method includes printing a first ply and a second ply. The first ply includes a first near net shape and a first ceramic matrix composite nonwoven material, and the second ply includes a second near net shape and a second ceramic matrix composite nonwoven material. The method further includes applying the second ply to the first ply, and consolidating the first ply and the second ply.

Abstract: A device for repositioning an implant within a lumen of a subject including (a) a catheter having forward and rearward ends and a collapsible and expansible stop element mounted adjacent the forward end of the catheter, the stop element being adapted to engage a wall of the lumen when expanded and to provide one or more passages extending from a rear side of the stop element to a forward side of the stop element when the stop element is expanded and engaged with the wall of the lumen and (b) one or more snares, each snare having engagement features, the stop element and the snares being constructed and arranged so that the snares can be positioned extending through the one or more passages with their engagement features forward of the stop element.

Abstract: A hollow CMC article, a mandrel for forming the article and a method for forming the article are disclosed. The article includes a ply-wrap layer defining a cavity. The ply-wrap layer includes a first face, a second face, a root portion bridging the faces, and a plurality of CMC wrap plies. The root portion defines a terminus of the ply-wrap layer including a cross-sectional conformation consisting of a curve having a single turning point. Each of the plurality of CMC wrap plies are disposed along the first face, wrap over the root portion, and extend along the second face. The hollow article further includes a plurality of CMC lateral plies disposed along the faces.

Abstract: An introducer provides access to a surgical site in a patient. The introducer includes a proximal housing configured to be positioned outside the patient and a sheath extending from the proximal housing to a distal end of the introducer. One or more handles may be housed at least partially within the proximal housing and configured to translate axially in proximal and distal directions with respect to the proximal housing. A securing element may be slideably coupled to the sheath and may have a flange extending radially outwardly from the sheath. A radially expanding portion of the sheath may have a first edge, a second edge, and a middle section extending from the first edge to the second edge. The sheath portion may have a rolled configuration in which the middle section at least partially overlies the first edge, and the second edge at least partially overlies the middle section.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for feeding thread at a knitting machine. One embodiment is a thread feeding device which includes a spool that supplies thread to a knitting device through a thread path and a motor that drives the spool. The device and further includes a mobile guide in the thread path that changes position due to changes in thread tension as the knitting device draws thread through the mobile guide. The thread feeding device also includes a sensor that measures a change in position of the mobile guide, and a controller that determines an amount of tension applied to the thread by the knitting device based on the change in position, and adjusts a speed of a motor that drives the spool based on the amount of tension.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for feeding thread at a knitting machine. One embodiment is a thread feeding device which includes a spool that supplies thread to a knitting device through a thread path and a motor that drives the spool. The device and further includes a mobile guide in the thread path that changes position due to changes in thread tension as the knitting device draws thread through the mobile guide. The thread feeding device also includes a sensor that measures a change in position of the mobile guide, and a controller that determines an amount of tension applied to the thread by the knitting device based on the change in position, and adjusts a speed of a motor that drives the spool based on the amount of tension.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an artifact (15) includes treating natural fibers (110) with a non-halogenated flame retardant agent (120), the fibers (110) also being treated with a smoke suppressant (120). At least one pre-preg is formed (170, 180) from the treated natural fibers and from a resin composition (160) including a smoke suppressant (150) admixed therein (160). An uncured artifact is formed from a core or substrate (12) and the pre-preg, which provides a skin, and is cured (210). A non-fibrous silicate fire resistant material (190, 230) is introduced by: (i) admixing the fire resistant material with the resin composition, and/or (ii) applying the fire resistant material to an outer surface of the pre-preg or an outer surface of the skin of the uncured artifact, and/or (iii) applying the fire resistant material to an outer surface of the skin of the cured artifact. The invention extends to a flame-proofed artifact (15).

Abstract: An introducer provides access to a surgical site in a patient. The introducer includes a proximal housing configured to be positioned outside the patient and a sheath extending from the proximal housing to a distal end of the introducer. One or more handles may be housed at least partially within the proximal housing and configured to translate axially in proximal and distal directions with respect to the proximal housing. A securing element may be slideably coupled to the sheath and may have a flange extending radially outwardly from the sheath. A radially expanding portion of the sheath may have a first edge, a second edge, and a middle section extending from the first edge to the second edge. The sheath portion may have a rolled configuration in which the middle section at least partially overlies the first edge, and the second edge at least partially overlies the middle section.