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 method for assembling a sensor assembly includes providing a sensing device configured to measure at least one variable. The method also includes at least partially enclosing a magnetic material within an enclosure. At least a portion of the enclosure is manufactured from a material having a permeability that facilitates forming a magnetic field therein. The method also includes coupling the sensing device to a first portion of the enclosure. The enclosure includes at least one second portion that is movable with respect to the first portion of the enclosure such that a magnetic coupling force is induced external to the enclosure to facilitate coupling the sensor assembly to a magnetic surface.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent and a plurality of commissure features disposed on the stent. A collapsible and expandable valve assembly includes a plurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissure features, each commissure feature including a body having a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of eyelets is arranged in rows and columns on the body for distributing load from the plurality of leaflets.

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: A delivery device 10 for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a catheter assembly 16 including a shaft 26 around which a compartment 23 is defined, the compartment 23 being adapted to receive the valve in an assembled condition, and a retainer 30 including a pusher 32 and a holder 34 adapted to retain a stent portion 106 of the valve. The catheter assembly 16 also includes a distal sheath 24 adapted to selectively cover and uncover the compartment 23 and the valve, the distal sheath 24 extending around the shaft 26 at least when the distal sheath 24 covers the compartment 23. The pusher 32 includes one or more recesses 40 in a retention edge 33 thereof, each recess 40 being adapted to receive a junction 107 at an end of the stent portion 106 of the valve. The holder 34 includes one or more elongated ribs 50, each rib 50 being adapted to fit into a cell opening 108 of the stent portion 106 of the valve.

Abstract: A system for use in monitoring operation of a rotor assembly is provided. The system includes a plurality of clearance sensors including at least a first clearance sensor configured to measure a distance between the first sensor and a surface of a lockwire tab, and a monitoring unit coupled to the plurality of clearance sensors, the monitoring unit configured to receive measurements from the plurality of clearance sensors, and determine whether a crack exists in the rotor assembly based on the received measurements.

Abstract: A system for use in monitoring operation of a rotor assembly is provided. The system includes a plurality of clearance sensors including at least a first clearance sensor configured to measure a distance between the first sensor and a surface of a lockwire tab, and a monitoring unit coupled to the plurality of clearance sensors, the monitoring unit configured to receive measurements from the plurality of clearance sensors, and determine whether a crack exists in the rotor assembly based on the received measurements.

Abstract: An assembly for collapsing a self-expanding prosthetic heart valve includes a compression member, a support member and a constricting member. The compression member has a tapered wall between its first open end and its second open end, the tapered wall defining an open space adapted to receive the valve. The support member has a base and a recess adapted to receive an end of the valve. The support member and the compression member are movable toward one another to compress the valve and push it through a relatively small aperture in the second open end of the compression member. The second end of the constricting member is sized to receive the compressed valve from the second open end of the compression member for loading into a delivery device.

Abstract: A method for assembling a sensor assembly includes providing a sensing device configured to measure at least one variable. The method also includes at least partially enclosing a magnetic material within an enclosure. At least a portion of the enclosure is manufactured from a material having a permeability that facilitates forming a magnetic field therein. The method also includes coupling the sensing device to a first portion of the enclosure. The enclosure includes at least one second portion that is movable with respect to the first portion of the enclosure such that a magnetic coupling force is induced external to the enclosure to facilitate coupling the sensor assembly to a magnetic surface.

Abstract: Flexible polymeric pipes may have an outer diameter of at least 5/16 inch, with a wall thickness of between 1.75 mm and 2.05 mm and a burst strength of at least 300 psi. The flexible polymeric pipe may include at least 95% by weight of the polymeric pipe of a cross-linked polyethylene, between 0.1% and 0.5% by weight of the polymeric pipe of a cross-linking agent, between 0.05% and 0.6% by weight of the polymeric pipe of an antioxidant, and between 0.01% and 0.6% by weight of the polymeric pipe of a hindered amine light stabilizer.

Abstract: A delivery device for a collapsible heart valve includes an operating handle and a catheter assembly. The operating handle includes a frame defining a movement space therein, a carriage assembly moveable in a longitudinal direction within the movement space, and a coupler having locked and unlocked conditions, the coupler being operatively connected to the carriage assembly for movement therewith. The catheter assembly includes a shaft around which a valve-receiving compartment is defined, the shaft being operatively connected to one of the frame or the carriage assembly, and a distal sheath operatively connected to the carriage assembly for movement therewith between a closed condition adapted to maintain the valve in the compartment and an open condition adapted to fully deploy the valve.

Abstract: A plastic pipe is made of a cross-linked polyolefin to be utilized in, but not limited to, potable water applications. Certain antioxidants and stabilizers are added to a process for producing the plastic pipe. The added antioxidants and stabilizers remain as key components in the final plastic pipes, providing superior long term stability and resistance to oxidative degradation, the latter being caused by but not limited to, chlorinated water environments. At least a primary stabilizer is used in the material.

Abstract: A polymeric composite foam is disclosed where the continuous phase is a foamed phenolic/furan polymer and the disperse phase is a foamed polystyrene polymer. The composite has a preferred density in the range 25-50 kg/m3 and the composites exhibit good thermal insulation and fire resistant properties. The process for preparing the composites is relatively low cost.

Abstract: A plastic pipe is made of a cross-linked polyolefin to be utilized in, but not limited to, potable water applications. Certain antioxidants and stabilizers are added to a process for producing the plastic pipe. The added antioxidants and stabilizers remain as key components in the final plastic pipes, providing superior long term stability and resistance to oxidative degradation, the latter being caused by but not limited to, chlorinated water environments. At least a primary stabilizer is used in the material.

Abstract: A method and system of evaluating the geometry of the nuclear cavity within the annulus. A three-dimensional mold of the nuclear cavity is created. The three-dimensional mold is preferably removed from the nuclear cavity. The three-dimensional mold can be used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the nuclear cavity.

Abstract: This invention provides a gloss-coated electrophotographic paper with superior runnability and print quality in colour and monochrome copiers and printers. The coated paper product comprises a paper substrate coated on at least one side with a pigmented coating. The pigment coating consists of a mixture of at least three different pigments and a binder. The coating may further include a lubricant. Optionally, the coating formulation may contain an optical brightening agent, a defoamer and a thickener. In addition, the gloss coated electrophotographic paper of this invention provides a superior toner adhesion in colour and monochrome electrophotographic imaging applications.

Abstract: The invention provides a nucleotide sequence of bovine epidermal growth factor (bEGF) and the deduced amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. The invention further provides the nucleotide sequence of mature bEGF and the deduced mature bEGF protein. The invention extends to homologous nucleic acids, proteins, and fragments functionally equivalent to the nucleotide sequence of the bEGF gene and bEGF protein, respectively. Bovine EGF may be expressed in microorganisms such as E. coli or P. pastoris, and plant hosts, such as potato. Activity of recombinant bEGF may be confirmed using a cell proliferation/DNA synthesis assay. Bovine EGF demonstrates utility in livestock and dairy productions as a supplement in farm animal feed to promote growth; to prevent or treat intestinal infections; to stimulate precocious maturation of gut cells to secrete an appropriate spectrum of digestive enzymes; and to increase nutrient absorption.