Abstract: Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of belts or bands that can be used in treatments for tricuspid valve regurgitation. In some embodiments, such belts may be heat-set in a particular configuration to effectively decrease tricuspid annulus when deployed around the atrioventricular groove. Embodiments include one or more tensioning sutures for applying cinching or tightening to belts when deployed, and structure for effectively distributing force during such tightening. Embodiments of tensioning members, protective members, and devices and methods for open-surgical placement (e.g. around a heart for annuloplasty) are also disclosed.

Abstract: Among other things, there is disclosed structure and methods for maintaining access to a location in the body while reducing or eliminating the potential for pulling an access device (e.g. a catheter) back through an opening. An introducer sheath includes a distal indented portion and a balloon, so that once placed in a desired location through tissue, the balloon can be inflated to anchor the sheath against retraction. In particular embodiments, structure and methods for accessing the pericardial cavity via the right atrial appendage are shown.

Abstract: Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of belts or bands that can be used in treatments for tricuspid valve regurgitation. In some embodiments, such belts may be heat-set in a particular configuration to effectively decrease tricuspid annulus when deployed around the atrioventricular groove. Embodiments include one or more tensioning sutures for applying cinching or tightening to belts when deployed, and structure for effectively distributing force during such tightening. Embodiments of tensioning members, protective members, and devices and methods for open-surgical placement (e.g. around a heart for annuloplasty) are also disclosed.

Abstract: Among other things, there is disclosed structure and methods for maintaining access to a location in the body while reducing or eliminating the potential for pulling an access device (e.g. a catheter) back through an opening. An introducer sheath includes a distal indented portion and a balloon, so that once placed in a desired location through tissue, the balloon can be inflated to anchor the sheath against retraction. In particular embodiments, structure and methods for accessing the pericardial cavity via the right atrial appendage are shown.

Abstract: There are shown and described embodiments of a closure device for closing holes in tissue, for example in the right atrial appendage. The closure device in particular embodiments includes first and second mesh closure members and a tether or stem connecting them. Embodiments of a delivery device for the closure device are also described.

Abstract: There are shown and described embodiments of a closure device for closing holes in tissue, for example in the right atrial appendage. The closure device in particular embodiments includes first and second mesh closure members and a tether or stem connecting them. Embodiments of a delivery device for the closure device are also described.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods suitable for delivering an agent including a plurality of particles to a target site. In example embodiments, a system suitable for delivering an agent to a target site includes a catheter having a first wall defining a lumen sized for delivery of the agent to the target site. The catheter has a distal end terminating with a primary opening of the lumen, an opposing proximal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end. At least one secondary opening is formed at the distal end, wherein the secondary opening is configured to allow fluid to flow through the secondary opening to create a steady flow of fluid at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis and prevent the plurality of particles from flowing through the secondary opening.

Abstract: Among other things, there are shown embodiments of locking mechanisms for holding sutures in tension. Such devices may be used with implants that use or require sutures, and are easily locked remotely. In particular embodiments, a lock includes a housing member, a pin member at least partially within the housing member, and a spring biasing the pin member into the housing member. The pin member includes a gripping portion, and has a retracted condition and a locked condition. When retracted, a suture can move through the housing member and around the gripping portion of the pin member. When locked, the gripping portion of the pin member engages the suture and presses it against the interior of the housing member.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a slider configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording. The slider includes an input coupler configured to receive light excited by a light source. The slider includes a waveguide core tapering along a light propagation direction from a first cross-sectional width to a second cross-sectional width, the waveguide configured to provide a surface plasmon-enhanced near-field radiation pattern proximate an output end in response to the received light. One or more cladding layers surround the waveguide core. At least one strip of plasmonic material is disposed between the waveguide core and at least one of the one or more cladding layers.

Abstract: Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of belts or bands that can be used in treatments for tricuspid valve regurgitation. In some embodiments, such belts may be heat-set in a particular configuration to effectively decrease tricuspid annulus when deployed around the atrioventricular groove. Embodiments include one or more tensioning sutures for applying cinching or tightening to belts when deployed, and structure for effectively distributing force during such tightening.

Abstract: Among other things, there is disclosed structure and methods for maintaining access to a location in the body while reducing or eliminating the potential for pulling an access device (e.g. a catheter) back through an opening. An introducer sheath includes a distal indented portion and a balloon, so that once placed in a desired location through tissue, the balloon can be inflated to anchor the sheath against retraction. In particular embodiments, structure and methods for accessing the pericardial cavity via the right atrial appendage are shown.

Abstract: Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of belts or bands that can be used in treatments for tricuspid valve regurgitation. In some embodiments, such belts may be heat-set in a particular configuration to effectively decrease tricuspid annulus when deployed around the atrioventricular groove. Embodiments include one or more tensioning sutures for applying cinching or tightening to belts when deployed, and structure for effectively distributing force during such tightening.

Abstract: A method and a communication system includes establishing a communication link between a first vehicle and an off-board database. The first vehicle and the off-board database are communicatively linked via a first communication system. A message from a second vehicle may be received via the off-board database. The second vehicle and the off-board database are communicatively coupled via a second communication system. A response may be communicated from the first vehicle to the second vehicle via the off-board database.

Abstract: Among other things, there is disclosed structure and methods for maintaining access to a location in the body while reducing or eliminating the potential for pulling an access device (e.g. a catheter) back through an opening. An introducer sheath includes a distal indented portion and a balloon, so that once placed in a desired location through tissue, the balloon can be inflated to anchor the sheath against retraction. In particular embodiments, structure and methods for accessing the pericardial cavity via the right atrial appendage are shown.

Abstract: A method and a communication system includes establishing a communication link between a first vehicle and an off-board database. The first vehicle and the off-board database are communicatively linked via a first communication system. A message from a second vehicle may be received via the off-board database. The second vehicle and the off-board database are communicatively coupled via a second communication system. A response may be communicated from the first vehicle to the second vehicle via the off-board database.

Abstract: Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of belts or bands that can be used in treatments for tricuspid valve regurgitation. In some embodiments, such belts may be heat-set in a particular configuration to effectively decrease tricuspid annulus when deployed around the atrioventricular groove. Embodiments include one or more tensioning sutures for applying cinching or tightening to belts when deployed, and structure for effectively distributing force during such tightening. Embodiments of tensioning members, protective members, and devices and methods for open-surgical placement (e.g. around a heart for annuloplasty) are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device including a near field transducer, the near field transducer including a near field transducer, the near field transducer comprising a copper (Cu) alloy of the formula Cu1?zXz, where z ranges from 0.001 to 0.9 and X is selected from aluminum (Al), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), erbium (Er), iron (Fe), gold (Au), hafnium (Hf), iridium (Ir), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), rhenium (Re), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), silicon (Si), tin (Sn), tantalum (Ta), tellurium (Te), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), yttrium (Y), zinc (Zn), zirconium (Zr), or combinations thereof.

Abstract: There are shown and described embodiments of a closure device for closing holes in tissue, for example in the right atrial appendage. The closure device in particular embodiments includes first and second mesh closure members and a tether or stem connecting them. Embodiments of a delivery device for the closure device are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to acirculation subassembly (circsub) for incorporation in a drill pipe. The circsub has a flow through condition in which the circsub allows fluid to flow through a bore of the circsub and does not allow fluid communication between the bore of the circsub and an annulus located outside the drill pipe, a partial bypass condition in which the circsub allows fluid to flow through the bore of the circsub and allows fluid communication between the bore of the circsub and the annulus, and a full bypass condition in which the circsub does not allow fluid to flow through the bore of the circsub and allows fluid communication between the bore of the circsub and the annulus. An actuator is provided to change the circsub between conditions under the control of a controller.

Abstract: There are shown and described embodiments of a closure device for closing holes in tissue, for example in the right atrial appendage. The closure device in particular embodiments includes first and second mesh closure members and a tether or stem connecting them. Embodiments of a delivery device for the closure device are also described.