Abstract: In one aspect, an arteriovenous access valve system may generally include a first valve configured to be positioned at or adjacent to an end of an arteriovenous graft and a second valve configured to be positioned at or adjacent to an opposite end of the arteriovenous graft. In addition, the system may include an actuator assembly in fluid communication with the first and second valves. The actuator assembly may include a housing, a driver assembly positioned within the housing and a drive magnet positioned within the housing. The drive magnet may be rotatably coupled to the driver assembly such that, when the drive magnet is rotated, the driver assembly is configured to be rotatably driven so as to supply fluid to the first and second valves or to draw fluid out of the first and second valves depending on a rotational direction of the driver assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect, an arteriovenous access valve system may generally include a first valve configured to be positioned at or adjacent to an end of arteriovenous graft and a second valve configured to be positioned at or adjacent to an opposite end of the arteriovenous graft. In addition, the system may include an actuator assembly in fluid communication with the first and second valves. The actuator assembly may include a housing, a driver assembly positioned within the housing and a drive magnet positioned within the housing. The drive magnet may be rotatably coupled to the driver assembly such that, when the drive magnet is rotated, the driver assembly is configured to be rotatably driven so as to supply fluid to the first and second valves or to draw fluid out of the first and second valves depending on a rotational direction of the driver assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect, an arteriovenous access valve system may generally include a first valve configured to be positioned at or adjacent to an end of arteriovenous graft and a second valve configured to be positioned at or adjacent to an opposite end of the arteriovenous graft. In addition, the system may include an actuator assembly in fluid communication with the first and second valves. The actuator assembly may include a housing, a driver assembly positioned within the housing and a drive magnet positioned within the housing. The drive magnet may be rotatably coupled to the driver assembly such that, when the drive magnet is rotated, the driver assembly is configured to be rotatably driven so as to supply fluid to the first and second valves or to draw fluid out of the first and second valves depending on a rotational direction of the driver assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect, an arteriovenous access valve system may generally include a first valve configured to be positioned at or adjacent to an end of an arteriovenous graft and a second valve configured to be positioned at or adjacent to an opposite end of the arteriovenous graft. In addition, the system may include an actuator assembly in fluid communication with the first and second valves. The actuator assembly may include a housing, a driver assembly positioned within the housing and a drive magnet positioned within the housing. The drive magnet may be rotatably coupled to the driver assembly such that, when the drive magnet is rotated, the driver assembly is configured to be rotatably driven so as to supply fluid to the first and second valves or to draw fluid out of the first and second valves depending on a rotational direction of the driver assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect, an arteriovenous access valve system may generally include a first valve configured to be positioned at or adjacent to an end of an arteriovenous graft and a second valve configured to be positioned at or adjacent to an opposite end of the arteriovenous graft. In addition, the system may include an actuator assembly in fluid communication with the first and second valves. The actuator assembly may include a housing, a driver assembly positioned within the housing and a drive magnet positioned within the housing. The drive magnet may be rotatably coupled to the driver assembly such that, when the drive magnet is rotated, the driver assembly is configured to be rotatably driven so as to supply fluid to the first and second valves or to draw fluid out of the first and second valves depending on a rotational direction of the driver assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect, an arteriovenous access valve system may generally include a first valve configured to be positioned at or adjacent to an end of an arteriovenous graft and a second valve configured to be positioned at or adjacent to an opposite end of the arteriovenous graft. In addition, the system may include an actuator assembly in fluid communication with the first and second valves. The actuator assembly may include a housing, a driver assembly positioned within the housing and a drive magnet positioned within the housing. The drive magnet may be rotatably coupled to the driver assembly such that, when the drive magnet is rotated, the driver assembly is configured to be rotatably driven so as to supply fluid to the first and second valves or to draw fluid out of the first and second valves depending on a rotational direction of the driver assembly.

Abstract: An arteriovenous access valve system may generally include a first valve tube extending lengthwise between an arterial end and a first joint end, with the first valve tube including a first valve device. The system may also include a separate second valve tube extending lengthwise between a venous end and a second joint end, with the second valve tube including a second valve device. In addition, the system may include at least one tube connector coupled between the first and second valve tubes.

Abstract: In one aspect, an arteriovenous access valve system may generally include a first valve configured to be positioned at or adjacent to an end of an arteriovenous graft and a second valve configured to be positioned at or adjacent to an opposite end of the arteriovenous graft. In addition, the system may include an actuator assembly in fluid communication with the first and second valves. The actuator assembly may include a housing, a driver assembly positioned within the housing and a drive magnet positioned within the housing. The drive magnet may be rotatably coupled to the driver assembly such that, when the drive magnet is rotated, the driver assembly is configured to be rotatably driven so as to supply fluid to the first and second valves or to draw fluid out of the first and second valves depending on a rotational direction of the driver assembly.

Abstract: Network connectivity management can manage (e.g., harmonize) network connectivity services and network connectivity modules. By way of example only, network connectivity management is applicable to connections to a network through a network connectivity service via a network connectivity module. In a described implementation, network connectivity configuration information is scanned to locate data that corresponds to a preferred network connectivity service for a given connection scenario. The network connectivity module used in the given connection scenario is extracted. It is detected if the extracted network connectivity module is a preferred network connectivity module that is associated with the preferred network connectivity service. If not, the connection scenario can be redirected away from the non-preferred network connectivity module and toward the preferred network connectivity module. A user may optionally be given an opportunity to elect to connect via the preferred network connectivity module.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, there are systems and methods for predicting end of life of a Li-ion battery. The method can include at least one of partially charging and partially discharging a battery, measuring an open circuit voltage of the battery before and after at least one of partial charging and partial discharging, and determining a state of charge value of the battery corresponding to the open circuit voltage measured before and after at least one of partial charging and partial discharging. The method can also include correlating at least one of a charge energy and a discharge energy with a change in the state of charge value and extrapolating to get a full battery capacity, tracking the full battery capacity as a function of time, and performing trend analysis of the full battery capacity over time to predict the battery's end of life.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, there are systems and methods for predicting end of life of a Li-ion battery. The method can include at least one of partially charging and partially discharging a battery, measuring an open circuit voltage of the battery before and after at least one of partial charging and partial discharging, and determining a state of charge value of the battery corresponding to the open circuit voltage measured before and after at least one of partial charging and partial discharging. The method can also include correlating at least one of a charge energy and a discharge energy with a change in the state of charge value and extrapolating to get a full battery capacity, tracking the full battery capacity as a function of time, and performing trend analysis of the full battery capacity over time to predict the battery's end of life.

Abstract: Composite products having mineral networks polymerized about cellulosic material and a method for making such products are described. One embodiment of the composite product comprises a paper product having a polymerized mineral network, such as a silica/silicate network around, throughout and/or about the cellulosic material instead of having isolated particles of filler material deposited onto, or purposefully bonded to, the cellulosic material. One embodiment of the method comprises providing a mixture comprising cellulosic material, a Group I metal silicate and a Group II metal base or salt. The mixture is then carbonated to produce a product comprising precipitated carbonate filler material and a polymerized mineral network about the cellulosic material. This product is then formed into paper products wherein the ash content can be substantially greater than conventional paper products while maintaining suitable strength properties.

Abstract: A non-cracking hydrophilic polyether sulfone membrane is prepared by (a) directly coating the entire surface of a hydrophobic polyethersulfone membrane with an aqueous solution of a polyalkylene oxide polymer and at least one polyfunctional monomer, and (b) polymerizing the monomer over the entire surface of the membrane under conditions which cause the resulting polymer to attach to the polyethersulfone membrane and the polyethylene oxide to form a non-extractable surface which does not crack when the membrane is folded to form a pleated cartridge.

Abstract: Composite products having mineral networks polymerized about cellulosic material and a method for making such products are described. One embodiment of the composite product comprises a paper product having a polymerized mineral network, such as a silica/silicate network around, throughout and/or about the cellulosic material instead of having isolated particles of filler material deposited onto, or purposefully bonded to, the cellulosic material. One embodiment of the method comprises providing a mixture comprising cellulosic material, a Group I metal silicate and a Group II metal base or salt. The mixture is then carbonated to produce a product comprising precipitated carbonate filler material and a polymerized mineral network about the cellulosic material. This product is then formed into paper products wherein the ash content can be substantially greater than conventional paper products while maintaining suitable strength properties.

Abstract: A non-cracking hydrophilic polyether sulfone membrane is prepared by (a) directly coating the entire surface of a hydrophobic polyethersulfone membrane with an aqueous solution of a polyalkylene oxide polymer and at least one polyfunctional monomer, and (b) polymerizing the monomer over the entire surface of the membrane under conditions which cause the resulting polymer to attach to the polyethersulfone membrane and the polyethylene oxide to form a non-extractable surface which does not crack when the membrane is folded to form a pleated cartridge.

Abstract: A non-cracking hydrophilic polyether sulfone membrane is prepared by (a) directly coating the entire surface of a hydrophobic polyethersulfone membrane with an aqueous solution of a polyalkylene oxide polymer and at least one polyfunctional monomer, and (b) polymerizing the monomer over the entire surface of the membrane under conditions which cause the resulting polymer to attach to the polyethersulfone membrane and the polyethylene oxide to form a non-extractable surface which does not crack when the membrane is folded to form a pleated cartridge.

Abstract: A method for making a skinless essentially symmetrical hydrophobic polysulfone microporous membrane by the steps of (a) forming a casting solution containing (i) a dissolved polyethersulfone polymer, (ii) a solvent for the polyethersulfone polymer, and (iii) a lower aliphatic glycol; (b) coating a substrate with the casting composition; (c) exposing the coated substrate to atmospheric conditions; (d) passing the exposed coated substrate into a precipitation bath to precipitate the membrane, the precipitation bath containing a lower aliphatic glycol and water; (e) rinsing the membrane; and (f) drying the membrane.

Abstract: A greatly simplified improved vacuum filter funnel consists of two pieces, namely an upper reservoir member and a lower spout member. The upper reservoir member has an annular ring downwardly extending from the bottom thereof which fits inside an annular rim upwardly extending from the top of the lower spout member. A filter disk rests on an integral grid at the top of the lower spout member and is held in place between the upper and lower members by solely the weight of the upper member. The filter disk is readily removed after simply lifting up the upper reservoir member. Both the reservoir and spout members are preferably constructed of a chemical and heat resistant organic plastic, for example polysulfone, so that the parts may be sterilized in an autoclave.

Abstract: Polyamide (nylon) microporous membranes are prepared from a polyamide (nylon) polymer which contains aromatic rings, aliphatic carbon chains, and amide groups. The membranes exhibit improved long term performance characteristics.

Abstract: Exit area control panels 18 are supported for movement at an angle with respect to the nozzle axis 12. A varying exit area is formed as actuator 26 axially positions the panels 18. In each exit area control panel 18, there is slidably supported a throat area control panel 28, driven by actuator 32. A sliding throat is achieved as the two panels 18,28 are moved in each quadrant. Yaw and pitch vectoring is accomplished with selective positioning of the two panels.