Abstract: A guide catheter may include a tubular member having an inner layer defining a lumen extending therethrough, a reinforcing braid disposed about the inner layer, a plurality of steering wires interwoven through the reinforcing braid, and an outer layer disposed about the reinforcing braid. At least a portion of the reinforcing braid may be embedded within the outer layer. An introducer sleeve may be slidably disposed over the tubular member. A flush port element may be operably connected to the introducer sleeve.

Abstract: A system (1) dispenses dosages of a powdery substance. It has a robotic handler (2), a weighing module (8) with a weighing pan (9), at least one storage rack (4) for holding a plurality of dispensing heads (3) and at least one storage rack (6) for holding a plurality of vials (5), a dosage dispenser unit (11) with a dispensing head receiver (12), a vial handling tool (17) and a dispensing head handling tool (18), a tool-docking station (19) for the handling tools, and a controller terminal unit (20). Different weighing pan adapters (15) adapt the weighing pan to different shapes and sizes of vials. Relative to a vertical working orientation, tlower portions of the weighing pan adapters are identical, to fit the weighing pan, but upper portions are different, to accommodate different shapes and sizes of vials. A station (16) is provided for storing the weighing pan adapters.

Abstract: A client database manager can cause a memory of a client device on a client side of a network to store a first component, a second component, and a relationship value representing a dependent relationship between the first component and the second component. A client processing module can cause a processor to receive, after the storing, a request to process the first component at the client device. The client database manager can send to the server side of the network a request for an update of at least one of the first component or the second component. The client processing module can cause the processor to process at the client device, before receiving a response to the request for the update from the server side of the network, at least a portion of the first component and at least a portion of the second component based on the relationship value.

Abstract: A drug delivery balloon (10) has a drug thereon in the form of crystalline particles (12), the drug having a predetermined size distribution. Optionally marker particles (14, 16) are also provided. A texturized coating (18), a cap layer (20) and/or other methods may be used to increase particle loading capacity of the balloon.

Abstract: According to an aspect, an inflatable penile prosthesis includes a fluid reservoir configured to hold fluid, an inflatable member, and a pump assembly configured to transfer the fluid from the fluid reservoir to the inflatable member during an inflation cycle. The pump assembly includes a first pump configured to inject the fluid into the inflatable member according to a first flow rate, and a second pump configured to inject fluid into the inflatable member according to a second flow rate, where the second flow rate is less than the first flow rate.

Abstract: Examples herein include prosthetic valves, valve leaflets and related methods. In an example, a prosthetic valve is included having a plurality of leaflets. The leaflets can each have a root portion and an edge portion substantially opposite the root portion and movable relative to the root portion. The leaflets can include a fibrous matrix including polymeric fibers having an average diameter of about 10 nanometers to about 10 micrometers. A coating can surround the polymeric fibers within the fibrous matrix. The coating can have a thickness of about 3 to about 30 nanometers. The coating can be formed of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, a nitride, a carbide, a sulfide, or fluoride. In an example, a method of making a valve is included. Other examples are also included herein.

Abstract: A system for charging an onboard battery of a medical device prior to use of the medical device may include a package configured to accommodate the medical device therein. A power source may be disposed relative to the package and may be capable of charging the onboard battery of the medical device prior to use of the medical device. The system may be capable of being subjected to a sterilization process with the power source disposed within the second cavity. In some instances, the power source is uncharged during sterilization. In some cases, the power source is encapsulated or otherwise sealed during sterilization.

Abstract: A foldable wing for an aircraft includes a base wing having a base wing end region, a wing tip having a connection region, a first engagement means integrated into the base wing, a second engagement means integrated into the wing tip, and a drive mechanism coupled with the wing tip for moving the wing tip relative to the base wing. The first and second engagement means are adapted for engaging each other along a sliding course from a first position, in which the connection region of the wing tip and the base wing end region are in a flush contact to form a continuous wing, up to a second position, in which the first engagement means and the second engagement means disengage. The drive mechanism includes a first movement element and a second movement element at least partially extending in a spanwise direction, and supported in a linear guide each.

Abstract: A guide catheter may include a tubular member having an inner layer defining a lumen extending therethrough, a reinforcing braid disposed about the inner layer, a plurality of steering wires interwoven through the reinforcing braid, and an outer layer disposed about the reinforcing braid. At least a portion of the reinforcing braid may be embedded within the outer layer. An introducer sleeve may be slidably disposed over the tubular member. A flush port element may be operably connected to the introducer sleeve.

Abstract: A brewing system includes a brewing apparatus and a capsule containing a substance for brewing. The capsule has an opening on one side and a base on an opposite side. The base includes a light input surface, a light-output surface and a light conductor to conduct light from the light input surface to the light output surface. The apparatus includes: a brewing chamber including an inlet for heated water, an outlet for the brewed beverage, and an opening in communication with the opening of the capsule. A light source on the brewing apparatus emits light into the base via the light inlet surface of the capsule. The light conductor conducts the light to the light-output surface. A light detector of the brewing apparatus detects light emitted by light-output surface on the base of the capsule. A method of operating the brewing system and a capsule system are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a brewed beverage includes positioning a capsule with a brewing ingredient at a lateral opening of a brewing chamber. Heated water is conveyed to into the brewing chamber to brew the beverage by filling the capsule with the heated water. An outlet valve on of the brewing chamber is opened for filling a vessel with the brewed beverage through a feed nozzle. The brewing chamber is moved together with the feed nozzle from a brewing and filling position, where the capsule is positioned at the brewing chamber and the feed nozzle is above a passage for filling the vessel, to a rinsing position where the capsule is removed from the brewing chamber and the nozzle is above a guide element for directing water for disposal. In the rinsing position, the brewing chamber is rinsed with rinse water which is disposed via the nozzle and the guide element.

Abstract: A device for sealing a puncture opening may include a base frame having a delivery configuration wherein the base frame is retracted to have a relatively smaller overall profile, and a deployed configuration wherein the base frame is extended to have a relatively larger overall profile. The base frame is sized to engage an interior surface of the blood vessel wall in the deployed configuration. A sealing section is coupled to the base frame, the sealing section having an initial configuration wherein the sealing section permits fluid flow, and a barrier configuration wherein the sealing section prevents fluid flow. The sealing section in the barrier configuration is sized to block fluid flow through the puncture opening when the base frame is in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: A drug delivery balloon (10) has a drug thereon in the form of crystalline particles (12), the drug having a predetermined size distribution. Optionally marker particles (14, 16) are also provided. A texturized coating (18), a cap layer (20) and/or other methods may be used to increase particle loading capacity of the balloon.

Abstract: Examples herein include prosthetic valves, valve leaflets and related methods. In an example, a prosthetic valve is included having a plurality of leaflets. The leaflets can each have a root portion and an edge portion substantially opposite the root portion and movable relative to the root portion. The leaflets can include a fibrous matrix including polymeric fibers having an average diameter of about 10 nanometers to about 10 micrometers. A coating can surround the polymeric fibers within the fibrous matrix. The coating can have a thickness of about 3 to about 30 nanometers. The coating can be formed of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, a nitride, a carbide, a sulfide, or fluoride. In an example, a method of making a valve is included. Other examples are also included herein.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device may include a medical device for tissue ablation. The medical device may include an elongated shaft having a distal region. An inflatable balloon may be mounted to the distal region. The inflatable balloon may include a body region, a proximal waist, a distal waist, a proximal cone region, and a distal cone region. A skirt may be attached to the inflatable balloon and may extend proximally from the body region. An electrode assembly may be applied directly to an outer surface of the body region of the inflatable balloon. The electrode assembly may include a first conductive member applied directly to the outer surface of the body region of the inflatable balloon and extending proximally therefrom along an outer surface of the skirt.

Abstract: Systems for the delivery of endoluminal devices are disclosed. An illustrative system may include a delivery sheath having an inner sheath and an outer sheath. The delivery sheath may be configured to restrain a stent in a compressed delivery configuration. The outer sheath may cover the entire length of the stent and the inner sheath may cover a portion of the length of the stent.

Abstract: A system for monitoring one or more respiratory conditions is disclosed. The system comprises a medical device and an e-tattoo configured to attach to the subject's skin. The medical device is configured to monitor at least one respiratory parameter of a subject and transmit a signal in response to monitoring a trigger event in the at least one respiratory parameter. The e-tattoo is configured to: receive the signal from the medical device; sense at least one environmental parameter in response to receiving the signal; and transmit the at least one environmental parameter.

Abstract: A method for predicting a response to and/or benefit of chemotherapy, including neoadjuvant chemotherapy, in a patient suffering from or at risk of developing recurrent neoplastic disease, in particular breast cancer, said method comprising the steps of: (a) determining in a tumor sample from said patient the RNA expression levels of the following 8 genes: UBE2C, RACGAP1, DHCR7, STC2, AZGP1, RBBP8, IL6ST, and MGP, indicative of a response to chemotherapy for a tumor, or (b) determining in a tumor sample from said patient the RNA expression levels of the following 8 genes: UBE2C, BIRC5, DHCR7, STC2, AZGP1, RBBP8, IL6ST, and MGP; indicative of a response to chemotherapy for a tumor (c) mathematically combining expression level values for the genes of the said set which values were determined in the tumor sample to yield a combined score, wherein said combined score is predicting said response and/or benefit of chemotherapy.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for drying medical devices are disclosed. An example method for drying a medical device may include disposing a medical device within a drying apparatus. The drying apparatus may include a variable frequency microwave heating device. The medical device may include a substrate, the substrate including an active pharmaceutical ingredient and a solvent. The method may also include heating the medical device with the drying apparatus. Heating may evaporate at least a portion of the solvent.

Abstract: A heart valve repair implant may include a first implant section having a first axial core, and a plurality of spines extending radially outward from the first axial core in an expanded configuration; a second implant section having a second axial core configured to slide over the first axial core, and a mesh portion configured to extend radially outward from the second axial core in an expanded configuration; a third implant section having a central tensioning element extending through the first axial core, and a plurality of arms extending radially outward from the central tensioning element and configured to extend axially between the plurality of spines and through the mesh portion; and a securement element disposed on the central tensioning element.