Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a retractor device for allowing visible access to the surgical site. According to particular embodiments, the present retractor may include two portions: an integral arm portion at one end and a textured surface potion at the opposite end. In some embodiments, the integral arm portion may be positioned inside the body cavity of the patient to restrain and/or occlude targeted organs during surgery to allow for increased visibility of other organs and/or portions of a patient during surgical procedures.

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: 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: At least one sensor is configured to detect a user aiming at a point and movement of the firearm. A processor is provided to process and analyse movement data obtained wherein the at least one sensor is adapted to measure a movement deviation from the line of sight between an eye of the user and the point of aim of the firearm. At least one electro-mechanical actuator to apply a correction to the barrel as to maintain aim on the intended point of aim.

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 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 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 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 method of assembling a prosthetic heart valve includes providing a collapsible and expandable stent having an annulus section and an aortic section. The annulus section has a first diameter in a relaxed condition and a second diameter less than the first diameter in a collapsed condition. A constraint is applied to the stent to constrain the annulus section to a predetermined diameter between the first and second diameters. Applying a cuff and/or a plurality of leaflets to the stent in the constrained condition enables less material to be used. The resultant prosthetic valve is therefore able to be collapsed to a smaller diameter for introduction into a patient.

Abstract: Luciferase polypeptides with improved light-emitting activity and their encoding nucleic acids are disclosed. These molecules are useful in a range of assays including luciferase-based gene reporter assays, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer assays, protein complementation assays and other applications in which luciferase enzymes are utilized as detectable and/or quantifiable labels. Methods and compositions for increasing the sensitivity and/or improving the kinetics of luciferase-catalyzed reactions as well as decreasing the impact of undesirable variables are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of assembling a prosthetic heart valve includes providing a collapsible and expandable stent having an annulus section and an aortic section. The annulus section has a first diameter in a relaxed condition and a second diameter less than the first diameter in a collapsed condition. A constraint is applied to the stent to constrain the annulus section to a predetermined diameter between the first and second diameters. Applying a cuff and/or a plurality of leaflets to the stent in the constrained condition enables less material to be used. The resultant prosthetic valve is therefore able to be collapsed to a smaller diameter for introduction into a patient.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a complete genomic analysis device and methods of use thereof for high throughput genomic analysis of biological samples.

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

Abstract: Complete nucleic acid library preparation devices are provided. Aspects of the devices include: a thermal chip module comprising multiple CLC reaction wells; one or more plate locations; a robotically controlled liquid handler configured to transfer liquid between the one or more plate locations and the thermal chip module; and a bulk reagent dispenser configured to access each CLC reaction well of the thermal chip module.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward systems and methods for detecting force applied to a distal tip of a medical catheter. In some embodiments, a medical catheter with a deformable body near a distal tip of the catheter deforms in response to a force applied at the distal tip, and a force sensor detects various components of the deformation. Processor circuitry may then, based on the detected components of the deformation, determine a force applied to the distal tip of the catheter.

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 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: The invention relates to an electronic wearable device designed to detect unintended movement that occurs immediately prior to a firing event of a gun. The wearable device encompasses at least one sensor, such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope and Electromyography (EMG), to detect a flinch movement that can occur prior to the event of a gun being fired. The user or firer can then be provided with real-time feedback on whether a flinch occurred or not during a firing practice. Feedback can be given to the user, in one embodiment, in the form of an audible tone or a vibrating motor in the wearable device.

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.