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: Techniques for optical flow translation estimation by an inside-out location tracking system may include generating an updated distance parameter by optimizing a distance parameter using a translation vector and a set of other fixed terms of a homography for a set of matched image point pairs in an image, determining whether to keep or to discard the updated distance parameter, optimizing the translation vector using a current distance parameter, either the updated distance parameter or a prior distance parameter that was retained, thereby generating an updated translation vector. An optical flow translation method also may include evaluating for convergence, and iteratively optimizing the distance parameter and the translation vector until there is convergence. Once there is convergence, a current updated translation may be output. Convergence may depend on one or more predetermined thresholds relating to a size of parameter updates, an error reduction, and/or a number of iterations.

Abstract: Techniques for hierarchical map relaxation by an inside-out location tracking system may include generating a pair of image patches comprising P×P patches of corresponding coordinates of a source image and a target image, evaluating the pair of image patches using hierarchical image pyramids, wherein an image in its original resolution is provided at a base level and is downsampled at each level above the base level. Hierarchical map relaxation may include iteratively estimating an error vector between the pair of image patches, finding a local map update vector for minimizing the error vector, expanding the local map update vector into a level below, evaluating the local map update by performing a greedy evaluation at each successive level until the base level, wherein the local map update from above is evaluated, and a final greedy evaluation is performed using another estimated error vector.

Abstract: Techniques for map refinement (e.g., tracking data refinement) by an inside-out location tracking system may include computing a transform from a reference point to an epipolar line using an Essential Matrix derived from a reference frame camera motion in a live frame, computing several appearance errors between a feature associated with the reference point and other projected and optimized features, using a perpendicular projection hypothesis and an optimized point generated on the epipolar line, and evaluating the appearance errors using a greedy, ordered optimization. If the appearance error is less than a predetermined quality threshold, the optimized point is retained in tracking data. Otherwise the tracking data may be reset at the reference point location for reinitialization. An updated map and associated map data reflecting updated optimized points may be provided, for example, to a client device, as well as returned to a visual inertial odometry system.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes multiple systems, each system including a sensor. The refuse vehicle also includes an automated check system. The automated check system includes processing circuitry configured to obtain sensor data from the sensor of each of the multiple systems, determine which of the multiple systems require manual inspection based on the sensor data, and operate a display screen to prompt a technician to manually inspect one or more of the multiple systems.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to an abrasive sheet. The abrasive sheet includes a first layer including an abrasive major surface and an opposite second layer defining a second major surface. The second major surface includes a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the second major surface. The protrusions include a first polymer component having at least one of a Shore A hardness ranging from about 5 to about 100 and a Shore D hardness ranging from about 1 to about 70. The first layer and the second layer are directly joined to each other.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a body, a lock, a tailgate, an ejector, an actuator, a second actuator, and a processor. The body defines a receptacle for storing refuse. The lock is coupled to the body and is configured to releasably secure a movable tailgate. The receptacle contains the ejector. The ejector can transition from a first position that is spaced from the tailgate to a second position proximate the tailgate. The actuator is configured to transition the ejector from the first position to the second position. The second actuator is configured to move the tailgate. The processor is configured to selectively unlock the tailgate and transition the ejector from the first position to the second position in response to receiving a single input to thereby eject refuse from the receptacle without receiving multiple inputs.

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: The present disclosure relates to methods for treating or preventing or delaying progression or reducing or inhibiting or hindering development of a complication associated with sickle cell disease in a subject suffering from sickle cell disease, the method comprising administering to the subject a compound that inhibits granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) signaling and/or G-CSF activity.

Abstract: Delivery devices for an occlusive implant and method for making and using delivery devices are disclosed. An example delivery device may include a delivery sheath having a sheath body and a distal tip region. A tip reinforcing member may be coupled to the distal tip region. The tip reinforcing member may define a plurality of distal arm segments. The distal arm segments are configured to shift between a first configuration and an expanded configuration. A core member may be slidably disposed within the delivery sheath. An occlusive implant may be releasably coupled to the core member.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods of promoting expression or activity of a dystrophin protein and/or methods of treating DMD in a subject. In some embodiments, the methods comprise administering to the subject a composition comprising complexes (e.g., muscle targeting complexes) comprising a phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (e.g., useful for targeting DMD) covalently linked to an antibody (e.g., anti-TfR1 antibody).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that track camera motion from image and sensor data in single-camera, low contrast and high-motion systems. Camera motion is estimated through dense visual tracking using image and sensor data. Motion sensor data from a wearable motion sensor worn by a human is used to determine initial camera motion parameters. Image data from a thermal imaging camera outputting low contrast video frames is used for motion tracking. The camera motion in the frame is represented by a translation and a rotation of the camera through an environment. The frames are down-sampled to generate image pyramid of frames of progressively lower resolution. A hierarchical homography optimizing approach is described. A homography is optimized across each resolution level beginning with the lowest resolution frames. A modified translation and rotation displacement of the camera is determined based on the optimized homography.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to syringe cartridges containing a predetermined quantity of a first drug (e.g., sodium bicarbonate having a low moisture content) and to syringe systems and kits containing the syringe cartridge. As described herein, the disclosed syringe cartridges, systems, and kits can be useful in, for example, administering a second drug (e.g., a caine such as lidocaine) and/or to reconstitute the first drug. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A method of applying an address space to data storage in a non-volatile solid-state storage is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of portions of user data for storage in the non-volatile solid-state storage and assigning to each successive one of the plurality of portions of user data one of a plurality of sequential, nonrepeating addresses of an address space. The address range of the address space exceeds a maximum number of addresses expected to be applied during a lifespan of the non-volatile solid-state storage. The method includes writing each of the plurality of portions of user data to the non-volatile solid-state storage such that each of the plurality of portions of user data is identified and locatable for reading via the one of the plurality of sequential, nonrepeating addresses of the address space.

Abstract: Example computing device that may be implemented to report application status via platform binary tables are disclosed. In response to an upgrade log detected during a BIOS initialization, a platform binary table to a management agent stored in a memory is generated. An application status corresponding with the upgrade log is collected during the BIOS initialization. In response to an operating system initialization, the management agent is launched from the platform binary table to report the application status via the management agent. The upgrade log is removed.

Abstract: A reaction washer can include a castellated portion circumferentially disposed around a perimeter of the reaction washer and a main body portion defining an inner diameter that slidingly receives an associated threaded element therethrough. The castellated portion can include a plurality of castellations that cooperate to define an outer diameter of the reaction washer. Further, the main body can include a first side and a second side that face in opposite directions and an inner engagement ring that extends from the first side and is coaxially disposed between the inner diameter and the castellated portion. The inner engagement ring can include a plurality of serrations that each define a respective serration axis that do not intersect with the engagement axis.

Abstract: Methods for treating moderate-to-severe or severe atopic dermatitis in a pediatric subject are provided. In one aspect, the methods comprise administering to the subject one or more doses of an interleukin-4 receptor (IL-4R) antagonist, such as an anti-IL-4R antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof.