Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for percutaneous closure of intra-cardiac openings, such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO). In one embodiment, a closure system includes an elongated member coated with a bonding material. The bonding material adheres to the intra-cardiac opening when energy is applied to the elongated member. The system may also include an energy riser, such as a protuberance on the surface of the elongated member or a modification to the surface of the elongated member. In another embodiment, the closure device includes a catheter containing the elongated member or a locator, such as a balloon or hook. The elongated member may be inserted into an intra-cardiac opening, such as a patent foramen ovale.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to ion mobility based systems, methods and devices for analyzing samples and, more particularly, in some embodiments to compact GC-DMS systems, methods, and devices employing enhanced GC column temperature control and configurations to identify various sample constituents.

Abstract: The invention provides a septal occluder for closing a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The septal occluder includes a flexible central portion connecting two occlusion shells for the percutaneous transluminal treatment of an intracardiac defect. The septal occluder includes two occlusion shells connected by an elongate member capable of pivoting or articulating. The elongate member pivots or articulates at the juncture of the occlusion shell and the elongate member, according to one embodiment, or in the center of the elongate member, according to another embodiment. The elongate member can have one or more pivot points.

Abstract: An RF-driven plasma source, including a pair of spaced-apart plasma electrodes, wherein the electrodes act as plates of a capacitor, the gas electrically discharges and creates a plasma of both positive and negative ions, in a clean process that enables efficient sample analysis, with preferred isolated sample photo-ionization, reduced-power operation and also including signal detection with modulated drive electronics.

Abstract: Termicidal compositions comprising bifenthrin and acetamiprid are disclosed. The compositions provide a combination of properties not exhibited by either active ingredient when used alone.

Abstract: A support assembly includes a base layer, a circuit defined along the base layer, and a first material molded on at least a portion of the base layer. The first material substantially forms a shape of at least a portion of the support assembly. Further disclosed is a molded suspension assembly. The molded suspension assembly includes a thin and elongate metallic substrate and a non-metallic material molded along at least a portion of one side of the metallic substrate. The non-metallic material interlocks with the metallic substrate. The molded suspension assembly includes a transducer support area at or near a first end of the molded suspension assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for occluding intracardiac defects, such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The devices according to the invention have various features to improve flexibility and to enhance conformability of the device to the defect, including the incorporation of braided or multi-stranded wire. The invention also contemplates methods of making these devices.

Abstract: A thermally treated steel is provided comprising a steel having a microhardness of between approximately 60 and 67 HRC at a surface depth between approximately 0.002 to 0.014 inches from the steel surface and having approximately 0-36% by volume martensite converted from retained austenite at the surface depth. The steel may be used for ANSI 60 pins used in roller chain that may maintain elongation of less than 0.040 inches for up to 264 hours of wear testing. A method of making the steel pins is provided that comprises the steps of carburizing the steel in an atmosphere of 1.00% carbon or greater at a temperature between 1550° and 1750° F., quenching the steel to room temperature, tempering the steel to a temperature of 375° F. or less, cryogenically treating the steel to a temperature of ?300° F. or lower and tempering the steel to a temperature of 375° F. or less.

Abstract: A method for operating more than one thermal printer adapted to print images by transferring donor material from patches of donor material from a donor ribbon onto a receiver medium, each printer being operable to print images in a manner that exhausts a full donor patch or a fractional donor patch during printing. In accordance with the method, a print order is received and it is determined whether a fractional donor patch set is available for printing at each printer. Portions of the print order are directed to the printers in a pattern that minimizes the number of printers having donor ribbon with a fractional donor patch set available after the printing order has been executed.

Abstract: Compounds are provided that act as potent antagonists of the CCR2 receptor. Animal testing demonstrates that these compounds are useful for treating inflammation, a hallmark disease for CCR2. The compounds are generally aryl sulfonamide derivatives and are useful in pharmaceutical compositions, methods for the treatment of CCR2-mediated diseases, and as controls in assays for the identification of CCR2 antagonists.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for fixation of tendon to bone are described. An exemplary surgical implant is a modified bone anchor that is able to grasp the tendon and hold it firmly in a bone tunnel. Once deployed, the anchor delivers lateral compression to the tendon, providing direct tendon to bone compression to facilitate healing. The anchor has different versions which allow it to be attached to the tendon prior to insertion into the bone tunnel, or be inserted between tendon arms when the surgical procedure dictates. The resulting tendon to bone compression allows for the firm fixation in a manner markedly simpler than traditional techniques. A modification of this anchor can also allow the anchor to grasp and hold suture. This variation facilitates the technique for knotless rotator cuff repair.

Abstract: AT4 receptor agonists are potent activators of angiogenesis and can be used to treat diseases that are characterized by vascular insufficiency. AT4 receptor antagonists, which are potent inhibitors of angiogenesis, and can be used as anti-angiogenic agents for the treatment of cancer, diabetic retinopathy, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, atherosclerotic plaque formation, and any disease process that is characterized by excessive, undesired or inappropriate angiogenesis or proliferation of endothelial cells.

Abstract: Compounds are provided that act as potent antagonists of the CCR9 receptor, and which have been further confirmed in animal testing for inflammation, one of the hallmark disease states for CCR9. The compounds are generally aryl sulfonamide derivatives and are useful in pharmaceutical compositions, methods for the treatment of CCR9-mediated diseases, and as controls in assays for the identification of CCR9 antagonists.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and devices for identifying and/or characterizing interactions involving molecules, including, but not limited to, identifying and/or characterizing interactions involving target molecules and candidate molecules. The present invention provides methods using multidimensional infrared spectrographic techniques, such as four wave mixing and pump-probe techniques, for identifying interactions involving biomolecules and therapeutic candidate molecules, and for characterizing such interactions in terms of their binding coefficients and/or equilibrium constants.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for preparation of concentrated stock solutions of AAV virions without aggregation. Formulations for AAV preparation and storage are high ionic strength solutions (e.g. ?˜500 mM) that are nonetheless isotonic with the intended target tissue. This combination of high ionic strength and modest osmolarity is achieved using salts of high valency, such as sodium citrate. AAV stock solutions up to 6.4×1013 vg/mL are possible using the formulations of the invention, with no aggregation being observed even after ten freeze-thaw cycles. The surfactant Pluronic® F68 may be added at 0.001% to prevent losses of virions to surfaces during handling. Virion preparations can also be treated with nucleases to eliminate small nucleic acid strands on virions surfaces that exacerbate aggregation.

Abstract: An interactive electronic device is disclosed, wherein the device includes a body, a controller disposed within the body, a touch-screen input coupled with the body, wherein the touch-screen input includes a transparent viewing field, a display output coupled with the body, wherein the display output includes a transparent portion positioned within the viewing field of the touch-screen input, and a background disposed behind the touch-screen input and the display output, the background including activity content, wherein the controller is configured to accept an input from the touch-screen input and to control the display of an output on the transparent portion of the display output.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for repairing soft tissue. The surgical system allows for the creation of tissue repair by grasping, aligning and sewing or fixing tissue. For example, this system may be used for clipping together excessive capsular tissue and reducing the overall capsular volume. The deployment device includes a central grasping mechanism and an outer clip delivery system. The clip embodiments may be single or multi-component (penetration and locking base components) that penetrate tissue layers and deploy or lock to clip the tissue together. An example of the system is used to reduce the joint capsule tissue laxity and reduces the potential for subluxation or dislocation of the joint by either restricting inferior laxity (anterior or posterior) and resolving or eliminating pathologic anterior or posterior translation.

Abstract: A suture retainer for use with a surgical instrument comprises a slot defined in the surgical instrument, the slot having a bottom and lateral slot ends. A retainer block comprises a bottom and lateral block ends. The lateral block ends and the lateral slot ends are configured to matingly engage to define a v-shaped gap adjacent a lateral slot end near a mouth of the slot.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to ion mobility based systems, methods and devices for analyzing samples and, more particularly, in some embodiments to compact GC-DMS systems and methods, and techniques for correcting nonlinear characteristics in an ion mobility based analyzer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression molding plastic articles include a plurality of tools mounted in opposed pairs with the tools of each pair including opposed first and second actuators that define a mold cavity in which a charge of plastic is compression molded. The tooling is preferably carried by a rotary turret so that first and second actuators of each tooling pair are moveable relative to each other between an open position permitting formed articles to be removed from the tooling and to receive fresh charges of plastic, and a closed position to compression mold the charges of plastic.