Abstract: Self-cleaning electrochemical cells, systems including self-cleaning electrochemical cells, and methods of operating self-cleaning electrochemical cells are disclosed. The self-cleaning electrochemical cell can include a plurality of concentric electrodes disposed in a housing, a fluid channel defined between the concentric electrodes, and an electrical connector positioned at a distal end of a concentric electrode and electrically connected to the electrode. The electrical connectors may be configured to provide a substantially even current distribution to the concentric electrode and minimize a zone of reduced velocity occurring downstream from the electrical connector. The electrical connector may be configured to cause a temperature of an electrolyte solution to increase by less than about 0.5° C. while transmitting at least 100 W of power.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a number of magnetic materials distributed in the apparatus. Magnetic property profiles for the number of magnetic materials are facilitated by functionally grading the volume fractions and local magnetic properties that are associated with a force profile that includes a number of forces acting on the apparatus. The magnetic materials can include at least one of paramagnetic material, diamagnetic material, and ferromagnetic material. In addition, the apparatus can also include a number of supporting devices that apply forces on the apparatus. The number of supporting devices includes at least one of permanent magnets, electromagnets, springs, and bearings.

Abstract: A choke valve and a method of operation of the choke valve in which the choke valve includes an orifice plate and/or a guide vane to control a flow of fluid though the choke valve, the orifice plate defining a center point and being rotatable about a center axis extending longitudinally through the center point; the orifice plate defining at least one aperture including a first aperture, the first aperture defining at least a first equi-incremental phase region, the first aperture being spaced away from the center point of the orifice plate; and rotation of the orifice plate with respect to the center point effecting an incremental and staged transitioning of the orifice plates among a plurality of open states.

Abstract: A powder bed fusion system is provided. The system comprises a build area with a movable build plate. Two powder overflow and extraction (POE) chambers flank the build area on opposite sides. Two dispensing chambers flank the POE chambers, opposite the build area. Two reservoir chambers flank the dispensing chambers, opposite the POE chambers. A recoater device is configured to move build material from the dispensing chambers or reservoir chambers to the build area. An energy source is configured to generate an energy beam. An energy beam positioning device is configured to selectively direct the energy beam within the build area. A controller is programmed to control, according to a 3D model of a part, the energy source, energy beam positioning device, recoater device, build plate, and vertically movable plates within the POE chambers, dispensing chambers, and reservoir chambers.

Abstract: A choke valve including a valve body defining an inlet defining a centrally disposed axis extending through the inlet, an outlet, and a chamber in fluidic communication with the inlet and the outlet, and a flow trim disposed within the chamber and having a side wall that defines a generally cylindrical shape, the flow trim defining a passage through the flow trim, a pair of diametrically opposing windows extending through the side wall, each window permitting fluid communication between the chamber and the passage in a direction orthogonal to the centrally disposed axis defined by the inlet, and a slot extending through the side wall, the slot being disposed substantially equidistantly between the pair of diametrically opposing windows orthogonal to the centrally disposed axis defined by the inlet and on a side of the flow trim opposite the inlet, the slot permitting containment of turbulence created by interaction of fluid flow through the windows.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing a prosthetic heart valve within an atrioventricular valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having an inflow end, an outflow end, and struts forming a plurality of cells connected to one another in a plurality of annular rows around the stent. The stent further includes a collapsible and expandable valve assembly secured to the stent. The valve assembly includes a cuff and a plurality of leaflets having an open configuration and a closed configuration. A cord connected to the stent includes an attachment device adapted to couple the stent to heart tissue of a patient. A method of stabilizing a prosthetic heart valve within an atrioventricular valve annulus is also described.

Abstract: A surgical heart valve includes a non-collapsible frame having features that enable the frame to expand from an initial condition having a first diameter to an expanded condition having a second diameter larger than the first diameter after the valve has been implanted within a patient. The frame may include members that prevent the unintended expansion of the frame, such as during implantation, and members that prevent the over-expansion of the frame. The surgical heart valve further includes a valve assembly connected to the frame and including a plurality of leaflets.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a non-collapsible annular frame extending in a longitudinal direction between an inflow edge and an outflow edge, and a valve assembly connected to the frame. The frame includes a plurality of annularly spaced commissure posts adjacent the outflow edge, each of the commissure posts including a tip and a post slot spaced apart from the tip. The prosthetic heart valve further includes a radiopaque element including an elongated main body having a first end and a second end. The radiopaque element may extend around the tip and through the post slot of at least one of the commissure posts so that a portion of the main body extends between the slot and the tip. Alternatively or additionally, a radiopaque element may be positioned adjacent a base of the frame.

Abstract: A choke valve and a method of operation of the choke valve in which the choke valve includes an orifice plate and/or a guide vane to control a flow of fluid though the choke valve, the orifice plate defining a center point and being rotatable about a center axis extending longitudinally through the center point; the orifice plate defining at least one aperture including a first aperture, the first aperture defining at least a first equi-incremental phase region, the first aperture being spaced away from the center point of the orifice plate; and rotation of the orifice plate with respect to the center point effecting an incremental and staged transitioning of the orifice plates among a plurality of open states.

Abstract: A platform facilitates buyers, sellers, and third parties in obtaining information related to each other's transaction histories, such as a supplier's shipment history, the types of materials typically shipped, a supplier's customers, a supplier's expertise, what materials and how much a buyer purchases, buyer and shipper reliability, similarity between buyers, similarity between suppliers, and the like. The platform aggregates data from a variety of sources, including, without limitation, customs data associated with actual import/export transactions, non-public shipper records, and facilitates the generation of reports as to the quality of buyers and suppliers, the reports relating to a variety of parameters that are associated with buyer and supplier quality.

Abstract: Methods of preparing calcification-resistant bioprosthetic tissue include providing fresh biological tissue, cross-linking the tissue, treating the cross-linked tissue with an alcohol for a time sufficient to allow the alcohol to be diffused into the tissue, and treating the alcohol-treated fixed tissue with a polyol for a time sufficient to allow fluid in the tissue to be replaced by the polyol. The methods may include sterilizing the cross-linked tissue in a solution including propylene oxide or peracetic acid either before or after the alcohol treatment step; or drying the alcohol/polyol-treated, cross-linked tissue, sterilizing the dried tissue by exposure to ethylene oxide or peracetic acid, and storing the sterilized tissue in a dry, ambient environment. The treated tissue may be a tissue component for a bioprosthetic valve, a valve assembly for a bioprosthetic valve or a fully assembled bioprosthetic valve incorporating the tissue.

Abstract: A method of augmenting the length of a native leaflet to improve leaflet coaptation includes delivering a cutting tool to a surgical site adjacent the native leaflet, cutting a slit through the native leaflet, inserting a collapsible and expandable occlusion device into the slit, expanding the occlusion device, engaging a first surface of the first disk with a first surface of the native leaflet, and engaging a second surface of the second disk with a second surface of the native leaflet opposite the first surface. The occlusion device includes a first disk, a second disk, and an intermediate portion coupling the first disk to the second disk.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve for replacing a native valve includes a stent extending between an inflow end and an outflow end, and a valve assembly disposed within the stent. The prosthetic heart valve may include a supra-annular feature configured to anchor and seal the prosthetic valve above the native valve annulus and a sub-annular feature configured to anchor and seal the prosthetic valve below the native valve annulus. Each of the sub-annular feature and the supra-annular feature may be a sealing ring or a strut that extends radially outward from the stent. The prosthetic heart valve may be implanted in the patient via a sutureless approach and provide anchoring in a variety of patient populations, including those with resected native valve leaflets.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing a prosthetic heart valve within an atrioventricular valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having an inflow end, an outflow end, and struts forming a plurality of cells connected to one another in a plurality of annular rows around the stent. The stent further includes a collapsible and expandable valve assembly secured to the stent. The valve assembly includes a cuff and a plurality of leaflets having an open configuration and a closed configuration. A cord connected to the stent includes an attachment device adapted to couple the stent to heart tissue of a patient. A method of stabilizing a prosthetic heart valve within an atrioventricular valve annulus is also described.

Abstract: A platform facilitates buyers, sellers, and third parties in obtaining information related to each other's transaction histories, such as a supplier's shipment history, the types of materials typically shipped, a supplier's customers, a supplier's expertise, what materials and how much a buyer purchases, buyer and shipper reliability, similarity between buyers, similarity between suppliers, and the like. The platform aggregates data from a variety of sources, including, without limitation, customs data associated with actual import/export transactions and facilitates the generation of reports as to the quality of buyers and suppliers, the reports relating to a variety of parameters that are associated with buyer and supplier quality.

Abstract: A platform facilitates buyers, sellers, and third parties in obtaining information related to each other's transaction histories, such as a supplier's shipment history, the types of materials typically shipped, a supplier's customers, a supplier's expertise, what materials and how much a buyer purchases, buyer and shipper reliability, similarity between buyers, similarity between suppliers, and the like. The platform aggregates data from a variety of sources, including, without limitation, customs data associated with actual import/export transactions, non-public shipper records, and facilitates the generation of reports as to the quality of buyers and suppliers, the reports relating to a variety of parameters that are associated with buyer and supplier quality.

Abstract: A surgical heart valve includes a non-collapsible frame having features that enable the frame to expand from an initial condition having a first diameter to an expanded condition having a second diameter larger than the first diameter after the valve has been implanted within a patient. The frame may include members that prevent the unintended expansion of the frame, such as during implantation, and members that prevent the over-expansion of the frame. The surgical heart valve further includes a valve assembly connected to the frame and including a plurality of leaflets.

Abstract: A platform facilitates buyers, sellers, and third parties in obtaining information related to each other's transaction histories, such as a supplier's shipment history, the types of materials typically shipped, a supplier's customers, a supplier's expertise, what materials and how much a buyer purchases, buyer and shipper reliability, similarity between buyers, similarity between suppliers, and the like. The platform aggregates data from a variety of sources, including, without limitation, customs data associated with actual import/export transactions, non-public shipper records, and facilitates the generation of reports as to the quality of buyers and suppliers, the reports relating to a variety of parameters that are associated with buyer and supplier quality.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve for replacing a native valve includes a stent extending between an inflow end and an outflow end, and a valve assembly disposed within the stent. The prosthetic heart valve may include a supra-annular feature configured to anchor and seal the prosthetic valve above the native valve annulus and a sub-annular feature configured to anchor and seal the prosthetic valve below the native valve annulus. Each of the sub-annular feature and the supra-annular feature may be a sealing ring or a strut that extends radially outward from the stent. The prosthetic heart valve may be implanted in the patient via a sutureless approach and provide anchoring in a variety of patient populations, including those with resected native valve leaflets.

Abstract: Methods of preparing calcification-resistant bioprosthetic tissue include providing fresh biological tissue, cross-linking the tissue, treating the cross-linked tissue with an alcohol for a time sufficient to allow the alcohol to be diffused into the tissue, and treating the alcohol-treated fixed tissue with a polyol for a time sufficient to allow fluid in the tissue to be replaced by the polyol. The methods may include sterilizing the cross-linked tissue in a solution including propylene oxide or peracetic acid either before or after the alcohol treatment step; or drying the alcohol/polyol-treated, cross-linked tissue, sterilizing the dried tissue by exposure to ethylene oxide or peracetic acid, and storing the sterilized tissue in a dry, ambient environment. The treated tissue may be a tissue component for a bioprosthetic valve, a valve assembly for a bioprosthetic valve or a fully assembled bioprosthetic valve incorporating the tissue.