Abstract: Embodiments of delivery systems, devices and methods for delivering a prosthetic heart valve device to a heart chamber for expanded implementation are disclosed. More specifically, methods, systems and devices are disclosed for delivering a self-expanding prosthetic mitral valve device to the left atrium, with no engagement of the left ventricle, the native mitral valve leaflets or the annular tissue downstream of the upper annular surface during delivery, and in some embodiments with no engagement of the ventricle, mitral valve leaflets and/or annular tissue located downstream of the upper annular surface by the delivered, positioned and expanded prosthetic mitral valve device.

Abstract: A method of making a strain gauge in a fragile web wherein the improvement resides in making the web after the gauge is substantially completely formed. This reverse sequence is made possible by a unique combination of plasma deposited silicon oxide and plasma deposited silicon nitride on top of the completed device to protect it from attack during silicon substrate etching to form the diaphragm.