Abstract: A heart implant alignment and delivery device includes an elongate body having an opening that is disposed near a distal end of the elongate body. The opening is configured so that a heart implant is positionable within the opening with the heart implant exposed to a surrounding environment and so that the heart implant is substantially aligned with the distal end of the elongate body. The device also includes an implant reposition member, such as a cable, that is releasably coupleable with the heart implant and that is operationally coupled with the elongate body so that a first operation of the implant reposition member causes the heart implant to be retractably deployed from the opening of the elongate body. The first operation of the implant reposition member may be effected via a handle mechanism that is attached to a proximal end of the elongate body.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed, which comprises (I) an aryl component; (II) a methyl component; and (III) a hydrosilylation catalyst. The (I) aryl component comprises (A) an organopolysiloxane and (B) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane. Similarly, the (II) methyl component comprises (A) an organopolysiloxane and (B) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane. A method of preparing the composition is also disclosed. Further, a method of preparing an article, e.g. a light diffuser, and a lighting device comprising the light diffuser are disclosed. Finally, a method of diffusely transmitting light with the light diffuser is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing an optical silicone assembly is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: i) treating a surface of a substrate with an optically clear silicone adhesive composition; ii) placing the substrate obtained by step i) into a mold; iii-a) injecting an optically clear moldable silicone composition into the mold, and/or iii-b) overmolding the optically clear moldable silicone composition onto the substrate; and then iv) heating the optically clear moldable silicone composition to form the optical silicone assembly. The optical silicone assembly produced by the method of this disclosure is characterized by excellent adhesion of an optical silicone product to various types of substrates.

Abstract: An engineered payload-delivery system includes a target cell binding unit, covalently bound to a pore forming unit, and a payload portion adapted with a region capable of non-covalently binding to the pore forming unit. The pore forming unit is derived from a particular sub-serotype of Clostridium toxin, while the payload region is derived from a different sub-serotype of Clostridium toxin. The disclosed chimeric protein-based composition is capable of specifically delivering payload to neural cells.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include devices, systems, and methods for reducing the distance between two locations in tissue. In one embodiment, an anchor may reside within the right ventricle in engagement with the septum. A tension member may extend from that anchor through the septum and an exterior wall of the left ventricle to a second anchor disposed along a surface of the heart. Perforating the exterior wall and the septum from an epicardial approach can provide control over the reshaping of the ventricular chamber. Guiding deployment of the implant from along the epicardial access path and another access path into and through the right ventricle provides control over the movement of the anchor within the ventricle. The joined epicardial pathway and right atrial pathway allows the tension member to be advanced into the heart through the right atrium and pulled into engagement along the epicardial access path.

Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two locations in tissue in a minimally invasive manner, often for treatment of congestive heart failure. In one embodiment, an anchor of an implant system may, when the implant system is fully deployed, reside within the right ventricle in engagement with the ventricular septum. A tension member may extend from that anchor through the septum and an exterior wall of the left ventricle to a second anchor disposed along an epicardial surface of the heart. Deployment of the anchor within the right ventricle may be performed by inserting a guidewire through the septal wall into the right ventricle. The anchor may be inserted into the right ventricle over the guidewire and through a lumen of a delivery catheter. Delivering the anchor over the guidewire may provide improved control in the delivery and placement of the anchor within the right ventricle.

Abstract: In an aspect, provided is an alkaline rechargeable battery comprising: i) a battery container sealed against the release of gas up to at least a threshold gas pressure, ii) a volume of an aqueous alkaline electrolyte at least partially filling the container to an electrolyte level; iii) a positive electrode containing positive active material and at least partially submerged in the electrolyte; iv) an iron negative electrode at least partially submerged in the electrolyte, the iron negative electrode comprising iron active material; v) a separator at least partially submerged in the electrolyte provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; vi) an auxiliary oxygen gas recombination electrode electrically connected to the iron negative electrode by a first electronic component, ionically connected to the electrolyte by a first ionic pathway, and exposed to a gas headspace above the electrolyte level by a first gas pathway.

Abstract: A data storage enclosure can employ an acoustic baffle for the purpose of reducing performance degradation in a data storage device, such as a rotating medium hard disk drive. A storage enclosure may house a plurality of data storage devices and at least one cooling feature. One or more acoustic baffles may be positioned between the at least one cooling feature and the plurality of data storage devices. The acoustic baffle can separate a first sound pressure region that is proximal the at least one cooling feature from a second sound pressure region that is proximal the plurality of data storage devices.

Abstract: A curable silicone composition comprising (A) an alkenyl-containing organopolysiloxane comprising (A-1) a dialkylpolysiloxane that has an average of at least two alkenyl groups in each molecule), and (A-2) an alkenyl-containing, resin-form organopolysiloxane that comprises the SiO4/2 unit, R12R2SiO1/2 unit, and R13SiO1/2 unit; (B) an organopolysiloxane that has an average of at least three silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms in each molecule, wherein component (B) is an organopolysiloxane comprising (B-1) an organopolysiloxane that contains at least 0.7 mass % silicon-bonded hydrogen and that comprises SiO4/2 units and HR32SiO1/2 units in a ratio ranging from 1.50 to 2.50 moles of HR32SiO1/2 units per 1 mole of SiO4/2 units, at 50 to 100 mass % of component (B), and (B-2) a straight-chain organopolysiloxane that contains at least 0.3 mass % silicon-bonded hydrogen, at 0 to 50 mass % of component (B); and (C) a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a heart anchor tensioning device includes a main body and an elongate shaft. A tension member or tether may be inserted through a lumen of the elongate shaft to allow the shaft to be advanced over the tension member and within a body while the main body is positioned outside of the body. The device also includes an anchor coupling mechanism that is configured to engage a heart anchor and move the heart anchor into engagement with a first wall of the heart. The anchor coupling mechanism is able to lock the heart anchor to inhibit proximal movement of the heart anchor along the tension member. The device further includes a tension indicating mechanism that provides an indication of a force being applied to the heart anchor by the device.

Abstract: An engineered payload-delivery system includes a target cell binding unit, covalently bound to a pore forming unit, and a payload portion adapted with a region capable of non-covalently binding to the pore forming unit. The pore forming unit is derived from a particular sub-serotype of Clostridium toxin, while the payload region is derived from a different sub-serotype of Clostridium toxin. The disclosed chimeric protein-based composition is capable of specifically delivering payload to neural cells.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a protective device for use in congestive heart failure treatments, and other treatments, includes a control mechanism, an elongate shaft, and a protective plate. The control mechanism is coupled with a proximal end of the elongate shaft and the protective plate is pivotably coupled with a distal end of the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft enables the protective plate to be inserted within a body and navigated distally of a heart wall. The protective plate has a relatively wide and thin body portion and is pivotable relative to the elongate shaft by operation of the control mechanism. Pivoting and/or navigating of the protective plate within the body allows the protective plate to be positioned adjacent the heart wall to shield body organs or tissue surrounding the heart wall from being damaged by surgical instruments inserted through the heart wall.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a guide system having first and second opposing guide walls with guide features extending from the first and second guide walls. The guide features support a data storage device when the data storage device is positioned between the first and the second opposing guide walls. The apparatus also includes a slidable member operably coupled to the first guide wall. The slidable member includes a top portion having retention features and a bottom portion having a lifting member. The lifting member enables lifting of the data storage device by the slidable member when the data storage device is within the guide system. The slidable member further includes a bent latch-release portion between the top portion and the bottom portion. The bent latch-release portion biases the data storage device towards the second guide wall.

Abstract: A heart tissue gripping device may include a body portion, an elongate shaft, and a tissue gripping member that is attached to the distal end of the elongate shaft. The tissue gripping member being may be positioned adjacent a heart surface by insertion through an incision in the body. The tissue gripping member may releasably attach to tissue of the heart surface to facilitate a surgical instrument in performing one or more procedures. A coupling of the tissue gripping member may releasably attach the surgical device to the tissue gripping member to allow the device to access the tissue of the heart surface.

Abstract: A device for bringing a target medium into contact with a carrier fluid comprises a chamber comprising a circumferential wall, a bottom wall and a top wall forming an enclosure for containing the target medium while contacting the carrier fluid, the chamber being substantially rotationally symmetric with respect to an axis of symmetry and adapted for remaining mechanically static in operation of the device. The device comprises a fluid inlet for injecting the carrier fluid into the chamber in a substantially tangential direction with respect to an inner surface of the circumferential wall, and an outlet. The device comprises a fluid distributor in the chamber for enabling the injected carrier fluid to pass through the distributor in a substantially inward radial direction, the distributor being substantially rotationally symmetric and adapted for rotating around the axis when driven by a transfer of momentum between the injected carrier fluid and the distributor.

Abstract: An engineered payload-delivery system includes a target cell binding unit, covalently bound to a pore forming unit, and a payload portion adapted with a region capable of non-covalently binding to the pore forming unit. The pore forming unit is derived from a particular sub-serotype of Clostridium toxin, while the payload region is derived from a different sub-serotype of Clostridium toxin. The disclosed chimeric protein-based composition is capable of specifically delivering payload to neural cells.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a protective device for use in congestive heart failure treatments, and other treatments, includes a control mechanism, an elongate shaft, and a protective plate. The control mechanism is coupled with a proximal end of the elongate shaft and the protective plate is pivotably coupled with a distal end of the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft enables the protective plate to be inserted within a body and navigated distally of a heart wall. The protective plate has a relatively wide and thin body portion and is pivotable relative to the elongate shaft by operation of the control mechanism. Pivoting and/or navigating of the protective plate within the body allows the protective plate to be positioned adjacent the heart wall to shield body organs or tissue surrounding the heart wall from being damaged by surgical instruments inserted through the heart wall.

Abstract: A heart tissue gripping device may include a body portion, an elongate shaft, and a tissue gripping member that is attached to the distal end of the elongate shaft. The tissue gripping member being may be positioned adjacent a heart surface by insertion through an incision in the body. The tissue gripping member may releasably attach to tissue of the heart surface to facilitate a surgical instrument in performing one or more procedures. A coupling of the tissue gripping member may releasably attach the surgical device to the tissue gripping member to allow the device to access the tissue of the heart surface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a heart anchor tensioning device includes a main body and an elongate shaft. A tension member or tether may be inserted through a lumen of the elongate shaft to allow the shaft to be advanced over the tension member and within a body while the main body is positioned outside of the body. The device also includes an anchor coupling mechanism that is configured to engage a heart anchor and move the heart anchor into engagement with a first wall of the heart. The anchor coupling mechanism is able to lock the heart anchor to inhibit proximal movement of the heart anchor along the tension member. The device further includes a tension indicating mechanism that provides an indication of a force being applied to the heart anchor by the device.