Abstract: The present application describes an implant system useable for positioning an implant device such as a device useful for restricting passage of ingested food into the stomach. In one embodiment, the disclosed system includes a plurality of anchors that may be coupled to tissue within the stomach, or to a tissue tunnel formed by plicating stomach wall tissue. The anchor includes a loop. During use, the implant device is inserted through the loop and expanded such that it retains its position within the loop until removed. Instruments for implanting and explanting the implant device are also described.

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: The present application describes an implant system useable for positioning an implant device such as a device useful for restricting passage of ingested food into the stomach. In one embodiment, the disclosed system includes a plurality of anchors that may be coupled to tissue within the stomach, or to a tissue tunnel formed by plicating stomach wall tissue. The anchor includes a loop. During use, the implant device is inserted through the loop and expanded such that it retains its position within the loop until removed. Instruments for implanting and explanting the implant device are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments described include devices, systems, and methods for reducing the distance between two locations in tissue. 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 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: A method is described for assisting execution of an application that is implemented with individual blocks of program code that are executable with separate processes. The method includes receiving an indication that a first of the blocks desires availability of a service provided by a second of the blocks. The method further includes, in response to the receipt of the indication, instantiating an instance of code to handle the delivery of inter process requests from the first block to the second block. The method further includes, in response to the instance of code receiving a first request from the first block for the service, instantiating the second block for execution with a different process than the first block's process. The method further includes detecting that the second block has no pending requests and has not, over a period of time, received any new requests, and, terminating the second block in response.

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: Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two locations in tissue, often for treatment of congestive heart failure. In one embodiment an anchor of an implant system may 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. 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 catheter. An anchor force may be applied within a desired range to secure the anchors about the septum and epicardial surface. The anchor force may inhibit migration of the anchors relative to the septum and epicardial surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adaptive expense processing and management include receiving and generating expense data objects, performing one or more expense processing and/or management procedures, adjusting/updating expense data from a first set to a second set for use in an autonomous expense procedure, and generating one or more additional or subsequent expense data objects based on the second set of expense data. For example, one or more account formation characteristics may be determined during an account formation procedure. Further, a merchant identity procedure may be performed. Additionally, the methods and apparatus may perform an expense category estimation procedure. The methods and apparatus may also determine a duplicate expense data object and perform an expense resolution procedure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adaptive expense processing and management include receiving and generating expense data objects, performing one or more expense processing and/or management procedures, adjusting/updating expense data from a first set to a second set for use in an autonomous expense procedure, and generating one or more additional or subsequent expense data objects based on the second set of expense data. For example, one or more account formation characteristics may be determined during an account formation procedure. Further, a merchant identity procedure may be performed. Additionally, the methods and apparatus may perform an expense category estimation procedure. The methods and apparatus may also determine a duplicate expense data object and perform an expense resolution procedure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adaptive expense processing and management include receiving and generating expense data objects, performing one or more expense processing and/or management procedures, adjusting/updating expense data from a first set to a second set for use in an autonomous expense procedure, and generating one or more additional or subsequent expense data objects based on the second set of expense data. For example, one or more account formation characteristics may be determined during an account formation procedure. Further, a merchant identity procedure may be performed. Additionally, the methods and apparatus may perform an expense category estimation procedure. The methods and apparatus may also determine a duplicate expense data object and perform an expense resolution procedure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adaptive expense processing and management include receiving and generating expense data objects, performing one or more expense processing and/or management procedures, adjusting/updating expense data from a first set to a second set for use in an autonomous expense procedure, and generating one or more additional or subsequent expense data objects based on the second set of expense data. For example, one or more account formation characteristics may be determined during an account formation procedure. Further, a merchant identity procedure may be performed. Additionally, the methods and apparatus may perform an expense category estimation procedure. The methods and apparatus may also determine a duplicate expense data object and perform an expense resolution procedure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adaptive expense processing and management include receiving and generating expense data objects, performing one or more expense processing and/or management procedures, adjusting/updating expense data from a first set to a second set for use in an autonomous expense procedure, and generating one or more additional or subsequent expense data objects based on the second set of expense data. For example, one or more account formation characteristics may be determined during an account formation procedure. Further, a merchant identity procedure may be performed. Additionally, the methods and apparatus may perform an expense category estimation procedure. The methods and apparatus may also determine a duplicate expense data object and perform an expense resolution procedure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adaptive expense processing and management include receiving and generating expense data objects, performing one or more expense processing and/or management procedures, adjusting/updating expense data from a first set to a second set for use in an autonomous expense procedure, and generating one or more additional or subsequent expense data objects based on the second set of expense data. For example, one or more account formation characteristics may be determined during an account formation procedure. Further, a merchant identity procedure may be performed. Additionally, the methods and apparatus may perform an expense category estimation procedure. The methods and apparatus may also determine a duplicate expense data object and perform an expense resolution procedure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adaptive expense processing and management include receiving and generating expense data objects, performing one or more expense processing and/or management procedures, adjusting/updating expense data from a first set to a second set for use in an autonomous expense procedure, and generating one or more additional or subsequent expense data objects based on the second set of expense data. For example, one or more account formation characteristics may be determined during an account formation procedure. Further, a merchant identity procedure may be performed. Additionally, the methods and apparatus may perform an expense category estimation procedure. The methods and apparatus may also determine a duplicate expense data object and perform an expense resolution procedure.

Abstract: A system and method for gesture control of a mobile communications device link a single user gesture to a plurality of device functions or modules. One or more condition sensors associated with the device are then employed by the mobile communications device to disambiguate the gesture such that the device may then activate one of the plurality of device functions or modules. In this way, the user controls the activation of multiple functions or modules via use of a single gesture.

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: Embodiments described herein provide devices, systems, and methods that reduce the distance between two locations in tissue, often for treatment of congestive heart failure. For example, 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. The anchor may be deployed into the heart through a working lumen of a minimally invasive access tool. The minimally invasive access tool may have a plurality of grippers near a distal end of the working lumen. The grippers may engage epicardial tissue of the heart and may be moved radially inwardly relative so as to provide stabilization of the epicardial tissue and/or hemostasis near an access site where the anchor is inserted through the epicardium. The minimally invasive access tool may minimize blood loss from the access site and improve anchor implant processes.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are described for retaining a medical implant within a body cavity. According to one aspect, at least a portion of a medical implant is positioned within a body cavity, and a wall of the body cavity is re-shaped such that the re-shaped wall prevents migration of the medical implant out of the body cavity. The re-shaped body wall may form a tissue pocket, tunnel, or other barrier against migration of the implant.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are described for retaining a medical implant within a body cavity. According to one aspect, one or more plications are formed and the medical device is coupled to or seated against the plication(s).