Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described herein for use in the delivery and deployment of a prosthetic mitral valve into a heart. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a catheter assembly, a valve holding tube and a handle assembly. The valve holding tube is releasably couplable to a proximal end portion of the catheter assembly and to a distal end portion of the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a housing and a delivery rod. The delivery rod is configured to be actuated to move distally relative to the housing to move a prosthetic heart valve disposed within the valve holding tube out of the valve holding tube and distally within a lumen of the elongate sheath of the catheter assembly. The catheter assembly is configured to be actuated to move proximally relative to the housing such that the prosthetic valve is disposed outside of the lumen of the elongate sheath.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described herein for use in the delivery and deployment of a prosthetic mitral valve into a heart. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a catheter assembly, a valve holding tube and a handle assembly. The valve holding tube is releasably couplable to a proximal end portion of the catheter assembly and to a distal end portion of the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a housing and a delivery rod. The delivery rod is configured to be actuated to move distally relative to the housing to move a prosthetic heart valve disposed within the valve holding tube out of the valve holding tube and distally within a lumen of the elongate sheath of the catheter assembly. The catheter assembly is configured to be actuated to move proximally relative to the housing such that the prosthetic valve is disposed outside of the lumen of the elongate sheath.

Abstract: An alternating flow column chromatography apparatus comprising a ‘U’ shaped or T shaped separation column including at least one loading port for loading of components for separation, a first purification column in fluid communication with one end of the separation column and a second purification column in fluid communication with another end of the separation column, at least one eluent input port, an eluate output port and an alternating flow valve in fluid communication with the primary eluent input port, the eluate output port, the first purification column and the second purification column wherein, when operated, the alternating flow valve reverses the flow of eluent through the purification columns and the separation column. Also a method of using the apparatus. A benefit of the apparatus and method is more efficient operation compared to existing direct flow column chromatography apparatuses.

Abstract: It was discovered that hydrogel scaffolds can be used to induce phase separation as aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) pass through and/or rehydrate the scaffolds, allowing for concentration of target analyte(s) (e.g., biomolecule(s)) into a particular phase of the ATPS or into a leading front. Accordingly, in various embodiments methods and devices are provided that utilize aqueous two-phase systems and hydrogel scaffolds to improve the sensitivity of assays (e.g., of point-of-care assays) without sacrificing cost or ease of use.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are endoscope assemblies, and more particularly endoscopes with a working channel for use in hysteroscopy, and methods of use thereof. Devices and systems related to an integrated hysteroscopic treatment system including an endoscopic viewing system, a fluid management system, a resecting device and a controller for operating all the systems. Also disclosed are integrated hysteroscopic treatment systems that include an endoscopic viewing system, a fluid management system, a resecting device and a controller for operating all the systems.

Abstract: An occlusive medical device system may include an elongate shaft having a lumen extending longitudinally through a tubular body portion and a plurality of retaining arms extending distally from the tubular body portion. An occlusive medical device may include a proximal tubular mounting portion fixed to an expandable occlusive element. A release wire may be axially translatable between a distal engagement position and a proximal released position, the release wire having a distal engagement portion and a distal retention portion distal of the distal engagement portion. The distal engagement portion may be configured to engage the plurality of retaining arms in the distal engagement position, thereby urging the plurality of retaining arms into releasable engagement with the proximal tubular mounting portion, wherein when the release wire is in the proximal released position, the plurality of retaining arms is deflectable radially inward to disengage from the proximal tubular mounting portion.

Abstract: A vascular occlusion system may include a microcatheter configured to navigate a vasculature, an elongate shaft slidably disposed within a lumen of the microcatheter, the elongate shaft having a lumen extending from a proximal end of the elongate shaft to a distal end of the elongate shaft, a plurality of occlusive medical devices releasably connected to the elongate shaft, and a release wire slidably disposed within the elongate shaft and at least a portion of each of the plurality of occlusive medical devices. The release wire secures each of the plurality of occlusive medical devices to the distal end of the elongate shaft when the release wire is disposed within at least a portion of each of the plurality of occlusive medical devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a sorbent material, comprising firstly providing a porous silica substrate, said substrate comprising a plurality of silanol groups on a surface thereof then reacting said silanol groups with either a silicon compound of formula RnSi(OR?)4-n, where R is an alkyl group and n is 0 or 1, or an aminoalkyl silane of formula R?mRnSi(OR?)4-n-m having at least two hydrolysable groups attached to silicon, where R? is an aminoalkyl group, m is 1 or 2 and n is 0 or 1s or a compound of formula M(OR?)4, or a mixture of any two or more of the preceding compounds, hydrolyzing the product, men reacting hydroxyl groups formed with one or more reagents, wherein each reagent is independently selected from the group consisting of an aminoalkyl silane having at least two hydrolysable groups attached to the silicon and a compound of formula M(OR?)4, and finally hydrolyzing the product, wherein each OR? independently is a hydrolysable group and each M independently is Zr, Ti, Hf, Sn,

Abstract: A delivery device for an implantable medical device having a retention member at an end thereof may include a shaft extending in a longitudinal direction and defining a longitudinal axis, an elongated sheath surrounding a longitudinal portion of the shaft, a compartment defined inside the sheath and adapted to receive the medical device in an assembled condition, a retainer positioned at one end of the compartment, and an energy storage element positioned on the longitudinal portion of the shaft and configured to be radially compressed by the medical device when the elongated sheath covers the compartment containing the medical device. The sheath may be slidable relative to the shaft in the longitudinal direction. The retainer may include a recess adapted to receive the retention member of the medical device in the assembled condition.

Abstract: Endoscopes include a shaft having a diameter extending about a longitudinal axis to a distal housing. An image sensor is carried by the distal housing, and a channel extends through the shaft and distal housing. A distal portion of the channel is adjustable or curved to accommodate introduction of a tool while maintaining a reduced shaft diameter. In some embodiments, a diagonal dimension of the image sensor when combined with a channel diameter is greater than a shaft diameter. In some embodiments, the distal housing is flexible to accommodate passage of a straight tool through a curved distal portion of a working channel. In some embodiments, a curved distal portion of a working channel may be reoriented to deflect a flexible tool.

Abstract: A disposable cover for use with an endoscope includes an elongated sheath having and having an open proximal end and a closed distal end. A channel extends along a central axis of the sheath from the open proximal end to the closed distal end, and the channel is configured to accommodate insertion of an endoscope. A proximal region of the sheath is formed as a rigid thin-wall sleeve and a distal region of the sheath is formed as a flexible thin-wall sleeve. The flexible thin-wall sleeve is configured to allow deflection of said distal region in cooperation with an articulating distal end of an endoscope.

Abstract: A delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes an operating handle and a catheter assembly. The operating handle may include a housing defining a movement space therein, a carriage assembly moveable in a longitudinal direction within the movement space, a deployment actuator coupled to the housing and rotatable relative to the housing, and a coupling assembly rotationally fixed to the deployment actuator. The catheter assembly may include a first shaft around which a compartment is defined and a distal sheath operatively connected to the carriage assembly. Movement of the carriage assembly in the longitudinal direction in the movement space may move the distal sheath between the closed condition and the open condition. The coupling assembly may have an engaged position in which rotation of the deployment actuator moves the carriage assembly, and a disengaged position in which rotation of the deployment actuator does not move the carriage assembly.

Abstract: A delivery device for an implantable medical device having a retention member at an end thereof may include a shaft extending in a longitudinal direction and defining a longitudinal axis, an elongated sheath surrounding a longitudinal portion of the shaft, a compartment defined inside the sheath and adapted to receive the medical device in an assembled condition, a retainer positioned at one end of the compartment, and an energy storage element positioned on the longitudinal portion of the shaft and configured to be radially compressed by the medical device when the elongated sheath covers the compartment containing the medical device. The sheath may be slidable relative to the shaft in the longitudinal direction. The retainer may include a recess adapted to receive the retention member of the medical device in the assembled condition.

Abstract: PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED To provide an in-cylinder flow measuring method and a system thereof in an internal combustion engine configured to grasp simultaneously an air-fuel mixture flow and the flame behavior in the flow field under the firing condition.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described herein for use in the delivery and deployment of a prosthetic mitral valve into a heart. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a catheter assembly, a valve holding tube and a handle assembly. The valve holding tube is releasably couplable to a proximal end portion of the catheter assembly and to a distal end portion of the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a housing and a delivery rod. The delivery rod is configured to be actuated to move distally relative to the housing to move a prosthetic heart valve disposed within the valve holding tube out of the valve holding tube and distally within a lumen of the elongate sheath of the catheter assembly. The catheter assembly is configured to be actuated to move proximally relative to the housing such that the prosthetic valve is disposed outside of the lumen of the elongate sheath.

Abstract: A delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes an operating handle and a catheter assembly. The operating handle may include a housing defining a movement space therein, a carriage assembly moveable in a longitudinal direction within the movement space, a deployment actuator coupled to the housing and rotatable relative to the housing, and a coupling assembly rotationally fixed to the deployment actuator. The catheter assembly may include a first shaft around which a compartment is defined and a distal sheath operatively connected to the carriage assembly. Movement of the carriage assembly in the longitudinal direction in the movement space may move the distal sheath between the closed condition and the open condition. The coupling assembly may have an engaged position in which rotation of the deployment actuator moves the carriage assembly, and a disengaged position in which rotation of the deployment actuator does not move the carriage assembly.

Abstract: An automated teller machine (ATM) is proposed having a control panel (CP) that has elements (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) arranged therein that are provided for users of the automated teller machine (ATM) and that has a camera (CAM) to detect manipulation attempts on the automated teller machine (ATM). The camera (CAM) is mounted in a housing section of the automated teller machine (ATM) surrounding the control panel (CP) and aligned in such a way that the camera (CAM) captures images of at least two of the elements (1, 2) arranged in the control panel (CP). In particular, the camera (CAM) captures image of the money dispensing compartment (1) and the keypad (2) in order to unequivocally detect any overlays installed there and similar manipulation or skimming attempts.

Abstract: An introducer includes a housing and a flexible seal. The housing includes a hub, a cap, and a lumen. The flexible seal is positioned across the lumen and retained between the hub and the cap. The seal includes a top surface and a bottom surface, a bottom slit formed in the bottom surface, and a top slit formed in the top surface. The top slit crosses the bottom slit. The seal member is biased by an interface between the hub and the cap to at least partially close the top slit and at least partially open the bottom slit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a sorbent material, comprising firstly providing a porous silica substrate, said substrate comprising a plurality of silanol groups on a surface thereof then reacting said silanol groups with either a silicon compound of formula RnSi(OR?)4-n, where R is an alkyl group and n is 0 or 1, or an aminoalkyl silane of formula R?mRnSi(OR?)4-n-m having at least two hydrolysable groups attached to silicon, where R? is an aminoalkyl group, m is 1 or 2 and n is 0 or 1s or a compound of formula M(OR?)4, or a mixture of any two or more of the preceding compounds, hydrolysing the product, men reacting hydroxyl groups formed with one or more reagents, wherein each reagent is independently selected from the group consisting of an aminoalkyl silane having at least two hydrolysable groups attached to the silicon and a compound of formula M(OR?)4, and finally hydrolysing the product, wherein each OR? independently is a hydrolysable group and each M independently is Zr, Ti, Hf, Sn,

Abstract: A vascular closure system includes a balloon location device, a bioadhesive delivery device, and a sealing tip. The balloon location device includes a balloon for temporarily sealing a vessel puncture internally and at least one lumen for delivering inflation fluid to the balloon. The bioadhesive delivery device includes at least one lumen for delivery of the balloon location device to the vessel puncture. One of the balloon location device and the bioadhesive delivery device includes a first lumen for delivery of a first volume of bioadhesive to the vessel puncture. The sealing tip is releasable within a channel formed in the first volume of bioadhesive upon withdrawal of the balloon. One of the balloon location device and the bioadhesive delivery device is configured for delivery of a second volume of bioadhesive to the vessel puncture after the sealing tip is released in the channel.