Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to methods for serially expanding an artificial heart valve within a pediatric patient. For example, the artificial heart valve can be implanted into the pediatric patient during a first procedure, and then expanded during a second procedure to accommodate for the pediatric patient’s growth. Some embodiments include introducing an expander into the implanted valve when the frame is expanded to a first working diameter, and then actuating the expander to expand the frame to a second working diameter greater than the first working diameter, to accommodate for the pediatric patient’s growth.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to methods for serially expanding an artificial heart valve within a pediatric patient. For example, the artificial heart valve can be implanted into the pediatric patient during a first procedure, and then expanded during a second procedure to accommodate for the pediatric patient's growth. Some embodiments include introducing an expander into the implanted valve when the frame is expanded to a first working diameter, and then actuating the expander to expand the frame to a second working diameter greater than the first working diameter, to accommodate for the pediatric patient's growth.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a transcatheter and serially-expandable artificial heart valve, e.g., to be minimally-invasively implanted into a pediatric patient during a first procedure, and then expanded during a second procedure to accommodate for the pediatric patient's growth. Some embodiments include an expandable frame having a compressed, delivery configuration, and an expanded, deployed configuration, in which the valve is implantable within the patient. The valve can have a first working condition when the frame is expanded to a first diameter and a second working condition when the frame is expanded to a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The valve can include a plurality of leaflets configured to accommodate the expansion of the frame and growth of the patient.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to methods for serially expanding an artificial heart valve within a pediatric patient. For example, the artificial heart valve can be implanted into the pediatric patient during a first procedure, and then expanded during a second procedure to accommodate for the pediatric patient's growth. Some embodiments include introducing an expander into the implanted valve when the frame is expanded to a first working diameter, and then actuating the expander to expand the frame to a second working diameter greater than the first working diameter, to accommodate for the pediatric patient's growth.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a transcatheter and serially-expandable artificial heart valve, e.g., to be minimally-invasively implanted into a pediatric patient during a first procedure, and then expanded during a second procedure to accommodate for the pediatric patient's growth. Some embodiments include an expandable frame having a compressed, delivery configuration, and an expanded, deployed configuration, in which the valve is implantable within the patient. The valve can have a first working condition when the frame is expanded to a first diameter and a second working condition when the frame is expanded to a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The valve can include a plurality of leaflets configured to accommodate the expansion of the frame and growth of the patient.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides and artificial, flexible valve indlucding: a stent defining a wall and a plurality of leaflets extending from the wall of the stent. The plurality of leaflets form a plurality of coaptation regions between two adjacent leaflets. The coaptation regions include extensions along a z-axis and adapted and are configured to form a releasable, but substantially complete seal when the leaflets are in a closed position. Another aspect of the invention provides an artificial, flexible valve including: a stent defining a wall and a plurality of leaflets extending from the wall of the stent. Each of the plurality of leaflets terminates in a commissure line. The commissure lines devi-ate from a hyperbola formed in the x-y plane by at least one deviation selected from the group consisting of: a deviation in the z-direction and one or more curves relative to the hyperbola.

Abstract: An automated system (100) for compounding pharmaceutical agents for injection treatment of a patient includes a housing (110) enclosing an interior space; an inventory structure (130) having a plurality of chambers (131) for individually holding one or more pharmaceutical agent—containing single use capsules (102), wherein each capsule has a volume capacity of from about 0.1 to about 10.0 mL liquid; means (140) for selecting capsules in accordance with predetermined pharmaceutical agents contained in said capsules; means (150) for moving the selected capsules to a processing area; means (165,166) for sequentially transferring a controlled quantity of the predetermined pharmaceutical agent with direct fluid communication from each selected capsule to a product container under positive or negative pressure; and means (151) for automatically discarding spent capsules from which the pharmaceutical agents have been removed after a single use.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an artificial, flexible valve including: a stent defining a wall and a plurality of leaflets extending from the wall of the stent. The plurality of leaflets form a plurality of coaptation regions between two adjacent leaflets. The coaptation regions include extensions along a z-axis and adapted and are configured to form a releasable, but substantially complete seal when the leaflets are in a closed position. Another aspect of the invention provides an artificial, flexible valve including: a stent defining a wall and a plurality of leaflets extending from the wall of the stent. Each of the plurality of leaflets terminates in a commissure line. The commissure lines deviate from a hyperbola formed in the x-y plane by at least one deviation selected from the group consisting of: a deviation in the z-direction and one or more curves relative to the hyperbola.

Abstract: An automated system (100) for compounding pharmaceutical agents for injection treatment of a patient includes a housing (110) enclosing an interior space; an inventory structure (130) having a plurality of chambers (131) for individually holding one or more pharmaceutical agent—containing single use capsules (102), wherein each capsule has a volume capacity of from about 0.1 to about 10.0 mL liquid; means (140) for selecting capsules in accordance with predetermined pharmaceutical agents contained in said capsules; means (150) for moving the selected capsules to a processing area; means (165,166) for sequentially transferring a controlled quantity of the predetermined pharmaceutical agent with direct fluid communication from each selected capsule to a product container under positive or negative pressure; and means (151) for automatically discarding spent capsules from which the pharmaceutical agents have been removed after a single use.

Abstract: An automated system (100) for compounding pharmaceutical agents for injection treatment of a patient includes a housing (110) enclosing an interior space; an inventory structure (130) having a plurality of chambers (131) for individually holding one or more pharmaceutical agent—containing single use capsules (102), wherein each capsule has a volume capacity of from about 0.1 to about 10.0 mL liquid; means (140) for selecting capsules in accordance with predetermined pharmaceutical agents contained in said capsules; means (150) for moving the selected capsules to a processing area; means (165,166) for sequentially transferring a controlled quantity of the predetermined pharmaceutical agent with direct fluid communication from each selected capsule to a product container under positive or negative pressure; and means (151) for automatically discarding spent capsules from which the pharmaceutical agents have been removed after a single use.

Abstract: An automated system (100) for compounding pharmaceutical agents for injection treatment of a patient includes a housing (110) enclosing an interior space; an inventory structure (130) having a plurality of chambers (131) for individually holding one or more pharmaceutical agent—containing single use capsules (102), wherein each capsule has a volume capacity of from about 0.1 to about 10.0 mL liquid; means (140) for selecting capsules in accordance with predetermined pharmaceutical agents contained in said capsules; means (150) for moving the selected capsules to a processing area; means (165,166) for sequentially transferring a controlled quantity of the predetermined pharmaceutical agent with direct fluid communication from each selected capsule to a product container under positive or negative pressure; and means (151) for automatically discarding spent capsules from which the pharmaceutical agents have been removed after a single use.

Abstract: A system and method for producing 18F-Fluroide by using a proton beam to irradiate 180xygen in gasous form. The irradiated 180xygen is contained in a chamber that includes at least one component to which the produced 18F-Fluoride adheres. A solvent dissolves the produced 18F-Fluoride off of the at least one component while it is in the chjamber. The solvent is then processed to obtain the 18F-Fluoride.

Abstract: A system and method for producing 18F-Fluoride by using a proton beam to irradiate 18Oxygen in gaseous form. The irradiated 18Oxygen is contained in a chamber that includes at least one component to which the produced 18F-Fluoride adheres. A solvent dissolves the produced 18F-Fluoride off of the at least one component while it is in the chamber. The solvent is then processed to obtain the 18F-Fluoride.

Abstract: A system and method for producing 18F-Fluoride by using a proton beam to irradiate 18Oxygen in gaseous form. The irradiated 18Oxygen is contained in a chamber that includes at least one component to which the produced 18F-Fluoride adheres. A solvent dissolves the produced 18F-Fluoride off of the at least one component while it is in the chamber. The solvent is then processed to obtain the 18F-Fluoride.