Abstract: The present disclosure provides an endoscopic apparatus and associated methods. The apparatus may include a steerable tool having a first flexible tube concentrically nested within a second flexible tube. The apparatus may include an end cap disposed on the steerable tool, an image sensor disposed on the end cap, and one or more light sources disposed on the end cap. The apparatus may be configured for accessing a region within a middle ear cavity of a patient. As such, the apparatus may further include a flexible tube, through which the steerable tool may extend, as well as a pre-curved rigid tube, through which the flexible tube may extend, thus allowing the apparatus to be deployed for middle ear access.

Abstract: A delivery system includes an elongated shaft component, a self-expanding valve prosthesis, at least one cinching suture, and a radially-expandable sleeve. The valve prosthesis is disposed over a distal portion of the elongated shaft component and includes a compressed configuration for delivery and an expanded configuration for deployment. The at least one cinching suture removably couples the valve prosthesis to the elongated shaft component and radially compresses the valve prosthesis into the compressed configuration for delivery. The sleeve is secured to and encircles an outer surface of the valve prosthesis. The sleeve has a delivery state with a first diameter extending over a full length of the valve prosthesis in the compressed configuration and a deployed state with a greater second diameter extending over the full length of the valve prosthesis in the expanded configuration. The sleeve is configured to prevent paravalvular leakage in situ in the deployed state.

Abstract: The present invention provides certain CHIP films and coatings, as well as the preparation and uses thereof. Chalcogenide hybrid organic/inorganic polymers or CHIPs may be suitable for use in antireflection coatings for use with infrared optics, for example as applied to lenses for infrared cameras. The coatings may be applied with spin coating and have a thickness related to the quarter wavelength of the desired infrared wavelengths.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cosmetic system comprising a basecoat composition comprising at least one acrylic thickener and a topcoat composition comprising at least one aqueous polyurethane dispersion.

Abstract: A rivet fastener which can be readily and repeatedly removed and reinstalled including a rivet body and a drive pin where the drive pin can be inserted within the rivet body so as to retain the fastener within an article and upon further insertion of the drive pin the fastener is released from an article where the drive pin does not protrude from the back side of the rivet body either during fastening or removal thereof.