Abstract: A medical device comprises an elongate sheath comprising a rigid distal portion and a flexible proximal portion and defining a first lumen. The medical device further comprises an elongate instrument that fits within the lumen. The elongate instrument comprises a flexible proximal section and a rigid distal section. The rigid distal portion of the sheath is at least as long as the rigid distal section of the instrument. In a non-extended condition of the instrument, the distal section of the instrument is entirely within the distal portion of the sheath. In an extended condition of the instrument when the instrument is distally extended within the lumen of the sheath, at least a portion of the distal section of the instrument is outside of the distal portion of the sheath and a portion of the proximal section of the instrument is within the distal portion of the sheath.

Abstract: A blender power unit (BPU) for use in fracturing jobs. The BPU comprises a transformer having an input and an output and configured to receive electrical power via the input at a first voltage to output electrical power via the output at a second voltage; a motor power bus coupled to the output of the transformer; a motor starter bus; at least one motor soft starter having an input coupled to the motor power bus and having an coupled to the motor starter bus; a plurality of electric power relays coupled to the motor power bus and configured to supply electric power from the motor power bus to a load when in a closed state; and a plurality of start electric power relays coupled to the motor starter bus and configured to supply electric power from the motor starter bus to a load when in a closed state.

Abstract: A method comprising receiving a plurality of images of a scene captured by at least one drone; identifying features within the plurality of images; identifying similar images of the plurality of images based on the features identified within the plurality of images; comparing the similar images based on the features identified within the similar images to determine a proportion of features shared by the similar images; selecting a subset of the plurality of images that have a proportion of shared features that meets a predetermined range; generating a first 3D model of the scene from the subset of images using a first 3D model building algorithm; generating a second 3D model of the scene from the subset of images using a second 3D model building algorithm; computing errors for the first and second 3D models; and selecting as the model of the scene the first or second 3D model.

Abstract: A blender power unit (BPU) for use in fracturing jobs. The BPU comprises a transformer having an input and an output and configured to receive electrical power via the input at a first voltage to output electrical power via the output at a second voltage; a motor power bus coupled to the output of the transformer; a motor starter bus; at least one motor soft starter having an input coupled to the motor power bus and having an coupled to the motor starter bus; a plurality of electric power relays coupled to the motor power bus and configured to supply electric power from the motor power bus to a load when in a closed state; and a plurality of start electric power relays coupled to the motor starter bus and configured to supply electric power from the motor starter bus to a load when in a closed state.

Abstract: Flexible elongate devices and methods include an articulable body portion and a control structure attached with one or more pull wires that control articulation of the articulable body portion. The control structure includes a metallic material that defines a sealing surface functionalized by a primer. A polymer material disposed onto the sealing surface of the control structure creates a seal between the control structure and polymer material. Flexible elongate devices and methods also include a control structure and a pull wire configured to control articulation of the flexible elongate device. The control structure includes a plurality of control segments stacked along a longitudinal axis, where each of the control segments define a pull wire aperture, where pull wire apertures of adjacent control segments are offset relative to one another, such that a portion of the pull wire extending through the pull wire apertures has a non-linear shape.

Abstract: An anatomical probe system comprises an elongated flexible body and an elongated probe extending within the flexible body. The probe has a distal opening at a distal face of a distal end and includes an outer wall defining a channel, an access port in the outer wall in communication with the channel, a one-way flow controller, and an image capture instrument secured to the outer wall at a location proximal of the distal opening. The access port is spaced proximally of the distal face of the distal end. The one-way flow controller includes a cover configured to move between an open position where the access port is uncovered and the channel is in fluid communication with an area adjacent to the elongated probe via the access port, and a closed position where the access port is covered and a migration of fluids through the distal opening is permitted.

Abstract: An improved system for simplifying a complex waveguide network in a satellite system is described herein. A waveguide network device may be configured with at least two housing portions attached together. This enables the waveguide network device to receive an arbitrary number of waveguide routes and output the routes in any configuration, effectively simplifying the overall waveguide network architecture.

Abstract: An improved system for simplifying a complex waveguide network in a satellite system is described herein. A waveguide network device may be configured with at least two housing portions attached together. This enables the waveguide network device to receive an arbitrary number of waveguide routes and output the routes in any configuration, effectively simplifying the overall waveguide network architecture.

Abstract: An improved system for simplifying a complex waveguide network in a satellite system is described herein. A waveguide network device may be configured with at least two housing portions attached together. This enables the waveguide network device to receive an arbitrary number of waveguide routes and output the routes in any configuration, effectively simplifying the overall waveguide network architecture.

Abstract: An improved system for simplifying a complex waveguide network in a satellite system is described herein. A waveguide network device may be configured with at least two housing portions attached together. This enables the waveguide network device to receive an arbitrary number of waveguide routes and output the routes in any configuration, effectively simplifying the overall waveguide network architecture.

Abstract: An anatomical probe system comprises an elongated flexible body and an elongated probe extending within the flexible body. The probe has a distal end and includes an outer wall defining a channel. The probe also includes an access port in the outer wall in communication with the channel. The access port is spaced proximally of the distal end.

Abstract: A tissue shaping device adapted to be deployed in a lumen to modify the shape of target tissue adjacent to the lumen. In one embodiment the device includes first and second anchors; a connector disposed between the first and second anchors; and a focal deflector disposed between the first and second anchors and may be adapted to extend away from the lumen axis and toward the target tissue and/or away from the lumen axis and away from the target tissue when the device is deployed in the lumen. The invention is also a method of modifying target tissue shape. The method includes the steps of providing a tissue shaping device comprising proximal and distal anchors, a connector disposed between the proximal and distal anchors, and a focal deflector; placing the tissue shaping device in a lumen adjacent the target tissue; applying a shaping force from the focal deflector against a lumen wall to modify the shape of the target tissue; and expanding the proximal and distal anchors to anchor the device in the lumen.

Abstract: A tissue shaping device adapted to be deployed in a lumen to modify the shape of target tissue adjacent to the lumen. In one embodiment the device includes first and second anchors; a connector disposed between the first and second anchors; and a focal deflector disposed between the first and second anchors and may be adapted to extend away from the lumen axis and toward the target tissue and/or away from the lumen axis and away from the target tissue when the device is deployed in the lumen. The invention is also a method of modifying target tissue shape. The method includes the steps of providing a tissue shaping device comprising proximal and distal anchors, a connector disposed between the proximal and distal anchors, and a focal deflector; placing the tissue shaping device in a lumen adjacent the target tissue; applying a shaping force from the focal deflector against a lumen wall to modify the shape of the target tissue; and expanding the proximal and distal anchors to anchor the device in the lumen.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method of treating mitral valve regurgitation in a patient. The method includes the steps of delivering a tissue shaping device to the patient's coronary sinus in an unexpanded configuration within a catheter having an outer diameter no more than nine or ten french, with the tissue shaping device including a connector disposed between a distal expandable anchor comprising flexible wire and a proximal expandable anchor comprising flexible wire, the device having a length of 60 mm or less; and deploying the device to reduce mitral valve regurgitation, such as by anchoring the distal expandable anchor by placing the distal expandable anchor flexible wire in contact with a wall of the coronary sinus, e.g., by permitting the distal expandable anchor to self-expand or by applying an actuating force to the distal expandable anchor and possibly locking the distal expandable anchor after performing the applying step. The invention also includes a device for performing the method.

Abstract: A tissue shaping device adapted to be deployed in a vessel to reshape tissue adjacent to the vessel. In some embodiments the device includes first and second anchors and a connector disposed between the first and second anchors, with the connector being integral with at least a portion of the first anchor. The invention is also a method of making a tissue shaping device including the steps of removing material from a blank to form a connector and an integral anchor portion; and attaching a non-integral anchor portion to the integral anchor portion.

Abstract: A tissue shaping device adapted to be deployed in a vessel to reshape tissue adjacent to the vessel. In some embodiments the device includes first and second anchors and a connector disposed between the first and second anchors, with the connector being integral with at least a portion of the first anchor. The invention is also a method of making a tissue shaping device including the steps of removing material from a blank to form a connector and an integral anchor portion; and attaching a non-integral anchor portion to the integral anchor portion.

Abstract: A system for selectively deploying a medical device includes a cartridge that is engageable with a proximal end of a delivery catheter that is routed to a desired location in a patient's body. An advancement mechanism is provided for advancing the medical device out of the cartridge and into the delivery catheter for deploying the medical device at the desired location in the patient's body.

Abstract: A tissue shaping device adapted to be deployed in a vessel to reshape tissue adjacent to the vessel. In some embodiments the device includes first and second anchors and a connector disposed between the first and second anchors, with the connector being integral with at least a portion of the first anchor. The invention is also a method of making a tissue shaping device including the steps of removing material from a blank to form a connector and an integral anchor portion; and attaching a non-integral anchor portion to the integral anchor portion.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method of treating mitral valve regurgitation in a patient. The method includes the steps of delivering a tissue shaping device to the patient's coronary sinus in an unexpanded configuration within a catheter having an outer diameter no more than nine or ten french, with the tissue shaping device including a connector disposed between a distal expandable anchor comprising flexible wire and a proximal expandable anchor comprising flexible wire, the device having a length of 60 mm or less; and deploying the device to reduce mitral valve regurgitation, such as by anchoring the distal expandable anchor by placing the distal expandable anchor flexible wire in contact with a wall of the coronary sinus, e.g., by permitting the distal expandable anchor to self-expand or by applying an actuating force to the distal expandable anchor and possibly locking the distal expandable anchor after performing the applying step. The invention also includes a device for performing the method.

Abstract: A tissue shaping device adapted to be deployed in a vessel to reshape tissue adjacent to the vessel. In some embodiments the device includes first and second anchors and a connector disposed between the first and second anchors, with the connector being integral with at least a portion of the first anchor. The invention is also a method of making a tissue shaping device including the steps of removing material from a blank to form a connector and an integral anchor portion; and attaching a non-integral anchor portion to the integral anchor portion.