Abstract: A method for determining a detection range of a sensor installed in a motor vehicle is provided. The sensor scans a surroundings of the motor vehicle. The method includes detecting a predefined object in the surroundings of the motor vehicle by way of the sensor, determining a distance of the detected object to the motor vehicle and determining the detection range based on the determined distance.

Abstract: A cell degassing channel for discharging gases from a battery with at least one battery cell. The cell degassing channel has a chamber which has at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening and which is designed such that a gas exiting from the at least one battery cell can be introduced into the chamber through the at least one inlet opening and can be led through the same along at least one gas discharge path to at least one outlet opening of the chamber. The chamber has at least one first perforated plate which is arranged in an interior space of the chamber and has multiple first holes.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a catheter lumen of a tissue removal catheter has a flushing chamber with distal and proximal seals and an inlet port. The proximal seal is a duckbill seal that includes a pair of opposing duckbill members that slidingly accept the distal end portion of a catheter body to form a seal about the catheter body proximal to a proximal opening in of the catheter lumen. Fluid is directed in the inlet port, into the flushing chamber, into proximal opening in the catheter body, and through the catheter lumen to discharge tissue contained in the catheter lumen. In some embodiments, the cleaning device is preloaded on the catheter body. The cleaning device can have an internal stop that engages with an external stop on the catheter body when the cleaning device is positioned in an operative position.

Abstract: An anchor assembly having a helical anchor extending through an anchor bore defined in the anchor housing. In some embodiments, at least one helical turn of the helical anchor extends beyond a portion of the anchor bore. In some embodiments, at least one helical turn of the helical anchor extends beyond a side wall of the anchor housing. In some embodiments, the helical turns of the helical anchors of anchor assemblies mounted adjacent one another on an implantable device nest within one another when the implantable device is in an unexpanded configuration. In some embodiments, the distalmost helical turn of the helical anchor has an outer diameter greater than more proximal helical turns of the helical anchor. In some embodiments, the outer diameters of the at least some of the helical turns of the helical anchor taper from a distal end to a proximal end of the helical anchor.

Abstract: A deployment device engageable with a movable component of a medical device to actuate the movable component with respect to another component of the medical device. The deployment device may be shifted among two or more configurations or stages to permit different movements of the movable component of the medical device. For instance, in one configuration the deployment device is fully engaged with the movable component such that a portion of the movable component is inhibited from engaging with an other portion of the medical device. In another configuration, the deployment device is partially withdrawn from engagement with the movable component to allow the movable component to engage with the other portion of the medical device.

Abstract: Coating of at least a portion of components of an implantable device to reduce friction during movement therebetween. The surfaces of the components which are coated may be pretreated in a manner contrary to recommended for application of such coating or may simply not be treated as recommend for application of such coating.

Abstract: A method of delivering a valve prosthesis to be deployed within a native heart valve at a native heart valve annulus. The method including collapsing a prosthetic valve having an expandable frame comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough inside of a delivery instrument, such that a plurality of spaced anchors extending from the distal end of the expandable frame towards the proximal end are collapsed to an inverted position in a collapsed anchor configuration. The method further including advancing the delivery instrument a first distance such that the plurality of spaced anchors extend below the valve annulus, and releasing each of the plurality of spaced anchors such that each of the plurality of spaced anchors is repositioned from the inverted position to an expanded anchor configuration to contact a subannular location.

Abstract: A valve prosthesis to be deployed within a native heart valve at a native heart valve annulus. The valve prosthesis including an expandable frame and a plurality of spaced anchors. The expandable frame includes a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. The expandable frame collapses radially for delivery and expands radially upon deployment to an expanded configuration. The plurality of spaced anchors extend from the distal end of the frame towards the proximal end, each anchor formed with a free end, and each anchor being expandable from a collapsed anchor configuration to an expanded anchor configuration, wherein each of the anchors includes a foot angle of from 0 to 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An anchor assembly having a helical anchor extending through an anchor bore defined in the anchor housing. In some embodiments, at least one helical turn of the helical anchor extends beyond a portion of the anchor bore. In some embodiments, at least one helical turn of the helical anchor extends beyond a side wall of the anchor housing. In some embodiments, the helical turns of the helical anchors of anchor assemblies mounted adjacent one another on an implantable device nest within one another when the implantable device is in an unexpanded configuration. In some embodiments, the distalmost helical turn of the helical anchor has an outer diameter greater than more proximal helical turns of the helical anchor. In some embodiments, the outer diameters of the at least some of the helical turns of the helical anchor taper from a distal end to a proximal end of the helical anchor.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a cutting element. A radially innermost portion of the leading radial wall of a raised element of the cutting element may be spaced a radial distance from the longitudinal axis that is less than 66% of the radius of the annular cutting edge. The cutting element may be extendable through the window during operation such that as the cutting element is being rotated about its longitudinal axis, less than an entire radial portion of the leading radial wall passes through the window. A plurality of abrading members may be formed on at least the central portion of the inner surface of the cutting element to abrade hardened tissue as the cutting element is rotating about its longitudinal axis. A radially outermost portion of the leading radial edge of the raised element may be spaced apart radially from an inner surface of the cutting element.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a tissue-removing element operatively connected to a drive shaft for rotation of the tissue-removing element about an axis of rotation in a cutting direction. A tissue-removing head of the tissue-removing element defines an annular cutting blade. In some embodiments, angularly spaced cutting teeth form the cutting blade. Inner shearing members extend radially inward from the cutting blade. As the tissue-removing element rotates in the cutting direction and advances axially through a body lumen, the annular cutting edge separates the tissue from the body lumen wall. Leading surfaces of the inner shearing members shear the separated tissue radially inwardly. In some embodiments, the tissue-removing element is an integrally formed, one-piece body made by removing material from a blank to form the cutting blade and inner shearing members.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a tissue-removing element operably connected to a drive shaft for rotation of the tissue-removing element about an axis of rotation in a cutting direction. The tissue-removing element is an integrally formed, one-piece body and has an annular tissue-removing head at the distal end of a tissue-removing element body. In some embodiments, primary tissue-removing components include an integrally formed cutting tooth and inner shearing member and are spaced angularly around the tissue-removing blade. Secondary tissue-removing components include cutting teeth and are interposed between the primary tissue-removing components around the tissue-removing blade. The tissue-removing element is made by removing material from a blank to form the primary and secondary tissue-removing components.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a cutter having an axial cavity and an opening extending from the axial cavity through the cutter to allow tissue removed from the body lumen by the annular cutting edge to pass proximally through the opening toward a tissue-transport passage of a catheter body. A screw blade extends longitudinally within the interior passage of the catheter body includes an external helical thread for transporting removed tissue proximally within the tissue-transport passage as the screw blade rotates about its axis. A cutter driveshaft extends longitudinally within a driveshaft passage of the screw blade and is rotatable about its axis relative to the screw blade. The cutter driveshaft having a distal end portion operatively coupled to the cutter for driving rotation of the cutter.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a cutter. The catheter also includes a longitudinal force-transmitting member extending along a catheter body and being longitudinally movable relative to the catheter body. A distal end portion of the longitudinal force-transmitting member is operatively connected to a distal longitudinal portion of a cutter housing such that distal movement of the longitudinal force-transmitting member relative to the catheter body and the cutter imparts pivoting of the distal longitudinal portion to its open position to expose the cutter.

Abstract: A catheter for removing tissue from a body lumen include's a rotatable cutter. The cutter includes an annular cutting tip at the distal end portion of the cutter for removing tissue from the body lumen. An axial cavity is defined by an interior surface of the cutter and extends proximally from the annular cutting tip toward the proximal end portion of the cutter. An eccentric opening extends from the central cavity through the cutter to allow tissue removed from the body lumen by the annular cutting tip to pass proximally through the eccentric opening toward an interior passage of the catheter body. The offset opening is offset from the longitudinal axis of the cutter.

Abstract: A cleaning device for a medical instrument including a flushing chamber, the flushing chamber having a lumen sized and configured to accept a distal end portion of the medical instrument during a cleaning process. The flushing chamber has an inlet port and an outlet port. Proximal and distal sealing members of the flushing chamber seal about the medical instrument when the instrument is inserted into the lumen of the flushing chamber.

Abstract: A rotatable cutter for a tissue-removing catheter includes a central hub, flutes spaced apart from one another around the circumference of the central hub, and arcuate cutting members. Each cutting member includes an arcuate cutting edge extending along an arc length of the cutting member for cutting tissue as the cutter is rotated. A raised element of each cutting member has a leading cutting edge at a leading end of the distal cutting member for cutting tissue as the cutter is rotated. A clearance portion of each cutting member is recessed, relative to the longitudinal axis of the cutter, from the raised element and extends from the raised element to a trailing end of the cutting member to provide clearance for the leading cutting edge of an adjacent and opposing distal cutting member.

Abstract: Drive shafts having helical blades and methods of making are disclosed. In one method a helical auger blade is formed by twisting or sculpting a heated polymer tube which has been placed over a cylindrical drive shaft. In another method a drive shaft is placed within a helical winding and heat is applied to melt polymer which has been coated over one or both of the drive shaft and helical winding.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a medical instrument. First and second body portions in a closed position define a flushing chamber. The medical instrument extends through the flushing chamber. First and second sealing members secured to the first and second body portions engage one another to seal the flushing chamber and engage the medical instrument to form a seal thereabout. Portions of at least the first sealing member are disposed within the flushing chamber. Positive pressure in the flushing chamber urges the first sealing member toward the second and toward the medical instrument to enhance the tightness of the flushing chamber seal.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter for removing tissue from a body lumen includes a tissue-removing element. The tissue-removing element may be coupled to a first longitudinal body portion of the catheter body. The first longitudinal body portion may be rotatable along its length and relative to a second longitudinal body portion to adjust the angular position of the first longitudinal body portion relative to the second longitudinal body portion. An angular-positioning mechanism may be operatively connected to the tissue-removing element for rotating the tissue-removing element relative to the second longitudinal body portion about a rotational axis to adjust an angular tissue-removing position of the tissue-removing element, relative to the longitudinal axis of the body lumen, from a first angular tissue-removing position to a second angular tissue-removing position offset from the first angular tissue-removing position.