Abstract: A medical device comprising an end-effector, including a first feature and a second feature, wherein the first feature and the second feature are pivotably joined to one another, and a motor coupled to a rotatable shaft, wherein the rotatable shaft engages the end-effector, and wherein the motor is configured to rotate the rotatable shaft in a first direction and a second direction, wherein the second direction is opposite of the first direction, wherein a first rotation of the rotatable shaft in the first direction is configured pivot the first feature and the second feature towards one another, and wherein a second rotation of the rotatable shaft in the second direction is configured to pivot the first feature and the second feature away from one another.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to cell encapsulation membranes, devices including the same, and related methods. In an embodiment, a cell encapsulation membrane is included. The cell encapsulation membrane can include a mesh substrate. The mesh substrate can include a first series of fibers extending in a first direction and a second series of fibers extending in a second direction, the first series of fibers intersecting with the second series of fibers, the mesh substrate defining a plurality of apertures disposed between adjacent fibers of the first series and the second series. The cell encapsulation membrane can further include a coating disposed on the mesh substrate, the coating partially occluding the plurality of apertures defined by the mesh substrate and forming pores. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A method receives continuous EEG data for a long duration of time from at least one electrode intracranially implanted in a subject. The method determines a current or predicted brain state from the EEG data using an artificial intelligence (AI) model.

Abstract: Provided are processes of removing lithium from an electrochemically active composition. The process of removing lithium from an electrochemically active composition may include providing an electrochemically active composition and combining the electrochemically active composition with a strong oxidizer optionally at a pH of 1.5 or greater for a lithium removal time. The electrochemically active composition may include Li, Ni, and O. The electrochemically active composition may optionally have an initial Li/M at % ratio of 0.8 to 1.3. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the lithium removal time may be such that a second Li/M at % ratio following the lithium removal time is 0.6 or less, thereby forming a delithiated electrochemically active composition.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a metal melting process in a melting furnace, including determining at least one furnace parameter characterizing a melting furnace, adding a charge containing solid metal into the melting furnace, detecting at least one charge parameter characterizing the charge, firing a burner into the melting furnace to provide heat to melt the charge, and exhausting burner combustion products from the furnace, detecting at least one process parameter characterizing progress of melting the charge, calculating a furnace efficiency based on the at least one furnace parameter, calculating a predicted process pour readiness time based on the at least one charge parameter, the at least one process parameter, and the furnace efficiency, and controlling the metal melting process based on the predicted process pour readiness time.

Abstract: A dissection device may include an inflatable balloon disposed at a distal end of a catheter, the catheter having an inflation lumen extending through the catheter to an interior space defined within the inflatable balloon. The inflatable balloon may include a top wall, a bottom wall spaced apart from the top wall, an outer perimeter wall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, and a plurality of inner walls each extending between the top wall and the bottom wall and in sealing contact with the outer perimeter wall at a first end of the inner wall. The inflatable balloon may include a series of interconnected chambers including a central chamber in direct fluid communication with the inflation lumen, and laterally disposed chambers each having an opening fluidly connecting to each adjacent chamber.

Abstract: A control scheme for a furnace can use real-time and historical data to model performance and determine relationships between different data and performance parameters for use in correcting suboptimal performance of the furnace in real-time. Operational parameters can be logged throughout the cycle for all cycles for a period of time in order to establish a baseline. This data can then be used to calculate the performance of the process. A regression analysis can be carried out in order to determine which parameters affect different aspects of performance. These relationships can then be used to predict performance during a single cycle in real-time and provide closed or open loop feedback to control furnace operation to result in enhanced performance.

Abstract: Process for making lithiated transition metal oxide particles comprising the steps of: (a) Providing a particulate mixed transition metal precursor comprising Ni and at least one transition metal selected from Co and Mn, and, optionally, at least one further metal selected from Ti, Zr, Mo, W, Al, Mg, Nb, and Ta, (b) mixing said precursor with at least one compound of lithium and at least el one processing additive comprising potassium, (c) treating the mixture obtained according to step (b) at a temperature in the range of from 700 to 1,000° C.

Abstract: A medical instrument may include a tube, a sheath provided around and coaxial with the tube, and an inflatable balloon at a distal end of the sheath. The balloon may receive a fluid from a lumen of the sheath, and may have a central opening along a longitudinal axis thereof, and into which the tube extends, a proximal portion, a middle portion adjacent to and distal of the proximal portion, and a distal portion adjacent to and proximal of the middle portion. When the balloon is inflated with the fluid, a maximum diameter of the middle portion may be less than a maximum diameter of the proximal portion, and less than a maximum diameter of the distal portion. The medical instrument may also include an extraction member provided at a distal end of the tube, distal to the balloon, and movable axially relative to the balloon.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to cell encapsulation membranes, devices including the same, and related methods. In an embodiment, a cell encapsulation membrane is included. The cell encapsulation membrane can include a mesh substrate. The mesh substrate can include a first series of fibers extending in a first direction and a second series of fibers extending in a second direction, the first series of fibers intersecting with the second series of fibers, the mesh substrate defining a plurality of apertures disposed between adjacent fibers of the first series and the second series. The cell encapsulation membrane can further include a coating disposed on the mesh substrate, the coating partially occluding the plurality of apertures defined by the mesh substrate and forming pores. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to cell encapsulation membranes, devices including the same, and related methods. In an embodiment, a cell encapsulation membrane is included. The cell encapsulation membrane can include a mesh substrate. The mesh substrate can include a first series of fibers extending in a first direction and a second series of fibers extending in a second direction, the first series of fibers intersecting with the second series of fibers, the mesh substrate defining a plurality of apertures disposed between adjacent fibers of the first series and the second series. The cell encapsulation membrane can further include a coating disposed on the mesh substrate, the coating partially occluding the plurality of apertures defined by the mesh substrate and forming pores. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Vessels selected from crucibles, pans, open cups and saggars essentially comprising of two components, from which (A) one component being a ceramic matrix composite, and (B) the second component being from metal or alloy, and wherein component (A) is the inner one.

Abstract: A method of melting an aluminum charge having no more that 4% salt by mass, including during a melting phase, introducing fuel and oxidant via a burner operating at a first firing rate, the fuel and oxidant reacting to form a combustion zone above the aluminum charge, terminating the melting phase and commencing a transition phase when the aluminum charge is nearly completely molten, during the transition phase, reducing the firing rate of the burner to a second firing rate lower than the first firing rate, introducing a non-oxidizing gas at a first velocity to form a non-oxidizing zone between the combustion zone and the aluminum charge, and allowing the aluminum charge to become completely molten, and terminating the transition phase and commencing a tapping phase after the aluminum charge has become completely molten, and during the tapping phase, pouring the molten aluminum charge out of the furnace.

Abstract: Provided are processes for the formation of electrochemically active materials such as lithiated transition metal oxides that solve prior issues with throughput and calcination. The processes include forming the materials in the presence of a processing additive that includes potassium prior to calcination that produces active materials with increased primary particle grain sizes.

Abstract: An inflation device may include a plurality of independently inflatable balloons attached to one another. The balloons may be configured to move between a deflated, compressed state and an inflated, expanded state. The inflation device further includes a plurality of inflation tubes connected to the plurality of inflatable balloons, wherein each inflation tube is attached to a single one of the plurality of inflatable balloons.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a metal melting process in a melting furnace, including determining at least one furnace parameter characterizing a melting furnace, adding a charge containing solid metal into the melting furnace, detecting at least one charge parameter characterizing the charge, firing a burner into the melting furnace to provide heat to melt the charge, and exhausting burner combustion products from the furnace, detecting at least one process parameter characterizing progress of melting the charge, calculating a furnace efficiency based on the at least one furnace parameter, calculating a predicted process pour readiness time based on the at least one charge parameter, the at least one process parameter, and the furnace efficiency, and controlling the metal melting process based on the predicted process pour readiness time.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion into a blood vessel, the catheter having a sampling part arranged to capture a blood sample at a plurality of locations along a length of the blood vessel and an apparatus arranged to analyze blood taken from a plurality of locations along the length of the blood vessel and to provide a profile of concentration levels along the length of the blood vessel.

Abstract: A dissection device may include an inflatable balloon disposed at a distal end of a catheter, the catheter having an inflation lumen extending through the catheter to an interior space defined within the inflatable balloon. The inflatable balloon may include a top wall, a bottom wall spaced apart from the top wall, an outer perimeter wall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, and a plurality of inner walls each extending between the top wall and the bottom wall and in sealing contact with the outer perimeter wall at a first end of the inner wall. The inflatable balloon may include a series of interconnected chambers including a central chamber in direct fluid communication with the inflation lumen, and laterally disposed chambers each having an opening fluidly connecting to each adjacent chamber.

Abstract: A method of melting an aluminum charge having no more that 4% salt by mass, including during a melting phase, introducing fuel and oxidant via a burner operating at a first firing rate, the fuel and oxidant reacting to form a combustion zone above the aluminum charge, terminating the melting phase and commencing a transition phase when the aluminum charge is nearly completely molten, during the transition phase, reducing the firing rate of the burner to a second firing rate lower than the first firing rate, introducing a non-oxidizing gas at a first velocity to form a non-oxidizing zone between the combustion zone and the aluminum charge, and allowing the aluminum charge to become completely molten, and terminating the transition phase and commencing a tapping phase after the aluminum charge has become completely molten, and during the tapping phase, pouring the molten aluminum charge out of the furnace.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to cell encapsulation membranes, devices including the same, and related methods. In an embodiment, a cell encapsulation membrane is included. The cell encapsulation membrane can include a mesh substrate. The mesh substrate can include a first series of fibers extending in a first direction and a second series of fibers extending in a second direction, the first series of fibers intersecting with the second series of fibers, the mesh substrate defining a plurality of apertures disposed between adjacent fibers of the first series and the second series. The cell encapsulation membrane can further include a coating disposed on the mesh substrate, the coating partially occluding the plurality of apertures defined by the mesh substrate and forming pores. Other embodiments are also included herein.