Abstract: The present invention relates to an assay for use in a method of determining the oral health status of a canine animal by identifying certain bacteria present or absent in a sample taken from the animal, and applying the information set out herein for each identified bacteria to statistical models in order to determine the oral health status of the animal.

Abstract: A system and computerized method for monitoring and analyzing animal related data. In one embodiment, the system includes a processor and memory operable to identify a parameter related to animal management for species in a biological environment, aggregate animal related data from different sources about the parameter of the species, identify a baseline for the parameter, correlate the animal related data against the baseline to obtain correlated data, and analyze said correlated data to assess said animal management.

Abstract: A system and computerized method for monitoring and analyzing animal related data. In one embodiment, the system includes a processor and memory operable to identify a parameter related to animal management for species in a biological environment, aggregate animal related data from different sources about the parameter of the species, identify a baseline for the parameter, correlate the animal related data against the baseline to obtain correlated data, and analyze said correlated data to assess said animal management.

Abstract: A system and computerized method for monitoring and analyzing animal related data. In one embodiment, the system includes a processor and memory operable to identify a parameter related to animal management for species in a biological environment, aggregate animal related data from different sources about the parameter of the species, identify a baseline for the parameter, correlate the animal related data against the baseline to obtain correlated data, and analyze said correlated data to assess said animal management.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assay for use in a method of determining the oral health status of a canine animal by identifying certain bacteria present or absent in a sample taken from the animal, and applying the information set out herein for each identified bacteria to statistical models in order to determine the oral health status of the animal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are configured to coat a medical device, such as a stent, with a beneficial medicinal agent using one or more liquid feeds and one or more micromist nozzles. In one implementation, an agent coating rig includes a vertical adjustment means, a rotation means, and a traverse adjustment means for moving a medical device along virtually any point on an x or y axis. In additional or alternative implementations, the agent coating rig can further include a secondary horizontal adjustment means that allows adjustment along virtually any point on a z axis. Furthermore, methods and apparatus are provided for distributing the beneficial agent on the medical device, including delivering the beneficial agent efficiently over time.

Abstract: A method for applying a coating to an implantable device is disclosed. The method includes positioning an implantable device relative to an ultrasonic material delivery apparatus. The implantable device is rotated at a relative speed. The relative speed may be more than 120 revolutions per minute. An application material is applied to the implantable device using the ultrasonic material delivery apparatus. The relative speed may be sufficient to reduce the size of at least a portion of droplets of the application material. A system for rotating an implantable device is disclosed. The system includes an implantable device and a rotation system configured to rotate the implantable device. A longitudinal axis of the implantable device and a longitudinal axis of a rotation member of the rotation system may be offset a desired dimension. An inside diameter of the implantable device may be larger than an outside diameter of a rotation member.

Abstract: A method for applying a coating to an implantable device is disclosed. The method includes positioning an implantable device relative to an ultrasonic material delivery apparatus. The implantable device is rotated at a relative speed. The relative speed may be more than 120 revolutions per minute. An application material is applied to the implantable device using the ultrasonic material delivery apparatus. The relative speed may be sufficient to reduce the size of at least a portion of droplets of the application material. A system for rotating an implantable device is disclosed. The system includes an implantable device and a rotation system configured to rotate the implantable device. A longitudinal axis of the implantable device and a longitudinal axis of a rotation member of the rotation system may be offset a desired dimension. An inside diameter of the implantable device may be larger than an outside diameter of a rotation member.

Abstract: A method for applying a coating to an implantable device is disclosed. The method includes positioning an implantable device relative to an ultrasonic material delivery apparatus. The implantable device is rotated at a relative speed. The relative speed may be more than 120 revolutions per minute. An application material is applied to the implantable device using the ultrasonic material delivery apparatus. The relative speed may be sufficient to reduce the size of at least a portion of droplets of the application material. A system for rotating an implantable device is disclosed. The system includes an implantable device and a rotation system configured to rotate the implantable device. A longitudinal axis of the implantable device and a longitudinal axis of a rotation member of the rotation system may be offset a desired dimension. An inside diameter of the implantable device may be larger than an outside diameter of a rotation member.

Abstract: A gripping fixture suitable for use in stent securement testing is described. The gripping fixture includes a housing having a chamber, a rigid perforated tubular member positioned within the chamber, a multiplicity of radially extending pins arranged to slide in the perforations in the tubular member, and an elastic sheath that circumscribes the outer ends of the pins and surrounds the tubular member. A pressure chamber is formed between the housing and the elastic sheath. The gripping fixture also includes a pressure controller for controlling the pressure within the pressure chamber. The pressure applied in the pressure chamber acts on the elastic sheath and may be used to cause some of the pins to engage a stent during the stent securement test to hold the stent in place relative to the gripping fixture while the tensile force required to dislodge the stent from a catheter is measured.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are configured to coat a medical device, such as a stent, with a beneficial medicinal agent using one or more liquid feeds and one or more micromist nozzles. In one implementation, an agent coating rig includes a vertical adjustment means, a rotation means, and a traverse adjustment means for moving a medical device along virtually any point on an x or y axis. In additional or alternative implementations, the agent coating rig can further include a secondary horizontal adjustment means that allows adjustment along virtually any point on a z axis. Furthermore, methods and apparatus are provided for distributing the beneficial agent on the medical device, including delivering the beneficial agent efficiently over time.

Abstract: A gripping fixture suitable for use in stent securement testing is described. The gripping fixture includes a housing having a chamber, a rigid perforated tubular member positioned within the chamber, a multiplicity of radially extending pins arranged to slide in the perforations in the tubular member, and an elastic sheath that circumscribes the outer ends of the pins and surrounds the tubular member. A pressure chamber is formed between the housing and the elastic sheath. The gripping fixture also includes a pressure controller for controlling the pressure within the pressure chamber. The pressure applied in the pressure chamber acts on the elastic sheath and may be used to cause some of the pins to engage a stent during the stent securement test to hold the stent in place relative to the gripping fixture while the tensile force required to dislodge the stent from a catheter is measured.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and methods for use in crimping a stent. In one embodiment, an arrangement is described that includes a stent delivery device. A stent having a plurality of struts is crimped onto the stent delivery device. The arrangement also includes a crimp sheath that covers at least a portion of the stent. The crimp sheath is formed at least in part from a compliant viscoelastic material. The viscoelastic portions of the crimp sheath protrude into the gaps formed between adjacent crimped struts. In this manner, the viscoelastic portions form protrusions that extend into the gaps to a sufficient depth to prevent the struts from contacting one another. By way of example, in one embodiment, the protrusions extend to a depth of at least 18 percent of the thickness of the associated adjacent struts.