Abstract: A blower includes a rotor, a motor adapted to drive the rotor, at least one bearing to rotatably support the rotor, a stationary component, and a bearing sleeve provided to the stationary component. The bearing sleeve is structured and arranged to support and retain the bearing to the stationary component. The bearing sleeve comprises an elastomeric material, and the bearing sleeve comprises one or more bumps or ribs configured to engage along an outer ace of the bearing.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes for controlling a reverse osmosis system for water desalination to reduce energy consumption. The system has a controller configured to receive information from the sensor array and determine a fouling parameter for each reverse-osmosis stage based on one or more of: an A-Value, a B-value and a normalized differential pressure. The controller is then configured to control the flow through each of the reverse-osmosis assemblies based on the determined fouling parameters to meet a predetermined criterion for total permeate production for the reverse-osmosis system.

Abstract: A clot removal device for removal of an occlusion from a lumen in a patient's body is provided. The clot removal device has a lumen, an elongated member positioned within the lumen and extending axially from a proximal end to a distal end of the lumen, a handle attached to the proximal end of the lumen, a first expandable member positioned along a length of the elongated member, a second expandable member positioned along the length of the elongated member, wherein the second expandable member is distal to the first expandable member relative to the handle.

Abstract: A clot removal device for removal of an occlusion from a lumen in a patient's body is provided. The clot removal device has a lumen, an elongated member positioned within the lumen and extending axially from a proximal end to a distal end of the lumen, a handle attached to the proximal end of the lumen, a first expandable member positioned along a length of the elongated member, a second expandable member positioned along the length of the elongated member, wherein the second expandable member is distal to the first expandable member relative to the handle.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for the removal of anatomical occlusions, and an occlusion removal device comprising a first body adapted to be mounted to a delivery wire and releasably engaged to the delivery wire, wherein while engaged the first body remains fixed on the delivery wire and upon release moves axially along the delivery wire, and a second body adapted to be mounted to the delivery wire. A first proximal body may be oriented proximally to a second distal body. The proximal body and the distal body may be adapted to expand upon exiting a delivery catheter. The proximal body may be releasably engaged by a mechanically breakable connection or an electrolytically or heat disconnectable connection, the electrolytically disconnectable connection being broken upon an application of electric current to the electrolytically disconnectable connection.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for occluding an anatomical passage between first and second anatomical structures. The device includes a tip portion having a proximal element connected to a distal element through a member. The proximal element and/or distal element is movable axially along the tip portion while the other element preferably remains fixed in place. A handle is coupled to a proximal end of the tip portion through a shaft. The tip portion is positioned across the anatomical passage so that the proximal element occludes a first side of the passage and the distal element occludes a second side of the passage. A locking structure, such as a nut, is positioned or crimped against the proximal element, and, once done, the tip portion is released at the occluded passage.

Abstract: Method and system for purifying a sample comprising a biomolecule of interest and impurities, comprising expressing said biomolecule of interest in a bioreactor to form a product sample comprising said biomolecule of interest and impurities; subjecting said product sample to filtration to form a clarified product sample; subjecting said clarified product sample to affinity chromatography to remove impurities; subsequently subjecting said product sample to diafiltration followed by virus filtration and optional concentration. The buffer used during the diafiltration step (and thus in the virus filtration step) is the buffer desired for the final formulation of the product.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present specification discloses an aspiration catheter that has a slim profile, can effectively anchor or self-center in a location, within a patient's vessel lumen, to better provide directed suction or vacuum/negative pressure, and/or can effectively funnel or direct suction or vacuum/negative pressure toward an occlusion or obstruction within the patient's vessel lumen.

Abstract: A valve system for a catheter, such as an aspiration catheter, is disclosed and includes a valve having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the valve is coupled to the catheter. The valve has a flexible lumen in a first state that is constricted or twisted. The valve system is housed within a hub, where actuation of a button on the hub causes the proximal and distal ends of the valve to rotate relative to each other to put the lumen in a second state that is unconstricted or untwisted state.

Abstract: The present specification is directed towards catheter devices having expandable and collapsible lumens. Air or fluid is pumped into the catheter wall to cause it to expand. Alternatively, wires are embedded within the wall and a direction of flow of electrical current through the wires is modulated to enable the catheter device to be in the collapsed or expanded state. For example, a first wire is embedded within the wall and is helically wound along a length of the catheter device. A second wire is provided that can be removably positioned within the lumen. The direction of flow of electric current through the first and second wires is modulated to enable the catheter device to be in the collapsed or expanded state.

Abstract: The present specification is directed towards catheter devices having expandable and collapsible lumens. Air or fluid is pumped into the catheter wall to cause it to expand. Alternatively, wires are embedded within the wall and a direction of flow of electrical current through the wires is modulated to enable the catheter device to be in the collapsed or expanded state. For example, a first wire is embedded within the wall and is helically wound along a length of the catheter device. A second wire is provided that can be removably positioned within the lumen. The direction of flow of electric current through the first and second wires is modulated to enable the catheter device to be in the collapsed or expanded state.

Abstract: A clot removal device for removal of an occlusion from a lumen in a patient's body is provided. The clot removal device has a lumen, an elongated member positioned within the lumen and extending axially from a proximal end to a distal end of the lumen, a handle attached to the proximal end of the lumen, a first expandable member positioned along a length of the elongated member, a second expandable member positioned along the length of the elongated member, wherein the second expandable member is distal to the first expandable member relative to the handle.

Abstract: A clot removal device for removal of an occlusion from a lumen in a patient's body is provided. The clot removal device has a lumen, an elongated member positioned within the lumen and extending axially from a proximal end to a distal end of the lumen, a handle attached to the proximal end of the lumen, a first expandable member positioned along a length of the elongated member, a second expandable member positioned along the length of the elongated member, wherein the second expandable member is distal to the first expandable member relative to the handle.

Abstract: A clot removal device for removal of an occlusion from a lumen in a patient's body is provided. The clot removal device has a lumen, an elongated member positioned within the lumen and extending axially from a proximal end to a distal end of the lumen, a handle attached to the proximal end of the lumen, a first expandable member positioned along a length of the elongated member, a second expandable member positioned along the length of the elongated member, wherein the second expandable member is distal to the first expandable member relative to the handle.

Abstract: A clot removal device for removal of an occlusion from a lumen in a patient's body is provided. The clot removal device has a lumen, an elongated member positioned within the lumen and extending axially from a proximal end to a distal end of the lumen, a handle attached to the proximal end of the lumen, a first expandable member positioned along a length of the elongated member, a second expandable member positioned along the length of the elongated member, wherein the second expandable member is distal to the first expandable member relative to the handle.

Abstract: A clot removal device for removal of an occlusion from a lumen in a patient's body is provided. The clot removal device has a lumen, an elongated member positioned within the lumen and extending axially from a proximal end to a distal end of the lumen, a handle attached to the proximal end of the lumen, a first expandable member positioned along a length of the elongated member, a second expandable member positioned along the length of the elongated member, wherein the second expandable member is distal to the first expandable member relative to the handle.

Abstract: A blower includes a housing including an inlet and an outlet, a motor to drive a rotatable shaft, first and second impellers provided to the shaft, the first and second impellers each including a plurality of impeller blades, a first stationary component provided to the housing and including stator vanes downstream of the first impeller, and a second stationary component provided to the housing and including stator vanes downstream of the second impeller. A first set of stator vanes of the first stationary component is provided around the motor and are configured and arranged to direct airflow along the motor, to de-swirl the airflow and to decelerate air to increase pressure. A blower including a third impeller and third stationary component positioned above the first impeller is also described.

Abstract: A telecollaboration system for use during surgery allows initiation of a video conference session between participants, the participants comprising an on-site user in a surgical operating room, and a remote user not in the surgical operating room. Real time images of patient anatomy during a surgical procedure are captured using an endoscope positioned a patient's body cavity and displayed in real-time to the video conference participants. Real time images of the on-site user and the surgical environment external to the patient are also displayed. Input from remote and/or on site participants is used to generate annotations for display to all participants as overlays on the endoscope images and/or the images of the surgical environment. A user interface allows remote and/or on-site participants to re-orient the external cameras to change the view of the surgeon and/or surgical environment displayed to the participants.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for assessing cognitive function. In an example embodiment, an assessment computer receives demographics data relating to an individual and provides a cognitive assessment test to a portable touchscreen personal computing device, for self administration of the test by the individual. The portable touchscreen personal computing device generates cognitive assessment stimuli, receives responses to the stimuli from the individual via touchscreen activations, measures reaction times of the responses, and transmits the responses and reaction times to the assessment computer for storage in a database. The assessment computer receives cognitive assessment performance data relating to the individual, including the received responses and measured reaction times, and generates performance metrics including at least a cognitive baseline for the individual based at least on the first cognitive assessment performance data.