Abstract: An optical force sensor along with an optical processing apparatus and method are disclosed. The optical force sensor includes an optical fiber, a core included in the optical fiber, an instrument including the optical fiber, the instrument having a distal region, and a tubular structure encasing an end of the optical fiber and secured to the first conduit at the distal region of the instrument. When an optical interferometric system is coupled to the optical fiber, it processes reflected light from a portion of the core included within the tubular structure that does not include Bragg gratings to produce a measurement of a force present at the distal region of the instrument.

Abstract: One variation of a method for influencing entities proximal a road surface includes, at an autonomous vehicle: over a first period of time, detecting a pedestrian proximal a road surface; predicting an initial path of the pedestrian an initial confidence score for the initial path of the pedestrian based on and motion of the pedestrian during the first period of time; in response to the initial confidence score falling below a threshold confidence, replaying an audio track audible to the pedestrian and calculating a revised path of the pedestrian and a revised confidence score for the revised path based on motion of the pedestrian following replay of the audio track; and autonomously navigating across the road surface according to a planned route in response to the revised path of the pedestrian falling outside of the planned route and the revised confidence score exceeding the threshold confidence.

Abstract: A method of implanting and securing an implantable flow connector in a body of a patient for providing communication of a first space within the body of the patient with a second space within the body of the patient. The method includes providing a flow connector having a lumen having a first orifice and a second orifice, inserting a retention device into the first space within the body, subsequently inserting the flow connector through an opening in the retention device so the second portion of the flow connector extends into the first space within the body and placing the second space within the body over the retention device.

Abstract: A method of implanting and securing an implantable flow connector in a body of a patient for providing communication of a first space within the body of the patient with a second space within the body of the patient. The method includes providing a flow connector having a lumen having a first orifice and a second orifice, inserting a retention device into the first space within the body, subsequently inserting the flow connector through an opening in the retention device so the second portion of the flow connector extends into the first space within the body and placing the second space within the body over the retention device.

Abstract: A device and method for forming NO-containing gas flow to treat a biological object is disclosed. The device may include an anode, a cathode, an interelectrode area between the cathode and the anode, an NO-containing gas flow outlet channel leading from the interelectrode area to a nozzle for directing and releasing the NO-containing gas flow from the device and a mechanism to adjust a relative position between the anode and the cathode to produce varying concentrations of NO. In addition, the device may include one or more features for interconnecting the various components to ensure proper and consistent assembly of the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new type of low-dimensional hybrid post-perovskites for high efficiency white light emission. More precisely, the invention relates to a one dimensional post-perovskite of formula AaMmXx.yH2O wherein A is a cis- or trans-2,5-dialkylpiperazine derivative bearing C1-C3 linear or branched alkyl groups, M is one or more metal, X one or more halogen, 0<a<5, 1<m<2, 2<x<12, 0<y. The invention also relates to material and luminescent device comprising the same and methods of preparation of the of low-dimensional hybrid post-perovskites.

Abstract: A technology is provided for mutations with immediate feedback. A mutation may be received at a data proxy from an application. The mutation may be sent to a data source via a data access resolver associated with the data proxy. Results of the mutation may be received from the data source. A subscription may be triggered based on receiving the results of the mutation. A message may be sent via a topic provided by the subscription by using a messaging service such that the messaging service publishes the message with the mutation to devices subscribed to the topic.

Abstract: One variation of a method for influencing entities proximal a road surface includes, at an autonomous vehicle: over a first period of time, detecting a pedestrian proximal a road surface; predicting an initial path of the pedestrian an initial confidence score for the initial path of the pedestrian based on and motion of the pedestrian during the first period of time; in response to the initial confidence score falling below a threshold confidence, replaying an audio track audible to the pedestrian and calculating a revised path of the pedestrian and a revised confidence score for the revised path based on motion of the pedestrian following replay of the audio track; and autonomously navigating across the road surface according to a planned route in response to the revised path of the pedestrian falling outside of the planned route and the revised confidence score exceeding the threshold confidence.

Abstract: An optical force sensor along with an optical processing apparatus and method are disclosed. The optical force sensor includes an optical fiber, a core included in the optical fiber, an instrument including the optical fiber, the instrument having a distal region, and a tubular structure encasing an end of the optical fiber and secured to the first conduit at the distal region of the instrument. When an optical interferometric system is coupled to the optical fiber, it processes reflected light from a portion of the core included within the tubular structure that does not include Bragg gratings to produce a measurement of a force present at the distal region of the instrument.

Abstract: A device and method for forming NO-containing gas flow to treat a biological object is disclosed. The device may include an anode, a cathode, an interelectrode area between the cathode and the anode, an NO-containing gas flow outlet channel leading from the interelectrode area to a nozzle for directing and releasing the NO-containing gas flow from the device and a mechanism to adjust a relative position between the anode and the cathode to produce varying concentrations of NO. In addition, the device may include one or more features for interconnecting the various components to ensure proper and consistent assembly of the device.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering an implant to a first space within a body of a patient including an elongate delivery member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a lumen and a receiving area, the receiving area dimensioned for receipt of the implant. A deforming member is movable with respect to the delivery member from a first position to a second position to apply a force to the implant to deform the implant positioned in the receiving area of the delivery member.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering an implant to a first space within a body of a patient including an elongate delivery member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a lumen and a receiving area, the receiving area dimensioned for receipt of the implant. A deforming member is movable with respect to the delivery member from a first position to a second position to apply a force to the implant to deform the implant positioned in the receiving area of the delivery member.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to stents, valved-stents, and associated methods and systems for their delivery via minimally-invasive surgery.

Abstract: A system for coupling a first space within a body of a patient with a second space within the body of the patient including a flow connector insertable into the first and second spaces within the body and having a conduit having a wall forming a lumen therein and first and second orifices. A first retention member is engageable with a first portion of the first space within the body and has a first opening, and the flow connector is positioned within the first opening. A second retention member is engageable with the second space within the body, the second retention member has a second opening and the flow connector is positioned within the second opening. The second retention member interlocks with the first retention member.

Abstract: Apparatus (40) for compressing a transcatheter cardiac stent-valve (10) comprises: a hollow channel (42) having an interior surface (50) shaped for progressively compressing the stent-valve in response to longitudinal advancement of the stent-valve within the channel; a driver (46) threadedly engaged on the exterior of the channel for generating a longitudinal driving force in response to rotation; a mover (44) having limbs (56) that project through slots (58) in the channel wall to transmit the driving force to the stent-valve within the channel; and a channel extension (48) removably attachable at the exit (54) to provide a generally cylindrical containment bore (66).

Abstract: An optical force sensor along with an optical processing apparatus and method are disclosed. The optical force sensor includes an optical fiber, a core included in the optical fiber, an instrument including the optical fiber, the instrument having a distal region, and a tubular structure encasing an end of the optical fiber and secured to the first conduit at the distal region of the instrument. When an optical interferometric system is coupled to the optical fiber, it processes reflected light from a portion of the core included within the tubular structure that does not include Bragg gratings to produce a measurement of a force present at the distal region of the instrument.

Abstract: A system for coupling a first space within a body of a patient with a second space within the body of the patient including a flow connector insertable into the first and second spaces within the body and having a conduit having a wall forming a lumen therein and first and second orifices. A first retention member is engageable with a first portion of the first space within the body and has a first opening, and the flow connector is positioned within the first opening. A second retention member is engageable with the second space within the body, the second retention member has a second opening and the flow connector is positioned within the second opening. The second retention member interlocks with the first retention member.

Abstract: Apparatus (40) for compressing a transcatheter cardiac stent-valve (10) comprises: a hollow channel (42) having an interior surface (50) shaped for progressively compressing the stent-valve in response to longitudinal advancement of the stent-valve within the channel; a driver (46) threadedly engaged on the exterior of the channel for generating a longitudinal driving force in response to rotation; a mover (44) having limbs (56) that project through slots (58) in the channel wall to transmit the driving force to the stent-valve within the channel; and a channel extension (48) removably attachable at the exit (54) to provide a generally cylindrical containment bore (66).

Abstract: One variation of a method for communicating state, intent, and context of an autonomous vehicle includes: at a first time, displaying a first icon representing a current state of a vehicle on a rear-facing visual display arranged on the vehicle; navigating toward an intersection; at a second time, detecting a state of the intersection ahead of the vehicle; rendering a second icon representing the state of the intersection at the second time on the rear-facing visual display; detecting a change in the state of the intersection at a third time succeeding the second time; selecting a next navigation action for the vehicle responsive to the change in the state of the intersection at the third time; prior to executing the next navigation action, rendering a third icon representing the next navigation action on the rear-facing visual display; and autonomously executing the next navigation action.

Abstract: One variation of a method for influencing entities proximal a road surface includes, at an autonomous vehicle: over a first period of time, detecting a pedestrian proximal a road surface; predicting an initial path of the pedestrian an initial confidence score for the initial path of the pedestrian based on and motion of the pedestrian during the first period of time; in response to the initial confidence score falling below a threshold confidence, replaying an audio track audible to the pedestrian and calculating a revised path of the pedestrian and a revised confidence score for the revised path based on motion of the pedestrian following replay of the audio track; and autonomously navigating across the road surface according to a planned route in response to the revised path of the pedestrian falling outside of the planned route and the revised confidence score exceeding the threshold confidence.