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.

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: 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: 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 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: An implantable flow connector for fluidically coupling a source tissue-enclosed body space with a destination element, comprising: a conduit having a lumen terminating at an orifice at a first end of the conduit implantable in the source body space through an opening formed in a tissue wall of the source body space, and a second end of the conduit implantable in the destination element through an opening in a surface of the destination element; and a circumferential flange, radially extending from the conduit proximate the conduit first end, configured to be implanted in the source body space adjacent an opening in the tissue wall of the source body space such that the conduit extends through the opening, the flange comprising one or more circumferentially adjacent sections at least one of which has a rigidity that decreases in a radially-increasing direction.

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 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: 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: 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: A system for coupling a first space within the 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, the flow connector having a conduit having a lumen having a first orifice at a first portion of the conduit and a second orifice at a second portion of the conduit, the conduit providing communication between the first and second spaces within the body. A retention device retains the conduit with respect to the first space within the body and is engageable with the first space within the body.

Abstract: An implantable flow connector for fluidically coupling a source tissue-enclosed body space with a destination element, comprising: a conduit having a lumen terminating at an orifice at a first end of the conduit implantable in the source body space through an opening formed in a tissue wall of the source body space, and a second end of the conduit implantable in the destination element through an opening in a surface of the destination element; and a circumferential flange, radially extending from the conduit proximate the conduit first end, configured to be implanted in the source body space adjacent an opening in the tissue wall of the source body space such that the conduit extends through the opening, the flange comprising one or more circumferentially adjacent sections at least one of which has a rigidity that decreases in a radially-increasing direction.

Abstract: An implantable flow connector for fluidically coupling a source tissue-enclosed body space with a destination element, comprising: a conduit having a lumen terminating at an orifice at a first end of the conduit implantable in the source body space through an opening formed in a tissue wall of the source body space, and a second end of the conduit implantable in the destination element through an opening in a surface of the destination element; and a circumferential flange, radially extending from the conduit proximate the conduit first end, configured to be implanted in the source body space adjacent an opening in the tissue wall of the source body space such that the conduit extends through the opening, the flange comprising one or more circumferentially adjacent sections at least one of which has a rigidity that decreases in a radially-increasing direction.

Abstract: An anatomical probe system comprises an elongated flexible body and an elongated probe extending within the flexible body. The probe has a distal end and includes an outer wall defining a channel. The probe also includes an access port in the outer wall in communication with the channel. The access port is spaced proximally of the distal end.

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: An implantable flow connector for fluidically coupling a source tissue-enclosed body space with a destination element, comprising: a conduit having a lumen terminating at an orifice at a first end of the conduit implantable in the source body space through an opening formed in a tissue wall of the source body space, and a second end of the conduit implantable in the destination element through an opening in a surface of the destination element; and a circumferential flange, radially extending from the conduit proximate the conduit first end, configured to be implanted in the source body space adjacent an opening in the tissue wall of the source body space such that the conduit extends through the opening, the flange comprising one or more circumferentially adjacent sections at least one of which has a rigidity that decreases in a radially-increasing direction.

Abstract: An implantable flow connector for fluidically coupling a source tissue-enclosed body space with a destination element, comprising: a conduit having a lumen terminating at an orifice at a first end of the conduit implantable in the source body space through an opening formed in a tissue wall of the source body space, and a second end of the conduit implantable in the destination element through an opening in a surface of the destination element; and a circumferential flange, radially extending from the conduit proximate the conduit first end, configured to be implanted in the source body space adjacent an opening in the tissue wall of the source body space such that the conduit extends through the opening, the flange comprising one or more circumferentially adjacent sections at least one of which has a rigidity that decreases in a radially-increasing direction.

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.