Abstract: A shock assembly with automatically adjustable ride height is disclosed. The assembly includes a main chamber including a fluid therein. A pump tube within the main chamber, the pump tube having a fluid flow path internal thereto, the pump tube disposed axially along a center of the main chamber. A damping piston coupled to a shaft, the damping piston and a portion of the shaft disposed axially about the pump tube, the damping piston disposed in the main chamber to divide the main chamber into a compression side fluid chamber and a rebound side fluid chamber. An automatic ride height adjustment assembly including a tube-in-shaft pump assembly and a spring preload piston assembly.

Abstract: A catheter for scoring or slicing a lesion. The catheter has a first receiver at a distal end of an expandable portion of the catheter shaft. A first carrier at least partially within the first receiver is moveable axially along the catheter shaft to deploy a first cutter along the expandable portion for cutting or scoring the lesion. In an alternative embodiment, the first carrier may be a wire having a loop, and thus forming a first length including the first cutter and a second length including a second cutter. Actuation of the wire thus causes simultaneous, reciprocal movement of the first and second cutters. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems described in this disclosure are directed to authentication of calling parties. The authentication of calling parties applies to simultaneous voice and/or data communications with multiple parties over multiple electronic mediums including a variety of electronic devices. A user can continue to maintain a data exchange session with a representative of an entity offering the goods or services of interest to the user across more than one user device. In some embodiments, a user can invite other parties in a multi-party call involving the user and the representative. Various embodiments for multi-party and multi-device authentication mechanisms are described herein. In some embodiments, the system calculates an estimated call waiting time for a user to speak with the representative.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes an interventional medical device having a first tracking element that generates tip location data based on a locator field. An ultrasound probe has an ultrasound transducer mechanism and a second tracking element. The ultrasound transducer mechanism has an active ultrasound transducer array that generates two-dimensional ultrasound slice data at any of a plurality of discrete imaging locations within a three-dimensional imaging volume. The second tracking element generates probe location data based on the locator field. A processor circuit is configured to execute program instructions to generate an ultrasound image for display, and is configured to generate a positioning signal based on the tip location data and the probe location data to dynamically position the active ultrasound transducer array so that the two-dimensional ultrasound slice data includes the distal tip of the interventional medical device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for measuring anatomical dimensions from a single two-dimensional (2D) digital image. The digital image is taken from the front/anterior view using a mobile, handheld communication device. The linear measurements are used to estimate the body volume of the individual. Total body density is calculated from estimated body volume and body weight. Body composition (fat mass and fat-free mass) of the individual is derived from density using known mathematical conversion formulas. A method for estimating body composition analysis is provided.

Abstract: A method of generating a 3D ultrasound image includes acquiring a 3D volumetric data set corresponding to a 3D imaging volume of an ultrasound probe in a 3D detection volume; acquiring a position of the ultrasound probe with respect to the 3D detection volume; acquiring a position of an interventional medical device with respect to the 3D detection volume; determining a position of the interventional medical device relative to the 3D imaging volume of the ultrasound probe; determining an interventional medical device-aligned plane that intersects with a longitudinal axis of the interventional medical device; extracting a texture slice from the 3D imaging volume for a corresponding interventional medical device-aligned plane positional and rotational orientation; mapping the texture slice onto the interventional medical device-aligned plane; and rendering the interventional medical device-aligned plane as a 3D ultrasound image and displaying the rendered 3D ultrasound image on a display screen.

Abstract: Drug-loaded microbead compositions include microbeads of a water-swellable polymer material and a complex of a carrier and a therapeutic agent chemically bonded to the carrier. The complex is embedded in the polymer material. Methods for preparing the drug-loaded microbead compositions and embolization compositions include loading a therapeutic agent into a water-swellable polymer material to form microbeads, then removing water from the microbeads. Additional drug-loaded microbead compositions include microbeads of a biodegradable material, vesicular agents, a first therapeutic agent associated with the vesicular agents, and a second therapeutic agent different from the first therapeutic agent. The vesicular agents include a lipid bilayer surrounding a vesicular core. The second therapeutic agent is contained within the microbeads or associated with the microbeads through ionic or non-covalent interaction and may or may not be associated with the vesicular agents.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a drug-loaded microbead compositions and embolization compositions include loading a therapeutic agent into a water-swellable polymer material to form microbeads, then removing water from the microbeads. The drug-loaded microbead compositions include microbeads of a water-swellable polymer material and a complex of a carrier and a therapeutic agent chemically bonded to the carrier. The complex is embedded in the polymer material. The therapeutic agent is not chemically bonded to the water-swellable polymer material. The drug-loaded microbead composition has a water content of less than 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the drug-loaded microbead composition. The drug-loaded microbead composition may be rehydrated to form an embolization composition for use in in embolization therapy.

Abstract: Drug-loaded microbead compositions include microbeads of a water-swellable polymer material and a complex of a carrier and a therapeutic agent chemically bonded to the carrier. The complex is embedded in the polymer material. The therapeutic agent is not chemically bonded to the water-swellable polymer material. The drug-loaded microbead composition has a water content of less than 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the drug-loaded microbead composition. The drug-loaded microbead composition may be rehydrated to form an embolization composition for use in in embolization therapy. Methods for preparing the drug-loaded microbead compositions and the embolization compositions include loading a therapeutic agent into a water-swellable polymer material to form microbeads, then removing water from the microbeads.

Abstract: Drug-loaded microbead compositions include microbeads of a biodegradable material and vesicular agents located within or associated with the biodegradable material of the microbeads. The vesicular agents include a lipid bilayer and comprise liposomes or ethosomes. The drug-loaded microbeads include a first therapeutic agent associated with the vesicular agents, and a second therapeutic agent different from the first therapeutic agent. The vesicular agents include a lipid bilayer surrounding a vesicular core. The second therapeutic agent is contained within the microbeads or associated with the microbeads through ionic or non-covalent interaction and may or may not be associated with the vesicular agents. Drug-loaded biodegradable microbead compositions include microbeads of biodegradable material and a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A low-profile access port for subcutaneous implantation within a patient. The access port can include a set of receiving cups which can be placed in fluid communication with a catheter. The set of receiving cups can provide a greater skin surface with which to access the port to avoid repeated penetrations at a single locus, such as during consecutive dialysis treatments. The access port can alternatively include needle penetrable arms or elongate chambers that also have a slim, low profile. The access port can include a needle guide to direct subsequent needle access to different insertion points to permit healing at the previous insertion points. The access port can be formed of a modular construction with a first conduit, a second conduit, and an outer shell. The outer shell can include a proximal portion and a distal portion. The access port can include a stem assembly and a locking member.

Abstract: An endovascular apparatus takes the form of an expandable tubular body having a retriever, which may include a pair of interconnected hooks. The retriever may be formed from a single piece of material forming the tubular body, and in the case of a pair of hooks thus has a thickness corresponding to approximately twice the wall thickness of the tubular body. The innermost radial portion of the hooks may be offset from a central axis of a lumen formed by the tubular body, which facilitates free insertion of a balloon or the like for purposes of expanding the tubular body. Related methods of manufacturing an endovascular apparatus with a retriever are also described herein.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system including, in some embodiments, a streamlined port and a port tunneler. The port includes a septum and a stabilizing element. The septum is disposed over a cavity in a body of the port, and the septum is configured to accept a needle therethrough. The stabilizing element is configured to stabilize the port in vivo and maintain needle access to the septum. The port tunneler includes an adapter and a release mechanism. The adapter is in a distal end portion of the port tunneler, and the adapter is configured to securely hold the port while subcutaneously tunneling the port from an incision site to an implantation site for the port. The release mechanism is configured to release the port from the adapter at the implantation site for the port.

Abstract: Drug-loaded microbead compositions including a plurality of individual microbeads of a biodegradable material, a plurality of individual vesicular agents, a first therapeutic agent, and a second therapeutic agent different from the first therapeutic agent. The vesicular agents include at least one lipid bilayer surrounding a vesicular core. The first therapeutic agent is associated with the individual vesicular agents. For example, the first therapeutic agent may be contained within the individual vesicular agents or may be associated with the individual vesicular agents by ionic or non-covalent interaction. The second therapeutic agent is different from the first therapeutic agent and contained within the individual microbeads or associated with the individual microbeads through ionic or non-covalent interaction. The second therapeutic agent may or may not be associated with the individual vesicular agents.

Abstract: A low-profile access port for subcutaneous implantation within a patient. The access port can include a set of receiving cups which can be placed in fluid communication with a catheter. The set of receiving cups can provide a greater skin surface with which to access the port to avoid repeated penetrations at a single locus, such as during consecutive dialysis treatments. The access port can alternatively include needle penetrable arms or elongate chambers that also have a slim, low profile. The access port can include a needle guide to direct subsequent needle access to different insertion points to permit healing at the previous insertion points. The access port can be formed of a modular construction with a first conduit, a second conduit, and an outer shell. The outer shell can include a proximal portion and a distal portion. The access port can include a stem assembly and a locking member.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for endovascular treatment of a blood vessel includes a control unit, an ultrasound device, an actuator, and a catheter having a treatment portion. The ultrasound device is communicatively coupled to the control unit. The ultrasound device includes an ultrasound probe having a subject contact surface. The actuator is coupled to the ultrasound probe and is operable to move the subject contact surface of the ultrasound prove relative to a treatment zone of a subject. The control unit is configured to determine a position of the treatment portion of the catheter as the catheter is advanced through the blood vessel, and move the subject contact surface of the ultrasound probe relative to the treatment zone of the subject with the actuator to follow the position of the catheter as the catheter is advanced through the blood vessel.

Abstract: Adaptive wing systems and aircraft. A variable-span wing for aircraft comprises a fixed-section (1) with skin (118) that forms a lift-generating wing surface, and further comprises a top and a bottom moveable section (2) that are vertically offset from one-another and which translate in substantially lateral directions into and out of the fixed-section (1) through fixed-section tip-openings (126). The moveable sections (2) overlap inside of the fixed-section (1) when fully retracted. The wing also comprises at least two tracks (310,316) and track-mating parts (320). The track-mating parts (320) are attached near the roots of the moveable sections (2) and translate along the tracks (310,316) to guide the moveable sections (2). A non-overlapped wing with motors (331) that translate with the moveable sections (2) and which have attached gear heads (332). A rack (341) is located within the fixed section (1). Rotation of the gear heads (332) against the rack (341) causes the moveable sections (2) to translate.

Abstract: An endovascular apparatus takes the form of an expandable tubular body having a retriever, which may include a pair of interconnected hooks. The retriever may be formed from a single piece of material forming the tubular body, and in the case of a pair of hooks thus has a thickness corresponding to approximately twice the wall thickness of the tubular body. The innermost radial portion of the hooks may be offset from a central axis of a lumen formed by the tubular body, which facilitates free insertion of a balloon or the like for purposes of expanding the tubular body. Related methods of manufacturing an endovascular apparatus with a retriever are also described herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for receiving a first message associated with a first sponsor and a second message associated with a second sponsor for inclusion in a message collection. The systems and methods determine a first priority parameter associated with the first message based on sponsored content, and a second priority parameter associated with the second message based on sponsored content. Based on a determination that there is insufficient message inventory to include both the first message and the second message in the message collection, the systems and methods prioritize the first message associated with the first sponsor in the message collection and excluding the second message associated with the second sponsor in the message collection, based on an amount of consideration associated with the first priority parameter received from the first sponsor and an amount of consideration associated with the second priority parameter received from the second sponsor.

Abstract: A catheter for scoring or slicing a lesion. The catheter has a first receiver at a distal end of an expandable portion of the catheter shaft. A first carrier at least partially within the first receiver is moveable axially along the catheter shaft to deploy a first cutter along the expandable portion for cutting or scoring the lesion. In an alternative embodiment, the first carrier may be a wire having a loop, and thus forming a first length including the first cutter and a second length including a second cutter. Actuation of the wire thus causes simultaneous, reciprocal movement of the first and second cutters. Related methods are also disclosed.