Abstract: An embolic protection device includes an expandable mesh net coupled to a catheter assembly used in an interventional procedure. The catheter assembly includes an outer catheter, an inner catheter, a compliant balloon, and the mesh net. The catheter assembly can be deployed in a lumen, such as an outflow graft of a left ventricular assist device, a blood vessel, or other bodily lumen. The mesh net is coupled to the inner catheter and is expanded by retracting the outer catheter when positioned in the lumen. The mesh net captures embolic debris before it is able to enter into the patient's blood stream.

Abstract: Methods and platforms are provided for maintaining a population of natural enemies on plants, prior and/or parallel to an occurrence of respective prey pests, by associating with the plants platform(s) comprising mechanical support(s) with attached feeding elements for the natural enemies. The platform may be configured to keep the feeding elements close to but not on the plants, protecting them and enhancing the distribution efficiency and life time, while maintaining good availability of the feeding elements to the natural enemies. Various features may enhance supporting the natural enemies' population prior and/or parallel to the occurrence of the pest prey such as olfactory and/or visual cues to the feeding elements as well as sheltering elements such as artificial domatia on the surface of the mechanical support—to enhance biological pest control. Moreover, methods for preparing decapsulated Artemia cysts as feed for predatory arthropods are provided.

Abstract: Reperfusion injury is limited during endovascular therapies (e.g., revascularization and/or reperfusion of end organ tissues) by conditioning the tissues against reperfusion injury using an optical fiber catheter to deliver far red and near infrared (R/NIR) light to the tissues. The light may be multiple wavelength or single wavelength light, and may have one or more wavelengths selected from the range of 510 to 830 nm. The R/NIR light may be delivered concurrently with the endovascular therapy, or in other instances may be delivered before or after a particular therapy.

Abstract: Methods and platforms are provided for maintaining a population of natural enemies on plants, prior and/or parallel to an occurrence of respective prey pests, by associating with the plants platform(s) comprising mechanical support(s) with attached feeding elements for the natural enemies. The platform may be configured to keep the feeding elements close to but not on the plants, protecting them and enhancing the distribution efficiency and life time, while maintaining good availability of the feeding elements to the natural enemies. Various features may enhance supporting the natural enemies' population prior and/or parallel to the occurrence of the pest prey such as olfactory and/or visual cues to the feeding elements as well as sheltering elements such as artificial domatia on the surface of the mechanical support—to enhance biological pest control. Moreover, methods for preparing decapsulated Artemia cysts as feed for predatory arthropods are provided.