Abstract: Improved prosthetic valves, their methods of manufacture, and systems and devices for manufacturing the valves are described. The prosthetic valves can be configured for transcatheter implantation. The prosthetic valves can have artificial leaflets. The prosthetic valves can be manufactured in numerous ways, such as by polymeric dipping processes and/or electrospinning. Sponge-like polymers for valves and other medical devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system of a multi-rotor aircraft that capitalizes on the advantages of fixed wing elements combined with rotary wing structures. The fixed wing elements can help to generate lift once the aircraft is airborne and can thus reduce the need for larger lifting rotors which can allow for longer flight times and distances. Additionally, the systems disclosed herein take advantage of a partial in-wing configuration with a number of rotors to reduce the overall footprint of the vehicle while maintaining the flight efficiency that comes with combining features of fixed and rotary wing elements, and increasing operator safety by shrouding rotating parts. The unique configurations allow for a decoupling of the pitch, yaw and roll authority to reduce the complexity in control systems and improve the flight efficiency of the aircraft. Additional configurations implement the use of smaller thrust rotors that can be used to generate thrust as well as control yaw and thus counteract any remaining unbalanced torque.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using a liquid jet apparatus for dental treatments are disclosed. In one implementation, the liquid jet apparatus may include a handpiece configured to deliver a high velocity liquid jet to a desired location in the mouth of a patient. The handpiece may include a positioning member having a channel through or along which the jet can propagate. The positioning member may have a distal end portion configured to be at least partially disposed in a pulp cavity, canal space, or opening in the tooth under treatment. During operation, the jet may impact an impingement surface of the distal end portion of the positioning member and be deflected as a spray through one or more openings in the distal end portion. The liquid jet apparatus may be used for root canal treatments.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to techniques for transferring a pulse pressure waveform signal of a peripheral vascular site to a central vascular site.

Abstract: Examples of apparatus, methods, and compositions for endodontic treatments are described. The apparatus can include a fluid platform configured to substantially retain fluid in a tooth chamber during treatment. The fluid platform can help maintain fluid circulation in the tooth chamber as fluid flows into and out of the tooth chamber. The apparatus can also include a pressure wave generator configured to generate acoustic waves that can be used for cleaning root canals and tooth surfaces in the tooth chamber. Examples of pressure wave generators include a liquid jet, an electromagnetic energy delivery device, and an ultrasonic device. The fluid can include antiseptic or antibacterial solutions to assist in tooth cleaning. The fluid may be degassed to have a reduced dissolved gas content (compared to non-degassed fluids used in endodontic treatments), which may improve the effectiveness of the pressure wave generation or the cleaning.

Abstract: A collective pitch adjustment mechanism for a variable-pitch rotor that has blades for rotation about a rotor axis, e.g., for a flight vehicle or drone, via a motor. The mechanism has a servo actuator and a bearing cage for blade rotation. The servo actuator varies the collective pitch of the blades via a pushrod, and a servo actuator arm is configured for rotation and connected to the pushrod via a joint. Mounting portions are provided for securement of the blades and an actuation horn is coupled to the pushrod. The blades are rotationally and/or translationally coupled to the actuation horn via the mounting portions. The servo actuator causes rotational movement of the servo actuator arm, which in turn causes translational movement of the pushrod, which causes linear movement of the actuation horn to thereby collectively cause a collective change in a pitch angle, i.e. the collective pitch, of the blades.

Abstract: A non-invasive and convenient method and apparatus for approximation of left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) can be used in both hospital/clinic environments and nursing home or home environments. The method and apparatus use non-invasive sensors and a new “cardiac triangle” computational method to obtain an approximation of LVEDP. The computational method uses hemodynamic and electrocardiogram (ECG) waveforms as input, which can be collected by a portable device or devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time environmental sensor data gathering is enhanced using augmented reality, with a virtual target object being presented to the user of the sensor device that guides the user where to move the sensor device next. A combination of pose data for the sensor and data modeling of the sensor data allows for users with minimal training to make optimized environmental readings.

Abstract: A system configured to be at least partially implanted along an aorta includes an inelastic, static member and a pinching member. The pinching member is configured to receive an activation signal at an activation rate and in response to the activation signal, repeatedly compress the aorta at the second location at the activation rate to pump fluid within the aorta in a desired pumping direction. The system is configured to selectively control wave reflections in order to achieve both improved wave dynamics to reduce cardiac load and increased (or at least non-diminished) blood flow to targeted organs within the cardiovascular system.

Abstract: A coaxial rotor pair assembly, e.g., for a flight vehicle or drone, with a fixed-pitch rotor and a variable-pitch rotor that are axially spaced relative to one another on a rotor axis for rotation via rotor shafts. A first motor and a second motor are provided for the rotors to drive the respective rotor about the rotor axis. The first and second motors are each controlled by a speed controller, and speed controllers are controlled by a vehicle flight controller. A collective pitch of the plurality of blades of the variable-pitch rotor is configured to be selectively varied by the vehicle flight controller during rotation of both the fixed-pitch rotor and the variable-pitch rotor about the rotor axis. The plurality of blades of the fixed-pitch rotor are maintained a constant, fixed pitch, e.g., during operation of the flight vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a multi-rotor aircraft that implements the unconventional use of an odd number of rotors. The odd or auxiliary rotor is designed to be smaller in diameter than the remaining main rotors and accordingly generates a smaller unbalanced torque and pitch on the aircraft. Additional configurations implement the use of smaller thrust rotors that can be used to generate thrust as well as control yaw and thus counteract any remaining unbalanced torque from the odd auxiliary rotor.

Abstract: A non-invasive and convenient method and apparatus for approximation of left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) can be used in both hospital/clinic environments and nursing home or home environments. The method and apparatus use non-invasive sensors and a new “cardiac triangle” computational method to obtain an approximation of LVEDP. The computational method uses hemodynamic and electrocardiogram (ECG) waveforms as input, which can be collected by a portable device or devices.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods for noninvasively performing cardiac auscultation. In some implementations, a method includes: performing, using a BP cuff of a BP cuff system, a blood pressure measurement of a subject to obtain one or more blood pressure values corresponding to the subject; inflating, based on the one or more blood pressure values corresponding to the subject, the BP cuff to a subject specific pressure value; capturing, using the BP cuff system, while the BP cuff is inflated to the subject specific pressure value, a pulse pressure waveform signal associated with an artery of the subject; obtaining a sound waveform signal associated with a heart valve of the subject by filtering the pulse pressure waveform signal to extract sound components associated with the opening or closing of the heart valve; and analyzing the sound waveform signal to identify characteristics of the heart of the subject.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for endodontic treatment of teeth provide effective cleaning of organic material (such as pulp and diseased tissue) from the root canal system. In an embodiment, a compressor system generates high pressure liquid (e.g., water) that flows through an orifice to produce a high-velocity collimated jet of liquid. The high-velocity jet is directed toward a surface of a tooth, for example, an exposed dentinal surface, and impingement of the jet onto the surface generates an acoustic wave that propagates throughout the tooth. The acoustic wave effectively detaches organic material from dentinal surfaces and tubules. The detached organic material is flushed from the root canal system by the liquid jet and/or by additional irrigation.

Abstract: Disclosed are example embodiments of methods and systems for inducing drug to thoroughly mix in a patient's vitreous humor. One of the systems includes: a heat transfer pad that transfer heat to or from the eyeball; and a control module electronically coupled to the heat transfer pad for controlling one or more heat transfer elements disposed thereon.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses are provided for the measurement of intraocular pressure. These systems, methods and apparatuses can include an imaging apparatus for capturing two- or three-dimensional images or video of a patient's eye. An image reconstruction based on the captured images or video can be performed, and measurements can be taken of blood vessel features, curvature metrics, or distances between point pairs. In some embodiments, blood pressure measurements can also be taken synchronously with the captured images or video. From these measurements, a relationship between certain medical condition (e.g., elevated intraocular pressure, heart arrhythmia) and the extracted metrics can be established.

Abstract: A non-invasive and convenient method and apparatus for approximation of left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) can be used in both hospital/clinic environments and nursing home or home environments. The method and apparatus use non-invasive sensors and a new “cardiac triangle” computational method to obtain an approximation of LVEDP. The computational method uses hemodynamic and electrocardiogram (ECG) waveforms as input, which can be collected by a portable device or devices.

Abstract: A non-invasive and convenient method and apparatus for approximation of left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) can be used in both hospital/clinic environments and nursing home or home environments. The method and apparatus use non-invasive sensors and a new “cardiac triangle” computational method to obtain an approximation of LVEDP. The computational method uses hemodynamic and electrocardiogram (ECG) waveforms as input, which can be collected by a portable device or devices.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a multi-rotor aircraft that implements the unconventional use of different sized rotors. The different sized rotors than the main rotors tend to generate an unbalanced torque and pitch on the aircraft that effectively decouples the pitch and yaw control from the main rotors. The atypical design tends to lend itself to improved control capabilities and simplified control systems. Additional configurations implement the use of smaller thrust rotors that can be used to generate thrust as well as control yaw and thus counteract any remaining unbalanced torque from the odd auxiliary rotor.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the flight control and efficiency of an aerial vehicle. Many embodiments are directed to a rotor-shroud assembly system where a plurality of rotor blades are connected to the internal side of a shroud and are set up to pivot through the use of a pitching mechanism. The entire assembly is configured to rotate when attached to a motor.