Abstract: A tissue anchor is provided that includes a metal wire shaped so as to define a straight anchor-shaft portion and a tissue-coupling portion extending therefrom. The tissue anchor is configured such that when the tissue-coupling portion is in an unconstrained state: (a) the tissue-coupling portion crosses itself at first and second loop-end longitudinal portions along the wire, so as to define a looped portion, which generally defines a looped-portion plane, (b) the first loop-end longitudinal portion is closer to a first proximal wire end along the wire than the second loop-end longitudinal portion is to the first proximal wire end along the wire, and (c) a greatest absolute distance between the first loop-end longitudinal portion and the first proximal wire end is greater than a greatest absolute distance between the second loop-end longitudinal portion and the first proximal wire end. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A cardiac assist device includes a cup having a cup wall defining an inner cup volume, and an outflow element having an aperture for expelling a fluid during operation. A balloon has a balloon wall positioned inside the cup. A lumen is present for inflating and deflating the balloon during operation, creating a pumping operational mode and a filling operational mode, respectively. One or more one-way valves are arranged in the cup wall to allow the fluid to flow into the cup during the filling operational mode. One or more of the one-way valves comprise apertures and flaps arranged to close off the apertures during the pumping operational mode.

Abstract: A heart valve therapy system includes a delivery device and a stented valve. The delivery device includes an outer sheath, an inner shaft, an optional hub assembly, and a plurality of tethers. In a delivery state, a stent frame of the prosthesis is crimped over the inner shaft and maintained in a compressed condition by the outer sheath. The tethers are connected to the stent frame. In a partial deployment state, the outer sheath is at least partially withdrawn, allowing the stent frame to self-expand. Tension in the tethers prevents the stent frame from rapidly expanding and optionally allowing recapture. Upon completion of the stent frame expansion, the tethers are withdrawn.

Abstract: An expandable introducer includes a hub having a distal end and a proximal end, and a sheath coupled to the hub and extending distally therefrom, the sheath defining a central lumen. The sheath is configured to radially expand from a radially unexpanded, folded state having a first diameter and to a radially expanded, unfolded state having a second diameter larger than the first diameter in response to a device passing through the central lumen. A wall of the sheath includes a thick wall region having a first wall thickness and a thin wall region having a second wall thickness smaller than the first wall thickness, wherein the thick wall region includes a coil embedded within the wall of the sheath.

Abstract: Systems and methods for altering colors of pixels of images produced by cameras using a lens. A plurality of generated images are received, and color channel values and luminance values of image pixels are determined. Benchmark U-color thresholds and V-color thresholds are established based on the color channels and luminance associated with the pixels. A first image generated using a first lens of a first camera is received. U-color values and V-color values associated with first pixels of the first image are determined. A uniformity score associated with the first lens is received. The benchmark U-color and V-color thresholds are altered based on the uniformity score. The U-color values and V-color values of the first pixels are corrected in response to the U-color values being within the altered U-color thresholds and the V-color values being within the altered V-color thresholds.

Abstract: Embodiments hereof relate to a delivery system for a transcatheter valve prosthesis, the delivery system having an integral centering mechanism to circumferentially center both the delivery system and the valve prosthesis within a vessel at the target implantation site. The centering mechanism may include expandable wings that may be selectively aligned with openings formed through a sidewall of an outer shaft of the delivery system, a coiled wing that may be selectively exposed through an opening formed through a sidewall of an outer shaft of the delivery system, a plurality of elongated filaments extending through a plurality of lumens of an outermost shaft of the delivery system that may be selectively deployed or expanded, an outer shaft that includes at least one pre-formed deflection segment formed thereon, a tool having a deployable lever arm, and/or a plurality of loops deployable via simultaneous longitudinal and rotational movement.

Abstract: A device for removing clot from a blood vessel includes a shaft. An expandable framework of struts is fixedly coupled to a distal region of the shaft. The struts can be radially expandable from a first to a second radially expanded state in a deployed configuration. An actuation cable can be connected to a plurality of connections of the engaging framework of struts to apply an expansion force, by the struts, as the struts are actuated by the actuation cable from the first radially expanded state to the second radially expanded state. In the first radially expanded state, a distal end of the struts is spaced a first axial distance away from the shaft, and wherein in the second radially expanded state, a distal end of the struts is spaced a second axial distance, different than the first axial distance, away from the shaft.

Abstract: A heart valve therapy system including a delivery device and a stented valve. The delivery device includes an outer sheath, an inner shaft, an optional hub assembly, and a plurality of tethers. In a delivery state, a stent frame of the prosthesis is crimped over the inner shaft and maintained in a compressed condition by the outer sheath. The tethers are connected to the stent frame. In a partial deployment state, the outer sheath is at least partially withdrawn, allowing the stent frame to self-expand. Tension in the tethers prevents the stent frame from rapidly expanding and optionally allowing recapture. Upon completion of the stent frame expansion, the tethers are withdrawn.

Abstract: A composite top view of an area surrounding a vehicle is generated utilizing image harmonization and proximity sensor data. Images from various vehicle cameras are received, wherein at least two of the cameras can see the same portion of the environment in an overlapping region. The images are segmented into segments. The overlapping regions include some of the segments of one image and some of the segments of another region to define overlapping segments. Sensor data is received from a plurality of proximity sensors, wherein the sensor data indicates a location of an object outside of the vehicle. The color and/or brightness of the images are harmonized based at least in part on the sensor data. In particular embodiments, weights are placed on the color and/or brightness of the overlapping segments associated with the location of the object. Or these overlapping segments can be removed from the harmonization.

Abstract: Embodiments hereof relate to a delivery system for a transcatheter valve prosthesis, the delivery system having an integral centering mechanism to circumferentially center both the delivery system and the valve prosthesis within a vessel at the target implantation site. The centering mechanism may include expandable wings that may be selectively aligned with openings formed through a sidewall of an outer shaft of the delivery system, a coiled wing that may be selectively exposed through an opening formed through a sidewall of an outer shaft of the delivery system, a plurality of elongated filaments extending through a plurality of lumens of an outermost shaft of the delivery system that may be selectively deployed or expanded, an outer shaft that includes at least one pre-formed deflection segment formed thereon, a tool having a deployable lever arm, and/or a plurality of loops deployable via simultaneous longitudinal and rotational movement.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using a clot retrieval device for treating a clot in a blood vessel for use in the treatment of ischemic stroke to achieve a clinically effective revascularization or perfusion rate for clots comprising a higher ratio of red blood cells to fibrin.

Abstract: Cyclic aspiration system producing a cyclic aspiration pressure waveform of intermittent cyclic intervals of vacuum pressure below atmospheric pressure and positive pressure higher than vacuum pressure. The system including flexible inlet tubing connected in fluid communication between a vacuum pump and an aspiration catheter. A positive pressure pulse generator mechanism intermittently cyclically applies an external force compressing a section of the flexible inlet tubing reducing internal volume and displacing fluid collectable therein thereby generating a positive pressure pulse. Upon withdrawal of the external force applied, the flexible inlet tubing is configured to be forcibly restorable to a non-compressed state increasing the internal volume while reducing pressure therein until eventual regeneration of the vacuum pressure thereby minimizing recovery time and maximizing cycling frequency.

Abstract: An aspiration catheter including a body having a proximal end and an opposite distal tip with a lumen extending in a longitudinal direction therethrough from the proximal end to the distal tip. The aspiration catheter further includes a stabilizing structural member stabilizing the body relative to the inner wall of the vessel to minimize movement and/or radial expansion of the distal tip of the body while subject to aspiration that otherwise may potentially damage the inner wall of the vessel.

Abstract: Cyclic aspiration system including an aspiration catheter and a cyclic aspiration source connected in fluid communication thereto, wherein the cyclic aspiration pressure source produces a cyclic aspiration pressure waveform of intermittently cycling intervals of a vacuum pressure below atmospheric pressure and a positive pressure higher than the vacuum pressure. The system further including a non-powered internal structural impediment disposed within the lumen of the aspiration catheter and configured to engage with a clot capturable therein during resulting movement between the clot and the non-powered internal structural impediment while subject to the cyclic aspiration pressure waveform to assist in capture of the clot. The non-powered internal structural impediment may be permanently attached to the aspiration catheter or a separate component or device independently slidable within the lumen of the aspiration catheter.

Abstract: A clot retrieval device that includes a proximal scaffolding section with a closed proximal end and an open distal end; an inner elongate member; and a distal scaffolding section with a closed proximal end and an open distal end element.

Abstract: The T cell specific RORgamma isoform RORgammat has been shown to be the key lineage-defining transcription factor to initiate the differentiation program of TH17 and TC17 cells, cells that have demonstrated anti-tumor efficacy, RORgammat controls gene networks that enhance immunity including increased IL17 production and decreased immune suppression. Agonists of RORgammat have been shown to increase the basal activity of RORgammat enhancing TH17 cell proliferation. Here we show that activation of RORgammat using synthetic agonists drives proliferation of cells while decreasing levels of the immune checkpoint protein PD-1, a mechanism that should enhance anti-tumor immunity while blunting tumor associated adaptive immune resistance. Interestingly, putative endogenous agonists drive proliferation of TH17 cells but do not repress PD-1.

Abstract: A method for reducing temporal noise in an image sequence by a camera of an assistance system of a motor vehicle by an electronic computing device. The method includes capturing a first image and a second image of the image sequence of an environment of the motor vehicle by the camera at a first point and a second point in time. Furthermore, determining at least one feature in the second image and determining of pixels associated with the at least one feature in the second image by the feature capturing module. Moreover, generating a weighting map comprising a weight value for each pixel of the second image by an adaptive motion estimation module. Lastly, reducing the temporal noise by blending pixels of the first image with pixels of the second image in dependence on the generated weighting map by a blending module.

Abstract: A device for removing clot from a blood vessel includes a shaft. An expandable framework of struts is fixedly coupled to a distal region of the shaft. The struts can be radially expandable from a first to a second radially expanded state in a deployed configuration. An actuation cable can be connected to a plurality of connections of the engaging framework of struts to apply an expansion force, by the struts, as the struts are actuated by the actuation cable from the first radially expanded state to the second radially expanded state. In the first radially expanded state, a distal end of the struts is spaced a first axial distance away from the shaft, and wherein in the second radially expanded state, a distal end of the struts is spaced a second axial distance, different than the first axial distance, away from the shaft.

Abstract: A case can provide a mechanism for securely retaining a stylus with a host device while the stylus is not in use. Such a mechanism can maintain the alignment of the stylus with the host device for attachment, power transfer, and/or communication. The mechanism can further protect the stylus from impact or other external influences. The same mechanism can transition to a lower profile while not retaining the stylus (e.g., while the stylus is in use as an input device for the host device). Such a mechanism can selectably be placed into a configuration that substantially conceals the mechanism, such that it can temporarily appear to be a case or portion of the host device that does not necessarily have a dedicated receptacle for retaining the stylus.

Abstract: A valve and tether fixation mechanism includes an anchor, a tether, and a prosthetic heart valve. The anchor may be for anchoring a prosthetic heart valve in a native heart valve. The tether may have a distal end coupled to the anchor. The tether may extend proximally from the anchor and connect to a tensioning mechanism. The prosthetic valve may be configured to translate along the tether. The valve may have a tether connecting portion configured to allow for adjustment of the tension in the tether and affix the prosthetic valve to the tether at a desired tension.