Abstract: A squeeze bottle, useful for atomizing liquids such as perfumes, medications, insecticides, or the like, by manually squeezing the bottle while orienting the bottle to direct the resulting atomized spray for a desired application. The squeeze bottle utilizes ambient air and contains an inner, compliant pouch for storing a liquid. The pouch is configured so that it deforms by the hydrostatic air pressure generated within the bottle during a squeezing action. This deformation assists in transferring liquid from the pouch into the bottle's spray nozzle where the liquid is atomized in a swirl airflow and dispersed by the expelled ambient air.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a tubular member defining a lumen and a channel, and a support member. The tubular member has a connection portion configured to be coupled to an organ wall. An outer edge of the connection portion is configured to contact a first portion of an inner surface of the wall when the connection portion is in an expanded configuration such that an interior volume of the organ is in fluid communication with the lumen. The support member is movably disposed within the channel and is configured to minimize movement of the wall relative to the tubular member. An end portion of the support member is disposed within the channel when the support member is in a first configuration. The end portion of the support member configured to contact a second portion of the inner surface of the wall when the support member is in a second configuration.

Abstract: A method of operating a counterpulsation device (CPD) in a human or animal subject is disclosed, the method including: receiving a heart beat signal indicative of the heart beat of the subject; providing counterpulsation therapy by controlling the pressure supplied to a CPD drive line in pneumatic communication with the CPD to cause the CPD to alternately fill with blood and eject blood with a timing that is determined at least in part based on the heart beat signal; while providing counterpulsation therapy, receiving a CPD drive line pressure signal indicative of the pressure in the CPD drive line; and adjusting the pressure supplied to the drive line based at least in part on the drive line pressure signal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a tubular member defining a lumen and a channel, and a support member. The tubular member has a connection portion configured to be coupled to an organ wall. An outer edge of the connection portion is configured to contact a first portion of an inner surface of the wall when the connection portion is in an expanded configuration such that an interior volume of the organ is in fluid communication with the lumen. The support member is movably disposed within the channel and is configured to minimize movement of the wall relative to the tubular member. An end portion of the support member is disposed within the channel when the support member is in a first configuration. The end portion of the support member configured to contact a second portion of the inner surface of the wall when the support member is in a second configuration.

Abstract: A mobile device comprising: a first transceiver configured to communicate with a plurality of base stations; a positioning unit configured to provide location information of the mobile device; the mobile device being configured to store connection criteria associated with a first base station of the plurality of base stations; and the mobile device being configured to, based on a location of the mobile device and the connection criteria, select the first base station of the plurality of base stations to communicate with, and initiate a connection with the first base station.

Abstract: A method of operating a counterpulsation device (CPD) in a human or animal subject is disclosed, the method including: receiving a heart beat signal indicative of the heart beat of the subject; providing counterpulsation therapy by controlling the pressure supplied to a CPD drive line in pneumatic communication with the CPD to cause the CPD to alternately fill with blood and eject blood with a timing that is determined at least in part based on the heart beat signal; while providing counterpulsation therapy, receiving a CPD drive line pressure signal indicative of the pressure in the CPD drive line; and adjusting the pressure supplied to the drive line based at least in part on the drive line pressure signal.

Abstract: A system for ablating internal heart tissue in an ablation pattern on a surface of the tissue within the heart. The system includes an ablation catheter with a distal end having an ablating tip portion operative to allow selective ablation of tissue. A guiding device is engageable with the ablation catheter and includes a tissue anchoring portion operable to engage with tissue proximate to the tissue to be ablated so as to temporarily anchor the guiding device relative to the tissue. Engagement of the guiding device with the ablation catheter operates to assist with guiding the ablating tip portion in moving along the pattern. Various devices and methods of use are further disclosed.

Abstract: A communications system for providing data communication to a vehicle (10), the communications system comprising: a mobile transport layer proxy (150) located on the vehicle; a parent transport layer proxy (170) located remote from the vehicle; the mobile transport layer proxy being configured to: accept a transport layer connection with a host device (32, 33), the transport layer connection being addressed to a remote server (160); and communicate with the parent transport layer proxy via multiple paths using a multipath transport layer protocol to communicate on behalf of the host device whilst identifying as the mobile transport layer proxy; and the parent transport layer proxy being configured to: communicate with the mobile transport layer proxy using the multipath transport layer protocol; and communicate with the remote server whilst identifying as the parent transport layer proxy to communicate on behalf of the mobile transport layer proxy to permit the host device to communicate with the remote serve

Abstract: Thermal pads for incorporation into systems and compression garments may be used for various medical or other purposes. The pads include thermal fluid channels and the ability to flex and elastically stretch in multiple directions for conformance to the individual user. Cooling systems include recirculation of the thermal fluid for temperature control purposes. Methods include hot and cold contrast type therapy for a variety of purposes.

Abstract: A blood flow conduit includes a first conduit portion defining a first portion of a lumen; and a second conduit portion defining a second portion of a lumen. At least one of the first or second conduit portions may include a tip portion and the other of the first or second conduit portions may include an enlarged area.

Abstract: Counterpulsation methods and systems for assisting the heart of a patient involve, for example, coordinating the operation of a pulsatile pump to suction blood from an artery through a blood flow conduit while the heart is in systole and expel the blood into the blood flow conduit and the artery while the heart is in diastole.

Abstract: A system for ablating internal heart tissue in an ablation pattern on a surface of the tissue within the heart. The system includes an ablation catheter with a distal end having an ablating tip portion operative to allow selective ablation of tissue. A guiding device is engageable with the ablation catheter and includes a tissue anchoring portion operable to engage with tissue proximate to the tissue to be ablated so as to temporarily anchor the guiding device relative to the tissue. Engagement of the guiding device with the ablation catheter operates to assist with guiding the ablating tip portion in moving along the pattern. Various devices and methods of use are further disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a minimally invasive method of performing annuloplasty. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for performing annuloplasty includes accessing a left ventricle of a heart to provide a discrete plication element to the left ventricle, and engaging the plication element to tissue near a mitral valve of the heart. Engaging the plication element includes causing the plication element to gather a portion of the tissue to create a plication. In one embodiment, accessing the left ventricle of the heart to provide the plication element includes accessing the left ventricle of the heart using a catheter arrangement.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems, devices and methods may employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cannula assembly for directing the flow of material from an organ chamber, e.g., blood from the left chamber of the heart, and methods of placing the cannula assembly in fluidic communication with the chamber. The cannula assembly includes an elongate tubular member and a coupling assembly disposed at the distal end of elongate tubular member. The elongate tubular member includes a lumen extending from a distal opening at the distal end to a proximal opening at the proximal end. The coupling assembly includes a retaining element and a retention member configured to cooperate with each other and with the portion of the organ wall surrounding the opening in the wall to couple or anchor cannula system to the wall and to provide fluidic communication between the distal opening of the elongate tubular member and the organ chamber.

Abstract: A blood flow conduit includes a first conduit portion defining a first portion of a lumen; and a second conduit portion defining a second portion of a lumen. At least one of the first or second conduit portions may include a tip portion and the other of the first or second conduit portions may include an enlarged area.

Abstract: Systems and methods for docking a heart valve prosthesis. A system includes a helical anchor (30) formed as multiple coils (32) adapted to support a heart valve prosthesis (10) with coil portions (32) positioned above and below the heart valve annulus (12). A seal (50) is coupled with the helical anchor (30) and includes portions extending between adjacent coils (32) for preventing blood leakage through the helical anchor (30) and past the heart valve prosthesis (10). An expansible helical anchor (30) is formed as multiple coils (32) adapted to support a heart valve prosthesis (10). At least one of the coils (32) is normally being at a first diameter, and is expandable to a second, larger diameter upon application of radial outward force from within the helical anchor (30).

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for attaching a counter pulsation device (CPD) to a blood vessel in a human or animal subject, the apparatus including: an interposition graft having a first end configured to be attached to the blood vessel, a second end, and an interior passage providing fluid connection between the first end and the second end; and a pump graft having first end attached to the second end of the interposition graft, a second end configured to be attached to the CPD, and an interior passage providing fluid connection between the first end and the second end In some embodiments, the interior passage of the interposition graft includes a rough surface configured to promote biological growth on the surface, and the interior passage of the pump graft includes a smooth surface configured to inhibit biological growth on the surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for replacing a heart valve. An expansible helical anchor is formed as multiple coils to support a valve prosthesis. At least one of the coils is expandable to a second, larger diameter upon application force from within the anchor. A gap is defined between adjacent coils sufficient to prevent engagement by at least one of the adjacent coils with the native heart valve. An expansible heart valve prosthesis is provided and is configured to be delivered into the anchor and expanded inside the coils into engagement. This moves the coil from the first diameter to the second diameter while securing the anchor and prosthesis together. The system further includes a seal on the expansible heart valve prosthesis configured to engage the helical anchor and prevent blood leakage past the heart valve prosthesis after implantation of the heart valve prosthesis in the helical anchor.

Abstract: A method for performing annuloplasty includes accessing a left ventricle of a heart to provide a discrete plication element to the left ventricle, and engaging the plication element to tissue near a mitral valve of the heart. Engaging the plication element includes causing the plication element to gather a portion of the tissue to create a plication. In one embodiment, accessing the left ventricle of the heart to provide the plication element includes accessing the left ventricle of the heart using a catheter arrangement.