Abstract: A respirator includes a frame, a filter layer, and a face seal member. The frame has an outer side and an inner side. The frame defines an opening therethrough. The filter layer is mounted to the outer side of the frame and covers the opening of the frame. The filter layer is configured to prohibit permeation of aerosol, gas, and/or vapor contaminants therethrough. The face seal member is mounted to the inner side of the frame. The face seal member includes a seal contact area configured to engage a facial surface of a wearer. The face seal member incorporates a phase change material therein. The phase change material is configured to provide localized cooling by absorbing heat emitted by the wearer.

Abstract: A transmission is described. The transmission employs a main input sprocket configured to be driven by a drive system of the apparatus implementing the transmission. The main input sprocket is disposed on and coupled to a main axle of the transmission. The transmission further includes an output gear that is configured to float on the main axle and is connected to a driven output component of the apparatus implementing the transmission. By floating on the main axle, the output gear can rotate at a rate that differs from a rotational rate of the main input sprocket. To control a rate at which the output gear rotates relative to the main input sprocket, the transmission employs a reference carrier floating on the main axle. A rotational rate of the reference carrier dictates an amount of torsional relief from the main input sprocket to the output gear.

Abstract: A respirator includes a frame, a filter layer, and a face seal member. The frame has an outer side and an inner side. The frame defines an opening therethrough. The filter layer is mounted to the outer side of the frame and covers the opening of the frame. The filter layer is configured to prohibit permeation of aerosol, gas, and/or vapor contaminants therethrough. The face seal member is mounted to the inner side of the frame. The face seal member includes a seal contact area configured to engage a facial surface of a wearer. The face seal member incorporates a phase change material therein. The phase change material is configured to provide localized cooling by absorbing heat emitted by the wearer.

Abstract: A respiratory mask includes a body having an interior space that defines a plenum between the body and a face of the user when the user is wearing the mask. The respiratory mask also includes a voice transmittal feature in and contiguous with the body that has a voice transmittal membrane that is configured to vibrate in response to sound waves generated by the user such that the voice transmittal membrane transmits the sound waves from the plenum of the body to an ambient environment of the user. The voice transmittal feature thus enhances the intelligibility of a user's speech so that others may more clearly understand what the user is saying. For example, this may increase safety and efficiency in emergency response situations in which the use of a respiratory mask is required.

Abstract: A system for spraying a coating material to a substrate includes an optical sensor that monitors a thickness, a controller that generates a first signal corresponding to an amount of gas propellant to be heated, a second signal corresponding to a temperature to which the gas propellant is to be heated, a third signal corresponding to an amount of a solid powder composition to be mixed with the heated gas, and a fourth signal corresponding to a distance between the nozzle and the substrate, a first regulator that supplies an amount of gas propellant corresponding to the first signal, a heater that heats the gas propellant to the temperature corresponding to the second signal, a second regulator that supplies an amount of solid powder composition corresponding to the third signal, and an actuator that moves the nozzle corresponding to the fourth signal.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an electrical conductor on a substrate by cold spraying includes propelling a solid powder composition that includes copper and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite using a gas propellant, and directing the solid powder composition towards the substrate at a velocity sufficient to cause the solid powder composition to undergo plastic deformation and to adhere to the substrate to deposit the electrical conductor thereon.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for approximating targeted tissue using locking sutures. The locking sutures can be configured to receive suture ends that are interweaved through portions of the locking sutures. In a pre-deployment configuration, a locking suture can slide along suture tails and can be positioned at a target location within a target region. Once a desired position and/or tension is achieved, the locking suture can be transitioned to a post-deployment configuration where the locking suture constricts around the suture tails to inhibit relative movement between the suture tails and the locking suture.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to hydrogels and their use for repairing or supplementing body tissue. The hydrogels are capable of safe injection into patients through fine gauge needles and are suitable for repairing, supplementing, or replacing the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc. Methods of manufacturing and methods of using the hydrogels of the present disclosure to repair or replace tissues are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a needle having a bore and a distal tip, a pusher having a distal end, the pusher being disposed within the bore of the needle for movement between a delivery position within the needle and a deployed position distal to the distal tip of the needle, an elongate tissue anchor including a distal portion and a proximal portion separated by one or more hinges, and a suture disposed at least partially within the pusher and coupled to the elongate tissue anchor.

Abstract: A back-brace assistive device is provided for supporting a proper lifting posture of a user, including a back-brace assembly featuring a series of interconnected and articulating vertebrae assemblies, as well as an upper back plate assembly and a lower back plate assembly, each in connection with the series of the vertebrae assemblies. Each vertebrae assembly fits into the adjacent assembly via a ball joint, and the series of the vertebrae assemblies couples with the upper and the lower back plate assemblies via additional ball joints. At least one support component extends from the upper back plate assembly, across the series of the articulating vertebrae assemblies, to the lower back plate assembly to provide rigidity and articulation support for the vertebrae assemblies. An anchoring mechanism such as a harness attaches to the back-brace assembly to secure the back-brace assembly to the user's back. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for approximating targeted tissue using locking sutures. The locking sutures can be configured to receive suture ends that are interweaved through portions of the locking sutures. In a pre-deployment configuration, a locking suture can slide along suture tails and can be positioned at a target location within a target region. Once a desired position and/or tension is achieved, the locking suture can be transitioned to a post-deployment configuration where the locking suture constricts around the suture tails to inhibit relative movement between the suture tails and the locking suture.

Abstract: A method for promoting contraception by placing a contraceptive device within a uterus without blocking fallopian tubes may involve advancing a distal end of a delivery device through a cervix, advancing the contraceptive device comprising an elongate shape memory member out of the distal end of the delivery device and into the uterus, and limiting inferior migration of the contraceptive device within the uterus. Inferior migration may be limited by allowing the contraceptive device to assume a shape, when subjected to pressure that tends to cause a downward migration of the device within the uterus, in which an expandable middle portion of the device is expanded to contact the inner wall of the uterus and thus limit the downward migration of the device.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for approximating targeted tissue by intertwining two or more sutures together. The sutures are attached to the targeted tissue and routed to a twister device. The twister device secures end portions of the sutures and twists them to intertwine the sutures. Controlling the number of twists provides control over the forces applied to the targeted tissue. In conjunction with visualization feedback, real-time adjustments can be made to achieved targeted results, such as elimination of mitral regurgitation when the disclosed methods and apparatus are applied to mitral valve repair.

Abstract: A multi-dose dry powder inhaler with a blister folding device is provided. The inhaler comprises a housing containing a blister strip, and a blister opening device. The blister strip comprises a plurality of individual blisters, each blister containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user. The blister opening device comprising a blister support element for supporting one of said blisters, and a blister folding element co-operable with the blister support element, the blister folding element and the blister support element being movable relative to each other between a first position, permitting movement of said blister into or onto the blister support element, and a second, burst, position in which the blister folding element has co-operated with the blister support element.

Abstract: A method comprises advancing an elongate tube to a target implantation site, the elongate tube having a needle disposed at least partially therein that has a coiled sutureform wrapped around at least a portion thereof, contacting a distal end of the elongate tube to a target tissue, projecting a tip of the needle from the distal end of the elongate tube to pierce through the target tissue such that the tip of the needle and at least a portion of the coiled sutureform project through the target tissue, advancing a pusher device within the elongate tube and over the needle to push the at least a portion of the coiled sutureform off of the tip of the needle, and proximally pulling one or more suture tails associated with the coiled sutureform to form the coiled sutureform into a knot on a distal side of the target tissue.

Abstract: A modular material tracking system is provided for tracking material stored on and drawn from a reel using a modular system. The modular material tracking system may include a detection element, digital logic components, location receiver, enclosure, analytic components, interface component, sensor module, and plate module. One or more sensors relative to the reel may detect a position indicative of forward or reverse reel rotation. A processor may analyze signals to count rotations of the reel, which is savable in memory. A battery may provide power. The system may also record the time and location associated with rotations. A method for tracking material stored on and drawn from a reel using a modular material tracking system is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to hydrogels and their use for repairing or supplementing body tissue. The hydrogels are capable of safe injection into patients through fine gauge needles and are suitable for repairing, supplementing, or replacing the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc. Methods of manufacturing and methods of using the hydrogels of the present disclosure to repair or replace tissues are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for personal protective equipment, such as a respirator mask, having a nosecup that is removably coupled to the item of personal protective equipment by at least one of an electronics housing and at least one voicemitter. A respirator mask includes a frame including a voicemitter aperture, a voicemitter, and a nosecup removably coupled to the frame by a rotation of the voicemitter by a predetermined amount to removably lock the nosecup to the frame voicemitter aperture. The mask further includes electronics components, which are housed in an annular electronics housing located within the front portion of the mask body 14 and in contact with a front portion of the nosecup. The nosecup may further be removably coupled to the mask frame by coupling between the annular electronics housing and the mask frame.

Abstract: A method for promoting contraception by placing a contraceptive device within a uterus without blocking fallopian tubes may involve advancing a distal end of a delivery device through a cervix, advancing the contraceptive device comprising an elongate shape memory member out of the distal end of the delivery device and into the uterus, and limiting inferior migration of the contraceptive device within the uterus. Inferior migration may be limited by allowing the contraceptive device to assume a shape, when subjected to pressure that tends to cause a downward migration of the device within the uterus, in which an expandable middle portion of the device is expanded to contact the inner wall of the uterus and thus limit the downward migration of the device.

Abstract: A power supply for an item of personal protective equipment and a method and system for removably coupling the power supply to the item of personal protective equipment, such as a respirator mask. The removable battery cartridge is attached to the mask body in the user's chin area, below the location at which a respirator would be or is attached. Thus, the power supply (battery cartridge) is out of the user's way and is at a location that allow the user to couple or uncouple the cartridge from the mask quickly and easily, even when the user is wearing gloves. In one embodiment, a mask body includes a lower surface and power supply that is removably couplable to the mask body lower surface.