Abstract: A method for replacing a first sheath, whose distal end is positioned inside a vessel and whose proximal end is positioned outside the skin of a patient, with a second sheath may involve inserting a dilator over a guidewire and into the first sheath until a distal end of the dilator and a distal end of the guidewire are positioned inside the vessel. The dilator may be hubless or include a removable hub, and may define an external channel configured to receive a second guidewire. The method may further involve removing the first sheath, thereby leaving the dilator and the guidewire in place. After removing the first sheath, a second sheath may be passed over the dilator and the guidewire until the distal end of the second sheath is positioned inside the vessel. The method may further involve removing the dilator and the guidewire, leaving the second sheath in place.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for treating diseases and disorders effecting the cardiovascular system of the human body are disclosed. An exemplary device in accordance with this disclosure comprises a shaft, tip member fixed to the shaft, and a probe extending beyond a distal surface of the tip member. In some useful embodiments, the tip member is relatively atraumatic and the probe is shaped so as to be more likely to produce trauma than the tip member.

Abstract: The shower system has a heat exchanger located in compartment vertically adjacent to the wall of the shower space and closed off by an openable or removable panel. The heat exchanger comprising a helically winding heat exchange conduit with successive windings around a vertical axis in said compartment above the floor of the shower space. A pump coupled to the shower drain pumps warm water to a warm water feed of the heat exchanger, from where it is sprayed on a top winding of the heat exchange conduit. Tap water is fed to the shower head successively via the heat exchange conduit and a heater and/or a mixing element for mixing water from the heat exchanger with water from a supply input for external hot water.

Abstract: Disclosed are various examples and embodiments of a cardiac mapping catheter configured for electrophysiological (EP) mapping and suitable for intravascular insertion in a patient's heart, and methods of making same. The cardiac mapping catheter comprises a plurality support arms having electrodes disposed thereon. Various configurations of the cardiac mapping catheter are described and disclosed which provide improved spatial resolution and sensing of EP signals acquired from inside a patient's heart.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for treating diseases and disorders effecting the cardiovascular system of the human body are disclosed. An exemplary device in accordance with this disclosure comprises a shaft, tip member fixed to the shaft, and a probe extending beyond a distal surface of the tip member. In some useful embodiments, the tip member is relatively atraumatic and the probe is shaped so as to be more likely to produce trauma than the tip member.

Abstract: This patent document discloses perfusion catheters and related methods for treating blood vessel lesions and abnormalities. A perfusion catheter can include an inflatable balloon, an elongate shaft operably attached to the balloon, and an optional containment structure surrounding at least a portion of the balloon. The balloon can be inflated until its outer surface contacts a wall of a blood vessel. When inflated, the balloon's inner surface defines a passage for blood to flow. The balloon can be configured to release one or more substances formulated to treat a tissue at or near the wall of a blood vessel. In an example, the balloon can include a bioactive layer, which comprises the one or more substances, overlaying an optional base layer. In an example, the balloon can include multiple filars, at least one of which is configured to elute the one or more substances through a perforation or hole in the filar.

Abstract: A method for replacing a first sheath, whose distal end is positioned inside a vessel and whose proximal end is positioned outside the skin of a patient, with a second sheath may involve inserting a dilator over a guidewire and into the first sheath until a distal end of the dilator and a distal end of the guidewire are positioned inside the vessel. The dilator may be hubless or include a removable hub. The method may further involve removing the first sheath, thereby leaving only the dilator and the guidewire in place. After removing the first sheath, a second sheath may be passed over the dilator and the guidewire until the distal end of the second sheath is positioned inside the vessel. The method may further involve removing the dilator and the guidewire, leaving only the second sheath in place.

Abstract: A method for replacing a first sheath, whose distal end is positioned inside a vessel and whose proximal end is positioned outside the skin of a patient, with a second sheath may involve inserting a dilator over a guidewire and into the first sheath until a distal end of the dilator and a distal end of the guidewire are positioned inside the vessel. The dilator may be hubless or include a removable hub, and may define an external channel configured to receive a second guidewire. The method may further involve removing the first sheath, thereby leaving the dilator and the guidewire in place. After removing the first sheath, a second sheath may be passed over the dilator and the guidewire until the distal end of the second sheath is positioned inside the vessel. The method may further involve removing the dilator and the guidewire, leaving the second sheath in place.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing a measurement operation on a substrate in accordance with one or more substrate alignment models. The one or more substrate alignment models are selected from a plurality of candidate substrate alignment models. The apparatus, which may be a lithographic apparatus, includes an external interface which enables selection of the substrate alignment model(s) and/or alteration of the substrate alignment model(s) prior to the measurement operation.

Abstract: A sampling hub directs a medical device towards a target area. The hub may have some of: a hub body; a lumen passing between openings at the front end and the rear end, the lumen allowing for passage of an elongate element through the entire lumen; the bottom of the hub body may be flat; the top of hub body preferably is sloped downwardly; the lumen is preferably sloped downwardly to enable guidance of the elongate body towards the target area; and an area surrounding the opening of the lumen at the rear end configured to receive a support for the elongate element, the support for the elongate element having a diameter in the support larger than a diameter of the elongate element.

Abstract: Closure systems, kits and methods for sealing a percutaneous puncture or other opening in a blood vessel wall, body cavity or biopsy tract are disclosed. A closure system can comprise an implant assembly, a delivery assembly, and an introducer sheath. The closure system can further comprise a valve bypass and a dilator. The implant assembly can include an inner member, a sealing membrane, and an outer member, each of which can be delivered by the delivery assembly. The inner member can be extended through the puncture or opening and positioned adjacent an inner tissue surface. The outer member can be positioned adjacent an outer tissue surface. The sealing membrane can have a distal end attached to the inner member, a proximal end including an opening configured to receive the outer member, and a mid-region therebetween.

Abstract: Closure systems, kits and methods for sealing a percutaneous puncture or other opening in a blood vessel wall, body cavity or biopsy tract are disclosed. A closure system can comprise an implant assembly, a delivery assembly, and an introducer sheath. The closure system can further comprise a valve bypass and a dilator. The implant assembly can include an inner member, a sealing membrane, and an outer member, each of which can be delivered by the delivery assembly. The inner member can be extended through the puncture or opening and positioned adjacent an inner tissue surface. The outer member can be positioned adjacent an outer tissue surface. The sealing membrane can have a distal end attached to the inner member, a proximal end including an opening configured to receive the outer member, and a mid-region therebetween.

Abstract: A foldable stroller (1, 41) is provided with at least one pushrod (2, 3) being pivotable about a first pivot axis (9, 10). The folding mechanism is further provided with a number of rods, comprising a first rod (19, 20) being pivotable about a second pivot axis (17, 18). The first rod and the pushrod are provided with cooperating connecting elements (52, 56) being connectable to each other by pivoting the pushrod about the first pivot axis to an erect position of the pushrod, in which position the connecting elements are lockable to each other by locking means (57). When the locking means are unlocked and the connecting elements are still connected to each other, the connecting means prevent the first rod to pivot about the second pivot axis.

Abstract: A system and method for removing material wrapped around a hay bale is provided. The system may comprise first and second generally opposing arms, a cutting device, and a grabbing device. The first and second arms are adapted for receiving a bale therebetween. One or both of the arms may be pivotably movable or linearly movable in order to receive and be positioned proximate a side of a bale. The cutting device may be movably coupled to the first arm and adapted for selectively traveling between first and second ends (e.g., a proximal end and a distal end) of the first arm. The grabbing device may be movably coupled to the second arm and adapted for selectively traveling between first and second ends (e.g., a proximal end and a distal end) of the second arm.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions relating to viral capsomeres which comprise foreign immunogenic sequences for use in pharmaceutical compositions and methods of producing such compositions, and related isolated or purified protein and nucleic acid molecules, vectors, host cells, compositions, and methods of use to augment an immune response, immunize an animal and prophylactically or therapeutically treat a disease, disorder or condition. The viral capsomere may be derived from a polyomavirus and comprise an immunogen of interest at the N-terminus and further at the C-terminus and/or at one or more exposed loops of the capsomere.

Abstract: The invention relates to nanoemulsions useful for analytical techniques and delivery of cargoes such as pharmaceutically active agents. In particular, the invention relates to nanoemulsions comprising an oil phase dispersed in an aqueous phase and at least two peptide surfactants adsorbed at the liquid-liquid interface, one peptide surfactant comprising a short peptide sequence having ?-helical propensity and at least one second polypeptide surfactant comprising at least two peptide sequences having ?-helical propensity linked by a linking sequence of 3 to 11 amino acid residues. Optionally the at least one second polypeptide surfactant comprises at least one pharmacokinetic modifying agent and/or a targeting agent. Furthermore, the nanoemulsion may further comprise a cargo such as a pharmaceutically active agent.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring or testing the hearing of a user using a portable unit include presenting a plurality of test frequencies for selection by a user and storing data about those frequencies, and the user's response to stimuli presented at those frequencies, and comparing the stored data to previously acquired hearing data. Using mathematical prediction algorithms, changes in baseline hearing values can be used to identify potential hearing issues, especially hearing issues associated with ototoxicity.

Abstract: Described are surgical implants that include a central support portion adapted to be positioned to support pelvic tissue, between mesh end portions adapted to be passed through body tissue, wherein edges of the end portions exhibit extensions that are resistant to deformation.

Abstract: Closure systems, kits and methods for sealing a percutaneous puncture or other opening in a blood vessel wall, body cavity or biopsy tract are disclosed. A closure system can comprise an implant assembly, a delivery assembly, and an introducer sheath. The closure system can further comprise a valve bypass and a dilator. The implant assembly can include an inner member, a sealing membrane, and an outer member, each of which can be delivered by the delivery assembly. The inner member can be extended through the puncture or opening and positioned adjacent an inner tissue surface. The outer member can be positioned adjacent an outer tissue surface. The sealing membrane can have a distal end attached to the inner member, a proximal end including an opening configured to receive the outer member, and a mid-region therebetween.

Abstract: A liquid sampling catheter contains a lumen filled by a sampling cannula with a hollow lumen and either a closed or open distal tip. Attached to the proximal end of the device is a modular blood storage component. The sampling stick slides through the patient's skin or through a seal and in-dwelling lumen on a corresponding sampling hub to sample blood from a patient. This embodiment establishes a simple, standardized, and quick procedure for sampling small amounts of bodily liquids such as blood for a variety of analyte tests.