Abstract: An assembly includes a prosthetic heart valve and a delivery apparatus for implanting the prosthetic heart valve within the native aortic valve of a patient. The prosthetic heart valve has a radially compressible and expandable metallic stent and a flexible valvular structure mounted within the stent. The delivery apparatus has a handle, a first shaft having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, a second shaft extending co-axially through the first shaft and having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end portions of the first and second shafts extending distally from the handle, a valve cover coupled to the distal end portion of the first shaft, and a nose piece coupled to the distal end portion of the second shaft.

Abstract: Methods for forming a tubular braid are described. The method for braiding includes providing a braiding mechanism including a disc, a mandrel, and a plurality of actuators. The disc defines a plane and a circumferential edge and the mandrel extends from a center of the disc. A plurality of filaments are loaded on the mandrel, each extending radially toward the circumferential edge and contacting the disc at a point of engagement. The plurality of actuators are operated to engage and move a first subset of filaments in a generally radial direction to a position beyond the circumferential edge. The disc or the engaged first subset are rotated relative to one another, thereby crossing the first subset over a second subset of filaments. The actuators are then operated to move the first subset to a radial position on the circumferential edge different from its previous point of engagement.

Abstract: Mechanisms and methods for forming a tubular braid are described. The mechanism for braiding includes a disc, a mandrel, a plurality of catch mechanisms, a plurality of actuators, and a computer program. The disc defines a plane and a circumferential edge. The mandrel extends from a center of the disc and is adapted to hold a plurality of filaments extending radially from the mandrel toward the circumferential edge of the disc. The plurality of catch mechanisms are positioned circumferentially around the edge of the disc and are adapted to engage a filament. The plurality of actuators are configured to move relative to one another and are adapted to move the plurality of catch mechanisms in a substantially radial direction relative to the circumferential edge of the disc.

Abstract: The invention relates to switch mode power supply modules and items of equipment powered by these modules. The power supply module comprises circuits for cyclically interrupting the switching operation, during a so-called switching operation interruption phase, if the load current of the module is less than a current threshold value and sustaining the switching operation, during a so-called switching operation phase, if the load current is greater than the load current threshold value and circuits for ending the switching operation interruption phase if the power supply voltage of the item of equipment is greater than a voltage threshold value. The item of equipment powered by the module comprises a capacitive element able to store energy from the module during the switching operation phase and to release the energy stored between the output terminals of the power supply module when it receives an activation signal.

Abstract: Methods of braiding using a braiding mechanism are described. The braiding mechanism includes a circular array of filament engagement elements, a mandrel extending from the center of the circular array, a plurality of actuators disposed operably about the circular array, and a rotating mechanism adapted to rotate one or more filaments. The circular array of filament engagement elements and the plurality of actuators are configured to move relative to one another. The plurality of filaments are loaded onto the mandrel and extend radially toward and contact the circumferential edge of the circular array of filament engagement elements. The plurality of actuators are operated to engage a first subset of the plurality of filaments and move the engaged filaments in a generally radial direction to a position beyond the circumferential edge of the circular array. The rotating mechanism is operated to move the engaged filaments about the mandrel axis.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treatment of a patient's vasculature with some embodiments configured for delivery with a microcatheter for treatment of the cerebral vasculature of a patient. Some embodiments may include a permeable shell configured to occlude blood flow therethrough.

Abstract: A braiding machine and methods of braiding are described. The braiding machine includes first and second annular members having inclined surfaces, the second annular member being concentric with the first annular member. The inclined surfaces are inclined at a non-zero angle formed between an axis of the outer ring and a horizontal axis that lies perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel. Each of the annular members has a plurality of tubular guide wires slideably mounted thereon and a plurality of wires extend from the mandrel through each of the tubular wire guides. One of the first and second annular members rotates circumferentially relative to the other. The first plurality of tubular wire guides slides radially inward so as to align with the second annular member, and the second plurality of tubular wire guides slides radially outward so as to align with the first annular member.

Abstract: A device and method for intravascular treatment of an embolism, and particularly a pulmonary embolism, is disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed toward a clot treatment device that includes a support member having a plurality of first clot engagement members and second clot engagement members positioned about the circumference of a distal portion of the support member. In an undeployed state, individual first clot engagement members can be linear and have a first length, and individual second clot engagement members can be linear and have a second length that is less than the first length. The clot engagement members can be configured to penetrate clot material along an arcuate path and hold clot material to the clot treatment device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and device for controlling the switching operation in a switch mode power supply module. The switch mode power supply module is intended to supply power to an item of equipment. The method comprises the steps of measuring, in the switch mode power supply module, the load current and comparing the measured load current with a predefined load current threshold value, and, cyclically interrupting the switching operation if the measured load current inside the device is less than the predefined load current threshold value.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treatment of a patient's vasculature with some embodiments configured for delivery with a microcatheter for treatment of the cerebral vasculature of a patient. Some embodiments may include a permeable shell and inner structure configured to occlude blood flow therethrough.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a delivery apparatus for delivering a prosthetic heart valve to a native valve site via the human vasculature without the need for a separate introducer sheath. The delivery apparatus is particularly well-suited for advancing a prosthetic valve through the aorta (i.e., in a retrograde approach) for replacing a stenotic aortic valve.

Abstract: A system for delivering an implant device to a vascular site in a patient a delivery pusher apparatus, an implant device detachably connected to the delivery pusher apparatus by a tether having a distal end connected to a proximal end of the implant device, wherein the tether is substantially non-tensioned when connecting the implant device to the delivery pusher, and an electrical heating element configured coaxially around at least a portion of the tether, wherein heat generated by the heating element severs the tether at a point near the proximal end of the implant device.

Abstract: The external power supply comprises a modem, a power source for providing an operating voltage for the modem and a supply voltage for an appliance and a power safe control. The power safe control comprises a current sense element for sensing a supply current of the supply voltage and a threshold circuit coupled to the current sense element for switching off the operating voltage when the supply current is below a threshold value, and for switching on the operating voltage when the supply current is above the threshold value. The appliance is in a preferred embodiment a residential gateway or a set-top box and the modem a power line communication modem.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering a prosthetic device through the vasculature of a patient includes a radially expandable member coupled to the distal end of an elongate shaft. The expandable member has an open frame configuration and an outer mounting surface for mounting the prosthetic device in a collapsed state thereon. The expandable member expands radially outwards from a first configuration to a second configuration to expand a prosthetic device mounted thereon.

Abstract: A system for delivering an implant device to a vascular site in a patient a delivery pusher apparatus, an implant device detachably connected to the delivery pusher apparatus by a tether having a distal end connected to a proximal end of the implant device, wherein the tether is substantially non-tensioned when connecting the implant device to the delivery pusher, and an electrical heating element configured coaxially around at least a portion of the tether, wherein heat generated by the heating element severs the tether at a point near the proximal end of the implant device.

Abstract: The invention relates to switch mode power supply modules and items of equipment powered by these modules. The power supply module comprises means for cyclically interrupting the switching operation, during a so-called switching operation interruption phase, if the load current of the module is less than a current threshold value and sustaining the switching operation, during a so-called switching operation phase, if the load current is greater than the load current threshold value and means for ending the switching operation interruption phase if the power supply voltage of the item of equipment is greater than a voltage threshold value. The item of equipment powered by the module comprises a capacitive element able to store energy from the module during the switching operation phase and means for releasing the energy stored between the output terminals of the power supply module when it receives an activation signal.

Abstract: An external power supply converts AC power to DC Power for a device. The external power supply and the device comprise circuits that provide early AC input failure detection so that the device can take measures such as to safe keep data as long as the external power supply continues to provide DC power to the device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering a prosthetic device through the vasculature of a patient includes a radially expandable member coupled to the distal end of an elongate shaft. The expandable member has an open frame configuration and an outer mounting surface for mounting the prosthetic device in a collapsed state thereon. The expandable member expands radially outwards from a first configuration to a second configuration to expand a prosthetic device mounted thereon.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treatment of a patient's vasculature with some embodiments configured for delivery with a microcatheter for treatment of the cerebral vasculature of a patient. Some embodiments may include a permeable shell configured to occlude blood flow therethrough.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treatment of a patient's vasculature with some embodiments configured for delivery with a microcatheter for treatment of the cerebral vasculature of a patient. Some embodiments may include a permeable shell configured to occlude blood flow therethrough.