Abstract: A circuit arrangement includes a preprocessing circuit configured to obtain context information related to a user location, a learning circuit configured to determine a predicted user movement based on context information related to a user location to obtain a predicted route and to determine predicted radio conditions along the predicted route, and a decision circuit configured to, based on the predicted radio conditions, identify one or more first areas expected to have a first type of radio conditions and one or more second areas expected to have a second type of radio conditions different from the first type of radio conditions and to control radio activity while traveling on the predicted route according to the one or more first areas and the one or more second areas.

Abstract: Embodiments of valve repair systems, leaflet clip devices, and methods of reducing regurgitation through a native heart valve are disclosed. A valve repair system can include a delivery apparatus and a leaflet clip device that is coupled to the delivery apparatus. The leaflet clip device can comprise an elongated clipping member, and a tensioning mechanism. One or more tensioning members are operatively connected to the tensioning mechanism to transform the clipping member from a delivery configuration to an implantation configuration. The one or more tensioning members can include a first tensioning member having a distal end portion that is connected to a first end portion of the clipping member and a second tensioning member having a distal end portion that is connected to a second end portion of the clipping member.

Abstract: Some disclosed suture securement devices comprise a flat, thin, generally planar body that has one or more suture engagement slots extending into the body from a perimeter inlet for receiving sutures laterally into the device. The slots can be resiliently widened to receive a suture and then released to clamp onto the suture. Some embodiments include two or more such suture engagement slots that independently receive and secure different sutures. Some embodiments include one or more locking tabs that have a closed position that retains the slots against widening and blocks the inlet to the slot. In some embodiment two or more slots are position next to each other on the same side of the device, while in other embodiments slots are positioned on opposite sides of the device. Other types of suture securement devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods for deploying self-cinching surgical clips. A device can access at least two layers of tissue or material from only one side of the tissue or material and puncture through the two layers of tissue or material. The various configurations of clips disclosed herein can be made of a superelastic material such as Nitinol, and have a constrained and a relaxed state, and no sharp edges or tips so as to reduce tissue irritation following deployment. The clip can be disposed within the housing of the delivery device and held in a constrained state until deployment wherein the clip assumes its relaxed state, where the ends of the clip can be brought into close approximation, thereby securing the layers of tissue or material together.

Abstract: Composites comprising an exfoliated graphite support material having a degree of graphitization g in an range of 50 to 93%, obtained by XRD Rietveld analysis, which is coated with ZnO nanoparticles.

Abstract: An expandable docking station includes an annular valve seat having an end, an annular outer wall comprising struts disposed around the valve seat, and links that connect the end of the annular valve seat to the annular outer wall. Each of the links extends from the struts of the annular outer wall directly toward a longitudinal axis that runs longitudinally through a center of the docking station, and to a corresponding one of a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending legs at least partially defining the annular valve seat. The outer wall is configured to conform to an interior shape of a blood vessel, when expanded inside the blood vessel, such that the outer wall can expand in multiple locations to conform to multiple bulges of the blood vessel and can contract in multiple locations to conform to multiple narrowed regions of the blood vessel.

Abstract: A septal closure and port device for implantation in the atrial septum of a patient's heart comprises an expandable frame can comprise a central portion defining a lumen, and first and second opposing end portions. The frame is configured to expand and contract between a compressed, tubular configuration for delivery through the patient's vasculature and an expanded configuration in which the first and second end portions extend radially outwardly from the opposite ends of the central portion. The device can further comprise a valve member supported on the frame and positioned to block at least the flow of blood from the left atrium to the right atrium through the lumen of the frame. The valve member is configured to permit a medical instrument inserted through the lumen and into the left atrium, such as for performing a subsequent medical procedure in the left side of the heart.

Abstract: An expandable sheath is disclosed herein, which has a first polymeric layer and a braided layer positioned radially outward of the first polymeric layer. The braided layer includes a plurality of filaments braided together. The expandable sheaths further include a resilient elastic layer positioned radially outward of the braided layer. The elastic layer is configured to apply radial force to the braided layer and the first polymeric layer. The expandable sheath further includes a second polymeric layer positioned radially outward of the elastic layer and bonded to the first polymeric layer such that the braided layer and the elastic layer are encapsulated between the first and second polymeric layers. Methods of making and using the devices disclosed herein are also disclosed, as are crimping devices that may be used in methods of making the devices disclosed herein.

Abstract: Methods for the conditioning of bioprosthetic material employ bovine pericardial membrane. A laser directed at the fibrous surface of the membrane and moved relative thereto reduces the thickness of the membrane to a specific uniform thickness and smooths the surface. The wavelength, power and pulse rate of the laser are selected which will smooth the fibrous surface as well as ablate the surface to the appropriate thickness. Alternatively, a dermatome is used to remove a layer of material from the fibrous surface of the membrane. Thinning may also employ compression. Stepwise compression with cross-linking to stabilize the membrane is used to avoid damaging the membrane through inelastic compression. Rather, the membrane is bound in the elastic compressed state through addition cross-linking. The foregoing several thinning techniques may be employed together to achieve strong thin membranes.

Abstract: The invention relates to effect pigments comprising artificial platelet-shaped substrates which have at least one optically active coating, where the effect pigments have a volume-averaged cumulative undersize distribution curve with the characteristic numbers D10, D50 and D90, said cumulative undersize distribution curve having a span ?D of 0.7-1.4, and the span ?D being calculated in accordance with formula (I): ?D=(D90?D10)/D50??(I), and the average thickness of the artificial platelet-shaped substrates being 500 nm to 2000 nm.

Abstract: Docking stations for transcatheter valves are described. The docking stations can include an expandable frame, at least one sealing portion, and a valve seat. The expandable frame can be configured to conform to an interior shape of a portion of the circulatory system when expanded inside the circulatory system. The sealing portion can be configured to contact an interior surface of the circulatory system to create a seal. The valve seat can be connected to the expandable frame and can be configured to support an expandable transcatheter valve. The docking stations are adaptable to different anatomies/locations to allow implantation of a transcatheter valve in a variety of anatomies/locations.

Abstract: An expandable sheath is disclosed herein, which has a first polymeric layer and a braided layer positioned radially outward of the first polymeric layer. The braided layer includes a plurality of filaments braided together. The expandable sheaths further include a resilient elastic layer positioned radially outward of the braided layer. The elastic layer is configured to apply radial force to the braided layer and the first polymeric layer. The expandable sheath further includes a second polymeric layer positioned radially outward of the elastic layer and bonded to the first polymeric layer such that the braided layer and the elastic layer are encapsulated between the first and second polymeric layers. Methods of making and using the devices disclosed herein are also disclosed, as are crimping devices that may be used in methods of making the devices disclosed herein.

Abstract: A septal closure and port device for implantation in the atrial septum of a patient's heart includes an expandable frame with a central portion defining a lumen, and first and second opposing end portions. The frame can expand and contract between a compressed, tubular configuration for delivery through the patient's vasculature and an expanded configuration in which the first and second end portions extend radially outwardly from the opposite ends of the central portion. The device can also have a valve member supported on the frame and positioned to block at least the flow of blood from the left atrium to the right atrium through the lumen of the frame. The valve member permits a medical instrument to be inserted through the lumen and into the left atrium, for performing a subsequent medical procedure in the left side of the heart.

Abstract: Pearlescent pigments including a largely transparent platelet-shaped substrate having a density ?S and at least one optically active coating having a density ?M, the substrate having an average size d50 of 3 to 8 ?m and an average height hS of 40 to 110 nm. The disclosure further relates to a method for producing the pearlescent pigments, and also to the use thereof.

Abstract: Methods for the conditioning of bioprosthetic material employ bovine pericardial membrane. A laser directed at the fibrous surface of the membrane and moved relative thereto reduces the thickness of the membrane to a specific uniform thickness and smoothes the surface. The wavelength, power and pulse rate of the laser are selected which will smooth the fibrous surface as well as ablate the surface to the appropriate thickness. Alternatively, a dermatome is used to remove a layer of material from the fibrous surface of the membrane. Thinning may also employ compression. Stepwise compression with cross-linking to stabilize the membrane is used to avoid damaging the membrane through inelastic compression. Rather, the membrane is bound in the elastic compressed state through addition cross-linking. The foregoing several thinning techniques may be employed together to achieve strong thin membranes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to red effect pigments including a nonmetallic substrate in platelet form and a coating applied thereto, wherein the coating includes at least one of metal oxide, metal hydroxide or metal oxide hydrate, the metal ions of the metal oxide, metal hydroxide and/or metal oxide hydrate comprise at least two different metal ions selected from the group of metals consisting of Fe, Sn, Ti and Zr, and to a process for production thereof and to the use of the red effect pigments.

Abstract: Devices and methods for deploying self-cinching surgical clips. A device can access at least two layers of tissue or material from only one side of the tissue or material and puncture through the two layers of tissue or material. The various configurations of clips disclosed herein can be made of a superelastic material such as Nitinol, and have a constrained and a relaxed state, and no sharp edges or tips so as to reduce tissue irritation following deployment. The clip can be disposed within the housing of the delivery device and held in a constrained state until deployment wherein the clip assumes its relaxed state, where the ends of the clip can be brought into close approximation, thereby securing the layers of tissue or material together.

Abstract: A method for requesting connection in a blue-green deployment which is switched over from a first server (blue) to which at least two clients are connected to a second server (green). The method can include determining, upon receipt of the maintenance notification or detection of a connection failure, an activity score at each one of the at least two clients; and, upon switchover to the second server or detection of the connection failure, transmitting, together with a respective reconnection request, the respective activity score from each one of the at least two clients to the second server for the second server to evaluate a prioritization of the reconnection request based on the activity score. Embodiments of a communication system, server system, and clients (e.g. user devices) can utilize embodiments of the method.

Abstract: Devices and methods for deploying self-cinching surgical clips. A device can access at least two layers of tissue or material from only one side of the tissue or material and puncture through the two layers of tissue or material. The various configurations of clips disclosed herein can be made of a superelastic material such as Nitinol, and have a constrained and a relaxed state, and no sharp edges or tips so as to reduce tissue irritation following deployment. The clip can be disposed within the housing of the delivery device and held in a constrained state until deployment wherein the clip assumes its relaxed state, where the ends of the clip can be brought into close approximation, thereby securing the layers of tissue or material together.

Abstract: Embodiments of valve repair systems, leaflet clip devices, and methods of reducing regurgitation through a native heart valve are disclosed. A valve repair system can include a delivery apparatus and a leaflet clip device that is coupled to the delivery apparatus. The leaflet clip device can comprise an elongated clipping member, and a tensioning mechanism. One or more tensioning members are operatively connected to the tensioning mechanism to transform the clipping member from a delivery configuration to an implantation configuration. The one or more tensioning members can include a first tensioning member having a distal end portion that is connected to a first end portion of the clipping member and a second tensioning member having a distal end portion that is connected to a second end portion of the clipping member.