Abstract: An example system includes a first lead configured to be positioned in or beside a left internal jugular vein (IJV) of a patient to deliver a first stimulation signal to a first vagus nerve, the first lead including one or more first segmented electrodes positioned on a distal portion of the first lead and a first anchoring mechanism; a second lead configured to be positioned in or beside a right IJV of the patient to deliver a second stimulation signal to a second vagus nerve, the second lead including one or more second segmented electrodes positioned on a distal portion of the second lead and a second anchoring mechanism; and circuitry configured to deliver electrical energy to the first lead to deliver the first stimulation signal and the second lead to deliver the second stimulation signal to provide bilateral stimulation to the first vagus nerve and the second vagus nerve.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: Provided are methods, devices, and kits for the isolation and detection of one or more analytes of interest from a biological sample using microslit filter membranes. In various examples, the methods use capture particles and binding agents for specific recognition of one or more analytes of interest.

Abstract: A conveyor belt module includes a laterally-extending protrusion to prevent misorientation of the module during assembly. In a proper orientation, the laterally-extending protrusion extends into a recess of an adjacent conveyor belt module, with clearance between the protrusion and the nadir of the recess. Reversal of the conveyor belt module prevents the conveyor belt module from fitting into a row of modules.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the integration of drug dispersion methods into a drug or medicine delivery system. The drug dispersion methods used include shear (e.g., air across a drug, with or without a gas assist), capillary flow or a venturi effect, mechanical means such as spinning, vibration, or impaction, and turbulence (e.g., using mesh screens, or restrictions in the air path). These methods of drug dispersion allow for all of the drug in the system to be released, allowing control of the dosage size. These methods also provide for drug metering, fluidization, entrainment, deaggragation and deagglomeration. The present invention also provides for the integration of a drug sealing system into the device. The drug sealing system provides a way of blocking the migration of drug from one area of the package to another.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the integration of drug dispersion methods into a drug or medicine delivery system. The drug dispersion methods used include shear (e.g., air across a drug, with or without a gas assist), capillary flow or a venturi effect, mechanical means such as spinning, vibration, or impaction, and turbulence (e.g., using mesh screens, or restrictions in the air path). These methods of drug dispersion allow for all of the drug in the system to be released, allowing control of the dosage size. These methods also provide for drug metering, fluidization, entrainment, deaggragation and deagglomeration. The present invention also provides for the integration of a drug sealing system into the device. The drug sealing system provides a way of blocking the migration of drug from one area of the package to another.

Abstract: A reconfigurable modular brush has a brush head including brush-head upper and lower surfaces extending longitudinally along a brush-head axis between brush-head first and second ends. Laterally opposed brush-head first and second sides extend between the brush-head upper and lower surfaces and longitudinally between the brush-head first and second ends. A bristle array is defined by a plurality of bristles protruding from the brush-head lower surface. A brush handle includes a grip portion and a brush-head mount, the brush handle having a lengthwise extent disposed generally along a handle axis between handle proximate and distal ends. The brush head and brush-head mount are cooperatively configured such that the handle can selectively capture and retain the brush head. Moreover, the longitudinal orientation in which the brush head is captured and retained by the brush handle is selectively reversible.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the integration of drug dispersion methods into a drug or medicine delivery system. The drug dispersion methods used include shear (e.g., air across a drug, with or without a gas assist), capillary flow or a venturi effect, mechanical means such as spinning, vibration, or impaction, and turbulence (e.g., using mesh screens, or restrictions in the air path). These methods of drug dispersion allow for all of the drug in the system to be released, allowing control of the dosage size. These methods also provide for drug metering, fluidization, entrainment, deaggragation and deagglomeration. The present invention also provides for the integration of a drug sealing system into the device. The drug sealing system provides a way of blocking the migration of drug from one area of the package to another.

Abstract: The invention includes low-volume systems for sample identification. The systems are designed to use multi-use consumables including but not limited to fluid containers containing large volumes of fluids. In some embodiments, the low-volume systems identify nucleic acids in samples using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Abstract: A grill brush includes a brush head with brush-head upper and lower surfaces, the brush-head lower surface having a plurality of bristles protruding therefrom. An elongated handle extends between handle proximate and distal ends. The handle distal end is defined in part by a brush-head mount including a mounting surface configured to retain the brush-head upper surface. A grill-cleaning implement plate is situated at least partially between the brush-head upper surface and the brush-head mount and extends longitudinally between plate back and front ends. At least one of the plate back and front ends has depending therefrom a grate-cleaning implement. The implement plate is rotatably retained between the brush-head upper surface and the brush-head mount such that, with the brush head stationary relative to the brush handle, the implement plate can be rotated with respect to the brush handle and brush head between mutually opposed first and second angular orientations.

Abstract: An endoscopic handle attachment is adapted to be secured to an endoscope having a working channel and used in combination with a suture device adapted to extend through the working channel. The attachment includes a backbone adapted to conform to an outer surface of the endoscope and that includes one or more attachment features adapted to enable releasable securement to the endoscope. A primary arm extends radially outwardly from the backbone and includes one or attachment points, at least one of the one or more attachment points adapted to releasably secure a proximal handle of the suture device such that a translation handle may be moved relative to the proximal handle without an operator needing to separately hold the proximal handle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating air and surfaces for sanitizing or other cleaning purposes. Air can be filtered and/or treated with UV illumination, and surfaces can be treated with UV illumination, e.g., to oxidize contaminants. Doors on an apparatus housing can be moved from a closed position, in which UV illumination cannot exit the housing, to an open position in which UV illumination can exit the housing to treat nearby surfaces. The doors can be retracted within the housing, and/or can impede air flow along an air path to filters in the housing. Opening of the doors can expose an air flow path through the door opening and to filters.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to receiving bodily fluid through a device opening. In one aspect, the device includes a flow activator arranged to cause fluid to be released from a subject. A deployment actuator may actuate the flow activator in a deployment direction, which may in turn cause fluid release from a subject. The flow activator may also be moved in a retraction direction by a retraction actuator. In one aspect, the device may include a vacuum source that may help facilitate fluid flow into the opening of the device and/or may help facilitate fluid flow from the opening to a storage chamber. In one aspect, a device actuator may enable fluid communication between the opening and the vacuum source and the flow activator may be actuated after the enablement of fluid communication.

Abstract: Methods and devices for delivering a dose, such as a medicament, for inhalation. A dose may be stored by a delivery device and dispersed and delivered in a metered fashion to a subject, such as by the subject inhaling via a mouthpiece of the delivery device. One or more chambers of the device may have a toroidal shape and may be arranged to be selectively opened for fluid communication with a flow path of the delivery device, such as by sliding the chamber relative to a portion of the flow path. The flow path may include a restriction that permits air to bypass the chamber, and/or the chamber may be arranged so that fluid entering the chamber interacts with fluid exiting the chamber so as to enhance dispersion of the dose.

Abstract: An improved joint support for limiting the range of motion of an anatomical joint comprises intermeshing gears for allowing adjustment of the range of motion of the joint, and comprises plural mechanisms for securing the gears in engagement with one another, whereby adjustment can be made without tools and without disassembly of any components.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the integration of drug dispersion methods into a drug or medicine delivery system. The drug dispersion methods used include shear (e.g., air across a drug, with or without a gas assist), capillary flow or a venturi effect, mechanical means such as spinning, vibration, or impaction, and turbulence (e.g., using mesh screens, or restrictions in the air path). These methods of drug dispersion allow for all of the drug in the system to be released, allowing control of the dosage size. These methods also provide for drug metering, fluidization, entrainment, deaggragation and deagglomeration. The present invention also provides for the integration of a drug sealing system into the device. The drug sealing system provides a way of blocking the migration of drug from one area of the package to another.

Abstract: Dose delivery device with partially or fully surrounding cover may be removed to open fluid communication with a dose chamber. The cover may allow an inhaler to be stored in sterile or otherwise in a controlled environment prior to use, and removal of the cover may automatically prepare the inhaler for use.

Abstract: A dose delivery device with a mouthpiece having an inlet, an outlet, and an air path extending between the inlet and the outlet. A dose chamber having an opening may hold a dose, e.g., for inhalation by a user. One or more bypass inlets, two or more dispersion chambers, and/or flow arrangements in which incoming and outgoing flow in a dispersion chamber are transverse may be used to disperse a dose for delivery to a user.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to receiving bodily fluid through a device opening. In one aspect, the device includes a flow activator arranged to cause fluid to be released from a subject. A deployment actuator may actuate the flow activator in a deployment direction, which may in turn cause fluid release from a subject. The flow activator may also be moved in a retraction direction by a retraction actuator. In one aspect, the device may include a vacuum source that may help facilitate fluid flow into the opening of the device and/or may help facilitate fluid flow from the opening to a storage chamber. In one aspect, a device actuator may enable fluid communication between the opening and the vacuum source and the flow activator may be actuated after the enablement of fluid communication.

Abstract: An orthosis is fitted to a body joint, in a preferred embodiment the equine fetlock, by locating the center of rotation (COR) of the joint; measuring the bones comprising the joint at points located with respect to the COR; selecting the appropriate orthosis from a selection of models thereof; and custom-fitting the orthosis to the individual by heating it to soften a layer of thermoformable foam on the interior of the orthosis, and clamping the orthosis in place over the body joint. A kit of tools for performing the measurements is disclosed, as are a method for location of the COR of the body joint by palpation and a preferred heater.