Abstract: Medical devices, systems and methods for forming an occlusive material for occluding a left atrial appendage of a heart are provided. In one embodiment, the occlusive material includes a foam portion that extends as a single piece, seamless monolithic structure that is sized to couple to an external side of a framework of a medical device. In another embodiment, the occlusive material may include a polymeric laminate. Such polymeric laminate may be adhered to an outer side of the foam portion. Further, various embodiments for forming a polymer laminate are provided.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve having spaced apart anchoring flanges that change shape when the valve is implanted and contact the surrounding annulus to prevent migration of the valve. The heart valve may be non-expandable and the anchoring flanges may provide the primary anchoring structure of the valve. Alternatively, the valve may be expandable wherein the anchoring flanges supplement the inherent anchoring capacity of the valve structure. The anchoring flanges are at least partly made of a material that increases in size, i.e., swells, due to absorption of body fluids. For instance, the anchoring flanges may be formed of an inner material that swells upon contact with body fluids enclosed by a cover. The anchoring flanges may be provided on an anchoring sleeve that changes shape to provide the spaced apart annular flanges for securing the valve around a fibrous annulus.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve having an anchoring sleeve that changes shape when the valve is implanted and contacts the surrounding annulus to prevent migration of the valve. The heart valve may be non-expandable and the anchoring sleeve may provide the primary anchoring structure of the valve. Alternatively, the valve may be expandable wherein the anchoring sleeve supplements the inherent anchoring capacity of the valve structure. The anchoring sleeve is at least partly made of a material that increases in size, i.e., swells, due to absorption of body fluids. For instance, the anchoring sleeve may be formed of an inner material that swells upon contact with body fluids enclosed by a cover. The anchoring sleeve desirably changes shape to provide spaced apart annular flanges for securing the valve around a fibrous annulus. An anchoring sleeve for a prosthetic heart valve having an expandable frame surrounds a majority of the frame and may define an external hourglass configuration.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve having an anchoring sleeve that changes shape when the valve is implanted and contacts the surrounding annulus to prevent migration of the valve. The heart valve may be non-expandable and the anchoring sleeve may provide the primary anchoring structure of the valve. Alternatively, the valve may be expandable wherein the anchoring sleeve supplements the inherent anchoring capacity of the valve structure. The anchoring sleeve is at least partly made of a material that increases in size, i.e., swells, due to absorption of body fluids. For instance, the anchoring sleeve may be formed of an inner material that swells upon contact with body fluids enclosed by a cover. The anchoring sleeve desirably changes shape to provide spaced apart annular flanges for securing the valve around a fibrous annulus. An anchoring sleeve for a prosthetic heart valve having an expandable frame surrounds a majority of the frame and may define an external hourglass configuration.

Abstract: A composition including lecithin which is useful for defoaming liquids, such as blood. In one aspect of the invention the composition includes inorganic particles. In another aspect of the invention the composition includes a silicone.

Abstract: A deformable intraocular lens injecting apparatus for inserting a deformable intraocular lens through a small incision into an eye. The apparatus includes a lens injecting body including a lens receiver configured to be operated between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and a nozzle portion provided with a tip portion configured to be inserted through a small incision into an eye. The nozzle portion is configured for connection to the lens receiver of the lens injecting body, and the nozzle portion and the lens receiver defining a lens delivery passageway. A plunger is slidably disposed relative to the lens delivery passageway and configured to engage a deformable intraocular lens within the lens delivery passageway of the lens receiver, and to move the deformable intraocular lens out of the lens delivery passageway into the eye.

Abstract: A composition including lecithin which is useful for defoaming liquids, such as blood. In one aspect of the invention the composition includes inorganic particles. In another aspect of the invention the composition includes a silicone.

Abstract: A composition including lecithin which is useful for defoaming liquids, such as blood. In one aspect of the invention the composition includes inorganic particles. In another aspect of the invention the composition includes a silicone.

Abstract: A composition for effective algae control comprising bacteria and humic acid made by extracting the liquid from barley straw soaked in water for a period of time.

Abstract: A foot pedal operated remote control unit is provided as part of a remote control system for operating a video cassette recorder (VCR). The foot pedal is connected to a hand-held, multi-function remote control unit for operating the VCR. The foot pedal is used to control one or more selected playback functions, such as, while viewing video recordings. The foot pedal remote control unit is useful for viewing video segments requiring repeated playback for analysis by a viewer whose hands are occupied in performing other tasks.