Abstract: Tissue stabilizing devices and methods for stabilizing, and optionally closing, a target tissue, such as the left atrial appendage, generally include an elongate body with a first lumen and a second lumen, a suction tip coupled to the elongate body, and an injection tip coupled to the elongate body proximal of the suction tip. The suction tip may define a suction aperture and the suction aperture may be in fluid communication with the first lumen to apply suction to the target tissue. The injection tip may be in fluid communication with the second lumen to dispense a contrast fluid.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. The methods described here utilize a closure device for closing the left atrial appendage and guides or expandable elements with ablation or abrading elements to ablate or abrade the left atrial appendage. In general, these methods include positioning a balloon at least partially within the atrial appendage, positioning a closure assembly of a closure device around an exterior of the atrial appendage, inflating the balloon, partially closing the closure assembly, ablating the interior tissue of the atrial appendage with the inflated balloon, removing the balloon from the atrial appendage, and closing the atrial appendage with the closure assembly.

Abstract: A heated kettle for melting and mixing a thermoplastic resin into a homogeneous mixture has a helically-formed agitator which rotates about a central shaft in close proximity to the internal wall of the kettle. Fixed to the shaft at approximately the center of the kettle is a cluster of radially extending paddles. The paddles and agitator have opposite pitch when the agitator and paddles are rotated, the resin circulates along the wall of the kettle and thence through a central region of the kettle. The circulation action serves to thoroughly melt and mix the resin into a homogeneous liquid mass.

Abstract: An electrically heated cover for wiper blade assemblies includes a cover body having front, rear, right-hand and left-hand end walls and a top wall having a longitudinal access opening for allowing ready connection of the wiper blade assembly to a wiper arm. Electrical resistance heating elements are attached to the inner surface of the cover body and are electrically connected to the vehicle electrical system to provide heat that prevents formation of ice on the wiper blade assembly, the wiper blades and the windshield during severely cold snowy weather. The cover is held in place by a plurality of thumb or set screws through the cover that bear against the wiper blade assembly and are kept from slipping by rubber bushings that contact the wiper blade assembly. The cover can be easily removed and installed and allows completely normal operation of the windshield wipers, and requires no alteration of pre-existing equipment.