Abstract: Dosage forms for delayed and pulsed release of therapeutic agents into the stomach are described. The dosage forms are gastric retentive dosage forms that achieve release of the therapeutic agent into the stomach and upper gastrointestinal tract subsequent to administration of the dosage form. The dosage forms find particular use in administration of acid-labile active agents such as proton pump inhibitors, and in treating gastric acid secretion such as gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and nocturnal acid breakthrough (NAB).

Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for affecting tissue within a body to form a lesion. Some systems comprise tissue-affecting devices, devices that guide the advancement of the tissue-affecting elements to a target tissue region, devices that locate and secure tissue, and devices that help position the tissue-affecting devices along the target tissue. The methods described here comprise advancing a first tissue-affecting device to a first surface of a target tissue, advancing a second tissue-affecting device to a second surface of the target tissue, and positioning the first and second devices so that a lesion may be formed in the tissue between them. In some variations, the devices, systems, and methods described here are used to treat atrial fibrillation by ablating fibrillating tissue from an endocardial surface and an epicardial surface of a heart. Methods of closing, occluding, and/or removing the left atrial appendage are also described.

Abstract: A beam-scanning optical design is described for achieving up to kHz frame-rate optical imaging on multiple simultaneous data acquisition channels. In one embodiment, two fast-scan resonant mirrors direct the optical beam on a circuitous trajectory through the field of view, with the trajectory repeat-time given by the least common multiplier of the mirror periods. Dicing the raw time-domain data into sub-trajectories combined with model-based image reconstruction (MBIR) 3D in-painting algorithms allows for effective frame-rates much higher than the repeat time of the Lissajous trajectory. Because sub-trajectory and full-trajectory imaging are different methods of analyzing the same data, both high-frame rate images with relatively low resolution and low frame rate images with high resolution are simultaneously acquired.

Abstract: Described here are devices for closing one or more tissues, and handles for controlling these devices. Generally, the devices described here comprise a snare loop assembly, wherein the snare loop assembly comprises a snare and a suture loop, and a handle for controlling the snare loop assembly. In some variations the snare loop assembly may comprise a retention member that may releasably connect the suture loop to the snare. In other variations the devices comprise one or more force-reducing suture locks to help prevent the suture loop from inadvertently disengaging from the snare loop assembly. In still other variations, the excess-suture management features. The handles described here may be configured to remove excess suture from a suture loop, and may also be configured to release the suture loop from the snare loop assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for efficiently mining multi-threshold measurements acquired using photon counting pixel-array detectors for spectral imaging and diffraction analyses. Images of X-ray intensity as a function of X-ray energy were recorded on a 6 megapixel X-ray photon counting array detector through linear fitting of the measured counts recorded as a function of counting threshold. An analytical model is disclosed for describing the probability density of detected voltage, utilizing fractional photon counting to account for edge/corner effects from voltage plumes that spread across multiple pixels. Three-parameter fits to the model were independently performed for each pixel in the array for X-ray scattering images acquired for 13.5 keV and 15.0 keV X-ray energies. From the established pixel responses, multi-threshold composite images produced from the sum of 13.5 keV and 15.

Abstract: A camera positioning and mounting apparatus which in some embodiments may comprise four case receiving surfaces with two mounting arms positioned proximate to each case receiving surface. A front camera lens receiving half of a camera case may be hingedly attached to two mounting arms allowing a camera to be temporarily mounted between the front camera lens receiving half of a camera and a case receiving surface. A latching element may be configured to temporarily secure a front camera lens receiving half of a camera case to a case receiving surface. The case receiving surfaces may be joined to a base with each case receiving surface comprising a case locking tab configured to secure a latching element and a case gasket configured to engage and seal the front camera lens receiving half of a camera case to a case receiving surface.

Abstract: A battery electric vehicle charging station is disclosed, having grid and vehicle connections with a DC charger and controller that selectively charges the vehicle battery directly with DC power in a first mode and converts DC power from the vehicle battery to drive an inverter in a second mode to provide AC power to a power grid.

Abstract: In a computing device, images being displayed in connection with a digital map are unobtrusively updated. To this end, a digital map of a first geographic area and first images related to the first geographic area are displayed. A selection of a second geographic area is received. In response to the selection of the second geographic area, a digital map of the second geographic area and second images related to the second geographic area are displayed. One of the first images is temporarily, for a perceivable amount of time, displayed with the digital map of the second geographic area, where the displayed image is unrelated to the second geographic area.

Abstract: A communication device or auxiliary ECU is activated when a fuel door of a fuel cell vehicle is open. Upon closing the fuel door, the communication device/ECU is shut off. The communication device/auxiliary ECU is operational regardless of whether the keys in the vehicle or not. This assures that communication of information can occur when a refueling station is most likely to request the information, i.e. when the fuel door is open. A temperature measurement device may monitor a vehicle tank temperature, communicate the tank temperature data to a filling station, and confirm that the tank temperature data is associated with the tank being filled.

Abstract: A golf cart vehicle is disclosed having a suspension that includes a single suspension device that provides for a plurality of functions. In one embodiment the single suspension device includes a plurality of transverse mounted leaf springs that are longitudinally spaced apart from one another to provide a spring and control arm combined effect. The leaf springs can be coupled to a wheel, such as through a steering knuckle via a ball and socket joint. The leaf springs can further be mounted to a chassis via clamps. In one embodiment the clamps are connected to the leaf springs through resilient bushings which can be spaced apart from one another to provide an anti-roll bar effect.

Abstract: Devices and methods for accessing the pericardial space of a heart are described here. Access devices may generally comprise a tissue-engaging member, a tissue-piercing member, and a guide element. The access device may be introduced to the surface of a pericardium, where the tissue-engaging member may be deployed to engage a portion of the pericardium without engaging the epicardial surface of the heart. Once the access device has engaged the pericardium, the device may manipulate the pericardium to increase the distance between a portion of the pericardium and the epicardial surface of the heart. Once a sufficient space has been created, the tissue-piercing member may be advanced to pierce the pericardium and enter the pericardial space. The guide element may then be introduced into the pericardial space to provide an access pathway to the heart for other devices.

Abstract: A system for projecting a first image stream containing a first set of frames for displaying primary content and a second image stream containing a second set of frames that contain alternate content and for allowing a user to configure passive filters to alternate between viewing the first image stream and the second image stream.

Abstract: A pitot tube diagnostic system including a data acquisition unit to acquire an output signal of a pitot-static system, the output signal having a static component and a dynamic component, and a processing unit to monitor the dynamic component for one or more characteristics that deviate from one or more predetermined reference characteristics to indicate impairment of the pitot-static system.

Abstract: Described here are devices and systems for accessing and delivering devices to a heart. The left atrial appendage may be used as an access port to allow pericardial access to internal structures of the heart. Systems that may be used to provide access to the heart via the left atrial appendage may comprise a first access element with a first alignment member, a second access element with a second alignment member, a piercing element, and an exchange element. A piercing element may be advanced to pierce the wall of the left atrial appendage to form an access site therethrough. Optionally, an exchange element may be advanced to initiate a track between the inside and outside of the left atrial appendage, which may be used for device delivery. Some systems may further comprise a left atrial appendage stabilization device.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing road service to an operator of a vehicle are provided. Such systems and methods presuppose a navigation system of the vehicle is set to route the vehicle to a destination. A road service request from the vehicle is received and a waypoint along the route to the destination is calculated. The navigation system is remotely set to route the vehicle to the waypoint and road service at the waypoint is ordered. The road service includes swapping the vehicle with a new vehicle.

Abstract: A device for occluding a septal defect is provided. In general, the occluding device has a contracted state that allows the occluding device to be received within a delivery device for deployment to the site of the defect and an expanded state that is achieved when the occluding device is deployed from the delivery device. The occluding device has a proximal portion, which may be substantially circular, a distal portion, which may be substantially ovaloid, and a connecting portion extending between the two. The distal portion may define first and second outer parts at opposite ends of the major axis, which may be bent or curved. The configuration of the proximal and distal portions allow the occluding device to securely engage the septal wall and be kept in position at the septal defect without causing substantial interference with the functioning of adjacent heart structures.

Abstract: Described here are devices, methods, and systems for accessing and delivering devices to a heart. The left atrial appendage may be used as an access port to allow pericardial access to internal structures of the heart. Systems that may be used to provide access to the heart via the left atrial appendage may comprise a first access element with a first alignment member, a second access element with a second alignment member, a piercing element, and an exchange element. Some systems may further comprise a left atrial appendage stabilization device. Methods of accessing and delivering devices to the heart via the left atrial appendage may comprise advancing a first access element into the left atrial appendage by an intravascular pathway and advancing a second access element towards the left atrial appendage through the pericardial space. The first and second alignment members may form an attachment through the wall of the left atrial appendage so that the first and second access elements are aligned.

Abstract: A pitot tube diagnostic system including a data acquisition unit to acquire an output signal of a pitot-static system, the output signal having a static component and a dynamic component, and a processing unit to monitor the dynamic component for one or more characteristics that deviate from one or more predetermined reference characteristics to indicate impairment of the pitot-static system.

Abstract: Methods and systems employing the same for controlling braking characteristics of a vehicle are provided. Expected braking characteristics of the vehicle are received and driving condition data is continuously received. A determination as to whether the expected braking characteristics can be safely applied in view of the driving condition data is continuously made and the expected braking characteristics are applied when they can be applied safely.

Abstract: Gastric retentive dosage forms for sustained release of an azo-bonded prodrug of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) are described which may allow once- or twice-daily dosing for both acute and long-term treatment of inflammatory bowel disorders. Methods of treatment using the dosage forms and methods of making the dosage forms are also described.