Abstract: A training device includes a first leg, a second leg, and a top board connectable to the first leg and the second leg. The top board has a first position transverse to a path of travel between the first leg and the second leg providing a releaseable obstruction along the path of travel. The top board further includes a breakaway joint operable to release at least a portion of the top board to a second position on an impact to the top board thereby providing an open passageway through the top board along the path of travel.

Abstract: A system for use in a multi-story building is provided. The system may include a pipe apparatus having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is coupled to a supply of fluid and the outlet directs the fluid. The system may include a frame assembly for supporting the pipe apparatus and enabling the inlet of the pipe apparatus to couple to the supply of fluid at a first floor of the building and enabling the outlet to deliver fluid to a higher floor of the building relative to the first floor. The system may include an electrically controlled fluid delivery device mounted at said outlet and in fluid communication with the pipe apparatus. The system may include a power supply having a power source located remotely from said electrically controlled fluid delivery device and supported by the frame assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implantable material comprising a biocompatible matrix and cells which, when provided to a vascular access structure, can promote functionality generally. For example, implantable material of the present invention can enhance maturation of an arteriovenous native fistula as well as prolong the fistula in a mature, functional state suitable for dialysis. Additionally, the present invention can promote formation of a functional arteriovenous graft suitable for dialysis as well as promote formation of a functional peripheral bypass graft. Implantable material can be configured as a flexible planar form or a flowable composition with shape retaining properties suitable for implantation at, adjacent or in the vicinity of an anastomoses or arteriovenous graft. According to the methods disclosed herein, the implantable material is provided to an exterior surface of a blood vessel. Certain embodiments of the flexible planar form define a slot.

Abstract: Method and device for operating a particle sensor arranged in an exhaust tract of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The particle sensor including a sensor carrier having two sensor electrodes arranged at a predetermined distance from one another on one side of the sensor carrier. The two sensor electrodes are exposed to an exhaust gas stream in the exhaust tract. The at least two sensor electrodes are acted upon with a collective potential, the collective potential having a value such that electrically charged particles are attracted out of the exhaust gas stream in the exhaust tract. The attracted particles in this case accumulate on and/or between the two sensor electrodes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are materials and methods suitable for treating and managing plaque disease, including vulnerable plaque. An implantable material comprising cells, such as but not limited to endothelial cells, and a biocompatible matrix can reduce progression or deterioration of a plaque-associated lesion situated on the interior lumen of said blood vessel. The implantable material is implanted directly on an exterior surface of a blood vessel at or adjacent or in the vicinity of the site of a lesion on an interior lumen. Alternatively, the implantable material is deposited on an exterior surface at or adjacent or in the vicinity of the site of a lesion on an interior lumen by an intraluminal delivery device which traverses or penetrates the vessel wall or by a percutaneous delivery device which enters the perivascular space. Both modes of administration can be preceded by or coincident with an imaging step.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is based on the discovery that a cell-based therapy can be used to treat, ameliorate, manage and/or reduce the progression of clinical sequelae associated with vascular interventions or cardiovascular diseases, particularly occlusive thrombosis, restenosis, intimal hyperplasia, inflammation and vasodilation. The invention further benefits from the additional discovery that a heretofore undescribed implantable flowable composition is capable of sustaining a confluent population of sufficiently viable cells which can be effectively administered via a minimally-invasive surgical procedure without diminishing the clinical effectiveness or the viability of the cells. The disclosed invention can be used to treat vasculature as well as non-vascular tubular structures such as a fallopian tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implantable material comprising a biocompatible matrix and cells which, when provided to a vascular access structure, can promote functionality generally. For example, implantable material of the present invention can enhance maturation of an arteriovenous native fistula as well as prolong the fistula in a mature, functional state suitable for dialysis. Additionally, the present invention can promote formation of a functional arteriovenous graft suitable for dialysis as well as promote formation of a functional peripheral bypass graft. Implantable material can be configured as a flexible planar form or a flowable composition with shape-retaining properties suitable for implantation at, adjacent or in the vicinity of an anastomoses or arteriovenous graft. According to the methods disclosed herein, the implantable material is provided to an exterior surface of a blood vessel. Certain embodiments of the flexible planar form define a slot.

Abstract: Method and device for operating a particle sensor arranged in an exhaust tract of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The particle sensor including a sensor carrier having two sensor electrodes arranged at a predetermined distance from one another on one side of the sensor carrier. The two sensor electrodes are exposed to an exhaust gas stream in the exhaust tract. The at least two sensor electrodes are acted upon with a collective potential, the collective potential having a value such that electrically charged particles are attracted out of the exhaust gas stream in the exhaust tract. The attracted particles in this case accumulate on and/or between the two sensor electrodes.

Abstract: A tissue staple that includes a pair of legs arranged generally parallel to one another connected by a pair of tabs. The tabs define an arc that extends distally from the proximal ends of the legs, and further define a slot between the tabs. The distal end of the leg may include a forked portion that defines two or more tissue piercing prongs. The location of the fork also may define a tissue stop. The legs may also include an indent that bends inwardly toward an indent formed on the other leg.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implantable material comprising a biocompatible matrix and cells which, when provided to a vascular access structure, can promote functionality generally. For example, implantable material of the present invention can enhance maturation of an arteriovenous native fistula as well as prolong the fistula in a mature, functional state suitable for dialysis. Additionally, the present invention can promote formation of a functional arteriovenous graft suitable for dialysis as well as promote formation of a functional peripheral bypass graft. Implantable material can be configured as a flexible planar form or a flowable composition with shape-retaining properties suitable for implantation at, adjacent or in the vicinity of an anastomoses or arteriovenous graft. According to the methods disclosed herein, the implantable material is provided to an exterior surface of a blood vessel. Certain embodiments of the flexible planar form define a slot.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are materials and methods suitable for treating and managing plaque disease, including vulnerable plaque. An implantable material comprising cells, such as but not limited to endothelial cells, and a biocompatible matrix can reduce progression or deterioration of a plaque-associated lesion situated on the interior lumen of said blood vessel. The implantable material is implanted directly on an exterior surface of a blood vessel at or adjacent or in the vicinity of the site of a lesion on an interior lumen. Alternatively, the implantable material is deposited on an exterior surface at or adjacent or in the vicinity of the site of a lesion on an interior lumen by an intraluminal delivery device which traverses or penetrates the vessel wall or by a percutaneous delivery device which enters the perivascular space. Both modes of administration can be preceded by or coincident with an imaging step.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is based on the discovery that a cell-based therapy can be used to treat, ameliorate, manage and/or reduce the progression of clinical sequelae associated with vascular interventions or cardiovascular diseases, particularly occlusive thrombosis, restenosis, intimal hyperplasia, inflammation and vasodilation. The invention further benefits from the additional discovery that a heretofore undescribed implantable flowable composition is capable of sustaining a confluent population of sufficiently viable cells which can be effectively administered via a minimally-invasive surgical procedure without diminishing the clinical effectiveness or the viability of the cells. The disclosed invention can be used to treat vasculature as well as non-vascular tubular structures such as a fallopian tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implantable material comprising a biocompatible matrix and cells which, when provided to a vascular access structure, can promote functionality generally. For example, implantable material of the present invention can enhance maturation of an arteriovenous native fistula as well as prolong the fistula in a mature, functional state suitable for dialysis. Additionally, the present invention can promote formation of a functional arteriovenous graft suitable for dialysis as well as promote formation of a functional peripheral bypass graft. Implantable material can be configured as a flexible planar form or a flowable composition with shape retaining properties suitable for implantation at, adjacent or in the vicinity of an anastomoses or arteriovenous graft. According to the methods disclosed herein, the implantable material is provided to an exterior surface of a blood vessel. Certain embodiments of the flexible planar form define a slot.

Abstract: An introducer having a sheath, a guide rod, and at least two wire stabilization guides being elongated members, at least a portion of which extend from an end of the sheath. The portions of the wire stabilization guides include a retention device formed on the portion of the wire stabilization guides that extend from the end of the sheath. The retention device is adapted to selectively expand outwardly, stabilizing the sheath relative to a wound site. The guide rod may be provided with one or more blood marking lumen, having a distal port, for identifying the depth of insertion into an artery or vein based on the presence or absence of pressurized blood in the lumen.

Abstract: An introducer comprises a sheath, a guide rod, and at least one wire stabilization guide. The guide rod is sized to fit within the inside diameter of the sheath. The guide rod has at least one slot along its length for releasably holding the wire stabilization guide. One or more wire stabilization guides are coupled to the sheath. In one exemplary embodiment, the wire stabilization guides are inserted into a wound site and are dimensioned so as to cause an outward stretching force on the wound site. In another embodiment, the wire stabilization guides may form a loop, so that when the sheath is approximated to a wound site, the loop is approximated to tissue surrounding the wound site to hold the sheath approximately centered on the wound site. In other embodiments, the wire stabilization guides may include a retention device to hold the sheath approximate to the wound site.

Abstract: A tissue staple that includes a pair of legs arranged generally parallel to one another connected by a pair of tabs. The tabs define an arc that extends distally from the proximal ends of the legs, and further define a slot between the tabs. The distal end of the leg may include a forked portion that defines two or more tissue piercing prongs. The location of the fork also may define a tissue stop. The legs may also include an indent that bends inwardly toward an indent formed on the other leg.

Abstract: A tissue staple that includes a pair of legs arranged generally parallel to one another connected by a pair of tabs. The tabs define an arc that extends distally from the proximal ends of the legs, and further define a slot between the tabs. The distal end of the leg may include a forked portion that defines two or more tissue piercing prongs. The location of the fork also may define a tissue stop. The legs may also include an indent that bends inwardly toward an indent formed on the other leg.

Abstract: A pledget is provided for use with a surgical staple having a plurality of prongs. The pledget includes a central region that is configured to be retained adjacent to a wound site by the surgical staple. The pledget may promote hemostasis by stemming the flow of blood from a wound that is being closed by the staple. Additionally, the pledget may be provided including physiologically active agents that may inhibit infection, promote extraluminal clotting, and inhibit intraluminal clotting.

Abstract: An introducer comprises a sheath, a guide rod, at least one wire stabilization guide, and a loop actuation wire for locating within a wound opening during a medical procedure and during closure of the wound. The elongated members may be actuated to form a loop, or the wire stabilization guides may be adapted loop actuation wire is threaded into the slot and comprises at least a first end and a loop portion. The first end is slidably disposed through the wire stabilization guide, and the loop portion is disposed so that, when the sheath is approximated to a wound site, the loop portion is approximated to tissue surrounding the wound site to hold the sheath approximately centered on the wound site. A method for identifying the depth of insertion of a transluminal device into an artery or vein based on the presence of pressurized blood internal to the vessel and the absence of pressurized blood external to the vessel is also provided.

Abstract: An introducer comprises a sheath, a guide rod, at least one wire stabilization guide, and a loop actuation wire for locating within a wound opening during a medical procedure and during closure of the wound. The elongated members may be actuated to form a loop, or the wire stabilization guides may be adapted loop actuation wire is threaded into the slot and comprises at least a first end and a loop portion. The first end is slidably disposed through the wire stabilization guide, and the loop portion is disposed so that, when the sheath is approximated to a wound site, the loop portion is approximated to tissue surrounding the wound site to hold the sheath approximately centered on the wound site. A method for identifying the depth of insertion of a transluminal device into an artery or vein based on the presence of pressurized blood internal to the vessel and the absence of pressurized blood external to the vessel is also provided.