Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for treating regurgitation through a valve in the heart. The devices can include an expandable, fluid-tight bladder configured to be deployed between valve leaflets of the heart valve. The bladder can include an upper portion that extends into the atrium of the heart; a lower portion that extends into the ventricle of the heart; and a middle portion positionable within the line of valve leaflet coaptation that provides a sealing surface for one or more of the leaflets.

Abstract: The invention provides devices, systems and methods for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites. The devices, systems and methods of the invention will find use in a variety of therapeutic procedures, including endovascular, minimally-invasive, and open surgical procedures, and can be used in various anatomical regions, including the abdomen, thorax, cardiovascular system, heart, intestinal tract, stomach, urinary tract, bladder, lung, and other organs, vessels, and tissues. The invention is particularly useful in those procedures requiring minimally-invasive or endovascular access to remote tissue locations, where the instruments utilized must negotiate long, narrow, and tortuous pathways to the treatment site. In addition, many of the devices and systems of the invention are adapted to be reversible and removable from the patient at any point without interference with or trauma to internal tissues.

Abstract: A catheter system for implanting an endoprosthesis at a treatment site in a patient's body lumen. The catheter includes an elongated shaft outer member and a stent sheath distal portion and a self-expanding stent radially restrained in a collapsed configuration within the stent sheath distal portion. A balloon catheter dimensioned for relative axial movement within the shaft outer member has an elongated shaft having an inflation lumen and a device receiving lumen. A stent stop secured to the balloon catheter is reversibly radially expandable to deploy from a collapsed to a radially expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, the stent stop prevents longitudinal displacement of the stent. A balloon is located on a distal shaft section is releasably locked with respect to the shaft outer member and slidably disposed therein in an unlocked configuration.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies that bind and inhibit activation of epidermal growth factor receptor related member ErbB3/HER3 are disclosed. The antibodies can be used to treat cell proliferative diseases and disorders, including certain forms of cancer, associated with activation of ErbB3/HER3.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for treating regurgitation through a valve in the heart. The devices can include an expandable, fluid-tight bladder configured to be deployed between valve leaflets of the heart valve. The bladder can include an upper portion that extends into the atrium of the heart; a lower portion that extends into the ventricle of the heart; and a middle portion positionable within the line of valve leaflet coaptation that provides a sealing surface for one or more of the leaflets.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and devices for the endovascular repair of cardiac valves, particularly the atrioventricular valves which inhibit back flow of blood from a heart ventricle during contraction. The procedures described herein can be performed with interventional tools, guides and supporting catheters and other equipment introduced to the heart chambers from the patient's arterial or venous vasculature remote from the heart. The interventional tools and other equipment may be introduced percutaneously or may be introduced via a surgical cut down, and then advanced from the remote access site through the vasculature until they reach the heart.

Abstract: A catheter system and method for implanting an endoprosthesis such as a stent at a treatment site in a patient's body lumen. The catheter provides a complete system for stent delivery, dilatation, and delivery and/or recovery of an expandable device, such as an embolic protection device, adjacent to the treatment site in the body lumen.

Abstract: A catheter system and method for implanting an endoprosthesis such as a stent at a treatment site in a patient's body lumen. The catheter provides a complete system for stent delivery, dilatation, and delivery and/or recovery of an expandable device, such as an embolic protection device, adjacent to the treatment site in the body lumen.

Abstract: A valve assembly, includes a first lumen; a second lumen providing fluid communication between a plurality of points in said first lumen; and a ball and spring assembly sealingly disposed in said first lumen between said plurality of points, wherein said spring exerts a force on said ball to seal said first lumen; wherein said valve assembly is configured to oscillate a pressure of a fluid passing through said valve assembly.

Abstract: A catheter system and method for implanting an i such as a stent at a treatment site in a patient's body lumen. The catheter provides a complete system for stent delivery, dilatation, and delivery and/or recovery of an expandable device, such as an embolic protection device, adjacent to the treatment site in the body lumen.

Abstract: An expandable stent has larger cells located at the distal end of the stent than in the body portion so that a catheter balloon can more easily protrude into the cells to increase stent retention relative to the balloon. The intravascular stent has a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by links, the spacing of which is a factor in defining the cell size. The stent can be compressed or crimped onto a balloon catheter to a very low profile and maintain a high degree of stent retention due to increased spacing between rings in the region of the distal end ring.

Abstract: A valve assembly, includes a first lumen; a second lumen providing fluid communication between a plurality of points in said first lumen; and a ball and spring assembly sealingly disposed in said first lumen between said plurality of points, wherein said spring exerts a force on said ball to seal said first lumen; wherein said valve assembly is configured to oscillate a pressure of a fluid passing through said valve assembly.

Abstract: A ferrule that includes a ledge having an underside with indentations. The indentations cooperating with a golf putting cup that has a ferrule socket formed by a plurality of primary fins. The ferrule and ferrule socket cooperating to prevent spinning of the flag, resist wear, and provide a straight standing flagstick.

Abstract: The kennel for mounting on a pick-up truck has left and right kennel support plates. Front and rear trusses have their ends fixed to the left and right support plates. A roof panel is attached to the front and rear trusses. A rear wall is pivotally attached to the rear truss and extends vertically downward from a horizontal pivot axis when in a closed position. The rear wall pivots about the pivot axis to a vertical position above the pivot axis and adjacent to the rear side of the rear truss to provide ingress and egress. Side openings in the kennel permit a dog to extend his nose and at least part of his head from the kennel. An adjustable bar changes the height and the size of each side opening. The support plates hold the entire weight of the kennel.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece includes a housing having an interior cavity and an exterior surface adapted to be gripped by the hand of a user. A rotary drive mechanism is provided inside of the housing and includes a driven shaft with a passageway extending axially therethrough. A suction connection is provided on the housing as is a suction control mechanism operable between first and second operative positions for preventing suction from being applied to the passageway in the driven shaft when in a first operative position and for connecting suction to the passageway when in a second operative position.

Abstract: In a cache memory system, continuation registers are provided to abbreviated address data identifying the line position in the cache memory from which data is fetched. When data is fetched from a line in said cache memory, the bin number and line position identification of the line in the cache memory are saved in a continuation register. Then, subsequently, when data is fetched from the same line, it is fetched by a continuation request wherein the data saved in the continuation register is used to access the cache memory. The continuation registers provide the abbreviated address data for comparison in both PSC (program store compare) and OSC (operand store compare).