Abstract: A system for modifying at least one valve leaflet of a heart valve may include an elongate shaft, an expandable balloon, and an expandable structure disposed radially outward of the balloon. In an expanded configuration, the expandable structure is configured to separate the at least one valve leaflet into discrete pieces. A system may include an expandable structure comprising an elongate finger and a clamping jaw disposed proximate a distal end of the finger. In an expanded configuration, the elongate finger is offset radially outward from the elongate shaft and is configured to separate the at least one valve leaflet into discrete pieces. A system may include an electrode disposed within the balloon and configured to energize the inflation fluid. In an inflated configuration, energized inflation fluid ejected through a plurality of small apertures in the balloon is configured to separate the at least one valve leaflet into discrete pieces.

Abstract: Extended reality systems and methods for use in a surgical procedure involve a head-mounted device (HMD) comprising an HMD display positionable in front of a user's eyes and a sensing system to sense control inputs of the user. Controller(s) coupled to the HMD receive control inputs from the sensing system to establish a pose of a view coordinate system in which to present a virtual object (e.g., a virtual information panel) related to the surgical procedure. The pose can be established using a virtual alignment guide. The controller(s) define the view coordinate system relative to a world coordinate system after the pose of the view coordinate system is established. The controller(s) recognize surgical information, and in response, automatically present the virtual object on the HMD display combined with a real-world view and at a predetermined position and orientation within the view coordinate system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to mounting apparatus, and related methods and components, for mounting an accessory to a mounting structure. In one or more embodiments, the mounting structure is a crossbar and/or a rail of a vehicle. In one or more embodiments, a mounting apparatus includes an actuator and a handle pivotably coupled to the actuator. The mounting apparatus also includes one or more locking pins. The handle is configured to rotate relative to a rotational axis and pivot relative to a pivot axis, and one or more links are disposed such that rotation of the handle moves the one or more links to rotate the one or more locking pins.

Abstract: A filtration system comprising activated charcoal and alternating filtering and regenerating modes for sustainable filtering of a spirit distillate. The filtering mode is a reverse-gravity filtration method wherein distillate is pumped upward from a bottom end of a filter chamber to a top end of the filter chamber and wherein the filter chamber comprises activated charcoal of various pore sizes to capture impurities from the distillate. The cleaning mode is a gravity-flow steam-regeneration method wherein steam flows downward from the top end of the filter chamber to the bottom end of the filter chamber regenerating the activated charcoal. The system alternates between the reverse-gravity filtration method and gravity-flow steam regeneration method through the use of a series of input and output ball valves at the top end of the filter chamber and a series of input and output ball valves at the bottom end of the filter chamber.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a steam generating system, and a combustion section having a first combustor and a second combustor in fluid communication with a secondary combustion zone of the first combustor. The second combustor is operable to receive compressor bleed air and fuel, along with steam from the steam generating system. During a non-idle operating state and a power-augmentation operating state, when the steam system is operable, steam is provided to the second combustor and then to the secondary combustion zone of the first combustor. When the steam generating system is inoperable, the fuel and bleed air are provided to the second combustor and combusted, and combustion products are provided to the first combustor. When the steam generating system is partially operable, the steam, the bleed air, and the fuel are provided to the second combustor, and combustion products are provided to the first combustor.

Abstract: A system for facilitating detection of defects in materials is configurable to: (i) access a set of input images comprising a plurality of cross-sectional images providing a representation of a component; and (ii) process the set of input images using an off-nominal anomaly detection model by, for each particular cross-sectional image of the plurality of cross-sectional images: (a) generate a set of patch embedding vectors comprising a patch embedding vector for each image patch of the particular cross-sectional image; (b) generate a set of difference metrics based on the set of patch embedding vectors and a probabilistic representation of a nominal component; and (c) determine a set of anomaly scores for the particular cross-sectional image based on the set of difference metrics.

Abstract: A declarative agent service deploys a hierarchical set of skills with a large language model (LLM) to generate a response to a user input. An agent of the declarative agent service receives a prompt from a user. The agent inputs the prompt into an LLM, which is trained using a taxonomy having a plurality of root classifications, and a set of child classifications under each root classification. The agent receives, from the LLM, a classification corresponding to one of the child classifications based on the prompt. The agent may deploy a hierarchical set of skills to iteratively identify one or more LLM calls based on the classification. Responsive to detecting an exception during deployment of the hierarchical set of skills, the agent overrides the deployment by performing an exception activity.

Abstract: In emergency or search-and-rescue operations, user devices such as phones may transmit signals that indicate people may be located nearby. The signals can be detected by one or more rover devices, which can explore dangerous terrain for indications of people to be rescued. The user devices can activate an application that conserves battery power while emitting a signal, in some cases in a round robin configuration to further conserve power. The rover devices, or other devices that make contact with the user devices, can collect and manipulate data about the user devices to aid a rescue operation.

Abstract: A method of repairing a defect on a surface is presented that includes imaging the surface to locate the defect with a first imaging system. The method also includes conducting a repair operation by contacting the surface with an abrasive article. The abrasive article is pressed into contact with the surface in an area of the defect by a robotic repair system. The method also includes imaging the abraded surface, with a second imaging system. Imaging includes scanning the surface in the defect area to obtain a topography of the defect area, passing the second imaging system over the defect area such that a distance between the second imaging system and the surface is maintained. Imaging also includes generating an image of the defect area, wherein the image is a near dark field image or a dark field image and generating an evaluating regarding the repair operation based on the generated image.

Abstract: A method is provided. The method includes determining a trajectory based on movement data from an accelerometer of a client device. In response to the trajectory being within configured limits, the method includes one or more of incorporating the trajectory into one or more facts, each fact including an entity, an observation, and an object, comparing the one or more facts to historical data, and determining one or more closest matches between the one or more facts and the historical data.

Abstract: A surgical system comprising a processing device configured to implement a trained machine learning model, the processing device being configured to: receive first data having a first data format from a sensing device; receive additional data indicating a condition of the surgical system; in dependence on the additional data, input the first data or data derived therefrom to the trained machine learning model; and output second data having a second data format.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a torque transfer unit for rotating a flexible shaft. The torque transfer unit comprises an elongate track defining a track passage, and a key attachable to the flexible shaft and movable along the track passage. The key and the elongate track are configured to engage each other to inhibit relative rotation of the key and the track passage. The torque transfer unit is actuatable to selectively adjust an axial position of the key relative to the track passage. Some other embodiments provide a kit of parts.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides sustained release compositions of (Z)-endoxifen and polymorphs and salts thereof and methods of making sustained release compositions of (Z)-endoxifen and polymorphs and salts thereof. The present disclosure also provides methods for treating disorders susceptible to (Z)-endoxifen, including hormone dependent disorders and mood disorders.

Abstract: A method for treating, preventing or reducing the likelihood of developing cognitive dysfunction that is associated with or induced by a cardiac condition (e.g., heart failure) by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a calcium channel stabilizer to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: In some aspects, an oxidizer tank having an inner volume, the inner volume of the tank having an ullage portion and volume portion containing liquid nitrous oxide. A helium injection line may extend from an entry point of the oxidizer tank to a distal end at a location within the oxidizer portion of the tank. The apparatus may include a diffuser affixed to the distal end of the helium injection line, the diffuser having a plurality of apertures. In addition, when helium gas is supplied to the oxidizer tank via the helium injection line, the helium is injected into the liquid nitrous oxide through the diffuser, causing evaporation of a portion of the liquid nitrous oxide thereby forming nitrous oxide gas. The injected helium and the nitrous oxide gas rise to the surface of the liquid nitrous oxide into the ullage increasing pressure in the ullage.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system includes a panel comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) and a first panel side comprising a first interlock length configured to interlock with a first rail element. The first interlock length includes a projection that interlocks within a corresponding recess of the first rail element, wherein the first interlock length is configured to interlock with the first rail element and be removed from the first rail element without damaging the PCB or the projection. The system may further include the first rail element.

Abstract: A system includes a screw tower, an instrument, and a housing. The instrument includes a driver shaft extendable longitudinally through the screw tower, and a threaded sleeve mounted on a proximal portion of the driver shaft. The housing includes one or more retention members coupleable to the screw tower, and a threaded button threadably coupleable to the threaded sleeve. The threaded sleeve is rotatable about a longitudinal axis to urge the driver shaft longitudinally relative to the screw tower.

Abstract: Filter bags, filter bag support assemblies, and filter bag assemblies are described herein. The filter bags, filter bag support assemblies, and filter bag assemblies may be used in air filter systems to remove particulate matter from air or other gases. Methods of using the air filter systems and methods of assembling the filter bag assemblies are also described.

Abstract: A catheter system can include a tubular body, and at least one of a targeting system coupled to the tubular body, an expandable member, or a fluid injection port. A method of identifying a bifurcation can include inserting a catheter system into a first vessel, positioning the catheter system at a first location, expanding an expandable member to occlude the first vessel, delivering contrast material so the contrast material pooling proximate to the expandable member, and reviewing a shape of the contrast material in the first vessel under fluoroscopy.

Abstract: Disclosed are nutritional compositions including human milk oligosaccharides that can be administered to preterm infants, term infants, toddlers, and children for improving airway defense mechanisms.