Abstract: A clot removal system comprises a catheter, a vacuum source, and a controller. The catheter comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and controller operating parameters and defines a lumen configured to be filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion. The vacuum source is configured to supply vacuum. The controller is configured to carry out a control pattern of turning on and off the vacuum based upon the controller operating parameters and is configured to receive the controller operating parameters in an automatic response to the catheter being operatively connected to at least one of the vacuum source and the controller and, responsive to the connection, to carry out the control pattern to change a level of vacuum at the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A laser sensor includes a laser source configured to emit a laser beam, and optics configured to project the laser beam as a one- or two-dimensional patterned laser beam onto an object to be examined, such that a distance of the patterned laser beam from the laser source varies along the patterned laser beam projected on the object. The laser sensor further includes a detector configured to determine a self-mixing interference signal generated by laser light of the patterned laser beam reflected from the object back into the laser source, and circuitry configured to analyze a spectrum of the self-mixing interference signal and extract from the spectrum of the self-mixing interference signal multiple frequencies that are indicative of at least one of the following: multiple distances along the patterned laser beam from the laser source, or multiple velocities along the patterned laser beam with respect to the laser source.

Abstract: A fiber-optic medical treatment apparatus comprising a medical treatment device and a disposable fiber-optic device, wherein the disposable fiber-optic device comprises an at least double-clad optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being configured to be advanced through a working channel of an endoscope, wherein the at least double-clad optical fiber has at least one core and at least one cladding; wherein the medical treatment device comprises: a control unit configured to control operation of the medical treatment device; a treatment laser source configured to output treatment laser radiation for treatment of a medical condition; wherein the medical treatment apparatus is configured to output the treatment laser radiation through at least one of the two or more claddings of the at least doubled-clad optical fiber towards tissue to be treated.

Abstract: A disposable fiber-optic device, that comprises: an at least double-clad optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being configured to be advanced through a working channel of an endoscope, wherein the at least double-clad optical fiber has at least one core and at least two claddings; and a connector module for optically connecting the proximal end of the at least double-clad optical fiber to a medical treatment apparatus. The connector module comprises: a first optical fiber, a second optical fiber, a first optical connector for detachably and optically connecting the first optical fiber to the medical treatment apparatus, a second optical connector for detachably and optically connecting the second optical fiber to the medical treatment apparatus, and an optical combiner module configured to couple radiation between the first optical fiber and the at least one core of the at least double-clad optical fiber.

Abstract: A method for designing a loudspeaker excursion estimator comprises measuring an excursion-related parameter for a loudspeaker, for each of a plurality of loudspeaker input signal levels and each of a plurality of loudspeaker input signal frequencies. The method further comprises, for each of the loudspeaker input signal frequencies and based on the measured excursion-related parameters, identifying a respective loudspeaker input signal level corresponding to a target maximum excursion-related parameter value. The method further comprises determining a filter response, based on the identified loudspeaker input signal levels and their respective loudspeaker input signal frequencies, and implementing a filter, based on the calculated filter response, for generating an excursion estimation based on loudspeaker input signal levels.

Abstract: A method for activating a drive unit of a deflection unit of a two-dimensional microscanner device. First and second control signals for activating the drive unit of the deflection unit are initially generated using a processing unit. The first and second control signals are subsequently transferred to the drive unit. A sinusoidal first movement of the deflection unit about a first axis and a sinusoidal second movement of the deflection unit about a second axis are carried out at a first point in time based on the transferred control signals. The first control signals are then adapted so that a periodic third movement is superimposed on the first movement at a second point in time following the first point in time. Alternatively, the second control signals are adapted so that a periodic fourth movement is superimposed on the second movement at the second point in time following the first.

Abstract: An automated bioreactor system for decellularizing an organ includes a main chamber for containing the organ. The system further includes a reagent chamber containing a liquid phase reagent. A reagent conduit delivers the liquid phase reagent to the main chamber, and a perfusion conduit delivers the reagent from the reagent outlet in the main chamber into the organ. A perfusion pump drives the flow of the reagent. A perfusion pressure sensor detects a pressure of the flowing reagent. A control system controls the perfusion pump to drive the flow of the reagent based on a received input representative of a desired pressure and a received input of the detected pressure. The control system may automatically perform all of the steps of a decellularization protocol based on sensor input. An automated waste decontamination system may also be provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses may provide for technology that determines measured timing data in response to a presentation request from an application, wherein the measured timing data is associated with one or more previous frames and the presentation request is associated with one or more subsequent frames. The technology may also determine scheduling times for the subsequent frame(s) based on the measured timing data, wherein the scheduling times include a simulation time, a rendering time, a driver submission time, a hardware submission time, and a display time. In one example, the technology controls a pacing of the subsequent frame(s) on a display in accordance with the scheduling times.

Abstract: An automated bioreactor system for decellularizing an organ includes a main chamber for containing the organ. The system further includes a reagent chamber containing a liquid phase reagent. A reagent conduit delivers the liquid phase reagent to the main chamber, and a perfusion conduit delivers the reagent from the reagent outlet in the main chamber into the organ. A perfusion pump drives the flow of the reagent. A perfusion pressure sensor detects a pressure of the flowing reagent. A control system controls the perfusion pump to drive the flow of the reagent based on a received input representative of a desired pressure and a received input of the detected pressure. The control system may automatically perform all of the steps of a decellularization protocol based on sensor input. An automated waste decontamination system may also be provided.

Abstract: The current application is directed to a method for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), comprising: providing isolated endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs); treating the EPCs with prostacyclin, wherein the treated EPCs exhibit a hyperproliferative phenotype with enhanced angiogenic property; and administering a composition comprising the treated EPCs into a subject suffering from PAH.

Abstract: Provided are methods for treating or preventing vasculopathy in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a prostacyclin and a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) or a MSC-conditioned culture medium or administering to the subject a MSC or a MSC-conditioned culture medium that has treated with prostacyclin. Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for such treatments are also provided.

Abstract: A method automatically detects stability of a regulator cascade having a number of cascaded regulators. A regulation error of a respective regulator is processed by the respective regulator and the processed regulation error is output as a regulator manipulated variable. A reference variable for the respectively downstream regulator in the regulator cascade is ascertained as a function of the regulator manipulated variable. The method includes: ascertaining an energy content of a respective regulation error; ascertaining whether an absolute value of a respective regulator manipulated variable exceeds an associated limiting value or not; and generating a stability measure for the regulator cascade as a function of the energy contents of the respective regulation errors and as a function of whether the respective regulator manipulated variables exceed their associated limiting values or not.

Abstract: The current application is directed to a method for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), comprising: providing isolated endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs); treating the EPCs with prostacyclin, wherein the treated EPCs exhibit a hyperproliferative phenotype with enhanced angiogenic property; and administering a composition comprising the treated EPCs into a subject suffering from PAH.

Abstract: Provided are methods for treating or preventing vasculopathy in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a prostacyclin and a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) or a MSC-conditioned culture medium or administering to the subject a MSC or a MSC-conditioned culture medium that has treated with prostacyclin. Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for such treatments are also provided.

Abstract: A method of attenuating annular pressure buildup within a wellbore. The method includes accessing a wellbore, with the wellbore having an annulus disposed between first and second strings of casing. The method also includes placing a column of cement around the second string of casing generally below the first string of casing. The method further includes pumping a fluid mixture into the annulus, forming a fluid column. The fluid mixture comprises a carrier fluid, and a plurality of compressible particles dispersed in the carrier fluid. Each of the compressible particles is fabricated to partially collapse in response to thermal expansion of the fluid mixture. The method also includes placing a wellhead over the wellbore, thereby forming a trapped annulus in the wellbore. The method additionally includes at least partially sealing the annular region along at least one depth above the column of cement to inhibit vertical migration of the compressible particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising a decellularized tissue. The present invention also provides an engineered three dimensional lung tissue exhibiting characteristics of a natural lung tissue. The engineered tissue is useful for the study of lung developmental biology and pathology as well as drug discovery.

Abstract: A method of attenuating annular pressure buildup within a wellbore. The method includes running first and second strings of casing into a wellbore, wherein the first string of casing surrounds an upper portion of the second string of casing forming an annular region. The method also includes providing a packing of compressible material within the annular region. The compressible material comprises carbonaceous particles. The particles may reside within a porous sleeve or filter, or they may be packed together in a matrix using a cross-linked polymer or binder. The packing is fixed at a selected depth within the annular region, and is designed so that the compressible material absorbs pressure in response to thermal expansion of wellbore fluids during the production of hydrocarbon fluids from the wellbore. The method further includes placing a wellhead over the wellbore, thereby forming a trapped annulus in the wellbore over the annular region.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions for use in improving a vascular barrier of endothelial cells. The methods may include the use of barrier agonist compounds and improved techniques for culturing endothelial cells. The improved methods and compositions for culturing endothelial cells may include at least one or more of the following: an adenylyl cyclase activator; an activator of Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor internalization; a direct or indirect inducer of tight junction protein expression, and a direct or indirect inducer of adherens junction protein expression.

Abstract: The application is directed to a method for treating or preventing vasculopathy comprising administrating to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising mesenchymal precursor cells (MPCs) and a prostacyclin. Also provided a method for treating or preventing vasculopathy in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a prostacyclin and a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) or a MSC-conditioned culture medium or administering to the subject a MSC or a MSC-conditioned culture medium that has treated with prostacyclin. Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for such treatments are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising a decellularized tissue. The present invention also provides an engineered three dimensional lung tissue exhibiting characteristics of a natural lung tissue. The engineered tissue is useful for the study of lung developmental biology and pathology as well as drug discovery.