Abstract: Various fixation techniques for implantable medical device (IMDs) are described. In one example, an assembly comprises an IMD; and a set of active fixation tines attached to the IMD. The active fixation tines in the set are deployable from a spring-loaded position in which distal ends of the active fixation tines point away from the IMD to a hooked position in which the active fixation tines bend back towards the IMD. The active fixation tines are configured to secure the IMD to a patient tissue when deployed while the distal ends of the active fixation tines are positioned adjacent to the patient tissue.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and apparatus for assembly a roofing structure that incorporates photovoltaic modules as shingles of the roofing structure. A sidelap is used to both establish consistent spacing between the solar shingles and prevent water passing between adjacent shingles from collecting beneath the solar shingles by guiding the water passing through the solar shingles and redirecting the water down-roof. In some embodiments, the sidelaps can have additional functionality. For example, a sidelap can include tabs configured to interact with lateral securing features positioned on downward-facing surfaces of the solar roofing modules to help keep the lateral sides of the photovoltaic modules from pulling away from the roofing structure during severe weather conditions. The sidelap could also include means for attaching a wire clip to one end of the sidelap.

Abstract: An assembly for tethering a medical device to a delivery catheter includes a tether, a collet, and a spring-biased holding element that is coupled to a distal end of the tether and that extends around the collet, being moveable between first and second positions. At the first position, corresponding to the spring bias thereof, the holding element prevents fingers of the collet, which are configured to grip a proximal end of the device, from opening; at the second position, the collet fingers are allowed and/or caused to open. The assembly is coupled to a tubular member of the catheter, and, when the tethering assembly abuts a distal end of the catheter tubular member, a pull force applied to a proximal end the tether, which extends out from a proximal opening of the catheter, moves the holding element from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: Various fixation techniques for implantable medical device (IMDs) are described. In one example, an assembly comprises an IMD; and a set of active fixation tines attached to the IMD. The active fixation tines in the set are deployable from a spring-loaded position in which distal ends of the active fixation tines point away from the IMD to a hooked position in which the active fixation tines bend back towards the IMD. The active fixation tines are configured to secure the IMD to a patient tissue when deployed while the distal ends of the active fixation tines are positioned adjacent to the patient tissue.

Abstract: An assembly includes an implantable medical device (IMD) including a conductive housing, and a fixation element assembly attached to the IMD. The fixation element assembly includes a set of active fixation tines and an insulator to electrically isolate the set of active fixation tines from the conductive housing of the implantable medical device. The active fixation tines in the set are deployable from a spring-loaded position in which distal ends of the active fixation tines point away from the implantable medical device to a hooked position in which the active fixation tines bend back towards the implantable medical device. The active fixation tines are configured to secure the implantable medical device to a patient tissue when deployed while the distal ends of the active fixation tines are positioned adjacent to the patient tissue.

Abstract: A wire bond system. Implementations may include: a bond wire including copper (Cu), a bond pad including aluminum (Al) and a sacrificial anode electrically coupled with the bond pad, where the sacrificial anode includes one or more elements having a standard electrode potential below a standard electrode potential of Al.

Abstract: A fixation mechanism of an implantable medical device is formed by a plurality of tines fixedly mounted around a perimeter of a distal end of the device. Each tine may be said to include a first segment fixedly attached to the device, a second segment extending from the first segment, and a third segment, to which the second segment extends. When the device is loaded in a lumen of a delivery tool and a rounded free distal end of each tine engages a sidewall that defines the lumen, to hold the tines in a spring-loaded condition, the first segment of each tine, which has a spring-biased pre-formed curvature, becomes relatively straightened, and the third segment of each tine, which is terminated by the free distal end, extends away from the axis of the device at an acute angle in a range from about 45 degrees to about 75 degrees.

Abstract: A spatial model of a printed circuit board assembly is generated based on an input file. The spatial model is used to determine a spatial feature not directly specified in the input file. A manufacturing parameter is determined based at least in part on the determined spatial feature. A proposal to manufacture the printed circuit board assembly is generated programmatically based at least in part on the determined manufacturing parameter.

Abstract: A tine portion for an implantable medical device includes a hook segment and a distal segment terminated by a tissue-piercing tip, wherein the distal segment extends from the hook segment to the tip. The hook segment, which is elastically deformable from a pre-set curvature, has one of: a round cross-section and an elliptical cross-section, while the distal segment has a flattened, or approximately rectangular cross-section. One or a pair of the tine portions may be integrally formed, with a base portion, from a superelastic wire, wherein the base portion is configured to fixedly attach to the device, for example, being captured between insulative members of a fixation subassembly.

Abstract: Provided are methods of treating skin with at least two alternating treatment modalities to improve the health and/or diminish signs of aging. Some methods according to the present invention may comprise topically applying at least two separate compositions, in a sequential, rotating, or alternating fashion to overcome adaptation, tolerance, or sensitization phenomena.

Abstract: A spatial model of a printed circuit board assembly is generated based on an input file. The spatial model is used to determine a spatial feature not directly specified in the input file. A manufacturing parameter is determined based at least in part on the determined spatial feature. A proposal to manufacture the printed circuit board assembly is generated programmatically based at least in part on the determined manufacturing parameter.

Abstract: Provided are methods of treating skin with at least two alternating treatment modalities to improve the health and/or diminish signs of aging. Some methods according to the present invention may comprise topically applying at least two separate compositions, in a sequential, rotating, or alternating fashion to overcome adaptation, tolerance, or sensitization phenomena.

Abstract: An outboard motor has an internal combustion engine and a sump with an interior for holding oil for the internal combustion engine. The interior is defined by a top, a bottom, and sidewalls that extend from the top to the bottom. At least a portion of the sidewalls tapers radially inwardly towards the bottom. An oil pickup conduit extends into the interior and is configured to convey oil from the sump to the internal combustion engine. A bumper is disposed on the oil pickup conduit and separates the oil pickup conduit from the sidewall.

Abstract: A dolly capable of allowing relatively heavy and bulky objects to be easily manipulated and moved without adding significantly to the dimension of the object thereby allowing the object to be easily moved through conventional door openings. Preferably, the dolly comprises a first frame having generally vertical legs mechanically coupled to a generally horizontal brace and a second frame having generally vertical legs mechanically coupled to a generally horizontal brace such that the first frame and the second frame are in position on opposite sides of the object and the generally horizontal braces are positioned under corresponding edges of the object. The generally vertical legs of the first frame and the second frame when moved into a more vertical orientation operate to mechanically lift the generally horizontal braces to lift the object and allow the object to be transported to a desired location.

Abstract: Various fixation techniques for implantable medical device (IMDs) are described. In one example, an assembly comprises an IMD; and a set of active fixation tines attached to the IMD. The active fixation tines in the set are deployable from a spring-loaded position in which distal ends of the active fixation tines point away from the IMD to a hooked position in which the active fixation tines bend back towards the IMD. The active fixation tines are configured to secure the IMD to a patient tissue when deployed while the distal ends of the active fixation tines are positioned adjacent to the patient tissue.

Abstract: Various fixation techniques for implantable medical device (IMDs) are described. In one example, an assembly comprises an IMD; and a set of active fixation tines attached to the IMD. The active fixation tines in the set are deployable from a spring-loaded position in which distal ends of the active fixation tines point away from the IMD to a hooked position in which the active fixation tines bend back towards the IMD. The active fixation tines are configured to secure the IMD to a patient tissue when deployed while the distal ends of the active fixation tines are positioned adjacent to the patient tissue.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving input data related to a driver's vehicle and displaying a stock image of the driver's vehicle. The stock image includes multiple selectable body parts. The method further includes receiving a selection of a particular vehicle body part on the stock image that corresponds to a damaged body part of the driver's vehicle and displaying a partitioned image of the selected vehicle body part. The partitioned image includes multiple selectable regions. The method further includes receiving a selection of one or more particular regions of the partitioned image and determining a status of the damaged body part. The status indicates either to repair or to replace the damaged body part. The method further includes determining a line-item estimate for the damaged body part of the driver's vehicle and displaying one or more costs associated with the determined line-item estimate.

Abstract: In an interventional medical system, a delivery catheter for deploying a medical device of the system has a tethering assembly that includes a tether line, a grip member, and a release member, wherein the tether line extends through a longitudinal lumen of a base of the release member and is coupled to a base of the grip member, and the release member has legs extending though apertures formed through the base of the grip member. The device may be tethered to the catheter such that a proximal end of the device is held within a cavity defined by a plurality of elastic fingers of the grip member that extend distally from the base thereof; and the device may be deployed from the catheter by moving the legs of the release member within the grip member cavity to push the proximal end of the device out from the cavity.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a cap and a spring-biased tethering member coupled thereto. The cap includes first and second portions, and a transition zone extending therebetween. A girth of the first portion is sized to fit within a distal-most opening of the catheter assembly; and a girth of the second portion tapers from a first size at the transition zone, which is too large to fit within the distal-most opening, to a smaller size at a distal end of the cap. The spring-biased tethering member holds the cap in open and closed positions, when the cap first portion extends within the distal-most opening, and when the cap is separated from the distal-most opening, respectively. At the closed position, the first portion is approximately concentric with the distal-most opening, and at the open position, an entirety of the cap is laterally offset from the distal-most opening.

Abstract: Various fixation techniques for implantable medical device (IMDs) are described. In one example, an assembly comprises an IMD; and a set of active fixation tines attached to the IMD. The active fixation tines in the set are deployable from a spring-loaded position in which distal ends of the active fixation tines point away from the IMD to a hooked position in which the active fixation tines bend back towards the IMD. The active fixation tines are configured to secure the IMD to a patient tissue when deployed while the distal ends of the active fixation tines are positioned adjacent to the patient tissue.