Abstract: A personal care device (12) comprising an RF signal generator (32) for generating RF-frequency electromagnetic emissions for a cleaning or treatment function. The RF emissions may be output from a set of two or more RF electrodes (22) (e.g. electrodes) upon stimulation with an RF drive signal in a frequency range from 3 kHz to 30 GHz from an RF signal generator. The device further includes a controller (34) for detect a degraded functional state of the RF electrodes (22) via monitoring changes or variations in one or more electrical characteristics of the RF signal generator (32), e.g. drift in one or more electrical characteristics from reference factory levels, or sudden changes in the characteristics, indicating a short-circuit.

Abstract: A retrofit mining haul truck includes a hybrid hydrogen fuel cell/battery-based powerplant in place of a carbon fuel-based powerplant. The retrofit mining haul truck includes a frame, a tray coupled to the frame, and a deck coupled to the frame forward of at least a portion of the tray. A battery system is mounted to the deck of the retrofit mining haul truck. A hydrogen storage system (HSS) is installed in an engine bay volume of the retrofit mining haul truck. The engine bay was configured to contain a combustion engine (e.g., a diesel engine) prior to retrofitting the retrofit mining haul truck. At least a portion of a fuel cell system is installed in a wheel pocket of the retrofit mining haul truck. The wheel pocket was configured to contain a diesel tank prior to retrofitting the retrofit mining haul truck.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring an oral health indicator of a subject at one or more sites in the mouth via measurement of their pain response to applied mechanical stimuli at the one or more sites. At least one set of embodiments comprises a system which includes an oral tool for use in applying a standardized mechanical stimulus to an oral location in the mouth of a subject.

Abstract: A sensor device for measuring levels of one or more stereoisomers in body fluids, for example lactate in sweat. The device includes a body fluid collection means and an optical measurement system. The measurement of the isomer levels is based on measuring an optical property of an incident light which is known to be modified in a reliable and reproducible way by intrinsic optical activity of at least one isomer within the sample. By measuring the optical property, an indication of concentration of at least one stereoisomer can be derived. For example, D- and L-lactate are enantiomers and the optical activity of each has the effect of changing a rotation angle of light polarization. It also has the effect of changing a central frequency of a spectral composition of the incident light. In each case a polarization state modification is applied to the light before or after application to the sample.

Abstract: A personal care system comprises an imaging device configured to obtain images of a region of interest of an object and a processor. The processor is configured to obtain a spectral signature of an adjuvant on the region of interest, identify spectral components in the images and segment the adjuvant from the images by comparing the spectral signature to the spectral components of the images.

Abstract: Proposed are schemes, solutions, concepts, designs, methods and systems pertaining to aiding and/or improving image acquisition from a vibratory personal care device having an image capture device. Embodiments propose generating multiple pulses of illumination during a single vibration cycle of the personal care device. Through illuminating part of the user multiple times during a single vibration cycle of the personal care device, improved images (e.g. images exhibiting less blur and/or distortion) may be obtained. In this way, improved images may be obtained from a vibratory personal care device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a mining haul truck with the diesel-powered components removed, the resulting available volumes retrofitted with components of a hybrid hydrogen fuel cell/battery-based powerplant. In some embodiments, the tray and/or the canopy of the haul truck can be replaced or reconfigured to create an additional volume for receiving components of the hybrid hydrogen fuel cell/battery-based powerplant.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring properties of oral soft tissues. An oral monitoring head comprises at least one sensing element such as a probe which can be provided among cleaning bristles. A tapping motion is imparted to the at least one sensing element and the force or strain or motion associated with the at least one sensing element is monitored to produce a force or strain or motion signal. From this signal, viscoelastic material properties for the material in contact with the at least one sensing element are derived. In one example, a gum health indication can be provided.

Abstract: A means for deriving a metric of tooth mobility based on force or motion data acquired from a sensor integrated in an oral care device and acquired during an oral cleaning session. By processing a waveform of the sensing signal to detect one or more signal characteristics, and further acquiring one or more characteristics of the tooth-device mechanical engagement, a standardized metric of tooth mobility can be derived.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an occluder device (1) comprising a supporting structure (2) said supporting structure (2) comprising a central portion (201) having a distal end (202) and a proximal end (203); said supporting structure (2) comprising distal branches (204) extending away from said distal end (202) of the central portion (201); said supporting structure (2) comprising proximal branches (205) extending away from said proximal end (203) of the central portion (201); said proximal and distal branches (204, 205) defining elastic hooked struts which are rotatable away from the central portion (201) to anchor a septum (7) of a heart (103); said occluder device (1) further comprising at least one membrane (8); said membrane (8) comprises a membrane body (11) connected to the distal or proximal branches (204; 205); when the branches (204, 205) are in the unfolded or lying position, said membrane (8) has a closed position where the membrane (8) is in a configuration which provides maximum occlusion to

Abstract: The present invention relates to an occluder device (1) comprising a supporting structure (2) adapted to anchor the septum (7) of a heart (103) when crossing a septum defect (107); said supporting structure (2) comprising a supporting structure periphery (5) delimiting a structure central opening (6); said occluder device (1) further comprising a membrane (8); said membrane (8) comprises a membrane body (11) having a membrane periphery (12); said membrane (8) has a closed position in which the membrane (8) is in a configuration which provides maximum occlusion to the structure central opening (6); the membrane periphery (12) is fastened to said supporting structure periphery (5) to cover the structure central opening (6); said membrane (8) comprising at least one slit (21); when actively engaged by an external device (108) the membrane (8) deforms the slit (21) which elastically extends, creating a passage lumen (27); in which said membrane (8) comprises at least one permanent passage lumen or shunt lumen (13

Abstract: A device for treating valvular regurgitation that includes an expandable anchor designed for transitioning from a linear configuration to a crown-like configuration through a radial expansion phase and an inversion phase. The expandable anchor is attached to a transvalvular spacer for providing a coaptation surface to valve leaflets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heart implant comprising an attachment element (2), particularly a tubular attachment element for attaching a sheath (4), preferably having a sheath (4) being coaxially positioned around at least a part of the attachment element (2) and fixed to it, the attachment element (2) having a lower end (2a) and an upper end (2b) and several strips (3) at least at one of the ends, preferably being split into several strips at least at one of the ends (2b), preferably only at the upper end (2b), the strips (3) forming an expandable anchoring cage, particularly for fixing the heart implant to a lumen of the heart, preferably the atrium, by surface contact between an exterior surface of the expandable cage and an interior lumen surface, the strips (3) of the anchoring cage ending in respective strip tips (7) at the end of their extension in the compressed state, particularly during delivery through a catheter (1), the strip tips (7) forming the distal or proximal end of the implant, particularl

Abstract: The invention provides a non-occlusive dilation and deployment catheter device which includes a catheter having a distal end configured for entering a patient and a proximal end for manipulating the device. A distender is provided at or near the distal end which is movable between a collapsed configuration which enables introduction and removal thereof to and from an operative site in a vessel or other hollow organ of a patient, and an expanded configuration in which the distender assumes a radially expanded condition and defines a flow path therethrough. The distender includes a substantially tubular, radially expandable frame having a plurality of spaced apertures and at least one inflatable tube threaded through the apertures and shaped to extend in a spiral when inflated. The distender is movable to the expanded configuration by inflating the tube, and movable to the collapsed configuration from the expanded configuration by deflating the tube.

Abstract: The invention provides a heart valve leaflet capture device (250) comprising a cardiac catheter probe having a proximal end for manipulating the device (250) and a distal end terminating in a transvalve element (256). The transvalve element (256) is configured to pass through a heart valve generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the catheter and includes two or three leaflet gripping elements (252). The leaflet gripping elements (252) are individually movable by operation of an associated actuating mechanism (260) between a radially retracted position, in which they are withdrawn with respect to the transvalve element (256), and a capture position, in which they diverge outwardly at an acute angle from the transvalve element (256). In the capture position, each leaflet gripping element (252) defines a convergent capture zone that is directed towards the edges of a target valve leaflet and in which the target valve leaflet may be captured.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heart implant, particularly being configured to reduce or eliminate a heart valve insufficiency after implantation into the heart, comprising a closure element (1) being configured to be positioned within the heart valve annulus, particularly being configured to close or at least to reduce a remaining gap between closing valve leaflets, an anchoring element (2) being attached to the closure element (1) for fixing the implant in the heart, preferably for non-invasive fixing by surface contact between the exterior surface of the anchoring element (2) and an interior surface of a heart lumen, preferably the atrium, wherein the closure element (1) and the anchoring element (2) are connected with a means (1a, 2a) for changing the relative position of the closure element (1) and the anchoring element (2) to each other. The invention furthermore relates to a method of treating a heart valve insufficiency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heart implant comprising an attachment element (2), particularly a tubular attachment element for attaching a sheath (4), preferably having a sheath (4) being coaxially positioned around at least a part of the attachment element (2) and fixed to it, the attachment element (2) having a lower end (2a) and an upper end (2b) and several strips (3) at least at one of the ends, preferably being split into several strips at least at one of the ends (2b), preferably only at the upper end (2b), the strips (3) forming an expandable anchoring cage, particularly for fixing the heart implant to a lumen of the heart, preferably the atrium, by surface contact between an exterior surface of the expandable cage and an interior lumen surface, the strips (3) of the anchoring cage ending in respective strip tips (7) at the end of their extension in the compressed state, particularly during delivery through a catheter (1), the strip tips (7) forming the distal or proximal end of the implant, particularl

Abstract: An orientation device (200) for use in mitral valve repair surgery is provided and includes a catheter (202) catheter insertable percutaneously through the mitral valve into a chamber of a heart. At least one pressure sensor (216, 218) and two generally arcuate commissural arms (208, 210) are provided at or near the distal end (204) of the catheter (202). The arms (208, 210) are deployable from a stowed condition, in which the catheter (202) can be introduced percutaneously into the heart, to an operative condition in which they extend outwardly in generally opposite directions. Each arm (208, 210) is shaped to be locatable within a mitral valve commissure and has an indentation (212) shaped to extend, in use, at least partially about a mitral valve commissure to limit movement of the device (200) relative to the mitral valve in the axial direction of the catheter (202).

Abstract: The invention provides a non-occlusive dilation and deployment catheter device which includes a catheter having a distal end configured for entering a patient and a proximal end for manipulating the device. A distender is provided at or near the distal end which is movable between a collapsed configuration which enables introduction and removal thereof to and from an operative site in a vessel or other hollow organ of a patient, and an expanded configuration in which the distender assumes a radially expanded condition and defines a flow path therethrough. The distender includes a substantially tubular, radially expandable frame having a plurality of spaced apertures and at least one inflatable tube threaded through the apertures and shaped to extend in a spiral when inflated. The distender is movable to the expanded configuration by inflating the tube, and movable to the collapsed configuration from the expanded configuration by deflating the tube.

Abstract: The invention provides a heart valve leaflet capture device (250) comprising a cardiac catheter probe having a proximal end for manipulating the device (250) and a distal end terminating in a transvalve element (256). The transvalve element (256) is configured to pass through a heart valve generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the catheter and includes two or three leaflet gripping elements (252). The leaflet gripping elements (252) are individually movable by operation of an associated actuating mechanism (260) between a radially retracted position, in which they are withdrawn with respect to the transvalve element (256), and a capture position, in which they diverge outwardly at an acute angle from the transvalve element (256). In the capture position, each leaflet gripping element (252) defines a convergent capture zone that is directed towards the edges of a target valve leaflet and in which the target valve leaflet may be captured.