Abstract: A system and method that detects hardware and software errors in an embedded system that includes detecting or measuring an operating state; causing one or more computation engines to operates in group synchrony; causing one or more active monitors that monitor the computation engines to an automotive integrity level to operate in group synchrony; synchronizing the communication between and from the plurality of computation engines and the plurality of active monitors, respectively; and arbitrating the output generated by the computation engines and the active monitors.

Abstract: A device 10 for gathering tissue in a patient includes an elongated catheter 14 and a capture assembly 13 at a distal portion of the catheter. The capture assembly has a closed side 18 and a door 20 rotatable between an open condition and a closed condition. The closed side 18 of the capture assembly 13 and the door 20 in the closed condition may collectively define a tissue capturing compartment 19. Movement of the door 20 from the open condition to the closed condition adjacent the tissue may capture a portion 44 of the tissue in the tissue capturing compartment 19. A clip may then be applied from the capture assembly 13 to the captured tissue 44 to hold the tissue substantially in a gathered configuration.

Abstract: An automated laboratory system includes a vertical shelving system including a frame and at least one shelf movably mounted to the frame such that the at least one shelf is movable relative to the frame between a docked position and an undocked position, the at least one shelf being configured to carry at least one instrument. The system also includes a robotic device proximate the vertical shelving system and being configured to access the at least one instrument carried by the at least one shelf.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a system configured to provide equivalent measurement values is provided. The measurement equivalency component is configured to receive, from a component, data requesting at least one measurement value meeting at least one criterion, the at least one measurement value having at least one first measurement type, determine that the at least one measurement value is not stored within at least one memory, determine that at least one stored measurement value meeting the at least one criterion and having at least one second measurement type different from the at least one first measurement type is stored within the at least one memory, and provide data descriptive of at least one equivalent measurement value based on the at least one stored measurement value to the component in response to receipt of the data requesting the at least one measurement value.

Abstract: A guide member is configured for guiding a suture passer through a cannula and tissue surrounding the cannula to facilitate closure of an opening in tissue. The guide member includes a guide housing and an elongated guide shaft. The guide housing is configured for releasably engaging the guide member with the cannula and defines an entry aperture. The elongated guide shaft extends distally from the guide housing and defines an annular exterior surface. An exit aperture is defined through the annular exterior surface. The guide member defines a lumen extending from the entry aperture, through the guide housing and the elongated guide shaft, to the exit aperture. The entry aperture, lumen, and exit aperture cooperating to define a passageway extending through the guide member.

Abstract: A blower assembly for advancing the flow of air in an air flow device at a selected one of a plurality of air flow rates is provided. The blower assembly includes a blower housing defining a body thereof and a wall of the blower housing moveably secured to the body, a blower wheel rotatably mounted to the blower housing and a motor for rotating the blower wheel at a selected one of a plurality of rotational speeds. The blower assembly further includes a motion device secured to the body and to the wall. The motion device moves the wall relative to the body to a selected one of a plurality of distinct wall positions. The motor rotates the blower wheel at a selected one of a plurality of rotational speeds. A controller calculates optimum wall position and rotational speed to provide for minimal energy usage rate.

Abstract: A device 10 for repairing mitral valve leaflets 2, 3 includes a jaw mechanism 15 that may be positioned adjacent a mitral valve leaflet 2, 3. The jaw mechanism 15 may move between an open position and a closed position by pivoting a first jaw relative 16 to a second jaw 18. The first jaw 16 may include a rivet 28 that may move from a stored position to an application position projecting away from the first jaw 16 when the jaw mechanism 15 is moved from the closed to the open position. Closing the jaws 16, 18 about a valve leaflet 2, 3 causes the rivet 28 to pierce the leaflet. The jaw mechanism 15 may then be rotated to wind the leaflet 2, 3 thereabout and again pierce the leaflet. The rivet 28 may then be released from the jaw mechanism 25 and the device 10 removed from the patient.

Abstract: An on-wall shower system that is configured to be retrofit to existing in-wall shower plumbing. To assist in installation, the on-wall shower system provides for adjustability of an upper amount, for adjustably of a lower mount, and/or for axial height adjustment.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, an electric machine is provided. The machine includes a support structure, a stator secured to the support structure, and a rotor rotatably secured to the support structure. The machine also includes a circuit board positioned at least partially within the support structure. The circuit board is adapted for controlling an electromagnetic field produced by the stator. The machine also includes a potting material in contact with a first surface of the circuit board and a harrier for at least partially containing the potting material.

Abstract: A guide member configured for guiding a suture passer through a cannula and tissue surrounding the cannula to facilitate closure of an opening in tissue. The guide member includes a guide housing and an elongated guide shaft. The guide housing is configured for releasably engaging the guide member with the cannula and defines an entry aperture. The elongated guide shaft extends distally from the guide housing and defines an annular exterior surface. An exit aperture is defined through the annular exterior surface. The guide member defines a lumen extending from the entry aperture, through the guide housing and the elongated guide shaft, to the exit aperture. The entry aperture, lumen, and exit aperture cooperating to define a passageway extending through the guide member.

Abstract: A system and method enables loosely-coupled lock-step computing including sensors that detect or measure a physical property and server groups. Each server group is serially linked to another server group and includes server instances operating in virtual synchrony. Virtual synchrony middleware receives outputs from multiple server instances and renders a single reply based on the outputs from the multiple server instances. The virtual synchrony middleware replicates and orders incoming requests to the server groups to ensure each of the server instances of that server group receives the same incoming requests in the same order.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a system configured to provide equivalent measurement values is provided. The measurement equivalency component is configured to receive, from a component, data requesting at least one measurement value meeting at least one criterion, the at least one measurement value having at least one first measurement type, determine that the at least one measurement value is not stored within at least one memory, determine that at least one stored measurement value meeting the at least one criterion and having at least one second measurement type different from the at least one first measurement type is stored within the at least one memory, and provide data descriptive of at least one equivalent measurement value based on the at least one stored measurement value to the component in response to receipt of the data requesting the at least one measurement value.

Abstract: Nucleation layers for growth of III-nitride structures, and methods for growing the nucleation layers, are described herein. A semiconductor can include a silicon substrate and a nucleation layer over the silicon substrate. The nucleation layer can include silicon and deep-level dopants. The semiconductor can include a III-nitride layer formed over the nucleation layer. At least one of the silicon substrate and the nucleation layer can include ionized contaminants. In addition, a concentration of the deep-level dopants is at least as high as a concentration of the ionized contaminants.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly for a surgical instrument and/or a surgeon's hand, the assembly including a housing, such as a wound retractor, and a seal body mounted to the housing. The seal body may have a pleated configuration when viewed in cross-section. The seal body may have a first surface and a second surface, the first surface having a plurality of radially-extending first channels and the second surface having a plurality of radially-extending second channels, the plurality of first channels being offset from the plurality of second channels. The seal body may define a substantially centrally disposed opening for reception of a hand/arm or instrument. In addition, the seal body may define one or more additional openings for simultaneous reception of an instrument and a hand.

Abstract: A method of gathering tissue of a heart valve leaflet 2 may include inserting an elongated catheter assembly 12 to a position adjacent the heart valve leaflet, the catheter assembly including a capture tool 22 and a tissue support member 30. The capture tool 22 and the tissue support member 30 may each be independently moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. Partially retracting the capture tool 22 with the tissue support member 30 in the extended position gathers tissue 15 of the heart valve leaflet 2 between the capture tool and the tissue support member. A clip 55 may then be applied from the catheter assembly 12 to the gathered tissue 15 to hold the tissue substantially in a gathered configuration.

Abstract: A magnetic filtration device for installing as a replacement to a standard drain plug commonly positioned at the bottom of the reservoir. The magnetic filtration device may attract and capture magnetic (ferromagnetic) particulate circulating throughout a mechanical system. Applications for the device include engines, motors, pumps, compressors, gear boxes, transmissions, hydraulic systems, and generators. The magnetic filtration device may comprise a magnet core enclosed within a magnet casing, with additional magnetic rods affixed to and/or arranged around the magnet casing.

Abstract: An oven comprising a housing, a cook cavity located within the housing, wherein the housing includes an opening to the cook cavity and the cook cavity is configured to receive a food item through the opening, an oven door for covering the opening, a heating element configured to heat an air within the cook cavity, an active vent interconnecting the cook cavity and an outside of the housing, and a controller operatively coupled to the active vent and the heating element is disclosed. The controller is configured to perform the steps of (a) turning on the heating element to initiate a cooking cycle, (b) keeping the active vent closed during an initial stage of the cooking cycle, (c) after the initial stage of the cooking cycle, opening the active vent, and (d) keeping the active vent open during at least a portion of a remainder of the cooking cycle.

Abstract: An oven comprising a housing, a cavity located within the housing, and a rotator having a first food loading section and a second food loading section is disclosed. The cavity includes a single opening for loading a food item into the cavity. If one of the first food loading section and the second food loading section is located outside of said cavity, then the other of the first food loading section and the second food loading section is located within said cavity. A first cook setting of the oven when the first food loading section is within the cavity and a second cook setting of the oven when the second food loading section is within the cavity are independently controllable. The first food loading section and the second food loading section may be separated by a divider, which prevents heat from escaping from the cavity through the opening.

Abstract: Gallium nitride material devices and methods associated with the same. In some embodiments, the devices may be transistors which include a conductive structure connected to a source electrode. The conductive structure may form a source field plate which can be formed over a dielectric material and can extend in the direction of the gate electrode of the transistor. The source field plate may reduce the electrical field (e.g., peak electrical field and/or integrated electrical field) in the region of the device between the gate electrode and the drain electrode which can lead to a number of advantages including reduced gate-drain feedback capacitance, reduced surface electron concentration, increased breakdown voltage, and improved device reliability. These advantages enable the gallium nitride material transistors to operate at high drain efficiencies and/or high output powers. The devices can be used in RF power applications, amongst others.