Abstract: The present technology relates generally to endovascular prostheses. More particularly, the disclosure relates to endovascular prostheses having a graft material and a stent structure attached with a suture, or a seam formed by a suture, where the suture has a coating that expands upon exposure to body fluids. The expansion allows for the coating to fill suture holes in the graft material so as to reduce or eliminate endoleaks.

Abstract: The described invention provides an endovascular device comprising a tube comprising a first end comprising a bifurcation and a second end comprising an opening. The bifurcation at the first end comprises a first branch and a second branch. The opening at the second end comprises a primary opening and a secondary opening. The first branch and the primary opening form a working lumen. The second branch and the secondary opening form a support lumen. The described invention further provides an endovascular device comprising a tube comprising a side-hole, a first segment comprising a primary opening and a second segment. The side-hole and the first segment form a working lumen. The second segment forms a support lumen.

Abstract: A knotless anchor for attachment of tissue to bone includes a rigid anchor body and a suture extending there from. The suture is hollow and includes a fixed limb portion secured to the rigid anchor body. A soft suture tunnel extends in a longitudinal direction through the fixed limb portion of the suture. A free suture limb is passed through the tissue, back to the anchor, and through the soft suture tunnel, thereby creating a closable suture loop around the tissue. Tension applied to the free suture limb closes the suture loop, and approximates the tissue to the anchor body. When the anchor is deployed in a bone hole, external features of the anchor body grip the walls of the bone hole and simultaneously compress the suture, thereby preventing tissue pull-out. Anchor assemblies and methods of tissue fixation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein is an extension device to extend ocular tissue within an irideocorneal angle of an eye of a patient, comprising a flexible body and a plurality of tensioning features disposed on the body. The body is sized and configured to be disposed within the irideocorneal angle. The body has a curved longitudinal axis, a channel extending from a first end to a second end, an inner convex side, and an outer concave side. The body is flexible between a first flexed condition and a second unflexed condition. The body has a first radius of curvature in the first flexed condition and a second radius of curvature in the unflexed condition. Each tensioning feature is shaped and sized to grasp the ocular tissue within the irideocorneal angle.

Abstract: A method includes forming a conjunctival incision in a patient's eye, attaching a synthetic flap to the patient's eye within the conjunctival incision, forming a scleral tunnel underneath the synthetic flap, the scleral tunnel extending from an exterior of a sclera to an anterior chamber of the patient's eye, and closing the conjunctival incision.

Abstract: Intraocular lens (IOL) insertion apparatus and methods of use are provided and described herein. An example IOL insertion apparatus may include a handpiece body having a distal tip, a deployment chamber having an opening at a distal end of the handpiece body, and a deployment system disposed within the handpiece body. The deployment system can include a deployment carriage movable between proximal and distal positions within the handpiece body and a deployment plunger with a proximal end secured to the deployment carriage and a distal end to engage a folded IOL. The insertion apparatus may further include a damping feature protruding from a wall of the deployment chamber or a portion of the deployment system. The first damping feature may be positioned and arranged to increase a resistance to movement of the deployment system along a portion of a path traveled thereby between the proximal and distal positions.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, via a device implanted in a mammal, sensing a ciliary muscle movement and/or force and/or converting the ciliary muscle movement and/or force to a signal and/or a predetermined form of power.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve having an inflow end and an outflow end includes a collapsible and expandable stent, a collapsible and expandable valve assembly disposed within the stent and having a plurality of leaflets, and a deformable frame having a first end and a second end. The frame includes braided wires forming a body having a lumen extending therethrough for receiving the stent and the valve assembly, the body having a plurality of diameters from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a base and a plurality of polymeric leaflets. Each leaflet has a root portion coupled to the base, and each leaflet has an edge portion substantially opposite the root portion and movable relative to the root portion to coapt with a respective edge portion of at least one of the other leaflets of the plurality of leaflets. Each leaflet includes) at least two polymers along at least one portion of the leaflet, and each leaflet has a composition gradient of each of the at least two polymers along at least one portion of the leaflet.

Abstract: Stent-valves (e.g., single-stent-valves and double-stent-valves), associated methods and systems for their delivery via minimally-invasive surgery, and guide-wire compatible closure devices for sealing access orifices are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a valve stent used safely comprising a supporting net frame, and a flared section connected to an end of the supporting net frame; wherein the flared section is connected to all end nodes located at a corresponding side of the supporting net frame, the flared section is grid shaped, and a number of intersection points of the grids decreases along an axial direction away from the supporting net frame. The present invention also provides a valve replacement device comprising an above valve stent and a prosthesis valve fixed inside the supporting net frame.

Abstract: Described embodiments are directed toward centrally-opening leaflet prosthetic valve devices having a leaflet frame and a leaflet construct. The leaflet construct is at least partially coupled to a leaflet frame outer side of the leaflet frame and being coupled thereto by a retention element.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described herein to provide improved steerability for delivering a prosthesis to a body location, for example, for delivering a replacement mitral valve to a native mitral valve location. The delivery system can include a number of advantageous steering and delivery features, in particular for the transseptal delivery approach.

Abstract: A heart valve anchor apparatus may include a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The body may include a first radially expandable portion at the proximal portion of the body, a second radially expandable portion at the distal portion of the body, and a root portion extending from the first radially expandable portion to the second radially expandable portion, the root portion having an outer extent. The first radially expandable portion may be configured to self-expand to an outer extent greater than the outer extent of the root portion when radially unconstrained. The second radially expandable portion may be configured to self-expand to an outer extent greater than the outer extent of the root portion when radially unconstrained. In an unstressed configuration, the body may define a longitudinal centerline that extends away from a plane tangent to the root portion.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided including a percutaneously-implantable implant and an adjustment device. The adjustment device can comprise an adjustment mechanism, coupled to the implant, and configured to change a dimension of the implant upon actuation of the adjustment mechanism and a lock. The adjustment device can have a locked state in which the lock inhibits actuation of the adjustment mechanism and an unlocked state in which the adjustment mechanism is actuatable. The adjustment device can be reversibly movable between the locked state and the unlocked state. The apparatus can include a longitudinal guide member and an adapter. An unlocking mechanism can be configured such that, while the adapter is coupled to the adjustment device, actuation of the unlocking mechanism moves the lock between the locked state and the unlocked state. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are annular prosthetic devices, such as annuloplasty rings, that include suture clips integrated into or mounted within an annular frame. The clips can quickly secure to sutures to obviate the need to tied knots in the sutures during implantation. Embodiments comprise an annular frame having an open central region and a plurality of suture clips spaced angularly apart around the frame. Each of the suture clips can comprise two opposing tabs that extend toward each other such that the suture clip forms a gripping region between ends of the tabs and the gripping region is configured to grip a suture inserted through the suture clip between the two tabs. The annular frame and the plurality of suture clips can be formed from a single piece of flat material with the suture clip tabs being formed by laser cutting the piece of flat material, or the suture clips can be movable along a track formed in the annular frame.

Abstract: A sizing device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent. The stent has an annulus section at a first end with a first diameter and an aortic section at a second end with a second diameter. The second diameter is greater than the first diameter, and the first end and the second end are disposed at opposite sides of the stent. A sensor is coupled adjacent the first diameter of the stent and is capable of collecting information related to stiffness of a native valve annulus by contacting portions of the native valve annulus. A method for determining the fitment of a prosthetic heart valve within a native valve annulus is also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides an augment comprising: a. a side configured to contact and attach to a receiving bone; b. a side configured to contact an implant; and c. an exterior profile, wherein the side configured to contact a receiving bone and the side configured to contact an implant are separated by a thickness; and wherein the augment is configured to anchor to the receiving bone.

Abstract: A keel for an orthopedic implant with a tray portion. The keel has a wall having a posterior end, an anterior end, and sides that extend from a surface of the tray portion. The wall is at least partially upraised away from the surface of the tray portion at its posterior end to define a posterior keel opening. The anterior end may either merge with the surface of the tray portion or can be spaced away to form an anterior keel opening. The keel can slant downwardly from the posterior end to the anterior end by about 10 to 20 degrees. The wall can have two spaced apart flat side walls and a flat top wall, or can be a continuous curved wall. A bone ingrowth space is defined between the wall and the tray portion. Openings can optionally be formed in the wall for additional bone ingrowth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an insert unit inserted during an artificial knee joint operation. An insert unit for an artificial knee joint according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a tibial member configured for coupling to the end of the tibia during an artificial knee joint operation, an insert configured for coupling to an upper side of the tibial member, and a locking rod coupling together the tibial member and the insert by penetrating through the tibial member and the insert, wherein the locking rod comprises a head portion formed at the upper end, and the head portion comprises a lip protruding outward to provide a constraint in relation to the insert during an articular movement such that the locking rod does not dig into the tibial member, to increase a coupling strength of the insert unit.

Abstract: A medical grade thermoplastic or polymer implant with an osteoconductive coating is provided, specifically for corrections of the distal and proximal interphalangeal toe joints of the foot. The implant can be either straight or angled, and can be either solid or cannulated for insertion. The implant is sized and shaped depending on the specific anatomy and desired correction. End portions of the implant may be coated with an osteoconductive coating that promotes bone growth, but may reduce radiolucency. Thus, a central portion of the implant may remain uncoated to increase radiolucency of the implant at the region where two bones come together.

Abstract: A prosthesis (1) for the trapeze-metacarpal joint of the thumb comprises a body (2) suitable for being arranged between the scaphoid (31) and the metacarpus (30) of the thumb, such body (2) has the shape of an Archimedean solid and operates as a spacer between said scaphoid (31) and metacarpus (30).

Abstract: A hand manipulated endoscopic medical device is disclosed. The medical device includes a body having a proximal end, which is hand manipulated, and a distal end which includes a manipulator. A light emitting device is centrally disposed at the distal end. An imaging device is centrally disposed at the distal end for imaging at least a portion of the region illuminated by the light emitting device. Also disclosed is a tool for extracting an artificial lumbar disc from between a pair of vertebral plates. The extraction tool includes a handle, a member for transmitting force, and a sharpened end, specially configured to be placed between the artificial disc and the vertebral plate. Further disclosed is a tool for implanting or explanting a ball to or from an artificial lumbar disc. The implanter/explanter includes a pinion shaft and a pinion shaft enclosure. A tightening knob is disposed at the proximal end of the shaft enclosure and coupled to the pinion shaft.

Abstract: Implants and methods for augmentation, preferably by minimally invasive procedures and means, of body tissue, including in some embodiments repositioning of body tissue, for example, bone and, preferably vertebrae are described. The implant may comprise one or more chain linked bodies inserted into the interior of body tissue. As linked bodies are inserted into body tissue, they may fill a central portion thereof and for example in bone can push against the inner sides of the cortical exterior surface layer, for example the end plates of a vertebral body, thereby providing structural support and tending to restore the body tissue to its original or desired treatment height. A bone cement or other filler can be added to further augment and stabilize the body tissue. The preferred implant comprises a single flexible monolithic chain formed of allograft cortical bone having a plurality of substantially non-flexible bodies connected by substantially flexible links.

Abstract: An implant is insertable in the joint space to separate bones of the joint. The implant has two endplates each configured to engage a separate articulating bone of the joint, and a threaded member positioned between the two endplates and configured to increase the space between the two endplates when the threaded member is rotated. A rotatable gear is engaged with the threaded member, and is engageable with a rotating gear of a connected implantation tool, so that rotation of the gear on the tool causes rotation of the threaded member and expansion of the implant to separate the bones. Connector portions on the tool and the implant may be rotated together to securely engage the implant and the tool so that the gears of the tool and the implant can be rotated using an actuator outside of the body, when the implant is inside the body.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices suitable for implantation in spaces between bones, such as in the spaces between vertebrae in a vertebral column of an animal, are described. An implantable medical device comprises a laminate structure in which a cover conforms to and is attached to a main body. The implantable medical device is suitable for implantation in spaces between bones, such as in the spaces between vertebrae in a vertebral column of an animal.

Abstract: An artificial disc is provided which more closely matches the movement of the natural spine. The artificial disc uses one or more projections and corresponding recesses to provide a sliding articulation. The artificial joint is inherently stable in that compressive forces placed on the disc such as the weight placed upon the joint or the tension of surrounding tissues urges the joint towards a neutral position and not farther away from a neutral position.

Abstract: A spinal fixation system, the system including: an alignment assembly comprising: a fastening element; and a mating element configured to receiving the fastening element thereover and having a releasable connector, a fixation assembly comprising: a plate having an aligning aperture that allows the mating element to be received therethrough; and an implant configured to be received between adjacent vertebrae and releasably connect with the releasable connector, wherein the fastening element is configured to move along the mating element to engage with the plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implant for the transforaminal intracorporeal fusion of lumbar vertebral column segments. At least some sections of the surface areas that are in direct contact with the spinal column are provided with an anti-dislocation mechanism (1) while an attachment part (4) for a positioning instrument (10) is provided in or on the implant and holes (6) or hollow spaces are disposed in the implant for filling purposes. According to one embodiment of the invention, the attachment part is configured as a revolute joint. In a further embodiment, the implant member has the shape of a sickle, the curvature of which is oriented ventrally and the interior of which is oriented dorsally. The attachment part is located at one end of the sickle while the opposite end of the sickle has a beak-type, tapering shape (5). At least one filling hole is provided between the sickle walls.

Abstract: A bone graft loading system includes a loading funnel, syringe, cannula, plunger, and loading tool. The loading funnel includes an interior passageway to receive the cannula and a syringe docking portion. The syringe may be coupled to the syringe docking portion so that it extends along a longitudinal axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axes of the cannula and the loading funnel. A user may advance bone graft from the syringe to a holding area of the loading funnel. The user may then move the loading tool through the holding area and into the interior space of the cannula to load the cannula with bone graft. This process may be repeated until the cannula is fully loaded with bone graft. The cannula and the plunger inside the cannula may then be removed from the loading funnel and coupled to an injector assembly for use in surgery.

Abstract: An articular ball impactor having a heat resistant material used during “heat shrink fit” process for providing secure fixation of Morse taper components in modular orthopedic implants. The female Morse component of the articular ball is heated by electromagnetic unit providing thermal expansion. Subsequently, itis impacted over the male Morse taper component and then cooled by commonly used sterile irrigation fluid allowing the female Morse component to shrink thus providing considerable compression, fit and significant reduction of micromotion that has been so widely responsible of fretting and mechanical corrosion.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for introducing an implant (1) into blood vessels or hollow organs of the human or animal body, comprising an implant (1), an insertion wire (14) and a release tube (13), wherein the implant (1) is deformable so that it adopts a shape with reduced diameter in a microcatheter (8) and at the site of the implantation it expands once the external constraint of the microcatheter (8) disappears, adapting to the diameter of the blood vessel or hollow organ, wherein a holding element (2) is arranged on the insertion wire (14) and the holding element (2) has at its periphery at least one, preferably a plurality of grooves (3) set into the holding element (2), running along the circumference of the holding element (2) and forming tracks in the form of curved lines, wherein the implant (1) has at the proximal end at least one, preferably a plurality of holding wires (5) extending in the proximal direction, which are fitted into the grooves (3), wherein the release tube (13) is pulled with

Abstract: An impaction tip can be used in installing an implant. The impaction tip can comprise a body, and a sliding member. The body can have a handle-facing surface and an implant-facing surface. The body can define a grooved portion. The handle-facing surface can define an opening sized to receive a portion of an impaction handle. The sliding member can be located at least partially within the grooved portion. The sliding member can be slideable from an interior position to an exterior position. When the sliding member is in the exterior position a portion of the sliding member can contact the implant.

Abstract: A set of instruments is for implantation of an acetabular prosthesis. The set of instruments may include a tool configured to operate in an acetabular cavity of a patient, a first emitter associated with the tool and configured to emit a control signal to be aligned with a reference signal for identifying a correct orientation of the tool relative to the acetabular cavity, and an acetabular reference guide to be fixed to a bone site of the patient separate from the acetabular cavity. The set of instruments may include a second emitter associated with the acetabular reference guide and configured to emit the reference signal.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for facilitating knee balancing during a knee replacement surgery. A system can include a force sensor, a main body, a moveable sensor platform, and an adjustment mechanism. The force sensor can sense one or more forces applied within a knee joint, including forces applied on a medial side and a lateral side. The movable sensor platform can be coupled between the force sensor and the main body. The adjustment mechanism can adjust the moveable sensor platform, relative to the main body, thereby adjusting a collective height of the system. A method can include inserting portions of a knee balancing system into a gap formed between a cut distal end of a femur and a cut proximal end of a tibia, adjusting an adjustable mechanism of the system to increase or decrease a collective system height, and sensing and displaying the medial and lateral forces.

Abstract: A brain machine interface system for use with an electroencephalogram to identify a behavioral intent of a person is disclosed. The system includes an electroencephalogram configured to sense electromagnetic signals generated by a brain of a person. The electromagnetic signals include a time component and a frequency component. A monitor monitors a response of the person to a stimulus and a characteristic of the stimulus. A synchronization module synchronizes the sensed electromagnetic signals with the response and the characteristic to determine a set of electromagnetic signals corresponding to the monitored response and the characteristic. A processor processes the set of electromagnetic signals and extracts feature vectors. The feature vectors define a class of behavioral intent. The processor determines the behavioral intent of the person based on the feature vectors. A brain machine interface and a method for identifying a behavioral intent of a person is also disclosed.

Abstract: An osseointegratable prosthetic device suitable for implantation via a one-step surgical process includes a threaded insertion end, an externally accessible tool interface end, and an intermediately arranged scaffold portion defining recesses that permit ingrowth of skeletal tissue. Such recesses may include multiple longitudinal fins as well as transverse ribs, which may embody or be coated with porous material to promote bone ingrowth. A split flange portion includes discontinuous portions and may permit pretensioning of the device. The device may be fabricated as a unitary body structure from thermoplastic materials using techniques such as fused filament fabrication (a form of 3D printing). The osseointegratable prosthetic device enables one-step surgical implantation without requiring separately implantable fixture/sleeve and abutment portions according to conventional osseointegratable prosthetics. Methods for fabricating an osseointegratable prosthetic device are further provided.

Abstract: An open stent (a stent having open space through its thickness at locations between the ends of the stent), incorporating flexible, preferably polymeric, connecting elements into the stent wherein these elements connect adjacent, spaced-apart stent elements. Preferably the spaced-apart adjacent stent elements are the result of forming the stent from a helically wound serpentine wire having space provided between adjacent windings. Other stent forms such as multiple, individual spaced-apart ring-shaped or interconnected stent elements may also be used. The connecting elements are preferably longitudinally oriented.

Abstract: A catheter system with a proximal end and a distal end means at the proximal end to actuate a device at the distal end of the system, and an actuator element that runs the length of the system, from the actuator means to the device and actuates the device by transmitting a physical force from the proximal end to the distal end and characterized by a pre-tensioner near the distal end of the system, that can be set in a pre-tensioning disposition prior to actuation of the device, the pre-tensioner thereby reducing the magnitude of the said physical force that must be transmitted from the proximal end when actuation of the device is required.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using the same. An example medical device may include an elongate tubular member, an endosurgery stent disposed on the outer surface of the tubular member, a push tube slidably disposed along the outer surface of the tubular member, and a push member slidably disposed in a lumen formed in the tubular member. The push member may be coupled to the push tube.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating obesity are provided. More particularly, intragastric devices and methods of fabricating, deploying, inflating, locating, tracking, monitoring, deflating, and retrieving the same are provided.

Abstract: A gastrectomy device includes an elongated member and a tube. The elongated member has a proximal end and a distal end and defines a longitudinal side window disposed adjacent the distal end. The elongated member defines a first longitudinal channel, a second longitudinal channel, and a plurality of side apertures. The first longitudinal channel is in communication with the longitudinal side window and the plurality of side apertures is in communication with the second longitudinal channel. The tube extends through the first longitudinal channel. An array of lights is associated with the tube to provide illumination. The tube is movable through the elongated member between a first state, in which the tube is disposed within the first longitudinal channel of the elongated member, and a second state, in which a portion of the tube extends through the longitudinal side window of the elongated member.

Abstract: A variety of flexible body harnesses are provided to distribute loads comfortably and evenly across one or more segments of the human body. The trajectories of load-bearing straps of the provided body harnesses apply shear to underlying portions of skin of a body segment evenly across the length of the load-bearing straps. Such trajectories can approximate catenary curves as the straps encircle the body segment. The trajectories of such straps around a body segment are maintained by attaching the straps to an underlayer, by incorporating the straps into a flexible material, and/or by weaving further straps around the load-bearing straps to maintain their relative location and/or curvature. Such body harnesses can be provided as part of assistive, rehabilitative, prosthetic, or strength-enhancing systems configured to apply forces to the body via the body harnesses.

Abstract: An orthopedic device is provided for treating complications of the hip and has means for trochanter compression, pelvis support, lumbar compression, variously directed straps, and thigh support. The trochanter compression and an internal/external rotation strap provide pain relief through compression and skin protection, unloading of joints through compression and sealing, and unloading by load transfer. Means for adjustably dosing of straps enables pain management and ease of use.

Abstract: Wearable support structure for at least partly relieving a human body during leaning or bending over, said structure comprising a frame having a chest support for bearing upon a chest of said human body, pivoting arrangements for pivoting the support structure in correspondence with the leaning or bending or the human body, two elongated stays connected to said chest support, provided to extend substantially alongside opposite sides of said human body and connected to said pivoting arrangements, wherein the stays are resilient stays arranged such that they are in a stretched state corresponding with an upright position of said human body when being unloaded, and arranged to be biased back to said stretched state when being bent into a bent state corresponding with a leaning or bending position of said human body, a lumbar support, connected to said pivoting arrangements, and arranged for bearing upon a lumbar area of said human body, and a thigh support, connected to said pivoting arrangements, and arranged f

Abstract: A method to produce a brace for fixing a position of a broken bone in a first limb, includes the steps of making an image of a residual limb that corresponds to the first limb, and producing the brace by making a three-dimensional appliance that has dimensions that correspond to the image of the residual limb and which is constituted to adjustably enclose the broken limb.

Abstract: Cutaneous stimulation devices are provided. Aspects of the devices include a cutaneous stimulation module and a cutaneous association element configured to stably associate the module with a skin location. The cutaneous stimulation module may be an active or passive module. Also provided are methods of using the devices, e.g., in rehabilitation and/or pain mitigation applications.

Abstract: A pressure relief apparatus is provided for a wound on a patient body. The pressure relief apparatus includes a pliable body including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first surface contacts with the patient body. Further, the pliable body defines an aperture that is sized to surround the wound. The pliable body is made of a washable foam material. The pressure relief apparatus further includes at least one fastening member attached to the pliable body, wherein the at least one fastening member detachably secures the pliable body to a portion of the patient body.

Abstract: An ostomy bag system includes an ostomy bag having an ostomy bag adhesive and an ostomy bag pouch, and an ostomy leak proof protection bag having a cover adhesive and a cover pouch. The cover adhesive may enclose the ostomy bag adhesive and the cover pouch may enclose the ostomy bag pouch for additional sealing and protection. A method of using the ostomy bag system includes securing an ostomy bag adhesive to a patient's body, securing a cover adhesive enclosing the ostomy bag adhesive to another position on the patient's body, and removing the ostomy bag system in a single step after use of the ostomy bag system. In another example, the ostomy leak proof protection bag may further include a hinge on the cover adhesive to allow access to the ostomy bag without removal of the ostomy leak proof protection bag.

Abstract: A device for collecting urine flowing from a penis in such a manner that the urine can be transported from the device as the urine is being collected. The device includes a flexible layer of porous material; flexible wicking material disposed on one side of the layer of porous material; and a flexible layer of impermeable material secured to the periphery of the other side of the layer of porous material and so covering the other side of the layer of porous material as to define a chamber between the layer of porous material and the layer of impermeable material. Urine can be collected within the chamber for transport. The chamber has a port for receiving a tube so that urine collected within the chamber can be transported from the chamber by being drawn from the chamber when a partial vacuum is applied within the chamber via the received tube.