Prosthetic heart valve and delivery apparatus

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a prosthetic heart valve and a heart valve delivery apparatus for delivery of the prosthetic heart valve to a native valve site via the human vasculature. The delivery apparatus is particularly suited for advancing a prosthetic valve through the aorta (i.e., in a retrograde approach) for replacing a diseased native aortic valve. In one embodiment, a self-expanding valve comprises an expandable stent that is shaped to maintain the valve in the aortic annulus against axial without anchors or retaining devices that engage the surrounding tissue. A delivery apparatus for delivering s self-expanding prosthetic valve can be configured to allow controlled and precise deployment of the valve from a valve sheath so as to minimize or prevent jumping of the valve from the valve sheath.

Biopsy marker delivery device

A biopsy device for delivering a biopsy marker to a biopsy site is disclosed. The biopsy device can include a marker deployer having a unitary endpiece disposed in a distal end of the cannula. The distal endpiece can be a molded component which includes a distal tip, a marker deployment ramp, and a marker engaging element that aids in retaining the marker in the cannula until the marker is meant to be deployed.

Surgical clip applier and method of assembly

Surgical clip appliers are provided including a channel assembly extending distally from a housing; a clip carrier disposed within the channel assembly and defining a channel and a plurality of windows therein; a plurality of clips slidably disposed within the channel of the clip carrier; a wedge plate reciprocally disposed within the channel assembly, the wedge plate being operatively connected to the handles and including a plurality of apertures formed along a length thereof; and a clip follower slidably disposed within the channel of the clip carrier and disposed proximally of the plurality of clips, the clip follower being configured and adapted for selective engagement with the windows of the clip carrier and the apertures of the wedge plate. The clip follower is configured and adapted to urge the plurality of clips, in a distal direction relative to the clip carrier, upon reciprocal movement of the wedge plate.

Tool assembly for surgical stapling device

The present disclosure describes a surgical device with a body portion defining a longitudinal axis, a tool assembly including an anvil, a cartridge assembly housing a plurality of staples, a dynamic clamping member movable relative to the tool assembly to eject the staples, and an articulation and firing actuator extending at least partially through the body portion and the tool assembly. The tool assembly is pivotally attached to the body portion for movement from a position aligned with the longitudinal axis to a position oriented at an angle thereto. The articulation and firing actuator extends at least partially through the body portion and the tool assembly, is operably associated with the dynamic clamping member and the tool assembly, and is movable in relation thereto to selectively pivot the tool assembly relative to the body portion and move the dynamic clamping member relative to the tool assembly to eject the staples.

Methods and systems for content processing

Cell phones and other portable devices are equipped with a variety of technologies by which existing functionality can be improved, and new functionality can be provided. Some relate to visual search capabilities, and determining appropriate actions responsive to different image inputs. Others relate to processing of image data. Still others concern metadata generation, processing, and representation. Yet others relate to coping with fixed focus limitations of cell phone cameras, e.g., in reading digital watermark data. Still others concern user interface improvements. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Signal processing for continuous analyte sensor

Systems and methods for dynamically and intelligently estimating analyte data from a continuous analyte sensor, including receiving a data stream, selecting one of a plurality of algorithms, and employing the selected algorithm to estimate analyte values. Additional data processing includes evaluating the selected estimative algorithms, analyzing a variation of the estimated analyte values based on statistical, clinical, or physiological parameters, comparing the estimated analyte values with corresponding measure analyte values, and providing output to a user. Estimation can be used to compensate for time lag, match sensor data with corresponding reference data, warn of upcoming clinical risk, replace erroneous sensor data signals, and provide more timely analyte information encourage proactive behavior and preempt clinical risk.

Endovascular stapling apparatus and methods of use

An endovascular stapling apparatus for delivering a staple to a vessel of a patient, including a plurality of clips, a housing, and a rod. Each of the clips includes a bridge and legs that self-transition from a biased state to a natural state in which the legs each form a loop. The housing defines a channel and a window open to the channel. The clips are retained within the channel in the biased state. The rod is slidably disposed within the channel, selectively moves the clips toward and away from the window, and releases the clips from the window.

Interactive athletic equipment system

Systems and techniques for the collection and display of athletic information. Athletic data relating to a single person or group of people is collected at a central location, and subsequently displayed at a desired remote location so that the person or people can review and critique their performance. In addition, athletic data for multiple persons can be collected at a central location, and subsequently displayed to a user at a desired remote location, so that the user can compare his or her athletic activities to others.

COMPOSITE MATERIAL FOR IMPLANTABLE DEVICE

Devices suitable for implantation in a body of a host and systems and methods for their manufacture are provided. The implantable devices include a composite material formed at least from a matrix material and hollow gas-filled beads. In preferred embodiments, the composite material includes a polymeric matrix mixed with hollow air-filled glass beads, which are mixed and cured to form at least a portion of the body of the implantable device. Implantable devices including this composite material have decreased weight and/or overall density as compared to implantable devices without the beads incorporated therein, which is believed to improve the acceptance and function of the implantable device in vivo. Additionally, implantable devices concerned with transmitting and receiving via RF are believed to achieve improved RF performance due to a reduced dielectric constant provided by the incorporation of beads within the composite material.

Multiple wavelength sensor emitters

A physiological sensor is adapted to removably attach an emitter assembly and a detector assembly to a fingertip. The emitter assembly is adapted to transmit optical radiation having multiple wavelengths into fingertip tissue. The detector assembly is adapted to receive the optical radiation after attenuation by the fingertip tissue. The sensor has a first shell and a second shell hinged to the first shell. A spring is disposed between the shells and urges the shells together. An emitter pad is fixedly attached to the first shell and configured to retain the emitter assembly. A detector pad is fixedly attached to the second shell and configured to retain the detector assembly. A detector aperture is defined within the detector pad and adapted to pass optical radiation to the detector assembly. A contour is defined along the detector pad and generally shaped to conform to a fingertip positioned over the detector aperture.