Abstract: An expandable stent including a light and water curable resin embedded in a stent wall wherein the wall is formed to be transmissive to light for curing the resin and transmissive to fluid for further curing of the resin. A catheter delivery system may be provided for in vivo delivery, expansion, rigidization, and installation of the stent into a body lumen.

Abstract: A method for mass manufacturing of eye glasses includes steps of measuring the interpupillary distance of each eye; measuring the refractive error of each eye with a hand-held auto refractor; selecting a lens blank for each eye from among a stock of lenses; cutting a lens blank for each eye; and mounting the cut lens blanks onto a standardized eyeglasses frame.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for extracting signals which are indicative of the level of consciousness of a patient comprises subjecting the patient to a repetitive audio stimulus, monitoring AEP produced by the patient using an autoregressive model with exogenous input, and then calculating an index (AAI), which is displayed or used otherwise,indicative of the anaesthetic depth.

Abstract: The ventilation module (8) regulates the inspiratory pressure (P) according to an inspiratory pressure order (AI). A control module (9) compares the breathed volume at each cycle (VTI) with a minimum volume order (VTImini) and varies the pressure order (AI) in the direction tending to maintain the breathed volume (VTI) just over the minimum (VTImini), but keeping the pressure order (AI) within the interval comprised between the two extreme values (AImini, AImaxi). Utilization to combine the advantages of the pressure mode ventilation with those of the volumetric ventilation.

Abstract: An intravascular guide wire having at least two core materials joined together. There is a wire core having a proximal core section with a proximal end and a distal end and a distal core section with a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the proximal core section and the proximal end of the distal core section are formed into complementary shapes, and then placed into a flexible sleeve in opposing directions. Inside the flexible sleeve, the complementary shaped ends are joined together through bonding, welding, brazing, cementing, or soldering. The flexible sleeve can be either a stretched coil or a polyimide sleeve, each with an outer diameter similar to the outer diameter of the core wire, therefore the guide wire does not require additional grinding to reduce the outer diameter of the joined section.

Abstract: A temperature sensing system and method for determining a patient's core body temperature by measuring the temperature of the patient's blood at a location in a vessel lumen retrograde of an insertion point of a temperature sensor or sensors into the vessel lumen.

Abstract: A hybrid stent is formed which exhibits both high flexibility and high radial strength. The expandable hybrid stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, consists of radially expandable cylindrical rings generally aligned on a common longitudinal axis and interconnected by one or more links. In one embodiment, a dip-coated covered stent is formed by encapsulating cylindrical rings within a polymer material. In other embodiments, at least some of the rings and links are formed of a polymer material which provides longitudinal and flexural flexibility to the stent. These polymer rings and links are alternated with metallic rings and links in various configurations to attain sufficient column strength along with the requisite flexibility in holding open the target site within the body lumen. Alternatively, a laminated, linkless hybrid stent is formed by encapsulating cylindrical rings within a polymer tube.

Abstract: The oxygen generating compositions are formed from a metal powder as a fuel, strontium peroxide as a chlorine suppressant, a catalyst, a reaction rate modifier, and an oxygen source selected from the group consisting of alkali metal chlorates, alkali metal perchlorates, and mixtures thereof. The oxygen generating compositions can optionally also further comprise a transition metal oxide catalyst, and can optionally further include a binder as a pressing aid for forming an oxygen generating oxygen generating block or core. The oxygen generating compositions can be formed from zero to about 15% by weight of metal powder as a fuel, about 0.1%-20% by weight strontium peroxide, from zero to about 15% by weight of a transition metal oxide catalyst, from zero to about 5% of an optional binder, and the remainder of an oxygen source selected from the group consisting of alkali metal chlorates, alkali metal perchlorates, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for finishing a metal surface comprises subjecting the surface to successive grit blasting passes including a first series of successive blasting passes using an abrasive grit of a first diameter range applied with a blasting nozzle air pressure in a first range, and a second series of successive blasting passes using an abrasive grit of a second diameter range smaller than the first diameter range, applied with a blasting nozzle air pressure in a second range lower than the first range. Thereafter a third series of successive blasting passes, using glass grit of a third diameter range smaller than the second diameter range, is applied with a blasting nozzle air pressure in a third range lower than the first range.

Abstract: A method of making a catheter balloon, and a balloon formed thereby, in which a polymeric tube is radially expanded in a mold having a wall with an outer surface and an inner surface defining a chamber, and having at least a section with one or more channels in the wall. The channels result in improved transfer of heat to the polymeric tube within the chamber of the mold during blow molding of the tube to form a balloon, so that the tube is heated more quickly and evenly. One aspect of the invention is directed to a balloon having sections with improved thin walls.

Abstract: An irrigation device, such as a sprinkler, includes an electric generator for generating electricity. The sprinkler includes a nozzle which couples to a fluid conduit, a rotary deflector positioned downstream from the nozzle and within the atmosphere, an electric generator coupled to the rotary deflector, and a frame coupling the nozzle to the electric generator. The rotary deflector rotates about an axis as a fluid stream exiting the nozzle contacts and sprays from the rotary deflector. The rotary deflector and the rotor of the electric generator are coupled to a common axial shaft such that rotations of the rotary deflector translate to rotations of the rotor.

Abstract: A method of making a catheter balloon or other expandable tubular medical device or component thereof formed of a compacted porous polymeric material, in which a tube of porous polymeric material is axially compacted, preferably without increasing the outer diameter of the tube, by positioning heat shrink material on the porous polymeric tube and heating the heat shrink material to decrease the length and diameter of the heat shrink material.

Abstract: A specialized backpack including a backpack body with a storage compartment having an openable region and a back panel including a headgear mounting flap with a cuff forming an opening through which a dome a hard-shell head gear with a rim may be passed through to retain the rim against the back panel.

Abstract: A catheter having an multilayered shaft section with a first layer formed of a polyimide first material and a second layer formed of a second material. In a presently preferred embodiment, the polyimide material is a thermoset polyimide. However, in alternative embodiments, a thermoplastic polyimide is used. The thermoset polyimide has a very high glass transition temperature (Tg) of approximately 400° C. (as measured by differential scanning calorimetry), and excellent dimensional stability at the processing temperature of polyamides commonly used in catheter components. As a result, during formation and assembly of the catheter, production of a thin polyimide layer with controlled dimensions is facilitated. The polyimide has a high modulus and provides a thin walled yet highly pushable shaft section, while the second layer provides kink resistance. In one embodiment, the second material is selected from the group consisting of a polyamide material and a polyurethane material.

Abstract: An applicator and reinforcer dispensing assembly for reinforcing holes in sheets of paper and other sheet materials that applies flat reinforcement rings about holes formed in those sheets is provided. A plurality of reinforcement rings are stacked one atop each other and are dispensed by the applicator. Various mechanisms for ensuring that the reinforcing rings are properly positioned in the applicator prior to application are also provided. A combination hole punch and reinforcing ring applicator is also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a self-expanding stent for implantation into a body lumen, such as an artery. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common longitudinal stent axis and interconnected by a plurality of interconnecting members placed on the stent in a collinear arrangement such as to create at least one continuous spine which extends along the length of the stent. The invention is also directed to a stent delivery system for implantation of a stent in a vessel which includes an outer tubular member having a restraining sheath and an inner tubular member having a distal end which has a compressed stent mounted thereto. The proximal end of the inner tubular member is connected to a housing assembly which prevents the inner tubular member from moving when the outer tubular member is retracted to deploy the stent.

Abstract: A spring loaded pay out arrangement for a seat harness securable to a seat, the seat harness being releasably connectable to an occupant harness configured to be worn by an occupant of the seat.

Abstract: An intraluminal grafting system having a delivery catheter comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and a capsule mounted on the distal extremity of the tubular member and including a graft disposed within the capsule. The graft is comprised of a tubular body configured to be secured to a blood vessel by a self expanding attachment system. The attachment system comprises a generally sinusoidal wire frame having apices which extend longitudinally outward from the end of the tubular body apices which are secured within the tubular body. Both the protruding apices and the base apices are formed with helices which bias the attachment system radially outward. The attachment system further includes a plurality of lumen piercing members that are oriented in a responsive relationship to the radially outward bias of the attachment system.