Abstract: A damper control system having energy efficient mechanisms. The system may use a heat-to-electric power converter such as a thermopile. Heat may come from a pilot light used for igniting a flame for an appliance. The system may store electric energy in a storage module which could be a sufficiently large capacitor. The system may monitor the position of a damper in a vent or the like and provide start and stop movements of the damper using minimal energy. One way that the system may control electrical energy to a damper motor or another electrical mover of the damper is to use pulse width modulated signals.

Abstract: The invention provides an embolic filter, a support structure therefor, and methods for preparing said filter for deployment and retrieval.

Abstract: A system for generating a high DC voltage for a spark to ignite a flame in a combustion device, and a high AC voltage for a flame rod to sense a flame in the device, from a low voltage for combustion device control. The system may be an inexpensive mechanism.

Abstract: A rapid exchange catheter extends from a proximal portion which remains outside of a patient's body during use to a distal portion which, during use, is located within a body lumen adjacent to a target area to be treated, wherein the proximal and distal portions are coupled by a medial portion. The catheter comprises a guide wire lumen extending longitudinally through the distal portion and a guide wire receiving channel formed by an outer surface of the medial portion, wherein the guide wire lumen is open to a distal end of the channel.

Abstract: Provided is a hair-treatment composition containing an amphoteric surfactant having a structure represented by general formula (1) below, and a sugar nonionic surfactant. In general formula (1), R1 represents an alkyl group the carbon number of which is 6 to 20; R2 represents a methyl group, an ethyl group, or a hydroxyethyl group; R3 represents a methyl group, an ethyl group, or a —CH2COOH group; and n is an integer from 1 to 3.

Abstract: A differential pressure sensor includes two pressure ports for allowing media to pass into contact with both the top and bottom sides of the diaphragm. A silicon pressure sensor die can be attached between the pressure ports using die attach materials for sensing a differential pressure between the media to evaluate media differential pressure. A cap with an opening can be placed on topside of a diaphragm formed in the silicon pressure die. The silicon pressure die can include die bond pads that can be electrically connected to the diaphragm to output electrical signals. The cap can seal the die bond pads from the harsh media and route the electrical signals therein. Media can pass through the opening in the cap such that a media path to the top of the diaphragm is not exposed to the die bond pads of the silicon pressure die to ensure long-term sensor reliability.

Abstract: A pressure sensor is disclosed that may include a minimum amount of fluid coupling packaging. In one illustrative embodiment, a pressure sensor assembly may include a pressure sensor die having a front side and a back side, and a pressure sensing diaphragm. The pressure sensor assembly may further include a housing having a mounting side and a sensing side. The sensing side may define a pressure port. The pressure sensor die may be secured to the housing such that the pressure sensing diaphragm is exposed to the pressure port, and such that front side of the pressure sense die is accessible from outside of the housing.

Abstract: A composite plug for arteriotomy closure, a method of manufacturing a composite plug for arteriotomy closure, and a method for the use of a composite plug for arteriotomy closure may include an elongate core member, and one or more layers disposed at least in part about the core member, where the composite plug has been partially compacted in a radial direction. The composite plug may include an outer member at least partially surrounding the core member.

Abstract: A catheter having a flexible outer tube and a lubricious inner tube bonded within the flexible outer tube. One catheter has a distal outer tube formed of a substantial portion of a first, flexible material, an inner tube having a lubricious inside wall surface formed of a second, lubricious material, and an outer tube wall surface compatible with heat bonding the inner tube outside wall surface to the outer tube wall surface. A preferred flexible material is polyether block amide (PEBA) and a preferred lubricious material is polyethylene. One catheter utilizing the invention includes a flexible distal outer tube having an orifice through the tube wall and an inner tube inserted through the orifice having a lubricious inner layer surrounded by a tie-layer, surrounded in turn by the same flexible material forming the outer tube.

Abstract: Medical devices that include micromachined hypotubes or that have themselves been micromachined can provide advantages in flexibility, strength and other desirable properties. Examples of such medical devices may include catheters such as guide catheters and balloon catheters. Such devices may also include dual shaft medical devices in which an outer shaft is reversibly lockable onto an inner shaft.

Abstract: The invention provides design, material, manufacturing method, and use alternatives for medical devices. An example medical device includes a first elongated member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween and a second elongated member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The proximal end of the second elongated member may be disposed adjacent to the distal end of the first elongated member forming an actuatable junction. In some cases, the actuatable junction may be actuatable between a first state and a second state. When in the first state, the first elongated member may be rotatable relative to the second elongated member and, when in the second state, the first elongated member may be fluidly sealed to the second elongated member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to spinal support devices and, more specifically, to a flexible member having variable flexibility for use with a dynamic stabilization system or implant to provide dynamic stability to a person's spine. The flexible member generally includes a first material having a first portion including a first material having a first elasticity and a second portion including a second material having a second elasticity greater than the first to provide the flexible member with a variable flexibility.

Abstract: A medical instrument such as a guidewire that is designed to have controlled torque transmission along its length. Specially treated areas are placed in selected and equal areas along the entire length of the elongated shaft of the medical instrument, and are separated from one another by untreated areas. This process ensures that any torque is transmitted distally, in a smooth manner, regardless of the guidewire position, thus resulting in a substantial reduction in whipping. In one embodiment, a stainless steel guidewire is utilized, and is subjected to annealing heat treatment in selected areas. This annealing process creates a mandrel that has repeated temper properties along its length. Torque applied at one end of this mandrel is transmitted to the opposite end in an even and controlled manner, even when the mandrel is formed into a loop.

Abstract: A vessel bifurcation wire assist device and related methods of advancing guidewires into main and branch vessels of a vessel bifurcation. The wire assist device includes a first guidewire housing member defining a first guidewire lumen sized to advance over a first guidewire, and a second guidewire housing member defining a second guidewire lumen sized to advance over a second guidewire. The second guidewire housing member has a first directional arrangement and a second directional arrangement. The first directional arrangement provides a parallel arrangement of the second guidewire relative to the first guidewire housing member, and the second directional arrangement provides an angled arrangement of the second guidewire relative to the first guidewire housing member.

Abstract: Several alternative designs, structures, assemblies, treatment methods and/or methods of manufacturing medical closure devices adapted and/or configured for closing an opening, for example, an incision or a puncture in the tissue of a patient, for example, the dural membrane of a patient. Some embodiments include a medical closure device including an elongated tubular member extending along a longitudinal axis. The tubular member including a distal section and a proximal section, and the distal section is expandable from a first configuration to a second expanded configuration through the application of a compressive force upon the distal section along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A spinal stabilization system includes at least two anchors having a bone attachment portion and a head portion and a flexible assembly coupled to the anchors. The flexible assembly includes a flexible cord, at least two connectors slidably mounted to the flexible cord, and at least one spacer slidably mounted to the cord between adjacent connectors. Each connector couples with a head portion of an anchor. The flexible assembly may be assembled and appropriately adjusted outside the body prior to it being coupled to the anchors. In addition, the connectors may include angled outer surfaces that provide enhanced engagement with the ends of the spacer. A method of stabilizing the spine includes securing anchors to the spine, assembling a flexible assembly outside the body, and coupling the flexible assembly to the anchors. The method may further include providing connectors with angled surfaces to provide enhanced engagement with the spacer.

Abstract: A spinal implant may be used to stabilize a portion of a spine. The implant may promote bone growth between adjacent vertebrae that fuses the vertebrae together. An implant may include an opening through a height of a body of the implant. The body of the implant may include curved sides. A top and/or a bottom of the implant may include protrusions that contact and/or engage vertebral surfaces to prevent backout of the implant from the disc space. A variety of instruments may be used to prepare a disc space and insert an implant. The instruments may include, but are not limited to, a distracter, a rasp, and one or more guides. The implant and instruments may be supplied in an instrument kit.

Abstract: A humidifier for adding humidity to an air stream of an HVAC system includes a housing configured to be mounted to a surface of an HVAC duct. The housing may be configured to hold a humidifier pad in an operating position. The housing may direct air through the humidifier pad from a first major surface to a second major surface of the pad. In the operating position, the first and second major surfaces of the humidifier pad may be substantially non-parallel with the surface of the HVAC duct when the housing is mounted to the surface of the HVAC duct. In some cases, this may provide a more compact design. In some cases, a centrifugal fan, rather than an axial fan, may be used to draw air into the humidifier from the HVAC duct. The use of a centrifugal fan may reduce the noise associated with the operation of the humidifier.

Abstract: A stent crimping and coating apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of crimping blades positioned in a radial array and collectively forming a central crimping lumen, wherein the plurality of crimping blades radially movable to alter the diameter of the central crimping lumen. Each of the crimping blades includes a first surface configured to at least in part define the central crimping lumen. One or more of the crimping blades includes a fluid channel extending therein and a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the fluid channel. The plurality of openings are located at the first surface of the one or more crimping blades and adapted to discharge a fluid into the central crimping lumen.

Abstract: An airflow sensor apparatus for measuring flow rate includes a pitot tube with a bypass channel wherein the pitot tube extends halfway into a flow channel in order to reduce a pressure drop. One or more upstream taps can be spaced along the pitot tube facing into a direction of a flow stream which directs the flow to the bypass channel. At least one or more downstream taps can be located to face perpendicular to the direction of flow, such that the fluid after passing over a flow sensor passes through the downstream tap(s). The upstream tap senses stagnation pressure and the down stream tap senses static pressure which is exerted in all directions in the flow channel in order to determine a velocity pressure based on a difference between pressures.