Abstract: The device disclosed herein relates to an automatic demand valve that allows for the rapid discharge of liquid from a bottle or container and which overcomes a glugging action and/or container collapse. The valve opens when pressure is placed thereon and closes when demand is alleviated.

Abstract: The device disclosed herein relates to an automatic demand valve that allows for the rapid discharge of liquid from a bottle or container and which overcomes a glugging action and/or container collapse. The valve opens when demand is placed thereon and closes when demand ceases.

Abstract: A modified vehicular fuse is disclosed wherein an end of a bus electrode can extend through a fuse housing where it may be connected to a wire and thereby provide an additional circuit. A removable cover on the modified vehicle fuse enables the fuse to be adapted to a multitude of uses. A cover can be optional, wherein the terminal extension can be protected in another manner. A circuit incorporating the modified vehicular fuse with a double U connector is also disclosed. The circuit may comprise a fuse comprising a shell and a pair of electrodes extending beyond the terminus of the shell, thus providing an additional fused circuit.

Abstract: An endolumenal medical device assembly is provided for use in a bifurcation region of a body lumen. An expandable prosthesis, preferably an endolumenal support device such as a stent, is included in the assembly and is adjustable from a radially collapsed condition to a radially expanded condition. The expandable prosthesis further includes a prosthesis passageway and a side port through which the prosthesis passageway communicates externally of the prosthesis. A dilator or an access device is engaged within the prosthesis passageway and also through the side port while the expandable prosthesis is in the radially collapsed condition.

Abstract: An endolumenal prosthesis delivery assembly includes an endolumenal prosthesis which is delivered to a desired location within a body lumen by used of first and second delivery members. The first delivery member has a prosthesis coupler that is adapted to removeably engage the prosthesis during delivery to the desired location and to release the prosthesis and implant it at the desired location. The second delivery member has an anchor on its distal end portion which is adapted to secure the second delivery member within the body lumen distally of the desired location for stenting. Once the second delivery member is anchored, the first delivery member is slideably advanced over the second delivery member until the prosthesis is positioned at the desired location. The anchor along the second delivery member according to this assembly is either an expandable member, such as a balloon, or is otherwise adapted to engage the body lumen wall, such as by use of suction or other mechanical means.

Abstract: An electrical system includes plug fuse set (20) or fuse unit (20a) (20b), fuse connector (22) (22a) (22b) (22c) (22d), circuit connector (23) (23a) (23b) (23c) and cabling (41). Each fuse element is made up of at least a circuit electrode (25), a bus electrode (26) and a fuse link (43) positioned within a void (42) within an enclosure (24) (24a). The bus connector, also known as the fuse connector, has pairs of bus electrode(s) (34) (34a) flanked by a pair of slots (29), each of which is adapted for insertion of a pair of the circuit connectors to interlock the bus connector and the circuit connector. The bus connector can be directly connected to battery cable(s) (85). The circuit connector(s) have electrodes (39) which connect to bus electrode(s) and fuse electrodes. Each circuit connector also is attachable to circuit cabling (40).

Abstract: The present invention is a distal protection device for use during a vascular treatment, such as angioplasty or atherectomy. A filter assembly located on the distal end of a delivery member is deployed distally of the vascular region to be treated to capture emboli released during and immediately after the procedure. The filter is then retracted to retain any captured emboli and then removed from the patient.

Abstract: The female connectors are made up of a power part (9), (15) (23), (34), (37), and a male electrode receiver (10), (16), (24), (38), (41) (46). The male electrode receiver is made up of a short right-angled part (11) (18) (26) (48); a first flat section (12) (17) (25), an arced section (13) (19) (27) (47) and a second flat section (14) (21) (29). The arced section can have the flat portion (20) and the second flat section can have a right-angled extension (30). The power part can be a bus bar (49) or a male electrode as indicated by a dashed line (51).

Abstract: An endolumenal medical device assembly is provided for use in a bifurcation region of a body lumen. An expandable prosthesis, preferably an endolumenal support device such as a stent, is included in the assembly and is adjustable from a radially collapsed condition to a radially expanded condition. The expandable prosthesis further includes a prosthesis passageway and a side port through which the prosthesis passageway communicates externally of the prosthesis. A dilator or an access device is engaged within the prosthesis passageway and also through the side port while the expandable prosthesis is in the radially collapsed condition.

Abstract: The present invention is a collapsible blood filter for use during a vascular procedure, such as angioplasty or stent deployment. A filter made of braided filaments is located on the distal end of a delivery member, and the filter is deployed downstream of the vascular treatment site to capture emboli released during and immediately after the procedure. Optimal braid geometry of the filter ensures that captured emboli will be retained during collapse and removal of the filter following the procedure.

Abstract: An endolumenal medical device assembly is provided for use in a bifurcation region of a body lumen. An expandable prosthesis, such as a stent, is included in the assembly and is adjustable from a radially collapsed condition to a radially expanded condition. The expandable prosthesis includes a prosthesis passageway and a side port. A dilator or an access device is engaged within the prosthesis passageway and also through the side port while the expandable prosthesis is in the radially collapsed condition. The expandable prosthesis may be positioned in the bifurcation region such that its distal end portion is in a first branch lumen extending from the bifurcation, its proximal end portion is in a common proximal lumen of the bifurcation region, and the side port is aligned with an entrance zone to a second branch lumen extending from the bifurcation.

Abstract: The fusing assembly of an electrical system has communication connectors (20) (43) (55) (64), fuse sets (22) (49) (58) (72) (83) (105) or fuse units (84) (86) and bus connectors (12) (44) (55) (70). The fusing assemblies can also include bridging fixtures (45) (56) (69) (109) and communication connectors (106) (115). The preferred female electrodes are coil electrodes 914) (67) (71). The preferred fuse units and fuse sets are indexed (58) (72) (94) (100). The fusing assemblies are used in a variety of electrical systems including vehicular electrical systems.

Abstract: The fuse block extenders are made up of a shell (10), (10a), (10b), (10c), (10d), (10e) enclosing a bus electrode (11), circuit electrode (12), (12a), electrode base(s) (13), (13a), (13b) and accessory electrode(s) (17), (17a), (17b), (17c). Some models have a detachable cover (21) and attached cover (21a), (21b), (21c), (21d) for the accessory electrodes. The bus electrode and circuit electrodes mate with complementary fuse block electrodes of appropriate capacities and shape and the accessory electrodes connect to the electrodes of accessory circuits.

Abstract: The fuse block extenders are made up of a shell (10), (10a), (10b), (10c), (10d), (10e) enclosing a bus electrode (11), circuit electrode (12), (12a), electrode base(s) (13), (13a), (13b) and accessory electrode(s) (17), (17a), (17b), (17c). Some models have a detachable cover (21) and attached cover (21a), (21b), (21c), (21d) for the accessory electrodes. The bus electrode and circuit electrodes mate with complementary fuse block electrodes of appropriate capacities and shape and the accessory electrodes connect to the electrodes of accessory circuits.

Abstract: An endolumenal prosthesis delivery assembly includes an endolumenal prosthesis which is delivered to a desired location within a body lumen by used of first and second delivery members. The first delivery member has a prosthesis coupler that is adapted to removeably engage the prosthesis during delivery to the desired location and to release the prosthesis and implant it at the desired location. The second delivery member has an anchor on its distal end portion which is adapted to secure the second delivery member within the body lumen distally of the desired location for stenting. Once the second delivery member is anchored, the first delivery member is slideably advanced over the second delivery member until the prosthesis is positioned at the desired location. The anchor along the second delivery member according to this assembly is either an expandable member, such as a balloon, or is otherwise adapted to engage the body lumen wall, such as by use of suction or other mechanical means.

Abstract: The present invention is a distal protection device for use with a delivery member. A filter assembly is located on the distal end of the delivery member. The filter is deployed distally of the region to be treated to capture emboli released during and immediately after the procedure. The filter is then retracted to retain any captured emboli and then removed from the patient.

Abstract: The present invention is a collapsible blood filter for use during a vascular procedure, such as angioplasty or stent deployment. A filter made of braided filaments is located on the distal end of a delivery member, and the filter is deployed downstream of the vascular treatment site to capture emboli released during and immediately after the procedure. Optimal braid geometry of the filter ensures that captured emboli will be retained during collapse and removal of the filter following the procedure.

Abstract: An endolumenal prosthesis delivery assembly includes an endolumenal prosthesis which is delivered to a desired location within a body lumen by used of first and second delivery members. The first delivery member has a prosthesis coupler that is adapted to removeably engage the prosthesis during delivery to the desired location and to release the prosthesis and implant it at the desired location. The second delivery member has an anchor on its distal end portion which is adapted to secure the second delivery member within the body lumen distally of the desired location for stenting. Once the second delivery member is anchored, the first delivery member is slideably advanced over the second delivery member until the prosthesis is positioned at the desired location. The anchor along the second delivery member according to this assembly is either an expandable member, such as a balloon, or is otherwise adapted to engage the body lumen wall, such as by use of suction or other mechanical means.

Abstract: The balloon portion of a balloon catheter for implanting a stent structure is at least initially retained laterally to a guide wire by passing the guide wire axially along the balloon inside the stent structure but not through the interior of the balloon or any permanent guide wire lumen at the location of the balloon. The initially deflated balloon may be folded laterally into a plurality of folds, and the guide wire may pass between the folds or outside the folds as desired. Guide wire lumens may be provided distally and/or proximally of the balloon. An elastic sleeve may be provided around the balloon to help keep the balloon folded prior to inflation and to help refold the balloon during and after deflation. If an elastic sleeve is provided, the guide wire may pass along the balloon inside the sleeve.

Abstract: A guide wire having a distal extremity with an adjustable support characteristic including a core wire having proximal and distal extremities. The distal extremity has a reduced cross sectional area which is more flexible than the proximal extremity. A tip is secured to the distal extremity of the core wire. A sleeve of superelastic material is disposed coaxially on the distal extremity of the core wire. The sleeve is annealed so that it is relatively flexible at a temperature ranging from 20.degree. to 40.degree. C. and becomes progressively stiffer as temperature increases. The core wire conducts electrical energy to the superelastic sleeve to supply heat to the sleeve and extends from the proximal extremity of the core wire to the sleeve to cause the sleeve to become stiffer to thereby increase the stiffness of the distal extremity of the guide wire.