Abstract: A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.

Abstract: A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.

Abstract: A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.

Abstract: A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.

Abstract: A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.

Abstract: A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.

Abstract: In a catheter system and method for assembly thereof, one end of a catheter shaft is inserted into a connector for a handle, with the connector being generally tubular and having a channel extending longitudinally therethrough. At least a lengthwise segment of the channel is sized in transverse cross-section greater than an outer cross-section of the catheter shaft. The catheter shaft is inserted into the channel of the connector such that the catheter shaft is spaced from the connector within the lengthwise segment of the channel. Adhesive is directed through a port in the sidewall of the connector into the lengthwise segment of the channel to flow circumferentially about the catheter shaft within the channel. The adhesive is allowed to cure and the connector (with the catheter adhered thereto) is retained on the handle.

Abstract: In a catheter system and method for controlling such a system, an elongate hollow shaft has a proximal end connected to a handle and a distal end remote from the handle. A working component is carried by the shaft and has at least one characteristic that is adjustable. An actuator is rotatably mounted on the handle for selectively adjusting at least one characteristic of the working component. A control line extends at least in part within the shaft. The control line operatively couples the actuator with the working component such that rotation of the actuator relative to the handle effects linear translation of the control line to adjust the at least one characteristic of the working component.

Abstract: A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.

Abstract: A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a handle and a catheter component operatively connected to the handle for selective adjustment by an actuator associated with the handle housing. The actuator comprises at least in part a generally cylindrical shuttle disposed at least in part within the housing for longitudinal movement. The catheter component is operatively coupled to the shuttle for movement therewith. The shuttle has an outer surface with an annular groove formed therein, and an elastomeric ring seated in the annular groove. An annular slide bearing is retained in the housing, with the shuttle being in part disposed in the annular groove and with the elastomeric ring in frictional contact with the slide bearing. Friction between the elastomeric ring and the slide bearing is sufficient to frictionally retain the shuttle at a selected longitudinal position relative to the housing corresponding to a selected adjustment of the catheter component.

Abstract: A reel based lacing system is configured to allow the incremental tightening of a lace about a spool by rotation of a knob in the tightening direction. In some embodiments, the system can include a substantially inflexible pawl beam configured to resist rotation of the knob in the loosening direction and a pawl spring configured to bias the pawl against the housing and to allow the pawl to be displaced away from the housing when the knob is rotated in the tightening direction.

Abstract: A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially folly loosened state.

Abstract: A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.

Abstract: A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.

Abstract: A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.

Abstract: In a catheter system and method for assembly thereof, one end of a catheter shaft is inserted into a connector for a handle, with the connector being generally tubular and having a channel extending longitudinally therethrough. At least a lengthwise segment of the channel is sized in transverse cross-section greater than an outer cross-section of the catheter shaft. The catheter shaft is inserted into the channel of the connector such that the catheter shaft is spaced from the connector within the lengthwise segment of the channel. Adhesive is directed through a port in the sidewall of the connector into the lengthwise segment of the channel to flow circumferentially about the catheter shaft within the channel. The adhesive is allowed to cure and the connector (with the catheter adhered thereto) is retained on the handle.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a handle and a catheter component operatively connected to the handle for selective adjustment by an actuator associated with the handle housing. The actuator comprises at least in part a generally cylindrical shuttle disposed at least in part within the housing for longitudinal movement. The catheter component is operatively coupled to the shuttle for movement therewith. The shuttle has an outer surface with an annular groove formed therein, and an elastomeric ring seated in the annular groove. An annular slide bearing is retained in the housing, with the shuttle being in part disposed in the annular groove and with the elastomeric ring in frictional contact with the slide bearing. Friction between the elastomeric ring and the slide bearing is sufficient to frictionally retain the shuttle at a selected longitudinal position relative to the housing corresponding to a selected adjustment of the catheter component.

Abstract: In a catheter system and method for controlling such a system, a first working component is carried by a shaft and has at least one characteristic that is adjustable. A first control line extends within the shaft and operatively couples a first actuator with the first working component such that actuation of the first actuator acts on the first control line to adjust the first working component. A second control line separate from the first control line extends within the shaft and is operatively coupled to a second working component such that acting on the second control line adjusts at least one characteristic of the second working component. A compensator assembly is associated with the handle, with the second control line being operatively coupled to the compensator assembly. The compensator assembly is operable, in response to actuation of the first actuator, to inhibit slack from forming in the second control line.

Abstract: A reel based lacing system is disclosed. The reel can be configured to allow the incremental tightening of a lace about a spool by rotation of a knob in the tightening direction. In some embodiments, the system can include a substantially inflexible pawl beam configured to resist rotation of the knob in the loosening direction and a pawl spring configured to bias the pawl against the housing and to allow the pawl to be displaced away from the housing when the knob is rotated in the tightening direction.