Abstract: A method of braiding a stent includes braiding a number of elongate filaments around a mandrel using tensioned braiding carriers without spooling the filaments to the tensioned braiding carriers to form a braided stent having atraumatic ends.

Abstract: A sensor and method is provided for measuring one or more select components of a material. In one embodiment, a method measures the components by emitting electromagnetic radiation at the material and detecting the intensity of the emerging radiation at separate locations from the source. In another embodiment, a sensor provides a radiation source for emitting radiation at a sheet, a plurality of detecting means, offset substantially the same from the source, for detecting radiation after interaction with the sheet and first and second reflectors for directing the radiation so that the radiation makes multiple interactions with the sheet when moving from the source to the detecting means. The invention can accurately measure the select components (e.g., moisture) of different grades of paper by eliminating the effects of the scattering power and determining absorption power at each band of the spectrum considered necessary for a particular measurement.

Abstract: A sensor and method is provided for measuring one or more select components of a material. In one embodiment, a method measures the components by emitting electromagnetic radiation at the material and detecting the intensity of the emerging radiation at separate locations from the source. In another embodiment, a sensor provides a radiation source for emitting radiation at a sheet, a plurality of detecting means, wherein at least one detecting means is offset from the source, for detecting radiation after interaction with the sheet and first and second reflectors for directing the radiation so that the radiation makes multiple interactions with the sheet when moving from the source to the detecting means. The invention can accurately measure the select components (e.g., moisture) of different grades of paper by eliminating the effects of the scattering power and determining absorption power at each band of the spectrum considered necessary for a particular measurement.

Abstract: A contacting caliper gauge measures the thickness of a moving sheet material. The gauge has two heads, one on either side of the sheet. The sheet contacting pads of the caliper gauge are aerodynamically designed to limit and/or reduce the tendency of boundary layer air travelling with the sheet to raise the sheet-contacting pads off of the sheet surfaces.

Abstract: A sensor is disclosed for sensing a physical property of a sheet material. The sensor includes a mechanism for supporting one side of the sheet along the periphery of a defined region and a mechanism for forcibly deflecting the sheet into the unsupported center of the defined region. A transducer may also be incorporated to sense the force required to deflect the sheet into the unsupported region and/or the distance that the sheet is deflected into the unsupported region. The sensor may be operatively coupled to a computer programmed to determine a physical property of the sheet based upon the sensed force and/or distance, such as the sheet failure strength.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for measuring the strength of a sheet material during or after the manufacturing process are described. The present invention forms a chamber having one wall consisting of the sheet material to be tested. A high pressure air supply feeds into a reservoir which is in flow communication with the chamber by way of a valve. High pressure air is injected into the chamber, and the sheet ruptures. A pressure transducer measures the pressure in the chamber. The pressure measurements are differentiated, and a peck detector detects the peak derivative value obtained and thus the time at which the sheet ruptured. A computer determines the pressure in the chamber at the time that the sheet ruptured.

Abstract: A contacting caliper gauge measures the thickness of a moving sheet material. The gauge has two heads, one on either side of the sheet. The sheet contacting pads of the caliper gauge are aerodynamically designed to limit and/or reduce the tendency of boundary layer air travelling with the sheet to raise the sheet-contacting pads off of the sheet surfaces.

Abstract: A system and method for optically measuring parameters including dry basis weight, basis weight and moisture content of fibrous sheet materials during manufacture without scanning. The system includes means for reflecting modulated light as parallel rays perpendicularly incident upon one surface of a traveling web, and means to detect light transmitted through the web at least at four distinct bands of wavelengths.