Abstract: A mandrel for forming a stent with a tapered profile and one or more anti-migration features includes a first stent shaping segment having a first diameter, a second stent shaping segment having a second diameter less than the first diameter and a tapered segment disposed therebetween. A third stent shaping segment is releasably securable to the second stent shaping segment and has a third diameter greater than the second diameter. One or more movable pins are outwardly extendable from corresponding apertures formed within the tapered segment. An actuation element is engagable with the first stent shaping segment and includes a tapered surface configured to engage the one or more movable pins and support the one or more movable pins extended from the corresponding apertures.

Abstract: A jar or other storage container with an integrated stirring device, where the contents of the jar or storage container can be stirred and mixed together without having to completely open the jar or storage container. The core components in one embodiment are a top portion that contains external threads, a lid portion which contains internal threads, a spindle with an etched self-reversing screw pattern, a hub, one or more stirring blades, and a nut. The stirring blades have one end attached at a hub that is free to rotate on the spindle, the other end is attached to a nut that can travel up and down the self-reversing screw pattern, and the spindle is fixed to the lid portion. The surface area of the stirring blade(s) can be changed to accommodate different thicknesses and viscosities of different fluids and semi-fluids placed in the storage container.

Abstract: A jar or other storage container with an integrated stirring device, where the contents of the jar or storage container can be stirred and mixed together without having to completely open the jar or storage container. The core components in one embodiment are a top portion that contains external threads, a lid portion which contains internal threads, a spindle with an etched self-reversing screw pattern, a hub, one or more stirring blades, and a nut. The stirring blades have one end attached at a hub that is free to rotate on the spindle, the other end is attached to a nut that can travel up and down the self-reversing screw pattern, and the spindle is fixed to the lid portion. The surface area of the stirring blade(s) can be changed to accommodate different thicknesses and viscosities of different fluids and semi-fluids placed in the storage container.

Abstract: A jar or other storage container with an integrated stirring device, where the contents of the jar or storage container can be stirred and mixed together without having to completely open the jar or storage container. The core components in one embodiment are a top portion that contains external threads, a lid portion which contains internal threads, a spindle with an etched self-reversing screw pattern, a hub, one or more stirring blades, and a nut. The stirring blades have one end attached at a hub that is free to rotate on the spindle, the other end is attached to a nut that can travel up and down the self-reversing screw pattern, and the spindle is fixed to the lid portion. The surface area of the stirring blade(s) can be changed to accommodate different thicknesses and viscosities of different fluids and semi-fluids placed in the storage container.

Abstract: A circuit interfaced between a first USB host and a second USB host for providing unidirectional transmission of data signals from the first USB host to the second USB host is provided. A first converter circuit is operable to receive data signals from the first USB host and convert them from a USB protocol to a second communications protocol. A second converter circuit is operable to receive the converted data signals from the first converter circuit and convert them from the second communications protocol to the USB protocol for transmission to the second USB host. The first and second converter circuits are electrically connected to each other in such a manner as to provide a transmission path from the first USB host to the second USB host and to disable a transmission path from the second USB host to the first USB host.

Abstract: A circuit interfaced between a first USB host and a second USB host for providing unidirectional transmission of data signals from the first USB host to the second USB host is provided. A first converter circuit is operable to receive data signals from the first USB host and convert them from a USB protocol to a second communications protocol. A second converter circuit is operable to receive the converted data signals from the first converter circuit and convert them from the second communications protocol to the USB protocol for transmission to the second USB host. The first and second converter circuits are electrically connected to each other in such a manner as to provide a transmission path from the first USB host to the second USB host and to disable a transmission path from the second USB host to the first USB host.