Abstract: Provided is a melt processible fluororesin molded article with reduced metal ions after molding (eluted metal ions) and submicron size fine particles. The melt processible fluororesin molded article has an amount of eluted Ni ions (in pg/cm2) and amount of eluted Cr ions (in pg/cm2) and amount of eluted Mo ions (in pg/cm2) in a test solution after eluting for 20 hours at 60° C. using 12% nitric acid, quantitatively analyzed by the ICP (induced coupled plasma) mass analysis method, satisfy the following formula: 0.5?1?[(M1+M2)/(M1+M2+M3)]<1, wherein M1 refers to the eluted Cr ion amount (in pg/cm2), M2 refers to the eluted Mo ion amount (in pg/cm2), and M3 refers to the eluted Ni ion amount (in pg/cm2).

Abstract: An assembly and a method for manufacturing an assembly for transmitting torque to an aircraft actuator. The assembly and method include a torque tube having a longitudinal axis and an end fitting. The ending fitting includes a connector portion and an engagement portion that is inserted into the torque tube. The engagement portion includes a first end adjacent the connector portion, a second end opposite the first end, and a coupling region between the first and second end that includes an outer coupling surface having an outer diameter and a continuous groove formed thereon. The continuous groove includes two axial grooves that extend along the outer coupling surface along the longitudinal axis and a first parallel groove that extends circumferentially about the longitudinal axis along the outer coupling surface that joins the two axial grooves.

Abstract: A power tool including a moveable piston, a motor capable of driving the moveable piston to perform work on a work piece, and a distance sensor configured to sense a movement of the moveable piston. The distance sensor operable to provide sensor information indicative of the movement of the piston. A controller receives the sensor information from the distance sensor. The controller operates the motor to perform work on the work piece based in part on the sensor information that the controller receives from the distance sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading an endovascular shunt into a delivery catheter includes a base, a boss rod connected to, and extending longitudinally across, the base, and a plurality of guide bosses slidably coupled to the boss rod. The guide bosses include a delivery catheter guide boss coupled to the delivery catheter, a malecot holding tube guide boss, wherein a malecot holding tube is connected to a first lateral side of the malecot guide boss extending towards the delivery catheter guide boss, a claw assembly guide boss, where a claw assembly is attached to a first lateral side of the claw guide boss extending towards the malecot holding tube guide boss, and a chase pin guide boss, wherein a chase pin is connected to a first lateral side of the chase pin guide boss extending towards the claw assembly guide boss.

Abstract: A golf club shaft includes a shaft body having a butt end and a tip end, and a counterweight member on an outer periphery of the shaft body between the butt and tip ends. The counterweight member is made of a fiber composite material configured in a way that the counterweight member has a color visually distinguishable from that of the shaft body.

Abstract: A radial compression mechanism utilizes a string wrapped around a plurality of compression dies to move the dies inward and close a central cylindrical cavity defined by the working surfaces of the dies. The string may be coupled to a string tension mechanism that enables a user to applied a desired tension to the string and thereby compress an article within the central cylindrical cavity. The compression dies may be coupled to a base and move along die-guiding slots from an open position to a closed position. A spring may be configured to force the compression dies open and provide some back-tension to the string. The string may extend around a pully on an opposing side of the compression mechanism and both ends of the string may be coupled to the string tension mechanism.

Abstract: A method for joining members includes: providing a wall surface body which is a die-molded article provided with a hole portion with a draft angle provided from its opposite end portions toward its center portion, a tubular body with a hollow shape, and an elastic body; inserting the tubular body into the hole portion in the wall surface body; inserting the elastic body into the inside of the tubular body; and compressing the elastic body in the direction of an axial line L of the tubular body to expand the elastic body outwardly in the radial direction of the axial line L, thereby deforming and expanding the tubular body to joint the tubular body to the wall surface body by press-fitting.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed to devices and methods for producing devices for regulating blood flow in the venous system. In particular, the invention provides for artificial valves designed to regulate the flow of blood in human vessels, wherein such artificial valves include superior properties including fatigue resistance, biocompatibility, and ease of manufacture.

Abstract: A method for forming a rotor hub that includes a sheet metal cylinder including spline teeth including angularly spaced crests and valleys, a tube surrounding the cylinder, secured to the crests and supporting a rotor thereon, a hub secured to the cylinder and supported for rotation, a torque converter, and a flex plate secured to the hub and the torque converter.

Abstract: A compact crimping mechanism well-suited for use with devices such as stented prosthetic heart valves. The crimping mechanism includes a plurality of jaws configured for coordinated inward movement toward a crimping axis to reduce the size of a crimping iris around a stented valve. A rotating cam wheel acts on the jaws and displaces them inward. A number of Cartesian guide elements cooperate with the jaws to distribute forces within the crimping mechanism. The guide elements are located between the crimping jaws and an outer housing and are constrained by the outer housing for movement along lines that are tangential to a circle centered on the crimping axis. The guide elements engage at least some of the crimping jaws while the rest are in meshing engagement so as to move in synch. An actuation mechanism includes a lead screw, carriage assembly and a linkage to rotate the cam wheel with significant torque.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting pipe ends, comprising a hollow body with an entrance for each pipe end provided with a radial seat for a pipe end and a coupling nut for clamping the pipe end, whereby an electrically conductive bridge is provided, which at the location of the seats is provided with a clamping element that is elastically deformable in the radial direction with respect to the respective seat, and is provided with a contact section, which in a rest situation is at a distance from the axis of the seat that is smaller than an outside radius of the pipe end for which the seat concerned is intended.

Abstract: A process for hardening tubulars and increasing their surface area for heat transfer can be performed in place in a borehole or on the surface. A pattern is applied to an interior wall with at laser, electron beam or radiation source that is remotely controlled to apply the hardening pattern to the inside or outside wall as inert gas or clean fluid is applied. Pressure differential is applied to the wall so that the non-hardened portions or the negative of the hardened pattern plastically or elastically deform to increase surface area and enhance load resistance of tubular or sheets. Alternatively, wall differential pressure is applied with an insert having a raised pattern on its exterior surface causing the spaces where the pattern is absent to plastically deform to enhance surface area. When done in a borehole annulus pressure or stand pipe pressure is applied or a vacuum is pulled inside the tubular to generate differential pressure for hydro-forming or switching dents in an opposite stable condition.

Abstract: A catheter comprising a housing portion defining an interior cavity and the housing portion comprising a housing member having an interior space dimensioned for housing an indwelling medical device. The elongated member comprises a lumen extending at least from an exit port to a distal port, the housing member is disposed within the lumen, and the lumen is dimensioned in the housing portion to receive a guidewire outside of the interior space of the housing member. A medical device for filtering emboli from blood flowing in a blood vessel of patient comprising an elongate support member and an elongate side branch member connected to the elongate support member. The filter element is attached to the elongate side branch member by a proximal filter element slider, and the elongate side branch member is adapted to maintain the filter element centered in the vessel.

Abstract: Medical device loading apparatuses, systems, methods and kits are described. A loading apparatus comprises a main body having a proximal end defining a proximal opening, a distal end defining a distal opening, and a passageway extending between the proximal and distal openings. An expandable intraluminal medical device can be loaded into a delivery catheter using the loading apparatus by placing the device into the passageway such that it is in a radially-expanded configuration; pulling the device along an axial path through the loading apparatus such that the device transitions from the radially-expanded configuration to a radially-compressed configuration; and pushing the radially-compressed device along the axial path into the delivery catheter.

Abstract: Method of coating an expandable member includes providing an expandable member having a proximal and a distal end with a guidewire lumen extending therebetween, the expandable member having a deflated and fully expanded configurations, and inflating the expandable member to an initial inflation pressure; positioning a mandrel within the guidewire lumen; tensioning the mandrel to straighten the guidewire lumen within the expandable member; and disposing a therapeutic agent on at least a portion of the expandable member. Method further includes partially deflating the expandable member to an intermediate pressure, and drying the therapeutic agent on the expandable member, and, if a folded expandable member is used, at least partially refolding the expandable member.

Abstract: Various embodiments of stents with radiopaque markers arranged in patterns are described herein.

Abstract: A medical device-includes a polymer stent crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The stent is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes heating the stent to a temperature below the polymer's glass transition temperature to improve stent retention without adversely affecting the mechanical characteristics of the stent when later deployed to support a body lumen.

Abstract: Embodiments for retaining the spherical ball of a piston connecting rod within a socket in a bore in a drive plate of a bent-axis pump/motor comprise swaging material at the periphery of the socket cavity toward the ball, to an outer diameter such that the swaged region is fully supported against pullout by the cylindrical wall of the bore. Alternatively, a retention ring which is fully supported by the walls of the cylindrical bore retains the ball within the socket and is in turn retained by a snap ring extending into a groove within the bore.

Abstract: A method for connecting a wire cable to a cable shoe for a belt buckle mounting comprises the steps of: pre-bending a retaining portion of the cable shoe to form an eye; inserting the wire cable into the eye; extruding the retaining portion so that the outer periphery thereof is reduced. The extrusion of the retaining portion is carried out as impact extrusion, wherein a form closure is produced between the retaining portion and the wire cable. The impact extrusion is carried out by a tool including at least one edge-free first seat for the eye. An apparatus for connecting a wire cable to a cable shoe for a belt buckle mounting comprises a first tool half including a first seat for a retaining portion of the cable shoe pre-bent into an eye and an opposed second tool half including a second seat for the retaining portion. The two tool halves can be forced against each other with high pressure so that the material of the retaining portion starts to flow. At least the first seat is free from edges.

Abstract: A mandrel for supporting a stent and rollers for pressing a radiopaque marker into a stent are disclosed. The mandrel can have a forward portion for carrying the stent and a rear portion for urging the stent forward portion into a gap between the rollers. The mandrel may be pushed or pulled into the gap, which is sized to allow the rollers to press the marker into engagement with the stent. Prior to moving the mandrel into the gap, the marker may be placed on a surface of the stent or partially inside a recess in the stent. Several markers can be efficiently and uniformly pressed onto the stent by moving the mandrel into the gap in one continuous movement in an axial or lateral direction. Markers can also be pressed onto the stent by placing the stent in the gap and rotating the stent about its central axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for manufacturing an interlocking pipe obtained by easily and precisely shaping a pipe with a circular cross section or with the edges of the cross section nearly forming a circle in a non-loose manner, so as to provide excellent machining performance when the interlocking pipe is cut off and provide excellent operation efficiency for the apparatus itself. A metal band plate is helically wound onto a core member with a circular cross section or with the edges of the cross section nearly forming a circle. Clamping device is freely assembled at a front end of the code member in a detachable and switchable manner, and synchronously rotate in accordance with instructions from a main computing-controlling member, so as to prevent the metal band plate from being loosened, thereby to manufacture the interlocking pipe efficiently.

Abstract: In a method for producing a pipe connection by press fitting, the following steps are carried out to increase the burst pressure: placing a press fitting onto two pipe ends to be connected to one another; compressing the press fitting against one of the two pipe ends by plastically deforming the press fitting and the pipe end to form a bulge and a first indentation; once again compressing the press fitting against the same pipe end at a distance (a) from the first compression point by plastically deforming the press fitting and the pipe end, thereby forming a second indentation; and connecting the press fitting to the second pipe end.

Abstract: A method of crimping a stent on a balloon of a catheter assembly is provided. A polymeric stent is disposed over a balloon in an inflated configuration. The stent is crimped over the inflated balloon to a reduced crimped configuration so that the stent is secured onto the balloon. The balloon wall membrane is wedged or pinched between the strut elements of the stent for increasing the retention of the stent on the balloon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a steering shaft part that forms a section of a steering shaft, the steering shaft part including a reinforcement section at least in an end area, over which reinforcement section the steering shaft part has a wall thickness that is enlarged relative to an adjacent section of the steering shaft part extending toward the longitudinal center of the steering shaft part. The steering shaft part includes a pipe and a sleeve that is arranged in the reinforcement section of the steering shaft part and that form the enlarged wall thickness.

Abstract: A medical device- includes a polymer stent crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The stent is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes heating the stent to a temperature below the polymer's glass transition temperature to improve stent retention without adversely affecting the mechanical characteristics of the stent when later deployed to support a body lumen.

Abstract: A medical device-includes a polymer stent crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The stent is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes heating the stent to a temperature below the polymer's glass transition temperature to improve stent retention without adversely affecting the mechanical characteristics of the stent when later deployed to support a body lumen.

Abstract: A fitting and method of use that includes a tubing channel to receive tubing. The fitting includes a fitting body having the tubing channel to receive the tubing and having exterior threading to engage internal threading of a CPI type port. The fitting includes a first ferrule that receives the tubing. The fitting has a cap with a closed end and an open end. The cap has internal threading to engage the exterior threading of the fitting body and a hole to receive said tubing. The fitting has a second ferrule that receives the tubing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a windscreen wiper apparatus for a motor vehicle, having a wiper motor and having at least one wiper bearing in which a wiper shaft is mounted, it being possible to drive said wiper shaft by means of the wiper motor in order to operate a wiper arm which is connected to the wiper shaft, wherein the wiper bearing has a bearing pin (4) for holding a tubular support (1), it being possible for said bearing pin to be fixed to the tubular support (1) by means of a crimp, characterized in that the bearing pin (4) has an outer contour (5) which is already formed, at least in a region of overlap with the crimp, so as to correspond to an inner contour (3) of the crimped tubular support (1), before the crimp is introduced, and also to a method for producing said windscreen wiper apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed are a high-density fiber connector and an assembly method thereof. The connector, adapted for use with a fiber adapter, comprises a connector casing, a ferrule, a spring and a boot, wherein the connector casing has a cross width of 2.5 mm to 4.5 mm. The connector casing comprises a front casing and a rear casing, which lock up one another to form a cavity. The tail of the connector casing is connected with a boot. On the connector casing are sequentially arranged a guide block and an elastic arm from the front toward the back. A fixed end of the elastic arm is oriented toward the tail of the connector, while a free end faces an insert end of the connector and includes a retaining bump. The ferrule 2 is fastened with the ferrule tailstock 3 and penetrates through a through hole at the front of the connector casing. The spring is compressed between the ferrule tailstock and a thrust block formed by inner walls of the connector casing.

Abstract: The specification discloses a crimping process for crimping a metal ferrule (19) onto a hose (17) including the steps of applying a radially inwardly directed crimping force to die elements (16) adapted to engage the ferrule (19) and increasing said crimping force to a first level over a first period of time, at least partially removing the crimping force from said die elements after said first period of time, and reapplying the radially directed crimping force to said die elements (16) and increasing said crimping force to a second level over a second period of time, said second crimping force level being equal to, higher or lower than said first level, and at an end of the crimping process, removing the crimping force fully from the die elements (16).

Abstract: A medical device includes a polymer stent scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. A process for forming the medical device includes placing the scaffold on a support supported by an alignment carriage, and deionizing the scaffold to remove any static charge buildup on the scaffold before placing the scaffold within a crimper to reduce the scaffold's diameter. The polymer scaffold is heated to a temperature below the polymer's glass transition temperature to improve scaffold retention without adversely affecting the mechanical characteristics of the scaffold when deployed to support a body lumen.

Abstract: Various embodiments of stents with radiopaque markers arranged in patterns are described herein.

Abstract: A medical device-includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes inflating the delivery balloon during a diameter reduction to improve scaffold retention. A crimping temperature is maintained at about the onset of glass transition of the polymer material to facilitate more rapid stabilization of mechanical properties in the scaffold following crimping.

Abstract: A method for improving conductance on hydraulic fittings by incorporating a soft metal interlayer between the fitting and a hydraulic tube, wherein the soft metal interlayer is located in an area where the fitting engages the hydraulic tube upon swaging or installation under pressure.

Abstract: A method to connect piping and a piping connection, having the features of a ring connector configured to snugly fit around an external diameter of a pipe; and a piping shield connected to the ring connector, the piping shield having at least one observation window cut into the shield, wherein the piping shield covers an abutment end of the pipe to be connected, wherein a joint between the ring connector and the piping shield forms a connection.

Abstract: A crimp fitting comprises a female socket that is configured to be crimped to an end portion of a hard tube. The socket comprises an annealed annular wall that has an inner cylindrical surface portion and at least one annular sealing portion. The cylindrical surface portion lies axially between the socket opening and the annular sealing portion, and has a diameter matched to the OD of the tube. The annular sealing portion has an innermost diameter that is greater than the diameter of the cylindrical surface portion. As the end of the tube is inserted into the socket, the tube cannot slideably contact the annular sealing portion. Thus, the annular sealing portion will not be damaged by the insertion of the tube. Thereafter, the annular sealing portion is radially crimped and ultimately contacts and deforms a portion of the tube in a manner creating interlocking geometry and a pressure seal.

Abstract: A medical device-includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes inflating the delivery balloon during a diameter reduction to improve scaffold retention. A crimping temperature is maintained at about the onset of glass transition of the polymer material to facilitate more rapid stabilization of mechanical properties in the scaffold following crimping.

Abstract: A medical device-includes a polymer stent crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The stent is crimped to the balloon by a process that includes heating the stent to a temperature below the polymer's glass transition temperature to improve stent retention without adversely affecting the mechanical characteristics of the stent when later deployed to support a body lumen.

Abstract: Various embodiments of stents with radiopaque markers arranged in patterns are described herein.

Abstract: Various embodiments of stents with radiopaque markers arranged in patterns are described herein.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including a workspace for receiving a stent and a delivery device for the stent; a source for exposing the stent in the workspace to a plasticizing agent, vapor, or moisture, wherein the stent can be reduced in diameter in the workspace while under exposure of the plasticizing agent, vapor or moisture; and a device for reducing the diameter of the stent in the workspace to position the stent on or within the deliver device.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis, including a tubular base body and at least one function element, the at least one function element also being tubular and being arranged on the base body in such a way that the at least one function element surrounds the base body at least partially and in at least partial areas, so that it is aligned concentrically with the base body.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and kit for reinforcing the distal end of a lateral in an irrigation system, typically in which the distal end of the lateral receives a head with a barbed neck. The method includes placing a crimp ring around the lateral, the crimp ring being large enough to encircle a bulge in the lateral created by insertion of the barbed neck into the end of the lateral. The crimp ring is positioned over the bulge and compressed to sheath and reinforce the bulge. The compression imparts a longitudinally convex profile upon the crimp ring, reducing its inner and outer diameters without increasing its length. This compression may cause projections, made of material from the crimp ring, to form on the outer surface of the crimp ring. A kit includes a crimp tool having a crimp die shaped to impart the longitudinally convex shape upon the crimp ring.

Abstract: A chain-like pressing device and a method of using same for press joining a tubular or hose-shaped workpiece with a fitting and/or a ferrule is provided. The device at least two pressing members interacting over the circumference in the radial direction. The pressing members can move relative to each other in the circumferential direction at their interacting surfaces that transmit the pressing force. The interacting surfaces enclose an angle of less than 180° therebetween. The pressing device includes a plurality of pressing members forming a first linkage for enclosing the workpiece, at least one of the pressing members transmits pressing force only by pressure or tension application through a further first pressing member.

Abstract: A medical device includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold has a structure that produces a low late lumen loss when implanted within a peripheral vessel and also exhibits a high axial fatigue life. In a preferred embodiment the scaffold forms ring structures interconnected by links, where a ring has 12 crowns and at most two links connecting adjacent rings.

Abstract: A method for joining and sealing two grooved-ended pipe segments without disassembling a coupling is disclosed. The coupling has a housing with upper and lower arcuate housing segments and left and right bridge segments. Each bridge segment has at least one set of dihedrally angled faces that engage corresponding faces each in the upper and lower housing segments. Drawing the upper and lower segments inwardly together along a first axis, presses each bridge segment inward along a second axis roughly tangential to the first axis. All segments are loosely pre-assembled into a coupling which has a one-piece circular sealing gasket that has an inward circumferential and centrally positioned pipe stop that has an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the pipes to be joined.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stent is disclosed. The stent includes a minimum crimped diameter such that in the minimum crimped diameter, a pair of stent rings, between which marker support structures reside, do not make contact with the marker support structures. The crimped profile of the stent of the present invention can be as small as the crimped profile of a same stent but without the marker support structures.

Abstract: A method of crimping a stent is disclosed. The stent includes a minimum crimped diameter such that in the minimum crimped diameter, a pair of stent rings, between which marker support structures reside, do not make contact with the marker support structures. The crimped profile of the stent of the present invention can be as small as the crimped profile of a same stent but without the maker support structures.

Abstract: A process for crimping stents includes a multi-stage process producing a desired stent retention and crimped profile in a reduced amount of time. The process achieves results by utilizing particular combinations of heat and pressure during the crimping process, which was found to produce the desired results.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of producing a billet which can be heated and rolled or otherwise worked with conventional equipment to form a product with a steel core and a cladding of an alloy including stainless steel, nickel-chrome, nickel-copper or copper-nickel. For a product such as corrosion resistant reinforcing bar, the billet includes a solid steel core inserted in a tube of the alloy on which swaging operations are carried out, decreasing the transverse size of discrete portions of the tube. The part of the tube interfacing with the steel body may be swaged, increasing the length of the tube and decreasing the transverse size of the steel body at the interface. To prevent oxidation of chrome and other metals in the tube, one or more briquettes of scavenging metal are inserted in the parts of the tube that project clear of an end of the core.