Abstract: A surgical device for localized delivery of beta radiation in surgical procedures, particularly ophthalmic procedures. Preferred surgical devices include a cannula with a beta radiotherapy emitting material at the distal end of the cannula. The surgical device is particularly suitable for use in the treatment of treat Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

Abstract: Storage systems and methods of use of the same are disclosed. The storage systems are configured to be connected to wall structures and to be modular in construction, so as to be able to use a plurality of horizontally disposed hang rails and/or a plurality of vertical standards, and/or modular storage components that are received on a hang rail or a vertical standard, or that may be connected directly to a wall structure.

Abstract: A method and device for transmural ablation using an electrosurgical device having a pair of angled clamping jaws designed to be disassembled outside the patient and reassembled within the patient in a series of method steps. This disassemble and reassemble design of the electrosurgical device fits within the narrow gap between ribs of the patient, and offers unusual opportunities to work in difficult to access areas such as the thoracic cavity. Once the surgery has been performed, the electrosurgical device can be disassembled in the patient and removed one piece at a time, or removed as a unit.

Abstract: Fluid sampling systems are disclosed. The sampling system has a flexible plastic container defining an interior chamber and an internal flow path comprising a proximal end and terminating in an open distal end. The flow path extends substantially into the interior chamber, providing the only access into and from the chamber.

Abstract: A grounding assembly for electronic equipment provides a discharge path for the energy arising from lightning strikes. A conductive strap connects the ground lug of the equipment to a ground plate buried in the earth. The conductive strap has a length, width and thickness, with the width being greater than the thickness. This reduces the inductance of the conductor from the controller to the ground plate, thereby enhancing the ability of the grounding assembly to dissipate energy from lightning strikes.

Abstract: A harvester for root crops such as beets is provided which preferably provides continuous flow of root crops from a header, along a transfer assembly, through a processing run, and to an elevator assembly. The harvester can be configured to include or accommodate interchangeable header assemblies having different numbers of rows and/or row spacings. The transfer assembly can be of a floating type and helps to provide an even distribution of beets to the grabrollers. The processing run includes full-length cleaning grabrollers disposed parallel to the direction of travel. Modular elevator assemblies can be provided to further enhance harvester versatility. Such an approach includes interchangeable ferris wheel and scrubber chain elevator assemblies. An improved scrubber chain elevator assembly can be used which has a wraparound scrubber chain design. A pivoting tank conveyor for evenly filling a holding tank can be included.

Abstract: An electrical pressure washer includes a diagnostic circuit for detecting operation conditions that may affect the normal operation of the pressure washer, and a plurality of indicators indicating the detected operation conditions, such as ground fault, low pressure, overheating, etc. A voltage drop across the power cord of the pressure washer is monitored and used to identify several of the operating conditions. A way of connecting and controlling light-emitting diodes used as indicator lights is provided to allow energy-efficient operation of the indicator lights.

Abstract: Blood separation methods are provided for mid-processing calculation of blood composition. Blood is conveyed into a device having an outlet line and the device is spun to separate platelets from the blood. A flow of platelets is conveyed from the device by the outlet line and the platelets in the outlet line are optically measured. With said optical measurement, a current platelet yield, a platelet pre-count, the volume of blood to process to collect a target amount of platelets, and/or the processing time required to collect a target amount of platelets is calculated. The optical measurement can also be used to calculate an amount of storage fluid to convey into a collection container with the platelets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogel article having a multi-layered structure and exhibiting a gradient in polymer molecular weight. The invention also provides a method of forming a hydrogel article having a multi-layered structure and exhibiting a gradient in polymer molecular weight.

Abstract: A stent for implantation within a body vessel is provided with a plurality of varying parallelogrammic cells. The stent is radially expandable from a compressed condition, suitable for inserting the device in an introducer, to a deployed or expanded condition within a body vessel. The stent includes a plurality of parallelogrammic body cells and a plurality of parallelogrammic flare cells. The flare cells have a substantially greater elongation ratio than the body cells. Also provided is a method for manufacturing stents having a plurality of varying parallelogrammic cells.

Abstract: An implantable medical device detachment system is provided with a carrier member having a compressible portion at a distal end thereof. The compressible portion is moved to a compressed condition to allow an engagement member of the system to releasably engage an implantable device, such as an embolic coil. The carrier member and associated implantable device are fed through a body vessel to a target location, where the device is disengaged from the engagement member. The compressible portion then moves from the compressed condition to an elongated condition to completely separate the implantable device from the engagement member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of separating, supporting or both separating and supporting layers of tissue in the human spine. Such methods generally comprise inserting at least one member between layers of tissue in the human spine and changing the configuration of the member to define a support structure between the tissue layers.

Abstract: A surgical device has an integral first tip having pair of electrodes configured to ablate tissue using electric energy. A second tip has a pair of electrodes configured to provide pacing signals to a heart and/or to sense electrical signals passing through heart tissue. The second tip is configured to snap onto the first tip, such that the same device may be used for ablation, pacing, and sensing. Alternatively, the second tip may be integral with the device and the first tip configured to snap onto the second tip. Alternatively, a single integral tip of the surgical device may be used for ablation, pacing, and sensing. Such a multipurpose tip may comprise a plurality of electrode pairs or an array of electrodes. A user interface on the device or elsewhere may be operable to provide selectable modes for selectively varying properties of signals communicated to the electrodes.

Abstract: A biaxial flow damper used in an auto-close mechanism of a sliding rail assembly is disclosed to include a cylinder body defining flow parallel flow chambers, two pistons respectively slidably mounted in the flow chambers of the cylinder body, and two piston rods respectively connected to the pistons and respectively extending out of the front and rear sides of the cylinder body for a reciprocating motion in reversed directions.

Abstract: A flow damper used in an auto-close mechanism of a sliding rail assembly is disclosed to include a first flow cylinder that has coupling grooves provided at one lateral side, and a second flow cylinder that has coupling blocks provided at one side and connectable to the coupling grooves to secure the first and second flow cylinders in parallel in one of the first condition where the piston rods of the first and second flow cylinders extend in same direction and the second condition where the piston rods of the first and second flow cylinders extend in reversed directions.

Abstract: An electrically conductive paving system that has enhanced conductivity of the conductive graphite/asphalt layer. This is achieved by incorporating into the paving mixture a blend of two naturally occurring crystalline flake graphites, one being coarse (generally larger than 40 mesh/425 microns) and the other being fine (generally smaller than 100-200 mesh/150-75 microns). The ratio of course flake graphite to fine flake graphite may be from 1.5:1 and 1:1.5, but is preferably approximately 1:1.