Abstract: A multiple mode valve assembly including valve actuators equipped with a combination of a shaft (4) and a spindle (5), coaxial and immobilized in an axial direction, but capable of rotating freely one with respect to the other, so that by means of the spindle (5), through a threaded nut assembly (6) and the pertinent motor (9), the longitudinal displacement of the gate (3) is produced in valve opening and shutting operations, whilst by means of direct application of a rotary movement to the shaft (4), which does not affect the spindle (5), from a second motor (23), the gate (3) turns on the valve seat (2), in the shut position, producing a friction effect and consequent self-cleaning of the seal.

Abstract: A fluid actuator includes a cylindrical housing with a flared open end and an opposite end having a diameter less than the flared end. A rod cap is insertable into the housing at the open end, and moveable through the housing to the opposite end where it is contained by an annular rim welded to the housing. A piston and piston rod assembly is inserted into the housing through the open end. A blind end cap, also insertable into the housing at the open end, is releasably secured near the open end to substantially close the housing. The piston is reciprocable in the housing between the rod cap and the blind end cap. The housing incorporates a conical ramp portion between the flared end and the smaller diameter end of the housing, to provide a gradual transition between the larger and smaller diameters. The ramp tends to center the components as they are inserted, and gradually and evenly compresses elastomeric seals of the components during their insertion, to better preserve the integrity of the seals.

Abstract: A magnetic data storage medium includes a dedicated transducing head contact zone for engaging an air bearing slider, primarily when the disk is stationary and also during disk accelerations and decelerations. The contact zone has a dual baseline texture, formed by first creating a recessed region within the transducing head contact zone, and then by forming multiple nodules or other texturing features within the recessed region. The texturing features project upwardly from a recessed surface of the recessed region, and also project above an upper surface of the disk by an amount less than the texturing feature height. Consequently, the texturing features are large enough to counteract stiction due to liquid lubricant meniscus formation, yet also have heights sufficiently low relative to the upper surface to allow reduced transducer flying heights.

Abstract: A magnetic data storage medium includes a dedicated transducing head contact zone for engaging an air bearing slider, primarily when the disk is stationary. The contact zone is textured with an irregular sequence of spaced apart nodules forming a substantially circumferential, spiral path. The spiral path includes multiple terms that define a uniform radial pitch. The circumferential pitch is irregular, more preferably determined according to pseudo-random function in which the actual spacing intervals vary about a nominal interval, over a range comparable to, but generally less than, the interval. The pseudo-random array can be formed by a texturing process that includes directing a focused laser beam onto the contact zone. The disk is rotated to maintain a constant circumferential speed relative to the laser, and also is translated radially to provide the desired radial pitch.

Abstract: A magnetic data transducing slider is selectively textured, at least over its air bearing surface, to provide rounded nodules or rims adapted to support the normally aerodynamically supported slider when at rest on a specular surface of a data recording medium. The texturing substantially reduces the area of contiguous slider/medium contact as compared to the area of the air bearing surface, counteracting stiction and substantially reducing dynamic friction during head takeoffs and landings. Slider texturing eliminates the need for a dedicated contact or landing zone on the data recording medium, making more space available for storing data on the medium, and insuring a more uniform surface roughness over the entire surface of a medium that confronts the slider. The desired texture is formed according to a process that includes depositing chromium or another metal onto the slider substrate to provide metallic regions on the air bearing surface, particularly along opposite skis of the slider.

Abstract: A facility monitoring system includes a monitoring station receiving inputs from different control panels, each panel supporting detectors and other devices. Data from the panels are scanned, segmented into categories and presented in a standard format including a category identifying devices by type and state or condition. The monitoring station stores graphic information including site maps and floor plans to provide backgrounds, and device images positionable on the backgrounds to accurately depict device locations in the facility.

Abstract: A system is disclosed, for administering a therapeutic agent locally and to a depth within cardiac tissue. An elongate, flexible catheter contains a flexible electric conductor and supports at its distal end an implantable electrode incorporating a penetrating element, typically a fixation helix or a linear needle that penetrates cardiac tissue as the electrode is implanted. A therapeutic agent is delivered through the electrode, to the cardiac tissue surrounding the penetrating element. The electrode acts as a sensor, electrically coupled through the flexible conductor, and monitors an electrical condition of the surrounding cardiac tissue. A controller is coupled to the sensor and to a pump or reservoir containing the therapeutic agent, to control delivery of the agent responsive to the sensed electrical condition. The implanted electrode further can be used to deliver RF current to ablate the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A prothesis for transluminal implantation consists of a flexible tubular three-dimensionally braided structure of metal or polymeric monofilaments, and polymeric multifilament yarns. The prosthesis can be elastically deformed to reduce its diameter through axial elongation. The monofilaments and multifilament yarns are arranged in axially spaced apart helices, concentric on a common central axis of the prosthesis. The monofilaments are selectively shaped before their interbraiding with the multifilament yarns, either by an age-hardening or other heat-setting stage, or a cold-working stage that controllably plastically deforms the strands. The shaped structural strands cooperate to impart to the prosthesis its nominal shape and resilience. The textile strands cooperate to provide one or more layers of sheeting that reduce permeability and thereby enhance the utility of the prosthesis as a vascular graft.

Abstract: A temporary and retrievable radiopaque marker and discrete radiopaque marker for use on an implantable endoprosthesis. The elongate marker has a proximal end, a distal end, and a thickness. At least a portion of the marker is radiopaque and the marker is removably-attached to the implantable endoprosthesis.

Abstract: A body implantable stent is formed of a plurality of strands arranged in two sets of coaxial helices, wound in opposite directions to form multiple crossings. At selected crossings, the adjacent strands are welded to one another, while at the remaining crossings the strands are free for limited movement relative to one another. The welds are formed in patterns that preferably enhance radial strength and rigidity, while having a minimal impact on axial bending flexibility. Preferred weld patterns in this regard include rings or circumferential rows, and helices, particularly with a steeper pitch than that of the strands. Stent fabrication preferably involves resistance welding at the crossings, and use of a tool to reuniformly compress the stent around and against the distal end region of a balloon catheter used later to deliver the stent to a treatment site.

Abstract: A layered foundation for a play surface includes an upper layer formed of wood mulch or another landscaping loose-fill material, a support layer composed of multiple fragments of a resilient material such as vulcanized rubber, and a landscaping fabric sheet disposed between the upper layer and the support layer. The support layer, preferably 3-4 inches in depth, contributes considerably to the shock-absorbing capability of the foundation, to provide a foundation that meets or exceeds recommended levels of impact attenuation, yet has a total depth less than that considered necessary in conventional foundations or support systems. The support layer also effectively drains water from the upper layer, due to multiple, interconnected passages between fragments.

Abstract: The stent comprises a flexible self-expandable braided tubular wall having a proximal segment having an outer diameter, and a distal segment having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the proximal segment. An intermediate segment is formed between proximal and distal segments, which forms a truncated cone of which the base is forming the proximal end of the intermediate segment and of which the top is forming the distal end of the intermediate segment. A covering layer is arranged within the tubular wall.

Abstract: A laser alignment target includes a disk shaped and transparent target body with an annular inclined mounting surface, a back plate having an annular inclined retaining surface, and a torroidal alignment member retained in a generally V-shaped groove formed by the mounting and retaining surfaces. The target body has an outer rim with an annular and transverse reference surface positionable against the end edge of a pipe section to axially align the target. With the target body positioned against the pipe section, the back plate is drawn axially toward the target body, compressing the alignment member between the mounting and retaining surfaces and an inside surface of the pipe section. The compression produces radial forces that tend to radially center and secure a target. The preferred alignment member is an elastically compressible gasket that provides a fluid tight seal. Alternative alignment members include a closely wound helical coil and an inflatable torroidal casing.

Abstract: A portable music stand includes a panel assembly composed of hinged elongate panel sections, two spaced-apart elongate walls or shelves running along one of the panel sections, and opposed end walls mounted to that same panel section and to the shelves, thus to form a container with one open side. The music stand also includes a mounting assembly with a base, a telescoping column extending upwardly from the base, and a brace at the top of the column and releasably coupled to the panel assembly. When in an open, flat configuration, the panel assembly cooperates with the shelves to provide a desk to support sheet music and accessories. Alternatively, the panel sections can be pivoted to a closed position in which the panel sections are wrapped about the container to close it. The mounting assembly is collapsible into a configuration that fits inside the container, and thus can be carried within the closed container.

Abstract: An anterior cervical plate is disclosed, along with threaded fasteners for securing the plate to vertebrae or other osseous material. The cervical plate has several pockets or apertures, preferably at least four, to receive a corresponding number of the fasteners. The pockets have spherical surfaces, and the fasteners have heads with similarly sized spherical surfaces, which when engaged permit each of the fasteners to be oriented at a variety of projection angles with respect to the plate. In connection with each pocket, the cervical plate incorporates a fastener retaining feature. The feature can take the form of a cantilevered tab or a beam supported at its opposite ends, in each case plastically deformable between an open position for admitting the fastener and a closed position for preventing retraction.

Abstract: A temporary and retrievable radiopaque marker and discrete radiopaque marker for use on an implantable endoprosthesis. The elongate marker has a proximal end, a distal end, and a thickness. At least a portion of the marker is radiopaque and the marker is removably-attached to the implantable endoprosthesis.

Abstract: A body compatible stent is formed of multiple filaments arranged in two sets of oppositely directed helical windings interwoven with one another in a braided configuration. Each of the filaments is a composite including a central core (24) and a case (26) surrounding the core (24). The core is formed of a radiopaque and relatively ductile material, in particular gold or a gold alloy. The outer case (26) is formed of a relatively resilient material, e.g. a cobalt/chromium based alloy. Favorable mechanical characteristics of the stent are determined by the case (26), while the core (24) enables in vivo imaging of the stent. The composite filaments are formed by a drawn filled tubing process in which the core (24) is inserted into a tubular case (26) of a diameter substantially more than the intended final filament diameter. The composite filament is cold-worked in several steps to reduce its diameter, and annealed between successive cold-working steps.

Abstract: A self-expanding stent formed from helically wound and braided filaments of bioabsorbable polymers such as PLA, PLLA, PDLA, and PGA.

Abstract: A prosthetic stent with a tubular wall having local inwardly or outwardly formed elevations. Stents having such elevations have a higher mechanical stability if bend according to the curvature of the body vessels to be supported or repaired. Also a method for manufacturing a stent with such elevations is described.

Abstract: An implantable devices for the effective elimination of an arrhythmogenic site from the myocardium is presented. By inserting small biocompatible conductors and/or insulators into the heart tissue at the arrhythmogenic site, it is possible to effectively eliminate a portion of the tissue from the electric field and current paths within the heart. The device would act as an alternative to the standard techniques for the removal of tissue from the effective contribution to the hearts electrical action which require the destruction of tissue via energy transfer (RF, microwave, cryogenic, etc.). This device is a significant improvement in the state of the art in that it does not require tissue necrosis. In one preferred embodiment the device is a non conductive helix that is permanently implanted into the heart wall around the arrhythmogenic site.