Abstract: A stent comprising varying porosity's for use in vessels with bifurcations or side branches. The stent allows for scaffolding of the stenotic area but still allows for flow into the side branches. A distal protection system is also described.

Abstract: A catheter (4) includes a hollow catheter shaft (18), an inflatable balloon (36) surrounding the catheter shaft distal portion, and an expandable endoluminal prosthesis, such as a stent graft (38, 40), surrounding the balloon. The stent is typically a coiled stent having distal ends (58, 48) slidably housed within stent end holders (56, 50) on the catheter shaft. The first stent end is released from its holder by inflating the balloon. The second stent end is selectively released from its holder by other than inflating the balloon, typically by a push wire (30) pushing the second stent end out of its holder. A sheath (8) is moveable between a first position surrounding the stent and a second position spaced-apart from the stent. The stent is prevented from assuming its expanded-diameter state by (1) the engagement of the stent ends with the catheter shaft through the stent end holders, and (2) the sheath being in its first position during the introducing step.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a coiled endoluminal prosthesis (122, 190, 198) and a catheter (136) having at least first and second telescoping shafts (138, 140, 142). The prosthesis is releasably engaged to the distal ends (144, 146, 148) of the telescoping shafts. The prosthesis is capable of assuming a second, expanded diameter state from a first, reduced diameter state. The length and number of turns (128) of the coiled prosthesis can be changed by the relative translation and rotation of the shafts. The catheter assembly is especially useful for placing a coiled stent graft (122), in which one turn (132, 134) of the prosthesis has a greater pitch than the adjacent turns, at the intersection (184) of a bifurcation within a blood vessel (182). Remotely viewable marker elements (188, 190, 191, 192, 193, 195, 197) may be used and include a marker element (193, 190A, 197) configured to indicate orientation as well as axial position of the prosthesis.

Abstract: Medical devices that have a novel mechanical trap(s) on the distal end of a shaft that is used for the removal of material from the body. Further an expandable channel is included to entrap the material that aid with removal or obliteration of tissue or foreign bodies is disclosed.

Abstract: A shielded substrate support (2) for deposition chambers (6) includes a heated base (8) having a substrate support surface (16) and a sidewall (18). A corrosion-resistant base shield (10) has cover plate (14, 22) and skirt (24) portions and is used to cover and protect the support surface and a part of the sidewall during cleaning operations. The base and the base shield have first and second CTEs, the second CTE being smaller than the first CTE. The base and base shield include complementary locking surfaces sized and positioned so that only when at a higher temperature will the locking surfaces be opposite one another to prevent removal of the base shield from the base. This eliminates the need for mechanical locking elements, such as threads, pins or twist locks, which increase the cost and can be a source of particle contamination.

Abstract: A color printer/plotter includes a frame having a paper inlet, a number of print stations, and a paper outlet. The paper is pulled past the print stations by a single driver at the paper outlet. Each print station includes a electrostatic charging head having a flat charging surface against which a first roller, typically having a foam outer surface, presses with the paper therebetween. Immediately downstream of the charging head a toner roller supplies toner to the paper, the toner adhering to the charged areas on the paper. A second pressure roller presses the paper against the toner roller. The second pressure roller is offset slightly upstream of the center of the toner roller to aid toner roller-paper contact. The sizing and positioning of the toner and second pressure rollers is such so as not to significantly deflect the paper from the substantially straight paper path between the paper inlet and paper outlet.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting a roll of paper or Mylar.RTM. film having a hollow core includes a radially expanding core insert at each end of the roll and a core insert support, mountable to a support structure, to support, position and apply a drag force to the paper roll. Each core insert has a radially expandable inner end which is expanded within the core to secure the insert in place. The outer end of the core insert extends beyond the edge of the paper roll. The core insert support includes a pair of arcuate contact surfaces and an adjustable spring biased brake shoe mounted to a frame. The brake shoe presses the outer end of the core insert against the contact surfaces to create a suitable drag on the paper roll. A flipper is pivotally mounted to the frame for movement between free movement and blocking positions to permit or prevent the core inserts from being removed from the core insert supports. Each flipper also axially biases the core insert towards the other flipper.

Abstract: A process gas controller, connected to a sources of purging and process gas, includes five valves and a pressure regulator between the process gas source and the equipment. Operating the valves provides process gas to the equipment and allows the controller to be vented of process gas and purged using the purging gas. A novel pneumatic valve controller, used to control the opening and closing of the valves, provides seven different valving combinations to supply process gas to the equipment, vent process gas and purge the system. The valve controller includes a program member having a number of passageways, each connected to one of the valves and to a program surface via program ports. A movable valve selection member overlies the program surface and includes an inlet passage coupled to a compressed source so that when the inlet passage becomes aligned with one of the various sets of program ports, compressed air is provided to the corresponding valves to actuate them.