Abstract: A device for winding a filament around a structure disposed concentrically around a distal end of a balloon catheter includes a rotatable holder for retaining a distal end of the balloon catheter, a translatable winding carriage for helically winding the tensioned filament around the balloon catheter distal end, a heater for applying a predetermined amount of heat to a section of the balloon catheter having the filament wound therearound, and a controller for controlling at least the rate of rotation of the holder, the tensioning force applied to the filaments the amount of heat applied by the heater, and the rate of travel of the translatable winding carriage along the longitudinal dimension of the balloon catheter. By use of the device, the balloon is heat set and a predetermined checkering pattern of surface indentations are provided in the structure exterior surface in a single pass.

Abstract: A locking headplate for an adjustable saddle tree includes opposed, hingedly connected elements for securing to a saddle tree head portion, a rotatable displacing element for displacing the hingedly connected plates inwardly or outwardly, and an engaging element for selectively preventing rotation of the rotatable displacing element. The engaging element includes at least one insert and a threaded fastener for compressing the insert against the rotatable displacing element to selectively prevent rotation thereof. A portion of the rotatable displacing element may be made of a material having a first hardness, and the insert may be made of a material having a second hardness which is less than the first hardness whereby a portion of the rotatable displacing element impinges into the material of the insert. Saddle trees and saddles incorporating the locking headplate are provided.

Abstract: Various control options are applied for selecting the number of operating power sources for a multi-power source vehicle having a number of prime power sources and, optionally including energy storage systems. This system and method are applicable to large vehicles such as locomotives, mining trucks, tugboats and large cranes. Selectable operating modes are provided for different locomotive speed ranges and work loads. The system and method are based on a common DC bus electrical architecture so that prime power sources need not be synchronized. Multiple-engine locomotives are included in which the engine systems may be electrically connected in parallel or in series or in combinations of parallel and series to a DC bus.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus involve attestation of items, such as user profiles, roles, assets, etc. In a computing environment, a compliance administrator initiates an attestation process, including specifying particular attributes of a user that require attestation. A workflow is launched to present the user with a workflow form in a browser page of his computing device. As part of the launch, a UI control makes calls to an attestation service to determine which attributes of the user were specified by the compliance administrator and to query an association between each of the specified attributes and a particular UI control and field value therefor. Upon obtaining the results, the particular UI control for the specified attributes are presented to the user in the workflow form, along with an attestation question UI control, and an option for the user to update at least one of their field values.

Abstract: A non-compliant medical balloon may be changed from a deflated state to an inflated state by increasing pressure within the balloon. The non-compliant medical balloon is composed of a matted fabric layer composed of at least two matted fabric fibers forming an angle. The angle remains substantially unchanged when the balloon changes from a deflated state to an inflated state.

Abstract: In one aspect, a device facilitates performance of a recumbent stepping exercise using stimulation. The device may include a seat for receiving a human exercise subject and foot receivers for alternately translating to and fro relative to a stationary base along a path of travel between a first position in which the legs are at least partially bent and a second position in which the legs are less bent than in the first position. An electrical stimulator is provided for facilitating the performance of the exercise by the subject moving the foot receivers alternately along the path of travel. In another aspect, adaptive feed-forward control may also be used to enhance the stepping exercise performed using the device. Related methods of performing stepping exercises are also provided.

Abstract: In the application, the change in the magnetic state of the haemoglobin caused by the malarial infection is exploited by detecting suitable properties of haemozoin which are dependent on the application of a magnetic field. FIG. 1 shows apparatus, shown generally at (10), for performing magneto-optical detection using photo-acoustic techniques. The apparatus (10) comprises a light source (12), producing a beam of optical radiation (14) which passes through a polarizer (16), a variable LC retarder (0 or 180° retardance) (18), and a (chopper 20), before impinging on a sample (22) held in a sample holder (24). The sample is in direct contact with an acoustic detector (26). The apparatus (10) further comprises an electromagnet (28), and a Gauss meter (30) can be utilized to measure the applied magnetic field strength.

Abstract: A directly piloted valve assembly has a valve body including a bore, at least one inlet port, at least one outlet port and at least one exhaust port or second outlet port wherein the ports are all in fluid communication with the bore. A spool is received in the bore. The spool includes a wall defining a lumen. An actuator is received in the lumen. The actuator includes a shuttle seal channel. A shuttle seal is received in the shuttle seal channel. A solenoid is connected to the valve body. The wall of the spool includes at least one pilot hole in fluid communication with the lumen defined by the spool and the bore of the valve body.

Abstract: A load transfer apparatus accommodates movement between adjacent concrete slabs. The load transfer apparatus includes a spine in a form of an elongated hinge having a longitudinal axis A. A first dowel and a second dowel project radially from the spine and are located at two spaced points along said longitudinal axis A.

Abstract: A composite fibre including at least a first component and a second component, wherein at least one of the components is an optical fiber, and the components are intertwined. The first component may be wound around the second component, and optionally the second component is wound around the first component. Associated fibrous assemblies, composite materials, fabrics, detection systems, items of clothing and methods of detecting a physical variable are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for coordinating user credentials across multiple disparate credential stores. A synchronizing engine requests and receives past and present credential information from the disparate credential stores. Users indicate which, if any, of the credential information they desire to synch together. Upon common formatting of the credential information, comparisons reveal whether differences exist between the past and present versions. If differences exist, the information is updated. In this manner, users link together various passwords, keys or other secrets to maintain convenience from a single point of control, such as in a single-sign-on (SSO) environment, regardless of the disparateness of the stores. The reverse is also possible such that linked credentials are accessible from the multiple stores. Retrofitting existing SSO services is another feature as are computer program products and computing network interaction.

Abstract: A brush seal assembly including a pair of annular plates defining an annular slot between them and a radially outer chamber opening into the slot; and an annular brush seal having bristles and an enlarged portion at its outer periphery formed by welding the bristles together, the brush seal extending through the slot with its enlarged portion retained in the chamber wherein at least a portion of one of the plates has an extension thereof which is deformed over the other plate to hold the plates together to form the assembly characterized in that one of the plates has a flat face in the region of the slot.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly having a suction inlet and a rotary agitator. A canister assembly is pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly. The vacuum cleaner also includes a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel. Still further, the vacuum cleaner includes a clutch assembly for controlling power transmission from the drive motor of the suction generator to the rotary agitator. The clutch assembly includes a pulley driven by the drive motor, a first clutch element connected to the pulley, a second clutch element connected to the rotary agitator and an actuator for displacing the second clutch element between a first, engaged position and a second, disengaged position.

Abstract: A thermocromatic device for detecting body temperature includes a substrate treated with a thermocromatic composition. The thermocromatic composition includes a thermocromatic agent that changes color at a predetermined temperature indicative of a condition to be detected.

Abstract: A machine for intended use in feeding and completing a partially formed carton is disclosed. In one embodiment, the machine includes an overhead conveyor with selectively actuated, depending lugs that engage and convey the carton in a first direction while a first flap on a lid is folded and sealed. A takeaway conveyor includes selectively actuated, upstanding lugs that convey the carton in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction while second and third flaps are folded and sealed. The lugs on each conveyor may be closely spaced or overlapping to allow for selective actuation at a desired instant without the need for timing the corresponding chain or the carton feed to the machine. A diverter located at a transition between the forward and return runs of the overhead and takeaway conveyors actuates the lugs in a controlled fashion. Related methods of feeding and forming cartons are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vessel receives and agitates a fluid using an internal fluid-agitating element driven by an external motive device. In one aspect, the vessel is a bag including a first receiver for receiving and holding a fluid-agitating element at a home location. The first receiver may be in the form of an inwardly-projecting post having an oversized portion for capturing the fluid-agitating element, but various other forms are disclosed. Use of this feature in completely rigid vessels where the fluid-agitating element is free of direct attachment from a first receiver having an oversized portion is also disclosed. In another aspect, the vessel or bag further includes a second receiver for receiving a portion of an external structure, such as a motive device, and aligning the vessel relative thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tissue scaffold and a method of preparing a tissue scaffold for implantation. The tissue scaffold includes a body having a graphite foam core. At least a first portion of the external surface of that graphite foam core is covered by a composite material to provide additional mechanical strength to the scaffold.