Abstract: A tissue removal method utilizes a tool having a shaft with a flexible inner member rotatable about the shaft and an outer member extending along the inner member. The inner and outer members are bent to a desired configuration and the inner member rotates relative to the outer member while maintaining the shaft in the desired configuration under the influence of the rigidity of the outer member during rotation of the inner member. A patient's body tissue is cut with a cutting element connected with the inner member during rotation and the body tissue cut from the patient is moved along a passage within the shaft while the shaft is maintained in the desired configuration.

Abstract: There is provided a light emitter for a display comprising a photoalignment layer; and photoaligned on said photoalignment layer, a light emitting polymer. Also provided are methods for forming the light emitter and the use of the light emitter in displays, backlights, electronic apparatus and security viewers.

Abstract: A vehicle traveling through an environmental media such as air experiences drag. The drag is actively modulated by energy beams which may either increase or decrease the drag. The energy beams may be ultrasonic and provide acoustic energy at a transition region between turbulent and laminar flows or at the leading edge of a laminar flow in order to facilitate the respective increase or decrease in drag. The ultrasonic beams may be placed at various locations of an aircraft in order to provide some flight control. The ultrasonic beams may be placed on an automobile to facilitate desired operating modes of the vehicle. The ultrasonic beams may be a further component of a parametric array for communicating audio signals ahead and behind the vehicle in addition to drag modulation.

Abstract: A break-action firearm with a breech housing, a barrel section that can pivot about a hinge bearing on the breech housing, and a removable fore-end, which contains on its front end a locking mechanism and on its rear end a bearing section for pivoting connection to the breech housing. This provides an easy-to-manufacture fore-end of the break-action firearm with minimal overall height, such that the hinge bearing grasps hinge pin, which project laterally inwards from the breech housing and which engage in lateral recesses on opposing side surfaces of a fastener section of the barrel section. In addition, the bearing section has bolts, which project inwards with at least one lateral contact surface and which lead to contact on corresponding abutment surfaces on the two side surfaces of the fastener section.

Abstract: A three-dimensional laminated product forming apparatus and method for forming a three-dimensional laminated product from a photo-curable liquid by progressively superposing solid laminae one on top of another by photo-curing a surface layer of the photo-curable liquid and converting it to a solid lamina. A product table is provided on which a three-dimensional solid product is built up in progressive steps and which is incrementally advanced into the photo-curable liquid by a specified depth each step. A liquid surface leveling device works as a capillary to draw up a photo-curable liquid by capillary action while it is in contact with the surface of the photo-curable liquid contained in the container.

Abstract: A suturing system and method for suturing first and second tissue sections is described. The system includes an elongate member having paired distal and proximal channels. The distal channel extends in the elongate member from the proximal end to a distal aperture and receives the distal end portion and at least a part of the body portion of a suture. The first proximal channel extends in the elongate member from the proximal end to a first proximal aperture and receives the proximal end portion and at least a part of the body portion of the suture. The elongate member is positioned between the first and second tissue sections with the suture in the first distal and first proximal channels such that a part of the body portion extends from the proximal end of the elongate member. The distal end of the suture passes through the first tissue section and the proximal end of the first suture passes through the second tissue section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of coating a surface of a stent by contacting the stent with a coating solution containing a coating material, inserting a thread through the lumen of the stent, and producing relative motion between the stent and the thread to substantially remove coating material located within the openings of the stent. Eliminating or minimizing coating material located within the openings preserves the functionality of the stent. The method can be used to apply a primer layer, a polymer, either with or without a therapeutic agent, and/or a top layer on the stent.

Abstract: A tracheal tube positioning apparatus is located relative to a patient's trachea by engaging the patient's Adam's apple. Indicia on relatively movable sections of the positioning apparatus provides an indication of the distance between the patient's mouth and the patient's larynx. A flexible guide rod is moved through a distance corresponding to the distance between the patient's mouth and larynx, as determined by the positioning apparatus. A magnet is utilized to attract a leading end portion of the guide rod. A plurality of emitters may be disposed in an array around the patient's Adam's apple. Outputs from the emitters are detected by a detector connected with the guide rod and by a detector connected with the tracheal tube. Alternatively, a plurality of detectors may be disposed in an array around the patient's Adam's apple to detect the output from an emitter connected with the guide rod and by an emitter connected with the tracheal tube.

Abstract: An optical waveguide element that can stably and inexpensively form an optical waveguide of low loss and low stress in a glass material by ion exchange of Ag ions, and to provide a process for producing the same are provided. The optical waveguide element is made of a multicomponent glass material, which is Na2O—B2O3—Al2O3—SiO2 glass containing from 5 to 13% by mole of Na2O, in which an optical waveguide is formed by doping with Ag ions by ion exchange. The composition is preferably SiO2: 60 to 75% by mole, B2O3: 10 to 20% by mole, Al2O3: 2 to 10% by mole, Na2O: 5 to 13% by mole, Li2O: 0 to 1% by mole, As2O3: 0 to 0.5% by mole, and Sb2O3: 0 to 0.5% by mole (provided that As2O3+Sb2O3: 0.01 to 1% mole).

Abstract: A thermal detector comprises a rigid, frame-shaped support structure which supports a flexible, thin and substantially planar membrane of pyroelectric material. The major surfaces of the pyroelectric membrane carry electrodes, one of which is a common electrode and the other of which is defined as an array. One detector fabrication method involves preparing layered support structure and membrane components as separate assemblies and securing them together prior to performing finishing process steps. In an alternative method, a layered substrate is used as the foundation of a one-stage technique involving back-etching, and the frame-shaped support structure is created by processing the layered substrate subsequent to the attachment of the membrane thereto.

Abstract: Cannulas for surgical and medical use expand along their entire lengths. The cannulas are inserted through tissue when in an unexpanded condition and with a small diameter. The cannulas are then expanded radially outwardly to give a full-size instrument passage. Expansion of the cannulas occurs against the viscoelastic resistance of the surrounding tissue. The expandable cannulas do not require a full depth incision, or at most require only a needle-size entrance opening. In one embodiment of the invention, the cannula has a pointed end portion. In this embodiment of the invention, the cannula includes wires having cores which are enclosed by jackets. The jackets are integrally formed as one piece with a sheath of the cannula. The cannula may be expanded by inserting members or by fluid pressure. The cannula is advantageously utilized to expand a vessel, such as a blood vessel. An expandable chamber may be provided at the distal end of the cannula.

Abstract: A bolt system for multi-barrel rifles with at least two firing pin pieces. Trigger levers are associated with the firing pin pieces. At least one trigger can rotate about a trigger axis. At least one pivotable pendulum weight is provided for avoiding an unintended firing of a shot. The pendulum weight is arranged on the trigger in such a manner that it can pivot about a pivot axis that is located, viewed in the direction of firing, in front of the trigger axis, and the center of gravity of the pendulum weight is located above the trigger axis.

Abstract: A loading apparatus for a vehicle, with a loading floor provisioned in a loading area of the vehicle, where the loading floor exhibits a spacing element, with guide linkage or channel, where the lower end of the spacing element is configured for engaging the guide linkage. The vehicle has a loading edge, where loading edge exhibits a slant for supporting the loading floor at a second end region.

Abstract: A Ni type ferrite material of a low magnetic loss. The Ni type ferrite material is formed by adding MnO2 in an amount of 0.1 to 10 mol % to a ferrite material of a composition containing Fe2O3 in 40 to 50 mol %, ZnO in 20 to 33 mol %, CuO in 2 to 10 mol %, and NiO in the remainder. Such Ni type ferrite material is adapted for use in a coil component as a core material because of a smaller magnetic loss in comparison with a prior material, and has a high electric resistance to allow direct coil winding on the core, thereby realizing reduction in both size and weight of the coil component.

Abstract: A lock system for a multi-barrel gun with at least two movably arranged firing pin pieces and a trigger device that has sears associated with the firing pin pieces, at least one trigger, and a switching mechanism for automatically connecting the trigger to the sear of the not yet released second firing pin piece after the firing of a first shot as a consequence of an actuation of the sear of the first firing pin piece for its release by the trigger. The switching mechanism has a base body that can shift in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the gun. The base body includes a firing lever rotatably arranged on it that can be actuated by the trigger, that is at an interval from the sears in the cocked state of the firing pin pieces and that does not engage with the sear belonging to the second firing pin piece for firing the second shot until after completion of the spring-back of the weapon.

Abstract: A vehicle traveling through an environmental media such as air experiences drag. The drag is actively modulated by energy beams which may either increase or decrease the drag. The energy beams may provide either a chemical, acoustic or electromagnetic energy at a transition region between turbulent and laminar flows or at the leading edge of a laminar flow or in the direction of a crosswind in order to facilitate the respective increase or decrease in drag. If the vehicle is a sailing ship, areas of the sails are selectively roughened or widened to enhance the thrust derived from the wind. Furthermore, the keel or hull of the sailing ship may be modified to improve the hydrodynamic characteristics of the sailing ship. If the vehicle is an automobile, the tires or road surface may be selectively heated to improve the traction of the automobile.

Abstract: The present invention includes a coiled wire formed of a shape memory material for implantation into an anatomical defect. After implantation of one or more of the coiled wires according to the present invention, the defect is occluded and thereby corrected or treated. Prior to implantation, the coiled wire is generally elongated and thereafter it reverts to a predetermined shape that is suitable for occluding the defect. At least one clip having at least two prongs may be provided on the wire for attachment to body tissue. Preferably the wire is made of nickel-titanium. In an alternative embodiment, the coil includes a plurality of layers. At least one of these layers is formed of a shape memory material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a tissue implant that includes applying force to the tissue to form the implant which has a predetermined shape. The applied force against the tissue is monitored or controlled during the shaping of the tissue.