Abstract: A method for making an implantable stent includes the steps of (i) providing a plurality of elongate stent wires; (ii) forming said wires into a hollow tubular structure having opposed first and second open ends; (iii) terminating said wires at the second end; (iv) aligning the wires at the second end into a plurality of mated adjacent wires to define a plurality of abutting regions; (v) welding the mated adjacent wires to one and the other at the abutting regions to define a plurality of welds; and optionally (vi) chemically or electro-chemically removing a portion of the welds. The method may further include the steps of (a) extending at least one of the mated stent wires to provide an extended stent wire; (b) looping the extended stent wire so the extended end abuts a proximal pair of stent wires; and (c) welding the extended and looped wire to the proximal pair of wires.

Abstract: A damper for reducing vibrations present in various portions of small vehicles, other transportation devices and other rolling and/or motorized devices, such as bicycles, motorcycles, lawn mowers, snowblowers and the like, may comprise a resilient member and a weight. The resilient member may mounted to a portion of a device having a surface suitable for engaging and retaining the resilient member therein, and the resilient member may have an inside surface suitable for engaging and retaining the weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for endovascularly delivering and releasing a prosthesis, e.g., an aortic prosthesis, within and/or across a patient's native heart valve, referred to hereinafter as replacing the patient's heart valve. In some embodiments the delivery system comprises a plurality of first actuatable element adapted to engage a plurality of second elements in a first configuration to capture the implant within the delivery system, and wherein the plurality of first actuatable element are adapted to engage the plurality of second elements in a second configuration and to release the implant from the delivery system.

Abstract: A releasable mount comprising two mounting posts that releasably engage into notches in the ends of a resilient, generally C-shaped bracket. The releasable mount is particularly useful to releasably mount an archery accessory such as an arrow quiver to an archery bow, tree or tree stand or the like. The arrow quiver may include a hood having an arrow retaining insert for receiving an arrow with a single-point or a 2-4 bladed broadhead. The quiver may also include an arrow gripper having a plurality of fingers whose sides define expandable oval slots between adjacent fingers into which the arrows are loaded.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a stent comprises a plurality of serpentine bands and a plurality of connector columns. Each serpentine band comprises a plurality of alternating straight band struts and turns. Adjacent serpentine bands are connected across a connector column by a plurality of connector struts. Each connector strut is connected at one end to a turn of one serpentine band and connected at the other end to a turn of another serpentine band. The turns of a serpentine band comprise connected turns that connect to a connector strut and unconnected turns that do not connect to a connector strut. At least one serpentine band comprises a repeating pattern of three band struts and then five band struts extending between connected turns as the serpentine band is traversed. At least one serpentine band comprises a repeating pattern of three band struts and then one band strut extending between connected turns as the serpentine band is traversed.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an apparatus and a method for the measurement of the vertical position of upper and lower punches, pairwisely associated to a rotatably driven rotor of a rotary tablet press and rotating synchronously with the rotor, which perform a vertical movement in certain regions along the circumference of their rotational movement during a rotation of the rotor. The apparatus features at least one scale arranged on at least one of the upper and/or lower punches, running in parallel to the vertical movement direction of the respective upper and/or lower punch, and at least one reading device associated to the scale, also rotating synchronously with the rotor, by means of which a vertical position of the respective upper and/or lower punch can be measured by reading out the scale. The inventions is furthermore related to a corresponding rotary tablet press and a corresponding method.

Abstract: Segmented articulatable stent of open structure comprised of end-connected struts of first and second lengths making up first and second segments with angular interconnects between adjacent first and second segments.

Abstract: Improved stent configurations exhibiting limited recoil, resistance to compression and improved longitudinal flexibility are disclosed. The stent comprised of a plurality of annular elements aligned to form a cylindrical stent body. The annular elements are comprised of a plurality of open, generally boomerang-shaped segments interconnected top-to-bottom around each of the annular elements. Adjacent annular elements are interconnected by interconnecting element.

Abstract: New circuit architecture for electro-optic modulator based on free-carrier dispersion effect is invented, in which the waveguide capacitor of the modulator is embed in the circuits and physically layout together with transistors, the switching of the modulator occurs in transistors, and as the result, the electro-optical modulation occurs in the waveguide capacitor. The invented modulator is not one physical device, it is actually a circuit. Several circuit design techniques are imported, leading to several new modulator circuits that have very high operation speed and very small power consumption. Several new waveguide capacitor structures are also invented that allow high efficient modulator circuits to be built.

Abstract: The present invention teaches an economical disposable emergency cellular telephone. A major object of this invention is a shocking self-defense capability. A further object is a cell phone which launches projectiles to deliver the shocking voltage. A further object of the invention is a new technique for having a large number of cellular phones share the same small group of access numbers and serial numbers in order to reduce the monthly charges to zero for the end consumer. This makes it more practical to use cellular phones for data transmission and monitoring applications.

Abstract: A non-contacting deviation measurement system projects a first line and a second line upon a surface of an object. The projections of the first line and second line are arranged to overlap at an intersection line oriented at a nominal location such that when the surface is oriented at the nominal location, the intersection line appears on the surface. As the location of the surface deviates from the nominal location, the first line and second line as projected upon the surface move away from one another. The distance between the lines may be used to calculate the deviation from the nominal location. The deviation calculated may be compared to a predetermined maximum allowable deviation.

Abstract: Stent delivery catheters comprising a hypotube, which may be a micromachined member, disposed on an outer portion of an inner member that may be an extruded multi-lumen member. The hypotube may be secured to the inner member. The devices may be adapted for delivering a self expanding stent by providing a restraining structure or device over the stent during delivery. One or more actuating members are provided through a lumen in the inner member to actuate the restraining structure and release the stent. Methods of use of such catheters are also described.

Abstract: A mechanism for dropping down and picking up an anchor in a controlled manner, the anchor having a chain with one end connected to a capstan in a releasable and retractable manner, an arm section to which the chain is connected from its other end, and a tip section, the mechanism of the present invention comprises a movable carrier which guides the anchor a certain distance as the anchor leaves the marine vehicle and is picked up onto the same.

Abstract: The new single mode circuit (SMC) architecture is invented for photonic integrated circuits (PIC). This architecture allows using multimode waveguides or structures to construct a single mode operated PIC. The multimode sections used in such SMC based PIC possess strong lateral confinement so that the PIC can have high circuit density and high optical performance at the same time. A parallel mode converter structure is also invented here. Based on this parallel mode converter, a low loss optical splitter can be constructed for high index contrast waveguide system.

Abstract: A catheter tip may be coupled to a catheter shaft. The catheter tip may include markers, such as radiopaque markers and MRI markers, securement hubs, recessed portions, a radiused tip, and varying axial flexibility. The catheter tip may be a molded tip, and the markers may be insert molded. Recessed portions and raised securement hubs may be formed during the molding process. The raised hubs may be integrally formed and made from the same material as the catheter tip.

Abstract: An expandable balloon for a medical device having a static state, at least one first expanded state, and at least one second expanded state, the expandable balloon having a substantially polygonal geometric shape in the static state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dicing film having an adhesive film for dicing a wafer and a die adhesive film, which are used for manufacturing a semiconductor package, and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor package using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a dicing film wherein a shrinkage release film is inserted between an adhesive film for dicing a wafer and a die adhesive film so that the die adhesive film and a die can be easily separated from the adhesive film for dicing a wafer when picking up a semiconductor die, and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor package using the same.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for percutaneous valve replacement and/or augmentation are provided. The apparatus includes a valve having a valve frame, a valve leaflet coupled to the valve frame, and a leaflet transition member coupled to the valve leaflet. The valve leaflet and leaflet transition member can transition from a first position where the valve leaflet and leaflet frame are at least partially outside a lumen of the valve frame to a second position where the valve leaflet and the leaflet transition member are within the lumen of the valve frame.

Abstract: Expandable intraluminal stents are provided as well their method of manufacture. These stents are made of metal, the metal characterized by a desired porosity, with a drug compressed into the pores of the stent. The stents are formed by subjecting one or more powdered metals in a die cavity to a pressure treatment followed by a heat treatment. The metal may be cast directly in a stent-like form or cast into sheets or tubes from which the inventive stents are produced. The so-formed porous metal stent is then loaded with one or more drugs.

Abstract: Medical balloons are described that have modified regions that enhance folding of the balloon.