Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed to mold complex shapes using a cast mold technique. A catalyst-initiated urethane can be used for these complex shapes as there is little thickness restriction on any part dimension. Moreover, urethane, once chemically activated, can be poured into cast molds with various shapes. Due to the exothermic nature of urethane, when the curing chemical reaction takes place, metal molds can be fabricated from aluminum. Cast molds, made from aluminum, utilize elastomeric seals to account for coefficients of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A counterbalance hinge (20, 20?) for a vehicle closure includes a pivot and counterbalance assembly (44) having a cam (46) and a spindle (50) with a helical threaded connection biased by a spring (56,56?) that provides closure counterbalancing. In one embodiment the spring (56) is of the helical tension type and another embodiment has the spring (56?) of the helical compression type.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and article involving a one-piece, unibody spindle liner having a tubular shape with an outside diameter and inside diameter that may be sized to fit virtually any spindle of a turning machine and to readily allow for the feeding therethrough of any size or shape of bar or tube stock. This invention provides that the axial centerline of the workpiece is maintained in concentric axial alignment with the working centerline of the turning machine to reduce wobble or “whip” of the stock during the machining process. The liner's inner bore and diameter is molded to match and allow for feeding of virtually any size and shape stock being turned, including but not limited to round, hex, square, and extruded. The inner bore is molded into the spindle liner along its entire length providing absolute support of the workpiece. The spindle liner also has a flanged mounting end to allow for the proper orientation and attachment to the spindle.

Abstract: A guidewire (1) comprising a distal end (2), a shaft portion (4) and a proximal end (3), wherein the shaft portion comprises at least one helically wound group (10) of at least two wires (7,8,9) extending side by side and having a pitch angle in the range of 35° to 76°.

Abstract: An indwelling catheter having an extremely low profile proximal section. The indwelling catheter of the present invention solves the problems associated with the prior art feeding catheters by providing an extremely low profile proximal section which is situated external to the patient's body when the catheter is in place. The external portion is preferably in the form of a “trap door”, including a flat base portion that lies against the patient's skin and a flat, hinged cover which is operative to seal the proximal opening of the catheter when not in use. In order to retain the catheter and prevent it from being accidentally dislodged, the catheter includes a series of helical coils which are unformed during catheter insertion and then automatically reform in order to hold the catheter in place internally. The catheter is self-adjusting in that fewer or greater loops will automatically reform depending upon the thickness of the patient's abdominal wall.

Abstract: A coated implantable medical device 10 includes a structure 12 adapted for introduction into the vascular system, esophagus, trachea, colon, biliary tract, or urinary tract; at least one layer 18 of a bioactive material posited on one surface of structure 12; and at least one porous layer 20 posited over the bioactive material layer 18 posited on one surface of structure (12) and the bioactive-material-free surface. Preferably, the structure 12 is a coronary stent. The porous layer 20 is comprised of a polymer applied preferably by vapor or plasma deposition and provides a controlled release of the bioactive material. It is particularly preferred that the polymer is a polyamide, parylene or a parylene derivative, which is deposited without solvents, heat or catalysts, merely by condensation of a monomer vapor. Also disclosed is the method of manufacture of the device 10, as well as a method of using it in medical treatments.

Abstract: A vertical rack-type spline-forming machine based on a novel slide base arrangement comprising a pair of vertical slide bases structurally joined by a symmetrically arranged set of tie bars. The structurally-joined vertical slide bases can be rested in an upright position on a non-structural space frame which provides improved access and lift capabilities to the vertical machine. The machine also includes a novel drive system using independent electric motors, one motor associated with each vertical slide base to drive the rack on that base through a roller screw shaft mechanism. The racks are further electronically synchronized through position signals communicated between the motor drives, and the rack home positions are calibrated with electronic "datums" programmed into the motor drives and capable of being re-calibrated in programmable fashion if one of the racks loses synchronicity.

Abstract: A vertical rack-type spline-forming machine based on a novel slide base arrangement comprising a pair of vertical slide bases structurally joined by a symmetrically arranged set of tie bars. The structurally-joined vertical slide bases can be rested in an upright position on a non-structural space frame which provides improved access and lift capabilities to the vertical machine. The machine also includes a novel drive system using independent electric motors, one motor associated with each vertical slide base to drive the rack on that base through a roller screw shaft mechanism. The racks are further electronically synchronized through position signals communicated between the motor drives, and the rack home positions are calibrated with electronic "datums" programmed into the motor drives and capable of being re-calibrated in programmable fashion if one of the racks loses synchronicity.

Abstract: A papillotome (10) including a multi-lumen inner member tube (11) with an outer member tube (16) positioned around the proximal portion thereof with a spacing therebetween for limiting the radial expansion of the inner member tube so that the elastic limit of the inner member tube is not exceeded. The material of and the spacing between the inner and outer member tubes is selected so as to longitudinally distribute the radial expansion of the inner member tube from a fixed or partial attachment of the inner and outer member tubes.

Abstract: A spline forming rack having a plurality of parallel teeth for the cold forming of a spline on a workpiece wherein the land surfaces of the teeth have deposited thereon by a welding process a layer of particles of a hardening material such as tungsten carbide to increase both the wear resistance and the roughness of the land surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a power transmission member from a thin-walled blank, the apparatus including a pair of dies (84) having opposed work surfaces, and a mandrel (50) positioned between the work surfaces of the dies (84) for receiving a blank (52) to be formed and rotated upon movement of the work surfaces of the dies in opposite directions during a forming operation. The mandrel (50) includes a work surface for cooperating with the work surface of the dies (84). Notch forming projections (70) on the work surfaces of the dies (84) cooperate with the work surface of the mandrel (50) for roll punching notches (72) through the blank (52) as the blank (52) is rotated between the moving dies (84).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a power transmission member from a thin-walled blank, the apparatus including a pair of dies (84) having opposed work surfaces, and a mandrel (50) positioned between the work surfaces of the dies (84) for receiving a blank (52) to be formed and rotated upon movement of the work surfaces of the dies in opposite directions during a forming operation. The mandrel (50) includes a work surface for cooperating with the work surface of the dies (84). Notch forming projections (70) on the work surfaces of the dies (84) cooperate with the work surfaces of the mandrel (50) for roll punching notches (72) through the blank (52) as the blank (52) is rotated between the moving dies (84).

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for replacing an endotracheal tube. The apparatus comprises an endotracheal tube obturator having an air passageway therein and a removable connector positioned at the proximal end of the obturator tube for ventilating the patient during replacement of the endotracheal tube. The obturator tube also includes a plurality of side ports for further ventilating the patient should mucous block the distal end of the obturator tube passageway. The removable connector includes a ventilator fitting and a removable and lockable obturator tube fitting joined thereto. The obturator tube fitting includes a sleeve having a plurality of flexible members for grasping the proximal end of the obturator tube. Extending into the passageway of the sleeve is a projection from the members for engaging the outside surface of the obturator tube when inserted in the passageway.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a power transmission member from a thin-walled blank, the apparatus including a pair of dies (84) having opposed work surfaces, and a mandrel (50) positioned between the work surfaces of the dies (84) for receiving a blank (52) to be formed and rotated upon movement of the work surfaces of the dies in opposite directions during a forming operation. The mandrel (50) includes a work surface for cooperating with the work surface of the dies (84). Notch forming projections (70) on the work surfaces of the dies (84) cooperate with the work surfaces of the mandrel (50) for roll punching notches (72) through the blank (52) as the blank (52) is rotated between the moving dies (84).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a power transmission member from a thin-walled blank, the apparatus including a pair of dies (84) having opposed work surfaces, and a mandrel (50) positioned between the work surfaces of the dies (84) for receiving a blank (52) to be formed and rotated upon movement of the work surfaces of the dies in opposite directions during a forming operation. The mandrel (50) includes a work surface for cooperating with the work surface of the dies (84). Notch forming projections (70) on the work surfaces of the dies (84) cooperate with the work surfaces of the mandrel (50) for roll punching notches (72) through the blank (52) as the blank (52) is rotated between the moving dies (84).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a power transmission member from a thin-walled blank, the apparatus including a pair of dies (84) having opposed work surfaces, and a mandrel (50) positioned between the work surfaces of the dies (84) for receiving a blank (52) to be formed and rotated upon movement of the work surfaces of the dies in opposite directions during a forming operation. The mandrel (50) includes a work surface for cooperating with the work surface of the dies (84). Notch forming projections (70) on the work surfaces of the dies (84) cooperate with the work surfaces of the mandrel (50) for roll punching notches (72) through the blank (52) as the blank (52) is rotated between the moving dies (84).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and die assembly (26, 30) for forming a splined power transmission member from a thin-walled blank. The apparatus (10) comprises a pair of die assemblies (26, 30), each including a supporting frame (28), first (42) and second (44) die bodies independently mounted on the supporting frame (28) in end-to-end coaxial relationship with each other, with rough (46) and finish (48) spline-forming surfaces formed on the first (42) and second (44) die bodies, respectively. The pair of die assemblies (26, 30) are supported with the spline-forming surfaces of the respective die bodies (42, 44) in spaced, oppoosed, parallel relationship to each other. A power drive mechanism sequentially moves the pair of die assemblies (26, 30) in opposed directions. The power drive means effectuates a rough spline-forming stroke and then returns the die assemblies (26, 30) to the neutral position.

Abstract: A balloon guide is disclosed which includes a single lumen useful alternately for fluid communication through the distal tip or for inflation of a balloon when the distal end is closed. The guide includes a body formed from coiled wire having a proximal portion in which the coils are held together and a distal portion in which the coils are separable. The balloon is located about the separable coils. A restriction adjacent the distal tip of the guide body is closable by a plug mandril extending through the central lumen of the guide. With the distal tip open, fluid communication is available through the central lumen for pressure measurements, fluid infusion or the like. In an alternate condition, a plug is positioned to close off the distal opening of the guide and also to stretch the coiled wire to separate the coils in the region underlying the balloon, preventing fluid communication through the distal tip, but permitting inflation or deflation of the balloon through the separated wire coils.

Abstract: An apparatus (12) for cold sizing a round workpiece (14) having round surfaces of cylindrical shapes that are coaxial about a central axis A of the workpiece and have different diameters. A support (54,55) rotatably mounts the workpiece (14) about its central axis A between a pair of die assemblies (24a, 24b) which are spaced from each other. Each die assembly (24a,24b) includes a plurality of dies (56,58,60,62) that are respectively aligned with the round surfaces (46,48,50,52) of the workpiece (14). Movement of the die assemblies in opposite directions as each other engages sizing surfaces (66,68,70,72) of the dies with the aligned round surfaces of the workpiece to pressure size the workpiece surfaces. In one embodiment of the sizing apparatus (12), the die assemblies (24a, 24b) have elongated shapes and are moved rectilinearly in a parallel relationship to each other to perform the sizing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a power transmission member from a thin-walled blank, the apparatus including a pair of dies (84) having opposed work surfaces, and a mandrel (50) positioned between the work surfaces of the dies (84) for receiving a blank (52) to be formed and rotated upon movement of the work surfaces of the dies in opposite directions during a forming operation. The mandrel (50) includes a work surface for cooperating with the work surface of the dies (84). Notch forming projections (70) on the work surfaces of the dies (84) cooperate with the work surfaces of the mandrel (50) for roll punching notches (72) through the blank (52) as the blank (52) is rotated between the moving dies (84).