Abstract: A rotational atherectomy device for removing a stenotic tissue from the iliac artery of a patient. The device comprises a flexible, rotatable drive shaft having an elongated proximal portion, an elongated distal portion. An abrasive element is mounted to the drive shaft between the elongated proximal and distal portions of the drive shad and between and spaced away from a pair of counterweights which are mounted to said elongated portions of the drive shaft. The eccentric abrasive element and the counterweights are configured for rapid rotation together with the drive shaft, the drive shaft is configured to extend throughout an entire length of the iliac artery to be treated. One elongated portion of the drive shaft extends out of the patient through a first access opening located in a femoral artery which is ipsilateral to the treated artery. Another elongated portion of the drive shaft extending through a second access opening located in another peripheral artery of the patient.

Abstract: An electrical generator module for harnessing the energy of fluid flowing in a channel subject to gravitational and centripetal forces. The electrical generator module includes a stationary casing portion and a runner portion rotationally coupled to the stationary casing portion, with the runner portion including a set of blades adapted to interact with the fluid. A support arrangement is adapted to secure the stationary casing portion to the interior of the channel in place such that it is prevented from rotating. An electrical energy generator is mechanically coupled to the runner portion and adapted to convert rotational motion of the runner portion into electrical energy.

Abstract: A rotational atherectomy device for abrading a stenotic lesion from a vessel of a patient comprises a flexible drive shaft which extends towards a distal end of the device, a distal fluid inflatable support element located at a distal end of the drive shaft and an abrasive element mounted to the drive shaft proximal to and spaced away from the distal fluid inflatable support element. Both the abrasive element and the distal fluid inflatable support element are rotatable together with the drive shaft and the drive shaft comprises a torque transmitting coil which defines a long lumen of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A process for converting waste fibers to solid fuel is provided, including providing a supply of animal waste including the waste fibers in a predetermined quantity; washing the supply of animal waste for a predetermined washing period; dewatering the supply of animal waste by separating water from the waste fibers for a predetermined dewatering period; shedding the waste fibers for separating liquids from solids; compressing the dewatered and shed waste fibers to generate a plurality of briquettes; torrefying at least one of the plurality of briquettes in a torrefaction reactor using a heat source at a predetermined torrefying temperature for a predetermined torrefying period; removing the at least one of the plurality of briquettes from the reactor; and cooling the torrefaction reactor to reach a predetermined cooling temperature.

Abstract: Linear pipe recovery/lay tensioners can include one or more pivot assemblies for rotatably moving an upper track away from a lower track to facilitate placement of a pipe segment between the two tracks. In addition, or alternatively, the tensioners can include one or more hydraulic cylinders that provide flexible suspension to the upper and lower tracks so the tracks can move and rotate as necessary due to differing pipe segment shapes. In addition, or alternatively, the upper and lower tracks include one or more gripping pad having one or more gripping member that is sheathed by a compliant member until such time as the pipe segment compresses the compliant member causing the gripping member(s) to protrude from the compliant member and bite into the pipe segment. Rotation of the tracks is controlled by a hydraulic pump capable of rotating the tracks at the same rate or at different rates.

Abstract: A rotational atherectomy device for abrading a stenotic lesion from a vessel of a patient comprises a flexible drive shaft (1) which extends towards a distal end of the device, a distal fluid inflatable support element (3, 3?) located at a distal end of the drive shaft and an abrasive element (5) mounted to the drive shaft proximal to and spaced away from the distal fluid inflatable support element. Both the abrasive element and the distal fluid inflatable support element are rotatable together with the drive shaft and the drive shaft comprises a torque transmitting coil (2) which defines a long lumen of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A rotational atherectomy device for removing a stenotic tissue (3) from the iliac artery (1) of a patient. The device comprises a flexible, rotatable drive shaft (10) having an elongated proximal portion, an elongated distal portion, and an abrasive element (16) mounted to the drive shaft between the elongated proximal (11) and distal (14) portions of the drive shall and configured for rapid rotation together with the drive shaft. The drive shaft is configured to extend throughout an entire length of the iliac artery to be treated and one elongated portion of the drive shaft extends out of the patient through a first access opening located in a femoral artery (9) which is ipsilateral to the treated artery. Another elongated portion of the drive shaft extends through a second access opening located in another peripheral artery (19) of the patient. A method for treating an iliac artery of a patient using such a rotational atherectomy device is disclosed.

Abstract: A rotational atherectomy device for removing a stenotic tissue from the iliac artery of a patient. The device comprises a flexible, rotatable drive shaft having an elongated proximal portion, an elongated distal portion. An abrasive element is mounted to the drive shaft between the elongated proximal and distal portions of the drive shad and between and spaced away from a pair of counterweights which are mounted to said elongated portions of the drive shaft. The eccentric abrasive element and the counterweights are configured for rapid rotation together with the drive shaft, the drive shaft is configured to extend throughout an entire length of the iliac artery to be treated. One elongated portion of the drive shaft extends out of the patient through a first access opening located in a femoral artery which is ipsilateral to the treated artery. Another elongated portion of the drive shaft extending through a second access opening located in another peripheral artery of the patient.

Abstract: A rotational atherectomy device for abrading a stenotic lesion from a vessel of a patient comprises a flexible drive shaft which extends towards a distal end of the device, a distal fluid inflatable support element located at a distal end of the drive shaft and an abrasive element mounted to the drive shaft proximal to and spaced away from the distal fluid inflatable support element. Both the abrasive element and the distal fluid inflatable support element are rotatable together with the drive shaft.

Abstract: A rotational atherectomy device for removing a stenotic tissue from the iliac artery of a patient. The device comprises a flexible, rotatable drive shaft having an elongated proximal portion, an elongated distal portion. An abrasive element is mounted to the drive shaft between the elongated proximal and distal portions of the drive shaft and between and spaced away from a pair of counterweights which are mounted to said elongated portions of the drive shaft. The eccentric abrasive element and the counterweights are configured for rapid rotation together with the drive shaft, the drive shaft is configured to extend throughout an entire length of the iliac artery to be treated. One elongated portion of the drive shaft extends out of the patient through a first access opening located in a femoral artery which is ipsilateral to the treated artery. Another elongated portion of the drive shaft extending through a second access opening located in another peripheral artery of the patient.

Abstract: A rotational atherectomy device for removing a stenotic tissue (3) from the iliac artery (1) of a patient. The device comprises a flexible, rotatable drive shaft (10) having an elongated proximal portion, an elongated distal portion, and an abrasive element (16) mounted to the drive shaft between the elongated proximal (11) and distal (14) portions of the drive shaft and configured for rapid rotation together with the drive shaft. The drive shaft is configured to extend throughout an entire length of the iliac artery to be treated and one elongated portion of the drive shaft extends out of the patient through a first access opening located in a femoral artery (9) which is ipsilateral to the treated artery. Another elongated portion of the drive shaft extends through a second access opening located in another peripheral artery (19) of the patient. A method for treating an iliac artery of a patient using such a rotational atherectomy device is disclosed.

Abstract: A rotational atherectomy device for removing a stenotic tissue from a vessel of a patient is disclosed. The device comprises a rotatable, flexible, hollow drive shaft having a fluid impermeable wall defining a lumen of the drive shaft and, an abrasive element mounted to a distal end portion of the drive shaft proximal to and spaced away from a distal support element formed at a distal end of the drive shaft. The distal support element is inflatable by pressurized fluid which flows in an antegrade direction through said lumen of the drive shaft and is least partially re-directed into the distal fluid inflatable support element. The distal fluid inflatable support element has an outer wall comprising an outflow opening.

Abstract: A rotational atherectomy device for removing a stenotic tissue from a vessel of a patient comprises a flexible hollow drive shaft and an abrasive element mounted to the drive shaft proximal to and spaced from a solid support element mounted at the distal end of the drive shaft, the solid support element having a rounded outer surface and an outflow channel with an outflow opening in said rounded outer surface. The drive shaft comprises a torque transmitting coil and at least one fluid impermeable membrane forming a fluid impermeable lumen for the antegrade flow of fluid into the outflow channel such that, during rotation of the drive shaft, a flow of fluid out of said outflow opening forms a fluid bearing between the rotating solid support element and the wall of the treated vessel.

Abstract: A rotational atherectomy device for abrading a stenotic lesion from a vessel of a patient comprises a flexible drive shaft which extends towards a distal end of the device, a distal fluid inflatable support element located at a distal end of the drive shaft and an abrasive element mounted to the drive shaft proximal to and spaced away from the distal fluid inflatable support element. Both the abrasive element and the distal fluid inflatable support element are rotatable together with the drive shaft.

Abstract: A rotational atherectomy device for removing a stenotic tissue from a vessel of a patient is disclosed. The device comprises a rotatable, flexible, hollow drive shaft having a fluid impermeable wall defining a fluid impermeable lumen of the drive shaft and, an abrasive element mounted to a distal end portion of the drive shaft proximal to and spaced away from a distal support element formed at a distal end of the drive shaft, the distal support element being inflatable by pressurized fluid which flows in an antegrade direction through said lumen of the drive shaft and is at least partially re-directed into the distal fluid inflatable support element.

Abstract: A rotational atherectomy device for removing a stenotic tissue from a vessel of a patient is disclosed. The device comprises a rotatable, flexible, hollow drive shaft having an open distal end. The drive shaft comprising a fluid impermeable wall, an abrasive element mounted to the drive shaft proximal to and spaced away from its distal end, the fluid impermeable wall being formed from a torque transmitting coil and at least one fluid impermeable membrane which define a lumen for the antegrade flow of pressurized fluid through the drive shaft and into a distal fluid inflatable support element to inflate said fluid inflatable support element. The distal fluid inflatable support element is located at the distal end of the drive shaft and has an outer wall comprising an outflow opening.

Abstract: A rotational atherectomy device for removing a stenotic tissue from a vessel of a patient is disclosed. The device comprises a rotatable, flexible, hollow drive shaft having a fluid impermeable wall defining a lumen of the drive shaft and, an abrasive element mounted to a distal end portion of the drive shaft proximal to and spaced away from a distal support element formed at a distal end of the drive shaft. The distal support element is inflatable by pressurized fluid which flows in an antegrade direction through said lumen of the drive shaft and is least partially re-directed into the distal fluid inflatable support element. The distal fluid inflatable support element has an outer wall comprising an outflow opening.

Abstract: A rotational device for removing a stenotic lesion from within a vessel of a patient is disclosed. The device comprises a flexible hollow drive shaft having a distal end insertable into the vessel and an abrasive element located on the drive shaft proximal to the distal end of the drive shaft to abrade a stenotic lesion when the drive shaft rotates. The hollow drive shaft defines a lumen for fluid supplied into the drive shaft to flow in an antegrade direction along the lumen and into the vessel from the drive shaft distal to the abrasive element so that the fluid entering the vessel flows in a retrograde direction over the abrasive element and the drive shaft to entrain debris abraded by the abrasive element for removal of said debris from the patient.

Abstract: An atherectomy system for removing a stenotic lesion from within a vessel of a patient is disclosed. The system comprising an atherectomy device for reducing the lesion and a separate elongate drainage catheter for evacuating from the treated vessel embolic particles released into the vessel from the stenotic lesion during its reduction by the atherectomy device during an atherectomy procedure. The atherectomy device and the separate elongate drainage catheter are each configured for introduction into the patent's vasculature though separate openings in at least one peripheral artery of the patient.

Abstract: A rotational atherectomy device for removing a stenotic tissue (330, 360) from a vessel (300) of a patient comprises a flexible hollow drive shaft (2) and an abrasive element (101, 102) mounted to the drive shaft proximal to and spaced from a solid support element (10, 10s) mounted at the distal end (6) of the drive shaft, the solid support element having a rounded outer surface and an outflow channel (20, 20s) with an outflow opening in said rounded outer surface. The drive shaft comprises a torque transmitting coil (4) and at least one fluid impermeable membrane (3) forming a fluid impermeable lumen for the antegrade flow (FF) of fluid into the outflow channel such that, during rotation of the drive shaft, a flow of fluid out of said outflow opening forms a fluid bearing between the rotating solid support element and the wall of the treated vessel.