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 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 intravenous (IV) cannula comprising an elongated body including a distal section for insertion into a blood vessel; at least one channel extending along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis of said cannula section, the at least one channel configured to maintain an amount of at least 10% of a blood flow in the blood vessel; and a central lumen configured to allow an IV fluid flow into the blood vessel.

Abstract: Data is organized in a knowledge network by defining a set of nodes, each node comprising data describing knowledge and a task pertinent to the knowledge, and defining relationships between the nodes based on the data.

Abstract: Roller assemblies for transporting and laterally shifting pipe section, or joints, on oil and gas exploration and production laybarges, drilling/production vessels and platforms, and pipe spooling yards are disclosed. The roller assemblies comprise rollers that are capable of being tilted to facilitate lateral shifting of the pipe sections or joints. The roller assemblies comprise a frame, a tilting assembly, a roller frame pivotally connected to the tilting assembly and the frame, and a roller rotatably connected to the roller frame by an axle. The tilting assembly lifts one end of the roller frame to tilt the roller.

Abstract: An image comprising a plurality of interlaced images is provided, and the image is halftone processed according to one or more processes. The image is halftone processed according to a predetermined function depending at least in part on a gray scale level for a given pixel and on gray scale levels for local pixels nearby the given pixel. The predetermined function can operate on a continuous tone version or on a printed-dot model of the image. Alternatively, the predetermined function may include a predetermined error filter where error which is distributed to pixels corresponding to the same interlaced image from which the error accumulates. The image may be post-processed to arrange dots and/or shift columns of pixels to minimize overlap error. The image may be modified to include extra pixels to align the interlaced images under the lenses.

Abstract: Data is organized in a knowledge network by defining a set of nodes, each node comprising data describing knowledge and a task pertinent to the knowledge, and defining relationships between the nodes based on the data.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a tensioner for providing linear and angular movement of a drilling or production facility relative to a conduit or riser secured to the tensioner and to the wellhead in offshore operations. The tensioner compensates for vessel motion induced by wave action and heave and maintains a variable tension to the riser string alleviating the potential for compression and thus buckling or failure of the riser string. The tensioner of the present invention preferably includes at least one top load plate that facilitates easy and quick installation and removal of the tensioner from the rig floor of the vessel or platform. The tensioner also facilitates the placement of at least one piece of equipment disposed within the area formed by the tensioning cylinders. The tensioner may also include one or more pieces of equipment, e.g., a rotary table, integrally formed with the tensioner to further increase the ease and speed of installation and removal of the tensioner from the rig floor.

Abstract: A conveyor belt including a plurality of interconnected wire segments forming a conveying surface to convey at least one article from one point to another. The conveying surface has first and second outermost edges. Preferably, each of the plurality of wire segments has open end regions permitting interlocking of adjacent wire elements without subsequent forming or reforming of the end regions. The outermost edges of the conveyor belt are formed to reduce the likelihood of snagging and/or injury.

Abstract: The invention is directed to breechblock connections to and between oil field equipment and oil field lines for use with oil field equipment associated with oil and gas exploration, drilling, and production. The oil field lines and oil field equipment of the invention include a breechblock connection for quick and easy removal and installation of the oil field lines to oil field equipment and to other oil field lines, and connections between different pieces of oil field equipment. Methods of connecting lines to oil field equipment and connecting one piece of oil field equipment to a second piece of oil field equipment are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a tensioner assembly for providing tensile force from a floating vessel at the surface of the ocean to the blowout preventer stack, or production tree, which is connected to the wellhead at the sea floor. The tensioner assembly compensates for vessel motion induced by wave action and heave and maintains a variable tension to the riser string alleviating the potential for compression and thus buckling or failure of the riser string. The tensioner assembly of the present invention includes a cylinder, a stop tube disposed with the cylinder, and a ram slidably engaged within the stop tube. The tensioner assembly also includes at least one gas, or air, transfer tube to create a pressurized air over hydraulic fluid arrangement to provide tensile force to the tensioner assembly.

Abstract: A closed system drill string compensator having a hydraulic fluid accumulator, at least one air pressure vessel, and a piston and a piston rod slidably engaged within a cylinder. The drill string compensator provides tensioning force for supporting a drill string and permits the drilling vessel to remain connected to the drill string during ocean level changes caused by wave action or ocean heave. In one embodiment, the accumulator surrounds the cylinder and at least one air pressure vessel is radially disposed around the accumulator and the cylinder. In another embodiment, the accumulator surrounds the cylinder and includes two ports, one port for permitting fluid communication between the cylinder and the accumulator and a second port for permitting fluid communication between the accumulator and the air pressure vessel, the first port including a shut-off valve disposed therein. Methods of compensating a drill string are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to pressure lines for use with equipment associated with drilling and production risers, and in particular, pressure lines having breechblock connections with the equipment and with choke and kill lines for use in connection with different sized blowout preventer stacks (“BOP stacks”). The pressure line systems and choke and kill line systems of the invention include a breechblock connection for quick and easy removal and installation of the pressure lines to riser equipment and the choke and kill lines to BOP stacks. Additionally, the choke and kill lines of the invention may include a coupling system having a BOP connector, or plate assembly, for permitting one set of choke and kill lines to be used on various sized BOP stacks. The plate assembly is in fluid communication with a first choke or kill line connector.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a tensioner assembly for providing tensile force from a floating vessel at the surface of the ocean to the blowout preventer stack, or production tree, which is connected to the wellhead at the sea floor. The tensioner assembly compensates for vessel motion induced by wave action and heave and maintains a variable tension to the riser string alleviating the potential for compression and thus buckling or failure of the riser string. The tensioner assembly of the present invention includes a cylinder, a stop tube disposed with the cylinder, and a ram slidably engaged within the stop tube. The tensioner assembly also includes at least one gas, or air, transfer tube to create a pressurized air over hydraulic fluid arrangement to provide tensile force to the tensioner assembly.

Abstract: A closed system drill string compensator having a hydraulic fluid accumulator, at least one air pressure vessel, and a piston and a piston rod slidably engaged within a cylinder. The drill string compensator provides tensioning force for supporting a drill string and permits the drilling vessel to remain connected to the drill string during ocean level changes caused by wave action or ocean heave. In one embodiment, the accumulator surrounds the cylinder and at least one air pressure vessel is radially disposed around the accumulator and the cylinder. In another embodiment, the accumulator surrounds the cylinder and includes two ports, one port for permitting fluid communication between the cylinder and the accumulator and a second port for permitting fluid communication between the accumulator and the air pressure vessel, the first port including a shut-off valve disposed therein. Methods of compensating a drill string are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a tensioner/slip-joint module for providing a conduit from a floating vessel at the surface of the ocean to the blowout preventer stack, or production tree, which is connected to the wellhead at the sea floor. The tensioner/slip-joint module compensates for vessel motion induced by wave action and heave and maintains a variable tension to the riser string alleviating the potential for compression and thus buckling or failure of the riser string. The tensioner/slip-joint module of the present invention preferably includes at least one mandrel having at least one hang-off donut; at least one upper flexjoint swivel assembly, at least one radially ported manifold, at least one tensioning cylinder, and at least one slip-joint assembly combined in a single unit.

Abstract: A method for entraining and mixing gas with liquids within a conduit or drop structure, comprising the channeling of one or more liquid flows into spiral flows of predetermined radius (radii), reducing the predetermined radius (radii) to increase the centrifugal forces acting upon the spiral flow(s) as the spiral flow(s) enter the conduit, and allowing gas access to the conduit to mix with and entrain within the spiral flow within the conduit or drop structure. The method can facilitate the mixing of gas with one or more fluid flows and/or reduce the release of gas emissions from the fluid(s) into the surrounding environment.

Abstract: An endless conveyor belt comprising a plurality of interconnected segments forming a conveying surface to convey at least one article from one point to another. The conveying surface preferably has first and seconds ends and a plurality of openings. A splicing member preferably connects the first end of the conveying surface to the second end of the conveying surface to form an endless conveyor belt. The splicing member preferably includes at least first and second sections, a connecting member and at least one sealing member. The connecting member has first and second ends. A portion of the first section is connected to the first end of the connecting member thereby forming a first exposed area. A portion of the second section is connected to the second end of the connecting member thereby forming a second exposed area. The at least one sealing member is deposed relative to the connecting member and the first and second sections to seal at least one of the first and second exposed areas.

Abstract: A device for thawing frozen food requires no electrical energy consumption. A frozen food item is supported by a metallic bottom part and a metallic top part overlies the food item so that the food item is held in sandwiched relation between the top and bottom parts. The distance between the top part and the bottom part is vertically adjustable to accommodate frozen food items of differing sizes. A plurality of heat transfer fins are integrally formed in the top part and deliver heat from the ambient environment into the food item. A second embodiment includes fins on the bottom part as well. Moisture created by the thawing drains away from the food item under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: A method for entraining and mixing gas with liquids within a conduit or drop structure, comprising the channeling of one or more liquid flows into spiral flows of predetermined radius (radii), reducing the predetermined radius (radii) to increase the centrifugal forces acting upon the spiral flow(s) as the spiral flow(s) enter the conduit, and allowing gas access to the conduit to mix with and entrain within the spiral flow within the conduit or drop structure. The method can facilitate the mixing of gas with one or more fluid flows and/or reduce the release of gas emissions from the fluid(s) into the surrounding environment.