Abstract: A method for improving the performance of a multi-user operating system includes the steps of providing a kernal mode memory region in which instantiations of kernal objects associated with each user may be stored. Each instantiations of a particular kernal object is accessed via the same virtual address. Storing instantiations of kernal objects reduces code contention for commonly used kernal objects while allowing the instantiation to retain kernal mode protections.

Abstract: A minimally invasive technique for harvesting saphenous veins and the like for use as autografts in coronary artery bypass grafting surgery include a microsurgical instrument adapted to be demountably secured to the distal end of an endoscope. The instrument is inserted through an entry incision in the patient's skin, at the end of the endoscope which is used by a surgeon to advance the instrument along the saphenous vein, using the vein as a guide for the instrument. The instrument is tapered to provide initial separation of surrounding tissues from the vein, and cutting means supported by the instrument and viewed via the endoscope allow dissection of all tissues and side branch vessels from the saphenous vein. The instrument further provides a protective hood which prevents tissues or skin from blocking the endoscope. The desired length of saphenous vein is transected and is extracted via the entry incision. The technique minimizes trauma to the patient and to the saphenous vein graft.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a pressure vessel (16) and a valve assembly (20). The pressure vessel (16) includes a source of inflation fluid for an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The valve assembly (20) regulates an outlet flow of the inflation fluid from the pressure vessel (16), and includes a metering member (72) normally having an initial position defining an initial outlet flow area. The valve assembly (20) further comprises pyrotechnic material (112) which, when ignited, produces combustion products that develop a thrust which moves the metering member (72) to a subsequent position defining a subsequent outlet flow area greater than the initial outlet flow area.

Abstract: The present invention includes a housing for providing space to hold elements of the scanning system, a document holder is used for holding a document, which can be separated from the scanning system. Further, the document holder includes a transparent plate and a document cover. The document cover includes a memory alloy for covering a document and a rotatable rod. A plate having an opening for feeding the document holder into the scanning system. An image capturing device is set in the scanning system for capturing the image of the document. A pair of tracks are formed in the housing for holding the document holder.

Abstract: A stent is provided which may be mechanically locked in an expanded diameter. The stent may have several locked diameters or may be locked at different diameters along the axial length of the stent.

Abstract: An apparatus for vaporizing Parylene AF dimer powder includes a vaporizer having a housing, a cooling coil surrounding the housing and an isolation valve coupled to an outlet end of the housing. During use, the vaporizer and a valve and manifold assembly coupled to the vaporizer are heated by an oven. The Parylene AF dimer powder inside of the vaporizer is initially maintained below its sublimation temperature by flowing a cooling fluid through the cooling coil while the oven heats up. After the oven and valve and manifold assembly reach the operating temperature, the cooling fluid flow is decreased and correspondingly the vaporizer temperature increased thus producing Parylene AF4 dimer vapor.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing a single-user application executing in a multi-user environment to create objects having both user-global and system-global visibility begins by intercepting an API function call to create or modify a named object. A set of rules is consulted which may explicitly or implicitly define the visibility to be associated with the named object. If a rule is found for the named object it is used to define the visibility level for that object. If, however, a rule is not encountered in the rule set, then the visibility of a named object is set according to a default procedure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting books of sheets in which individual books are generated in succession is provided. This process entails the stacking of cut sheets that form a completed book in an offset arrangement relative to adjacent books. Each offset stacked book is removed from the other books by applying a lifting force between the lowest book in the stack and the next book in the stack while the lowest book in the stack is allowed to bend away from the next highest book in the stack. The bend forms a space, tunnel or separator entrance opportunity into which a projection or other separator structure is directed. The lowest book is lowered onto a conveyor and moved away from the stack. The process continues for each successive next-highest book in the stack. A support mechanism is provided to maintain the lowest book at a selected elevation as the projection moves inwardly. The support moves away concurrently to deposit the lowest book on the conveyor.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) includes an inflatable cushioning device (14), that has a deflated condition and an inflated condition in which the cushioning device (14) is located between the vehicle occupant and the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12). The vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) also includes a fill tube (22) that has a portion (31) located in the cushioning device (14) and that directs inflation fluid into the cushioning device to inflate it. The vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) further includes a support device (32) for supporting the fill tube (22) and the cushioning device (14) in the vehicle (12). The support device (32) includes a portion (66) that attaches to the fill tube (22) and an initial connector (42) that supports the fill tube (22) on the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12). The initial connector (42) allows the fill tube (22) to be moved to a desired position relative to the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12).

Abstract: A system for controlling the pressure in a chamber with a computer controlled exhaust throttle valve. A characterization relationship describes the static properties of the valve geometry, valve actuation mechanism and gas flow properties. This characterization relationship can comprise a theoretical or empirical function which associates a sufficient number of valve positions with the corresponding pressure, and may be parameterized by other auxiliary variables such as inlet gas flow values, gas types and compositions. An inverse relationship between the current measurable variables of the process, such as pressure, inlet flows and other auxiliary parameters is defined. A linearization method uses the inverse relationship to modify the effect of the valve positioning on the corresponding value of pressure in such a way that the combined behavior of the process and the linearization method yields a linear relationship between a new control variable and the pressure.

Abstract: An intravascular device such as an introducer sheath or a balloon catheter, and methods for use thereof, comprising an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end and a first lumen and a second lumen. The first lumen communicates with a first proximal opening at the proximal end of the elongate member and with a distal opening at the distal end of the elongate member. The second lumen terminates distally and communicates with the first lumen at a location proximal of the first distal opening and has a proximal opening located proximally therefrom. One or more perfusion openings may be located in the device to allow blood flow therethrough. The proximal opening of the second lumen may be located distally of the proximal opening of the first lumen. A balloon may be located on a distal portion of the elongate shaft.

Abstract: A release coating composition containing about 50 to about 75 wt. % of an epoxy functional silicone; about 8 to about 25 wt. % of a reactive solvent; about 5 to about 25 wt. % of a reactive diluent; about 6 to about 12 wt. % of a wax-treated silica powder; and, about 2 to about 4 wt. % of a photoinitiator is disclosed. The composition is useful in preparing a low-gloss release coating for use on linerless labels.

Abstract: An improved electrode contact system for metal vaporization electrodes or rods which are electrically and supportively connected to a movable carriage which also receives and supports objects such as parts and components in a vacuum chamber during metal vapor deposition. A metal such as aluminum, chromium, or nickel-chromium, etc. is vaporized centrally in the chamber by contact with electrically energized electrodes or elongated rods in a well known fashion after the chamber has been substantially evacuated of air molecules for uniform vapor deposition of the vaporized metal atop exposed surfaces of the objects. The electrode contact system provides an automatic, self-aligning plug-in assembly for each electrode rod so that, as the carriage, loaded with parts and components to be metal vapor coated is rolled into position within the vacuum chamber, each two-part contact system automatically fully engages.

Abstract: A point-of-use vaporization system for use in Chemical Vapor Deposition having a first delivery member for delivering a liquid precursor to a vaporization point, a second delivery member for separately delivering a solvent to the vaporization point, and a frit for vaporizing the precursor and solvent at the vaporization point.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed by which a distal end portion of a wire may be deposited at selected sites in body passageways. The apparatus includes an elongate wire having a distal end section for detachment and delivery to a target location, the wire also having a discontinuity located rearwardly of the distal end section for rupturing when vibrational energy is applied to the wire. Also included is a vibrational energy source couplable to the proximal end of the wire for selectively applying vibrational energy to the wire to travel to the discontinuity and cause detachment of the end section. The discontinuities may take the form of cuts formed in the wire, reduced diameter sections in the wire, adhesive, welded or soldered couplings between the wire and the distal end section, or the wire transitioning from the wire to a large mass disposed on the distal end section.

Abstract: A target device for use in aligning a target station to a reference line-of-sight established by a laser alignment beam is mountably secured to the target station. The target device includes a tooling tube and a beam splitter for reflecting a portion of the alignment beam to a focusing objective. The focusing objective transmits the portion of the alignment beam to a position sensing detector for alignment measurement. The target device is designed to pivot about a target mount center reference point located in the tooling tube. The focusing objective and the beam splitter focus the image of the position sensing detector at the target mount center to produce a virtual image of the position sensing detector at the target mount center. By taking the alignment measurement at the target mount center, inaccurate measurements created by misalignment of the tooling tube with respect to the alignment beam are eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined approach of image and template correlation, and vector correlation wherein edge detection and pattern searching are joined in a single operation to provide great flexibility without requiring extensive computational facilities. A template is devised from a sparse set of coordinate points that model only the important edges of an object to be located within an image. Different templates are dynamically reconstructed as an estimation of the object location within the image becomes more precise.

Abstract: Devices and methods for minimally invasive harvesting of a vessel, especially the saphenous vein for coronary artery bypass grafting, are disclosed which facilitate a minimally invasive vessel harvesting procedure. Generally, an instrument is provided which facilitates introduction of vessel harvesting tools through a minimally invasive incision, and provides the capability to separate the vessel from surrounding tissue while minimizing trauma to the patient and preserving the patency of the vessel. The instrument includes a mechanism for separating the vessel from surrounding tissue and may also include mechanisms for severing side branches from the vessel during the harvesting procedure. In one embodiment, an integrated vessel harvesting assembly is provided which may rotate around a vessel and provides a unitary mechanism for separating the vessel from surrounding tissue and for severing the side branches.