Abstract: Adjustable fixtures for buried tubulars, forming tools for defining a hole in the adjustable fixtures, and/or methods of manufacturing the adjustable fixtures. The adjustable fixtures include a fixture body and a plurality of spaced-apart holes extending between an upper surface of the fixture body and a lower surface of the fixture body. The adjustable fixtures also include a plurality of jack-screw-accepting threaded regions that at least partially defines the plurality of spaced-apart holes. The forming tools include a forming tool engagement structure, a threaded tool end region, and a hole-defining body. The methods include positioning a plurality of jack-screw-accepting threaded regions and a plurality of forming tools within a mold, filling a fixture-defining cavity of the mold with a composite material, curing the composite material, disengaging the plurality of forming tools from the plurality of jack-screw-accepting threaded regions, and removing the fixture body from the mold.

Abstract: Height-adjustable fixtures for buried tubulars and methods of adjusting the height-adjustable fixtures. The height-adjustable fixtures include a frame and a plurality of slot nuts. The frame has an upper frame surface, a lower frame surface, a flange that defines a plurality of slots, and a central opening that extends between the upper frame surface and the lower frame surface. The central opening is sized to provide access to a buried tubular conduit of the buried tubular. Each slot nut is shaped to be received within a corresponding slot. In some examples, each slot nut defines a lower nut surface, an upper nut surface, and a neck region positioned between the lower nut surface and the upper nut surface. In some examples, when each slot nut is received within the corresponding slot, the lower nut surface is recessed within the corresponding slot.

Abstract: An apparatus is including a negative pressure wound therapy pump including a pump housing; and a negative pressure wound therapy canister attached to and readily removable from the pump housing; the canister including a flexible conduit; the canister operable to receive suction generated by the pump; the flexible conduit sized, shaped, and located to interface with the pump housing of the pump such that suction produced by the pump is transmitted to the canister via the flexible conduit.

Abstract: Height-adjustable fixtures for buried tubulars and methods of adjusting the height-adjustable fixtures. The height-adjustable fixtures include a frame and a plurality of slot nuts. The frame has an upper frame surface, a lower frame surface, a flange that defines a plurality of slots, and a central opening that extends between the upper frame surface and the lower frame surface. The central opening is sized to provide access to a buried tubular conduit of the buried tubular. Each slot nut is shaped to be received within a corresponding slot. In some examples, each slot nut defines a lower nut surface, an upper nut surface, and a neck region positioned between the lower nut surface and the upper nut surface. In some examples, when each slot nut is received within the corresponding slot, the lower nut surface is recessed within the corresponding slot.

Abstract: Adjustable fixtures for buried tubulars, forming tools for defining a hole in the adjustable fixtures, and/or methods of manufacturing the adjustable fixtures. The adjustable fixtures include a fixture body and a plurality of spaced-apart holes extending between an upper surface of the fixture body and a lower surface of the fixture body. The adjustable fixtures also include a plurality of jack-screw-accepting threaded regions that at least partially defines the plurality of spaced-apart holes. The forming tools include a forming tool engagement structure, a threaded tool end region, and a hole-defining body. The methods include positioning a plurality of jack-screw-accepting threaded regions and a plurality of forming tools within a mold, filling a fixture-defining cavity of the mold with a composite material, curing the composite material, disengaging the plurality of forming tools from the plurality of jack-screw-accepting threaded regions, and removing the fixture body from the mold.

Abstract: A load and stress of a tensioner may be determined from the change in the strain of the tensioner. The strain of the tensioner may be detected by an optical device having a Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) that is attached to the tensioner. An electrical signal may be generated in response to the detected change in the mechanical strain of the tensioner by processing the light reflected from an optical fiber coupled to the optical device. The electrical signal may be processed to calculate a load on the tensioner. The calculated load may be stored and analyzed, along with previously-stored values for the load, to determine the condition of the tensioner system, and whether the tensioner system requires maintenance.

Abstract: An apparatus is including a negative pressure wound therapy pump including a pump housing; and a negative pressure wound therapy canister attached to and readily removable from the pump housing; the canister including a flexible conduit; the canister operable to receive suction generated by the pump; the flexible conduit sized, shaped, and located to interface with the pump housing of the pump such that suction produced by the pump is transmitted to the canister via the flexible conduit.

Abstract: A method for identifying compliance of a marine motion-compensated draw-works system's performance with pre-defined performance specifications, includes the steps of: receiving, by a processor, performance data associated with a marine motion-compensated draw-works system; receiving, by the processor, pre-defined performance specifications for the draw-works system; determining, by the processor, whether or not the performance of the draw-works system complies with the pre-defined performance specifications; and outputting, by the processor, a notification when the performance of the draw-works system is determined to not be in compliance with the pre-defined performance specifications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for preventing gas hydrates formation in BOP fluids in deep water well operations that includes the step of adding at least 28% glycol by volume to a BOP fluid, whereby the hydrate phase equilibrium line shifts to the point where the operating conditions will not form a hydrate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for preventing gas hydrates formation in BOP fluids in deep water well operations that includes the step of adding at least 28% glycol by volume to a BOP fluid, whereby the hydrate phase equilibrium line shifts to the point where the operating conditions will not form a hydrate.

Abstract: A load and stress of a tensioner may be determined from the change in the strain of the tensioner. The strain of the tensioner may be detected by an optical device having a Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) that is attached to the tensioner. An electrical signal may be generated in response to the detected change in the mechanical strain of the tensioner by processing the light reflected from an optical fiber coupled to the optical device. The electrical signal may be processed to calculate a load on the tensioner. The calculated load may be stored and analyzed, along with previously-stored values for the load, to determine the condition of the tensioner system, and whether the tensioner system requires maintenance.

Abstract: A system for clamping a plurality of semiconductors that includes: 1) a first endplate and a second endplate that are substantially parallel and oppose each other across a predetermine distance (the predetermined distance being fixed by one or more tension members that extend between the first endplate and the second endplate); and 2) a screw jack that includes a threaded cylinder that moves through a threaded opening in the first endplate upon being rotated such that the threaded cylinder moves toward the second endplate if rotated one direction and away from the second endplate if rotated the opposite direction.

Abstract: An intraluminal prosthesis for strengthening a lumen. The prosthesis may include a tubular graft (50) comprising a hollow flexible body (20). A self-expanding stent (19) may be coupled to the body (20) that provides enough outward radial force to expand the body. The prosthesis also includes a tubular stent (17). The tubular stent has a first diameter and a second expanded diameter. The tubular stent (17) is formable to the second diameter by application of an outwardly extending force from the interior of the tubular stent. The second diameter is at least equal to the interior diameter of the hollow flexible body (20).

Abstract: An iris-type valve assembly comprises a base, a rotatable member, and an elongated elastomeric valve sheath. The distal end of the valve sheath is secured to the base, and the proximal end of the valve sheath is secured to the rotatable member. At least one of the valve sheath ends includes a flange that is secured to a valve-receiving surface of the base or the rotatable member. The base and the rotatable member are aligned to define a passageway therethrough for passage of an interventional device. The valve sheath is disposed along the passageway and has a longitudinal opening therethrough for passage of the interventional device. Upon rotation of the rotatable member relative to the base, the longitudinal opening of the valve sheath is selectively constrictable to comprise a seal around the interventional device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wire guide having a wire core and a braided sheath. The wire core includes a proximal end and distal end, wherein the braided sheath is attached to the distal end of the wire core and serves as a flexible pulling section. The braided sheath is woven of a plurality of strands and may be made of various material based on the application, such as stainless steel, a shape memory alloy, or a radiopaque material. The wire guide has a flexible tip at the proximal end opposite the flexible pulling section. A stiff section is provided between the flexible tip and the flexible pulling section to allow manipulation of the wire guide through a body lumen. Proximate the distal end of the wire core a tapered section is provided to increase flexibility of the wire guide toward the distal end. The braided sheath is received over and attached to the wire core. In addition, a shoulder is provided in the wire core providing a smooth transition from the wire core to the braided section.

Abstract: An iris-type valve assembly for controlling a flow of fluid. The assembly comprises a base member, a rotatable member, and an elongated elastomeric valve sheath. The distal end of the valve sheath is secured to the base member and the proximal end of the valve sheath is secured to the rotatable member. At least one of the valve sheath ends includes a flange that is secured to a valve-receiving surface of the base member or the rotatable member. The base member and the rotatable member are aligned to define an elongated passageway therethrough for passage of an interventional device, and the elastomeric valve sheath is disposed along the passageway and has a longitudinal opening therethrough for passage of the interventional device. Upon rotation of the rotatable member relative to the base member the longitudinal opening of the valve sheath is selectively constrictable to comprise a seal around the interventional device.