Abstract: Modification of the presentation of page appearance, page navigation flow, and other aspects of the user experience of an online shopper navigating the virtual shopping cart and checkout pages of an online store is achieved without compromising the security of checkout processing. The modification may include customization, and various configuration and customization tools may be employed. The online shopper experiences continuity between unsecured-connection pages presenting items for purchase and secured-connection pages presented for checkout processing. In one embodiment, page navigation flow is modified using continuations implemented using a relatively small stack to save information relating to the flow. In another embodiment, a page designer enables a dynamic version of a page specification program to be generated, such as by way of a page customization interface. Partial evaluation is employed to generate a version of the program that is executed at request time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for introducing a medical device deployment system into the vasculature of a human body and then using the deployment system for placing a medical device at a preselected position within a vessel, and an apparatus and method for introducing a medical device deployment system into the vasculature of a human body and then subsequently retrieving the deployment system, where the apparatus and method include an introducer having a detachable and reattachable sheath disposed about a deployment catheter.

Abstract: Modification of the presentation of page appearance, page navigation flow, and other aspects of the user experience of an online shopper navigating the virtual shopping cart and checkout pages of an online store is achieved without compromising the security of checkout processing. The modification may include customization, and various configuration and customization tools may be employed. The online shopper experiences continuity between unsecured-connection pages presenting items for purchase and secured-connection pages presented for checkout processing. In one embodiment, page navigation flow is modified using continuations implemented using a relatively small stack to save information relating to the flow. In another embodiment, a page designer enables a dynamic version of a page specification program to be generated, such as by way of a page customization interface. Partial evaluation is employed to generate a version of the program that is executed at request time.

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter seal which may be used for attaching an inflatable balloon to a catheter body, especially when the balloon and catheter body are formed from dissimilar materials. The seal is formed by applying a layer of adhesive material between the inflatable balloon and the catheter body, and crimping a retaining ring over each seal junction. The invention is especially useful when joining a compliant balloon made from silicone to a catheter body made from polyurethane.

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter which includes a purge mechanism for purging air from the catheter prior to use. The purge mechanism is sized to allow air to pass through, but highly restricts the flow of liquids. Air remaining in the catheter after purging is allowed to diffuse through the balloon prior to use. The mechanism is especially useful with low-pressure, gas-permeable, compliant balloons.

Abstract: An apparatus system (38) and method for introducing and retrieving a medical device deployment system (50) into the vasculature of a human body at a preselected position within a vessel. The apparatus (38) includes an introducer (10) having a detachable and re-attachable sheath (12) disposed about a deployment catheter (42).

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter which includes a purge mechanism for purging air from the catheter prior to use. The purge mechanism is sized to allow air to pass through, but highly restricts the flow of liquids. Air remaining in the catheter after purging is allowed to diffuse through the balloon prior to use. The mechanism is especially useful with low-pressure, gas-permeable, compliant balloons.

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter which includes a purge mechanism for purging air from the catheter prior to use. The purge mechanism is sized to allow air to pass through, but highly restricts the flow of liquids. Air remaining in the catheter after purging is allowed to diffuse through the balloon prior to use. The mechanism is especially useful with low-pressure, gas-permeable, compliant balloons.

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter seal which may be used for attaching an inflatable balloon to a catheter body, especially when the balloon and catheter body are formed from dissimilar materials. The seal is formed by applying a layer of adhesive material between the inflatable balloon and the catheter body, and crimping a retaining ring over each seal junction. The invention is especially useful when joining a compliant balloon made from silicone to a catheter body made from polyurethane.

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter seal which may be used for attaching an inflatable balloon to a catheter body, especially when the balloon and catheter body are formed from dissimilar materials. The seal is formed by applying a layer of adhesive material between the inflatable balloon and the catheter body, and crimping a retaining ring over each seal junction. The invention is especially useful when joining a compliant balloon made from silicone to a catheter body made from polyurethane.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for introducing a medical device deployment system into the vasculature of a human body and then using the deployment system for placing a medical device at a preselected position within a vessel, and an apparatus and method for introducing a medical device deployment system into the vasculature of a human body and then subsequently retrieving the deployment system, where the apparatus and method include an introducer having a detachable and reattachable sheath disposed about a deployment catheter.

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter seal which may be used for attaching an inflatable balloon to a catheter body, especially when the balloon and catheter body are formed from dissimilar materials. The seal is formed by applying a layer of adhesive material between the inflatable balloon and the catheter body, and crimping a retaining ring over each seal junction. The invention is especially useful when joining a compliant balloon made from silicone to a catheter body made from polyurethane.

Abstract: An apparatus system (38) and method for introducing and retrieving a medical device deployment system (50) into the vasculature of a human body at a preselected position within a vessel. The apparatus (38) includes an introducer (10) having a detachable and re-attachable sheath (12) disposed about a deployment catheter (42).

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter seal which may be used for attaching an inflatable balloon to a catheter body, especially when the balloon and catheter body are formed from dissimilar materials. The seal is formed by applying a layer of adhesive material between the inflatable balloon and the catheter body, and crimping a retaining ring over each seal junction. The invention is especially useful when joining a compliant balloon made from silicone to a catheter body made from polyurethane.

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter which includes a purge mechanism for purging air from the catheter prior to use. The purge mechanism is sized to allow air to pass through, but highly restricts the flow of liquids. Air remaining in the catheter after purging is allowed to diffuse through the balloon prior to use. The mechanism is especially useful with low-pressure, gas-permeable, compliant balloons.

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter seal which may be used for attaching an inflatable balloon to a catheter body, especially when the balloon and catheter body are formed from dissimilar materials. The seal is formed by applying a layer of adhesive material between the inflatable balloon and the catheter body, and crimping a retaining ring over each seal junction. The invention is especially useful when joining a compliant balloon made from silicone to a catheter body made from polyurethane.

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter which comprises an outer catheter body, an inner catheter body, and an inflatable balloon disposed between the inner catheter body and the outer catheter body. The inner catheter body is attached to the outer catheter body at a plurality of regions, or tack junctions, which join the two catheter bodies and thereby prevent any longitudinal shift between the two catheter bodies as the catheter is advanced into a blood vessel. The improved catheter body is sufficiently flexible to navigate through a highly tortuous vasculature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying meaningful abbreviated program titles. One or more characters from the text of a program title are selectively removed to create an abbreviated program title. The abbreviated program title retains the essential meaning of the program title. The abbreviated program title allows the essential meaning of the program title to be conveyed within a specified number of characters. The abbreviated program title is then displayed in a program title field of an onscreen program guide that is capable of displaying a specified number of characters. In one embodiment the program title text is parsed and all nonessential, nonrelational words are removed. Relational words are replaced with representative characters. In an alternative embodiment, essential words are abbreviated or removed if necessary.

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter which may be used for angioplasty or for placing a reinforcing stent into a human vessel which has a variable stiffness catheter portion for guiding the catheter through the vasculature. The catheter portion of the balloon catheter includes a relatively stiff shaft portion which is reinforced with braided layer and more flexible distal portion which is reinforced with a single helically wire coil so that the relatively stiff shaft portion may be advanced along a guidewire and the more flexible distal portion may be guided through the tortuous vasculature.

Abstract: A flow directed catheter for use in medical diagnostic or therapeutic procedures having a strain relief segment between the relatively stiff proximal section of the catheter and the floppy distal tip portion in which the strain relief segment is formed of a polymeric material containing a radiopaque agent.