Abstract: An expandable sheath body for a sheath assembly. The sheath body has a tubular frame having a lumen therein. The frame has interstices therein. The frame is expandable to a larger diameter and contractable to a smaller diameter, and also flexible. The sheath body has an inner liner formed over a surface of the lumen defined by the tubular frame and an outer liner formed over an exterior surface of the frame. The inner liner and an inner layer of a multilayer outer liner may be made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. The expanded polytetrafluoroethylene may be infused with silicone oil for increased lubricity.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter with a distal electrode assembly having covered spine carrying a plurality of microelectrodes. The spines have nonconductive covers that are reinforced with tensile members, e.g., wires or fibers, that extend (or have portions that extend) longitudinally so as to minimize any elongation of the covers and the microelectrodes carried thereon. The tensile members may also have a length greater than the length of the spines so the proximal portions extend proximally from the spines, through the catheter and at least into the control handle for actuation by an operator for deflecting and moving the spines, like “fingers.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter with a distal electrode assembly having covered spine carrying a plurality of microelectrodes. The spines have nonconductive covers that are reinforced with tensile members, e.g., wires or fibers, that extend (or have portions that extend) longitudinally so as to minimize any elongation of the covers and the microelectrodes carried thereon. The tensile members may also have a length greater than the length of the spines so the proximal portions extend proximally from the spines, through the catheter and at least into the control handle for actuation by an operator for deflecting and moving the spines, like “fingers.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter with a distal electrode assembly having covered spine carrying a plurality of microelectrodes. The spines have nonconductive covers that are reinforced with tensile members, e.g., wires or fibers, that extend (or have portions that extend) longitudinally so as to minimize any elongation of the covers and the microelectrodes carried thereon. The tensile members may also have a length greater than the length of the spines so the proximal portions extend proximally from the spines, through the catheter and at least into the control handle for actuation by an operator for deflecting and moving the spines, like “fingers.

Abstract: System and method of ad hoc on-demand routing by virtue of central control. A central controller of a network can communicate directly with a route-requesting network device regarding discovery of a data transmission path and perform route computation. A source network device may query the central controller with a unicast route request. In response, the central controller can identify a feasible route based on the topology information of the network. The central controller may also receive a broadcast route request along with other network nodes. As a result, the source device can be offered to select from two resultant routes, one provided by the central controller in a centralized manner and the other provided by the destination device. Further, the central controller can be used specifically for computation of constrained routes by incorporating global constraints. The central controller may be a software defined network (SDN) controller.

Abstract: A medical device for safely and effectively removing a clip or a suture from a heart valve is operable in association with a guidewire for positioning the device in proximity to the heart valve. The apparatus may include a blade for cutting a tissue bridge including the clip and an arrangement for removing the tissue bridge from the heart valve. The apparatus may include two arms that secure the clip. The blade may be deployed to core out a central portion of a tissue bridge, including the clip or the suture, from the heart valve. The blade may be activated by an actuator. A retrieval member may be configured to capture the tissue bridge and the clip or suture after excision by the blade.

Abstract: System and method of ad hoc on-demand routing by virtue of central control. A central controller of a network can communicate directly with a route-requesting network device regarding discovery of a data transmission path and perform route computation. A source network device may query the central controller with a unicast route request. In response, the central controller can identify a feasible route based on the topology information of the network. The central controller may also receive a broadcast route request as long with other network nodes. As a result, the source device can be offered to select from two resultant routes, one provided by the central controller in a centralized manner and the other provided by the destination device. Further, the central controller can be used specifically for computation of constrained routes by incorporating global constraints. The central controller may be a software defined network (SDN) controller.

Abstract: A medical device for safely and effectively removing a clip or a suture from a heart valve is operable in association with a guidewire for positioning the device in proximity to the heart valve. The apparatus may include a blade for cutting a tissue bridge including the clip and an arrangement for removing the tissue bridge from the heart valve. The apparatus may include two arms that secure the clip. The blade may be deployed to core out a central portion of a tissue bridge, including the clip or the suture, from the heart valve. The blade may be activated by an actuator. A retrieval member may be configured to capture the tissue bridge and the clip or suture after excision by the blade.

Abstract: Vehicle chocking systems include a first chock comprising a first bottom surface, a first front wheel restraining surface and a first rear wheel restraining surface opposite the first front wheel restraining surface, a second chock comprising a second bottom surface, a second front wheel restraining surface and a second rear wheel restraining surface, wherein the first bottom surface, the first front wheel restraining surface and the first rear wheel restraining surface of the first chock and the second bottom surface, the second front wheel restraining surface and the second rear wheel restraining surface of the second chock each comprises a proximity sensor, wherein the proximity sensors are communicatively coupled to a controller comprising a processor and a memory having a computer readable and executable instruction set to determine if the proximity sensors for each of the first bottom surface, the second bottom surface and opposing wheel restraining surfaces are engaged.

Abstract: Vehicle chocking systems include a first chock comprising a first bottom surface, a first front wheel restraining surface and a first rear wheel restraining surface opposite the first front wheel restraining surface, a second chock comprising a second bottom surface, a second front wheel restraining surface and a second rear wheel restraining surface, wherein the first bottom surface, the first front wheel restraining surface and the first rear wheel restraining surface of the first chock and the second bottom surface, the second front wheel restraining surface and the second rear wheel restraining surface of the second chock each comprises a proximity sensor, wherein the proximity sensors are communicatively coupled to a controller comprising a processor and a memory having a computer readable and executable instruction set to determine if the proximity sensors for each of the first bottom surface, the second bottom surface and opposing wheel restraining surfaces are engaged.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for performing accurate, repeatable leak test measurements in wet, dusty and/or fluid-filled systems, such as a power plant, with no special sampling pumps, carrier gases or separators required. A leak detector probe is installed directly in a pipe or other component carrying a gas flow to be tested and is coupled to the inlet of a leak detector. The leak detector probe includes a test gas permeable membrane, which is positioned in the gas flow to be tested. The test gas permeable membrane may, for example, be positioned in a central region of a pipe in the flow of gas toward the evacuation pump. In some embodiments, the position of the leak detector probe in the pipe or other component may be adjustable.

Abstract: A digital “baton” is provided from a firewall or other gateway, or other network device, to a device B outside the firewall, when a device A, which is inside the firewall, requests information from the device B. The device B may pass the digital baton to subsequent electronic devices that may respond to the request using the digital baton to send messages or information through the firewall to the device A. The firewall authenticates and filters the messages based on authentication of the batons contained within the messages.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for enabling handover of a Mobile Station (MS) amongst a plurality of communication networks is provided. The MS operates in one or more communication networks of the plurality of communication networks using an Internet Protocol (IP) session. The method includes communicating one or more network parameters amongst the plurality of communication networks. The method further includes creating one or more datapath parameters based on one or more of the one or more network parameters. The method further includes altering one or more protocol stack parameters in the MS. Altering the one or more protocol stack parameters maintains the IP session operating the MS in the one or more communication networks.

Abstract: Trace gas leak detectors and methods for trace gas leak detection of large leaks at relatively high test pressures are provided. A trace gas leak detector includes a test port to receive a sample containing a trace gas, the test port connected to a test line, a mass spectrometer to detect the trace gas, a high vacuum pump having an inlet port coupled to the inlet of the mass spectrometer, and a forepump having a main inlet, at least one intermediate inlet and an exhaust. The main inlet of the forepump is coupled to the exhaust port of the high vacuum pump. The intermediate inlet is controllably connected to the test line. The forepump is selected from the group consisting of a scroll vacuum pump and a screw vacuum pump.

Abstract: A method and system for supporting mobile routers in Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is provided. A mobile router obtains a care-of-address associated with an address configuration. The mobile router registers the care-of-address with a home agent. A bi-directional tunnel is established between the mobile router and the home agent. Packets are then forwarded via the bi-directional tunnel.

Abstract: The invention provides, according to one embodiment, a system and method for determining an optimum route time-out value. The method may include determining a route from a source node to a destination node, and forwarding a route request from the source node to an intermediate node. The method further includes dynamically computing, at the intermediate node, a number of hops that the route has traversed since the source node. The adaptive route time-out value (ART) for a route to the destination node is then set to be a value that is a function of the number of hops, f(N).

Abstract: Trace gas leak detectors and methods for trace gas leak detection of large leaks at relatively high test pressures are provided. A trace gas leak detector includes a test port to receive a sample containing a trace gas, the test port connected to a test line, a mass spectrometer to detect the trace gas, a high vacuum pump having an inlet port coupled to the inlet of the mass spectrometer, and a forepump having a main inlet, at least one intermediate inlet and an exhaust. The main inlet of the forepump is coupled to the exhaust port of the high vacuum pump. The intermediate inlet is controllably connected to the test line. The forepump is selected from the group consisting of a scroll vacuum pump and a screw vacuum pump.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for detection of large leaks in scaled articles. Apparatus for leak detection includes a first sealable chamber configured to receive a test piece containing a trace gas, a second sealable chamber, a first valve coupled between the first and second chambers, a leak detector having a test port, a trace gas permeable member coupled between the second chamber and the test port of the leak detector, a vacuum pump having an inlet, and a second valve coupled between the second chamber and the inlet of the vacuum pump. The permeable member may be quartz, which is permeable to helium when heated. The leak detector may be an ion pump or a helium mass spectrometer leak detector.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for leak detection by the accumulation method. The apparatus includes a sealable chamber (10) configured to receive a test piece (12) that, while in the chamber, contains a trace gas, a trace gas permeable member (30) in gas communication with the chamber, and a trace gas sensor (20) in gas communication with the permeable member and configured to sense the trace gas that passed from the chamber through the permeable member. The permeable member may be quartz. The trace gas sensor may include an ion pump.

Abstract: Mass spectrometers for trace gas leak detection and methods for operating mass spectrometers are provided. The mass spectrometer includes an ion source to ionize trace gases, such as helium, a magnet to deflect the ions and a detector to detect the deflected ions. The ion source includes an electron source, such a filament. The method includes operating the electron source at an electron accelerating potential relative to an ionization chamber sufficient to ionize the trace gas but insufficient to form undesired ions, such as triply charged carbon.