Abstract: A deform lead-retract removal track is provided which is configured to convey non-defective integrated circuit packages and remove integrated circuit packages having a lead-retract defect. The distance between the outside walls of the track is less than the distance between leads of the non-defective integrated circuit packages and greater than the distance between the leads of the integrated circuit packages having a lead-retract defect. The defective integrated circuit packages having a lead-retract defect are unable to enter the track or will become stuck on the track.

Abstract: A deform lead-retract removal track is provided which is configured to convey non-defective integrated circuit packages and remove integrated circuit packages having a lead-retract defect. The distance between the outside walls of the track is less than the distance between leads of the non-defective integrated circuit packages and greater than the distance between the leads of the integrated circuit packages having a lead-retract defect. The defective integrated circuit packages having a lead-retract defect are unable to enter the track or will become stuck on the track.

Abstract: An implantable medical device such as a filter has a generally conical shape formed by a set of filter legs extending from a free distal end to an apex of the assembly and specifically to a coupling device. A retrieval element such as a hook extends from the hub of. A spacer member is disposed at the hub and is formed of a plurality of curved wire elements. The spacer member has a radius or width smaller than the greatest radius of the filter device, defined by the free ends of the filter legs. The spacer member allows the filter assembly to tilt within a vessel but limits the tilt to a maximum desired or permitted tilt, ensuring that the retrieval device remains spaced from the vessel wall and therefore not subject to tissue ingrowth.

Abstract: An implantable vascular filter includes an elongate support element, a first flexible filtering element, a first coupling element at or proximate a first end of the support element for coupling to a retrieval device, and a second coupling element at or proximate a second end of the support element for coupling to a retrieval device. The first flexible filtering element has a first end attached to the support element and a second end movable with respect to the support element and is able to be configured into any of a radially expanded filtering configuration, a first collapsed configuration, and a second collapsed configuration. The first filtering element is biased into the filtering configuration when in a deployed condition, and is collapsible from the filtering configuration into either of the first collapsed configuration or the second collapsed configuration.

Abstract: A medical device retrieval apparatus includes a sheath provided with first and second sheath portions arranged coaxially and movable relative to one another between a snaring position and a closed position. A carrier element is disposed in the sheath and is movable at least relative to the first sheath portion. A snare is attached to the carrier. The snare is locatable within the first sheath portion. The first sheath portion includes a chamber in which a medical device is receivable. In the snaring position the snare is locatable between the first sheath portion and a deployment handle. A method of retrieving a medical device is also provided.

Abstract: An implantable medical device such as a filter includes a plurality of struts arranged in a generally conical form with each strut having a first end, a second end, and an operative length between the first and second ends. Each strut is able to flex along its operative length and includes a strut skeleton having a first flexural modulus and a reinforcement element extending along the operative length and attached to the strut skeleton. The reinforcement element and the strut skeleton together have a second flexural modulus greater than the first flexural modulus. One of the reinforcement element and the strut skeleton varies in one of amount and composition continuously along the operative length such that the second flexural modulus varies in a continuous manner along the operative length. The reinforcement element is biodegradable thereby changing the flexural modulus from the second flexural modulus to the first flexural modulus.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a hair pin IVC filter device and a method to retrieve said device from the vena cava. The device comprises a tubular backbone slidably disposed relative to a hub with a bore formed therethrough. A plurality of filter legs are each attached to the hub. Each filter leg has a first arcuate segment extending arcuately to a second arcuate segment. The first and second arcuate segments provide flexibility to the device when implanted for filtering in the vena cava. Upon retrieval, each filter leg may be converted from a hair pin position to a substantially straight position to remove the filter device from any endothelialized tissue.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an IVC filter device and method to filter. The device has a first bar and a first slider. The first slider has a first bore formed therethrough slidably disposed on the first bar. The device further comprises a second bar and a second slider. The second slider has a second bore formed therethrough and slidably disposed on the second bar. The device further has a first set of filter struts with a first filter strut being arcuate and attached to the first bar. The first filter strut may extend to the second slider. In addition, a second set of filter struts has a second filter strut being arcuate and attached to the second bar, extending to the first slider. When disposed in the vena cava, the device may receive a force through its filter struts and slide one of the sliders to accommodate the force.

Abstract: An implantable vascular filter includes an elongate support element, a first flexible filtering element, a first coupling element at or proximate a first end of the support element for coupling to a retrieval device, and a second coupling element at or proximate a second end of the support element for coupling to a retrieval device. The first flexible filtering element has a first end attached to the support element and a second end movable with respect to the support element and is able to be configured into any of a radially expanded filtering configuration, a first collapsed configuration, and a second collapsed configuration. The first filtering element is biased into the filtering configuration when in a deployed condition, and is collapsible from the filtering configuration into either of the first collapsed configuration or the second collapsed configuration.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an IVC filter device and method to filter. The device has a first bar and a first slider. The first slider has a first bore formed therethrough slidably disposed on the first bar. The device further comprises a second bar and a second slider. The second slider has a second bore formed therethrough and slidably disposed on the second bar. The device further has a first set of filter struts with a first filter strut being arcuate and attached to the first bar. The first filter strut may extend to the second slider. In addition, a second set of filter struts has a second filter strut being arcuate and attached to the second bar, extending to the first slider. When disposed in the vena cava, the device may receive a force through its filter struts and slide one of the sliders to accommodate the force.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a hair pin IVC filter device and a method to retrieve said device from the vena cava. The device comprises a tubular backbone slidably disposed relative to a hub with a bore formed therethrough. A plurality of filter legs are each attached to the hub. Each filter leg has a first arcuate segment extending arcuately to a second arcuate segment. The first and second arcuate segments provide flexibility to the device when implanted for filtering in the vena cava. Upon retrieval, each filter leg may be converted from a hair pin position to a substantially straight position to remove the filter device from any endothelialized tissue.

Abstract: An implantable medical device such as a filter has a generally conical shape formed by a set of filter legs extending from a free distal end to an apex of the assembly and specifically to a coupling device. A retrieval element such as a hook extends from the hub of. A spacer member is disposed at the hub and is formed of a plurality of curved wire elements. The spacer member has a radius or width smaller than the greatest radius of the filter device, defined by the free ends of the filter legs. The spacer member allows the filter assembly to tilt within a vessel but limits the tilt to a maximum desired or permitted tilt, ensuring that the retrieval device remains spaced from the vessel wall and therefore not subject to tissue ingrowth.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a plurality of legs and, preferably, a circumferential array of support elements. The legs have anchoring elements at their distal ends. The anchoring elements are formed from a turn of the wire forming the legs, while piercing elements are formed by the extremities of the wire. The loops formed in this manner hold the piercing elements in the desired position and orientation during use of the filter assembly and also provide resiliency to counter any effects of movement of the filter assembly caused by movement or changes in the vessel in which the filter assembly is deployed. The anchoring elements can also straighten during removal of the filter assembly, thereby facilitating the removal of the filter even after endothelialisation.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus container assembly (30) includes a base or container element (32) and a cover (34) able to slide over the base element (32). The cover (34) includes a rounded elongated channel (50) extending along its top surface, bounded by a first and second rounded ridges (52). The base element (32) has a top surface with a shape consistent with the shape of the inside surface of the cover (34). The channel (50) provides a support and guide surface for an introducer assembly or other device held within the assembly (30) and is particularly useful in keeping an introducer assembly in the correct orientation during the course of a medical procedure, for instance aligned with a percutaneous entry point into a patient. The packaging assembly (30) can be placed, in one embodiment, between the patient's legs (106) with the cover (34) resting on the patient's thighs. This enables the support channel (50) to be located adjacent the percutaneous entry point (104).

Abstract: A medical device retrieval apparatus includes a sheath provided with first and second sheath portions arranged coaxially and movable relative to one another between a snaring position and a closed position. A carrier element is disposed in the sheath and is movable at least relative to the first sheath portion. A snare is attached to the carrier. The snare is locatable within the first sheath portion. The first sheath portion includes a chamber in which a medical device is receivable. In the snaring position the snare is locatable between the first sheath portion and a deployment handle. A method of retrieving a medical device is also provided.

Abstract: An assembly having a male and female plug. The female plug has an elongate cavity extending along a longitudinal axis and having in the cavity signal conducting elements. The male plug has an outer surface positioned partly within the cavity with signal conducting elements provided on the outer surface, and clicking elements. The female plug has clicking elements that click or latch together with the clicking elements of the male plug when it is introduced into the female plug along the longitudinal axis. The signal conducting elements engage one another when the clicking elements of the male and female plugs are clicked together. The clicking elements of the female plug are positioned, in a cross section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, symmetrically relative to a center point, in the plane, between positions of the clicking elements.

Abstract: An assembly having a male and female plug. The female plug has an elongate cavity extending along a longitudinal axis and having in the cavity signal conducting elements. The male plug has an outer surface positioned partly within the cavity with signal conducting elements provided on the outer surface, and clicking elements. The female plug has clicking elements that click together with the clicking elements of the male plug when it is introduced into the female plug along the longitudinal axis. The signal conducting elements engage one another when the clicking elements of the male and female plugs are clicked together. The clicking elements of the female plug are positioned, in a cross section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, symmetrically relative to a center point, in the plane, between positions of the clicking elements.

Abstract: A vehicle cargo inspection station includes a building structure that has open first and second ends and a top portion forming a passageway therein. A mechanism automatically scans the cargo area of the existing vehicle. The scanning mechanism is movable within the passageway while the existing vehicle remains stationary such that cargo within the existing vehicle remains statically housed therein. The building structure is manufactured of durable and rigid material such that the structure provides a barrier between the scanning mechanism and the outside environment thereby protecting the scanning mechanism from damage by harsh environmental conditions.