Abstract: Delivery apparatus and methods for delivering a medical device into a patient's vasculature are disclosed. In some examples, a method includes inserting, into a patient, a distal end portion of a delivery apparatus including a radially compressed prosthetic valve mounted around a balloon, advancing the distal end through the patient's vasculature, and inflating the balloon to radially expand the prosthetic valve at a native heart valve. The delivery apparatus includes a handle, a first shaft and a second shaft extending from the handle, and a locking mechanism to prevent axial movement of the second shaft relative to first shaft. The second shaft extends coaxially through the first shaft and includes the balloon, the radially compressed prosthetic valve, and one or more radiopaque markers at a distal end portion. The first shaft includes an end piece covering a proximal portion of the balloon during the advancing of the delivery apparatus.

Abstract: This invention relates to a stirrup iron (1) comprising a two part construction including a first, fixed part (3), and a second, moveable part (5). The fixed part (3) comprises a body and the moveable part (5) comprises an L-shaped arm pivotally mounted to the fixed part (3).The moveable part (5) is pivotable to and from a first operating position in which a step portion (15) of the moveable part (5) forms a closed loop stirrup, and a second operating position in which the step portion (15) is located below and spaced apart from the fixed part (3) thereby forming a foot-step. The stirrup iron (1) further comprises a releasable locking mechanism, a foot plate (19) mounted on the fixed part (3) and a cam mechanism connecting the foot plate (19) to the moveable part (5). Depression of the foot plate (19) will cause the cam mechanism to act on the moveable part (5) urging it from the second operating position towards the first operating position.

Abstract: A motor resolver assembly includes a resolver stator and a resolver rotor positioned radially inward of and rotatable with respect to the resolver stator. First and second relatively rotatable shield components generally surround the resolver stator and rotor to shield them from electromagnetic energy from a radially outward motor rotor and motor stator. A method of measuring speed and position of the motor rotor relative to the motor stator is also employed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a torsional damper for an electrically-variable transmission. The torsional damper is equipped with a hydraulically actuable lock-out clutch to directly couple the engine to the input shaft of the transmission. The electric motors provided with the electrically-variable transmission can serve to effectively cancel out engine compression pulses when the springs of the torsional damper are locked out. When the engine is off and the torsional damper assembly is in use, an auxiliary pump is provided to pump oil to the torsional damper assembly. The lock-out clutch is hydraulically balanced by the oil supplied by the auxiliary pump. The pump is strategically mounted to the transmission housing in a manner to minimize the distance between the auxiliary pump and the transmission without affecting any vehicle ground clearance requirements.