Abstract: A vascular prosthesis deployment device and related methods are disclosed. In some embodiments the deployment device may provide audible, tactile, or visual feedback to a practitioner as to the degree of deployment of a prosthesis. The deployment device may also provide mechanical advantage when deploying a prosthesis. The deployment device may be configured to incrementally deploy a prosthesis.

Abstract: A capo for use with a guitar includes a clamp arm, a contact element and an opposing element to provide a clamping force via the contact element over the strings. A flowable material such as a fluid, gel or paste is retained in a cavity behind the contact element so that it can adjust to the curvature of the guitar and strings which otherwise vary between instruments and dependent on string gauge.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices for processing low-frequency audio data are provided. A bass extraction process may involve applying low-pass filters to received audio object signals, to produce extracted low-frequency audio signals. The bass extraction process may be performed prior to a process of rendering audio objects into speaker feed signals. A bass management process may involve routing the extracted low-frequency audio signals to the one or more speakers capable of reproducing low-frequency audio signals.

Abstract: A urinary catheter generally includes a core lumen, a bladder retention mechanism, and a stent. The core lumen is insertable into a urethra, and defines an inlet end and an outlet end opposite the inlet end. The bladder retention mechanism is coupled to the inlet end of the core lumen for hingedly moving between a release position and a retention position. The stent is coaxially mounted on the core lumen adjacent the bladder retention mechanism, and defines a stent inlet configured to receive a fluid from the bladder, and a stent outlet configured to discharge the fluid around the core lumen and into the urethra.

Abstract: A neutral pressure split-septum luer access device is described for receiving a luer lock connector with a surrounding shroud. The housing has a distal portion with a transversely enlarged chamber defining an internal chamber wall. A septum with a central slit for receiving a male luer into the slit is mounted in the housing. The septum has an upper portion with an outer face, a lower sealing portion in sealing contact with the distal portion of the housing, and a plurality of elastomeric columns projecting laterally within the chamber, each elastomeric columns defines a longitudinal axis and is under sufficient compression along the longitudinal axis induced by the internal wall of the chamber so that the columns are bowed and the strength along each of the elastomeric columns is reduced by bowing, but the slit sealing force is high.

Abstract: A vitals monitor [10] includes an elongated probe [20] having a distal tip [28], the monitor having a distal sensor surface [24] adjacent the distal tip for sensing oral temperature of a patient and at least one proximal gas receiver [30] positioned along the probe [20] so that, when the distal tip [28] is placed under a patients tongue, exhaled gas from the nose strikes the gas receiver [30] for detecting and/or measuring at least one signal indicative of at least one ventilation parameter.

Abstract: Delivery of pelletized carbon dioxide (dry ice) to a target material such as a hazardous material or a fire from a distance, by projection, spraying, or aerial dropping the pelletized carbon dioxide onto the target material using gravity. Delivery may be made by a mobile apparatus. The types of target material with which the present invention is designed to apply may include, e.g., hydrocarbon material, hazardous material, burning material, and the like. The carbon dioxide may be pelletized to diameters in a size range of about 3 mm to 100 mm.

Abstract: Delivery of pelletized carbon dioxide (dry ice) to a target material from a distance, by projection, spraying, or aerial dropping the pelletized carbon dioxide onto the target material using gravity. Delivery may be made by a mobile apparatus. The types of target material with which the present invention is designed to apply may include, e.g., hydrocarbon material, hazardous material, burning material, and the like. The carbon dioxide may be pelletized to diameters in a size range of about 3 mm to 100 mm.

Abstract: An introducer needle assembly with a needle shield is provided. The needle shield includes a means for locking the needle shield in the shielded position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for transferring data between source and target databases in a computer system that can adapt to changes in the schema of the source database and/or target database. This adaptability is achieved by determining the intersection of the source and target database schemas prior to a transfer of data between the databases. Since the intersection is determined prior to a transfer, changes in the schema of the source and/or target database are automatically accommodated. In one embodiment, the method includes the ability to specify the desired frequency with which data is to be transferred between source and target databases. The method, which is implemented as a computer program, is also capable of operating in a computer system in which other tasks are competing for processor time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for transferring data between source and target databases in a computer system that can adapt to changes in the schema of the source database and/or target database. This adaptability is achieved by determining the intersection of the source and target database schemas prior to a transfer of data between the databases. Since the intersection is determined prior to a transfer, changes in the schema of the source and/or target database are automatically accommodated. In one embodiment, the method includes the ability to specify the desired frequency with which data is to be transferred between source and target databases. The method, which is implemented as a computer program, is also capable of operating in a computer system in which other tasks are competing for processor time.

Abstract: An introducer needle assembly with a needle shield is provided. The needle shield includes a means for locking the needle shield in the shielded position.

Abstract: A sheath lock for use with a splittable sheath is disclosed. The sheath lock includes a tapered slot extending from a wide untapered end to a narrow tapered end. A lock box is located adjacent the narrow tapered end of the tapered slot. The lock box has a plurality of tines which grip and retain the sheath when it is positioned within the lock box. The sheath can freely move through the wide untapered end, but the sheath is securely locked when it is moved through the tapered slot from the untapered end into the lock box. The plurality of tines can be arranged in various configurations to form the lock box, including elliptical, circular, rectangular or square configurations around the lock box.

Abstract: An optical device comprises an optical fiber directional coupler having at least a first optical fiber optionally coupled at a coupling region to a second optical fiber such that light can propagate in the coupling region in at least two possible electromagnetic transmission modes; and means for transferring energy between the modes by a spatially periodic perturbation of at least a part of coupling region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enclosing a product in a tray having an outwardly extending flange is provided. A permeable web is secured to an inner periphery of flange and the secured portion is severed from the web to form a permeable lid. An impermeable web is then secured to an outer periphery of the flange and then severed from the web to form a peelable, impermeable lid. The outer periphery of the flange is protected from damage when the permeable lid is severed from the permeable web by elevating the permeable web above the outer periphery of the flange and severing the web at the elevated portion.If a fresh red meat product is to be packaged, the tray may be at least partially evacuated and then at least partially filled with a gas which is lower in oxygen content than air. Prior to retail sale, the impermeable lid may be removed to cause the packaged meat product to bloom to a red color.