Abstract: A device for incising a blood vessel includes a handle having a longitudinal axis, a stationary blade having an upper surface and extending from the distal end of the handle at an angle out of line with respect to the longitudinal axis, and a moving blade having a distal portion that includes a leading edge. The moving blade is slidable with respect to the stationary blade. The distal portion of the moving blade is substantially aligned with the stationary blade. The moving blade has a first position and is movable to a second position to cut tissue disposed between the upper surface of the stationary blade and the leading edge of the moving blade.

Abstract: A device for incising a hollow tissue structure includes at least one gripping portion, a stationary blade attached to the gripping portion, the stationary blade having a neck and a foot connected to the neck. The foot has a cutting edge along an upper surface. The device also includes a relatively blunt moving blade having a leading edge and being operatively movable with respect to the stationary blade between a first position and a second position to cut tissue disposed between the upper surface of the stationary blade and the leading edge of the moving blade.

Abstract: An improved end-seal carrier assembly for supporting a seal in a seal-type continuous dampener. The seal is supported by a backing plate and pressed against the ends of the dampener's rollers. A carrier shaft is fixedly mounted to the backing plate. A shaft housing is mounted to the sideframe and has a hole extending longitudinally there through into which the shaft is mounted so to rotationally and longitudinally translate with respect to the sideframe. A coil spring is wound about a portion of the carrier shaft and has a first spring end operatively engaging the backing plate and a second spring end operatively engaging the shaft housing. The coil spring is configured to induce both a compressive and torsional bias between the backing plate and the sideframe. The shaft housing is rotatable for winding the coil spring and thereby establishing the torsional bias.