Abstract: There is disclosed a tool for extracting an anti-tamper ring (24) from a valve assembly (16). The tool has four claws (50) spaced about the anti-tamper ring and each claw has leading and trailing claw tips (54, 56). An actuating mechanism moveably supports the claws for movement from a first position through a third position. In the first position the claws are adapted to have at least one claw tip resting on the anti-tamper ring. In the second position the claws are adapted to have the claw tips moved readily inwards towards the axis of the valve assembly and vertically upward relative to the first position so as to engage and lift the anti-tamper ring from the valve assembly. In the third position, the claws have the claw tips moved radially outward relative to the second position to release the anti-tamper ring from the claws.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tool (50) for extracting a valve assembly (16) from a container (10). The tool preferably had three gripper ring segments (52) adapted to move between a closed ring engaging position and a non-engaging position with the valve assembly (16). The tool has one lever assembly (60) for each gripper ring segment. Each lever assembly has a lever having a first end portion (64) connected with a corresponding one of the ring segments (52) to move the corresponding ring segment between the engaging and non-engaging positions with the valve assembly. The tool has an actuation mechanism (90) connected with the levers to move the levers in synchronism and thereby move the gripper ring segments into engagement with the valve assembly. The actuator pulls the valve assembly from the container via the levers and gripper ring segments with the gripper ring segments in the engaging position.

Abstract: A sewing machine is provided which is capable of sewing reinforcing wire to tubular grafts in order to form stent grafts. A bobbin (which may be seated in a shuttle) carries a bottom thread through the bore of the tubular graft and forms a stitch in combination with a top thread carried on a needle which pierces the graft wall.

Abstract: A sewing machine is provided which is capable of sewing reinforcing wire to tubular grafts in order to form stent grafts. A bobbin (which may be seated in a shuttle) carries a bottom thread through the bore of the tubular graft and forms a stitch in combination with a top thread carried on a needle which pierces the graft wall.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism having a movable carriage and two cutters. Each cutter has an anvil that opposes a blade, and one of these is a roller that rolls against the other for progressively biasing material against the blades, producing cuts through the material. The rollers are rotatably mounted to the carriage, which is mounted to a lead screw that controls the position of the carriage. As the carriage moves across the material, the rollers roll, and the material is cut. The space between the anvil and the blade of at least one of the cutters can be varied to disengage that cutter so that the rolling of the roller will not cut the material. The engagement and disengagement of the cutter is dependent on the position of the carriage.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism having a movable carriage and two cutters. Each cutter has an anvil that opposes a blade, and one of these is a roller that rolls against the other for progressively biasing material against the blades, producing cuts through the material. The rollers are rotatably mounted to the carriage, which is mounted to a lead screw that controls the position of the carriage. As the carriage moves across the material, the rollers roll, and the material is cut. The space between the anvil and the blade of at least one of the cutters can be varied to disengage that cutter so that the rolling of the roller will not cut the material. The engagement and disengagement of the cutter is dependent on the position of the carriage.