Abstract: A folding knife comprises a lock configured to more securely hold the blade in an extended position than conventional locks of conventional knives. The folding knife includes a handle, a blade movable relative to the handle to an extended position, and the lock that retains the blade in the extended position. The blade includes a cutting edge, and a tang that has a cavity and that is attached to the handle and pivotable about a pivot axis. The cavity includes a central axis parallel or substantially parallel with the pivot axis and that is located a distance away from the pivot axis that is greater than the distance between the pivot axis and the end of the handle. The lock includes a pin moveable relative to the handle and insertable into the cavity to retain the blade in an extended position.

Abstract: A folding knife comprises a lock configured to more securely hold the blade in an extended position than conventional locks of conventional knives. The folding knife includes a handle, a blade movable relative to the handle to an extended position, and the lock that retains the blade in the extended position. The blade includes a cutting edge, and a tang that has a cavity and that is attached to the handle and pivotable about a pivot axis. The cavity includes a central axis parallel or substantially parallel with the pivot axis and that is located a distance away from the pivot axis that is greater than the distance between the pivot axis and the end of the handle. The lock includes a pin moveable relative to the handle and insertable into the cavity to retain the blade in an extended position.

Abstract: A flexible optic or optical system is deformed using a non-overlapping iris or any of several deformable ring or polygon shapes. In some examples, the deformation of the flexible optic is controlled by one or more actuators comprising a shape memory material. The flexible optic may be used in, e.g. a bar code reader or imager.

Abstract: A folding knife comprises a lock configured to more securely hold the blade in an extended position than conventional locks of conventional knives. The folding knife includes a handle, a blade movable relative to the handle to an extended position, and the lock that retains the blade in the extended position. The blade includes a cutting edge, and a tang that has a cavity and that is attached to the handle and pivotable about a pivot axis. The cavity includes a central axis parallel or substantially parallel with the pivot axis and that is located a distance away from the pivot axis that is greater than the distance between the pivot axis and the end of the handle. The lock includes a pin moveable relative to the handle and insertable into the cavity to retain the blade in an extended position.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises an image pickup and a lens. A shape memory actuator is coupled to the lens and configured to move the lens relative to the image pickup.

Abstract: A folding knife comprises a lock configured to more securely hold the blade in an extended position than conventional locks of conventional knives. The folding knife includes a handle, a blade movable relative to the handle to an extended position, and the lock that retains the blade in the extended position. The blade includes a cutting edge, and a tang that has a cavity and that is attached to the handle and pivotable about a pivot axis. The cavity includes a central axis parallel or substantially parallel with the pivot axis and that is located a distance away from the pivot axis that is greater than the distance between the pivot axis and the end of the handle. The lock includes a pin moveable relative to the handle and insertable into the cavity to retain the blade in an extended position.

Abstract: A deformable mirror changes configuration in response to a change of the configuration of a shape memory material. In some examples, the deformable mirror is formed of the shape memory material. In other examples, the deformable mirror changes configuration under the control of actuators comprising shape memory materials.

Abstract: A zoom lens assembly comprises a first optical component, a second optical component, and an actuator. The actuator comprises a shape memory material that changes its shape in response to electrical or thermal fields to change the distance between the first and second optical components.

Abstract: A deformable mirror changes configuration in response to a change of the configuration of a shape memory material. In some examples, the deformable mirror is formed of the shape memory material. In other examples, the deformable mirror changes configuration under the control of actuators comprising shape memory materials.

Abstract: A flexible optic or optical system is deformed using a non-overlapping iris or any of several deformable ring or polygon shapes. In some examples, the deformation of the flexible optic is controlled by one or more actuators comprising a shape memory material. The flexible optic may be used in, e.g. a bar code reader or imager.

Abstract: A zoom lens assembly comprises a first optical component, a second optical component, and an actuator. The actuator comprises a shape memory material that changes its shape in response to electrical or thermal fields to change the distance between the first and second optical components.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises an image pickup and a lens. A shape memory actuator is coupled to the lens and configured to move the lens relative to the image pickup.

Abstract: A system for protecting a stent from contact during loading comprises a stent, a protective sleeve disposed about the stent and a loading tool. The inner diameter of the protective sleeve is greater than the outer diameter of the stent. The protective sleeve has a length longer than that of the stent. The portion of the sleeve extending beyond the length of the stent defines a sleeve extension. The loading tool is positioned about at the stent retaining sleeve of a catheter. The tip region of the loading tool separates the protective sleeve and the stent from one another when the protective sleeve is pulled over the tip region of the loading tool. When the protective sleeve is pulled over the tip region of the loading tool the stent is advanced into a lumen defined by the stent retaining sleeve of the catheter.

Abstract: A system for protecting a stent from contact during loading comprises a stent a protective sleeve disposed about the stent and a loading tool. The inner diameter of the protective sleeve is greater than the outer diameter of the stent. The protective sleeve has a length longer than that of the stent. The portion of the sleeve extending beyond the length of the stent defines a sleeve extension. The loading tool is positioned about at the stent retaining sleeve of a catheter. The tip region of the loading tool separates the protective sleeve and the stent from one another when the protective sleeve is pulled over the tip region of the loading tool. When the protective sleeve is pulled over the tip region of the loading tool the stent is advanced into a lumen defined by the stent retaining sleeve of the catheter.

Abstract: A folding knife has a blade that pivots so that the cutting edge may be protected within the handle or extended for use. The blade has an extended tang which may be locked into the handle when the cutting edge is extended. The knife can be disassembled without tools for cleaning.