Abstract: Pressure is measured on both sides of an occluding member for determining when pressure forces on the occluding member may cause migration of the occluding member. An alarm indicates when the pressure force on the balloon exceed a predetermined threshold. In another aspect of the invention, a pressure monitor determines when a rate of pressure increase with respect to the fluid volume in the balloon reaches a predetermined threshold when inflating the occluding member. A predetermined amount of fluid is then added to the balloon so that the balloon is not under inflated or over inflated.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering stents to body lumens include a flexible catheter shaft, an expandable member, a tubular prosthesis selectively movable in an axial direction over the expandable member, and a stop member disposed on the catheter shaft near the distal end of the catheter shaft for stopping the prosthesis at a deployment position on the expandable member. A variety of different stop members are provided according to various embodiments, such as stop members disposed outside the expandable member, stop members disposed inside the expandable member, movable stop members, and the like. Methods of delivering stents are also provided.

Abstract: A separator for use in separating larger rocks from smaller rocks and soil in which the upper rear support includes a connecting member allowing the sizing members to be adjusted to reject different minimum sizes, and in which the connecting member is recessed to protect it from damage during transport.

Abstract: An implantable device (10) for assisting the functioning of the heart of a patient. The device (10) includes compressing means (14) adapted to be positioned about the aorta (12) of a patient for externally engaging and compressing the aorta (12) and means (30) for releasing the compressing means (14) from about the aorta (12). The releasing means (30) being adapted for releasing in response to intracorporeal input during minimally invasive surgery or in response to intracorporeal input. The device (10) is connectable to motive means adapted to activate the compressing means (14). The compressing means (14) and the releasing means (30) are fully implantable within the thoracic cavity of the patient.

Abstract: A carton for use as a transit pack, and which is convertible to a display tray, is formed from a single blank of material. The carton includes a lower section from which the display tray is formed and an upper section which mates with the lower section to form a transit pack of substantially conventional outward appearance. The upper and lower sections of the carton at least partially overlap each other, and at least one connection tab operates to join the upper and lower sections together. The connection tab includes a line of weakness which can be broken to separate the upper and lower sections, whereby the carton may be converted to a display tray by removing the upper section.

Abstract: A water purifier for killing bacteria in water located in a confined area includes a water inlet, a water outlet, and a purification unit that kills the bacteria in the water. A first fluid path is located between the water inlet and the water outlet so that water flowing along the first fluid path flows from the water inlet to the water outlet without passing through the purification unit, and includes a constricted region that has a cross sectional area that is smaller than a cross sectional area of the water inlet. A second fluid path is located between the water inlet and the water outlet, and includes the purification unit, so that water flowing along the second fluid path flows through the purification unit as the water flows from the water inlet to the water outlet.