Abstract: A breather air and food product fines pumping system for a reciprocating mold plate food product forming machine pumps air and fines to a collection area. A pumping surface is provided by a rearward facing surface of the mold plate. A pumping chamber is arranged between the pumping surface and a food product fines collection area. The rearward facing surface of the mold plate defines a movable limit of the pumping chamber. A valve element of a first valve is arranged between the pumping chamber and the collection area to create suction in the pumping chamber when the rearward facing surface of the mold plate is moving forward, and to allow the pumping chamber to pump air and fines into the collection area when the rearward facing surface of the mold plate is moving rearward. Breather holes in a breather plate are in communication with a breather passage that is in communication with the pumping chamber and with outside air through further valve arrangements.

Abstract: An organ-stabilizing element is covered with a layer of textile material such as cloth to enhance slip-free engagement with an organ such as a beating heart during surgery thereon. The organ-stabilizing element is supported on a stacked structure of successive ball elements and rings that can be selectively flexible or rigid in response to tensioning of a flexible cable within a central bore of the structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an all-purpose, pneumatic powered signaling device including a first component capable of transmitting signals above water and a second component capable of transmitting a signal beneath the water. The first component includes a pneumatic air horn and the second component a diaphragm and piston. A button actuator is selectively depressed to create a flow passageway from a source of compressed air to the first and second components. A selector switch is selectively adjustable to allow a stream of compressed air flowing through the passageway to enter either the first or the second component and transmit a signal above or below the water.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a balloon catheter, such as a dilatation catheter and a stent delivery catheter with improved stiffness transition and specifically with no sudden changes in stiffness along the catheter length. The balloon catheters of the present invention may be used alone or be mounted with a stent in. The balloon catheters of the present invention may be used in peripheral, coronary, or neurovascular applications. The present catheter has more than one portion with different bending stiffness values, each portion comprising of components that gradually transition the bending stiffness of that portion to an adjacent portion, thus reducing the differential in bending stiffness in moving from one region to another, when the catheter is used alone or in combination with a stent in a stent delivery system.

Abstract: A self-expanding, pseudo-braided device embodying a high expansion ratio and flexibility as well as comformability and improved radial force. The pseudo-braided device is particularly suited for advancement through and deployment within highly tortuous and very distal vasculature. Various forms of the pseudo-braided device are adapted for the repair of aneurysms and stenoses as well as for use in thrombectomies and embolic protection therapy.

Abstract: A self-expanding, pseudo-braided device embodying a high expansion ratio and flexibility as well as comformability and improved radial force. The pseudo-braided device is particularly suited for advancement through and deployment within highly tortuous and very distal vasculature. Various forms of the pseudo-braided device are adapted for the repair of aneurysms and stenoses as well as for use in thrombectomies and embolic protection therapy.

Abstract: Expandable emboli filter and thrombectomy devices adapted for use with microcatheters to remove debris from blood vessels. The devices embody expanded profiles that span the entirety of various sized target vessels and thus are particularly effective in the engagement of debris found in vessels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an all-purpose, pneumatic powered signaling device including a first component capable of transmitting signals above water and a second component capable of transmitting a signal beneath the water. The first component includes a pneumatic air horn and the second component a diaphragm and piston. A button actuator is selectively depressed to create a flow passageway from a source of compressed air to the first and second components. A selector switch is selectively adjustable to allow a stream of compressed air flowing through the passageway to enter either the first or the second component and transmit a signal above or below the water.

Abstract: A bracket for properly positioning and preferably preventing the tipping of an appliance includes first and second, generally perpendicular legs extending from a central bracket portion, with the first leg being longer than the second leg. Each of the legs is provided with a slot extending to a terminal end thereof and is defined by side flanges which are interconnected by a raised connecting portion. Apertures are provided in the side flanges for use in securing the bracket to a supporting surface or an upstanding wall. In addition, the central portion includes a recess formed with holes for use in toe nailing or screwing the bracket in place. The bracket is adapted to be secured in place with a selected one of the legs extending along the supporting surface in order that a support leg of an appliance can be slid beneath and retained by the bracket.

Abstract: A bracket for properly positioning and preferably preventing the tipping of an appliance includes first and second, generally perpendicular legs extending from a central bracket portion, with the first leg being longer than the second leg. Each of the legs is provided with a slot extending to a terminal end thereof and is defined by side flanges which are interconnected by a raised connecting portion. Apertures are provided in the side flanges for use in securing the bracket to a supporting surface or an upstanding wall. In addition, the central portion includes a recess formed with holes for use in toe nailing or screwing the bracket in place. The bracket is adapted to be secured in place with a selected one of the legs extending along the supporting surface in order that a support leg of an appliance can be slid beneath and retained by the bracket.

Abstract: An extraction device for the removal of clots and foreign bodies from vasculature. The extractor device is connected to an elongate mandrel and is located within a longitudinally extending lumen defined by a catheter. A clot or foreign material extracted from a vessel by moving the extraction device and catheter proximally until the clot or foreign material does not perfuse a critical organ.

Abstract: A medical device including structure for accomplishing staged expansion. The staged expansion of the medical device operates to reduce actual shortening during expansion as well as potential trauma to a repair site during implantation. In a preferred embodiment, the medical device is intended to be used in conjunction with a delivery catheter with an expandable portion adapted to radially expand the medical device.

Abstract: An organ-stabilizing element is covered with a layer of textile material such as cloth enhance slip-free engagement with an organ such as a beating heart during surgery thereon. The organ-stabilizing element is supported on a stacked structure of successive ball elements and rings that can be selectively flexible or rigid in response to tensioning of a flexible cable within a central bore of the structure.

Abstract: A tie ejector distributes new ties to be installed along a railway track, from a tie distribution car of a rail carried tie exchange vehicle. New ties are moved from a gondola cars to a conveyor at the rear of the tie distribution car leading to the tie ejector. The tie ejector has an endless drive chain on rotatable sprockets on a frame. Two striker plates are attached to the drive chain at opposite ends and opposite sides so that they cannot interfere. One is always on the rear when the other is on the front ejecting a tie by propelling it laterally relative to the conveyor. The trajectory of the tie is adjustable using a movable deflection shield attached to the frame, specifically to adjust the downward deflection angle. The tie ejector can be manually actuated by an operator while the tie distribution car is advanced, to drop ties next to the track at a predetermined and repeatable position relative to passing empty tie cribs.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catheter device for use in a biological conduit. The catheter device has a catheter body with a housing and a torque cable lumen, a torque cable, a work element, and a connector. The housing is flexible. The torque cable extends through the catheter body to the housing via the torque cable lumen and is capable of rotation and translation with respect to the catheter body. The work element is slidably positioned in the housing. The housing has an interior which guides the work element in response to rotation and translation of the torque cable. The connector attaches the work element to the torque cable. The connector is flexible to facilitate flexion between the work element and the torque cable when the housing flexes.

Abstract: Epoxides are converted selectively to the corresponding carbonyl-containing compounds by reacting the epoxide with an oxidizing agent, typically hydrogen peroxide, in a liquid aqueous/organic two-phase system comprising:(a) an organic phase substantially containing the epoxide, and(b) an aqueous acidic phase substantially containing the oxidizing agent, in the presence of an onium compound capable of achieving phase partitioning and a catalytic system comprising a first catalyst component which is at least one element selected from tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium and chromium, or a compound containing at least one of the aforesaid elements, and a second catalyst component which is a phosphorus (V) acid or a species convertible to a phosphorus (V) acid.

Abstract: An alarm apparatus, for use with conventional diving equipment or other self-contained breathing apparatus, having a body portion (34) and a noisemaker portion (32). The body portion (34) includes a first opening (42) therethrough communicating with a connection for a first hose (14) from an air tank. The body portion (34) includes another opening (50) in fluid communication with the first opening in which is positioned a guide element (68). A movable stem element (75) is positioned within said guide element (68). A bore (64) extends between the second opening (50) and the noisemaker portion (32) in which a horn bell (84) supported by a diaphragm (94) are positioned. A button (80) is connected to the stem element (75) and is biased in one position by a spring (82). Actuation of the button (80) results in fluid communication between the first opening (42) in the body portion (34) and the noisemaker portion (32), further resulting in an audible alarm.

Abstract: A diver's alarm apparatus, for use with conventional diving equipment, having a body portion (34) and a noisemaker portion (32). The body portion (34) includes a first opening (42) therethrough communicating at opposite ends thereof with connections for a first hose (14) from an air tank and a second hose (16) from a buoyancy vest (12). The body portion (34) includes another opening (50) in fluid communication with the first opening in which is positioned a guide element (68). A movable stem element (75) is positioned within said guide element (68). A bore (64) extends between the second opening (50) and the noisemaker portion (32) in which a horn bell (84) supported by a diaphragm (94) are positioned. A button (80) is connected to the stem element (75) and is biased in one position by a spring (82). Actuation of the button (80) results in fluid communication between the first opening (42) in the body portion (34) and the noisemaker portion (32), further resulting in an audible alarm.

Abstract: Digital data apparatus is programmable by means of digital data encoded on one or more datastrips contained on an application insert. In order to substantially increase the amount of digital data in each datastrip, fixed-length digital data is compressed according to a predetermined compression/decompression code to produce variable length data which are then encoded on the datastrip. The disclosed apparatus minimizes the time required (1) to read the encoded data into the digital data apparatus and (2) to decode the encoded data so that the decoded data can be ready to be used. As disclosed, a reader reads the encoded data into digital memory during one pass of the reader over the length of the datastrip and while the reader returns to its starting position, the encoded data is decoded according to the predetermined code.

Abstract: Digital data utilization apparatus includes a datastrip reader for reading digital data encoded on one or more datastrips on an application insert. Disclosed is a system for guiding a user in orienting the application insert relative to the datastrip reader so that the datastrips are read in the correct sequence. The digital data utilization apparatus includes an electronic display which displays messages to prompt the user in correctly orienting the application insert relative to the reader. The apparatus also includes guide marks which align with marks on the insert, to further assist the user. Preferably, the application insert also includes a membrane touch pad which overlays a membrane touch pad on the digital data utilization device.