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: A turbine engine component has a substrate, a thermal barrier coating deposited onto the substrate, and a sealing layer of ceramic material on an outer surface of the thermal barrier coating for limiting molten sand penetration.

Abstract: A turbine engine component has a substrate and a thermal barrier coating deposited onto the substrate. The thermal barrier coating comprises a ceramic material having a sodium containing compound incorporated therein. The sodium containing compound is present in a concentration so that when molten sand reacts with the coating, sodium silicate is formed as the by product.

Abstract: A luminal prosthesis comprises a plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments arranged axially. Two or more of the prosthetic stent segments are separable upon expansion from the remaining prosthetic stent segments and a coupling structure connects at least some of the adjacent prosthetic stent segments to each other. The coupling structure permits a first group of the adjacent prosthetic stent segments to separate from a second group of the prosthetic stent segments upon differential radial expansion of the first group relative to the second group and the coupling structure maintains or forms an attachment between the adjacent prosthetic stent segments in the first group which have been expanded together. A delivery system and methods for deploying the multiple coupled prosthetic stent segments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A catheter for delivery of prosthetic stent segments comprises a separator tube having a one-way grip structure near a distal end thereof. The stent segments are delivered to a treatment region on a balloon. To select a number of distal stent segments for deployment, the separator tube is advanced distally over proximal stent segments. Proximal retraction of the separator tube pulls the engaged segment(s) proximally to separate proximal segments from distal segments, freeing the distal segments for deployment.

Abstract: A technology for identifying design issues during an electronic form generating process is disclosed. In one method approach, a user selected runtime environment to be applied to an electronic form is received. A form design check is performed on the electronic form. A reporting object generates a list of design issues identified by the form design check. The list of design issues is displayed in a user interface.

Abstract: A process of coating an article includes the steps of (1) applying upon at least one surface of an article at least one graded layer of at least one ceramic based compound comprising at least one metal selected from the group consisting of lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutelium, indium, scandium, yttrium, zirconium, hafnium, titanium, and mixtures thereof; (2) optionally drying the coated article; and (3) optionally repeating steps (1) and (2).

Abstract: A stent deployment system includes a catheter shaft, an expandable member mounted to the catheter shaft, and one or more stents or stent segments slidably positioned on the expandable member. The stent deployment system is adapted for deployment of stents or stent segments in very long lesions and in tapered and curved vessels. The stent deployment system facilitates slidable movement of a stent in a distal direction relative to the expandable member while inhibiting slidable movement in a proximal direction relative to the expandable member.

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: Delivery catheters and systems are adapted for delivering multiple discreet prostheses in body lumens. An exemplary delivery catheter comprises a sheath, a pusher for moving the prostheses relative to the sheath, and a valve member for selectively retaining the prostheses in the sheath. For balloon expandable stents, an elongated shaft and an expandable member are slidably disposed in the sheath, and the prostheses are positionable on the expandable member for deployment in the body lumen. The valve member allows a selected number of prostheses to be deployed from the sheath while retaining other prostheses within the sheath.

Abstract: A stent deployment system includes a catheter shaft, an expandable member mounted to the catheter shaft, and one or more stents or stent segments slidably positioned on the expandable member. The stent deployment system is adapted for deployment of stents or stent segments in very long lesions and in tapered and curved vessels. The stent deployment system facilitates slidable movement of a stent in a distal direction relative to the expandable member while inhibiting slidable movement in a proximal direction relative to the expandable member.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering prosthetic segments to a body lumen, utilize a device having an elongated flexible member including proximal and distal ends, a plurality of prosthetic segments releasably arranged axially along the elongated flexible member near the distal end and an outer sheath slidably disposed over at least a portion of the prosthetic segments. The apparatus further includes a separator disposed on the outer sheath and adapted to engage the prosthetic segments. The separator is also adapted to be retracted proximally over the prosthetic segments and advanced distally to separate a proximal group of the prosthetic segments from a distal group of the prosthetic segments which are to be deployed in the body lumen.

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: Systems and/or methods (“tools”) are described that convert or present conversion problems for electronic documents. The tools may convert a generally unstructured electronic document to a generally structured electronic document using non-visual textual and layout information of the unstructured document. The tools can also present possible problems with this or other types of conversion. And the tools can enable a user to alter an electronic document's schema without altering its visual layout.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering stents to body lumens include one or more tubular prostheses carried at the distal end of a catheter shaft, a sheath slidably disposed over the prostheses, and a guidewire tube extending from within the sheath to the exterior of the sheath through an exit port in a sidewall thereof. A guidewire extends slidably through the guidewire tube. The sheath can be moved relative to the catheter shaft and the guidewire tube to expose the prostheses for deployment. Methods of delivering stents are also provided.

Abstract: Catheters, kits, and methods are provided for removing material from a body lumen. The catheters and methods may be used in a variety of body lumens, including but not limited to coronary and other arteries. In general, the catheter has a cutting element that cuts material while the material is engaged by a material capture device on the catheter body. Preferably, the material capture device tensions the material during cutting, which reduces the amount of cutting force required. The material capture device typically follows a path that draws material into the catheter body. Preferably, but not necessarily, the material capture device may be arranged on the catheter body to advance along a path outwardly from the catheter body into the material and then inwardly towards the catheter body to tension the material. The cutting element on the catheter body moves between a first position and a second position to cut the material while in tension.

Abstract: Method for drilling horizontal or deviated water wells through hard and fragmented rock formations that are prone to caving, such as Hawaiian basalts. The method may be used to drill into basal aquifers directly underlain by salt water, compartmented aquifers, and perched aquifers. The method uses deviated drilling and may use formation pre-grouting, casing drilling, and/or percussion drilling, and a percussion drilling tool may be combined with a casing drill string.

Abstract: A stent deployment system includes a catheter shaft, an expandable member mounted to the catheter shaft, and one or more stents or stent segments slidably positioned on the expandable member. The stent deployment system is adapted for deployment of stents or stent segments in very long lesions and in tapered and curved vessels. The stent deployment system facilitates slidable movement of a stent in a distal direction relative to the expandable member while inhibiting slidable movement in a proximal direction relative to the expandable member.

Abstract: An atherectomy catheter is provided for excising and imaging material in a body lumen. In one embodiment, the catheter comprises a catheter body, a cutting blade, and an imaging device. The cutting blade is mounted on the catheter body and configured to move between a first position and a second position relative to an aperture or cutting window. When the cutting blade is in the second position, the blade substantially closes the aperture on the catheter body. The imaging device which is mounted on or otherwise coupled to the cutting blade is configured to be in an imaging position when the cutting blade substantially closes the aperture or cutter window. This allows the imaging device to survey material within the cutting zone of the atherectomy catheter. By allowing the imaging device to view materials within this cutting zone, material may be imaged and then removed from the body lumen without having to reposition the catheter between each step.

Abstract: This invention uses nanoparticle mixtures to broaden the range of economic materials, improve performance across this broader range, and thereby lower costs of hydride and other storage systems. Nanoparticles can have dramatically different mechanical, chemical, electrical, thermodynamic, and/or other properties than their parent (precursor) materials. Because of this fundamental characteristic, nanophase materials can greatly improve the range of possibilities of materials selection, performance, cost, and practicality for hydride storage systems, advancing the early commerciality of such systems for hydrogen fuel cells or other applications. Among such hydrogen storage improvements are cheaper and better-performing metals, alloys, and/or compounds; lower weight; and reduced storage volumes.