Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods comprising acoustically absorptive air ducts comprising an internally positioned structure component as an endoskeleton and an air impervious inner layer, and an acoustically absorptive foam outer layer, environmental control systems comprising such air ducts, and vehicles incorporating such environmental control systems are disclosed with methods for manufacture and installations are disclosed.

Abstract: An environmental control system for use in an aircraft includes at least one component positioned along a length of the aircraft and a decompression panel assembly comprising an array of apertures. The array of apertures is based on a location of the decompression panel assembly along the length of the aircraft relative to the at least one component.

Abstract: A trigger assembly for a firearm is disclosed wherein the firearm includes a receiver, a safety selector and a hammer. The trigger assembly includes a trigger having a pivot axis, a front hook which is constructed and arranged to move with trigger rotation, a rear hook which is cooperatively arranged with the front hook and a spring which is positioned between the front hook and the rear hook. The front hook and the trigger are constructed and arranged relative to the safety selector and relative to the hammer in order to allow the hammer to be recocked from an upright position with the safety selector in a “SAFE” position. This particular construction provides a trigger assembly which is constructed and arranged as a two-stage, drop-in trigger assembly which is compliant with the European Standard for an M4/M16 (AR) platform.

Abstract: A trigger assembly for a firearm is disclosed wherein the firearm includes a receiver, a safety selector and a hammer. The trigger assembly includes a trigger having a pivot axis, a front hook which is constructed and arranged to move with trigger rotation, a rear hook which is cooperatively arranged with the front hook and a spring which is positioned between the front hook and the rear hook. The front hook and the trigger are constructed and arranged relative to the safety selector and relative to the hammer in order to allow the hammer to be recocked from an upright position with the safety selector in a “SAFE” position. This particular construction provides a trigger assembly which is constructed and arranged as a two-stage, drop-in trigger assembly which is compliant with the European Standard for an M4/M16 (AR) platform.

Abstract: A method for production refactoring of a company comprises quantifying risks stemming from regulations, in particular from an introduction of new regulation. It further comprises identifying actions to take in order to reduce an exposure to risk, quantifying costs of said actions and determining a revenue at risk depending on a revenue and a probability of failure representing said risks. Furthermore, it comprises determining a sequence of actions for solving an improvement problem depending on said revenue at risk and said costs of said actions and profits reducing said revenue at risks and said costs of said actions and increasing said profits.

Abstract: Methods and materials related to ostomy devices, and particularly to valves for use with continent ostomies (e.g., ileostomies) are provided herein.

Abstract: A fluid transfer apparatus is illustrated and described. The fluid transfer apparatus includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a fluid transfer device. The fluid inlet is associated with a fluid receptacle receiving portion, and the fluid receptacle receiving portion is configured to receive and engage at least a portion of a fluid receptacle. The fluid transfer apparatus is configurable between a first isolation state, in which the fluid transfer device is isolated from the fluid receptacle, such that the fluid container is fluidically isolated from the fluid inlet, to a second coupled state, in which the fluid transfer device is engaged with the fluid receptacle, such that the fluid receptacle is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet.

Abstract: A system includes an outflow vent that has a cap releasably mounted to a panel within an internal cabin of a vehicle. The cap is elongated from a first end of the cap to a second end of the cap opposite the first end. The cap has a base wall that is overlaid on the panel and defines at least one slot therethrough. The cap receives an airflow generated by an airflow generator, and the at least one slot emits the airflow from the cap to form an air curtain within the internal cabin.

Abstract: An environmental control system for use in an aircraft includes at least one component positioned along a length of the aircraft and a decompression panel assembly comprising an array of apertures. The array of apertures is based on a location of the decompression panel assembly along the length of the aircraft relative to the at least one component.

Abstract: An aircraft including a fuselage having a side wall at least partially defining a passenger cabin and a crown section of the aircraft. The passenger cabin includes an overhead zone, a passenger zone, and a floor zone. An air supply duct is positioned within the crown section, and the air supply duct is configured to pressurize the crown section with air. At least one return air outlet is defined in the floor zone. An interior structure is coupled to the side wall and extends between the passenger cabin and the crown section. The interior structure includes a plurality of nozzles oriented to discharge the pressurized air from the crown section along an airflow path that extends downward through the overhead zone, downward through the passenger zone, and then towards the at least one return air outlet.

Abstract: A functional gadolinium contrast agent comprising a gadolinium cation and a ligand secured to the gadolinium cation is disclosed, the ligand comprising a reactive group capable of bonding to a capture substrate. A method of removing gadolinium contrast agents from a patient is disclosed, the method comprising providing a gadolinium contrast agent containing a reactive group; providing a capture substrate for insertion into a patient's bloodstream; administering the gadolinium contrast agent to the patient; conducting a magnetic resonance imaging procedure; and sequestering the gadolinium contrast agent on the capture substrate. A system for removing gadolinium contrast agents is also disclosed.

Abstract: An imaging contrast composition comprising an iodinated contrast agent and a ligand secured to the iodinated contrast agent is disclosed, the ligand comprising a reactive group capable of bonding to a capture substrate. A method of removing iodinated radiocontrast agents from a patient is disclosed, the method comprising providing an iodinated radiocontrast agent containing a reactive group; providing a capture substrate for insertion into a patient's bloodstream; administering the iodinated radiocontrast agent to the patient; conducting procedure CT scan or procedure using fluoroscopy; and sequestering the iodinated radiocontrast agent on the capture substrate.

Abstract: An ultrasound catheter may be adapted for placement within a blood vessel having a vessel wall for treating a vascular lesion within or adjacent the vessel wall. The ultrasound catheter includes an elongate shaft extending from a distal region to a proximal region and an ultrasound transducer that is disposed relative to the distal region of the elongate shaft and is adapted to impart near-field acoustic pressure waves upon the vascular lesion in order to mechanically modify the vascular lesion. An inflatable balloon is disposed about the ultrasound transducer and is coupled to the elongate shaft, the inflatable balloon having a collapsed configuration suitable for advancing the ultrasound catheter through a patient's vasculature and an expanded configuration suitable for anchoring the ultrasound catheter in position relative to a treatment site.

Abstract: A trigger assembly for a firearm is disclosed wherein the firearm includes a receiver, a safety selector and a hammer. The trigger assembly includes a trigger having a pivot axis, a front hook which is constructed and arranged to move with trigger rotation, a rear hook which is cooperatively arranged with the front hook and a spring which is positioned between the front hook and the rear hook. The front hook and the trigger are constructed and arranged relative to the safety selector and relative to the hammer in order to allow the hammer to be recocked from an upright position with the safety selector in a “SAFE” position. This particular construction provides a trigger assembly which is constructed and arranged as a two-stage, drop-in trigger assembly which is compliant with the European Standard for an M4/M16 (AR) platform.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system is disclosed and includes a first heating element configured to receive a first supply of thermoplastic material and a second heating element configured to receive a second supply of plastic material. A foaming agent is incorporated into the second supply of plastic material and is configured to expand at an activation temperature. The additive manufacturing system also includes a control module in electronic communication with both the first heating element and the second heating element. The control module executes instructions to instruct the first heating element to heat the first supply of thermoplastic material to a first extrusion temperature and instruct the second heating element to heat the second supply of plastic material to a second extrusion temperature. The second extrusion temperature is equal to or greater than the activation temperature of the foaming agent.

Abstract: Medical devices and method for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example method for treating a blood vessel may include disposing a medical device within the blood vessel at a position adjacent to a lesion. The medical device may include an elongate shaft having a distal end region, a balloon coupled to the distal end region, and a cavitation member disposed within the balloon. The method may also include inflating the balloon to a first pressure, activating the cavitation member, and inflating the balloon to a second pressure greater than the first pressure.

Abstract: A trigger assembly for a firearm is disclosed wherein the firearm includes a receiver, a safety selector and a hammer. The trigger assembly includes a trigger having a pivot axis, a front hook which is constructed and arranged to move with trigger rotation, a rear hook which is cooperatively arranged with the front hook and a spring which is positioned between the front hook and the rear hook. The front hook and the trigger are constructed and arranged relative to the safety selector and relative to the hammer in order to allow the hammer to be recocked from an upright position with the safety selector in a “SAFE” position. This particular construction provides a trigger assembly which is constructed and arranged as a two-stage, drop-in trigger assembly which is compliant with the European Standard for an M4/M16 (AR) platform.

Abstract: A composite duct with reinforcement comprises an inner ply, an outer ply, and a plurality of cellular core rings. The inner ply forms a channel with a circular cross-section. The plurality of cellular core rings is positioned at set intervals along a length of the composite duct and between the inner ply and the outer ply.

Abstract: An aerospace vessel including a fuselage, a means for causing the fuselage to fly coupled to the fuselage, and an environmental control system within the fuselage. The environmental control system includes a duct made of closed cell thermoplastic foam, such as polyvinylidene fluoride foam.

Abstract: A trigger assembly for a firearm is disclosed wherein the firearm includes a receiver, a safety selector and a hammer. The trigger assembly includes a trigger having a pivot axis, a front hook which is constructed and arranged to move with trigger rotation, a rear hook which is cooperatively arranged with the front hook and a spring which is positioned between the front hook and the rear hook. The front hook and the trigger are constructed and arranged relative to the safety selector and relative to the hammer in order to allow the hammer to be recocked from an upright position with the safety selector in a “SAFE” position. This particular construction provides a trigger assembly which is constructed and arranged as a two-stage, drop-in trigger assembly which is compliant with the European Standard for an M4/M16 (AR) platform.