Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for controlling a vehicle in motion through a fluid medium. A manipulable flare assembly is mounted to a load bearing structure, the structure being configured for mounting to the vehicle. An actuating mechanism has a rotational member operably associated with the flare assembly, the actuating mechanism being configured for selectively providing relative rotation between the rotational member and the load bearing structure. The actuating mechanism is configured for manipulating the flare assembly responsive to selective relative rotation between the rotational member and the load bearing structure. A vehicle is also provided incorporating the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for controlling a vehicle in motion through a fluid medium. A manipulable flare assembly is mounted to a load bearing structure, the structure being configured for mounting to the vehicle. An actuating mechanism has a rotational member operably associated with the flare assembly, the actuating mechanism being configured for selectively providing relative rotation between the rotational member and the load bearing structure. The actuating mechanism is configured for manipulating the flare assembly responsive to selective relative rotation between the rotational member and the load bearing structure. A vehicle is also provided incorporating the apparatus.

Abstract: Method for producing a coated medical support device capable of insertion into the body, the method including the procedures of applying a coating to a section of a work-piece, positioning the work-piece in the vicinity of an electromagnetic field generator, and substantially proximate a forming mandrel, inducing electromagnetic forces in the work-piece which accelerate the work-piece toward the forming mandrel, and forming the work-piece to a medical support device, by changing the original physical configuration of the work-piece to a second physical configuration, the forming mandrel having a mandrel physical configuration, the second physical configuration being influenced by the mandrel physical configuration.

Abstract: Method for producing a coated medical support device capable of insertion into the body, the method including the procedures of applying a coating to a section of a work-piece, positioning the work-piece in the vicinity of an electromagnetic field generator, and substantially proximate a forming mandrel, inducing electromagnetic forces in the work-piece which accelerate the work-piece toward the forming mandrel, and forming the work-piece to a medical support device, by changing the original physical configuration of the work-piece to a second physical configuration, the forming mandrel having a mandrel physical configuration, the second physical configuration being influenced by the mandrel physical configuration.

Abstract: Method for producing a coated medical support device capable of insertion into the body, the method including the procedures of applying a coating to a section of a work-piece, positioning the work-piece in the vicinity of an electromagnetic field generator, and substantially proximate a forming mandrel, inducing electromagnetic forces in the work-piece which accelerate the work-piece toward the forming mandrel, and forming the work-piece to a medical support device, by changing the original physical configuration of the work-piece to a second physical configuration, the forming mandrel having a mandrel physical configuration, the second physical configuration being influenced by the mandrel physical configuration.

Abstract: Method for producing a medical support device from an object, using an electromagnetic field generator, whereby the method comprises of the steps of placing a formation mandrel against the object, close to a predetermined formation area, and applying the electromagnetic field to the formation area, thereby forming the object. The produced object can be made from a tubular segment, a folded sheet of material or a plurality of wires joined together.

Abstract: Method for producing a medical support device from an object, using an electromagnetic field generator, whereby the method comprises of the steps of placing a formation mandrel against the object, close to a predetermined formation area, and applying the electromagnetic field to the formation area, thereby forming the object. The produced object can be made from a tubular segment, a folded sheet of material or a plurality of wires joined together.

Abstract: System and method for opening and temporarily supporting a section of a generally tubular organ, the system includes a dilation catheter, the dilation catheter includes an integrally connected shape memory catheter tip, the shape memory catheter tip, is made of a shape memory alloy, wherein said shape memory catheter tip assumes a first shape at a first temperature and a second shape at a second temperature.

Abstract: There is provided a system for opening and temporarily supporting a section of a generally tubular organ. The system includes a dilation catheter which has an integrally connected shape memory catheter tip. The shape memory catheter tip is made of a shape memory alloy. The shape memory catheter tip assumes a first shape at a first temperature and a second shape at a second temperature. Accordingly, the shape memory catheter tip is inserted into the body of the patient, while being in a narrow shape and expands within the body of the patient.

Abstract: System for opening and temporarily supporting a section of a generally tubular organ, the system comprising a dilation catheter, and an inflatable balloon, the dilation catheter includes an integrally connected shape memory catheter tip, the shape memory catheter tip, is made of a shape memory alloy, the balloon being inserted within said shape memory catheter tip, wherein the balloon is operative to inflate, thereby moving the shape memory catheter tip from a first shape into a second shape, and wherein the shape memory catheter tip changes from the second shape to the first shape when heated from a first temperature to a second temperature.

Abstract: A squib valve which has an inlet port associated with a pressurized fluid source, an outlet port, flow initiation apparatus for initiating a flow of the pressurized fluid between the inlet port and the outlet port, apparatus for activating the flow initiation apparatus, and flow control apparatus for permitting an increase in the flow at no more than a predetermined maximum rate of increase such that a maximum volumetric flow via the outlet port is reached only after a predetermined minimum period of time has elapsed, thereby reducing the occurrence and magnitude of shock and hammering downstream of the outlet port that would be provided by an uncontrolled outflow of the pressurized fluid.