Abstract: A tubular sheath for enclosing an expandable balloon attached to the distal portion of a catheter encloses and protects the expandable balloon. The tubular sheath is configured to be slidable and removable from the catheter. The tubular sheath may include a longitudinal splitting element that is removable as a result of a force applied to the longitudinal splitting element. The longitudinal splitting element is configured to split the wall of the tubular sheath in response to the force. Alternatively, the tubular sheath may include a gripping portion that has relatively poor cohesive strength to adjacent portions of the tubular sheath. The tubular sheath is configured to be removable in response to a force applied to the gripping portion.

Abstract: A tubular sheath for enclosing an expandable balloon attached to the distal portion of a catheter encloses and protects the expandable balloon. The tubular sheath is configured to be slidable and removable from the catheter. The tubular sheath may include a longitudinal splitting element that is removable as a result of a force applied to the longitudinal splitting element. The longitudinal splitting element is configured to split the wall of the tubular sheath in response to the force. Alternatively, the tubular sheath may include a gripping portion that has relatively poor cohesive strength to adjacent portions of the tubular sheath. The tubular sheath is configured to be removable in response to a force applied to the gripping portion.

Abstract: A tubular sheath for enclosing an expandable balloon attached to the distal portion of a catheter encloses and protects the expandable balloon. The tubular sheath is configured to be slidable and removable from the catheter. The tubular sheath may include a longitudinal splitting element that is removable as a result of a force applied to the longitudinal splitting element. The longitudinal splitting element is configured to split the wall of the tubular sheath in response to the force. Alternatively, the tubular sheath may include a gripping portion that has relatively poor cohesive strength to adjacent portions of the tubular sheath. The tubular sheath is configured to be removable in response to a force applied to the gripping portion.

Abstract: A tubular sheath for enclosing an expandable balloon attached to the distal portion of a catheter encloses and protects the expandable balloon. The tubular sheath is configured to be slidable and removable from the catheter. The tubular sheath may include a longitudinal splitting element that is removable as a result of a force applied to the longitudinal splitting element. The longitudinal splitting element is configured to split the wall of the tubular sheath in response to the force. Alternatively, the tubular sheath may include a gripping portion that has relatively poor cohesive strength to adjacent portions of the tubular sheath. The tubular sheath is configured to be removable in response to a force applied to the gripping portion.

Abstract: A method of crimping a stent onto a balloon of a stent delivery catheter is disclosed. The method includes pressurizing the balloon while the stent is being radially compressed onto the balloon with a crimping apparatus. Once the stent has reached its radially compressed configuration, the pressure within the balloon is released, while an inward crimping force exerted on the stent by the crimping apparatus is maintained. After a dwell time, the inward crimping force is discontinued, and the balloon and crimped stent are removed from the crimping apparatus. Resultant of the crimping process, balloon material extends radially outward through interstices of the stent to facilitate stent retention on the balloon while advancing the stent delivery catheter through a vessel lumen.

Abstract: A method for modifying the flow field about an aircraft instrumentation pod to improve the separation characteristics of stores released from adjacent pylons includes measuring the flow field about the aircraft instrumentation pod to obtain measured flowfield data, examining the flowfield data measured about the aircraft instrumentation pod to detect regions of supercritical flow, analyzing the measured flowfield data to determine one or more causes for detected regions of supercritical flow about the instrumentation pod, and modifying the geometry of the instrumentation pod to reduce the effects of the any supercritical flow fields. In one application of the inventive method, the trailing end of an instrumentation pod was modified from a tapered end to form an ogive which reduced shocks formed about the pod at transonic speeds that interfered with the trajectory of stores released from adjacent pylons.

Abstract: A method of crimping a stent onto a balloon of a stent delivery catheter is disclosed. The method includes pressurizing the balloon while the stent is being radially compressed onto the balloon with a crimping apparatus. Once the stent has reached its radially compressed configuration, the pressure within the balloon is released, while an inward crimping force exerted on the stent by the crimping apparatus is maintained. After a dwell time, the inward crimping force is discontinued, and the balloon and crimped stent are removed from the crimping apparatus. Resultant of the crimping process, balloon material extends radially outward through interstices of the stent to facilitate stent retention on the balloon while advancing the stent delivery catheter through a vessel lumen.