Abstract: Described are pumps structured for moving fluids with pulsatile flow. The pumps lack valves and pistons and provide pulsatile flow through the gentle rotation of a single, one-piece, sliding vane. The vane is situated inside a slot of a rotary cylinder positioned in a hollow central opening of a housing. Generally, the vane makes minimal contact with the walls of the housing. A gap positioned between the vane and the walls and provides pulsatile fluid movement through the pump with low shear stress on the fluid. Also described are fluidic systems connected to the pumps and methods of operating the pumps and systems.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving an elongate rod longitudinally and rotationally, and a method of moving the elongate rod longitudinally and rotationally, are provided. A translation member has a first translation member end held relatively stationary and a longitudinally spaced second translation member end which is selectively movable longitudinally with respect to the first translation member end via actuation of the translation member. The second translation member end is operatively connected to selectively impart longitudinal motion to the elongate rod. A rotation member has a first rotation member end held relatively stationary and a longitudinally spaced second rotation member end which is selectively rotatable with respect to the first rotation member end via actuation of the rotation member. The second rotation member end is operatively connected to selectively impart rotational motion to the elongate rod.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump assembly including a first pump, a second pump, a shaft, and fluid lines is disclosed. The first pump includes a first piston assembly. The second pump including a second piston assembly. Each piston assembly of the first and second pumps includes a cylinder and a piston slidably disposed in the cylinder. The shaft connects the first pump to the second pump and is configured to displace the pistons within the cylinders of the first and second piston assemblies. The fluid lines fluidly couple the first piston assembly with the second piston assembly to form paired piston assemblies. The first piston assembly is phase shifted from the second piston assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is a distributed piston elastomeric accumulator which stores energy when its elastomeric member stretches from its original length in response to the flow of a pressurized fluid. The stored energy is returned when the fluid flow is reversed and the accumulator discharges the fluid as its elastomeric member returns to its original length and moves the piston to its initial position. At least one part of the novelty of the invention is that the accumulator is not subject to radial strain gradients and the accumulator allows for precise pressure and linear position measurements. Accordingly, the invention allows for optimization of the energy strain storage capacity of a given elastomer.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving an elongate rod longitudinally and rotationally, and a method of moving the elongate rod longitudinally and rotationally, are provided. A translation member has a first translation member end held relatively stationary and a longitudinally spaced second translation member end which is selectively movable longitudinally with respect to the first translation member end via actuation of the translation member. The second translation member end is operatively connected to selectively impart longitudinal motion to the elongate rod. A rotation member has a first rotation member end held relatively stationary and a longitudinally spaced second rotation member end which is selectively rotatable with respect to the first rotation member end via actuation of the rotation member. The second rotation member end is operatively connected to selectively impart rotational motion to the elongate rod.

Abstract: A motive device for use in magnetically sensitive environments includes a front supporting plate, a rear supporting plate, and at least one guiding rail extending longitudinally between the front and rear supporting plates and supported thereby. At least one module is supported by the guiding rail, is located longitudinally between the front and rear supporting plates, and is configured to provide at least one of translational and rotational motions to a moved structure extending from the at least one module longitudinally toward and beyond the front supporting plate. The translational motion is guided by motion of the module between the front and rear supporting plates longitudinally along the at least one guiding rail. The module provides the at least one of translational and rotational motions to the moved structure entirely pneumatically. The structures comprising the motive device are all made entirely from non-ferromagnetic materials.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for performing transforaminal therapy utilizes a cannula positioned in the foramen ovale and a probe that is operable through an actuator to access the brain via the cannula. According to one aspect, the actuator can be a manual mechanical actuator. According to another aspect, the actuator can be a robotic actuator. According to a further aspect, the actuator can be adapted for use in an imaging environment, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system.

Abstract: The present invention is a distributed piston elastomeric accumulator which stores energy when its elastomeric member stretches from its original length in response to the flow of a pressurized fluid. The stored energy is returned when the fluid flow is reversed and the accumulator discharges the fluid as its elastomeric member returns to its original length and moves the piston to its initial position. At least one part of the novelty of the invention is that the accumulator is not subject to radial strain gradients and the accumulator allows for precise pressure and linear position measurements. Accordingly, the invention allows for optimization of the energy strain storage capacity of a given elastomer.

Abstract: The present invention is a distributed piston elastomeric accumulator which stores energy when its elastomeric member stretches from its original length in response to the flow of a pressurized fluid. The stored energy is returned when the fluid flow is reversed and the accumulator discharges the fluid as its elastomeric member returns to its original length and moves the piston to its initial position. At least one part of the novelty of the invention is that the accumulator is not subject to radial strain gradients and the accumulator allows for precise pressure and linear position measurements. Accordingly, the invention allows for optimization of the energy strain storage capacity of a given elastomer.

Abstract: The invention is an accumulator system in which multiple elastomeric accumulators are attached in series or parallel in order to generate total differential pressure in excess of that generated in a non-series system. Also disclosed is a “stacked” accumulator system. The system stores energy when the accumulators deform from their original shape in response to the flow of a pressurized fluid. The stored energy is available for use when the fluid is released from the accumulators and the accumulators return to their original shape.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an accumulator which stores energy by deforming from its original shape in response to the flow of a pressurized fluid. The stored energy is returned when the fluid flow is reversed and the accumulator returns to its original shape. At least one feature of the accumulator is that it captures elastic strain energy of a stretched bladder, as opposed to relying on gases and metals for energy storage.

Abstract: The present invention is a distributed piston elastomeric accumulator which stores energy when its elastomeric member stretches from its original length in response to the flow of a pressurized fluid. The stored energy is returned when the fluid flow is reversed and the accumulator discharges the fluid as its elastomeric member returns to its original length and moves the piston to its initial position. At least one part of the novelty of the invention is that the accumulator is not subject to radial strain gradients and the accumulator allows for precise pressure and linear position measurements. Accordingly, the invention allows for optimization of the energy strain storage capacity of a given elastomer.

Abstract: A motive device for use in magnetically sensitive environments includes a front supporting plate, a rear supporting plate, and at least one guiding rail extending longitudinally between the front and rear supporting plates and supported thereby. At least one module is supported by the guiding rail, is located longitudinally between the front and rear supporting plates, and is configured to provide at least one of translational and rotational motions to a moved structure extending from the at least one module longitudinally toward and beyond the front supporting plate. The translational motion is guided by motion of the module between the front and rear supporting plates longitudinally along the at least one guiding rail. The module provides the at least one of translational and rotational motions to the moved structure entirely pneumatically. The structures comprising the motive device are all made entirely from non-ferromagnetic materials.

Abstract: The invention is a combination accumulator and reservoir which stores energy when the accumulator deforms from its original shape in response to the flow of a pressurized fluid from the reservoir. The stored energy is returned when the fluid flow is reversed and the accumulator discharges the fluid and returns to its original shape. At least one part of the novelty of the invention is that the accumulator and the fluid reservoir reside in the same housing such that the volume of each varies inversely. Accordingly, the invention is more compact and weighs less than conventional accumulators. Another feature of the invention is that fluid is located around the bladder accumulator to lubricate contact between the bladder and sides of the reservoir.

Abstract: A high inertance liquid piston engine-compressor that is lightweight, portable and for use with pneumatically actuated devices that may have periods of inactivity between periods of pneumatic use. The engine-compressor provides a power generation system that is for use with mobile or portable devices which need a portable long lasting energy source.

Abstract: The invention is an accumulator system in which multiple elastomeric accumulators are attached in series or parallel in order to generate total differential pressure in excess of that generated in a non-series system. Also disclosed is a “stacked” accumulator system. The system stores energy when the accumulators deform from their original shape in response to the flow of a pressurized fluid. The stored energy is available for use when the fluid is released from the accumulators and the accumulators return to their original shape.

Abstract: The invention is a combination accumulator and reservoir which stores energy when the accumulator deforms from its original shape in response to the flow of a pressurized fluid from the reservoir. The stored energy is returned when the fluid flow is reversed and the accumulator discharges the fluid and returns to its original shape. At least one part of the novelty of the invention is that the accumulator and the fluid reservoir reside in the same housing such that the volume of each varies inversely. Accordingly, the invention is more compact and weighs less than conventional accumulators. Another feature of the invention is that fluid is located around the bladder accumulator to lubricate contact between the bladder and sides of the reservoir.

Abstract: The invention is an accumulator which stores energy by deforming from its original shape in response to the flow of a pressurized fluid. The stored energy is returned when the fluid flow is reversed and the accumulator returns to its original shape. At least one part of the novelty of the accumulator is that it captures elastic strain energy of a stretched bladder, as opposed to relying on gases and metals for energy storage as is usually seen in conventional accumulators.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a high inertance liquid piston engine-compressor and method of use thereof. The high inertance engine-compressor is light weight, portable and for use with pneumatically actuated devices that may have periods of inactivity between periods of pneumatic use. The present invention provides a power generation system that is for use with mobile or portable devices which need a portable long lasting energy source.

Abstract: A valve includes a rotating, substantially pressure-balanced spool that selectively aligns openings within the spool with openings within a sleeve to selectively connect ports of a manifold for gas or liquid routing. A valve may also include a stem, a needle coupled to the stem. a seat configured to receive the needle, a reservoir, an outlet coupled to the reservoir, and a servo motor coupled to the stem. The servo motor rotates the stem to raise or lower the needle relative to the seat to variably restrict or allow matter flowing from the reservoir to the outlet.