Abstract: A system having an elongate delivery catheter, an elongate mesh body including an expandable region positioned around at least a portion of the elongate delivery catheter, a retractable member that extends through the elongate delivery catheter to connect to the elonga'te mesh body, where the retractable member moves to radially expand the expandable region of the elongate mesh body from an undeployed state to an intermediate state. The system also includes a valve positioned around at least a portion of the elongate delivery catheter position, and a filter positioned around at least a portion of the elongate delivery catheter to filter and control fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for manufacturing polymeric thin-walled tubular members, which are well-suited for use as vascular grafts. The apparatus of the present invention enables extrusion of a tubular member having an extremely thin wall thickness so as to facilitate passage through tortuous vascular passageways. The apparatus achieves uniform wall thickness in a tubular member by establishing and maintaining axial alignment of a ram having a concentrically disposed guide rod therein with a die supported in concentric relation to the guide rod.

Abstract: An apparatus for promoting hemostasis of a puncture formed in a blood vessel accessible through an incision tract. The apparatus includes a distal balloon having a contacted position, in which a profile of the distal balloon is sized for insertion through the blood vessel puncture, an expanded position, in which the distal balloon profile prevents passage through the blood vessel puncture. The apparatus also includes a proximal balloon spaced by a predetermined initial distance from the distal balloon and having a contracted position, in which a profile of the proximal balloon is sized for insertion through the incision tract, and an expanded position, in which the proximal balloon profile blocks passage through the blood vessel puncture. The apparatus further includes at least one catheter coupling the distal and proximal balloons to a source of pressurized fluid to selectively actuate the distal and proximal balloons between the contracted and expanded positions.

Abstract: A thin wall PTFE tube is formed from an extruded green tube. The PTFE tube includes an inner tubular surface and an opposed outer tubular surface defining a tubular wall of a first thickness. The tubular wall is compressed to uniformly reduce the wall-thickness and circumferentially orient the tube. The PTFE tube is positioned over a first elongate roller with the inner tubular surface being in contact therewith. A second roller is positioned against the outer tubular surface of the PTFE tube. The pair of rollers are counter rotated so as to circumferentially compress the tubular wall between the rollers. This results in the uniform reduction in the tubular wall from the first thickness to a lesser second thickness and a circumferential orientation otherwise not occurring in an extruded PTFE paste extrusion.

Abstract: Austenitic stainless steel tubes having good kink resistance that are prepared by heat treating cold-worked stainless steel tubes at a temperature ranging from about 550° C. to about 950° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for manufacturing polymeric thin-walled tubular members, which are well-suited for use as vascular grafts. The apparatus of the present invention enables extrusion of a tubular member having an extremely thin wall thickness so as to facilitate passage through tortuous vascular passageways. The apparatus achieves uniform wall thickness in a tubular member by establishing and maintaining axial alignment of a ram having a concentrically disposed guide rod therein with a die supported in concentric relation to the guide rod.

Abstract: A thin wall PTFE tube is formed from an extruded green tube. The PTFE tube includes an inner tubular surface and an opposed outer tubular surface defining a tubular wall of a first thickness. The tubular wall is compressed to uniformly reduce the wall-thickness and circumferentially orient the tube. The PTFE tube is positioned over a first elongate roller with the inner tubular surface being in contact therewith. A second roller is positioned against the outer tubular surface of the PTFE tube. The pair of rollers are counter rotated so as to circumferentially compress the tubular wall between the rollers. This results in the uniform reduction in the tubular wall from the first thickness to a lesser second thickness and a circumferential orientation otherwise not occurring in an extruded PTFE paste extrusion.

Abstract: A thin wall PTFE tube is formed from an extruded green tube. The PTFE tube includes an inner tubular surface and an opposed outer tubular surface defining a tubular wall of a first thickness. The tubular wall is compressed to uniformly reduce the wall-thickness and circumferentially orient the tube. The PTFE tube is positioned over a first elongate roller with the inner tubular surface being in contact therewith. A second roller is positioned against the outer tubular surface of the PTFE tube. The pair of rollers are counter rotated so as to circumferentially compress the tubular wall between the rollers. This results in the uniform reduction in the tubular wall from the first thickness to a lesser second thickness and a circumferential orientation otherwise not occurring in an extruded PTFE paste extrusion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a green fluoropolymer tube which has a wall thickness of about 250 microns or less, preferably about 200 microns or less, and more preferably about 125 microns or less. With such thinness, the green tube may be formed into a tube of expanded fluoropolymer having a wall thickness of about 250 microns or less, preferably about 200 &mgr;m or less and more preferably about 125 microns or less. Such an expanded fluoropolymer tube is particularly well-suited for use as an endovascular prosthesis, such as a graft, or in a stent-graft, because of its flexibility and strength.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for manufacturing polymeric thin-walled tubular members, which are well-suited for use as vascular grafts. The apparatus of the present invention enables extrusion of a tubular member having an extremely thin wall thickness so as to facilitate passage through tortuous vascular passageways. The apparatus achieves uniform wall thickness in a tubular member by establishing and maintaining axial alignment of a ram having a concentrically disposed guide rod therein with a die supported in concentric relation to the guide rod.

Abstract: A multi faced electric stringed musical instrument mounted on a single axle at rear end of straight through neck. A mechanical rotary device is attached to a separate open faced multi planar body which the axle runs through. Shoulder strap is mounted to top and bottom ends of body and then worn as a conventional guitar. This separate stationary body keeps the straight thru neck away from artist's body in proper playing position, free to rotate in either direction.Each face of the stringed instrument can be played independently or simultaneously with respect to each other.