Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for dispensing material from a container. Devices can include driving means for providing one or more forces, and actuator means for activating the driving means whereby the driving means causes material to be dispensed from the container.

Abstract: A system and method for closing a percutaneous vessel puncture at the conclusion of a vascular catheterization procedure includes placement of an intravascular closure device having a tubular membrane mounted about a radially self-expandable scaffold. A tether is attached to a midpoint of the closure device and extends externally therefrom. The closure device is placed by a delivery catheter extending through the puncture site and is radially expanded in a location upstream or downstream of the puncture site. The tether extends through the vessel puncture and tension applied to the tether slides the closure device into a position covering the puncture from within the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides vascular introducer sheaths incorporating improved passive valves which can maintain hemostasis around medical instruments. A passive sheath valve for creating a hemostatic seal around a medical instrument comprises a valve body having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a lumen having an inner and outer surface therethrough. The valve body defines a sealing aperture that is configured nominally to remain open. The upstream end includes an upstream annulus region defining at least one opening and the downstream end includes a downstream annulus region. Each annulus region and lumen outer surface define at least one chamber. The at least one opening transmits pressure from the upstream end through the upstream annulus region so as to allow a fluid to enter the at least one chamber.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for dispensing material from a container. Devices can include driving means for providing one or more forces, and actuator means for activating the driving means whereby the driving means causes material to be dispensed from the container.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for dispensing material from a container. Devices can include driving arrangement for providing one or more forces, and actuator for activating the driving arrangement whereby the driving arrangement causes material to be dispensed from the container.

Abstract: Vascular introducer sheaths incorporating improved passive valves which can maintain hemostasis around medical instruments. A passive sheath valve for creating a hemostatic seal around a medical instrument including a valve body having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a lumen having an inner and outer surface therethrough. The valve body defines a sealing aperture that is configured nominally to remain open. The upstream end includes an upstream annulus region defining at least one opening and the downstream end includes a downstream annulus region. Each annulus region and lumen outer surface define at least one chamber. The at least one opening transmits pressure from the upstream end through the upstream annulus region so as to allow a fluid to enter the at least one chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices, methods, and systems for mixing materials, and in particular provides linkages and containers such as syringes in operative arrangement such that actuation of the linkages can move material from one container to another thereby mixing the material. This invention may be used in a wide variety of applications, including industrial, domestic, and medical.

Abstract: Actuator for operating the arcuately moving levers of a postal meter in accordance with output signals from a computing postal scale. The actuator includes drive shoes which engage the levers and are driven along a linear path generally parallel to the arcuate path of the levers. The drive shoes are advanced and retracted by lead screws driven by stepping motors to move the levers in incremental steps. Position encoders provide signals indicative of the positions of the levers, and these signals are combined with the signals from the scale to control the operation of the actuator.