Abstract: A left atrial appendage (LAA) ligation device is adapted for ligating the LAA via a trans-septal approach, the LAA including an ostium. The LAA ligation device includes a spiral ligation element extending from an end point disposed at a periphery of the spiral ligation element to a center point of the spiral ligation element, the spiral ligation element having a diameter defined by the periphery and a length defined between the periphery and the center point. A delivery device is adapted to releasably secure the spiral ligation element and to enable rotation of the spiral ligation device.

Abstract: A left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) device includes an expandable member that defines a profile of the LAAC device and is moveable between a minimal diameter and a maximum diameter, the expandable member adapted to move to a deployment diameter that is intermediate the minimal diameter and the maximum diameter and that is limited by dimensions of a left atrial appendage (LAA) in which the LAAC device is deployed. A fabric extends over at least a portion of the expandable member and is adapted to accommodate changes in the expandable member between the minimal diameter and the increased diameter.

Abstract: Blood stagnation within a left atrial appendage (LAA) may be reduced by creating movement within the LAA. A variety of different actuatable devices, including magnetically actuated devices, may be implanted within the LAA. The actuatable device may be caused to become actuated, thereby causing the motion within the LAA. In some cases, causing the actuatable device to become actuated may include application of a magnetic field. In some cases, causing the actuatable device to become actuated may include subjecting the actuatable device to blood flow within the LAA.

Abstract: Blood stagnation within a left atrial appendage (LAA) may be reduced by creating movement within the LAA. A variety of different actuatable devices, including magnetically actuated devices, may be implanted within the LAA. The actuatable device may be caused to become actuated, thereby causing the motion within the LAA. In some cases, causing the actuatable device to become actuated may include application of a magnetic field. In some cases, causing the actuatable device to become actuated may include subjecting the actuatable device to blood flow within the LAA.

Abstract: A high density panel mounting assembly has a first connector housing having first and second arrays of channels for receiving modified connectors, separated by a shelf. An adapter assembly for receiving the ferrules of the connectors has an interior wall having first and second arrays of bored projections forming sleeves for receiving the connector ferrules. The adapter assembly has a second connector housing substantially identical with the first connector housing mounted to or integral with the rear of the adapter housing for receiving individual connectors. Each of the connector housings has an array of apertures along the top and bottom surfaces for latching the connectors in place. Each of the connectors has a resilient latching arm having a distal end having a latching surface thereon which bears against the end of its corresponding aperture to latch the connector in place within the connector housing.

Abstract: A high density panel mounting assembly has a first connector housing having first and second arrays of channels for receiving modified connectors, separated by a shelf. An adapter assembly for receiving the ferrules of the connectors has an interior wall having first and second arrays of bored projections forming sleeves for receiving the connector ferrules. The adapter assembly has a second connector housing substantially identical with the first connector housing mounted to or integral with the rear of the adapter housing for receiving individual connectors. Each of the connector housings has an array of apertures along the top and bottom surfaces for latching the connectors in place. Each of the connectors has a resilient latching arm having a distal end having a latching surface thereon which bears against the end of its corresponding aperture to latch the connector in place within the connector housing.

Abstract: A V-groove adapter for interconnecting optical conductors includes V-grooves that are precisely aligned with respect to one another to provide a desired alignment of the respective cores of the optical conductors received within the respective V-grooves. By controlling the widths of the respective V-grooves and the axial alignment of the V-grooves with respect to one another, the cores of the optical conductors received within the respective V-grooves can be coaxially aligned or offset by predetermined distance with repeatable precision on the order of 1 &mgr;m. The V-grooves are initially fabricated in a monocrystalline material. A metal layer is formed over the V-grooves in order to form an inverse replica of the V-grooves which is used as an insert in an injection mold so that the V-groove adapters can be mass produced using injection molding techniques.

Abstract: A trencher has an adjustable depth arbor support mechanism. The depth control mechanism includes a linkage which normally controls the depth of the trench being dug, but which also will allow the arbor to retract from the ground if it hits an obstacle. Preferably, the arbor support mechanism is at least partially counterbalanced by a spring, to allow the arbor to retract without undo force. The trencher has two wheels equidistant on either side of the arbor, and a third steerable wheel at the front of the trencher in line with the arbor. The cutting teeth are mounted to the arbor using a variety of chucks and mounting brackets, so the width of the trench is adjusted by adjusting the chucks and mounting brackets used.

Abstract: A closed alignment sleeve has three lands equally spaced on the inside surface of the sleeve. When a ferrule is inserted into the sleeve, the interference at the three lands causes the walls of the sleeve to bend to accommodate the ferrule. In this manner, the closed alignment sleeve with three lands has a stiffness attained by the mechanism normally associated with the open sleeve. The closed alignment sleeve is symmetrical and the three lands act to center the ferrule within the sleeve. The sleeve is formed from a thermoplastic which is much less expensive and much more compliant than conventional ceramic and which allows the sleeve to deform to the size of the ferrule. Further, the envelope required to contain the sleeve is small enough to fit within a variety of optical connectors, including the SC connector.

Abstract: The inventive optical fiber connector comprises a glass ferrule that is strengthened by etching of the outer surface of the ferrule, followed by deposition thereon of a protective layer. Exemplarily, the ferrule is a vitreous silica ferrule drawn from a preform that was made by a sol-gel process. The ferrule is etched in buffered HF, and the protective layer is electroless deposited Ni, with a thin layer of Au thereon. Significant strength increases, exceeding 200%, are obtainable, with the strength being relatively unchanged after even a severe abrasion test.

Abstract: A connector for optical fibers includes a cylindrical glass ferrule installed in a plastic base member to form a fiber-holding structure. This structure includes a small passageway along its central axis for holding an optical fiber, and is mounted within a dielectric housing that includes an opening at one end thereof from which the glass ferrule protrudes. A cylindrical spring surrounds the base member and interacts with an interior surface of the housing to urge the glass ferrule outward from the opening in the housing. The housing further includes a spring latch which is located on a single side surface thereof, which is manually operable and used to lock the connector to an associated receptacle.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector (22) which is assembled to a coupling housing (90) by causing only relative linear motion between the connector and the housing and which also includes facilities for preventing optical disconnection from another connector having a portion disposed in the housing includes a cap (45) having two diametrically opposed slots (53--53) each having an enlarged portion (57). A barrel (42) is retained within the cap and has mounted thereto a ferrule (40) in which is terminated an end portion of an optical fiber (21) which is to be connected to another optical fiber. The connector is moved to cause the ferrule to enter a sleeve (92) of a housing of a coupling (35) and to cause locking pins (96--96) of the housing to enter and to be moved along the slots of the cap until each pin is received in an enlarged portion of a slot. A cap extender (60) is connected to an end of the cap and includes an annular detent (63).

Abstract: In a hermaphroditic biconic connector (20), an optical fiber cable (24) extends through a cap (46) into a tapered passageway of a flanged bushing. Optical fibers extend from the cable through a bore in a wedge (65) having a truncated conical shape and being received in the bushing. Portions of a strength member system (28) of the cable in the form of non-metallic filamentary strand material are captured between a wall which defines the tapered passageway and an outer surface of the wedge. The surfaces between which the strength members become locked are substantially smooth to avoid damage to the strength members. Forces applied to the cable and hence to the strength members cause the wedge to be seated further in the bushing. Also, the included angle between diametrically opposite lines on the surface of the wedge that lie in a plane that passes through the longitudinal axis of the wedge enhances the locking features of the connector.

Abstract: In a hermaphroditic connector (20), an optical fiber cable (24) extends through a cap (46) into a tapered passageway of a flanged bushing. Optical fibers extend through a bore in a wedge (65) having a truncated conical shape and being received in the bushing. Portions of non-metallic filamentary strength member (28) of the cable are captured between surfaces of a wall of the tapered passageway and the wedge which are substantially smooth to avoid damage to the strength members. Forces applied to the cable cause the wedge to be seated further in the bushing. The included angle between diametrically opposite lines on the wedge surface that lie in a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the wedge enhances the locking features. The fibers also extend through a retention nut (70) which is turned threadably over a portion of the bushing and each fiber is connected to a plug (94) mounted adjacent to an end of the connector with one plug being received in an alignment sleeve (130).

Abstract: A solderless in-line connector has a U-shaped slotted contact member, with the slots extending the length of the respective upright portion of the member and into the base portion. This contact member geometry results, upon insertion of a wire into the slot, in elastic torsional as well as bending deformation of the contact member, which in turn permits accommodation of a wide range of wire sizes in a low profile connector. Further desirable features of the connector are the possibility of installation without use of special tools, and the possibility of sequential contact formation. The connector can advantageously be used for splicing small pair count cables, but it can also be adapted for making half taps.

Abstract: Cylindrical optical fiber connector plugs are joined using a split sleeve to align the axes of the plugs. The inventive sleeve exerts a substantially uniform pressure around the circumference of the plugs for improved alignment of the fibers therein. In one embodiment, the uniform pressure is achieved by varying the thickness of the sleeve around its circumference. Low-cost molded sleeves of the inventive design have achieved lower-loss connections than a machined metal sleeve.