Abstract: An introducer for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method of treating and angeological disease using a bifurcated stent; an endoluminal stent having perpendicular hoop members, each hoop member formed of wire in a sinuous configuration, at least some of juxtaposed apices in neighboring hoops being secured to one another, such stents also forming axially aligned segments in straight stents, and segments of bifurcated stents in particular embodiments. Certain embodiments of such stents also include barbs, fabric covering and radiopaque markers.

Abstract: A blow molding method for use with tubular metal work pieces. The method involves placing a tubular metal component part into a molding tool having an internal molding cavity and at least one access passageway into which the component is inserted. The molding tool is then heated to a temperature between about 1000° F. and 1200° F. and a high pressure gas is injected into the tubular component. The high pressure gas causes the portion of the work component residing within the internal mold cavity of the molding tool to expand and assume the shape of the internal molding cavity. After a cooling period, the component is removed from the molding tool. The process is particularly well suited for forming the end support portions of side rails used with vehicle article carriers, but can be used to form a wide variety of complexly shaped forms from tubular metal workpieces.

Abstract: A two step method or process for improving the adherence or bonding of a lubricious coating of a crosslinked polyurethane, polyurea or polyurethaneurea/PEO or PVP coating to a substrate surface, said two step method comprising a first step of subjecting said surface to a surface preparation which results in the treated surface being provided with a functional tie layer containing functional groups for reaction with functional groups of a reaction mixture to be applied in a subsequent second step, which upon curing forms a crosslinked polyurethane, polyurea or polyurethaneurea/PEO or PVP coating and a second step of applying to said tie layer said reaction mixture and curing the reaction mixture. A medical device resulting from the above-described two step method.

Abstract: A system and method for aiding a user in scrolling through a multiple-page are disclosed. The system and method include providing visual and/or audio cues in a graphical user interface (GUI) environment including a window to alert a user that a portion of the document is not currently displayed in the window. The scrolling may also be made more customizable and convenient. In a first aspect, the GUI includes a scroll bar which appears briefly at the center of a window. This indicates to the user that the document contains more than one page and that the user may scroll to view content beyond what is currently displayed. In this aspect, the scroll bar may be dynamic and dockable. Thus, in this aspect a mechanism is provided to allow the user to dock the scroll bar in a desired location. In a second aspect, the system and method include providing voice cues indicating the total number of pages in the document or that the document contains multiple pages.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling air moisture utilises a humidity sensor to produce an electrical signal indicative of air humidity. The signal provides input to a microprocessor which stores humidity values indicated by the signal and also uses the signal to compile a humidity reference base which may be derived from a time average of the relative humidity and, optionally, the current value thereof. The microprocessor further provides an output air moisture control signal when the sensed humidity exceeds the reference base by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: Differing gram loads and actuator arm resonances are compensated for through the method and apparatus of positioning z-height of outer actuator arm at an optimal height. Specifically, an actuator arm driven by a closed loop servo motor system for a disc drive system is configured so that the outer upper and lower actuator arms are positioned at an optimum distance, called optimum z-height, from the disc surface. At the optimum z-height position, the gram load of the outer actuator arms are shifted as near as possible to the gram load of the inner actuator arms. At the optimum z-height, the resonances on the head gimbal assemblies of the inner and outer actuator arms are closest.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter device and guidewire system to enable the catheter to be exchanged over a conventional length guidewire without the use of a guidewire extension or exchange wire. The catheter device includes an elongated inflation shaft having a longitudinal inflation lumen, an extension shaft having a longitudinal extension lumen coupled in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, a balloon member disposed at the distal end of the extension shaft and in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, a guidewire shaft having a longitudinal guidewire lumen which extends from the distal end of the balloon member, through the balloon member and extension shaft, to the proximal end of the extension shaft, and a variable length shaft coupled to the proximal end of the extension shaft.

Abstract: A system is provided for assembling an endoluminal prosthesis within a body lumen and for indicating the rotational orientation of a segment of the endoluminal prosthesis during insertion thereof into the body lumen. The system includes prosthesis segments configured for engagement to one another to form the endoluminal prosthesis in the body lumen. The system also includes radiographic indicia defined on at least one of the prosthesis segments and having different radiopacity from the prosthesis segment, wherein the composite radiographic image of the radiographic indicia varies with the rotational orientation of the prosthesis segment in the body lumen. The rotational orientation of the prosthesis segment in the body lumen is indicated by the radiographic image for optional adjustment of the rotational orientation.

Abstract: A coating composition is provided comprising hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof and a blocked polyisocyanate in a solvent comprising water. A method is provided for preparing the coating on a substrate comprising forming a coating mixture of hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof and a blocked polyisocyanate in a solvent comprising water; applying the coating mixture to the substrate; and curing the coating.

Abstract: A stent joining means is provided for joining a first endoluminal stent to a second endoluminal stent to define a continuous lumen through the first and second endoluminal stents. The stent joining means includes two transversely spaced female portions on the first endoluminal stent. The stent joining means also includes a male engaging portion of the second endoluminal stent. The male engaging portion is configured to be entered into one of the female portions in a radially compressed state and thereafter expanded in the female portion such that an outer surface of the male engaging portion and an inner surface of the female portion are interengaged to resist longitudinal movement to prevent separation of the first and second endoluminal stents in service.

Abstract: The present invention provides a security control system, comprising a system controller (2) arranged to receive video signals from a plurality of video sources, and to selectively output a subset of the received video signals for display on a display means, and a display controller (10, 12) arranged to receive the subset of video signals output by the system controller, and to process those signals to generate images for display on the display means. In accordance with the present invention, the system controller (2) is further arranged to receive alarm signals, each alarm signal being associated with a video source, the system controller (2) being responsive to receipt of an alarm signal to output the video signal of the associated video source to the display controller. The display controller (10, 12) is then arranged to cause any images generated from video signals associated with alarm signals to be displayed in a predetermined area (M11) of the display means.

Abstract: This invention relates to the cloning and characterization of the infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) genome, to the identification of cloned genes for host-protective antigens of IBDV, to the expression of cDNA inserts encoding the whole or part of host-protective antigens of IBDV in E.coli or other host cells, and to the use of the expressed antigens in the production of virus neutralizing antibodies in chickens. The invention also relates to the production of an effective sub-unit vaccine against IBDV utilizing the expressed antigens, as well as to the use of the expressed antigens in diagnostic tests, assays and the like.

Abstract: An introducer for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method of treating and angeological disease using a bifurcated stent; an endoluminal stent having perpendicular hoop members, each hoop member formed of wire in a sinuous configuration, at least some of juxtaposed apices in neighboring hoops being secured to one another, such stents also forming axially aligned segments in straight stents, and segments of bifurcated stents in particular embodiments. Certain embodiments of such stents also include barbs, fabric covering and radiopaque markers.

Abstract: Gels of oil-extended methacrylate-alkylene-methacrylate (M-A-M) triblock copolymers having higher glass transition temperatures than known styrene-alkylene-styrene triblock gels. The preferred M-A-M triblocks for making the new gels have polymethylmethacrylate end blocks and butadiene or ethylene/butylene mid-block, and are synthesised by methods in the public domain (inter alia Shell EP-A-0431706). Includes gels of new triblocks having end blocks of higher alkyl (e.g. isobornyl) methacrylate homopolymer or copolymers. Mixed methyl- and higher alkyl-methacrylate end blocks are preferred to reduce gel-formation problems which may arise from solubility parameter of homo-isobornylmethacrylate end blocks being too close to that of extender oil. Includes gels of new multi- (preferably penta-) block copolymers including styrene (S) blocks, e.g. M-S-A-S-M.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive balloon catheter includes a material that undergoes a visible color change when exposed to the pressures experienced in an angioplasty or a stent placement procedure. By removing the balloon catheter and verifying the color change and the patterns of colors on the balloon, a physician can verify that proper amounts of pressure were applied to all portions of a patient's artery or a stent within a patient's artery.

Abstract: A blow molding method for use with tubular metal work pieces. The method involves placing a tubular metal component part into a molding tool having an internal molding cavity and at least one access passageway into which the component is inserted. The molding tool is then heated to a temperature between about 1000.degree. F. and 1200.degree. F. and a high pressure gas is injected into the tubular component. The high pressure gas causes the portion of the work component residing within the internal mold cavity of the molding tool to expand and assume the shape of the internal molding cavity. After a cooling period, the component is removed from the molding tool. The process is particularly well suited for forming the end support portions of side rails used with vehicle article carriers, but can be used to form a wide variety of complexly shaped forms from tubular metal workpieces.

Abstract: An introducer for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method of treating and angeological disease using a bifurcated stent; an endoluminal stent having perpendicular hoop members, each hoop member formed of wire in a sinuous configuration, at least some of juxtaposed apices in neighboring hoops being secured to one another, such stents also forming axially aligned segments in straight stents, and segments of bifurcated stents in particular embodiments. Certain embodiments of such stents also include barbs, fabric covering and radiopaque markers.

Abstract: An introducer for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method of treating and angeological disease using a bifurcated stent; an endoluminal stent having perpendicular hoop members, each hoop member formed of wire in a sinuous configuration, at least some of juxtaposed apices in neighboring hoops being secured to one another, such stents also forming axially aligned segments in straight stents, and segments of bifurcated stents in particular embodiments. Certain embodiments of such stents also include barbs, fabric covering and radiopaque markers.

Abstract: A package comprising a plurality of filled sealed containers containing dispensable materials, adjacent containers (20a, 20b) being connected by a joint (40) which comprises a tear means (50) allowing the containers, to be torn open with a single tearing action.

Abstract: A wheel chair has a rear swing axle pivotally connected to the seat frame and a spring shock absorber controls the relative movement therebetween. A front suspension is connected to the seat frame separately from the rear suspension and includes a floating beam carrying the front castor wheels and pivotally connected to the seat frame by four link control arms. Three shock absorbers acting between the front of the seat frame and the floating beam allow controlled vertical movement of the floating beam. A second embodiment has the rear wheels each connected by a separate swing arm pivotally connected to the seat frame at their front end and each swing arm also connected to the rear of the seat frame by a pair of control arms and spring shock absorber.