Abstract: Apparatus and methods for sealing a puncture through tissue includes an introducer sheath sized for introduction into a puncture, cartridge sized for insertion into the introducer carrying a sealant, and a locking element for coupling the introducer sheath to the cartridge. When the cartridge is advanced into the introducer sheath, the locking element couples the introducer sheath to the cartridge such that subsequent retraction of the cartridge causes the introducer sheath to retract, thereby deploying the sealant from the cartridge within the puncture beyond the introducer sheath.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a puncture includes a cartridge, a pusher member, a sealant, and a tamping device on a proximal end of the cartridge. During use, the cartridge, sealant, and pusher member are advanced over a positioning member and into the puncture by advancing a cartridge hub carrying the tamping device. When further distal advancement of the cartridge is limited, the cartridge hub is further advanced, activating the tamping device, and causing the pusher member to advance relative to the sealant to compress the sealant within the puncture.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a puncture includes a cartridge, a pusher member, a sealant, and a tamping device on a proximal end of the cartridge. During use, the cartridge, sealant, and pusher member are advanced over a positioning member and into the puncture by advancing a cartridge hub carrying the tamping device. When further distal advancement of the cartridge is limited, the cartridge hub is further advanced, activating the tamping device, and causing the pusher member to advance relative to the sealant to compress the sealant within the puncture.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that is operable in different modes to perform various functions for treating a body lumen. The apparatus includes a shaft including proximal and distal ends, a lumen extending there between, and a balloon on the distal end. The apparatus includes a valve on the distal end that selectively opens or closes an outlet communicating with the lumen. With the valve open, fluid introduced into the lumen exits the outlet into a body lumen. With the valve closed, fluid introduced into the lumen expands the balloon. The valve may be biased to be closed, e.g., by a spring element disposed within the balloon. Optionally, the apparatus also includes an actuator for expanding a helical member within the balloon interior, e.g., either before or after expanding the balloon, such that the helical member and balloon may adopt an expanded helical shape for removing material within a body lumen.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a puncture includes a cartridge, a pusher member, a sealant, and a tamping device on a proximal end of the cartridge. During use, the cartridge, sealant, and pusher member are advanced over a positioning member and into the puncture by advancing a cartridge hub carrying the tamping device. When further distal advancement of the cartridge is limited, the cartridge hub is further advanced, activating the tamping device, and causing the pusher member to advance relative to the sealant to compress the sealant within the puncture.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for removing obstructive material within a body lumen. The apparatus includes a macerator device deployable from a sheath that includes an expandable cage carried by a shaft and within a constraint tube. The shaft is movable relative to the constraint tube for deploying and expanding the cage within a body lumen such that an open end of the cage is oriented towards obstructive material. The cage is advanced to capture the material or the material is directed into the cage using an expandable member expanded beyond the material and retracted to direct the material into the cage. The cage is withdrawn into the constraint tube to compress the cage radially inwardly. Materials extending through apertures in the cage are sheared off by a sharpened edge of the constraint tube. The smaller, sheared off particles are then aspirated from the body lumen through the sheath.

Abstract: A method for removing material within a body lumen of a patient is disclosed. The method include introducing a distal end of a tubular member into a body lumen. The tubular member has a guide member extending distally from the distal end. Next, the tubular member is positioned such that the distal end is disposed adjacent material to be removed and a distal tip of the guide member is disposed beyond the material. One or more lumen clearing elements are then deployed from the distal tip of the guide member. Each lumen clearing element includes an expandable structure that expands from a contracted condition within the guide member to an expanded condition when deployed from the distal tip. Then, the deployed one or more lumen clearing elements are retracted along a track of the guide member to engage the material disposed adjacent the distal end of the tubular member and draw the material into a lumen of the tubular member.

Abstract: A passenger boarding bridge may include a tunnel having a first tunnel section and a second tunnel section. The first and second tunnel sections may be telescopic for adjusting a length of the tunnel along a sliding direction. The passenger boarding bridge may further include bearings configured to slidably support the first and second tunnel sections relative to one another. The bearings may include a bearing rail connected to the first tunnel section a bearing sledge connected to the second tunnel section. The bearing rail may comprise a planar first horizontal bearing surface, and the bearing sledge may comprise a planar second horizontal bearing surface that is configured to slide along the planar first horizontal bearing surface as the tunnel sections telescope.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for sealing a puncture through tissue includes an introducer sheath sized for introduction into a puncture, cartridge sized for insertion into the introducer carrying a sealant, and a locking element for coupling the introducer sheath to the cartridge. When the cartridge is advanced into the introducer sheath, the locking element couples the introducer sheath to the cartridge such that subsequent retraction of the cartridge causes the introducer sheath to retract, thereby deploying the sealant from the cartridge within the puncture beyond the introducer sheath.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for delivering fluid into a body lumen during a medical procedure. A distal end of an apparatus may be introduced into a body lumen, and a valve on the distal end may be opened to deliver fluid through a first lumen into the body lumen, e.g., contrast and/or other diagnostic or therapeutic agents. The valve may be closed, and a procedure may be performed within the body lumen, e.g., using a treatment element carried on the distal end. For example, the treatment element may include a balloon that may be inflated when fluid is delivered through the first lumen with the valve closed. Optionally, a prosthesis, energy source, drug platform, and the like may be carried by the balloon for treating the body lumen. In various embodiments, the valve may be located proximal or distal to the treatment element.

Abstract: A transport device for conveying passengers between first and second landing areas in a conveying direction may include a skirt member and a balustrade, which may include lower and upper sides, extending between the landing areas. The skirt member may be secured to the lower side. An endless moving handrail may form a loop. A first section of the handrail moves along the upper side of the balustrade in the conveying direction, and a second section of the handrail moves within the skirt member opposite the conveying direction. Two turnaround sections are disposed between the first and second sections near the first and second landing areas, respectively. At least one of the turnaround sections includes a cover member that renders part of the turnaround section of the handrail inaccessible to passengers. The cover member may comprise a positioning mechanism for adjustably positioning the cover member relative to the balustrade.

Abstract: A passenger boarding bridge may include a tunnel having a first tunnel section and a second tunnel section. The first and second tunnel sections may be telescopic for adjusting a length of the tunnel along a sliding direction. The passenger boarding bridge may further include bearings configured to slidably support the first and second tunnel sections relative to one another. The bearings may include a bearing rail connected to the first tunnel section a bearing sledge connected to the second tunnel section. The bearing rail may comprise a planar first horizontal bearing surface, and the bearing sledge may comprise a planar second horizontal bearing surface that is configured to slide along the planar first horizontal bearing surface as the tunnel sections telescope.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for sealing a puncture through tissue includes an introducer sheath sized for introduction into a puncture, cartridge sized for insertion into the introducer carrying a sealant, and a locking element for coupling the introducer sheath to the cartridge. When the cartridge is advanced into the introducer sheath, the locking element couples the introducer sheath to the cartridge such that subsequent retraction of the cartridge causes the introducer sheath to retract, thereby deploying the sealant from the cartridge within the puncture beyond the introducer sheath.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a puncture through tissue to a vessel includes an elongate occlusion member including an expandable member, a cartridge carried on the occlusion member, and a sealant carried within the cartridge. The cartridge includes an outer member and a pusher member within the outer member. The sealant is disposed within the outer member adjacent the expandable member distal to the pusher member. During use, the occlusion member is introduced into a puncture until the expandable member and the sealant extend from the puncture into the vessel. The expandable member is expanded, and withdrawn until the expanded expandable member contacts the vessel wall, thereby withdrawing the sealant back into the puncture. The outer member is withdrawn to expose the sealant within the puncture, while the pusher member prevents removal of the sealant, and then the cartridge, occlusion member, and pusher member are successively removed.

Abstract: A transport device for conveying passengers between first and second landing areas in a conveying direction may include a skirt member and a balustrade, which may include lower and upper sides, extending between the landing areas. The skirt member may be secured to the lower side. An endless moving handrail may form a loop. A first section of the handrail moves along the upper side of the balustrade in the conveying direction, and a second section of the handrail moves within the skirt member opposite the conveying direction. Two turnaround sections are disposed between the first and second sections near the first and second landing areas, respectively. At least one of the turnaround sections includes a cover member that renders part of the turnaround section of the handrail inaccessible to passengers. The cover member may comprise a positioning mechanism for adjustably positioning the cover member relative to the balustrade.

Abstract: An escalator/moving walkway modular truss is disclosed. Each module includes opposite sides including a lower profile and an upper profile, and vertical and diagonal beams placed between the lower profile and the upper profile. The lower profiles directly support an outer cladding of the escalator/moving walkway, and the upper profiles directly support balustrades and outer decking profiles of the escalator/moving walkway. Additionally, a method of assembling an escalator/moving walkway modular truss is disclosed, including the cold rolling of the profiles and the cold joining of vertical and diagonal beams between them.

Abstract: A safety chain for conveyor pallets may comprise bent links arranged in alternating fashion with straight links. Each of the bent links may have two ends with a wheel disposed at each end. Each consecutive bent link and straight link may be joined at an articulation point. The safety chain may also comprise arms extending from each articulation point, wherein a conveyor pallet may be coupled to each arm. Further, roller guides that follow a trajectory of the safety chain may be arranged on one of two sides of the safety chain. The roller guides may rotate the wheels of the bent links. The articulation points enable rotation and position change of the bent links and the straight links so as to increase or decrease a distance between consecutive conveyor pallets according to a change of speed of a conveyor.