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.

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: 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: 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: 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 for removing material within a body lumen that includes a catheter including a proximal end, a distal end for introduction into a body lumen, and an aspiration lumen extending therebetween; a guide member extending from the distal end and terminating in a distal tip, the guide member comprising a track adjacent a track lumen extending from the distal tip into the aspiration lumen; and an obstruction clearing device deployable from the guide member and retractable along the track. In addition or alternatively, the apparatus includes a cutting head reciprocable within the aspiration lumen adjacent the distal end for macerating material being aspirated into the aspiration lumen.

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: 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: A set of pallets for transportation systems for transporting passengers and/or goods may include a pulling pallet that pulls a pulled pallet. The pulled and pulling pallets may articulate relative to one another about an axis substantially perpendicular to a direction of displacement of a continuous belt formed by such sets of pallets. The set of pallets may have a support surface for supporting passengers and/or goods, as well as a functional surface opposite the support surface. The functional surface may include a balance having a first end articulated to the functional surface according to an axis substantially perpendicular to the direction of displacement and a second end opposite the first end that has a one or more coupling devices that form a coupling joint between one or more devices that pull the pulling pallet along a trajectory followed by the continuous belt.

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: 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 conveyor system for displacing passenger/goods formed by a moving endless belt comprising a plurality of pallet assemblies and drive means to transmit a drive movement to the pallet belt. The pallets have a functional surface opposite to the support surface and having first meshing means. The drive means comprise second meshing means designed to interact with the first meshing means, so that the drive pallets, are driven by the drive means by means of a meshing between the first meshing means and the second meshing means and to drive said pallet belt in the movement direction D. The drive means have a linear motor aligned with the movement direction D.

Abstract: A turning system for a belt transport system, wherein the belt of the same is formed by a plurality of pallets and the transport system has a turn input stretch and a turn output stretch, arranged on the same horizontal plane. The turning system has a curved stretch, which connects the turn input and output, the curved stretch being arranged on the same horizontal plane as the turn input and output.

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: An example drive system for a transportation system may include an actuator for transmitting an actuation motion from a motor, a first pulling device configured to transmit a pulling motion from the actuator to moving parts of the transportation system in a transition speed section situated between an embarking/disembarking zone and a middle zone, a second pulling device configured to transmit a pulling motion from the first pulling device to the moving parts of the transportation system in a high-speed section in a middle zone of the transportation system. In some examples, the first pulling device may be a carriage.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that operable in different modes to perform various functions for treating a body lumen. The apparatus includes a shaft including a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen extending therebetween, and a balloon on the distal end having an interior communicating with the lumen. 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 apparatus also includes an actuator for axially compressing the balloon, and a helical member extends between ends of the balloon interior that expands the balloon from a contracted condition to an expanded helical shape when the actuator is activated.

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: Example drive systems for handrails of walkways and moving stairs may comprise a plurality of carriages. In some examples, each carriage may comprise a body with several leading rollers that roll along a guide that defines a handrail path. The carriage may further comprise a locking/release mechanism for selectively coupling the carriage to a drive chain of the handrail. The locking/release mechanism may comprise a hook configured to move between an engagement position wherein the carriage is coupled to the drive chain and a disengagement position wherein the carriage is uncoupled from the drive chain. In some cases, a position of the hook may be controlled by a wheel that travels along a cam profile.

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: 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.