Abstract: A stent delivery system is adapted to deliver and release a self-expanding stent with improved force transmission efficiency and reduced energy loss. The stent delivery system includes an inner member including a stent receiving region, a proximal member that includes a buckle-reducing member that is adapted to reduce collapsibility within the proximal member, and a deployment sheath that extends coaxially about the inner member and the proximal member and is movable between a position in which the deployment sheath constrains the self-expanding stent and a position in which the deployment sheath does not constrain self-expanding stent, the deployment sheath including a stretch-reducing member that is adapted to reduce stretchability within the deployment sheath, wherein a reduced collapsibility of the proximal member and a reduced stretchability of the deployment sheath together reduce energy loss within the stent delivery system.

Abstract: Stent delivery systems and methods for making and using stent delivery systems are disclosed. An example stent delivery system may include an inner member having a stent receiving region, a stent disposed along the stent receiving region, a deployment sheath axially slidable relative to the inner member, the deployment sheath having a proximal end region, a handle coupled to the deployment sheath, a rod coupled to the handle, the rod having a distal end region, a proximal end region and a first threaded portion extending from the distal end region to the proximal end region and a coupling member configured to couple the rod to the deployment sheath, the coupling member having an engagement portion. Additionally, the first threaded portion of the rod is designed to engage the engagement portion of coupling member and rotation of the rod is designed to translate the coupling member along the rod.

Abstract: Stent delivery systems and methods for making and using stent delivery systems are disclosed. An example stent delivery system may include an inner member having a stent receiving region, a stent disposed along the stent receiving region, a deployment sheath axially slidable relative to the inner member, the deployment sheath having a proximal end region, a handle coupled to the deployment sheath, a rod coupled to the handle, the rod having a distal end region, a proximal end region and a first threaded portion extending from the distal end region to the proximal end region and a coupling member configured to couple the rod to the deployment sheath, the coupling member having an engagement portion. Additionally, the first threaded portion of the rod is designed to engage the engagement portion of coupling member and rotation of the rod is designed to translate the coupling member along the rod.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for isolating a crystal oscillator assembly from shock and/or vibration inputs. A system may include one or more vibration isolators coupled between the crystal oscillator assembly and the base structure, and each of the vibration isolators may include a spring material layer and a damping material layer. The spring material layer may provide a spring force between the crystal oscillator assembly and the base structure. The damping material layer may be adhered to at least one side of the spring material layer, and may provide a damping force between the crystal oscillator assembly and the base structure. Some vibration isolators may further include a constraint layer adhered to the damping material layer, such that the damping material layer is coupled between the constraint layer and the spring material layer.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for isolating a crystal oscillator assembly from shock and/or vibration inputs. A system may include one or more vibration isolators coupled between the crystal oscillator assembly and the base structure, and each of the vibration isolators may include a spring material layer and a damping material layer. The spring material layer may provide a spring force between the crystal oscillator assembly and the base structure. The damping material layer may be adhered to at least one side of the spring material layer, and may provide a damping force between the crystal oscillator assembly and the base structure. Some vibration isolators may further include a constraint layer adhered to the damping material layer, such that the damping material layer is coupled between the constraint layer and the spring material layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to medical devices and, in particular, to an introducer sheath that includes a shaft including a tubular portion, an expandable portion coupled to the tubular portion and a longitudinal axis. Additionally, the expandable portion includes a first pair of leaflets and a second pair of leaflets and both the first pair of leaflets and the second pair of leaflets extend along the longitudinal axis. Additionally, the second pair of leaflets are spaced radially inward of an inner surface of the first pair of leaflets and the expandable portion is designed to shift between a first configuration and a second radially expanded configuration.

Abstract: Medical devices, medical device systems, and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device may include an inner shaft having a stent receiving region. A bumper shaft may be disposed about the inner shaft. A deployment sheath may be slidably disposed about the inner shaft. The deployment sheath may have a body region and a distal stent covering region. The distal stent covering region may have an outer diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the body region.

Abstract: Stent delivery systems as well as methods for making and using stent delivery systems are disclosed. An example stent delivery system may include an elongate shaft including an inner member having a stent receiving region and a deployment sheath slidably disposed along the inner member. A handle may be coupled to the elongate shaft. A rack member may be coupled to the deployment sheath. At least a portion of the rack member may be designed to extend within the handle. The rack member may include a base portion and a displaceable portion that is displaceable relative to the base portion.

Abstract: Stent delivery systems and methods for making and using stent delivery systems are disclosed. An example stent delivery system may include an inner member having a stent receiving region, a stent disposed along the stent receiving region, a deployment sheath axially slidable relative to the inner member, the deployment sheath having a proximal end region, a handle coupled to the deployment sheath, a rod coupled to the handle, the rod having a distal end region, a proximal end region and a first threaded portion extending from the distal end region to the proximal end region and a coupling member configured to couple the rod to the deployment sheath, the coupling member having an engagement portion. Additionally, the first threaded portion of the rod is designed to engage the engagement portion of coupling member and rotation of the rod is designed to translate the coupling member along the rod.

Abstract: A circuit and computer implemented method tunes an RF switching power amplifier circuit for an antenna by receiving a measurement of reflected RF signal from the antenna, receiving a measurement of current provided to the circuit from a power source, receiving a measurement of RF power provided to the antenna, adjusting a tunable antenna circuit responsive to the measurement of reflected RF signal, and adjusting a first capacitor capacitance value and a second capacitor capacitance value of a waveform shaping circuit in response to the received measurement of current and RF power.

Abstract: An example introducer and method of use is disclosed. The example introducer sheath includes a shaft including a tubular portion, an expandable portion coupled to the tubular portion and a longitudinal axis. Additionally, the expandable portion includes a first pair of leaflets and a second pair of leaflets and both the first pair of leaflets and the second pair of leaflets extend along the longitudinal axis. Additionally, the second pair of leaflets are spaced radially inward of an inner surface of the first pair of leaflets and the expandable portion is designed to shift between a first configuration and a second expanded configuration.

Abstract: Stent delivery systems as well as methods for making and using stent delivery systems are disclosed. An example stent delivery system may include an elongate shaft including an inner member having a stent receiving region and a deployment sheath slidably disposed along the inner member. A handle may be coupled to the elongate shaft. A rack member may be coupled to the deployment sheath. At least a portion of the rack member may be designed to extend within the handle. The rack member may include a base portion and a displaceable portion that is displaceable relative to the base portion.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for isolating a crystal oscillator assembly from shock and/or vibration inputs. A system may include one or more vibration isolators coupled between the crystal oscillator assembly and the base structure, and each of the vibration isolators may include a spring material layer and a damping material layer. The spring material layer may provide a spring force between the crystal oscillator assembly and the base structure. The damping material layer may be adhered to at least one side of the spring material layer, and may provide a damping force between the crystal oscillator assembly and the base structure. Some vibration isolators may further include a constraint layer adhered to the damping material layer, such that the damping material layer is coupled between the constraint layer and the spring material layer.

Abstract: Medical devices, medical device systems, and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device may include an inner shaft having a stent receiving region. A bumper shaft may be disposed about the inner shaft. A deployment sheath may be slidably disposed about the inner shaft. The deployment sheath may have a body region and a distal stent covering region. The distal stent covering region may have an outer diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the body region.

Abstract: A drug delivery device that uses centrifugal force to deliver a drug to a body lumen wall. The drug delivery device comprises an impeller that includes an impeller shaft; an impeller head at the distal end of the impeller shaft; a drug lumen; an impeller housing; and a housing shaft attached to the impeller housing. In use, the drug is advanced along the drug lumen to the impeller head; at least the impeller head is rotated so that when drug exits the drug lumen, the centrifugal force of the rotating impeller causes the drug to move radially outward from the drug delivery device, towards and into the body lumen wall.

Abstract: The roll properties of tissue sheets are improved by offsetting recurring surface features of the sheet relative to the surface features of adjacent sheets within the roll, such as by providing a throughdryer fabric with an offset seam. This provides the resulting tissue sheets with improved capabilities for providing an improved combination of roll bulk and roll firmness.

Abstract: The roll properties of tissue sheets are improved either by imparting cross-machine direction dominant bar-like protrusions to the air side of the tissue by using specially woven transfer fabrics and/or by offsetting recurring surface features of the sheet relative to the surface features of adjacent sheets within the roll, such as by providing a throughdryer fabric with an offset seam. Both techniques provide the resulting tissue sheets with improved capabilities for providing an improved combination of roll bulk and roll firmness.

Abstract: The roll properties of tissue sheets are improved either by imparting cross-machine direction dominant bar-like protrusions to the air side of the tissue by using specially woven transfer fabrics and/or by offsetting recurring surface features of the sheet relative to the surface features of adjacent sheets within the roll, such as by providing a throughdryer fabric with an offset seam. Both techniques provide the resulting tissue sheets with improved capabilities for providing an improved combination of roll bulk and roll firmness.

Abstract: 2-Chloro-5-trichloromethylpyridine is obtained by chlorinating ?-picoline in the vapor phase using a Mordenite zeolite or a supported palladium catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for the sustained release of pharmacologically active compounds, and methods of their manufacture and use. The pharmaceutical compositions contain microcrystals of pharmacologically active compounds which are encapsulated within a phospholipid layer which contain a unique combination of phospholipids. The pharmaceutical compositions may be rendered suitable for injection. The microcrystals are of varying sizes. At least 50 percent of the microcrystals are from 0.5 &mgr;m and 3.0 &mgr;m in diameter, at least ten percent of the microcrystals are from 3.0 &mgr;m to 10 &mgr;m in diameter, and the composition may contain microcrystals which are greater than 10 &mgr;m in diameter. Methods of manufacturing the composition are disclosed, as well as various methods of administration.