Abstract: An apparatus for performing an endovascular procedure. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic catheter supporting a first inflatable balloon. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic wave guide associated with the ultrasonic catheter. The ultrasonic wave guide includes a fluid lumen. The ultrasonic wave guide has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic transducer having a transducer horn. The proximal portion of the ultrasonic wave guide is crimped directly onto the transducer horn. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to vibrate the ultrasonic wave guide at an ultrasonic frequency, and the ultrasonic wave guide is configured to transmit the ultrasonic frequency from the ultrasonic transducer to the distal portion.

Abstract: An adjustable vascular graft with a user-customizable reduced inner diameter is provided. The graft includes a flexible tubular body having open ends and a plurality of receivers in a sidewall thereof, which may be arranged in two circumferentially spaced rows of receivers. The receivers may take the form of ringlets, eyelets, loops, or holes, which may be provided in a reinforced region of the graft sidewall, and which may be radiopaque. A suture passes through the plurality of receivers, the suture having first and second free ends capable of being pulled, and which suture may also be radiopaque. Tensioning or tightening the first and second ends of the suture reduces an inner diameter of the corresponding portion of the tubular body of the graft, thereby allowing for the custom reduced inner diameter and a resulting flow restriction to be provided. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A catheter includes a wave guide for transmitting ultrasonic energy from a transducer, and which is also rotated to facilitate enhanced disruption of the concerned obstruction in a transverse direction. Embodiments of waveguide include distal anchors that help focus the energy transmitted to a treatment site, and may also include a deployable filter that may open distal of the obstruction to capture any dislodged debris. Selectively inflatable balloons may cordon off a treatment site, and the wave guide may comprise a tube that may serve the dual purposes of inflating the balloon(s), as well as to transmit ultrasonic energy to an obstruction. A portion of an ultrasonic catheter may include plural curved portions to space an exposed portion of the wave guide away from the catheter body to enhance the vibratory action provided.

Abstract: An adjustable vascular graft with a user-customizable reduced inner diameter is provided. The graft includes a flexible tubular body having open ends and a plurality of receivers in a sidewall thereof, which may be arranged in two circumferentially spaced rows of receivers. The receivers may take the form of ringlets, eyelets, loops, or holes, which may be provided in a reinforced region of the graft sidewall, and which may be radiopaque. A suture passes through the plurality of receivers, the suture having first and second free ends capable of being pulled, and which suture may also be radiopaque. Tensioning or tightening the first and second ends of the suture reduces an inner diameter of the corresponding portion of the tubular body of the graft, thereby allowing for the custom reduced inner diameter and a resulting flow restriction to be provided. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Pants can include a waist portion; first and second legs extending from the waist portion; and at least one rear pocket located in the waist portion and surrounded by pants fabric, the at least one rear pocket including an interior panel attached to an inner surface of the pants fabric and an exterior panel attached to an outer surface of the interior panel, and material of the interior and exterior panels being discontinuous with the pants fabric, wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of the exterior panel is flush with an outer surface of the pants fabric.

Abstract: A catheter includes a wave guide for transmitting ultrasonic energy from a transducer, and which is also rotated to facilitate enhanced disruption of the concerned obstruction in a transverse direction. Embodiments of waveguide include distal anchors that help focus the energy transmitted to a treatment site, and may also include a deployable filter that may open distal of the obstruction to capture any dislodged debris. Selectively inflatable balloons may cordon off a treatment site, and the wave guide may comprise a tube that may serve the dual purposes of inflating the balloon(s), as well as to transmit ultrasonic energy to an obstruction. A portion of an ultrasonic catheter may include plural curved portions to space an exposed portion of the wave guide away from the catheter body to enhance the vibratory action provided.

Abstract: A garment, including: a garment shell; and a ventilation region, wherein the ventilation region comprises a three-dimensional mesh member attached to the garment shell. Other features, and a method of manufacturing a garment, are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for a card that allows a cardholder to set up auto-charge payment of dues and fees to a series of clubs, merchants or service providers. The card also may be used for other transactions that accept credit cards. The apparatus includes a database containing information of the associated clubs, merchants and service providers, so that applicants and cardholders can easily configure auto-charging for multiple business concerns in one sitting. The apparatus may process auto-charge transactions in an automated fashion without requiring a cardholder to submit payment authorization or the business concern to submit a charge for each payment. Inconvenience and administrative costs to the cardholder and the business concern are reduced. The system and method provide a competitive advantage to the associated business concerns to secure the initial account and then to maintain it.

Abstract: Pants can include a waist portion including a waist band; first and second legs extending from the waist portion, each of the first and second legs including a front panel and a rear panel formed at least partially of a woven fabric, and a side stretch panel extending lengthwise along at least a portion of the wearer's leg between the front panel and the rear panel. Each side stretch panel can include a knitted fabric having fore and aft side edges joined to the front panel and rear panel, respectively. First and second front pockets can be located below the waist band, and each of the first and second front pockets can have a pocket welt formed of a woven fabric, the pocket welt extending from the woven fabric of the front panel to the woven fabric of the rear panel of the respective leg.

Abstract: Pants can include a waist portion; first and second legs extending from the waist portion; and at least one rear pocket located in the waist portion and surrounded by pants fabric, the at least one rear pocket including an interior panel attached to an inner surface of the pants fabric and an exterior panel attached to an outer surface of the interior panel, and material of the interior and exterior panels being discontinuous with the pants fabric, wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of the exterior panel is flush with an outer surface of the pants fabric.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a device and method for tuning multiple-in multiple-out (MIMO) antennas. The method can include determining a plurality of subband spectral efficiency values related to the MIMO antennas. The method can also include determining a wideband spectral efficiency by averaging the plurality of subband spectral efficiency values. The method can also include filtering the wideband spectral efficiency using an infinite impulse response (IIR) filter to determine an IIR filtered wideband spectral efficiency. The method can also include determining a cost function based on a maximum value of the IIR filtered wideband spectral efficiency. The method can also include tuning the MIMO antennas based at least in part on the cost function.

Abstract: A head band comprises a band portion and a tightening portion. The band portion has a first band and a second band, wherein an outer surface of the first band opposes an inner surface of the second band. The head band further comprises at least one spacer between the first and the second band forming a gap between the first band and the second band. The tightening portion has a strap and a tightener configured to tighten the strap, wherein the strap is hingedly connected at approximately each end of the band portion. Other embodiments of the head band, and visors, caps, and hats incorporating the head band, are described herein.

Abstract: A feed gas comprising CO2, H2S and H2 is treated to produce an H2-enriched product and an H2S-lean, CO2 product. The feed gas is separated to provide the H2-enriched product and a stream of sour gas. The stream of sour gas is divided into two parts, one of which is processed in an H2S removal system to form one or more streams of sweetened gas, and the other of which bypasses the H2S removal system, the stream(s) of sweetened gas and the sour gas bypassing the H2S removal system then being recombined to form the H2S-lean, CO2 product gas. The division of the sour gas between being sent to and bypassing the H2S removal system is adjusted responsive to changes in the H2S content of the sour gas, so as to dampen or cancel the effects of said changes on the H2S content of the H2S-lean, CO2 product gas.

Abstract: Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is removed from a carbon dioxide feed gas by maintaining the feed gas at elevated pressure(s) in the presence of oxygen (O2), water and NOx for a period of time sufficient to convert SO2 to sulfuric acid and NOx to nitric acid and produce SO2-depleted, NOx-lean carbon dioxide gas. The invention resides in separating the sulfuric and nitric acids from said SO2-depleted, NOx-lean carbon dioxide gas, and then neutralizing the acids by reaction with an alkaline sorbent in an acid/sorbent reactor system to produce sorbent-derive sulfate. The method has particular application in the removal of SO2 and NOx from flue gas produced by oxyfuel combustion of a carbonaceous fuel.