Abstract: A hydraulic foot assembly for supporting an object on a surface, the foot assembly comprising a cylinder defining an interior reservoir, a piston dividing the reservoir into two chambers in fluid communication with one another, the piston moveable within the reservoir, the position of the piston within the reservoir effecting the overall length of the foot assembly, a valve arrangement configured to limit movement of the piston within the reservoir.

Abstract: A stent graft (2) for placement in the thoracic arch of a patient has a first tubular body portion (6) with a first lumen therein for placement in the ascending aorta of a patient and a second tubular body portion (8) to extend along the thoracic arch and down the descending aorta. The second tubular body portion is of a lesser diameter than the first tubular body portion. There is a step portion (10) between the first body portion and the second body portion. The step portion is joined to and continuous with the first portion and the second portion. A first side of each of the first body portion, the step portion and the second body portion are substantially aligned so that there is a step (18) defined on a second side opposite to the first side of the body portion. There is an aperture (30) in the step portion and an internal tube (32) extending from the aperture towards the first body portion.

Abstract: A stent graft (2) for placement in the thoracic arch of a patient has a first tubular body portion (6) with a first lumen therein for placement in the ascending aorta of a patient and a second tubular body portion (8) to extend along the thoracic arch and down the descending aorta. The second tubular body portion is of a lesser diameter than the first tubular body portion. There is a step portion (10) between the first body portion and the second body portion. The step portion is joined to and continuous with the first portion and the second portion. A first side of each of the first body portion, the step portion and the second body portion are substantially aligned so that there is a step (18) defined on a second side opposite to the first side of the body portion. There is an aperture (30) in the step portion and an internal tube (32) extending from the aperture towards the first body portion.

Abstract: The decking anchors may have a primary portion and a secondary portion that are operatively coupled together, such as through a fastener. The primary portion may comprise one or more primary projections (e.g., first and second primary projections) and/or the secondary portion may comprise one or more secondary projections (e.g., first and second secondary projections). In a first position adjacent projections may be retracted towards each other. In the first position the anchor may be installed into a cavity of the decking panel. The anchor may be rotated into a pre-installed position, and a force is exerted on the anchor such that the projections contact the webs of the decking. In response to continued force the projections move with respect to each other such that the anchor is moved into an installed position (e.g., the adjacent projections extend with respect to each other).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool for forming a joint in an interlocking side-lapped seam formed between first and second structural decking panels. The decking tool may include a frame, actuator, and arms with jaws, wherein the actuator forms a structural component of the decking tool and is located between the frame and the arms with the jaws. Moreover, the decking tool may further comprise one or more shields and jaw guards. The one or more shields may cover the arms on at least one side for protection. The one or more jaw guards may be utilized with or without the shields, and may or may not be integral with the shields. The one or more jaw guards have a number of benefits, such as protecting the jaws, positioning the jaws, being utilized as levers to help remove the jaws, and being utilized to prevent separation of the side-lap seam.

Abstract: The decking anchors have a web anchor and a flange anchor that are operatively coupled together. In an assembly position, the web anchor and the flange anchor may be oriented in the same plane. After insertion into the cavity of the decking, the flange anchor may contact the upper flange of the decking, the web anchor may be rotated (e.g., after moving vertically upward while the flange anchor remains stationary), the web anchor may engage the webs of the decking (e.g., after moving vertically downward while the flange anchor remains stationary), and a stop may be operatively coupled to the web anchor and the flange anchor, in order to secure the web anchor and the flange anchor to each other while the web anchor contacts the webs and the flange anchor contacts the upper flange to form an anchor within the decking that has loading resistance in all directions.

Abstract: A hydraulic foot assembly for supporting an object on a surface, the foot assembly comprising a cylinder defining an interior reservoir, a piston dividing the reservoir into two chambers in fluid communication with one another, the piston moveable within the reservoir, the position of the piston within the reservoir effecting the overall length of the foot assembly, a valve arrangement configured to limit movement of the piston within the reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for predictive risk assessment and intervention including a risk assessment unit that receives survey data from a remotely connected survey device. The survey data comprises information about the social and cultural environment of one or more members of a risk population, including the member's perceptions of their social and environmental factors, the member's demographic data, and optionally publicly available data associated with the member's geographic environment.

Abstract: A hydraulic foot assembly for supporting an object on a surface, the foot assembly comprising a cylinder defining an interior reservoir, a piston dividing the reservoir into two chambers in fluid communication with one another, the piston moveable within the reservoir, the position of the piston within the reservoir effecting the overall length of the foot assembly, a valve arrangement configured to limit movement of the piston within the reservoir.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include structural decking systems with at least a four-layered seam and methods for manufacturing and assembling structural decking systems with at least four-layered seams. The decking panels may be provided with an edge having an exposed “male lip” with two layers, and an opposite edge having a “female lip” with two layers. Individual panels may be coupled together by placing the female lip of a first panel over the male lip of an adjacent panel, thus creating an unjoined seam. In order to couple the panels together, the panels may be secured through various couplings configurations. The couplings may be formed by deforming, cutting, and/or welding the seam. Not only do the couplings help prevent vertical separation between adjacent panels, the couplings minimize lateral shifting along the seam, and ensure a desired level of shear strength in the seam and across the structural decking system.

Abstract: A deployment device for deploying a self-expanding branched stent graft. The device includes a branched stent graft retained on an introducer. The introducer includes a main catheter and an auxiliary catheter preloaded within the introducer and extending from distal the distal end of the stent graft, into the lumen of the stent graft and through an internal branch in the graft and out of the fenestration.

Abstract: A stent graft including a tubular wall with at least one fenestration including a peripheral reinforcement around at least part of the fenestration. There can also be a tubular extension. The side arm includes a stent and a cover and extends from and is in fluid communication with the fenestration and the stent graft. The stent may be a self expanding stent. The ring and/or tubular extension provides better support and sealing for an extension arm. The fenestration can be circular or if towards the ends of the stent graft may be in the form of a U-shape with an open end.

Abstract: A stent graft (2) for placement in the thoracic arch of a patient has a first tubular body portion (6) with a first lumen therein for placement in the ascending aorta of a patient and a second tubular body portion (8) to extend along the thoracic arch and down the descending aorta. The second tubular body portion is of a lesser diameter than the first tubular body portion. There is a step portion (10) between the first body portion and the second body portion. The step portion is joined to and continuous with the first portion and the second portion. A first side of each of the first body portion, the step portion and the second body portion are substantially aligned so that there is a step (18) defined on a second side opposite to the first side of the body portion. There is an aperture (30) in the step portion and an internal tube (32) extending from the aperture towards the first body portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to structural panel systems with at least a four-layered generally in-plane sidelap, at least a three layer generally in-plane sidelap, or corner sidelaps of various layers, and methods for manufacturing and assembling structural panel systems with these types of sidelaps. The structural panels may be provided with an edge having a “lower lip” with two layers, and an opposite edge having an “upper lip” with two layers. Individual panels may be coupled together by placing the upper lip of a first panel over the lower lip of an adjacent panel, thus creating an un-joined sidelap. The lips may have nested portions for helping to place one lip over the other. The panels may be operatively coupled through various couplings configurations, such as fasteners, welding, cutting the sidelap, or the like. The present invention improves the shear strength of the structural panel system and reduces costs.

Abstract: Portable, hand held, battery operated, hydraulic tools are provided with a tool frame and one or more interchangeable working heads. When the working head is connected with the tool frame, a piston actuated by a hydraulic system within the tool frame applies force to the working head to perform a task. A coupling mechanism holds the working head to the tool frame. The coupling mechanism allows the working head to be removed from the tool frame and another working head to be joined to the tool frame. The coupling mechanism can hold the working head at a fixed rotational angle with respect to the tool frame. The coupling mechanism can also allow the working head to rotate with respect to the tool frame.

Abstract: A stent graft (2) for placement in the thoracic arch of a patient has a first tubular body portion (6) with a first lumen therein for placement in the ascending aorta of a patient and a second tubular body portion (8) to extend along the thoracic arch and down the descending aorta. The second tubular body portion is of a lesser diameter than the first tubular body portion. There is a step portion (10) between the first body portion and the second body portion. The step portion is joined to and continuous with the first portion and the second portion. A first side of each of the first body portion, the step portion and the second body portion are substantially aligned so that there is a step (18) defined on a second side opposite to the first side of the body portion. There is an aperture (30) in the step portion and an internal tube (32) extending from the aperture towards the first body portion.

Abstract: Portable, hand held, battery operated, dieless, hydraulic crimping tools are provided with a working head and a tool frame. The working head has a head frame with an open access to a working area of the working head. The open access may be in the form of a C-shape. The working head has a nest to receive a crimping member. An indentor is attached to a piston within the tool frame. The piston moves the indentor between a home position adjacent the tool frame and an indenting position where the indentor impacts the crimping member.

Abstract: A composite stent graft has a balloon expandable stent portion, a tubular graft material portion inside or outside of the balloon expandable stent portion and self expanding stents associated with the tubular graft material portion. Part of the balloon expandable stent portion can extend beyond the proximal end of the tubular graft material portion. The tubular graft material can be polytetrafluoroethylene, dacron, polyamide, sub intestinal mucosa or any other suitable biocompatible material. A method of deploying which includes flaring a part of the balloon expandable stent portion is also discussed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include structural decking systems with at least a four-layered seam and methods for manufacturing and assembling structural decking systems with at least four-layered seams. The decking panels may be provided with an edge having an exposed “male lip” with two layers, and an opposite edge having a “female lip” with two layers. Individual panels may be coupled together by placing the female lip of a first panel over the male lip of an adjacent panel, thus creating an unjoined seam. In order to couple the panels together, the panels may be secured through various couplings configurations. The couplings may be formed by deforming, cutting, and/or welding the seam. Not only do the couplings help prevent vertical separation between adjacent panels, the couplings minimize lateral shifting along the seam, and ensure a desired level of shear strength in the seam and across the structural decking system.