Abstract: A multi-purpose, shaped, prefabricated, structurally-enhancing support block conforms to the side profiles of conventional I-joists. The support block is preferably installed by fastening it to the I-joist web, rather than to the I-joist flanges, thus preserving the integrity of the I-joist flanges. Further, support blocks may be used in mid-span where additional point-load support is needed, or at joist ends for additional load bearing and/or enhanced rim board, attachment and nailing capabilities. The preferred support block includes a load-jack portion for bearing compressive load and a web and flange support portion reinforcing the thin web of an I-joist to help prevent buckling, rolling, or twisting of the I-joist under peak load conditions.

Abstract: A graft (1) which is in the form of an inflatable member adapted to be formed into a predetermined and/or selected shape when deployed in situ by filling with a filler material (6) which can be made rigid in situ and deployed on a balloon catheter (12). The deployment balloon (13) is formed from a non-compliant material.

Abstract: A three-dimensional hydraulically entangled nonwoven composite structure made of nonwoven fibrous web and a fibrous material integrated in the nonwoven fibrous web by hydraulic entanglement is disclosed. The nonwoven composite structure has a greater ability to maintain an embossed pattern when wet and has the ability for the structure to recover after it has been compressed, to a greater degree than previously found. Also disclosed is a method of making an embossed hydraulically entangled nonwoven composite fabric.

Abstract: A measuring head of the present invention conveys light from an external source through at least one optical fiber to at least one respective plane mirror inside the measuring head, where the light reflects through and is collimated by at least one collimating lens so as to be incident on a sample, in one embodiment, at an angle of substantially 45 degrees. The resulting optical path is folded once and thereby allows enough virtual space to redirect the light without excessive bending of the fibers. Light diffused from the sample is, in one embodiment, perpendicularly collected by a focusing lens, focused on the end of another optical fiber and directed outside of the measuring head to be used, for example, by a measuring instrument for the spectral analysis of the collected light.

Abstract: A stent graft introducer for intraluminal deployment of a stent graft (26), the introducer comprising a stent graft release mechanism (6) to allow partial release of the stent graft (26) when carried on the introducer, whereby control of the stent graft can be maintained while allowing access into the lumen of the stent graft from at least one end of the stent graft. The partial release can comprise partial release of one end of the stent graft.

Abstract: An engineered perimeter rim board with machined or otherwise-formed modular recessed receptacles receives and secures I-joists and other manufactured joists at pre-designated spaces along the length of the rim board. The rim board provides pre-measured joist securement locations and structural enhancements by “locking” the joists into position. Receptacles machined/cut into the rim board may be of various shapes, such as a rectangular recess with a flat planar back wall, a profiled recess with curved top and bottom compartments, and/or an angled recess wherein two sidewalls converge to create a recess without a back wall for receiving joists at positions other than perpendicular to the rim board. The preferred 90-degree receptacle profile provides an I-joist web receiving slot for additional lateral support to help prevent joists from buckling, twisting or rolling over.

Abstract: A chimney damper that includes a rigid first peripheral frame surrounding an open window area, a cap moveable toward and away from the open window to selectively close and open the same and springs interconnecting the cap and frame resiliently urging the cap to an open position. The springs are connected at the upper ends thereof to second rigid frame. The cap is mounted on the second frame and the latter is allowed to pivot relative to the cap. The springs and the arrangement thereof are such as to cause the second frame to rotate relative to the first frame during opening and closing of the damper with the rotation being about one quarter turn. An articulated link interconnects the first frame and coupling between the second frame and the cap so as to prevent pivoting of the cap when moving the cap from one to the other of an open and a closed position.

Abstract: An automatic injection device includes a drive mechanism and a sensor used to determine an internal characteristic such as a force or internal pressure generated during an injection process. This characteristic is then used as a control parameter by a microprocessor or controller which generates corresponding commands to the drive mechanism. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the characteristic is used to calculate an exit pressure at which fluid ejected by the device through an elongated tube. The drive mechanism is then operated in such a manner that the exit pressure is maintained at a predetermined level to insure that a patient does not suffer pain and/or tissue damage.

Abstract: Embodiments may comprise methods, apparatuses, systems, and one or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon for adjusting a laser retroreflector to compensate for passing laser light through a window of the retroreflector comprising: determining an adjustment factor to compensate for propagation errors due to passing laser light through the window of the retroreflector; and adjusting a location of a reflection point of the retroreflector to minimize the propagation errors based on the adjustment factor.

Abstract: A stent graft (1) including a tubular wall (3) with at least one fenestration (40) including a peripheral (37) reinforcement around at least part of the fenestration. There can also be a tubular extension (15). The side arm includes a stent (19) and a cover (17) 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 (40) can be circular or if towards the ends of the stent graft may be in the form of a U-shape (50) with an open end.

Abstract: An engineered perimeter rim board with machined or otherwise-formed modular recessed receptacles receives and secures I-joists and other manufactured joists at pre-designated spaces along the length of the rim board. The rim board provides pre-measured joist securement locations and structural enhancements by “locking” the joists into position. Receptacles machined/cut into the rim board may be of various shapes, such as a rectangular recess with a flat planar back wall, a profiled recess with curved top and bottom compartments, and/or an angled recess wherein two sidewalls converge to create a recess without a back wall for receiving joists at positions other than perpendicular to the rim board. The preferred 90-degree receptacle profile provides an I-joist web receiving slot for additional lateral support to help prevent joists from buckling, twisting or rolling over.

Abstract: An automatic injection device includes a drive mechanism and a sensor used to determine an internal characteristic such as a force or internal pressure generated during an injection process. This characteristic is then used as a control parameter by a microprocessor or controller which generates corresponding commands to the drive mechanism. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the characteristic is used to calculate an exit pressure at which fluid ejected by the device through an elongated tube. The drive mechanism is then operated in such a manner that the exit pressure is maintained at a predetermined level to insure that a patient does not suffer pain and/or tissue damage.

Abstract: An endovascular stent graft assembly (10) for use with abdominal aorta aneurysms (70) and having a main stent graft body (12) and a separate attachment graft tube (14) that extends proximally therefrom having the proximal attachment stent (50) thereon for infrarenal attachment of the assembly (10) to the aorta (74). A distal end portion (44) of the attachment graft tube (14) underlies the proximal end portion (30) of the main stent graft body (12) and presses outwardly there against forming a a friction fit, at an overlapping region (64). The main stent graft body (12) has an ipsilateral leg (22) and a contralateral stump (24) at the bifurcation (26); and prior to deployment of the attachment graft tube (14), the main stent graft body is pulled against the vessel bifurcation (72). After deployment of the attachment graft tube (14), the contralateral leg (16) is deployed at the contralateral stump to complete the stent graft assembly (10).

Abstract: A deployment system for introducing stent grafts which have a side arm or into which a side arm can be deployed. For instance the stent graft can be deployed into the thoracic arch of a patient. The deployment system including an introducer (1), an auxiliary catheter (13) disposed within the introducer and an auxiliary guide wire (14) disposed within the auxiliary catheter. The auxiliary guide wire extends to adjacent the proximal end (6) of the introducer an can be extended from the proximal end of the introducer so that it can be snared from a side branch artery (56) to assist with deployment of a side arm (23) of the stent graft into the side artery or for the deployment of a side arm stent graft into the stent graft.

Abstract: An automatic injection device includes a drive mechanism and a sensor used to determine an internal characteristic such as a force or internal pressure generated during an injection process. This characteristic is then used as a control parameter by a microprocessor or controller which generates corresponding commands to the drive mechanism. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the characteristic is used to calculate an exit pressure at which fluid ejected by the device through an elongated tube. The drive mechanism is then operated in such a manner that the exit pressure is maintained at a predetermined level to insure that a patient does not suffer pain and/or tissue damage.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a foot orthotic including an orthotic base mechanism for underlying a sole of a foot, a first cushioning mechanism, and a second cushioning mechanism. The orthotic base mechanism has a proximal end for underlying a heel of the foot and a distal end for underlying the forefront of the foot. The first cushioning mechanism is operatively connected to the orthotic base mechanism at the proximal end, while the second cushioning mechanism is operatively connected to the distal end of the orthotic base mechanism. Additionally, there is provided a foot orthotic including a first cushioning mechanism and a second cushioning mechanism that are independent of each other. The present invention additionally provides for a method of making the foot orthotic and method of using the foot orthotic disclosed herein.

Abstract: An endoluminal stent graft deployment system useful for deployment of a limb of a branched stent graft (16) into a blind vessel. The branched stent graft has a main body (16) and a limb (19) extending from the body. The branched stent graft is mounted on a deployment device which has a separate deflecting guide wire (14) extending into the limb. The method of deploying the branched stent graft into a blind vessel in a human or animal body includes the step of releasing the limb from the deployment device, extending the guide wire from the limb into the blind vessel, manipulating the deployment device by withdrawing the deployment device slightly to cause the limb to enter the blind vessel assisted by the guide wire and releasing the stent graft from the deployment device.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a delivery vehicle including sickle red blood cells carrying a moiety. The moiety can be any type of diagnostic or therapeutic agent. The present invention further provides for a method of diagnosing systemic hypoxia, acidosis, or hypertonicity by administering sickle red blood cells to a patient and detecting the location of the sickle red blood cells. Additionally, the present invention provides for a method of therapeutic treatment of systemic hypoxia, acidosis, or hypertonicity by administering sickle red blood cells to a patient. Further, the present invention provides for a delivery vehicle that specifically localizes or concentrates at systemic hypoxia, acidosis, or hypertonicity areas. The delivery vehicle is used in diagnosing and therapeutically treating these areas of hypoxia, acidosis, or hypertonicity also. The present invention further provides for a method of making the delivery vehicle described herein.

Abstract: An endovascular stent graft assembly (10) for use with abdominal aorta aneurysms (70) and having a main stent graft body (12) and a separate attachment graft tube (14) that extends proximally therefrom having the proximal attachment stent (50) thereon for infrarenal attachment of the assembly (10) to the aorta (74). A distal end portion (44) of the attachment graft tube (14) underlies the proximal end portion (30) of the main stent graft body (12) and presses outwardly there against forming a a friction fit, at an overlapping region (64). The main stent graft body (12) has an ipsilateral leg (22) and a contralateral stump (24) at the bifurcation (26); and prior to deployment of the attachment graft tube (14), the main stent graft body is pulled against the vessel bifurcation (72). After deployment of the attachment graft tube (14), the contralateral leg (16) is deployed at the contralateral stump to complete the stent graft assembly (10).

Abstract: A multi-purpose, shaped, prefabricated, structurally-enhancing support block conforms to the side profiles of conventional I-joists. The support block is preferably installed by fastening it to the I-joist web, rather than to the I-joist flanges, thus preserving the integrity of the I-joist flanges. Further, support blocks may be used in mid-span where additional point-load support is needed, or at joist ends for additional load bearing and/or enhanced rim board, attachment and nailing capabilities. The preferred support block includes a load-jack portion for bearing compressive load and a web and flange support portion reinforcing the thin web of an I-joist to help prevent buckling, rolling, or twisting of the I-joist under peak load conditions.