Abstract: Expandable intraluminal stents are provided as well their method of manufacture. These stents are made of metal, the metal characterized by a desired porosity, with a drug compressed into the pores of the stent. The stents are formed by subjecting one or more powdered metals in a die cavity to a pressure treatment followed by a heat treatment. The metal may be cast directly in a stent-like form or cast into sheets or tubes from which the inventive stents are produced. The so-formed porous metal stent is then loaded with one or more drugs.

Abstract: A machine configured to distribute blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool into distribution hoses includes a shredding chamber having an outlet end. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. A discharge mechanism is mounted at the outlet end of the shredding chamber. The discharge mechanism is configured for distributing the blowing wool from a discharge mechanism outlet end into an airstream. An outlet plate assembly is mounted at the outlet end of the discharge mechanism. The outlet plate assembly is configured to receive distribution hoses of different size diameters. The outlet plate assembly is configured to provide a sealing transition for the airstream from the discharge mechanism outlet end to the distribution hoses. A blower is configured to provide the airstream flowing through the discharge mechanism and the outlet plate assembly.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing insulation including a shredding chamber having an outlet end, a plurality of shredders configured to shred and pick apart the blowing insulation, and a discharge mechanism mounted at the outlet end of the shredding chamber and configured for distributing the blowing insulation into an airstream. The discharge mechanism includes housing and a plurality of sealing vane assemblies mounted for rotation. The sealing vane assemblies are configured to seal against the housing as the sealing vane assemblies rotate. The housing includes an eccentric segment extending from the housing. A blower is provided and configured to provide the airstream which flows through the discharge mechanism. The sealing vane assemblies become spaced apart from the housing as the sealing vane assemblies rotate through the eccentric segment.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing insulation including a shredding chamber configured to shred and pick apart the blowing insulation. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of low speed shredders, an agitator and a discharge mechanism. The agitator is mounted for rotation and rotates toward the discharge mechanism. The discharge mechanism includes a side inlet configured to receive the blowing insulation from the agitator. A baffle is disposed between the agitator and the discharge mechanism. The baffle is configured to partially obstruct the side inlet of the discharge mechanism. The baffle allows finely shredded blowing insulation to enter the side inlet of the discharge mechanism and directs heavy clumps of blowing insulation past the side inlet of the discharge mechanism for eventual recycling into the low speed shredders.

Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing insulation from a bag of compressed blowing insulation. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end and is configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing insulation, a plurality of shredders mounted at the outlet end of the chute and configured to shred and pick apart the blowing insulation and a discharge mechanism for distributing the blowing insulation into an airstream. The chute has a cross-sectional shape that approximates the cross-sectional shape of the bag of compressed blowing.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic valve apparatus in a preferred embodiment comprises an upper valve portion, a lower valve portion, an endoskeletal structure configured as a weir support or reinforcing member and an exoskeletal framework configured as a support collar. The upper valve portion preferably includes an upper plastic valve housing or body, a resilient diaphragm and a valve actuator. The lower valve portion comprises a lower plastic valve housing or body that is preferably configured to mate with the upper valve housing to define a valve interior. The lower valve body preferably has an integral weir which, in conjunction with the resilient diaphragm, defines a fluid passage. The diaphragm is configured to sealingly engage and disengage with the weir as effected by the valve actuator. The weir support member is disposable within the lower housing to support the weir.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for processing packetized signal having a plurality of channels carrying program information. The packetized signal also includes program guide information that includes channel identifier data. The program guide information comprises a sequence of data blocks including a segment map that includes information about the partitioning of the plurality of channels into segments and map block that includes information relating specific channels of the plurality of channels with respective channel identifier data.

Abstract: A fully draining valve including an upper valve portion and a lower valve portion. The lower valve body has an integral weir, which in conjunction with a resilient diaphragm, defines a fluid passage. The weir axis is sloped from a horizontal plane. A first duct axis is sloped downwardly away from the weir and sloped from the horizontal plane. A second duct axis is sloped downwardly away from the weir and sloped from the horizontal plane. A third duct axis is oriented downwardly away from the weir and substantially parallel to a vertical axis such that substantially all liquid from within the fluid passage drains from the valve by gravity.

Abstract: A smart card package includes two on-board batteries for providing uninterrupted power to a programmed, volatile memory unit. The first battery is a non-rechargeable battery with sufficient capacity to provide power to the volatile on-board memory during an initial storage period between programming the memory and deployment of the smart card. This initial storage period may be, for example, approximately two years. The second battery is a rechargeable battery that will be charged by the host device in which the smart card is deployed. The second, rechargeable battery can provide power to the volatile memory throughout the life of the card, after the first, non-rechargeable battery is dead. Specifically, the second, rechargeable battery can provide power to the non-volatile memory when needed during, for example, any subsequent storage period or during movement of the smart card between host devices.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic valve apparatus in a preferred embodiment comprises an upper valve portion, a lower valve portion, an endoskeletal structure configured as a weir support or reinforcing member and an exoskeletal framework configured as a support collar. The upper valve portion preferably includes an upper plastic valve housing or body, a resilient diaphragm and a valve actuator. The lower valve portion comprises a lower plastic valve housing or body that is preferably configured to mate with the upper valve housing to define a valve interior. The lower valve body preferably has an integral weir which, in conjunction with the resilient diaphragm, defines a fluid passage. The diaphragm is configured to sealingly engage and disengage with the weir as effected by the valve actuator. The weir support member is disposable within the lower housing to support the weir.

Abstract: A device for heating and frothing a beverage, the device including an elongate frothing wand includes a generally tubular external sleeve, an inner core within the external sleeve, wherein the inner core defines a steam conduit configured to pass steam from a supply end of the frothing wand to an expulsion end of the frothing wand, a steam-discharge ring in fluid communication with the steam conduit and configured to eject steam into the beverage, an annular airway defined by the external sleeve and the inner core, wherein the airway is configured to draw air from the supply end to the expulsion end of the frothing wand, and an air-discharge ring in fluid communication with the airway and concentrically aligned with the steam-discharge ring, wherein the air-discharge ring is configured to direct air into the beverage upon ejection of steam from the steam-discharge ring.

Abstract: A conduction welding apparatus and method for bonding abutted thermal plastic tubular end portions is particularly suitable for welding PFA. In a preferred embodiment, a folding weld head embraces the abutted the tubular end portions to be welded, each tubular end portion including a flange spaced from the surfaces to be joined. The weld head includes means for securing the flanges within the weld head and further include bias means. The bias means provide an inward axial bias on the adjoined tubular end portions when the tubular end portions are displaced axially outward from the weld head due to the expansion of the plastic during the weld process. The bias means in a preferred embodiment is substantially inoperative prior to the weld and provides bias, or a substantial increase in bias, when the flanges are displaced due to the expansion of the molten PFA during the weld process.

Abstract: A fully draining valve including an upper valve portion and a lower valve portion. The lower valve body has an integral weir, which in conjunction with a resilient diaphragm, defines a fluid passage. The weir axis is sloped from a horizontal plane. A first duct axis is sloped downwardly away from the weir and sloped from the horizontal plane. A second duct axis is sloped downwardly away from the weir and sloped from the horizontal plane. A third duct axis is oriented downwardly away from the weir and substantially parallel to a vertical axis such that substantially all liquid from within the fluid passage drains from the valve by gravity.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge is disclosed including a housing, a single tape reel, a storage tape, and a leader block. The housing includes a front, a back, a first side, a second side, a top, and a bottom. Further, the housing forms a leader block window, a lateral datum pad, and a longitudinal datum pad. The leader block window is formed at a corner defined by the front and the first side. The lateral datum pad is formed in the top. Finally, the longitudinal datum pad is formed in the front. The single tape reel is rotatably maintained within the housing. The storage tape is wrapped about the tape reel. The leader block is coupled to a leading end of the storage tape and is selectively secured to the housing at the leader block window. With this configuration, the lateral datum pad is configured to identify a top-to-bottom position of the tape reel. Similarly, the longitudinal datum pad is configured to identify a front-to-back position of the tape reel.

Abstract: According to the invention, a circuit that is capable of automated scan testing is disclosed. Included in the circuit are a cryptographic engine, a digital circuit, an input pin, and an output pin. The cryptographic engine capable of performing at least one of encryption and decryption of one or more digital signals. The digital circuit includes combinatorial logic and a number of memory cells. The memory cells have scan inputs connected serially in a scan chain. The input pin and output pin are coupled to the scan chain. At least one of the input pin and the output pin carries at least some cipher text data of the scan chain.

Abstract: A conduction welding apparatus and method for bonding abutted thermal plastic tubular end portions is particularly suitable for welding PFA. In a preferred embodiment, a folding weld head embraces the abutted the tubular end portions to be welded, each tubular end portion including a flange spaced from the surfaces to be joined. The weld head includes means for securing the flanges within the weld head and further include bias means. The bias means provide an inward axial bias on the adjoined tubular end portions when the tubular end portions are displaced axially outward from the weld head due to the expansion of the plastic during the weld process. The bias means in a preferred embodiment is substantially inoperative prior to the weld and provides bias, or a substantial increase in bias, when the flanges are displaced due to the expansion of the molten PFA during the weld process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting a balloon of a balloon catheter from damage prior to inserting the balloon catheter into a body lumen. The balloon protector comprising a tube of synthetic material having a reduced inside diameter which is drawn about the catheter balloon. The balloon protector retaining the catheter in a reduced configuration. The material of the balloon protector including a kinked portion which provides the protector with an area that will draw inward toward and against the catheter when the ends of the protector are drawn longitudinally in opposite directions.

Abstract: A device for heating and frothing a beverage, the device including an elongate frothing wand includes a generally tubular external sleeve, an inner core within the external sleeve, wherein the inner core defines a steam conduit configured to pass steam from a supply end of the frothing wand to an expulsion end of the frothing wand, a steam-discharge ring in fluid communication with the steam conduit and configured to eject steam into the beverage, an annular airway defined by the external sleeve and the inner core, wherein the airway is configured to draw air from the supply end to the expulsion end of the frothing wand, and an air-discharge ring in fluid communication with the airway and concentrically aligned with the steam-discharge ring, wherein the air-discharge ring is configured to direct air into the beverage upon ejection of steam from the steam-discharge ring.