Abstract: An expandable support device for tissue repair is disclosed. The device can be used to repair hard or soft tissue, such as bone or vertebral discs. The device can have multiple flat sides that remain flat during expansion. A method of repairing tissue is also disclosed. Devices and methods for adjusting (e.g., removing, repositioning, resizing) deployed orthopedic expandable support devices are also disclosed. The expandable support devices can be engaged by an engagement device. The engagement device can longitudinally expand the expandable support device. The expandable support device can be longitudinally expanded until the expandable support device is substantially in a pre-deployed configuration. The expandable support device can be then be physically translated and/or rotated.

Abstract: An expandable support device and methods of using the same are disclosed herein. The expandable support device can expand radially when compressed longitudinally. The expandable support device can be deployed in a bone, such as a vertebra, for example to repair a compression fraction. The expandable support device can be deployed into or in place of all or part of an intervertebral disc. The expandable support device can be deployed in a vessel, in an aneurysm, across a valve, or combinations thereof. The expandable support device can be deployed permanently and/or used as a removable tool to expand or clear a lumen and/or repair valve leaflets.

Abstract: A thin lining for use within a body lumen having a variety of uses and particularly suited for protecting the intimal lining of a vessel, thereby preventing the release of embolic materials through the intima and into the bloodstream, either naturally or during the implantation of a prosthetic device. The thin lining is porous enough to promote ingrowth and thin enough to avoid migration with minimal radial force being placed on the vessel walls, making the lining also suited for applications such as blocking the entrance to an aneurysm.

Abstract: Apparatus and accompanying methods for use therein for a Coriolis mass flow rate meter which is substantially immune to noise, and more particularly, to such a meter that is substantially unaffected by noise that occurs at substantially any frequency different from a fundamental frequency at which the flow tube(s) in the meter vibrate. Specifically, the meter relies on measuring mass flow rate by determining the phase difference that occurs between real and imaginary components of the discrete fourier transform (DFT) of both the left and right velocity sensor waveforms evaluated at the fundamental frequency at which the flow tubes vibrate. The fundamental frequency is located, during an initialization operation, by providing a power spectrum, determined through use of the DFT of one of the sensor signals and then selecting that frequency at which the magnitude of the power spectrum reaches a maximum value.

Abstract: Apparatus and accompanying methods for use therein for a Coriolis mass flow rate meter which is substantially immune to noise, and more particularly, to such a meter that is substantially unaffected by noise that occurs at substantially any frequency different from a fundamental frequency at which the flow tube(s) in the meter vibrate. Specifically, the meter relies on measuring mass flow rate by determining the phase difference that occurs between real and imaginary components of the discrete fourier transform (DFT) of both the left and right velocity sensor waveforms evaluated at the fundamental frequency at which the flow tubes vibrate. The fundamental frequency is located, during an initialization operation, by providing a power spectrum, determined through use of the DFT, of one of the sensor signals and then selecting that frequency at which the magnitude of the power spectrum reaches a maximum value.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a prescribed track pitch in an optical storage system wherein a second radiation beam is aligned a desired distance from a first radiation beam, the first radiation beam being controllably steered to follow a previously written data track on a record carrier used within the optical storage system. A write alignment servo aligns the second radiation beam the prescribed distance from the first radiation beam in response to an offset signal. The offset signal is generated by optically measuring the distance between a pair of calibration tracks that have previously been placed on the disk so as to have the desired track pitch therebetween. The effect of variations or drift occurring in the optical or electrical components of either the write alignment servo or the optical track pitch measurement system is significantly reduced by regularly calibrating against the fixed track pitch of the calibration tracks.

Abstract: A system and method for optically measuring and maintaining track pitch in an optical storage system. A set of at least four calibration tracks, each having a prescribed track pitch or distance therebetween, are precisely placed on a recording medium of the optical storage system during the manufacture thereof. When this recording medium is subsequently inserted into the optical storage system, the track pitch of a select pair of the calibration tracks is optically measured by maximizing the amplitude of a data read radiation beam, and an offset signal is generated in response to this measurement. This offset signal is used within the optical storage system for controllably positioning a second radiation beam with respect to a first radiation beam, the first radiation beam being directed to follow a previously written data track on the recording medium.