Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for refining a ball joint stud. The method includes receiving and releasably securing the ball joint stud in a holder between a first die and a second die. The method further includes translating one or more of the first die and the second die towards the remaining die to apply a compression pressure to the ball joint stud. The compression pressure causes a plastic radial compression of the ball joint stud to a stroke length. The stroke length may be to induce a residual stress in the ball joint stud or increase a surface hardness of the ball joint stud. The first die and second die each include a contact surface configured to interface with the ball joint stud. The method may further include rotating one or more of the first die and the second die during the application of the compression pressure.

Abstract: This patent document discloses perfusion catheters and related methods for treating blood vessel lesions and abnormalities. A perfusion catheter can include an inflatable balloon, an elongate shaft operably attached to the balloon, and an optional containment structure surrounding at least a portion of the balloon. The balloon can be inflated until its outer surface contacts a wall of a blood vessel. When inflated, the balloon's inner surface defines a passage for blood to flow. The balloon can be configured to release one or more substances formulated to treat a tissue at or near the wall of a blood vessel. In an example, the balloon can include a bioactive layer, which comprises the one or more substances, overlaying an optional base layer. In an example, the balloon can include multiple filars, at least one of which is configured to elute the one or more substances through a perforation or hole in the filar.

Abstract: An assembly, a system, and a method for protecting a portion of a pipeline from an impact in an excavation operation creating a void around the portion of the pipeline with a shell assembly are described. The shell assembly includes two half cylinders and fasteners to couple the two half cylinders together. Each half cylinder has a pipe cover shell, an inner shell, and an outer shell. The pipe cover shell is sized to conform to an outer surface of the pipeline. The inner shell is spaced apart from the pipe cover shell and coupled to the pipe cover shell by radially extended inner supports. Each inner support has a crumple component that is weaker than adjacent portions of the inner support. The outer shell is spaced apart from the inner shell with the inner shell disposed between the outer shell and the pipe cover shell.

Abstract: Disclosed are various examples and embodiments of a Nitinol basket for an electrophysiological (EP) mapping catheter. In one embodiment, the Nitinol basket comprises a plurality of basket splines, each basket spline having a distalmost portion and a proximal end, where the distal tip is uninterruptedly contiguous and continuous with the distalmost portions of the basket splines and formed from the same piece, slab or ingot comprising Nitinol as the splines. In such an embodiment, the basket splines and distal tip are cut and formed from a same single length or piece of Nitinol tubing or a Nitinol hypotube. The respective distal portions of each of the Nitinol splines can be continuous and contiguous with, and connected to, the Nitinol distal tip, each spline being configured to extend outwardly away from an imaginary central axis of the Nitinol basket and its proximal end and distal portion to form a curved shape therebetween when the Nitinol basket is in an undeformed and deployed state.

Abstract: Disclosed are various examples and embodiments of a cardiac mapping catheter configured for electrophysiological (EP) mapping and suitable for intravascular insertion in a patient's heart, and methods of making same. The cardiac mapping catheter comprises a plurality support arms having electrodes disposed thereon. Various configurations of the cardiac mapping catheter are described and disclosed which provide improved spatial resolution and sensing of EP signals acquired from inside a patient's heart.

Abstract: This patent document discloses perfusion catheters and related methods for treating blood vessel lesions and abnormalities. A perfusion catheter can include an inflatable balloon, an elongate shaft operably attached to the balloon, and an optional containment structure surrounding at least a portion of the balloon. The balloon can be inflated until its outer surface contacts a wall of a blood vessel. When inflated, the balloon's inner surface defines a passage for blood to flow. The balloon can be configured to release one or more substances formulated to treat a tissue at or near the wall of a blood vessel. In an example, the balloon can include a bioactive layer, which comprises the one or more substances, overlaying an optional base layer. In an example, the balloon can include multiple filars, at least one of which is configured to elute the one or more substances through a perforation or hole in the filar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to emulsion-templated silica micro and nano-capsules- and methods for making them. In particular, the template emulsion is stabilized by a biosurfactant that also assists in nucleating the silica shell Mineralizing biosurfactants and stabilized micro- and nano-emulsions useful in forming the emulsion-templated micro- and nano-capsules, and methods for the use of the silica micro- and nano-capsules are also described.

Abstract: The shower system has a heat exchanger located in compartment vertically adjacent to the wall of the shower space and closed off by an openable or removable panel. The heat exchanger comprising a helically winding heat exchange conduit with successive windings around a vertical axis in said compartment above the floor of the shower space. A pump coupled to the shower drain pumps warm water to a warm water feed of the heat exchanger, from where it is sprayed on a top winding of the heat exchange conduit. Tap water is fed to the shower head successively via the heat exchange conduit and a heater and/or a mixing element for mixing water from the heat exchanger with water from a supply input for external hot water.

Abstract: A method for replacing a first sheath, whose distal end is positioned inside a vessel and whose proximal end is positioned outside the skin of a patient, with a second sheath may involve inserting a dilator over a guidewire and into the first sheath until a distal end of the dilator and a distal end of the guidewire are positioned inside the vessel. The dilator may be hubless or include a removable hub. The method may further involve removing the first sheath, thereby leaving only the dilator and the guidewire in place. After removing the first sheath, a second sheath may be passed over the dilator and the guidewire until the distal end of the second sheath is positioned inside the vessel. The method may further involve removing the dilator and the guidewire, leaving only the second sheath in place.

Abstract: Closure systems, kits and methods for sealing a percutaneous puncture or other opening in a blood vessel wall, body cavity or biopsy tract are disclosed. A closure system can comprise an implant assembly, a delivery assembly, and an introducer sheath. The closure system can further comprise a valve bypass and a dilator. The implant assembly can include an inner member, a sealing membrane, and an outer member, each of which can be delivered by the delivery assembly. The inner member can be extended through the puncture or opening and positioned adjacent an inner tissue surface. The outer member can be positioned adjacent an outer tissue surface. The sealing membrane can have a distal end attached to the inner member, a proximal end including an opening configured to receive the outer member, and a mid-region therebetween.

Abstract: A method for replacing a first sheath, whose distal end is positioned inside a vessel and whose proximal end is positioned outside the skin of a patient, with a second sheath may involve inserting a dilator over a guidewire and into the first sheath until a distal end of the dilator and a distal end of the guidewire are positioned inside the vessel. The dilator may be hubless or include a removable hub, and may define an external channel configured to receive a second guidewire. The method may further involve removing the first sheath, thereby leaving the dilator and the guidewire in place. After removing the first sheath, a second sheath may be passed over the dilator and the guidewire until the distal end of the second sheath is positioned inside the vessel. The method may further involve removing the dilator and the guidewire, leaving the second sheath in place.

Abstract: Disclosed are various examples and embodiments of a cardiac mapping catheter configured for electrophysiological (EP) mapping and suitable for intravascular insertion in a patient's heart, and methods of making same. The cardiac mapping catheter comprises a plurality support arms having electrodes disposed thereon. Various configurations of the cardiac mapping catheter are described and disclosed which provide improved spatial resolution and sensing of EP signals acquired from inside a patient's heart.

Abstract: This patent document discloses perfusion catheters and related methods for treating blood vessel lesions and abnormalities. A perfusion catheter can include an inflatable balloon, an elongate shaft operably attached to the balloon, and an optional containment structure surrounding at least a portion of the balloon. The balloon can be inflated until its outer surface contacts a wall of a blood vessel. When inflated, the balloon's inner surface defines a passage for blood to flow. The balloon can be configured to release one or more substances formulated to treat a tissue at or near the wall of a blood vessel. In an example, the balloon can include a bioactive layer, which comprises the one or more substances, overlaying an optional base layer. In an example, the balloon can include multiple filars, at least one of which is configured to elute the one or more substances through a perforation or hole in the filar.

Abstract: A method for replacing a first sheath, whose distal end is positioned inside a vessel and whose proximal end is positioned outside the skin of a patient, with a second sheath may involve inserting a dilator over a guidewire and into the first sheath until a distal end of the dilator and a distal end of the guidewire are positioned inside the vessel. The dilator may be hubless or include a removable hub. The method may further involve removing the first sheath, thereby leaving only the dilator and the guidewire in place. After removing the first sheath, a second sheath may be passed over the dilator and the guidewire until the distal end of the second sheath is positioned inside the vessel. The method may further involve removing the dilator and the guidewire, leaving only the second sheath in place.

Abstract: A method for replacing a first sheath, whose distal end is positioned inside a vessel and whose proximal end is positioned outside the skin of a patient, with a second sheath may involve inserting a dilator over a guidewire and into the first sheath until a distal end of the dilator and a distal end of the guidewire are positioned inside the vessel. The dilator may be hubless or include a removable hub, and may define an external channel configured to receive a second guidewire. The method may further involve removing the first sheath, thereby leaving the dilator and the guidewire in place. After removing the first sheath, a second sheath may be passed over the dilator and the guidewire until the distal end of the second sheath is positioned inside the vessel. The method may further involve removing the dilator and the guidewire, leaving the second sheath in place.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing a measurement operation on a substrate in accordance with one or more substrate alignment models. The one or more substrate alignment models are selected from a plurality of candidate substrate alignment models. The apparatus, which may be a lithographic apparatus, includes an external interface which enables selection of the substrate alignment model(s) and/or alteration of the substrate alignment model(s) prior to the measurement operation.

Abstract: A sampling hub directs a medical device towards a target area. The hub may have some of: a hub body; a lumen passing between openings at the front end and the rear end, the lumen allowing for passage of an elongate element through the entire lumen; the bottom of the hub body may be flat; the top of hub body preferably is sloped downwardly; the lumen is preferably sloped downwardly to enable guidance of the elongate body towards the target area; and an area surrounding the opening of the lumen at the rear end configured to receive a support for the elongate element, the support for the elongate element having a diameter in the support larger than a diameter of the elongate element.

Abstract: Closure systems, kits and methods for sealing a percutaneous puncture or other opening in a blood vessel wall, body cavity or biopsy tract are disclosed. A closure system can comprise an implant assembly, a delivery assembly, and an introducer sheath. The closure system can further comprise a valve bypass and a dilator. The implant assembly can include an inner member, a sealing membrane, and an outer member, each of which can be delivered by the delivery assembly. The inner member can be extended through the puncture or opening and positioned adjacent an inner tissue surface. The outer member can be positioned adjacent an outer tissue surface. The sealing membrane can have a distal end attached to the inner member, a proximal end including an opening configured to receive the outer member, and a mid-region therebetween.

Abstract: Closure systems, kits and methods for sealing a percutaneous puncture or other opening in a blood vessel wall, body cavity or biopsy tract are disclosed. A closure system can comprise an implant assembly, a delivery assembly, and an introducer sheath. The closure system can further comprise a valve bypass and a dilator. The implant assembly can include an inner member, a sealing membrane, and an outer member, each of which can be delivered by the delivery assembly. The inner member can be extended through the puncture or opening and positioned adjacent an inner tissue surface. The outer member can be positioned adjacent an outer tissue surface. The sealing membrane can have a distal end attached to the inner member, a proximal end including an opening configured to receive the outer member, and a mid-region therebetween.

Abstract: A foldable stroller (1, 41) is provided with at least one pushrod (2, 3) being pivotable about a first pivot axis (9, 10). The folding mechanism is further provided with a number of rods, comprising a first rod (19, 20) being pivotable about a second pivot axis (17, 18). The first rod and the pushrod are provided with cooperating connecting elements (52, 56) being connectable to each other by pivoting the pushrod about the first pivot axis to an erect position of the pushrod, in which position the connecting elements are lockable to each other by locking means (57). When the locking means are unlocked and the connecting elements are still connected to each other, the connecting means prevent the first rod to pivot about the second pivot axis.