Abstract: A medical device consists of a stent having a first surface and a second surface parallel to the first surface; a single expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) layer contacting the first surface of the stent; and an elastomeric layer applied to at least one surface of the stent. In at least one embodiment, the elastomeric layer is silicone. In at least one embodiment, the medical device is manufactured by positioning the ePTFE layer such that a first surface of the ePTFE layer contacts a first surface of the stent to form a stent-ePTFE assembly; and applying an elastomeric solution to the first surface of the ePTFE layer and at least one surface of the stent.

Abstract: Devices and methods for facilitating access to the pancreaticobiliary system are disclosed. In particular, the methods include bending a device having an elongate body with a first lumen, a second lumen, and respective first and second exit openings. The methods include inserting a first guidewire through the first lumen and out of the first exit opening to cannulate a pancreatic duct, and inserting a second guidewire through the second lumen and out of the second exit opening to cannulate a biliary duct.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing an enteral feeding device within a human body, e.g., the stomach, via a stoma are disclosed. One or more systems may comprise a tube having distal and proximal ends, and a lumen extending therebetween, the lumen in communication with an inflatable member and an inflation port, and an inflation medium to supply the inflatable member. The inflation medium may comprise a fluid including a thermosensitive polymer.

Abstract: Low polymer stress balloons are made by expanding a tube radially while allowing the ends of the tube to move axially in response to the radial expansion.

Abstract: A mold for a medical device balloon has a cavity adapted to receive a hollow parison expandable therein to form the balloon. The cavity has a cone region and a body region. The cone region is heated to a higher temperature, or the mold wall is formed to deliver applied heat more efficiently to the cone region, relative to the body region of the mold.

Abstract: A system of reflectors is used to form beam-expanding and collimating electro-optic transducer devices, including radiation sources and/or detectors. Preferably, the reflector system is of the Cassegrainian or Ritchey-Chretien type. Radiation such as light signals can be conducted to or from the transducers by fiber-optic cables. Alignment of optical conductors or “cores” of the fiber-optic cables or the reflector system with a transducer is provided by coupling a magnetic member to the conductor or reflector system and applying a controllable magnetic field from outside of the device to provide alignment, and then fixing the components in place by the use of means such as light-curable epoxy resin.

Abstract: Low polymer stress balloons are made by expanding a tube radially while allowing the ends of the tube to move axially in response to the radial expansion.

Abstract: A tool for creating a mandrel comprises a circular-shaped portion that approximates a circular portion of a desired elliptical shape, and a plurality of facets disposed adjacent to the circular-shaped portion. Each facet approximates a portion of the elliptical shape.

Abstract: A lenticular lens array for creating a visual effect for an image viewed through the lenticular lens array comprises a plurality of lenticules disposed adjacent to each other. Each lenticule comprises a lenticular lens element on one side and a substantially flat surface on an opposite side. Each lenticular lens element has a vertex and a cross section comprising a portion of an elliptical shape. Alternatively, the cross section can comprise an approximated portion of an elliptical shape. The elliptical shape comprises a major axis disposed substantially perpendicular to the substantially flat surface of each respective lenticular lens element. The vertex of each respective lenticular lens element lies substantially along the major axis of the elliptical shape.

Abstract: Producing a tool for creating a mandrel for forming elliptically-shaped lens elements of a lenticular lens array comprises the steps of providing a base member having a radius b corresponding to a minor axis of an elliptical shape, the elliptical shape corresponding to a desired elliptical shape for each lens element of the lenticular lens array, and cutting the base member along a plane that forms an angle k with the minor axis of the desired elliptical shape. The elliptical shape comprises a major axis perpendicular to the minor axis, a vertex of the desired elliptical shape lies at a point a along the major axis, and the angle k is given by the formula cosine(k)=b/a.

Abstract: A lenticular lens array for creating a visual effect for an image viewed through the lenticular lens array comprises a plurality of lenticules disposed adjacent to each other. Each lenticule comprises a lenticular lens element on one side and a substantially flat surface on an opposite side. Each lenticular lens element has a vertex and a cross section comprising a portion of an elliptical shape. Alternatively, the cross section can comprise an approximated portion of an elliptical shape. The elliptical shape comprises a major axis disposed substantially perpendicular to the substantially flat surface of each respective lenticular lens element. The vertex of each respective lenticular lens element lies substantially along the major axis of the elliptical shape.

Abstract: A lenticular lens array for creating a visual effect for an image viewed through the lenticular lens array comprises a plurality of lenticules disposed adjacent to each other. Each lenticule comprises a lenticular lens element on one side and a substantially flat surface on an opposite side. Each lenticular lens element has a vertex and a cross section comprising a portion of an elliptical shape. Alternatively, the cross section can comprise an approximated portion of an elliptical shape. The elliptical shape comprises a major axis disposed substantially perpendicular to the substantially flat surface of each respective lenticular lens element. The vertex of each respective lenticular lens element lies substantially along the major axis of the elliptical shape.

Abstract: A system of reflectors is used to form a beam-expanding and collimating terminus and coupler for fiber-optic cables. Preferably, the reflector system is of the Cassegrainian or Ritchey-Chretien type. Alignment of optical conductors or “cores” of fiber-optic cables is provided by coupling a magnetic member to one core end and applying a controllable magnetic field from outside of the terminus to move the core into alignment position, and then fixing the core in place by the use of means such as light-curable epoxy resin. Use of this process in termini, couplers and splices is described.

Abstract: Reflections from an air-to-solid interface in a multiple reflector optical device are suppressed by giving the output surface of the device a slightly curved refractive surface so as to deflect the reflections away from the optical axis of the device. The device is shown in use as a transducer input/output device, and as a fiber-optic cable terminus and coupler.

Abstract: A system of reflectors is used to form a beam-expanding and collimating terminus and coupler for fiber-optic cables. Preferably, the reflector system is of the Cassegrainian or Ritchey-Chretien type. Alignment of optical conductors or “cores” of fiber-optic cables is provided by coupling a magnetic member to one core end and applying a controllable magnetic field from outside of the terminus to move the core into alignment position, and then fixing the core in place by the use of means such as light-curable epoxy resin. Use of this process in termini, couplers and splices is described.

Abstract: A lenticular lens array for creating a visual effect for an image viewed through the lenticular lens array comprises a plurality of lenticules disposed adjacent to each other. Each lenticule comprises a lenticular lens element on one side and a substantially flat surface on an opposite side. Each lenticular lens element has a vertex and a cross section comprising a portion of an elliptical shape. Alternatively, the cross section can comprise an approximated portion of an elliptical shape. The elliptical shape comprises a major axis disposed substantially perpendicular to the substantially flat surface of each respective lenticular lens element. The vertex of each respective lenticular lens element lies substantially along the major axis of the elliptical shape.

Abstract: A system of reflectors is used to form beam-expanding and collimating electro-optic transducer devices, including radiation sources and/or detectors. Preferably, the reflector system is of the Cassegrainian or Ritchey-Chretien type. Radiation such as light signals can be conducted to or from the transducers by fiber-optic cables. Alignment of optical conductors or “cores” of the fiber-optic cables or the reflector system with a transducer is provided by coupling a magnetic member to the conductor or reflector system and applying a controllable magnetic field from outside of the device to provide alignment, and then fixing the components in place by the use of means such as light-curable epoxy resin.

Abstract: Reflections at an air-to-solid interface in a multiple reflector optical device are suppressed by giving the output surface of the device a slightly curved refractive surface so as to deflect the reflections away from the optical axis of the device. The device is shown in used as a transducer input/output device, and as a fiber-optic cable terminus and coupler.

Abstract: A thermal cell has an infrared source element for producing an infrared signal and a spatial decorrelator element which spatially decorrelates the generated infrared signal to increase the fill factor of the thermal cell. The infrared source element includes an infrared generating cell, with a resistive element. The spatial decorrelator element is disposed above and spaced apart from the infrared source element and has an aperture formed therein and through which the infrared signal radiates. The aperture extends substantially orthogonal to the primary surface of the source element and between primary surfaces of the decorrelator element, which are in turn substantially parallel with the source element primary surface. The side walls of the aperture reflect the infrared signal.