Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes an elongate member having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a medial portion that is disposed between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion. The medial portion is configured to be disposed in a ureter of a patient. The apparatus further includes an expandable member that is coupled to the elongate member. The expandable member has an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The expandable member is further configured to be inserted into the ureter of the patient and configured to contact the ureter to help retain the elongate member in place within the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a drive and a blade. The drive is configured to be operatively coupled to a tubular member. The drive is configured to move the tubular member from a first location with respect to the blade to a second location with respect to the blade. The blade is configured to rotate about an outer surface of the tubular member and to cut the tubular member as the drive moves the tubular member from the first location to the second location.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a drive and a blade. The drive is configured to be operatively coupled to a tubular member. The drive is configured to move the tubular member from a first location with respect to the blade to a second location with respect to the blade. The blade is configured to rotate about an outer surface of the tubular member and to cut the tubular member as the drive moves the tubular member from the first location to the second location.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes an elongate member having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a medial portion that is disposed between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion. The medial portion is configured to be disposed in a ureter of a patient. The apparatus further includes an expandable member that is coupled to the elongate member. The expandable member has an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The expandable member is further configured to be inserted into the ureter of the patient and configured to contact the ureter to help retain the elongate member in place within the patient.

Abstract: A device for placement within a body of a patient includes an elongated member and an inflatable member coupled to the elongated member. In one embodiment, the elongated member has a first end portion and a second end portion and defines a lumen. The inflatable member is coupled to the elongated member between the first end portion of the elongated member and the second end portion of the elongated member. The inflatable member is configured to be inflated with a fluid and is configured to deliver the fluid to the body of the patient when the device is placed within the body.

Abstract: A device for placement within a body of a patient includes an elongated member and an inflatable member coupled to the elongated member. In one embodiment, the elongated member has a first end portion and a second end portion and defines a lumen. The inflatable member is coupled to the elongated member between the first end portion of the elongated member and the second end portion of the elongated member. The inflatable member is configured to be inflated with a fluid and is configured to deliver the fluid to the body of the patient when the device is placed within the body.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method for repairing damaged or worn surfaces of turbine components or upgrading older designs to new, improved designs. This improved method applies to both high pressure and low pressure turbine components applications. This method includes depositing a plurality of individual spaced apart weld volumes onto a prepared surface of a turbine rotor. These individual spaced apart weld volumes form individual fingers without the need to machine the individual fingers from a single rectangular weld volume. Multiple weld volumes are formed concurrently with a space maintain between each weld volume using multiple torches without the problems normally associated with closely spaced welding arcs. Each individual spaced apart weld volume is formed by a plurality of layers of weld metal, with each layer being formed from a single oscillating weld bead to form a predetermined width.

Abstract: The invention provides a blade-rotating device for rotating a plurality of radially-oriented blades having a blade base with two grooved base sides. The device has a portion, such as a disc or a rotor disc of a turbine, for rotating the blades with the portion having an outer cylindrical surface. The device also has a plurality of steel steeples each having a steeple base and two opposite grooved steeple sides extending therefrom. Each of the opposite steeple sides complements at least one of the grooved sides of at least one of the blade bases. The steeple bases are linear friction welded to the outer cylindrical surface in an approximately longitudinal direction such that the blade bases are engagable with the steel steeples.

Abstract: A welding process of repairing a ferrous NiMoV low alloy steel turbine component. A first and a second layer of weld material are welded to the turbine component at electrical current levels chosen so as to prevent a substantial decrease and a substantial increase in the hardness of the component. This method involves selecting these electrical current levels. Additionally, this invention relates to selecting appropriate electrical current levels that minimizes the difference between a maximum and a minimum level of hardness while welding a first and a second layer of weld material. This invention also includes a method for preventing a substantial decrease in the hardness of the component as a result of the welding process.

Abstract: A method of removing blades from the rotor of a turbo machine, such as a steam or gas turbine, in which material deposits formed between the surfaces of the blade root and its retaining groove have effectively bonded the blade root to the rotor groove. The blade root and groove are submersed in a liquid medium enclosed in a tank. Transducers installed on the tank radiate ultrasonic pressure waves into the liquid medium that breakup the material deposits through cavitation, thereby loosing the bond between the blade root and the groove. The blade is then removed from the tank and the blade slid out of the groove.

Abstract: A formed disc for use in a low pressure rotor has a rim made of a high alloy metal of between approximately 9% and 17% chromium. The rim can be annular in shape and slide onto the perimeter of an unformed disc for the two components to be fused together, thus fabricating a formed disc. Additionally, the rim can be split into a number of components and fused together on the perimeter of a rotor disc to form a complete rim. Further, an entire disc can be made out of the high alloy metal.

Abstract: A low pressure steam turbine and generator low alloy steel disc rotors with extended useful life properties. A ring member of the disc rotor has disposed on it multiple weld layers of ferrous material, forming a weld region. The ring member is made of a low alloy ferrous metal alloy having less than about six weight percent alloying ingredients including chromium. The chromium content of the weld region increases overall from a portion of the weld region adjacent to the ring member to a portion of the weld region farthest from the ring member. This general increase is accomplished using weld metal of a single chromium concentration of between 9% and 17% chromium and varying the welding parameters.