Abstract: A method of optimizing steam methane reforming in a multiple cell, down-fired furnace. The method includes the steps of introducing hydrocarbons and steam to a plurality of catalyst filled process tubes, combusting gases through a plurality of center cell down-fired burners at a burner discharge velocity of V m/s, and a mass flow rate of 1 kg/s, combusting gases through outer cell down-fired burners at a burner discharge velocity of 1.5V-2V m/s and a mass flow rate of 0.5-0.65 kg/s, and finally discharging combustion products from the outer cell down-fired burners and the center cell down-fired burners at a substantially uniform momentum.

Abstract: A burner assembly for and method of producing ethylene having a mechanism to inject either primary fuel, staged fuel, or both by premix methods before combustion in a furnace. The burner assembly has at least one premix injection assembly for either exclusively primary fuel or exclusively staged fuel injection paired with a nozzle mix injection or injection means for primary and staged fuel both by premix methods. The primary fuel premix assembly associates with a burner tile that consists of multiple inlets and outlets connected by venturi channels to direct and combine combustion air and staged fuel coming from staged fuel orifice spuds. Primary fuel and combustion air are mixed in a premix assembly and directed inside the furnace, and above the burner tile to complete the reaction with the staged fuel and combustion air mixture in a combustion zone inside of the furnace.

Abstract: An implantable vascular prosthesis is provided for use in a wide range of applications wherein at least first and second helical sections having alternating directions of rotation are coupled to one another. The prosthesis is configured to conform to a vessel wall without substantially remodeling the vessel, and permits accurate deployment in a vessel without shifting or foreshortening.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter, including an inner member and a sheath, extending from a handle. The handle includes a housing, a braking assembly, a carriage and a carriage driver. The braking assembly comprises a braking element within the housing interior and a braking element rotator. The carriage comprises at least one carriage braking surface engaging the braking element. The carriage driver, such as a spring, biases the carriage towards the proximal end of the handle. The inner member has a proximal end secured to the housing. The sheath has a proximal end secured to the carriage. Rotating the braking element causes the carriage to move proximally as the carriage braking surface slides along the braking element. This causes the sheath to move proximally relative to the inner member.

Abstract: A radiant wall burner apparatus. The apparatus includes an inlet and primary fuel tip for introduction of fuel gas and air mixing in a mixing chamber. The fuel and air mixture are subject to a substantially uniform flow area from the point of discharge from a downstream portion of the mixing chamber up to the exit gap of the burner tip. The fuel gas and combustion air mixture terminate through the burner tip at a substantially uniform velocity. The radiant wall burner apparatus and burner tip allow for the substantially uniform velocity of the fuel gas and air mixture, reducing the potential for flashback of the burner tip.

Abstract: An implantable vascular prosthesis is provided for use in a wide range of applications wherein at least first and second helical sections having alternating directions of rotation are coupled to one another. The alternating helical section includes a first and second helical portions each having a flange and having adjacent ends joined directly to one another to define an apex. Each helical portion has a widened flange portion adjacent to the apex, the widened flange portions extending into a space between the helical portions. The prosthesis is configured to conform to a vessel wall without substantially remodeling the vessel, and permits accurate deployment in a vessel without shifting or foreshortening.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter, including an inner member and a sheath, extending from a handle. The handle includes a housing, a braking assembly, a carriage and a carriage driver. The braking assembly comprises a braking element within the housing interior and a braking element rotator. The carriage comprises at least one carriage braking surface engaging the braking element. The carriage driver, such as a spring, biases the carriage towards the proximal end of the handle. The inner member has a proximal end secured to the housing. The sheath has a proximal end secured to the carriage. Rotating the braking element causes the carriage to move proximally as the carriage braking surface slides along the braking element. This causes the sheath to move proximally relative to the inner member.

Abstract: A vascular prosthesis comprises generally tubular body placeable in contracted and expanded states and has an axial length and a circumferential dimension in the expanded state. The body includes a series of circumferential elements having first lengths. First and second connectors have connector lengths and join alternating ends of adjacent circumferential elements. The first length plus the connector lengths joined thereto equal a total circumferential length. Each connector length is between 2.5% and 25% of the total circumferential length. Adjacent circumferential elements and connectors extending therefrom are separated by a stress relief slot having a relief slot length of more than 50% and less than 95% of the total circumferential length. The stress relief slots have narrow width portions over a majority of the relief slot lengths, the narrow width portions having lateral dimensions of no greater than about 3 mm.

Abstract: An implantable vascular prosthesis is provided for use in a wide range of applications wherein at least first and second helical sections having alternating directions of rotation are coupled to one another. The prosthesis is configured to conform to a vessel wall without substantially remodeling the vessel, and permits accurate deployment in a vessel without shifting or foreshortening.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for delivering a bifurcated intracorporeal device. The delivery system comprises a shaft having a distal section supporting a primary support member positioned to be disposed within at least a primary portion of the bifurcated intracorporeal device and a secondary support member extending within a secondary portion of the bifurcated intracorporeal device. At least one belt is configured to be circumferentially disposed about a portion of the secondary support member so to at least partially constrain the secondary portion of the bifurcated intracorporeal device. A tube defining a lumen is secured relative to the secondary support member. A release member is configured to engage and releasably secure the belt in a constraining configuration. The release member extends through at least a portion of the tube lumen such that the release member is accessible adjacent a proximal end of the tube.

Abstract: A stent-graft including a stent member having an inner surface and an outer surface, a generally tubular graft member and a coupling member that couples the stent member to the graft member. The coupling member, which is the preferred embodiment is in the form of a ribbon, covers only a portion of the inner or outer surface of the stent member and secures the stent member and graft member to one another. Alternatively, the coupling member can be described as interconnecting less than entirely the inner or outer surface of the graft member to the stent member. With this construction, regions of the stent member do not interfere with the coupling member. Shear stresses between the stent member and the coupling member and the risk of tearing the graft or coupling member or delamination therebetween may be reduced as compared to a fully enveloped stent member. This construction also provides improved flexibility and kink resistance.

Abstract: A flare tip for the burning and disposal of combustible waste gases including internal spin vanes is provided. By providing a plurality of internal spin vanes within the waste gas inlet of a flare tip, the efficiency of combustion of waste gas can be increased.

Abstract: Financial transactions may be monitored for reporting requirements and regulatory compliance. A system provides for receipt of remittances, recognition of payment documents, storage of transaction information, and compliance verification by matching one or more cash equivalent transactions (CETs) made by an individual to determine if the aggregate of the transactions should be reported to meet compliance regulations. Images of the documents may be reviewed by an analyst to determine an account number and/or routing number associated with imaged document. If the information associated with the document reviewed has not been previously reviewed, it may be placed on a list of documents associated with CET transactions such that the document may be determined to be a CET in subsequent encounters with the document without human intervention.

Abstract: Financial transactions may be monitored for reporting requirements and regulatory compliance. A system provides for receipt of remittances, recognition of payment documents, storage of transaction information, and compliance verification by matching one or more cash equivalent transactions (CETs) made by an individual to determine if the aggregate of the transactions should be reported to meet compliance regulations. Images of the documents may be reviewed by an analyst to determine an account number and/or routing number associated with imaged document. If the information associated with the document reviewed has not been previously reviewed, it may be placed on a list of documents associated with CET transactions such that the document may be determined to be a CET in subsequent encounters with the document without human intervention.

Abstract: A delivery system for an implantable vascular prosthesis is provided for a vascular prosthesis including at least first and second helical sections having alternating directions of rotation that are coupled to one another at apices. The delivery system includes an elongate body, a plurality of retainers and an outer sheath. The plurality of retainers are configured to temporarily retain a plurality of inner wound apices of the vascular prosthesis. The outer sheath is configured to retain the vascular prosthesis in a contracted state on the elongate body.

Abstract: A personal safety system is designed for a user of a vehicle. The system includes body-protective gear adapted for wear by the user of the vehicle. A sensor determines a positive or negative functional state of the body-protective gear. In the positive functional state, the body-protective gear is presumed to be properly applied to a body part of the user; and in the negative functional state, the body-protective gear is presumed to be improperly applied to the body part of the user. A transceiver is operatively connected to the sensor, and communicates the functional state of the body-protective gear to the vehicle. When the body-protective gear is in the negative functional state, operation of the vehicle is restricted.

Abstract: The present invention provides vascular introducer sheaths incorporating improved passive valves which can maintain hemostasis around medical instruments. A passive sheath valve for creating a hemostatic seal around a medical instrument comprises a valve body having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a lumen having an inner and outer surface therethrough. The valve body defines a sealing aperture that is configured nominally to remain open. The upstream end includes an upstream annulus region defining at least one opening and the downstream end includes a downstream annulus region. Each annulus region and lumen outer surface define at least one chamber. The at least one opening transmits pressure from the upstream end through the upstream annulus region so as to allow a fluid to enter the at least one chamber.

Abstract: A vascular prosthesis comprises generally tubular body placeable in contracted and expanded states and has an axial length and a circumferential dimension in the expanded state. The body includes a series of circumferential elements having first lengths. First and second connectors have connector lengths and join alternating ends of adjacent circumferential elements. The first length plus the connector lengths joined thereto equal a total circumferential length. Each connector length is between 2.5% and 25% of the total circumferential length. Adjacent circumferential elements and connectors extending therefrom are separated by a stress relief slot having a relief slot length of more than 50% and less than 95% of the total circumferential length. The stress relief slots have narrow width portions over a majority of the relief slot lengths, the narrow width portions having lateral dimensions of no greater than about 3 mm.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an electrically conductive generally planar strip having a thickness, having a width greater than the thickness and having a length greater than the width. The strip is arranged in alternating length segments. Each adjacent pair of length segments are oriented about divergent axes and are joined by a respective transition arrangement. Each respective transition arrangement presents the strip foldingly lapped upon itself in a laminate structure.