Abstract: Described is an inflatable implant suitable for placement in the human body and left there for an indeterminate and potentially lengthy period of time. The implant is one that has a low profile when introduced into the body and a larger profile when it is inflated with one or more filler materials. Depending upon design and use choices the delivered implant may be removable and adjustable in situ in size, position, location, form, and rigidity. Indeed, in some variations, the design of the implant may be such that it may be removed at a potentially fairly lengthy time after implantation. The implant includes at least one bladder wall that generally is at least partially non-elastic (or unexpandable) after the preselected size is reached. The bladder wall will define at least one fillable volume and may form more than one independent fillable volumes. The bladder wall, in some variations, may be partially elastic or expandable to permit adjustment of implant size or configuration after or during delivery.

Abstract: Described is an inflatable implant suitable for placement in the human body and left there for an indeterminate and potentially lengthy period of time. The implant is one that has a low profile when introduced into the body and a larger profile when it is inflated with one or more filler materials. Depending upon design and use choices the delivered implant may be removable and adjustable in situ in size, position, location, form, and rigidity. Indeed, in some variations, the design of the implant may be such that it may be removed at a potentially fairly lengthy time after implantation. The implant includes at least one bladder wall that generally is at least partially non-elastic (or unexpandable) after the preselected size is reached. The bladder wall will define at least one fillable volume and may form more than one independent fillable volumes. The bladder wall, in some variations, may be partially elastic or expandable to permit adjustment of implant size or configuration after or during delivery.

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: An electrical winding structure configured for use in assembling a plurality of electrical winding structures in an installed orientation wound about a central member includes: a unitary segmented strip. First portions of the unitary strip are oriented about a first axis. Second portions of the unitary strip are oriented about a second axis substantially perpendicular with the first axis. Each of the first portions and the second portions have a thickness, have a width greater than the thickness and have a length at least as great as the width. The first and second portions are oriented to effect arranging the electrical winding structure at predetermined loci during winding to clear the winding path to establish a predetermined plurality of strata in the installed orientation.

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: 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: 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 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: An electrical winding structure configured for use in assembling a plurality of electrical winding structures in an installed orientation wound about a central member includes: a unitary segmented strip. First portions of the unitary strip are oriented about a first axis. Second portions of the unitary strip are oriented about a second axis substantially perpendicular with the first axis. Each of the first portions and the second portions have a thickness, have a width greater than the thickness and have a length at least as great as the width. The first and second portions are oriented to effect arranging the electrical winding structure at predetermined loci during winding to clear the winding path to establish a predetermined plurality of strata in the installed orientation.

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.

Abstract: A method for assembling electrical windings about an axis, the windings being strips and wound in alternating strata with their widths parallel with the axis, includes the steps: (a) Winding a first-wound winding in a winding path about the axis establishing a first stratum. (b) Arranging the first-wound winding to clear the winding path. (c) Winding one or more next windings to establish next-wound windings in the winding path until at least one next stratum is established. (d) Interleaving earlier-wound windings to establish the plurality of strata; the interleaving including the steps of: (1) rearranging a next-to-be-wound winding to realign with the winding path; (2) winding the next-to-be-wound winding in the winding path until a next stratum is established; (3) arranging the next-to-be-wound winding to clear the winding path; and (4) repeating steps (d)(1) through (d)(3) until the assembling is complete.

Abstract: 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 including 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: Described is an inflatable implant suitable for placement in the human body and left there for an indeterminate and potentially lengthy period of time. The implant is one that has a low profile when introduced into the body and a larger profile when it is inflated with one or more filler materials. Depending upon design and use choices the delivered implant may be removable and adjustable in situ in size, position, location, form, and rigidity. Indeed, in some variations, the design of the implant may be such that it may be removed at a potentially fairly lengthy time after implantation. The implant includes at least one bladder wall that generally is at least partially non-elastic (or unexpandable) after the preselected size is reached. The bladder wall will define at least one fillable volume and may form more than one independent fillable volumes. The bladder wall, in some variations, may be partially elastic or expandable to permit adjustment of implant size or configuration after or during delivery.

Abstract: A rotary plate feeder valve for use in pressurized pneumatic conveying systems. The valve comprises a rotary plate that is fed from a central inlet and discharges through a central outlet located immediately below the inlet. Located over the outlet discharge and within the valve body is a feed-rate control cone. Material transfer is controlled by rotary speed and feed-rate cone position. Several embodiments of the valve are disclosed including a “live-bottom” embodiment designed to reduce or eliminate bridging in silos. Due to high clearances within the valve, the valve may be used with abrasive materials, delicate materials and foodstuffs.

Abstract: A rotary plate feeder valve for use in pressurized pneumatic conveying systems. The valve comprises a rotary plate that is fed from a central inlet and discharges through a central outlet located immediately below the inlet. Located over the outlet discharge and within the valve body is a feed-rate control cone. Material transfer is controlled by rotary speed and feed-rate cone position. Several embodiments of the valve are disclosed including a “live-bottom” embodiment designed to reduce or eliminate bridging in silos. Due to high clearances within the valve, the valve may be used with abrasive materials, delicate materials and foodstuffs.

Abstract: A truck grille guard mounting bracket consisting of a first laterally elongated clevis having front and rear arms, the front arm being adapted for fixed attachment to a truck bumper, the rear arm being adapted for fixed attachment to truck spring hangers, truck chassis members, or to a truck tow hook arm; the distal end of the rear arm of the first laterally elongated clevis forming a plurality of second devises, each second clevis being adapted for nesting receipt of and fixed attachment to truck chassis members or to truck spring hangers; and a plurality of third devises extending forwardly from the front arm of the first laterally elongated clevis, the second clevis being adapted for support of and pivoting attachment of a truck grille guard.

Abstract: An impact absorbing truck grille guard having a rear frame consisting of a matrix of triangular tubes, the rear frame having an upper end, a lower end, and a forward end, the forward end of the rear frame defining a forwardly opening deflection space; a front frame having an upper end, a lower end, and a forward animal impact surface, the upper and lower ends of the front frame being respectively fixedly attached to the upper and lower ends of the rear frame, the front frame consisting of a rectangular array of hollow collapsible tubes, the front frame being adapted for, upon animal impact, deflecting rearwardly into the forwardly opening deflection space; and a truck mounting bracket fixedly attached to the lower end of the rear frame, the truck mounting bracket being adapted for fixed attachment to a truck front end and for cantilevered upward extension of the front and rear frames.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling articulating motion of an article such as a truck grille guard, the apparatus having a clevis having left and right arms; an article support axle extending laterally through a lower end of the clevis; a second laterally extending axle spanning between the arms of the clevis at the clevis's upper end; an upper guy having an upper end pivotally mounted upon the second axle, a lower guy having an upper end pivotally mounted upon a lower end of the upper guy, and an article supporting hinge sleeve fixedly mounted upon a lower end of the lower guy, the upper and lower guys being alternately flexible and extendable between an upwardly articulated article position and a downwardly articulated article position.

Abstract: A separable fastening system including female component having a channel-like structure into which a male component is inserted. The female component has a lengthwise opening that can be widened for insertion of the male component and can recover to its original shape, thereby enveloping the male component and providing vertical engagement. The female component has depressions or holes on or through a surface of the female component. Protrusions from the male component engage with the depressions or holes, thereby providing engagement in a shear force direction.

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.