Abstract: A tree stand which includes an upper section, middle section, lower section and a pair of tensioner cable units. The upper section provides standing room and seating for the user of the tree stand. The lower section and the middle section support the upper section in the air and against the tree. The lower section and the middle section include a pair of side rails with ladder rungs attached between the side rails. The ladder rungs allow access by the user to the upper section by climbing the ladder rungs. The ladder also provide structural support to the middle section and the lower section. The tensioner cable units provide tension to hold together the upper section, middle section and lower section.

Abstract: A tree stand which includes an upper section, middle section, lower section and a pair of tensioner cable units. The upper section provides standing room and seating for the user of the tree stand. The lower section and the middle section support the upper section in the air and against the tree. The lower section and the middle section include a pair of side rails with ladder rungs attached between the side rails. The ladder rungs allow access by the user to the upper section by climbing the ladder rungs. The ladder also provide structural support to the middle section and the lower section. The tensioner cable units provide tension to hold together the upper section, middle section and lower section.

Abstract: A permanent tissue supporting device, and a method for supporting tissue, wherein a stent-like member comprising a shape-memory alloy is permanently positioned to support the tissue of a tubular organ of a living body. The shape-memory alloy of the positioned stent-like member is in the martensitic state and exhibits a strain on a horizontal plateau of a stress-strain curve of the shape-memory alloy when permanently positioned in the tubular organ.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible isolation bag having at least two layers which are bonded together at a plurality of connection sites distributed over a surface of the bag and a system for supplying a fluid between the two layers and opening the isolation bag. The two layers preferably include polyurethane film and the bag may further include a lubricous outer surface, such as a nylon mesh layer, bonded to the polyurethane film. A neck channel may be formed around the openable end of the isolation bag for supporting a drawstring which is movable through the neck channel to close the open end of the bag. The bag can be made by bonding the nylon mesh layer to two layers of polyurethane film using a radio frequency welder to form a plurality of weld sites distributed across the surface of the laminate. The drawstring is then introduced into the neck channel. The finished laminate with the drawstring is welded to form a bag assembly having an opening at one end.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treatment and post-treatment of the stenosed region of an artery after reduction of the region by angioplasty or other means by applying a radioactive dose to said reduced region of the artery by positioning a radioactive dose to the reduced region is disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device such as a retractor or isolation bag including an inflatable member which expands from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration when pressurized gas or liquid is supplied thereto. The member can include a plurality of fluid channels, ribs and pre-shaped wire members. The device is inserted into a body cavity through a tube. The device can also be actuated by a honeycomb reinforcing structure with or without the use of pressurized fluid. The device can be manufactured by forming one or more air conduits in a member of expandable material or by enclosing a honeycomb reinforcing structure in a polymer material.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treatment and post-treatment of the stenosed region of an artery after reduction of the region by angioplasty or other means by applying a radioactive dose to said reduced region of the artery by positioning a radioactive dose to the reduced region is disclosed.

Abstract: A tissue supporting device, preferably a stent-like member of shape-memory alloy, that is expandable by angioplasty apparatus or the like is subsequently removable by heat recovery to its original, non-expanded configuration.

Abstract: An angioplasty catheter having a tube with a balloon-like member connected to the tube at the distal end thereof and a guidewire removably insertable within the lumen and capable of engaging the end of the catheter within the vicinity of the balloon-like member, the guidewire and the lumen being in close-fitting relationship such that there is insufficient space around the guidewire to allow inflation or deflation of the balloon-like member in a reasonable amount of time with the inserted guidewire.

Abstract: A pre-compressed angioplasty balloon catheter and method of manufacture wherein the balloon portion of the catheter is wrapped for storage and for minimizing its outside diameter for purpose of insertion into the body.

Abstract: A punch press, of the type capable of producing a piece from a sheet of material, the piece being attached to the sheet by a tab, is provided with a separation assembly that fits into a standard tool station. The invention provides for parting of the piece from the sheet, and automatic transport of the parted piece to a position overlying a hinged drop door provided as part of a removal assembly. The invention eliminates the need for manual parting and removal of the piece from the punch press.

Abstract: A gas-insulated bushing includes an elongated hollow insulating shell with an elongated inner conductor disposed therein spaced apart from the insulating shell, with an insulating gas electrically insulating the conductor from the insulating shell. A terminal is sealingly secured to the insulating shell and prevents the escape from the interior of the shell of the insulating gas disposed therein. The terminal includes an electrical connector which is external to the shell and which includes a portion extending inwardly into the shell. This electrical connector is aligned with, but spaced apart from, the electrical conductor to provide room for thermal expansion of the electrical conductor.

Abstract: A gas-insulated circuit interrupter includes stationary and movable contact assemblies which are cooperable with each other to transmit or interrupt electrical current. Means are provided for moving the movable contact assembly, and for establishing a flow in the circuit interrupter during an opening interruption to estinguish the arc which is drawn between the stationary and movable arcing contacts. A hollow insulating nozzle is utilized for directing gas flow. The interior surface of the nozzle is shaped so as to direct a flow of insulating gas to blast into the arc, and the exterior surface of the nozzle is contoured such as to deflect the flow of insulating gas away from the movable main contacts.

Abstract: An improved circuit interrupter for high voltage and low current provides reactor and capacitor switching functions with fewer serial interrupters. Improved electrical field configuration is provided by moving and stationary contact shields, surrounding the main contacts, which aid the plain break operation of the device by elimination of critical points of dielectric stress. The plain break feature provides less mechanical complexity and consequent higher reliability.

Abstract: An improved compressed-gas puffer-type circuit-interrupter is provided having improved supporting, shielding and assembly features for making ready provision for a separate bench subassembly of the gas-interrupter module, and enabling its ready application to a grounded metallic tank-type of circuit-interrupter, or, alternatively, to gas-insulated transmission-line equipment, as desired.Improved supporting features involve the utilization of a pair of upstanding side-insulating supporting shields, which substantially solely support the upper relatively-stationary contact and shielding assembly, apart from any support needed by the upper terminal-bushing, when used.

Abstract: An improved modular, puffer-type circuit-interrupting unit is provided capable of its own independent support, and adaptable for use, either as a singular modular unit, or when used with a plurality of similar units, constituting a conjointly-acting group of serially related puffer-units suitable for the higher-voltage applications.The modular puffer-unit of the instant invention is capable of independent support, and is adaptable for very simple straight-line actuating movement, for not only causing contact separation, but also a simultaneous compression of the utilized gas to a pressurized state for gas ejection into the established arc for rapid arc extinction thereof.

Abstract: An improved, multi-function, stationary-contact-and-voltage-shield structure is provided for a high-voltage gas-puffer-type circuit-interrupter, in which the surrounding metallic shield provides a smooth, low-gradient voltage shape, collecting and cooling the dispersed hot arced gases, generated during the interrupting operation at the arc, by the provision of selectively-located venting cooling port holes provided in the metallic shield structure and also in the stationary contact structure.The arrangement of the enveloped stationary contact and surrounding main stationary contact fingers, together with the outer, encompassing vented metallic shield arrangement is such as to provide an improved highly-efficient single-pressure puffer-type high-voltage circuit-interrupter.

Abstract: An improved grounded-tank compressed-gas circuit-interrupter of the two-break rotatable contact-arm type is provided having an improved grounded metallic-tank configuration to accommodate interiorly therein one or more arc-extinguishing assemblages of the two-break rotating contact-arm variety.In some embodiments of the invention, only a single rotatable contact-arm assemblage is provided, the axis of rotation being generally horizontal, and a vertically-extending generally cylindrical grounded metallic dead-tank housing being provided to accommodate interiorly therein the arc-extinguishing assemblage, with the line-terminal connections for the rotatable contact-arm assemblage extending generally laterally, horizontally to a pair of upstanding terminal-bushings, the latter being generally vertically disposed, and extending downwardly into off-jutting metallic tank portions interconnected with the main cylindrical tank housing.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treatment and post-treatment of the stenosed region of an artery after reduction of the region by angioplasty or other means by applying a radioactive dose to said reduced region of the artery by positioning a radioactive dose to the reduced region is disclosed.