Abstract: Delivery apparatus and methods for delivering a medical device into a patient's vasculature are disclosed. In some examples, a method includes inserting, into a patient, a distal end portion of a delivery apparatus including a radially compressed prosthetic valve mounted around a balloon, advancing the distal end through the patient's vasculature, and inflating the balloon to radially expand the prosthetic valve at a native heart valve. The delivery apparatus includes a handle, a first shaft and a second shaft extending from the handle, and a locking mechanism to prevent axial movement of the second shaft relative to first shaft. The second shaft extends coaxially through the first shaft and includes the balloon, the radially compressed prosthetic valve, and one or more radiopaque markers at a distal end portion. The first shaft includes an end piece covering a proximal portion of the balloon during the advancing of the delivery apparatus.

Abstract: A surgical access device is configured to provide an access path via an elongated cannula so that a medical scope can be advanced into a surgical field within a patient. A housing of the surgical access device encloses a wipe assembly configured to clean a lens of the medical scope. An access passage having an axis can be defined within the housing, and the wipe assembly can be spaced from the access passage so that the medical scope is angled off of the access passage axis in order for the lens to engage the wipe assembly. Portions of the housing can define fulcrum surfaces about which the medical scope can be rotated in order to align the lens with the wipe assembly.

Abstract: A medical scope cleaning device is configured to receive a distal end of a medical scope, wipe debris from the scope, apply an anti-fog/cleaning solution, and warm the scope in preparation for inserting the scope into a patient for a medical procedure. The cleaning device includes a sponge assembly disposed within a cleaning chamber. The sponge assembly includes expansion spaces. As a scope is moved through the cleaning chamber, the scope radially compresses sponges and urge at least portions of the sponges into the expansion spaces. The sponges wipe the scope and apply the solution. A heating coil warms the solution within the cleaning chamber.

Abstract: A method and system for providing procurement services to customer companies. A user profile for each user, in a computer database, specifies: (i) each user is authorized by a first customer company of the customer companies to access procurement resources and the procurement services for purchasing items and (ii) the first customer company and a first company group of related customer companies. Access to volume discounts with respect to vendors is provided to all customer companies in the first company group. Companies are authorized to have access to and share each procurement resource, by providing a resource profile specifying for each procurement resource a set of customer companies authorized for accessing and sharing each procurement resource to be shared among the users. Access to the procurement resources is controlled resources based on: the first company group, the first customer company, and the resource profile for each procurement resource.

Abstract: A method and system for providing procurement services to customer companies. A user profile for each user, in a computer database, specifies: (i) each user is authorized by a first customer company of the customer companies to access procurement resources and the procurement services for purchasing items and (ii) the first customer company and a first company group of related customer companies. Access to volume discounts with respect to vendors is provided to all customer companies in the first company group. Companies are authorized to have access to and share each procurement resource, by providing a resource profile specifying for each procurement resource a set of customer companies authorized for accessing and sharing each procurement resource to be shared among the users. Access to the procurement resources is controlled resources based on: the first company group, the first customer company, and the resource profile for each procurement resource.

Abstract: A decoder that receives a Manchester encoded signal including a start of frame sequence followed by coded data values followed by an end of frame sequence. The decoder also includes a detector that detects the start of frame sequence and the end of frame sequence to determine a beginning and end of the coded data values in the Manchester encoded frame. The decoder includes an integrator with hysteresis that includes an up-down counter and provides an output signal responsive to upper and lower threshold values. The output signal is applied to a discriminator that includes a counter which counts up in response to one value of the output signal of the integrator and is reset in response to the other value of the output signal of the integrator.

Abstract: Liquid dispensing devices provided with tilting or bending pickup tubes for allowing substantially complete evacuation of the contents of the supply bottles. In preferred embodiments, the pickup tube is connected to a dispensing unit such as a sprayhead by a variety of different types of flexible connectors to allow tilting of the pickup tube. In other preferred embodiments, a semi-flexible pickup tube is weighted to cause bending of the tube with or without the addition of a flexible connector between the pickup tube and sprayhead.

Abstract: Liquid dispensing devices provided with tilting or bending pickup tubes for allowing substantially complete evacuation of the contents of the supply bottles. In preferred embodiments, the pickup tube is connected to a dispensing unit such as a sprayhead by a variety of different types of flexible connectors to allow tilting of the pickup tube. In other preferred embodiments, a semi-flexible pickup tube is weighted to cause bending of the tube with or without the addition of a flexible connector between the pickup tube and sprayhead.

Abstract: An improved more fabric-like, softer feel surface for a single layer or composite structures, such as utilized for vertical and horizontal blind louvers or slats. A patterned, textured or printed, surface can be formed on one or both sides of the structure. The improved surface provides an enhanced visual and tactile impression. The structure is formed of a single layer of a non-rigid plasticized thermoplastic polymer or a composite structure with a substantially rigid thermoplastic PVC, CPVC or ABS substrate and the softer surface formed by a non-rigid plasticized thermoplastic polymer layer or capstock formed on one or both sides. Either or both of the softer surfaces can be formed with different pigments, including pearlescent and colors, can be printed or patterned and can be embossed with or without an underlying pattern providing a virtually endless array of options.

Abstract: An encoding system including an encoder that Manchester encodes a data value to produce a coded data value and produces a first invalid Manchester encoded sequence as a start of frame. Also produced is a second invalid Manchester encoded sequence as an end of frame. A transmission packet is produced including the start of frame followed by the coded data value followed by the end of frame. The start of frame is a sequence of "110110" and the end of frame is a sequence of "001000".

Abstract: A spray bottle has a ball swivel joint enabling angular orientation of the spray head with respect to the bottle. Both liquid and air are conducted between the pump and the bottle in separate passageways in the swivel joint, thus enabling use of a conventional pump. These passageways may be spaced apart or substantially concentric. A highly flexible pickup hose has a weight at its distal or pickup end, so that the distal and remains immersed in liquid, even when the spray bottle is inverted. In alternative embodiments, the pickup hose is bendable, rather than highly flexible. Tightening a cap adjusts tension on the swivel joint, thus varying pressure required to adjust spray head angularity or to immobilize the spray head at a desired angularity. The swivel joint may include one or more ball members.

Abstract: An aerosol dispenser having a swinging downtube. Further, the aerosol dispenser is preferably provided with a concave bottom when viewing the bottom from inside the container.

Abstract: An aerosol dispenser having a swinging downtube. Further, the aerosol dispenser is preferably provided with a concave bottom when viewing the bottom from inside the container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sharpening skate blades operate by measuring the length of a skate blade, determining a predetermined profile corresponding to a desired radius of curvature for the blade, and coordinating the motion of a grinding wheel and the blade to grind the blade according to the predetermined profile. A grinding force is applied by the grinding wheel against the blade using a stepper motor coupled through a screw drive, thereby not allowing the grinding wheel to chatter or bounce against the blade. In addition, the blade is clamped end-to-end by a clamping assembly that also determines the length of the blade via the position of the clamp.

Abstract: A ski binding for removably attaching a boot to a ski. The ski binding contains a base plate, a first mounting stud attached to the base plate, a second mounting stud attached to the base plate, a binding base removably and pivotally attached to the first mounting stud. The ski binding is adjustably and releasably attached to the boot.

Abstract: A solo ski system which contains a ski, a first ski binding mounted on the ski, and a second ski binding mounted on the ski in back of the first ski binding. The second ski binding is suitable for removably attaching a boot to a ski. It contains a base plate, a first mounting stud attached to the base plate, a second mounting stud attached to the base plate, a binding base removably and pivotally attached to the first mounting stud. The ski binding is adjustably and releasably attached to the boot.

Abstract: Liquid dispensing devices provided with tilting or bending pickup tubes for allowing substantially complete evacuation of the contents of the supply bottles. In preferred embodiments, the pickup tube is connected to a dispensing unit such as a sprayhead by a variety of different types of flexible connectors to allow tilting of the pickup tube. In other preferred embodiments, a semi-flexible pickup tube is weighted to cause bending of the tube with or without the addition of a flexible connector between the pickup tube and sprayhead.

Abstract: A multichannel, multipoint distribution services (MMDS) dipole antenna for receiving multiple channels in the S-band frequency range of 2000 and 3000 MHz is formed from a printed circuit board which is directly connected to a coaxial cable. On the printed circuit board are etched two stacked dipoles. Each of the dipoles has a first one-half element etched on the first side of the printed circuit board and the second one-half element etched on the second side of the printed circuit board. The first and second dipoles are oriented to be in phase with each other and are separated from each other at a wavelength spacing between 0.25 lambda and 0.40 lambda. The antenna of the present invention further uses a phase combining circuit and an impedance matching circuit etched on the printed circuit board for combining in phase the polarized signals, for canceling the non-polarized signals at 0.degree. and 180.degree.

Abstract: A multichannel, multipoint distribution services (MMDS) dipole antenna for receiving multiple channels in the S-band frequency range of 2000 and 3000 MHz is formed from a printed circuit board which is directly connected to a coaxial cable. On the printed circuit board are etched two stacked dipoles. Each of the dipoles has a first one-half element etched on the first side of the printed circuit board and the second one-half element etched on the second side of the printed circuit board. The first and second dipoles are oriented to be in phase with each other and are separated from each other at a wavelength spacing between 0.25 lambda and 0.40 lambda. The antenna of the present invention further uses a phase combining circuit and an impedance matching circuit etched on the printed circuit board for combining in phase the polarized signals, for canceling the non-polarized signals at 0.degree. and 180.degree.

Abstract: A profound improvement in the properties and capabilities of elastomeric polyurethane joint sealing compositions is achieved by incorporating a fibrillated polyolefin of high surface area which is rendered compatible by combining it with effective stabilizing cofillers, such as titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, carbon black, fibrous talc, serpentine, kaolin, or various other metal silicate fillers. Such cofillers are capable of improving compatibility and stabilizing the sealant mixture so that unacceptable sweat out or exudation of liquid is prevented and so that the outer surface of the applied sealant has an acceptable surface quality after curing.