Abstract: Multi-position tissue manipulation assemblies are described herein. In creating tissue folds within the body of a patient, a tissue manipulation assembly may generally have an elongate tubular member, an engagement member slidably disposed through the tubular member and a distal end adapted to engage tissue via a helical member, tissue stabilizing members positioned at the tubular member distal end which are adapted to stabilize tissue therebetween, and a delivery tube pivotable about the tissue stabilizer. One or all the articulation controls and functions can be integrated into a singular handle enclosure connectable to the tissue manipulation assembly via a rigid or flexible tubular body. A needle deployment mechanism may be positioned within the enclosure. Such a mechanism can have multiple positions adapted to lock and/or advance a needle assembly within the enclosure in a controlled manner as well as for deploying the anchor assembly.

Abstract: Tissue manipulation and securement systems are described herein. A tissue manipulation assembly is pivotably coupled to the distal end of a tubular member and has a lower jaw member and an upper jaw member pivotably coupled to the lower jaw member. A reconfigurable launch tube is also pivotably coupled to the upper jaw member and is used to urge the jaw members from a low-profile configuration to an open configuration for receiving tissue. The tissue manipulation assembly may be advanced through a shape-lockable endoscopic device, a conventional endoscope, or directly by itself into a patient. A second tool can be used in combination with the tissue manipulation assembly to engage tissue and manipulate the tissue in conjunction with the tissue manipulation assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating and securing tissue are described herein. In creating tissue folds within the body of a patient, a tissue manipulation assembly may generally have an elongate tubular member, an engagement member slidably disposed through the tubular member and a distal end adapted to engage tissue via a helical member, tissue stabilizing members positioned at the tubular member distal end which are adapted to stabilize tissue therebetween, and a delivery tube pivotable about the tissue stabilizer. The stabilizing members can be adapted to become angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate tubular member. Moreover, one or all the articulation controls and functions can be integrated into a singular handle assembly connectable to the tissue manipulation assembly via a rigid or flexible tubular body.

Abstract: Devices, systems, methods, and kits for treating the tissue structures of the ear make use of a guide structure that can mechanically register a treatment probe with a target region of a target tissue, the guide structure being fittingly received in an auditory canal and often comprising a conformable body such as a compressible foam, or the like. The guide structure may include an articulating mechanism for selectively orienting the treatment probe toward the target region of, for example, a tympanic membrane. The guide structure may also support a videoscopic image capture device, illumination transmitting optical fibers, an aiming beam transmitter, and the like. Such structures facilitate myringotomy, tympanostomy tube placement, and the like, under local anesthesia in a doctor's office.

Abstract: Devices, systems, methods, and kits for treating the tissue structures of the ear make use of a guide structure that can mechanically register a treatment probe with a target region of a target tissue, the guide structure being fittingly received in an auditory canal and often comprising a conformable body such as a compressible foam, or the like. The guide structure may include an articulating mechanism for selectively orienting the treatment probe toward the target region of, for example, a tympanic membrane. The guide structure may also support a videoscopic image capture device, illumination transmitting optical fibers, an aiming beam transmitter, and the like. Such structures facilitate myringotomy, tympanostomy tube placement, and the like, under local anesthesia in a doctor's office.

Abstract: Providing a module and a method of installing the module to a vehicle having a window opening for a translational glass pane supported and guided by a glass run channel. The module is comprised of a one-piece surround molding fully surrounding and generally defining the perimeter of the window opening. A glass run channel is secured to the surround molding. Fasteners are attached to the surround molding and attach the module to a flange on the vehicle. A belt line outer seal and one or more gimp seals may also be attached to more fully integrate the module. The module is fully assembled prior to being attached to a vehicle during final assembly, the surround molding supporting the glass run channel rather than having the glass run channel attached to a flange of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a four sided flush weatherstrip sealing system, and more particularly, to a weatherstrip sealing system including one or more latching mechanisms which selectively grasp the glass window panel and bring the panel into enhanced engagement with the weatherstrip sealing assembly. Also provided are improved sealing arrangements for the window panel along the vehicle door rear view mirror and the B pillar portion located below the vehicle door belt-line.

Abstract: A waist belt for an automotive vehicle has a channel member secured to a vertically extending door skin. The channel member has vertically open slots. A belt weatherstrip has a core that is at least partially covered with an elastomeric material. This core has a plurality of legs which extend downwardly into the slots thereby maintaining the weatherstrip in a held relationship with respect to the waist belt.

Abstract: An engine compartment cover seal strip has a retention mechanism, securing mechanism, bulb seal and lip flange seal. The retention mechanism maintains the seal strip onto the edge of an engine compartment cover. The securement mechanism retains a member, such as insulation, adjacent to the edge of the engine compartment cover. The bulb seal is adapted to sealingly engage with a surface on axis with the cover edge to reduce noise and prevent precipitation from entering into the vehicle passenger compartment. The flange seal is to sealingly contact a second surface laterally positioned with respect to the cover edge to reduce noise and prevent precipitation from entering the passenger compartment. The lip flange seal includes a pair of bulbs which prevent unwanted deformation when the seal encounters inside and outside radius situations. The retention member, securement member, bulb seal and flange seal are co-extruded with one another to form an elongated seal strip.

Abstract: A belt weatherstrip for an automotive vehicle door having a flush mounted window assembly is disclosed. This belt weatherstrip has a body portion with attaching members for attaching the weatherstrip to the door assembly. A trim member extends from the body portion into a gap located between an outer door panel and the window assembly when the window assembly is in a closed position. The trim member provides the gap with a show surface that is substantially flush with the exterior surfaces on both the window assembly and the door panel. In addition, a curved member extends from the body portion and sealingly engages a surface on the window assembly when the window assembly is in a closed position. This curved member also engages the window assembly as it moves between open and closed positions, thereby wiping water and debris from the window assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is a weather seal adapted to be secured on a flange of a vehicle to seal a gap between the flange and a panel member. The weather seal includes retaining members for retaining the weather seal on the flange and a separate trim lip for sealing the gap between the flange and panel member. The weather seal also includes an attachment portion receiving one end of the trim lip to removably secure the trim lip to the weather seal and allow accurate positioning of the trim lip to seal the gap when the weather seal is secured to the flange.

Abstract: A molding for attachment to a vehicle having a flange edge, said molding comprising a generally U-shaped metallic support member having in cross-section, first and second legs joined together by a web and a spiraled section formed from a portion of one leg said support member, said spiraled section extending inwardly in a channel of said support member and in opposition to the other leg of said support member. A ramp section may be formed from a portion of the first leg and extends inwardly into the channel.

Abstract: A sealing and fastening system secures a pair of adjoining panels to a frame structure of a greenhouse. The system includes a coupling having a generally "H" shape and forming a pair of transversely spaced pockets, one edge of each panel being disposed in a corresponding pocket. A fastener operatively engages the coupling and has a wrap adapted to be disposed about a member of the frame structure to secure the coupling to the frame structure.

Abstract: A gasket system has a gasket adapted to be secured about an opening. The gasket includes a mechanism for retaining and sealing a window or the like. The gasket is positioned about the opening such that when the window is positioned within the opening, the window substantially conceals the gasket and is flush at its perimeter with the opening.

Abstract: A system for attaching automotive trim to a vehicle door is disclosed. The system includes a weather stripping adapted to be secured on a flange of the vehicle. The weather stripping has a member for retaining the weather stripping on the flange and a member for sealing the weather stripping with the vehicle. An automotive trim strip with a retaining portion is coupled with the weather stripping to retain the trim strip onto the vehicle.

Abstract: A flange finisher strip has a reinforcement member and elastomeric cover. The reinforcement member is channel shaped in cross section with a member extending inwardly into the channel. A retaining mechanism is associated with the extending member to secure the strip onto a flange.

Abstract: A glass run channel weather strip has a frame member and sealing member. The frame member has an overall S-shape in cross-section with a mechanism to retain the frame onto a flange. Also, the S-shape member includes a mechanism to mechanically retain the seal member within the frame member to form an integral glass run channel.

Abstract: A vehicle door has a front loading glass run channel frame assembly. The glass run frame assembly is adapted to receive a vehicle window and enable movement of the same within a channel. The glass run frame assembly includes a mechanism to enable securing of the frame assembly to a flange of the vehicle door. Also, the frame assembly includes mirror trim which enables mounting of a side view mirror or the like. The frame assembly may be front loaded onto the vehicle door.

Abstract: A belt weatherstrip adapted to engage an end flange of a vehicle for operative sealing between a glass window and a vehicle surface. The flange of the vehicle has an inner surface and an outer surface. The belt weatherstrip is expandable to accommodate adaptability to various vehicle surface contours by allowing expandability of the width of the weatherstrip.The belt weatherstrip includes an elongated core substrate which has an inner flange portion for abutting the inner surface of the flange and includes an outer flange portion and intermediate portion connecting the inner flange portion with the outer flange portion and a plurality of clips for securing the elongated core substrate to the end flange. An elastomeric sealing lip member is attached to the flange portion for allowing slideable sealing engagement between the flange and a glass pane.

Abstract: A gasket system has a gasket adapted to be secured about an opening. The gasket includes a mechanism for retaining and sealing a window or the like. The gasket is positioned about the opening such that when the window is positioned within the opening, the window substantially conceals the gasket and is flush at its perimeter with the opening.