Abstract: Described are stent grafts with at least on branch and mandrels used to form the stent grafts. Methods of making and using them are also described.

Abstract: Described are stent grafts with at least on branch and mandrels used to form the stent grafts. Methods of making and using them are also described.

Abstract: A device for a plumbing installation, the device, for example, may be a valve, such as valve (1), or a fluid flow meter (6), and has a casing (10) that is hydraulically formed from metal tubing so as to have a wall surrounding a void interior. The casing (10) is provided with one or more formations, such as shoulders (64) and (65) and at least one inlet opening (14) and at least one outlet opening (18). A cartridge (12) is at least partly located in the void interior of the casing (10). The cartridge (12) has at least two openings, being a first opening (20) and a second opening (22). Seals (46), (48) and (50) are provided between the casing (10) and the cartridge (12). The cartridge (12) is accommodated in the casing (10) by the one or more formations of the casing (10). The cartridge (12) is provided with the operational components of the device (1). The inlet opening (14) of the casing (10) and the first opening (20) of the cartridge (12) are in fluid communication.

Abstract: A hot water storage unit 100 having a vessel 102, in which hot water is storable, an outer casing 104 enclosing the vessel 102, a hot water outlet 114 for heated water to exit from inside the vessel 102, and a relief device 106. The relief device 106 relieves excess pressure and/or temperature from inside the vessel 102 by allowing water to escape from inside the vessel 102 and exit from the relief device 106. The relief device 106 comprises a housing 108 containing the operational components of the relief device 106. The relief device 106 is removably retainable relative to the vessel 102 such that the housing 108 of the relief device 106 is located substantially behind the outer casing 104 of the hot water storage unit 100 on the inner side 122 of the outer casing 104.

Abstract: Treating or inhibiting an ischemic condition affecting the skeletal muscle comprising administering an agent having a property to inhibit an activity or a protein expression of myostatin or growth differentiation factor 8 (GDF-8) according to a regimen to treat or inhibit the ischemic condition. Treating or inhibiting an ischemic condition affecting the skeletal muscle including administering an effective amount of a thiazolidenedione or other PPAR gamma agonist at a dosage that do not exert glycemic control or induce overweight. A kit for use in treating or inhibiting an ischemic condition affecting the skeletal muscle comprising a quantity of an agent having a property to inhibit an activity or a protein expression of myostatin or growth differentiation factor 8 (GDF-8) and/or a quantity of a thiazolidenedione or other PPAR gamma agonist and instructions for administration of a dosage of that quantity according to a long term continuous regimen.

Abstract: A hot water storage unit 100 having a vessel 102, in which hot water is storable, an outer casing 104 enclosing the vessel 102, a hot water outlet 114 for heated water to exit from inside the vessel 102, and a relief device 106. The relief device 106 relieves excess pressure and/or temperature from inside the vessel 102 by allowing water to escape from inside the vessel 102 and exit from the relief device 106. The relief device 106 comprises a housing 108 containing the operational components of the relief device 106. The relief device 106 is removably retainable relative to the vessel 102 such that the housing 108 of the relief device 106 is located substantially behind the outer casing 104 of the hot water storage unit 100 on the inner side 122 of the outer casing 104.

Abstract: A device for a plumbing installation, the device, for example, may be a valve, such as valve (1), or a fluid flow meter (6), and has a casing (10) that is hydraulically formed from metal tubing so as to have a wall surrounding a void interior. The casing (10) is provided with one or more formations, such as shoulders (64) and (65) and at least one inlet opening (14) and at least one outlet opening (18). A cartridge (12) is at least partly located in the void interior of the casing (10). The cartridge (12) has at least two openings, being a first opening (20) and a second opening (22). Seals (46), (48) and (50) are provided between the casing (10) and the cartridge (12). The cartridge (12) is accommodated in the casing (10) by the one or more formations of the casing (10). The cartridge (12) is provided with the operational components of the device (1). The inlet opening (14) of the casing (10) and the first opening (20) of the cartridge (12) are in fluid communication.

Abstract: A wireless expert system connects to a plurality of diagnostic modules and is configured to receive a complaint from a user of a wireless device, the complaint comprising data and attributes. The expert system executes a two-phase process. In the first phase, the complaint is analyzed to determine which of the diagnostic modules should be run. In the second phase, the selected diagnostic modules are run, and the user is provided with a recommended corrective action. If the action is successful, the expert system is updated with the successful resolution, providing additional assurance for future analyses.

Abstract: In commercial and recreational gaming environments, the inventions provide variations on video poker games that encourage longer play and higher wagers while decreasing the adverse selection of gaming devices with preferred odds by experienced players. The inventions describe the use of pot builders to increase the number of betting propositions for a single play and offer a range of payable events and their probabilities. The inventions also describe the use of randomly distributed, randomly occurring multipliers which are applied to the pay tables for the pot builders to increase the number of opportunities for the occurrence of low probability high value payable events.

Abstract: A sport training device is disclosed for adding a defensive presence in the practice sessions of offensive basketball players. The device includes a mobile base supporting a pair of upright members. A roller is mounted between the members and carries a web which, when deployed, extends between the upright members, a preselected distance. Fasteners on the web and the upright members allow the free end of the web to be attached at a point along the upright members which may be desired. The uprights in one example, are provided in multiple telescoping sections. The roller may be made readily removable to exchange one roller and its associated graphics content, with another.

Abstract: In commercial and recreational gaming environments, the inventions provide systems and methods for training and managing gaming industry personnel on basic and advanced gaming strategy and monitoring techniques for a variety of wagering games. Automated training stations incorporate hardware and sequential software elements to facilitate and encourage the initial training and continuing education of gaming industry personnel at a variety of experience levels. Administrative features of the software provide means to customize the training experience and monitor progress for each unique system user.

Abstract: A Coriolis effect fluid flow meter comprises a tube curved about a first axis and mounted for oscillatory motion about a second axis, means to drive the tube in a controlled oscillatory motion about said second axis to generate in fluid flowing in the tube a measurable bi-direction force, a pair of flexible couplings through which fluid flow passes arranged to minimise forces on the tube due to the inherent stiffness of the tube, and means arrange to measure the bi-directional force in the direction of said first axis and to derive the fluid flow therefrom.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for determining physiological characteristics of body lumens, such as the length of a blood vessel. According to one exemplary method, the distance between a first target location and a second target location within a lumen are measured by aligning a first marker on a first elongate member disposed within a lumen with the first target location. A second marker on a second elongate member disposed within the lumen is aligned with the second target location. The distance between the first and second markers is then measured, and the measured distance corresponds to the distance between the first and second target locations.

Abstract: A fluid storage tank comprising a main body and covers to close off openings of the main body. The main body and covers have inside surfaces which are, in use, in contact with fluid stored in the tank the main body is made up of a casing and a liner which is provided inside the casing. The covers are releasable retained in place and seal with the inside surface of the main body so that fluid can be stored in the tank.

Abstract: A four-terminal resistance network provides a range of four-terminal resistance values. The network comprises multiple resistances of at least two different resistance values and typically four or more resistances in a star, ring, or ladder configuration. A combining network connects the resistances in different series, parallel and series-parallel configurations to give the range of four-terminal resistance values. Typically in some of said configurations all of the resistances are used and in others only some of the resistances are used. Typically the number of four-terminal resistance values is greater than the number of resistances.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for determining physiological characteristics of body lumens, such as the length of a blood vessel. A catheter allows measurements of the distance between a first target location and a second target location within a lumen by aligning a first marker on a first elongate member disposed within a lumen with the first target location. A second marker on a second elongate member disposed within the lumen is aligned with the second target location. The distance between the first and second markers is then directly measured from spaced-apart calibration marks along the second member, and the measured distance corresponds to the distance between the first and second target locations.

Abstract: Three-dimensional structures providing a plurality of separate interpenetrating, three-dimensional domains or channels or flowpaths, each of said domains or channels or flowpaths being a closed system of connected porosity or permeability and each of said domains or channels or flowpaths being interpenetrating within said structure, have been prepared. These structures are prepared from porous permeable precursor materials having a single three-dimensional domain or channel or flowpath as described above. Suitable precursor materials are provided by the abundant porous carbonate skeletal material of marine life, e.g. the coral Porites skeletal aragonite. For example, by coating the surfaces of such materials with a liquid material capable of being cured or set to a solid, followed by curing or setting and dissolution, e.g.

Abstract: Three-dimensional structures providing a plurality of separate interpenetrating, three-dimensional domains or channels or flowpaths, each of said domains or channels or flowpaths being a closed system of connected porosity or permeability and each of said domains or channels or flowpaths being interpenetrating within said structure, have been prepared. These structures are prepared from porous permeable precursor materials having a single three-dimensional domain or channel or flowpath as described above. Suitable precursor materials are provided by the abundant porous carbonate skeletal material of marine life, e.g. the coral Porites skeletal aragonite. For example, by coating the surfaces of such materials with a liquid material capable of being cured or set to a solid, followed by curing or setting and dissolution, e.g.

Abstract: Three-dimensional structures providing a plurality of separate interpenetrating, three-dimensional domains or channels or flowpaths, each of said domains or channels or flowpaths being a closed system of connected porosity or permeability and each of said domains or channels or flowpaths being interpenetrating within said structure, have been prepared. These structures are prepared from porous permeable precursor materials having a single three-dimensional domain or channel or flowpath as described above. Suitable precursor materials are provided by the abundant porous carbonate skeletal material of marine life, e.g. the coral Porites skeletal aragonite. For example, by coating the surfaces of such materials with a liquid material capable of being cured or set to a solid, followed by curing or setting and dissolution, e.g.