Abstract: Catheters, kits, and methods are provided for removing material from a body lumen. The catheters and methods may be used in a variety of body lumens, including but not limited to coronary and other arteries. In general, the catheter has a cutting element that cuts material while the material is engaged by a material capture device on the catheter body. Preferably, the material capture device tensions the material during cutting, which reduces the amount of cutting force required. The material capture device typically follows a path that draws material into the catheter body. Preferably, but not necessarily, the material capture device may be arranged on the catheter body to advance along a path outwardly from the catheter body into the material and then inwardly towards the catheter body to tension the material. The cutting element on the catheter body moves between a first position and a second position to cut the material while in tension.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for decalcifying an aortic valve. The methods and devices of the present invention break up or obliterate calcific deposits in and around the aortic valve through application or removal of heat energy from the calcific deposits.

Abstract: A method and compositions using layered clays with monovalent potassium, ammonium or cesium ions in the galleries of the clay which are also occupied by a preferably polar or semi polar organic compound. The method and compositions are particularly useful for controlled release of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, nematocides and contaminants in the presence of calcium or magnesium, or other naturally occurring inorganic cations as divalent displacement ions providing the release.

Abstract: A method is described for optimal simultaneous design and floorplanning of integrated circuits. The method is based on formulating the problem as a geometric program, which then can be solved numerically with great efficiency. Prior work discloses the design of many different analog circuit cells such as operational amplifiers, spiral inductors, and LC oscillators which can be cast as geometric programs. The present disclosure adds to this layout floorplanning constraints in posynomial form that can be mixed with design constraints for different analog circuits. This allows the simultaneous design and floorplanning of numerous analog circuits using geometric programming. Thus, the design and floorplanning can be performed optimally in a single step.

Abstract: The invention is directed to automatic hardware and firmware generation preferably for multi-function custom control development. In particular, the invention involves generating the schematic and the firmware together, such that they integrate together to provide functionality as described in a functional description of the desired control. A method of automatic hardware and firmware generation includes (i) providing a plurality of hardware schematics, each schematic having a unique identifier corresponding to a set of functions; (ii) providing a plurality of firmware modules, each firmware module including code for performing a function; (iii) generating a functional description that identifies a desired set of functions; and (iv) processing the configuration file and the plurality of firmware modules to generate executable firmware code that implements the desired set of functions and to select one of the hardware schematics that supports the desired set of functions.

Abstract: Optimization design method for configurable analog circuits and devices resulting from same. An implementation fabric for a given application domain can be accurately pre-characterized in terms of devices and parasitics. Customization structures are designed and characterized to be applied to the fabric to customize a device for a particular application. In some embodiments, characterization is accomplished by formulating a configurable design problem as an optimization with recourse problem, for example, a geometric programming with recourse (GPR) problem. Devices can be produced for multiple applications from the application domain using the same optimized fabric to provide predictable performance.

Abstract: An expandable cage is expanded within a narrowed region of a blood vessel. The expandable cage has openings therein so that plaque protrudes through the openings when the cage is expanded. A material removing element passes within the cage to remove the plaque extending into the openings. The openings are preferably formed by integrally formed elements which provide a smooth internal surface. The material removing element passes along the smooth internal surface when removing the plaque. A collection bag is coupled to the material removing element to capture the material which has been removed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is a method. The method is a method of routing a circuit having a set of nets and a set of circuit elements specified as a slicing tree and a set of linear constraints. The method includes finding short paths for the set of nets based on a minimum-spanning-tree solution to a floorplan derived from the slicing tree for each net of the set of nets. The method also includes routing the nets as conductors within channels of the floorplan, the conductors having locations satisfying a set of linear constraints based on the solution of a linear optimization problem.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retractor for providing surgical access through a passage in tissue, together with methods for its use and deployment. The retractor comprises an anchoring frame having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an opening therethrough which defines an axial axis. A flexible tensioning member is attached to the frame, and is extendable from the frame out of the body through the passage when the frame is positioned through the passage and into a body cavity. This tensioning member is selectively tensionable to spread the tissue radially outwardly from the axial axis. Hence, it is the tension imposed on the flexible liner which effects retraction of the tissue, rather than relying on the structural integrity of an artificial lumen.

Abstract: This invention is a knife block for storing cutlery that can be locked to prevent the removal of the knives. An adjustable cap piece rests in one of two positions. In the unlocked position, the cap fits snugly over the base and the knives project up through holes in the cap. In the locked position, the cap is raised and rotated so the knives are inside the cap and inaccessible. The locking mechanism requires adult understanding and hand size to operate, greatly enhancing kitchen safety. In addition, this locking knife block requires no alteration of the knives.

Abstract: A software module tracks a program fee for a service provided by a human service provider. The software module determines a total income and a program fee percentage associated with the service and enables a user to input at least one of a deduction, a ceiling, and a personal needs allowance. The software module determines a program fee for the service using the total income, program fee percentage, deduction, ceiling, and/or personal needs allowance.

Abstract: The lockable knife block is designed to hinder young children from extracting knives when not supervised or aided by an adult. When the safety-lock cap is in the locked position, knives' handles are inaccessible. When the safety-lock cap is lowered to the open position, the knives are available for use. The locking mechanism is difficult for small children to operate, and greatly enhances overall kitchen safety.

Abstract: A method and system for joint spindle speed and head position control in rotating media storage systems are described. A controller changes the rotation speed of a spindle assembly based upon the position information of a desired data sector. This controller may also control the actuator assembly based upon the position information of the desired data sector.

Abstract: Catheters, kits, and methods are provided for removing material from a body lumen. The catheters and methods may be used in a variety of body lumens, including but not limited to coronary and other arteries. In general, the catheter has a cutting element that cuts material while the material is engaged by a material capture device on the catheter body. Preferably, the material capture device tensions the material during cutting, which reduces the amount of cutting force required. The material capture device typically follows a path that draws material into the catheter body. Preferably, but not necessarily, the material capture device may be arranged on the catheter body to advance along a path outwardly from the catheter body into the material and then inwardly towards the catheter body to tension the material. The cutting element on the catheter body moves between a first position and a second position to cut the material while in tension.

Abstract: A lubricant composition has a synthetic lubricant base oil, preferably a polyol ester, and a polyether foam-inducing additive. The composition is suitable for use in a refrigerant system, particularly with HFC refrigerant gases. The foam-inducing additive is an alternative to known silicon-containing foam-inducing additives, which are not suitable for all refrigerant systems.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and kits for removing material from a body lumen. The devices and methods may be used in a variety of body lumens, including but not limited to coronary arteries and other blood vessels. In general, the device or catheter has a scoop-shaped cutting blade mounted on a catheter body for removing material from a body lumen. The cutting blade has a cutting edge that travels a curved path about a pivot point of the blade, preferably moving in an outward direction from the catheter body to engage the target material for removal. The scoop-shaped blade has a collection surface located behind the cutting edge to collect material removed from said body lumen. Advantageously, a scoop-shaped cutting blade according to the present invention facilitates material engagement and the collection surface may be used to bring material back into the catheter body as the blade begins to part-off material.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and kits for removing material from a body lumen. The devices and methods may be used in a variety of body lumens, including but not limited to coronary arteries and other blood vessels. In general, the device or catheter has a scoop-shaped cutting blade mounted on a catheter body for removing material from a body lumen. The cutting blade has a cutting edge that travels a curved path about a pivot point of the blade, preferably moving in an outward direction from the catheter body to engage the target material for removal. The scoop-shaped blade has a collection surface located behind the cutting edge to collect material removed from said body lumen. Advantageously, a scoop-shaped cutting blade according to the present invention facilitates material engagement and the collection surface may be used to bring material back into the catheter body as the blade begins to part-off material.

Abstract: Catheters, kits, and methods are provided for removing material from a body lumen. The catheters and methods may be used in a variety of body lumens, including but not limited to coronary and other arteries. In general, the catheter has a cutting element that cuts material while the material is engaged by a material capture device on the catheter body. Preferably, the material capture device tensions the material during cutting, which reduces the amount of cutting force required. The material capture device typically follows a path that draws material into the catheter body. Preferably, but not necessarily, the material capture device may be arranged on the catheter body to advance along a path outwardly from the catheter body into the material and then inwardly towards the catheter body to tension the material. The cutting element on the catheter body moves between a first position and a second position to cut the material while in tension.

Abstract: Catheters, kits, and methods are provided for removing material from a body lumen. The catheters and methods may be used in a variety of body lumens, including but not limited to coronary and other arteries. In general, the catheter has a cutting element that cuts material while the material is engaged by a material capture device on the catheter body. Preferably, the material capture device tensions the material during cutting, which reduces the amount of cutting force required. The material capture device typically follows a path that draws material into the catheter body. Preferably, but not necessarily, the material capture device may be arranged on the catheter body to advance along a path outwardly from the catheter body into the material and then inwardly towards the catheter body to tension the material. The cutting element on the catheter body moves between a first position and a second position to cut the material while in tension.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and kits for removing material from a body lumen. The devices and methods may be used in a variety of body lumens, including but not limited to coronary arteries and other blood vessels. In general, the device or catheter has a scoop-shaped cutting blade mounted on a catheter body for removing material from a body lumen. The cutting blade has a cutting edge that travels a curved path about a pivot point of the blade, preferably moving in an outward direction from the catheter body to engage the target material for removal. The scoop-shaped blade has a collection surface located behind the cutting edge to collect material removed from said body lumen.. Advantageously, a scoop-shaped cutting blade according to the present invention facilitates material engagement and the collection surface may be used to bring material back into the catheter body as the blade begins to part-off material.