Abstract: Catheter systems and methods for determining blood flow rates based on temperature measurements by thermodilution. The catheter may include a fluid lumen defined between inner and outer tubular members for delivering an indicator fluid, and a guidewire lumen defined by the inner tubular member. The catheter may include fluid infusion openings at the distal end region of the outer tubular member configured to permit the indicator fluid to exit the catheter from the fluid lumen, and a fluid hole located at the distal end region of the inner tubular member configured to permit the indicator fluid to pass from the fluid lumen into the guidewire lumen. A temperature sensor positioned on a guidewire may be positioned within the guidewire lumen to measure the temperature of the indicator fluid entering the guidewire lumen through the fluid hole. A blood flow rate may be calculated based on the measured temperature.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a guide extension catheter. The guide extension catheter may include a push member having a proximal portion with a proximal stiffness, a distal portion with a distal stiffness different from the proximal stiffness, and a transition portion disposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The transition portion may provide a smooth transition between the proximal stiffness and the distal stiffness. The push member may have a first outer diameter. A distal tubular member may be attached to the push member. The distal tubular member may have a second outer diameter larger than the first outer diameter.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a guide extension catheter. The guide extension catheter may include a push member having a proximal portion with a proximal stiffness, a distal portion with a distal stiffness different from the proximal stiffness, and a transition portion disposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The transition portion may provide a smooth transition between the proximal stiffness and the distal stiffness. The push member may have a first outer diameter. A distal tubular member may be attached to the push member. The distal tubular member may have a second outer diameter larger than the first outer diameter.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a guide extension catheter. The guide extension catheter may include a push member having a proximal portion with a proximal stiffness, a distal portion with a distal stiffness different from the proximal stiffness, and a transition portion disposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The transition portion may provide a smooth transition between the proximal stiffness and the distal stiffness. The push member may have a first outer diameter. A distal tubular member may be attached to the push member. The distal tubular member may have a second outer diameter larger than the first outer diameter.

Abstract: Catheter systems and methods for determining blood flow rates based on temperature measurements by thermodilution. The catheter may include a fluid lumen defined between inner and outer tubular members for delivering an indicator fluid, and a guidewire lumen defined by the inner tubular member. The catheter may include fluid infusion openings at the distal end region of the outer tubular member configured to permit the indicator fluid to exit the catheter from the fluid lumen, and a fluid hole located at the distal end region of the inner tubular member configured to permit the indicator fluid to pass from the fluid lumen into the guidewire lumen. A temperature sensor positioned on a guidewire may be positioned within the guidewire lumen to measure the temperature of the indicator fluid entering the guidewire lumen through the fluid hole. A blood flow rate may be calculated based on the measured temperature.

Abstract: A bullet feeding device has an expandable collet insertable into a die body. The die body receives bullets from a source and directs the bullets to the expandable collet. The expandable collet restricts the passage of the bullet through the die body until the mouth of a cartridge case is inserted into the die body opposite the bullet. The mouth of the cartridge case causes the expandable collet to expand and allow the single bullet to pass through the expandable collet and be placed in the mouth of the cartridge case. As the completed cartridge is drawn from the die body, the expandable collet and prevents the passage of additional bullets until a new cartridge case is inserted. The bullet feeding device may accept bullets of different lengths and shapes. The collet is interchangeable with expandable collets of other sizes to be compatible with bullets of different sizes.

Abstract: A bullet feeding device has an expandable collet insertable into a die body. The die body receives bullets from a source and directs the bullets to the expandable collet. The expandable collet restricts the passage of the bullet through the die body until the mouth of a cartridge case is inserted into the die body opposite the bullet. The mouth of the cartridge case causes the expandable collet to expand and allow the single bullet to pass through the expandable collet and be placed in the mouth of the cartridge case. As the completed cartridge is drawn from the die body, the expandable collet and prevents the passage of additional bullets until a new cartridge case is inserted. The bullet feeding device may accept bullets of different lengths and shapes. The collet is interchangeable with expandable collets of other sizes to be compatible with bullets of different sizes.

Abstract: A bullet feeding device having an expandable collet insertable into a die body. The die body is capable of receiving bullets from a source and directing the bullets to the expandable collet. The expandable collet restricts the passage of the bullet through the die body until the mouth of a cartridge case is inserted into the die body opposite the bullet. The mouth of the cartridge case causes the expandable collet to expand and allow the single bullet to pass through the expandable collet and be placed in the mouth of the cartridge case. As the completed cartridge is drawn from the die body, the expandable collet contracts above the tip of the bullet and prevents the passage of additional bullets until a new cartridge case is inserted. The expandable collet is capable of accepting bullets of different lengths and shapes. In addition, the expandable collet is easily interchangeable with expandable collets of other sizes to be compatible with bullets of different diameters.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards an elevation adjustment mechanism which has a mechanism for coarsely adjusting the pitch rotation comprising a lever actuated clamping assembly and a mechanism for finely adjusting the pitch rotation comprising a threaded rod mechanism.

Abstract: A bullet feeding device having an expandable collet insertable into a die body. The die body is capable of receiving bullets from a source and directing the bullets to the expandable collet. The expandable collet restricts the passage of the bullet through the die body until the mouth of a cartridge case is inserted into the die body opposite the bullet. The mouth of the cartridge case causes the expandable collet to expand and allow the single bullet to pass through the expandable collet and be placed in the mouth of the cartridge case. As the completed cartridge is drawn from the die body, the expandable collet contracts above the tip of the bullet and prevents the passage of additional bullets until a new cartridge case is inserted. The expandable collet is capable of accepting bullets of different lengths and shapes. In addition, the expandable collet is easily interchangeable with expandable collets of other sizes to be compatible with bullets of different diameters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of mapping a nucleic acid molecule such as, for example, DNA. Generally, the method includes providing a nucleic acid molecule comprising an unzipping force; comparing the unzipping force of the nucleic acid molecule to unzipping forces of a plurality of reference nucleic acid molecules, thereby generating a match score for each comparison; and identifying the reference nucleic acid that produces the best match score when compared to the nucleic acid molecule.

Abstract: A stent, an intermediate article in the manufacture of a stent, and a method of forming a stent from a workpiece are disclosed. A portion of the wall thickness of a workpiece may be removed, demarcating the structural framework of a stent from the remainder of the workpiece material during a cutting process. In some embodiments, a residuum layer of material remaining after a cutting process may have a recessed surface in relation to a first surface of the structural framework of the stent formed in the workpiece. In some embodiments, a plurality of kerf channels may be cut in a workpiece to demarcate a structural framework of a stent from waste material of the workpiece. In some embodiments, a series of perforations may, at least in part, demarcate the structural framework of a stent from the remainder of the workpiece material. The waste material and/or residuum material may be removed from the structural framework of a stent during a post-cutting process.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards an elevation adjustment mechanism which has a mechanism for coarsely adjusting the pitch rotation comprising a lever actuated clamping assembly and a mechanism for finely adjusting the pitch rotation comprising a threaded rod mechanism.

Abstract: A hybrid liquid-jet/laser device may be used to remove material from a tube or sheet to form a medical device, such as a stent. The liquid-jet/laser stream may be impinged against the wall of the tube or sheet between the ends of the tube or sheet, wherein an aperture may be formed in the tube or sheet, followed by a lead-in, and then a full thickness cut. A full thickness cut should be achieved via a lead-in before moving the liquid-jet/laser stream along a final cut path.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of identifying the location of a binding site for a binding molecule on a double-stranded nucleic acid molecule, a method of directly determining the equilibrium association constant of a target binding molecule specific to a double-stranded nucleic acid molecule, a method of determining the dynamic force signature of a target binding molecule in relation to a binding site on a double-stranded nucleic acid molecule, a method of identifying whether a target nucleic acid molecule is present in a sample, a method of producing a restriction map, or a method of identifying whether a target protein is present in a sample. The methods are carried out by comparing the force required to unzip the first and second nucleic acid strands of the double-stranded nucleic acid molecule without and (potentially) with a binding molecule bound to the double-stranded nucleic acid molecule.

Abstract: A hand-held tool for loading a primer into a primer socket of an ammunition cartridge case includes an elongate body with a holder for holding a cartridge case with its primer socket in a target position in a priming station. An elongate track on the tool longitudinally guides a rectilinear primer holding strip through the priming station. A reciprocating advancing member moves in advancing and retracting directions, and in its advancing direction engages the primer strip to sequentially align successive primers in the strip with the target position. A detent holds the primer strip against retraction when the advancing member moves in its retracting direction. A plunger is mounted for shifting longitudinally of the body into and away from the priming station to push a primer out of the primer strip into the primer socket of the cartridge. An elongate operator handle is connected to the body for movement relative thereto.

Abstract: A device and method for loading primers into primer receptacles of a rectilinear primer holder strip. The device includes an elongated track for longitudinally guiding the primer strip through a primer loading station. The primer strip includes a series of longitudinally aligned receptacles, each of which is designed to hold a primer in an interference fit that prevents dislodgement of the primer from the strip. Each primer strip also has a plurality of laterally extending castellations including teeth and depressions that slide on a ledge within the track. The track of the loading device is of substantially the same width as the strip, such that the strip slides through the track. A primer delivery slot in the device delivers a primer into the track, and a pressure application device is positioned to press the primer into a target primer receptacle.

Abstract: A device and method for loading components into holders used in cartridge case reloading machinery is disclosed. The loading device includes a tray that receives and orients reloading components such as primers. The tray includes a strip receptacle which receives and positions a component holder while components are oriented by the tray and moved into position into receptacles in the component holder. The components are forced into the component holder by manual pressure, a roller, or a lever actuated bar. After the components are pressed into the component holder, the holder may be removed from the loading device and used in reloading machinery.

Abstract: A motorized case trimmer is disclosed having a lever operated case holder and a motor driven trimming blade. The motor and blade are slidably mounted upon rails for quick and easy movement to provide sufficient clearance for loading a case into the case holder. A motor handle further simplifies the movement of the blade and motor whereby a simple one-step motion of the handle moves the blade and motor and locks them into a retracted position. Releasing the motor handle, permits the motor and blade to slide freely along the rails under urging by a pair of springs. The components of the case trimmer are mounted upon an elongate platform that permits adjustability of the position of the components for accommodating various size cases and for adjusting the cutting force of the blade against the cartridge case.