Abstract: A cleaning device for a medical instrument including a flushing chamber, the flushing chamber having a lumen sized and configured to accept a distal end portion of the medical instrument during a cleaning process. The flushing chamber has an inlet port and an outlet port. Proximal and distal sealing members of the flushing chamber seal about the medical instrument when the instrument is inserted into the lumen of the flushing chamber.

Abstract: A cleaning device for a medical instrument including a flushing chamber, the flushing chamber having a lumen sized and configured to accept a distal end portion of the medical instrument during a cleaning process. The flushing chamber has an inlet port and an outlet port. Proximal and distal sealing members of the flushing chamber seal about the medical instrument when the instrument is inserted into the lumen of the flushing chamber.

Abstract: A cleaning device for a medical instrument including a flushing chamber, the flushing chamber having a lumen sized and configured to accept a distal end portion of the medical instrument during a cleaning process. The flushing chamber has an inlet port and an outlet port. Proximal and distal sealing members of the flushing chamber seal about the medical instrument when the instrument is inserted into the lumen of the flushing chamber.

Abstract: Catheters and methods for removing material from (or “debulking”) a body lumen while imaging the region comprised of the material are provided. The catheters can be used in body lumens, including but not limited to intravascular lumens such as coronary or peripheral arteries. The catheters include housings or other structures to mount or protect an imaging transducer. Generally, debulking catheters include a proximal portion, a distal portion having an opening, a cutting element which may be exposed through the opening to contact material in a body lumen and an imaging transducer with associated circuitry and display. The catheter debulks a body lumen when it is moved while the cutting element is in contact with the material in the lumen and the region comprised of the material is imaged before, after, or during catheter movement.

Abstract: A torsion bar having progressive load limiting characteristics for use in a vehicle restraint system is provided. The torsion bar includes a longitudinal main body portion having a first end for mounting to a belt retractor spindle and a second end for being engaged and disengaged with a seatbelt locking mechanism. The main body portion includes a longitudinal slot extending transversely therethrough that defines an opening therein. The torsion bar will twist in response to a first torsional load, which will cause the opening to become closed. When the opening becomes closed, the torsion bar with withstand twisting up to a second torsional load, where the torsion bar will twist again in response to the second torsional load.

Abstract: Catheters and methods for removing material from (or “debulking”) a body lumen while imaging the region comprised of the material are provided. The catheters can be used in body lumens, including but not limited to intravascular lumens such as coronary or peripheral arteries. The catheters include housings or other structures to mount or protect an imaging transducer. Generally, debulking catheters include a proximal portion, a distal portion having an opening, a cutting element which may be exposed through the opening to contact material in a body lumen and an imaging transducer with associated circuitry and display. The catheter debulks a body lumen when it is moved while the cutting element is in contact with the material in the lumen and the region comprised of the material is imaged before, after, or during catheter movement.

Abstract: A seatbelt anchor assembly includes a ferrule, a cable, and seatbelt buckle. The ferrule can be mounted at one end to a seat base or other mounted structure of the vehicle, and can further include an anti-rotation pin that is received in a locating hole of the seat base to limit rotation of the ferrule during mounting and during normal occupant use. The pin can be made from aluminum or other material that can shear off in response to a dynamic vehicle load, allowing the ferrule to pivot about its mounting location to align the loads. The ferrule can be in the form of a blank including a body portion and a head portion having a pair of ears, and can include a recess between the ear portions and the body portion to limit tension in the ferrule when the ferrule is crimped to mount a cable thereto.

Abstract: A seatbelt anchor assembly includes a ferrule, a cable, and seatbelt buckle. The ferrule can be mounted at one end to a seat base or other mounted structure of the vehicle, and can further include an anti-rotation pin that is received in a locating hole of the seat base to limit rotation of the ferrule during mounting and during normal occupant use. The pin can be made from aluminum or other material that can shear off in response to a dynamic vehicle load, allowing the ferrule to pivot about its mounting location to align the loads. The ferrule can be in the form of a blank including a body portion and a head portion having a pair of ears, and can include a recess between the ear portions and the body portion to limit tension in the ferrule when the ferrule is crimped to mount a cable thereto.

Abstract: A torsion bar having progressive load limiting characteristics for use in a vehicle restraint system is provided. The torsion bar includes a longitudinal main body portion having a first end for mounting to a belt retractor spindle and a second end for being engaged and disengaged with a seatbelt locking mechanism. The main body portion includes a longitudinal slot extending transversely therethrough that defines an opening therein. The torsion bar will twist in response to a first torsional load, which will cause the opening to become closed. When the opening becomes closed, the torsion bar with withstand twisting up to a second torsional load, where the torsion bar will twist again in response to the second torsional load.

Abstract: Catheters and methods for removing material from (or “debulking”) a body lumen while imaging the region comprised of the material are provided. The catheters can be used in body lumens, including but not limited to intravascular lumens such as coronary or peripheral arteries. The catheters include housings or other structures to mount or protect an imaging transducer. Generally, debulking catheters include a proximal portion, a distal portion having an opening, a cutting element which may be exposed through the opening to contact material in a body lumen and an imaging transducer with associated circuitry and display. The catheter debulks a body lumen when it is moved while the cutting element is in contact with the material in the lumen and the region comprised of the material is imaged before, after, or during catheter movement.

Abstract: A cleaning device for a medical instrument including a flushing chamber, the flushing chamber having a lumen sized and configured to accept a distal end portion of the medical instrument during a cleaning process. The flushing chamber has an inlet port and an outlet port. Proximal and distal sealing members of the flushing chamber seal about the medical instrument when the instrument is inserted into the lumen of the flushing chamber.

Abstract: Catheters and methods for removing material from (or “debulking”) a body lumen while imaging the region comprised of the material are provided. The catheters can be used in body lumens, including but not limited to intravascular lumens such as coronary or peripheral arteries. The catheters include housings or other structures to mount or protect an imaging transducer. Generally, debulking catheters include a proximal portion, a distal portion having an opening, a cutting element which may be exposed through the opening to contact material in a body lumen and an imaging transducer with associated circuitry and display. The catheter debulks a body lumen when it is moved while the cutting element is in contact with the material in the lumen and the region comprised of the material is imaged before, after, or during catheter movement.