Abstract: A system and method for the electrostatic spray application of a coating material onto a medical device. The coating material is electrically charged and an atomizer is used to atomize the coating material, creating electrically charged droplets which coat the medical device. In alternate embodiments, a swirl atomizer, a pressure atomizer, an ultrasound atomizer, a rotary atomizer, and an effervescent atomizer are used to atomize the coating material.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling friction between a mouse and the surface upon which it is placed. Reduction of friction can be accomplished in several ways, including: making the feet of the mouse from various different materials, creating layers of air between the mouse and the surface, creating beveled edges for the feet of mouse, etc. In one embodiment, the feet of the mouse are made of a piezo-electric layer bonded to another layer made of a different material. Exciting the piezo-electric layer at certain frequencies makes the two layers shrink and expand differently, thus creating oscillations of the feet. In yet another embodiment, portions of the mouse feet are made of different materials with different coefficients of friction. These different portions of the feet can be pressed down onto the surface with varying amounts of pressure, thus altering the friction.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing electrostatic discharge protection includes a first conductive trace and a second conductive trace. The first conductive trace defines a first conductive periphery and is deposited on a first surface. The second conductive trace defines a second conductive periphery and is deposited on a second surface. The second surface is spaced apart from the first surface by a gap distance and in parallel relation so that a spark gap is defined by the gap distance between the first conductive periphery and the second conductive periphery.

Abstract: In order to minimize the potential for damage to bio-compatible and/or therapeutic-containing stent coatings, there is provided a compliant elastic sheath over layer between a non-compliant stent expansion balloon and an unexpanded stent, which is secured over the balloon with a securing crimp. This stent deployment assembly, which is mounted on a catheter, is maneuvered through a patient's body to a desired deployment site and then inflated to expand the stent to the desired diameter. During expansion, the compliant elastic material between the stent and the non-compliant balloon prevents non-compliant balloon-induced damage to the stent's coating, as well as preventing degradation of the non-compliant balloon by, for example, stent-caused punctures. The deflated non-compliant stent expansion balloon and compliant elastic sheath are then withdrawn from the patient's body, leaving the deployed stent at the desired implantation site with its coating substantially intact.

Abstract: In order to minimize the potential for damage to bio-compatible and/or therapeutic-containing stent coatings, there is provided a compliant elastic sheath over layer between a non-compliant stent expansion balloon and an unexpanded stent, which is secured over the balloon with a securing crimp. This stent deployment assembly, which is mounted on a catheter, is maneuvered through a patient's body to a desired deployment site and then inflated to expand the stent to the desired diameter. During expansion, the compliant elastic material between the stent and the non-compliant balloon prevents non-compliant balloon-induced damage to the stent's coating, as well as preventing degradation of the non-compliant balloon by, for example, stent-caused punctures. The deflated non-compliant stent expansion balloon and compliant elastic sheath are then withdrawn from the patient's body, leaving the deployed stent at the desired implantation site with its coating substantially intact.

Abstract: A method for holistic project management may include presenting a graphical user interface for a user to enter project information for a project. The method may also include determining a priority for the project based on an impact of the project to each of a plurality of predetermined drivers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the analysis, particularly, of computing systems. The invention implements an architecture based analysis. The architecture of the system to be analysed is first of all modelled, using a hierarchical model comprising Connections, Components, and other entities. The modelling requires the steps of obtaining the architecture of the system and populating a database or file with the architecture model. The modelled architecture is then evaluated, probably by running simulations of operation of the architecture and also by visualising the architecture using a number of different visualisations. Following the evaluation, changes may be imposed to the architectural model and to the system in order to meet non-functional requirements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for spray deposition of small targets, such as medical devices like stents. The apparatus includes a spray nozzle body which has a fine bore diameter to pressurize the coating material within the nozzle body thereby dampening vibration of the nozzle body during operation and stabilizing the spray coating plume. In another embodiment, a coating method is disclosed in which a finer atomized spray droplet size is achieved by pre-filming the coating material onto a flat face before entraining the coating material within the atomizing fluid, which improves manufacturing repeatability, reduces coating variances, and increases therapeutic dosage predictability. In certain embodiments of the invention, the coating materials include therapeutic agents and biologically active materials.

Abstract: Intervening fingers mounted within a mold gate cavity extend across a portion of the gate cavity and cooperate with one another to slow the flow of molten metal into the mold cavity and thereby reduce flow turbulence.

Abstract: A method for spray deposition of small targets, such as medical devices like stents. The method includes the steps of positioning a spray nozzle body, which has a fine bore diameter to pressurize the coating material within the nozzle body, near a medical device, and dampening vibration of the nozzle body during operation by maintaining a steady back pressure in the coating material line sufficient to eliminate or minimize vibration modes from external and internal sources; and stabilizing the spray coating plume. In another embodiment, a coating method is disclosed in which a finer atomized spray droplet size is achieved by pre-filming the coating material onto a flat face before entraining the coating material within the atomizing fluid, which improves manufacturing repeatability, reduces coating variances, and increases therapeutic dosage predictability. In certain embodiments of the invention, the coating materials include therapeutic agents and biologically active materials.

Abstract: A reticle of a projectile weapon aiming system such as a riflescope includes a primary aiming mark adapted to be sighted-in at a first selected range and further includes a plurality of secondary aiming marks spaced apart below the primary aiming mark. The secondary aiming marks are positioned to compensate for ballistic drop at preselected incremental ranges beyond the first selected range, for a selected group of ammunition having similar ballistic characteristics. Angles subtended by adjacent aiming marks of the reticle can be adjusted by changing the optical power of the riflescope, to thereby compensate for ballistic characteristics of different ammunition. In some embodiments, the reticle includes a set of windage aiming marks spaced apart along at least one secondary horizontal axis intersecting a selected one of the secondary aiming marks, to facilitate compensation for the effect of crosswinds on the trajectory of the projectile.

Abstract: A method for spray deposition of small targets, such as medical devices like stents. The method includes the steps of positioning a spray nozzle body, which has a fine bore diameter to pressurize the coating material within the nozzle body, near a medical device, and dampening vibration of the nozzle body during operation by maintaining a steady back pressure in the coating material line sufficient to eliminate or minimize vibration modes from external and internal sources; and stabilizing the spray coating plume. In another embodiment, a coating method is disclosed in which a finer atomized spray droplet size is achieved by pre-filming the coating material onto a flat face before entraining the coating material within the atomizing fluid, which improves manufacturing repeatability, reduces coating variances, and increases therapeutic dosage predictability. In certain embodiments of the invention, the coating materials include therapeutic agents and biologically active materials.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a shorting member which is capable of electrically connecting or “shorting” certain contacts within a first connector when disconnected from a second connector to avoid an open circuit condition. The shorting member may be configured to short three or more contacts at the same time, and to be disengaged automatically upon connection of the first and second connectors. Moreover, the shorting member may be formed of a single piece of material and have an opposed pair of arms for engaging each contact.

Abstract: A door panel for a motor vehicle comprises a front portion and a rear portion connected to the front portion. The front portion comprises carbon fiber sheet molding compound, and the rear portion comprises sheet molding compound containing glass fibers.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a shorting member which is capable of electrically connecting or “shorting” certain contacts within a first connector when disconnected from a second connector to avoid an open circuit condition. The shorting member may be configured to short three or more contacts at the same time, and to be disengaged automatically upon connection of the first and second connectors. Moreover, the shorting member may be formed of a single piece of material and have an opposed pair of arms for engaging each contact.

Abstract: In order to minimize the potential for damage to bio-compatible and/or therapeutic-containing stent coatings, there is provided a compliant elastic sheath over layer between a non-compliant stent expansion balloon and an unexpanded stent, which is secured over the balloon with a securing crimp. This stent deployment assembly, which is mounted on a catheter, is maneuvered through a patient's body to a desired deployment site and then inflated to expand the stent to the desired diameter. During expansion, the compliant elastic material between the stent and the non-compliant balloon prevents non-compliant balloon-induced damage to the stent's coating, as well as preventing degradation of the non-compliant balloon by, for example, stent-caused punctures. The deflated non-compliant stent expansion balloon and compliant elastic sheath are then withdrawn from the patient's body, leaving the deployed stent at the desired implantation site with its coating substantially intact.

Abstract: An articulating table comprises a pedestal, a pivot, and a table top having first and second top portions. The top portions are connected with the pedestal by the pivot for horizontal pivotal movement between open and closed positions relative to each other. The top portions are substantially juxtaposed in the closed position and are separated in a V-shape in the open position. A light supporting spine extends between the top portions. Conduit channels mounted at inner edges of the top portions provide electrical, optical, pneumatic, or hydraulic service to terminals positioned along the inner edges of the top portions. The channels can have openable top and rear access covers. A conduit channel also can extend through at least a portion of the spine. Fixed position table tops can be positioned on the pedestal at either or both ends of the articulating top portions.

Abstract: A spring loaded drive clip that retains a drive unit, typically a CD drive, in a component tray that is utilized in a rack mounting arrangement for a computer system is disclosed. The clip is mounted onto the chassis of the component tray, and includes a defined internal receiving area that receives the drive. The clip is mounted in the drive compartment so that arms of the clip support the drive as it is inserted into the compartment. As the drive unit is inserted, the arms of the clip are displaced outward by the drive as the drive moves into the compartment, thereby creating a spring force. One of the arms of the clip includes an inward extending securing projection. As the drive is inserted into the compartment, the drive must overcome an inward bias of the arms created by displacement of the spring blade in each of the arms. Therefore, as the drive is seated in the compartment, the securing projection is urged inward toward the drive.