Abstract: A weight sensor assembly including a strain gauge load cell is disclosed. The weight sensor assembly may be used in a smart cap. The weight sensor includes a platform for weighing objects and a load cell. The load cell includes an annular portion, and first and second beams coupled to the platform. Each of the beams includes a first end fixed to the annular portion and a second end that deforms as the platform displaces downward in response to an applied force. One or more strain gauges are mounted on the beams.

Abstract: Devices for palliating gastrointestinal strictures using rapid exchange type enteral stent placement catheters. The catheter may include an inner member and an outer member, with the two members being slidable with respect to one another. In various device embodiments, a ramp for directing a guidewire out from within the catheter is provided using portions of the outer member or a shaped mandrel. The inner member may take a number of forms, including a tubular distal portion, a skived or integrally attached elongate midsection, and a proximal portion. A mandrel can be used in a portion proximal of the guidewire ramp, with the mandrel taking one of several disclosed forms.

Abstract: A system for applying a tin-tie, from a supply of tin-ties releaseably adhered along the length of a liner, with the tin-tie length generally aligned along a length of packaging moving in a first direction includes a tamp applicator for extending and retracting along a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction. The tamp applicator includes a magnet for carrying the tin-tie after it is released from the liner by a peeler, an air assist for aid in releasing and positioning the tin-tie, and a recess and edge for positioning the tin-tie. Part of the tamp applicator carrying the released tin-tie is also moveable in the same first direction, allowing travel in the same first direction as the moving packaging material when putting the tin-tie on the moving packaging material. A spring biases the part to return in a third direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A prosthesis including a composite wire forming a mesh, the mesh having a variable diameter wherein at least one end region has a larger diameter than a middle portion; the mesh having an exterior surface and an interior surface, wherein at least one of the surfaces is covered with silicone; and a retrieval loop positioned at at least one end of the mesh.

Abstract: Devices for palliating gastrointestinal strictures using rapid exchange type enteral stent placement catheters. The catheter may include an inner member and an outer member, with the two members being slidable with respect to one another. In various device embodiments, a ramp for directing a guidewire out from within the catheter is provided using portions of the outer member or a shaped mandrel. The inner member may take a number of forms, including a tubular distal portion, a skived or integrally attached elongate midsection, and a proximal portion. A mandrel can be used in a portion proximal of the guidewire ramp, with the mandrel taking one of several disclosed forms.

Abstract: A method for the calibration or diagnosis of a motor vehicle brake system having a cyclically operated pump. At least one parameter (URPOff), representing the electromotor force of the reference pump, is repeatedly ascertained during operation of a reference pump under defined guidelines. A statistical characteristic variable (URPOff) is derived from the values of parameter (URPOff) ascertained for the reference pump. Parameter (UBPOff) is ascertained under a corresponding guideline during operation of an operating pump. Corresponding statistical characteristic variable (UBPOff) is derived from the values of parameter (UBPOff) ascertained for the operating pump. At least one ratio number is calculated as a measure of the deviation of the operating behavior of the operating pump from the operating behavior of the reference pump from the characteristic variable (URPOff) calculated for the reference pump and the characteristic variable (UBPOff) calculated for the operating pump.

Abstract: A system for applying a tin-tie, from a supply of tin-ties releaseably adhered along the length of a liner, with the tin-tie length generally aligned along a length of packaging moving in a first direction includes a tamp applicator for extending and retracting along a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction. The tamp applicator includes a magnet for carrying the tin-tie after it is released from the liner by a peeler, an air assist for aid in releasing and positioning the tin-tie, and a recess and edge for positioning the tin-tie. Part of the tamp applicator carrying the released tin-tie is also moveable in the same first direction, allowing travel in the same first direction as the moving packaging material when putting the tin-tie on the moving packaging material. A spring biases the part to return in a third direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rolling cone drill bit with inner row cutting teeth having portions shielded with an erosion-resistant material that differs in material properties from the tooth's core portion that is more impact resistant. The tooth includes shielding on at least a portion of the upstream end and along portions of the flanking surfaces. It includes shield-free portions on the flanks between the root and the tooth crest. Most of the tooth's perimeter is made of the core material and is free of shielding. Gage row teeth may be angled and form a channel to direct drilling fluid from the gage region of the borehole to locations where the inner row teeth are generating most cuttings. Nozzles are provided with non-uniform orientations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fastening a circuit assembly to a light guide in a manufacturing process of a LCD-display. The method comprises: a) providing the circuit assembly, comprising at least one light source; b) providing the light guide, arranged to guide light emitted by the at least one light source; c) positioning the light guide and the circuit assembly with respect to each other; and d) fastening the circuit assembly and the light guide to each other. The action d) is performed by laser welding or ultrasonic welding.

Abstract: A method for making an implantable stent includes the steps of (i) providing a plurality of elongate stent wires; (ii) forming said wires into a hollow tubular structure having opposed first and second open ends; (iii) terminating said wires at the second end; (iv) aligning the wires at the second end into a plurality of mated adjacent wires to define a plurality of abutting regions; (v) welding the mated adjacent wires to one and the other at the abutting regions to define a plurality of welds; and optionally (vi) chemically or electro-chemically removing a portion of the welds. The method may further include the steps of (a) extending at least one of the mated stent wires to provide an extended stent wire; (b) looping the extended stent wire so the extended end abuts a proximal pair of stent wires; and (c) welding the extended and looped wire to the proximal pair of wires.

Abstract: A method for making an implantable stent includes the steps of (i) providing a plurality of elongate stent wires; (ii) forming said wires into a hollow tubular structure having opposed first and second open ends; (iii) terminating said wires at the second end; (iv) aligning the wires at the second end into a plurality of mated adjacent wires to define a plurality of abutting regions; (v) welding the mated adjacent wires to one and the other at the abutting regions to define a plurality of welds; and optionally (vi) chemically or electro-chemically removing a portion of the welds. The method may further include the steps of (a) extending at least one of the mated stent wires to provide an extended stent wire; (b) looping the extended stent wire so the extended end abuts a proximal pair of stent wires; and (c) welding the extended and looped wire to the proximal pair of wires.

Abstract: A method for the calibration or diagnosis of a motor vehicle brake system having a cyclically operated pump. At least one parameter (URPOff), representing the electromotor force of the reference pump, is repeatedly ascertained during operation of a reference pump under defined guidelines. A statistical characteristic variable (<URPOff>) is derived from the values of parameter (URPOff) ascertained for the reference pump. Parameter (UBPOff) is ascertained under a corresponding guideline during operation of an operating pump. Corresponding statistical characteristic variable (<UBPOff>) is derived from the values of parameter (UBPOff) ascertained for the operating pump. At least one ratio number is calculated as a measure of the deviation of the operating behavior of the operating pump from the operating behavior of the reference pump from the characteristic variable (<URPOff>) calculated for the reference pump and the characteristic variable (<UBPOff>) calculated for the operating pump.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fastening a circuit assembly to a light guide in a manufacturing process of a LCD-display. The method comprises: a) providing the circuit assembly, comprising at least one light source; b) providing the light guide, arranged to guide light emitted by the at least one light source; c) positioning the light guide and the circuit assembly with respect to each other; and d) fastening the circuit assembly and the light guide to each other. The action d) is performed by laser welding or ultrasonic welding.

Abstract: A method for applying pressure relief valves to packaging during the packaging process. A punch shaft and an applicator shaft each have an axis and opposed ends. The punch shaft has a punch at one end. The applicator shaft has an applicator vacuum head at one end. Each shaft moves axially between retracted and extended positions. The shafts are angled, with the punch and applicator ends more apart than the respective opposed ends, and are carried on a plate for limited rotational movement relative to the applicator unit. First the punch is pivoted from a first position into a third position, while the applicator head is simultaneously pivoted from a second position into the first position. Then the punch is pivoted from the third position back into the first position, and the applicator head is simultaneously pivoted from the first position back into the second position.

Abstract: A method for applying pressure relief valves to packaging during the packaging process. A punch shaft and an applicator shaft each have an axis and opposed ends. The punch shaft has a punch at one end. The applicator shaft has an applicator vacuum head at one end. Each shaft moves axially between retracted and extended positions. The shafts are angled, with the punch and applicator ends more apart than the respective opposed ends, and are carried on a plate for limited rotational movement relative to the applicator unit. First the punch is pivoted from a first position into a third position, while the applicator head is simultaneously pivoted from a second position into the first position. Then the punch is pivoted from the third position back into the first position, and the applicator head is simultaneously pivoted from the first position back into the second position.

Abstract: An applicator unit for a system applying pressure relief valves to packaging during the packaging process. A punch shaft and an applicator shaft each have an axis and opposed ends. The punch shaft has a punch at one end. The applicator shaft has an applicator vacuum head at one end. Each shaft moves axially between retracted and extended positions. The shafts are angled, with the punch and applicator ends more apart than the respective opposed ends, and are carried on a plate for limited rotational movement relative to the applicator unit. First the punch is pivoted from a first position into a third position, while the applicator head is simultaneously pivoted from a second position into the first position. Then the punch is pivoted from the third position back into the first position, and the applicator head is simultaneously pivoted from the first position back into the second position.

Abstract: An applicator unit for a system applying pressure relief valves to packaging during the packaging process. A punch shaft and an applicator shaft each have an axis and opposed ends. The punch shaft has a punch at one end. The applicator shaft has an applicator vacuum head at one end. Each shaft moves axially between retracted and extended positions. The shafts are angled, with the punch and applicator ends more apart than the respective opposed ends, and are carried on a plate for limited rotational movement relative to the applicator unit. First the punch is pivoted from a first position into a third position, while the applicator head is simultaneously pivoted from a second position into the first position. Then the punch is pivoted from the third position back into the first position, and the applicator head is simultaneously pivoted from the first position back into the second position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, program, and data structure for performing a clean operation on an input table. The input table to clean is indicated in an input data table name. At least one rule definition is processed to clean the input table. Each rule definition indicates a find criteria, a replacement value, and an input data column in the input table. For each rule definition, the input data column is searched for any fields that match the find criteria. The replacement value for the particular rule definition is inserted in the fields in the input data column that match the find criteria. Subsequent applications of additional rule definitions applied to the same input data column operate on replacement values inserted in the input data column during previously applied rule definitions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, program, and data structure for performing a clean operation on an input table. The input table to clean is indicated in an input data table name. At least one rule definition is processed to clean the input table. Each rule definition indicates a find criteria, a replacement value, and an input data column in the input table. For each rule definition, the input data column is searched for any fields that match the find criteria. The replacement value for the particular rule definition is inserted in the fields in the input data column that match the find criteria. Subsequent applications of additional rule definitions applied to the same input data column operate on replacement values inserted in the input data column during previously applied rule definitions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, program, and data structure for transforming data in an input table in a database in a server in communication with a client. A transform command is received from the client indicating an input data table name in the database and at least one rule indicating at least one cell in the input table to transform and a transform operation to perform with respect to the at least one cell. The transform command is executed in the server including the database by accessing a copy of the input table from the database and transforming data in the accessed input table according to each rule specified in the transform command.