Abstract: Eddy current sensors and sensor arrays are used for process quality and material condition assessment of conducting materials. In an embodiment, changes in spatially registered high resolution images taken before and after cold work processing reflect the quality of the process, such as intensity and coverage. These images also permit the suppression or removal of local outlier variations. Anisotropy in a material property, such as magnetic permeability or electrical conductivity, can be intentionally introduced and used to assess material condition resulting from an operation, such as a cold work or heat treatment. The anisotropy is determined by sensors that provide directional property measurements. The sensor directionality arises from constructs that use a linear conducting drive segment to impose the magnetic field in a test material. Maintaining the orientation of this drive segment, and associated sense elements, relative to a material edge provides enhanced sensitivity for crack detection at edges.

Abstract: Eddy current sensors and sensor arrays are used for process quality and material condition assessment of conducting materials. In an embodiment, changes in spatially registered high resolution images taken before and after cold work processing reflect the quality of the process, such as intensity and coverage. These images also permit the suppression or removal of local outlier variations. Anisotropy in a material property, such as magnetic permeability or electrical conductivity, can be intentionally introduced and used to assess material condition resulting from an operation, such as a cold work or heat treatment. The anisotropy is determined by sensors that provide directional property measurements. The sensor directionality arises from constructs that use a linear conducting drive segment to impose the magnetic field in a test material. Maintaining the orientation of this drive segment, and associated sense elements, relative to a material edge provides enhanced sensitivity for crack detection at edges.

Abstract: A thrombectomy catheter including two major members: a cutter of the helically wounded structure and also a cutter of the tubular shape which is located coaxially with the first one. The outside diameter of the helical cutter fits inside diameter of tubular one with a small gap. Thus they cold move independently. Each of them is equipped with the cutting edges on their distal area. Due to this feature the catheter is able to cut off the major portion of the obstacle from a vessel without its fragmentation and safe removing it off the vessel. The catheter is also providing blood perfusion during the surgery as well as provides opportunity for the monitoring of the operation by means of ultrasound, visual etc. devices during the operation. The original flexible design of the helical cutter also prevents the damage of the vessel.

Abstract: A set of curved components, such as the dovetail region of engine blades, are inspected by mounting each component into a circular carousel in a vertical orientation and rotating the carousel to move each component toward and away from an inspection site. The inspection site clamps a flexible eddy current sensor array to the curved material surface, scans the array over the surface, records the sensor position. A rigid element having a surface geometry similar to the surface shape of the component can be attached to the component to facilitate scanning of the sensor array over a component edge. The response of each sense element in the array may be converted into an effective material property and sense element proximity to the component material surface to verify the quality of the inspection scan and the presence of a defect such as a crack.

Abstract: Devices and methods for applying a polymeric coating to a medical device. The steps of the coating process including applying a liquid polymeric material to the surface of the medical device, then directing a stream of gas to impinge on the surface of the medical device. Excess liquid polymeric material is removed from the surface of the medical device. The devices used in the coating process and the coated medical device are also part of this invention.

Abstract: Devices and methods for applying a polymeric coating to a medical device. The steps of the coating process including applying a liquid polymeric material to the surface of the medical device, then directing a stream of gas to impinge on the surface of the medical device. Excess liquid polymeric material is removed from the surface of the medical device. The devices used in the coating process and the coated medical device are also part of this invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for crimping a stent to a catheter as well as a method for crimping a stent to a catheter are disclosed in several embodiments. The apparatus in its various embodiments involves the application of a uniform radially inward force to a compressible tube in which the stent and catheter are situated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hemostatic plug having its own vessel wall locating system. The hemostatic plug allows accurate positioning of itself within an access incision, e.g., to a blood vessel, so that it is adjacent to, but does not extend beyond the vessel wall into the vessel lumen.