Abstract: A delivery sheath for an intravascular emboli capturing filter including an elongate tube having a distal region having a reduced thickness distal wall region. The delivery sheath, according to the present invention, can have a thinner, softer, distal most portion for superior and more benign interaction with vessel interior walls. The present invention includes an intravascular emboli filter system including an elongate shaft having a distal region, an expandable emboli filter operably coupled to the elongate shaft distal region, and an elongate sheath having a lumen therethrough disposed over the elongate shaft. The elongate sheath can have a distally decreasing outside diameter taper or reduced wall thickness region having improved atraumatic characteristics.

Abstract: A delivery sheath for an intravascular emboli capturing filter including an elongate tube having a distal region having a reduced thickness distal wall region. The delivery sheath, according to the present invention, can have a thinner, softer, distal most portion for superior and more benign interaction with vessel interior walls. The present invention includes an intravascular emboli filter system including an elongate shaft having a distal region, an expandable emboli filter operably coupled to the elongate shaft distal region, and an elongate sheath having a lumen therethrough disposed over the elongate shaft. The elongate sheath can have a distally decreasing outside diameter taper or reduced wall thickness region having improved atraumatic characteristics.

Abstract: A delivery sheath for an intravascular emboli capturing filter including an elongate tube having a distal region having a reduced thickness distal wall region. The delivery sheath, according to the present invention, can have a thinner, softer, distal most portion for superior and more benign interaction with vessel interior walls. The present invention includes an intravascular emboli filter system including an elongate shaft having a distal region, an expandable emboli filter operably coupled to the elongate shaft distal region, and an elongate sheath having a lumen therethrough disposed over the elongate shaft. The elongate sheath can have a distally decreasing outside diameter taper or reduced wall thickness region having improved atraumatic characteristics.

Abstract: A delivery sheath for an intravascular emboli capturing filter including an elongate tube having a distal region having a reduced thickness distal wall region. The delivery sheath, according to the present invention, can have a thinner, softer, distal most portion for superior and more benign interaction with vessel interior walls. The present invention includes an intravascular emboli filter system including an elongate shaft having a distal region, an expandable emboli filter operably coupled to the elongate shaft distal region, and an elongate sheath having a lumen therethrough disposed over the elongate shaft. The elongate sheath can have a distally decreasing outside diameter taper or reduced wall thickness region having improved atraumatic characteristics.

Abstract: A low insertion force connector which includes an outer housing and an inner housing having a pair of sidewalls and an upright section intermediate the sidewalls with a respective row of contacts positioned intermediate the upright section and a respective sidewall wherein the sidewalls and the upright section each have contact engaging portions to cause the opening and closing of the contacts depending on the position of the inner housing relative to the outer housing.

Abstract: A zero or low insertion force connector having a cam for moving an inner housing relative to an outer housing wherein the respective housings each include cam engaging surfaces which provide positive engagement with the cam during both the opening and closing of the contacts.

Abstract: Flypieces are fed by a conveyor to a sewing station in a sewing machine which is operated by a sensor mounted a spaced distance in front of the sewing station to sew the flypieces to a slide fastener chain. The linear rate of feed of the flypieces by the conveyor is slower than the linear rate of feed of the flypiece and slide fastener chain through the sewing station by the sewing machine, and operation and termination of the sewing machine in response to the sensor is delayed so that uniform spacing is produced between flypieces sewn on the slide fastener chain.

Abstract: Protruding head portions of coupling elements are removed from a selected section of a slide stringer, and a reinforcing tape is applied to the selected section by means including a movable holder for clamping the stringer on opposite sides of the selected section. The holder is restricted to movement along track means for guiding and aligning the holder with two or more stations, such as a gapping station, a reinforcing tape applying station and a trimming station.