Abstract: A tissue punch for creating a hole in the wall of a target blood vessel for receiving an anastomosis device includes a piercing element for penetrating the tissue and a cutting element for cutting a plug of tissue around the pierced hole. The tissue punch includes a trocar for inserting the piercing element. After punching is complete, the piercing element is removed from the trocar through a side wall of the trocar so that a medical device can be deployed through the trocar lumen. The tissue punch may also include a tissue trap for trapping the plug of tissue.

Abstract: A medical device for use with an endoscope is provided. The medical device can include a tube with a first channel for receiving the endoscope. A transparent segment can extend from the distal end of the tube, and the transparent segment can have a first outer diameter sized for providing dilation of a portion of a body lumen. The medical device can also include a tapered tip attached to the distal end of the transparent segment that narrows from the first outer diameter to a distal terminating end. The endoscope is used to view the body lumen through the medical device while in use to dilate a stricture under direct visualization.

Abstract: A method and system for inserting an implant, such as vaso-occlusive device, an embolic containment device, or a stent into a vascular space to a vascular site in a body utilizing a lumen-reducing catheter. The method and system can be used to treat aneurysm, tumors and other vascular malformations. A guide is inserted into the vascular space. First and second catheters are inserted into the vascular space along the guide. The first or delivery catheter defines a first cavity, and the second or lumen-reducing catheter defines a second, smaller cavity. The second catheter is inserted within the first catheter. In one embodiment, an implant is advanced together with the first and second catheters to a vascular site. In an alternative embodiment, after the first and second catheters are positioned, the guide and the second catheter are removed from the first cavity, and an implant is inserted through the first cavity.

Abstract: A radially expandable knotless tissue anchor including an expandable outer member defining a bore and an inner member slidably positioned within the bore. Relative longitudinal movement of the inner member relative to the expandable member causes a portion of the expandable member to expand radially outwardly. The tissue anchor further includes a length of suture material having a first end affixed to a distal end of the inner member and a second end preferably affixed to a suturing needle. A transverse bore is provided adjacent the distal end of the inner member. There is also disclosed a method of knotlessly anchoring a section of tissue to a section of bone having a bore drilled therethrough.

Abstract: A calf/foot support and treatment table for extension, flexion, traction, distraction and lateral movement of the body of a patient includes a base adapted to rest upon a floor, and a system support assembly having an upper end and a lower end integrally secured to the base, a rigid support platform having a lower part and an upper part, the support platform pivotally secured to a pivot axle of said system support assembly; a lumbar support assembly disposed on the lower part of the support platform; and a calf/foot support assembly for linear traction.

Abstract: A method for treating or preventing depression is disclosed. The method, in preferred embodiments includes therapy apparatus for treating a patient's brain is provided. The method, in a preferred embodiment, includes irradiating at least a portion of a patient's brain with light energy having an efficacious power density and wavelength. The light energy should be sufficient to cause regulation of neurotransmitters in the brain and/or an upregulation of endogenous compounds in the brain, including neurotrophic factors, that result in neural growth, neurogenesis, and/or plasticity of neural function which leads to a diminishment or elimination of depression and its symptoms, and/or delays, reduces, or eliminates the onset of depression or depressive symptoms.

Abstract: A system for loading self-expanding stents into a stent delivery system that comprises a lubricious coating on one or more components to substantially reduce the frictional forces associated with loading stents. The stents may be bare or coated stents. The lubricious coating comprises glycerol.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering stents to body lumens include one or more tubular prostheses carried at the distal end of a catheter shaft, a sheath slidably disposed over the prostheses, and a guidewire tube extending from within the sheath to the exterior of the sheath through an exit port in a sidewall thereof. A guidewire extends slidably through the guidewire tube. The sheath can be moved relative to the catheter shaft and the guidewire tube to expose the prostheses for deployment. Methods of delivering stents are also provided.

Abstract: An expandable stent and delivery system therefor is provided for treating vascular diseases such as partially occluded blood vessels and aneurysms. The delivery system includes proximal, intermediate and distal cylindrical members disposed about an elongated core member. The proximal, intermediate, and distal cylindrical members are spaced apart such that first and second gaps are formed. The expandable stent includes anchor members which are formed by winding a radiopaque coil onto a threaded portion of a strut member of the expandable stent. The expandable stent is mounted on the intermediate cylindrical member with the anchor members disposed within the gaps between the cylindrical members. A deployment catheter is used to compress and constrain the stent about the intermediate cylindrical member to thereby interlock the stent onto the core member.

Abstract: An implantable coil stent comprises at least a first curved segment and a second curved segment which arc about the longitudinal axis of the stent. An expandable link extends between the second end of the first curved segment and the first end of the second curved segment.

Abstract: A method of texturing polycrystalline iridium includes the steps of cold/warm working of the polycrystalline iridium at equal to or below its re-crystallization temperature to break up the polycrystalline structure such that the orientation favors one direction (i.e. the <110> direction), and re-crystallizing the iridium such that a majority of grains are aligned in the preferred direction. The textured polycrystalline material is then used in vascular devices such as stents.

Abstract: An anchor anchors a therapeutic device having an elongated body within a body lumen. The anchor includes a fixation member carried on the device which is adjustable from a first configuration that permits placement of the device in the body lumen to a second configuration that anchors the device within the body lumen. The anchor further includes a lock that locks the fixation member in the second configuration. The fixation member may be locked in any one of a plurality of intermediate points between the first configuration and a maximum second configuration.

Abstract: A radially expandable sheath is provided having a substantially closed distal end with at least two sidewalls extending proximally therefrom and defining a central lumen. Each sidewall can have a substantially concave outer surface adapted to seat a graft member, and each side wall is at least partially separated by a longitudinally oriented slot that extends from a proximal end along a substantial length of each sidewall. The slot preferably terminates at a position just proximal to the distal end. The device can also include a sheath expander that is adapted to be disposed in the central lumen of the radially expandable sheath and that is configured to flex the sidewalls to radially expand the sheath so as to fix a graft member within a bone tunnel.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a bone-tendon-bone assembly extended between two shaped cancellous bone blocks and a method of inserting same in a joint. Each substantially cylindrically shaped cancellous bone block has a central through going bore, a flat exterior longitudinal surface and a channel longitudinally cut in the exterior of the bone block body opposite the flat longitudinal surface. A tendon replacement member is inserted through the central through going bore around the end of each block and looped back along the flat longitudinal side with each block being in a reversed orientation position as to the other block. A channel cut in the exterior surface of each block is adapted to receive an interference screw to keep the block anchored in a bone tunnel previously cut in the respective bones of a joint.

Abstract: A prosthetic spinal disc uses a stiff spring or springs for resiliency between two plates that attach to adjacent vertebrae. When the disc has multiple springs, they may be adjacent, concentric or nested. Multiple springs may be spaced around the periphery of the plates. A foil metal bellows may surround the plates to prevent material from entering or exiting the space between the plates. Alternatively, the ends of the spring(s) may be machined with spikes to engage the vertebrae directly without plates.

Abstract: A vertebral replacement body device for supporting adjacent vertebrae includes a connecting member having an upper member and a lower member engaged thereto at opposite ends thereof. The members can be restrained relative to one another to resist axial, rotation and/or lateral displacement. The vertebral replacement body device can have a chamber extending therethrough for fusion of the supported vertebrae.

Abstract: Allogenic or xenogenic materials are used to provide intervertebral disc nucleus implants and/or annular plugs. The allogenic or xenogenic materials comprise natural disc annulus material, which may have a portion of the anterior longitudinal ligament attached. The tissue may be used “as is” without an additional core or covering, or it may be used in combination with other materials. The material may be rolled, folded, layered and/or sutured, stapled, or glued to provide a solid plug of natural biological material. The implant may be provided as a dehydrated, substantially rod-shaped segment having a diameter less than the diameter of the hydrated material, and may have one or more ends of the dehydrated rod terminate with a further reduced diameter portion, preferably a point.

Abstract: A set of humeral components for a total shoulder prosthesis, wherein each component is formed by an anchoring stem and a metaphyseal part which defines a concave surface of articulation in the form of a portion of a sphere. The offset between an axis of symmetry of this surface and a central axis of the metaphyseal part varies between the different components of the set. This makes it possible to limit or to avoid, by a reasoned choice of the humeral component used, an interference with the pillar of the scapula during a movement of adduction.

Abstract: The use of biologic and/or biologically reabsorbable materials to provide temporary stability after a surgical joint procedure is provided. Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide biologic and/or biologically reabsorbable cam and/or post linings mounted to respective knee prosthesis components. Such linings are reabsorbed after a time sufficient for patient tissue formation to provide permanent stability. Likewise, the invention has application in any joint reconstruction where the integrity of the stabilizing tissue has been compromised by injury or as a result of the surgical procedure itself. Further aspects of the present invention include using biologic and/or biologically reabsorbable materials loaded with agents that may promote tissue formation, fight infection, and promote clotting. Still further aspects of the present invention are directed to the use of biologically reabsorbable snaps or other fasteners to attach a lining to the femoral component and/or the tibial component.

Abstract: An artificial knee joint, which makes a drag (a contact stress) acting on a sliding surface upon bending small so as to evade an extraordinary abrasion and damage of a sliding surface of a tibia component and which prevents an bending angle from being decreased by preventing lifting of a femoral component in a rotational movement. The artificial knee joint comprises a femoral component to be secured to a distal portion of a femur and a tibia component to be secured to a proximal portion of a tibia, comprising an inner sliding surface and an outer sliding surface receiving a load of the femoral component at the tibia component. In the inner sliding surface, both of a front side and a rear side are formed in a sectional shape of circular arc in the front-to-back direction thereof, while in the outer sliding surface, a front side is formed in a sectional shape of a circular arc and a rear side is formed in a linear sectional shape in the front-to-back direction thereof.

Abstract: An adjustable tibial trial insert includes an upper plate having an upper articular surface and a lower plate. A height-adjustment mechanism of the insert is coupled to and positioned generally between the upper plate and the lower plate and is configured to move between a closed position where the upper and lower plates are adjacent each other and an opened position where the upper and lower plates are spaced-apart from each other in order to adjust a height or thickness of the insert.

Abstract: A foldable paddle blade and shaft comprises a planar elongate polymer plastic substrate with two angularly directioned weakened hinge lines (71) which extend inwardly and angularly from a location at or near one elongate end of the substrate's lateral edges to form a blade with sidewalls (46) and a free terminal end (30). Paralleling weakened hinge lines (72) parallel and traverse the at least three faceted tubular shaft (50),(51). In an alternative embodiment, additional paralleling weakened hinge lines (72),(73) and tabular projections (42) may form a four faceted or square shape tubular shaft (52). The paddle blade's three faceted or more eccentric tubular shaft's shape may be in a triangular, a square, or an open sided c-channel shape. A difference in axis between the paddle blade's planar axis and the shaft's elongate axis further strengthens the overall structure in at least one direction.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including an electric blower for generating suction air, a collecting unit for collecting dust contained in the suction air, a dust removing unit for removing dust adhered to the collecting unit, and a dust removing stop unit for stopping an operation of the dust removing unit. The dust removing stop unit stops the operation of the dust removing unit in response to a user's selection or an operation mode of the vacuum cleaner, thereby saving a power consumption of the dust removing unit.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for cleaning filter cake from the interior of a baghouse bag. A nozzle through which compressed gas flows is positioned on the interior of a bag such that gas is directed to, and thereby disrupts, the filter cake. The compressed gas flows in the same direction as a gas that is being filtered by the baghouse, thereby avoiding the effects of reverse-flow cleaning.

Abstract: An oil separator for separating entrained oil from a gas stream, the separator being arranged on a housing wall which divides a housing interior from a housing exterior. A support tube, which is arranged inside an outer casing and carries a filter element on its outer circumference through which gas can flow radially. The support tube is closed at its upper axial end face and communicates at its lower axial end face with the housing interior. An impingement separator is arranged in the vicinity of the lower axial end face of the support tube. The outer casing is closed at its bottom relative to the housing in a sealed manner.

Abstract: An improved cyclone dust-collecting apparatus of a vacuum cleaner for efficient collection of fine dusts. The vacuum cleaner which comprises a cyclone body integrally including a first cyclone part and a second cyclone part formed around the first cyclone part, a first cover mounted on the cyclone body and including air paths through which dust-laden air flows, a second cover concentrating and transferring air exhausted from the second cyclone part to the cyclone body, and a dust receptacle mounted under the cyclone body and collecting separated dusts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter module in the form of a hollow body with at least one chamber. The walls of the hollow body are made of a non-metallic material that can be comminuted and/or disintegrated in a recycling process. The material is a paper product, such as cardboard, paper or paperboard, or a fibrous material, such as wood or pressboard material.

Abstract: A honeycomb filter for purifying exhaust gases, which makes it possible to alleviate a thermal stress generated due to occurrence of a local temperature change, is less likely to generate cracks, and is excellent in strength and durability. The honeycomb filter has a structure in which a plurality of column-shaped porous ceramic members, each having a number of through holes that are placed side by side in the length direction with a partition wall interposed therebetween, are combined with one another through adhesive layers so that the partition wall that separates the through holes are allowed to function as a filter for collecting particulates. A thermal expansion coefficient ?L of the adhesive layer and a thermal expansion coefficient ?F of the porous ceramic member is as follows: 0.01<|?L??F|/?F<1.0.

Abstract: A diesel particulate filter having a honeycomb body composed of cordierite and exhibiting a CTE (25-800° C.) of less than 13×10?7/° C.; a median pore diameter, d50, of less than 25 ?m; % porosity not less than 53%; and a narrow pore size distribution wherein a value of d50?d10)/d50 is not greater than 0.6; and a value of d90 less than 40 ?m wherein d10, and d90 are pore diameters at 10% and 90% of the pore size distribution on a volumetric basis, and d10<d50<d90. The particulate filter preferably exhibits a plugged, wall-flow honeycomb filter body composed of cordierite and having a plurality of parallel end-plugged cell channels traversing the body from a frontal inlet end to an outlet end thereof.

Abstract: Thermoplastic bicomponent binder fiber can be combined with other media, fibers and other filtration components to form a thermally bonded filtration media. The filtration media can be used in filter units. Such filter units can be placed in the stream of a mobile fluid and can remove a particulate load from the mobile stream. The unique combination of media fiber, bicomponent binder fiber and other filtration additives and components provide a filtration media having unique properties in filtration applications.

Abstract: A method of making tungsten carbide and a method of making a densified tungsten carbide-containing ceramic body with a transverse rupture strength greater than 300,000 psi are disclosed.

Abstract: In contrast to current industrial practice where alloying powders are added to starting powder metallurgy compositions either as powder mixtures or fully prealloyed powders, the present invention posits a diffusion bonded nickel-copper precursor additive mixture for direct one step addition to the starting powder metallurgy master blend composition. Segregation and dusting are substantially reduced and the mechanical properties of the resultant compact are improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of a metallic powder consisting of surface-fissured, so-called irregular particles, namely a water-atomised metallic powder. The aim of the invention is to obtain an irregular surface form of powder grains (23) in a narrow weight class and to impart a high porosity with a homogeneous distribution to the sintered body. To this end, in a first step, the pouring stream (2) is deviated in its flow direction and is enlarged on its surface, and in a second step, the surface-enlarged pouring stream (21) is deviated again its flow direction and is divided, and the liquid metallic particles (22) formed are accelerated, and in a third step, the displaced liquid metallic particles (22) are applied and divided, at an angle ? of between 10 and 90° in relation to the displacement direction of the same, with a high speed current (51) formed at least partially from a liquid medium, and the particles (23) are then solidified.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing respirable air comprising the following stages: treatment of compressed air comprising an air-drying operation; and rehumidification of the treated dry air. According to the invention, the rehumidification stage of the treated dry air comprises an operation of controlled distribution of the treated dry air on the one hand in a rehumidification line (24), and on the other hand in a dry line (22). The invention also relates to an installation (1) for utilising such a process. Application to the area of nuclear installation dismantling.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for separation of isotopes, that is, to obtain isotopically pure fractions by separating natural 1 isotope mixtures in elements, where hydrogen is employed as ligand on the elements that are to be isotopically separated, and where the resulting compounds are gaseous at practical temperatures and pressures. More specific, the invention relates to a method for obtaining an isotopically pure 28SiH4 in industrial scale by separating the isotopes in a chromatographic column.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for purifying a syngas of the CO/H2 or N2/H2 type, which consists in removing CO2 and possibly other gaseous impurities (water, etc.) before the gas undergoes a cryogenic process. These impurities are adsorbed by the gas stream to be purified passing over an NaLSX-type zeolite and then desorbed during a regeneration step which may be performed by raising the temperature (TSA) and/or reducing the pressure (PSA or VSA).

Abstract: Moving bed adsorber and desorber apparatus and methods, wherein adsorbent material (e.g., beads of resin) moves over a series of vane members and a fluid flow passes between the vane members and through the flowing bed of adsorbent. An adsorbent depth regulator is positioned a spaced distance from the vanes to regulate the depth of the flowing adsorbent bed. In some embodiments, the adsorbent flow may be divided into 2 or more separate streams that pass over 2 or more separate arrays of vane members. Also disclosed are shell and tube desorber apparatus wherein the shell and tube are positioned at certain angle(s) to optimize flow and recovery of contaminant from an adsorbent material and/or wherein vacuum is applied to the adsorbent concurrently with heat to enhance the desorption of contaminant from the adsorbent material.

Abstract: A container for uptaking, or storing, or releasing, or uptaking and storing, or uptaking and releasing, or storing and releasing, or uptaking, storing and releasing at least one gas, comprising a metal-organic framework material comprising pores and at least one metal ion and at least one at least bidentate organic compound which is bound to said metal ion, as well as to a fuel cell comprising said container, and to a method of using said container or said fuel cell for supplying power to power plants, cars, trucks, busses, cell phones, and laptops.

Abstract: A vapor storage canister used to treat fuel vapor of an automotive internal combustion engine. The vapor storage canister includes a casing. A granular formed heat accumulative material is disposed in the casing and includes a powdered heat accumulative agent formed of micro-capsules each of which contains a phase changing material which makes adsorption and release of latent heat in accordance with a temperature change. The granular formed heat accumulative material further includes a binder for binding the heat accumulative agents. Additionally, a granular gas adsorbing material disposed in the casing and mixed with the heat accumulative material.

Abstract: The gas to be processed, flowing in through line 10, contains impurities. This gas is contacted in column C1 with a solvent flowing in through line 18. The scrubbed gas is discharged through line 19. The impurity-laden solvent recovered through line 12 is regenerated by expansion, then by distillation in column C2. The invention proposes carrying out expansion by means of two-phase turbines T1 and T2.

Abstract: Catalyst losses are prevented in riser reactor systems by using a low inlet velocity for the first cyclone separator in each multi-stage cyclone separator in the reactor. Catalyst particles not separated from the product output flow in an oxygenate-to-olefin reactor are also recaptured by cooling the product output flow and passing the flow through an electrostatic precipitator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering gas (58) with a moving granular filter bed (48) involves moving a mass of particulate filter material (48) downwardly through a filter compartment (35); tangentially introducing gas into the compartment (54) to move in a cyclonic path downwardly around the moving filter material (48); diverting the cyclonic path (58) to a vertical path (62) to cause the gas to directly interface with the particulate filter material (48); thence causing the gas to move upwardly through the filter material (48) through a screened partition (24, 32) into a static upper compartment (22) of a filter compartment for exodus (56) of the gas which has passed through the particulate filter material (48).

Abstract: There is provided a high efficient gas separation membrane of two or more layers, which comprises a separating layer of 3-dimensional nanostructure and a supporting layer, wherein the 3-dimensional nanostructure can maximize a surface area per unit permeation area.

Abstract: A portable air cleaner having a vertical orientation with a small footprint that uses an electrostatic precipitator to remove small particles from the air in combination with forced air for increased air flow and improved particle removal.

Abstract: An air purifier having dimensions that enable the air purifier to be more discrete is disclosed. The air purifier also includes components that enable the air purifier to mimic a particular environment in which the air purifier may be placed. In addition, the air purifier includes electrical plugs such that the air purifier is able to be plugged into a traditional wall outlet and the components enable the air purifier to mimic the appearance and function of the wall outlet. Furthermore, the air purifier includes one or more modules to sanitize incoming air, facilitate air flow through the air purifier, and/or dispense scented vapors.

Abstract: Disclosed are jet ink compositions suitable for printing on substrates such as plastics and oil contaminated metals messages having excellent adhesion, for example, scratch resistance. The jet ink composition comprises one or more organic solvents, a rosin resin, and a colorant, and optionally a co-binder resin, e.g., a vinyl resin. Preferably, the jet ink composition is free or substantially free of a cellulose nitrate resin and/or a slow evaporating solvent. The present invention further provides a method for printing scratch resistant messages on a low surface energy substrate comprising projecting a stream of droplets of the jet ink composition to the substrate, controlling the direction of the stream so that the droplets are caused to form the desired printed messages, and allowing the messages to dry.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electrophotographic toner or developer, powder coating, ink jet ink or an electronic media having an azo colorant prepared by conducting the diazotization of aromatic or hetaromatic amines or the azo coupling reaction or the diazotization and the azo coupling reaction in a microreactor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stripping-resistant asphalt paving composition that contains asphalt, aggregate, polyphosphoric acid, and an alkaline anti-stripping additive.

Abstract: An aluminum flake pigment containing aluminum flakes as basic particles, said aluminum flakes having an average particle diameter in the range of 3 to 20 ?m and an average value of minimum diameter/maximum diameter of at least 0.6.

Abstract: In a method of producing a lithium niobate substrate by the use of a lithium niobate crystal grown by the Czochralski process, the lithium niobate crystal is heat-treated at a temperature of from 300° C. or more to less than 500° C. in the state the lithium niobate crystal is buried in a powder constituted of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ti, Si, Ca, Mg and C, or in the state the lithium niobate crystal is held in a container constituted of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ti, Si, Ca, Mg and C.