Abstract: Described here are devices, methods, and kits for the deployment of tissue anchors. In some variations, the devices may comprise a shaft defining a lumen for housing at least one anchor therein and a mechanism for deploying the anchor distally from the lumen. In certain variations, the devices may comprise one or more stop elements. For example, a device may comprise a stop element that limits the advancement of the device through an opening in a wall portion or at the distal end of another device.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a center housing having a bearing surface configured to contact an inner surface of a unison ring. A conversion coating is impregnated onto at least the bearing surface of the center housing.

Abstract: An article and method for stabilization of a nickel-based superalloy coated with a diffusion aluminide coating. The region below the aluminide coating is first carburized to form refractory carbides. The article is cleaned and masked as required so that regions that will not have an aluminide coating are not carburized. After placing the article into a furnace and heating in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to a carburizing temperature, a carburizing gas is introduced, and the near surface region is carburized to a depth of about 100 microns. Refractory carbides are formed in this region. When a diffusion aluminide coating is formed on the article, the refractory elements, being present as refractory carbides, are not available to form detrimental TCP phases.

Abstract: Hardening protection compositions based on substances which form boron glass for partial carburization of metallic components, which contain magnesium-silicon compounds as an additive. These hardening protection compositions can be used very advantageously in processes for the partial carburization of metallic components and in particular are outstandingly suitable for vacuum carburization.

Abstract: In the partial thermochemical vacuum treatment of metallic workpieces (1), in particular in the carburization and case hardening of workpieces (1) of case-hardening steel in a carbon-containing atmosphere, surface regions (3, 4, 5, 6) to be treated and surface regions not to be treated abut one another. In order to restrict the surface treatment to the cavities (2) of the workpieces (1) the external surface regions not to be treated are covered by reusable dismountable mould bodies (11) of a temperature-resistant material with at least one mould cavity (15). In this connection the mould body (11) consisting of a lower part (12) and an upper part (13) with openings (12b, 13b) encloses several workpieces (1) in such a way that no treatment takes place on the external surface regions of the workpieces (1). An electrically conducting mould body (11) is suitable in particular for a thermochemical treatment under the action of a plasma. Graphite or CFC is used as material for the mould bodies (11).

Abstract: Steel alloys susceptible to case and core hardening comprise 0.05 to 0.24 weight percent carbon; 15 to 28 weight percent cobalt and 1.5 to 9.5 weight percent in nickel, small percentages of one or more additives: chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium; and the balance iron. Blades for ice skating or other sports equipment made from such alloys provide predictable and reproducible characteristics and permit fabrication with hardened edges on a ductile, strong substrate or base.

Abstract: A correcting device that properly maintains the flatness of a mask, an exposure apparatus in which overlay accuracy is increased by making use of the correcting device, and a device production method. The correcting device includes a gas flow path including a first area and a second area. The first area is formed above a reticle having formed thereon a pattern that is projected onto a material to be processed in order to form an image of the pattern on the material to be processed. The second area is connected to the first area, has a cross-sectional area that is different from that of the first area, and is not disposed in line with the reticle. The correcting device also includes a blowing section that blows gas to the gas flow path.

Abstract: A metallic drilling member is surface hardened except at an end portion, because the end portion is masked. The masking is achieved by placing on the end portion a lid which forms a slight gap around the surface being heat treated. During the heat treatment a furnace atmosphere enters the gap to cause the depth of the heat treatment to be gradually decreased in a manner producing a relatively elongated transition zone between heat treated and non-heat treated portions of the surface. The gap can be of constant width, or gradually decreasing width.

Abstract: A selectively case hardened steel article by low temperature carburization includes a body made of a chromium bearing nickel or ferrous based alloy (for example, stainless steel), a first portion of the body having a first hardness characteristic, and a second portion of the body having a second hardness characteristic; the second portion being less than the entire body and substantially free of carbides. One method for selective case hardening by low temperature carburization includes the steps of applying a carbon blocking mask over surface areas of the article that are not going to be carburized; activating those surface areas that are to be carburized; diffusing carbon into the activated surface areas at a temperature below which carbides readily form; and removing the carbon blocking mask.

Abstract: An introducer for use in interventional vascular procedures having a sealing mechanism for closure of a puncture site is disclosed. The introducer has a vessel-engaging component and a sealing component thereon. The vessel-engaging component comprises an elongated filament engaged within a channel in the wall of the introducer. The filament has an expandable part that is changeable from a first configuration to a second, expanded configuration. When the distal end of the introducer is inserted into the lumen of a blood vessel, the expandable part may be inflated. Pulling the introducer through the puncture in a direction opposite the vessel then causes the expandable member to be engaged on the vessel wall at the location of the puncture to provide resistance in pulling the introducer away from the blood vessel. In this way, the vessel-engaging component locates the puncture site.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing precision gears (10) including an initial step of providing a shaped workpiece (30.sub.S) defining a plurality of gear teeth (12) and, furthermore, defining a tooth space surface (68) defined by and between adjacent gear teeth (12). Next, a masking tool (60) is assembled in combination with the shaped workpiece (30.sub.S), which masking tool (60) includes a flexible back-plate (64) and plurality of compliant masking segments (62) bonded to and integrated by the flexible back-plate. Each of the compliant masking segments (62) defines a surface geometry (66) which is substantially complementary to the tooth space surface (68), and adjacent compliant masking segments (62) define an open-ended channel (70) therebetween. As assembled, the compliant masking segments (62) are forcibly urged into superposed engagement with the tooth space surfaces (68). In a subsequent step, a layer of masking material (28) is deposited on exposed surfaces of the shaped workpiece (30.sub.