Abstract: A swaging press (30) includes a piston member (16) and a plurality of die shoes (18), the piston member (16) in use driving the die shoes (18) inwardly during a swaging process in response to axial movement of the piston member (16), the piston member (16) having a recess (42) defining a plurality of substantially flat die shoe engaging surfaces (31) configured to provide a polygonal shape in transverse cross-section, each die shoe (16) being located at each corner (32) of the polygonal shape whereby a portion of each die shoe (16) engages a corresponding die shoe engaging surface (31) on either side of the corner (32).

Abstract: Crimping apparatuses for reducing the diameter of an intraluminal medical device from a first diameter to a second diameter prior to loading the medical device into a catheter delivery system and loading apparatuses for introducing the medical device into a catheter delivery system, the devices constructed and arranged for matingly engaging one another, combinations thereof, and methods of using the devices.

Abstract: Radial compression mechanism includes a plurality of dies each having an elongated arcuate body with an outer end pivotally attached to a hinge plate and an inner working tip. The dies are mounted on the hinge plate in an inwardly spiraling orientation with the outer ends positioned in a circle and the working tips cooperating to define a central product-receiving cylindrically-shaped cavity. The product-receiving cavity is transitional between an open and a closed orientation. The working tip of each die has a sliding surface and a working surface with the sliding surface positioned in parallel juxtaposition to the working surface of an adjacent die and a constant width gap therebetween. Driving mechanism is coupled to rotatably drive all of the dies in unison to transition between open and closed orientations. The width of the gap remains constant during transition and between the open and closed orientations.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for shaping an article may comprise a plurality of movable dies arranged to form a chamber whose size may be varied by moving the dies. Each of the dies may have a contacting surface for contacting the article to be shaped. The chamber may have a first portion having a first cross-section and a second portion having a second cross-section. Either portion may include a taper. The first portion may have a differently shaped cross-section than the second portion. The first portion may have a cross-section of greater area than the second portion. The longitudinal axis of the first portion may be offset from the longitudinal axis of the second portion.

Abstract: Crimping apparatuses for reducing the diameter of an intraluminal medical device from a first diameter to a second diameter prior to loading the medical device into a catheter delivery system and loading apparatuses for introducing the medical device into a catheter delivery system, the devices constructed and arranged for matingly engaging one another, combinations thereof, and methods of using the devices.

Abstract: An improved crimping mechanism and method well-suited for use with stented prosthetic heart valves. The crimping mechanism includes a plurality of jaws configured for linear non-rotational movement toward a central axis. A rotational plate is formed with a plurality of spiral grooves or tracks for engaging the jaws. Rotational movement of the spiral tracks produces linear movement of the jaws. Nesting of the inner ends of the jaws permits each to be acted on along different radial lines while their inner faces move together evenly to reduce the crimping aperture in a smooth fashion. The crimping mechanism is particularly well-suited for use with stented prosthetic heart valves, such as a prosthetic aortic valve, though it can also be applied to other stented heart valves, venous valves, and even stent grafts which tend to be fairly large.

Abstract: An elastic band expander tool has a base plate and a cam plate rotatably secured to each other for rotation about an axis. The cam plate has three slots, each of which curves inwardly towards the axis at its outer end. The base plate has three expander bars moveably mounted on it, each of which has a finger extending therefrom and a cam pin for moving in an associated cam slot. When the cam plate is rotated on the base plate, the cam pins ride in the slots and move outwardly away from the axis. This movement causes the expander bars to move outwardly, thereby expanding an elastic band fitted about the fingers. When the cam pins reach the end of their respective cam slots, the tool locks in place, to provide hands-free operation.

Abstract: Radial compression mechanism includes a base member and a plurality of elongated compression dies. The dies are arranged in a generally circular orientation on the base member with a contact surface of each die in sliding contact with a base surface of an adjacent die. A portion of each base surface of each die cooperates with portions of base surfaces of adjacent dies to define a generally cylindrical central cavity moved between open and closed positions by a driving mechanism. The dies are cammingly coupled to the base member and to the driving mechanism so that rotation of the driving mechanism about the central axis causes each die to move generally arcuately about a point of camming engagement with the base member.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for shaping an article may comprise a plurality of movable dies arranged to form a chamber whose size may be varied by moving the dies. Each of the dies may have a contacting surface for contacting the article to be shaped. The chamber may have a first portion having a first cross-section and a second portion having a second cross-section. Either portion may include a taper. The first portion may have a differently shaped cross-section than the second portion. The first portion may have a cross-section of greater area than the second portion. The longitudinal axis of the first portion may be offset from the longitudinal axis of the second portion.

Abstract: A die carrier assembly configured for use in a crimping machine. The assembly includes die carriers disposed in a circumferential arrangement and adapted for radially inward and outward travel. Each die carrier has oppositely-disposed circumferential extents that define circumferential gaps between adjacent pairs of the die carriers. Shoes are disposed radially inward from the die carriers and are adapted for radially inward and outward travel with the die carriers. The shoes travel radially inward and outward with the die carriers between positions in which the shoes define minimum and maximum openings, respectively, of the die carrier assembly. At least one of the shoes is disposed radially inward from one of the circumferential gaps between at least one adjacent pair of the die carriers. The circumferential extents of the adjacent pair of die carriers define interdigitated fingers that support the shoe when the die carrier assembly is at its maximum opening position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a crimping die (12,14,16,18) and a crimping tool (2) comprising at least three crimping dies (12,14,16,18) that are guided for displacement in the crimping tool (2), where each of the crimping dies (12,14,16,18) have a respective crimping surface (42,44,46,48) and a respective sliding surface (50,52,54,56), where the crimping surfaces (42,44,46,48) together form a crimping opening (36), said crimping surface (42,44,46,48) of each crimping die (12,14,16,18) slidably abutting said sliding surface (50,52,54,56), of an adjacent die, where the crimping dies (12,14,16,18) have pivot points (29,31,33,35) that are arranged movable relative to the body of the crimping tool (2) and where a linkage (11) is arranged to guide the movement of the pivot points (29,31,33,35) of the crimping dies (12,14,16,18) relative to the body (4) of the crimping tool (2) producing a movement between the pivot points (29,31,33,35) of the crimping dies (12,14,16,18) and the body (4) of the crimping tool (2), and wh

Abstract: A method of producing a cobalt-based tubular product includes forming a cobalt or cobalt alloy tubular workpiece having at least about 30% by weight of fcc phase and subjecting the workpiece to at least about a 20% wall reduction at a temperature below a recrystallization temperature of the workpiece using a metal forming process. The metal forming process may include radial forging, rotary swaging, pilgering and/or flowforming. A gun barrel includes a tubular component made of a cobalt-based superalloy material. The component has at least about 25% by weight of hcp phase with basal planes radially oriented perpendicular to an inner diameter of the component.

Abstract: A die element configuration for use in a swaging or crimping press includes at least two cooperating die elements that, in use, are radially moved inwardly during a swaging or crimping process. Each die element has a body portion with a work element engaging surface located at a radially inner location on the body portion, the work element engaging surface having an axial direction and a circumferential direction transverse to the axial direction with the work engaging surface being concavely curved in the circumferential direction. The work engaging surface has a first central section extending axially with at least a pair of axially spaced first lateral sections and at least one second lateral section extending from the first central section oppositely to the first lateral sections, whereby a first lateral section of a first die element in the configuration is located axially adjacent a second lateral section of a second similarly formed die element.

Abstract: A swage or crimp press has a housing with a peripheral side wall and a front wall integrally formed with the side wall, the front wall defining an access opening providing access to a press zone arranged within the peripheral side wall, the housing having an open rear face and a rear wall secured by fastening means to the peripheral side wall to at least partially enclose the rear face of the housing, and a hydraulically operated press mechanism located within the housing at least partially surrounding the press zone.

Abstract: The outer side of a pair of curved parts 3d of a longitudinal annular blank is pressed and energized towards the curved part 3d of the opponent side with a molding outer die 14 of a shaping device 13 to press and widen each curved part 3d to a large curved part of large curvature radius, and a half-finished article 17 is molded, and thereafter, the half-finished article 17 is pressed and widened by cooperative operation of a finishing inner die of the shaping device and a window part of a perfect circle functioning as an outer die to manufacture a ring-shaped member. Therefore, a yield rate or a percentage of the weight of the ring-shaped member with respect to the weight of the raw material and the yield rate or the percentage of the ring-shaped member with respect to the blank can be improved, and the cost can be reduced.

Abstract: A heart valve prostheses crimping apparatus and method for deducing the diameter of stents containing heart valve prosthesis. A medical prosthesis catheter loading apparatus, including a crimping assembly for reducing the diameter of a prosthesis; and a catheter clamp for holding a catheter adjacent to the prosthesis. Also disclosed is an apparatus for reducing the diameter of a medical prosthesis, including a base, a crimp head connectable to the base, and an actuation mechanism connected to the base and connectable to the crimp head to actuate the crimp head. Also disclosed is a method of loading a medical prosthesis into a catheter, including the steps of reducing the diameter of a prosthesis from its normal deployed state to a diameter less than that of the lumen of the catheter; holding a catheter adjacent to the reduced diameter prosthesis; and moving the prosthesis into the catheter lumen.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a cerclage member about a bone within a living body comprises a crimp body including a first lumen extending longitudinally therethrough from a first proximal opening to a first distal opening, the first lumen being sized and shaped to slidably receive a cerclage member therein and a second lumen extending substantially parallel to the first lumen from a second proximal opening to a second distal opening, a diameter of a distal portion of the second lumen being greater than a diameter of a proximal portion thereof and an insert sized to be inserted into the distal portion of the second lumen, an insert lumen extending through the insert aligning with the second lumen when the insert is received therewithin, the insert being crushable over a cerclage member inserted therethrough to lock the cerclage member relative to the crimp body and apply tension thereto.

Abstract: A crimping apparatus includes a support structure with an alignment element and a plurality of retainers movably attached to the support structure and radially arranged about an axis of the crimping apparatus. Each retainer includes an engagement structure. The crimping apparatus further includes a plurality of crimping members with an engagement element. Each engagement element is configured to interact with the engagement structure of a respective one of the plurality of retainers to removably connect each of the crimping members to a respective one of the plurality of retainers. The crimping apparatus further includes a tool configured to simultaneously support the plurality of crimping members. The tool includes an alignment structure configured to interact with the alignment element of the support structure to provide substantial radial alignment between the engagement element of each of the crimping members and the corresponding engagement structure of the respective retainers.

Abstract: A protective sheet loader may comprise a first roller, a second roller, a sheet of material spanning between the first and second rollers, and a loading mechanism. A portion of the sheet of material may be loaded into the crimping chamber of an apparatus for reducing the size of a medical device. A medical device may be placed within the crimping chamber such that the sheet of material forms a barrier between the walls of the crimping chamber and the medical device and prevents cross-contamination between the medical device and the crimping device. After a crimping step is completed, the medical device and the contaminated portion of the sheet of material may be removed from the crimping chamber, and a clean portion of the sheet of material may be loaded into the crimping chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pressing device (1) for compressingly joining pipe-shaped workpieces, particularly a pipe end (2) and a fitting (3) mounted thereon. At least one of the workpieces is plastically deformed by several press members which are movable along a central longitudinal axis of the workpieces for performing the compression. In order to produce a pressing device with several compression jaws that are comparatively easy to mount and allow the press members to be engaged as centrally as possible during compression, at least two press members are pivotally connected to each other by means of two articulated levers embodied as angle levers for applying compression force. The angle levers pressingly lean on a (first) press member (5), and both angle levers are train-connected to the same (second) press member (6).

Abstract: A balloon folding apparatus is provided for use in the manufacture of balloon catheters. The balloon folding apparatus includes a plurality of arms and a plurality of blades attached to the plurality of arms such that the plurality of blades is capable of translating in a radial direction. Preferably, a plurality of stepper motors coupled to the plurality of arms provides precise radial movement of the plurality of blades. Each of the plurality of blades is profiled to create a plurality of folds in a balloon catheter. A balloon wrapping apparatus is also provided and operates in a similar manner. The balloon wrapping apparatus includes a plurality of blades configured to wrap a folded balloon catheter around a catheter shaft so as to minimize the diameter of the balloon catheter.

Abstract: A system for reducing the diameter of a stent comprises a stent contracting assembly. The assembly comprises a plurality of blades, which define a diameter reduction chamber. The chamber has an open diameter configuration and a closed diameter configuration. The plurality of blades comprises active blades and floating blades, wherein each active blade is engaged to an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism is constructed and arranged to move each active blade from the open diameter configuration to the closed diameter configuration. Each floating blade is moved from the open diameter configuration to the closed diameter configuration only as a result of the movement of the active blades.

Abstract: A crimping tool to crimp a contact onto the end of a wire, the contact configured to receive both a stripped part and an insulated part of the wire end. The crimping tool includes a first and second tier to crimp the contact onto the conductor core and onto the insulating jacket of the wire respectively. A mechanism actuates the first and second tiers in substantially a simultaneous manner. At least one rotating element is arranged between at least one crimping component and a cam of at least one of the tiers, the rotating element possibly taking up at least two positions with respect to the crimping component. A crimping method crimps a contact both onto an insulating jacket of a wire and onto its conductor core.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a medical device is formed of at least three coupled movable blades which are disposed about a reference circle to form an aperture whose size may be varied. The aperture capable of being sized to contain a medical device. Each blade is in communication with an actuation device which is capable of moving the blade to alter the size of the aperture. Each blade includes a single radial point which a) lies on the circumference of the reference circle prior to movement of the blade, and b) may be moved only along a radius of the reference circle on movement of the blade.

Abstract: A crimping tool is disclosed that includes a housing assembly carrying a crimping assembly having jaws with engagement surfaces designed to move in the radial direction under controlled load and controlled displacement with application of hydraulic pressure to pistons provided to load the jaws. The crimping tool is designed to be separable into two parts, which facilitates assembly and disassembly of the tool around the work piece for crimping at locations remote from the end of a continuous or long section of pipe. This tool is adapted for use in crimping end fittings onto composite pipe and for use in a field environment where the tool is manually transportable.

Abstract: In addition to the pressure for swaging applied when swaging is performed, a pressure in the direction the same as the direction of the holding force exerted by a swaged portion is applied to a pressure receiving edge portion of a bearing holder by the pressure applied by a swaging roller. As a result, the elastic deformation in a circumferential wall portion that is not bent is advanced and the amount of elastic deformation of the bearing holder in the axial direction is reduced, so that it is possible to increase the difference in the amount of elastic deformation between the bearing holder and an outer race. Thus, the axial residual stress in the bearing holder is increased after the swaging is completed, as compared to the case of the ordinary swaging. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the holding force for holding the outer race.

Abstract: A medical device crimping system comprises a crimper and a plurality of protective strips. The crimper defines a crimping iris, which has an open state and a closed state. In the open state the cross-sectional area of the crimping iris is greater than in the closed state. The plurality of protective strips extend longitudinally through the crimping iris. Each of the strips is radially offset from one another. The strips protect the stent from direct contact with the crimping blades of the crimper.

Abstract: A finishing station of variable structure includes two plates, joined integrally to each other and able to slide along two vertical shoulders which support a plurality of forming rollers mounted on shoes able to slide in radial guides formed in the plates. The shoes that support the forming rollers are moved by levers hinged to the plates and connected to each other by connecting rods, two of which are hinged to levers hinged to the plates and secured to the ground. A further forming roller, situated in the lower part of the plates, is preferably secured to the ground. In the inner part of the two forming rollers situated in the upper part of the finishing station a disc blade is formed to control the position of the edges of the bent strip of sheet metal during the finishing operation.

Abstract: An endodontic reamer and a method for manufacturing endodontic reamers and files, more specifically an endodontic reamer having a cylindrical shaft and a working portion extending forward from a removed end of the shaft. The working portion includes, typically, a pair of wedged shaped projecting sections that extend beyond the diameter of the shaft. Forward from the wedge shaped sections is a nose, typically non-cutting nose, that has a diameter of about equal to diameter of the shaft. There are typically two (2) wedge shaped sections projecting outward opposite one another. Applicant also provides a novel method for manufacturing an endodontic reamer, which consists of using a two piece mold and placing a wire blank between the mold, followed by forcing the mold together, under compression, against the wire blank, to deform the blank into the shape of the mold parts.

Abstract: Crimping apparatuses for reducing the diameter of an intraluminal medical device from a first diameter to a second diameter prior to loading the medical device into a catheter delivery system and loading apparatuses for introducing the medical device into a catheter delivery system, the devices constructed and arranged for matingly engaging one another, combinations thereof, and methods of using the devices.

Abstract: A crimping device is provided for crimping an outer work piece onto an inner work piece. The crimping device includes at least two jaws forming a throat surface about the outer work piece and movable between a partially closed position wherein the outer work piece is not crimped and a closed position wherein the jaws crimp the outer work piece onto the inner work piece. The jaws are configured as a shutter mechanism so that the throat surface remains substantially continuous about the first work piece as the jaws move from the partially closed position to the closed position. At least one of the jaws moves in straight line motion as the jaws move from the partially closed position to the closed position. At least two of the jaws radially and slide against each other as the jaws move from the partially closed position to the closed position.

Abstract: A stent crimping apparatus is provided which includes a crimping assembly adapted to crimp the stent, a clamp assembly configured to secure the medical device; and a control unit configured to control the movement of the crimp assembly. The clamp assembly includes a lower clamp device defining a seating groove formed and dimensioned to seat a portion of the medical device therein, and a retaining assembly having an elastomeric member. This elastomeric member defines a contacting groove oriented in an opposed manner proximate to at least a portion of the seating groove. The clamp assembly further includes an actuation mechanism associated with the retaining assembly and the lower clamp device such that operation thereof causes the retaining assembly to move between an opened condition and a closed condition.

Abstract: A terminal crimping machine includes a frame. An accommodating board is located on the frame and defines recesses unfolding symmetrically. The junction of the recesses defines an aperture running through the accommodating board. Drifts are slidably received in the recesses of the accommodating board respectively. Each of the drifts has a bar which protrudes rearward from a back surface of the drift. A propelled member rotationally configured at the back of the accommodating board defines cavities distributing symmetrically, and each cavity extends continually from outside to inner. The cavities slidably receive the bars of the drifts respectively. A driven mechanism, mounted on the frame, connects with the propelled member.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for shaping an article may comprise a plurality of movable dies arranged to form a chamber whose size may be varied by moving the dies. Each of the dies may have a contacting surface for contacting the article to be shaped. The chamber may have a first portion having a first cross-section and a second portion having a second cross-section. Either portion may include a taper. The first portion may have a differently shaped cross-section than the second portion. The first portion may have a cross-section of greater area than the second portion. The longitudinal axis of the first portion may be offset from the longitudinal axis of the second portion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a wheel cover and a vehicle wheel including such a wheel cover. The method for producing the vehicle wheel cover comprises the steps of: (a) providing a tooling fixture including at least a first tooling member and a second tooling member; (b) providing a wheel cover having at least a preformed outer end; (c) positioning the wheel cover onto the tooling fixture wherein the wheel cover is supported on the first tooling member and spaced apart from the second tooling member; (d) actuating the tooling fixture whereby the second tooling member is operative to engage and reshape the outer end of the wheel cover to produce a desired outer end shape; and (e) removing the wheel cover from the tooling fixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a catalytic converter is described where the catalytic converter is comprised of an outer tube member having a monolith substrate internally compressed therein with a wrapped mat material surrounding the monolith substrate and intermediate the outer tube. One or more monolith members can be applied within the outer tube and heat shields may also be applied internal to the outer tube and adjacent to the monolith substrate. The assembly of the catalytic converter includes measuring the sequence of compression of the mat material to the monolith substrate in order to understand the possible force characteristics that can be applied during the assembly thereof. The mat material is therefore compressed within the outer tube by way of compression jaws, by compression rollers, by spinning and/or by a shrinker including compression members. The compression of the mat material can be in single or multiple steps.

Abstract: Balloon pleating mechanism includes a plurality of pleating dies, each having a first planar guiding surface, a second planar guiding surface, a bearing surface, a first working surface, and a second working surface. The plurality of pleating dies are arranged in a generally circular orientation with the first planar guiding surface of each die being in sliding contact with the second planar guiding surface of an adjacent die and the first working surface and the second working surface of each die of the plurality of dies cooperating to define a central cavity. The plurality of pleating dies is further arranged for relative radial movement between an open position and a closed position. A driving mechanism is coupled to each die and designed to move the plurality of dies between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A device for crimping the mouth of a detonator housing comprises a pair of opposed jaws reciprocally movable relative to each other, and a plurality of toothed segments on each jaw. The segments are moveable, are located in a jaw cavity, and together form a segmented ring. The side faces of each segment converge from a broad radially outer end towards a toothed radially inner narrow end. A resiliently stressable biasing element is provided between each adjacent pair of segments. The biasing elements act to space the segments of each pair apart when the jaws are spaced apart from each other, and also act to permit the segments, in response to movement of the moveable segments arising from the closing of the jaws, to abut against one another in series when the jaws are tightly in contact with each another, to form the segmented ring.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a medical device is formed of at least three coupled movable blades which are disposed about a reference circle to form an aperture whose size may be varied. The aperture capable of being sized to contain a medical device. Each blade is in communication with an actuation device which is capable of moving the blade to alter the size of the aperture. Each blade includes a single radial point which a) lies on the circumference of the reference circle prior to movement of the blade, and b) may be moved only along a radius of the reference circle on movement of the blade.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for shaping an article may comprise a plurality of movable dies arranged to form a chamber whose size may be varied by moving the dies. Each of the dies may have a contacting surface for contacting the article to be shaped. The chamber may have a first portion having a first cross-section and a second portion having a second cross-section. Either portion may include a taper. The first portion may have a differently shaped cross-section than the second portion. The first portion may have a cross-section of greater area than the second portion. The longitudinal axis of the first portion may be offset from the longitudinal axis of the second portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool holding clamp for a multiple change of tools for radial presses, where said presses comprise a plurality of radial jaws (12, 12?) onto which the tools (14) are mounted and where tools and jaws are provided with complementary coupling means, such as radial pins (15) and relative slots (16). The clamp presents centering devices, working together with the radial press to guarantee alignment of said complementary devices when the tools are mounted onto the jaws of the press. A tool holding rack for radial presses also constitutes the object of the invention, and is provided with devices adapted to interacting with the tool holding clamp for positioning the tools onto said clamp in the position of alignment with the jaws of the press.

Abstract: An improved crimping mechanism well-suited for use with stented prosthetic heart valves. The crimping mechanism includes a plurality of jaws configured for linear non-rotational movement toward a central axis. A rotational plate is formed with a plurality of spiral grooves or tracks for engaging the jaws. Rotational movement of the spiral tracks produces linear movement of the jaws. Nesting of the inner ends of the jaws permits each to be acted on along different radial lines while their inner faces move together evenly to reduce the crimping aperture in a smooth fashion. The crimping mechanism is particularly well-suited for use with stented prosthetic heart valves, such as a prosthetic aortic valve, though it can also be applied to other stented heart valves, venous valves, and even stent grafts which tend to be fairly large.

Abstract: The specification discloses a die element change tool for use with a crimp press having a plurality of die shoes positioned about a crimping work space, the die shoes being movable from a radial outer position to a radial inner position during a crimping process, the change tool being effective to remove a die element set or introduce a new die element set while the die shoes are in the radial outer position, the change tool having a main body part and a movable body part, the main body part having a number of circumferentially spaced operational positions each capable of retaining an individual die element held at one axial end by the movable body part and at the other axial end by the main body part, the change tool being bodily movable into the crimping work space to position each said die element carried thereby adjacent to a respective die shoe to be secured thereto, said movable body part being movable to disengage from said die elements such that the change tool can be withdrawn from the crimping work

Abstract: A crimping apparatus is provided for use with a crimping machine. The crimping apparatus comprises a support structure including a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is configured to engage the first portion to define an axial passage into an interior area of the crimping apparatus. The second portion is configured to be moved completely out of engagement with the first portion to selectively define an alternative passage into the interior area of the crimping apparatus.

Abstract: A heart valve prostheses crimping apparatus and method for deducing the diameter of stents containing heart valve prosthesis. A medical prosthesis catheter loading apparatus, including a crimping assembly for reducing the diameter of a prosthesis; and a catheter clamp for holding a catheter adjacent to the prosthesis. Also disclosed is an apparatus for reducing the diameter of a medical prosthesis, including a base, a crimp head connectable to the base, and an actuation mechanism connected to the base and connectable to the crimp head to actuate the crimp head. Also disclosed is a method of loading a medical prosthesis into a catheter, including the steps of reducing the diameter of a prosthesis from its normal deployed state to a diameter less than that of the lumen of the catheter; holding a catheter adjacent to the reduced diameter prosthesis; and moving the prosthesis into the catheter lumen.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a medical device, such as an endoprosthesis, includes reducing the size of the medical device, and vibrating the device. In embodiments, the device is vibrated ultrasonically.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catalytic converter is described where the catalytic converter is comprised of an outer tube member having a monolith substrate internally compressed therein with a wrapped mat material surrounding the monolith substrate and intermediate the outer tube. One or more monolith members can be applied within the outer tube and heat shields may also be applied internal to the outer tube and adjacent to the monolith substrate. The assembly of the catalytic converter includes measuring the sequence of compression of the mat material to the monolith substrate in order to understand the possible force characteristics which can be applied during the assembly thereof. The mat material is therefore compressed within the outer tube by way of compression jaws, by compression rollers, and/or by spinning. The compression of the mat material can be in single or multiple steps.

Abstract: A terminal crimping machine includes a frame. An accommodating board is located on the frame and defines recesses unfolding symmetrically. The junction of the recesses defines an aperture running through the accommodating board. Drifts are slidably received in the recesses of the accommodating board respectively. Each of the drifts has a bar which protrudes rearward from a back surface of the drift. A propelled member rotationally configured at the back of the accommodating board defines cavities distributing symmetrically, and each cavity extends continually from outside to inner. The cavities slidably receive the bars of the drifts respectively. A driven mechanism, mounted on the frame, connects with the propelled member.

Abstract: A crimping tool with a quick-change crimp head for sealing and electrically crimping electrical contacts to insulated wires. The crimping tool includes a base unit with a receptacle that is configured to actuate and removably and replaceably receive the quick-change crimp head. A crimping die holder body includes a plurality of crimp-seal and continuity-crimping dies. These dies are mounted for movement in the crimping die holder body between an open configuration and a fully crimped configuration. The crimp-seal dies have arcuate die faces that define a substantially closed generally cylindrical form when the dies are in the fully crimped configuration. Actuators are mounted in the base unit. The actuators are adapted to cause the dies to move in the body. A sensor system is configured to prevent the crimping tool from unintentionally repeating a crimping operation on the electrical contact, and to verify continuity-crimp depth of indentation.

Abstract: A hydraulic crimping tool crimping die including a first section adapted to be removably connected to a die mounting area of a hydraulic crimping tool, and a second section forming a crimping surface adapted to crimp a connector onto a conductor. The crimping die comprises an electrically non-conductive material adapted to prevent electrical arcing with the crimping die.