52results about How to "Preventing pressurization" patented technology

The present invention is directed to a deployment system for an endoluminal device. The deployment system includes a confining sheath placed around a compacted endoluminal device. A deployment line is provided in the system that is an integral extension of the sheath. As the deployment line is actuated, the sheath retracts from around the compacted endoluminal device. As the sheath retracts from around the endoluminal device, material from the sheath may be converted into deployment line. Once the sheath is retracted from around the compacted endoluminal device, the endoluminal device expands in configuration and repairs vascular or cardiac structures of an implant recipient. Any remaining sheath material is removed from the implantation site along with the deployment line. The deployment system also includes an endo-prosthesis mounting member placed between the endoluminal device and an underlying catheter. The endo-prosthesis mounting member serves to cushion and retain the endoluminal device when constrained by the sheath and may assist in expansion of the endoluminal device when unconstrained by the sheath. The present invention is also directed to a deployment system having a deployment assembly that simultaneously expands an endo-prosthesis mounting member while removing a sheath from an expandable medical device.

An endoluminal prosthesis includes a tubular graft, an expandable annular support structure and a restraining mechanism restraining the prosthesis in a collapsed configuration in which the annular support structure is compressed to a low profile. The restraining mechanism holds the annular support structures in the collapsed configuration until the prosthesis is positioned for deployment. The restraining mechanism is then released to allow the annular support structures to expand into conforming engagement with the inner wall of a lumen in which the prosthesis is to be deployed. A feature according to the invention provides a balloon catheter onto which the prosthesis is loaded for deployment where the balloon is expanded to provide a radial force to release the restraining mechanism. Another feature provides for a restraining member that breaks upon application of the radial force to release the annular support structure from its constrained configuration. Another feature of the invention provides for independent and/or sequential release of the annular support members. Various types of annular support members attached to tubular grafts in a variety of manners may be used in accordance with the invention. The invention may be used in tubular grafts for endoluminal placement within a body lumen, including blood vessels, and for the treatment of abdominal and other aneurysms.

An endoluminal prosthesis is provided that includes a tubular graft and an expandable annular support structure. The annular support structure is coupled to the tubular graft so that the graft and support structure, in combination, provide columnar support while maintaining prosthesis flexibility. The prosthesis has sufficient strength and durability to withstand loads applied during deployment and sufficient flexibility to permit implant in a sealing arrangement within a tortuous body lumen. An embodiment according to the invention provides a plurality of annular structures with staggered, longitudinally overlapping apices of undulating structures. One embodiment relates to tubular grafts for endoluminal placement within a body lumen, including blood vessels, and for the treatment of abdominal and other aneurysms.

A catheter device that is useable to extract material from a body conduit, such as a blood vessel, comprises a flexible catheter advanceable into the body conduit, an opening in the wall of the catheter that is in fluid communication with a material collection chamber, and a controllably arcuate segment along the catheter shaft, near the distal tip of the catheter and including the opening. Further said catheter may include a sliding member, located within a lumen of the catheter, that is used to move the material entering the catheter through the arcuate segment opening, into the material collection chamber and away from said opening. The catheter may include a single mechanism utilized to both generate a vacuum to cause material to enter the catheter at the arcuate segment opening and also cause the sliding member to travel, inside the catheter, moving material away from the opening and into the material collection chamber. Methods of utilizing such a catheter device to remove material from a body conduit are also disclosed.

An endoluminal prosthesis is provided with an improved fixation system for coupling the endoluminal prosthesis to an inner wall of a lumen and to reduce distal migration. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a laterally protruding member atraumatically engages the ostium of a side or branch vessel. The protruding member may be fixed to a portion of a prosthesis. In one embodiment the protruding member is provided on a modular fixation device for initial fixation within the body lumen with the finger member within the side or branch vessel. A primary endoluminal prosthesis is then fixed to the modular fixation device to bypass a diseased portion of the anatomy.

The invention relates generally to a system and method for testing fuel evaporative systems, and more particularly to a stand-alone tank tester system (and method) for testing vehicle fuel tank integrity. Furthermore, a self-contained calibration tank with switchable leak sizes for calibrating the tank tester to multiple leak sizes is provided. Constant flow and vacuum methods for testing fuel tank integrity are also provided.

Apparatus and methods for root canal treatments are provided. In some embodiments, an aiming element may be used to position a high-velocity liquid jet near a desired location in the tooth. Embodiments of the aiming element may include an interrupter that deflects or impedes the liquid jet when it is not desirable for the jet to propagate from the aiming element. Embodiments of the aiming element may include an elongated member that permits passage of the liquid jet through a channel. The elongated member may include one or more openings, for example, on sides and/or ends of the member. Some root canal cleaning techniques include one or more applications of the liquid jet followed by application of a disinfectant such as, for example, an aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite.

A hydraulic rescue tool (10) is comprised of a hydraulic thrust apparatus (20) consisting of a hydraulic cylinder body (24) having slots (28) within a hollow end and interlocking ears (36) protruding from the slots. A gland (38) is interfaced between the ears, with the gland and ears connected to the cylinder hollow end with threaded fasteners (98). A connecting link (50) is attached to each interlocking ear and a quick disconnect implement unit (22) is attached to each link and to a piston rod (30) within the cylinder body (24). Six dissimilar embodiments of implement units, each having quick disconnect capabilities and different vehicle structure separating utility are attached to the hydraulic thrust apparatus (20).

The present invention is directed to a deployment system for a self-expanding endoluminal device. The deployment system includes a confining sheath placed around a compacted endoluminal device so that upon deployment the sheath is transitioned into an internal deployment line housed within the catheter. The deployment system is configured to prevent rotation of the catheter relative to the deployment line during deployment line actuation.

An organ perfusion apparatus and method monitor, sustain and/or restore viability of organs and preserve organs for storage and/or transport. Other apparatus include an organ transporter, an organ cassette and an organ diagnostic device. The apparatus and methods include the organ cassette with one or more openings configured to allow tubing to pass through the openings and be connected to the organ or tissue within the cassette, and including a pressure control device to allow pressure inside the portable housing to be varied.

An inflatable interior panel for a passenger vehicle includes a non-inflatable section, and an inflatable section having a peripheral portion adjacent the non-inflatable section. The inflatable section is isolated from the non-inflatable section wherein the inflatable section is not in fluid communication with the non-inflatable section. The inflatable section includes a base wall including a slack material section enabling inflation of the inflatable section, and an inboard wall connected to the base wall to define an interior of the inflatable section. When the interior is pressurized the inboard wall is moved away from the base wall to an extended position with respect to the relatively stationary non-inflatable section.

A domestic carbonation appliance has a replaceable CO₂ cylinder and accepts a refillable bottle with a removeable cap. The cap can cooperate with a carbonation head of a domestic carbonation device but lacks bayonette or thread features for engaging the carbonation head. The device provides for “one-touch” carbonation.

A rate tube measurement system for measuring injected fuel and a method thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a fixture assembly, a rate tube fluidically connected to the fixture assembly to receive fuel injected by the fuel injector during, a pressure sensor positioned upstream of the rate tube that is adapted to measure pressure changes in the injected fuel and provide a pressure output, a flow meter that measures flow of injected fuel and provides a flow output indicative of the measured fuel flow, and a computing device that processes the duration of actuation, the pressure output and the flow output to determine injection information such as fuel injection quantity, variation, and rate shape.

The present invention relates to a water purification system. This system is portable, compact and produces ultra higher purity water. The system is suitable for use with direct processing from city feed water.

A joint enclosure apparatus includes a dust boot having an opening and a rim located adjacent to the opening, a flexible flap formed as a portion of the rim, and at least one grease relief passage located on an outer surface of the dust boot adjacent to the flexible flap. The dust boot is useful for use in a ball joint assembly which includes a ball stud having a shank portion and a ball portion; a housing adapted to receive the ball portion in articulatable engagement in a ball stud exit end; a dust boot having a shank opening in sealing engagement with the shank portion and a housing opening in sealing engagement with the housing at the ball stud exit end and a rim adjacent to the shank opening; a flexible flap formed as a portion of the rim; and at least one grease relief passage located on an outer surface of the dust boot adjacent to the flexible flap. The grease relief passage may comprise a rib or a recessed channel. The area of the outer surface of the dust boot adjacent to the flexible lip may be undercut to control the relief characteristics of the flexible lip. As grease is flushed from the dust boot, it is directed along a path defined by the grease relief passage. If a dust boot becomes pinched during stud articulation, the grease relief passage provides an escape path for grease after it passes the flap.

Mammography-apparatus for detecting malignant cells in a breast comprising an x-ray source and an x-ray detector that cooperates with the x-ray source for providing an x-ray image of said breast, and further comprising a paddle for flattening the breast by pressing it against said x-ray detector, wherein at least one sensor is applied for measuring a parameter that is used for determining the pressure at which the paddle compresses the breast, and wherein a control system is provided which controls the actuation of the paddle depending on the pressure that is applied to the breast, wherein there is a contact area measuring unit for measuring the contact area between the breast and the paddle.

An internal combustion engine for an automotive vehicle has an intake manifold receiving fresh air via an inlet duct. The engine includes a crankcase. A turbocharger is provided having a compressor with an inlet coupled to the inlet duct and an outlet coupled to the intake manifold. A first vent line couples the crankcase with the compressor inlet. A second vent line couples the crankcase with the compressor outlet and intake manifold. The second vent line has a valve blocking air flow into the crankcase and allowing air flow out from the crankcase. The first vent line comprises a dual-acting valve having a first flow capacity into the crankcase and a second flow capacity out from the crankcase which is greater than the first flow capacity. Thus, crankcase ventilation is optimized for both engine idle and high engine load conditions.

A method and apparatus for preventing and treating septicemia in patient blood is provided. The extracorporeal system includes an antimicrobial device to inactivate at least 99% of bloodborne microorganisms, a hemoconcentrator/filtration unit to remove approximately 50-75% of target molecules from the patient blood and a filter unit to remove target molecules from patient blood from the sieved plasma filtrate. Target molecules are produced by microorganisms, as well as by the patient's cells. These molecules include endotoxins from Gram negative bacteria, exotoxins from Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, as well as RAP protein mediator from Staphylococcus aureus, and cell mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin 1-beta, interleukin 6, complement proteins C3a and C5a, and bradykinin.