2118results about How to "Reduce flow" patented technology

A novel composition for the use as snuff in the oral cavity, the composition comprising tobacco and / or a tobacco substitute encapsulated in a membrane material comprising one or more membranes at least one of which being water permeable and water-insoluble. A novel composition enables a selective release of e.g. nicotine while it at the same time reduces the release of substances, which normally lead to unwanted side effects. The novel compositions may be used as a healthier alternative to snuff and other tobacco products such as, e.g., cigarettes, cigars and pipe. Methods for giving up smoking, reducing nicotine craving, reducing side effects normally related to smoking and snuffing of tobacco as welt a method for the preparation of a composition according to the invention.

Methods and assemblies are described for capturing embolic material in a blood vessel or other body cavity during cardiovascular or valve replacement and repair surgery, wherein access is provided through the apical area of the patient's heart. The distal embolic protection assembly generally comprises a sleeve having a lumen, an actuating member having proximal and distal ends, wherein the actuating member is movably disposed within the lumen, and a filter assembly coupled to the distal end of the actuating member. The filter assembly generally comprises a porous bag having an open proximal end, a collapsible and expandable frame that is coupled to the open proximal end of the porous bag, and at least one support spine disposed at least a part of the longitudinal axis of the porous bag. The porous bag is configured such that it permits blood to perfuse freely through while capturing embolic material and other debris.

A liquid pumping apparatus for pumping liquids, more specifically a linear peristaltic pump apparatus. The apparatus consists of a high durometer compressible elastomeric liquid flow tube (12), an infeed valve assembly (26), an outfeed valve assembly (38), an extensible and retractable actuator anvil (34) having a round surface which engages the flow tube (12) at all times, an opposed anvil (24.1) having a round surface in engagement with the flow tube at all times, the flow tube being held between the anvils (34, 24.1) in a slightly compressed state when the anvil (34) is retracted, and a control assembly (100) for causing the movable anvil to be sequentially extended and retracted to cause flow within the flow tube (12) from the infeed valve assembly (26) to the outfeed valve assembly (38). With this apparatus the lumen of the flow tube (12) to the sides of the anvils is not completely reduced to zero volume during displacement compression whereby gas embolisms do not erupt or explode when discharged. Two principal embodiments are disclosed, one having infeed and outfeed check valves which oclude the flow tube, and the other having check valves.

A system for treating a target region in tissue beneath a tissue surface comprises a probe for deploying an electrode array within the tissue and a surface electrode for engaging the tissue surface above the treatment site. Preferably, surface electrode includes a plurality of tissue-penetrating elements which advance into the tissue, and the surface electrode is removably attachable to the probe. The tissue may be treated in a monopolar fashion where the electrode array and surface electrode are attached to a common pole on an electrode surgical power supply and powered simultaneously or successively, or in a bipolar fashion where the electrode array and surface electrode are attached to opposite poles of the power supply. The systems are particularly useful for treating tumors and other tissue treatment regions which lie near the surface.

The present invention relates to a stent including a variable porosity, tubular structure having pores defined by structural surfaces. The tubular structure has a low porosity region in proximity to or at either end of the tubular structure, where the low porosity region is less porous than other regions located on the tubular structure and fully or partially obstructs passage of fluid. Any arcuate path that starts at one point within the low porosity region and goes around the perimeter of the tubular structure to stop at the same point within the low porosity region must have at least a portion that is outside of the low porosity region. Also disclosed is a method of modifying blood flow within and near an opening of an aneurysm in a blood vessel by deploying one or more stents of the present invention near an opening of the aneurysm in a blood vessel.

A non-linear fin heat sink is provided for dissipating / removing heat uniformly from a device, where the heat generation is non-uniform over that device, while also providing a small and relatively lightweight heat sink. The heat sink has extended surface protrusions that are optimally shaped in recognition of convective heat transfer, conductive heat transfer, and flow resistance allowing the heat sink to offset the temperature rise of a coolant media and provide enhanced cooling for the coolant temperature, deliver optimized cooling efficiency per the local physical properties of the coolant media, be used with a fluid for effectuating heat transfer; either liquid coolant, gas coolant or a combination thereof. Furthermore the heat sink features turbulence enhancement of the coolant stream by a pin array through which coolant stream passes, such fin array featuring a non-linear shape, spacing, and height pattern to provide optimal cooling while simultaneously reducing volume and flow resistance.

A rotary turbomachine, and particularly a turbojet engine, has a compressor stage that is especially adapted for operation in the transonic region. The compressor stage includes a rotor (1) having a hub (2) and a plurality of compressor blades (3) extending radially therefrom, and a stator having a plurality of compressor blades extending radially between a stator hub and a housing. The hub (2) of the rotor (1), and / or the hub of the stator, and / or the housing of the stator, have a circumferential surface contour that is not continuously rotationally symmetrical. Namely, a concave contour (K) is provided in the circumferential surface of the hub near the base of each blade (3) on the pressure side (PS) thereof, while the circumferential surface on the suction side (SS) of the base of each blade has a contour that is linear, slightly convex, convex / concave, or slightly concave to a lesser degree than the concave contour (K) on the pressure side of each blade. The hub contour slopes and transitions smoothly radially outwardly from the concave contour (K) on the pressure side to the flatter or convex contour on the suction side. In this manner, fluid flow velocities on both the pressure side and the suction side of each blade are reduced, especially under transonic operating conditions, and compression shock losses can be minimized.

A medical flow restrictor that may be used to exclude a saccular aneurysm from the circulatory system. The device, a thin walled, foil-like shell, is compacted for delivery. The invention includes the device, electroforming fabrication methods, delivery assemblies, and methods of placing, and using, the device. A device with an aneurysm lobe and an artery lobe self-aligns its waist at the neck of an aneurysm as the device shell is pressure expanded. Negative pressure is used to collapse both the aneurysm lobe and the artery lobe, captivating the neck of the aneurysm and securing the device. The device works for aneurysms at bifurcations and aneurysms near side-branch arteries. The device, unlike endovascular coiling, excludes the weak neck of the aneurysm from circulation, while leaving the aneurysm relatively empty. Unlike stent-based exclusion, the device does not block perforator arteries. This exclusion device can also limit flow through body lumens or orifices.

Disclosed are methods and devices for regulating fluid flow in one or more lung regions that are supplied fluid through one or more collateral pathways. An identified region of the lung is targeted for volume reduction or collapse. The targeted lung region is then bronchially isolated to inhibit air from flowing into the targeted lung region through bronchial pathways that directly feed air to the targeted lung region. If the targeted lung region does not collapse after bronchially isolating the targeted lung region, then it is possible that a collateral pathway is feeding air to the targeted lung region, thereby preventing the targeted lung region from collapsing. In such a case, the collateral pathway is identified and air flow into the targeted lung region via the collateral pathway is reduced or eliminated.

A transmission (15; 15a; 15b; 15c), in particular for motor vehicles, has two planetary gears (16; 16c, 17; 17c), whose ring gears (18; 18c, 19) are connected by a crown gear (12) to the crankshaft (11; 11a; 11c) of an internal combustion engine. Each planetary gear (16; 16c, 17) is coupled to a respective gear shaft (31, 32), on which input gear wheels (1E-5E, RE) for various gear ratios are disposed. The input gear wheels (1E-5E, RE) mesh with output gear wheels (1A-5A, RA) disposed on an output shaft (40; 40a; 40c). It is provided that each planetary gear (16; 16c, 17) be coupled with an electric machine (26, 27), and the electric machines are for instance connected to the sun wheels (23; 23a, 24; 24a) of the planetary gear (16; 16c, 17). With the arrangement described, especially for use in hybrid vehicles, relatively high total efficiency and infinitely variable gear ratios can be achieved.

Devices, systems, and methods employ an implant that is sized and configured to attach to the annulus of a dysfunctional heart valve annulus. In use, the implant extends across the major axis of the annulus above and / or along the valve annulus. The implant reshapes the major axis dimension and / or other surrounding anatomic structures. The implant restores to the heart valve annulus and leaflets a more functional anatomic shape and tension. The more functional anatomic shape and tension are conducive to coaptation of the leaflets, which, in turn, reduces retrograde flow or regurgitation. The implant improves function to the valve, without surgically cinching, resecting, and / or fixing in position large portions of a dilated annulus, or without the surgical fixation of ring-like structures.

Compressor discharge air flows through a heat exchanger in heat exchange relation with cooling water and is supplied at reduced temperature in atomizing air and purge modes to combustors in a dual-fuel gas turbine. The heat exchanger has a pair of bypass passages in parallel with a temperature regulating valve controlling flow of water through the heat exchanger in response to the temperature of the compressor discharge air exiting the heat exchanger. Should the flow control valve close in response to low temperature of the compressor discharge air, in the air atomizing mode, the bypass passages with orifices therein provide a minimum protective flow of cooling water to the heat exchanger. In the purge mode where only half the air flow and heat rejection is required in the heat exchanger and the flow control valve closes, a bypass valve in one of the bypass passages closes to enable reduced flow of cooling water through the heat exchanger.

Devices, systems, and methods employ an implant that is sized and configured to attach in, on, or near the annulus of a dysfunctional heart valve. In use, the implant extends either across the minor axis of the annulus, or across the major axis of the annulus, or both. The implant restores to the heart valve annulus and leaflets a more functional anatomic shape and tension. The more functional anatomic shape and tension are conducive to coaptation of the leaflets, which, in turn, reduces retrograde flow or regurgitation.

Disclosed are methods and devices for treating a patient's lung region. A catheter is deployed into the lung. The catheter is used to apply heat to a targeted lung region wherein the heat affects fluid flow within the targeted lung region.

An exhaust gas emission control apparatus is provided in an exhaust passage of a hybrid mechanism driven by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The apparatus has an adsorbent that adsorbs unburned fuel contained in exhaust gas when the temperature of the adsorbent is lower than a predetermined temperature, and that releases adsorbed unburned fuel therefrom when the temperature is at least the predetermined temperature. When the temperature of the adsorbent is lower than the predetermined temperature, the apparatus controls the hybrid mechanism to delay an increase in the temperature of the adsorbent.

Degradable balls for downhole use may include an incompliant degradable polymer and a compliant filler material, the incompliant degradable polymer having an elastic modulus of about 2 GPa or greater, and the compliant filler material having an elastic modulus of less than about 2 GPa. Such degradable balls may be useful in sealing segments of a wellbore and actuating wellbore tools.

Disclosed are systems, methods, and media capable of generating and implementing emergency flows. The emergency flow is highly customizable and can connect with various stakeholders (user, emergency contacts, corporate representatives, emergency service provider personnel, etc.). The systems, methods, and media can be triggered in various ways including user input (e.g. voice command) or by sensors (e.g. by using sound detection capabilities).

Apparatus is disclosed for verifying the validity of documents and biometrics submitted by individuals at a document verification terminal, or the use of an e-token with appropriate information thereon in an encrypted manner, so they may perform some action such as purchase an alcoholic beverage or enter a highly secure governmental facility. A Validation Privacy Server and its associated Validation Privacy Database store the results of previous document and biometric validity checks using governmental databases, to be used for subsequent submissions of the same document for the same purpose. In this manner governmental databases are not overloaded with mundane document and personal validity checks every time a document is used for the same purpose. The storage of the results of document checking by the Validation Privacy Server and its associated Validation Privacy Database may be performed with or without the approval of the individual depending on privacy determinations as to the accessibility of the information.

In an embodiment, a sealant composition comprising a swelling agent is displaced into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation to maintain isolation of the formation. The sealant composition may be displaced into a permeable zone through which fluid can undesirably migrate. In another embodiment, the sealant composition comprising the swelling agent is displaced into the wellbore to reduce a loss of a fluid to the formation during circulation of the fluid in the wellbore. The fluid may be, for example, a drilling fluid, a secondary sealant composition, a fracturing fluid, or combinations thereof. The sealant composition may be displaced into a flow pathway through which fluid can undesirably migrate into the formation. In both embodiments, the swelling agent contacts water such that it swells and thereby reduces fluid flow through the permeable zone / flow pathway. The swelling agent may comprise a crosslinked co-polymer.

Devices, systems, and methods employ a heart implant structure that is sized and configured to be positioned in a left atrium above the plane of a native mitral heart valve annulus to affect mitral heart valve function. The implant structure includes a portion sized and configured to engage a wall of the left atrium above the plane of the native mitral valve annulus and to extend across the left atrium along a minor axis of the annulus.

A phototherapy light cap is a flexible, generally hemispherical cap having a light source to supply suitable dosage requirements of current and future light therapies. The phototherapy light cap may also include a rechargeable battery source, a light source or an array of light sources, a light diffuser and an interface to a recharging source that may be a docking station. A phototherapy light cap may alternatively be an insert for any commercial head dressing, preferably adapted for convenient recharging. Combining the use of a phototherapy light cap with gelatinized therapeutic agents provides a suitable treatment technique for a scalp utilizing phototherapy, heat and any suitable combination of active ingredients such as minoxidil.

According to the present invention, a method and apparatus for generating power aboard a marine vessel is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a Rankine Cycle device that includes at least one of each of an evaporator, a turbo-generator that includes a turbine coupled with an electrical generator, a condenser, and a refrigerant feed pump; (b) disposing the one or more evaporators within an exhaust duct of a power plant of the marine vessel; (c) operating the power plant; and (d) selectively pumping refrigerant through the Rankine Cycle device, wherein refrigerant exiting the evaporator powers the turbine, which in turn powers the generator to produce power.

A speculum for the electropharmacological treatment of vaginal diseases has a pair of elongated blades interconnected such that an opening adapted for observation and passage of instruments is defined between the blades. There is at least one electrode connected to one of the blades on an inner face of the blade. The electrode has a proximal insulated portion and a distal uninsulated portion. To treat vaginal diseases, the speculum is placed in a vagina so that the electrode is located proximate to the vaginal disease, and a drug solution is injected into the vagina. An electric current is then applied to the electrode, which causes the migration of the drug solution toward the vaginal disease.

The invention provides a medical device having a thermister for temperature measurement, irrigation / aspiration ports for fluid exchange and application of therapeutic modalities, a pressure manometer for pressure measurement, and an external system for control of temperature, pressure, and flow rate. When applied to the eye and orbit, this device can be used in hypothermia or hyperthermia applications, the control of intraocular pressure (IOP), and the application of treatment modalities. Methods of using the device in treating patients suffering from central retinal artery occlusion, anterior optic nerve disease, pathology of the choroid and retina including the macula, inflammation of the eye including the vitreous and anterior segment, glaucoma, inflammation and / or infections of the anterior and / or posterior segment of the eye, treatment before / during / after surgery of the eye, and the application of treatment modalities through a semi-permeable membrane are described.

A pressure adjustment apparatus for adjusting a pressure of liquid inside a liquid ejection head including nozzles and flow channels includes: a tank; a pump; a buffer chamber; a first switching device; and a second switching device. The tank includes a movable film and a hermetically sealed container of a prescribed volume, the movable film dividing the hermetically sealed container into a gas chamber filled with gas and a liquid chamber filled with the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection head. The pump changes a pressure of the gas inside the gas chamber so as to adjust a pressure of the liquid inside the liquid chamber. The buffer chamber is filled with the gas and damps gas-flow pulsations caused by the pump. The first switching device connects and disconnects the buffer chamber and the gas chamber. The second switching device switches between a state where the pump is connected to the gas chamber without through the buffer chamber, and a state where the pump is connected to the buffer chamber.

A synthetic slag is produced by a high temperature combustion reaction between coal ash having a high carbon content, and a source of lime such as cement kiln dust. The carbon content of the coal ash is oxidized by oxygen gas, which typically is derived from air or an air / oxygen combination in an exothermic reaction and the heat generated is exploited in the melting process. In this way the gaseous products will typically comprise nitrogen, unreacted oxygen and carbon dioxide, and heat energy can be readily recovered from the hot off gas products evolving during the combustion reaction. The synthetic slag may be pelletized and employed as lightweight mineral aggregate or milled to cement fineness to provide slag cement.

A screen assembly for a vibratory separator, the screen assembly including at least one lower coarse screen member, at least one upper fine screen member above the at least one lower coarse screen member and fused with plastic to the at least one lower coarse screen member, and a strip member beneath and adhered to the at least one lower coarse screen member. In one aspect the strip member includes two side strips, two end pieces, and a plurality of spaced-apart strips parallel to the two side strips each with an end terminating at, in, or on each of the end pieces.

A portable ventilator for providing an air-recipient with compulsory respiration is provided with an outlet manifold and a single-expansion-chamber muffler configured so that airflow through an inhale outlet port of the muffler is pulse-free and a transmission loss, defined as the ratio of sound power generated by the at least one compressor and incident on the muffler to the sound power transmitted by the muffler, is sufficient to deaden the sound power of the compressor.