Abstract:
A network device for minimizing latency and correcting errors associated with information transmitted from an external memory device. The network device includes a management unit for requesting information stored on at least one external memory device. The network device also includes a command unit for transmitting a request from the management unit to the external memory device. The command unit maintain at least one counter that is associated with current requests and compares the at least one counter to at least one predefined threshold in order to throttle the management unit when the at least one counter exceeds the at least one threshold. The network device further includes means for aligning information from the at least one external memory device with information transmitted from the command unit to the management unit and for ensuring that aligned information is accurate.
Abstract:
An expandable balloon for use in angioplasty procedures comprises a balloon having an outer surface layer, the outer surface layer being made from electrospun nanofibers and incorporating at least one pharmaceutically active substance, such as nitric oxide (NO). The outer surface layer may be formed on a separate flexible tubular member or sock, which is slipped over the balloon. An acidic agent, such as ascorbic acid, may be included in the balloon for enhancing NO release. A method of treating cell disorders in tubular structures of a living being comprises the steps of placing a coated balloon at a treatment site within the tubular structures, expanding the balloon at the treatment site, and releasing the pharmaceutically active substance at the treatment site. Optionally, a stent may be crimped onto the balloon prior to insertion of the balloon and stent into the tubular structures of the living being.
Abstract:
A closure for a valve (128) of a connector (100) of a haemostatic valve assembly with a longitudinally extending main section (114) having a longitudinally extending, through-going passage (110; 112) with the valve (128) at a proximal end of the connector. The closure comprises a closure member (130), a face (156) of which abuts a proximal end surface (152) of the main section (114), one of said face and end surface (152; 156) being provided with a protrusion (158) for engaging a corresponding indentation (154) provided in the other one of said face and said end surface (152; 156), so as to provide a liquid tight seal near an outer periphery of the passage (110; 112) at a proximal end thereof.
Abstract:
A stent assembly comprises an expandable tubular stent (21), an external surface of which is provided with a fabric (5) which may constitute a reservoir to hold drugs to be released in the intravascular system of a living. The fabric (5) may be made from a filamentary material, such as multifilament yarn (6). Electrospinning of nanofibers of, e.g., polymer may be employed for manufacturing the fabric. The stent may comprise an assembly of radially expandable, tubular elements (1) aligned along a common longitudinal axis and successively joined together in pairs by respective sets of linking members (4), e.g. forming a zigzag corrugation. The stent may be crimped onto a balloon.
Abstract:
A stiffenable balloon catheter assembly capable of being converted from an “over-the-wire” mode with respect to a quidewire extending therethrough to a “rapid-exchange” mode with respect to a guidewire extending therethrough, and vice versa. The catheter has a plurality of lumens, one lumen however, having a side opening with an obstructable galp, the orientation of which, determines the utilization “mode” of the catheter assembly. Stiffening stylets may be adjustably locked into the lumens, depending upon the “mode”, to control the stiffness of the catheter assembly during its utilization within a patient.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for combining cost effectiveness of data signal ports sharing a common memory storage device with reliable data signal communication of data signal ports each having a dedicated memory storage device. In one embodiment, data signals are received at a number of data signal ports of a data signal communication platform. A data signal bandwidth capability of a memory storage device of the data communication platform is determined. Once the data signal bandwidth capability of the memory storage device is determined, the memory storage device is segmented to improve utilization of the data signal bandwidth capability. As a result, cost effectiveness of data signal ports sharing a common memory storage device and reliability of data signal communication of data signal ports each having a dedicated memory storage device is combined.
Abstract:
A unique device for long term percutaneous enteral feeding through a surgically formed stoma, such as a gastrostomy, includes a tubular member having a fluid lumen and an inflation lumen. One end of the tubular member is perpendicularly joined to a retention platform through which passes an ambient air port for the inflation lumen and an inlet for the fluid lumen. An other end of the tubular member is provided with an outlet for the fluid lumen. A one-way valve on the outlet prevents reflux of gastric contents into the fluid lumen. Disposed near the one end of the tubular member is an inflatable member, inflatable and deflatable through the inflation lumen. The inflatable member provides retention and anchoring of the device within the patient's stomach.
Abstract:
An enteral feeding tube adapted for transpyloric passage and duodenal intubation of a distal end of the feeding tube in a patient capable of peristaltic contractions of the stomach wall. A flexible bolus is located at the distal end of the feeding tube, which has a feeding bolus and connected thereto by a linking means. The flexible bolus is of such length, diameter and deformability to initiate peristaltic movement of the stomach wall. The linking means is of outer dimensions smaller than the outer dimensions of the flexible bolus and the feeding tube, and is of a length, diameter and deformability selected to initiate and maintain peristaltic contractions in the stomach walls around and behind the flexible bolus. The continued peristaltic contractions act upon the flexible bolus and linking means, thereby drawing the feeding bolus and distal end of the feeding tube through the pylorus to achieve duodenal intubation.
Abstract:
The invention is a device for angular fixation of a delivery or drainage tube at, for example, the point where that tube exits through the skin from a body cavity. The tube may be used for delivery, extraction, or evacuation of fluids or gases through a surgically formed stoma in a patient. In the enteral feeding, or delivery, embodiment, an enteral feeding tube extends outwardly from the patient to support the components of the device. The components include a sleeve disposed along and movable along the feeding tube and a base elbow unit through which the feeding tube passes. The base elbow unit includes a subdermal portion, a sleeve engaging portion, and a generally cylindrical tube-engaging portion. The feeding tube is movable from a first, substantially straight position to a second, acutely angled position. In this second, acutely angled position, the tube is immobilized by locking engagement to the tube engaging portion. The device includes an interlocking tab at one end of the sleeve, which tab enables locking engagement of the sleeve engaging portion of the base elbow unit when the tube is in its second, acutely angled position.
Abstract:
A balloon catheter for use in angioplasty and the like includes a shaft made of an elastomeric tube reinforced with longitudinally inelastic filaments. In the distal balloon portion of the unpressurized shaft, the filaments lie at an angle which is less than a predetermined critical angle. In the adjacent movable portion of the shaft, the filaments lie at an angle which is greater than the critical angle. When the shaft is pressurized, the balloon portion expands in diameter and the balloon portion contracts in diameter until the filaments in each portion lie at the critical angle. At the same time, the length of the movable portion increases so as to offset the reduction in length of the balloon portion.