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:
An expandable stent comprising a tubular body made up of a plurality of separated tubular elements (1) arranged along a common longitudinal axis. Each tubular element (1) comprises a plurality of rhombic-shaped closed cell elements (2) joined by circumferentially extending linking members (3). The closed cell elements (2) are expandable to allow the tubular elements, and hence the stent itself, to expand. In the direction of the longitudinal axis of the stent, the extremities of each of the closed cell elements has an enlarged loop (30) with waisted portions (33) which allow the tubular elements to interlock to create a stable structure, at least when in the unexpanded condition.
Abstract:
An expandable stent comprising a tubular body made up of a plurality of separated tubular elements (1) arranged along a common longitudinal axis. Each tubular element (1) comprises a plurality of rhombic-shaped closed cell elements (2) joined by circumferentially extending linking members (3). The closed cell elements (2) are expandable to allow the tubular elements, and hence the stent itself, to expand. In the direction of the longitudinal axis of the stent, the extremities of each of the closed cell elements has an enlarged loop (30) with waisted portions (33) which allow the tubular elements to interlock to create a stable structure, at least when in the unexpanded condition.
Abstract:
A method and system for searching and collecting electronically stored information are described. Consistent with an embodiment of the invention, configuration and execution of a search are separated in time and location. For example, a search configuration application executing at a first computer system is utilized to generate a search configuration file, which controls the operation of a search agent when the search agent is executing at a target computer system and performing a search of storage devices act of the target computer system. Encryption is utilized to prevent unauthorized access to the search configuration file as well as the search results file generated by the search agent.
Abstract:
A method and system for searching and collecting electronically stored information are described. Consistent with an embodiment of the invention, configuration and execution of a search are separated in time and location. For example, a search configuration application executing at a first computer system is utilized to generate a search configuration file, which controls the operation of a search agent when the search agent is executing at a target computer system and performing a search of storage devices act of the target computer system. Encryption is utilized to prevent unauthorized access to the search configuration file as well as the search results file generated by the search agent.
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 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.