Other

Tfx Medical, Inc.

James R Whitney

Peter J Wilk

Michael R Beeltje

Kenneth R Benoit

A surgical clamping device comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, with a self-locking surgical fastener mountable thereon. The jaws have at least a first closing configuration and a second closing configuration, the first closing configuration designed to reduce a lateral dimension of a clamping device with mounted fastener, without thereby engaging locking devices on the selflocking surgical fastener, the second closing configuration designed to cause an engagement of the self-locking devices, thereby allowing a demounting of the fastener and a permanent disposition thereof in tissue. In a first closing configuration an approximation of the jaws in a transverse plane thereof is accompanied by an out-of-plane movement, comprising translation, or rotation about an axis in the plane, the rotation in turn comprising twisting&mdash;rotation about an axis essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the jaws, or skewing&mdash;rotation about an axis essentially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the jaws. An alternative engagement of the first closing configuration and the second closing configuration is effected by a ratcheting device in conjunction with a camming device, or any means of actuation known in the mechanical arts.

Off-set clamp mechanism and associated method for minimally invasive surgery

An improved percutaneous introducer device is provided that inhibits or prevents undesired shearing of the splittable sheath component of the device. The device includes an interference tab that extends between two wing portions which axially shear the splittable sheath component of the device upon application of an effective force thereto. The interference tab effectively blocks undesired shearing forces that may occur during manipulation of the device by medical personnel or the patient prior to and during placement of a catheter, guide wire or other device.

Introducer device and methods of use thereof

A paint striping cart is provided with a parallelogram linkage oscillatable in a horizontal plane. The forward arm of the linkage carries a downwardly directed nozzle which sprays paint in a fan or web, i.e., in a plane. The parallelogram linkage is actuated by a handle and linkage assembly on the cart, the action being such that the nozzle may be swung to any lateral position, within a range of about 60 degrees with respect to the cart longitudinal axis (being its direction of travel) on either side of the cart. In operation, the cart is positioned between a pair of parked cars on a parking lot. So long as neither of the two cars overlies a worn or faded paint line between the cars, the nozzle can be positioned over the worn line and fresh paint discharged from the nozzle to renew the line as the cart is pushed or pulled along a straight path. The parallelogram linkage insures that the angle which the plane of the sprayed paint fan makes with the direction of motion of the cart is independent of the amount or extent of swing of the parallelogram.

Parking lot paint striping cart

An apparatus and method for cutting grooves on the edges of an already formed road. Each of a plurality of toothed cutting wheels revolves about a substantially vertical driving shaft. Simultaneously, each cutting wheel (attached to a respective rotary shaft) revolves about its own longitudinal and substantially horizontal axis. The apparatus is moved along a road, near an edge thereof, thus giving rise to one linear motion and two rotary motions. Sequentially, each cutting wheel enters an edge of the road from a region beyond the road edge, due to a slight tilt of the plane which contains the cutting wheel rotary shafts. The resultant grooves are deepest at the road edges and then gradually diminish to zero depth, the grooves being arcuate and parallel to each other. With the plane containing the cutting wheel shafts completely horizontal, the apparatus can cut rain drainage grooves in a raised marking strip on the road or can remove bumps from the road.

Road having curved grooves

An apparatus and method for cutting rain drainage grooves in a road surface, such as at the edges of the road to form a road marker system. A cutting cylinder rotates about its longitudinal axis, the latter lying in a substantially horizontal plane and at some angle, generally a right angle, to the road direction. The cutting cylinder is mounted on a frame, the latter attached to and carried by an automotive vehicle such as a truck. As the truck travels along the road, the cutting cylinder is moved alternately up and down, into the road surface, and forms the grooves. The cutting cylinder can be slightly tilted, so as to produce grooves of variable width and depth. The truck moves along the road being grooved at a substantially uniform speed. Preferably, the slopping side walls of the grooves are coated with a retro reflective coating. The grooves continuously drain rain so that the retro reflective coating is visible during hours of darkness and rain, to maintain visibility of the road edge to drivers. The grooves also function as a rumble strip.

Rain drainage grooves in a road and apparatus for making them

A lane marker for a road is defined by a generally convex strip formed, for example, from an asphalt slurry. The marker strip is placed on the road surface as by extrusion, the strip then compacted and provided with a reflective coating such as a light colored paint carrying glass particles. The coating may cover the entire strip, or may be defined by two parallel stripes. Rain drainage grooves also reflectively coated may be provided, the grooves extending across the marker strip. The marker strip exhibits particular utility during normal rainfall at night hours.

Growing community of inventors

Woodbridge, VA, United States of America

James R Whitney