MATERIAL SORTING TECHNOLOGY

Systems for sorting materials, such as those made of metal, are described. The systems may operate by irradiating the materials with x-rays and then detecting fluoresced x-rays, transmitted x-rays, or both. Detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be performed using an x-ray fluorescence detector array. The systems may be configured to provide high throughput sorting of small pieces of materials. 1. A material sorting system , comprising:a conveyor configured to convey pieces of material;an x-ray source configured to irradiate the pieces of material with incident x-rays as they are conveyed by the conveyor to generate fluoresced x-rays from the pieces of material and transmitted x-rays transmitted through the pieces of material;an x-ray fluorescence detector array configured to detect the fluoresced x-rays and produce x-ray fluorescence data; andan x-ray transmission detector configured to detect the transmitted x-rays and produce x-ray transmission data.2. The material sorting system of claim 1 , further comprising a processor configured to:receive the x-ray fluorescence data and the x-ray transmission data;determine thickness data for one or more of the pieces based at least in part on the x-ray transmission data; andcombine the thickness data with the x-ray fluorescence data to determine at least a partial composition of one or more of the pieces of material.3. The material sorting system of claim 2 , wherein the x-ray transmission data comprises data about two or more energy levels claim 2 , and wherein the processor is configured to determine the thickness data at least in part by comparison of the x-ray transmission data of the two or more energy levels.4. The material sorting system of claim 1 , wherein the x-ray fluorescence detector array comprises an array of x-ray fluorescence detectors configured to detect fluoresced x-rays from pieces of material disposed on different parts of the conveyor.5. The material sorting system of claim 4 , wherein the array of x ...

SORTING PIECES OF MATERIAL BASED ON PHOTONIC EMISSIONS RESULTING FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES OF STIMULI

A piece of material that includes low-Z elements is classified based on photonic emissions detected from the piece of material. Both XRF spectroscopy and OES techniques, for example, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and spark discharge spectroscopy, may be used to classify the piece of material. A stream of pieces of material are moved along a conveying system into a stimulation and detection area. Each piece of material, in turn, is stimulated with a first and second stimulus, of a same or different type, causing the piece of material to emit emissions, for example, photons, which may include at least one of x-ray photons (i.e., x-rays) and optical emissions. These emissions then are detected by one or more detectors of a same or different type. The piece of materials is then classified, for example, using a combination of hardware, software and/or firmware, based on the detected emissions, and then sorted. 1detecting x-rays fluoresced from a material;detecting optical emissions emitted from a plasma resulting from a vaporization of a portion of the material; andprocessing the detected x-rays and the detected optical emissions in combination to classify the material.. A method, comprising: This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/826,315, titled SORTING PIECES OF MATERIAL BASED ON PHOTONIC EMISSIONS RESULTING FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES OF STIMULI, filed Jun. 29, 2010, under attorney docket no. S1404.70004US03 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/826,315 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/986,830 (the '830 application), titled SORTING PIECES OF MATERIAL BASED ON PHOTONIC EMISSIONS RESULTING FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES OF STIMULI, filed Nov. 27, 2007, under attorney docket no. S1404.70004US02. The '830 application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/986,830 in turn is a continuation of U.S. patent ...

Methods and apparatus for crossing total occlusions in blood vessels

Total occlusions are crossed by passing a guidewire or other penetrating wire from a point proximal to the occlusion into a subintimal space between the intimal layer and adventitial layer of the blood vessel wall. The wire is advanced to a point distal to the occlusion and thereafter deflected back into the blood vessel lumen, typically using a deflecting catheter which is advanced over the guidewire after it has been positioned within the subintimal space. After the guidewire is returned to the blood vessel lumen, the deflecting catheter may be withdrawn and the guidewire is available for introduction of other interventional and diagnostic catheters.

Apparatus for treating vascular occlusions

An intravascular catheter system for the treatment of occluded blood vessels that includes tissue displacement or hinged expansion members that are movable from a closed to an open position. An actuating assembly may be, provided for moving the tissue expansion members between an open and closed position to exert a substantially lateral distal end force upon the region surrounding an occluded blood vessel. The tissue expansion members may stretch apart, tear or otherwise disrupt a vascular occlusion sufficiently to create a pathway that may support the passage or placement of a guidewire or an interventional vascular device across the occlusion or obstruction. Methods of crossing or displacing a vascular occlusion are further provided that include the positioning of a vascular catheter having at least one hinged spreading member positioned at the distal region of the catheter that is responsive to directed force along the longitudinal axis of the catheter. A directed force is applied to the actuator in order to deploy the spreading member and displace a vascular occlusion creating a path to permit the passage of a guidewire or device therethrough.

Guidewire migration controller

Disclosed herein is a guidewire migration controller for use with catheter devices such as atherectomy catheters. The guidewire migration controller includes a housing, a gripper insertable in the housing and a locking member. The locking member holds the gripper within the housing. The gripper has an opening for receiving a guidewire. The gripper permits the guidewire to rotate and holds the guidewire to control guidewire migration.

Methods and apparatus for treating vascular occlusions

An intravascular catheter system for the treatment of occluded blood vessels that includes tissue displacement or hinged expansion members that are movable from a closed to an open position. An actuating assembly may be provided for moving the tissue expansion members between an open and closed position to exert a substantially lateral distal end force upon the region surrounding an occluded blood vessel. The tissue expansion members may stretch apart, tear or otherwise disrupt a vascular occlusion sufficiently to create a pathway that may support the passage or placement of a guidewire or an interventional vascular device across the occlusion or obstruction. Methods of crossing or displacing a vascular occlusion are further provided that include the positioning of a vascular catheter having at least one hinged spreading member positioned at the distal region of the catheter that is responsive to directed force along the longitudinal axis of the catheter. A directed force is applied to the actuator in order to deploy the spreading member and displace a vascular occlusion creating a path to permit the passage of a guidewire or device therethrough.

Re-entry catheter

Total occlusions are crossed by passing a guidewire or other penetrating wire from a point proximal to the occlusion into a subintimal space between the intimal layer and adventitial layer of the blood vessel wall. The wire is advanced to a point distal to the occlusion and thereafter deflected back into the blood vessel lumen, typically using a deflecting catheter which is advanced over the guidewire after it has been positioned within the subintimal space. After the guidewire is returned to the blood vessel lumen, the deflecting catheter may be withdrawn and the guidewire is available for introduction of other interventional and diagnostic catheters.

ROOF DRAINAGE FOR A FLOATING ROOF

Manual actuator for a catheter system for treating a vascular occlusion

Disclosed herein is manual actuator for retracting and advancing a therapeutic working element of an intravascular catheter system via an actuation shaft or one or more pulling wires. The manual actuator includes a hollow cylindrical bracing member having an open proximal end and a distal end, and a hollow cylindrical retracting member, the retracting member being slidable, in a telescoping fashion, into the open proximal end of the bracing member. An actuation shaft is secured near to the proximal end of the retracting member and the distal end of the actuation shaft is secured to the therapeutic working element. Alternatively, at least one pulling wire is secured proximal to the proximal end of the retracting member. The distal end of the pulling wire is secured to the therapeutic working element. At least one resilient connecting member has a proximal end attached proximate the proximal end of the retracting member, and a distal end attached proximate the distal end of the bracing member. When a manually applied external force is applied by the physician to the resilient connecting members, the resilient connecting members urge the retracting member in a proximal direction with respect to the bracing member, and retracting the actuation shaft to thereby operate the working element of the catheter system. Alternatively, the retracting member is urged in the proximal direction by the manually applied external force and the pulling wires transmit this force to the therapeutic working element.

A wire deflection system

Manual actuator for a catheter system for treating a vascular occlusion

Disclosed herein is manual actuator for retracting and advancing a therapeutic working element of an intravascular catheter system via an actuation shaft or one or more pulling wires. The manual actuator includes a hollow cylindrical bracing member having an open proximal end and a distal end, and a hollow cylindrical retracting member, the retracting member being slidable, in a telescoping fashion, into the open proximal end of the bracing member. An actuation shaft is secured near to the proximal end of the retracting member and the distal end of the actuation shaft is secured to the therapeutic working element. Alternatively, at least one pulling wire is secured proximal to the proximal end of the retracting member. The distal end of the pulling wire is secured to the therapeutic working element. At least one resilient connecting member has a proximal end attached proximate the proximal end of the retracting member, and a distal end attached proximate the distal end of the bracing member. When a manually applied external force is applied by the physician to the resilient connecting members, the resilient connecting members urge the retracting member in a proximal direction with respect to the bracing member, and retracting the actuation shaft to thereby operate the working element of the catheter system. Alternatively, the retracting member is urged in the proximal direction by the manually applied external force and the pulling wires transmit this force to the therapeutic working element.

Spiralförmiger catheter für elektrophisiologische verwendung

Method and Apparatus for Improving Identification and Control of Articles Passing Through a Scanning System

An article sensing and tracking system and computer system integrated and connected to present on a monitor screen, or screens, visual x-ray and photographic images of articles that are being passed through a scanner and visual indication of the physical location of the displayed articles within the system, enabling security personnel viewing a monitor screen to accurately track and maintain custody of the articles, until cleared, through examination of x-ray data and other information relating to the articles.

Method and apparatus for improving baggage screening examination

A method and apparatus are disclosed for screening articles such as baggage (4), utilizing a computerized touch sensitive screen (10A) or other computerized pointing device for operator identification and electronic marking of objects within the article to be further examined. Baggage is electromagnetically (i.e., x-ray) scanned (1) while traveling on a conveyer (3) and an electronic image (11) is taken of each article and stored in a computer (8). An operator positioned at a computerized touch sensitive screen views electronic images of the articles to be screened as they are conveyed past a sensor array which transmits sequences of images. The present system utilizes a plurality of visual display devices (10A-10C), each with an examiner, which are likely located remotely of the screening operation. Each examination continues such that there is no interruption in the flow of articles should an examiner detect an object worthy of further examination, either by screen or by physical examination.

Manual actuator for a catheter system for treating a vascular occlusion

Vorrichtung zum behandeln von blutgefässokklusionen

Joint pour reservoir de stockage a dome flottant

LA PRESENTE INVENTION CONCERNE UN JOINT POUR DOME FLOTTANT. CE JOINT FERME L'ESPACE ANNULAIRE 16 DEFINIT PAR LE DOME FLOTTANT 10 ET LA PAROI 14 DU RESERVOIR DE STOCKAGE 12. IL COMPREND UNE LONGUEUR UNITAIRE SIMPLE D'UNE MATIERE PLIABLE 46, QUI EST REPLIEE SELON SON AXE LONGITUDINAL DE MANIERE A SUPERPOSER SES BORDS LATERAUX 66 ET 68. LES BORDS EXTREMES SONT FERMES ET LES BORDS SUPERPOSES SONT FIXES AU DOME FLOTTANT 10. UNE BANDE-RACLEUSE 74 EST FIXEE AU DOME FLOTTANT 10, POUR ETRE INTERPOSEE ENTRE L'ENVELOPPE 30 ET LA PAROI 14 DU RESERVOIR 12; UNE MATIERE FLUIDE 47 PEUT ETRE PLACEE DANS L'ENVELOPPE 30, UNE FOIS LE JOINT INSITU. L'INVENTION DECRIT UN PROCEDE POUR FORMER LE JOINT, AINSI QUE DES MOYENS POUR REALISER UNE ETANCHEITE SECONDAIRE. APPLICATION AUX RESERVOIRS DE STOCKAGE.

Floating roof seal

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A seal (30) for use in a floating roof storage tank (12) is disclosed. The seal (30) closes the annular space (16) defined between the floating roof (10) and the wall (14) of the storage tank (12). The seal (30) includes a single, unitary length of pliable material which is folded about the longitudinal axis thereof to superpose the side edges thereof. The end edges are closed and the superposed side edges are attached to the floating roof. A scuff band (74) is attached to the floating roof (10) to be interposed between the envelope (30) and the tank wall (14), and fluent material (47) can be placed into the envelope (30) when the seal is in situ. A method of forming the seal is disclosed, as are secondary sealing means (202, 212, 230).

Verfahren zum Regeln einer Papier trockenmaschine

Improved cutter device

Disclosed herein is a cutter for removing soft and hard tissue when used with an atherectomy catheter (10) of the type having a cutter housing (16) attached to the distal end of a catheter member (12) having a torque cable (26). A circular (5) cutting blade (24) is disposed within the housing (16) and is secured to the distal end of a rotable torque cable (26). An elongated aperture (18) formed along one side of the housing (16) allows the intrusion of stenotic material which may then be severed by rotating and axially translating the cutting blade (24). The cutting blade may be made from a cemented tungsten carbide coumpound of 90 percent (10) tungsten carbide (WC) and 10 percent cobalt (Co) which is heated, injection molded and sintered to produce a hard, durable cutting edge (28). The cutting edge (28) is coated with titanium carbonitride using a physical vapor deposition process to further increase durability and resistance to fragmentation. Cutting edge hardness is further increased by application of an ion implantation (15) of nitrogen using an ion-beam assisted deposition process. A variety of alternative cutter materials, coatings and geometries are devined which improve cutter performance in removing soft and hard lesions.