The invention relates to a valve (2) for controlling a passage of particles from a first region (6) to a second region (7), wherein the valve (2) comprises a valve material (4) having a modifiable degree of penetrability and a valve region (16) comprising the valve material (4), wherein the valve region (16) and the valve material (4) are adapted such that the particles have to penetrate the valve material (4) if the particles pass the valve (2) for being transferred from the first region (6) to the second region (7). The degree of opening of the valve (2) can easily be controlled by modifying the degree of penetrability of the valve material (4), for example, by modifying the temperature of the valve material (4). Moreover, by penetrating the valve material (4) the particles can be separated from other elements like a fluid containing the particles.

A heart valve prosthesis and delivery systems are provided for replacing a cardiac valve. The heart valve prosthesis includes a self-expanding frame includes a portion having a crimp that provides additional flexibility to the self-expanding frame in the collapsed configuration.

In some implementations, an apparatus includes a curved portion of a storage tank having an exterior surface, having an interior surface and having a defect, the apparatus also includes a steel patch positioned over the curved portion of a storage tank, a plurality of studs and nuts positioned near an outer perimeter of the steel patch, in which the plurality of studs being friction welded to the exterior surface of the curved portion of a storage tank.

In some implementations, an apparatus includes a container having an exterior surface, having an interior surface and having a defect, a gasket positioned over the defect in the container, the gasket having a length, a width and a depth, a rigid patch positioned over the gasket, a plurality of pairs of studs and nuts positioned near the outer perimeter of the rigid patch, the studs being friction welded to the exterior of the container.

The present invention provides tissue-engineered pumps and valves, methods of fabricating such pumps and valves, and methods of use of such pumps and valves.

An explosion-proof valve installed to a hole portion of a pressure vessel and valve opening when the pressure within the pressure vessel goes beyond a predetermined value so as to release the pressure integrally has a tubular portion inserted to the hole portion, an outside flange portion provided in one end portion of the tubular portion and engaging with an opening peripheral edge portion outside the vessel in the hole portion, a locking projection provided in the other end portion of the tubular portion and engaging with an opening peripheral edge portion in side the vessel in the hole portion, and a membrane portion provided in an inner peripheral side of the tubular portion and rupturing due to the pressure at the valve opening time, and has such a shape that an outer diameter of the outside flange portion is made smaller than an outer diameter of the locking projection.

Plastic microfluidic structures having a substantially rigid diaphragm that actuates between a relaxed state wherein the diaphragm sits against the surface of a substrate and an actuated state wherein the diaphragm is moved away from the substrate. As will be seen from the following description, the microfluidic structures formed with this diaphragm provide easy to manufacture and robust systems, as well readily made components such as valves and pumps.

Positive displacement using a connector with dual diaphragms is provided. For example, the connector includes a single fluid flow path, an air chamber and a valve. The single fluid flow path is configured for delivering fluid to a person and configured for receiving fluid from a person. The air chamber configured for expelling air from the air chamber when an actuator is inserted into the connector and for receiving air into the chamber when the actuator is removed from the connector. The valve plug comprises two diaphragms that separate the air chamber from the single fluid flow path. The valve plug is configured for creating positive displacement by returning the valve plug to its uncompressed state when the actuator is removed from the connector.

A method for manufacturing a safety catheter includes a flexible, multi-lumen shaft having a drain lumen draining fluid adjacent a distal tip of the shaft out a proximal drain end of the shaft and an inflation lumen. A hollow balloon portion has an inflation port fluidically connecting the inflation lumen to the balloon interior to inflate the balloon outwardly larger than a diameter of the shaft. The drain lumen is fluidically connected to the balloon interior by a drainage port. A hollow stretch valve in the drain lumen prevents fluid from passing through the drainage port in a steady state and permits fluid to pass therethrough in a stretched state when the shaft is stretched. Distal of a proximal end of the stretch valve, the shaft has a stretching extent that is relatively more stretchable than at least a portion of the shaft that is proximal of the stretching extent.

A pressure control valve arrangement is provided for controlling the fluid pressure in an ABS brake system of a vehicle such that, in the event of a tendency of individual wheels of the vehicle to lock, the brake pressure in associated brake cylinders can be adaptively adjusted. At least two diaphragm valves, which have diaphragms which are loaded by spring elements, and at least one electromagnetic control valve, which can be activated by an electronic control device for the pilot control of the diaphragm valves, are provided in a housing of the pressure control valve arrangement. At least one valve seat of the at least one electromagnetic control valve is formed in a unipartite fashion with a housing part which is formed by a plastic injection-molded blank.