A device and method for loading an implant into a delivery system are disclose which are capable of simplifying operations required in interventional surgery using the implant. The device includes a guide cap (1), a guider (2) and a guiding tube (3). The guide cap (1) has a conical section (101) and a straight or conical tube (103) in communication with a small open end (102) of the conical section, and the conical section has a large open end (104) that flares outward, thereby forming a flange (105) facing the tube (103). The guider (2) has tapered sections (9, 10) that are tapered along an axis of the guider and thus form large and small open ends (8, 11). The small open end (11) has a diameter greater than a diameter of the small open end (102) of the conical section of the guide cap (1). The guide cap (1) and the guider (2) are so sized that the flange (105) can cover and be locked to the guider (2), with an end portion of the straight or conical tube (103) protruding from the small open end (11) of the guider (2). The guiding tube (3) is a round tube with two open ends, in which the first open end has a diameter greater than the diameter of the small open end (102) of the conical section of the guide cap and smaller than the diameter of the small open end (11) of the guider.

A tool system for mounting an elastic sleeve includes a holdout tube supporting the elastic sleeve prior to and during mounting, the holdout tube having a longitudinal axis, an interface element movable along the longitudinal axis and transferring pressure onto the elastic sleeve to push the elastic sleeve off the holdout tube during mounting, and an actuation lever engaging the holdout tube at a fulcrum region of the actuation lever. The actuation lever has a pair of load arms partly encompassing the holdout tube. A load region is arranged at a peripheral end of each of the load arms. The actuation lever actuates the interface element by pressing the load regions of the actuation lever against the interface element.

A method is provided where a compression tool is used for fastening a cable to a connector comprising an elongated tool frame, an anvil secured to one end of the tool frame, a compression plunger slidable along a portion of the tool frame, a handle set adapted to move the compression plunger toward and away from the anvil and a spacer block for securing the connector a distance from the anvil. The handle set may include a first handle movable from a first position wherein the plunger is a first distance from the anvil to a second position wherein the plunger is a second distance from the anvil. The spacer block may include a first end and a second end having a different depth from the first end and be rotatable so that the first end when rotated to the active position secures the connector a first distance from the anvil and the second end, when rotated to the active position secures the connector a second distance from the anvil.

Devices and methods for assembling a luer lock fitting (e.g., fitting for use in a hemodialysis and/or a peritoneal dialysis machine) may include a luer lock tool comprising a tool base including a grip portion adjacent a tool portion, the grip portion having an outer diameter and an internal cavity. The tool portion may have an internal cavity and may be configured to selectively receive and retain a male luer lock fitting at a first end of the cavity. A tool cap may have an outer diameter and an internal cavity. The tool cap may include a recessed portion at an end configured to selectively receive and retain a female luer lock fitting. The tool cap internal cavity may be configured to receive at least a portion of the tool portion of the tool base.

An assembly tool for facilitating assembly of a surgical instrument includes a handle, a neck extending from the handle, and a portion of or an entire pivot pin engaged with the neck via a frangible connection. The pivot pin is engagable with the surgical instrument. The frangible connection is configured to break upon application of stress thereto above a threshold, thereby separating the pivot pin (or portion thereof) from the neck. A method of assembling using such an assembly tool includes positioning a component of a surgical instrument for receipt of a pivot pin, manipulating the assembly tool to operably engage the pivot pin with the component, and manipulating the assembly tool to apply stress to the frangible connection to break-off the pivot pin (or portion thereof) from the assembly tool along the frangible connection.

A process, using simple tools, is provided for the removal and replacement of lawn sprinkler units in a manner that facilitates alignment of threaded components and prevents entrance of lawn soil into water distribution piping that feeds the sprinkler units.

A system for preserving and capping tubes includes a compressed air reservoir for storing compressed air, a preservative reservoir containing a supply of a preservative, a nozzle in fluid communication with the compressed air reservoir and the preservative reservoir for injecting the preservative into the interior of a tube, and a capping device configured to insert a cap onto the end of the tube.

A crimping tool and method for reducing an external dimension of a compressible prosthetic device, the crimping tool comprising a first member comprising a first control surface collapsible between a first state and a second state, the first member having a first open end configured for introducing the prosthetic device when the first control surface is in the first state, and a second open end configured for allowing locking of the prosthetic device when introduced into the first member; an engagement portion that moves the first control surface from the first state to the second state; and an actuator portion for moving the first member along the longitudinal axis allowing the engagement portion to interact with the first member.

A drive mechanism for installing thread protectors on threaded pipe ends having a servo motor, a housing, a shaft assembly, and a gripper with a plurality of jaws. The shaft assembly has a hollow shaft, rotationally mounted within the housing, and a solid shaft slidably mounted within the hollow shaft. The hollow shaft and solid shaft are coaxial and rotationally coupled. The gripper is mounted on the end of the solid shaft, outside of the housing, and is biased away from the housing. A sensor monitors the relative axial motion between the solid shaft and the hollow shaft.

A method for preparing a pre-assembled pipe coupling includes positioning a flexible, resilient ring within a first channel in the first segment of the coupling, the ring having a ring outer surface engaging the first segment, and engaging a second channel in a second segment of the coupling with the ring outer surface so as to align each connection member on the first segment with a connection member on the second segment. Further steps include attaching the first end of the first segment to the first end of the second segment, and attaching the second end of the first segment to the second end of the second segment and supporting the first and second segments in spaced apart relation from one another on the ring at a distance at least sufficient to permit insertion of the pipe elements into the central space without disassembling the segments from one another.