A method and apparatus for constructing a tubular assembly 40 comprising an inner portion (24) and a further portion (23) surrounding the inner portion. The inner portion (24) comprises reinforcement (37) and the further portion (23) being formed from a strip (50) of material comprising two opposed longitudinal marginal side portions (53). The apparatus comprises an assembly station (220) comprising a wall (253). The apparatus comprises means for advancing the inner portion (21) along a first path (231) extending passed the wall (253), and means for advancing the strip (50) along a second path (232) and causing the strip to encircle the wall (253) and thereby wrap about and surround the inner portion (21). The apparatus further comprises means (321) for introducing resinous binder into the reinforcement (37) as the strip (50) is being wrapped about the inner portion (21).

A method for manufacturing a lightweight cowl crossbar includes: producing an inner pipe, laminating a plurality of composite material layers wound around the inner pipe, and extruding an outer pipe on the winding layer, in which the plurality of composite material layers adjacent to each other are wound in different directions.

An expansion tool includes a housing and an expansion head coupled to the housing. The expansion head includes a casing and a plurality of jaws extending from the casing. The plurality of jaws is movable between a closed position and an expanded position relative to a longitudinal axis. Each jaw of the plurality of jaws includes a first sizing portion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second sizing portion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first sizing portions of the plurality of jaws collectively define a first diameter when the plurality of jaws is in the closed position, the second sizing portions of the plurality of jaws collectively define a second diameter when the plurality of jaws is in the closed position, and the second diameter is greater than the first diameter.

A process for producing a thermoplastic composite pipe, where the process includes: a) providing a tubular liner having a wall containing a thermoplastic polymer A in the region of the outer surface; b) providing a tape containing reinforcing fibres in a matrix containing a thermoplastic polymer B, where polymer A and polymer B are different; c) applying a film or a composite which is produced in d) and is composed of a film and a tape provided in step b) to the tubular liner, with melting of the outer surface of the liner and of the contact surface of the film either beforehand, simultaneously or thereafter, d) applying the tape provided in b) to the outer surface of the film, with melting of the outer surface of the film applied and of the contact surface of the tape either beforehand, simultaneously or thereafter,
where the surface of the film which is brought into contact with the liner contains a moulding compound containing polymer A to an extent of at least 30% by weight, and the opposite surface of the film contains a moulding compound containing polymer B to an extent of at least 30% by weight.

Described embodiments are directed toward centrally-opening, leaflet valve devices and systems for transcatheter delivery having a two-piece valve body as well as methods of making and delivering the two-piece valve devices. A transcatheter valve includes a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The transcatheter valve can further include an everted configuration and a non-everted configuration.

An expansion tool includes a housing and an expansion head having a casing and jaws. The jaws are movable between a closed position and an expanded position relative to a longitudinal axis. Each jaw includes a first tapered portion defining a first length along the longitudinal axis, a first sizing portion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis from the first tapered portion and defining a second length along the longitudinal axis, a second tapered portion defining a third length along the longitudinal axis, and a second sizing portion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis from the second tapered portion and defining a fourth length along the longitudinal axis. The first sizing portions define a first diameter and the second sizing portions define a second diameter greater than the first diameter when the jaws are in the closed position. The third length is greater than the fourth length.

A catheter configured to provide inherent antimicrobial properties includes a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). In some embodiments, an extruded catheter body is fabricated of a PHA. In some embodiments, an extruded catheter body has an exterior layer containing PHA, an interior layer containing PHA, or both exterior and interior layers containing PHA. The PHA layer may be co-extruded with the catheter body. The PHA layer may be coating applied to the catheter body. Useful PHA materials to provide inherent antimicrobial properties include poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) and copolymers of P4HB. The catheter may be an IV catheter, a urinary catheter, a dialysis catheter, or any other catheter introduced into a body lumen.

Damage of the outer surface of a rubber hose due to friction can be prevented while the sealing performance and the productivity are ensured. The following components are provided: a pipe 11 whose one end is connected to a vulcanization pipe and in which pressed liquid is pumped from an inlet 11a disposed at the side face of the other end side; an annular member 12 which is attached to the pipe 11 so as to close an opening of the other end side of the pipe 11, and includes a hole 12a whose diameter is larger than the outer diameter of a rubber hose and in which the rubber hose passes through; and a pump which pumps more liquid than the liquid discharged outside the pipe 11 through the gap between the hole 12a and the rubber hose into an inlet 11a.

Air duct for distributing air in a greenhouse, the air duct comprising a hollow main body extending along a longitudinal axis and at least one set of vents, wherein the main body has an outer surface and an inner surface, a first end and a second end at the opposite longitudinal ends of the main body, and a segment disposed between the first end and the second end extending over substantially the entire length of the main body, wherein the cross-sectional area of the main body in this segment decreases towards the second end, wherein the vents belonging to a respective set of vents are distributed at intervals over substantially the entire length of said segment, and wherein at least said segment of the main body is made from plastic.

An endoprosthesis has an expanded state and a contracted state, the endoprosthesis includes a stent having an inner surface defining a lumen, having an outer surface, and defining a plurality of apertures through the outer surface, wherein the apertures are arranged in a micropattern; and a coating (e.g., polymeric coating) attached to the outer surface of the stent. The coating includes a base and a tissue engagement portion including a second surface facing outwardly from the stent, the tissue engagement portion including a structure that defines a plurality of holes extending inwardly from the second surface toward the base. The holes are arranged in a micropattern. When the endoprosthesis is expanded to the expanded state in a lumen defined by a vessel wall, the structure applies a force that may reduce stent migration by creating an interlock between the vessel wall and the endoprosthesis.