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The 10 despicable criminals locked up in London this week
A number of high-profile killers were brought to justice this week
Vicky MunroReporter
Three of the criminals jailed this week
It's been a busy week for London's courts , which have jailed eight killers and two other criminals in just seven days.
Not only do jail sentences take dangerous people off London's streets so they can be rehabilitated, they may also bring some measure of peace to those that have had their loved ones taken away from them too soon.
Every month, we bring you all the criminals from North , East , South and West London who have been locked up in the preceding four weeks.
This week 10 offenders were sentenced for their crimes , the vast majority of which were killers. These are their faces and their stories.
Men behind fatal arson attack
The killers have been jailed for life on Friday (July 19) at the Old Bailey
Two men were sentenced to life imprisonment at the Old Bailey on Friday (July 19) for murdering 46-year-old Memunatu Warne in a vicious arson attack in Woolwich .
Memunatu was visiting her cousins at their home in Centurion Square on Berber Parade when, in the early hours of September 6 2018, William Smith, 26, and 22-year-old Elliott Robinson, both of no fixed address, set a fire outside the front door using petrol.
Memunatu, who was sleeping downstairs, alerted the family to the fire but her cousins, a man in his 60s and a woman in his 50s, were unable to reach her through the smoke and had to jump from an upstairs window to escape, receiving serious injuries.
Emergency services, called shortly before 1.30am, found her body in the front bedroom and a post-mortem later confirmed she died of smoke inhalation.
The 66 West London criminals locked up so far this year
Extensive enquiries established it was most likely Smith who organised the fire, thought to be motivated by a drug dispute with a member of the family, although all those caught up in the fire were innocent of any criminality.
Smith was arrested on October 30, 2018 in Dartford after running onto the railway track to try to avoid arrest. As he did so he threw away a false passport that he had been using. The person who set the fire was believed to be Elliott Robinson.
Four men who had been charged with murder and arson - Kurtis Freeman age 21 Matthew John, age 20, Kye Kendall, age 19 and Martin McCardle, age 29 - were all acquitted during the trial.
Callous man who killed pensioner by setting fire to her home
William Kydd has been jailed for life for Carole Harrison's murder
A man who killed an elderly woman by knocking her unconscious and setting fire to her Teddington home was jailed for life with a minimum of 30 years on Friday (July 19).
William Kydd, 54, of Gabriel Close in Feltham , killed 74-year-old Carole Harrison in the early hours of August 21 2018 and was convicted following a trial at the Old Bailey.
Emergency services discovered Carole's body at around 1am after a fire at her Mays Road home - a post-mortem revealed she died from smoke inhalation and a head wound. The London Fire Brigade concluded that the fire had been started deliberately.
Carole, a mother of five and a former nurse, had lived in Teddington for 46 years, the last 18 of which were on her own since the death of her husband.
Carole Harrison, 74, was a mother of five and a former nurse (Image: Met Police)
It was established that the fires had been started in four separate areas of the house and that internal doors had been closed; Carole would not have been able to close the doors owing to the arthritis she suffered.
Detective Inspector Domenica Catino, who led the investigation, said: "Carole was an elderly vulnerable woman who had a very trusting nature and would believe that as soon as she was spoken to by anyone they were her friends and she would go to any lengths to help them.
"Kydd clearly preyed on this vulnerability callously taking full advantage of Carole's generosity for his own selfish gain and stopping at nothing to get what he wanted.
"On the night of her murder he violently assaulted Carole leaving her unconscious with a head injury. He then decided to set fire to the premises to cover up his actions.
"My thoughts go out to Carole's family who were dignified throughout the trial and having to deal with Kydd's antics in court which again displayed any lack of remorse. Frankly he did not care."
Man who stabbed young wife more than 50 times over £200
Gambling addict Jalal Uddin
A man who stabbed his young wife 58 times after she confronted him for gambling away her money was jailed for life with a minimum of 19 years for her murder on Thursday (July 18).
Jalal Uddin, 47, of City Island Way in Canning Town , was found unanimously guilty of murdering 31-year-old Asma Begum by a jury on Wednesday (July 17).
Uddin attacked his wife in their home on 11 January, at some point between 10.25am and 2.15pm, after she confronted him for withdrawing £200 from her bank account and gambling it away within an hour.
A pathologist who examined her body, discovered in the flat shortly after 4pm, described the violence done to her as "extreme" and was unable to count all of the wounds, the court heard .
Asma Begum was murdered by her husband (Image: Metropolitan Police)
Detective Inspector Brett Hagen, who led the investigation, described how Asma had been "doing her level best to make ends meet" while relying on benefits to support herself and her three children but that Uddin, a gambling addict, frittered away their cash.
He said: "The day before her brutal death, Uddin withdrew £200 in cash from Asma's bank account and gambled it away within an hour of withdrawing the money from the cashpoint. That money was meant to be used to provide food and sundries for his family."
Uddin was reportedly known as the "Angry Indian" at a William Hill bookmaker's in East London because he would hit gaming machines when he was losing and one staff member recalled him losing more than £1,000 on the machines in one visit.
At the time of Mrs Begum's death, he had defaulted on a loan he took out with Clydesdale Bank in September 2016 for more than £16,000.
The following day, when Asma argued with him about the money, he attacked her, leaving her with what DI Hagen describes as "truly horrific injuries" and more than 50 stab and slash wounds to her head and neck.
The court heard that the attack was so ferocious that pieces of the knife broke off in her face and that one of her hands was "almost severed" at the wrist.
She had previously told a housing officer in November 2016 that he would hit her when she refused to hand over money and even reported him to the police for his abusive behaviour the same year, although she refused to give evidence and soon returned to him.
DI Hagen added: "Asma's lifeless body was found by her family members. The scene greeting them and the emergency services personnel who attended that day will invariably live with them forever."
Uddin handed himself into Croydon police station at around 1am the day after Asma's death. In his trial, which began at the Old Bailey on 1 July, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denied murder.
Jealous man who stabbed girlfriend in back
Michael Rolle who has been jailed for life with a minimum of 20 years at the Old Bailey for the murder of Charlotte Huggins (Image: Met Police)
A jealous and controlling boyfriend who stabbed his girlfriend to death in a drug and drink-fuelled rage on New Year's Day was jailed for life, to the delight of her grieving family.
Michael Rolle, 34, of East Dulwich, stabbed mum-of-one Charlotte Huggins in the back at her Camberwell home after she returned from celebrating the new year at the pub but tried to convince the court she had injured herself in a "freak" accident.
Jurors heard how he had threatened Ms Huggins with knives just days before the killing at her 33rd birthday party. As she returned to the home she shared with her aunt and 10-year-old daughter, she told a friend she would be "looking out for Michael the maniac".
Charlotte Huggins was stabbed to death
Rolle barged into her home at 4am, forced a childhood friend to leave and then he stabbed her, before trying unsuccessfully to persuade his other partner to dispose of his bloody clothes.
Outside court, the victim's father Philip Huggins danced and hugged friends and family who had packed into the courtroom. He said: "I'm so happy he cannot do it to another woman. We got justice for Charlotte."
Convicted killer and 'sexual predator' sentenced for earlier murder
Kasim Lewis has admitted murdering Catherine Burke (Image: Met Police/PA)
An already-convicted killer has been sentenced for a second murder, in which he killed a 55-year-old woman in her Muswell Hill home .
Kasim Lewis, 32, admitted killing Cathy Burke in November 2017, and had 40 years added to the life sentence he received for killing bar worker Iuliana Tudos on Christmas Eve in 2017.
Lewis was a prolific burglar who had committed nine separate residential burglaries in the north London area in the years leading up to this killing. It is thought he gained access to her house through the back door.
She was found the following day after neighbours raised the alarm. Her naked body was lying on a bed under a pile of clothes and she had been stabbed in the neck, the back and twice in the stomach. A gag had been tied around her face and her wrists and ankles were bound.
An artist's impression of "wicked" Kasim Lewis in the dock (Image: Elizabeth Cook/PA)
Lewis took two mobile telephones belonging to Ms Burke and an Amazon tablet from the property when he left. Less than six weeks later Lewis murdered 22-year-old Iuliana Tudos in north London in similar circumstances.
As well as the similarities between the two murders, DNA from a bloodstain found on Lewis' jeans seized during the police investigation of the murder of Iuliana Tudos was found to be a one-in-a-billion match with Cathy Burke.
CPS prosecutor Sarah Dale said: "Lewis is a dangerous sexual predator who has now admitted to carrying out two extremely brutal and violent murders. He has left in his wake a trail of bereaved families and friends and our thoughts are with them.."
Two young men who fatally stabbed teenager in Barking
Kareem Lashley-Weekes was found guilty of murder (Image: Met Police)
Two young men were both sentenced to life imprisonment on Wednesday (July 17) after fatally stabbing 19-year-old Hasan Ozcan, from Barking, in February 2018.
Kareem Lashley-Weekes, 21, of no fixed address was sentenced to life with a minimum of 24 years, while a 16-year-old boy from Dagenham was sentenced to life with a minimum of 19 years. Kamaal Modest, 22, of Fairfield Close, Merton, was sentenced to 25 months in prison for violent disorder.
Police were called at 10.11pm on February 3 by a member of the public, who reported that a man had been stabbed on a fenced sports court on Lindsell Road by boys on bicycles.
Despite multiple injuries, Hasan was still alive when officers arrived at the scene and attempted first aid before the arrival of the London Ambulance Service. However, paramedics were unable to save him and he was pronounced dead just before 11pm.
Hasan was stabbed to death last year (Image: Met Police)
Hasan was stabbed a total of seven times and had wounds to his chest, abdomen, left arm and both thighs, one of which killed him by severing a number of arteries.
Detectives established that the motive for the crime was a revenge attack after one of the defendants' friends was stabbed at about 7.30pm that day, although his injuries were not life-threatening or life-changing.
Detective Sergeant Jake Ellis said: "The dignity of Hasan's family throughout this traumatic process has been remarkable. They were very nearby when Hasan was murdered and could only stand by while he was given first aid, which was ultimately in vain."
Man who assaulted and robbed his date
(Image: Met Police)
Lee Anthony Smith, 39, of no fixed abode, was jailed for 12 years for a number of offences, including the brutal assault and robbery of a man he went on a date with in Clapham.
He was handed the sentence on Wednesday (July 17) at the Inner London Crown Court, after the court heard he met his victim on May 20 2018 for a drink in Prescott Place, using the fake name Luke.
When the date came to an end, Smith took the victim through an alleyway towards the high street. It was here that Smith aggressively made advances towards the victim, who refused.
In reaction Smith assaulted him and beat him over the head. He then robbed him of his Rolex watch, iPhone and debit card. This attack caused significant injuries, including fractures to the cheek bone. Afterwards Smith went on to use the stolen debit card to buy food.
The 85 despicable South London criminals locked up in the first half of this year
Smith also pleaded guilty to burglary and fraud following a series of linked incidents that happened between the February and July, 2018.
Smith has been served with a Criminal Behaviour Order until further notice, under the conditions that he is not to enter the Larkhall Ward in Lambeth, he wears a high visibility jacket while riding a bike and multiple drug related restrictions.
Detective Raymond Sekalongo, of the Central South CID, said: "Smith is a destructive and unstable person who brutally robbed and terrorised his victims for absolutely no reason."
Vile predator who exposed himself on bus
Stoica was sentenced to 16 months in prison and will be deported to Romania after his sentence. (Image: Met Police)
A man who sexually assaulted a teenager and exposed his penis on a bus in Dagenham was jailed for 16 months, will be on the sex offenders register for the next ten years and will be deported to Romania after his sentence.
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On May 24, Samuel Stoica, 23, of Ripple Road, boarded a bus route 173 in Dagenham and went to the upper deck. He engaged a 17-year-old girl in conversation.
He then sexually assaulted the female by kissing her, grabbing her round the throat, and forcing his hand onto body. He also exposed his penis.
Stoica was identified from CCTV footage on the bus and promptly arrested following enquiries.
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Well despite the fact that we almost all said 'no' to electoral reform last year, we'll be using it next month when we elect our first Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight - yes, that means you!
These elections will use the supplementary vote system; Under this system voters will be able to vote for a first and a second choice candidate.
If no candidate has 50 per cent of the first preference votes counted, the two candidates with the highest number of first preference votes go forward to a second round.
In the second round of counting, the second preference of the candidates not finishing first or second are counted and redistributed to the two candidates with the highest number of first preference votes.
Obviously most people will just vote Conservative because that's what we do round here despite the fact that Michael Mates is now 150 years old but if you want to struggle on with the new fangled voting system I repeat and update my advice from last year: number the candidates in order of preference until you don't care any more or until you have chosen two candidates, whichever occurs first .
So that's actually more complicated than the system everyone said was too complicated last year!


By no means is this going to be the ultimate WordPress Manual as there is so much that WordPress can do that even the site of WordPress.org itself shows you all that is possible.
So why then this separate manual for WordPress site building? There is one simple reason for that: You need to start somewhere to learn how to use this beautifull piece of software to get the most out of it and that means learning the basics first.
You know the old saying "You have to learn to walk before you can run" and that is exactly what you will learn, the first steps in using your WordPress site.


TTY Browser usable for kos browsers?
Post subject: TTY Browser usable for kos browsers?
It renders to TTY (all the modern stuff) maybe this could be used with the available browser software for kos?!?
Post subject: Re: TTY Browser usable for kos browsers?
That is for the rendering part. Kolibrios could access the tty stream though!
I found something similar, but it is from 2014 https://github.com/tenox7/wrp It seems to make images and creates links. This could work well together with the netsurf browser.


Eshop uses CMS functionality which is documented in CMS section. So if you want to create some widgets or you want to understand a functionality of Pages, Posts or Notices then you need to read CMS section.
Settings part contain very important information like domain settings, email and SMTP settings, categories and templates. Each instance needs to be configured before some content will be created.
Orders section contains all registered orders. You can create an order manually in this section (as MOTO Mail Order Telephone Order).
Products section contains all registered products which you want to sell to your customers. This section supports export/import products in JSON format.
Pages section contains all registered pages and in this section you can edit links in all registered navigations. With CMS you can create unlimited count of pages.
Widgets can be used only in the CMS editor which is used in Pages, Posts and Newsletter section. Each widget can contain own style, HTML, server-side code and client-side.
Posts can be used for different cases like blog posts, articles, etc.. Posts use CMS editor which is used in Pages section. Posts can be paginated.
Notices are short messages which use Markdown syntax and can be paginated.
Users are your customers which are registered via Eshop. Each registered user can have a discount, but the discount needs to be entered manually.
Subscribers contains email addresses only. These addresses are used for sending newsletter from CMS directly.
Newsletter is used for sending emails to all registered subscribers. You can notify all subscribers easily about news, changes, discounts and everything else. Newsletter uses CMS editor too.


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Be entertained by theatre, festivals and live music in Surrey
Be entertained all year round! A dazzling calendar of festivals joins live music venues and theatres across the county.
If you can't make it to Edinburgh's famous Fringe Festival, Guildford brings the multi-arts action to Surrey. The Guildford Fringe Festival offers two weeks of theatre, comedy, poetry, live music and more. At the annual Guildford Book Festival, you'll hobnob with writers and be among the first to buy new reads at book launches.
Classical music fans flock to the Surrey Hills International Music Festival, showcasing world-famous orchestras and performers in historic country houses and baroque churches. Dance your way around the Weyfest Music Festival, with live music to suit everyone and plenty of scrumptious food stalls. It's a great choice for families with kids who'll love the train rides and creative arts workshops.
Witness performances in person at Guildford Fringe
See and hear a wide range of instruments at the Guildford Fringe festival
It's all about thrilling your taste buds at the Cheese & Chilli Festival in Guildford each year. Have a laugh at those in the Chilli Eating Competition as you nibble on cheese varieties. With the Marketplace, a Kids Zone and a demonstration marquee, the Surrey Food Festival delivers the best of local products for your tasting pleasure. Watch celebrity chefs whip up delicious creations and take their cooking secrets home with you.
If you can't make it to Edinburgh's famous Fringe Festival, Guildford brings the multi-arts action to Surrey. The Guildford Fringe Festival offers two weeks of theatre, comedy, poetry, live music and more
Theatre is big news in Surrey, so it's always worth checking exciting schedules for a show to suit you. Farnham Maltings is a creative arts centre with resident theatre and dance companies offering a year-long programme of entertainment for all ages. While you're there, check out the artist studios for fabulous souvenirs.
There's always a show to see in Guildford, with three main theatres to choose from. The Yvonne Arnaud is known as one of the country's leading regional theatres. Located in the former electricity works, the Electric Theatre entertains with state-of-the-art live music events and comedy nights. If you're in Kingston, catch a show at The Rose Theatre. Founded by the late Peter Hall, it enjoys artistic and critical acclaim from its own productions.
Become immersed in fantastic music at Rose Theatre
Pop in for a panto, a rollicking comedy act or a touring musical at The Harlequin Theatre in Redhill. Feel like a movie instead? There's also a cinema and a restaurant serving up seasonal food made to order. Opened in 1992, The New Victoria Theatre in Woking has hosted the likes of the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre and the Peter Hall Company. Owned by Ambassador Theatre Group, the complex also includes the Rhoda McGaw Theatre.
The talented people at the Cranleigh Arts Centre deliver a huge range of theatre, comedy, classical recitals, live music and talks. Local performers take centre stage often, however, national and international stars also take to this stage. Previously, the auditorium has featured household names like David Gower, Jack Dee and Shappi Khorsandi.
Theatre is big news in Surrey, so it's always worth checking exciting schedules for a show to suit you, and there's always a show to see in Guildford
Officially opened by Prince Edward in 2012, G Live is Guildford's largest entertainment venue. It's home to the prestigious International Concert Season, featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and other world-class orchestras. From classic rock to big bands and Motown tunes, get set for an exciting night out whatever you choose to see, with dinner and drinks packages available too.
Framed by a woodland glade and hidden behind an ancient orchard wall on the grounds of West Horsley Place, The Theatre in the Woods is run by Grange Park Opera. It's the perfect setting for summer show seasons where guests enjoy picnic and opera evenings. While you're guaranteed a fabulous live music concert, the four-tiered, horseshoe-shaped theatre itself is worth a round of applause.
A wide variety of famous performances have taken place at The Boileroom
The likes of Ed Sheeran, Sugarhill Gang and The Bronx have rocked the stage at The Boileroom in Guildford. Going strong since 2006, the team at the award-winning venue are committed to showcasing and nurturing emerging artists, so you'll likely see fantastic local musicians. Speaking of which, no matter where you are, check out local pubs for live music on any given night.
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Image credits: ©Guildford Fringe Festival; Rachael Lowndes/Rose Theatre; Rob Blackham/The Boileroom
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Proboscis Monkey usually inhabits coastal mangroves and riverine forests. It has a fur skin type. The diet is omnivore. The life span is 15 - 20 years. The average weight of the proboscis monkey is 7kg - 22kg (15lbs - 48lbs). The maximum speed it can reach is 24kph (15mph).


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An irresistible, chewy snack for every occasion
Teri Bell
I was only 19 when I was transferred to Claxton to work as an assistant manager of TG&Y. It was the first time my parents had been more than 15 minutes away.
I rented a one-room apartment, well, actually two rooms if you counted the bathroom, and settled in, ready to conquer the world with my new "title" and "big" paycheck.
My co-workers were gracious and showed me around the town, which took about 15 minutes, and then took me to their favorite place to grab a quick lunch. I can't remember the name of the place, but I do remember their "burger box," which was five tiny hamburgers served on tiny round buns (we call them sliders now - back then they were just cute little burgers) and their one and only dessert - Chewy Cake.
The burgers were good, but the Chewy Cake is what drew me back, over and over again. Chewy Cake, which isn't a cake but a bar, had somehow eluded my dessert repertoire prior to the move to Claxton, but at most of the privately owned restaurants in Claxton, you would find a plate sitting next to the register with several individually wrapped squares of these un-iced, brown bars.
No label or price was needed because everyone knew what they were, what they cost and that they wanted one with their meal. I imagine someone was making them in their home and selling them to these establishments to make a few extra dollars.
Today I know that is against health code regulations, but this was the middle 70s and a small town. I doubt anyone really cared too much about regulations.
I eventually found the recipe to this local favorite and was surprised at how easy it was to prepare. Many years later, it became our quick household dessert.
I made many, many pans to send to school functions, on band trips, for overnight friends and our wonderful Sunday night dinners. I kept the ingredients in the pantry and was ready to make a pan at all times.
I had become a true Claxton resident. I sent pans home with the children after they went off to college, and they introduced Chewy Cake to roommates and friends.
Most of them had never heard of it. Some called it a blond brownie, and one called it Chew Bread, but whatever it was called, the plate was always empty before too long.
Chewy Cake was one of the first Sophie Snacks in our store. It seemed only natural to have a plate of these individually wrapped bars sitting next to my cash register.
I have labels on them and I spend a lot of time explaining that they are "brown sugar, flour, eggs and vanilla" but I also sell a lot of them, despite their simple ingredients and plain appearance. Their warm sweetness and soft chewy texture always bring people back for more.
My husband and employees keep telling me to quit giving away recipes from the store, but I was watching all the frazzled moms of school-aged children dashing in and around the bakery department of the grocery store recently, and I remembered those last minute notifications - "Mom, I need to take something to school tomorrow!"
I thought they could use a simple recipe like this, so I decided to share. Many pans of Chewy Cake were made late at night for school the next day, and I am confident that the basket by the register containing Chewy Cake will still sell. Who can resist?
Teri Bell is co-owner of Miss Sophie's Marketplace, 1014 U.S. 80 in Pooler, and Miss Sophie's at the Mighty Eighth, 175 Bourne Ave., Pooler. Contact her at 912-330-0778, 912-330-0182 or visit www.sophiesmarket.com.


1999-01-13 Application filed by Frantzen; John J. filed Critical Frantzen; John J.
A flexible balloon 10 is provided for use in delivering and radially expanding a surgical stent 110. The flexible balloon 10 includes an interior which can be inflated with a fluid to expand the balloon 10 from a collapsed to an inflated radial size. The balloon 10 is formed with an outer surface 22 having a contour which includes a series of substantial cylindrical sections 20 spaced apart by notches 30. The notches 30 have a lesser radial size than that exhibited by the cylindrical sections 20. The notches 30 thus assist the balloon 10 in flexing to allow the balloon 10 to be passed through body lumens L having tight bends therein. A stent 110 is additionally disclosed which includes multiple separate segments 180. The segments 180 are sized to match axial length of the cylindrical sections 20 and are provided with greater flexibility axially between segments 180 than within segments 180 of the stent 110. Thus, areas of flexibility within the stent 110 align with areas of flexibility in the balloon 10. The flexible balloon 10 can either have cylindrical sections 20 of similar size or be configured as a tapering balloon 50 with both large sections 60 and small sections 70.
The following invention relates to elongate inflatable balloons for delivery and radial expansion of surgical stents for implantation into body lumens. More specifically, this invention relates to surgical stent delivery balloons which exhibit sufficient flexibility characteristics to be passed through small and tortuous pathways.
Implantation of surgical stents into body lumens to support a region of the lumen adjacent a lesion is a well known therapy which is beneficial in a variety of different circumstances. Surgical stents come in a variety of different configurations. Many such surgical stents are generally cylindrical in form and have a first radially collapsed configuration and a second radially expanded configuration. For instance, the patent to Frantzen (U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,175) illustrates a typical such stent.
Known prior art methods for delivery of such stents typically involve radially collapsing the stent onto an inflatable balloon while the balloon is in a deflated configuration having a lesser radial size. The balloon and stent combination are fed along the body lumen with a guide wire or other support structure controlled by the surgeon. The support can also supply a fluid to an interior of the balloon for radial expansion of the balloon. When the balloon and stent combination in their collapsed form have been positioned where desired within the body lumen, the balloon is inflated, causing the balloon to expand radially and for the stent to expand radially. When the stent is expanded to the desired amount, the balloon can then be deflated and removed. The stent remains in place to support the body lumen.
Known prior art balloon and balloon/stent combined delivery systems suffer from deficiencies which this invention addresses. For instance, prior art balloons are not sufficiently flexible to be easily passed into tortuous and tightly curving body lumens, such as many coronary arteries. This lack of balloon flexibility is particularly noticeable when the prior art balloons are inflated and have a tendency to straighten within the body lumen. Such balloon straightening can undesirably damage the body lumen or cause the balloon to migrate out of the position desired for implantation of the stent.
Additionally, prior art balloons have generally not been provided with sections having differing expanded radial sizes. Hence, when stents having a tapering or otherwise variable diameter are to be implanted, balloons have not been available which have variable radial sizes to match such stents.
Accordingly, a need exists for a stent delivery system featuring a flexible balloon and a balloon which can have separate sections of different radial size to maximize the effectiveness of the stent implantation process.
This invention provides a surgical stent positioning and radial expansion system which features a flexible balloon. The balloon has an outer surface which is broken into separate sections axially spaced from each other by notches. The notches provide portions of the outer surface which have a lesser radial size than that of the sections. The notches define regions on the balloon which can more readily flex axially so that the notches become narrower on one side of the balloon and wider on an opposite side of the balloon. Such flexing allows the balloon to more easily follow tightly curving body lumens, such as tortuous arterial pathways.
A surgical stent is provided as part of the stent delivery system which is preferably sized to conform with the structural details of the sections of the balloon. Specifically, the stent includes separate segments with each segment aligned with one of the sections of the balloon. Each segment of the stent is formed in a minimal flexibility manner. The separate segments of the stent exhibit a larger amount of flexibility between adjacent segments and adjacent regions between the segments which pass over the notches in the balloon. These greater flexibility gaps between adjacent segments of the stent can either be spanned with flexible links or be entirely unspanned. In this way, regions of flexibility on the balloon are aligned with regions of flexibility on the stent to maximize the flexibility of the overall stent delivery system as the balloon and stent combination are passed through the body lumen on their way to the stent delivery site. When the stent is radially expanded, the balloon can radially expand with a minimal tendency to straighten so that the balloon can radially expand the separate sections of the stent to support the body lumen where desired.
When the body lumen has a variable diameter or it is otherwise desirable for the stent to be radially expanded in a manner which has different diameters of expansion along different portions of the stent, the flexible balloon can be provided with separate sections having different radial sizes when expanded. Alternatively, the stent segments can be configured with different diameters of maximum radial expansion so that when the balloon is inflated and the stent is radially expanded, some segments of the stent are radially expanded more than other segments of the stent. The balloon is then deflated and removed to complete the procedure.
Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a stent delivery balloon which is sufficiently flexible to pass through tightly bending body lumens and with minimal straightening upon inflation of the balloon.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a stent delivery balloon which has separate sections with the sections having different radial sizes when expanded.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a flexible balloon which focuses axial flexing of the balloon at notches in the balloon and is less flexible at sections between notches in the balloon.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a stent delivery system including a flexible balloon with separate sections spaced from each other by notches and a stent which has regions of greater flexibility aligned with the notches in the balloon and regions of lesser flexibility aligned with sections of the balloon between the notches in the balloon.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a stent delivery system which can effectively radially expand different segments of a stent to different diameters of radial expansion along different portions of the stent.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a stent delivery system which can accommodate variability in the body lumen to be supported by the stent including variability in radial size of the body lumen and variability in the curvature of the body lumen.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the flexible balloon of this invention before inflation and radial expansion of the balloon.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG. 1 after inflation and radial expansion of the balloon.
FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a detail of a portion of that which is shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 3 before inflation of the balloon and with the balloon flexed.
FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 4 after inflation and radial expansion of the balloon.
FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a variation of the balloon which is shown in FIG. 2 having a larger number of axially shorter segments and with a stent mounted upon the balloon.
FIG. 7 is a detail of a portion of that which is shown in FIG. 6 with the balloon and stent combination flexed.
FIG. 8 is a detail of a portion of that which is shown in FIG. 6 with the balloon flexed and with an alternative stent having unspanned gaps mounted upon the balloon.
FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 6 with the balloon and stent combination flexed and with the balloon and stent combination shown before inflation and radial expansion of the balloon.
FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 9 after inflation and radial expansion of the balloon and stent.
FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 10 after deflation and removal of the balloon and showing the body lumen in which the stent has been implanted in section.
FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of an alternative embodiment of that which is shown in FIG. 1 after radial expansion and having sections of the balloon with differing radial sizes.
FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 12 with the balloon deflated and with the stent of FIG. 6 mounted upon the balloon.
FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 13 after radial expansion of the balloon and stent.
Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral 10 is directed to a flexible balloon for a stent delivery system (FIGS. 1 and 2). The balloon 10 is configured to be radially expandable, along arrow R, and have a central axis A thereof flex to allow the balloon 10 to be passed through tightly curving body lumens where a stent, such as the stent 110 (FIG. 6), is to be implanted.
In essence, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1-5, the primary features of the flexible balloon 10 are described. The flexible balloon 10 extends from a distal end 12 to a proximal end 14 and has a series of cylindrical sections 20 extending axially along a central axis A of the balloon 10. Each cylindrical section 20 is spaced from adjacent cylindrical sections 20 by a notch 30 which has a lesser radial size than a radial size of the cylindrical sections 20. The notches 30 facilitate flexing of the balloon 10 to allow the balloon 10 to follow tightly curving body lumens L (FIG. 11) where a stent, such as the stent 110 (FIG. 6), is to be implanted. The flexible balloon 10 has a compressed radial size (FIG. 1) which is less than an inflated radial size (FIG. 2). The flexible balloon 10 has an interior which is coupled to a supply of fluid which can cause the balloon 10 to be inflated. Additionally, the distal end 12 of the flexible balloon 10 typically includes a guide wire extending therefrom which is bent to allow a surgeon to feed the balloon 10 along the guide wire to the desired body lumen. The proximal end 14 of the flexible balloon 10 supports the fluid supply and portions of the guide wire extending back to the surgeon and the site where the balloon 10 enters into the body lumen.
The stent 110 (FIGS. 6 and 7) is particularly configured to work with the balloon 10. The stent 110 has separate segments 180 which have widths similar to the widths of the cylindrical sections 20 of the balloon 10. The separate segments 180 of the stent 110 are joined together by flexible links 170 which have greater flexibility than linear tie bars 160 joining circumferential elements 120 forming each segment 180. Hence, the stent 110 exhibits greater flexibility between the segments 180 and adjacent the notches 30 than is exhibited within the segments 180 and adjacent the cylindrical sections 20. Alternatively, the stent 110 can have unspanned gaps 145 between adjacent segments 180 for maximum flexibility (FIG. 8).
More specifically, and with particular reference to FIGS. 3-5, specific details of the flexible balloon 10 are described. The flexible balloon 10 is essentially a hollow enclosure surrounding an interior which can be selectively filled and emptied with a fluid under pressure. The balloon 10 preferably has a substantially constant wall thickness between the interior and an outer surface 22 of the balloon 10. The material forming the wall of the balloon 10 is preferably substantially inelastic but flexible. For instance, the wall of the balloon 10 can be formed from a polyester or Teflon material which is sufficiently heat treated that it enters a phase where it does not stretch appreciably.
The desired contour of the outer surface 22, including the cylindrical sections 20 and notches 30, is provided in a mold cavity. The material is blown into the mold so that it collects with a substantially uniform wall thickness adjacent the inner surfaces of the mold cavity. The material is additionally impervious to migration of fluid therethrough.
The balloon 10 is coupled to a source of fluid for inflation of the balloon 10. Because the balloon 10 is designed for implantation within a body lumen, it is desirable that a biocompatible fluid be used should the balloon 10 rupture. A typical fluid would be a water/saline solution. Typical pressures to ensure full inflation of the balloon 10 would be between eight and twenty atmospheres.
Because the material forming the wall of the balloon 10 is substantially inelastic, the balloon 10 is collapsed down to its smaller radial size collapsed configuration (FIG. 1) by folding the outer surface 22 over itself. While many different fold patterns are known in the art, it is preferable that three folds are provided in the outer surface 22 at locations on the balloon 10 equally spaced circumferentially (about arrow C of FIG. 1) from each other. When the interior of the balloon 10 is filled with the fluid under pressure, the balloon 10 unfolds and achieves its inflated radial size (FIG. 2). The balloon 10 simultaneously radially expands any stent 110 (FIG. 6) adjacent the outer surface 22 of the balloon 10.
The balloon 10 extends between a distal end 12 and a proximal end 14 and exhibits radially symmetrical contour characteristics about the central axis A. These contour characteristics include a distal taper 16 adjacent the distal end 12 and a proximal taper 18 adjacent the proximal end 14. The balloon 10 includes a series of cylindrical sections 20 between the tapers 16, 18. Various different numbers of cylindrical sections 20 can be provided depending on the particular needs of the surgeon and the characteristics of the implantation site where the balloon 10 is to be utilized. A most typical number of cylindrical sections 20 would be thirteen cylindrical sections 20, as shown in FIG. 6. The cylindrical sections 20 are preferably shorter in axial length than a radial size of the sections 20. By having a relatively large number of cylindrical sections 20 which are each of relatively short axial length, the balloon 10 is provided with greater flexibility characteristics, allowing the balloon 10 to be more easily flexed. Alternatively, the cylindrical sections can be longer axially, such as shown in FIG. 2, and/or have a lesser total number of cylindrical sections 20 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Each cylindrical section 20 defines a cylindrical portion of the outer surface 22 extending between two edges 24. The edges 24 define a location in the outer surface 22 of the balloon 10 where a slope of the outer surface 22 relative to the central axis A changes so that the slope of the outer surface 22 is greater on a notch 30 side of the edges 24 than on a cylindrical section 20 side of the edges 24. Typically, the cylindrical sections 20 would not be perfectly cylindrical, but rather would have a slightly greater radial size at a midpoint between the edges 24 of each cylindrical section 20 due to a slight amount of elasticity of the material forming the balloon 10 and flexibility of the balloon 10.
Alternatively, the cylindrical sections 20 can be formed so that a slight recess exists in the outer surface 22 of the sections 20 causing the outer surface 22 to dip radially in toward the central axis A. This recess would have a depth similar to a thickness of circumferential elements 120 forming the stent 110 so that the stent 110 can rest within the recess. The recess can thus help the cylindrical sections 20 to hold the stent 110 from sliding axially off of the section 20. This benefit could similarly be provided by extending the cylindrical sections 20 radially adjacent the edges 24.
Each cylindrical section 20 is spaced from adjacent cylindrical sections 20 by a notch 30. Each notch 30 defines a portion of the outer surface 22 of the balloon 10 which has a lesser radial size than a radial size of the outer surface 22 adjacent the cylindrical sections 20. Each notch 30 preferably includes a crease 32 at an axial midpoint within each notch 30. A substantially conical surface 34 extends between each crease 32 and edge 24. The conical surface 34 would typically not be purely conical but rather bulge somewhat when experiencing pressures associated with inflation of the balloon 10.
Because the notches 30 have a lesser radial size, especially adjacent the crease 32, and because an area of triangular cross-section defines a void between adjacent conical surfaces 34 within each notch 30, depicted by the angle α (FIG. 3), the notches 30 provide a location on each balloon 10 where enhanced flexibility of the balloon 10 is exhibited. Specifically, the notches 30 provide a gap which can be widened or narrowed between adjacent cylindrical sections 20 without requiring that the outer surface 22 of the balloon 10 buckle.
The relatively small radial size of the notches 30 results in less stress on the material forming the portions of the balloon 10 within each notch 30 so that less force is required to flex the balloon 10 and less force is exerted on the material forming the balloon 10 adjacent the notches 30 which might otherwise cause rupture or other damage of the balloon 10. Because the balloon 10 preferably has a substantially constant wall thickness, the smaller radial size of the outer surface 22 adjacent the notches 30 results in a concentration of flexing of the balloon 10 occurring at the notches 30, with only minimal flexing occurring along the cylindrical sections 20 of the balloon 10. This focusing of flexture of the balloon 10 at the notches 30 can be complementally matched with zones of flexibility on the stent 110 so that a stent delivery system can be provided with areas of flexibility in the balloon 10 matched with areas of flexibility in the stent 110.
Each notch 30 includes a notch angle α before flexing of approximately 60°. When the balloon 10 is flexed so that the central axis A is bent, the notch angle α is decreased to that of the flexed notch angle β. The flexed notch angle β would typically measure 30°. When the balloon 10 is flexed, the interior part of the notch 30 provides the flexed notch angle β. A portion of the notch 30 outside of the central axis A (FIG. 1) would typically increase up to approximately 90°. Alternatively, the notches 30 can be flexed to the point where adjacent conical surfaces 34 impact each other so that the flexed notch angle β would measure 0°. When the balloon 10 is being passed through the body lumen, the balloon 10 is typically in its collapsed configuration (FIG. 4) so that the bent notch angle β is greater and a greater amount of flexing can be accommodated before the flexed notch angle β reaches 0°. If greater flexibility is desired for the balloon 10, a width of each notch 30 can be increased and/or a radial size of each crease 32 and each notch 30 can be decreased as needed to provide the desired flexibility characteristics for the balloon 10.
With particular reference to FIGS. 6-8, particular details of the stent 110 configured to match the flexibility characteristics of the balloon 10 are described. The stent 110 includes a series of circumferential elements 120 circumscribing the central axis A of the stent 110 and located in separate planes spaced axially from each other by gaps 140. Each circumferential element 120 is configured with a wave-like series of bends 130 therein (FIG. 1). Each bend 130 defines either a trough 132 or a crest 136 (FIG. 8), depending on the direction from which the bend 130 is viewed. The trough 132 defines a portion of each bend 130 which is most distant from adjacent circumferential elements 120 that the trough 132 faces. The crest 136 defines a portion of each bend 130 which is closest to adjacent circumferential elements 120 which the crest 136 faces.
Each gap 140 is spanned by at least one axial element. The axial elements are either tie bars 160 or flexible links 170. The tie bars 160 extend linearly between troughs 132 on opposite sides of the gap 140 spanned by the tie bar 160. The flexible links 170 preferably extend in a crest 136 to crest 136 manner between circumferential elements 120 adjacent the gap 140 spanned by the flexible links 170. Alternatively, the flexible links 170 can extend trough 132 to trough 132. The flexible links 170 additionally include curves which can adjust their curvature to allow the flexible links 170 to adjust in length axially and give flexibility to the stent 10.
The contour of the stent 110 is generally outlined by the series of circumferential elements 120 circumscribing the central axis A (FIGS. 6-8) of the stent 110. Each circumferential element 120 includes a wave-like series of bends 130. Portions of each bend 130 which are most distant from adjacent circumferential elements 120 define troughs 132. Portions of each bend 130 which are closest to adjacent circumferential elements 120 define crests 136. A midway point between each trough 132 and crest 136, where a curvature of the bend 130 changes, defines an inflection point 134. Specifically, each trough 132 actually defines a region between adjacent inflection points 134 which is most distant from the adjacent circumferential element 120 and the crest 136 defines a region between adjacent inflection points 134 which are closest to the adjacent circumferential element 120.
Whether a portion of the bend 130 is a trough 132 or a crest 136 is a matter of perspective depending on what side of the bend 130 is being viewed. One side of a bend 130 defines a crest 136 closest to an adjacent circumferential element 120 and the other side of the bend 130 defines a trough 132 most distant from an adjacent circumferential element 120.
The dimensions of the bends 130 forming each circumferential element 120 can be quantified with reference to an amplitude and a wave length. The actual measurements for the amplitudes and wave lengths for the stent 110 can vary depending on the particular application for which the surgical stent 110 is configured. Also, the amplitudes can vary between circumferential elements 120 so that the stent 110 can taper in a non-cylindrical fashion between a first end and a second end of the stent 110. As the stent 110 is radially expanded, along arrow R (FIG. 1) the amplitude will decrease in size and the wave length will increase. The increase in wave length will increase a circumferential size of the stent 110 (arrow C of FIG. 1), allowing the stent 110 to expand radially and yet still maintain the circumferential elements 120 in a configuration completely circumscribing the central axis A (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the stent 110.
Because the amplitude decreases when the stent 110 is radially expanded, the stent 110 has a natural tendency to contract axially, along arrow A, when the stent 110 is radially expanded. However, because this stent 110 has circumferential elements 120 joined together with axial elements which connect at troughs 132 in the circumferential elements 120, this axial contracting tendency is nullified by this stent 110.
The stent 110 is preferably made from stainless steel or other bio-compatible materials. The stent 110 is configured so that structures forming the stent 110, including the elements 120 can bend somewhat without breaking, to facilitate radial expansion of the stent 110. Alternatively, the stent 110 can be made from nickel titanium alloys which are both bio-compatible and have an ability to change shape and radially expand when transforming between austenite and martensite solid phases.
The axial elements can either be configured as tie bars 160 or as flexible links 170. The tie bars 160 are substantially linear. Because the tie bars 160 are aligned axially, when axial forces are exerted on the tie bars 160 (in either a compression or tension fashion), such as when the stent 110 is trying to flex with the central axis A curving, the tie bars 160 resist such axial forces.
Preferably, the tie bars 160 do not span each gap between circumferential elements 120 in the stent 110. Rather, at least some of the gaps 140 are spanned by the flexible links 170. Preferably, each circumferential element 120 is out of phase with adjacent circumferential elements 120 so that the gaps 140 do not have a uniform width. Rather, the gaps 140 have a series of minimums and maximums. The minimums define portions of each gap 140 between crests 136 of adjacent circumferential elements 120. The maximums define portions of each gap 140 adjacent troughs 132 of adjacent circumferential elements 120. Preferably, the tie bars 160 span the gaps at maximums in the gap. Alternatively, the tie bars 160 can be located at minimums and hence extend crest 136 to crest 136. The flexible links 170 span the gaps 140 at minimums or maximums.
It will be noticed from a careful review of FIGS. 6 and 7 that the circumferential elements 120 are radially expanded to a point where the circumferential elements 120 are nearly circular in shape and have been radially expanded fully. Most prior art stents do not radially expand fully and hence cannot be radially expanded as much as the stent 110. While full radial expansion is not required to provide the stent 110 with the benefits disclosed herein, full radial expansion beneficially allows the surgeon to select a stent having a desired maximum radial expansion and then use a balloon 10 for exerting a radial force on the stent 110 which does not need to be perfectly matched to the amount of radial expansion desired. With a fully expanded stent 110, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a balloon 10 which is sized to be capable of expanding beyond the fully expanded diameter of the stent 110 can be used. When the circumferential elements 120 are fully expanded, the stent 110 will restrain the balloon 10 from further expanding and the stent 110 will have been radially expanded the precise amount desired. This is particularly advantageous where the stent 110 has circumferential elements which have different diameters after radial expansion so that the stent 110 has a non-cylindrical contour, in that it allows a balloon 10 which is oversized to fully radially expand each of the circumferential elements 120 forming the stent 10. The surgeon need merely ensure that a pressure exerted by the balloon 10 does not exceed the ability of the circumferential elements 120 of the stent 110 to resist so that the circumferential elements 120 are not broken by forces exerted by the balloon 10.
When the stent 110 is provided with circumferential elements 120 spaced apart alternatively by axial elements in the form of linear tie bars 160 and axial elements in the form of flexible links 170, the stent 110 can be thought of as being broken into separate segments 180. Each segment 180 preferably includes two end circumferential elements 120 which have a gap there between spanned only by linear tie bars 160. Hence, the two end circumferential elements 120 tend to resist flexing about the central axis A relative to each other because of the linear nature of the tie bars 160. Because the tie bars 160 are attached to troughs in each of the end circumferential elements 120 of each segment 180, the segments 180 also tend to maintain their axial ends at a constant axial length, before and after radial expansion of the segments 180.
Alternatively, the tie bars 160 can be attached at crests 136. With such a crest 136 to crest 136 configuration, the segments 180 can be made axially shorter and allow the stent 110 to have a greater number of segments 180 for a given stent 110 length and hence, a greater flexibility.
Preferably, the segments 180 in the stent 110 are joined to adjacent segments 180 by axial elements in the form of flexible links 170. The flexible links 170 are non-linear and hence facilitate axial adjustability in length, including both compression and elongation (FIG. 7). Specifically, flexible links 170 on an outside of the central axis A are elongated and flexible links 170 on an inside of the central axis A are compressed in axial length. The linear tie bars 160 maintain their axial length such that flexibility in the stent 110 is concentrated in the spanned gaps 140 between adjacent segments 180. These spanned gaps 140 between segments 180 are preferably aligned with the notches 30 in the balloon 10 and the segments 180 are sized similar to a spacing between edges 24 in each cylindrical section 20 so that one segment 180 of the stent 110 can be located adjacent to each cylindrical section 20. Thus, zones of flex in the balloon 10 are matched with zones of flex in the stent 110.
With reference to FIG. 8, an alternative segmented stent 210 is described. The segmented stent 210 is similar to the stent 110 except that the flexible links 170 located in the spanned gaps 140 are eliminated. Hence, the segmented stent 210 features unspanned gaps 145. In this configuration, the stent delivery system only exhibits a minor resistance to flex of the central axis A that is provided within the notches 30 in the balloon 10. The segmented stent 210 does not provide any resistance to flex.
When the segmented stent 210 is provided with separate segments 180 adjacent each cylindrical section 20 and with unspanned gaps 145, preferably bends 130 in each circumferential element 120 adjacent the edges 24 of each cylindrical section 20 actually overlap the edges 24 somewhat and extend out over the notches 30. This partial overlapping of bends 130 in the circumferential elements 120 that are end circumferential elements for each segment 180, assists the segments 180 in remaining attached to the cylindrical sections 20, especially before radial expansion of the balloon 10 and stent 110. To further enhance secure attachment of the separate segments 180 of the stent 210 to each cylindrical section 20, the portions of the bends 130 which overlie the notches 30 can be crimped radially down somewhat toward the central axis A. Such crimping down of the bends 130 allows the segments 180 to resist axial displacement of the segments 180 off of the cylindrical sections 20, especially during passing of the balloon 10 and stent 210 through the body lumen L (FIG. 11) before radial expansion. Such displacement can be additionally discouraged by providing a sheath overlying an outer surface of the stent 110 which allows the stent 210 and balloon 10 to easily slide along the body lumen L (FIG. 11).
In use and operation, and with particular reference to FIGS. 9-11, details of the manner in which the stent delivery system including the flexible balloon 10 and the stent 110 are described. Initially, the flexible balloon 10 is provided in a collapsed configuration with the stent 110 similarly in a radially collapsed configuration compressed adjacent the outer surface 22 of the balloon 10. The individual segments 180 of the stent 110 are lined up with the cylindrical sections 20 of the balloon 10 so that regions of flexibility in the stent 110 are aligned with regions of flexibility in the balloon 10.
The stent delivery system including the balloon 10 and the stent 110 are then fed axially into the desired body lumen L (FIG. 11) through use of the guide wire upon which the balloon 10 is mounted, as is known in the prior art. When the system encounters tight bends in the body lumen L, such as would be provided by tortuous arterial pathways, the notches 30 in the balloon 10 and the flexible links 170 between the segments 180 and the stent 110 allow the system to be flexed sufficiently to allow the system to be passed through the tight bends (FIG. 9).
When the system is located at the site where implantation of the stent 110 is desired, the fluid is passed into the interior of the balloon 10 to the pressure required to inflate the balloon 10 and to cause the stent 110 to be radially expanded. Depending on the configuration of the stent 110 and the particular needs of the treatment being provided, the circumferential elements 120 in the stent 110 can either be partially radially expanded or expanded to a diameter of maximum radial expansion at which the circumferential elements 120 are nearly circular in form (FIG. 10).
Because the balloon 10 includes the notches 30 and the stent 110 includes the flexible links 170, the balloon 10 and stent 110 do not exert significant straightening forces when the balloon 10 is inflated and the stent 110 radially expanded. Hence, the potential for damage to the body lumen L upon radial expansion of the stent 110 is minimized. Once the stent 110 has been radially expanded to the amount desired by the surgeon, fluid pressure is released and fluid at least partially removed from the interior of the balloon 10 so that the outer surface 22 of the balloon 10 is no longer exerting radial pressure outward against the stent 110. The balloon 10 can then be removed from the body lumen L with the stent 110 remaining in place (FIG. 11).
Referring to FIGS. 12-14, an alternative tapering balloon 50 is described. The tapering balloon 50 is configured similarly to the flexible balloon 10 with a distal end 52, proximal end 54, distal taper 56 and proximal taper 58. However, the tapering balloon 50 differs from the flexible balloon 10 of the preferred embodiment in that the tapering balloon 50 features both large sections 60 and small sections 70 in place of the cylindrical sections 20 (FIG. 3). The large sections 60 have a radial size greater than the small sections 70 when the sections 60, 70 are radially expanded. The notches 80 remain similar to those of the flexible balloon 10 of the preferred embodiment except that they have differing radial sizes to match the differing radial sizes of the sections 60, 70.
Before inflation and radial expansion of the tapering balloon 50, the tapering balloon 50 is preferably folded in a manner which causes the tapering balloon 50 to have a single common radial size. The stent 110 can then be placed upon the tapering balloon 50 in a similar manner to that described with regard to the flexible balloon 10 with the stent 110 in a collapsed configuration.
Preferably, the stent 110 is modified slightly in that the stent 110 includes small segments 190 adjacent the small section 70 so that a diameter of maximum radial expansion of the small segments 190 matches a radial size of the small sections 70 of the tapering balloon 50 when the tapering balloon 50 is inflated. In this way, the stent 110 which tapers somewhat can be matched with a tapering balloon 50.
Alternatively, the stent 110 can be formed entirely from segments 180 having a similar configuration and the small sections 70 will merely radially expand the segments 180 adjacent the small sections 70 less than the segments 180 adjacent the large sections 60. For instance, the segments 180 adjacent the large sections 60 could be radially expanded to a diameter of maximum radial expansion and the segments 180 adjacent the small sections 70 would only be radially expanded partially.
Implantation of a stent 110 which has varying diameters of radial expansion is desirable when the body lumen L itself has a tapering diameter or in other circumstances where a surgeon deems it desirable that the stent exhibit differing radial sizes at different locations along the stent 110. Additionally, it is not required that the small sections 70 and large sections 60 be arranged as shown in FIGS. 12-14. Rather, a variety of different sequences of large sections 60 and small sections 70 or more than two different diameters of sections and greater numbers of sections overall could be provided on the tapering balloon 50, according to the needs of the surgeon and the particular treatment effect which is desired.
said outer surface supporting a radially expandable stent adjacent thereto, such that when said balloon is inflated, said stent is radially expanded.
2. The delivery tool of claim 1 wherein a wall thickness of said balloon between said interior and said outer surface is substantially uniform.
3. The delivery tool of claim 2 wherein said inflatable balloon is formed from a substantially inelastic flexible material, said balloon including folds in said outer surface before said balloon is inflated to allow said balloon to inflate radially away from said central axis.
4. The delivery tool of claim 1 wherein said at least two separate sections have different radial sizes after inflation of said balloon.
5. The delivery tool of claim 1 wherein each of said at least two sections is bounded by two edges, at least one edge of each said section located adjacent said at least one notch.
6. The delivery tool of claim 5 wherein said edges define transitions in said outer surface with a slope of said outer surface greater relative to said central axis on a notch side of said edge than on a section side of said edge.
7. The delivery tool of claim 6 wherein said notch includes a crease, said crease defining an abrupt transition in slope of said outer surface relative to said central axis, said crease defining a location of least radial size of said outer surface.
8. The delivery tool of claim 7 wherein said outer surface of said at least two separate sections is substantially cylindrical between said edges of said sections.
9. The delivery tool of claim 8 wherein said outer surface includes a slight radial recess on at least one of said sections and between said edges, said recess having a radial distance from said central axis less than portions of said section between said recess and said edges.
10. The delivery tool of claim 5 wherein said radially expandable stent includes at least two separate segments, each said segment having two end circumferential elements at axial ends of each said segment, said end circumferential elements of each said segment sufficiently close together to be at least partially overlying a common one of said at least two sections in said outer surface of said balloon.
11. The delivery tool of claim 10 wherein at least one said stent segment is axially located entirely inboard of said edges of one of said at least two sections.
12. The delivery tool of claim 10 wherein at least one said stent segment extends axially partially beyond said edges of one of said at least two sections.
13. The delivery tool of claim 10 wherein said at least two stent segments are joined together by at least one flexible link spanning a gap between said at least two stent segments.
14. The delivery tool of claim 10 wherein said at least two stent segments are spaced from each other by an unspanned gap, such that said end circumferential elements adjacent said unspanned gap are not connected together.
wherein said stent includes at lest two separate segments, each said segment having a different radial size after radial expansion of said stent.
wherein one of said stent segments is located over a larger one of said at least two sections and the other of said stent segments is located over a smaller one of said at least two sections, said stent segment located over said smaller section expanded radially less than said stent segment located over said larger section when said balloon is inflated.
19. The system of claim 18 wherein said stent exhibits greater axial flex where said stent overlies said at least one notch in said outer surface of said balloon than an axial flexibility exhibited by said stent adjacent said at least two sections in said outer surface of said balloon.
20. The system of claim 19 wherein said at least one axial element joining said end circumferential elements is free of bends and gaps between adjacent said at least two stent segments and overlying said at least one notch in said outer surface of said balloon is spanned by an axial element including at least one bend therein, such that said bend allows said axial element spanning said gap between said stent segments to exhibit some axial adjustment in length to facilitate axial flexing of said at least two stent segments relative to each other.
21. The system of claim 19 wherein gaps between said at least two stent segments and overlying said at least one notch in said outer surface of said balloon are unspanned, such that said end circumferential elements adjacent said unspanned gap are not connected together.


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text:
Illinois Senate makes progress on 'grand bargain'
(Illinois Springfield/Flickr)
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois Senate lurched forward on a budget compromise Tuesday but the critical votes for breaking the historic budget stalemate are scheduled on the floor Wednesday.
The Senate relied heavily on majority Democrats' votes to approve low-profile pieces of what's been deemed the "grand bargain" to end the logjam between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Legislature. It's the longest a U.S. state has gone without an annual spending plan in nearly a century.
With just a handful more Republicans voting "aye" than two weeks ago in test votes, the Senate OK'd plans to streamline state purchases, allow cities more flexibility in spending tax revenue, and make it easier to consolidate superfluous local governments. A massive expansion in casino gambling also got a favorable nod.
But the measures crucial to exiting Illinois' financial mess are set for Wednesday. They include raising the personal income tax from 3.75 percent to 4.99 percent; freezing local property taxes as demanded by Rauner; and revamping public school funding to make state-dollar distribution fairer.
"Hopefully, overnight, people can reflect on what's at stake here," Cullerton said.
Also pending after failing short by four votes Tuesday is Democratic Senate President John Cullerton's money-saving pension overhaul, years in the making. It lost despite Cullerton's appeal to Republicans that it has Rauner's backing. Cullerton used a procedure that allows him to recall it, but he didn't say when.
Democrats who control the General Assembly have been unable to seal a deal with the first-term governor since he took office two years ago. Rauner insists on pro-business regulatory changes, term limits and the property tax freeze. Democrats have insisted on tackling a multibillion-dollar deficit first with tax increases and spending cuts.
Cullerton and Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno of Lemont entered the new year by announcing they'd engineer quick Senate approval on the compromise they had developed to set a framework for dealing with Rauner and the House. Several misfires and unsatisfactory votes later, both sides finally see progress.
The Senate's GOP still showed reticence Tuesday to climb aboard, arguing there shouldn't be votes on any part of the plan until it's all worked out behind closed doors. But their fears should be tempered by knowing Cullerton has tied all the pieces together, said Assistant Republican Leader Dave Syverson of Rockford. If one fails, none of them moves forward.
"Some members thought that maybe by holding off on doing this today, it would put pressure on the leadership to get the rest of it finalized," Syverson said. "But the fact that all the bills are tied together - everything that passed today is useless unless the rest of it passes."
Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly noted Senate progress but said the governor won't accept an income tax hike without a permanent property tax freeze. The Senate plan would limit the freeze to two years.
"We need a truly balanced budget?with?a hard cap on spending, term limits and changes?that lead to new jobs and stronger schools," Kelly said.
Sen. Toi Hutchinson, an Olympia Fields Democrat, declared there's "no more time for games."
"It's time for all of us to think about what we can do for the good of the state over our own interests," she said.
Contact Political Writer John O'Connor at https://twitter.com/apoconnor and Kiannah Sepeda-Miller at https://twitter.com/kiannahsepeda.
New homeowners find two-way mirror and video equipment wires hidden behind bathroom wall


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Boneh-ye Abbas (, also Romanized as Boneh-ye 'Abbās; also known as Boneh Ghabbās and Gabbās) is a village in Soltanabad Rural District, in the Central District of Ramhormoz County, Khuzestan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 437, in 87 families.

References

Populated places in Ramhormoz County

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Be transparent. Be honest with each other about your financial status. As you enter a committed relationship, each partner should learn about the status of the other person's debts, income and assets. Any surprises down the road may feel like dishonesty and lead to conflict.
Discuss future plans often. The closer you are with your partner, the more you'll want to know about the other person's future plans. Kids, planned career changes, travel, hobbies, retirement expectations — all of these will depend upon money and shared resources. So, discuss these plans and create the financial roadmap to go with them. Remember that even people in a long-term marriage may be caught unaware if they fail to keep up communication and find out their spouse's priorities have changed over time.
Know your comfort levels. As you discuss your future plans, bring up hypotheticals: How much debt is too much? What level of spending versus savings is acceptable? How much would you spend on a car, home or vacation? You may be surprised to learn that your assumptions about these things fall outside your partner's comfort zone.
Divide responsibilities; combine forces. Try to divide financial tasks such as paying certain bills, updating a budget, contributing to savings and making appointments with tax and financial advisors. Then periodically trade responsibilities over time. Even if one person tends to be better at numbers, it's best to have both members participating. By having a hand in budgeting, planning and spending decisions, you will be constantly reminded how what you are doing financially contributes to the strength of your relationship.
This entry was posted in Blog and tagged assets, financial, financial advisors, income, retirement, status on July 2, 2018 by c04432601.
What are the most prevalent start-up bookkeeping mistakes?
Can your business take advantage of the new TCJA income deduction?


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Q: How to properly request facebook permissions ios I am trying to retrieve a bunch of facebook information from user using the app using parse and the facebook sdk, but I haven't been able to do it successfully.
First I check if the user is logged in and if they arn't I display the parse view controller with facebook permissions.
- (void)viewDidAppear:(BOOL)animated {
[super viewDidAppear:animated];

if (![PFUser currentUser] || ![PFFacebookUtils isLinkedWithUser:[PFUser currentUser]]) {

    NSArray *permissionsArray = @[@"public_profile", @"user_birthday", @"user_photos", @"user_about_me", @"user_likes", @"user_relationship_details"];

    LoginViewController *logInViewController = [[LoginViewController alloc] init];
    [logInViewController setDelegate:self];

    [logInViewController setFacebookPermissions:[NSArray arrayWithObjects:permissionsArray, nil]];

    [logInViewController setFields:PFLogInFieldsFacebook | PFLogInFieldsDismissButton];

    [self presentViewController:logInViewController animated:YES completion:NULL];

} else {
        [self getUserInfo];
    }
}

Then, once the user is logged in, I attempt to get the following permissions like so.
-(void)getUserInfo {

FBSDKGraphRequest *requestMe = [[FBSDKGraphRequest alloc]initWithGraphPath:@"me" parameters:nil];
FBSDKGraphRequest *requestBirthday = [[FBSDKGraphRequest alloc]initWithGraphPath:@"me/user_birthday" parameters:nil];
FBSDKGraphRequest *requestPhotos = [[FBSDKGraphRequest alloc]initWithGraphPath:@"me/photos" parameters:nil];
FBSDKGraphRequest *requestAboutMe = [[FBSDKGraphRequest alloc]initWithGraphPath:@"me/about_me" parameters:nil];
FBSDKGraphRequest *requestLikes = [[FBSDKGraphRequest alloc]
                                   initWithGraphPath:@"/me/likes"
                                   parameters:nil
                                   HTTPMethod:@"GET"];
FBSDKGraphRequest *requestRelationship = [[FBSDKGraphRequest alloc]initWithGraphPath:@"me/relationship_details" parameters:nil];

FBSDKGraphRequestConnection *connection = [[FBSDKGraphRequestConnection alloc] init];

[connection addRequest:requestMe completionHandler:^(FBSDKGraphRequestConnection *connection, id result, NSError *error) {
    userName = result[@"name"];
    userGender = result[@"gender"];
    userId = result[@"id"];

    if (connection) {
        [self setMe];
    }

}];

[connection addRequest:requestBirthday completionHandler:^(FBSDKGraphRequestConnection *connection, id result, NSError *error) {

}];

[connection addRequest:requestPhotos completionHandler:^(FBSDKGraphRequestConnection *connection, id result, NSError *error) {

}];

[connection addRequest:requestAboutMe completionHandler:^(FBSDKGraphRequestConnection *connection, id result, NSError *error) {

}];

[connection addRequest:requestLikes completionHandler:^(FBSDKGraphRequestConnection *connection, id result, NSError *error) {

}];

[connection addRequest:requestRelationship completionHandler:^(FBSDKGraphRequestConnection *connection, id result, NSError *error) {

}];

    [connection start];

}

The requestMe works perfectly and I retrieve the users information, however when I get the NSLog to output the result of any of the other permissions, its always null and I'm not sure what I am doing wrong. In the documentation it says that the app doesn't have to go through review if the developer wants to retrieve information about himself, so the problem isn't that the app hasn't been reviewed.
Why can't I retrieve the information? Is it because I am requesting the information wrong? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

A: You cannot request extended permissions if your app didn't went through Login Review yet. The only exception is if you're using a admin/tester/developer user while testing your app.
See

*

*https://developers.facebook.com/docs/facebook-login/review/what-is-login-review

*https://developers.facebook.com/docs/apps/changelog#v2_0

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Akhtar Sheikh - I have known Ann from Rental Trends for over 5 years. As a property owner I can assure all landlords that you CANNOT find any better property manager in BRISBANE to look after your hard earned investment. In the past I have dealt with many property managers who promise you the whole world but do not back you up by any service and in fact some dont even do regular property inspections. I known Greg from Rental...
Apartment values to jump up to 11 per cent in some Brisbane suburbs
BRISBANE'S recovering apartment market is set to lead the nation over the next two years, with values forecast to grow more than in any other major capital city.
Moody's Analytics expects apartments to outperform houses throughout greater Brisbane in 2019, as the city continues to defy a national housing downturn led by Sydney and Melbourne.
A new report reveals apartment values are set to recover by 2.8 per cent in 2019, followed by sharper growth of 6.5 per cent the following year — equal only to Darwin.
A rise in unit values of more than seven per cent is expected in the inner city, Logan and northern Moreton Bay regions in 2019.
Double digit growth is expected in northern Moreton Bay in 2020, with apartment values set to jump 11 per cent.
Moody's Analytics forecasts a gain in house values across Brisbane of 1.2 per cent over the next 12 months, with strength in the western and inner city suburbs offsetting declines in South Brisbane.
House values are tipped to grow the most in Brisbane's western suburbs this year (4.5 per cent).
"This is a reversal of trend from the past few years," the report's authors said.
"Home values had risen more than 30 per cent since mid-2012, while apartment values had risen only around 5 per cent."
It's not good news for the nation's two biggest housing markets.
Moody's Analytics is forecasting a further six per cent correction in house values in Melbourne this year on the back of a 0.1 per cent decline in 2018.
And Sydney house values are expected to fall a further 3.3 per cent in 2019 following a 5.2 per cent drop last year.
"Australia's housing market has continued its entrenched cooling trend in the final months of 2018," the report's authors said.
"The decline has been sharper in home values than for apartment values: Home values have fallen more than 4.5 per cent from their peak late last year, while apartment values are down 3.3 per cent."
Originally published as Where Brisbane home values keep rising
SOURCE ; https://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/brisbane-qld/apartment-values-to-jump-up-to-11-per-cent-in-some-brisbane-suburbs/news-story/ca12c08f188d3f3a9857c3f8214a7b4d


I HAVE A PASSION FOR ACTING THAT I CONSIDER A 'CRAFT' AND HAVE BEEN ACTING SINCE I WAS A CHILD ACTOR.
PLAYED SYDNEY CARTON [LEAD] IN A TALE OF TWO CITIES AT THE CHARING CROSS THEATRE. HORACE [UNSCRUPULOUS TV PRESENTER]IN THE SERIES HOLLYOAKS. GUEST ROLE IN 'FAIL HARDER' FILM.
MICHAEL PLAYED LEADING ROLE IN 'FATAL ENCOUNTER' [THRILLER] AWAITING RELEASE OF FILM IN USA 'FULL CIRCLE'[CO-LEAD] COMEDY/THRILLER. MICHAEL WRITING SCREENPLAY FOR FILM SET IN INDIA.LINE PRODUCER ALREADY IN PLACE.HE IS WRITING FOR NEW LP FOR CD OF HIS OWN COMPOSITIONS.
singing:HIGH BARITON/TENOR..CONTEMPORARY AND ROCK..dancing:TAP AND CONTEMPORARY.instruments:PIANO.GUITAR ACOUSTIC/ELECTRIC.languageA LITTLE GERMAN. writing skillsWRITTEN OVER 500 SONGS LYRIC AND MUSIC.BOOKS.SCRIPTS FOR TV AND FILM.


The ever-expanding support for the Mac OS by RTSystems is a real lifesaver for me. The same RTSystems radio program file works with either the old school MS OS or the Mac OS. All of the RTSystems Mac OS programmers that I have for Icom, Kenwood, and Yaesu are stable, glitch-free and allow me to spend my time tinkering with the Amateur Radio hobby and not hours and hours of every day in the arcane world of fixing yet another of a trillion OS in the weeds issue.
Great progam, worked with no effort or issues, recommended.
Easy to use. The ability to pull data in from repeater databases makes it nice.
excellent product just like other software I have gotten from this company for other transceivers!!
I got them all plugged in about 8 minutes.


text:
Supreme Court allows Sandy Hook shooting…
Nation World News
Supreme Court allows Sandy Hook shooting victims to sue Remington Arms
Case is being watched by gun control advocates, gun rights supporters and gun manufacturers across the country
Jessica Hill, Associated Press file
FILE – In this Jan. 28, 2013, file photo, firearms training unit Detective Barbara J. Mattson, of the Connecticut State Police, holds up a Bushmaster AR-15 rifle, the same make and model of gun used by Adam Lanza in the Sandy Hook School shooting, for a demonstration during a hearing of a legislative subcommittee reviewing gun laws, at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, Conn. The Supreme Court said Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, a survivor and relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting can pursue their lawsuit against the maker of the rifle used to kill 26 people.
By Mark Sherman and Dave Collins | The Associated Press
PUBLISHED: November 12, 2019 at 10:09 am | UPDATED: November 12, 2019 at 10:15 am
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court said Tuesday that a survivor and relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting can pursue their lawsuit against the maker of the rifle used to kill 26 people.
The justices rejected an appeal from Remington Arms that argued it should be shielded by a 2005 federal law preventing most lawsuits against firearms manufacturers when their products are used in crimes.
The case is being watched by gun control advocates, gun rights supporters and gun manufacturers across the country, as it has the potential to provide a roadmap for victims of other mass shootings to circumvent the federal law and sue the makers of firearm.
The court's order allows the lawsuit filed in Connecticut state court by a survivor and relatives of nine victims who died at the Newtown, Connecticut, school on Dec. 14, 2012, to go forward.
The lawsuit says the Madison, North Carolina-based company should never have sold a weapon as dangerous as the Bushmaster AR-15-style rifle to the public. Gunman Adam Lanza used it to kill 20 first graders and six educators. It also alleges Remington targeted younger, at-risk males in marketing and product placement in violent video games. Lanza was 20 years old.
"The families are grateful that the Supreme Court upheld precedent and denied Remington's latest attempt to avoid accountability," said Joshua Koskoff, a lawyer for the Sandy Hook families.
"We are ready to resume discovery and proceed towards trial in order to shed light on Remington's profit-driven strategy to expand the AR-15 market and court high-risk users at the expense of Americans' safety," he said.
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Messages seeking comment were left with a lawyer for Remington Arms on Tuesday.
Before the school shooting, Lanza shot his mother to death at their Newtown home. He killed himself as police arrived at the school. The rifle was legally owned by his mother.
The Connecticut Supreme Court had earlier ruled 4-3 that the lawsuit could proceed for now, citing an exemption in the federal law. The decision overturned a ruling by a trial court judge who dismissed the lawsuit based on the 2005 federal law, named the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.
The federal law has been criticized by gun control advocates as being too favorable to gun-makers. It has been cited by other courts that rejected lawsuits against gun-makers and dealers in other high-profile shooting attacks, including the 2012 Colorado movie theater shooting and the Washington, D.C., sniper shootings in 2002.
The National Rifle Association, 10 mainly Republican-led states and 22 Republicans in Congress were among those urging the court to jump into the case and end the lawsuit against Remington.
governmentandpolitics
Sandy Hook Shooting
More in Nation World News
A judge refused to overturn part of Utah's lewdness law Tuesday in a blow to a woman who's fighting criminal charges after her stepchildren saw her topless in her own home.
The National Weather Service in Miami issued a warning for the region on Twitter on Tuesday, as well as a wind chill advisory for all of South Florida from Tuesday night through Wednesday morning.
A group of befurred bystanders intervened when they saw a man "whaling on" his girlfriend inside a car late Friday, witnesses and police said.


Like many others on the autism spectrum, 20-something stand-up comic Michael McCreary has been told by more than a few well-meaning folks that he doesn't "look" autistic. But, as he's quick to point out in this memoir, autism "looks" different for just about everyone with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Best friends and sisters Lo and Rita have spent their lives flying through the air on the trapeze under the lights in the big top. The nomadic circus community is a close-knit family, but those bonds are threatened as secrets and lies surface and Lo finds forbidden love with a boy from outside the circus.
"Bright Burning Stars is the compulsively readable story. I was breathless and battling tears up until the very last stunning turns onstage and beyond.