Abstract: Methods and apparatus for passing attachment apparatus or connector material into or through the wall of a luminal anatomical structure for the purpose of, closing the lumen of the anatomical structure, forming an anastomotic junction between separate anatomical structures or between approximated segments of the same anatomical structure, and/or attaching an article, or other apparatus to the wall of the anatomical structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for qualitatively or quantitatively determining one or more analytes in matrices such as foods, biological fluids, etc. An embodiment for determination of a single analyte comprises a sample receiving vessel, a first membrane and a reagent-containing well. The prepared sample passes through the first membrane whereby extraneous matter is removed, and a filtrate enters the reagent-containing well to provide a filtrate-reagent admixture from which the analyte may be determined. An embodiment for determination for multiple analytes includes one or more additional membranes in series with the first membrane, each such additional membrane being operative to capture one or more analytes. Each of the additional analytes may then be eluted from the membrane upon which it has been captured, into a separate reagent-containing well to provide eluant-reagent admixture from which each desired analyte may be determined. Formulations for preparation additives are also included.

Abstract: Antimicrobial/pharmaceutical preparations (e.g., solutions, gels, ointments, creams, sustained release preparations, etc.) which comprise chlorite (e.g., a metal salt of a chlorite) in combination with a peroxy compound (e.g., hydrogen peroxide), and methods for using such preparations for disinfection of articles or surfaces (e.g., contact lenses, counter tops, etc.), antisepsis of skin or other body parts, prevention or deterrence of scar formation and/or treatment and prophylaxis of dermal (i.e., skin or mucous membrane) disorders (e.g., wounds, burns, infections, cold sores, ulcerations, psoriasis, acne, or other scar-forming lesions).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for abrading, cleaning, massaging, buffing or otherwise treating the skin, fingernails, toenails or other body surfaces. The basic apparatus comprises a small motor mounted within a hand held housing and a cylindrical member rotatably mounted on the housing. The cylindrical member is rotatably driven by the motor and is covered with a treatment-effecting covering such as abrasive material, cloth, brush bristles, adhesive, massaging projections, etc. The cylindrical member may be placed in contact with the skin, nails or other body surface while rotating, thereby abrading, cleaning, massaging, buffing or otherwise treating the skin, nails or other body surface. In a more advanced embodiment, the device may incorporate a suction apparatus for suctioning away severed particles of skin or other matter.

Abstract: Methods and preparations for treating disorders of the eye and/or causing posterior vitreous disconnection or disinsertion. Preparations containing a) urea, b) urea derivatives (e.g., hydroxyurea, thiourea), c) a non-steroidal anti-inflamatory agents, d) antmetabolites, e) urea, urea derivatives, non-enzymatic proteins, nucleosides, nucleotides and their derivatives (e.g., adenine, adenosine, cytosine, cytadine, guanine, guanitadine, guanidinium, thymidine, thimitadine, uradine, uracil, cystine), uric acid, calcium acetal salicylate, ammonium sulfate or other compound capable of causing non-enzymatic dissolution of the hyaloid membrane or e) any of the possible combinations thereof, are administered to the eye in therapeutically effective amounts.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multilayer printed circuit board that shortens the distance between pattern layers and facilitates formation of a minute conductive hole having superior conductive reliability. A core substrate (21) including ad core pattern (12, 13), which has a pad (101, 111), is first prepared. Then, a laminated plate is formed by laminating an insulating layer (22) on the surface of the core substrate. Afterward, a surface pattern (11) is formed on the surface of the laminated plate. Further, the conductive hole (30, 31) is formed by irradiating a laser beam at the laminated plate. The bottom opening of the conductive hole (30, 31) is covered by the pad (101, 111).

Abstract: An ashtray that can be used in a vehicle has an extinguishing function. The ashtray includes a case having an upper opening and a disposal chamber. A first lid is pivotally supported on one wall of the case and covers a first part of the upper opening. A second lid is pivotally supported on a second wall opposing the first wall and covers a second part of the opening. A slot is formed between the first and second lids. A rotor is rotatably supported by the case below the slot. The rotor has vanes, with adjacent vanes defining receptacles for holding lit cigarettes. One of the receptacles is arranged at a receiving position below the slot and another of the receptacles is arranged at an extinguishing position in which the receptacle is covered by the first lid. A rotating mechanism rotates the rotor such that the receptacle in the receiving position moves to the extinguishing position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the internal body temperature of a patient. According to the present invention, a catheter is inserted through an incision into a large blood vessel of a patient. By selectively heating or cooling a portion of the catheter lying within the blood vessel, heat may be transferred to or from blood flowing within the vessel and the patient's body temperature may thereby be increased or decreased as desired. The invention will find use in treating undesirable conditions of hypothermia and hyperthermia, or for inducing a condition of artificial hypothermia when desired. The method and system further provide for the cooling of initially hypothermic patients whose blood or body temperature has been warmed above the desired target level and the warming of initially hyperthermic patients whose blood or body temperature has been cooled below the desired target temperature.

Abstract: Implantable connector devices which are useable to maintain fluidic connection between, or approximation of, openings formed in adjacent natural or prosthetic anatomical conduits (or adjacent openings formed in a single anatomical conduits). These connector devices generally comprise a plurality of radially expandable annular members having one or more elongate strut members extending therebetween. Initially, the device is mountable on or within a delivery catheter while in a radially compact configuration. After the delivery catheter has been inserted into the body, the device is caused to transition to a radially expanded configuration whereby it becomes implanted within the body so as to maintain the desired fluidic connection between, or the desired approximation of, the anatomical conduit(s).

Abstract: A heat exchange catheter having an expandable insulating region thereon. The catheter has a heat exchange region and the insulating region disposed proximally thereto. The insulating region assumes a first size about a catheter shaft to facilitate insertion of the catheter into the body. Once the insulating region is inserted into the body, the insulating region is expanded a second size. The insulating region may be a balloon around the catheter shaft that is inflated to the second size to create a gap between the wall of the balloon and the catheter shaft. Heat flows through the catheter shaft to and from the heat exchange region, and thus heat loss or gain to and from the surrounding body is minimized in the insulating region. The exchange region may include a fluid circulation path comprised of lumens through the catheter shaft.

Abstract: Water soluable taurine derivatives, and methods of synthesizing, formulating, and using such taurine derivatives for treating or protecting the retina of a mammalian eye. The invention includes treatment methods which comprise contacting with the retinal tissue, a therapeutically effective amount of retinyliden tauret (3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimehyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2,4,6,8-nonatetraen-1-imido-(N-ethane sulfonic acid)). The invention also includes methods for synthesizing two (2) specific isomers of retinyliden tauret, namely (A) all-trans-[3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2,4,6,8-nonatetraen-1-imido-(N-ethane sulfonic acid)] and (B) 11-cis-[3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimehyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2,4,6,8-nonatetraen-1-imido-(N-ethane sulfonic acid)]. Also included are formulations and methods for administering such compounds to the retina of a mammalian eye to treat or prevent the progression of retinopathy.

Abstract: An oscillation gyro (1) including a stainless steel base member (4) which is a quadratic prism, wherein the base member (4) has through holes (10, 7) extending in the directions crossing at right angles at the upper and lower portions thereof respectively, and further includes slide plates (8, 9) constituting a parallel plate portion (2) and slide plates (10, 11) constituting a parallel plate portion (3). Preferably, a titanium film (13) is formed by sputtering on each of the outer side surfaces of the parallel plate portions (2, 3), and a thin PZT film (14) is formed on the entire outer surface of the titanium film (13). Pairs of electrode films (15, 16) of aluminum are formed on the respective thin PZT films (14) up and down. The respective electrode films (15, 16) have a thickness of several um and the same area. Pads (15b, 16b) are formed at the lower ends of the base member (4) serving as fixed ends, and are connected to extension portions (15a, 16a) extending from the electrode film (15).

Abstract: A catheter device that is useable to penetrate from a blood vessel in which the catheter device is positioned to a target location comprises a flexible catheter advanceable into the first blood vessel, a tissue penetrator lumen adapted to receive an operative tissue penetrator which is usable to penetrate from the blood vessel to the target location when properly aimed. Further said catheter including an imaging transducer fixedly mounted on or within the catheter body to provide an imaging signal from which an image of the target location can be obtained. The catheter device may include an imageable marker on the catheter to form on the image obtainable from the imaging signal a penetrator path indication that indicates the path that will be followed by the tissue penetrator when the tissue penetrator exits from the catheter. Alternatively, or addition thereto, the imaging transducer may comprise a plurality of imaging elements which are located so that the penetrator path indication can be obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to be used in CPR to promote diastolic filling of the heart in cardiac arrest situations during external or internal cardiac compression. A rigid backboard provided with a tilting apparatus to incline the backboard to a desired degree. The backboard can be also provided with a tiltable segment for forward head flexion. The body of a patient victim of cardiac arrest is placed supine over the rigid backboard and the backboard is tilted by actuation of the tilting apparatus to a desired angle thus positioning the patient with feet up and chest down, so that the lower extremities are higher than the abdomen and tilted down toward the abdomen, and the abdomen higher than the chest and tilted down toward the chest. Likewise, being the head flexed forward in respect to the remainder of the body, the head is positioned higher than the heart, and tilted down toward the heart.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the internal body temperature of a patient. According to the present invention, a catheter is inserted through an incision into a large blood vessel of a patient. By selectively heating or cooling a portion of the catheter lying within the blood vessel, heat may be transferred to or from blood flowing within the vessel and the patient's body temperature may thereby be increased or decreased as desired. The invention will find use in treating undesirable conditions of hypothermia and hyperthermia, or for inducing a condition of artificial hypothermia when desired.

Abstract: The inventions described in this patent application include i) a torqueable introducer sheath which is useable in conjunction with a transvascular passageway forming catheter to effect precise rotational control of the catheter; ii) an anchorable guide catheter which is useable in conjunction with an intravascular imaging catheter and a transvascular passageway-forming catheter to effect precise positioning and aiming of the passageway-forming catheter; iii) a passageway forming catheter having a torqueable proximal portion to facilitate precise rotational positioning of the distal portion of the catheter; iv) a deflectable-tipped passageway forming catheter, v) various markers and other apparatus useable in conjunction with any of the passageway-forming catheters to facilitate precise positioning and aiming of the catheter, and vi) an apparatus which may be formed within a catheter to prevent a member, apparatus of flow of material from being inadvertently advanced through a lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for passing attachment apparatus (e.g., connector devices, staples, etc.) or connector material (e.g., suture thread, wire, cord, filament, monofilament, etc.) into or through the wall of a luminal anatomical structure (e.g., a blood vessel or other anatomical conduit) for the purpose of; i) closing the lumen of the anatomical structure, ii) forming an anastomotic junction between separate anatomical structures (or between approximated segments of the same anatomical structure), and/or iii) attaching an article (e.g., an endoluminal, extraluminal or transluminal graft) or other apparatus to the wall of the anatomical structure.

Abstract: Methods and devices for percutaneous, in situ coronary bypass wherein a tissue puncturing catheter is used to form blood flow paths between an artery and an adjacent vein such that arterial blood will flow through a segment of the adjacent vein, thereby bypassing a lesion in the artery. The tissue puncturing catheter comprises a flexible catheter having a tissue puncturing apparatus such as a sharp tipped member, an electro-surgical apparatus or a laser beam passable therefrom to create the desired blood flow paths between the artery and vein. Stents are provided for facilitating blood flow through the blood flow paths and the segment of the vein used as the bypass conduit. One such stent is specially constructed to carry arterial blood in one direction through the vein segment while allowing venous blood to continue to flow in the opposite direction through that venous segment.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a substrate, a data region and a CSS region on a surface of the substrate. Information is recorded in the data region, and a magnetic head is held stationary in the CSS region. A thin film texture is fabricated in the data region by sputtering, and a laser texture is fabricated in the CSS region by laser irradiation. The laser texture includes a plurality of first projections. The thin film texture includes a plurality of second projections. The second projections are lower in height than the first projections.

Abstract: A catheter for exchanging heat with a body fluid is disclosed. The catheter includes a main shaft and a heat exchange region having a plurality of heat exchange elements each having a length and opposed ends. Each of the elements is attached on at least one of its ends to the shaft and disposed so that when inserted in a fluid body cavity having body fluid therein, the body fluid may circumferentially surround each heat exchange element along a portion of the length of the heat exchange element. The catheter includes a fluid circulation path therein, which desirably includes the hollow lumen within each of heat exchange elements. The heat exchange elements may be connected at two points along the shaft using manifolds that are in fluid communication with fluid flow paths within the shaft. Alternatively, the heat exchange elements may be connected at only one point and be permitted to float in a proximal or distal direction with respect to the catheter.