Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling blood pressure by controlling atrial pressure and atrial stretch are disclosed. In some embodiments, a stimulation circuit may be configured to deliver a stimulation pulse to at least one cardiac chamber of a heart of a patient, and at least one controller may be configured to execute delivery of one or more stimulation patterns of stimulation pulses to the at least one cardiac chamber, wherein at least one of the stimulation pulses stimulates the heart such that an atrial pressure resulting from atrial contraction of an atrium overlaps in time a passive pressure build-up of the atrium, such that an atrial pressure of the atrium resulting from the stimulation is a combination of the atrial pressure resulting from atrial contraction and the passive pressure build-up and is higher than an atrial pressure of the atrium would be without the stimulation, and such that the blood pressure of the patient is reduced.

Abstract: Methods and devices for reducing ventricle filling volume are disclosed. In some embodiments, an electrical stimulator may be used to stimulate a patient's heart to reduce ventricle filling volume or even blood pressure. When the heart is stimulated in a consistent way to reduce blood pressure, the cardiovascular system may over time adapt to the stimulation and revert back to the higher blood pressure. In some embodiments, the stimulation pattern may be configured to be inconsistent such that the adaptation response of the heart is reduced or even prevented. In some embodiments, an electrical stimulator may be used to stimulate a patient's heart to cause at least a portion of an atrial contraction to occur while the atrioventricular valve is closed. Such an atrial contraction may deposit less blood into the corresponding ventricle than when the atrioventricular valve is opened throughout an atrial contraction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling blood pressure via electrical stimulation of the heart are disclosed. Embodiments may include at least two different stimulation patterns, each configured to reduce blood pressure to a different degree, and may alternate between stimulation patterns based on the need of a patient, for example, alternating between day and night or between periods of strenuous and light activity. Some embodiments may take advantage of a slow baroreflex response that occurs after treatment is stopped, suspending treatment for extended periods, and then resuming treatment before blood pressure levels reach pretreatment values. Embodiments may control blood pressure by controlling atrial pressure and atrial stretch.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of diffusion bonding a first article containing a thermally activated expansion agent to a second article. The first article and the second article are placed adjacent to each other at a bonding area. The first article and the second article are constrained such that contact is maintained between the first article and the second article at the bonding area. The constrained articles are then heated at a temperature that causes the first article to expand, creating pressure between the articles at the bonding area.

Abstract: A novel method of forming low density core metal parts by pressure bonding face sheets to a porous foam metal core and simultaneously densifying the core is disclosed. In particular, low density core aluminum and aluminum alloy parts can be formed according to the method of the invention. The method of forming low density core metal parts generally comprises the steps of providing a porous, foam metal core and simultaneously pressure bonding first and second solid metal face sheets directly to opposite sides of the core and densifying the core by applying heat and uniaxial forge pressure to the first and second face sheets and to the core for a predetermined period of time. The method of the invention can therefore produce LDC parts having a predetermined shape and density. Furthermore, the LDC parts are less subject to interfacial oxidation and delamination than conventional LDC parts made by brazing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a continuous one-piece structural porous metal (SPM) structure having a predetermined geometry. The method the invention includes the steps of preparing a metal billet comprising a metal core formed of a metal and a gas, and solid metal face sheets bonded to opposite sides of the metal core; placing the metal billet in a mold cavity having a predetermined geometry defined by opposing inner surfaces of the mold with at least one of the opposing inner surfaces contacting at least a portion of the metal billet and spaced apart from at least a portion of the metal billet; and heating the metal billet to expand the metal core to form the expanded metal structure.

Abstract: A two-step process for joining a first part to a second part, the first part having a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the second part. An anchor layer is then brazed at a lower temperature to the first part having a high thermal expansion coefficient. The anchor layer has a thickness such that upon cooling it will yield to relieve stress build up resulting from the differing thermal expansion coefficients between it and the first part. The anchor layer is then brazed to the part having a high thermal expansion coefficient. The process is particularly useful for joining carbon-carbon composite parts to copper substrates for use in the manufacture of high temperature heat exchangers as used, for example, in nuclear fusion reactors.