Abstract: Disclosed is a device for assisting the function of a heart that is collapsible to facilitate minimally invasive procedures. The cup-shaped device may be inserted into the chest cavity and deployed on the heart via a specially configured tube. The device comprises a cup-shaped shell expanded by a support cage disposed within the shell, and an elastic cup-shaped liner, together forming an inflatable cavity between the outer surface of the liner and the inner surface of the shell. Alternate application of positive and negative pressures to the cavity provides controlled, active, systolic and diastolic support to the heart.

Abstract: A process for assisting the function of a heart disposed within a body, and comprising an outer wall, comprising the steps of measuring at least one parameter that is indicative of the function of the heart, applying a compressive force to a portion of the outer wall of the heart, and applying an expansive force to the portion of the outer wall of the heart. The process is preferably performed with an apparatus comprising a cup-shaped shell having an exterior wall, an interior wall, an apex, and an upper edge; a liner having an outer surface and an inner surface, an upper edge joined to said interior wall of the cup-shaped shell, and a lower edge joined of the interior wall of the cup-shaped shell, thereby forming a cavity between the outer surface thereof and the interior wall of the shell; and a drive fluid cyclically interposed within the cavity, the drive fluid applying a uniform force on a portion of the outer wall of the heart.

Abstract: A process for assisting the function of a heart disposed within a body, and comprising an outer wall, comprising the steps of measuring at least one parameter that is indicative of the function of the heart, applying a compressive force to a portion of the outer wall of the heart, and applying an expansive force to the portion of the outer wall of the heart. The process is preferably performed with an apparatus comprising a cup-shaped shell having an exterior wall, an interior wall, an apex, and an upper edge; a liner having an outer surface and an inner surface, an upper edge joined to said interior wall of the cup-shaped shell, and a lower edge joined of the interior wall of the cup-shaped shell, thereby forming a cavity between the outer surface thereof and the interior wall of the shell; and a drive fluid cyclically interposed within the cavity, the drive fluid applying a uniform force on a portion of the outer wall of the heart.

Abstract: An image producing material which when deposited on a receiver produces an image comprised of nanoparticles selected to have an average diameter of less than 500 nm and arranged so as to be effective in two states, in a first state it aggregates and will not flow through an ink jet printer nozzle and in a second state when subject to a force is flowable so as to be deposited on the receiver, such nanoparticles being bound to each other by Van der Waals forces in the first state and after deposition on the reciever.

Abstract: Apparatus for printing an image using image forming materials having nanoparticles less than an average diameter of 500 nm. The apparatus defining a plurality of printing nozzles each of which prints a pixel on a receiver, the nanoparticles being effective in two states, in a first state it aggregates and will not flow through an ink jet printer nozzle and in a second state when subject to a force is flowable so as to be deposited on the receiver, such nanoparticles being bound to each other by Van der Waals forces in the first state and after deposition on the receiver. The apparatus includes a hopper for receiving the nanoparticles and defining a cavity into which the nanoparticles aggregate in the first state; and applies a force to the nanoparticles disposed in the hopper to cause them to be effective in the second state and deliver them to the nozzles where such nanoparticles flow and are deposited on the receiver.