Abstract: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.

Abstract: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.

Abstract: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.

Abstract: A jacket for placement over a heart to constrain congestive heart failure related expansion includes a biocompatible fabric formed into a pouch having a base end and an apical end with an interior of the pouch sized to receive a patient's heart. The base end has a peripheral edge defining a base opening sized to pass an apex of the heart through the base opening. The heart is slipped into the interior of the pouch with the apical end facing the apex of the heart and with the base end facing toward a base of the heart. At the base end, the fabric is folded over for the peripheral edge to have at least a double layer of the fabric. The double layer terminates at a free edge on an outer surface of the pouch and is spaced from the peripheral edge. In an additional embodiment, the fabric includes a side edge of opposing fabric surfaces extending from the apical end to the base end. The opposing fabric surfaces are joined by a stitch assembly.

Abstract: A balloon angioplasty catheter having a balloon head assembly carried at the distal end of an elongated catheter body. The balloon head assembly includes an inflatable balloon envelope and a perfusion lumen extending through the balloon envelope to provide a blood flow passage during inflation of the balloon envelope. In a preferred embodiment, the perfusion lumen is formed by a helical member having spaced coils encapsulated with a flexible material. A discharge lumen is formed by a projecting tip, the tip being integrally formed with the balloon envelope. Discharge orifices are provided through the tip sidewall. In a preferred embodiment, the side discharge orifices are elongated in the general direction of perfusion flow through the balloon head. The invention also encompasses means for facilitating discharge of perfused blood through the discharge orifices. This is accomplished by valving perfusate flow through the discharge lumen.

Abstract: A method of making a jaw for a biopsy forceps in which a flat strip is formed with a sharpened edge and a tang with a pointed end. The strip is bent to form an open loop, and the tang is bent to extend upwardly into the loop.

Abstract: An adaptor for use with balloons of intravascular balloon catheters commonly used for treating conditions of the vascular system includes a hollow member and an elongated positioning member, which is connected to the hollow member. The hollow member possesses characteristics not possessed by the balloon of the balloon catheter. With a balloon catheter positioned within a blood vessel, the adaptor is capable of longitudinal movement through the blood vessel, between the balloon catheter and a wall of the blood vessel, independent of the balloon catheter. The adaptor is manuevered adjacent to the balloon by manipulating the positioning member until a proximal end and a distal end of the adaptor is generally aligned with a proximal and distal end of the balloon, respectively. Inflation of the balloon secures the hollow member against the balloon in such a manner that the characteristics of the hollow member are imparted to the balloon.

Abstract: An adaptor for use with balloons of intravascular balloon catheters commonly used for treating conditions of the vascular system includes a hollow member and an elongated positioning member, which is connected to the hollow member. The hollow member possesses characteristics not possessed by the balloon of the balloon catheter. With a balloon catheter positioned within a blood vessel, the adaptor is capable of longitudinal movement through the blood vessel, between the balloon catheter and a wall of the blood vessel, independent of the balloon catheter. The adaptor is manuevered adjacent to the balloon by manipulating the positioning member until a proximal end and a distal end of the adaptor is generally aligned with a proximal and distal end of the balloon, respectively. Inflation of the balloon secures the hollow member against the balloon in such a manner that the characteristics of the hollow member are imparted to the balloon.

Abstract: A cervical pressary having a central stem with a passage from end to end thereof. A distal retainer is provided at the distal end of the stem, and a proximal retainer at the other end. The retainer are flexible and distensible. They are connected to each other through the stem passage, and are inflatable by fluid injected into them. A leaflet-type fill valve passes through the wall of the proximal retainer. Th fill valve closes when outside pressure is exerted on the leaflets. The fill valve can be physically opened by insertion of a fill tube into it.

Abstract: An inflatable implant has a flexible shell that forms an internal lumen. It has a base portion and an envelope portion, with an aperture through the base. A tubing storage shell is in the lumen and attached to the base, forming a peripheral seal with the base around the aperture in the base. A flexible fill tubing is structurally permanently attached to the tubing storage shell, sealed with the aperture in the tubing storage shell and passing freely through the aperture in the base. A substantial length of the fill tubing is stored in the storage shell which can be drawn toward an incision in the skin of the patient so the volume of the implant can be adjusted without directly accessing the shell.

Abstract: An implantation prosthesis, and a composite material for use in constructing this prosthesis. The material is flexible. It has an inner wall, an outer wall, and a foam layer between the walls in adherent surface-to-surface contact. The walls are made of a flexible elastomeric material with at least limited permeability. The foam is resiliently deformable to resist sharp folding of the walls, and to resist relative in-plane motion of the walls.

Abstract: A means for controllably accelerating a particle of matter having a selected dipole characteristic is shown. The means includes a means for generating an alternating electric field extending a first direction, which varies at a selected frequency and which has a predetermined magnitude which is less than the characteristic field ionization potential limit of a particle. A means for generating an alternating magnetic field is provided. The alternating magnetic field extends in a second direction at a predetermined angle to and crosses and intercepts the electric field to define a spatial force field region. The alternating magnetic field has a frequency which is substantially equal to and is at a predetermined phase angle relative to the alternating electric field and is at a flux density which, when multiplied times the selected frequency, is less than the characteristic field ionization limit of a particle.

Abstract: A method to make a silicone foam. A layer of crystalline material is embedded in a layer of uncured silicone. The crystalline material is closely packed in crystal-to-crystal contact, the crystals being provided in a plurality of sizes or ranges of size to increase the packing ratio of the crystals as a group. The silicone is cured and then the crystals are dissolved out with a solvent that dissolves them but does not dissolve the silicone.

Abstract: A dipolar force field propulsion system having a alternating electric field source for producing electromotive lines of force which extend in a first direction and which vary at a selected frequency and having an electric field strength of a predetermined magnitude, a source of an alternating magnetic field having magnetic lines of force which extend in a second direction which is at a predetermined angle to the first direction of the electromotive lines of force and which cross and intercept the electromotive line of force at a predetermined location defining a force field region and wherein the frequency of the alternating magnetic field substantially equal to the frequency of the alternating electric field and at a selected in phase angle therewith and wherein the magnetic field has a flux density which when multiplied times the selected frequency is less than a known characteristic field ionization potential limit; a source of neutral particles of matter having a selected dipole characteristic and having

Abstract: A valve for an inflatable prosthesis of the type which comprises a fluid-containing envelope with an aperture closed by a valve through which a desired amount of fluid can be filled or withdrawn. The valve comprises a flat elongated conduit having a pair of sealed edges, and between said edges a pair of flat flexible wall members facing each other to form a fluid seal when they bear against one another. The conduit is open at one end. At the other end it is closed except for a slit formed in one of the walls without removal of material. The valve tends to remain closed both as a consequence of inherent closure of the slit and also as a consequence of pressure of the walls against one another.