Abstract: An improved balloon catheter has a catheter body with an expandable member, such as a balloon, mounted to the exterior surface thereof. Preferably, means for preventing sticking of the expandable balloon to the exterior surface of the catheter body are provided. In one aspect, the catheter has an expandable member, preferably a balloon, positioned substantially equidistant from the proximal and distal ends of the catheter body. The retention catheter is positioned externally of the heart and partially surrounds the heart so that the balloon is positioned immediately adjacent the coronary sinus and when inflated, the balloon bears against the coronary sinus and at least one of the inferior vena cava and diaphragm thereby preventing inadvertent movement or removal of the RCSP catheter from the coronary sinus.

Abstract: A cannula having a main lumen extending therethrough is provided with a tourniquet integrally mounted to the cannula body. The tourniquet is positioned so that suture thread can be withdrawn therethrough and frictionally retained in place with respect to the cannula body. This structure is ideally suited for use in a cannula which is received in an incision surrounded by a purse string suture where the purse string suture is drawn tight to create a substantially fluid tight seal between the vessel wall and the cannula. The tourniquet lumens can be integrally molded with the cannula body or can be fixedly mounted thereto. In addition to the tourniquet, a pressure sensing lumen can similarly be integrated into the structure of the cannula body, depending upon the particular application of the cannula. This structure of the cannula is ideally suited for use as arterial cannulas, atrium cannulas and venous cannulas.

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter has a catheter body with an expandable member, such as a balloon, mounted to the exterior surface thereof. Preferably, means for preventing sticking of the expandable balloon to the exterior surface of the catheter body are provided. In one aspect, the catheter has an expandable member, preferably a balloon, positioned substantially equidistant from the proximal and distal ends of the catheter body. The retention catheter is positioned externally of the heart and partially surrounds the heart so that the balloon is positioned immediately adjacent the coronary sinus and when inflated, the balloon bears against the coronary sinus and at least one of the inferior vena cava and diaphragm thereby preventing inadvertent movement or removal of the RCSP catheter from the coronary sinus.

Abstract: A ventricular cannulation device. An inner part is placed in the cardiac chamber and an outer part is placed outside the cardiac wall. Each of the inner and outer parts is equipped with means for catching onto the cardiac wall. The inner part bears a means for guiding and attaching the outer part thereto. A tube corresponding to the opening of the cardiac wall serves as a support for an outer tube or a vascular prosthesis. A blood circulatory assistance system is provided using a bio-pump, made from the patient's muscle, and a pulse generator to stimulate the bio-pump under program control, to pump blood from the ventricle. Vascular prosthesis are used to connect the cannulation device and the bio-pump with the aorta for blood flow therethrough.

Abstract: A catheter for supplying liquid to the coronary sinus in a perfusion procedure comprising a tubular catheter body having an interior lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end; and an inflatable cuff (balloon) adjacent the distal end of the catheter. The cuff has a proximal end and a distal end, each of which encircle the catheter body and hermetically seal thereto. The cuff further comprises an elongated central section having a length of at least 1 inch. When the inflated cuff is positioned a sufficient distance into the coronary sinus to firmly retain the cuff therein, it blocks the left coronary vein where it meets the coronary sinus. Further, the cuff can comprise end panels defined between the central section and the proximal and distal cuff ends. The end panels have a shape which allows for flexure between the central section and the cuffs proximal and distal ends.

Abstract: A ventricular cannulation device in which an inner part is placed in the cardiac chamber and an outer part is placed outside the cardiac wall. Each of the inner and outer parts is equipped with means for catching onto the cardiac wall. The inner part bears a means for guiding and attaching the outer part thereto. A tube corresponding to the opening of the cardiac wall serves as a support for an outer tube or a vascular prosthesis.

Abstract: A catheter for supplying liquid to the coronary sinus in a perfusion procedure comprising a tubular catheter body having an interior lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end; and an inflatable cuff (balloon) adjacent the distal end of the catheter. The cuff has a proximal end and a distal end, each of which encircle the catheter body and hermetically seal thereto. The cuff further comprises an elongated central section having a length of at least 1 inch. When the inflated cuff is positioned a sufficient distance into the coronary sinus to firmly retain the cuff therein, it blocks the left coronary vein where it meets the coronary sinus. Further, the cuff can comprise end panels defined between the central section and the proximal and distal cuff ends. The end panels have a shape which allows for flexure between the central section and the cuffs proximal and distal ends.

Abstract: A device for forming a microwave plasma including an ionizing chamber wherein a gas can be introduced so as to undergo excitation induced by the presence of a high frequency alternating electric field produced by a plurality of metal antennas. The device includes a gas-free volume wherein metal antennas are arranged parallel to one another and are distributed at the nodes of a regular plane array, an end of each antenna extending from the gas-free volume in the ionizing chamber and an induction loop producing microwaves in the gas-free volume.

Abstract: A catheter for supplying liquid to the coronary sinus in a perfusion procedure comprising a tubular catheter body having an interior lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end; and an inflatable cuff (balloon) adjacent the distal end of the catheter. The cuff has a proximal end and a distal end, each of which encircle the catheter body and hermetically seal thereto. The cuff further comprises an elongated central section having a length of at least 1 inch. When the inflated cuff is positioned a sufficient distance into the coronary sinus to firmly retain the cuff therein, it blocks the left coronary vein where it meets the coronary sinus. Further, the cuff can comprise end panels defined between the central section and the proximal and distal cuff ends. The end panels have a shape which allows for flexure between the central section and the cuffs proximal and distal ends.

Abstract: A device for measuring the quality of contact between two electrical conductors of an electrical circuit comprises a frame on which are mounted two electrically conductive elements and two electrically conductive pins. The frame is adapted to be inserted onto the electrical conductors, whereupon mechanical actuators displace the elements and pins such that each conductor is contacted by one of the elements and one of the pins to create an electric circuit. The elements are connected to a current generator to cause a current to flow within the circuit. A volt meter is provided to measure the drop in potential between the two pins. Knowledge of the resistance of each conductor enables the drop in potential to be used to measure the quality of the electrical contact between the conductors. The device is particularly useful to determine the quality of contact between conductors whose connections are not readily visible or accessible such as in an electrolysis apparatus in which an anode is immersed in a bath.

Abstract: The prothesis is intended to be implanted in a human patient for forming an aorto-coronary by-pass or another by-pass on other arteries. The prosthesis comprises a normal, unaltered living vein which is taken from the patient himself/herself and which is surrounded by a multiperforated flexible sheath. The inside diameter of the sheath is so chosen that, after implantation, the outside diameter of the vein is maintained by the sheath at a value less than the maximum possible diameter of the vein and that the inside diameter of the vein is suitable for the diameter of the receiver artery.

Abstract: A foundation for a retaining wall-type of structure acted upon by a principal force tending to slide same in a predetermined direction is anchored by a plurality of slide resisting walls. The slide resisting walls extend parallel to the predetermined direction in which the foundation tends to slide. The upper portions of the slide resisting walls are embedded in a concrete mass. The lower portions of the slide resisting walls project downwardly from the concrete mass into the earth, and are solely in engagement with the earth and not with concrete.

Abstract: System for the construction and utilization of multitubular structures called modules A, whose joined elements (2) have a cylindrical or prismatic shape. The dimensions (L, l) transversely to the axis (X--X) of the elements (2) are greater than the dimension (h) along this axis (X--X). Several joined modules constitute a line of modules, used to close off a river. Several lines of modules can be superimposed to build an overspill structure of a certain height. Structure is provided to float a line of modules into place above its sinking site. Modules can also be used advantageously for certain works built on dry ground.

Abstract: The gate system comprises a wicket which is capable of taking up a number of different positions corresponding to predetermined angles of inclination, an operating device comprising a pivotally mounted jack, and a rotatable abutment member carried by the wicket for receiving the end of the operating rod of the jack. The jack is restored to an end position of angular orientation when the operating rod is moved away from the abutment member. This end orientation is close to the orientations of the jack during operation. The operating rod of the jack and the abutment member comprise guiding apparatus for orienting the jack towards the abutment member when the end of the jack-operating rod comes close to the abutment member.

Abstract: The installation enables an internal waterway to pass through a changing level by means of a water ramp connecting through a channel two water reaches respectively situated upstream and downstream and including basins for the storage of boats awaiting their turn before entering the water ramp. The upstream reach is provided with a tilting gate for the retention of the water, while a pusher provided with a transverse mask retaining a water-wedge on which the boat to be moved floats is movable along the channel to ensure the transfer of this boat from the downstream reach to the upstream reach and vice versa. The retaining gate for the upstream reach is located at a certain distance beyond the upstream end of the water ramp and a second retractable gate is arranged substantially at the end of the water ramp, these two gates bounding between themselves an intermediate horizontal reach, separating the upstream end of the water ramp and the upstream basin.

Abstract: In a method for building immersed foundations on a prepared bed without preliminary unwatering by means of a platform which is intended to support the final structure, the steps which consist in positioning in the underwater bed a support having at least three bearing points which are so adjusted as to project from the bed to a height corresponding to the intended depth of the seating plane, in lowering the platform onto the bearing points, in placing a hardenable material such as concrete or mortar on the foundation bed so as to imprison at least the lower ends of anchoring means which extend downwards from the platform.