Abstract: A method of implanting a blood pump in a heart of a mammalian subject includes maintaining a temporary plug in an inlet opening of a pump having a pump body and an outlet cannula projecting from the pump body, advancing the pump into a ventricle of the heart through a hole in a wall of the heart so that the inlet of the pump is disposed within the ventricle and the outlet cannula extends through a valve of the heart into an artery, and then withdrawing the temporary plug from the inlet of the pump.

Abstract: A gravity-driven fluid filtering system that includes a universal fluid (typically water) filter and a plurality of differently sized fluid dispensing adapters. The universal fluid filter includes: at least one gravity-driven fluid filter media; a housing having an interior and at least one fluid inlet aperture configured to allow a fluid to be treated to enter the interior of the housing by a force of gravity and into contact with the at least one gravity-driven water filter media spaced within the interior of the housing; and at least one treated fluid outlet aperture configured to deliver treated fluid to at least one of a plurality vessels each having a differently sized fluid receiving aperture. The plurality of differently sized fluid dispensing adapters each having a sloped and contoured fluid receiving portion, which is different for each adapter.

Abstract: A gravity-driven water filtering system comprising: a gravity-driven water filter configured to engage and deliver treated water through apertures of various sizes and a filter receiving device. The gravity-driven water filter includes: a bottom portion; a water filter; and a top portion. The water filter is configured to be removably engaged by hand without the use of tools from the bottom portion and the water filter, the bottom portion and the top portion are each configured to be removably engaged and disengaged to allow for replacement of the filter and reassembly of the overall gravity filter assembly by hand and without the use of tools. The filter receiving device is a) a flat bottomed stand; b) a carrying device; or c) an adapter.

Abstract: A ventricular assist device (“VAD”) includes a continuous-flow pump (2) implantable in fluid communication with a ventricle (V) and an artery (A) of a patient to assist blood flow from the ventricle to the artery. The VAD also includes a control circuit (12) connected to the pump, the control circuit being configured to direct the pump to operate in a series of cycles. Each cycle may include (i) pumping blood at a first speed (RPM1) and at a first flow rate during a first period (t1); then (ii) decreasing the speed of the pump from the first speed to a second speed (RPM2) during a ramp-down period (tRD); then (iii) pumping blood at the second speed and at a second flow rate during a second period (t2); and then (iv) increasing the speed of the pump from the second speed to the first speed during a ramp-up period (tRU).

Abstract: A mixing appliance assembly includes a housing, which includes a motor and shaft operably coupled with the motor and extending outwardly from the housing. A top handle is operably coupled with a top end of the housing and includes a pulse button and a continuous run switch. A side port is disposed in the housing and configured to receive a port connecting member and includes an interlocking feature. An interlock switch is disposed inside the side port. A switch engagement member is configured to engage the interlock switch such that the continuous run switch can be depressed. A bowl clamp is engageable with the side port and configured to removably secure the housing to a bowl and includes the switch engagement member. A side handle is engageable with the side port and is configured to be removably coupled with the housing and aid a user in handling the mixing appliance.

Abstract: A method of implanting a blood pump in a heart of a mammalian subject includes maintaining a temporary plug in an inlet opening of a pump having a pump body and an outlet cannula projecting from the pump body, advancing the pump into a ventricle of the heart through a hole in a wall of the heart so that the inlet of the pump is disposed within the ventricle and the outlet cannula extends through a valve of the heart into an artery, and then withdrawing the temporary plug from the inlet of the pump.

Abstract: A ventricular assist device (“VAD”) includes a continuous-flow pump (2) implantable in fluid communication with a ventricle (V) and an artery (A) of a patient to assist blood flow from the ventricle to the artery. The VAD also includes a control circuit (12) connected to the pump, the control circuit being configured to direct the pump to operate in a series of cycles. Each cycle may include (i) pumping blood at a first speed (RPM1) and at a first flow rate during a first period (t1); then (ii) decreasing the speed of the pump from the first speed to a second speed (RPM2) during a ramp-down period (tRD); then (iii) pumping blood at the second speed and at a second flow rate during a second period (t2); and then (iv) increasing the speed of the pump from the second speed to the first speed during a ramp-up period (tRU).

Abstract: A gravity-driven water filtering system comprising: a gravity-driven water filter configured to engage and deliver treated water through apertures of various sizes and a filter receiving device. The gravity-driven water filter includes: a bottom portion; a water filter; and a top portion. The water filter is configured to be removably engaged by hand without the use of tools from the bottom portion and the water filter, the bottom portion and the top portion are each configured to be removably engaged and disengaged to allow for replacement of the filter and reassembly of the overall gravity filter assembly by hand and without the use of tools. The filter receiving device is a) a flat bottomed stand; b) a carrying device; or c) an adapter.

Abstract: A gravity-driven fluid filtering system that includes a universal fluid (typically water) filter and a plurality of differently sized fluid dispensing adapters. The universal fluid filter includes: at least one gravity-driven fluid filter media; a housing having an interior and at least one fluid inlet aperture configured to allow a fluid to be treated to enter the interior of the housing by a force of gravity and into contact with the at least one gravity-driven water filter media spaced within the interior of the housing; and at least one treated fluid outlet aperture configured to deliver treated fluid to at least one of a plurality vessels each having a differently sized fluid receiving aperture. The plurality of differently sized fluid dispensing adapters each having a sloped and contoured fluid receiving portion, which is different for each adapter.

Abstract: A gravity-driven fluid (water) treatment device that includes a bottom portion having at least one treated fluid outlet, an upper perimeter, and a bottom portion side wall that defines an interior volume of the bottom portion and wherein the bottom portion side wall is a shaped surface that is configured to frictionally engage a plurality of differently sized fluid vessel openings and still allow treated fluid to be delivered to the interior of a fluid vessel through the at least one treated fluid outlets; a fluid treatment medium positioned within a fluid filter; and a top portion with an interior volume defined by at least one wall. The fluid filter, the bottom portion and the top portion are each configured to be removably engaged and disengaged to allow for replacement of the filter and reassembly of the overall gravity filter assembly by hand and without the use of tools.