Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved vascular occlusion device for occlusion of a passageway, cavity, or the like. According to one embodiment, a medical device for occluding a left atrial appendage is provided. The medical device includes a first portion having at least one plane of occlusion that is configured to be positioned outside of the left atrial appendage, and a second portion having at least one plane of occlusion that is configured to be at least partially positioned within a cavity defined by the left atrial appendage.

Abstract: An electronic animal repellant apparatus includes a microphone for detecting environmental sound, a detection circuit for detecting the presence of a particular species of animal in the vicinity of the repellant apparatus, a timing and activation circuit, and a plurality of animal repellant or frightening devices. The microphone produces an input signal fed to the detection circuit that has a frequency content representative of the frequency spectrum of the environmental sound. The input signal is compared to a pre-determined frequency envelope characteristic of the sound spectrum of the particular animal species and a trigger signal is produced when the presence of the particular animal is detected. The detection circuit includes a band-pass filter and a negative feedback band-reject filter, each having readily removable and replaceable components for changing the pre-determined frequency envelope for different species of animal to be repelled.

Abstract: In an apparatus for determining the amount of compressive force exerted on an elastomeric material, there is provided an elastomeric material retainer, compression apparatus cooperative with the elastomeric material retainer and compressive force measuring apparatus and deflection apparatus to measure the amount of compressive force exerted on the elastomeric material and the amount of compression which the elastomeric material experiences.

Abstract: In an electrolytic cell lubricous material is provided between at least one gasket and the adjacent surface of the membrane between adjacent electrode frames to permit the gasket to deform during assembly and operation of the cell when compressive force is applied to effect fluid-tight seals between the gaskets and the adjacent electrode frames without damaging the membrane.

Abstract: A method of heat sealing together two untreated layers of a sulfonated perfluorovinyl ether ion exchange diaphragm or membrane material having pendant groups predominantly in the sulfonamide form by placing a layer of untreated sulfonated perfluorovinyl ether material having pendant groups predominantly in the sulfonic acid form between the sulfonamide layers to create a "sandwich". The preferred heat sealing involves applying from 1 to 5, and preferably from 3.5 to 5.0 kg/cm.sup.2 pressure at from 260.degree. to 350.degree. C. and preferably from 280.degree. to 320.degree. C. for from 3.5 to 7.5, and preferably from 3.5 to 5.0 seconds to this "sandwich". It had been previously taught that such untreated sulfonamide layers could not be heat sealed together. The novel heat sealing technique of this invention enables fabrication of a cathode-membrane unit using ion exchange membranes having such a sulfonamide layer facing the cathode of an electrolytic cell.

Abstract: A method for leak-testing synthetic separators for interleaved planar electrodes is described. The method includes installing the separator such as a diaphragm or membrane about the electrodes to create an enclosed chamber within the separator, supporting the electrodes from a supportive cell housing, pressurizing the created chamber to a predetermined pressure with a gas, slowly filling the housing with a liquid to a level above the separator and observing the separator during the filling operation to determine if leaks are present in the separator.

Abstract: An electrode-separator combination unit for use in an electrolytic cell having planar interleaved electrodes and a method of assembling such a unit. Electrodes are individually enclosed in a closed envelope of separator material to form individual electrolyte chambers. The separator can be perforated and electrical conductors, fluid supply conduits and fluid outlet conduits can be sealingly passed through the perforations to allow supply of raw materials to the enclosed electrodes and to allow removal of products therefrom.

Abstract: A method of restoring elasticity to heat sealed portions of an elecrolytic diaphragm comprised of a perfluorosulfonic acid resin in the alkali metal ion form comprises contacting the heat sealed sections with an aqueous fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for securing a fabricated diaphragm to each of a section of electrodes. A diaphragm encloses each electrode and has an open end adjacent to the electrode plate. The apparatus comprises two bars, one positioned along a first side and one positioned along a third side of the electrode section. A plurality of elements are attached to each of the bars. The elements are positioned between adjacent electrodes and secure one edge of each of two adjacent diaphragms. The elements may be interconnected to provide additional sealing of the diaphragm. A rod is positioned along the second and fourth sides of the electrode section to seal the outer edge of the diaphragm enclosing the external electrodes of the section.The apparatus is employed in electrolytic diaphragm cells for producing chlorine and caustic soda by the electrolysis of alkali metal chloride solutions.A method is provided for employing the apparatus to effectively seal the diaphragm to the electrode section.