Abstract: A detector, and method, for detecting nucleic acids includes a transmitter adapted to transmit light at 260 nm over an area of illumination, a receiver adapted to receive light at 260 nm from the area of illumination, a comparator adapted to compare the amplitude of light received by the receiver to a background level and to produce a hot-spot signal indicative of the presence of a nucleic acid when the amplitude is attenuated relative to the background level, and a display adapted to display the hot-spot. Preferably, the detector further includes a photographic detector adapted to receive an optical background image over an area including the area of illumination, the display adapted to display the optical background image and the hot-spot within the optical background image.

Abstract: A detector, and method, for detecting nucleic acids includes a transmitter adapted to transmit light at 260 nm over an area of illumination, a receiver adapted to receive light at 260 nm from the area of illumination, a comparator adapted to compare the amplitude of light received by the receiver to a background level and to produce a hot-spot signal indicative of the presence of a nucleic acid when the amplitude is attenuated relative to the background level, and a display adapted to display the hot-spot. Preferably, the detector further includes a photographic detector adapted to receive an optical background image over an area including the area of illumination, the display adapted to display the optical background image and the hot-spot within the optical background image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus detects an unknown deposit in soil of a known mineral or gemstone using characteristic scents of the mineral or gemstone. The method may disturb the soil, for example, by causing a chemical reaction in at least part of the soil such that a mineral or gemstone present in the soil emits a characteristic scent. The unknown deposit of the known mineral or gemstone can be detected in real-time or near real-time in the field.

Abstract: A method and apparatus detects an unknown deposit in soil of a known mineral or gemstone using characteristic scents of the mineral or gemstone. The method may disturb the soil, for example, by causing a chemical reaction in at least part of the soil such that a mineral or gemstone present in the soil emits a characteristic scent. The unknown deposit of the known mineral or gemstone can be detected in real-time or near real-time in the field.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conduit that provides a bypass around an occlusion or stenosis in a coronary artery. The conduit is a tube adapted to be positioned in the heart wall to provide a passage for blood to flow between a heart chamber and a coronary artery, at a site distal to the occlusion or stenosis. The conduit has a section of blood vessel attached to its interior lumen which preferably includes at least one naturally occurring one-way valve positioned therein. The valve prevents the backflow of blood from the coronary artery into the heart chamber.

Abstract: In a surgical method, an incision is formed in a layer of organic tissue defining a wall having an inner side and an outer side. The incision has a pair of opposing lips or edges. The lips or edges are retracted towards the inner side of the tissue wall and approximated to one another. Thereafter, one or more closure elements are applied to the inwardly pulled lips or edges.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conduit that provides a bypass around an occlusion or stenosis in a coronary artery. The conduit is a tube adapted to be positioned in the heart wall to provide a passage for blood to flow between a heart chamber and a coronary artery, at a site distal to the occlusion or stenosis. The conduit has a section of blood vessel attached to its interior lumen which preferably includes at least one naturally occurring one-way valve positioned therein. The valve prevents the backflow of blood from the coronary artery into the heart chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conduit that provides a bypass around an occlusion or stenosis in a coronary artery. The conduit is a tube adapted to be positioned in the heart wall to provide a passage for blood to flow between a heart chamber and a coronary artery, at a site distal to the occlusion or stenosis. The conduit has a section of blood vessel attached to its interior lumen which preferably includes at least one naturally occurring one-way valve positioned therein. The valve prevents the backflow of blood from the coronary artery into the heart chamber.

Abstract: A medical system includes a carrier and a multiplicity of electromechanical transducers mounted to the carrier, the transducers being disposable in effective pressure-wave-transmitting contact with a patient. Energization componentry is operatively connected to a first plurality of the transducers for supplying the same with electrical signals of at least one pre-established ultrasonic frequency to produce first pressure waves in the patient. A control unit is operatively connected to the energization componentry and includes an electronic analyzer operatively connected to a second plurality of the transducers for performing electronic 3D volumetric data acquisition and imaging (which includes determining three-dimensional shapes) of internal tissue structures of the patient by analyzing signals generated by the second plurality of the transducers in response to second pressure waves produced at the internal tissue structures in response to the first pressure waves.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conduit that provides a bypass around an occlusion or stenosis in a coronary artery. The conduit is a tube adapted to be positioned in the heart wall to provide a passage for blood to flow between a heart chamber and a coronary artery, at a site distal to the occlusion or stenosis. The conduit has a section of blood vessel attached to its interior lumen which preferably includes at least one naturally occurring one-way valve positioned therein. The valve prevents the backflow of blood from the coronary artery into the heart chamber.

Abstract: A surgical method for removing a port element disposed in an incision or perforation in a wall of a hollow internal organ in a trans-organ surgical procedure. A distal end portion of a tubular member is inserted into the internal organ through a natural body opening. A capture member is ejected from the distal end portion of the tubular member and receives the port element.

Abstract: Improvements in intra-abdominal surgery include a method for removing large chunks of organic or inorganic material from the abdomen through a natural body opening such as the urethra. The technique may be supplemented by laparoscopic procedures.

Abstract: In a surgical method, a hollow needle is inserted into a hollow internal organ of a patient through a natural body opening. A wireless scanning apparatus is operated externally of the patient to obtain data as to internal structures of the patient on a side of a wall of the organ opposite the body cavity. A distal tip or free end of the needle is passed through the wall of the organ only upon detecting, via the wireless scanning apparatus, an absence of internal organic tissues of the patient in contact with the wall of the organ on the side of the organ opposite the body cavity. Upon the passing of the distal tip or free end of the needle through the wall of the organ, pressurized CO2 gas is conveyed through the needle into the patient on the side of the wall opposite the body cavity. The needle may be connected to the distal end of an elongate flexible hollow shaft and an endoscope may be optionally used to view the needle deployment procedure.

Abstract: A trans-vascular surgical method includes forming an artificial opening in a blood vessel of a patient's vascular system at a substantially predetermined location and moving a distal end portion of a medical instrument through at least a section of the patient's vascular system and through the artificial opening. A surgical port device is disposed inside the blood vessel to inhibit blood from exiting the patient's vascular system through the artificial opening while permitting extension of the distal end portion of the medical instrument through the artificial opening. After moving the distal end portion of the medical instrument through the artificial opening, the medical instrument is operated to perform a medical procedure operation inside the patient.

Abstract: In a method for improving cardiac performance, a compressive cardiac implant is passed through an anterior intraventricular vein of a patient's heart to a position proximate an apex or lower end of a left ventricle of the patient's heart. A distal end portion of the compressive cardiac implant is moved from the anterior intraventricular vein into the patient's left ventricle and thereafter passed through a septum of the patient's heart and into a right ventricle thereof. The distal end portion of the compressive cardiac implant is then engaged with the septum, and the compressive cardiac implant is operated to compress the apex or lower end of the patient's left ventricle so as to reduce the effective volume of the left ventricle.

Abstract: A neck rest includes a first body member and a second body member. The first body member has a first recess for receiving a user's neck and defines a cushion extending around the recess for at least partially surrounding the user's neck. The second body member is different from the first body member and connected to the first body member. The second body member defines a second recess for receiving at least a lower portion of the user's head. The second body member defines a cushion extending around the second recess for at least partially surrounding the lower portion of the user's head.

Abstract: A surgical method for removing a port element disposed in an incision or perforation in a wall of a hollow internal organ in a trans-organ surgical procedure. A distal end portion of a tubular member is inserted into the internal organ through a natural body opening. A capture member is ejected from the distal end portion of the tubular member and receives the port element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conduit that provides a bypass around an occlusion or stenosis in a coronary artery. The conduit is a tube adapted to be positioned in the heart wall to provide a passage for blood to flow between a heart chamber and a coronary artery, at a site distal to the occlusion or stenosis. The conduit has a section of blood vessel attached to its interior lumen which preferably includes at least one naturally occurring one-way valve positioned therein. The valve prevents the backflow of blood from the coronary artery into the heart chamber.

Abstract: A surgical closure method utilizes a surgical device including an elongate tube, a flexible web member disposed in a collapsed configuration inside the tube, and a push rod disposed at least partially inside the tube for pushing the web member from the tube. A distal end portion of the tube is inserted through an opening or wound in a wall of a hollow body organ. The rod is pushed in a distal direction along the tube to eject the web member from the distal end of the tube. The ejected web member is expanded from the collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The expanded web member is placed in contact with the wall of the organ over the opening or wound. Subsequently the expanded web member is attached to the wall of the organ.

Abstract: An endovascular bypass graft includes a tubular member, a first expandable mesh stent attached to one end of the tubular member, and a second expandable mesh stent attached to an opposite end of the tubular member. The second stent is provided with a plurality of fenestrations. The graft is inserted into a principal blood vessel such as the aorta and positioned in the vessel so that the fenestrations are aligned with junctions with ancillary blood vessels. The graft is attached to the principal blood vessel so that the fenestrations remain aligned with the respective junctions, thereby allowing blood flow between the principal vessel and the auxiliary vessels through the respective junctions upon completion of the bypass operation.