Abstract: A vascular prosthesis including a tubular body and a plurality of independent support members disposed on a surface of the tubular body. Spacing between the independent support members is varied to vary the flexibility of the vascular prosthesis.

Abstract: An aqueous epoxidation process stream containing molybdenum and sodium values is incinerated and an aqueous solution containing molybdenum and sodium is recovered, acidified and reacted with a calcium compound without first adding base to form solid CaMoO.sub.4 which is separated.

Abstract: A catheter is described including at least one optic fiber guided inside a tubular unit. The optic fiber is movable in the tubular unit between an active position wherein the fiber can transmit laser radiation energy and an inactive position wherein the fiber is retracted into the tubular unit. The fiber when retracted clears a duct which is present in the tubular unit. When the optic fiber is retracted a guide filament, which can also be present in the tubular unit, can then move in the duct. The fiber can include a stop which cooperates with another stop present in the tubular unit so as to ensure accurate positioning of the end of the fiber relative to the catheter. The catheter is useful in ridding blood vessels or other cavities of the human body of obstructions.

Abstract: An implantable pump, actuated by the patient in whom the pump is implanted, to provide pain relief and/or other therapeutic benefits. There is disclosed a fully implantable pump system, including a reservoir for holding fluid, a septum by which the reservoir is periodically refilled, and a resilient pump chamber responsive to manual pressure, for delivering limited amounts of the fluid through a catheter to a specific location within the body of the patient. Alternative embodiments disclosed include designs incorporating "windkessel-like" devices for controlling discharge of the fluid to the specific location to occur over extended time periods at relatively constant flow rates.

Abstract: A heart rate analyzer responsive to the R wave of successive ECG complexes of a patient. The intervals between successive ECG complexes are continuously counted and summed for a first number of successive complexes. First electrical representations of the average values of the intervals are generated over the first number of complexes, the number being no greater than two. The second average of the same intervals is generated for a second number of successive numbers of complexes greater than the first and electrical representations thereof are produced. These electrical representations are trapped and at least a maximum value of the first representation and a minimum value of the second representation are held. These maximum and minimum values are then converted to corresponding minimum and maximum heart rates respectively. Lastly each R wave signal generated over a predetermined period of time is counted thereby providing an indication of the average heart rate.

Abstract: An improved R-wave detector is provided for use in monitoring and/or analyzing electrical heart waveforms. Generally conventional R-wave detection means employ automatically variable scaling means for providing a threshold or reference value to a comparator which is variable not only in magnitude but also as a percentage of the average R-wave peak value from which it is derived. An ECG waveform is compared with this threshold of automatically variable percentage value and an indication of R-wave occurrence is provided when the ECG waveform exceeds the threshold. Upon an indication of R-wave occurrence, the percentage value of the threshold is rapidly increased such that a closely following T-wave of unusually large magnitude is not falsely detected as an R-wave.

Abstract: Apparatus for the recognition of ventricular premature beats by an identifying width of a QRS complex by dividing the area by the height and further noting when the width measurements is at least 40% wider than the average width of the immediately preceding several QRS complexes. Additional apparatus for indicating ventricular premature beats by determination of an early width determination which exceeds the average width by at least 20% and is additionally followed by the compensatory pause as determined by interbeat interval measurement.

Abstract: A defibrillator, or alternatively, paddles therefor adapted with the wave-forming inductance of the discharge circuit disposed between the two paddles of the discharge circuit of the defibrillator and is so disposed in the paddles as to couple in a cancelling manner when the paddles are placed face-to-face. In a preferred embodiment, the waveform inductance is split substantially equally in each of the two paddles wherein each of the inductors have a value of substantially half the total necessary inductance for the forming of the waveform for the defibrillating wave.The respective coils of the inductors are wound in reverse directions, one with respect to the other so that the total inductance generated in a discharge directly through the paddles is substantially nil.

Abstract: An electronic metronome capable of providing subdivisions and cross rhythms in an audibly distinct manner. The metronome is comprised of solid state circitry including a linear potentiometer in a compensating network to yield an intended non-linear metronome characteristic, and can be readily contained in a small pocket size package including a battery source and loudspeaker.

Abstract: A cardiac defibrillator paddle in which the elctrode surface is provided with a removable cap. This permits the electrode to have its conductive paste pre-applied, with the cap readily removable for immediate use.