Abstract: A process for decolorizing and demineralizing a sugar solution without the need for using cation exchange resins or activated carbon. The process includes the steps of contacting the sugar solution with a macroporous polymeric adsorbent having cationic functional sites to decolorize and demineralize the sugar solution, and contacting the sugar solution with an anion exchange resin to further demineralize the sugar solution.

Abstract: An implantable medical device and method for providing therapy to a patient's inadequately functioning heart are disclosed. The device and method utilize a defibrillation electrode lead system to deliver defibrillation therapy to the patient's heart, and a defibrillator to provide the defibrillation therapy that is delivered by the defibrillation electrode lead system. The defibrillator includes a charge storing circuit for storing an electrical charge therein. Controls are employed for charging the charge storing circuit to an appropriately high energy level for use in defibrillation therapy, in response to a detected tachycardia condition, and for charging the charge storing circuit to an appropriately low energy level for selectively inducing an arrhythmia in the patient's heart.

Abstract: An implantable device and method for providing anti-arrhythmia therapy to, and including arrhythmia in, a patient's inadequately functioning heart are disclosed. A pacemaker, defibrillator and microprocessor are utilized in conjuction with an electrode lead system adapted to be connected to the heart for providing the therapy and for inducing arrhythmia. Circuitry is employed in the pacemaker and defibrillator to generate respective trains of spaced pulses for delivery to corresponding portions of the electrode lead system, and a smoothing filter is provided in series with the trains of pulses to smooth each of the trains of pulses into discrete single pulse having a continuous waveform. The spacing, durations and polarities of the pulses in the trains are selectively variable so that the waveforms of the discrete single pulses can be selectively varied to provide diferent waveforms therein, in accordance with the needs of the patient and the programming of the device.

Abstract: An implantable device for the treatment of malfunctions of a patient's heart is disclosed. The device employs defibrillation patch electrodes positioned on the outer surface of the heart generally outwardly of the left and right ventricles of the heart, in conjunction with a non-polarizing sub-threshold constant current or constant voltage signal and appropriate electronic signal sensing and processing circuitry, to determine changes in variations of the transcardiac impedance of a patient's heart, such changes being representative of corresponding changes in the level of haemodynamic compromise of the heart. Bradycardia support pacing therapy, antitachycardia pacing therapy, cardioversion therapy and defibrillation therapy, or no therapy, are selectively initiated by the device, depending on the level of haemodynamic compromise determined to be extent by the device.

Abstract: Computer programs are provided which utilize a touchscreen to emulate three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional computer screen. One program, called personal cardfile (PCF), combines the convenience of a desktop rotary cardfile with the power of a computerized product. PCF presents an image of a rotary file, complete with "knobs" for flipping through "cards" in a cardfile, and "tabs" for selecting "cards" to be represented individually on the touchscreen. Another program, called financial computer (FC), emulates an HP12C handheld financial calculator. The HP12C calculator is manufactured by Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, Calif. On a computer touchscreen, an operator sees a familiar looking "calculator" and touches its "keys" to operate it, just as for a conventional three-dimensional calculator.