Abstract: A lamp base (10), for example, for a tungsten-halogen lamp, comprises three electrically conductive parts or elements and a glass insulator. Specifically, the lamp base (10) comprises a first metallic outer part (12), a glass inner part (14), an electrically conducting eyelet (18), and an upper electrically conductive part (20), all symmetrically arrayed about a longitudinal axis (16). The glass insulator (14) bonds all of the electrically conductive parts, (12, 18) and (20). The metallic outer part (12) is preferably threaded for insertion into a socket and has a major, internal diameter D1. The glass inner part (14) has a primary, external diameter that is equal to the major internal diameter D1; i.e., the external diameter of the glass inner part (14) is contiguous with the internal diameter of the metallic outer part (12). Further, the internal glass part (14) has an opening (14a) therein and the opening (14a) has a secondary diameter D2In an aspect of the invention, D2/D1 is greater than 0.

Abstract: A lamp base (10), for example, for a tungsten-halogen lamp, comprises three electrically conductive parts or elements and a glass insulator. Specifically, the lamp base (10) comprises a first metallic outer part (12), a glass inner part (14), an electrically conducting eyelet (18), and an upper electrically conductive part (20), all symmetrically arrayed about a longitudinal axis (16). The glass insulator (14) bonds all of the electrically conductive parts, (12, 18) and (20). The metallic outer part (12) is preferably threaded for insertion into a socket and has a major, internal diameter D1. The glass inner part (14) has a primary, external diameter that is equal to the major internal diameter D1; i.e., the external diameter of the glass inner part (14) is contiguous with the internal diameter of the metallic outer part (12). Further, the internal glass part (14) has an opening (14a) therein and the opening (14a) has a secondary diameter D2. In an aspect of the invention, D2/D1 is greater than 0.

Abstract: A mitral valve annuloplasty prosthesis (ring or C) has a generally saddle shape, i.e., portions of the prosthesis that are or will be adjacent the anterior and posterior commissures of the valve are relatively low as compared to at least some other portions of the prosthesis that are or will be between the commissures. However, the saddle shape is asymmetrical, in that the portion that is or will be adjacent the posterior commissure is lower than the portion that is or will be adjacent the anterior commissure.