Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented providing high-performance lossless data compression implemented in hardware for improving network communications. A compression module useful in a switching platform is also presented capable of compressing data stored in buffer memory. Instructions for a compression task are assigned to the compression module by a microprocessor writing a control block to a queue in stored local memory. The control block informs the compression module of the size and location of the unprocessed data, as well as a location in the buffer memory for storing the processed data and the maximum allowed size for the compressed data. Using this technique, the microprocessor can limit the compression of data to those data streams allowing compression, to those segments that are susceptible to compression, and to those segments that are large enough to show a transmission speed improvement via compression.

Abstract: The present invention is a scalpel with a retractable blade which may be advanced or retracted by operation of a slider. The scalpel has multiple operating positions and the physician may conveniently retract the blade by actuating the slider.

Abstract: A non-elastic, conformal translucent device bearing a grid is applied to a patient to facilitate tissue examination and reproducible lesion identification.

Abstract: An surgical instrument for use during procedures to harvest saphenous veins simultaneously retracts tissue and exposes sections of the vein. Removable spacer limbs are selectively attached to the instrument to aid in retracting tissue and to make the instrument self-retaining.

Abstract: A computer software program is described that maps the electrical activity of a patient's heart. The software program utilizes inputs from electrodes contained within a heart chamber. Inputs from the electrodes cause the program to calculate the heart chamber volume, and then to determine the position of the electrodes within the heart chamber. The program then utilizes inputs from the electrodes to calculate the three-dimensional volumetric electrical field distribution of said heart chamber. This calculation is accomplished using a spherical harmonic series expression. Finally, the computer program displays the electrical field distribution of the heart chamber.

Abstract: A cell delivery catheter having one of more apearutres is used to positon and deliver cells to an implant site in a patient.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device and method for minimally invasive access to the pericardial space of a human or animal patient. The disclosed pericardial access device includes a penetrating body axially mobile within the lumen of a guide tube. The distal end of the guide tube includes a shoulder to buttress pericardial tissue drawn into the guide tube by a suction force applied to the guide tube lumen. The penetrating body is subsequently distally advanced within the guide tube to access the pericardium.

Abstract: There is provided a manually actuable ultrasonic disintegrator for the removal of human or animal tissue, which includes a sonotrode for the transmission of sound waves at its distal end to the tissue, an ultrasonic transducer which can be coupled to the sonotrode and a passage which extends lengthwise of the sonotrode for flushing and/or sucking away disintegrated or ablated tissue. In order to provide for the most effective possible application of ultrasonic waves into the tissue to be treated, the distal end of the sonotrode is in the form of a full surface outside which the flushing or suction removal passage extends.

Abstract: A receptacle and dipping assembly aid in the preparation of a tissue sample for frozen histologic sectioning. A receptacle receives a tissue sample and O.C.T. compound. A chuck in inserted into the receptacle. A dipping assembly receives the receptacle and holds the chuck in proper orientation while the receptacle is cooled and the O.C.T. and tissue are frozen. The chuck, with the frozen block of O.C.T. and tissue attached thereto, is removed from the receptacle and placed in a microtome for slicing of the tissue.

Abstract: A device and method for fitting contact lenses to a patient that matches the anterior curve of the lens to the measured cornea of the patient improving the optical performance of the lens on the eye.

Abstract: A method and system is presented for determining pupillary distance and multi-focal element height for prescription eyeglasses via images received through a computer network. The received image has a reference object of a known real-world size located approximately the same distance from the camera as the face. The size of the reference object on the image is determined, such as by measuring the number of pixels across the reference object. A scale for the image is determined by dividing the real world width of the reference object by the image size of the reference object. An image value for the pupillary distance and multi-focal element height is then determined. The scale value is applied to the image value to determine the real-world pupillary distance and multi-focal element height for the patient. The reference object can be a generally available object such as a monetary coin, or a facial element that has a relatively fixed size from face to face, such as the size of the iris.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing air from blood which contains air. The air-containing blood is conducted through a cyclone device as a rotating cyclone stream, so that centrifugal forces for the separation of the air from the blood are produced in the rotating cyclone stream.

Abstract: A pair of removable soft pliant plugs is inserted in the Vas to impede the flow of sperm to provide reversible male contraception.

Abstract: The bubble trap is used in extracorporeal blood flow circuits of the type used for open heart surgery. The trap is placed in the external blood flow and it removes small micro bubbles from the blood prior to delivery to the body. The device accelerates the blood flow radially and the small bubbles migrate toward the center of the accelerated flow. These bubbles are concentrated at this location and the blood that contains the micro bubbles is extracted and recirculated before the degassed blood flow is returned to the body.

Abstract: A non-elastic conformal translucent device is applied to the chest and breast of a patient to facilitate tissue examination.

Abstract: A blood suction apparatus for aspirating blood from a patient is developed as a one-hand held instrument having a handgrip. A centrifuge chamber, shaped to narrow from its tangentially directed top blood inlet to its bottom blood outlet end, like a funnel. A gas outlet opening from a gas collection space above the chamber and to which a suction device can be connected. A blood outlet at the lower end of the centrifuge chamber with both outlets connectable to a source of suction. The orientations of the handgrip and of elements passing through the handgrip are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method using microcoded marks provides retrospective identification of articles. An article is marked with microparticles having multiple layers. The particles form a unique spatial pattern on the article. An image is made of the mark as applied to the article. The digitized image is stored in a database with information about the article. The database can be accessed by users to verify the authenticity of an article.

Abstract: A vascular closure device. In each embodiment, the device includes at least one relatively non-deformable surface member and a conformable and distensible member. Typically the conformable member is implemented as a balloon structure that is inflated with a liquid or gaseous medium. This inflation fluid increases the fluid pressure in the balloon which counteracts the fluid pressure of the punctured vessel. The resulting forces on the balloon are opposed by tissue structures that transfer the load to the surrounding subcutaneous tissue structures. The device may be constructed of bioabsorbable or non-bioabsorbable materials. Additionally, the device may be coated with agents to provide a secondary therapy for enhancement of clotting or prevention of infections. These agents may also elute from the distensible conformal member.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method selects a candidate from a pool of candidates to fill a position based on the skills held by the candidate, the skills desired for the position and the priority of the skills for the position. Pre-defined lists of skills are used to develop detailed profiles of the candidates and the positions to be filled for better matching. To compare and rank candidates, adjusted skills scores are used which are limited by the priority of the skill for the position, yielding best-fit matches.