Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for use in procedures related to the electrophysiology of the heart, such as identifying or evaluating the electrical activity of the heart, diagnosing and/or treating conditions associated with the electrophysiology of the heart. An apparatus having thermocouple elements of different electromotive potential conductively connected at a junction is introduced into the interior of the heart and a section of heart tissue is contacted with the junction. An electrical current is passed through the thermocouple elements to reduce the temperature of the junction in accordance with the Peltier effect and thereby cool the contacted heart tissue. The effect of the cooling may be monitored and, if desired the section of heart tissue may be treated.

Abstract: A method for morselating and removing the morselated tissue through a small incision comprising in general inserting a tissue container into the body cavity of a patient through an incision, placing resected tissue in the vessel, inserting a morselator having a rotatable electrode thereon through the incision and into the vessel, morselating the tissue and removing the tissue from the containment vessel and the body. An apparatus for morselating and removing tissue through a small incision within the body cavity of a patient is also disclosed and may comprise a tissue container having an inner chamber for containing resected tissue, and a morselator having a proximal end and a distal end carrying an electrode wherein the distal end is insertable into the body cavity and containment vessel for morselating resected tissue.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument, such as a scissors, in which the handle and blade members are of a conventional construction. Each blade member supports a detachable cartridge member made of an insulating material and supporting at least one electrode. The cartridge members do not interfere with the cutting engagement of the blade members. Each cartridge member can also permit relative movement between its electrode and associated cutting edge from a first position in which the electrodes are between the cutting edges (when the blades are open) to a second position in which each electrode is behind its respective cutting edge (as the blades are closed).

Abstract: A vitamin concentrate delivery system including a positive displacement pump having a pump drive and a pump controller, and a flow measurement or detection unit having a magnetic flow tube, a transmitter and a recording device to regulate the flow of liquid vitamin concentrates into food products. A method of adding the vitamin concentrates to the dairy products is also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are described for delivery of a treating element, such as a radiation source, through a catheter to a desired site in the intraluminal passageways of a patient, such as a coronary artery, for inhibiting the formation of scar tissue such as may occur in restenosis following balloon angioplasty. The apparatus includes an elongated flexible catheter tube having proximal and distal end portions, with a lumen extending therebetween, and a diameter sufficiently small for insertion in to a patient's intraluminal passageways. One or more treating elements, such as a capsule or pellet containing radioactive material, is positionable within the lumen and movable between the proximal and distal end portions under the force of liquid flowing through the lumen. A method for using such apparatus, including a method for using such apparatus simultaneously with a balloon angioplasty procedure, is disclosed.

Abstract: A plasma treatment device for forming a high-quality thin film with fewer surface flaws and etching by preventing the generation of fine powders from deposited films in a film-forming chamber, by means of plasma treatment using gaseous starting materials. The plasma treatment chamber device includes a plasma generation chamber 11, a power-supplying mechanism for supplying power to this chamber, a film-forming chamber 113 to be spatially connected to the plasma generation chamber 11, a magnetic field generation mechanism 14 provided around this film-forming chamber for forming a multicusp magnetic field therein, an evacuation mechanism for evacuating the chamber, a first gas-supplying mechanism 16 for supplying gaseous starting materials and a second gas-supplying mechanism 17 for supplying gaseous materials for forming films. An inner wall surface 113b of the film-forming chamber is located in an area having a multicusp magnetic field with an intensity of from 50 to 200 G.

Abstract: An internal combustion powered tool, such as a nail or fastener driver, and a control system, spark source, and rotary valve for use in an internal combustion powered tool are disclosed. The tool may include, for example, a cylinder and a piston reciprocally moveable within the cylinder. A combustion chamber is defined at one end of the cylinder, with the piston comprising a portion of one end of the combustion chamber. The tool may have a fastener driver associated with the piston, and a magazine for feeding fasteners into registration with the driver. A fuel flow passageway extends between a fuel source and the combustion chamber, and a metering valve controls the flow of fuel to the combustion chamber. A spark source within the combustion chamber is provided for igniting the fuel, and an intake and exhaust valve that includes a pair of diametrically opposed apertures is provided.

Abstract: An electrical wire marker, marking method and system for identifying a wire associated with a particular circuit or to be installed in a particular electrical circuit are disclosed. The wire marker includes an identifier and color indicia. The identifier is associated with a particular electrical circuit in which the wire is to be connected. The color indicia corresponds to a particular color or wire color associated with that particular electrical circuit.

Abstract: A method of preventing or controlling the loss of well drilling fluid into the pores and fractures of subterranean rock formations by the addition of resilient graphitic carbon particles to the drilling fluid in sufficient amounts to plug the pores and fractures. The graphitic carbon material reduces loss of circulation, lowers torque and drag, prevents casing wear while drilling, and provides a new method for the controlled release of graphite at extreme pressure. The material is non-toxic and imparts the well-known lubricating properties of graphite without contributing to surface sheen development under US EPA offshore cuttings discharge rules.

Abstract: A disposable transcutaneous electrode comprising, in a first embodiment, a sheet electrode member of electrically conductive carbon filled polymer, an electrically conductive metal/metal coating on at least a major portion of the lower side of the electrode member. A pad of electrically conductive gel having an upper surface underlies the metal/metal chloride coating on the lower side of the electrode member. A current distributing mat conductively adhered to the upper side of the sheet electrode member has a perimeter spaced inwardly of the perimeter of the electrode member and includes an open mesh metallized carbon fiber web having a carbon impregnated pressure sensitive adhesive composition on upper and lower sides of the web. The mat is configured to be electrically conductive along the surfaces of the mat and transverse to the surfaces of the mat. Defibrillating energy is conducted to or from the upper side of the mat by, e.g.

Abstract: A method for morselating and removing the morselated tissue through a small incision comprising in general inserting a tissue container into the body cavity of a patient through an incision, placing resected tissue in the vessel, inserting a morselator having a rotatable electrode thereon through the incision and into the vessel, morselating the tissue and removing the tissue from the containment vessel and the body. An apparatus for morselating and removing tissue through a small incision within the body cavity of a patient is also disclosed and may comprise a tissue container having an inner chamber for containing resected tissue, and a morselator having a proximal end and a distal end carrying an electrode wherein the distal end is insertable into the body cavity and containment vessel for morselating resected tissue.

Abstract: A mutual fund securitization process permitting the trading of open end mutual funds and linked derivative securities on or off the floor of a National Securities Exchange. The targeted individual open end mutual fund or group of open end mutual funds, selected through a screening process is securitized through the creation of a new, separate security. This new security is preferably a "closed end fund of funds" and linked derivative securities, which synthetically replicate the statistical relationship of the defined individual or group of open end mutual funds. The maintenance of financial records for the new security is maintained by electronically storing dividend, capital gains and income received from the open end funds which have been invested in, and calculating pro-forma financial statements to disseminate to shareholders and all relevant parties.

Abstract: Bipolar electrosurgical scissors are disclosed having a pair of blades joined for relative movement in a scissor-like action between open and closed positions. At least one of the blades comprises a tissue contacting surface and first and second spaced apart electrodes extending along the surface. Current flow between the first and second electrodes promotes hemostasis in tissue contacting the surface. Preferably, each blade of the scissors includes first and second spaced-apart electrodes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for use in procedures related to ther electrophysiology of the heart, such as identifying or evaluating the electrical activity of the heart, diagnosing and/or treating conditions associated with the electrophysiology of the heart. An apparatus having thermocouple elements of different electromotive potential conductively connected at a junction is introduced into the interior of the heart and a section of heart tissue is contacted with the junction. An electrical current is passed through the thermocouple elements to reduce the temperature of the junction in accordance with the Peltier effect and thereby cool the contacted heart tissue. The effect of the cooling may be monitored and, if desired, the section of heart tissue may be treated.

Abstract: An internal combustion powered tool, such as a nail or fastener driver, and a control system, spark source, and rotary valve for use in an internal combustion powered tool are disclosed. The tool may include, for example, a cylinder and a piston reciprocally moveable within the cylinder. A combustion chamber is defined at one end of the cylinder, with the piston comprising a portion of one end of the combustion chamber. The tool may have a fastener driver associated with the piston, and a magazine for feeding fasteners into registration with the driver. A fuel flow passageway extends between a fuel source and the combustion chamber, and a metering valve controls the flow of fuel to the combustion chamber. A spark source within the combustion chamber is provided for igniting the fuel, and an intake and exhaust valve that includes a pair of diametrically opposed apertures is provided.

Abstract: A flow control valve is described comprised of first and second rigid members and a resilient single or multi stage valve element disposed between the rigid members. A fluid flow path is defined through the rigid members and through or around the valve element to provide a continuous flow path through the valve. The rigid members are movable relative to each other between a first position and a second position. The valve element is sufficiently compressed by the rigid members when they are in the first position so as to close the flow path through or around the valve element. The valve element is sufficiently relaxed when the rigid members are in the second position to allow fluid flow through the flow path through or around the valve element.

Abstract: A disposable transcutaneous electrode comprising, a sheet electrode member of electrically conductive carbon filled polymer, an electrically conductive metal/metal coating on at least a major portion of the lower side of the electrode member. A pad of electrically conductive gel having an upper surface underlies the metal/metal chloride coating on the lower side of the electrode member. A current distributing mat conductively adhered to the upper side of the sheet electrode member has a perimeter spaced inwardly of the perimeter of the electrode member and includes an open mesh metallized carbon fiber web having a carbon impregnated pressure sensitive adhesive composition on upper and lower sides of the web. The mat is configured to be electrically conductive along the surfaces of the mat and transverse to the surfaces of the mat. Defibrillating energy is conducted to or from the upper side of the mat by, e.g., a sheathed electrical conductor, a conductive post stud, a metal tab conductor or similar element.

Abstract: An electrically conductive paving mixture for use in a pavement system which prevents the accumulation of frozen precipitation on surfaces, for example, like that of an airport runway. The pavement system comprises a layer of electrically conductive paving mixture, a layer of insulative paving mixture, electrically resistive cables, an electrical power supply, sensors for measuring humidity and temperature, and a control and monitoring system. The electrically conductive paving mixture comprises a blend of naturally-occurring amorphous graphite and synthetic graphite/desulfurized petroleum coke. Preferably, the blend of naturally-occurring graphite to synthetic graphite/desulfurized produced coke is in the ratio of 2:1.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are described for delivery of a treating element, such as a radiation source, through a catheter to a desired site in the vascular system of a patient, such as a coronary artery, for inhibiting the formation of scar tissue such as may occur in restenosis following balloon angioplasty. The apparatus includes an elongated flexible catheter tube having proximal and distal end portions, with a lumen extending therebetween, and a diameter sufficiently small for insertion in to a patient's vascular system. One or more treating elements, such as a capsule or pellet containing radioactive material, is positionable within the lumen and movable between the proximal and distal end portions under the force of liquid flowing through the lumen. A method for using such apparatus, including a method for using such apparatus simultaneously with a balloon angioplasty procedure, is disclosed.

Abstract: A coupling piece includes an abutment and locking member which is shiftable relative to the abutment to allow for an automatic and reliable locking of the containers. The coupling pieces do not jam when the connection is released by means of slightly tilting the upper container. The coupling piece is particularly suitable for automatically locking and releasing tightly stowed containers, especially 20' containers. In an alternate embodiment, a coupling piece is shaped such that the entire coupling piece is shifted to a locking position when containers are placed on top of one another.