Abstract: A body compatible stent is formed of multiple filaments arranged in two sets of oppositely directed helical windings interwoven with one another in a braided configuration. Each of the filaments is a composite including a central core and a case surrounding the core. In the more preferred version, the core is formed of a radiopaque and relatively ductile material, e.g. tantalum or platinum. The outer case is formed of a relatively resilient material, e.g. a cobalt/chromium based alloy. Favorable mechanical characteristics of the stent are determined by the case, while the core enables in vivo imaging of the stent. The composite filaments are formed by a drawn filled tubing process in which the core is inserted into a tubular case of a diameter substantially more than the intended final filament diameter. The composite filament is cold-worked in several steps to reduce its diameter, and annealed between successive cold-working steps.

Abstract: A mechanically conformable thermally conductive interface for use in electrically isolating and thermally connecting printed circuit boards to either beat sinks, metal chasses, or heat spreaders. The interface material utilizes silicone polymers of controlled molecular weight and a surface layer of a pressure sensitive adhesive may be employed. The silicone polymer is filled with a thermally conductive electrically insulative particulate such as alumina and/or boron nitride, with the silicone being prepared as a reaction product of a liquid organosiloxane together with a chain extender such as a hydride terminated polydimethylsiloxane material. A release film such as polyethylene may be utilized as the undersurface layer, if desired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for preventing contamination of a gas analyzer of respiratory gas exchange analyzing equipment due to a patient's saliva. The method involves determining a resistance value of the inspired respiratory gas flow in a sample line leading to the gas analyzer. This is determined by calculating the absolute pressure in the line at the gas analyzer. The pressure difference from atmospheric pressure is then divided by the sample flow rate to obtain a resistance value. A microprocessor in the equipment compares the calculated resistance of the flow with a previously stored reference threshold resistance. If the calculated resistance exceeds the predetermined threshold, the microprocessor sends a signal to a vacuum pump used to draw the respiratory gases through the gas analyzer. The vacuum pump is immediately shut down when the calculated resistance exceeds the predetermined resistance threshold and, hence, any saliva in the sample line is not drawn into the gas analyzer.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling a rate adaptive pacer is disclosed which operates based on the pre-ejection period (PEP), the method including the step of detecting the pre-ejection period utilizing only the pacer ECG signal and an accelerometer transducer signal.

Abstract: A device and method for extracorporeal whole body hyperthermia treatment of a patient's blood using alpha-stat regulation of blood pH and pCO.sub.2 is described. The respiratory rate of a patient is either increased or decreased in accordance with the changes in pH, pCO.sub.2, and base excess. The regulation of blood during the hyperthermic treatment of the patient's blood stabilizes the biochemical reactions fundamental to the metabolic welfare of the organisms within the patient's blood while the viruses within the patient's blood are eliminated.

Abstract: A dual chamber pacemaker incorporating an adaptive PVARP for breaking pacemaker mediated tachycardia episodes and adjusting the PVARP interval in a way that reduces future incidences of PMT without extending PVARP beyond what is required.

Abstract: A variable camber inflatable airfoil for primary use with sailing vessels. The airfoil consists of a port and a starboard airfoil panel connected to a mast to partially or entirely enclose the mast. The airfoil is further provided with various air-inlet ports to inflate the airfoil in either a dynamic fashion, with the airfoil being inflated via the air pressure from the ingress of air into the air-inlet ports during sailing, or alternatively, the airfoil may be inflated in a static fashion, with the air pressure within the airfoil remaining constant by being inflated and sealed off. Upon inflation, the shape of the airfoil may be adjusted by applying and removing tension from tension points on the port and starboard panels of the airfoil to obtain the optimal airfoil shape for the particular angle of attack and desired lift-to-drag ratio.

Abstract: A non-contaminating flow meter having an isolation member is disclosed. The flow meter includes two pressure sensor transducers, located on opposite sides of a restriction in a conduit. Each of pressure transducers is isolated by an isolation member from exposure to fluids flowing through the conduit. The flow meter may be positioned in-line within a fluid flow circuit carrying corrosive materials, wherein the square root of the difference in pressure between the two pressure sensors is calculated to thereby determine the rate of flow within the fluid flow conduit. The flow meter compensates for changes in temperature within the fluid flow circuit and further activates an alarm if the pressure or flow rate within the fluid flow conduit exceeds or falls below a threshold level. The flow meter of the present invention also avoids the introduction of particulate, unwanted ions, or vapors into the flow circuit.

Abstract: A physiological simulation device for measuring compliance conditions of a prosthesis, such as stents, grafts and stent-grafts, under simulated physiologic loading conditions. The prosthesis is positioned within a fluid conduit of the fatigue tester, wherein the fluid conduit is filled with a saline solution or other fluid approximating the physiological condition to be tested. The fluids are forced through the fluid conduit from both ends of the fluid conduit in a pulsating fashion at a high frequency, thereby simulating systolic and diastolic pressures. The temperature of the fluid is maintained at a specific (37.degree. C.) temperature via a closed loop PID control system. The fluids are pulsated by a pulse generation system consisting of a voice coil drive motor connected to a bellows assembly. Use of a linear drive motor increases the number of cycles per minute to which the prosthesis may be subjected.

Abstract: The present invention is an epicycle dual drive apparatus comprising a frame supporting an input shaft, an output shaft and an epicycle drive coupling the input shaft and the output shaft. The apparatus has dual clutches means coupled individually to the input shaft and output shaft. The epicycle drive means includes an epicycle rack pivotally secured to said output shaft at one end and a crankshaft journaled for rotation at a second end. The output shaft may have a varying rate of rotation depending on the position of the center of the crank shaft on the epicycle rack with respect to the center of the input shaft. A Cam arrangement is used for coupling the input shaft and the crankshaft. The first clutch coupled to the output shaft allows for selective engagement of the output shaft and the second clutch is coupled to the crankshaft for selective engagement of the crankshaft. Only one clutch can be engaged at a time.

Abstract: A method for producing stable pre-charged Li.sub.x CoO.sub.2 as the cathode active metal in primary or secondary active metal non-aqueous cells and cells using such material are disclosed.

Abstract: An atherectomy device includes a catheter with a window at its distal tip for admitting tissue into a catheter compartment. A cylindrical cartridge in the compartment has a cutting edge that supports an electrically conductive cutting element, e.g. a band or wire. The cutting element and adjacent tissue can be heated to a selected temperature by generating an electrical current through the cutting element. The catheter is maneuverable to position its distal end near a lesion in an artery. The catheter incorporates a dilatation balloon or other feature to urge the catheter against the lesion, so that at least part of the lesion enters the compartment through the window. Then, the cartridge is manipulated from the catheter's proximal end to move the cutting edge across the window, severing the acquired tissue. According to alternative embodiments, the cartridge is either rotated or moved axially relative to the catheter, in either event closing the catheter window when the cut is complete.

Abstract: An adjustable trowel to facilitate formation of a coved corner between two structural panels comprises a blade having two laterally spaced trapezoidal-shaped, rigid wing segments integrally joined along parallel inside edges by an intermediate segment which is of rectangular shape and of reduced thickness compared to the rigid wing segments to allow flexure in the zone occupied by the intermediate segment. Affixed to each of the rigid wing segments are handle mounting brackets that overlap one another and include an arcuate slot therein for receiving a handle mounting bolt therethrough. By tightening the bolt, the wings are held at a selected angle to one another and with the intermediate segment assuming a desired curvature.

Abstract: A device for deploying radially self-expanded stents and other radially expandable stents includes an inner catheter, an outer catheter surrounding the inner catheter, and a tubular stent retaining sheath formed of a rolling membrane. The sheath is doubled over upon itself to provide an inner sheath layer attached to the inner catheter, and an outer sheath layer attached to the outer catheter. The sheath layers extend along and surround a radially self-expanding stent, to maintain the stent distally of the inner catheter and in a radially compressed, axially elongated state. Distally of the stent, the inner and outer sheath layers converge and are narrowed in the distal direction to define a tapered distal tip. To release the stent, the outer catheter is moved proximally to roll the membrane away from its surrounding relation to the stent, whereupon the stent radially self-expands progressively, beginning at its distal end.

Abstract: A journal turning lathe comprises a pair of split clam shell assemblies that are held in parallel, spaced relationship by a plurality of spacer rods, two of which support a tool carrier assembly for axial movement relative to a shaft to be turned by the lathe. The tool carrier assembly includes at least one, but preferably two, cutting tool advancing mechanisms for controlling the radial position of the cutting tool(s) and, hence, the dept-of-cut. The tool carrier assembly is arranged to be reciprocally driven in the axial direction by a threaded lead screw driven by a star wheel which rotates through a predetermined angle upon each full rotation of the clam shell's movable ring member. The lead screw cooperates with a quick-release nut in the tool carrier assembly.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes an inflatable expander member for deploying a large diameter stent includes a plurality of balloon segments affixed to the distal end of a multi-lumen catheter body, the segments being selectively expansible in groups whereby the stent can be spread to conform to the blood vessel in which it is deployed while still permitting blood to perfuse through the spaces occupied by the uninflated ones of the segments. By using plural segments of smaller effective diameter, the composite expander can be made large enough to spread a collapsed stent without exceeding the burst strength of the individual balloon segments.

Abstract: A golf game apparatus is used with a whiffle ball for a golf game enjoyable by both golfers and non-golfers. The golf game apparatus includes a movable tee with a generally rectangular structure. A target area is located several feet from the movable tee and has a plurality of targets representing golf holes. These targets include containers having varying diameters. The targets are positioned on different levels. A fairway structure extends from the target area towards the tee area. The player or players stroke the ball towards selected targets. The targets are assigned varying points, depending upon difficulty.