Abstract: Intravenous cardiac leads having at least one electrode intended to be implanted within the coronary artery are disclosed. Also disclosed are structures and techniques for advancing such leads through the atrium and coronary sinus into the coronary veins overlaying the left ventricle.

Abstract: A container (10) for shipping items, such as silicon wafers, rigid memory disks, photo masks, liquid crystal displays and flat panel displays, is disclosed. The container has a bottom (20) and a removable top (30). Mounted to the inside of the container are three cushions (50, 51, 52). When the cover (30) is in place, the cushions are centered on support lines (60) which are 120.degree. from each other. When so arranged, the cushions securely hold a plurality of items in a parallel, spaced-apart registration.

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 visual indicator for attachment to bicycle wheels to enhance visibility and provide a warning of the presence of the bicycle in poor lighting conditions. The device comprises a resilient and flexible elongated hollow tubular structure rendered highly visually reflective by application of a coating or film of enclosed lens reflective material thereon. The tubular structure is readily attached to the spokes of a bicycle wheel, thus providing a large and broad effective area for visually responding to incident light radiation so as to provide a source of retro-reflective light.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management device includes a dual chamber pacemaker especially designed for treating congestive heart failure. The device incorporates a programmed microcontroller which is operative to adjust the pacing mode-AV delay of the pacemaker so as to achieve optimum hemodynamic performance. Atrial cycle lengths measured during transient (immediate) time intervals following a change in the mode-AV delay are signal processed and a determination can then be made as to which particular configuration yields optimum performance.

Abstract: A refuse collection apparatus including a container lifting and emptying apparatus connected to a collection receptacle which is dumped into a refuse hauling vehicle. The container lifting and emptying apparatus includes a container manipulator attached to a support arm which is connected to an extensible boom which is, in turn, connected to the collection receptacle. The container manipulator engages a container of interest and the support arm pivots the engaged container between a lowered position and a raised position for dumping. The collection receptacle typically includes multiple compartments wherein the support arm includes a pendulum pivot or is pivotally attached to the collection receptacle such that the engaged container may be tilted over any one of a plurality of the storage compartments. Another version of the collection apparatus includes a collection receptacle having three or four compartments wherein one compartment is adjacent and between the manipulator and a far storage compartment.

Abstract: A method of joining successive sections of tubular members having substantially dissimilar flexibilities is involved that includes the step of providing a transitional zone intermediate said successive sections having a flexibility intermediate those of the successive sections. Articles made by the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac rhythm management device includes an accelerometer along with apparatus for processing the analog signal output from the accelerometer for deriving therefrom the time of occurrence of a selected heart sound in relation to a previously occurring ventricular depolarization event. The thus-derived heart sound information can be used to establish a hemodynamic upper rate limit for a rate adaptive pacemaker.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac stimulator having a bradycardia pacer and a defibrillator in a common housing and sharing common atrial and ventricular sense circuits includes circuitry for defining a dynamic paced refractory interval that is inversely proportional to the pacing rate to thereby allow adequate time in the cardiac cycle for sensing ventricular events even at elevated pacing rates such as when the atrial tracking rate approaches a programmed upper rate limit for the pacemaker or a sensor driven rate approaches the programmed upper rate limit.

Abstract: A bandage encapsulated in a protective sterile covering is disclosed, whereby the bandage may be removed from its sterile covering and applied with one hand without contaminating any portion of the bandage. The apparatus and method to manufacture the unique bandage is also disclosed.

Abstract: A compound packing and ejecting device for a front or slide loading refuse vehicle for packing refuse from a charging hopper into an associated storage body and later ejecting the refuse from a rearward portion of the storage body without tilting the storage body. A loading device may be used to load refuse or recyclables from the front or side of the vehicle into the charging hopper. A plurality of compound packing and ejecting devices may be mounted within the charging hopper. The packing and ejecting device includes packing cylinders and ejecting cylinders coupled to a packer panel, wherein the expansion of the packing cylinders, with the ejecting cylinders retracted, linearly displaces the packer panel through a first longitudinal portion of the storage body and expansion of the ejecting cylinders, together with expansion of the packing cylinders, displaces the packer panel through the remainder of the storage body.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted reciprocating refuse packing or ejecting mechanism designed to operate along and carried by spaced parallel rails include a pair of spaced parallel bottom rails mounted in the vehicle body and a packer or ejection mechanism designed to be carried by the rails in the vehicle body. A pair of spaced wear shoes are located between the rails and the mechanism and a pair of inwardly directed shaped members mounted along the inner side walls of the vehicle body and above each side of the mechanism. The shaped members are parallel to the rails, each having wear surface at least partially directed downward. A pair of spaced upper wear pads associated with the mechanism, each wear pad having an upper surface matching an adjacent one of said upper wear surfaces are also provided.

Abstract: A device for filtering fluids which is cleanable and re-usable is described. The device includes a cylindrical canister, a cylindrical lid and a filter cartridge. The device is adapted to be disposed in a fluid flow circuit, filtering particulate from the fluid circulating therein. The filter cartridge is quickly removed, cleaned and reused. The fluid enters and exits the device from the top end through fluid inlets and an outlet extending through the lid perpendicular to the lids upper planar surface, thereby reducing the amount of space required to mount the device. The fluid inlets include sloping fins that direct fluids in the filtering chamber in a spiraling action, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the filter.

Abstract: An adjustably positionable support platform for use in combination with an extension ladder which includes a generally planar deck having a load supporting assembly to accommodate a person standing thereon. The load bearing assembly comprises a plate with a foot supporting upper surface and a ladder rung engaging lower surface. A first pair of support pins is provided for slidable engagement within brackets attached to the lower rung engaging surface, the first pair of pins being arranged to capture a ladder rung between the pin and the lower rung engaging surface. A second pair of pins is provided with a distally positioned ladder rail engaging plate to control the angular disposition of the deck so as to provide a horizontal standing surface for the user. Additionally, the plate of the load bearing assembly is provided with angularly downwardly extending flanges, with the included angle between the front flange and the plate preferably being about 75 degrees.

Abstract: A dedicated truck body selected from the group including top loading refuse vehicle bodies is fabricated using a plurality of discreet, independently removable and replaceable modular subassemblies for separate replacement in response to non-uniform wear and damage requirements.

Abstract: A device and method for testing and monitoring, either manually or automatically, the performance of various components electrically linked to the electronic circuitry of a diagnostic instrument. Components of the electrical circuitry, including potentiometric operational amplifiers and a multi-channel connector, are tested for leakage current, A/D reference voltage, edge connector contact resistance and background noise.