Abstract: An annular ring and cap that are positionable within a manhole or catch basin structure above the base of the manhole or catch basin to reduce the amount of debris entering into the manhole or catch basin. The annular ring may be positioned within the manhole or catch basin such that a flange of the annular ring is sandwiched between the base and support frame. When a final grade surrounding the manhole or catch basin is complete and the cover or grating is positioned above the support frame, the cap then serves as a secondary restriction thereby deterring access to underground conduits that are linked to the manhole or catch basin. A plurality of corrosion resistant locking members secure the cap against a ledge of the annular ring. The annular ring further has an inner edge of the ledge that includes first and second shoulder clearance indentations aligned opposite each other.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon is fabricated according to a process that yields high hoop strength and uniformity in balloon wall thickness. A length of tubing is axially elongated and radially expanded in a form to provide the requisite biaxial orientation and strength. Then, an excimer laser is used to remove the polymeric material by photo-chemical ablation, virtually without thermal effects. Dilatation balloon walls are thinned primarily along tapered sections between proximal and distal balloon stems and a medial working section of the balloon. Material removal, particularly near the balloon stems, enables tighter wrapping of the balloon for a reduced delivery profile, and reduces rigidity near the stems for better maneuverability of the catheter in tortuous passageways. The balloon tapered sections are reduced to a wall thickness substantially equal to that of the medial section. Alternatively, an array of grooves is formed in each tapered section.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to cryogenic techniques the mapping and ablation of arrhythmias or tachycardia in atrial or ventricle heart muscles and, more particularly, to an epicardial approach which either addresses the heart directly through an open chest or employs transcutaneous subxiphoid pericardial approach for the mapping and ablation of tachycardia using laparoscopy/thoracoscopy techniques via an intrapericardial/epicardial approach. The technique involves electrograms recording and cryogenic verification and ablation, although RF ablation can also be used.

Abstract: A recording and ablation catheter method and system for creating linear lesions in an atrial or other chamber of a heart which includes an array of readily controlled electroded arcuate distal working catheter shapes that are easily deployed to contact the inner wall surface of the right atrial cardiac chamber in a manner that enables easy recording and mapping of impulses and thereafter facilitates sustained contact so that linear lesions can be produced from an array of mapping and ablation electrode devices serially spaced along the working catheter shape.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rigidly joining construction elements to one another based on providing construction elements each having a connecting bore formed therethrough, positioning elements each having a connecting bore formed therethrough for aligning the connecting bores of adjacent construction elements, and partially expandable locking means dimensioned to extend through the aligned connecting bores of at least two construction elements and one positioning element. The construction elements and positioning elements are further equipped with engagement grooves and engagement ribs, respectively, for positioning adjacent construction elements in any number of predetermined angles. The locking mechanism has a radially expanding portion capable of locking the previously positioned construction elements in a rigid fashion.

Abstract: A cardiac arrhythmia mapping and ablation catheter has a main catheter that is provided with a loop-shaped mapping and ablation system attached to its distal end in which the loop is optionally adjustable or of relatively fixed shape resumable upon deployment. The loop carries an electrode array including a plurality of separately operable recording (mapping)/ablation electrodes in conductive relation to the external environment and arranged in spaced serial relation along the loop. Insulated conductors connect the electrodes electrically with input/output devices outside the catheter for mapping the electrical activity of the chamber wall contacted and ablating tissue as indicated. A distal extension or guide member may optionally be provided to adapt the loop specifically to addressing the tricuspid annulus or other desired location.

Abstract: An instrument for achieving rapid hemostasis at the conclusion of a catheterization procedure comprises a device for injecting a fluid hemostatic agent into a puncture wound that is operatively associated with a conventional introducer sheath component of the introducer used to gain access to a blood vessel using the Seldinger technique. The hemostatic agent injection device includes a tubular member that can be concentrically disposed with a tubular introducer sheath so as to be slidable therealong and where the injection device includes a hemostatic agent inlet port at a proximal end thereof and an ejection port at a distal end, the two ports being interconnected by a lumen. In a first embodiment, the hemostatic agent injection device is adapted to coaxially surround the introducer sheath and in an alternate embodiment, the injection device is coaxially disposed within the lumen of the introducer sheath.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for pacing the left ventricle of the heart includes the installation of a pacing electrode within the interventricular septum proximate the left ventricular wall thereof and then connecting the electrode to a source of electrical stimulating pulses. The electrode preferably comprises one and possibly two distalmost convolutions on an otherwise insulated corkscrew-style positive fixation lead.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a medical device and medical devices which can be formed in accordance with the method. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of a) providing a metal fabric formed of a plurality of strands formed of a metal which can be heat treated to substantially set a desired shape; b) deforming the metal fabric to generally conform to a surface of a molding element; c) heat treating the metal fabric in contact with the surface of the molding element to substantially set the shape of the fabric in its deformed state; and d) removing the metal fabric from contact with the molding element. The resulting metal fabric will define a medical device which can be collapsed for passage through a catheter or the like for deployment in a channel of a patient's body. Medical devices made in accordance with this method can have varying structures.

Abstract: A glass-to-metal hermetic seal device which is particularly adapted for application in high pressure and other hostile environments for suppressing or dissipating electrostatic energy incorporating an improved glass-to-metal hermetic seal. The interior of the device incorporates and creates an in-situ gas-filled electrical discharge tube. The gas is an ionizable gas and may conveniently comprise a mixture of nitrogen and Argon, although other ionizable gases such as Xenon may be used. The devices of the present invention utilize one or more electrodes which enter the gas-filled chamber, and when the electrical field of sufficiently high potential is created within the gas-filled chamber, the gas ionizes and becomes conductive so as to effectively dissipate the field.

Abstract: A container handling apparatus for receiving, positioning, engaging and releasing exchangeable chassis or sub-frame mounted containers, which may be truck bodies, or the like, capable of readily locking and unlocking a truck body or sub-frame to a supporting chassis is disclosed that is self-contained on the chassis. A truck body or container which may be self-supporting is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ground anchor for use in securing a desired object adjacent the ground is described. The ground anchor consists of a one-piece unitary molded plastic body member having a reinforcing rod extending through a mid portion thereof. The ground anchor includes an annular shoulder surface to which a driving force is translated. A cable or other tie member links an embedded ground anchor to the desired object. The anchor is configured so that tension on the cable tends to rotate the anchor within the ground to increase the resistance against pulling out of the ground.

Abstract: Vehicle mounted container handling devices including a rotating swivel mount and an articulated arm connected to the swivel mount are disclosed. The swivel mount includes a housing operable to rotate about a shaft in a first plane. The articulated arm is attached at one end to the housing and disposed to pivot in a second plane which intersects the first plane. A grasping device is pivotally connected to the free end of the articulated arm for pivoting in the second plane. In operation, with the grasping device opened, the articulated arm is extended to reach out toward a container of interest. The swivel mount is operated to pivot the articulated arm as required for the grasping device to engage the container. The articulated arm is operated further to lift and dump the container in the vehicle above the swivel mount. The grasping device includes arms pivotally connected to a support member and moved by actuators pivotally connected between the arms and the support member.

Abstract: A high shear strength, solvent-free water-based adhesive composition for removably fixing flooring materials which includes a major amount of an aqueous latex dispersion of a polymer latex base material with an optional minor amount of polyether or polyester-polyurethane synthetic resin, an amount of rosin acid ester hardener, an amount of a thickener together with an amount of inert filler and an amount of a plasticizer/extender in sufficient water to adjust the percent solids to the desired amount.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making a prosthesis for intraluminal implantation. The prosthesis has a flexible tubular three-dimensionally braided structure of metal or polymeric monofilaments, and polymeric multifilament yarns. The prosthesis can be elastically deformed to reduce its diameter through axial elongation. The monofilaments and multifilament yarns are interbraided into axially spaced apart helices, concentric on a common central axis of the prosthesis. The monofilaments are selectively shaped before their interbraiding with the multifilament yarns, either by an age-hardening or other heat-setting stage, or a cold-working stage that controllably plastically deforms the strands. The shaped structural strands are arranged to impart to the prosthesis its nominal shape and resilience. The textile strands are braid into one or more layers of sheeting that reduce permeability and thereby enhance the utility of the prosthesis as a vascular graft.