Abstract: A cardiac insert or implant is deployed in a patient's heart so as to reduce ventricular volume, thereby improving cardiac function. The insert or implant may be a compressive device such as a tensile member inserted into the patient's heart, and thereafter operated or deployed to bring opposite walls of a ventricle of the patient's heart into at least approximate contact with one another to thereby constrict and close off a lower portion of that ventricle. The compressive device or tensile member is insertable into the patient heart via a catheter threaded through the patient's vascular system and into the patient's heart.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nonaqueous electrolyte for a lithium-ion secondary battery that contains an addictive for preventing destruction of a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer and hence decomposition of the electrolyte that may cause generation of a gas, thereby preventing swelling of the battery caused by the gas generated from the inside of the battery at a high temperature. More specifically, the present invention provides an electrolyte that includes, as an additive, 2-sulfobenzoic acid cyclic anhydride represented by the formula 1: The electrolyte contains the additive in an amount of 0.1 to 10.0 wt. %.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for mixing samples in-line in a microfluidic system, comprising methods of and means for introducing a first fluid sample into a flow-tube at a first end at a first velocity via a first conduit; methods of and means for introducing a second fluid sample into the flow-tube at the first end at a second velocity, the second velocity different from the first velocity, via a second conduit, wherein the first fluid sample and the second fluid sample converge in the flow tube to form an interface; whereby the first fluid sample and the second fluid sample mix at the interface within the flow-tube, wherein fluid flow at the first end of the flow-tube is laminar and fluid flow at a second end of the flow-tube is laminar, and wherein the flow-tube has a constant diameter between the first end and the second end of the flow-tube.

Abstract: A device for opening-closing jaw guard of a helmet is disclosed. The device has a hinge means 400 comprising fixed plates 410 which are fixed on both the left and right sides of the helmet body 1 and each of which has a long hole 411, operating plates 420 which are fixed on the inside of the left and right extending portions 4a of the jaw guard 4 and each of which has an arc-shaped internal gear 421, a planetary gear 430 which is engaged with the internal gear 421 of the operating plate 420, and has a protuberance 431 formed on either side, and a cutaway portion 432 formed on the outer circumference; and a pivoting lever 440 which has a shaft protuberance 441 of front end inserted into the cutaway portion 432 of the planetary gear 430 and a penetration hole 442 of rear end inserted into the main boss 423 of the operating plate 420.

Abstract: An endoscopic retractor is an elongate balloon having an expanded configuration having two end portions and a plurality of struts or spacer members extending between the end portions. The retractor balloon is a single tubular preform bent during manufacture to form the expanded configuration. Thus, the struts or spacer members are integral with both end portions and define therewith a single flow path for inflation or pressurization fluid.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic method utilizes a surface plasmon resonance apparatus provided with a sensing surface. A tear sample from an eye of a patient is placed into contact with the sensing surface. The surface plasmon resonance apparatus is then operated to determine osmolarity of the tear sample.

Abstract: In a powder body metering apparatus for metering a powder body such as a synthetic resin raw material or the like, a powder body discharge port (55) is formed in a lower portion of a metering container (17) of a metering apparatus (6) and is freely opened and closed by a case (50) provided with a porous body (19), the powder body metered by the metering container (17) is discharged from the powder body discharge port (55) of a lower tube (22) by horizontally oscillating the case (50) so as to open the powder body discharge port (55), whereby it is possible to easily meter and confirm a weight or the like of the powder body metered by the metering container (17).

Abstract: A cabinet particularly for firearms, having two half-shells that are mutually articulated so as to define a closed position and an open position. Each half-shell has a transparent panel that allows to view the contents when the half-shells are in the open position.

Abstract: A buoyancy compensator device for divers has an expandable air chamber and at least two outlets, one arranged in an upper region and one arranged in a lower region. A manifold functionally connects the expandable air chamber and the outlets, by means of a control valve. A manifold connects the expandable air chamber to the outlets and has a control valve.

Abstract: The present invention, provides a flow cytometry apparatus for the detection of particles from a plurality of samples comprising: means for moving a plurality of samples comprising particles from a plurality of respective source wells into a fluid flow stream; means for introducing a separation gas between each of the plurality of samples in the fluid flow stream; and means for selectively analyzing each of the plurality of samples for the particles. The present invention also provides a flow cytometry method employing such an apparatus.

Abstract: An engraving and marking device, usable in machine tools and the like, includes a supporting member provided with a coupling which is engaged by a spindle of a machine tool and supports a toolbit by means of an elastic support. The device is adapted to engrave and mark a piece being machined in a fully automatic manner.

Abstract: A conduit is provided to provide a bypass around a blockage in the coronary artery. The conduit is adapted to be positioned in the myocardium or heart wall to provide a passage for blood to flow between a chamber of the heart such as the left ventricle and the coronary artery, distal to the blockage. The stent is self-expanding or uses a balloon to expand the stent in the heart wall. Various attachment means are provided to anchor the stent and prevent its migration.

Abstract: Laparoscopic instruments and trocars are provided for performing laparoscopic procedures entirely through the umbilicus. A generally C-shaped trocar provides increased work space between the hands of the surgeon as well as S-shaped laparoscopic instruments placed through the trocar when laparoscopic instrument—trocar units are placed through the umbilicus. In order to facilitate retraction of intra-abdominal structures during a laparoscopic procedure, an angulated needle and thread with either one-or two sharp ends is provided. Alternatively, an inflatable unit having at least one generally C-shaped trocar incorporated within the unit's walls can be placed through the umbilicus following a single incision. Generally S-shaped laparoscopic instruments may be placed through the generally C-shaped trocars to facilitate access to intra-abdominal structures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transmyocardial implant placement device with an introducer, a transmyocardial implant mounted about the introducer, a wound closure clip engaged to the introducer adjacent the transmyocardial implant. The introducer is adapted to be inserted through a lumen of a coronary vessel and a myocardium of a patient into a chamber of the patient's heart and form a blood flow pathway through the myocardium between the heart chamber and the coronary vessel. When the introducer is inserted, the wound closure clip engages an outer wall of the coronary vessel and the transmyocardial implant extends from the heart chamber to the lumen of the coronary vessel. The transmyocardial implant is expanded in the blood flow pathway and the introducer retracted, leaving the transmyocardial implant in the within the blood flow pathway.