Abstract: The invention describes a method to eliminate instrumental offset in measurement of optically active scattering and circular dichroism. The method uses the time-average measurement of the light that is systematically transformed by a series of optical devices. The optical devises perform the function of rotating linearly polarized light, interconverting left and right circular polarized light, converting circular polarized light to rotating linear polarized light and converting linear polarized light to alternating left and right circular polarized light.

Abstract: Implantable medical grafts fabricated of metallic or pseudometallic films of biocompatible materials having a plurality of microperforations passing through the film in a pattern that imparts fabric-like qualities to the graft or permits the geometric deformation of the graft. The implantable graft is preferably fabricated by vacuum deposition of metallic and/or pseudometallic materials into either single or multi-layered structures with the plurality of microperforations either being formed during deposition or after deposition by selective removal of sections of the deposited film. The implantable medical grafts are suitable for use as endoluminal or surgical grafts and may be used as vascular grafts, stent-grafts, skin grafts, shunts, bone grafts, surgical patches, non-vascular conduits, valvular leaflets, filters, occlusion membranes, artificial sphincters, tendons and ligaments.

Abstract: An implantable expandable medical device in which selected regions of the device are in a martensite phase and selected regions are in an austenite phase. The martensitic regions exhibit pseudoplastic behavior in vivo and may be deformed without recovery under in vivo body conditions.

Abstract: Metal foils, wires, and seamless tubes with increased mechanical strength are provided. As opposed to wrought materials that are made of a single metal or alloy, these materials are made of two or more layers forming a laminate structure. Laminate structures are known to increase mechanical strength of sheet materials such as wood and paper products and are used in the area of thin films to increase film hardness, as well as toughness. Laminate metal foils have not been used or developed because the standard metal forming technologies, such as rolling and extrusion, for example, do not lend themselves to the production of laminate structures. Vacuum deposition technologies can be developed to yield laminate metal structures with improved mechanical properties. In addition, laminate structures can be designed to provide special qualities by including layers that have special properties such as superelasticity, shape memory, radio-opacity, corrosion resistance etc.

Abstract: An implantable endoluminal device which is fabricated from materials which present a blood or body fluid and tissue contact surface which has controlled heterogeneities in material constitution. An endoluminal stent which is made of a material having controlled heterogeneities in the stent material along the blood flow surface of the stent and the method of fabricating the stent using vacuum deposition methods.

Abstract: A metal balloon catheter having a main tubular body, a metal balloon proximate a distal end of the main tubular body, a central annulus extending along an entire longitudinal aspect of the catheter for accommodating a guidewire therethrough and an inflation annulus adjacent the central annulus which extends along the longitudinal axis of the main tubular body and terminates in fluid flow communication with an inflation chamber of the metal balloon. The metal balloon catheter may be either unitary integral metal catheter in which the main tubular body and the balloon are fabricated of metal, or it may consist of a polymeric main tubular body and a metal balloon.

Abstract: This invention relates to prosthetic cardiac and venous valves and a single catheter device and minimally invasive techniques for percutaneous and transluminal valvuloplasty and prosthetic valve implantation.

Abstract: A composition and method for supplementing feed, nutrition and diet systems with bioactive glycerides of conjugated linoleic acid comprised of a synergistic blend of conjugated linoleic bioactive isomers acid in mono-, di-, and/or triglyceride form. The composition comprises (A) bioactive glycerides of conjugated linoleic acid comprised of a synergistic blend of conjugated linoleic bioactive isomers acid in mono-, di- and/or triglyceride form, (B) a carrier medium, and (C) a delivery system as a dietary supplement. The composition provides an effective increase in nutritional, therapeutic, and pharmacological properties in nutrition and diet systems.

Abstract: An implantable endoluminal device that is fabricated from materials that present a blood or body fluid and tissue contact surface that has controlled heterogeneities in material constitution. An endoluminal stent-graft and web-stent that is made of an monolithic material deposited into a monolayer and etched into regions of structural members and web regions subtending interstitial regions between the structural members. An endoluminal graft is also provided which is made of a biocompatible metal or metal-like material. The endoluminal stent-graft is characterized by having controlled heterogeneities in the stent material along the blood flow surface of the stent and the method of fabricating the stent using vacuum deposition methods.

Abstract: This invention relates to prosthetic cardiac and venous valves and a single catheter device and minimally invasive techniques for percutaneous and transluminal valvuloplasty and prosthetic valve implantation.

Abstract: The present invention employs ultrasonic energy delivered to myocardial tissue at frequencies sufficient to destroy the myocardial tissue implicated in the arrhythmic. More specifically, the present invention comprises an ultrasonic transducer mounted on a distal end of a catheter and at least one electrode associated with the distal end region of the catheter. The ultrasonic transducer may be a single crystal transducer or a phased array crystal transducer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a female garment with an infolding or cleft at the surface level of the labia majora to subtly define the contours of the external female genitalia. The linear infolding is in the sagittal plane of the body and has a first material which represents the outer cloth surface of the female garment and a second, firmer material which is attached to the inner surface of the first material so that the subtle contours of the external female genitalia are maintained throughout the infolding. Alternatively, the features of the external female genitalia in situ may be represented in a variety of female garments by utilizing first and second layers where the first layer constitutes material of the female garment and the second layer constitutes material of a different color or texture from that of the first material.

Abstract: A gravity feed apparatus has a plurality of deflecting baffles positioned within a treatment chamber to disperse a flow of plant seed within a treatment chamber and apply sprays of a chemical solution used to treat the plant seed.