Abstract: This invention concerns a catheter protective device useful for a Y-adaptor, where a tubular member is positioned at the proximal end of the Y-adaptor The tubular member protects a catheter from being crushed by a fastener on the Y-adaptor and minimizes blood bleed-back.

Abstract: A device for dragging and positioning of a member within a duct in a body comprising a rod, having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the rod is coupled to a loop, designed to be slidably mounted over a guidewire, and wherein said loop is provided with hooking means, onto which a member to be guide and positioned within a duct in a body is hooked, so that when advancing the rod from its distal end, the loop slides forward over the guidewire, and drags the member to the desired target location.

Abstract: An ultrasound transmission device for utilizing ultrasound energy ultrasound to treat intravascular conditions, such as stenotic and occluded regions of blood vessels, is provided. The ultrasonic transmission device includes a transmission member connectable to the ultrasound energy source on a one end and a tip on the other end. The tip includes a distal section, a proximal section and an intermediate section. The proximal section has a first diameter larger than the transmission member diameter. The intermediate section includes a decreasing step portion, a narrowed portion, and an increasing step portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for the combined drug/electric-stimulation treatment of a cardiac muscle comprises circuitry (S) for creating a non-excitatory electric potential between at least two points (R1, R2) located in the vicinity of a muscle (H). A method for the combined drug/electric-stimulation treatment of a cardiac muscle, using the apparatus, involves controlling the start time, duration, and magnitude of the electric current flowing between said at least two points, to impart a desired change in cardiac muscle performance.

Abstract: A method for setting the parameters of an alert time window in an excitable tissue control device operative under a plurality of different cardiac conditions of a heart of a patient. The method includes providing said excitable tissue control device with a set of data including a plurality of sets of alert time window parameters. Each set of window parameters is uniquely associated with a different set of values of a plurality of cardiac condition defining parameters identifying one of the different cardiac conditions. Each set of window parameters includes at least a set of timing parameters usable for obtaining a beginning time point and an ending time point of the alert window. The sets of window parameters are obtained by processing data collected within a data collection session from a plurality of cardiac beats of the same patient under the different cardiac conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises circuitry for creating a non-excitor electric potential between at least two points located in the vicinity of a muscle. A method is provided which employs the apparatus for reducing the contraction force of a muscle.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for obtaining from a patient's heart data useful for on-line setting of the parameters of a detection time window in an excitable tissue control device. The method includes applying electrodes to a first cardiac site and a second cardiac site of a patient and electrically connecting the electrodes to a data collecting device. The device is then operated under a plurality of different cardiac conditions to obtain a plurality of different histogram data sets. Each histogram data set represents a cumulative time distribution histogram of cardiac depolarization events detected at the second cardiac site in a plurality of cardiac beats. Each histogram data set is defined by a plurality of histogram parameters having values indicative of the cardiac conditions common to the plurality of cardiac beats used to obtain the histogram data set.

Abstract: Manifold/distributor assembly for combustible gas supplied from a plurality of liquefied gas cartridges, comprising a frame (1) with upper and lower covers (64, 65) forming a leaktight box (95) and, within the box, a plurality of housings (2), each for housing a liquefied gas cartridge (36, 85) and each one being provided with a valve assembly (71) incorporating an actuation element (13, 91), which valve assembly does not open unless a cartridge is present in the housing and actuates the element; the outlet of each valve assembly being connected to a manifold (15, 16, 17, 18, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79) comprising a multiple-way tap (80) for selective connection of manifold portions to a delivery pipe (22), in case through a pressure regulator (81).

Abstract: A method of compensating for an eddy field according to measurements of the field. The method includes fitting the measurements of the field to a plurality of candidate models of the field. A stability value indicative of the stability of the fitted model to changes, is assigned to each of the fitted candidate models. A model is selected from the candidate models responsive to the stability values of the candidate models and the eddy fields are compensated responsive to the selected model.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a flower-shaped pillow/cushion and the pillow/cushion products formed thereby is disclosed. The flower-shaped pillow/cushion exhibits a soft look and feel while at the same time presenting a three-dimensional configuration which resists flattening and is capable of recovering its three-dimensional appearance even after use.

Abstract: The apparatus is a color wide dynamic range video camera which takes a plurality of images at different exposure levels, applies neighborhood processing to each of the images, and then combines the components into a final image.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a wide dynamic range video imaging apparatus. More specifically, the invention is directed to a video imaging apparatus comprising a) a sensor for providing a plurality of video images of a scene at different exposure levels and b) a processor for processing the plurality of video images to produce a combined video image including image information from the plurality of video images by applying neighborhood transforms to the plurality of video images, the processor comprising a selector for locally selecting the operating levels of the dynamic range of the combined video image within the dynamic range of the sensor, whereby the resulting video image includes image information from the plurality of video images with enhanced information content at local areas therein.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hair dye preparation. More specifically, this invention relates to a preparation for the simultaneous coloring, washing, and conditioning of human hair which consisting essentially of a mixture of:(a) a coupler-developer oxidation coloring agent;(b) a cationic polymer;(c) an anionic surfactant;(d) an amphoteric surfactant; and(e) conventional cosmetic aids selected from the group consisting of direct dyestuffs, wetting agents, thickeners, perfumes, and water.

Abstract: This invention relates to a joint filler. More particularly, this invention relates to a composition useful as a joint filler which comprises (a) an aqueous dispersion of a polymerization product containing silicol groups of (i) two or more monomers selected from the group consisting of vinyl esters, acrylates, butadiene, styrene, and acrylonitrile, (ii) lower alkoxyvinyl silanes, and (iii), optionally, additional copolymerizable monomers, and (b) from about 20 to 120 percent by weight, based upon the weight of the solid polymerization product, of chloroparaffins having a chlorine content of from about 40 to 70 percent by weight, based upon the weight of the chloroparaffins.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a flap valve for a dispenser for viscous fluids. More particularly, this invention is directed to a flap valve having a body with a cylindrical valve opening therein, produced by injection molding which is circularly symmetrical to the cylindrical valve opening and extends outwardly around the axis of symmetry, wherein at least one spoke bridges the valve opening diametrically and has a sprue wart in the center thereof, said body cooperating with a flap which closes said cylindrical valve opening, the center part of which flap is arched away from the sprue wart out of the plane of its edge, which edge sealingly fits over the edge of said cylindrical valve opening.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a steerable guidewire. More specifically, the invention is directed to a guidewire which comprises flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends and inner and outer surfaces, a helically wound flexible spring coil having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the spring coil being attached to the flexible tubing and the distal end of the spring coil comprising stretched coils, a deflection wire extending through the flexible tubing and spring coil, the deflection wire having proximal and distal ends, optionally a control wire having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the control wire being attached to the spring coil proximal to the stretched coils, and a rounded tip engaging the distal end of the spring coil, the distal end of the deflection wire, and the distal end of the control wire.

Abstract: This invention relates to steerable catheters. More particularly, this invention relates to steerable catheters comprising a flexible catheter comprising a spring coil body defining a lumen, the spring coil body having a flexible covering thereon; a deflection wire, the distal end of the deflection wire being attached to the distal end of the spring coil body; and control means attached to the proximal end of the catheter, the proximal end of the deflection wire extending through the control means and the control means having a torque means which fixedly engages said deflection wire.

Abstract: This invention is directed to m-phenylenediamine derivatives and salts thereof and to compositions of the developer-coupler type of the dyeing of hair, consisting essentially of m-phenylenediamine derivatives or salts thereof as coupling components and, as developer components, conventional components used in oxidation dyes.