Abstract: The invention adapts the pericardium for use as a pump bladder having a pump cavity formed by at least a portion of the pericardial space between the parietal pericardium and the visceral pericardium. The pump bladder is inflated to provide a compressive pressure on the heart and deflated to relieve the pressure. The pericardium is modified under conditions to improve the pumping characteristics of the pericardium as a pump bladder. A portion of the parietal pericardium may be attached to a portion of the visceral pericardium to isolate a portion of the pericardial space to form the pump cavity. The pericardium may be treated by stiffening, strengthening, tightening, shrinking, reshaping, or reducing the compliance or elasticity of the pericardium, or any combination thereof. The treatment may be carried out by heating the pericardium, applying a chemical to the pericardium, plicating the pericardium, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A closure assembly permitting gross and fine adjustment of a brace structure about a body part is provided. The assembly generally includes a binding member, and an anchor structure supported by the binding member and variably positionable therealong. Portions of the binding member extend from a first portion of the bracing structure, a free end of the binding member being adapted to secure the free end to the first portion of the bracing structure, the anchor structure adapted to be selectively securable to a portion of the bracing structure opposite the first portion.

Abstract: An orthopedic device set, including: a plurality of intervertebral spacers elements, each spacer element having a cylindrical shape and an annular groove formed therein, each spacer element further having a different axial thickness from each other spacer; and an instrument for holding each of the intervertebral spacer elements during the insertion and removal thereof into and out from between adjacent vertebral bones; the instrument comprising a shaft having a distal end, a spacer element holding structure formed at the distal end, which spacer element holding structure can hold the spacer at the annular groove thereof.

Abstract: An ankle brace designed to limit inversion, eversion and twisting movements while allowing near-normal flexion and extension. The ankle brace includes a medial member and a lateral member, each of which has a forward edge, a bottom edge and a rearward edge. The forward edges are associated with one another to define a front support portion of the ankle brace. Similarly, the bottom edges are connected and define a base support portion of the ankle brace. Finally, the rearward edges are associated with one another to define a rear support portion which further includes a one direction stretch material strip. The material strip is disposed at the rear support portion such that during use, the material strip stretches with flexion of the user's ankle. However, the material strip and remaining components remain relatively rigid in other directions to limit inversion, eversion and twisting movements.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and method for evaluating the integrity of gravel packing. A screen is disposed in an annulus between the wellbore and a production tubing. A tubing, such as a wash pipe, is placed inside the production tubing to provide a fluid path for the gravel slurry for gravel packing the screen. A self-contained memory logging nuclear tool is located in the tubing below (downhole) the screen. After gravel packing, the tubing with the tool is retrieved from the well at a selected speed. The tool is activated to record data in the memory carried by the tool as it passes across the screen. The data stored in the memory is downloaded at the surface to produce a log which provides a measure of the integrity of gravel packing of the screen.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue includes a bioabsorbable, threaded plug carried by a delivery device. A guide wire is receivable through lumens in the plug and delivery device that includes wings on a bioabsorbable distal portion. With the wings collapsed, the guide wire is advanced through the passage into a blood vessel, the wings expanding once located within the vessel, and the guide wire is withdrawn until the wings contact the vessel wall. The plug is threaded into the passage over the guide wire until the plug is disposed adjacent the wings. The distal portion of the guide wire is secured to the plug, e.g., by compressing a collet within the plug lumen that seals the lumen, and is severed from a proximal portion thereof. Thus, the plug and distal portion are deployed with the plug sealing the passage.

Abstract: A jarring tool uses a button member to control the jarring sequence used to free an object lodged in a well bore. A preferred tool includes an anvil having a sleeve portion adapted to enter a bore of a hammer. The button member allows selective entry of the anvil sleeve into the hammer bore. A preferred telemetry link includes two or more at least partially conductive members in a telescopic relationship for exchanging electrical signals with the object. The members extend and retract to accommodate length changes of the jarring tool. An exemplary jarring sequence includes a loading phase, a release phase, and a reset phase. In the loading phase, the button member prevents hammer movement toward the anvil. During the release phase, the button member allows the hammer to be propelled against the anvil. In the reset phase, the hammer and button returns to their initial positions.

Abstract: A spinal stimulation electrode assembly includes at least one wire lead having a proximal end adapted to couple to an electrical signal generator; a lamina hook having a blade hooking in a hooking direction; an electrode adapted to telescope from the blade in the hooking direction and having at least one electrical contact formed thereon that is electrically coupled to the wire lead; such that when the hook is disposed on a lamina of a spine and the electrode is telescoped from the blade, the electrical contact is positioned adjacent the spinal cord and an application of an electrical signal to the proximal end of the wire lead causes an electric potential to be applied to the spinal cord.

Abstract: An ankle brace having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion defines an interior having a first circumference. The lower portion defines an interior having a second circumference. The ankle brace further comprises a means for adjusting the sizes of the first and second circumferences independently from each other.

Abstract: Techniques for integrating software systems, application tools, and business modules into a unified platform and open framework for building, deploying, and maintaining business applications of different types and varying nature in a heterogeneous computing environment. This is achieved by configuring the semantics of business entities, the presentation of structured and semi-structured information, the processing rules and logics among business modules, and the relationships of the participating users and organizations with other business entities. Integration of the software systems, application tools and business modules is achieved through integration of the key elements, which are business semantics, presentation logics, business rules, user entities and system models.

Abstract: An injection system used to generate an acrodynamically induced force, with accordance to the present invention, serving as an air-cushion non-contact supporting system. The system comprises a high pressure manifold (101), connected by high pressure pipe (103), to a high pressure source (102). A SASO-conduit (1), whose inlet (2) is connected to the high pressure manifold, and the outlet (3) is located on the injection-surface (104), of the injection system.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue includes a plug including external threads, a lumen extending between its proximal and distal ends, and an annular collet slidably disposed within the lumen. The plug is carried on a distal end of a handle device that includes an inner member with a distal end that is slidable axially within the lumen of the body for moving the collet into a reduced cross-sectional region of the lumen, thereby compressing the collet to seal the lumen, and for deploying the plug from the handle device. During use, the plug is threaded into a passage through tissue over a guide wire. Once a desired location is reached, the plug is deployed from the handle device, thereby compressing the collet and sealing the lumen. The guide wire and handle device are removed, leaving the plug to seal the passage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mouthpiece assembly for establishing a protected airway for a patient. The mouthpiece assembly comprises a generally elliptical tubular bite block having a generally elliptical passageway formed therethrough. The mouthpiece assembly further comprises a generally elliptical front shield attached to the front end of the tubular bite block portion. The front shield has a central opening in communication with the passageway for receiving medical instruments therethrough and a strap opening adjacent each of the opposing edge portions. At least a portion of the front shield is curved rearward and is flexible to allow the at least a portion of the front shield to conform to the patient's facial structure. The mouthpiece assembly also comprises a tongue depressing member extending rearwardly and downwardly from the rearward end of the bottom wall of the tubular bite block, and a resilient cushioning sleeve formed around at least a portion of the tubular bite block.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue includes a threaded plug detachably carried on a distal end of a delivery device. A guide wire element is receivable through the lumens extending through the plug and delivery device that includes expandable wings adjacent its distal end, and markers adjacent its proximal end. During use, the guide wire element is advanced through a passage through tissue into a blood vessel. The wings on the distal end are expanded within the vessel, and the guide wire element withdrawn until the wings contact a wall of the vessel. The plug is threaded into the passage over the guide wire element until the markers appear from the delivery device, and released from the delivery device, thereby deploying the plug member adjacent the vessel to seal the passage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining the extent of recovery of materials injected into a oil well comprising the steps of: a) preparing a material to be injected into an oil well; b) admixing therewith a chemical tracer compound at a predetermined concentration; c) injecting the admixture into an oil well; d) recovering from the oil well a production fluid; e) analyzing the production fluid for the concentration of the chemical tracer present in the production fluid; and f) calculating the amount of admixture recovered from the oil well using the concentration of the chemical tracer present in the production fluid as a basis for the calculation. Fluorinated benzoic acids are disclosed as a preferred tracer.

Abstract: A cell tube for ex vivo culturing animal cells and a multiple roller tube cell culture system are disclosed. Suitable for use in culturing cells, the tube has at its opposite end walls two openings through which culture media can come in and out. The openings are eccentrically located at corresponding positions in contact with the edge sides of the end walls. The system has a plurality of roller drums on which a multitude of cell tubes are assembled. As the roller drums are rotated, cells adhering to each tube experience a nutrient-rich state and aerobic starvation, repeatedly. In the nutrient-rich state, the cells are grown flourishingly. When subjected to starvation, cells select metabolism pathways for utilizing carbon sources effectively, produce lactate at a low rate and can maintain a constant pH, because they are in direct contact with air. The system makes cells adhere to the wall of cell tubes and provides air directly to cell surfaces.

Abstract: A core stabilization apparatus and method are implemented. An inner barrel having a plurality of ports disposed circumferentially and axially in a wall thereof is provided. A gas manifold is attached to a first subsets of the ports. Gas is delivered to an interior of the inner barrel via the gas manifold and the corresponding ports. Drilling mud remaining in the interior of the inner barrel is expelled through a second subset of ports. After expulsion of the drilling mud, a stabilizing compound is injected into the interior via an injection manifold attached to the second subset of ports. Upon curing of the stabilizing compound, the inner barrel and core sample contained therein may be sectioned or otherwise manipulated.

Abstract: A data migration, data integration, data warehousing, and business intelligence system including a data storage model is provided that allows a business to effectively utilize its data to make business decisions. The system can be designed to include a number of data storage units including a data dock, a staging area, a data vault, a data mart, a data collection area, a metrics repository, and a metadata repository. Data received from a number of source systems moves through the data storage units and is processed along the way by a number of process areas including a profiling process area, a cleansing process area, a data loading process area, a business rules and integration process area, a propagation, aggregation and subject area breakout process area, and a business intelligence and decision support systems process area. Movement of the data is performed by metagates. The processed data is then received by corporate portals for use in making business decisions.

Abstract: The invention modifies the pericardium to treat patients suffering from or at risk of heart failure of the type wherein constraining forces of the pericardium around the heart are inadequate to prevent remodeling of the heart. The pericardium is enhanced by restoring, increasing, or improving its ability to restrain the heart and prevent dilation of the chambers of the heart. Methods and apparatus are provided for stiffening, strengthening, tightening, reshaping, and/or shrinking the pericardium to enhance the restraining and supporting capability of the pericardium around the heart. Specific embodiments enhance the pericardium by heating the pericardial tissue using radiofrequency energy and the like, treating the pericardium with a chemical such as glutaraldehyde, plicating the pericardium, or some combination of the above.

Abstract: A method, a map and an article of manufacture for the exploration of hydrocarbons. In one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the steps of: accessing 3D seismic data; dividing the data into an array of relatively small three-dimensional cells; determining in each cell the semblance/similarity, the dip and dip azimuth of the seismic traces contained therein; and displaying dip, dip azimuth and the semblance/similarity of each cell in the form a two-dimensional map. In one embodiment, semblance/similarity is a function of time, the number of seismic traces within the cell, and the apparent dip and apparent dip azimuth of the traces within the cell; the semblance/similarity of a cell is determined by making a plurality of measurements of the semblance/similarity of the traces within the cell and selecting the largest of the measurements.