Abstract: There is provided a heart assist system aimed at saving lives of patients who's heart is failing temporarily. The assist system comprises means for continuously monitoring the hemodynamic parameter which define the demand of the body for blood to be circulated by the heart, means to define the heart's actual performance and provides means to draw the excess blood not provided by the failing heart at that beat. That blood is reintroduced during the systolic phase of the same beat. Thus the system establishes the supply of blood required, which is supplied at rate and at a shape as close as possible to that expected by the body. The main parameter monitored is the entire atrial pressure function during the diastolic phase of the heart beat which provides the indication of the real time heart performance thus making it possible to define and provide the required assistance to be provided by the system of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved gas lasers with an increased power output compared with conventional lasers of a similar size. There is established an axial magnetic field and an electric field either parallel therewith or perpendicular thereto, the interaction of such fields resulting in a substantially increased convective instability of the gas discharge, resulting in an increased heat transfer to the walls of the laser. The laser discharge is in the axial direction parallel with the magnetic field. The components of the laser, except for the means of establishing such magnetic and electric fields of predetermined strength, are of a conventional nature. The invention further relates to a method of operating a gas discharge laser in such a manner that there is established an axial magnetic field and an electric one either orthogonal or parallel therewith, resulting in a strong convection, heat transfer to the walls and dramatically increased power output.

Abstract: A method and system for displacing objects, particularly flexible fabric layers, into a predetermined relative disposition wherein the objects are deposited on a supporting surface in a relatively spaced apart disposition, positional coordinates of each object are successively sensed and data relating thereto are stored in a programmed central processor unit, each object being then displaced with respect to a succeeding object, in an order reverse to the order of sensing so as to locate each object in a predetermined relative (preferably superimposed) disposition with respect to the position of the succeeding object as stored in the processor unit.

Abstract: A quick-action fastener for connecting two plates (III) and (IV) with a resilient gasket (V) interposed therebetween, all three being perforated by a throughgoing hole, comprises a bolt (I) passing through this hole and engaging with a bore (24) in a socket (II) which is rigidly fastened to the plate (III). A helical groove (14) is cut into the end of the bolt, which has a lead angle not exceeding 15.degree., and which engages with a protrusion (42) inwardly projecting from the bore (24) of the socket. Friction between the protrusion (42) and the wall of the helical groove (14) is strong enough to hold the bolt in position and to clamp the two plates together, owing to the tension of the resilient gasket.