Abstract: A surgical scalpel is provided with a retractable guard for its cutting blade. The scalpel includes a resiliently-biased locking means and a releasing mechanism for, alternatively, selectively locking the guard in an extended position for covering the blade and in a retracted position for exposing the blade. The guard is disposed on the body of the scalpel for sliding movement between its extended and retracted positions--with the use of only one hand--and without requiring the surgeon, nurse and/or assistant to take his or her eyes away from the patient. The locking mechanism produces a auditory sensory warning to signal to the user thereof that the guard is locked into either its extended or retracted position, without the necessity of visually observing the scalpel, and the locking and releasing mechanisms may be tactually located by the user and activated without visually observing the scalpel.

Abstract: A guarded skin hook for surgical use during a standard operational procedure. The guarded skin hook prevents accidental or inadvertent cuts or nicks during the procedure, thereby protecting the surgeon, nurse or other health care provider as the skin hook is passed from one to another in the operating room or similar environment. The guard has a "feel" which enables the surgeon or nurse to grasp the guarded skin hook without taking his or her eyes away from the patient.

Abstract: A mobile work station for a painter or the like includes a frame and further includes a tray to hold paint containers (such as a paint pan) as well as tools, accessories and the painter's personal items. The tray may be segmented or divided into compartments for the paint pan and various articles. Legs are pivotally mounted on the frame for ease of storage and transport, and the legs have stored and depending positions, respectively. A removable cover is provided for the tray; and the cover may be disposed between the legs to further support the legs and to serve as a shelf during use of the mobile work station.

Abstract: A system for treating a malfunctioning heart is based on hemodynamics, the pressure at a site in a patient's circulatory system being sensed. A signal is developed representative of short term mean arterial pressure (MAP), mean right atrial pressure (MRAP), mean right ventricle pressure (MRVP), mean left atrial pressure (MLAP), mean left ventricle pressure (MLVP), mean central venous pressure (MCVP), mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP), mean pulmonary vein pressure (MPVP), mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (MPCWP), right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), right ventricular end diastolic pressure (RVEDP), or right ventricular pulse pressure (RVPP). A signal representative of fixed or varying baseline pressure is provided and if the short term current pressure differs therefrom by a predetermined value, an indication of hemodynamic compromise, cardioversion/defibrillation is effected.

Abstract: A system for treating the malfunctioning heart of a patient includes means which derive at least one electrical signal from the patient's heart and means which derive at least one physiologic signal from or related to the patient's circulatory system. A central processing unit, which may be a programmable microprocessor, with a RAM and a ROM, receives and responds to the at least one electrical signal and to the at least one physiologic signal. Output means, which may include a heart assist pump, pacers, drug delivery devices and cardioverting/defibrillating apparatuses, controlled by the central processing unit provides corrective measure(s) to the patient. Adjustable or variable baselines, against which a representation of the current, short-term magnitude of the selected physiologic parameter or parameters are provided.

Abstract: A system for and method of treating a malfunctioning heart is based on hemodynamics, the O.sub.2 in blood at a site in a patient's circulatory system being sensed. A signal is developed representative of short term O.sub.2 level in the blood preferably at a site which carries mixed venous blood. A signal representative of a baseline O.sub.2 level (fixed or varying) is provided and if the short term current O.sub.2 level differs therefrom by a predetermined value, an indication of possible hemodynamic compromise. The heart rate is sensed and signals develop indicative of which of a number of rate ranges into the current rate falls. One or another or more than one of a plurality or heart malfunction corrective inputs to the patient are delivered, as needed. The system may include a failsafe antibradycardia pacemaker, if desired.

Abstract: A system for a method of treating a malfunctioning heart is based on hemodynamics, the pressure in the right side of a patient's circulatory system being sensed. A first signal is developed representative of mean right atrial pressure (MRAP) and a second signal is developed representing right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP). When the MRAP increases by at least a predetermined amount and the RVSP decreases at least a given amount, the combination being an indication of hemodynamic compromise, cardioversion/defibrillation is effected. In these cases, a heart rate criterion, for example a rate over 150 bpm, may also have to be met before cardioverting/defibrillation is initiated. Fixed or variable baselines against which the changes in pressure are measured may be provided.

Abstract: A system for and method of treating a malfunctioning heart is based on hemodynamics, the pressure in the right side of a patient's circulatory system being sensed. A first signal is developed representative of mean right atrial pressure (MRAP) and a second signal is developed representing right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP). When the difference (or ratio) between MRAP and RVSP reaches at least a predetermined value, the combination being an indication of hemodynamic compromise, cardioversion/defibrillation is effected. In these cases, a heart rate criterion, for example a rate over 150 bpm, may also have to be met before cardioverting/defibrillation is initiated. Fixed or variable baselines against which the predetermined value is to be measured may be provided. Other hemodynamic parameters, such as RVDP, RVSP, MRVP and/or MAP could be used as one or another of the hemodynamic parameters.

Abstract: A system for and method of treating a malfunctioning heart is based on hemodynamics, the pressure at a site in a patient's circulatory system being sensed. A signal is developed representative of short term mean arterial pressure (MAP) or right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), or right ventricular pulse pressure (RVPP). The rate of change and direction of the rate of change is determined and, if the rate of change in a given direction exceeds a predetermined amount, an indication of possible hemodynamic compromise, cardioversion/defibrillation is effected.

Abstract: A system for treating the malfunctioning heart of a patient includes means which derive at least one electrical signal from the patient's heart and means which derive at least one physiologic signal from or related to the patient's circulatory system, a central processing unit with a RAM and a ROM, receives and responds to the at least one electrical signal and to the at least one physiologic signal. Output means controlled by the central processing unit provides corrective measure(s) to the patient. A method of treating the malfunctioning heart of a patient, includes deriving at least one electrical signal from the patient's heart, deriving at least one physiologic signal from or related to the patient's circulatory system, processing the at least one electrical signal and the at least physiologic signal, and providing a corrective measure or measures to the patient whenever a malfunction is identified.

Abstract: A system for and method of treating a malfunctioning heart is based on hemodynamics, the pressure at a site in a patient's circulatory system being sensed. A signal is developed representative of short term mean arterial pressure (MAP), mean right atrial pressure (MRAP), mean right ventrical pressure (MRVP), mean left atrial pressure (MLAP), mean left ventricle pressure (MLVP), mean central venous pressure (MCVP), mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP), mean pulmonary vein pressure (MPVP) or mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (MPCWP). A signal representative of fixed baseline pressure is provided and if the short term current mean pressure differs therefrom by a predetermined value, an indication of hemodynamic compromise, cardioversion/defibrillation is effected. In a second embodiment, the determination of whether the difference between fixed or varying the baseline pressure and mean current pressure is undertaken after a rate criteria (for example a heart rate above 155 b.p.m.) has been met.

Abstract: A system for and method of treating a malfunctioning heart is based on hemodynamics, the pressure at a site in a patient's circulatory system being sensed. A signal is developed representative of short term mean arterial pressure (MAP), mean right atrial pressure (MRAP), mean right ventricle pressure (MRVP), mean left atrial pressure (MLAP), mean left ventricle pressure (MLVP), mean central venous pressure (MCVP), mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP), mean pulmonary vein pressure (MPVP), mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (MPCWP), right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), right ventricular end diastolic pressure (RVEDP), or right ventricular pulse presure (RVPP). A signal representative of fixed or varying baseline pressure is provided and if the short term current pressure differs therefrom by a predetermined value, an indication of hemodynamic compromise, cardioversion/defibrillation is effected.

Abstract: A system for and method of treating a malfunctioning heart is based on hemodynamics, the O.sub.2 in blood at a site in a patient's circulatory system being sensed. A signal is developed representative of short term O.sub.2 level in the blood at the sites preferably at a site (right ventricle or a pulmonary artery) which carries mixed venous blood. A signal representative of a baseline O.sub.2 level (fixed or varying) is provided and if the short term current O.sub.2 level differs therefrom by a predetermined value, an indication of possible hemodynamic compromise, cardioversion/-defibrillation is effected. In a second embodiment, the determination of whether the difference between fixed or varying baseline O.sub.2 level or current O.sub.2 level is undertaken after a rate criteria (for example a heart rate above 155 b.p.m.) has been met. In a third embodiment, the rate and O.sub.2 level criteria both must exist at the same time, before cardioverting/-defibrillation is initiated.

Abstract: A system for and method of treating a malfunctioning heart is based on hemodynamics, the pressure at a site in a patient's circulatory system being sensed. A signal is developed representative of short term mean arterial pressure (MAP), mean right atrial pressure (MRAP), mean right ventricle pressure (MRVP), mean left atrial pressure (MLAP), mean left ventrical pressure (MLVP) or mean central venous pressure (MCVP). A signal representative of fixed baseline pressure is provided and if the short term current mean pressure differs therefrom by a predetermined value, an indication of hemodynamic compromise, cardioversion/defibrillation is effected. In a second embodiment, the determination of whether the difference between fixed baseline pressure and mean current pressure is undertaken after a rate criteria (for example a heart rate above 155 b.p.m.) has been met. In a third embodiment, the rate and pressure criteria both must exist at the same time, before cardioverting/difibrillation is initiated.

Abstract: A light weight, insulated facing brick is provided with a first outer layer formed from conventional bricking clay and a second insulative layer formed from a combination of clay and expanded vermiculite, which greatly increases the insulative qualities of the brick and also reduces its weight.

Abstract: A method and composition for treating blepharitis or blepharoconjunctivitis comprises topical administration of a nitroimidazole compound, e.g. metronidazole in a suitable carrier directly to affected ocular tissues. The carrier can be an artificial tear solution or an ointment or water soluble gel base.

Abstract: A model submarine has an inherent "fail safe" feature, so that the submarine (if submerged) will rise to its periscope depth in the event the submarine encounters a stationary object, or in the event a power failure occurs. Power is supplied by a single submersible motor-pump unit within a free-flooding hull. The motor-pump unit supplies a pressurized water discharge for, first, forward propulsion of the submarine via the discharge nozzle of an ejector pump; and second, for hydraulic control of the diving and steering maneuvers. The ejector pump has a venturi for aspirating fluid out of the ballast tank. An automatic depth control feature assures that the submarine will level off to a desired predetermined depth when a diving command signal is given; and the desired predetermined depth is adjustable.

Abstract: A system for therapeutic stimulation of a patient's heart includes means for varying the escape interval or rate of a means for producing pacing pulses. Pressure sensing means sense pressure at a site in the circulatory system of a patient. Signal producing means respond to output from the sensing means to develop a variable first signal representative of mean pressure at the site over a period of predetermined duration. Signal producing means respond to output from the sensing means for developing a second signal representing mean pressure at the site over a period of given duration less than the period of predetermined duration. Control signal producing means responsive to the first signal and to the second signal develop a control signal upon the first signal and the second signal differing by at least a predetermined amount. Control means, responsive to the control signal, control the means for varying the escape interval or rate of the means for producing pacing pulses.