Abstract: A concrete composition for use in construction that is free of cement includes calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CSH), polypropylene (PP) fiber, sand, retarders, and superplasticizers. The retarders include poly condensed amino acid and calcium (Ca) salt. The superplasticizers include specially formulated polycarboxylate powder. Further, a method of using the concrete composition in one or more construction related activities (e.g., architectural applications) includes adding the concrete composition to water in a mixer, the concrete composition including CSH, PP fiber, sand, a retarder, and a superplasticizer; and blending the concrete composition with water in the mixer for a first predetermined amount of time. The method further includes mixing the concrete composition with water at a predetermined sheer in the mixer for a second predetermined amount of time. The method excludes the steps of steam curing, accelerated curing, and water curing that are used in conventional solutions.

Abstract: A modular building system allows for quickly and easily erecting prefabricated wall panels on a building foundation at a construction site. The system allows for manufacturing and installing, at a high level, complete budding components, using steps that are highly repeatable and scalable, resulting in construction that is quick and efficient, and easily performed at many types and locations of construction sites. A system in accordance with the invention comprises a wall panel, a floor panel and a roof panel. The wall panel comprises a horizontal member supported along a bottom horizontal edge, and a plurality of vertical studs integral to the horizontal member and extending vertically downward from the horizontal member. A floor panel comprises a rail disposed rigidly fixed to the foundation and defining an enclosure to receive the plurality of vertical studs of the wall panel to thereby vertically position the wall panel upon the foundation.

Abstract: A modular building system allows for quickly and easily erecting prefabricated wall panels on a building foundation at a construction site. The system allows for manufacturing and installing, at a high level, complete budding components, using steps that are highly repeatable and scalable, resulting in construction that is quick and efficient, and easily performed at many types and locations of construction sites. A system in accordance with the invention comprises a wad panel. a floor panel and a roof panel. The wad panel comprises a horizontal member supported along a bottom horizontal edge, and a plurality of vertical studs integral to the horizontal member and extending vertically downward from the horizontal member. A floor panel comprises a rail disposed rigidly fixed to the foundation and defining an enclosure to receive the plurality of vertical studs of the wall panel to thereby vertically position the wall panel upon the foundation.

Abstract: A modular building system allows for quickly and easily erecting prefabricated wall panels on a building foundation at a construction site. The system allows for manufacturing and installing, at a high level, complete budding components, using steps that are highly repeatable and scalable, resulting in construction that is quick and efficient, and easily performed at many types and locations of construction sites. A system in accordance with the invention comprises a wall panel, a floor panel and a roof panel. The wad panel comprises a horizontal member supported along a bottom horizontal edge, and a plurality of vertical studs integral to the horizontal member and extending vertically downward from the horizontal member. A floor panel comprises a rail disposed rigidly fixed to the foundation and defining an enclosure to receive the plurality of vertical studs of the wall panel to thereby vertically position the wall panel upon the foundation.

Abstract: A partition assembly, for creating a partitioned space, includes a first partition wall panel and a second partition wall panel. The second partition wall panel is spaced apart from the first partition wall panel by an adjustable distance to form a cavity therebetween, whereby the partition assembly is tuned to mask sounds transmissible between the first and second partition wall panels within a selectable acoustical range.

Abstract: Mechanical heart valve prostheses having either a single occluder or a pair of occluders are designed to permit such occluders to assume an open position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve passageway. The pivot arrangements are such that an occluder pivots about a constant center or pivot axis substantially offset from the locations where engagement occurs between the occluder and the valve body, whereby prompt smooth pivoting movement toward the closed position is initiated from an open position parallel to the valve centerline. For example, elongated arcuate shoes protruding from lateral edges of the occluders follow arcuate paths of matching complementary curvature defined by grooves in diametrically opposed flat sidewall sections of the valve body.

Abstract: Heart valves are shown which utilize pivot arrangements that create prompt response to flow reversal and minimize resistance to blood flow in the open position. Illustrated are valves having a pair of identical leaflets that can assume an orientation in the fully open position near maximum blood flow rate that is precisely parallel to the centerline of the passageway. The ability of the leaflets to assume a precisely parallel or low energy position in the bloodstream reduces pressure drop across the valve and results in improved flow characteristics. A camming action adjacent the upstream edges of the leaflets in combination with interengagement at downstream locations on the valve body, spaced from the locations where the camming action with said upstream edges occurs, positively guide the leaflets to assure effective closing movement regardless of momentary deviations in the dynamics of the reverse flow of blood through the valve.

Abstract: Bi-leaflet heart valves have valve body contours and pivot arrangements that create quick valve response to flow reversal. Valve members or leaflets, which can have flat or curved inflow and outflow surfaces, are slidably and pivotally mounted in a heart valve body of contoured profile so they can be aligned precisely parallel to blood flow in the open position. The leaflets engage either projections extending radially inward from flat wall sections in the valve body sidewall or grooves in these flat wall sections. The shape and relationship of these interengaging surfaces, together with a centrally directed surge of backflowing blood which results from the strategic location of a pair of downstream recesses in the annular valve body, cooperate to provide prompt closing rotation of the leaflets from a parallel open orientation.

Abstract: Bi-leaflet and single occluder heart valves have improved pivot arrangements that create quick valve response to flow reversal and minimize impact. Valve members or occluders, which have curved inflow and outflow surfaces, are slidably and pivotally mounted in a heart valve body and can be aligned precisely parallel to blood flow in the open position. Lugs on the valve members engage surfaces on projections extending radially inward from flat wall sections in the valve body sidewall, and the shape and relationship of these interengaging surfaces provide prompt initial rotation, low wear and reduced impact upon closing. Laterally directed ears engage the valve body arcuate sidewall and assist in defining the path of closing movement.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valves having a single occluder, or a pair of identical mating occluders, guided in their movement from the open to the closed position by pairs of elongated slots in diametrically opposed flat sidewall sections of the valve body. Each occluder is formed with two ears that protrude from opposite flat side surfaces along the lateral edges thereof. The ears may be frustoconical or hemispherical or the like and are slidingly received in elongated slots which can be straight or arcuate. The main body portions of the occluders have rectilinear surfaces that are aligned parallel to the centerline through the valve in the open position, so as to give low resistance to blood flow. However, when the backflow of blood displaces the occluders upstream, the slot arrangements are such that even though the occluder bodies are parallel, pivoting towards the closed position orientation begins essentially immediately, and the closing movement is of short duration so as to minimize regurgitation.

Abstract: Bi-leaflet heart valves have improved flow characteristics in their open position as a result of employing valve bodies of elongated axial dimension. By elongating the axial dimension of valve bodies which have straight, smooth interior wall surfaces oriented parallel to the centerline through the valve and to the flow path of blood, and by employing a pair of occluders which have major surfaces that are rectilinear and can assume an orientation that is substantially parallel to the centerline in the open position, a streamlining of blood flow occurs. The pivot arrangements avoid the use of acute angular surface orientations and cause the occluders, although aligned substantially parallel to blood flow in the open position, to promptly pivot toward the closed position upon reversal of blood flow. This streamlining substantially reduces turbulence and results in low head loss, both significant advantages in bi-leaflet heart valve performance.

Abstract: Heart valves, particularly those having two identical leaflets, are shown which utilize improved pivot arrangements that create prompt response to flow reversal and minimize impact at the instant of closing. Illustrated are valves having pairs of leaflets that can assume an orientation in the fully open position that is precisely parallel to the centerline of the passageway, yet which will promptly respond upon blood flow reversal and quickly close to prevent substantial regurgitation. The ability of the leaflets to assume a precisely parallel or low energy position in the bloodstream reduces pressure drop across the valve and results in improved flow characteristics. Prompt closing movement pivoting from a parallel position is effected by creating a camming action adjacent the upstream edges of the leaflets while positively guiding the overall path of leaflet translation and rotation by interengagement at other locations spaced from the upstream edges.

Abstract: Bi-leaflet and single occluder heart valves have improved pivot arrangements that create quick valve response to flow reversal and minimize impact. Valve members or occluders, which are slidably and pivotally mounted in a heart valve body, can be aligned precisely parallel to blood flow in the open position. Lugs on the valve members engage surfaces on projections extending radially inward from flat wall sections in the valve body sidewall, and the shape and relationship of these interengaging surfaces provide prompt initial rotation, low wear and reduced impact upon closing. Laterally directed ears engage the valve body arcuate sidewall and assist in defining the path of closing movement.

Abstract: Bi-leaflet heart valves have improved flow characteristics in their open position as a result of employing valve bodies of elongated axial dimension. By elongating the axial dimension of valve bodies which have straight, smooth interior wall surfaces oriented parallel to the centerline through the valve and to the flow path of blood, and by employing a pair of occluders which have major surfaces that are rectilinear and can assume an orientation that is substantially parallel to the centerline in the open position, a streamlining of blood flow occurs. The pivot arrangements avoid the use of acute angular surface orientations and cause the occluders, although aligned substantially parallel to blood flow in the open position, to promptly pivot toward the closed position upon reversal of blood flow. This streamlining substantially reduces turbulence and results in low head loss, both significant advantages in bi-leaflet heart valve performance.

Abstract: A bi-leaflet heart valve having an improved hinge arrangement that allows the valve to respond quickly to flow reversals and minimizes fluttering of the leaflets in the open position. A pair of leaflets are slidably and pivotally mounted in a heart valve body for movement between closed and open positions. Notches in the leaflets matingly engage complementary surfaces on pivot projections extending inward from the valve body sidewall. Downstream stops interengage with complementary surfaces on the leaflets to cushion the final opening movement and reduce wear in critical locations to improve operating characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heart valve of the bi-leaflet type having an improved hinge arrangement that allows the valve to respond more quickly to flow reversal and minimizes fluttering of the leaflets in the open position. The leaflets are slidably and pivotally mounted in a heart valve body for movement between closed and open positions. The leaflets have notches which matingly engage complementary surfaces on pivot projections extending inward from the valve body sidewall. The shape and relationship of these complementary surfaces provides for improved operating characteristics.

Abstract: A bi-leaflet heart valve having an improved hinge arrangement that, in combination with the disclosed curved surfaces of the leaflets, allows the valve to respond more quickly to flow reversal and minimizes fluttering of the leaflets in the open position. The leaflets are slidably and pivotally mounted in a heart valve body for movement between closed and open positions. The leaflets have notches which matingly engage complementary surfaces on pivot projections extending inward from the valve body sidewall. The shape and relationship of these complementary surfaces and the two-dimensional curvature of the leaflets provides for improved operating characteristics.