Abstract: A stent structure includes a stent and one or more fibers disposed on the stent, the fiber adapted to provide a therapeutic agent. Nuclei containing therapeutic agents that impede restenosis may be included within the fiber or within separate particles that are contained within hollow core fibers. The fibers and the particles may be bioerodible. A permeable, biocompatible sheath may be interposed between the stent and the fiber. A kit including a stent, a fiber, and a delivery catheter is also described.

Abstract: The device senses Natural Heart Acceleration (NHA), isolating at least one segment (t) thereof corresponding to an isovolumetric phase, such as isovolumetric contraction (P1, P2) and/or isovolumetric relaxation (P3, P4). Preferentially, the action of isolation of the aforesaid segment is made starting from the electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. Among other things, the device may be used to carry out pacing functions (pacemaker, defibrillator, pacer cardioverter defibrillator) and/or to pick up, possibly by telemetry, data on the myocardial function and/or also to control a system of drug administration.

Abstract: A device for controlling therapeutic means acting on a patient comprises means for detecting the sympatho-vagal balance of the patient and processor means for generating a control signal for the therapeutic means combined in a circuit assembly which allows the device to be implanted in the body of said patient.

Abstract: The sensor is intended preferably for use in conjunction with a heart pacemaker whose stimulation rate is variable in dependence on the physical activity of the wearer. The sensor includes a mass of mercury which, in use, can assume a shape determined by the gravitational force and variable as a result of the forces applied to the mass due to movement. Detector means sensitive to the variations in shape generate signals which can be used as activity monitoring signals.

Abstract: The device senses Natural Heart Acceleration (NHA), isolating at least one segment (t) thereof corresponding to an isovolumetric phase, such as isovolumetric contraction (P1, P2) and/or isovolumetric relaxation (P3, P4). Preferentially, the action of isolation of the aforesaid segment is made starting from the electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. Among other things, the device may be used to carry out pacing functions (pacemaker, defibrillator, pacer cardioverter defibrillator) and/or to pick up, possibly by telemetry, data on the myocardial function and/or also to control a system of drug administration.

Abstract: Heart function is monitored by monitoring the momentum or velocity of the heart masses, preferably by means of a sensor implanted in the heart mass.

Abstract: There are disclosed devices for conditioning a blood flow which include at least one element with portions which are exposed to the blood and are deformable cyclically at a frequency comparable to the frequency of the heartbeat, in which the cyclically deformable portions have a continuous coating of biocompatible carbonaceous material comprised of carbon crystals having a density of greater than 2.1 grams per cubic centimeter applied by sputtering directly on and completely covering at least those portions of the device which are exposed to the blood.

Abstract: A prosthetic device which includes a turbostratic biocompatible carbon film firmly adherent to a substrate and having a density of at least 2.1 g/cm.sup.3. The carbon preferably is very thin, e.g. , less than about one micron. The thin carbon biocompatible film covers at least that portion of the substrate which will be in contact with body tissue and/or fluids to insure against physiological rejection and degradation of the prosthetic device. The carbon can be deposited on a variety of substrates, including low temperature substrates, in situ, without adversely affecting the mechanical properties of the substrate. The prosthetic device of the invention is formed by triode sputtering vacuum deposition at a relatively low temperature to achieve the desired results with respect to the deposited carbon and the substrate and with respect to the required adherence therebetween.

Abstract: A cardiostimulator device includes an accelerometric sensor positioned on the electrode or cathetar intended to be inserted in the cardiac mass, possibly being associated with a stimulating or sensing electrode. In this way, it is possible to regulate the frequency (and in general all the methods) of stimulation in dependence on the so-called natural heart acceleration correlated to the physical activity of the patient.

Abstract: A device or kit having inlet means for introducing within the kit a first reagent, includes a substrate and at least a second reagent in the form of microcapsules adapted to release, according to a predetermined release profile, the second reagent after the first reagent has been introduced into the kit. The device allows to carry out at least two and optionally more transformations of the physical and/or chemical properties of the substrate by means of a single step procedure by the operator consisting of the introduction of the first reagent.The invention particularly relates to the preparation of stable injectable preparations of radiopharmaceuticals.

Abstract: Method of preparing a fixed biological implantation material in which an implantation material is fixed with an aldehyde and the excess aldehyde is bound by an aminodicarboxylic acid in an acidic medium.

Abstract: A disposable shielded device for producing aerosol having particles less than 2 microns in size from an aqueous colloidal suspension obtained from human serum albumen and labelled with .sup.99m Technetium for use in scintigraphic imaging of pulmonary function. The device includes a nebulizing chamber having a membrane of 0.1 mm to about 0.01 mm in thickness and 40 mm to about 50 mm in diameter which nebulizes the labelled substance in response to ultrasound waves transmitted thereto.

Abstract: A prosthetic device includes a turbostratic biocompatible carbon film firmly adherent to a substrate and having a density of at least 2.1 g/cm.sup.3. The carbon preferably is very thin, e.g., less than about one micron. The thin carbon biocompatible film covers at least that portion of the substrate which will be in contact with body tissue and/or fluids to insure against physiological rejection and degradation of the prosthetic device. The carbon can be deposited on a variety of substrates, including low temperature substrates, in situ, without adversely affecting the mechanical properties of the substrate. The prosthetic device of the invention is formed by triode sputtering vacuum deposition at a relatively low temperature to achieve the desired results with respect to the deposited carbon and the substrate and with respect to the required adherence therebetween.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis has a suture ring with a core for form-coupling with the stent of the prosthesis so that the suture ring and the stent are held securely together axially, while the core can rotate relative to the stent. The suture ring has a covering which cooperates with the surface of the stent and is in contact therewith. The degree of contact determines the resistance to relative rotation of the ring and the stent.

Abstract: A prosthetic device which includes a biocompatible carbon film firmly adherent to a substrate. The carbon preferably is turbostratic and is preferably very thin, e.g., less than about one micron. The thin carbon biocompatible film is dense and covers at least that portion of the substrate which will be in contact with body tissue and/or fluids to insure against physiological rejection and degradation of the prosthetic device. The carbon can be deposited on a variety of substrates, including low temperature substrates, in situ, without adversely affecting the mechanical properties of the substrate. The prosthetic device of the invention is formed by triode sputtering vacuum deposition at a relatively low temperature to achieve the desired results with respect to the deposited carbon and the substrate and with respect to the required adherence therebetween.

Abstract: The thickness of the obturator (3) increases gradually from the central region (C.sub.9 C.sub.10) towards the ends (P.sub.9, P.sub.10) of the edge (6) nearest to the axis of articulation (5) to the prosthesis, and decreases gradually or is constant from that edge to the other end edge (7) which forms the outer edge of the obturator.

Abstract: In a prosthetic heart valve comprising a generally annular stent and at least two obturators mounted in the stent so as to be above to pivot between an open position and a closed position, the stent is provided with at least one element which projects inwardly of the stent itself, while each of the obturators has recesses which cooperate with the projecting element of the stent with clearance in a generally-hinged configuration which enables the obturators to pivot between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: The fibre (3) is wound in several layers at a variable winding pitch so that the angle winding (.alpha.) is kept substantially constant. The length wound in each layer and the angle at which the various layers cross each other thus remain substantially constant.The winding pitch (p) is variable according to the equation:P=P.sub.1 +2.pi...DELTA.r tan .alpha.where:P.sub.1 is the pitch at which the innermost layer is wound,.alpha. is the substantially constant winding angle, and.DELTA.r is the increase in the winding radius corresponding to the layer which is being wound.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve (valve) composed of a base ring adapted to house a suture ring in its exterior and two leaflets arranged to assume an open position and a closed position in order to regulate the blood flow in one direction, wherein the base ring is provided with two recesses with curved surfaces situated in diametrically opposite positions. Each of the recesses communicate with the exterior through a chimney-like aperture formed in the body of the base ring in correspondence with the recess. Each of the curved recesses has a substantially flat surface bounding its upper part and two spherical bottom surfaces in its lower part, separated by a separator body essentially in the shape of a semi-spherical-nail.

Abstract: In a hollow-fiber oxygenator consisting of a container containing a plurality of fibers joined into a bundle and open at their ends to allow the passage into them of a first fluid (blood) and over the outside of which flows a second fluid (oxygen-carrying gas) which diffuses between them, a diffuser for the second fluid is provided which consists of several arms disposed in an array and is introduced between the fibers in positions close to the terminal zone of the fibers themselves.