Abstract: A mitral heart valve replacement of essentially flexible bioincorporable material comprising a generally D-shaped (30) sewing ring having an opening (31) with at least one long straight side portion (32), an anterior cusp (33) hinged contiguously from that straight side portion (32) a posterior cusp (34) hinged contiguously from a shorter side portion (35) of the opening (31) opposite the anterior cusp (33), and two lateral cusps (36A & 36B) hinged contiguously one from each of the remaining side portions of the opening (31) extending between adjacent ends of the side portions (35) from which the anterior (33) and posterior cusps (34) are hinged, together with chordae of bioincorporable material extending from edge portions of the cusps for connection to the papillary muscles in the cavity of the ventricle when the sewing ring is sutured to the atrio-ventricular junction of the host or patient heart.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rapid exchange catheter system comprising a exchange member having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of the rigid shaft being integral with the proximal end of the exchange member, such that said shaft is adapted to advance the exchange member distally to a desired location wherein the exchange member is positioned concentrically to a catheter shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rapid exchange catheter system comprising a exchange member having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of the rigid shaft being integral with the proximal end of the exchange member, such that said shaft is adapted to advance the exchange member distally to a desired location wherein the exchange member is positioned concentrically to a catheter shaft.

Abstract: An infrared fundus angiography camera and ICG angiography imaging procedure for improved visualization and diagnosis of vascular diseases of the eye, especially SRNV, features a narrow bandwidth non-coherent and decollimated infrared illumination source, an optical system for directing the infrared illumination onto the retina and for directing the resulting retinal image toward an image storage device, and an optical filter positioned between the retina and the image storage device for blocking the infrared illumination from entering the image storage device. An infrared laser produces infrared illumination and a opal glass, fiber array, or integrating sphere light diffuser positioned between the infrared laser and the optical system decollimates and makes the infrared illumination incoherent. The laser includes a temperature stabilized infrared laser diode having an output matched to the excitation peak of an infrared fluorescent dye, such as ICG.

Abstract: An intraluminal grafting system includes a hollow graft which has a proximal staple positioned proximate its proximal end and a distal staple adapted proximate its distal end. The system includes a capsule for transporting the graft through the lumen and for positioning the proximal end of the graft upstream in a lumen which may be a blood vessel or artery. A tube is connected to the capsule and extends to exterior the vessel for manipulation by the user. A catheter is positioned within the tube to extend from the cavity and through the graft to exterior the body. The catheter has an inflatable membrane or balloon proximate the distal end thereof which is in communication via a channel with inflation and deflation means located exterior the vessel. With the inflatable membrane deflated, the capsule is positioned in the lumen and manipulated to a desired location. The inflatable membrane is manipulated by the rod away from the graft.

Abstract: A multifunctional device for use in an endoscopically performed operative procedure of the type where a narrow portal is established through the skin to provide access to an operative site and the multifunctional device is introduced to the operative site through the narrow portal. The multifunctional device is formed of an absorbent material, preferably expandable, having a substantially rigid dry state prior to introduction to the operative site and a soft, flexible wet state after absorbing fluids. The absorbent material can be formed with a spine therein of either a continuous or a discontinuous, segmented construction, and the spine can be branched and tubular or solid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis device and an insertion tool for the same. The device includes a generally cylindrical tapered housing having a bore therethrough and readily removable valve means operably connected to the housing. The housing has a larger diameter end and a smaller diameter end. The larger diameter end portion includes an inner threaded surface portion which terminates in an inner grooved surface. The valve means includes a check valve and bearings operably disposed adjacent the inner grooved surface and a retainer having a surface portion threaded in a complimentary manner to the inner threaded surface of the housing for retaining the check valve and bearings within the housing when threaded thereto.

Abstract: A tampon applicator is disclosed for inserting tampons into a woman's vagina. The tampon applicator is an elongated, tubular member made from an injection moldable or extrudable material. The tampon applicator comprises a water-dispersible thermoplastic polyester containing an ionic metal salt substituent. The tampon applicator is constructed from a water-dissipatable polymer having carbonyloxy-linking groups in a linear molecular structure. The polymer comprises a reaction product of at least one difunctional dicarboxylic acid, at least one diol, and at least one difunctional sulfomonomer containing at least one metal sulfonate group attached to an aromatic nucleus having the functional group carboxyl. The tampon applicator is water dispersible, compostable, dimensionally stable, and substantially nonsticky when contacted by mucous membranes or other moist human tissue.

Abstract: An implantable bioartificial pancreas device having an islet chamber containing glucose responsive and insulin-secreting islets of Langerhans or similar hormone secreting cells, the islet chamber having baffle means inside thereof to assist in even distribution of the islets in the chamber, one or more vascularizing chambers open to surrounding tissue, a semi-permeable membrane between the islet and vascularizing chambers that allows passage of small molecules including insulin, oxygen and glucose and does not allow passage of agents of the immune system such as white cells and antibodies, the vascularizing chambers containing a growth factor soaked fibrous or foam matrix having a porosity of about 40 to 95%, the matrix providing small capillary growth and preventing the blood from clotting in the lower chamber.

Abstract: An intra-vaginal urinary incontinence device basically comprises a resilient base portion (31), and a bladder support portion (40) extending away from the base portion (31) and having two opposed projections having a support section (30) therebetween forming a cradle (32) which receives and supports the neck of the bladder. The base portion is flexible to allow insertion into the vagina and the size and position of the cradle can be varied for different patients. The two projections may extend from the base portion directly or be formed on the end of a stalk and the support section is preferably arranged above the plane of the base portion.

Abstract: The impellor of a blood pump is supported by permanent magnets on the impellor and pump housing and stabilized by an electromagnet on the housing. A control circuit supplies current to the electromagnet to maintain the axial position of the impellor at a control position in which the impellor is in mechanical equilibrium under permanent magnet forces and static axial forces on the impellor to minimize energy consumption in the support of the impellor. The impellor is rotated magnetically and stator coils in the housing are supplied with electric currents having a frequency and amplitude adjusted in relation to blood pressure at the pump inlet to match the flow characteristics of the pump to physiological characteristics of the natural heart. A cavity is formed in the impellor to match the average specific gravity of the impellor and portions of the suspension and drive systems thereon to the specific gravity of blood to further minimize power consumption by the pump.

Abstract: A bone plug for intramedullary insertion into the canal of a bone to restrict the bypass of cement during implant surgery is described. The bone plug is made of a bioabsorbable material and has a tapered central body providing the primary support for the plug. A plurality of radially extending disc-like fins extend from the body at spaced locations. The taper provides the distal fin with a greater degree of flexibility due to the long cantilever, thus permitting an ease of insertion into the intramedullary canal while the larger diameter body and shorter proximal fins lend structural stiffness to resist the migration of the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides absorbent articles, especially sanitary napkins, containing a fluid transport layer. In-use, the transport layer directs menses to a storage layer, thereby minimizing product failure and staining of undergarments. The transport layer can protrude into, or through, a topsheet to provide very aggressive transport of vaginal discharges. Preferably, the transport layer is a layer of fibers having external capillary channels.

Abstract: A disposable diaper, having a body covering a desired part of the human body, a central absorber provided at the center of the body, expandable portions provided to the opposite sides of the central absorber, and peripheral absorbers extending outside the expandable portions. The diaper has an improved fit and feel, and an improved closeness of boundary fit so as to better prevent urine leaks.

Abstract: An infusion system with an air-in-line sensor is provided with improved apparatus and method for quickly and easily clearing small quantities of undissolved gas such as air from the sensor detection field. The infusion system includes an infusion pump having control components responsive to the air-in-line sensor to activate an alarm and/or to cease pump operation when undissolved gas is detected. A "clear air" key or switch is provided on the pump for actuation by medical personnel to operate the pump in a manner delivering a small pulse of the infusion liquid to move a small detected quantity of gas past the air-in-line sensor. The system can be adapted for actuation of the "clear air" key up to a selected number of times, while monitoring and accumulating the total fluid quantity delivered to a patient.

Abstract: A stand-alone control module for use in closed-wound drainage systems is described. The control module transforms a variable high-vacuum source into a constant low-vacuum source. The control module also provides a one-way check valve to prevent return of air to a patient when draining such air from the pleural cavity of the patient. The control module is a water-based control module. It includes a first-suction control chamber for transforming a variable high-vacuum into a constant low-vacuum. The first chamber contains a first column of fluid at a first pre-determined level. The module also includes a second water seal chamber that contains a second column of fluid at a second pre-determined level. The height of the second column of fluid is less than the height of the first column of fluid. Tubes are placed in each chamber that have one end of each tube located below the columns of fluid.

Abstract: A disposable sanitary article for incontinent persons, with a substantially rectangular configuration.This article includes an absorbing pad 3, an impermeable external sheet 2, and a permeable inside sheet 4. The longitudinal edges (b, b') are folded back on the permeable inside surface. This configuration is kept in place at each end by a permanent fastening means, in particular a bead of adhesive 7, and provides a pouch effect in use.Use of this article for incontinent adult males with fastening to any kind of underwear.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for directly imaging fluorophores in tissue or fluid. The apparatus includes a fluorescence exciter light source for generating fluorescence exciter light, a collimater for collimating and directing the light onto the material, and a filter between the material and a camera or the examiner's eye for passing selected wavelengths of light to the camera or to the examiner's eye. The apparatus is useful for detecting leakage in vascular eye tissue, particularly leakage from iris capillaries into surrounding tissues or into the anterior chamber of the eye.

Abstract: A cannula pump is provided which incorporates a miniature rotary pump into a cardiac cannula of essentially the same size as currently utilized with routine cardiopulmonary bypass. The pump may be inserted via a single small incision in the heart to obtain both inflow and outflow cannulation simultaneously, and provide sufficient flow to completely unload the ventricle during its use. Because application of the device is extraordinarily simplified, it is suitable for rapid emergency insertion in any setting where the chest can be safely opened, including emergency room and battlefield applications. A small electric motor, implanted within the heart, provides power to the impeller via a small shaft supported on blood immersed bearings. A disposable cannula pump utilized with a reusable motor provides an inexpensive device for routine surgical use.

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.