Abstract: A method for treating a patient sustaining an acute ischemic stroke in the brain. The brain has a blood circulatory system including a torcular Herophili and first and second transverse venous sinuses adjoining the torcular Herophili. The method comprises at least partially occluding the first and second transverse venous sinuses in first and second locations, respectively, adjacent to the torcular Herophili to partially obstruct venous blood drainage while permitting some antegrade venous blood flow from at least one of the transverse venous sinuses. A flow of the patient's arterial blood is introduced into at least one of the transverse venous sinuses to provide a substantially continuous retrograde blood flow into the venous side of the brain of the patient to overcome the lack of arterial blood flow for a period of time until the patient exhibits at least some resolution of ischemic brain symptoms.

Abstract: A retainer is provided for a face piece that has a generally triangular face shaped rim for forming a seal over user's face when the face piece is worn. The retainer is made from a stiff material and has a rim that conforms to the rim of the face piece, and is shaped to provide a loose frictional fit over the face piece. The retainer helps protect the face piece during shipping, storage, and when otherwise not in use, and can help correct minor deformation in a face piece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of denitrating tobacco stem material in which the tobacco stem material is input at a first point in a housing, guided through a solvent and output at a second point from the housing, the complete method being implemented at an overpressure, and to an apparatus for implementing the method with an elongated, approximately cylindrical housing and at least one rotatable feeder screw, said housing being configured pressure-tight and comprising locks or nozzles or inputting and/or outputting process flows.

Abstract: Tissue adhesions are inhibited by applying and immobilizing a solid preformed matrix material over a target region, such as a surgical site, in a first tissue surface. The matrix material may be any continuous solid material, such as a sheet or film. After applying the material to the target region, the material is immobilized by applying energy over at least a portion of the surface of the matrix material which causes the material to fuse to the underlying tissue. The matrix material is preferably bioabsorbable so that it is resorbed by the body over time. Suitable matrix materials include proteins, polysaccharrides, and synthetic polymers.

Abstract: The resuscitator is used for performing artificial resuscitation on patients and it comprises a bag which, at its one end is provided with a patient valve, and at its opposite end is provided with an inlet valve for drawing in fresh ambient air. Between the surroundings and the bag interior, a small flow-through opening is provided, through which the bag may be supplied with the contents of a dosage aerosol for administration by inhalation, of pharmaceutically active air cells. This allows for optimal use of the resuscitator as an inhalation spacer.

Abstract: A method of treatment using applied manual pressure to certain key pressure points of the forearms of a human body, in order to relieve pain or discomfort brought on from illness. The method includes manually applying pressure by the hands of a therapist along the forearms of a patient, while the patient clasps his hands and extends his arms outwardly from the body, so as to form a substantially triangular arrangement, with his two arms serving as two legs of the triangular, and an imaginary line from the two elbows. The patient forcefully pushes his hands and arms toward each other while in the triangular arrangement, with such pushing being concentrated at the clasped hands, and specifically concentrated at the metacarpals, and in the chest, and specifically at the sternum.

Abstract: A method and arrangement in connection with the ventilation of a patient, wherein the lungs of the patient are ventilated mechanically by means of a ventilator or manually by means of a reservoir bag as the patient's own respiratory activity is insufficient or totally prevented. In order to eliminate a faulty connection, the behaviour of the pressure or the flow in the patient circuit, in the circuit associated with the ventilator or in the circuit associated with the reservoir bag is monitored in connection with ventilation and the obtained information is compared with the desired operation.

Abstract: The striking surface of a golf club is constructed of a fiber reinforced composite insert. The insert is formed of a metal striking surface having at least one layer of backing comprising a ply of fibers in a metal matrix laminated to the back of the striking surface. The insert is secured to the face of the golf club for engagement with the ball.

Abstract: A tracheostomy system having a neckplate, a tracheostomy tube having an end adapted for insertion into a patient's breathing passage and an end provided with a trach head for swivel connection to the neckplate and a connection mechanism for swivelly connecting the trach head to the neckplate without deformation of the trach head or neckplate and without thermal processing. The present invention also relates to a method for swivelly connecting a trach head to a neckplate without deformation of the trach head or neckplate and without thermal processing.

Abstract: A method for providing assisted ventilation which avoids hypoxia and hypocapnia is disclosed, in which a predetermined dead space in an assisted ventilation system is provided external to the patient. The method may also be used to create normocapnia or moderate hypercapnia without causing hypoxia during assisted ventilation. Preferably, hypoxia can be avoided while inducing and/or maintaining the arterial carbon dioxide tension between about 35 and 95 mmHg. Dead space volumes as small as 10 ml and exceeding 150 ml are utilized in the method. An improved proximal terminal, tubular attachments, and coaxial filter are disclosed, which are safer and less expensive to use than prior art unilimb assisted ventilation systems; the devices of the present invention also reduce medical wastes in comparison to prior art assisted ventilation systems.

Abstract: An adapter for connecting a plurality of different manufacturers' second stage regulators to commercially available full face masks for use in self contained breathing situations.

Abstract: A two part closed tracheal suction system comprising a first part connector for attachment to an endotracheal tube and a ventilator circuit wherein the connector includes a normally closed entrance seal directly manually accessible and preferably manually deformable to open up an access opening to the connector, and the entrance seal automatically returning to its normally closed position upon manual release of the seal.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the restenosis of blood vessel walls after angioplasty, including the application of low grade heat to the vessel walls. A heat applying perfusion catheter is advanced to a recently dilatated vessel region. Heat is applied to the region walls to inhibit restenosis. A preferred temperature range is from 42 to 45 degrees C. A preferred time period for treatment is from 3 to 6 minutes. A perfusion catheter allows longer heat treatment times. Electrical resistance heat, radio frequency current passage through inflation fluid, and microwave radiation are all heat sources within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: The unit for forming groups of cigarettes has at least one substantially U-shaped pocket designed to receive in succession at least two layers of cigarettes, in which the cigarettes are parallel with a longitudinal axis of the pocket, the two layers being arranged one above the other to define a respective group; the unit having at least one holding element and, if the group has at least one gap, the unit having at least one dummy positioned parallel with the axis, both being mobile, under the thrust of an actuator, between a home position and an operating position, in which the element and the dummy are positioned respectively outside and inside the pocket, to respectively lock the group of cigarettes within the pocket, and to compensate the gap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tracheal cannula for the mechanical respiration of tracheotomised patients having a cuff which encloses and seals the proximal section which can be inserted concentrically in the trachea, a curved section arranged above the cuff and an inner cannula which can be inserted concentrically into the cannula from the distal end thereof, an exhalation opening being provided in the cannula above the cuff sealing the trachea and approximately in the extension of the longitudinal axis of the bent section insertable in the trachea, and, in its region lying beneath the exhalation opening, the inner cannula comprises an opening, which is at least partially covered by an elastic diaphragm acting as a valve, and at its proximal end the inner cannula comprises a region which is constricted in its cross section.

Abstract: A laryngeal mask assembly has a mask subassembly at its patient end with an inflatable ring and a diaphragm extending within the ring. The mask subassembly is attached to a tube by means of a mount comprising a backing plate and a tubular extension fitted on the patient end of the tube. The diaphragm is attached to the backing plate and the plate overlaps the patient end of the sealing ring extending close to the patient end of the assembly so as to inhibit rearward deflection of the patient end of the sealing ring.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for directing air flow and for removing internal secretions within an intubated patient is disclosed. In broad respects, the invention disclosed is an air conduit assembly positionable within a patient having an inhalation gas pathway and a separate exhalation gas pathway, so that each successive burst of exhalation gasses forces secretions progressively out of the patient through the separate exhalation gas pathway. The air conduit may be a variety of air conduits positionable within a patient, including an endotracheal tube and a tracheostomy tube. One particular embodiment includes an air conduit having a flexible partition attached along its longitudinal extension, which defines the inhalation gas pathway and separate exhalation gas pathway. A collapsible distal valve member may also be attached to one side of the air conduit to urge the flexible partition against the opposite interior wall of the air conduit during exhalation.

Abstract: A metal wood-type golf club head has an improved weight distribution and configuration through the inclusion of a ledge interfacing with the ball striking face and upper surface and a peripheral mass positioned along at least the majority of the ball striking face and the crown of the club head and vertical masses behind the ball striking face thereby providing added strength and stability to the club head and minimizing pinging of the club head when the ball contact is made. The club head also has an extended hosel integrally connected to the club head body, and the hosel is preferably connected to the peripheral mass.

Abstract: A flexible biopsy forceps device for acquiring more than one tissue sample comprises an elongated, flexible body having a central lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end. A control assembly is adjacent to the proximal end of the flexible body and a jaw assembly is coupled to the distal end. A jaw actuating means extends from the control assembly to the jaw assembly. The jaw assembly includes a pair of jaws that pivot from an open position to a closed position in response to movement of the jaw actuating means to surround and excise tissue samples. In their closed position, the jaw pair has a proximal opening aligned with the central lumen of the flexible body sized to allow passage of tissue samples. An intake means is disposed within the distal portion of the central lumen and may extend into the proximal opening of the jaw pair.

Abstract: A method of making a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) using muscle wrapped around a mandrel to form a muscle pouch, the open end of which is sewn to a circular sheet of patch material having connections to one end of each of a pair of vascular grafts, or alternatively to one end of a single vascular graft. The second ends of these vascular grafts are used to connect the LVAD to the aorta. After the muscle pouch has been formed around the mandrel, the mandrel is removed and replaced by a balloon which is inserted into the muscle pouch and inflated to maintain the desired shape of the muscle pouch during healing and stimulation of the pouch. The balloon is subsequently removed preceding activation of the LVAD to allow it to begin pumping blood. Alternatively, various other shape-maintaining forms which are expandable and collapsible may be used in place of the balloon.