Abstract: A medical device for reducing the volume of a left atrial appendage (LAA) may include an elongate shaft having a distal portion, and a volume-reducing means expandable from a collapsed to an expanded state, the volume-reducing means being releasably attached to the distal portion. The volume-reducing means may include an actuatable frame and an impermeable covering disposed over the frame. The volume-reducing means may be sized to fit within the LAA in the expanded state while maintaining an open fluid flow path from a distal region through the ostium of the LAA. A medical device may include a second volume-reducing means to be placed within and substantially occlude a distalmost region of the LAA. A method may include inserting a volume-reducing means into the LAA, expanding the volume-reducing means, and positioning the volume-reducing means such that an open fluid flow path is maintained through an entire cycle of the heart.

Abstract: A medical device for reducing the volume of a left atrial appendage (LAA) may include an elongate shaft having a distal portion, and a volume-reducing means expandable from a collapsed to an expanded state, the volume-reducing means being releasably attached to the distal portion. The volume-reducing means may include an actuatable frame and an impermeable covering disposed over the frame. The volume-reducing means may be sized to fit within the LAA in the expanded state while maintaining an open fluid flow path from a distal region through the ostium of the LAA. A medical device may include a second volume-reducing means to be placed within and substantially occlude a distalmost region of the LAA. A method may include inserting a volume-reducing means into the LAA, expanding the volume-reducing means, and positioning the volume-reducing means such that an open fluid flow path is maintained through an entire cycle of the heart.

Abstract: A medical device for reducing the volume of a left atrial appendage (LAA) may include an elongate shaft having a distal portion, and a volume-reducing means expandable from a collapsed to an expanded state, the volume-reducing means being releasably attached to the distal portion. The volume-reducing means may include an actuatable frame and an impermeable covering disposed over the frame. The volume-reducing means may be sized to fit within the LAA in the expanded state while maintaining an open fluid flow path from a distal region through the ostium of the LAA. A medical device may include a second volume-reducing means to be placed within and substantially occlude a distalmost region of the LAA. A method may include inserting a volume-reducing means into the LAA, expanding the volume-reducing means, and positioning the volume-reducing means such that an open fluid flow path is maintained through an entire cycle of the heart.

Abstract: Pulp prepared from post-consumer used or recycled paper may be employed in the preparation of substrates which are blended with a vapor phase corrosion inhibitor for preparation and fabrication of packaging enclosures or containers. The present invention permits substrates prepared in this fashion to be employed in such applications for which they are rendered highly suitable. Because of the unknown history of the post-consumer recycled materials forming the pulp, the utility of enclosures and/or packages prepared from such pulp is expanded. Vapor phase corrosion inhibitors useful in the present invention preferably include quantities of amine salts, alkali metal molybdates, including ammonium molybdates, or mixtures of molybdates with a second component such as benzotriazole.

Abstract: A corrosion inhibitor formulation for use in reinforced concrete structures, the inhibitor reducing the rate of corrosion in metallic reinforcing rods placed within the structures. The formulation comprises a mixture of alkali metal glucoheptonates and alkali metal molybdates.

Abstract: A corrosion inhibitor formulation for use in reinforced concrete structures, the inhibitor reducing the rate of corrosion in metallic reinforcing rods placed within the structures. The formulation comprises a mixture of benzoic acid, aldonic acid, and a triazole such as benzotriazole or tolyltriazole.