Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for treating congestive heart by actively or passively enhancing perfusion to the renal arteries. A first embodiment comprises a specially configured balloon catheter and extracorporeal pump, wherein the pump operates in a “once-through” fashion or alternating volume displacement mode. In another embodiment the catheter includes a pair of balloons to isolate a region of the aorta, and a third balloon that directs flow into the renal arteries. In still further embodiments, a stent or cuff having a constricted region is deployed in or around the aorta, respectively, to create a backpressure upstream of the stent or cuff. Methods of enhancing renal perfusion also are provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for treating congestive heart by actively or passively enhancing perfusion to the renal arteries. A first embodiment comprises a specially configured balloon catheter and extracorporeal pump, wherein the pump operates in a “once-through” fashion or alternating volume displacement mode. In another embodiment the catheter includes a pair of balloons to isolate a region of the aorta, and a third balloon that directs flow into the renal arteries. In still further embodiments, a stent or cuff having a constricted region is deployed in or around the aorta, respectively, to create a backpressure upstream of the stent or cuff. Methods of enhancing renal perfusion also are provided.

Abstract: A valve prosthesis device is disclosed suitable for implantation in body ducts. The device comprises a support stent, comprised of a deployable construction adapted to be initially crimped in a narrow configuration suitable for catheterization through the body duct to a target location and adapted to be deployed by exerting substantially radial forces from within by means of a deployment device to a deployed state in the target location, and a valve assembly comprising a flexible conduit having an inlet end and an outlet, made of pliant material attached to the support beams providing collapsible slack portions of the conduit at the outlet. The support stent is provided with a plurality of longitudinally rigid support beams of fixed length.

Abstract: An intratubular anastomosis apparatus for joining organ portions of a hollow organ after intussusception thereof, the device includes an anastomosis ring, and a crimping support element for use therewith. The anastomosis ring includes a length of a wire formed of a shape memory alloy defining a closed generally circular shape, having a central opening, and having overlapping end portions, the anastomosis ring for crimping adjacent organ portions against the crimping support element so as to cause anastomosis therebetween. The anastomosis ring and the shape memory alloy assumes a plastic or malleable state, when at a first, lower temperature and an elastic state, when reaching at least a second, higher temperature. The anastomosis ring thereby is enabled to retain a preselected configuration at the first, lower temperature, and an elastic crimping configuration upon reverting to the second, higher temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus for intratubular intussusception and anastomosis of a hollow organ portion including a cylindrical enclosure, coaxial intratubular intussusception device, for intussusception and clamping means. The apparatus also includes an intratubular anastomosis apparatus for joining organ portions after intussusception thereof with an anastomosis ring and crimping support. element. The ring is formed of a shape memory alloy wire, for crimping adjacent organ portions against the crimping support element so as to cause anastomosis therebetween The ring assumes a plastic or malleable state, at a lower temperature and an elastic state at a higher temperature. The apparatus further includes the crimping support element for intratubular insertion so as to provide a support for crimping the organ portions against the support element.

Abstract: A valve prosthesis device is disclosed suitable for implantation in body ducts. The device comprises support stent, comprised of a deployable construction adapted to be initially crimped in a narrow configuration suitable for catheterization through the body duct to a target location and adapted to be deployed by exerting substantially radial forces from within by means of a deployment device to a deployed state in the target location, the support stent provided with a plurality of longitudinally rigid support beams of fixed length; valve assembly comprising a flexible conduit having an inlet end and an outlet, made of pliant material attached to the support beams providing collapsible slack portions of the conduit at the outlet.

Abstract: A valve prosthesis device is disclosed suitable for implantation in body ducts. The device comprises a support stent, comprised of a deployable construction adapted to be initially crimped in a narrow configuration suitable for catheterization through the body duct to a target location and adapted to be deployed by exerting substantially radial forces from within by means of a deployment device to a deployed state in the target location, and a valve assembly comprising a flexible conduit having an inlet end and an outlet, made of pliant material attached to the support beams providing collapsible slack portions of the conduit at the outlet. The support stent is provided with a plurality of longitudinally rigid support beams of fixed length.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for treating congestive heart by actively or passively enhancing perfusion to the renal arteries. A first embodiment comprises a specially configured balloon catheter and extracorporeal pump, wherein the pump operates in a “once-through” fashion or alternating volume displacement mode. In another embodiment the catheter includes a pair of balloons to isolate a region of the aorta, and a third balloon that directs flow into the renal arteries. In still further embodiments, a stent or cuff having a constricted region is deployed in or around the aorta, respectively, to create a backpressure upstream of the stent or cuff. Methods of enhancing renal perfusion also are provided.

Abstract: A combined digital depth control and rate of ascent control device to be used by scuba divers. The device would automatically prevent the diver from exceeding a predetermined depth and prevent the diver from ascending at an excessively high rate. The device comprises a sealed housing attachable to the apparatus so as to be submerged in the water with the diver. The housing has an inlet connectable to the pressurized gas tank, an outlet connected to the inflatable buoyancy jacket, a control passageway between the inlet and outlet, being automatically displaced to open the passageway upon sensing the predetermined depth.

Abstract: A rotary drive sprinkler comprising a housing with a water inlet for coupling to a water irrigation supply and an outlet nozzle. A drive shaft is rotatably retained within the housing and has a portion extending from the housing through the outlet nozzle, around which water is adapted to flow. A rotary distribution member is fixedly articulated to the portion of the shaft and has at least one deflection surface in stream communication with the outlet nozzle. The housing also accommodates a rotary drive mechanism for rotating the drive shaft and a speed regulating mechanism for regulating the speed of rotation of the distribution member. The arrangement is such that the sprinkler is devoid of any dynamic seals.

Abstract: A rotary drive sprinkler comprising a housing for coupling to an irrigation water supply, a sprinkler spray head rotatably mounted with respect to the housing and flow coupled to supply and a rotary drive mechanism located within the housing so as to be driven by the water supply and a transmission mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism and having first and second, oppositely directed, rotary outputs, there being further provided a reversing mechanism including a stop assembly having stop members arcuately displaceable with respect to each other between a juxtaposed position and a variable spaced apart position, a trip assembly responsively juxtaposed with respect to the stop members so as to be reversibly displaced by successive contacting with the stop members only when the latter are in their angularly spaced apart position, one of the assemblies being rotationally driven by the drive mechanism and a selective coupling responsively coupled to the trip assembly for coupling to one or other of outputs resp

Abstract: A rotatable outlet nozzle for use in a rotary sprinkler adapted to be rotatably mounted and driven in a sprinkler housing and comprising a through-flow tube portion, a curved deflector wall portion merging with an outlet end of the tube and defining a main outlet and an auxiliary outlet formed in the deflecting wall in a position thereof opposite the main outlet, the positioning and dimensions of the auxiliary outlet being such that an auxiliary water spray emerges therefrom in a direction opposite to that of a main water spray emerging from the main outlet.