Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for providing call screening in conjunction with a variety of network-based call services. An exemplary method for providing a called party at a called party station with call screening includes: (a) forwarding a call to the called party station (CPS) to a voice mailbox so that a caller can leave a message for the called party; (b) initiating a simplex call to the CPS; and (c) bridging the call forwarded to the voice mailbox and the simplex call to the CPS so that the called party can hear the caller leaving a message for the CPS; (d) initiating a duplex call to the CPS in response to signaling received from the CPS; and (e) bridging the call forwarded to the voice mailbox and the duplex call so that the caller and the called party are in communication with one another. In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of initiating a simplex call includes the step of delivering a distinctive ring to the CPS indicating that the caller is leaving a message for the CPS.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for providing call screening in conjunction with a variety of network-based call services. An exemplary method for providing a called party at a called party station with call screening includes: (a) forwarding a call to the called party station (CPS) to a voice mailbox so that a caller can leave a message for the called party; (b) initiating a simplex call to the CPS; and (c) bridging the call forwarded to the voice mailbox and the simplex call to the CPS so that the called party can hear the caller leaving a message for the CPS; (d) initiating a duplex call to the CPS in response to signaling received from the CPS; and (e) bridging the call forwarded to the voice mailbox and the duplex call so that the caller and the called party are in communication with one another. In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of initiating a simplex call includes the step of delivering a distinctive ring to the CPS indicating that the caller is leaving a message for the CPS.

Abstract: A message and billing system and method is provided for transmitting a reply message over a communications network from a called party's message service system to a calling party's message service system. Prior to transmitting a message to a called party, a calling party's message service system prompts the calling party to specify whether a prepaid reply is authorized. Based upon the calling party's response to the prompt, the calling party's message service system generates a message file associated with the message, which includes a prepaid reply field indicating whether a prepaid reply was authorized by the calling party. The message file is transmitted over a communications network to the called party's message service system and the called party's message service system identifies whether a prepaid reply had been authorized by the calling party based upon the prepaid reply field of the message file.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for providing call screening in conjunction with a variety of network-based call services. An exemplary method for providing a called party at a called party station with call screening includes: (a) forwarding a call to the called party station (CPS) to a voice mailbox so that a caller can leave a message for the called party; (b) initiating a simplex call to the CPS; and (c) bridging the call forwarded to the voice mailbox and the simplex call to the CPS so that the called party can hear the caller leaving a message for the CPS; (d) initiating a duplex call to the CPS in response to signaling received from the CPS; and (e) bridging the call forwarded to the voice mailbox and the duplex call so that the caller and the called party are in communication with one another. In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of initiating a simplex call includes the step of delivering a distinctive ring to the CPS indicating that the caller is leaving a message for the CPS.

Abstract: An improvement in providing simultaneous voice and data communication is achieved by provisioning within the public switched telephone network one or more simultaneous voice/data (SVD) modems that a) can communicate with SVD modems of the network users over a single "plain old telephone service" (POTS) connection, and b) can separate, and deliver to different destinations the voice and data channels received from an SVD modem. The SVD modems in the network can also combine voice and data traffic from separate sources for transmission together over a single POTS connection to a user's SVD modem. In one embodiment of the invention, an SVD modem pool is provided by an inter-exchange carrier. The voice and data channels of an SVD call are separated at the network side of the SVD modem pool, so that they may be routed to different destinations.

Abstract: A data communications equipment, e.g., a modem, uses a telephone number of a remote endpoint to retrieve an associated set of stored configuration parameters. These stored configuration parameters allow the modem to quickly initialize itself and thereby significantly reduce the training interval with the remote modem. In addition, the use of the telephone number of the remote endpoint allows quick identification of modulation format, e.g., that a fax call is being established.

Abstract: I have recognized that for travelers who are familiar with the area of the starting point or destination, i.e., the local areas of a trip, that the first or last several steps of the directions are unnecessary. Therefore, only those steps of the directions that the traveler really wants or needs are delivered to the traveler. Which steps are delivered is based on an indication of the traveler's familiarity with the roads in the area of the starting point and the roads in the area of the destination. To only deliver those steps of the directions that the traveler really needs, streets and highways, collectively herein "roadways", are assigned hierarchical values that indicate generally how well known or how well traveled they are. A set of steps that makes up the complete trip directions from the starting point to the destination is developed as in conventional direction supplying systems.

Abstract: In an environment in which simultaneous voice/data (SVD) modems are provisioned in the public switched network for separating and separately routing voice and data calls from users having SVD modems, at least one user who is already employing a first connection through an SVD modem provisioned in the public switched network, for interacting with a remote destination over one of the two channels provided by an SVD modem, may have a second connection, over the second of the two channels provided by an SVD modem, automatically established for him. The second connection may be established in response to a request by one of the users. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the data channels supplied from each SVD modem of each of said users are routed to a common data application, e.g., a game, and a direct connection is established between the voice channels of the SVD modems in response to a command from the data application in response to the request of one of the users.

Abstract: A bandage for attaching a sensor to a part of the human body while protecting the sensor against contamination and permitting its reuse in which the sensor is located within a flexible transparent sleeve which is fastened to the adhesive inner surface of the bandage, the parts of the bandage inner adhesive surface outside of the sleeve thereafter being fastened to the body. In the preferred embodiment the probe is an oximeter probe with a light emitter and a light detector. Apertures are provided in the bandage to view the positioning of the oximeter components.

Abstract: A wrapping system for an intra-aortic balloon in which a wrapping guide is provided which restrains the proximal end of the envelope from rotating as the distal end is rotated thereby providing a uniform wrap of the envelope from its distal to its proximal end. A wrapping wire is provided for rotating the envelope distal end and the wire extends through at least a part of the catheter to which the envelope is attached. A wrapping knob is coupled to the proximal end of the wrapping wire, whose distal end can be detachably coupled to the distal end of the envelope, and the knob is constructed to permit only a predetermined number of rotations in both wrapping and unwrapping the envelope.

Abstract: A wrapping system for an intra-aortic balloon in which a wrapping guide is provided which restrains the proximal end of the envelope from rotating as the distal end is rotated thereby providing a uniform wrap of the envelope from its distal to its proximal end. A wrapping wire is provided for rotating the envelope distal end and the wire extends through at least a part of the catheter to which the envelope is attached. A wrapping knob is coupled to the proximal end of the wrapping wire, whose distal end can be detachably coupled to the distal end of the envelope, and the knob is constructed to permit only a predetermined number of rotations in both wrapping and unwrapping the envelope.

Abstract: An intra-aortic balloon adapted to be percutaneously inserted into a blood vessel in which the balloon and its support member are twisted as the balloon envelope is wrapped around its support member before insertion into the vessel to reduce the diameter of the balloon envelope. The support member is twisted as the balloon is wrapped, thereby storing energy which, urges the unwrapping of the balloon in the vessel. In one embodiment, the support member is hollow to permit a guide wire to pass there-through so that placement of the balloon within the human body may be done with greater precision and the hollow support member permits the injection of a radiopaque fluid so that the balloon can be viewed within the vessel, thereby assisting in the placement of the balloon. In another embodiment, a solid energy storage support member with a highly flexible distal portion provides an intra-aortic balloon of enhanced pliability.

Abstract: An inflatable and deflatable balloon catheter is disclosed. The inflatable chamber of the catheter is supported about an elongated support member of small diameter. One or both ends of the support member are rotatably disposed relative to the chamber wherein the chamber is adapted to being compactly twisted about the support member upon twisting, rolling or wrapping the chamber. The compactly twisted chamber has a small diameter whereby insertion of the catheter through a small incision and guiding thereof in a small body canal or passage is facilitated. A smooth-walled sheath of low friction material is disclosed for enclosing the twisted chamber to facilitate atraumatic entry of the catheter into the incision or body opening and for facilitating insertion and movement of the catheter. Balloon catheters according the present invention are advantageously used for intra-aortic balloon pumping.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the percutaneous insertion of intra-aortic balloons into the human body wherein a sheath is provided which can be inserted into an artery through a puncture, and an intra-aortic balloon of a size sufficiently small and having sufficient flexibility is used which can be moved through the sheath into the artery. The apparatus and method includes, puncturing the skin into the artery until a needle means having a bore, introducing a guide wire into the artery through the needle means, advancing a dilator-sheath set over the wire to enlarge the puncture and to place an end of the sheath within the artery, withdrawing the dilator and guide wire and then inserting the balloon through the sheath.

Abstract: Inflatable and deflatable balloon catheters are disclosed. Catheters according to the invention have an expansion chamber that may be elongated to reduce its radial dimension without producing oblique or transverse folds or wrinkles. The inflatable chamber of the catheter is supported by an elongated support member of small diameter which has a continuously extending opening therein through which fluid is admitted to and withdrawn from the chanber. An axially movable elongating member is disposed within the expansion chamber for elongating the chamber. Axial movement of the elongating member elongates the chamber to decrease its radial dimension whereby feeding and guiding of the catheter is facilitated. In one embodiment, the support member is the gas supply tube extending into the chamber and the continuously extending opening is a helical slit running along at least part of the tube enclosed by the chamber.

Abstract: An inflatable and deflatable balloon catheter is disclosed. The inflatable chamber of the catheter is supported about an elongated support member of small diameter. One end of the support member is rotatable relative to the chamber wherein the chamber is adapted to being compactly twisted about the support member upon swiveling or rotation of the support member. The compactly twisted chamber has a small diameter whereby insertion of the catheter through a small incision and guiding thereof in a small body canal or passage is facilitated. A smooth-walled sheath of low friction material is disclosed for enclosing the twisted chamber to facilitate atraumatic entry of the catheter into the incision or body opening and for facilitating insertion and movement of the catheter. The support member is preferably made of a material which may be formed during use into a desired axial configuration by bending. Balloon catheters according to the present invention are advantageously used for intra-aortic balloon pumping.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing hypothermia or effecting hemostasis to prevent hemorrhaging in organs or regions of the human body and the like. In one application described herein, the apparatus provides hypothermia to the heart during, for example, cardio-pulmonary bypass. The apparatus comprises a unitary preferably disposable coolant fluid circuit, including a length of flexible tubing having a heat exchange portion and a flexible, inflatable bag through which a sterile coolant fluid passes. The inflatable bag is connected to the flexible tubing by a double lumen. The tubing is provided with appropriate fittings proximate to its juncture with the double lumen to allow introduction of coolant fluid. The heat exchanger portion of the coolant fluid circuit is located within a preferably disposable container which contains refrigeration means for reducing the temperature of the coolant fluid.

Abstract: Improved blood pumping apparatus is disclosed which includes a smooth avalvular deflatable section through which blood flows, said section mounted within a rigid avalvular airtight housing, gas being introduced and withdrawn from the housing by suitable control means, the action of the gas causing the blood chamber to inflate and deflate with consequent non-traumatic pulsatile ejection of blood from said chamber. The apparatus is simple, reliable, inexpensive and can aid the blood pumping function in many ways. For example, apparatus is disclosed to provide pulsatile flow to the blood being pumped by a heart-lung machine, or to provide pulsatile flow to the coronary arteries during coronary artery perfusion, or to be utilized as an arterio-venous fistula to decrease the afterload of the left ventricle and preserve the systemic diastolic pressure while increasing coronary perfusion.