Abstract: A non-invasive method and apparatus for at least partially occluding the descending aorta of a patient and for manipulating core and cerebral temperature includes positioning an elongated tubular member which may have a moveable surface through the esophagus and displacing the moveable surface thereby applying a force posteriorly in the direction of the patient's descending aorta sufficient to partially or substantially completely occlude the descending aorta. The tubular member may include a heat exchange surface and a heat transfer mechanism for transferring heat to the heat transfer surface or for transferring heat from the heat transfer surface in order to modify the temperature of a portion of the patient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the metabolic state of the myocardium of a subject in ventricular fibrillation or asystole and/or for guiding therapeutic interventions. Electrocardiogram signals of the subject's heart are transformed to a frequency domain power spectrum, and at least one frequency parameter is monitored and processed to a value predictive of a clinically relevant cardiac arrest outcome. In the preferred embodiment, centroid frequency and/or peak power frequency of the power spectrum are monitored.

Abstract: An apparatus for aiding in the treatment of cardiac arrest patients which includes a flexible tube having an elongated bladder attached between its opposite ends and a stomach bladder attached to its distal end. Each bladder has a conductive portion which serves as an electrode. Wires are embedded in the sidewall of the tube and connected to each electrode. Passageways formed in the sidewall of the tube and fluid-conveying tubes connected thereto form a fluid path through which a saline solution or a gas passes to fill the bladders. The tube is positioned so that the stomach bladder lies in the fundus of the stomach and the esophageal bladder lies in the posterior to the heart. The stomach bladder is filled and moderate countertraction is applied. Then the esophageal bladder is filled. The esophageal bladder serves as a platform by expanding and hardening the esophagus behind the heart. The heart is then compressed between the sternum and the hardened esophageal bladder, thus enhancing artificial circulation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the metabolic state of the myocardium of a subject in ventricular fibrillation or asystole and/or for guiding therapeutic interventions. Electrocardiogram signals of the subject's heart are transformed to a frequency domain power spectrum, and at least one frequency parameter is monitored and processed to a value predictive of a clinically relevant cardiac arrest outcome. In the preferred embodiment, centroid frequency and/or peak power frequency of the power spectrum are monitored.

Abstract: A method of non-invasively occluding the descending thoracic aorta to a desired extent in order to enhance cerebral and myocardial perfusion or the like, and/or of manipulating core and cerebral temperature of a patient, wherein a device is extended into the patient's esophagus and manipulated to selectively displace a wall of the esophagus toward the descending thoracic aorta to thereby at least partially occlude the latter, and/or to exchange heat between a device positioned in the patient's esophagus and a proximately located thoracic vessel in order to increase or decrease the temperature of blood flowing in such vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to new drugs for augmenting perfusion pressure administered during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other shock states. The compounds include phenylethanolamines and imidazolines, and fluorinated derivatives thereof, which act on adrenergic receptors in patients. The compounds of the invention enhance neurologic outcome and survival, and decrease ventricular dysrhythmias in patients suffering cardiac arrest and other shock states, relative to the outcomes, survival, and post defibrillation ventricular dysrhythmias in conventional therapy for use in resuscitation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating patients suffering from one or more of the conditions of cardiac arrest, shock, respiratory failure, hypothermia, hyperthermia and head injury. Chest tubes are inserted through respective holes in each hemithorax of the patient and attached to a gas source and an exhaust pump with connections and valves for alternately inflating and deflating a patient's thoracic cavity with a gas. A gas regulator, including heat exchanger, is interposed between the gas source and the tubes for warming or cooling the gas, and an electrode is mounted on the tubes and connected through a wire to electronic medical equipment. Collapsed seals are formed annularly around the chest tube and expanded after insertion to form a gas seal between the tube and the chest wall. The seal may be a bladder expanded by filling with a fluid or a wire mesh receptacle which is mechanically expanded and can also serve as the electrode.

Abstract: The approximate elapsed time since the onset of ventricular fibrillation is detected from an analog electrocardiogram signal. The signal is digitized for a time interval of four seconds to obtain a data set of time domain samples. These time domain samples are Fourier transformed to a frequency domain spectrum and the median frequency which bisects the energy of the power spectrum is detected. That median frequency is then compared to a pattern of experimentally obtained median frequency data as represented by a mathematical algorithm to calculate the estimated time from the onset of ventricular fibrillation. This frequency parameter can also be used to evaluate the response to therapy during ventricular fibrillation and CPR, as well as estimate the most appropriate time to defibrillate a subject following various pharmacologic and mechanical intervention.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the production of cheese. Milk is initially concentrated by ultrafiltration and diafiltration to obtain the desired buffer capacity to lactose ratio in the retentate. Following concentration, an acid, an acid precursor, or a lactic acid producing starter culture is added to the retentate and the retentate is fermented to obtain a final pH of about 4.9 to 5.6 and preferably 5.1 to 5.2. After complete fermentation, a coagulant, such as rennet, is added to the fermented retentate to produce curds. The curds are subsequently treated to remove moisture and obtain the final solids content and texture. The curds can then be drained, salted and pressed. By reaching to a final pH before coagulation, better pH control is obtained over the final product.