Abstract: A hollow lumen cable is formed by helically winding inner and outer coils with the helices of each coil being in an abutting relationship and the outer coil inner peripheral diameter being less than the outer peripheral diameter of the inner coil. Preferably, each coil is multifilar. After the coils are wound, an unwinding force is applied to the outer coil and the inner coil is inserted into the outer coil to have its winding inclined opposite to that of the outer coil; and thence, the outer coil is allowed to contract to form an interference fit with the inner coil. The cable may be incorporated as part of a medical apparatus. The cable is bendable about the tight radii and has a high torque transfer resolution while having a small cable outer diameter, a relatively long life, and has a hollow lumen in which there is no structure or through which fluid, wires or medial devices may pass.

Abstract: A hollow lumen cable is formed by helically winding inner and outer coils with the helices of each coil being in an abutting relationship and the outer coil inner peripheral diameter being less than the outer peripheral diameter of the inner coil. Preferably, each coil is multifilar. After the coils are wound, an unwinding force is applied to the outer coil and the inner coil is inserted into the outer coil to have its winding inclined opposite to that of the outer coil; and thence, the outer coil is allowed to contract to form an interference fit with the inner coil. The cable may be incorporated as part of a medical apparatus. The cable is bendable about the tight radii and has a high torque transfer resolution while having a small cable outer diameter, a relatively long life, and has a hollow lumen in which there is no structure or through which fluid, wires or medial devices may pass.

Abstract: A hollow lumen cable is formed by helically winding inner and outer coils with the helices of each coil being in abutting relationship and the outer coil inner diameter being less than the outer coil inner diameter being less than the outer, peripheral, diameter of the inner coil. Preferably, each coil is multifilar. After the coils are wound, an unwinding force is applied to the outer coil and the inner coil is inserted into the outer coil to have its winding inclined opposite to that of the outer coil; and thence, the outer coil is allowed to contract to form an interference fit with the inner coil. The cable may be incorporated as part of various medical systems e.g., implantable pumps or other rotatable medical apparatuses. The cable is bendable about the tight radii, has a high torque transfer, a small outer diameter, and a hollow lumen through which fluid, wires or medial devices may pass.

Abstract: A hollow lumen cable is formed by helically winding inner and outer coils with the helices of each coil being in an abutting relationship and the outer coil inner diameter being less than the outer, peripheral, diameter of the inner coil. Preferably, each coil is multifilar. After the coils are wound, an unwinding force is applied to the outer coils and the inner coils is inserted into the outer coils to have its winding inclined opposite to that of the outer coil; and thence, the outer coils is allowed to contract to form an interference fit with the inner coil. The cable may be incorporated as part of various medical systems e.g., implantable pumps or other rotatable medical apparatus. The cable is bendable about the tight radii, has a high torque transfer, a small outer diameter, and a hollow lumen through which fluid, wires or medical devices may pass.

Abstract: A hollow lumen cable is formed by helically winding inner and outer coils with the helices of each coil being in an abutting relationship and the outer coil inner diameter being less than the outer, peripheral, diameter of the inner coil. Preferably, each coil is multifilar. After the coils are wound, an unwinding force is applied to the outer coil and the inner coil is inserted into the outer coil to have its winding inclined opposite to that of the outer coil; and thence, the outer coil is allowed to contract to form an interference fit with the inner coil. The cable may be incorporated as part of various medical systems e.g., implantable pumps or other rotatable medical apparatuses. The cable is bendable about the tight radii, has a high torque transfer, a small outer diameter, and a hollow lumen through which fluid, wires or medical devices may pass.

Abstract: An improved heart valve prosthesis arranged for permanent implantation to replace a defective natural heart valve, wherein the improved prosthesis device includes an annular body or ring designed to retain a pair of rotatable flat plate occluders. The structure of the present invention contains modifications which improve the flow dynamics therethrough, and reduce if not eliminate the formation of eddies or areas of stasis in and along the flow pattern. The annular ring is provided with oppositely disposed pairs of spherical segments which form pivot areas for the occluders, with the occluders being provided with concavities engageable with the spherical segments. Stops are provided for controlling the degree of arcuate travel or rotational skirt of motion. The abutment surfaces are arranged at positions spaced from the axis of rotation so as to improve the distribution of stresses created during closure.

Abstract: The present invention includes a glass multifocal light polarizing ophthalmic lens having a glass multifocal lens portion with a multifocal element fused to a convex outer surface of the multifocal lens portion, a single vision lens portion opposing the multifocal lens portion and a polarizing film sandwiched between the multifocal lens portion and the single vision lens portion. The present invention also includes a method for making the glass multifocal light polarizing ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: An optically based feed structure is used to distribute appropriately phased signals from a central signal generator to the individual elements of a phased array antenna. Any phase can be generated by adding together four phased signals (phased by 90 degree increments) if the amplitudes of the individual phased signals are appropriately controlled. By appropriately controlling the amplitude of the individual phased signals the amplitude of the resultant can also be controlled. In many cases it is desired to keep this amplitude constant. In some cases an amplitude taper across the phased array is desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing obstructions within a blood vessel of a patient using mechanical motion. The device has a catheter which is inserted into the vascular system at a convenient point, such as the femoral artery. The distal end of the catheter is advanced until it reaches the occlusion. A central lumen within the catheter contains a coil spring which functions as a flexible shaft to couple rotational motion provided by an electric motor or other source of rotational motion at the proximal end of the catheter to a cutting head at the distal end of the catheter. As the cutting head is rotated, the occlusion is milled away by the internal cutting edges of the cutting head. The particles cut from the occlusion are forced by the rotational motion of the cutting head into one of a number of outer lumens of the catheter. A vacuum is applied to the proximal end of some of the outer lumens to remove the particles from the patient's body.

Abstract: A hollow lumen cable is formed by helically winding inner and outer coils with the helices of each coil being in an abutting relationship and the outer coil inner peripheral diameter being less than the outer peripheral diameter of the inner coil. Preferably, each coil is multifilar. After the coils are wound, an unwinding force is applied to the outer coil and the inner coil is inserted into the outer coil to have its winding inclined opposite to that of the outer coil; and thence, the outer coil is allowed to contract to form an interference fit with the inner coil. The cable may be incorporated as part of a medical apparatus. The cable is bendable about the tight radii and has a high torque transfer resolution while having a small cable outer diameter, a relatively long life, and has a hollow lumen in which there is no structure or through which fluid, wires or medical devices may pass.

Abstract: A fenestrated tracheostomy tube valve assembly removably insertable in a tracheostomy stoma and having an enlarged flange abuttable against the skin of the throat, a smaller diameter flange in the trachea and abuttable against the tissue surrounding the opening of the stoma to the trachea, a tube part extendable through the stoma and joined to said flanges, and an inflatable annular diaphragm joined to said flanges that extends through the tube part and in conjunction with the inner peripheral wall of the tube part forms an inflatable chamber. A squeeze ball is fluidly connected by a flexible fluid conduit to open through the enlarged flange to the inflatable chamber, and when the squeeze ball is squeezed, inflate the chamber to block fluid flow axially through the tube assembly and when the squeeze pressure is released, the chamber is deflated to permit fluid flow through said assembly to and from the trachea. Blocking fluid flow through the tube assembly facilitates speech.

Abstract: A guide wire handle for selectively stiffening a guide wire and releasably locking the guide wire in a stiffened condition that includes a main body that can be held by one hand and has a rectangular opening in which there is mounted a slide member that is movable between a guide wire datum position and a guide wire stiffened position. The main body and slide member have elongated linear slits and bores with or without metal plate extended therein. A sleeve on the core wire proximal end abuts against the slide member plate and the proximal end of the coil spring abuts against the main body plate such that as the slide member a plate is moved away from the body plate, the coil spring is compressed and the core wire is placed in tension to stiffen the guide wire.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis coated in its entirety with pyrolytic carbon. In a preferred embodiment, the prosthesis is formed of a base having a blood passageway and dual leaflets pivotally secured to the base to regulate the flow of blood through the passageway. The pivot connection between the base and leaflets is formed by recesses in the base and projections on the leaflets, the recesses and projection termini being formed as surfaces of revolution. The valve is assembled by elastically deforming the base to allow insertion of the projections within the recesses.