Abstract: A decision analysis method for evaluating patient candidacy for a therapeutic procedure is provided. The method includes predicting, in accordance with a predetermined quantitative predicative scoring system, the probability of an adverse effect on such patient absent such procedure where less than all of data elements used in the scoring system may be available. The method is used to predict a probability of death of a patient within a predetermined period of time and includes predicting, in accordance with a predetermined quantitative predicative scoring system. The probability of death for such patient within the predetermined period of time being determined from medical data elements of the patient where less than all of such medical data elements may be available for use by the scoring system. A method is also provided for generating a scoring system to predict a probability of death of a patient within a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An automated classifier receives input data indicative of a prospective surgical patient's mediastinal volume, body surface area and gender, and provides a classifier output signal indicative of quality of fit of a totally implantable artificial heart in the chest cavity of the patient. The present invention assists the surgical team in making their preoperative decision regarding whether or not the totally implantable artificial heart will fit in the chest cavity of the candidate patient. The classifier may also receive as input parameters: the distance between the patient's spine at the sternum at the level of the pulmonary bifurcation; the distance between the spine and the sternum in a caudal heart slice; the maximum left to right distance dimension of the heart; the distance from the rightmost end of the heart to the left chest wall; and the maximum left to right dimension of the chest cavity.

Abstract: An insert for insertion into a circularly cross-sectioned sample tube for use in nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry for reducing temperature variations in the sample and dispersing heat generated. The insert includes two spaced end plugs having arcuate sides to thermally mate with the interior of the sample tube. The end plugs include a venting passageway for allowing flow of fluids past the plugs when the insert is moved into and out of a sample in the tube. An elongate circular rod is positioned between and connected to the end plugs and positioned to be coaxially positioned in the sample tube. The rod has a cross-sectional area of less than the end plugs for providing an annular sample chamber when positioned in a sample tube. The end plugs and the rod are of beryllium oxide for conducting heat from and reducing temperature variations in the sample tube. The sample tube may also be of beryllium oxide.