Abstract: A balloon is positionable in the patient's descending aorta. The balloon includes a balloon catheter and two pressure sensors that electrically couple to an extra-corporeal controller. The balloon itself also couples pneumatically to the extra-corporeal controller. An extra-corporeal pump electrically couples to the extra-corporeal controller, the pump having an outlet connectable to the patient's infra-diaphragmatic The pump inlet is connectable via a cannula to the patient's supra-diaphragmatic artery. artery. A doctor inserts the balloon into the descending aorta, and positions the balloon near the level of the patient's diaphragm. A balloon catheter, coupled to the extra-corporeal controller, inflates and deflates the balloon. An electrocardiogram ECG and proximal aortic blood pressure, measured in the upper arterial compartment via a lumen in the balloon catheter, serve as inputs to cycle the balloon synchronously with the heartbeat.

Abstract: A balloon is positionable in the patient's descending aorta. The balloon includes a balloon catheter and two pressure sensors that electrically couple to an extra-corporeal controller. The balloon itself also couples pneumatically to the extra-corporeal controller. An extra-corporeal pump electrically couples to the extra-corporeal controller, the pump having an outlet connectable to the patient's infra-diaphragmatic artery. The pump inlet is connectable via a cannula to the patient's supra-diaphragmatic artery.

Abstract: A heart assist system includes an axial-flow blood pump capable of being implanted in the descending thoracic aorta; a pressure-feedback controller connected to the pump, for controlling the pump, the controller capable of being implanted in the body; and a rechargeable battery pack connected to the pump and to the controller, for providing power to the pump, the battery pack capable of being implanted in the body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interconnecting a first device and a second device in a network. The first device and the second device are connected to a plurality of interfaces. The plurality of interfaces emulate a single high-speed interface. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first identifier is assigned to the first interface and the second interface at the first device. According to another embodiment of the present invention, one of the plurality of interfaces is selected to transmit a packet of data.

Abstract: A method for surgically restoring a coronary artery having an atheroma, to more normal structure and function, includes the steps of:

Abstract: An architecture for a highly integrated network element building block is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, a network device building block includes a network interface with multiple ports for transmitting and receiving packets over a network. The network device building block also includes a packet buffer storage which is coupled to the network interface. The packet buffer storage acts as an elasticity buffer for adapting between incoming and outgoing bandwidth requirements. A shared memory manager may also be provided dynamically allocate and deallocate buffers in the packet buffer storage on behalf of the network interface and other clients of the packet buffer storage. The network device building block further includes a switch fabric which is coupled to the network interface. The switch fabric provides forwarding decisions for received packets. A given forwarding decision includes a list of ports upon which a particular received packet is to be forwarded.