Abstract: The invention provides expandable tubular prostheses that are designed for the treatment of atherosclerotic lesions, such as vulnerable plaques, and that are characterized by no foreshortening, optimal radial force and accuracy of deployment. In the treatment of vulnerable plaque, the device may be expanded in a blood vessel so that its central section at least partially contacts a vulnerable plaque lesion and/or the blood vessel wall in close proximity to the vulnerable plaque lesion. The invention also provides more general methods of treating atherosclerosis and promoting endothelialization using the prostheses of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides expandable tubular endoluminal prostheses for the treatment of atherosclerotic lesions of blood vessels, including vulnerable plaque lesions, and methods of treatment using the prostheses. Various prostheses of the invention are characterized by hoop strength suitable for treating vulnerable plaque lesions, good conformability and good apposition to vessel walls, as well as minimal coverage areas in order to minimize the inflammatory response to the implanted prostheses.

Abstract: The invention provides expandable tubular prostheses that are designed for the treatment of atherosclerotic lesions, such as vulnerable plaques, and that are characterized by no foreshortening, optimal radial force and accuracy of deployment. In the treatment of vulnerable plaque, the device may be expanded in a blood vessel so that its central section at least partially contacts a vulnerable plaque lesion and/or the blood vessel wall in close proximity to the vulnerable plaque lesion. The invention also provides more general methods of treating atherosclerosis and promoting endothelialization using the prostheses of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides expandable tubular endoluminal prostheses for the treatment of atherosclerotic lesions of blood vessels, including vulnerable plaque lesions, and methods of treatment using the prostheses. Various prostheses of the invention are characterized by hoop strength suitable for treating vulnerable plaque lesions, good conformability and good apposition to vessel walls, as well as minimal coverage areas in order to minimize the inflammatory response to the implanted prostheses.

Abstract: An annular fitting for connecting an immersion heater into a circulating fluid system which includes a groove cut across the threads on the inside of the fitting and a hole through the fitting wall in fluid communication with the groove. The groove and the hole permit a small quantity of fluid to bleed past the base of the heater to reduce the build up of bubbles around the base of the heater.

Abstract: A combination vanity screen and patient support couch extension. The vanity screen includes two overlapping panels, an upright support panel and a pivoting extension panel. The overlapping edge of the support panel is hinged to the back of the extension panel so that the extension panel may pivot from an upright position in generally coplanar alignment with the support panel to a horizontal position in generally coplanar alignment with the primary patient support couch so as to act as a support couch extension. The upright panel and the extension panel are locked in a coplanar relationship by a door knob which includes a bolt and a striker plate mounted in confronting relationship on the upright panel and the overlapping edge of the extension panel.

Abstract: There is disclosed a patient support system for orienting the patient's breast and adjacent axilla region with respect to an ultrasound mammary scanning apparatus while the breast is suspended. A patient support platform is supported on top of a cabinet enclosing the ultrasound system which includes a transducer tank in which a transducer and sonic lens is submerged in water. The platform includes an aperture to permit the patient's breast to suspend into a pool of water defined by a flexible bag supported about the aperture by means of a frame. The bag drapes down and contacts the surface of the water in the transducer tank to provide a continuous transmission medium for the ultrasound from the transducer to the breast. The platform is specially contained to comfortably support the patient and restrain the patient against rolling or sliding.

Abstract: A water conditioning system for maintaining and conditioning the water used in an ultrasound imaging system especially adapted to perform diagnosis of the human breast. The system includes a cabinet enclosing a main tank which contains an ultrasound transducer and associated focusing lens submerged in water. The main tank has associated with it a main reservoir. A second quantity of water which is adapted to receive the patient's breast is contained in a flexible bag having an open end supported adjacent the patient and having a closed end draped into engagement with the water in the pool and the water in the tank. The suspension pool also has a reservoir associated with it. The main tank and the suspension pool each have separate but interdependent fluid circulation circuits for conditioning the water in the tank and the suspension pool to provide a good transmission medium by filtering heating purifying and monitoring the water level of the water in the tank and in the suspension pool.