Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to the sortation of products using a conveyor assembly.

Abstract: A surgical training model for simulating human prostate surgery may include a harvested porcine urethra. A harvested porcine vagina surrounds a portion of the harvested porcine urethra to define a simulated human prostate.

Abstract: A surgical training device for use with a thoracic tissue model includes a base having a thoracic tissue model receiving area. A first rib mounting member is slidably coupled to the base adjacent a first side of the thoracic tissue model receiving area and a second rib mounting member is slidably coupled to the base adjacent a second side of the thoracic tissue model receiving area opposite the first side. A plurality of simulated ribs each have a first end coupled to the first rib mounting member and a second end coupled to the second rib mounting member, and are repositionable between right and left thoracic configurations.

Abstract: A surgical training model for simulating gynecological surgery may include a simulated human uterus. A first inner portion may include harvested porcine uterus and a second outer portion may include harvested porcine tissue that surrounds the first inner portion. The simulated human uterus may be sized and shaped to replicate a human uterus. A simulated human broad ligament may include porcine tissue.

Abstract: A real-tissue surgical training system includes a base and a harvested porcine tissue cassette. A substrate is configured to be removably mounted to the base. Harvested porcine tissue is carried by the substrate and configured to simulate the oropharynx region of the human body and to receive a surgical tool therein for surgical training.

Abstract: A combination therapy comprising a therapeutically-effective amount of an epoxy-steroidal aldosterone receptor antagonist and a therapeutically-effective amount of a beta-adrenergic antagonist is described for treatment of circulatory disorders, including cardiovascular disorders such as hypertension, congestive heart failure, cirrhosis and ascites. Preferred beta-adrenergic antagonists are those compounds having high potency and bioavailability. Preferred epoxy-steroidal aldosterone receptor antagonists are 20-spiroxane steroidal compounds characterized by the presence of a 9&agr;, 11&agr;-substituted epoxy moiety. A preferred combination therapy includes the beta-adrenergic antagonist metoprolol ((±)1-(isopropylamino)-3-[p-(2-methoxyethyl)phenoxyl]-2-propanolol succinate) and the aldosterone receptor antagonist epoxymexrenone.

Abstract: Combinations of an ACE inhibitor, an aldosterone antagonist, and a loop diuretic are described for use in treatment of circulatory disorders. Of particular interest are therapies using captopril, enalapril or lisinopril co-administered with spironolactone. This co-therapy would be particularly useful to reduce the death rate or the number of non-fatal hospitalizations or prevent the progression of congestive heart failure in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: Methods of using eplerenone, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and optionally a diuretic are described for treatment of heart failure and hypertension.

Abstract: Combinations of an ACE inhibitor and an epoxy-steroidal aldosterone receptor antagonist are described for use in treatment of circulatory disorders. Of particular interest are therapies using epoxy-steroidal-type aldosterone receptor antagonist compounds, such as eplerenone, in combination with an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. This co-therapy would be particularly useful to treat congestive heart failure while avoiding or reducing aldosterone-antagonist-induced side effects such as hyperkalemia.

Abstract: A combination comprising therapeutically-effective amount of an epoxy-steroidal aldosterone receptor antagonist and a therapeutically-effective amount of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist is described for treatment of circulatory disorders.

Abstract: Combinations of an ACE inhibitor, an aldosterone antagonist, and a loop diuretic are described for use in treatment of circulatory disorders. Of particular interest are therapies using captopril, enalapril or lisinopril co-administered with spironolactone. This co-therapy would be particularly useful to reduce the death rate or the number of non-fatal hospitalizations or prevent the progression of congestive heart failure in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: A combination therapy comprising a therapeutically-effective amount of an epoxy-steroidal aldosterone receptor antagonist and a therapeutically-effective amount of a beta-adrenergic antagonist is described for treatment of circulatory disorders, including cardiovascular disorders such as hypertension, congestive heart failure, cirrhosis and ascites. Preferred beta-adrenergic antagonists are those compounds having high potency and bioavailability. Preferred epoxy-steroidal aldosterone receptor antagonists are 20-spiroxane steroidal compounds characterized by the presence of a 9&agr;,11&agr;-substituted epoxy moiety. A preferred combination therapy includes the beta-adrenergic antagonist metoprolol ((±)1-(isopropylamino)-3-[p-(2-methoxyethyl)phenoxyl]-2-propanolol succinate) and the aldosterone receptor antagonist epoxymexrenone.

Abstract: Combinations of an ACE inhibitor, an aldosterone antagonist, and a loop diuretic are described for use in treatment of circulatory disorders. Of particular interest are therapies using captopril, enalapril or lisinopril co-administered with spironolactone. This co-therapy would be particularly useful to reduce the death rate or the number of non-fatal hospitalizations or prevent the progression of congestive heart failure in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: A surgical knife which provides improved multi-sided incisions and is preferably allows for a substantially cruciate, or cross-shaped incision. The surgical knife includes a handle and a multi-bladed portion located at one end of the handle. The handle is sized and configured to maximize grip and surgical manipulation thereof. The multi-bladed portion is formed from a primary blade and a secondary blade. The primary blade is configured with two exemplary primary blade members. The primary blade members are formed with sharpened edges which combined to form a sharpened distal point of the primary blade. The secondary blade is formed with sharpened edges and cooperates with the primary blade. The coupling of the primary blade and the secondary blade is such that the distal end of the secondary blade is located at a distance from the sharpened distal point of the primary blade.

Abstract: A surgical knife which provides improved multi-sided incisions and is preferably allows for a substantially cruciate, or cross-shaped incision. The surgical knife includes a handle and a multi-bladed portion located at one end of the handle. The handle is sized and configured to maximize grip and surgical manipulation thereof. The multi-bladed portion is formed from a primary blade and a secondary blade. The primary blade is configured with two exemplary primary blade members. The primary blade members are formed with sharpened edges which combined to form a sharpened distal point of the primary blade. The secondary blade is formed with sharpened edges and cooperates with the primary blade. The coupling of the primary blade and the secondary blade is such that the distal end of the secondary blade is located at a distance from the sharpened distal point of the primary blade.

Abstract: An aortic knife which provides multi-sided incisions within an aorta for effectuating improved aortotomies. The aortic knife includes a handle and multiple blades radiating from the handle. The handle is sized and configured to maximize grip and surgical manipulation thereof. The multiple blades radiate outwardly and proximally from a distal sharpened point. A substantially cruciate, or cross-shaped, incision results from four sharpened blades extending from the distal sharpened point. Alternatively, the multi-bladed configuration of the aortic knife may comprise three, five, or six or more blades. The blades form equal angles in radiation outwardly and proximally from the distal sharpened point. The method of the invention requires obtaining an appropriately sized aortic knife which is stabbed into a portion of an aorta. An anvil of an aortic punch is then inserted into the incision in the aorta without the stretching necessitated by the conventional single linear incision.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to new and useful methods and apparatus for improving access to the heart during cardiac surgery, while avoiding damage to the phrenic nerves. The present invention comprises a heart elevation apparatus which is soft and substantially cylindrical, with substantially flat anterior and posterior surfaces. Upon inflation, the anterior surface stabilizes the positioning of the heart and prevents the heart from falling off of the apparatus. The flat posterior surface facilitates positioning of the apparatus on the chest wall. An insulation pad on the posterior surface serves to insulate the phrenic nerves from the frigid bathes commonly employed in cardiac surgical procedures, and also protects the nerves from any compressive forces exerted during the surgery.

Abstract: A method is provided for preventing or reducing the risk of a second heart attack in a patient having a substantially normal serum cholesterol level by administering an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor such as pravastatin, alone or in combination with an ACE inhibitor.