Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for performing less-invasive surgical procedures within an organ or vessel. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a method of closed-chest surgical intervention within an internal cavity of a patient's heart or great vessel. According to the method, the patient's heart is arrested and cardiopulmonary bypass is established. A scope extending through a percutaneous intercostal penetration in the patient's chest is used to view an internal portion of the patient's chest. An internal penetration is formed in a wall of the heart or great vessel using cutting means introduced through a percutaneous penetration in an intercostal space in the patient's chest. An interventional tool is then introduced, usually through a cannula positioned in a percutaneous intercostal penetration.

Abstract: A cathode for a discharge lamp comprises a longitudinally extending central core of a high temperature, electrically conductive metal; and a coil of high temperature, electrically conductive metal wound thereabout, said coil being fastened to said core at least in part by mechanical interference. The mechanical interference can be achieved by keyways formed in the core surface. During winding, at least some of the turns of the coil enter the keyways providing a good,mechanical engagement of the coil with the core. The keyways can be formed by heating the core and compressing or forging areas with tools or the keyways can be formed by grinding or by any other suitable means.

Abstract: A cathode for a discharge lamp includes a longitudinally extending central core of a high temperature, electrically conductive metal; and a coil of high temperature, electrically conductive metal wound thereabout, said coil being fastened to said core at least in part by mechanical interference. The mechanical interference can be achieved by keyways formed in the core surface. During winding, at least some of the turns of the coil enter the keyways providing a good, mechanical engagement of the coil with the core. The keyways can be formed by heating the core and compressing or forging areas with tools or the keyways can be formed by grinding or by any other suitable means.

Abstract: An underwater breathing apparatus is provided for delivering air to a submerged diver. A manual pump supplies air under pressure to a reservoir bag for delivery to a diver through an air hose. Alternatively, the reservoir bag can be further connected by an air hose to a floatable variable-pressure reservoir bag that delivers air through an air hose to a submerged diver. In order to constantly maintain the air pressure in the reservoir bag in a preselected range, a pressure gauge is provided for the pump operator, who then pumps selectively to maintain the proper air pressure. The diver wears a breathing means having a flow restrictor/shut-off valve, a one-way inlet valve, and a one-way exhaust valve for exhalation. Additionally, an electric pump may be used either to replace the manual pump or as a back-up thereto.

Abstract: An animal collar includes an elongate tubular member of open mesh material having devices at its ends for securing the collar around the neck of an animal, and a pesticide member positioned within the elongate hollow member. At least one of the openings of the mesh material is enlargeable from a relaxed condition in which the pesticide member is too small to pass to an enlarged condition in which the pesticide member can be inserted or removed.

Abstract: A metal spray gun of the arc spray type has a nozzle-positioner member of electrically insulating material that is disposed between a gas inlet and an arc zone. A primary stream of gas is flowed through a through passage in the nozzle-positioner member, and seat surfaces in the through passage receive tips of individual electrically conductive contact tube assemblies that are biased outwardly away from one another. The nozzle-positioner member aligns the contact tube assemblies and configures the gas stream such that each metal wire is immediately enveloped in gas flow as it emerges from its contact tube and remains in that enveloping gas flow throughout the region between the contact tube tip and the arc zone. The spray gun produces quality metal spray coatings with lower gas pressures and has lower noise levels.

Abstract: A hinged bulldozer blade with a central blade body and hinged outward ends coupled with a mechanism for selectively pivoting the hinged ends such that the blade can be arranged in any of several configurations. By selectively pivoting the sections independently of one another, the blade may be made to scoop and push material forwardly, remove material to either side of the blade structure, or remove material to both sides of the blade. A lockout mechanism is provided between the pivoted blade sections and the blade body that effectively transmits forces supplied to the blade sections directly to the blade body rather than through the attached jack assemblies by which the sections are pivoted. The blade body and end sections include complementary hinge surfaces that prevent formation of gaps between the hinged blade sections and the central blade body regardless of the pivoted position of the sections.