Abstract: An implantable heart assist system includes a compressible pumping chamber including an inlet conduit to be placed in fluid connection with the descending thoracic aorta and an outlet conduit to be placed in fluid connection with the thoracic aorta; and a pump system comprising a first rigid member, a second rigid member positioned so that at least a portion of the pumping chamber may be positioned between the first and second rigid members, a drive system configured to cause the second rigid member to move toward or away from the first rigid member, and a controller in operative connection with the drive system and controlling the drive system, wherein movement of the second rigid member toward the first rigid member results in compresses the pumping chamber and movement of the second rigid member away from the first rigid member expands the pumping chamber.

Abstract: An implantable heart assist system includes a compressible pumping chamber including an inlet conduit configured to be placed in fluid connection with the descending thoracic aorta and an outlet conduit configured to be placed in fluid connection with the thoracic aorta; and a pump system comprising a first rigid member, a second rigid member spaced from the first rigid member so that at least a portion of the pumping chamber may be positioned between the first rigid member and the second rigid member, a drive system configured to cause the second rigid member to move toward the first rigid member or away from the first rigid member, and a controller in operative connection with the drive system and controlling the motor, wherein movement of the second rigid member toward the first rigid member results in compression of the pumping chamber and movement of the second rigid member away from the first rigid member causes expansion of the pumping chamber.

Abstract: An implantable heart assist system, includes a pumping chamber formed of a flexible material and being adapted to be placed in fluid connection with the aorta and a pump system comprising a first rigid member and a spaced apart second rigid member so that at least a portion of the pumping chamber may be positioned therebetween, a drive system comprising a motor. The motor is adapted to cause the second rigid member to move toward the first rigid member to compress the pumping chamber or away from the first rigid member to expand the pumping chamber. A controller is in operative connection with the drive system and controlling the motor.

Abstract: An implantable heart assist system, includes a pumping chamber formed of a flexible material and being adapted to be placed in fluid connection with the aorta and a pump system comprising a first rigid member, a second rigid member spaced from the first rigid member so that at least a portion of the pumping chamber may be positioned between the first rigid member and the second rigid member, a drive system comprising a motor, an extending member comprising a threaded section operatively connecting the first rigid member and the second rigid member and a nut in operative connection with the threaded section. The motor is adapted to rotate either the extending member or the nut relative to the other to convert rotary motion of the motor to linear motion to cause the second rigid member to move toward the first rigid member or away from the first rigid member. The heart assist system further includes a controller or a control system in operative connection with the drive system and controlling the motor.

Abstract: A device for detecting and measuring a change in angular position with respect to a reference plane is useful in surgical procedures for orienting various instruments, prosthesis, and implants with respect to anatomical landmarks. One embodiment of the device uses three orthogonal rate sensors, along with integrators and averagers, to determine angular position changes using rate of change information. A display provides position changes from a reference position. Various alignment guides are useful with surgical instruments to obtain a reference plane.

Abstract: A device for detecting and measuring a change in angular position with respect to a reference plane is useful in surgical procedures for orienting various instruments, prosthesis, and implants with respect to anatomical landmarks. One embodiment of the device uses three orthogonal rate sensors, along with integrators and averagers, to determine angular position changes using rate of change information. A display provides position changes from a reference position. Various alignment guides are useful with surgical instruments to obtain a reference plane.

Abstract: A device for detecting and measuring a change in angular position with respect to a reference plane is useful in surgical procedures for orienting various instruments, prosthesis, and implants with respect to anatomical landmarks. One embodiment of the device uses three orthogonal rate sensors, along with integrators and averagers, to determine angular position changes using rate of change information. A display provides position changes from a reference position. Various alignment guides are useful with surgical instruments to obtain a reference plane.

Abstract: A device for detecting and measuring a change in angular position with respect to a reference plane is useful in surgical procedures for orienting various instruments, prosthesis, and implants with respect to anatomical landmarks. One embodiment of the device uses three orthogonal rate sensors, along with integrators and averagers, to determine angular position changes using rate of change information. A display provides position changes from a reference position. Various alignment guides are useful with surgical instruments to obtain a reference plane.

Abstract: A device for detecting and measuring a change in angular position with respect to a reference plane is useful in surgical procedures for orienting various instruments, prosthesis, and implants with respect to anatomical landmarks. One embodiment of the device uses three orthogonal rate sensors, along with integrators and averagers, to determine angular position changes using rate of change information. A display provides position changes from a reference position. Various alignment guides are useful with surgical instruments to obtain a reference plane.

Abstract: A patient-worn harness or vest protects at-risk patients from the possibly fatal results of heart arrhythmias. The harness or vest incorporates sensing electrodes for monitoring heart condition, a microprocessor and memory for processing signals received from the sending electrodes and comparing same with patient's data, and skin-contacting pulsing electrodes for applying electrical pulses to the patient's chest wall responsive to signals received from the microprocessor. The electrodes include automatic tightening and electrolyte gel release mechanisms for reducing impedance at the electrode-skin interface. A servicing subsystem is provided for the harness or vest and may be used to interface with the harness or vest and may be used to interface with the harness or vest and also to communicate with remote health care personnel through a suitable telephone link.

Abstract: A patient-worn harness or vest protects at-risk patients from the possibly fatal results of heart arrhythmias. The harness or vest incorporates sensing electrodes for monitoring heart condition, a microprocessor and memory for processing signals received from the sending electrodes and comparing same with patient's data, and skin-contacting pulsing electrodes for applying electrical pulses to the patient's chest wall responsive to signals received from the microprocessor. The electrodes include automatic tightening and electrolyte gel release mechanisms for reducing impedance at the electrode-skin interface. A servicing subsystem is provided for the harness or vest and may be used to interface with the harness or vest and also to communicate with remote health care personnel through a suitable telephone link.

Abstract: A data communications system for conveying load control commands, power usage data, and other data on electric power lines. A remote module for reading the power usage meters and controlling loads is disposed at each power usage location. A group of remote modules convey their power usage data to an associated communications terminal to be accumulated, organized and stored. The group also receives load control commands from the communications terminal to cause them to initiate specific load control functions. There are a plurality of communications terminals disposed at various intervals along the primary distribution feeders. A central control unit collects the usage data from the remote modules, generates load control commands, and the like. Communications between the control unit and a destination communications terminal are relayed by the intermediate communications terminals.