Abstract: A musical instrument signaling system (10) that is designed to alert a player of a hand-held musical instrument when to commence and stop playing the instrument. Typically, the hand-held musical instrument consists of a handbell as used by members of a bell choir. The system (10) is disclosed in five embodiments, wherein each embodiment has a transmitting circuit that includes a musical instrument such as a keyboard, and a receiving circuit. In the first, third and fifth embodiments a set of electrical signals containing the notes are transmitted through space. In the second and fourth embodiments the signals containing the notes are transmitted from the transmitter circuit to the receiving circuit by a hard-wired cable. In all five embodiments only the selected notes of a musical performance are sent to the bell ringers.

Abstract: A surgical structure includes a solid, biologically compatible material that dissolves in a physiologically functioning vessel within a few hours or days. A surgical structure as detailed herein facilitates the joinder of vessels with tissue adhesives and other surgically acceptable closures and is formed of solid physiologic saline, block copolymers such as polyethylene glycol, polysaccharides, polymerized proteins such as collagen or gelatin, and synthetic polymers such as poly lactic acid or poly glycolic acid. A method of sealing a vessel includes inserting a solid biologically compatible material surgical structure having an extending portion and an intersecting portion having two arms into an aperture within a vessel such that the extending portion of the surgical structure has a fluid opening extending from the vessel aperture. The structure dissolves within the vessel within a few hours or days.

Abstract: The invention relates to anastomosis stents and plugs comprised of a non-polyglycolic acid material that is resorbable by the patient in about a few minutes up to about 90 days. Such stents and plugs may be employed in surgical techniques wherein tissue is joined at an interface without need for sutures, optionally through use of a tissue sealant. As a result, interfacial tensile strengths of at least about 1.3N/cm2 may be achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to anastomosis stents and plugs comprised of a non-polyglycolic acid material that is resorbable by the patient in about a few minutes up to about 90 days. Such stents and plugs may be employed in surgical techniques wherein tissue is joined at an interface without need for sutures, optionally through use of a tissue sealant. As a result, interfacial tensile strengths of at least about 1.3N/cm2 may be achieved.