Abstract: Various methods and devices are disclosed for improving cardiac function in hearts having zones of infarcted (akinetic) and aneurysmal (dyskinetic) tissue regions. The methods and devices reduce the radius of curvature in walls of the heart proximal infarcted and aneurysmal regions to reduce wall stress and improve pumping efficiency. The inventive methods and related devices include splinting of the chamber wall proximal the infarcted region and various other devices and methods including suture and patch techniques.

Abstract: A method of protecting an upper body and a lower body of a patient from high venous pressures comprising implanting a first stented valve at the superior vena cava and a second stented valve at the inferior vena cava, wherein the first and second valves are configured to permit blood flow towards a right atrium of the patient and prevent blood flow in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A method of protecting an upper and a lower body of a patient from high venous pressures comprising: providing an elongate valve stent, wherein the stent comprises a first stent member with a first tissue valve secured to a first support structure being disposed at a first end of the stent and a second stent member with a second tissue valve secured to a second support structure being disposed at an opposite second end of the stent, wherein both support structures are collapsibly expandable, the second end being connected to the first end with at least one elongate connecting member; passing the elongate valve stent through a blood vessel with the first and second support structures in a collapsed position; and securing the first support structure to an inferior vena cava and the second support structure to a superior vena cava with both support structures in an expanded shape.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use with an inflow cannula (12) of a ventricular assist device (VAD) (14). The cannula (12) has a first part (30) for connecting with a ventricle (22) of a heart (24) and a second part (32) for connecting with the VAD (14). The apparatus (10) comprises a flexible conduit (60) having oppositely disposed first and second ends (70 and 72) and a main body portion (68) intermediate the ends. The main body portion (68) is movable between a radially collapsed closed condition in which blood flow through the conduit (60) is blocked and a radially expanded open condition in which blood flow through the conduit is unrestricted. A first connector (64) connects the first end (70) of the conduit (60) to the first part (30) of the inflow cannula (12). A second connector (62 and 66) connects the second end (72) of the conduit (60) to the second part (32) of the inflow cannula (12).

Abstract: Various methods and devices are disclosed for improving cardiac function in hearts having zones of infarcted (akinetic) and aneurysmal (dyskinetic) tissue regions. The methods and devices reduce the radius of curvature in walls of the heart proximal infarcted and aneurysmal regions to reduce wall stress and improve pumping efficiency. The inventive methods and related devices include splinting of the chamber wall proximal the infarcted region and various other devices and methods including suture and patch techniques.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring having a three-dimensional discontinuous form generally arranged about an axis with two free ends that are axially offset. The ring is particularly suited for repair of the tricuspid valve, and more closely conforms to the annulus shape. The ring is more flexible in bending about radially extending axes than about the central axis. A deliver template having a mounting ring with about the same shape as the ring facilitates implant, and may be releasably attached to a delivery handle. The deliver template may include a plurality of cutting guides for releasably attaching the annuloplasty ring thereto while presenting maximum outer surface area of the ring. The template may have an outwardly-facing groove to receive and retain the ring.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use with an inflow cannula (12) of a ventricular assist device (VAD) (14). The cannula (12) has a first part (30) for connecting with a ventricle (22) of a heart (24) and a second part (32) for connecting with the VAD (14). The apparatus (10) comprises a flexible conduit (60) having oppositely disposed first and second ends (70 and 72) and a main body portion (68) intermediate the ends. The main body portion (68) is movable between a radially collapsed closed condition in which blood flow through the conduit (60) is blocked and a radially expanded open condition in which blood flow through the conduit is unrestricted. A first connector (64) connects the first end (70) of the conduit (60) to the first part (30) of the inflow cannula (12). A second connector (62 and 66) connects the second end (72) of the conduit (60) to the second part (32) of the inflow cannula (12).

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring having a three-dimensional discontinuous form generally arranged about an axis with two free ends that are axially offset. The ring is particularly suited for repair of the tricuspid valve, and more closely conforms to the annulus shape. The ring is more flexible in bending about radially extending axes than about the central axis. The ring may have an inner structural support covered by a pliable sleeve and/or a fabric tube. The structural support may have a varying cross-section, such as a C-shaped cross-section in a mid-section between two free ends and a rectangular cross-section at the free ends. A deliver template having a mounting ring with about the same shape as the ring facilitates implant, and may be releasably attached to a delivery handle. The deliver template may include a plurality of cutting guides for releasably attaching the annuloplasty ring thereto while presenting maximum outer surface area of the ring.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring having a three-dimensional discontinuous form generally arranged about an axis with two free ends that are axially offset. The ring is particularly suited for repair of the tricuspid valve, and more closely conforms to the annulus shape. The ring is more flexible in bending about radially extending axes than about the central axis. A deliver template having a mounting ring with about the same shape as the ring facilitates implant, and may be releasably attached to a delivery handle. The deliver template may include a plurality of cutting guides for releasably attaching the annuloplasty ring thereto while presenting maximum outer surface area of the ring. The template may have an outwardly-facing groove to receive and retain the ring.

Abstract: A method triggers a printer (106) to receive a trigger to initiate an embedding algorithm (220), receive the print data (228); read the printer configuration data (230); encode the configuration data (230); insert the configuration data (230) into the print data (228); send the print data (228) to a printhead (206); and print the data. The printed data is then scanned, run through analysis software, and the embedded data is returned. The embedded data can then be used to diagnose printer problems or as a digital notary.

Abstract: A recoil reduction lock for a gun prevents a recoil reduction device from compressing until a shell is discharged. The lock is adjustable so that it may be used with different gun stocks. The lock may be configured to work with a wide variety of existing recoil reduction devices. The lock includes an inertia lock that prevents a gun stock from collapsing until the discharge of a shell moves the inertia lock to an unlocked position. The inertia lock rapidly returns to its resting position enabling the gun to be rapidly fired again.

Abstract: A recoil reduction device for a gun includes a gun stock having forward and rear portions that move with respect to each other. Recoil reduction springs are disposed between the movable portions of the stock to absorb the recoil force. The springs are disposed around pins that extend rearwardly from a block. The pins include stops that limit the movement of the rear portion of the stock. The stops may also be used in combination with a recoil reduction lock and a secondary recoil reduction device.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are disclosed for improving cardiac function in hearts having zones of infarcted (akinetic) and aneurysmal (dyskinetic) tissue regions. The methods and devices reduce the radius of curvature in walls of the heart proximal infarcted and aneurysmal regions to reduce wall stress and improve pumping efficiency. The inventive methods and related devices include splinting of the chamber wall proximal the infarcted region and various other devices and methods including suture and patch techniques.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are disclosed for improving cardiac function in hearts having zones of infarcted (akinetic) and aneurysmal (dyskinetic) tissue regions. The methods and devices reduce the radius of curvature in walls of the heart proximal infarcted and aneurysmal regions to reduce wall stress and improve pumping efficiency. The inventive methods and related devices include splinting of the chamber wall proximal the infarcted region and various other devices and methods including suture and patch techniques.

Abstract: A recoil reduction device for a gun includes a gun stock having forward and rear portions that move with respect to each other. Recoil reduction springs are disposed between the movable portions of the stock to absorb the recoil force. The springs are disposed around pins that extend rearwardly from a block. The pins include stops that limit the movement of the rear portion of the stock. The stops may also be used in combination with a recoil reduction lock and a secondary recoil reduction device.

Abstract: A cylindrical tank arranged with its axis horizontal has an inlet at the top, at one end, arranged to direct drainage water mixed with oil onto the upper portion of a first sloping and transversely corrugated baffle member of less height than the tank but extending transversely across its interior. Spaced parallel baffle plates, also transversely corrugated and of less width than the tank, direct flow from the first baffle member upwardly and inwardly. A clarified water outlet extends to near the bottom of the tank at the other end and an oil withdrawing conduit is arranged to withdraw oil from the upper region of the tank near that other end. The tank is also provided with a sludge arresting baffle plate across its bottom and a sludge withdrawal access opening at its top.