Abstract: Computer implemented methods and associated systems are disclosed for processing electrical signals recorded from the heart and, more particularly, for objectively deriving sub-components and comparing signals and their sub-components.

Abstract: A system and a computed implemented methodology is disclosed for processing electrical signals recorded from the heart and, more particularly, for objectively deriving sub-components and comparing signals and their sub-components.

Abstract: A method of lubricating a moving surface is herein described wherein the lubricant composition contains a fatty acid, a neutralization agent, a pH buffer, and a carrier. Also described are compositions in both concentrate and dilute form. The compositions may also comprise additional functional ingredients.

Abstract: A medical device, and related method, use epicardial ablators and detectors for intraoperative epicardial approaches to ablation therapy of cardiac conduction pathways. An epicardial gripper is sized to grasp the cardiac circumference or smaller structures on the epicardial surface of the heart. Ablators are disposed on the arms of the gripper for epicardial ablation of cardiac conduction tissue. In another embodiment of the invention, an electrode system includes a flexible, adjustable probe forming a loop for epicardial ablation. Ablators are provided on one or multiple surfaces of the probe for epicardial ablation of cardiac conduction tissue. In yet another embodiment of the invention, an endocardial ablator detection system provides an indicator adjacent an ablator on an endocardial catheter, and a detector on an epicardial probe.

Abstract: Retroreflective articles having multilayer films are useful for commercial graphics and retroreflective products, such as roll-up signs for highway transportation safety. The articles comprise multilayer films having at least one layer of polyurethane and at least one layer of a copolymer of alkylene and at least one non-acidic, polar co-monomer. Articles having the new multilayer films provide the same or improved performance, are less expensive, and offer improved methods for manufacturing, when compared to prior articles.

Abstract: A medical device, and related method, use epicardial ablators and detectors for intraoperative epicardial approaches to ablation therapy of cardiac conduction pathways. An epicardial gripper is sized to grasp the cardiac circumference or smaller structures on the epicardial surface of the heart. Ablators are disposed on the arms of the gripper for epicardial ablation of cardiac conduction tissue. In another embodiment of the invention, an electrode system includes a flexible, adjustable probe forming a loop for epicardial ablation. Ablators are provided on one or multiple surfaces of the probe for epicardial ablation of cardiac conduction tissue. In yet another embodiment of the invention, an endocardial ablator detection system provides an indicator adjacent an ablator on an endocardial catheter, and a detector on an epicardial probe.

Abstract: A method of treating cardiac arrhythmia, including guiding a distal end portion of a catheter, the distal end portion having a distal tip and accommodating an elongated configuration of ablation electrodes, from the inferior vena cava into the right atrium of a human heart, guiding the distal end portion from the right atrium into the right ventricle of the heart, deflecting the distal tip into a hook configuration, pulling the catheter towards the inferior vena cava until the hook configuration engages the tricuspid annulus of the heart and the configuration of electrodes engages the isthmus of tissue between the tricuspid annulus and the inferior vena cava of the heart, and activating the configuration of electrodes to produce a substantially continuous lesion on the isthmus of tissue.

Abstract: A device for tissue ablation and a method of using the device.

Abstract: A medical device, and related method, use epicardial ablators and detectors for intraoperative epicardial approaches to ablation therapy of cardiac conduction pathways. An epicardial gripper is sized to grasp the cardiac circumference or smaller structures on the epicardial surface of the heart. Ablators are disposed on the arms of the gripper for epicardial ablation of cardiac conduction tissue. In another embodiment of the invention, an electrode system includes a flexible, adjustable probe forming a loop for epicardial ablation. Ablators are provided on one or multiple surfaces of the probe for epicardial ablation of cardiac conduction tissue. In yet another embodiment of the invention, an endocardial ablator detection system provides an indicator adjacent an ablator on an endocardial catheter, and a detector on an epicardial probe.

Abstract: A medical device, and related method, use epicardial ablators and detectors for intraoperative epicardial approaches to ablation therapy of cardiac conduction pathways. An epicardial gripper is sized to grasp the cardiac circumference or smaller structures on the epicardial surface of the heart. Ablators are disposed on the arms of the gripper for epicardial ablation of cardiac conduction tissue. In another embodiment of the invention, an electrode system includes a flexible, adjustable probe forming a loop for epicardial ablation. Ablators are provided on one or multiple surfaces of the probe for epicardial ablation of cardiac conduction tissue. In yet another embodiment of the invention, an endocardial ablator detection system provides an indicator adjacent an ablator on an endocardial catheter, and a detector on an epicardial probe.

Abstract: A method of treating cardiac arrhythmia, including guiding a distal end portion of a catheter, the distal end portion having a distal tip and accommodating an elongated configuration of ablation electrodes, from the inferior vena cava into the right atrium of a human heart, guiding the distal end portion from the right atrium into the right ventricle of the heart, deflecting the distal tip into a hook configuration, pulling the catheter towards the inferior vena cava until the hook configuration engages the tricuspid annulus of the heart and the configuration of electrodes engages the isthmus of tissue between the tricuspid annulus and the inferior vena cava of the heart, and activating the configuration of electrodes to produce a substantially continuous lesion on the isthmus of tissue.

Abstract: A method of treating cardiac arrhythmia, including guiding a distal end portion of a catheter, the distal end portion having a distal tip and accommodating an elongated configuration of ablation electrodes, from the inferior vena cava into the right atrium of a human heart, guiding the distal end portion from the right atrium into the right ventricle of the heart, deflecting the distal tip into a hook configuration, pulling the catheter towards the inferior vena cava until the hook configuration engages the tricuspid annulus of the heart and the configuration of electrodes engages the isthmus of tissue between the tricuspid annulus and the inferior vena cava of the heart, and activating the configuration of electrodes to produce a substantially continuous lesion on the isthmus of tissue.

Abstract: A method and system for lysing a patient's heart tissue causing or involved with arrhythmia which includes an intravascular catheter with a relatively inelastic occlusion balloon on the distal end of the catheter which is inflated to block an artery or vein of the patient's heart so than when lysing fluid such as an ethanol solution is discharged from the distal port in the catheter the inflated balloon prevents the proximal refluxing of lysing medium into undesirable areas of the patient's heart. The inelastic balloon is configured to be inflated to a diameter of about 0.7 to about 1.3, preferably about 0.8 to about 1.2, times the diameter of the blood vessel in which the balloon is to be inflated so as to effectively occlude the passageway without damaging the wall of the blood vessel. The working length of the balloon is less than about 1.5 cm, preferably less than 0.75 cm.

Abstract: A multi-layer article comprises a fluoropolymer layer comprising interpolymerized units derived from vinylidene fluoride, and a melt-processable, substantially non-fluorinated polymer layer comprising a polyamide, polyimide, polyurethane, or a carboxyl, anhydride, or imide functionalized polyolefin. The non-fluorinated polymer layer further contains an aliphatic di-, or polyamine which provides increased adhesion between the fluoropolymer layer and the non-fluorinated polymer layer.

Abstract: A method and system for lysing a patient's heart tissue causing or involved with arrhythmia which includes an intravascular catheter with a relatively inelastic occlusion balloon on the distal end of the catheter which is inflated to block an artery or vein of the patient's heart so than when lysing fluid such as an ethanol solution is discharged from the distal port in the catheter the inflated balloon prevents the proximal refluxing of lysing medium into undesirable areas of the patient's heart. The inelastic balloon is configured to be inflated to a diameter of about 0.7 to about 1.3, preferably about 0.8 to about 1.2, times the diameter of the blood vessel in which the balloon is to be inflated so as to effectively occlude the passageway without damaging the wall of the blood vessel. The working length of the balloon is less than about 1.5 cm, preferably less than 0.75 cm.

Abstract: The invention provides electrographic imaging sheets comprising a substrate carrying a layer of dielectric material which has abhesive properties suitable for the release of a multicolored toner image from the dielectric surface during image transfer, while also having good toning properties during the several development stages of a multicolor toner imaging process.

Abstract: This application discloses a core/shell latex thermal adhesive comprising a thermally softenable polymeric shell having a Tg of greater than 20.degree.C., and a thermally softenable, crosslinked polymeric core having a Tg of less than 20.degree. C., the difference between the Tg of the core and the shell being at least 10.degree.C. This application also discloses a thermally activated adhesive composition comprising:a) from about 50 to 100 parts of a transparent film-forming core/shell latex polymer, wherein the ratio of core to shell of said core/shell latex polymer ranges from about 20/80 to about 80/20,the shell having a Tg above 20.degree. C. and the core having a Tg below 20.degree. C. with the core having a Tg lower than the Tg of the shell by at least 10.degree. C.

Abstract: A method and system for lysing a patient's heart tissue causing or involved with arrhythmia which includes an intravascular catheter with a relatively inelastic occlusion balloon on the distal end of the catheter which is inflated to block an artery or vein of the patient's heart so than when lysing fluid such as an ethanol solution is discharged from the distal port in the catheter the inflated balloon prevents the proximal refluxing of lysing medium into undesirable areas of the patient's heart. The inelastic balloon is configured to be inflated to a diameter of about 0.7 to about 1.3, preferably about 0.8 to about 1.2, times the diameter of the blood vessel in which the balloon is to be inflated so as to effectively occlude the passageway without damaging the wall of the blood vessel. The working length of the balloon is less than about 1.5 cm, preferably less than 0.75 cm.

Abstract: The invention provides electrographic imaging sheets comprising a substrate carrying a layer of dielectric material which has abhesive properties suitable for the release of a multicolored toner image from the dielectric surface during image transfer, while also having good toning properties during the several development stages of a multicolor toner imaging process.

Abstract: A method for increasing the adhesion of a first layer comprising fluoropolymer to a second layer comprising a melt-processable, substantially non-fluorinated polymer is disclosed. The method comprises mixing, preferably in a melt, an aliphatic di- or polyamine of less than 1,000 molecular weight with the melt-processable, substantially non-fluorinated polymer. The resulting multi-layer compositions and articles comprising the composition are also disclosed.