Abstract: A system and method involve transceiving successive first and second synchronization signals defining endpoints of a frame. A digital signal is transceived by a modulating time interval between portions of the first and second synchronization signals. A first data pulse is transceived during the frame. A relative position in the frame of the first data pulse represents a first analog signal.

Abstract: Endocardial pressure measurement devices, systems and methods for the effective treatment of congestive heart failure and its underlying causes, in addition to other clinical applications.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments present improved catheters with physiological sensors. In one embodiment, the catheter includes, generally, a pressure transducer/electronics assembly connected to a pressure transmission catheter. The pressure transmission catheter includes a hollow tube made from a low compliance material. The distal end of the hollow tube is filled with a gel-like material or plug which acts as a barrier between the catheter liquid and the target fluid. The hollow tube is partially filled with a low viscosity liquid and is in fluid communication with the gel-like material and the pressure transducer. The pressure of the target fluid is transmitted to the liquid in the hollow tube through the gel-like material and/or the wall of the distal tip and is fluidically transmitted to the pressure transducer. The pressure transmission catheter is capable of being inserted into a vessel lumen or inserted into a lumen of a therapeutic or diagnostic catheter for biomedical applications.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments present improved catheters with physiological sensors. In one embodiment, the catheter includes, generally, a pressure transducer/electronics assembly connected to a pressure transmission catheter. The pressure transmission catheter includes a hollow tube made from a low compliance material. The distal end of the hollow tube is filled with a gel-like material or plug which acts as a barrier between the catheter liquid and the target fluid. The hollow tube is partially filled with a low viscosity liquid and is in fluid communication with the gel-like material and the pressure transducer. The pressure of the target fluid is transmitted to the liquid in the hollow tube through the gel-like material and/or the wall of the distal tip and is fluidically transmitted to the pressure transducer. The pressure transmission catheter is capable of being inserted into a vessel lumen or inserted into a lumen of a therapeutic or diagnostic catheter for biomedical applications.

Abstract: A quick-change vise including a T-shaped clamp extending from within a jaw member which engages a T-shaped channel in a jaw blank to releasably secure the jaw blank to the jaw member. The jaw blank may be provided with a parallel bar or angle parallel to provided horizontal or angled supporting surfaces to a workpiece held in the vise. The jaw blank may be positioned in reversible positions on the clamp. Additionally, the jaw blank may be made of an extrudable metal such as aluminum.

Abstract: A quick-change vise including a T-shaped clamp extending from within a jaw member which engages a T-shaped channel in a jaw blank to releasably secure the jaw blank to the jaw member. The jaw blank may be provided with a parallel bar or angle parallel to provide horizontal or angled supporting surfaces to a workpiece held in the vise. The jaw blank may be positioned in reversible positions on the clamp. Additionally, the jaw blank may be made of an extrudable metal such as aluminum.

Abstract: Measurement of a physiological pressure is accomplished by placement of a pressure transmitting catheter within a blood vessel or other structure within which pressure is to be measured. The catheter is blood-compatible, capable of withstanding handling during distribution and implantation, and provides adequate pressure transmission frequency response in a variety of applications. The catheter, which includes a hollow flexible tube filled with a low viscosity fluid and having a plug of a gel-like material at its distal end, transmits the pressure signal to a solid-state transducer which is typically connected to amplifying electronics and an implantable radio-transmitter capable of relaying the pressure information from within the body to a radio receiver located external to the body.

Abstract: A device capable of sensing pressure allows the sensor and amplifying electronics to be packaged in a very small size and implanted within the body. The sensor consists of a small catheter, the tip of which is placed at the point at which pressure is to be measured, attached to a solid-state pressure sensor. The catheter is filled with a fluid and is connected to an implantable infusion pump which dispenses through the lumen of the catheter, heparin or other drug which inhibits thrombogenisis.

Abstract: A telemetry system includes a transmitter, which is either placed in the vagina or is implanted in the vulvular or vaginal tissue, and a receiver. The transmitter is capable of measuring physiological parameters which are indicative or predictive of the occurrence of estrus. These parameters may include but are not limited to tissue impedance, temperature and activity of the animal. This provides a pulsed method of measuring impedance of vulvular or vaginal tissue which enhances the marketability of such a device by reducing its size, weight and complexity without sacrificing accuracy or reliability. Data telemetered from this device is preferably collected by a computer and automatically analyzed to provide a report to the farm manager as to which animals are in estrus or are expected to be in estrus at a given time.

Abstract: A programmable cardiac pacemaker that is selectively programmable via a radio frequency communications link into one of a plurality of a single and dual chamber pacing modes. Depending upon the mode selected, an associated plurality of pacing parameters may be programmed, each within a predetermined range of possible magnitudes.The pacemaker includes a rate smoothing function for preventing the rate interval from changing by more than a predetermined percentage on a cycle-to-cycle basis; and a graceful degradation function for causing the ventricular pacing rate to decay when the atrial rate exceeds a programmed upper rate limit for a predetermined length of time. A graceful degration onset time and rate of decay are also programmable. Additionally, the pacemaker contains a set of pre-programmed alternative pacing parameters for at least one mode and which can be independently reverted to.The pacemaker control circuitry is organized about a central bus into an I/O controller and a pacing controller.

Abstract: A sensing circuit for a cardiac stimulator which can adapt to the use therewith of either bipolar leads or unipolar leads without the need for telemetric programming of a switch internal to the implanted pacemaker. If a unipolar lead is plugged into the terminal receptacle of the pacer at the time of implant, the pacer will sense R-wave activity and other artifacts between a distal tip electrode and the metal body of the pacemaker, but if a bipolar lead is plugged into that same receptacle at the time of implant, the pacer will sense such artifacts between a tip electrode and a ring electrode spaced a predetermined short distance proximally of the tip electrode along the surface of the lead body.

Abstract: A stringed instrument pick of highly resilient spring material and preferably of a Beryllium Copper alloy and the like, whereby thickness is reduced to a distinct range of thinness conducive to accuracy in performance, and with initial deflections followed by instantaneous return to a planar condition without permanent deformation, for the predictable positioning of the picking edge within the fractional second time frame of plucking.

Abstract: An electrical pacer device which responds to cardiac demand so as to alter the cardiac output in a fashion to satisfy that demand. Changes in the fundamental period of the atrial electrical cycle are detected and averaged over a predetermined time interval and the resulting control signal is used to raise and lower the ventricular heart rate to increase and decrease the aforesaid cardiac output. At the same time, means are provided for continuously driving the ventricular rate toward a predetermined lower rate (the at rest rate) on a time cycle which is significantly longer than the above-mentioned predetermined time interval.