Abstract: In one general aspect, a cuff for attachment to a heart includes an attachment component configured to engage a blood pump to attach the cuff to the blood pump and a sewing ring for attachment to the heart. The sewing ring is coupled to the attachment component, and the attachment component and the sewing ring each define a central opening configured to admit an inflow cannula of a blood pump. The sewing ring comprises a member that provides rigidity to flatten a portion of a myocardium of the heart when the cuff is attached to the heart.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a cuff for attachment to a heart includes an attachment component configured to engage a blood pump to attach the cuff to the blood pump and a sewing ring for attachment to the heart. The sewing ring is coupled to the attachment component, and the attachment component and the sewing ring each define a central opening configured to admit an inflow cannula of a blood pump. The sewing ring comprises a member that provides rigidity to flatten a portion of a myocardium of the heart when the cuff is attached to the heart.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a cuff for attachment to a heart includes an attachment component configured to engage a blood pump to attach the cuff to the blood pump and a sewing ring for attachment to the heart. The sewing ring is coupled to the attachment component, and the attachment component and the sewing ring each define a central opening configured to admit an inflow cannula of a blood pump. The sewing ring comprises a member that provides rigidity to flatten a portion of a myocardium of the heart when the cuff is attached to the heart.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for determining human expiratory flow rate, comprising a peak flow meter and a zone calculator. The peak flow meter is used to determine what the user's peak expiratory flow rate is in conjunction with medical data compiled on the zone calculator. The individual's peak expiratory flow rate and predetermined sub-optimal values are applied to the peak flow meter as color zone settings. The peak flow meter thus set is ready for the individual to use to determine whether he is functioning in the peak expiratory flow rate color zone, or one of the sub-optimal expiratory flow rate color zones. The color zones correspond to specific remedial measures to be followed by the individual in case of sub-optimal expiratory flow rate.

Abstract: A golfing apparatus for use with a golf club to teach a golfer how to putt or chip a golf ball, the apparatus including a housing, a stroke arm extending outward from the housing, an attachment structure communicating with the stroke arm for rigidly securing the golf club to the stroke arm at or near the head of the golf club, and an actuating device communicating with the stroke arm for moving the stroke arm. In one embodiment, the actuating device includes a motor mounted within the housing on a horizontal gear rack, and a stroke arm attachment assembly connecting the stroke arm to the motor. The stroke arm attachment assembly includes a stroke arm vertical movement device, such as another motor or a bearing. The actuating device moves the stroke farm from an initial position through a predetermined stroke distance so as to teach the golfer gripping the moving golf club a proper putting or chipping golf stroke by the development of muscle memory.

Abstract: A peak respiratory flow monitor utilizes an enclosure having a series of openings through the wall thereof, a provision for covering a desired number of these openings, and a provision for generating a signal when the air flow through the enclosure reaches a threshold. In a preferred embodiment the enclosure includes an elongated tubular member, and the threshold indicator is a reed placed in a chamber that has an adjustable valve for calibrating the flow past the reed. Furthermore, the chamber causes a displacement of flow from along the longitudinal axis of the tubular member.

Abstract: A device for calibrating a Spirometer includes a hand driven syringe having magnetic elements displaced along the shaft of the syringe piston at intervals corresponding to designated volumes. A Hall effect transducer senses the passage of the magnetic when the syringe piston is actuated and transmitts pulses to a timer so that average rate of flow delivered by the syringe can be derived.