Abstract: Disclosed are a backlight and a method of driving the same to provide a uniform low intensity source of light for a liquid crystal display. The fluorescent lamp includes a fluorescent lamp and a drive circuit coupled to the anode and to the cathode of the fluorescent lamp for supplying the fluorescent lamp with a drive current. First and second longitudinally extending substantially transparent conductor members are disposed externally along the length of the lamp. A radio frequency (RF) signal generator connected to each of the first and second longitudinally extending conductor members drives the first and second conductor members with an RF signal to generate a dynamic RF electric field within the glass tube.

Abstract: The heart valve prosthesis has a generally annular base that has an annular body and diametrically opposite chordal segments having generally parallel flat surfaces. Each chordal segment has a pair of spherical recesses opening through the flat surface, the spherical recesses having ears of a pair of leaflets pivotally extending therein for movement between valve open and closed positions. For improving blood flow characteristics, each chordal segment has an upstream conical surface that is tapered generally radially inwardly in a downstream direction and a downstream conical surface that is tapered generally radially inwardly in an upstream direction. The conical surfaces intersect the flat surfaces.