Abstract: A device for administration of substances onto an epicardial surface of a heart includes a frame structure for at least partially encircling a circumference of the heart which is able to assume shaping, positioning, guiding and stabilizing functions. The frame structure may be coupled to a heart-shaped sleeve. A substance carrier for accommodating the substances to be administered may be coupled to the device.

Abstract: A device for the administration of substances onto the epicardial surface of the heart includes a frame structure for at least partially encircling a circumference of the heart which is able to assume shaping, positioning, guiding and stabilizing functions. The frame structure may be coupled to a heart-shaped sleeve. A substance carrier for accommodating the substance to be administered may be coupled to the device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cardiac augmentation device including an actuator configured to apply pressure to a heart to augment a pumping function of the heart, a sensor system configured to record two or more different ECG leads at the augmented heart. The cardiac augmentation device additionally includes a controller configured to determine one or more control parameters for the cardiac augmentation device using one or more of the two or more ECG leads and control operation of the actuator based on the determined one or more control parameters.

Abstract: A heart support system featuring a constraint sized to fit about at least a portion of an adult human heart in a living body, an expandable chamber disposed within the constraint so as to apply pressure against the heart when expanded and a connector system including a pneumatic connection port in hydraulic communication with the expandable chamber. The heart support system can include a supply unit with: a source of pressurized fluid and a pneumatic supply line extending from the pressurized fluid source. The pneumatic supply line is connectable to the pneumatic connection port.

Abstract: A heart support system featuring a sleeve sized to fit about at least a portion of an adult human heart in a living body, the sleeve having an inner surface arranged to contact the heart in use and a sheath extending about and constraining the sleeve. At least one of the sheath and sleeve carry a discrete mark detectable from outside the body with the sheath and sleeve implanted within the body. The position of the support system about the heart can be determined with reference to the mark.

Abstract: A method of implanting a cardiac device featuring the insertion of an inner seal member through an opening in a pericardium about a living human heart. The inner seal member has a first sealing lip disposed inside the pericardium and surrounding an aperture through the inner seal member. An outer seal member is aligned with the inner seal member. The outer seal member has a second sealing lip disposed outside the pericardium, surrounding an aperture through the outer seal member. The inner seal member is secured to the outer seal member. The firsts sealing lip is engaged against an inner surface of the pericardium. The second sealing lip is engaged against an outer surface of the pericardium. A cardiac device is inserted into the pericardium through the apertures of the inner and outer seal members.

Abstract: A method of implanting a cardiac device featuring the insertion of an inner seal member through an opening in a pericardium about a living human heart. The inner seal member has a first sealing lip disposed inside the pericardium and surrounding an aperture through the inner seal member. An outer seal member is aligned with the inner seal member. The outer seal member has a second sealing lip disposed outside the pericardium, surrounding an aperture through the outer seal member. The inner seal member is secured to the outer seal member. The firsts sealing lip is engaged against an inner surface of the pericardium. The second sealing lip is engaged against an outer surface of the pericardium. A cardiac device is inserted into the pericardium through the apertures of the inner and outer seal members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the administration of substances onto the epicardial surface of the heart. The device comprises a frame structure which is able to assume shaping, positioning, guiding and stabilizing functions. The frame structure may contain at least one sleeve. The device comprises a substance carrier which is able to accommodate the substance to be administered.

Abstract: A method of implanting a cardiac device featuring the insertion of an inner seal member through an opening in a pericardium about a living human heart. The inner seal member has a first sealing lip disposed inside the pericardium and surrounding an aperture through the inner seal member. An outer seal member is aligned with the inner seal member. The outer seal member has a second sealing lip disposed outside the pericardium, surrounding an aperture through the outer seal member. The inner seal member is secured to the outer seal member. The firsts sealing lip is engaged against an inner surface of the pericardium. The second sealing lip is engaged against an outer surface of the pericardium. A cardiac device is inserted into the pericardium through the apertures of the inner and outer seal members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for buffing tread from a tire carcass, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a sensor at a first lateral location along a width of the tread; receiving a first signal from the sensor, the first signal generated as a function of a distance between the sensor and a belt in the tire and a tire characteristic; selecting a first signal response curve from a plurality of signal response curves based upon the first lateral location of the sensor, the selected signal response curve representing the function of the distance between the sensor and the tire belt and the tire characteristic; determining from the response curve the distance between the sensor and the belt for the signal response received; buffing tread from the tire until the distance between the sensor and the belt reaches a final distance. The steps are repeated at a second lateral location.

Abstract: Methods, computer programs, and apparatus for applying a layer of cushion gum to a tire casing in preparation for the retreading of the tire casing, the steps of the methods including selecting one of a plurality recipes for applying cushion gum based on one of a size, model and shape of the tire casing; pressurizing the tire casing to a predetermined pressure based on the recipe; crushing the tire casing by an extruder head a predetermined percentage of the tire casing radius or a predetermined distance, the predetermined percentage based on the recipe; and extruding the cushion gum from the extruder head. The extruder head may be translatable by way of a screw drive.

Abstract: Methods, computer programs, and apparatus for applying a layer of cushion gum to a tire casing in preparation for the retreading of the tire casing, the steps of the methods including selecting one of a plurality recipes for applying cushion gum based on one of a size, model and shape of the tire casing; pressurizing the tire casing to a predetermined pressure based on the recipe; crushing the tire casing by an extruder head a predetermined percentage of the tire casing radius or a predetermined distance, the predetermined percentage based on the recipe; and extruding the cushion gum from the extruder head. The extruder head may be translatable by way of a screw drive.

Abstract: A heart support system featuring a constraint sized to fit about at least a portion of an adult human heart in a living body, an expandable chamber disposed within the constraint so as to apply pressure against the heart when expanded and a connector system including a pneumatic connection port in hydraulic communication with the expandable chamber. The heart support system can include a supply unit with: a source of pressurized fluid and a pneumatic supply line extending from the pressurized fluid source. The pneumatic supply line is connectable to the pneumatic connection port.

Abstract: A method of sheathing a heart including inserting an expandable heart sheath into a living body with the sheath held in a collapsed state. The sheath is released to allow the sheath to expand inside the body. At least a portion of the heart within the body is surrounded by the expanded sheath. The method of forming a custom heart sheath includes determining a three-dimensional outer surface of a particular heart, determining a desired three-dimensional shape of a sheath for the particular heart, as a function of a shape of the determined outer surface of the heart and then forming a custom heart sheath to have the desired three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: A heart support system featuring a sheath sized to fit about at least a portion of an adult human heart in a living body, an expansion sleeve disposed within the sheath and sized to fit about the heart and a sensor sleeve disposed within the sheath and sized to fit about the heart. The expansion sleeve is at least partially defining an expandable chamber. The sensor sleeve carries at least one sensor electrically responsive to a heart parameter.

Abstract: A method of implanting a cardiac device featuring the insertion of an inner seal member through an opening in a pericardium about a living human heart. The inner seal member has a first sealing lip disposed inside the pericardium and surrounding an aperture through the inner seal member. An outer seal member is aligned with the inner seal member. The outer seal member has a second sealing lip disposed outside the pericardium, surrounding an aperture through the outer seal member. The inner seal member is secured to the outer seal member. The firsts sealing lip is engaged against an inner surface of the pericardium. The second sealing lip is engaged against an outer surface of the pericardium. A cardiac device is inserted into the pericardium through the apertures of the inner and outer seal members.

Abstract: A heart support system featuring a sleeve sized to fit about at least a portion of an adult human heart in a living body, the sleeve having an inner surface arranged to contact the heart in use and a sheath extending about and constraining the sleeve. At least one of the sheath and sleeve carry a discrete mark detectable from outside the body with the sheath and sleeve implanted within the body. The position of the support system about the heart can be determined with reference to the mark.

Abstract: A heart support featuring a sheath sized to fit about at least a portion of an adult human heart in a living body and an expandable chamber disposed within the sheath so as to apply pressure against the heart when expanded. The expandable chamber is at least partially defined by a foldable chamber wall that folds with the chamber in a collapsed state, and unfolds as the chamber expands.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for collecting debris generated during a tire buffing operation on a tire buffing machine, the tire buffing machine having a cutting head cutting surface rotatable about a cutting head axis. The system includes a rotatable shroud being rotatable about a shroud axis, the shroud comprising a side member surrounding a majority of the cutting head cutting surface, a cutting head access window to expose the cutting head for buffing the tire casing, and a vacuum suction port that is adjacent to the cutting head access window. The system may further include a driver to rotate the shroud during buffing, wherein rotating the shroud during buffing aligns the vacuum suction port with the projected path of debris being discharged from the cutting head cutting surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for buffing tread from a tire carcass, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a sensor at a first lateral location along a width of the tread; receiving a first signal from the sensor, the first signal generated as a function of a distance between the sensor and a belt in the tire and a tire characteristic; selecting a first signal response curve from a plurality of signal response curves based upon the first lateral location of the sensor, the selected signal response curve representing the function of the distance between the sensor and the tire belt and the tire characteristic; determining from the response curve the distance between the sensor and the belt for the signal response received; buffing tread from the tire until the distance between the sensor and the belt reaches a final distance. The steps are repeated at a second lateral location.