Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for removal of buried objects. According to one embodiment of the invention, a crane with a vibrator casing driver is used to lift and suspend a large diameter steel casing over the buried object. Then the casing is driven into the ground by the vibratory driver until the casing surrounds the buried object. Then the open bottom of the casing is sealed shut by injecting grout into the ground within the casing near its bottom. When the seal has cured and hardened, the top of the casing is lifted to retrieve the casing, with the buried object inside, from the ground.

Abstract: An internal component arrangement within a battery pack housing having multiple cells and adapted for cordless power tools may provide desired mechanical support to constrain the cells. The housing with internal component arrangement is configured to route sensing wires from the cells to an electronics module of the pack.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for removal of buried objects. According to one embodiment of the invention, a crane with a vibrator casing driver is used to lift and suspend a large diameter steel casing over the buried object. Then the casing is driven into the ground by the vibratory driver until the casing surrounds the buried object. Then the open bottom of the casing is sealed shut by injecting grout into the ground within the casing near its bottom. When the seal has cured and hardened, the top of the casing is lifted to retrieve the casing, with the buried object inside, from the ground.

Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a system to dissipate heat from the battery pack.

Abstract: A battery pack for a cordless power tool and a cordless power tool and battery pack combination includes the battery pack having a retention member that pivotally engages a retention member of the power tool and a latch system in which one of the battery pack and power tool has a ball and the other of the power tool and battery pack has a latch that engages the ball. Spring biased actuators may be used to open the latch to enable insertion or release of the ball from the latch.

Abstract: A method for the placement of subterranean electrodes is disclosed and which includes the steps of providing an earth engaging drill; forming a bore hole in the surface of the earth with the earth engaging drill; providing an electrode; and delivering the electrode into the bore hole by employing the earth engaging drill.

Abstract: A battery pack for a cordless power has a plurality of battery cells disposed in a housing. In an embodiment of the invention, battery cells are interconnected with a laminated plate structure having non-conductive layers interspersed with conductive layers, at least one of the conductive layers connected to the battery cells to interconnect them. In an embodiment of the invention, battery cells in a battery pack are interconnected with a flexible printed circuit board having conductive traces thereon that are attached to the battery cells to interconnect them. In an embodiment of the invention, a cordless power tool has one or the other of the foregoing battery packs. In an embodiment of the invention, the battery cells are Lithium Ion battery cells.

Abstract: An economical and efficient method for forming a waste containing monolith which meets applicable waste disposal laws, rules and regulations. Removable walls are attached to at least one side of the monolith, thereby forming an interior volume defined by the removable walls and at least one side of the monolith. Waste is placed within the interior volume, whereupon it is submerged in a flowable, curable, monolith forming material (typically concrete) by filling the interior volume with a monolith forming material, and allowing the monolith forming material to cure to a solidified state, thereby forming an expanded monolith integral with the existing monolith. The walls are then removed, thereby leaving the waste encased within said expanded monolith and allowing the removable walls to be reused for further expansion of the monolith.

Abstract: A method of retrieving liquid from a below-ground collection area by permitting gravity flow of the liquid from the collection area to a first closed container; monitoring the level of the liquid in the closed container; and after the liquid reaches a given level in the first closed container, transferring the liquid to a second closed container disposed at a location above the first closed container, via a conduit, by introducing into the first closed container a gas which is substantially chemically inert with respect to the liquid, the gas being at a pressure sufficient to propel the liquid from the first closed container to the second closed container.

Abstract: A ventricular assist device for temporary assistance to persons with failing or damaged hearts. A container includes inlet and outlet ports to the patient's circulatory system and a pumping component. It can also include a power source, and control elements, as well as other ventricular assist components. The pumping component operates off of a power supply, consumes a low amount of power, produces good pumping efficiency, and circulates the blood in an advantageous flow pattern with minimal trauma to the blood. The pumping device utilizes a moveable tubular member in which is positioned a one-way valve. The tubular moveable member is put in fluid communication with the flow path from inlet to outlet ports of the pumping component. The tubular member is reciprocatable by, for example, a solenoid and a return spring.

Abstract: A system for pumping of fluids, particularly biological fluids such as blood, including a tubular length of magnetostrictive material. One-way valves are positioned generally in opposite ends of the tubular material. Fluid flow conduits are connected to the opposite ends of the tubular material. A magnetic field is imposed, generally by an electric coil, in a pulsed fashion to the tubular material to cause alternatingly magnetostriction and relaxation of the tubular material. This causes a reciprocating variation in the distance between the one-way valves which oppositely are opened and closed to produce a pumping action through the tubular material.

Abstract: Below-grade, textural-break foundation wall structures are provided for inhibiting diffusion and advection of liquids and gases into and out from a surrounding hydrogeologic environment. The foundation wall structure includes a foundation wall having an interior and exterior surface and a porous medium disposed around a portion of the exterior surface. The structure further includes a modular barrier disposed around a portion of the porous medium. The modular barrier is substantially removable from the hydrogeologic environment.

Abstract: A method for installing a ventricular assist device cannula of a novel type including a blood drainage cannula tube having a first end and a second end and a blood inlet cannula tube having a first end and a second end with the tubes being attached together to form a sealed section having a convex outer periphery. The method includes making an opening in a heart, inserting the blood drainage cannula tube through the opening whereby the first end is disposed in a heart chamber and at the same time inserting the blood inlet cannula tube through the opening and also inserting it through the aortic valve so that the first end thereof is disposed in the aorta. At the convex surface, the ventricular assist device cannula is sutured to the heart to hold it in place and to prevent blood drainage therearound.

Abstract: An artificial valve is provided which includes a holder for the sutures and needles. The holder positions the needles away from the valve but in a position where they may be readily reached during the valve replacement operation. The sutures are prethreaded through the valve sewing ring and are color coded for identification purposes when opposite ends are being tied together at the completion of the implantation procedure.

Abstract: A retractor apparatus for use in harvesting mammary arteries during heart by-pass surgery including an elongated member having a first arm operably attached thereto which extends generally transversely to the elongated member. Structure is provided for attachment to the first arm member for holding one side of a cut in a patient's chest. A second arm member is disposed generally transversely with respect to the elongated member and includes a mechanism for movably attaching the second arm member to the elongated member so that the distance of the second arm member from the first arm member can be adjusted. Rake retractors are operably attached to the second bar for grasping the other side of a cut in the patient's chest.

Abstract: Velcro type coacting flexible gripping elements are provided on the bottom of a fastener carried by the rider's shoe and on the top of a pedal fastener connected to the bicycle pedal which allow for quick fastening of the foot to the pedal and release when desired. The foot fastener includes a strap extending around the instep of the foot and may optionally include a second strap extending around the heel while the pedal fastener includes a strap extending around the pedal.

Abstract: A transcutaneous connector is routed from within the internal regions of the body through an aperture formed in a bone located closely adjacent the outer body skin such as the iliac crest. An air tube connector extends from a balloon heart pump within the body through the iliac crest and is connected to an external gas drive means.

Abstract: A parallel aorta passageway is provided with its upper end being connected to the aorta in close proximity to the heart. The opposite ends of the parallel aorta are grafted to the aorta without interrupting the blood flow through the heart and circulatory system. The parallel aorta is received in an outer tube with a balloon being positioned between the inner and outer tubes. An air line extends from the lower end of the balloon through the ribs under the flesh and out of the body through a hole drilled in the iliac crest. The tube is connected to an external control unit synchronized with the heart to provide counter pulsations 180.degree. out of phase with the heart pulsations.