Abstract: A method of operating an implantable blood pump and a pacing device, the method includes determining an end diastolic volume (EDV) and ejection fraction of one from the group consisting of the right ventricle and the left ventricle at a predetermined pump set speed. An average flow rate based on the predetermined pump set speed is determined. A target heart rate based at least in part on the determined EDV, ejection fraction, and average flow rate is determined. A lower rate for the pacing device is determined, the pacing device being in electrical communication with a chamber of the heart. The chamber of the heart is paced when a measured heart rate drops below the lower rate.

Abstract: A method and device apparatus to deliver a pacing therapy capable of remodeling a patient's heart over a period of time that includes delivering remodeling pacing during a first interval, the first interval comprising a first rate and a first duration, determining whether to adjust one or both of the first rate and the first duration during delivery of remodeling pacing during a next interval subsequent to the first interval, and delivering remodeling pacing during the next interval in response to the determining, wherein the next interval comprises one of the first rate and the first duration of the first interval and the adjusted one or both of the first rate and the first duration.

Abstract: A plurality of laterals operably associated with a treatment unit for treating water and/or wastewater. The plurality of laterals can form many systems including a sludge removal system and a fluid scour system. The treatment unit can take many forms including but not limited to a filter and a sludge collection basin. Preferably, each of the plurality of laterals has a hollow passageway for permitting at least one of a fluid and a material to flow through each of the plurality of laterals. Each of the plurality of laterals includes means for permitting cleaning of a corresponding lateral to remove one or more obstructions obstructing the flow of one of a fluid and a material through at least a portion of the hollow passageway without damaging or altering the corresponding lateral. Preferably, the means for cleaning is configured to seal an opening in the corresponding lateral.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a filter system for filtering water or wastewater. The apparatus includes at least one underdrain lateral. The at least one underdrain lateral has at least an inner chamber, a first outer chamber and a second outer chamber. The first outer chamber and the second outer chamber are preferably in fluid communication with the inner chamber. The inner chamber, the first outer chamber and the second outer chamber are preferably formed by an inner liner and an outer liner. The outer liner is a separate piece from the inner liner and surrounds the inner liner. The inner chamber is preferably configured to simultaneously receive a liquid and a gas during a washing procedure including simultaneous use of a liquid and gas to clean a filter bed to create a liquid and gas interface in the inner chamber.

Abstract: A plurality of laterals operably associated with a treatment unit for treating water and/or wastewater. The plurality of laterals can form many systems including a sludge removal system and a fluid scour system. The treatment unit can take many forms including but not limited to a filter and a sludge collection basin. Preferably, each of the plurality of laterals has a hollow passageway for permitting at least one of a fluid and a material to flow through each of the plurality of laterals. Each of the plurality of laterals includes means for permitting cleaning of a corresponding lateral to remove one or more obstructions obstructing the flow of one of a fluid and a material through at least a portion of the hollow passageway without damaging or altering the corresponding lateral. Preferably, the means for cleaning is configured to seal an opening in the corresponding lateral.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a filter system for filtering water or wastewater. The apparatus includes at least one underdrain lateral. The at least one underdrain lateral has at least an inner chamber, a first outer chamber and a second outer chamber. The first outer chamber and the second outer chamber are preferably in fluid communication with the inner chamber. The inner chamber, the first outer chamber and the second outer chamber are preferably formed by an inner liner and an outer liner. The outer liner is a separate piece from the inner liner and surrounds the inner liner. The inner chamber is preferably configured to simultaneously receive a liquid and a gas during a washing procedure including simultaneous use of a liquid and gas to clean a filter bed to create a liquid and gas interface in the inner chamber.

Abstract: A medical device capable of delivering automatic rate-adjusting pacing therapies is provided having an adjustable upper rate limit responsive to an indication of myocardial irritability. The device, which may be embodied as a pacemaker, a pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator, or the like, responds to the detection of an arrhythmia as an indicator of myocardial irritability by adjusting an upper rate limit. The adjusted upper rate limit is applied as the maximum allowable pacing rate during delivery of any pacing therapies previously defined as “long-term” pacing therapies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining oversensing in a medical device that includes sensing cardiac signals and detecting cardiac events via a first electrode configuration, determining the presence of an episode event in response to the detected cardiac events, and sensing the cardiac signals via a second electrode configuration. Amplitudes associated with a predetermined number of cardiac signals sensed via the second electrode configuration corresponding to the event episode are determined, and delivery of therapy is controlled in response to the determined amplitudes.

Abstract: A method of predicting an arrhythmia, such as ventricular tachycardia, for example, in a medical device using a quantitative measure in order to allow assessment of patient risk and to enable preventative interventions by the device and clinicians. The trending of day and night average heart rates, along with patient physical activity can be analyzed to provide prediction of impending arrhythmia within weeks.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing the velocity of a rider in or on an open cockpit vehicle when the rider is thrown from the vehicle are disclosed. The present invention provides a drag-reducing device such as a parachute or parawing that is affixed to the rider so that when a crash occurs, the rider is slowed down after ejection and therefore more likely to survive the crash without severe injuries. The present invention is preferably used in conjunction with a motorcycle and includes a sensor system for sensing the imminence or occurrence of a crash an/or the ejection of the rider from the vehicle. A transmitter receiver system is used to relay a signal to a deployment system that is attached to the rider as part of a system containing the drag inducing device, which rapidly deployed, thereby causing the velocity of the ejected rider to be reduced and providing the further benefit of lifting the rider away from the crash site.