Abstract: A cardiac harness is configured to fit about a portion of a patient's heart so as to exert a compressive force on the heart during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. The harness can be constructed of a plurality of individual modules assembled ex vivo or in vivo. The modules can have different physical characteristics, such as having different compliance, and may or may not include spring hinges. Portions of a cardiac harness can be connected to each other using a coupling mechanism such as, for example, a zip coupler.

Abstract: A cardiac harness is configured to fit about a portion of a patient's heart so as to exert a compressive force on the heart during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. The harness can be constructed of a plurality of individual modules assembled ex vivo or in vivo. The modules can have different physical characteristics, such as having different compliance, and may or may not include spring hinges. Portions of a cardiac harness can be connected to each other using a coupling mechanism such as, for example, a zip coupler.

Abstract: A cardiac harness is configured to fit about a portion of a patient's heart so as to exert a compressive force on the heart during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. The harness can be constructed of a plurality of individual modules assembled ex vivo or in vivo. The modules can have different physical characteristics, such as having different compliance, and may or may not include spring hinges. Portions of a cardiac harness can be connected to each other using a coupling mechanism such as, for example, a zip coupler.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capturing debris generated from a procedure on a human's extremities having a support bar that can be removably secured to an item of furniture, a flexible or rigid frame secured to the support bar adapted to receive a flexible receptacle, and at least one flexible receptacle placed upon or removably secured to the frame. Procedures include, but are not limited to, podiatry, manicure, and pedicure.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and a method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more interconnective elements. The individual radially expandable cylindrical elements consist of ribbon-like material disposed in an undulating pattern. Portions of the expanded stent project outwardly into engagement with the vessel wall to more securely attach the stent.

Abstract: A cardiac harness is configured to fit about a portion of a patient's heart so as to exert a compressive force on the heart during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. The harness can be constructed of a plurality of individual modules assembled ex vivo or in vivo. The modules can have different physical characteristics, such as having different compliance, and may or may not include spring hinges. Portions of a cardiac harness can be connected to each other using a coupling mechanism such as, for example, a zip coupler.

Abstract: A cardiac harness is configured to fit about a portion of a patient's heart so as to exert a compressive force on the heart during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. The harness can be constructed of a plurality of individual modules assembled ex vivo or in vivo. The modules can have different physical characteristics, such as having different compliance, and may or may not include spring hinges. Portions of a cardiac harness can be connected to each other using a coupling mechanism such as, for example, a zip coupler.

Abstract: A cardiac harness is configured to fit about a portion of a patient's heart so as to exert a compressive force on the heart during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. The harness can be constructed of a plurality of individual modules assembled ex vivo or in vivo. The modules can have different physical characteristics, such as having different compliance, and may or may not include spring hinges. Portions of a cardiac harness can be connected to each other using a coupling mechanism such as, for example, a zip coupler.

Abstract: A cardiac harness is configured to fit about a portion of a patient's heart so as to exert a compressive force on the heart during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. The harness can be constructed of a plurality of individual modules assembled ex vivo or in vivo. The modules can have different physical characteristics, such as having different compliance, and may or may not include spring hinges. Portions of a cardiac harness can be connected to each other using a coupling mechanism such as, for example, a zip coupler.

Abstract: A cardiac harness is configured to fit about a portion of a patient's heart so as to exert a compressive force on the heart during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. The harness can be constructed of a plurality of individual modules assembled ex vivo or in vivo. The modules can have different physical characteristics, such as having different compliance, and may or may not include spring hinges. Portions of a cardiac harness can be connected to each other using a coupling mechanism such as, for example, a zip coupler.

Abstract: A stent loading mechanism for automatically loading a stent onto a balloon delivery catheter of the kind used in typical percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedures. The device comprises a tubular member housing an elongated elastic bladder that surrounds the stent to be loaded. The distal end of the balloon catheter assembly and the stent are placed inside the tubular member and the bladder is inflated to compress and affix the stent onto the outside of the catheter assembly.

Abstract: The method for mounting an intravascular stent on the distal end of a catheter. The stent-loading device includes at least two substantially flat surfaces, that are parallel to each other, and that have relative sliding movement while remaining parallel. A stent is placed on the distal end of a catheter and positioned between the substantially flat surfaces which are then moved in an orthogonal direction relative to each other while simultaneous compressive force is applied to the stent. The stent is progressively crimped onto the catheter.

Abstract: A stent-loading mechanism for loading a stent onto a balloon delivery catheter of the kind typically used in typical percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedures.The device comprises a series of plates having substantially flat and parallel surfaces that move in a rectilinear fashion with respect to each another. A stent carrying catheter can be disposed between these surfaces to affix the stent onto the outside of the catheter by relative motion between the plates. The plates have multiple degrees of freedom and may have force-indicating transducers to measure and indicate the force applied to the catheter during affixation of the stent.