Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed technology are directed to a self-contained, totally implantable blood pump that replaces the whole heart. It is a small spherical device that encloses all of its blood propulsion dynamics. The dynamics are controlled by a built-in microcontroller that regulates the speed of the motor in response to hemodynamic changes like blood pressure fluctuations, level of body activity, and/or posture. The hemodynamic changes are detected using a plurality of sensors disposed around the body. An implantable transcutaneously rechargeable battery provides power to the microcontroller, motor and/or sensors.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed technology are directed to a self-contained, totally implantable blood pump that replaces the whole heart. It is a small spherical device that encloses all of its blood propulsion dynamics. The dynamics are controlled by a built-in microcontroller that regulates the speed of the motor in response to hemodynamic changes like blood pressure fluctuations, level of body activity, and/or posture. The hemodynamic changes are detected using a plurality of sensors disposed around the body. An implantable transcutaneously rechargeable battery provides power to the microcontroller, motor and/or sensors.

Abstract: A highly maneuverable surgical scissors at the end of an 8 mm. diameter flexible arm 45 cm. in length and controlable by a scissors handle at the opposite end is designed for modern thoracoscopic and laparoscopic surgery through a "button-hole" access port in a minimally invasive procedure.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated surgical tool operated with video assistance through a small incision in a patient's chest for entering and expanding the mitral heart valve, The mitral valve dilator is a catheter-like element 4.5 cm, long and 8 mm, in diameter with a plurality of longitudinal arms that may be spread out to a 5 cm. diameter. The position of the arms is manually controlled by the application of pressure through a narrow flexible hydraulic control arm.

Abstract: For patients requiring intra-aortic balloon (IAB) therapy but cannot take it through the usual femoral artery, it is necessary to open the chest to directly insert the IAB directly to the artery. A new process includes a transthoracic aortic sleeve of teflon or woven dacron tubing 30-40 cm. long formed with a brim at the aortic end and a closed conical exterior end. The conical exterior end is threading through a small incision in the skin and the conical end is then cut off and replaced with a one-way valve. Then a purse string closure is stitched on the adventitial wall of the aorta around the IAB entry point, the sutures of the purse string passing into the sleeve brim. A small incision is then made in the center of the purse string, the IAB is inserted and the purse string tightened and tied. The sleeve prevents blood loss into the chest cavity and keeps all blood loss to a minimum, especially during removal of the IAB.

Abstract: A one-way fluid valve formed of a parallel plurality of one-way valve cells, each cell comprising three flexible leaflets each bonded to 1/3 of the edge of a hexagonal opening in a frame, their free center edges joining to close upon pressure from one side and separating to open the valve upon pressure from the opposite side of the frame.

Abstract: A catheter and fluid pumping apparatus and the method for bypassing portions of the heart to temporarily reduce the work load on the heart muscle. A double tube catheter is introduced into the femoral vein or artery and is advanced into the ventricle where blood is drawn and mechanically pumped back into the heart at a position downstream, such as the aorta or the pulmonary artery. The desired cardiac circulation can be maintained while relieving the load on the heart muscle to enable it to rebuild its strength.

Abstract: A surgical wound closure in which none of the closure elements contact the wound surface includes a pair of flexible and pliable plastic skeleton rods having facing surfaces connectable together by alternate buttons and sockets. The outer surfaces of the rods support a plurality of pins that extend outward and downward to a position below the lower surface of the interconnected rods and which then terminate in inward curved sharpened points for engaging the skin about 8 mm each side of the wound edges. Each pin is provided with a plastic coating which ends short of the curved point to serve as a stop to limit the insertion of the pin.

Abstract: A caliper calibrated for the direct reading of electrocardiogram tracings. Each arm of the caliper is calibrated and is read by indexing the calibration against a curved index line on the opposite arm which is varied by the spacing between the caliper points. One such calibration represents the duration in seconds of the various deflections or complexes and a second calibration represents the amplitudes of a deflection in millivolts. On the reverse side of the caliper, an arm is calibrated to indicate frequency in deflections per minute between adjacent similar deflections or a count between three such intervals. A pair of coaxial calibrated discs attached for rotation about the caliper pivot provides a rapid and accurate means for the determination of mean vector and therefore axis deviation.