Abstract: A system and method for cardiac assist of a heart in a beating stage comprising a double balloon catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter having at least one lumen; an inflatable intra-ventricular balloon mounted on the catheter near the distal end of the catheter, the balloon having a lumen in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter and being configured for inflation in a ventricle; and an intra-aortic balloon mounted on the catheter proximally to the intra-ventricular balloon; a control unit comprising a bidirectional pump; a fluid reservoir; and a processor configured to activate the pump; wherein the proximal end of the catheter is configured for attachment to the control unit to form a fluid conduction system in which fluid is configured to be pumped by the pump between the fluid reservoir and the intra-ventricular balloon and the intra-aortic balloon; and systolic augmentation comprising a new pressure wave which is generated when said balloon is inflated at the end of th

Abstract: A system and method for cardiac assist of a heart in a beating stage comprising a double balloon catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter having at least one lumen; an inflatable intra-ventricular balloon mounted on the catheter near the distal end of the catheter, the balloon having a lumen in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter and being configured for inflation in a ventricle; and an intra-aortic balloon mounted on the catheter proximally to the intra-ventricular balloon; a control unit comprising a bidirectional pump; a fluid reservoir; and a processor configured to activate the pump; wherein the proximal end of the catheter is configured for attachment to the control unit to form a fluid conduction system in which fluid is configured to be pumped by the pump between the fluid reservoir and the intra-ventricular balloon and the intra-aortic balloon; and systolic augmentation comprising a new pressure wave which is generated when said balloon is inflated at the end of th

Abstract: A system and method for cardiac assist of a heart. The system comprises a catheter on which is mounted an inflatable balloon configured for inflation inside a ventricle. The system preferably includes a fluid pump and a processor configured to activate the pump to inflate the intra-ventricular balloon in the ventricle during a predetermined first phase of the cardiac cycle and to deflate the balloon during a predetermined second phase of the cardiac cycle. The predetermined first phase may be the end of the slow ejection phase corresponding to the ascending part of the T wave, and the predetermined second phase may begin at the peak of systolic augmentation resulting from inflation of the balloon which corresponds to the descending part of the T-wave. The method of the invention includes delivering the balloon to a ventricle of the heart and transiently inflating the balloon to achieve a predetermined intra-ventricular systolic pressure.

Abstract: A method for delivering acetyl salicylic acid to an individual via oral mucosal absorption by providing a melting capsule which includes a therapeutic amount of an acetyl salicylic acid; and administering the capsule sublingually in the patient such that the capsule melts at the individual's body temperature and delivers the acetyl salicylic acid directly into the bloodstream of the individual quickly and without complications; and a melting capsule comprised of a material that has the same melting point as the human body temperature and includes a therapeutic amount of an acetyl salicylic acid liquid or powder having a pH in the range of 2 to 7.

Abstract: A method for delivering a composition for use in treatment and prevention of vascular disease by providing a vehicle for delivery of the composition to an individual, wherein the composition contains a combination of aspirin and resveratrol; administering the vehicle to the mouth of the individual, wherein the vehicle melts at the body temperature of the individual such that the aspirin and resveratrol is absorbed thru the oral mucosa and delivered directly into the inidvidual's bloodstream; and a related melting capsule comprised of a material that has the same melting point as the human body temperature and includes aspirin in the range of 81 to 325 mg and resveratrol in the range of 10 to 300 mg.

Abstract: A medicinal melting capsule comprised of a material that has the same melting point as the human body temperature and includes a therapeutic amount of medication for use in treatment of a desired medical condition; wherein the medication has been modified for oral mucosal absorption; and a related method for delivering medication to an individual via oral mucosal absorption comprising the steps of providing a melting capsule comprised of a material, that has the same melting point as the human body temperature, and includes a therapeutic amount of medication for use in treatment of a desired medical condition; modifying said medication by manipulating the solvent, pH, buffer material and/or polarity to adjust for oral mucosal absorption; administering the capsule sublingually in the patient such that the capsule melts at the individual's body temperature and delivers the medication directly into the bloodstream of the individual quickly and without gastric complications.

Abstract: A method to deliver salicylic acid to the blood comprised of sublingual administration of a salicylic salt and specifically a method to treat cardiac conditions including myocardial infarctions and angina, comprising sublingual administration of a salicylic salt to a patient suffering from a cardiac condition, wherein said salicylic salt is either a liquid spray or tablet; such that a therapeutic dose of salicylic acid is delivered to the blood of the patient in less than 4 minutes.

Abstract: A system and method for cardiac assist of a heart. The system comprises a catheter on which is mounted an inflatable balloon configured for inflation inside a ventricle. The system preferably includes a fluid pump and a processor configured to activate the pump to inflate the intra-ventricular balloon in the ventricle during a predetermined first phase of the cardiac cycle and to deflate the balloon during a predetermined second phase of the cardiac cycle. The predetermined first phase may be the end of the slow ejection phase corresponding to the ascending part of the T wave, and the predetermined second phase may begin at the peak of systolic augmentation resulting from inflation of the balloon which corresponds to the descending part of the T-wave.

Abstract: A suturing implement particularly useful in surgical operations for suturing a member, such as a prosthetic valve, to tissue at the suture site by a plurality of sutures each including a needle attached to at least one end. The implement comprises a manually grippable handle; pledget gripping members carried by the handle for gripping a plurality of pledgets each in a position to be pierced by a suture needle; and a releasing device carried by the handle for actuating the pledget gripping means to release the pledgets and the sutures applied thereto from the handle.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for performing a tracheostomy operation wherein the trachea is penetrated using a syringe needle (23) attached to a syringe (20) to form a small opening in the trachea. A guide wire (30) is inserted into the trachea through the needle (23) and after the syringe (20) is removed from the needle. The needle (23) is then removed from the trachea leaving the guide wire (30) inserted in the trachea. An instrument (T) specifically adapted for use in tracheostomy operations is inserted into the small trachea opening produced by the needle (23) while being guided by the guide wire (30). The instrument (T) being opened after insertion into the trachea to widen the trachea opening and a cannula for insertion into the opening of the trachea after having been widened by the instrument (T).

Abstract: A cardiac valve has an annular body of unsupported natural or artificial tissue. The annular body has a bishop's miter shape with a cylindrical end and a pair of diametrically-opposite triangular flap portions extending therefrom. Each flap portion has a free apical end.

Abstract: A surgical instrument to aid in suturing a prosthetic valve into a heart annulus, comprises: a manually grippable handle, a holder carried at one end of the handle for releasably holding a prosthetic valve to be pre-loaded thereon, a first ring fixed to the handle and securing thereto one end of a plurality of sutures to be pre-loaded onto the handle with each suture carrying a needle at its opposite end passing through the prosthetic valve when pre-loaded on the handle; and a second ring fixed to the handle for releasably retaining the plurality of sutures each pre-loaded in folded condition on the handle and extending longitudinally thereof. The two rings are located on the handle such that each suture has a length between the prosthetic valve and the needle-carrying end of the suture which is at least twice the length of the suture between the secured one end and the prosthetic valve.