Abstract:
A detachable button system has a fixed component permanently attached to a garment and a detachable button component. The fixed component a disc-shaped base and a cylinder extending perpendicularly from said base, said cylinder featuring a plurality of tabs projecting perpendicularly from the cylinder and parallel to the base. The detachable portion had an interior cavity for receiving the cylinder, the interior cavity including a plurality of slots corresponding to the plurality of tabs, the slots receiving said tabs. The tabs vary across their width so as to provide a friction fit when the cylinder of the fixed component is inserted into the internal cavity of the detachable component and the detachable component is rotated.
Abstract:
A vascular graft comprises a perforate tubular compressible frame having a fabric liner disposed over at least a portion of the frames lumen. The graft may be used in combination with a base structure to form a bifurcated graft in situ. The base structure compresses a compressible frame having a fabric liner which defines a pair of divergent legs. The base structure is positioned within the aorta so that one leg enters each iliac. The tubular grafts can then be introduced into each leg to form the bifurcated structure. A graft delivery catheter includes a controllably flared sheath which facilitates recapture of a partially deployed graft.
Abstract:
A system for preventing thrombosis in an implantable medical device includes an implantable medical device sized for implantation at least partially within a patient's body. The device includes an at least partially electrically conductive portion that is disposed within a patient's body upon implantation, an electrode coupled to the electrically conductive portion of the device; and a power source coupled to the electrode. The power source provides a negative electric charge to the at least partially electrically conductive portion for an indefinite period of time. The device may be configured to resist thrombosis, infection, and/or undesired tissue growth via the charged conductive portion once implanted. Exemplary embodiments of the implantable medical device include a hemodialysis vasculature graft, a dialysis catheter, a coronary artery, and a heart valve.
Abstract:
A bowling scoring console is disclosed having a housing and a video display monitor mounted in the housing. The console may have one or more of a video game processor, an Internet access device, and a television receiver mounted in the housing and coupled to the display monitor. Methods are also disclosed for using a video game device and an Internet access device in a bowler staging area of a bowling center.
Abstract:
The present invention comprises a tubular shunt for insertion into a fluid vessel in a living creature constructed of an elastically deformable material that reduces in circumference when stretched longitudinally so that the ends of the shunt may be easily inserted into openings in a blood vessel and where the material expands circumferentially when allowed to axially contract such that the ends of shunt press against the vessel wall to secure the shunt and form a water tight seal to permit fluid to flow through the tubular conduit of the shunt. A method for shunting fluid-flow in a portion of a vessel in a living creature is also disclosed wherein a shunt of the present invention is stretched longitudinally so that the ends of the shunt contract and then inserted into a lumen of a blood vessel. Following insertion of the shunt, the shunt is allowed to return to its relaxed geometry so that it forms a fluid tight seal with the interior of the lumen.
Abstract:
A delivery catheter for a radially compressible tubular prosthesis comprises an elongate shaft slidably received within an elongate sheath. The prosthesis is carried over the distal end of the shaft where it is contained in a radially compressed configuration by the sheath. After introducing the catheter to a desired target location within a body lumen, the prosthesis may be released by proximally retracting the sheath. The prosthesis will remain anchored to the shaft during at least part of the release procedure, permitting the user to recapture the prosthesis by distally advancing the sheath.
Abstract:
A catheter assembly for performing transmyocardial revascularization through the coronary arteries or veins, and a method of using this assembly for creating TMR channels through the myocardium coronary artery shunts through the myocardium.
Abstract:
A system for preventing thrombosis in an implantable medical device includes an implantable medical device sized for implantation at least partially within a patient's body. The device includes an at least partially electrically conductive portion that is disposed within a patient's body upon implantation, an electrode coupled to the electrically conductive portion of the device; and a power source coupled to the electrode. The power source provides a negative electric charge to the at least partially electrically conductive portion for an indefinite period of time. The device may be configured to resist thrombosis, infection, and/or undesired tissue growth via the charged conductive portion once implanted. Exemplary embodiments of the implantable medical device include a hemodialysis vasculature graft, a dialysis catheter, a coronary artery, and a heart valve.
Abstract:
A detachable button system has a fixed base component permanently attached to a garment and a detachable button component. The base and the detachable button components each have cooperating attachment elements that allow the components when assembled to function as a button. The button component may be easily detached by the user, and replaced with a different button component. The attachment elements may be a mateable combination of a slotted abutment cylinder and cooperating pin catch, a mateable combination of a threaded cylinder and threaded pin, or the like. The base component may have a disc or shank which can be sewn or otherwise attached to the garment.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are provided for determining the pressure-volume relationship for one or more chambers of a heart. An implantable device includes a catheter including a distal end sized for introduction into a chamber of a heart, a pressure sensor for measuring pressure within the chamber, and a resistance sensor for measuring fluid resistance within the chamber. A processor coupled to the catheter obtains pressure data from the pressure sensor and fluid resistance data from the resistance sensor. The processor approximates fluid volume within the chamber as a function of time and determines one or more pressure-volume loops based upon the pressure data and the fluid volume. In one embodiment, the catheter is a lead including a pacing electrode and a controller including the processor delivers pulses to the pacing electrode based upon the pressure-volume loops to deliver electrical therapy to the heart.