All The Claims

1. A myocardial lead attachment system for securing a distal end of a lead within a myocardium of a patient’s heart, the system comprising:
an anchor;
a tether coupled to the anchor; and
a delivery instrument for receiving and advancing the anchor through a tract in the heart from a proximal entrance site to a distal exit site in such a manner that the tether extends proximally from the anchor through the tract, said delivery instrument comprising:
a needle having a distal tip and a nest positioned proximal to the distal tip and sized to receive the anchor, and
an ejection mechanism for ejecting the anchor from the nest.
2. The lead attachment system of claim 1 wherein the ejection mechanism further comprises an actuator for ejecting the anchor from the nest.
3. The lead attachment system of claim 1 wherein a distal portion of the needle is formed with a radial curvature.
4. The lead attachment system of claim 2 wherein the ejection mechanism further comprises an elongated member slidable from a retracted position to an extended position in response to actuation of the actuator to engage the anchor mechanism.
5. The lead attachment system of claim 4 further comprising:
a mechanical stop for limiting extension of the elongated member; and
a resilient member biasing the actuator to retract the elongated member.
6. The lead attachment system of claim 1 wherein the delivery instrument further comprises:
a distal electrically active area on the needle; and
a conductive member for connecting the electrically active area to an external electrical device.
7. The lead attachment system of claim 1 wherein the nest further includes a slot for receiving the tether.
8. The lead attachment system of claim 1 wherein the nest includes a ramp adapted to assist in ejection of the anchor.
9. The lead attachment system of claim 1 further comprising a lead body having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least a first electrode near the distal end, said lead body adapted to advance over the tether through the tract.
10. The lead attachment system of claim 9 wherein the lead body is a unipolar lead.
11. The lead attachment system of claim 10 wherein the lead body includes a second electrode spaced apart the first electrode apart by about at least 2 cm.
12. The lead attachment system of claim 9 wherein the lead body is a pseudo-unipolar lead.
13. The lead attachment system of claim 9 wherein the lead body is a bipolar lead.
14. A myocardial lead attachment system for securing a distal end of a lead within a myocardium of a patient’s heart, the system comprising:
an anchor having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough;
a tether coupled to the anchor; and
a delivery instrument for receiving and advancing the anchor through a tract in the heart from a proximal entrance site to a distal exit site in such a manner that the tether extends proximally from the anchor through the tract, said delivery instrument comprising:
a needle having a proximal end, a distal end formed with a nest for receiving the anchor and a central lumen extending therethrough;
a stylet slidably received in the needle lumen and the anchor bore, and
an ejector plug formed on the stylet for engaging the anchor.
15. The lead attachment system of claim 14 wherein the nest is an open sleeve at the distal end of the needle.
16. The lead attachment system of claim 15 wherein the nest has an internal stop for transmitting an axial force to the anchor.
17. The lead attachment system of claim 15 wherein the anchor has a proximal region sized to be received in the nest and a distal region sized to be retained outside of the nest.
18. The lead attachment system of claim 15 wherein the anchor has a tapered distal face shaped to dissect the tissue of the myocardium.
19. The lead attachment system of claim 14 wherein the stylet has a pointed distal end shaped to dissect the tissue of the myocardium.
20. A method for using a delivery instrument to implant a myocardial lead into the heart, said lead having at least a first electrode, the method comprising:
mating a myocardial anchor coupled to a tether to a distal end of the delivery instrument;
advancing the distal end of the delivery instrument through a tract in the heart;
deploying the anchor into the heart;
withdrawing the delivery instrument through the tract in such a manner that the tether extends through the tract;
threading a myocardial lead onto the tether; and
advancing the lead over the tether into the heart.
21. The method of claim 20 further comprising:
advancing the anchor through the epicardium, into the myocardium, and back through the epicardium; and
deploying the anchor mechanism on the epicardial surface.
22. The method of claim 20 further comprising:
advancing the anchor through the epicardium, into the myocardium and through the endocardium; and
deploying the anchor on the endocardial surface.
23. The method of claim 20 further comprising:
advancing the anchor through the epicardium and into the myocardium; and
deploying the anchor into the myocardium.
24. The method of claim 20 further comprising:
advancing the anchor into the pericardium and out of the pericardium without traversing the epicardium; and
deploying the anchor on the pericardial surface.
25. The method of claim 20 further comprising advancing the lead body until the first electrode is in contact with the heart.
26. The method of claim 20 further comprising advancing the lead body until the first electrode is in contact with the myocardium.
27. The method of claim 26 wherein the lead body includes a second electrode proximal to the first electrode and further comprising advancing the lead body until the second electrode is at least partially in contact with the heart.
28. The method of claim 27 further comprising advancing the lead body until the second electrode straddles the epicardium.
29. The method of claim 27 further comprising advancing the lead body until the second electrode is in contact with the myocardium.
30. The method of claim 20 further comprising:
forming a working channel and a visual channel to the heart with an endoscopic probe; and
advancing the anchor and delivery instrument to the heart through the working channel.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A pulley adjusting system comprising:
a housing having a pulling eye and an opening on a surface of the housing, and
an insert having an opening on a surface thereof, the insert and the housing being slidably connected,
wherein the insert is operatively connected to a belt.
2. A pulley adjusting system comprising:
a housing having an opening on a surface thereof, and
an insert having a pulling eye and an opening on a surface of the insert, the insert and the housing being slidably connected,
wherein the insert is operatively connected to a belt.

1. A method of generating a symmetrical graphical image representative of a personal profile of a subject, comprising;
acquiring a plurality of personal attributes of the subject through an assessment tool;
storing the plurality of personal attributes on a first computer system;
translating each personal attribute to a numeric value;
selecting a graphical element;
creating a plurality of facets, each facet being created by,
(a) utilizing numeric values from a set of the plurality of personal attributes to spatially arrange the graphical element, wherein a first numeric value defines a location of the graphical element in the spatial arrangement, a second numeric value defines a size of the graphical element in the spatial arrangement, a third numeric value defines an orientation of the graphical element in the spatial arrangement, and a fourth numeric value defines a color of the graphical element, and
(b) mirroring spatially arranged graphical elements to create one of the plurality of facets;

wherein the plurality of facets are created such that a first one of the plurality of facets has a different number of sides than a second one of the plurality of facets;
combining the plurality of facets in a repetitive multi-layered layout to form a symmetrical three dimensional graphical image as a visual representation of the personal profile of the; and
displaying the symmetrical three dimensional graphical image.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the assessment tool includes a plurality of questions directed to personality traits of the subject.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality of personal attributes is acquired from answers to the plurality of questions directed to personality traits of the subject.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of personal attributes are acquired by way of the subject accessing the assessment tool through a second computer system connected over a communication network to a website which resides on the first computer system.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of graphical elements includes formatting features used to indicate relative importance of the plurality of personal attributes to the personal profile of the subject.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the formatting features are selected from a group consisting of graphical element shape, dimensions, size, orientation, color, line weight, line continuity, angle, and shading.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of graphical elements within the symmetrical graphical image are located in relative positions and with consideration of relative importance of each of the plurality of personal attributes to the personal profile of the subject.
8. A method of producing a visual representation of a personal profile, comprising:
acquiring personal attributes through an assessment tool;
translating each personal attribute to a numeric value;
selecting a graphical element;
creating a plurality of facets, each facet being created by,
(a) utilizing numeric values from a set of the plurality of personal attributes to spatially arrange the graphical element, wherein a first numeric value defines a location of the graphical element in the spatial arrangement, a second numeric value defines a size of the graphical element in the spatial arrangement, and a third numeric value defines an orientation of the graphical element in the spatial arrangement, and
(b) mirroring spatially arranged graphical elements to create one of the plurality of facets;

wherein the plurality of facets are created such that a first one of the plurality of facets has a different number of sides than a second one of the plurality of facets;
combining the plurality of facets in a repetitive layout to form a symmetrical graphical image as a visual representation of the personal; and
displaying the symmetrical graphical image.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the graphical elements within the symmetrical graphical image are located in relative positions and with consideration of relative importance of each of the personal attributes to the personal profile.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the symmetrical graphical image includes a multi-layer arrangement of the graphical elements.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the assessment tool includes a plurality of questions.
12. The method of claim 11, further including the steps of:
accessing the assessment tool through a first computer system connected over a communication network to a website which resides on a second computer system;
providing answers to the plurality of questions through the website; and
storing the answers on the second computer system.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein the graphical elements include formatting features to indicate relative importance of the personal attributes to the personal profile.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the formatting features are selected from a group consisting of graphical element shape, dimensions, size, orientation, color, line weight, line continuity, angle, and shading.
15. A method of generating a symmetrical graphical representation of a personal profile, comprising:
acquiring personal information related to personal attributes through an assessment tool;
translating each personal attribute into a numeric value;
selecting a graphical element;
creating a plurality of facets, each facet being created by,
(a) utilizing numeric values from a set of the plurality of personal attributes to spatially arrange the graphical element, and
(b) mirroring spatially arranged graphical elements to create one of the plurality of facets;

wherein the plurality of facets are created such that a first one of the plurality of facets has a different number of sides than a second one of the plurality of facets;
combining the plurality of facets in a repetitive layout to form a symmetrical graphical image as a visual representation of the personal profile; and
displaying the symmetrical graphical image.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of graphical elements within the symmetrical graphical representation is located in relative positions and with consideration of relative importance of each of the personal attributes to the personal profile.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the symmetrical graphical representation includes a multi-layer arrangement of the plurality of graphical elements.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the assessment tool includes a plurality of questions.
19. The method of claim 18, further including the steps of:
accessing the assessment tool through a first computer system connected over a communication network to a website which resides on a second computer system;
providing answers to the plurality of questions through the website; and
storing the answers on the second computer system.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of graphical elements include formatting features to indicate relative importance of the personal attributes to the personal profile.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the formatting features are selected from a group consisting of graphical element shape, dimensions, size, orientation, color, line weight, line continuity, angle, and shading.
22. The method of claim 15, wherein a first numeric value defines a location of the graphical element in the spatial arrangement, a second numeric value defines a size of the graphical element in the spatial arrangement, and a third numeric value defines an orientation of the graphical element in the spatial arrangement.
23. A computer system for generating a symmetrical graphical image of a personal profile, comprising:
means for acquiring personal attributes through an assessment tool;
means for translating each personal attribute to a numeric value;
means for selecting a graphical element;
means for creating a plurality of facets, each facet being created by,
(a) utilizing numeric values from a set of the plurality of personal attributes to spatially arrange the graphical element, wherein a first numeric value defines a location of the graphical element in the spatial arrangement, a second numeric value defines a size of the graphical element in the spatial arrangement, and a third numeric value defines an orientation of the graphical element in the spatial arrangement, and
(b) mirroring spatially arranged graphical elements to create one of the plurality of facets;

wherein the plurality of facets are created such that a first one of the plurality of facets has a different number of sides than a second one of the plurality of facets; and
means for combining the plurality of facets in a repetitive layout to form a symmetrical graphical image as a visual representation of the personal profile.
24. The computer system of claim 23, wherein the symmetrical graphical image includes a multi-layer arrangement of the graphical elements.
25. The computer system of claim 24, further including a website for accessing the assessment tool.
26. The computer system of claim 23, wherein the graphical elements include formatting features to indicate relative importance of the personal attributes to the personal profile.
27. A method of producing a visual representation of a personal profile, comprising:
converting personal attribute data into numeric values;
selecting a graphical element;
creating a plurality of facets, each facet being created by,
(a) utilizing numeric values from a set of the plurality of personal attributes to spatially arrange the graphical element, wherein a first numeric value defines a location of the graphical element in the spatial arrangement, a second numeric value defines a size of the graphical element in the spatial arrangement, and a third numeric value defines an orientation of the graphical element in the spatial arrangement, and
(b) mirroring spatially arranged graphical elements to create one of the plurality of facets;

wherein the plurality of facets are created such that a first one of the plurality of facets has a different number of sides than a second one of the plurality of facets;
combining the plurality of facets in a repetitive layout to form a symmetrical graphical image as a visual representation of the personal profile; and
displaying the symmetrical graphical image.
28. The method off claim 27, wherein the graphical elements within the symmetrical graphical image are located in relative positions and with consideration of relative importance of each of the personal attributes to the personal profile.
29. The method of claim 27, wherein the symmetrical graphical image includes a multi-layer arrangement of the graphical elements.
30. The method of claim 27, further including the steps of:
accessing an assessment tool through a first computer system connected over a communication network to a website which resides on a second computer system;
providing answers to the plurality of questions through the website; and
storing the answers on the second computer system.
31. The method of claim 27, wherein the graphical elements include formatting features to indicate relative importance of the personal attributes to the personal profile.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the formatting features are selected from a group consisting of graphical element shape, dimensions, size, orientation, color, line weight, line continuity, angle, and shading.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A radio multi-hop network in which a plurality of nodes comprising a multicast sender node and a multicast receiver node exchange information each other by radio to form a multi-hop network,
wherein each of the nodes comprises:
a unicast route control information acquirer that acquires unicast route control information, which is information of the plurality of nodes, from the multicast information received from other nodes and unicast route control messages denoting the connection information among nodes;
a relay node set calculator that calculates a sender relay node set that covers all multicast sender nodes and a receiver relay node set that covers all multicast receiver nodes with use of the unicast route control information;
a multicast route calculator that calculates multicast routes between nodes included in the calculated sender relay node set and nodes included in the calculated receiver relay node set; and

a route register that sets the calculated multicast routes in a multicast forwarding table.
2. The radio multi-hop network according to claim 1,
wherein the network comprises a TC message sender that sends the multicast information included in the unicast route control messages.
3. The radio multi-hop network according to claim 1,
wherein the multicast route calculator calculates the multicast routes between the nodes included in the calculated sender relay node set and the nodes included in the calculated receiver relay node set by subtracting the metric by a predetermined value from a link on the calculated multicast route.
4. The radio multi-hop network according to claim 1,
wherein the multicast route calculator calculates the multicast route between the node included in the calculated sender relay node set and the node included in the calculated receiver relay node set by adding the metric by a predetermined value to a link that interferes with another link on the calculated multicast route.
5. The radio multi-hop network according to claim 1,
wherein the relay node set calculator selects the sender relay node set and the receiver relay node set according to the number of multicast sender nodes and the number of the multicast receiver nodes respectively.
6. The radio multi-hop network according to claim 1,
wherein the relay node set calculator selects the sender relay node set and the receiver relay node set according to the length of the route between the multicast sender node and the multicast receiver node.
7. The radio multi-hop network according to claim 1,
wherein the route register, if the multicast sender node exists as a forwarding node on the multicast route, avoids registration of the multicast route for a multicast packet received from the node in the multicast forwarding table.
8. A node that forms a multi-hop network by exchanging information with others by radio comprises:
a unicast route control information acquirer that acquires unicast route control information, which is node information, from the multicast information received from another node and a unicast route control message denoting the connection information of the node;
a relay node set calculator that calculates a sender relay node set that covers every multicast sender node and a receiver relay node set that covers every multicast receiver node with use of the unicast route control information;
a multicast route calculator that calculates a multicast route between a node included in the calculated sender relay node set and a node included in the calculated receiver relay node set; and
a route register that sets the calculated multicast route in a multicast forwarding table.
9. The node according to claim 8,
wherein the node further comprises a TC message sender that sends the multicast information included in the unicast route control message.
10. The node according to claim 8,
wherein the multicast route calculator calculates a multicast route between the node included in the calculated sender relay node set and the node included in the calculated receiver relay node set by subtracting the metric by a predetermined value from a link on the calculated multicast route.
11. The node according to claim 8,
wherein the multicast route calculator calculates the multicast route between the node included in the calculated sender relay node set and the node included in the calculated receiver relay node set by adding the metric by a predetermined value to a link that interferes with another link on the calculated multicast route.
12. The node according to claim 8,
wherein the relay node set calculator selects the sender relay node set and the receiver relay node set according to the number of multicast sender nodes and the number of the multicast receiver nodes respectively.
13. The node according to claim 8,
wherein the relay node set calculator selects the sender relay node set and the receiver relay node set according to the length of the route between the multicast sender node and the multicast receiver node.
14. The node according to claim 8,
wherein the route register, if the multicast sender node exists as a forwarding node on the multicast route, avoids registration of the multicast route for a multicast packet received from the node in the multicast forwarding table.
15. A multicast route control method that enables a plurality of nodes, each of which comprises a multicast sender node and a multicast receiver node, to exchange information with each another by radio to form a multi-hop network, the method comprises:
a step in which the node acquires unicast route control information, which is information of the plurality of nodes, from the multicast information received from a different node and a unicast route control message denoting the connection information of the different node;
a step in which the node calculates a sender relay node set that covers every multicast sender node and a receiver relay node set that covers every multicast receiver node with use of the unicast route control information;
a step in which the node calculates a multicast route between a node included in the calculated sender relay node set and a node included in the calculated receiver relay node set; and
a step in which the node sets the calculated multicast route in a multicast forwarding table.
16. The multicast route control method according to claim 15;
further comprising a step in which wherein the node sends the multicast information included in the unicast route control message.
17. The multicast route control method according to claim 15,
further comprising a step in which the node calculates the multicast route between the node included in the calculated sender relay node set and the node included in the calculated receiver relay node set by subtracting the metric by a predetermined value from a link on the calculated multicast route.
18. The multicast route control method according to claim 15,
further comprising a step in which the node calculates the multicast route between the node included in the calculated sender relay node set and the node included in the calculated receiver relay node set by adding the metric by a predetermined value to a link that interferes with another link on the calculated multicast route.
19. The multicast route control method according to claim 15,
further comprising a step in which the node selects the sender relay node set and the receiver relay node set according to the number of multicast sender nodes and the number of the multicast receiver nodes respectively.
20. The multicast route control method according to claim 15,
further comprising a step in which the node selects the sender relay node set and the receiver relay node set according to the length of the route between the multicast sender node and the multicast receiver node.
21. The multicast route control method according to claim 15,
further comprising a step in which the node, if the multicast sender node exists as a forwarding node on the multicast route, avoids registration of the multicast route of a multicast packet received from the node in the multicast forwarding table.
22. A non-transitory computer readable medium program to be executed by a computer to enable a plurality of nodes, each of which comprises a multicast sender node and a multicast receiver node, to exchange information with each another by radio to form a multi-hop network,
wherein the program executes:
a procedure of acquiring unicast route control information, which is information of the plurality of nodes, from the multicast information received from a different node and a unicast route control message denoting the connection information of the different node;
a procedure of calculating a sender relay node set that covers every multicast sender node and a receiver relay node set that covers every multicast receiver node with use of the unicast route control information;
a procedure of calculating a multicast route between a node included in the calculated sender relay node set and a node included in the calculated receiver relay node set; and
a procedure of setting the calculated multicast route in a multicast forwarding table.
23. The non-transitory computer readable medium program according to claim 22,
wherein the computer further executes a procedure of sending the multicast information included in the unicast route control message.
24. The non-transitory computer readable medium program according to claim 22,
wherein the computer further executes a procedure of calculating the multicast route between the node included in the calculated sender relay node set and the node included in the calculated receiver relay node set by subtracting the metric by a predetermined value from a link on the calculated multicast route.
25. The non-transitory computer readable medium program according to claim 22,
wherein the computer further executes a procedure of calculating the multicast route between the node included in the calculated sender relay node set and the node included in the calculated receiver relay node set by adding the metric by a predetermined value to a link that interferes with another link on the calculated multicast route.
26. The non-transitory computer readable medium program according to claim 22,
wherein the program further executes a procedure of selecting the sender relay node set and the receiver relay node set according to the number of multicast sender nodes and the number of the multicast receiver nodes respectively.
27. The non-transitory computer readable medium program according to claim 22,
wherein the computer further executes a procedure of selecting the sender relay node set and the receiver relay node set according to the length of the route between the multicast sender node and the multicast receiver node.
28. The non-transitory computer readable medium program according to claim 22,
wherein the computer, if the multicast sender node exists as a forwarding node on the multicast route, further executes a procedure of avoiding the registration of the multicast route for a multicast packet received from the node in the multicast forwarding table.