MERCI Retriever

The MERCI Retriever is a medical device designed to treat Ischemic Strokes. The name is an acronym for Mechanical Embolus Removal in Cerebral Ischemia. Designed by University of California, Los Angeles in 2001, MERCI was the first device approved in the U.S. to remove blood clots in patients suffering from acute brain Ischemia.

History

The MERCI Retriever obtained U.S. FDA clearance in August 2004 for re-canalization of cerebral arteries in acute stroke.

Previously, the only available treatment to acute brain strokes was through the use of a protein that breaks down blood clots called tPA. The treatment process itself is termed the r-tPA method (Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator). The success of the r-tPA is strongly dependent on short onset of stroke symptoms, which had to be less than 3 hours. Hemorrhagic complications were also highly likely to occur using the r-tPA method, especially in older brain-stroke patients, which in turn resulted in high mortality rates after the treatment.

Merci

Merci may refer to:

Merci (company)

Merci is a Czech company based in Slatina, Brno selling and manufacturing laboratory equipment, devices, and many other things used in laboratories, like hoods, glassware, or chemicals.

Merci also produces laboratory furniture.

External links

Coordinates: 49°10′59″N 16°41′22″E / 49.183184°N 16.68949°E / 49.183184; 16.68949

Merci (candy)

Merci is a brand of European chocolate candy manufactured by the European company August Storck KG. The chocolates are manufactured as bars of differently flavored chocolate from Europe, packaged in a white box. Each flavor has its own individual color, to distinguish it from the other flavors in the box. The word "merci" is the French and Persian word for "thank you." The chocolate is sold in over 70 countries.

External links

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, or Toller for short, is a medium-sized breed of gundog bred primarily for hunting. It is the smallest of the retrievers, and is often mistaken for a small Golden Retriever. Tollers are known to be intelligent, alert, high-energy dogs. Tollers get their name because of their ability to lure waterfowl within gunshot range. The breed originated in southwestern Nova Scotia, Canada, where they were used for tolling and retrieving ducks.

History

The breed was developed in the community of Little River Harbour in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, around the beginning of the 19th century to toll waterfowl and as an all purpose hunting dog. The breed was originally known as the Little River Duck Dog or the Yarmouth Toller. Its exact origins are not known but it appears that some possibly spaniel and setter Pointer-type dogs, retriever-type dogs, and rabbit hounds. Farm collies also went into the mix as many became herding dogs as well as hunting dogs and family pets.

Flat-Coated Retriever

The Flat-Coated Retriever is a gundog breed originating from the United Kingdom. It was developed as a retriever both on land and in the water.

Description

Appearance

The Flat-Coated Retriever breed standard calls for males to be 23–25 in (58–64 cm) tall at the withers, with a recommended weight of 60–80 lb (27–36 kg), and for females to be 22–24 in (56–61 cm), with a recommended weight of 55–75 lb (25–34 kg). The Flat-Coated Retriever has strong muscular jaws and a relatively long muzzle to allow for the carrying of birds and upland game. Its head is unique to the breed and is described as being "of one piece" with a minimal stop and a backskull of about the same length as the muzzle. It has almond-shaped, dark brown eyes with an intelligent, friendly expression. The ears are pendant, relatively small, and lie close to the head. The occiput (the bone at the back of the skull) is not to be accentuated (as it is in setters, for example) with the head flowing smoothly into a well-arched neck. The topline is strong and straight with a well-feathered tail of moderate length held straight off the back. This breed should be well-angulated front and rear, allowing for open, effortless movement. It is lighter, racier, and more elegant in appearance than the other retriever breeds.

Curly Coated Retriever

The Curly Coated Retriever (often referred to as a Curly) is a breed of dog originally bred in England for upland bird and waterfowl hunting. It is the tallest of the retrievers and is easily distinguishable by the mass of tight curls covering its body. Curly Coated and Wavy Coated (now known as the Flat-Coated Retriever) were the first two recognised retriever breeds, established as early as 1860.

Description

Appearance

The Curly is an active, well-muscled dog bred for upland bird and waterfowl hunting. The Curly is somewhat different in structure than the more common retrievers. A well-bred Curly will appear slightly leggy but is actually slightly longer than tall. It is balanced and agile with a significant air of endurance, strength, and grace. Curlies are soft-mouthed and regularly handle game with care. Show standards call for dogs to be between 25 and 27 inches (64 and 69 cm) at the withers, and for females to be between 23 and 25 inches (58 and 64 cm), however a wide range of sizes occurs, particularly in those dogs bred for the field, which generally run smaller. The country of origin calls for a taller dog and bitch, with only 27 inches (69 cm) for males and 25 inches (64 cm) for females listed. Taller is preferable to shorter. Weight should be in proportion to the height of the dog.