Abstract: A guiding sheath exchange system comprises first and second guiding sheaths and an exchange dilator. Each guiding sheath has a lumen extending therethrough. The first guiding sheath has a first predefined curve at its distal end and the second guiding sheath has a second predefined curve at its distal end different from the first predefined curve. The exchange dilator comprises a flexible tubing having a generally constant diameter along its length, two tapered ends and a lumen therethrough. The guiding sheath exchange system is used for replacing the first guiding sheath having a distal end that is in the patient's heart with the second guiding sheath. The replacement method comprises inserting the distal end of the exchange dilator into the proximal end of the lumen of the first guiding sheath and feeding the distal end of the exchange dilator through the lumen so that it extends distal the distal end of the first guiding sheath.

Abstract: A method of monitoring Central Nervous Shunt performance by sampling non-invasive data from a patient with hydrocephalus condition. The sampled data is processed to produce a determination of probable shunt operation. Where the shunt may not operate properly, the processing produces a prediction of possible shunt malfunction. The processing includes a method to assess which of a set of possible malfunctions is the most likely. The processing can also be used to advise the user on how to remedy the problem diagnosed. The shunt performance rating can also be used to monitor shunt performance over time and process the time data to provide for a shunt operation status or observe the compatibility of a particular shunt type to a patient.

Abstract: The coated superelastic stent is formed from a tube of collagen having an inner structure of a micro-cable made of strands of a material exhibiting superelasticity or shape memory properties, such as nickel-titanium, and includes a strand of radiopaque material, such as platinum or gold, in order to provide a radiopaque marker during interventional therapeutic treatment or vascular surgery. The collagen tube can be loaded with a therapeutic agent for treatment of the desired site in the vasculature.

Abstract: A sizing catheter and method of measuring a preselected internal opening within a patient to provide a rapid and precise determination of a stretched diameter of the preselected internal opening. The sizing catheter includes a dilation balloon constructed of a thin expandable plastic which is inflatable and is utilized to determine a size of the preselected opening. The dilation balloon is inflated to an inflation threshold, wherein the dilation balloon deforms about the preselected opening and the size of the dilation balloon adjacent the preselected opening approximates a stretched diameter of the preselected opening. The sizing catheter and method may be utilized to determine an appropriate sized occluding device to thereby occlude the preselected opening.

Abstract: Disclosed is the selecting of a limit value, such as an alarm limit, from a range of limit values dependent on a starting value. The selected limit value is applicable e.g. in a patient monitoring system for monitoring a physiological parameter for providing a signal when a monitored value of the physiological parameter exceeds the selected limit value. According to the invention, the range of limit values comprises a functional range with a functional relationship of the limit values to the starting values, and at least one non-functional range with no functional relationship of the limit values to the starting values.

Abstract: A method of non-invasively estimating the intrapulmonary shunt in a patient. The method includes non-invasively measuring respiratory flow, respiratory carbon dioxide content, and arterial blood oxygen content. A re-breathing process is employed to facilitate an estimate of the patient's pulmonary capillary blood flow. Any inaccuracies of the arterial blood oxygen content are corrected to provide a substantially accurate arterial blood oxygen content measurement. The respiratory flow, carbon dioxide content and arterial blood oxygen content measurements, and the pulmonary capillary blood flow estimate are employed to estimate an intrapulmonary shunt of the patient. The invention also includes a method of determining the total cardiac output of the patient which considers the estimated intrapulmonary shunt.

Abstract: A method of compensating for non-metabolic changes in respiratory or blood gas parameters including generating a compensatory signal based on the magnitude of the non-metabolic change and the amount of time elapsed since the onset of the non-metabolic change. The method of the present invention is useful for compensating for non-metabolic changes in non-invasive carbon dioxide elimination measurements and, particularly, when carbon dioxide elimination is employed to determine cardiac output on a non-invasive, continuous basis.

Abstract: A medical system for limiting the re-use of a medical probe, such as, e.g., a catheter or a surgical probe, is provided. The medical system includes a medical probe that includes an electronic storage component for storing a probe identification code. The medical probe further includes a disabling circuit, the activation of which disables the electronic storage component. The medical system further includes a control unit, such as, e.g., an RF generator, for connection to the medical probe. The control unit includes control circuit that is configured for automatically reading the probe identification code from the electronic storage component and preventing the medical probe from being operated if the probe identification code is not approved. The control circuit is also configured for determining if the medical probe has been previously used.

Abstract: An implantable barometric pressure sensor coupled with an implantable medical device (IMD) provides a barometric pressure related, reference pressure value for use in combination with an absolute pressure value measured by an implantable absolute pressure sensor coupled to the IMD. In one embodiment, the barometric pressure sensor is implanted under the skin and subcutaneous tissue layer at or near the implant site of the IMD. In variations of this embodiment, the barometric pressure is formed as part of a connector module of the IMD or extends from the connector module. In a further embodiment, a percutaneous access device is provided which is adapted to be implanted to extend through the skin and subcutaneous tissue layer of the patient and is coupled with the barometric pressure sensor to provide for an air chamber extending between the atmosphere and the barometric pressure sensor.

Abstract: The apparatus provides feedback training of the proper base support during gait therapy of patients with neurological disorders. The apparatus produces recognizable by the user signals in response to change in distance between legs of the user or between the body of the user and an assisstive device. The apparatus is adjustable to desire distance between two legs or a distance between an assisstive device and the user's body, and to a particular exercise protocol.

Abstract: A method of joining two members of a medical device wherein at least one of the members has a thin layer of joinable material deposited on the surface thereof by vapor deposition, preferably, physical vapor deposition. A guidewire for advancement of intraluminal medical devices may be manufactured by depositing a thin layer of joinable material on the surface of a component which is made from a reactive alloy with a tenacious oxide layer. The thin layer of joinable material facilitates joining difficult to bond materials with other components of the guidewire. Physical vapor deposition may also be used to treat components of medical devices, such as distal guidewire segments, in order to alter their mechanical properties. Specifically, a pseudoelastic alloy segment may be made shapeable by vapor deposition of a non-pseudoelastic metal thereon.

Abstract: A device for evaluating loss of protective sensation, which comprises a probe mounted on a head that is pivotally attached to a handle member, is provided. The handle member has a protective channel. When the head is pivoted so that the device is operative, the probe extends outwardly from the handle member. When the head is pivoted into a closed position, the probe is stored within the protective channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for delivering single point pressure sensations to a subject, to provide not only tactile sensory forces, but also precise gradations of these forces in a single hand-held unit. The operator can, by watching for the beginning of a bend in the monofilament probe, know exactly when the proper pressure for the test in progress has been applied. The device further comprises means to vary the angle at which the monofilament is delivered relative to the body portion by providing a choice of interchangeable tip members. The device enables a wide useful range of standardized force reading while substantially reducing the number of components required to accomplish meaningful diagnosis.

Abstract: A method for treating a blood vessel in a wall forming a gastrointestinal tract of a body of a mammal. At least one nonaqueous solution is introduced from the gastrointestinal tract into the vessel. A nonbiodegradable solid is formed in the vessel in the vicinity of a portion of the vessel from the least one nonaqueous solution to create an occlusion in the vessel and thus terminate blood flow to the vessel distal of the occlusion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to collect risk factor information and location data associated with asthma patients and to provide information to these patients about the air quality is disclosed. A mobile two-way communication tool is used to facilitate air quality analysis based on human reactions and clustering methods. The method includes measuring predetermined physiological and dynamic parameters associated with a user, transmitting the measured predetermined parameters to an analysis tool, analyzing the measured physiological and dynamic predetermined parameters to determine advisory information associated with the measured predetermined physiological and dynamic parameters and transmitting the advisory information to the user. The measuring predetermined physiological and dynamic parameters associated with a user includes measuring physiological conditions of the user, such as respiratory function indications.

Abstract: A method is provided for continually or continuously measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system, and processing analyte-specific signals to obtain a measurement value that is closely correlated with the concentration of the target chemical analyte in the biological system. One important application of the invention involves a method for signal processing in a system for monitoring blood glucose values.

Abstract: A tactile sensor signal processing device includes a tactile sensor using a piezoelectric vibrator, a resonant resistance change detect unit, a resonant frequency change detect unit, a vibrator constant storage unit, and a signal processing unit. The resonant resistance change detect unit detects a change in resonant resistance of impedance characteristics of the piezoelectric vibrator. The resonant frequency change detect unit detects a change in resonant frequency of impedance characteristics of the piezoelectric vibrator. In the vibrator constant storage unit are stored in advance physical constants that include the size of the vibrating portion of the piezoelectric vibrator, piezoelectric and coupling constants associated with the piezoelectric mode of the piezoelectric vibrator, the density of the piezoelectric vibrator, and the size of a contact which is brought into contact with a subject to apply vibrations to it.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an endoluminal implant, a RF coupling coil coupled to the endoluminal implant and a therapeutic transducer electrically coupled to the RF coupling coil and physically coupled to the endoluminal implant. The RF coupling coil supplies electrical power to the therapeutic transducer. The therapeutic transducer has a capability for delivering therapeutic energy to a lumen disposed within the endoluminal implant in response to signals coupled via the RF coupling coil.

Abstract: A non-invasive system and method of determining the presence or absence of neural, muscular, soft tissue, bone or joint damage to a person's hand and/or wrist. The system includes a plurality of force members, one of which is engageable by the person's thumb and two of which are engageable by other digits of the hand, at least one of the other digits being innervated by the ulnar nerve. Force detectors are operatively connected to at least two of the force members for measuring the quantity of force applied through respective force members as the thumb and other digits are brought toward each other in a natural gripping motion. The measured forces are displayed for analysis of the hand and/or wrist.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a radiation emitting, elastic hose for the endovascular therapy composed of at least a polymeric binder comprising at least one elastomer, wherein at least a radioisotope or a radioisotope-containing compound or a combination thereof is incorporated into the polymeric binder.