Abstract: The surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence is disclosed. The disclosed methods include: 1) a technique of probe passage to avoid injuring the bladder and to provide a more accurate and reproducible capture of the pubocervical fascia lateral to the bladder neck and urethra, 2) anchor fixation of the suspending sutures to the pubic bone to decrease the risk of suture pull through from above and to decrease post-operative pain and 3) a simple and reproducible technique to set a limited tension of the suspending sutures. A description of these methods and results of procedures with some of these methods are disclosed. Novel drill guides, suture passers, suture tensioners, and various related tools and devices for use in the surgical method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical monitoring device includes a system for monitoring and recording physiological parameters of a patient. The monitored physiological parameters are compared by a comparator with a predetermined threshold or an alarm limitassociated with the respective physiological parameter, the presence of an event being detected, if a physiological parameter exceeds the associated threshold or the associated alarm limit for a predetermined period of time, depending on an operation mode set by a user. If the presence of an event is detected, the fact that an event was detected, the parameter value which caused the event and, optionally, further recorded parameter values as well as the respective time at which the event was detected are stored in a memory. Finally, the medical monitoring device includes a display on which a representation of the events which were stored during a predetermined, preceding period of time is produced in relation to time.

Abstract: A monitoring method is disclosed which provides for inducing an active pulse in a blood volume of a patient. The induction of an active pulse results in a cyclic, and periodic change in the flow of blood through a fleshy medium under test. By actively inducing a change of the blood volume, modulation of the volume of blood can be obtained to provide a greater signal to noise ratio. This allows for the detection of constituents in blood at concentration levels below those previously detectable in a non-invasive system. Radiation which passes through the fleshy medium is detected by a detector which generates a signal indicative of the intensity of the detected radiation. Signal processing is performed on the electrical signal to isolate those optical characteristics of the electrical signal due to the optical characteristics of the blood.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining in a biological material one or more unknown values of at least one known characteristic (e.g. the concentration of an analyte such as glucose in blood or the concentration of one or more blood gas parameters) with a model based on a set of samples with known values of the known characteristics and a multivariate algorithm using several wavelength subsets. The method includes selecting multiple wavelength subsets, from the electromagnetic spectral region appropriate for determining the known characteristic, for use by an algorithm wherein the selection of wavelength subsets improves the model's fitness of the determination for the unknown values of the known characteristic. The selection process utilizes multivariate search methods that select both predictive and synergistic wavelengths within the range of wavelengths utilized. The fitness of the wavelength subsets is determined by the fitness function F=f (cost, performance).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automatically predicting epileptic seizures monitor and analyze brain wave (EEG or MEG) signals. Steps include: acquiring the brain wave data from the patient; digitizing the data; obtaining nonlinear measures of the data via chaotic time series analysis tools; obtaining time serial trends in the nonlinear measures; comparison of the trend to known seizure predictors; and providing notification that a seizure is forthcoming.

Abstract: A venous flow control device is provided for assisting in the maintenance of a penile erection or in preventing urinary incontinence. The device is a tubular structure adapted to be secured in a loop configuration about the penis to provide an adjustable radial constrictive force about the base of the penis. Methods for using the device are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effects of noise on a system for measuring physiological parameters, such as, for example, a pulse oximeter. The method and apparatus of the invention take into account the physical limitations on various physiological parameters being monitored when weighting and averaging a series of measurements. Varying weights are assigned different measurements, measurements are rejected, and the averaging period is adjusted according to the reliability of the measurements. Similarly, calculated values derived from analyzing the measurements are also assigned varying weights and averaged over adjustable periods. More specifically, a general class of filters such as, for example, Kalman filters, is employed in processing the measurements and calculated values. The filters use mathematical models which describe how the physiological parameters change in time, and how these parameters relate to measurement in a noisy environment.

Abstract: A laser treatment method for removing unwanted human hair includes irradiating a treatment site with post-coherent light of selected wavelength and peak power level and post duration, and repeating the post-coherent laser irradiation on one or more subsequent occasions with selected light parameters. A therapeutic treatment device has a laser and associated support elements and has a dermatology handpiece with a distance gage, a conduit for applying pressure and/or cooling to the treatment site and, optionally, cooling elements.

Abstract: A fetal pulse oximeter sensor mounted on a sensor head with an articulating design. A lumen on one side of the sensor has a cable or rod therein to either push or pull that side of the sensor with respect to the main body, thus causing the sensor head to articulate. This can be used, for instance, to apply pressure against the fetus' scalp, with the sensor head, using the articulating mechanism, until an adhesive takes hold. Additionally, the sensor may be held in place on the fetus by an adhesive which is appropriate for a wet surface. The adhesive has the characteristics of having sufficient adhering characteristics to maintain the sensor in place, while at the same time not damaging the fetus' skin upon removal, without requiring suction.

Abstract: A method and system for the determination of the pH of a fluid by measuring the pH of the fluid and thereafter correcting the pH based upon the determination of measured and/or adjusted values of at least one other parameter, such as PO.sub.2 and PCO.sub.2, which relate to the fluid.

Abstract: A handpiece for the distal end of a laser light guide includes a handle and a tube connected to the handle. The light guide enters the tube through the handle. The handpiece further includes opposed part of friction rolls for detachable fixing the light guide to the handle and a lever connected to one of the friction rolls for adjusting the position of the distal end of the light guide with respect to the distal end of the tube.

Abstract: A bag apparatus for warming the splanchnic blood supply of a patient both during and after surgery to prevent the onset of hypothermia. A bag apparatus for selectively warming an internal organ. A method to prevent hypothermia in a patient during and after surgical procedures. A heating pad apparatus for warming the splanchnic blood supply in a patient during and after surgery, and methodology for accomplishing same.

Abstract: An applicator probe (10) for applying a high-frequency electromagnetic energy flux to the skin through a conducting gel, the applicator probe having a non-conducting contact surface (14) which is applied to the skin. This surface includes a plurality of discrete electromagnetic emission points or areas (16) defined by parts of the turns of a coil (12) which is set back from the surface when the applicator probe is in use. The applicator probe according to the invention consists of a flexible sheet which is able to conform to the part of the body onto which it is applied. The flexible sheet includes a non-conductive lower internal portion (or "sole") and a non-conductive upper/external portion (or "back"). At least the lower portion is a sole (14) provided with a row of cavities and which forms the contact surface. The cavities contain the conducting gel which is applied to the skin. The generally flat turns of the coil are arranged in a sandwich configuration between the openwork sole (14) and the back.

Abstract: A pulse oximeter has several processing channels for measurement signals which are measured during the switched-on phase of transmission diodes and which are used to determine the oxygen saturation (SpO.sub.2) of a patient. An additional measurement channel processes an ambient light signal which was measured while the transmission diodes were switched off or their intensity modified, in the same way and thus provides a measure of the spectral composition of the ambient light interference. A useful-to-noise-signal ratio (NSV) is derived from the ambient light signal and a measurement signal, which represents a measure of the signal quality and which can be compared with threshold values (G), where an alarm is triggered if the value falls below the threshold values.

Abstract: An improved non-coherent pulsed and colored light stimulation device used for therapeutic effects in living creatures. Pulsed/colored light is applied to local areas, or acupuncture macro or micro systems, by means of a small diameter optic fiber (10) housed in a pen-like handpiece (18) which makes application comfortable and precise. The light source is an adjustable rate strobe (4) with a housing attached to the front (6) which allows color gel slides (12) to be interchanged. The light passes through the slides (12) and through a length of jacketed flexible optic fiber (10) where it becomes visible again at the radiant tip (20) of the handpiece (18).

Abstract: A combined sclerotherapy and light treatment method is described for the treatment of unwanted veins such as varicose and telangiectatic leg veins. Substantially increased success, in the range of 90-100%, has been achieved by implementing a dwell time of between 12 hours and 6 months between the light-based therapy and the sclerotherapy. Near infra-red wavelength light is preferably used in the light therapy due to its better depths of penetration through the skin to deeper lying, larger vessels such as varicose veins.

Abstract: A method for treating an individual with diseased prostatic tissue, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, includes inserting a catheter into a urethra to position a microwave antenna located within the catheter adjacent a prostatic region of the urethra. A microwave antenna is then driven within a power range for applying microwave energy substantially continuously to prostatic tissue to heat the prostatic tissue surrounding the microwave antenna at a temperature and for a time period sufficient to cause necrosis of the prostatic tissue.

Abstract: Controlling and data accumulating device (1) attachable to a measuring basic apparatus (100) for measuring human biological parameters, preferably blood pressure and/or pulse rate, comprising a measuring unit, sensor (102) data processing microprocessor or microcontroller (101), display (107) and other units.

Abstract: An oximeter for non-invasively measuring the oxygen saturation in blood with increased speed and accuracy. The device includes a sensor unit which can be attached to a patient and an oximeter which determines the oxygen saturation in the blood based on signals received from the sensor. In the present invention, the detected signal is immediately converted to a digital value.

Abstract: An improved infant/neonatal pulse oximeter sensor substrate which is preferably conforming to the shape of the infant or neonate's foot. In one embodiment, the pad conforms to the heel of the infant, with the emitter and detector preferably being mounted in the region of the calcaneus bone. The heel pad can be held in place with a stretchable sock. In an alternate embodiment, the conformable pad is a sock with recesses or pockets cut in it for holding the emitter and detector.