Abstract: An apparatus for detecting movement in patients coupled to pulse oximeters and a method for using the signal generated by the apparatus to filter out the effects of motion from the test results generated by the pulse oximeter are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a piezoelectric film located in close proximity to the pulse oximeter's sensor provides a voltage signal whenever movement occurs near the sensor. This voltage signal is processed and the resulting signal is used to correct the oximeter's measurements. In addition to piezoelectric film, accelerometers and strain gauges are also usable to provide a signal indicative of motion.

Abstract: An improved noninvasive, electrooptical sensor probe is suitable for removable adhesive attachment to the skin of a patient to measure light extinction during transillumination of the blood-perfused tissue beneath the skin. The probe has a flexible generally U-shaped, web-like support structure having spaced, opposed upper and lower inner surfaces. A light source such as an LED is mounted in the support structure and positioned to emit light from one of the inner surfaces. A photosensor is also mounted in the support structure and positioned on the other of the inner surfaces to detect light emitted by the light source. A U-shaped alignment member is disposed in the support structure and extends substantially from the light source to the photosensor to hold the probe into the desired shape for use and aid in aligning the LED and photosensor.

Abstract: A non-invasive automatic blood pressure monitor uses the oscillometric technique. That is, a cuff is inflated and then deflated in discrete deflation steps, while the oscillations caused by movement of the arterial walls are recorded during each deflation step. If no oscillations occur, the deflation step is interrupted when a predetermined time period (t.sub.max) has expired. According to the invention, said predetermined time period (t.sub.max) is varied according to the heart rate (step 13). This leads to considerable reduction of required time for each measurement.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a method and apparatus are disclosed for real time imaging of functional activity in cortical areas of a mammalian brain using intrinsic signals. The present invention enables dynamic, on-line imaging of, for example, a human brain during neurosurgery to permit more accurate identification of dysfunctional cortical areas. Cortical areas are identified on the basis of stimulus evoked changes which occur in the optical properties of the brain so that real time localization of seizure (e.g., epileptic seizure) foci and functional mapping can be observed during neurosurgery. Areas of pathological tissue such as epileptic foci and tumors can thus be identified and removed during neurosurgery without damaging important functional areas in the cortex near the tissue.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for non-invasive monitoring of blood oxygen saturation and pulse is made by modifying a conventional prior art pulse oximeter probe for use inside an ear canal or other body cavity. This placement is particularly useful for unobtrusively monitoring the blood oxygen saturation and pulse of pilots flying high performance military aircraft. When monitored blood oxygen saturation or pulse levels fall to a level indicating imminent unconsciousness, control of the aircraft can be removed from the pilot and the aircraft unloaded to reduce G-loading. The apparatus is made by removing the light emitting diode (LED) and light sensor from a commercially available pulse oximeter probe, or oxisensor, and cementing them on opposite sides of a conventional ear plug. The light emitted from the LED travels a reflective path through the vascular tissue surrounding the ear canal to be received by the light sensor on the other side of the canal.

Abstract: A simplified, user-friendly method and apparatus for producing and collecting a human breath sample, and particularly alveolar air, for analysis of the constituent components thereof. The invention includes an elongated, hollow container and a breath delivery device for directing a subject's breath into the container. A closure device is provided for accommodating the insertion of the breath delivery device into the container and for substantially sealing the container. The volume of the container is small in comparison to the normal human breath which has the effect of purging the container of the initial breath portion and leaving primarily only the alveolar air.

Abstract: An apparatus for cystographic inspection used for observing and measuring the urethrophaxis portion and posterourethovesical angle of a patient of the acraturesis caused by a ventral pressure, comprises a catheter, in the housing of which a flexible urethral locus indicating member, provided with a marking member, is positioned. The flexed condition of the urethral and the posterourethrovesical angle can be clearly confirmed by the urethral locus indicating member, and the position of an exterior urethral opening member, and position of an exterior urethral opening can be surely grasped by the marking member which can be roentgenographed and which is positioned on the urethral locus indicating member and that it is prevented from penetrating into the uretra and this assists in examining of the external urethral opening during roentgenography of the urethral locus indicating member of the catheter.

Abstract: A device for generating sonic signal forms for limiting, preventing or regressing the growth of pathological tissue comprises an ultrasonic transmission system for transmitting sound waves, focussed on the tissue to be treated, by way of a coupling medium. An ultrasonic signal produced at the focus of the system comprises brief pulses having at least one rarefaction phase with a negative sonic pressure amplitude with a value greater than 2.times.10.sup.5 Pa. The ultrasonic signal is radiated with a carrier frequency exceeding 20 kHz, a sonic pulse duration T of less than 100 .mu.s and a pulse recurrence rate of less than 1/(5T). The device produces controlled cavitation in the tissue to be treated.

Abstract: An implantable, extractable probe for attachment to a vessel or organ. The probe is made up of an elongate probe body having front and rear ends, and top and bottom sides, the elongate probe body terminating in a flexible tube. The probe has at least one biological sensor attached to the bottom side of the probe body with at least one lead wire connected to the biological sensor, and the lead wire extends through the flexible tube. The probe includes a suture attachment wire for attaching at least one suture to secure the probe body to a predetermined sensor site, the suture attachment wire being releasably connected to the front of the elongate probe body and extending through the flexible tube, at least a portion of the suture attachment wire extending between the front of the elongate probe body and the flexible tube such that it is spaced a predetermined distance from the probe body.

Abstract: A subcutaneous data port which may be surgically implanted beneath the skin of a subject and electrically connected to implanted leads, sensors or an implanted medica device. The data port provides electrical connections through conductive rubber access ports. The access ports can be penetrated by a coated needle, establishing an electrical connection. An indifferent plate electrode provides a replicable ground or body reference electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a state of peripheral blood circulation of a subject, including a transmission type blood oxygen saturation measuring device emitting a plurality of lights having different wavelengths toward a subject, producing a photoelectric pulse wave signal indicative of intensity of each of the lights transmitted through the subject, and determining a first blood oxygen saturation by using the pulse wave signals corresponding to the transmitted lights; a reflection type blood oxygen saturation measuring device emitting a plurality of lights having different wavelengths toward the subject, producing a photoelectric pulse wave signal indicative of intensity of each of the lights reflected from the subject, and determining a second blood oxygen saturation by using the pulse wave signals corresponding to the reflected lights; and a determining device determining a state of peripheral blood circulation of the subject by utilizing a difference between the first and second blood oxygen saturations.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for noninvasively diagnosing diabetes mellitus, the prediabetic condition, and cataracts in the human (or other) body are disclosed. Diagnoses are made by illuminating ocular lens tissue with a narrow-band light source at a selected wavelength, detecting the backscattered radiation intensity at the peak of the fluorescent response, and normalizing the detected value with the intensity of its Rayleigh component. Measurements provided in this manner can be used as improved indicators of the presence or absence of certain diseases or conditions.

Abstract: A non-invasive method for determining kinematic movement of the cervical spine. The method compares biomechanical pathways of a human patient's head free range of motion in space with either standardized biomechanical pathway data or previously determined biomechanical pathway data of the same person to determine the nature and extent of abnormal kinematic movement.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting damage to a balloon catheter and presence of a contaminant within the balloon catheter by irradiating a reflector located toward the distal end of the catheter tube and measuring reflectivity. By detecting a change in the reflected radiation, it is possible to identify the presence of a contaminant and the occurrence of leakage. The method and system of the present invention also permits the operator to determine deterioration of the parts of the system that detect the presence of a contaminant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of generating and processing spectral information arising from the laser induced fluorescence of tissue. The intensity of fluorescence is recorded as a function of both excitation and emission wavelengths and contour maps of tissue fluorescence are generated which are useful in the diagnosis of condition of the tissue under examination.

Abstract: There are disclosed an instrument and method for using near IR to discriminate between healthy and diseased tissue, using, e.g., a catheter and a spectrophotometer. Near IR is passed at certain wavelengths to suspected tissue, and reflected light is analyzed to determine the absorbance, and preferably the second derivative thereof. From identification of the absorption spectra of known diseased and known healthy tissue, a relation has been established to determine the following correlation equation for determining the predictive value of y:y=Co+C.sub.1 A(.lambda..sub.1)+C.sub.2 A(.lambda..sub.2)wherein A(.lambda..sub.1)+A(.lambda..sub.2) are the second derivatives for the absorbance at the two selected wavelengths. For blood cholesterol esters and plaque, .lambda..sub.1 is preferably 1714.5 and .lambda..sub.2 is preferably 1678.5 nm. Solving for the coefficients Co, C.sub.1 and C.sub.2, it has been shown that values of y less than -8.0 represent diseased tissue, which should be treated.

Abstract: A phantom assembly adapted to simulate a human subject to verify the accuracy of a carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLco) measuring device for testing the functional integrity of the subject's alveolar-capillary membrane. The device includes a mouthpiece through which the subject inhales a mixture of carbon monoxide and an inert gas in a predetermined ratio. Then after a breath holding interval the subject exhales into the mouthpiece an alveolar sample whose carbon monoxide content is analyzed by the device to evaluate the subject's condition. The assembly includes a phantom whose chamber is interposable between the mouthpiece of the DLco device and a calibration syringe having a known capacity. Within the chamber cavity is a flow tube that extends between valved mouthpiece and syringe ports on opposing end wall of the chamber.

Abstract: An optical path is provided in the wall of an endotracheal tube to transmit light from a light source to the tracheal tissue. The same path or different path may be used to receive light reflected from the tracheal tissue to a detector for detecting the oxygen saturation of blood of a subject. The light supplied may also be directed across the gaseous medium inside the tube and received by a different optical path. The received light signal is then detected to determine the carbon dioxide concentration of the medium inside the trachea.

Abstract: A volume change sensor having an elongated tubular enclosure with a thin deformable wall having a conduit for connection to a pressure monitor, there being an elongated insert material within the tubular enclosure that is wider than it is thick at some locations formed from resiliently deformable open cell foam. An elastic belt against which the tubular enclosure is positioned is used to wrap it about a respirating subject undergoing corresponding changes to measure same.

Abstract: An improved pulse oximeter for the measurement of oxygen saturation in the blood, which is faster and more accurate than conventional pulse oximeter. Improved speed and accuracy is attained by elimination of normalization and feedback circuitry and the use of analog to digital converting devices having a wide dynamic range along with a sophisticated computer analysis. The instant invention eliminates inaccurcies resulting from channel matching errors, and detects and eliminates aberrant input data.