Abstract: The present invention provides automated biopsy instruments especially useful for improving minimally invasive medical procedures to obtain soft tissue biopsy samples. The biopsy instruments provide side-by-side actuators which retract a stylet and a cannula in specific sequences. The biopsy instruments may include a single spring or two springs to sequentially fire the stylet and the cannula.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for recording uterine electrical activity from the surface of the abdomen or vagina for the purpose of diagnosing contractile patterns of the uterus or abdominal muscles in pregnant and nonpregnant patients. The present invention provides data analysis techniques for analyzing electromyographic data measured from the surface of a patient to characterize uterine activity. The method and apparatus described include algorithms for the systematic analysis of electrical signals recorded from the abdominal surface. Such processing comprises integration of signals, frequency spectral analysis, 3-dimensional power density mesh plots, vector analysis, fast wavelet transform, and joint time-frequency characteristics. These techniques and apparatus are appropriate for use in a clinic or through communication lines for use as a remote or home uterine monitoring system.

Abstract: A bone biopsy needle assembly includes an elongated tubular cannula having an axially extending lumen therethrough. A guide is provided to facilitate insertion of a probe into the cannula for sample removal. The guide has a molded shape with an elongated dimension having first and second ends. A cylindrical opening extends through the length of the elongated dimension and has a diameter substantially equal to that of the interior lumen of the cannula. A flared outward enlargement of the cylindrical opening at each of the first and second ends provides for easy alignment of one of the ends with the distal end of the cannula and the other end forms a guide for insertion of a probe into the distal end of the cannula for removal of the biopsy specimen.

Abstract: A biopsy instrument for obtaining a tissue sample from a body cavity such as the endometrial tissue forming the uterine cavity or from the cervix. The instrument comprises a first generally rigid guide housing for insertion into the cavity. An elongated, flexible shaft is slidable therethrough and has spaced from its distal end a curved portion for collecting a tissue specimen thereon. The curved portion includes a set of scraping tabs and a set of collecting tabs spaced apart around the circumference of the curved portion and extending alternately outwardly therefrom. After the shaft is extended from within the housing and rotated in a first direction, the scraping tabs scrape tissue free from the endometrial surface. Upon rotating the shaft in a second opposite direction, the collecting tabs collect the free floating tissue. When the shaft is retracted within the housing, the instrument is removed from within the body cavity, and a tissue sample is available for testing.

Abstract: A coaxial bone marrow biopsy needle assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a hollow cannula with a handle having an interlocking device and a trocar insertable in the cannula and having a second handle with another interlocking device which mates with the interlocking device in the cannula handle. The interlocking devices are a spring biased pin radially entering a receiving socket, and a notched projection which extends into the receiving socket. The pin has a ramped portion, and the notched projection has a rounded or conical tip which rides down the ramped portion of the pin and thereby pushes the biased pin radially out of the socket during assembly of the hollow cannula with the trocar. The assembled handles provides a smooth upper surface which fits comfortably in a palm and a lower gripping surface around which fingers easily wrap. The interlocking devices hold the handles securely together keeping the trocar within the cannula during puncture, but are easily separated thereafter.

Abstract: A flexible elongated medical infusion guidewire having proximal and distal portions for delivering a pressurized fluid medicaments to a site with a body vessel. The guidewire is comprised of a helically wound coil having a polyimide sheath tightly enclosing its proximal portion, and a teflon sheath tightly covering the entire wire coil. The teflon sheath is punctured at its distal end to facilitate release of fluid therethrough. The coil is closed at its distalmost end by a ball weld.

Abstract: An improved brain wave electroencephalograph (EEG) method measures the physical positions of EEG electrodes applied to the subject's scalp. A set of standard cross-directional lines are obtained to provide measurements of the subject's head and a computer system automatically defines the subject's head shape according to predetermined head shape classes. The position of the electrode on the subject's scalp is then determined by scaling the measurements of the subject's head to a head model of the same head shape class.