Abstract: A probe, particularly a urethral probe, for the heating of tissue by microwaves and for the measurement of temperature by radiometry. The probe comprises, on the one hand, at least one elongated antenna (1) formed by at least one conductive portion (2, 2') rolled up in a helicoidal manner on an elongated dielectric support (3) having a front end and a rear end, on the other hand, electrical connections (4) for the transfer of microwave signals toward and from the antenna, connected to a corresponding external generator and radiometer, and, finally, a catheter (5) covering the antenna (1) and, as the case may be, at least the portion of the electrical connections adjacent the antenna (1). The central dielectric support (3) has structure for circulation of thermostatic fluid of the antenna (1) at least present within the tubular channel delimited by the helicoidal conductor portion (2, 2'), this structure being connected to structure (6, 6', 6", 6'") for the supply and evacuation of the thermostatic fluid.

Abstract: Sensors are provided for detecting brain waves of a user, and a band-pass filter is provided for extracting a particular brain waves including an .alpha. wave included in a detected brain wave. The band-pass filter comprises a first band-pass filter having a narrow pass band, and a second band-pass filter having a wide pass band. One of the first and second band-pass filters is selected, and a stimulation signal is produced in dependency on an .alpha. wave extracted by a selected band-pass filter. In accordance with the stimulation signal, a stimulation light is emitted to the user in order to induce the user to relax or sleeping state.

Abstract: An access port for use in a medical vessel comprises an inner frame (15) detachably mounted on an opening of a transparent hood (13) of the infant incubator. An outer frame (16) is slidably engaged to said inner frame (15). A flexible sheet (14) has one end connected to said inner frame (15) and another end connected to said outer frame (16). It is characterized in that a stopper (36) is carried by said outer frame (16).Another access port for use in a medical vessel comprising: a frame (52) having an opening (56); a horseshoe plate (58) pivotally supported on the frame (52) to open or close said opening (56); a lock mechanism (78) for locking said horseshoe plate (58) in situ which is closed; an inner side (66) provided on the horseshoe plate (58); a plurality of resilient pieces (72) mounted to said horseshoe plate (58) to close said inner side (66); and a holding means (74) provided on the horseshoe plate (58) to hold a member inserted through said plurality of resilient pieces (72).

Abstract: A system and method for improving compliance by a patient with a medical regimen that has been prescribed to the patient wherein utilizing computer and electronic communication systems, patient data is compared to pharmaceutical data to verify prescribed drug dosage and prescribed medication duration are within acceptable limits, any abnormalities found by the comparisons are reported to the treating physician who may then alter the medical regimen before authorizing dispensing of the prescribed drugs and providing drug taking information to the patient, and upon authorization being issued, the patient is scheduled to receive reminder notifications prior to the prescribed time for the prescribed drugs to be administered, as well as automatically notifying the prescription distribution service to deliver the prescribed drugs to the patient, and notifying the payor service to pay for the prescribed drugs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a target material which enables, for example, the blotch to be uniformly and efficiently irradiated with laser light for elimination thereof.In order to modify the living tissue by being irradiated with laser light, the liquid target including laser light absorbing powders having a particle size of not larger than 40 .mu.m, which are dispersed in a dispersing medium is applied on the surface of the living tissue. Then the surface of the tissue on which the target material is applied is irradiated with the laser light. The laser light causes the temperature of the target material to be elevated so that vaporization of the tissue occurs.

Abstract: A new therapeutic heat application device for applying heat to various areas of a person's body. The inventive device includes a pad portion having a wide central portion and a pair of opposed tapered side portions. The pad portion has a shape resembling a pair of lips. The wide central portion is divided into a plurality of narrow sections by vertically extending seams. Each of the tapered side portions is divided into two sections by a horizontally extending seam. The sections of the wide central portion and the tapered side portions are filled with cracked corn. A pair of straps extend outwardly from the tapered side portions of the pad portion. Each of the straps have hook and loop fasteners disposed thereon for engaging each other when the straps wrap the pad portion around a body of a wearer.

Abstract: A balloon catheter (1) is characterized by at least one radioactive nuclide species in or on the wall of the balloon (2) in order to eliminate vessel restrictions or stenoses and to inhibit restenosis in arteries (6), veins or vessel implants or to inhibit the growth of tumors, in which at least one radionuclide species is mixed with the plastic of the balloon wall, directly implanted into the balloon wall, or applied to the balloon wall as firmly adhesive film.

Abstract: An apparatus, for laser irradiating and vaporizing the nucleus pulposus of the lumbar intervertebral disc, comprises a hollow needle member; an optical fiber for transmitting a laser light; a lead for detecting the temperature of the nucleus pulposus. The optical fiber and the temperature detecting lead are disposed such that they pass through the needle member adjacent the nucleus pulposus. Insertion is confirmed by ultrasonic diagnosis.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument comprising a handle, an end effector and an elongated hollow tube. The handle includes first and second grip members. The end effector includes first, second and third electrodes. The first electrode is substantially triangular in shape. The first electrode is adapted to pivot between an open position and a closed position. The first electrode also pivots around its proximal to distal axis and includes a coagulating surface and a cutting edge. The second and third electrodes are arranged substantially parallel to the first electrode when the first electrode is in the closed position. The elongated hollow tube includes a mechanism connecting the handle to the end effector such that movement of the first and second grip members relative to one another causes the first electrode to move relative to the second and third electrodes.

Abstract: A surgical laser smoke plume evacuator includes an evacuator body which is formed to a shape which is suitable for placement in normal use position substantially entirely around and adjacent to a tissue site upon which laser surgery is to be performed. The evacuator body has structure for removing smoke therethrough, and a smoke exit portion in communication with and extending from the evacuator body. The smoke exit portion is connectable to vacuum source, to thereby apply a vacuum to the evacuator body and cause smoke which is created at a surgical site during surgery to be removed from the surgical site through the evacuator body and the smoke exit portion.

Abstract: An incubator for infants with air feed arranged between the lying surface and the housing and with an air return, as well as with a fan and an air heater associated with it. To ensure a uniform temperature in the area of the lying surface and a stable warm air curtain in the area of the longitudinal sides of the incubator, the air feed is designed in the form of free jets using nozzles with diffusors arranged downstream, in the form of slots. Exhaust slots are provided for the air return on both narrow sides of the lying surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for awakening the user during a preset time interval or bracket at the point when, for all intents and purposes, the user is already awake. At certain periods, discernable by, for instance, measurement of resistance through the body, large .DELTA.'s are observed at certain brief periods, especially close to the beginning and end of REM. At these points, it is possible to wake a person with almost no effort at all, and in many cases, the person will be unaware that they even were sleep.

Abstract: A prosthesis for orienting a flacid penis in an orientation to accommodate sexual intercourse is provided. The prosthesis of the present invention does not interfere with the blood flow to the penis. A pair of continuous wire or rod shaped flexible members are formed separately and joined together to allow pivoting motion of the members with respect to one another in a pivoting relationship. The members are also coated with a flexible preferably soft latex like thermoplastic coating so as not to irritate the user. The prosthesis includes a the first engaging portion for engaging adjacent the glans of the penis, proximate the corona sulcus and the prosthesis also having laterally extending arms for engaging an area adjacent the public bone of the user for engaging with a securing strap to allow for the provision of various comfort positions.

Abstract: A method of altering skin tissues by application of light energy. Hair coloring is altered by introduction of melanin to the hair and hair follicle. Delivery of melanin is enhance by encapsulation in a liposome. Liposomes are specifically selected for the ability to bind to the tissues of the epidermis. Light energy is applied to release the melanin and assist binding to the targeted tissues. Light energy is preferably provided by one of several laser light sources. The light energy is matched to the absorption of the melanin to reduce absorption and damage to surrounding untargeted skin tissues.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted handling and loading of radioactive seeds into implant needles from a lead glass shielded glass tube and with seeds manipulated within an enclosed visible radiation shield. Radioactive seeds and spacers are located on a loading platform within a shield having at least two transparent side walls for viewing into the interior of the shield. A vacuum pickup probe is inserted into the shield to manipulate the radioactive seeds and spacers to lift and drop the radioactive seeds and spacers into the funnel leading to a glass tube, behind a lead glass window. The manipulation of the vacuum pickup probe is performed from outside of the shield and vacuum force exerted through the pickup probe and the glass tube on the radioactive seeds or spacers.

Abstract: A process for providing an endoscopic scissors blade with the necessary roughness to receive a ceramic coating, without first requiring that the blade surfaces be roughened by gritblasting, includes obtaining an investment mold with an interior textured surface. The investment mold is textured by first texturing an injection mold cavity by etching, gritblasting, or electric-discharge machining the inside surface of the injection mold cavity to produce a desired roughness. A blade pattern (wax) is then formed in the injection mold with a resulting textured surface, and using the textured blade pattern, the investment mold with the textured interior cavity is generated. When metal is injected into the investment mold using a lost wax process, the resulting cast blades will have the necessary roughness for permitting a ceramic to be bonded thereto without the need for any additional roughening. Thus, the so-formed blades are coated with a ceramic material.

Abstract: A mechanical sphincter device is to be located in the body for engaging the urethra to control urinary incontinence. The device is formed by a curved piece of flexible material having free ends and a pair of juxtaposed strips of flexible material having their ends connected to the corresponding ends of the curved piece with the urethra disposed between opposing faces of the strips. When the curved piece is in a relaxed state it tensions the strips to apply pressure to the urethra therebetween to restrict flow of urine and when force is applied to the curved piece relaxing the tension on said pair of strips the pressure on the urethra is reduced and permits urine flow.

Abstract: A sheet of fabric comprises a layer of magnetic powder, layer through applying or printing a power of magnetic material, in which the magnetic layer is composed of a mixture of a Sm2Co17 alloy and a binder, which comprises an antioxidant and an adhesive, coated over the fabric 1 by printing.In use, the magnetic therapeutic sheet is cut into pieces of a desired size.The magnetic therapeutic sheet may be applied to underwear including a shirt, socks, a corset, and a cloth covering a part of a human body.

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: When a temperature in a hood is not a preset temperature, or when the door of the hood is open, the air quantity of a blower is increased by a controller. A time required when a power switch is turned on until the interior of the hood reaches an atmosphere having the preset temperature is short. Even if a treatment for a baby's body in the hood is performed while the door is open, the atmosphere in the hood will not be disturbed easily. A time required when the treatment for the baby's body and the like are ended and the door is closed until the atmosphere in the hood is restored to the initial state is short. Accordingly, a time required when the power switch is turned on until the incubator is ready to use is short, and an adverse influence on the baby's body in the hood is reduced even after the treatment for the baby's body and the like are performed.