Abstract: An electrode for attachment to a patient comprises a flexible planar member, an electrically conductive member embedded in said flexible member and adapted for contact with the patient, a layer of electrically conductive adhesive applied to the conductive member and the flexible planar member on a side of the flexible planar member facing the patient. Through holes extend completely through the electrode and, optionally, may also extend through the layer of adhesive. Alternatively, a permeable electrode having a permeable member which allows a solvent to pass through to the adhesive may be used to eliminate the need for through holes in the electrode. The permeable electrode may also be coated with sodium chloride or potassium chloride and used in conjunction with an applicator containing an alcohol gel which liquefies upon contact with the sodium chloride or potassium chloride.

Abstract: A medical waste disposal system for contaminated products to be disposed having a hollow, disposal container and a housing enclosure which is engageable with and covers the container. The housing enclosure has an opening and a tumbler which is pivotally mounted to prevent access to the interior of the housing enclosure when a contaminated product is being deposited into the interior of the disposal container. In one embodiment, upon dropping waste into the opening of the housing enclosure, the tumbler rotates to simultaneously close the upper opening in the housing enclosure and open a lower opening which allows the waste to drop into the disposal container. After the waste has dropped, the tumbler, which is weighted, returns to its original position. When the disposal container reaches full capacity, the tumbler is blocked by the medical waste in the disposal container thereby preventing rotation to the open position.

Abstract: A secure installing system for mounting a container on a frame member, with ease of access to the container. The installing system is appropriate for use in a medical environment such as a hospital. The frame member may be a shelf bracket, or a cabinet for housing a medical waste container, and may be mounted to a wall. A container such as a glove box holder is installed on the frame member. The container may have a dispenser opening providing ready access to materials such as tissues or surgical gloves. The container is securely mounted to the frame member using a hook and snap arrangement and may be disengaged from the frame member in order to exchange stored materials such as tissues or surgical gloves. The hook and snap arrangement protect against accidental dislodging of the container from the frame member, thereby preventing possible contamination of stored materials. Frame members that are shelf brackets may support two containers each.

Abstract: An electrode for attachment to a patient comprises a flexible planar member, an electrically conductive member embedded in said flexible member and adapted for contact with the patient, a layer of electrically conductive adhesive applied to the conductive member and the flexible planar member on a side of the flexible planar member facing the patient. Through holes extend completely through the electrode and, optionally, may also extend through the layer of adhesive. Alternatively, a permeable electrode having a permeable member which allows a solvent to pass through to the adhesive may be used to eliminate the need for through holes in the electrode. The permeable electrode may also be coated with sodium chloride or potassium chloride and used in conjunction with an applicator containing an alcohol gel which liquefies upon contact with the sodium chloride or potassium chloride.

Abstract: A non-invasive fetal probe having enhanced adhesion and electrical isolation for attaching to the presenting part of a fetus and sensing at least one fetal parameter during labor and delivery. In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrical isolation of the fetal probe includes a non-conductive element used in combination with various conductive assemblies made from gel formulations which are polymerized to form a fetal sensor. The non-conductive element in addition to providing physical separation also enhances electrical separation between fetal and maternal sensing elements of the fetal probe. Non-invasive fetal probes having low-profile designs are also provided which help decrease the tendency of the fetal probes to detach caused by forces generated upon the probe by the head of the fetus, the cervix of the mother, or both.

Abstract: A scraping apparatus or scraper for contacting an adhesive device and skin to which the adhesive device is attached, at an interface between the adhesive device and the skin, to remove the adhesive device from the skin. In one configuration, the scraping apparatus includes a fluid for reducing the adhesion of the adhesive; an element for holding the fluid; and a scraping component. The scraping component is connected to and in fluid communication with the fluid holding element and has at least one first opening distal to the fluid holding element. The scraping apparatus also includes a structure for closing the first opening. In another configuration, the scraping apparatus further includes an element for propelling the fluid to the scraping component. The propelling element may be a compressed gas.

Abstract: A conductive medical electrode formed from a moldable, conductive material such as carbon-filled plastic. In one embodiment, the electrode is an integral, conductive electrode including a stud adapted to detachably couple the electrode to a lead wire and a body integral with the stud. The body has a face disposed opposite the stud, for contacting a patient, which has a grooved pattern formed therein. The grooved pattern increases the surface area of the electrode in contact with a conductive adhesive and increases the conductivity between the patient and the electrode. A second embodiment features a two-piece, conductive electrode including an electrically conductive stud and an electrically conductive substrate having an opening formed therein and attached to the stud. The opening formed in the body creates a cavity which aids in retaining the conductive adhesive. The substrate has a face disposed opposite the stud, adapted to contact a patient, which has a grooved pattern formed therein.

Abstract: A control system having a source of control signals and a multi-window electrical signal tracking filter. The signal tracking filter includes an operational amplifier operating in the non-inverting mode as a high impedance load, with a plurality of input stages cascaded at the input to the operational amplifier, each input stage having both a frequency determining filter portion and an amplitude determining threshold detecting portion. Each input stage defines a "window" of operation, such that the portion of a control signal or the like inputted to the filter which falls within the "window" will be filtered or attenuated thereby, while the portion of the control signal which falls outside of the "window" will pass unaffected through the filter. Cascading of the input stages allows one to customize the portions of the signal to be filtered for any particular application.

Abstract: A fluid cushion is comprised of a top material layer having a first preformed cell pattern formed therein, and first seal lines pattern between cells, respectively, and a bottom material layer having a second preformed cell pattern formed therein. The second preformed pattern is congruent and complementary to the first preformed cell pattern and has a seal line matching the first seal lines, respectively. A first middle material layer has a third preformed cell pattern formed therein, with second seal lines between cells, respectively, the cells in the third preformed cell pattern being a fraction of the size of cells in the first preformed pattern. A second middle material layer has a fourth preformed cell pattern which is congruent and complementary to the third preformed cell pattern and has seal lines between cells matching and joined to the second seal lines to form small center cells, respectively, there being a cluster of small cells bounded by the larger outer cells.

Abstract: A fluid cushion is comprised of a top material layer having a first preformed cell pattern formed therein, and first seal lines pattern between cells, respectively, and a bottom material layer having a second preformed cell pattern formed therein. The second preformed pattern is congruent and complementary to the first preformed cell pattern and has a seal line matching the first seal lines, respectively. A first middle material layer has a third preformed cell pattern formed therein, with second seal lines between cells, respectively, the cells in the third preformed cell pattern being a fraction of the size of cells in the first preformed pattern. A second middle material layer has a fourth preformed cell pattern which is congruent and complementary to the third preformed cell pattern and has seal lines between cells matching and joined to the second seal lines to form small center cells, respectively, there being a cluster of small cells bounded by the larger outer cells.

Abstract: A mechanical flotation system to support a body upon a bed, chair and the like which includes a plurality of active support pads which contact various portions of the body to provide such support. Each support pad is connected to an actuator rod which selectively reciprocates in response to an actuator rod displacement control signal and a body contact pressure control signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the position of a patient relative to a bed signals whether the patient is in the middle of the bed, to the left or right of center, at the left or right edge of the bed, attempting to lift himself from the bed, or completely out of the bed.