Abstract: A method for diagnosing a condition of a patient includes providing a color reference member that includes one reference color thereon. An electronic visual image is obtained of a patient tissue and the at least one reference color on the image. The electronic visual image is processed with the computer by analyzing the colors in the image of the patient tissue and the reference color. This analysis is performed to obtain a standardized color value of the patient tissue. A condition of the patient is diagnosed by using the standardized color value of the patient tissue so obtained.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a condition of a patient includes providing a color reference member that includes one reference color thereon. An electronic visual image is obtained of a patient tissue and the at least one reference color on the image. The electronic visual image is processed with the computer by analyzing the colors in the image of the patient tissue and the reference color. This analysis is performed to obtain a standardized color value of the patient tissue. A condition of the patient is diagnosed by using the standardized color value of the patient tissue so obtained.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter device having a catheter and an ultrasound ablation manifold is proposed for generating cavitations and acoustic jet streams in the blood to ablate atheroma. The ablation manifold has a power transducer and a coupled leaky acoustic cavity. The leaky acoustic cavity contains a first portion of ultrasonic power emission for intra-cavity ablation while allowing a second portion of ultrasonic power emission to leak outside for an extra-cavity ablation. The power transducer and the leaky acoustic cavity are configured to form a confocal resonant cavity. An intervening bird cage is coupled to the resonant cavity for stronger resonance while maintaining ultrasound leakage. A protective shield is mounted around the waist of bird cage to strengthen resonance and to prevent damaging the intima from an otherwise normal incidence of high intensity ultrasound. A microbubble releasing device and micro pump are also included to further increase the ablation efficacy.

Abstract: A method for remotely monitoring the cardiovascular condition of a patent includes using a data acquisition device at a patient site to non-invasively acquire cardiovascular condition information from a patient. The cardiovascular condition information includes a data stream of pulse pressure-related data. The cardiovascular condition information acquired by the data acquisition device is transmitted to a remote processor capable of performing data processing and data storage functions on the transmitted cardiovascular condition information. The cardiovascular condition information processed by the remote processor is transmitted to a data display device at a healthcare provider site remote from the data acquisition device for permitting the healthcare provider to use the cardiovascular condition information to monitor the cardiovascular condition of the patient.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for diagnosing, monitoring and treating cardiovascular pathologies. Among the hemodynamic parameters of interest are peripheral resistance, compliance, and cardiac (left ventricular) output. Peripheral resistance determined according to the present invention has been found to be a reliable indicator, not only of hypertension, but also of the cause of the hypertension. The determined peripheral resistance can be compared against a predetermined threshold value. This comparison helps to foster a diagnosis of a hypertensive condition.

Abstract: A method for remotely monitoring the cardiovascular condition of a patent includes using a data acquisition device at a patient site to non-invasively acquire cardiovascular condition information from a patient. The cardiovascular condition information includes a data stream of pulse pressure-related data. The cardiovascular condition information acquired by the data acquisition device is transmitted to a remote processor capable of performing data processing and data storage functions on the transmitted cardiovascular condition information. The cardiovascular condition information processed by the remote processor is transmitted to a data display device at a healthcare provider site remote from the data acquisition device for permitting the healthcare provider to use the cardiovascular condition information to monitor the cardiovascular condition of the patient.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for diagnosing, monitoring and treating cardiovascular pathologies. Among the hemodynamic parameters of interest are peripheral resistance, compliance, and cardiac (left ventricular) output. Peripheral resistance determined according to the present invention has been found to be a reliable indicator, not only of hypertension, but also of the cause of the hypertension. The determined peripheral resistance can be compared against a predetermined threshold value. This comparison helps to foster a diagnosis of a hypertensive condition.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for diagnosing, monitoring and treating cardiovascular pathologies. Among the hemodynamic parameters of interest are peripheral resistance, compliance, and cardiac (left ventricular) output. Peripheral resistance determined according to the present invention has been found to be a reliable indicator, not only of hypertension, but also of the cause of the hypertension. The determined peripheral resistance can be compared against a predetermined threshold value. This comparison helps to foster a diagnosis of a hypertensive condition.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for diagnosing, monitoring and treating cardiovascular pathologies. Among the hemodynamic parameters of interest are peripheral resistance, compliance, and cardiac (left ventricular) output. Peripheral resistance determined according to the present invention has been found to be a reliable indicator, not only of hypertension, but also of the cause of the hypertension. The determined peripheral resistance can be compared against a predetermined threshold value. This comparison helps to foster a diagnosis of a hypertensive condition.

Abstract: A method and device is provided for determining aortic valve abnormalities. The method first includes the step of providing a sphygmomanometer device for inducing a pressure on a body part of a patient. A data stream receiver is provided for receiving a stream of data relating to the pressure response of the pulsed fluid flowing through the cardiovascular system of the patient. A data processor is provided for processing the data to create a series of time dependant pulse wave forms. The data can be converted by Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) to obtain Power Spectrum (PS) which comprises a frequency dependant array of pulse signals. Both of the time dependant and frequency dependant (Power Spectrum) data can be displayed and analyzed to help determine the condition of the aortic valve and the percentage of regurgitation of the patient.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for diagnosing, monitoring and treating cardiovascular pathologies. Among the hemodynamic parameters of interest are peripheral resistance, compliance, and cardiac (left ventricular) output. Peripheral resistance determined according to the present invention has been found to be a reliable indicator, not only of hypertension, but also of the cause of the hypertension. The determined peripheral resistance can be compared against a predetermined threshold value. This comparison helps to foster a diagnosis of a hypertensive condition.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining the blood pressure of a patient. The method includes the steps of affixing a non-invasive pressure inducing device and transducer to the patient. A data stream is obtained from the transducer. The data stream includes pressure data and pulsation signal data. The data stream is processed to create an information stream which coorelates the pressure data and the pulsation signal data. The information stream includes at least two pulse maximum points and at least one pulse minimum point. At least one of the systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure of the patient are determined by choosing a pressure determination point in the information stream between the two pulse maximum points. Additionally, an apparatus for determining blood pressure is disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining the blood pressure of a patient. The method includes the steps of affixing a non-invasive pressure inducing device and transducer to the patient. A data stream is obtained from the transducer. The data stream includes pressure data and pulsation signal data. The data stream is processed to create an information stream which correlates the pressure data and the pulsation signal data. The information stream includes at least two pulse maximum points and at least one pulse minimum point. At least one of the systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures of the patient are determined by choosing a pressure determination point in the information stream between the two pulse maximum points. Additionally, an apparatus for determining blood pressure is disclosed.

Abstract: A stylus tip is fabricated from a portion of a synthetic diamond stone having a plurality of facets oriented along the {100} family of planes. The portion is bounded by a right circular cylinder having a base thereof centered along one of the {100} facets having a surface area larger than the average surface area of the {100} facets, and having a base diameter and height equal to about half the width of the one facet.

Abstract: The surface of a diamond bonded to a shank is cleaned by subjecting the shanked diamond to an ultrasonically agitated aqueous bath, contacting the shanked diamond with a concentrated aqueous alkaline solution, contacting the shanked diamond with an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, contacting the shanked diamond with a dilute aqueous citric acid solution, contacting the shanked diamond with an aqueous hydrofluoric acid-nitric acid solution, and rinsing the shanked diamond with water.

Abstract: A method and device is provided for determining aortic valve abnormalities. The method first includes the step of providing a sphygmomanometer device for inducing a pressure on a body part of a patient. A data stream receiver is provided for receiving a stream of data relating to the pressure response of the pulsed fluid flowing through the cardiovascular system of the patient. A data processor is provided for processing the data to create a series of time dependant pulse wave forms. The data can be converted by Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) to obtain Power Spectrum (PS) which comprises a frequency dependant array of pulse signals. Both of the time dependant and frequency dependant (Power Spectrum) data can be displayed and analyzed to help determine the condition of the aortic valve and the percentage of regurgitation of the patient.