Abstract: Disclosed are a method, device and system for determining total circulating blood volume (BV) using a minimally invasive technique.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, device and system for determining total circulating blood volume (BV) using a minimally invasive technique.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of tomographic bright field imaging (TBFI): an optical imaging technique that enables the measurement of cellular refractive index and dry mass density using a standard transillumination optical microscope and software embodying said method.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of tomographic bright field imaging (TBFI): an optical imaging technique that enables the measurement of cellular refractive index and dry mass density using a standard transillumination optical microscope and software embodying said method.

Abstract: A low profile, short, tapered distal tip catheter and methods for its manufacture are provided. The catheter tip is configured to have a taper over a relatively short length resulting in a low profile that is useful when navigating the catheter tip into tight passages such as the Papilla of Vater. The configuration of the tip and process for making it can be employed in any medical catheter but are found to be most useful in a multilumen papillotome catheter used in biliary procedures.

Abstract: A low profile, short, tapered distal tip catheter and methods for its manufacture are provided. The catheter tip is configured to have a taper over a relatively short length resulting in a low profile that is useful when navigating the catheter tip into tight passages such as the Papilla of Vater. The configuration of the tip and process for making it can be employed in any medical catheter but are found to be most useful in a multilumen papillotome catheter used in biliary procedures.

Abstract: A medical device for creating a fistula in a patient has a catheter including a first lumen and a second lumen for forming a fistula inside a body organ of a patient is disclosed. The second lumen may be capable of fluid communication with an internal bolster, wherein the internal bolster is attachable to the catheter near the distal end and is at least partially filled with a liquid. An external bolster may be adjustably attachable to the catheter outside the patient. Methods of use of medical devices according to the present invention are also disclosed. In one aspect of a method of use, at least a portion of the liquid within an internal bolster may be removed. Such a process may substantially collapse the internal bolster for removal of the medical device.

Abstract: A triple lumen stone balloon catheter (1) having a tapered distal end (9). A lumen (24) dedicated to transmitting contrast media is dimensioned and adapted to conform to the shape of a kidney in a main shaft of the catheter and conform to the shape of a crescent in a distal end of the catheter. The geometric shaping of the contrast media lumen (24) enables wall thickness to be maintained within acceptable ranges to sustain desirable mechanical characteristics while allowing for enhanced contrast media flow. A method for employing the balloon catheter (1) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gastric balloon devices and systems (8) for occupying space within a stomach of a patient are disclosed. In one embodiment, such a gastric balloon device (8) includes a shaft element (14) for insertion into a stomach (52) of a patient and a generally elongated balloon element (12) having at least one pleat region (30). Methods of use of a gastric balloon device or system are also disclosed. For example, a gastric balloon system (8) is provided including a generally elongated balloon element (12), wherein the balloon element (12) includes at least one pleat region (30). Further, the balloon element (12) is furled and inserted through a stoma into the stomach (52) of the patient and at least partially expanded. In another method a balloon element (12) is inserted into a stomach (52) of a patient, wherein a stoma is formed nearer to a duodenum (55) than a fundus region of the stomach (52), and the balloon element (12) is at least partially expanded.

Abstract: A photoacoustic probe for port wine stain (PWS), burn and melanin depth measurements is comprised of optical fibers for laser light delivery and a piezoelectric element for acoustic detection. The probe induced and measured photoacoustic waves in acryl amide tissue phantoms and PWS skin in vivo. Acoustic waves were denoised using spline wavelet transforms, then deconvolved with the impulse response of the probe to yield initial subsurface pressure distributions in phantoms and skin. The waves were then analyzed for epidermal melanin concentration, using a photoacoustic melanin index (PAMI) related to the amount of laser energy absorbed by melanin. Propagation time of the photoacoustic wave was used to determine the depth of blood perfusion underlying necrotic, burned tissue. Thus, the photoacoustic probe can be used for determining PWS, burn and melanin depth for most patients receiving laser therapy.

Abstract: A low profile, short, tapered distal tip catheter and methods for its manufacture are provided. The catheter tip is configured to have a taper over a relatively short length resulting in a low profile that is useful when navigating the catheter tip into tight passages such as the Papilla of Vater. The configuration of the tip and process for making it can be employed in any medical catheter but are found to be most useful in a multilumen papillotome catheter used in biliary procedures.

Abstract: A method for determining an arterial blood oxygen saturation level according to this invention includes measuring the light transmittance through tissue of light of a first wavelength and a second wavelength. A steady-state component of the measured light transmission is used to select an appropriate calibration curve. A pulsatile component of the measured light transmission is used to determine the arterial blood oxygen saturation level using the selected calibration curve. An oximetry system is also provided. An improved oximetry system is further provided wherein a plurality of light transmission measurements are used to determine a blood oxygen saturation level.

Abstract: A photoacoustic probe for port wine stain (PWS), burn and melanin depth measurements is comprised of optical fibers for laser light delivery and a piezoelectric element for acoustic detection. The probe induced and measured photoacoustic waves in acryl amide tissue phantoms and PWS skin in vivo. Acoustic waves were denoised using spline wavelet transforms, then deconvolved with the impulse response of the probe to yield initial subsurface pressure distributions in phantoms and skin. The waves were then analyzed for epidermal melanin concentration, using a photoacoustic melanin index (PAMI) related to the amount of laser energy absorbed by melanin. Propagation time of the photoacoustic wave was used to determine the depth of blood perfusion underlying necrotic, burned tissue. Thus, the photoacoustic probe can be used for determining PWS, burn and melanin depth for most patients receiving laser therapy.

Abstract: A method for determining an arterial blood oxygen saturation level according to this invention includes measuring the light transmittance through tissue of light of a first wavelength and a second wavelength. A steady-state component of the measured light transmission is used to select an appropriate calibration curve. A pulsatile component of the measured light transmission is used to determine the arterial blood oxygen saturation level using the selected calibration curve. An oximetry system is also provided. An improved oximetry system is further provided wherein a plurality of light transmission measurements are used to determine a blood oxygen saturation level.

Abstract: A triple lumen stone balloon catheter (1) having a tapered distal end (9). A lumen (24) dedicated to transmitting contrast media is dimensioned and adapted to conform to the shape of a kidney in a main shaft of the catheter and conform to the shape of a crescent in a distal end of the catheter. The geometric shaping of the contrast media lumen (24) enables wall thickness to be maintained within acceptable ranges to sustain desirable mechanical characteristics while allowing for enhanced contrast media flow. A method for employing the balloon catheter (1) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining an arterial blood oxygen saturation level according to this invention includes measuring the light transmittance through tissue of light of a first wavelength and a second wavelength. A steady-state component of the measured light transmission is used to select an appropriate calibration curve. A pulsatile component of the measured light transmission is used to determine the arterial blood oxygen saturation level using the selected calibration curve. An oximetry system is also provided.

Abstract: Levels of psoralen concentration in a biological detection target are determined so that an appropriate UVA light dose of PUVA therapy can be delivered to a biological treatment target. The appropriate therapy is determined by the product of the UVA light dose and psoralen concentration level. After determination of a baseline optical autofluoresence signal from the detection target, a first dosage of psoralen (preferably 8-methoxypsoralen ?8-MOP!) is administered. Thereafter, the detection target is irradiated under the same conditions as the pre-psoralen irradiation. Then, the optical return from the psoralen-treated detection target is analyzed. A computer (86) compares the pre-psoralen optical return and psoralen-treated optical return to calculate a real time determination of the concentration level of psoralen in the treatment target.

Abstract: The laser optoacoustic imaging system described herein utilizes time-resolved measurement of profiles of laser-induced transient pressure (acoustic) waves. The pressure waves are emitted by acoustic sources preferentially generated in absorbing tissues of diagnostic interest. This technique allows visualization of absorbed light distribution in turbid, layered and heterogeneous tissues irradiated by laser pulses in vivo. The laser optoacoustic tomography can be used for the characterization of structure and properties of normal tissue, and for the detection of tissue pathological changes. The optical heterogeneities that can be imaged with the laser optoacoustic imaging system include abnormal tissues such as tumors, injured tissues, blood vessels and other layered tissues. Further, three dimensional images of organs and portions of organs can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining the reduced scattering coefficient of a turbid medium having a smaller absorption coefficient than the reduced scattering coefficient by directing an optical beam obliquely incident to the medium and determining the reduced scattering coefficient as a function of the distance between the incident point and the center of the diffused reflectance, the incident angle, the relative refractive index and the reduced scattering coefficient.

Abstract: Levels of psoralen concentration in a biological detection target are determined so that an appropriate UVA light dose of PUVA therapy can be delivered to a biological treatment target. The appropriate therapy is determined by the product of the UVA light dose and psoralen concentration level. After determination of a baseline optical autofluoresence signal from the detection target, a first dosage of psoralen (preferably 8-methoxypsoralen [8-MOP]) is administered. Thereafter, the detection target is irradiated under the same conditions as the pre-psoralen irradiation. Then, the optical return from the psoralen-treated detection target is analyzed. A computer (86) compares the pre-psoralen optical return and psoralen-treated optical return to calculate a real time determination of the concentration level of psoralen in the treatment target.