Abstract: One preferred embodiment utilizes differential measurement of radiation that migrated in two migration paths between two source (100) detector (110) pairs placed on the head in a manner that each path is localized in a portion of one hemisphere. The present invention also provides in various embodiments of spectrophotometer systems for in vivo examination of a tissue of a human by measuring changes in electromagnetic radiation scattered and absorbed in a migration path in the tissue.

Abstract: A device for taking reflectance oximeter readings within the nasal cavity and oral cavity and down through the posterior pharynx. The device preferably includes a reflectance pulse oximeter sensor that preferably is resistant to bodily fluids to contact one of these capillary beds for the taking of readings and then for sending of these readings to a spectrophotometer or like device.

Abstract: Arrangement for fixing a medical-technical measuring device to a body part as well as a medical-technical measuring device involving such an arrangement, particularly a pulsoximeter sensor.

Abstract: A reusable pulse oximeter sensor and disposable liner, comprising (a) a reusable pulse oximeter probe assembly including at least one light emitting diode and one photocell detector wherein said detector and emitter are mounted in plastic finger clip housing arms; and (b) at least one disposable foam strip having an aperture or apertures therein; and wherein the foam strip or strips have plastic modular receptacle which can matedly and removably engage the fingerclip housing arms and transmit and receive light through the apertures in foam strip or strips and through the appendage of a patient.

Abstract: A method for taking reflectance oximeter readings within the nasal cavity and oral cavity and down through the posterior pharynx. The method utilizes a reflectance pulse oximeter sensor that preferably is resistant to bodily fluids to contact one of these capillary beds for the taking of readings and then forwarding of these readings to an oximeter for display. The method includes inserting a reflectance pulse oximeter sensor into a cavity within a subject's skull and contacting a capillary bed disposed in the cavity with the reflectance pulse oximeter sensor.

Abstract: A combined oropharyngeal airway/bite block is disclosed having pulse oximeter sensor elements capable of monitoring the posterior pharynx, the soft palate, the hard palate, and the buccal surface. The oropharyngeal airway portion has a thickened wall to house the pulse oximeter sensor elements and provide sufficient material to form grooves in the distal end. The grooves are utilized when the invention is turned on its side to act as a bite block with the grooves engaging the teeth of the patient. The pulse oximeter sensor elements include a light source, which emits light at wavelengths of about 660 nm and about 940 nm, and a light detector. The pulse oximeter sensor elements are in communication with a spectrophotometer for analysis.

Abstract: This invention is a protective covering to protect off-the-shelf disposable pulse oximeter sensors from bodily or surgical fluids. The protective covering will envelop and encase the inserted pulse oximeter sensor up to a point on the connection cable extending from the pulse oximeter sensor. The protective covering is a polypropylene, rubber, or similar material, which preferably is tapered from the large width at the entrance to the narrower width at the blind end. The protective covering is bilaminar in nature to contain a substantially rectangular pulse oximeter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus using the principles of time-resolved spectroscopy are disclosed. The present invention employs incident light pulses of sufficiently short duration to permit the rate of the rise and decay of such pulses to be measured. Consequently, the rate of decay, u, permits a determination of the concentration of an absorptive pigment, such as hemoglobin. The present invention also allows the precise path length the photons travel to be determined. Using this path length information and by measuring changes in optical density using known continuous light (CW) spectrophotometry systems, the methods and apparatus disclosed allow changes in the concentration of an absorptive pigment to be correctly be measured. From these data, the oxygenation state of a tissue region, such as the brain, can be accurately determined in real time.

Abstract: Devices and methods according to embodiments of the invention measure physiological changes that occur in the female during sexual arousal. These include changes in clitoral, vaginal-artery, and/or vaginal-capillary blood flow, clitoral engorgement, and bioimpedance, to name a few. Feedback devices and methods assist a patient or medical professional to determine when arousal occurs and what its best triggers are for a particular patient. Overnight arousal-event monitoring, or other continuous monitoring over extended periods of time, either at home or away from home, allows diagnosis of vasculogenic impairment or other problems. The effects of medicinal therapies aimed at female sexual dysfunction can be quantified and used to titrate proper dosages. Embodiments of the invention provide objective, quantifiable measures of multiple physiological variables associated with female arousal, in a manner heretofore unseen in the prior art.

Abstract: In the spectroreflectometry oxygenation measuring method and device, a light source produces a light beam having a spectral bandwidth including the wavelengths from 450 nm to 850 nm. A first optical system propagates the light beam from the light source to a two-dimensional area of the fundus of a patient's eye, the light beam being reflected at least in part by the fundus of the patient's eye to produce a reflected light beam. A detector unit detects the spectral content of the reflected light beam and produces a signal indicative of the spectral content of this reflected light beam. A second optical system propagates the reflected light beam from the fundus of the patient's eye to the detector unit. This second optical system comprises an optical scanning sub-system for scanning a plurality of points of the two-dimensional area of the fundus of the patient's eye.

Abstract: A self-piercing pulse oximeter sensor is provided for attachment to subject, e.g., an individual or an animal. The device includes a flexible pulse oximeter sensor, an earring post, and a grommet. The earring post may be used as a piercing device if there is not a pierced body part suitable for attaching the pulse oximeter sensor to the body. Otherwise the earring post may be slid into the pierced hole. In either case, the tip of the earring post engages a grommet once passing through the body part. Thus, the pulse oximeter sensor functions in a transilluminance mode by transmitting light through the pierced body part.

Abstract: The present invention provides a measuring apparatus for biological information which permits accurate determination for biological information without causing the subject much discomfort. The measuring apparatus for biological information of the present invention uses an ear receiver-shaped sensor element which is placed and held on the perimeter of the subject's external auditory meatus opening with the light emitter and the light receiver brought into contact with the subject. The light receiver detects the light projected to and passed through the subject. The apparatus is also provided with a signal processor which performs calculation for biological information of the subject on the basis of the intensity of light detected by the light receiver.

Abstract: The present invention involves the measurement of nitric oxide in interstitial fluid extracted by a thin needle from a body tissue, and particularly a human breast. The diffuse nature of nitric oxide means that the sample of body fluid does not need to be taken directly from the lesion to indicate that cancerous cells are present in the vicinity. Therefore, the presence of nitric oxide in the extracted body fluid is a direct indicator of the presence of a cancerous lesion in the vicinity.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for biofeedback of human central nervous system activity using radiation detection. This invention uses radiation from the brain resulting either from an ingested or injected radioactive material or radio frequency excitation or light from an external source impinging on the brain. The radiation is measured by suitable means and is made available to the subject on which the measurement is being made for his voluntary control. The measurement may be metabolic products of brain activity or some quality of the blood, such as its oxygen content. One such system utilizes red and infrared light to illuminate the brain through the translucent skull and scalp. Absorption and scattering of incident radiation depends on the degree of oxygen saturation of the blood in the illuminated tissue.

Abstract: In the spectroreflectometry oxygenation measuring method and device, a light source produces a light beam having a spectral bandwidth including the wavelengths from 450 nm to 850 nm. A first optical system propagates the light beam from the light source to the fundus of a patient's eye, the light beam being reflected at least in part by the fundus of the patient's eye to produce a reflected light beam. A detector unit detects the spectral content of the reflected light beam and produces a signal indicative of this spectral content. A second optical system propagates an axial central portion of the reflected light beam along a predetermined propagation path from the fundus of the patient's eye to the detector unit. To that effect, the second optical system comprises a mirror defining an angle of 45.degree.

Abstract: An improved infant/neonatal pulse oximeter sensor substrate which is preferably conforming to the shape of the infant or neonate's foot. In one embodiment, the pad conforms to the heel of the infant, with the emitter and detector preferably being mounted in the region of the calcaneus bone. The heel pad can be held in place with a stretchable sock. In an alternate embodiment, the conformable pad is a sock with recesses or pockets cut in it for holding the emitter and detector.

Abstract: A reusable accessory for a sensor (such as a pulse oximeter or a plethysmograph) that allows close conformance between the sensor heads and the patient tissue to be measured. The accessory thus provides both a key advantage of adherent sensors (i.e. close tissue-sensor conformance) and a key advantage of rigid structure sensors (reusability). The accessory provides a structure for mounting the sensor heads, whereby the sensor heads can pivot about their respective points of attachment to the mounting structure within first and second voids, respectively, thereby allowing the sensors to closely conform to the patient tissue. In one embodiment, the mounting structure includes a spring containing two coils, and two frames surrounding the voids and connected to the coils, each frame having an end shaped to fit a portion of a sensor head and onto which a sensor head is mounted.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a physical parameter, such as the saturation percentage of oxygen in blood. The pulse oximeter is built into the finger clip, and therefore the device is small, lightweight and very portable, as well as more reliable.

Abstract: A sensor performs medical measurements, particularly pulsoximetric measurements, and is attached or otherwise adhered to a human fingernail or toenail by an inwardly concave, first casing part of a sensor. Electromagnetic, particularly optical, transmitting elements and receiving elements permit the measurement of the radiation reflected by or transmitted through the tissue. The sensor is easy to apply, allows a long application period and is reusable.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for measuring the oxygen saturation of blood within a retinal vessel illuminates the retinal vessel with light having a combination of wavelengths selected to reduce the error in the measured blood oxygen saturation. The oxygen saturation measuring method and apparatus illuminates a retinal vessel with light having the selected combination of wavelengths. For example, the oxygen saturation measuring method and apparatus can illuminate the retinal vessel with light having a first wavelength between 460 nm and 503 nm, a second wavelength between 600 nm, and 770 nm and a third wavelength between 770 nm and 1000 nm. The oxygen saturation measuring method and apparatus then measures the transmittance of the blood within the retinal vessel in response to the illumination at each of the selected wavelengths.