Abstract: An improved electrocardiography system displays and records electrocardiograph (ECG) signals provided on multiple pickup leads attached to a patient. The system has the capability of selectively displaying standard preprogrammed lead configurations or lead groups, and provides the operator with the additional capability of programming selected leads from various groups to form a "monitor group". Selected ECG signals are routed to a four-channel oscilloscope and a three-channel strip-chart recorder, the system providing the operator with a "freeze" capability such that a signal appearing on one of the oscilloscope channels may be displayed in a stationary state on the fourth oscilloscope channel, and subsequently printed out on the strip chart recorder.

Abstract: An automatic high speed Holter scanning system operates in a nonautomatic mode or in an automatic mode to receive electrocardiogram signals which have been prerecorded in dissimilar formats having different known parameters, and to process same in accordance with an operator input. The automatic arrhythmia processor of the present invention detects ectopic cardiac information, stores the detected information in time sequence, and selectively reads out and displays the stored ectopic information in response to operator command. In addition, the automatic arrhythmia processor compares QRS complexes in received ECG signals to a desired normal QRS complex, and continuously updates the R-R interval and area of the normal QRS complex following each comparison of the normal QRS complex with the subsequent QRS complexes.

Abstract: A pressure sensor apparatus primarily for sensing pressure in a body cavity such as the cranium, bladder or vena cava of an animal or human comprising a housing having a bellows defining a chamber within the housing. Means is provided for communicating pressure from the body cavity to the chamber. A radioactive material is housed in the housing and at least partially surrounded by radiation shielding. The radiation shielding shields the radioactive material as a function of the pressure sensed by the flexible member and the radioactivity is sensed by a radiation detector.

Abstract: Radioactive waste materials are converted into solid form by mixing the radioactive waste with a novel polymeric formulation which, when solidified, forms a solid, substantially rigid matrix that contains and entraps the radioactive waste. The polymeric formulation comprises, in certain significant proportions by weight, urea-formaldehyde; methylated urea-formaldehyde; urea and a plasticizer. A defoaming agent may also be incorporated into the polymeric composition. In the practice of the invention, radioactive waste, in the form of a liquid or slurry, is mixed with the polymeric formulation, with this mixture then being treated with an acidic catalyzing agent, such as sulfuric acid. This mixture is then preferably passed to a disposable container so that, upon solidification, the radioactive waste, entrapped within the matrix formed by the polymeric formulation, may be safely and effectively stored or disposed of.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for indicating pressure in the animal or human body, such as intracranial pressure, including a housing, a bellows contained within the housing, a body pressure sensing tambour for placing the bellows in communication with pressure in the body so that the pressure will cause the bellows to move as a function of the pressure, output means, such as a radioactive source and associated shielding, contained within the housing and associated with the bellows for providing an output which is a function of the movement of the bellows, and a receiver, such as a radiation detector, located external to the body to receive the output and provide data indicative of the pressure in the body. The pressure sensor includes means associated with the bellows to enable in vivo calibration of the pressure sensor after implantation by establishing a preselected output condition during calibration. An ambient pressure sensing tambour is associated with the bellows for compensating for ambient pressure variations.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for indicating pressure in the animal or human body, such as intracranial pressure, including a housing, a bellows contained within the housing, a body pressure sensing tambour for placing the bellows in communication with pressure in the body so that the pressure will cause the bellows to move as a function of the pressure, output means, such as a radioactive source and associated shielding, contained within the housing and associated with the bellows for providing an output which is a function of the movement of the bellows, and a receiver, such as a radiation detector, located external to the body to receive the output and provide data indicative of the pressure in the body. The pressure sensor includes means associated with the bellows to enable in vivo calibration of the pressure sensor after implantation by establishing a preselected output condition during calibration. An ambient pressure sensing tambour is associated with the bellows for compensating for ambient pressure variations.

Abstract: A non-invasive nuclear device for communicating pressure inside a body to the exterior, such as from within the cranium, bladder or vena cava, of an animal or human, the device including a housing having an interior communicating through a conduit of deformable metallic material with a fluid pressure sensing device positioned within the body portion being monitored, the housing being mounted on the body adjacent the body portion being monitored, a shaped mass of radioactive material together with radiation shield means being disposed within the housing interior together with urging means for producing a predetermined shielding relationship between the radioactive mass and the shield means, the radioactive mass being supported on the urging means for guide movement relative to the shield means and the sensed pressure being exerted through a pressure transmitting fluid flowing within the deformable metal conduit against the urging means for modifying the shielding relationship between the radioactive mass and t

Abstract: A pressure sensor apparatus primarily for sensing pressure in a body cavity such as the cranium, bladder or vena cava of an animal or human comprising a housing having a bellows defining a chamber within the housing. Means is provided for communicating pressure from the body cavity to the chamber. A radioactive material is housed in the housing and at least partially surrounded by radiation shielding. The radiation shielding shields the radioactive material as a function of the pressure sensed by the flexible member and the radioactivity is sensed by a radiation detector.

Abstract: A pressure sensor apparatus primarily for sensing pressure in a body cavity such as the cranium, bladder or vena cava of an animal or human comprising a housing having a diaphragm dividing the interior of the housing into two chambers. A member containing filter material is connected to the housing and communicates with one of the chambers formed in the housing. The other chamber contains radioactive fluid and is connected to a variable volume chamber that receives a volume of radioactive fluid which is proportional to the pressure sensed by the flexible member. A radiation detector senses the volume of radioactive fluid in the variable volume chamber.

Abstract: A pressure sensor apparatus primarily for sensing pressure in a body cavity such as the cranium, bladder or vena cava of an animal or human comprising a housing having non-radioactive fluids contained in two spaced apart regions of the housing. A radioactive fluid immiscible with at least one of the non-radioactive fluids is also contained within the housing between the non-radioactive fluids. The interface between the radioactive fluid and one of the non-radioactive fluids is optionally formed by a resilient member such as an elastomeric diaphragm. A flexible member is connected to the housing and communicates with one of the two spaced apart regions in the housing. The other spaced apart region in the housing is closed by a resilient member such as a metallic diaphragm. With this arrangement, the movement of the radioactive fluid is proportional to the pressure sensed by the flexible member and is sensed by a radiation detector.

Abstract: A pressure sensor apparatus primarily for sensing pressure in a body cavity such as the cranium, bladder or vena cava of an animal or human comprising a Bourdon or bellows type pressure gauge connected to a flexible member such as a metallic disc or corrugated bellows tambour containing a non-radioactive fluid. A discrete mass of radioactive material is connected to the pressure gauge and moves proportionally to the pressure sensed by the flexible member. A radiation detector senses the movement of the radioactive material through a window in a radiation shield.