Abstract: An improved intracranial diagnostic electrode for use with magnetic resonance imaging techniques includes an electrode body and at least one metallic contact supported by the body. An electrical lead wire is attached to the contact for connecting the contact to a diagnostic instrument. At least the metallic contact is made of an alloy which includes nickel and chromium and is substantially devoid of iron. The electrode thereby provides substantially clear images of the location of each metallic contact when the electrode is used in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging techniques. The electrode may also include radiopaque elements or markers to adapt the electrode for use with x-ray as well as magnetic resonance imaging techniques. Several embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved electrical brain-contact device for increased accuracy in determining epileptogenic foci. The intracranial device has a dielectric base member and an array of contacts mounted thereon with separate leads extending therefrom, and is characterized by radiopaque dielectric means adjacent to at least one of the contacts such that the positions of the contacts of the array may more readily be determined by x-ray. Certain preferred forms have discrete radiopaque dielectric markers in various arrangements, including sub-arrays of markers corresponding in number and positions to subsets of the contacts.

Abstract: An electrical brain-contact device and device for connecting a plurality of lead wires with individual conductors. The lead wires extend to a terminal mount and to an array of terminals; a conductor support holds an array of the individual conductors; and a connector block with a first space and an array of second spaces serves to join the conductors to the terminals, preferably by a biasing means. The first space receives the terminal mount and the array of second spaces receives the conductor array. The block may be single or have a plurality of sub-blocks attached end-to-end allowing the block to be sized to accept any number of terminals and conductors. Each block or sub-block is preferably a non-conductive one-piece member.

Abstract: A hand held endoscopic apparatus consists of a body, a camera and a removable and interchangeable objective element capable of presenting an image of an object to the camera. The objective element may be either rigid, or deformable, and may enable viewing of an image at varying angles to the longitudinal axis of the handpiece. The endoscope is capable of presenting an image for real-time viewing or for recording and play back at a later time. The camera is rotatably mounted within the body to allow rotation of the image presented for viewing. The endoscope is fully immersible in liquid media, for example sterilizing liquid, and is provided with an optically transparent sheath capable of isolating the endoscope from the working environment.

Abstract: A brain-contact device (19,12,13) having a multi-electrode tissue-engagement member (14,16), lead wires (32) extending to a terminal mount (36) with an array of lead-wire terminals (38) on it, and a connector (46,46a) including a base (48,48a) with a matching array of take-up terminals (70,70a), a movable yoke (50,50a) forming with the base a terminal-mount space (62,62a), and a device (52,52a) to hold the yoke and base together with the arrays in contact.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for insertion of a sphenoidal wire electrode. The apparatus includes a needle (22) carrying a wire (24) having a turned-back distal portion (34) beside the needle and terminating forwardly along the slant-tip (28). The method includes positioning the wire in the needle with such turned-back distal portion as described, inserting the needle and wire, engaging the tissue with the turned-back portion to resist unintended relocation during needle withdrawal and the subsequent test period, and unfolding the turned-back portion of the wire to straighten it by initial pulling of the wire after the test period.

Abstract: An improved subdural strip electrode for determining epileptogenic foci. The strip has a long gradually tapered proximal end portion terminating in a narrow tip from which lead wires extend, allowing withdrawal of the strip electrode without substantial incision. The strip width and thickness are much less than in prior subdural strip electrodes, and the strip may be withdrawn after extended implantation without the need for general surgery. One preferred embodiment includes a reinforced central region along the strip.