Abstract: Apparatus for assisting an operator to diagnose physical conditions in a patient by collecting and analyzing cyclical body sounds such as heart beat, peripheral vessel sounds, or breath sounds. Several cycles of data are collected and digitized. Each cycle is converted to the frequency domain and phase fixed. Then all of the frequency converted and phase fixed cycles are signal averaged together, and the results displayed to the operator. The cycles may be sorted according to respiratory cycle and averaged in two groups. The cycles may be gated according to the patients ECG. The apparatus may suggest diagnoses or further maneuvers to be performed.

Abstract: A method for proposing and providing nutritional supplementation for a person comprising the steps of receiving personal information, e.g., relating to health and diet, about the person, determining a health model for the person, determining an effect on the health model for at least two nutritional supplements, optimizing a proposed nutritional supplementation for the person based on the personal information about the person and effect for the at least two nutritional supplements, through employment of the health model, and outputting a proposed nutritional supplementation including amounts of at least two nutritional supplements. The method may also receive economic considerations, e.g., a budget, for the nutritional supplementation, and further optimize the nutritional supplementation based on the economic considerations.

Abstract: Methods for heating tissue by delivering radio frequency energy through tissue electrodes comprise controlling energy delivery so that an abrupt increase in impedance between the electrodes and the tissue is observed, typically in the form of an abrupt decrease in power delivered to the electrodes. The power at which the impedance increases and/or the time required to induce such an increase in impedance, are relied on to determine acceptable ranges to achieve a maximum sustainable delivery of radio frequency energy to the tissue consistent with complete, rapid, and uniform heating of the tissue.

Abstract: A device for positioning during surgery, a heart valve prosthesis having a general annular configuration with an inside diameter that includes a handle and a introducer/rotator. The handle has a proximal end and a distal end. The introducer/rotator is attached to the distal end of the handle and has a length in operative relates to the inside diameter of the valve prosthesis. The introducer/rotator has a width that is less than the length, which facilitates intercostal insertion through a patient's ribs.

Abstract: An improved photoplethysmographic measurement system is disclosed in which a portion of a time division multiplexed (TDM) signal represents an ambient light level, and other TDM signal portions represent detected levels of two or more centered wavelengths of transmitted light. The ambient and detected light portions of the signal are simultaneously applied to the inputs of an instrumentation amplifier(s) so as to produce a continuous output voltage that is proportional to a difference in voltage between the ambient and detected light portions of a TDM signal. Such an approach provides for ambient light level subtraction with reduced noise and componentry.

Abstract: Biological tissue of a living subject is irradiated with optical energy at a wavelength and at a power dissipation level to cause the amount of optical energy absorbed and converted to heat in the tissue to be within a range bounded by a minimum absorption rate sufficient to elevate the average temperature of the irradiated tissue to a level above the basal body temperature, but which is less than the absorption rate at which tissue is converted into a collagenous substance. According to this method, a therapeutic, warming effect is produced within the irradiated tissue, but without causing tissue damage by thermal overheating.

Abstract: A method for applying radiant energy through the skin to underlying collagen tissue without substantially modifying melanocytes and other epithelial cells in the epidermis by delivering non-continuous energy. A porous membrane is adapted to receive an electrolytic solution and become inflated to substantially conform a contacting exterior surface of the membrane to a skin layer. The membrane includes a cooling lumen for receiving cooling fluid. One or more thermal electrodes positioned in the membrane and transfers thermal energy to the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution and cooling fluid creates a reverse thermal gradient from the skin surface to the underlying collagen tissue. A thermal power source is coupled to the thermal electrodes, and a source of electrolytic solution is coupled to the membrane.

Abstract: A device for controlling the position of a patient's eyes during ophthalmic laser surgery is disclosed which comprises a first fixation object positioned within view of the patient's eye that is undergoing treatment, a second fixation object positioned within view of the patient's eye that is not undergoing treatment, and structure for controlling the position of the second fixation object. The present device allows the patient to maintain fixation on a visual target and maintain the eye undergoing treatment in a steady position even when vision in the eye undergoing treatment becomes blurred during laser ablation.

Abstract: The cold therapy unit of this invention includes a small portable ice chest and an electronic control unit to provide a unit which is safe to use right after surgery and has a portion which may be taken home by the patient. The combined unit provides the safety and accuracy of an institutional unit and the practicality and affordability of a portable take home unit. The cold therapy device includes an electronic control unit similar to the current institutional units in that it includes a thermoelectric module along with its associated electronic controls and a pump. The electronic control unit includes couplings to connect hoses leading to the patient and the cooling pad. Further, the portable ice chest having a lid fitted with an electric fluid pump which includes quick connect couplings allowing the ice chest to be placed in fluid communication with the electronic control unit. Finally, the fluid pump is electrically connected to the electronic control unit.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor for D dimer (a fibrinolytic product) can be used in vivo (e.g., in catheter-based procedures) for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke-related conditions in humans. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. It has been estimated that strokes and stroke-related disorders cost Americans between $15-30 billion annually. Relatively recently, new medical procedures have been developed for the treatment of stroke. These endovascular procedures rely upon the use of microcatheters. These procedures could be facilitated with this sensor for D dimer integrated with a microcatheter for the diagnosis of clot type, and as an indicator of the effectiveness, or end-point of thrombolytic therapy.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for locating a sensor over an underlying artery having a blood pulse. The sensor is positioned at a plurality of locations above a known appoximate location of the artery while applying a constant hold down pressure to the artery. The sensor is finally positioned at the location which exhibits the largest maximum pressure ampltiude.

Abstract: A method for prepping a patient for an endoscopic procedure is described. The patient being prepped will consume inert solutions followed by a discharge of fluid into a commode. Light transmitted through the discharged fluid is measured with the procedure continued until the light transmitted reaches a predetermined level. Preferably, the device is disposable.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a remote center positioner used to support an instrument and provide a center of spherical rotation, remote from any bearings or mechanical supports, at a desired location of the instrument. The remote center positioner is particularly useful in laparoscopic surgery to constrain a surgical instrument to move around a fixed center of rotation remote from any bearings or mechanical supports and coincident with an entry incision in the abdominal wall.

Abstract: A compact, hand-held, rechargeable, tunable, self-contained laser instrument is presented for use in dentistry, oral surgery, orthopedic surgery, and other medical procedures such as sterilization and curing of photo-polymerizable materials. The inventive instrument includes microchip lasers that consume at most 10 Watts and generate a peak output laser beam power of at least 20 mWatts that is adjustable to the light absorbing characteristics of the target material. Laser microchips, pumping laser, thermo-electric heat exchanger, rechargeable batteries, and laser optics are all contained within the same housing which is cordless, lightweight, and inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: Fluence monitoring apparatus is disclosed for a system for modifying curvature of a cornea by selective laser photoablation of corneal tissue by means of a succession of pulses of laser radiation delivered to the cornea in an overlapping pattern corresponding to a desired pattern of photoablation. The system includes a scanning arrangement for directing the pulses to form the overlapping pattern. The fluence monitoring apparatus includes a beamsplitter located between the scanning arrangement and the cornea for directing a fraction of each of the pulses to a monitor plate. The monitor plate emits fluorescent light on being irradiated by each pulse-fraction. A video camera provides an electronic image of the monitor plate. Processing circuitry periodically records the electronic image, and the periodic image recordings are integrated to form a composite image representative of spatial distribution of laser fluence on the cornea.

Abstract: Methods and devices for medical treatment of biological tissue use fiber optic tips attached to the end of an optical fiber light guide for thermal treatment or photo-irradiation of said tissue, said tip including a photoluminescent material capable of acting as the tip's temperature probe. The photoluminescent material allows the tip to act as a controlled temperature surgical device or as a simple, efficient and easy to fabricate laser light diffuser.

Abstract: An oximeter sensor with an emitter and a detector, and a sensor body surface having a first color proximate to at least one of the emitter or detector. The color can be modified by a user to adapt the sensor to be optimized for maximal signal strength or insensitivity to skin pigmentation variability or accuracy. In a preferred embodiment, a pulse oximeter sensor with an outer layer which is colored gray or black in the region of the emitters and detector and in between can be peeled-away to reveal a substantially white layer. Alternately, a white colored layer could peeled-away to reveal a gray or black layer. Alternately, more than one peeled-away layer could be used to provide a range of colors.

Abstract: A method for tightening a surface of a skin with an underlying collagen containing tissue applies RF energy through the skin to underlying collagen tissue without substantially modifying melanocytes and other epithelial cells in the epidermis. A porous membrane is adapted to receive an electrolytic solution and become inflated to substantially conform a contacting exterior surface of the membrane to a skin layer. The membrane includes a cooling lumen for receiving cooling fluid. One or more thermal electrodes positioned in the membrane and transfers thermal energy to the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution and cooling fluid creates a reverse thermal gradient from the skin surface to the underlying collagen tissue. A thermal power source is coupled to the thermal electrodes, and a source of electrolytic solution is coupled to the membrane.

Abstract: An oximeter sensor with an expandable element for positioning the sensor against the fetus. The expandable element is positioned to be removed from at least one of the emitter and detector so that the portion of the sensor adjacent the emitter or detector is not pressed unduly by the expandable element to exsanguinate the tissue. A constant pressure differential between a pressure of the expandable element and an amniotic pressure may be maintained.

Abstract: A pulsing electromagnetic field is generated by a tuned Tesla coil, and a plurality of pulsed signals having selected frequencies synchronously with the pulsing magnetic field. A patient is placed proximate to the Tesla coil to receive the pulsing electromagnetic field and the pulsed signals. A second pulsing magnetic field is generated to be applied to a selected portion of the patient. Methods for treating patients afflicted with a variety of conditions is also disclosed.