Abstract: A handheld imaging microscope for imaging tissue samples substantially beneath the surface of the tissue sample. The microscope includes an objective lens and a window defining a tissue contacting surface in pressure contacting relationship with the surface of the tissue sample when the tissue sample is imaged by the objective lens to view tissue structures for pathological applications. The objective lens focuses an illumination beam through the window to the tissue sample and receives returned reflected light of the beam representative of one or more sections of the tissue sample.

Abstract: A system having a plurality of light sources that emit light focused to treat an internal treatment site at a location determined using an imaging device that is integrally mounted in a housing with the plurality of light sources. The imaging device may include, for example, either an ultrasonic transducer or a gamma probe that produces a signal suitable for displaying an image of the internal treatment site. The image thus displayed enables the location, shape, extent, and depth of the internal treatment site to be determined so that an operator can correctly position the housing in which the imaging device and light sources are disposed. Each light source is provided with either a conventional refractive lens or a totally internally reflective (TIR) lens that directs and focuses the light at the appropriate depth within a patient's body.

Abstract: A laser apparatus for permanently removing a plurality of hair follicles or blood vessels from the skin of a patient. The laser apparatus includes a housing having first and second lasers contained therein for emitting at least first and second pulses of coherent light energy; first and second fiber optic bundles connected to the first and second lasers, respectively, for transmitting the pulses of coherent light energy from the first and second lasers; the first and second fiber optic bundles connected to a common fiber optic bundle for combining and transmitting at least first and second pulses of coherent light energy from each of the first and second lasers through the common fiber optic bundle; and a sequence control device for controlling the first and second lasers to emit at least first and second pulses of coherent light energy either sequentially or simultaneously, with a time delay of less than 100 milliseconds between the sequential pulses from the first and second lasers.

Abstract: Self diagnostic devices and methods for detecting a physical condition of a female based on a property of a vaginal secretion of the female are provided. The device comprises: a region of the device which receives the vaginal secretion from a body of the female and changes in appearance based on whether the vaginal secretion has a selected physical property; and a mounting mechanism for mounting the region of the device on the body adjacent to and external from the vagina such that the region receives secretions from the vagina and does not substantially lose water or other volatile components of the vaginal secretion due to vaporization. The device can be used for convenient diagnosis of vaginal infections such as infections caused by yeast, bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms.

Abstract: Cryogen spray cooling of skin surface with millisecond cryogen spurts is an effective method for establishing a controlled temperature distribution in tissue and protecting the epidermis from nonspecific thermal injury during laser mediated dermatological procedures. Control of humidity level, spraying distance and cryogen boiling point is material to the resulting surface temperature. Decreasing the ambient humidity level results in less ice formation on the skin surface without altering the surface temperature during the cryogen spurt. For a particular delivery nozzle, increasing the spraying distance to 85 millimeters lowers the surface temperature. The methodology comprises establishing a controlled humidity level in the theater of operation of the irradiation site of the biological tissues before and/or during the cryogenic spray cooling of the biological tissue. At cold temperatures calibration was achieved by mounting a thermistor on a thermoelectric cooler.

Abstract: An electrophysiology energy treatment device for treating tissues within a patient's body with electrical energy comprises an elongate catheter tube having a distal end insertable into the patient's body. An electrode is within the catheter tube adjacent the distal end and locatable within the patient's body, and an electrolyte fluid flows within the catheter tube for electrically connecting the electrode to the tissues to be treated within the patient's body. A method of treating tissues within a patient's body with electrical energy is also provided.

Abstract: Orthogonal sensors, which are comprised of two or more electrodes and generally disposed circumferentially on the catheter at given longitudinal point along the catheter, receive signals which are differenced within a differential amplifier to produce a signal indicative only of the localized biopotential heart activity at a predetermined point in the myocardium. The orthogonal sensors are disposed in an ablative tip of the catheter to allow sensing of the localized cardiac activity which is adjacent to or in contact with the ablative tip during extirpation procedure or during the delivery of radio frequency energy during ablation. Sensing of the localized cardiac activity occurs simultaneously either with the ablation so that detailed and accurate electrocardiograms of the very tissue being ablated can be recorded.

Abstract: A compact pulse oximetry system which separates the combined signal into its respective AC and DC components. By separating the signal into AC and DC components, a smaller order bit A/D converter may be used while still maintaining signal accuracy. Instead of using the combined signal to calculate the oxygen saturation content, the system microprocessor computes the Ratio of Ratios using the derivative of the separated AC component of the diffused signal to calculate the oxygen saturation of the measured fluid. To calculate the Ratio of Ratios, a ratio of the derivative value of the separated AC component is used. Instead of taking a single sample between the peak and valley of the signal, the oximeter system samples each value. To decrease the effect of system noise, a linear regression is performed over each sample.

Abstract: For controlling the cuff pressure in a blood pressure measuring device, the volume flow between a pump for filling the cuff and a valve for emptying the cuff on the one hand and the cuff on the other hand is detected by a flow sensor whose output signal is integrated by means of an integration circuit for producing an actual volume value. A computer unit for controlling the pump and the valve produces the control signals on the basis of this volume value formed by integration as well as on the basis of at least one quantity representative of the pressure/volume dependence of the cuff pressure.

Abstract: A data acquisition device is disclosed for use in a patient monitoring system which includes a display device. The system also includes a pressure transducer which produces patient blood pressure signals. The data acquisition device includes terminals for receiving signals representing blood pressure from the pressure transducer. Circuitry in the data acquisition device, including multiplexers and a digital to analog converter conditions the signals representing blood pressure. The pressure transducer and the circuitry are collocated. The device also includes circuit paths for electrically coupling the pressure transducer and the conditioning circuitry. The conditioning circuitry is selectably coupled to the display to provide the conditioned signals to the display. The data acquisition device may be positioned independently of the display device.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for monitoring selected physiological parameters of a subject, such as respiration and/or ECG information, and alerting a care giver at a remote location when an irregularity is recognized. The apparatus includes a sensor or sensors, a dual frequency, asynchronous transmitter unit for transmitting plural signals indicative of the sensed information, a local receiver/transmitter unit, and a remote receiver. The physiological parameters being monitored are sensed and processed to provide signals which are provided to a pair of transmitters. Transmission is selectively enabled at each transmitter, the first transmitting at a first frequency a signal indicative of real time monitored events and the second, under normal circumstances, transmitting, periodically, at a second frequency a signal indicative of monitored event count and updated subject status.

Abstract: An improved tenometer provides for a bellows and a stepper motor to pressurize the interior of a probe in the barrel into which the probe is fitted for moving the probe outward towards a patient's eye. The device also includes a laser for improved centering of the patient's eye over the eye piece, and a safety detection device for terminating operation of the tenometer if the probe fails to move along the barrel after a given amount of pressure is applied to the interior of the barrel and the probe. A rotatable occluder near the head rest for blocking the eye not being tested and a computer in the instrument records the eye being tested and the test results.

Abstract: An ambulatory (in the home) patient health monitoring system is disclosed wherein the patient is monitored by a health care worker at a central station, while the patient is at a remote location. The patient may be a person having a specific medical condition monitored or may be an elderly person desiring general medical surveillance in the home environment. Cameras are provided at the patient's remote location and at the central station such that the patient and the health care worker are in interactive visual and audio communication. A communications network such as an interactive cable television is used for this purpose. Various medical condition sensing and monitoring equipment are placed in the patient's home, depending on the particular medical needs of the patient. The patient's medical condition is measured or sensed in the home and the resulting data is transmitted to the central station for analysis and display.

Abstract: Analytical system for monitoring patient blood concentration of a substance to be analyzed, comprising analysis-elements (12) containing reagents and an evaluation instrument comprising a measurement device to measure a change resulting from a reaction of the analyte with the reagents in order to determine, from the measurement values so obtained, analytical data representing element analysis data C.sub.A.In order to allow continuous monitoring of the analyte with good accuracy and a reduced number of invasive sample generation steps it is proposed that the analytical system further comprises (i) a sensor unit (2) portable on the patient body, said sensor unit (2) including a sensor (7) borne on the patient body for the direct and reagent-free measurement of a parameter correlating with the concentration of the analyzed substance and a transmitter for the wireless transmission of data signals; and (ii) a sensor-analysis means to ascertain sensor-analysis data C.sub.