Abstract: A device and method for fixation of a sensor in a bodily lumen, in which a sensor support is coupled to a fixation device, which is inserted into a bodily lumen. The fixation device is then secured within the bodily lumen, for example, by expansion or by suturing to the bodily lumen. The fixation device may be a stent or a dedicated anchoring ring having a sensor support coupled thereto. The fixation device may be inserted during an intervention procedure or during a special insertion procedure. The sensor may be remotely interrogated exterior to the bodily lumen periodically or continuously. Furthermore, the sensor may be provided with permanent and/or temporary protective coatings to protect it from damage.

Abstract: A blood viscosity measuring system and methods for measuring blood viscosity system monitors the change in height of two, oppositely-moving, columns of blood from the circulating blood of a patient and, given the dimensions of a capillary tube through which the blood flows, determines the blood viscosity over a range of shears, especially low shears. The system includes a tube set (disposable or nonisposable) that includes a pair of riser tubes, a capillary tube of predetermined dimensions that is coupled between the riser tubes (or that forms a portion of one riser tube) and a valve mechanism for controlling the circulating flow of blood from the patient into the riser tubes. Respective sensors monitor the movement of the columns of blood in each of the riser tubes and an associated microprocessor analyzes these movements, along with the predetermined dimensions of the capillary tube to determine the viscosity of the patient's circulating blood.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for non-invasive detection of a physiological state or medical condition are disclosed. The method provides an indication of such state or condition such as myocardial ischemia or sleep apnea, by detecting the peripheral arterial tone's response to such state or condition, based on monitoring changes in peripheral arterial tone and determining that a change in the condition of the patient has occurred when a specific change in the peripheral arterial tone has been detected. A static pressure field is applied around the distal part of a digit of the subject. Peripheral arterial tone changes and related volume changes in the distal part of the digit are detected to thereby detect or monitor a physiological state or medical condition. The apparatus includes a finger probe (20), in the form of a tube (3) accommodating the patient's finger, which is designed to apply pressure, and a contiguous pressure cuff (40) which extends the boundary of the pressure field.

Abstract: An occlusive cuff is placed around a limb (e.g. an arm) of a patient. A fluid, such as air, is pumped into the cuff, and the pressure in the cuff is measured. The pressure variation in the cuff with respect to time is caused by the pump and expansion/contraction of the arm caused by blood being pumped therethrough by the patient's heart. This variation in pressure is used to calculate systolic and diastolic pressure, artery lumen area compliance and artery volume compliance, artery lumen area, and the blood flow rate through the patient's arteries (e.g. the brachial artery for the case of the patient's arm, or the femoral artery or the case of the patient's leg).

Abstract: A limited use medical probe is disclosed. The medical probe includes a memory storage component for maintaining a use value, representing either the number of uses and/or the duration of use of the medical probe. The medical probe is coupled to a medical monitoring device which prevents the performance of monitoring functions when the number of uses or the total duration of use reaches a predetermined threshold value, thereby preventing overuse of the probe.

Abstract: A method for continual monitoring of a physiologic analyte in a subject includes steps of contacting the subject with a collection reservoir such that the analyte can move from the subject into the collection reservoir, the contents of the collection reservoir being in operative communication with a detector, collecting the analyte in the collection reservoir, using the detector to detect the analyte in the collection reservoir, and, once the analyte has been detected, rendering the analyte undetectable by the detector. Also, apparatus for continual monitoring of a physiologic analyte in a subject includes a collection reservoir for receiving the analyte from the subject, the contents of the collection reservoir being in operative relationship with a detector that detects the analyte in the reservoir, and means for rendering the analyte, once detected, undetectable by the reservoir.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments present improved catheters with physiological sensors. In one embodiment, the catheter includes, generally, a pressure transducer/electronics assembly connected to a pressure transmission catheter. The pressure transmission catheter includes a hollow tube made from a low compliance material. The distal end of the hollow tube is filled with a gel-like material or plug which acts as a barrier between the catheter liquid and the target fluid. The hollow tube is partially filled with a low viscosity liquid and is in fluid communication with the gel-like material and the pressure transducer. The pressure of the target fluid is transmitted to the liquid in the hollow tube through the gel-like material and/or the wall of the distal tip and is fluidically transmitted to the pressure transducer. The pressure transmission catheter is capable of being inserted into a vessel lumen or inserted into a lumen of a therapeutic or diagnostic catheter for biomedical applications.

Abstract: An FFT treating section (40) carries out the frequency analysis of a pulse waveform MHj excluding a body movement component to yield pulse wave analysis data MKD and then a tidal wave-character extracting section (50) and a dicrotic wave-character extracting section (60) yield a tidal wave-character data (TWD) and a dicrotic wave-character data (DWD) showing the characteristics of a tidal wave and dicrotic wave respectively. Then, a pulse condition judging section (70) yields pulse condition data (ZD) on the basis of this data (TWD, DWD) and in succession a notifying section (80) advises of the pulse condition of a subject.

Abstract: A percutaneous method of repairing a fissure in the annulus pulposus comprises placing an energy source adjacent to the fissure and providing sufficient energy to the fissure to raise the temperature to at least about 45-70° C. and for a sufficient time to cause the collagen to weld. An intervertebral fissure also can be treated by placing a catheter with a lumen adjacent to the fissure and injecting sealant into the fissure via the catheter, thereby sealing the fissure. An intervertebral fissure additionally can be treated by providing a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and an intradiscal section at the catheter's distal end on which there is at least one functional element. The next step is applying a force longitudinally to the proximal of the catheter which is sufficient to advance the intradiscal section through the nucleus pulposus and around an inner wall of an annulus fibrosus, but which force is insufficient to puncture the annulus fibrosus.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for obtaining a sample of blood from a patient for subsequent diagnostic tests, e.g., glucose monitoring. In one aspect of the invention, the method comprises the steps of: (a) forming an unobstructed opening in the area of the skin from which the sample of blood is to be extracted; and (b) extracting the sample of blood from the unobstructed opening in the skin, with the aid of a vacuum and a stretching of the skin. In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for carrying out the method described previously is provided. The apparatus comprises: (a) a device for forming an unobstructed opening in an area of skin from which said sample is to be extracted, preferably a lancing assembly; and (b) a vacuum pump. Preferably, the apparatus also includes a housing.

Abstract: A method for the non-surgical treatment of soft tissue lesions includes placing a contact point near the lesion and causing the patient to move in a manner that produces a longitudinal sliding motion of soft tissues, e.g., nerves, ligaments, and muscles, beneath the contact point. Treatments are continued at sequential time intervals until the symptoms produced by the lesions are alleviated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high speed accurate temperature measuring device especially useful for measuring human body temperature, comprising (a) an elongated temperature probe, (b) a first temperature sensor located beneath the surface of the probe, (c) at least one second temperature sensor located within the probe and parallel to the first sensor, (d) a thermal insulation member located between the first sensor and the second sensor (or sensors), (e) a data processing unit connected to the first and second temperature sensors calculating the body temperature according to heat flux measured between the body and the first sensor and between the first sensor and the second sensor (or sensors), and (f) a data display connected to the data processing unit.

Abstract: Methods are provided for smoothing input signals having rapidly changing amplitudes, such as EMG signals from the tongue, which are detected by an intraoral device. One method calls for amplifying the EMG signals, converting the EMG signals to digital format, providing a moving average of the amplitudes of the EKG signals utilizing a moving the average processor, and windowing the averaged signals to discrete and stable amplitude levels. An adaptive moving average technique may be utilized, which includes a plurality of parallel moving average processes and a differentiator which determines which process is used, depending on the rate of change of the signal amplitude. Another method calls for the use of a plurality of moving average processes in series which calculate the moving average of the same number of signals as a single moving average process, but has a faster response time. An intraoral device is used to detect the EMG signals. The intraoral device includes acrylic maxillary and mandibular splints.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an analyte sensor in vivo, by providing a first predetermined stimulus to the sensor when the sensor is applied to a subject to produce a first sensor signal, measuring the first sensor signal, and determining a calibration function based on the first measured sensor signal resulting from the predetermined stimulus. The calibration function, when applied to further signals received from the sensor, can be used to provide a calibrated output.

Abstract: The present invention describes computer-implemented methods and apparatus for treating motor control and somatosensory perception deficits. The motor control and somatosensory perception deficits may have their genesis in a wide variety of issues ranging from injury, disease, or a gradual degradation of motor control over time due to repetitive strain, for example. By administering a computer-implemented training regime directed to improve sensory feedback and motor control, abnormal motor control and somatosensory perception may be substantially improved. The computer-implemented training regime includes somatosensory perception and motor control exercises which may be flexibly administered. Several training apparatus are described for implementing the somatosensory perception and motor control exercises. The training apparatus described herein are capable of driving improvements in temporal, spatial and intensity resolution of somatosensory feedback.

Abstract: The osteosynthesis system has two anchor members (2) adapted to be fixed to two vertebrae (4), and a link member (6; 106) adapted to interconnect the anchor members and to exert stresses against the two anchor members moving towards each other in translation. The link member (6; 106) is elastically deformable in bending about a deformation axis (45, 47, 49). It has two fixing portions (16) adapted to be fixed to the two anchor members (2) and an intermediate portion (40). The intermediate portion is offset from an alignment axis (18) of the two fixing portions (16). The link member (6; 106) has two abutments (39) disposed so as to come into abutment against each other when the link member is deformed about the axis.

Abstract: The invention aims to provide a health care instrument adapted to measure oxidation-reduction potential in human being, animal, fish and shellfish, plant, vegetable as well as water, air or earth surrounding those organisms and thereby to determine a level of active oxygen in such subject so that the measured data may be used for health care. The object set forth above is achieved by a health care instrument containing an oxidation-reduction potential measuring function comprising a main body, a power source consisting of a battery with or without a battery charger and an oxidation-reduction potential measuring unit both contained in the main body, a measuring probe attached to one end of the main body, a sensor included in the measure probe so as to be connected to the oxidation-reduction potential measuring unit, and a display unit provided on a part of the main body to display the measured oxidation-reduction potential value.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an electroencephalogram of a patient during administration of transcranial magnetic stimulation including a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) system, an electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring system, and a control system, coupled between the EEG system and the TMS system, that responds to signals provided by the EEG system and controls the TMS system wherein timing of operation of the TMS system does not need to be synchronized to timing of operation of the EEG system. A conductive plastic electrode system for use with the EEG monitoring system is also provided.

Abstract: The invention features an assembly for taking a biopsy sample from a site within the body of a patient. The assembly includes a resecting device having a cutter near its distal end for resecting and containing a tissue sample and a sheath exterior to the resecting device and sized to be present within the body with the resecting device. The sheath includes an electrode element electrically isolated from the resecting device and disposed on the sheath's outer surface for cauterizing tissue. The resecting device and the sheath cooperate to permit sequential resecting of a tissue sample from a resecting site and cauterizing of the site with the cutter sufficiently spaced from the electrode element to avoid heat damage to the tissue sample.

Abstract: An electrosurgical biopsy device includes a stylet and a cannula movably mounted on a base. The stylet has a shaft with a head at its distal end and a stylet ablation element extending distally from the head. The stylet shaft is disposed through the cannula for axial translation therein between withdrawn and extended positions. The cannula has an opening at its distal end and a cannula ablation element adjacent the opening. Both ablation elements are activatable with energy that ablates adjacent tissue. A translation mechanism controllably moves (a) the stylet between the withdrawn and extended positions and (b) the cannula between a proximal position and a distal position relative to the base. In use, with the stylet in the withdrawn position against the distal end of the cannula, and with the stylet ablation element activated, the stylet and the cannula are pushed through the skin and the underlying tissue until the stylet head is adjacent a targeted tissue mass.