Abstract: A radiation shield assembly (30) for a radioactive stent (11) mounted onto a deployment portion (20) of a delivery apparatus (12) including a relatively thin, elongated tube member (69) having a wall (70) defining a receiving passage (72) formed and dimensioned for axial receipt of the stent mounted onto the deployment portion therein to substantially prevent direct contact with the stent (11). A removal structure (71) cooperating with the wall (70) of the tube member (69) for longitudinal severing thereof to enable selective removal of the tube member from the delivery apparatus (12) for deployment use thereof.

Abstract: A system for collecting patient respiratory information includes a base unit and a removable mouthpiece unit. The mouthpiece unit includes sensors that sense parameters of a patient's breath when the patient blows into the mouthpiece unit. The base unit receives and processes the information from the mouthpiece unit and stores it in chronological fashion for later analysis by a physician. The mouthpiece unit includes a memory for storing identification information for a patient who has been assigned the mouthpiece unit. When the mouthpiece unit is inserted into the base unit, the base unit reads the identification information from the mouthpiece unit and stores all measurement information in association therewith. In this manner, a single base unit can be used to collect information for a plurality of different patients without creating confusion as to which measurement results correspond to which patients.

Abstract: A blood-pressure monitoring apparatus including a measuring device which includes an inflatable cuff adapted to apply a pressing pressure to a body portion of a living subject and which measures at least one blood-pressure value of the living subject by changing the pressing pressure of the inflatable cuff, a blood-pressure-relating-value calculating device for iteratively calculating a blood-pressure-relating value relating to the blood pressure of the living subject, a starting device for starting, when a value based on the calculated blood-pressure-relating value satisfies a predetermined first condition, a blood-pressure measurement of the measuring device, a circulatory-system-relating information obtaining device which obtains a circulatory-system-relating information relating to a circulatory system of the living subject, and a condition changing device for changing, when the obtained circulatory-system-relating information satisfies a predetermined second condition, the predetermined first condition t

Abstract: The invention is directed to a disposable airway adapter which includes two optical windows and a reflector, positioned such that radiation transmitted through the first optical window into the airway passage will be reflected by the reflector and be transmitted through the second optical window and out of the airway passage. the disposable airway adapter is for use in connection with a carbon dioxide detector for determining the concentration of carbon dioxide present in the mixture of gases present in the airway passage.

Abstract: A hearing assistance system senses sound vibrations of an auditory element in the middle ear and provides a stimulus to an auditory sensory element. The vibrations are received through the tympanic membrane, and sensed at the tympanic membrane, malleus, incus, or other auditory element. A capacitive sensor is mechanically or magnetically coupled to a vibrating auditory element, such as the malleus, and time-varying capacitance values resulting from the vibrations are detected. One embodiment allows pivotable mechanical coupling of the capacitive sensor to at least one of the auditory element and a carrier secured within the middle ear. A resulting electrical output signal is provided to the output stimulator for assisting hearing.

Abstract: A method and system for correlating physiological attributes including heart rate, temperature, general somatic activity (GSA), and galvanic skin response (GSR) to N emotions of a user of a computer input device, such as a mouse. Sensors are in the mouse to sense the physiological attributes, which are correlated to emotions using a correlation model. The correlation model is derived from a calibration process in which a baseline attribute-to-emotion correlation is rendered based on statistical analysis of calibration signals generated by users having emotions that are measured or otherwise known at calibration time. A vector in N dimensions, representative of a subject user's emotions, is output for subsequent subject users whose emotions are sought to be known, with the baseline being the reference in the N-dimensional space of the vector.

Abstract: A blood-pressure monitoring apparatus including a measuring device which includes an inflatable cuff adapted to apply a pressing pressure to a body portion of a living subject and measures a blood-pressure value of the living subject by changing the pressing pressure of the inflatable cuff, an information obtaining device which iteratively obtains a piece of information relating to propagation of a pulse wave through an arterial vessel of the subject, an estimating device for iteratively estimating a blood-pressure value, EBP, of the subject, based on each piece of pulse-wave-propagation-relating information, PWPI, obtained by the information obtaining device, according to a linear relationship between pulse-wave-propagation-relating information and blood pressure, the linear relationship being defined by a linear expression, EBP=&agr;(PWPI)+&agr;, where &agr; is a slope and &bgr; is an intercept, an index-value calculating device for calculating an index value indicative of a hardness of a blood

Abstract: A urinalysis stick for animals comprising a chemical reaction agent at an end, a color sample showing the discoloration stage at a rear end, and a half cut portion or a half fold portion provided in the middle of the stick for tearing off or folding the stick into half, so that an owner can easily examine urine of animals such as dog, cat and the like by himself/herself.

Abstract: A disposable medical collection tube holder assembly with retractable needle is disclosed. The spent needle, or other similar medical device, affixed to the holder may be safely encapsulated and disposed by a simple, one handed operation, and, both the needle and the holder are rendered useless for any subsequent operation. The invention is comprised of two parts, a collection tube holder and an evacuated accessory fitted with an air release/vacuum seal mechanism that readily permits the introduction of the vacuum into the hollow chamber of the accessory. When using the collection tube holder in the standard manner, and after the collection of the blood or other bodily fluids is complete, the collection test tube is withdrawn from the holder and then the needle withdrawn from the vein. The accessory, a tubular member with an evacuated interior, is inserted into the collection tube holder fully, and longitudinally axial force is applied to the proximal (thumb) end of the evacuated accessory.

Abstract: A blood collection device combining an elongated needle cannula and vial insertion cannula fixed to a rotatable reel. The rotatable reel is supported in an L-shaped bowl and hollow stem combination. A sloping needle cannula is injected into a body or vein inside of a body so blood or other fluid flows from the body into the needle cannula and into the vial insertion cannula. A vial is inserted into the bowl until the vial insertion cannula penetrates the soft vial plug and the vial then is filled with blood or other fluid.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for detecting the presence of edema in a mammalian host. In the subject methods, a device comprising a planar surface and a probe extendable therefrom is contacted with the surface of the extremity. The probe is then extended from the planar surface in a manner sufficient to form a depression or “pit” in the skin surface of the extremity. The probe is then held in constant position relative to the planar surface and the extremity for a period of time during which a plurality of force measurements and a force profile is generated therefrom. The force profile is then related to the presence of edema in the patient. The subject methods find use in the diagnosis and management of diseases characterized by the presence of edema as a physical manifestation, particularly congestive heart failure.

Abstract: An apparatus for iteratively estimating an intra-arterial blood-pressure value of a living subject, including a first information obtaining device which non-invasively and iteratively obtains information relating to propagation of a pulse wave through an arterial vessel of the subject, a second information obtaining device which non-invasively and iteratively obtains information relating to heartbeat of the subject and/or information relating to area of a heartbeat-synchronous pulse of a volumetric pulse wave obtained from a peripheral body portion of the subject, and an estimating device including a neural network which learns sets of information each set of which includes a blood-pressure value measured using a cuff, pulse-wave-propagation-relating information obtained when the blood-pressure value is measured using the cuff, and heartbeat-relating information and/or pulse-wave-area-relating information obtained when the blood-pressure value is measured using the cuff, the neural network iteratively estimat

Abstract: A breath test analyzer, which analyzes exhaled breaths of a patient for isotope labeled products generated in the patient's body after ingestion by the patient of an isotope labeled substance, where the presence of these isotope labeled products provide an indication of a medical condition in the patient. The analyzer uses a very sensitive infra-red spectrophotometer, which enables it to continuously collect and analyze multiple samples of the patient's breath, and process the outputs in real time, while the patient is still connected to the analyzer, such that a definitive result is obtained within a short time, such as the order of a few minutes. The breath test analyzer is sufficiently small that it can be easily accomodated in the office of a physician. The breath test analyzer can be utilized for a number of diagnostic breath tests, according to the isotope labeled substance ingested by the patient and the gases detected in the patient's breath.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assessing the function of deep joint stabilizing muscles. Superficial muscles are monitored using an EMG (3) during performance of an activity known to require recruitment, primarily, of deep stabilizing muscles when performed correctly. If the deep muscle functions adequately, there is little activity of the superficial muscles. Conversely, if the deep muscle function is inadequate, the superficial muscle activity is increased. Monitoring of the superficial muscles may be combined with monitoring of the deep joint stabilizing muscle using ultrasound imaging (12) and/or pressure biofeedback. The apparatus includes an EMG unit (3) ultrasound unit, pressure biofeedback unit (16) and vitalograph (9), in combination with a computer (5) programmed to analyze data from them and given an indication of function.

Abstract: The pressure measuring guide wire comprises an elongated flexible shaft with a lumen extending therethrough. The lumen is surrounded by a wall forming the shaft and the distal portion of which is provided with slots for pressure medium entry. The distal portion has a thickness, greater than the thickness of the proximal area of the shaft. A coil surrounds the proximal area of the shaft to compensate the difference in kinking resistance between the proximal and distal areas of the shaft.

Abstract: Guide catheter incorporating a braidless construction having increased performance characteristics for catheterization procedures. The guide catheter may include a tracking wire, inner or outer guide for positioning the guide catheter within the patient's vascular system.

Abstract: An apparatus for diagnosing a breathing disorder of a patient that includes a first sensing system that determines a dimension, such as cross-sectional area, of a portion of the patient's airway and a second sensing system that determines an internal load on the airway. A processing system receives the output from the first and second sensing systems and determines a compliance curve that corresponds to a relationship between the measured dimension and a plurality of internal loads on the patient's airway. The processing system also determines at least one characteristic associated with the compliance curve. This characteristic is indicative of a likelihood that the patient suffers from a breathing disorder.

Abstract: The process for detection and for quantitative determination of substances emitted or perspired through the skin is derived from flow diffusion analysis. The measuring system conceived for this purpose uses a diffusion half cell through which an acceptor medium flows and which is closed by a membrane. For the duration of the measurement, the membrane is brought into contact with the skin or a closed gas volume formed over the skin. With the process and the related measuring system, the blood alcohol level can be determined with a good degree of precision indirectly via the quantity of (gaseous) ethanol emitted through the skin.

Abstract: A method of sampling one or more respiratory profile characteristics and monitoring a variety of respiratory profile parameters. The sampled respiratory characteristics include respiratory flow rate, respiratory pressure, and partial pressure of at least one constituent of a patient's respiration. The method detects patient breaths, determines whether each breath, is a spontaneous breath or a ventilator-induced breath, and calculates various respiratory profile parameters based on the sampled measurements. The method displays the respiratory profile parameters in graphic and numeric forms. Preferably, the method allows a user to select the displayed respiratory profile parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for health prophylaxis through food combining. Using an electronic multi-food combining table to recommend nutritional quality of food stuff combinations consumed. Recommendations are based on observations over a 3-4 hour period after meals are digested.