Abstract: A system and method for monitoring body-function parameters including bloodflow, intracranial pressure and blood pressure during cranial observation of an individual wherein different pharmacological agents are added to an intravenous fluid to compensate for changes in the parameters.

Abstract: Hospital patient temperatures and heartbeat rates are monitored by providing each patient with a battery powered transmitter containing a reference resistance and to which two sensor electrodes are connected. The first electrode includes a thermistor and is positioned in thermal contact with the patient's skin over the axillary artery. The second electrode is positioned in contact with the patient's skin proximate to the fourth intercostal left parasternal area of the patient's chest. A receiver, carried by a nurse, includes a magnetic actuator for closing a reed switch in a transmitter unit to activate the generation of data signals from that transmitter. The transmitter, when actuated provides an output of modulated, sequential data signals. The data signals are of a duration corresponding to a reference temperature, actual patient temperature, transmitter battery level, and patient heartbeat rate.

Abstract: Electromagnetic shield means are provided on the optical axis of the detector end of an endoscope incorporating pickup means for providing an optical image and converting the image photoelectrically. The electromagnetic shield means are mounted at the preceding end of the endoscopic pickup means for preventing external electromagnetic effects so as to provide distinct image pickup of an object to be examined.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring cardiac output includes a first system for obtaining cardiac output based on a thermal attenuation method and a second system for obtaining blood flow velocity based on a thermal-type flowrate measurement. A constituent value is obtained from the cardiac output and blood flow velocity, and the constituent value is held. The apparatus also includes a computing unit for computing cardiac output from the already obtained constituent value and a blood flow velocity obtained at the time of measurement. The constituent value can be updated by re-starting the first system.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the Young's modulus or the internal damping coefficient of skin, for example human skin, in vivo, comprises a rectangular frame of non-metallic material to be adhered by means of double-sided adhesive tape to the surface of skin to be tested, and a movable assembly also adherable to the skin surface by means of tape.The frame carries a vibration exciter in the form of a coil co-operating with a magnetic bead on the movable means, and also an opto-electronic movement sensor comprising an optical transmitter and receiver mounted next to one another on the frame and an optical reflector on the movable means for reflecting back to the light receiver the beam emitted by the light transmitter.

Abstract: A laser knife which supplies water to a rod member applying laser radiation to tissue or the like by means of using the air supply passing air between a fiber optic laser transmitting member and a hollow tube. Air issuing from the tube may be bled to the atmosphere through a bleed valve. Closure of the bleed valve pressurizes an annular space in flow communication with the upper portion of a fluid supply tank. Pressurization of the tank forces fluid from the tank into an annular space within the device through orifices in flow communication with grooves adjacent the rod member. In such a manner, the pressurization of the air supply system causes fluid to flow over the rod member to prevent adherence of tissue and the like to the end of the rod transmitting the laser radiation.

Abstract: Device and method are disclosed for effecting application of a therapeutic agent. A removable programmable element is used to control operation of a delivery unit, which unit delivers the therapeutic agent to the patient. The programmable element is programmed, while removed from the delivery unit, by a computer that is operationally independent of the delivery unit to insure the integrity of subsequent delivery of the therapeutic agent to the patient by the delivery unit. The delivery unit requires no microprocessor and can include a plurality of channels for effecting independent delivery of therapeutic agents in each channel under the control of the programmable element. The programmable element is programmed with respect to available protocol information, including patient history, needs and tolerances, as well as therapeutic agent parameters, to thereby establish a flow profile that is customized for a particular patient during each moment of each day.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with controlling fluid delivery by a fluid dispensing system in which fluid is dispensed from a container, through a delivery tube, under the control of a flow controller or peristaltic pump and, particularly, with the control of the rate of fluid delivery to a patient by an intravenous infusion system utilizing a standard administration set. The control apparatus continually monitors the weight loss of the fluid container, as fluid is dispensed, and produced data identifying the actual fluid delivery rate. It compares this data with a signal identifying the selected delivery rate and provides for adjustment of the flow controller or pump so as to conform the actual delivery rate to the selected rate.

Abstract: The invention contemplates instrumentation to aid in performing refraction-corrective surgery on the conrea, (1) by determining the topography of the anterior surface of the cornea, the determination being in the form of digitized data entered into computer storage, (2) by determining the local thickness of the cornea along multiple axes, the determination being also in the form of digitized data entered into computer storage, and (3) by providing a CAD/CAM display of both categories of data, correlated as appropriate for the surgeon's selective display of a corneal region, aspect or section, as the surgeon may deem pertinent to a prospective operation.

Abstract: The fluid infusion device includes a primary and an auxiliary fluid pump capable of providing a substantially continuous flow of a fluid, such as air. A pressure regulator driven by a reversible electric motor regulates the air pressure and the flow of pressurized air through an disposable air delivery unit, consisting of a millipore, bacterial static filter and a tube removably connected to an air outlet is controlled by a normally closed, solenoid-operated infusion valve. Separate pressure transducers detect the pump output pressure, the regulator outlet or preset pressure, and the infusion pressure downstream of the infusion valve when it is open.

Abstract: The invention contemplates use of a scanning laser characterized by ultraviolet radiation to achieve controlled ablative photodecomposition of one or more selected regions of a cornea. Irradiated flux density and exposure time are so controlled as to achieve desired depth of the ablation, which is a local sculpturing step, and the scanning action is coordinated to achieve desired ultimate surface change in the cornea. The scanning may be so controlled as to change the front surface of the cornea from a greater to a lesser spherical curvature, or from a lesser to a greater spherical curvature, thus effecting reduction in a myopic or in a hyperopic condition, without resort to a contact or other corrective auxiliary lens technique, in that the cornea becomes the corrective lens. The scanning may also be so controlled as to reduce astigmatism and to perform the precise incisions of a keratotomy.

Abstract: A device for measuring heartbeats of a driver using a multiplicity of optical heartbeat sensors which are dispersed about the rim of steering wheel. Fluctuation (variance) in the period of a heartbeat signal is measured and compared with a reference value to decide the presence or absence of abnormality. The presence of abnormality is signaled by a visual indication and acoustic output. The reference value is set based on the value which was obtained from the actual heartbeat measurement of the driver in a reference value setting mode. The reference value is stored in a non-volatile read/write memory to be held even when the power is off. The difference in output levels of a light receiving element between when a light emitting element is energized and when it is deenergized, is checked for each heartbeat sensor to decide whether a heartbeat signal has been actually obtained therefrom.

Abstract: A resectoscope having a linearly movable cutting element mounted for reciprocating motion while an outer sheath adapted to be inserted into the urethra employs a power source for automatically reciprocating the cutting element when the source is energized, control means actuatable by the user for energizing the power source, heating means for transmitting electrical current to the cutting element and timing means for intemittently energizing the heating means so that the heating means is energized during the cutting stroke of the cutter. In accordance with another aspect of the invention the resectoscope includes a hand actuatable lever for manually reciprocating the cutting element independently of the operation of the power source.

Abstract: The invention is primarily intended to provide a laser medical apparatus which radiates a patient's diseased spot with laser beams issued from a source and introduced from the distal end face of an optical fiber unit through a hand piece set at the output side. The invention thus provides a laser medical apparatus characterized in that the optical fiber unit comprises a large number of fibers each having a polygonal section. A protective board prepared from a laser-permeable material is detachably fitted to the laser output end face of the hand piece and laser beams issued from the source with a prescribed distribution of energy intensities are conducted through the optical fiber unit composed of fibers having a polygonal section for equalizing the energy intensity distribution laser beams are radiated over a broad area without irregularities and medical treatment can be undertaken uniformly in a short time.

Abstract: This invention concerns an endoscope using a line transfer type solid pickup element which is provided with a means to control the light incident upon the light receiving plane of the solid pickup element and accumulates the optical image from the subject during the incident period and reads the accumulated signal charges during the non-incident period. The means to control the incident light consists of the method to switch ON and OFF the light source driving voltage, method to switch ON and OFF the applied voltage of the liquid crystal filter provided in the optical path, method to provide a rotary filter with shielding regions in front of the light source and method to use a strobo light source. Furthermore, in order to display in color, the combination with the R, G and B color filters is used.

Abstract: A method of killing carcinoma cells associated normal cells using light of a predetermined wavelength. The method includes contacting the cells with a chromophor at a given concentration. The chromophor is positively charged and sufficiently lipophilic to be taken up by the mitochondria of the carcinoma cells and is retained substantially longer in the mitochondria of carcinoma cells than in normal cell mitochondria; or it may be taken up in greater quantity by the carcinoma cells than by the normal cells. The chromophor must also have a therapeutic index for light-induced cell killing of at least 500 for light of the predetermined wavelength, and has a therapeutic ratio for light-induced killing of at least 50 for light of said pre-determined wavelength. The cells are then exposed to light of this wavelength.

Abstract: The infusion of intravenous fluid into a patient is indirectly measured by monitoring the decreasing weight of an intravenous fluid receptacle as fluid flows from the receptacle to the patient. The method hereof includes the steps of taking a plurality of samples of the weight of the receptacle, calculating the difference between succeeding weight samples, comparing the weight difference against predetermined quality control criteria, taking additional samples if the criteria are not met, and converting the weight loss difference into volume of fluid infused into a patient. The apparatus hereof includes a transducer for sensing the weight of the fluid containing receptacle, circuitry for converting the analog signal generated by the transducer into a digital electronic electrical signal, and a processor for calculating the volume infused into a patient as a function of the sensed weight of the receptacle.

Abstract: With a driving system being separated by a diaphragm into two sections, a predetermined pressure is applied to the primary side of the diaphragm using air and helium gas or the like is used on the secondary side of the diaphragm, so that the pressure on the primary side of the diaphragm is transmitted to an artificial heart or the like connected to the secondary side thereof. Independently of a control system for maintaining the output from a pressure sensor to a predetermined value at all times, a solenoid valve for directly providing a higher pressure produced by a compressor or the like at the given drive timing is provided in a pressure regulating system, thereby causing a sharp rise in drive of the diaphragm. In an operation mode for automatically exhausting air from the secondary side of the diaphragm, the higher and lower pressures are alternately applied to the secondary side with the primary side being subject to the lower pressure, thus replacing air by another gas.

Abstract: Percutaneous transluminal electromagnetic (EM) catheter angioplasty is performed using radio frequency (RF) or microwave frequency power. The catheter includes a coaxial transmission line terminated at its distal end in an antenna. The antenna includes an extension of the coaxial center conductor past the outer conductor. A treatment includes orienting the catheter in the lumen of a cardiac artery adjacent stenotic plaque, and applying sufficient electric power to cause arcing for electroabrasion of the plaque. Another catheter includes a balloon located at the distal end of the the catheter and surrounding the antenna. In use, the balloon is pressurized so as to apply lumen-expanding force against the plaque. The antenna radiates EM energy, heating and softening the plaque, thereby allowing the plaque to be compressed and the stenotic lumen to have increased patency.

Abstract: A medical procedure for treatment of tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) or cardiac disrhythmia uses a catheter which includes a flexible coaxial transmission line (coax) terminated by an antenna. The antenna and coax are introduced into a chamber of the heart. The antenna is brought into contact with a wall of the heart. Action potentials generated by the heart are coupled through the antenna and the coaxial cable to a standard electrocardiograph apparatus for display. Other electrodes placed about the body also produce action potentials which are displayed by the electrocardiograph. The position of the antenna in the chamber of the heart is adjusted with the aid of the displayed action potentials until the antenna is in contact with the region to be ablated or injured as indicated by its characteristic electrical signature.