Abstract: Estrus cycle monitoring (ECM) system for detecting estrus in female mammals and human females by measuring electrical resistance of mucus in the vaginal cavity. A hand-held electrical package including readout for temperature as well as conductivity of the mucus includes a longitudinal probe supported by a stainless steel elongated rod positioning in the vagina, the probe also including an objective lens with a diffuser lens for observing vaginal interior and cervix color, size, and dilation through a fiber-optic bundle running the length of the elongated rod, and an eye-imaging optic connected at the other end of the fiber-optic bundle for observing the same. The electronic housing includes an LCD display, a temperature-conductivity switch, a light switch, and an on/off switch.

Abstract: A pulsed ultrasound Doppler blood flow sensing device includes a band pass filter for extracting only the Doppler frequency shift signals from the sampled and held signals, the band pass filter having a band pass characteristic in which a variation of an attenuation degree is almost flat over at least a frequency band between -f.sub.r /2 and +f.sub.r /2 except for a region in proximity to frequency O. A display displays blood flow signals which represent the obtained Doppler frequency shifts and have frequencies at least between the frequencies -f.sub.r and +f.sub.r.

Abstract: A capacitance type motion detector adapted to monitor an infant or a person in bed to provide an alarm for apnea episodes. A conductive grid array is provided on a plastic film or the like and disposed adjacent the person to be monitored. A 50 kHz oscillator having a floating circuit ground and an output connected to an earth ground pumps the earth ground. A voltage follower preamplifier having a common circuit ground with the oscillator is connected to the grid array which picks up the 50 kHz signal. Motion, such as breathing, of the person being monitored varies the capacitance to earth ground of the grid array thereby modulating the 50 kHz signal. The modulation envelope is detected, amplified and applied to a comparator. An alarm circuit produces a first output indication for each detected motion and a second output for absence of motion for a selectable time period. The second output in an apnea monitor may produce an alarm to permit immediate attention to the person.

Abstract: A bubble trap for use with an ultrasonic scanhead is described. The bubble trap is comprised of a reservoir chamber connected to the main chamber housing the ultrasound transducer. The reservoir chamber is connected via a channel which extends from the main chamber to an orifice in the volumetric center of the reservoir chamber. Thus, any bubble which flows up through the orifice into the reservoir chamber will be trapped there, and will thereby be removed from the main chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing cardiac electrical activity and other life signs, and triggering a therapeutic current. A signal representative of cardiac electrical activity is analyzed by two distinct analog circuits and a logic protocol is provided to identify cardiac arrhythmia based on the outputs of the circuits and the presence or absence of respiration. One circuit employs comparison of the electrical signal with a previous peak value thereof, and is characterized by its tendency to double-count some QRS complexes. The other circuit compares the sum of the rectified and low-pass filtered signal plus the derivative of the signal to a reference level, and compares the rectified and filtered signal to a threshold level, to identify QRS complexes while largely ignoring ventricular fibrillation.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system (50) has an array (52) of transducer elements (54-1 through 54-21) for receiving ultrasonic signals reflected from within an inhomogeneous object (16) being examined. The system (50) has a means (80, 84, 88, 94) connected to generate an image in response to the ultrasonic signals. A cross-correlator (70) is connected to compare the signals received by the transducer elements (54-1 through 54-21). An output addressing circuit (130) is connected to inhibit or otherwise modify gain of selected ones of the signals based on the comparison to reduce multipath ultrasonic wave interference, refraction or obstruction image distortion or degradation. A preferred ultrasonic imaging array (52) for this purpose and for time delay image distortion correction has a plurality of segmented, annular transducer elements (54-2 through 54-21). The elements (54-2 through 54-21) are formed as sectors of circles with substantially equal arc lengths.

Abstract: A needle guide for use with a medical ultrasonic scanning apparatus includes a pivoting plate on a fixed mounting plate. The mounting plate is attached to an ultrasonic scanhead whereby a surface of the mounting plate is in the plane of the ultrasound scan. An adjustable pivoting plate on the mounting plate includes at least one needle aligner, which preferably has a groove formed therein. The pivoting plate can be pivoted and locked into position on the mounting plate. An idler plate, containing an idler roller is spring mounted on the pivoting plate. The idler plate can be pivoted, whereby the idler roller moves away from the guide needle aligners. A raised wall on the pivoting plate prevents an improperly placed needle from puncturing a sterile sheath applied over the scanhead, such as in a brain scan. Thus a needle, such as a biopsy needle can be placed between the idler roller and the needle aligner and will be held in place by the spring tension on the idler roller.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the sensory condition of the skin. The apparatus includes means for repeatably projecting and retracting a pair of probes and for repeatably varying the separation between the probes so that the Von Frey and Weber two point discrimination tests may be performed objectively. The apparatus also includes means for measuring skin temperature and electrical resistance with a unitary wand and for measuring the pinch and grip forces which may be applied by the fingers and hand.

Abstract: A simple, inexpensive, accurate and potentially self-administered method for collecting human cells from a body cavity for cytodiagnosis.

Abstract: The wide dynamic range ultrasound receiver utilizes a multi-stage logarithmic amplifier in order to logarithmically amplify a returned echo signal. The output of the returned echo signal from the logarithmic amplifier is simply added to a saw-tooth wave Time Gain Control (TGC) signal. Thus, the wide dynamic range of the returned echo signals is simply converted into a video display.

Abstract: An inexpensive apparatus for sensing and displaying the duration of the Silent Periods of masticatory muscles, which is suitable for diagnostic applications made in a doctor's office. The apparatus includes electrode means to be applied to the skin overlying a masticatory muscle and for sensing electrical activity within the muscle, and means providing an electrical signal representative of the sensed electrical activity. The apparatus further includes means receiving the representative electrical signal and sensing therein the onset of a Silent Period. Further means rejects those Silent Periods which have a duration less than a predetermined time interval, which time interval is selected to establish a minimum Silent Period of interest. Finally, the apparatus determines and displays the duration only of those Silent Periods longer than the predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing cardiac electrical activity and producing a signal representative of the occurrence of a QRS complex. A signal representative of cardiac electrical activity is analyzed by an analog circuit that compares the sum of the rectified and low-pass filtered signal plus the derivative of the signal to a reference level, and compares the rectified and filtered signal to a threshold level, to identify QRS complexes while largely ignoring ventricular fibrillation, and produces an output pulse representative of the occurrence of a QRS complex.

Abstract: An improved flexible container for use in the collection and defibrination of blood. The flexible container is provided with an insitu filter associated with the outlet port. The fibrin filter includes a perforated inner tube extending into the outlet port and a reticulated foam insert secured around the inner tube. In accordance with one embodiment a perforated outer shell member encases the foam insert.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing cardiac electrical activity and other life signs, and triggering a therapeutic current. A signal representative of cardiac electrical activity is analyzed by two distinct analog circuits and a logic protocol is provided to indentify cardiac arrhythmia based on the outputs of the circuits and the presence or absence of respiration. One circuit employs comparison of the electrical signal with a previous peak value thereof, and is characterized by its tendency to double-count some QRS complexes. The other circuit compares the sum of the rectified and low-pass filtered signal plus the derivative of the signal to a reference level, and compares the rectified and filtered signal to a threshold level, to identify QRS complexes while largely ignoring ventricular fibrillation.

Abstract: A system for the non-invasive inspection of a living organism utilizes two ultrasonic fields, one of which is produced by a perturbing beam transmitting transducer to perturb an internal region of tissue at a focal region which may be subject to movement. The second ultrasonic field consists of a set of ultrasonic beams, constituting a sense beam and reference beams, and which may be portions of a single beam or a plurality of separate beams and which are directed through and near the focal region of the perturbing field before and/or after perturbation. The time of flight differences of the sense beam and reference beams are detected by a plurality, preferably at least three, receiving transducers whose outputs are processed by a digital computer system, interacting with the signal analysis electronics, to derive information concerning the internal tissue of the living organism.

Abstract: A safe remote-control door opening-and-closing device for an automotive vehicle in which the door can not be opened or closed by a driver from a remote position when a passenger is in an abnormal sitting position, for instance, when he is leaning against the door or when he is getting out of the vehicle. Furthermore, in the safe remote-control device according to the present invention, it is possible to open the door which is currently being closed if the passenger is getting out of the vehicle. The safe remote-control device comprises one or two abnormal sitting position detection switches of the pressure-sensitive type, which are disposed under the trim of the seat near the door, or under the lining on an inner door panel, in addition to the conventional remote-control door opening-and-closing device.