Abstract: The invention concerns a device for observing a surgical field, comprising a flat monitor video (15, 40) and a chamber (20, 30) capable of being sterilized and forming a sealingly closed sterility barrier around the monitor video (15, 40), wherein the chamber (20, 30) is sufficiently sealed to maintain internal excess pressure or negative pressure applied on the closure of the chamber (20, 30), and the chamber (20, 30) is with an internal pressure sensor (160) for actuating alarm means when the excess pressure or negative pressure is no longer present, the assembled device being capable of being sterilized to infinity and of being used in all types of sterilized rooms, for example in a surgery or in a laboratory.

Abstract: A condom has an erectogenic compound immobilised on the interior surface and substantially at the head end thereof. The compound may be applied as a component of a composition comprising the erectogenic compound dispersed or dissolved in a gel carrier comprising a liquid medium including a thickening agent. The condom may include a lubricant which may be immiscible with the erectogenic compound or composition. Use of the condom sustains e penile erection following spontaneous initiation thereof, to prevent slippage of the condom off the penis while intercourse takes place.

Abstract: A method for measuring the barrier properties of naturally occurring tissue, such as the skin. The method comprises the steps of providing a probe having a pair of spaced apart electrodes in electrical communication with each other, a voltage generator capable of supplying an increasing voltage between said electrodes, and a voltage meter capable of indicating the voltage between said electrodes. The electrodes are placed in contact with the target surface. An increasing voltage from is supplied from the voltage generator to the electrodes until current between said electrodes reaches a predetermined value. The voltage, which occurs when the current reaches the predetermined value, is noted. In another embodiment the invention comprises a device for measuring the barrier properties of the skin. The device comprises a probe. The probe has a pair of spaced apart electrodes in electrical communication with each other.

Abstract: A patient's hip surgery support plate in the form of a posterior sacral support unit is locked to an operating table support frame. A separate anterior pelvic support unit is then positioned over the patient and joined to the sacral support unit via a post extending from the top of the sacral support unit. Both units are movably adjustable in the vertical and horizontal plane to accommodate a wide range of patient sizes for surgery where lateral decubitus positioning of the patient is required.

Abstract: A method for controlling a heating plant as well as a control system for such a plant. More specifically the invention relates to the control of a heating plant adapted for local heating of surfaces to avoid ice and snow on such surfaces, and in particular controlling street heating plant or point heating plants (for rails), provided with one or several heating elements; so that a low power consumption is obtained. The control system is provided with at least one remotely operated unit (4) adapted to be controlled in such a manner that consumed energy is controlled in dependence of meteorological data representing present and anticipated temperatures and amounts of precipitation.

Abstract: A combination surgical drape and blanket covers the entire body of a supine patient to provide draping and body temperature management in a single structure. A flexible sheet of plastic overlies a flexible substrate and is connected to the substrate at its periphery to create a hollow space into which warm air is pumped. A plurality of tie-downs maintains a low profile for the inflated cover. Removable panels grant access to areas of the body for surgical procedures. The structure includes a tool-holding platform and a releasably mounted urine drainage system that enables a patient to remain connected to a urine drainage bag even when the combination surgical drape and blanket is removed at the conclusion of a surgical procedure.

Abstract: The condition of a patient who has signs of cardiopulmonary arrest, is evaluated by applying a pair of electrodes (12, 14) to the chest of the patient and passing a low level of alternating current through the patient to detect changes in transthoracic impedance which represent cardiopulmonary activity of the patient. An analyzing circuit determines the average frequency of those signals (40) representing heartbeat rate impedance and determines the average frequency of signals (42) representing breathing of the patient. When the heart rate is below about 20 beats per minutes, the respiratory rate is below about 4 breaths per minute, and cardiac and respiratory impedances are below 0.01 ohms, this indicates cardiac arrest of the patient and signifies that CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) should start.

Abstract: An orthopedic brace having length adjustable supports is provided. The brace comprises upper and lower supports rotatably connected by a hinge. Each of the supports comprises an elongate portion having a channel along part of its length, and a sliding upright that nests within the channel. The upright is incrementally longitudinally translatable within the channel so that the length of the support is adjustable. Flanges are provided along the edges of the channel to prevent lateral separation of the upright from the stationary portion. A spring-biased button protrudes from an upper surface of the channel. The button cooperates with one of a plurality of holes in the upright, providing a positive lock to retain the upright in one of a number of predetermined positions within the channel. The upright is also completely removable from the channel. Removal of the upright from the channel shortens the brace. Straps cooperate with brackets on the supports and/or uprights to secure the brace to a patient's leg.

Abstract: A display 2A, a CCD camera 2C, a speaker/microphone 2D, and service select pads 2Ga through 2Gd which are allotted to the life supporting services to be provided are disposed. As a life supporting service is selected by means of the service select pads 2Ga through 2Gd, the display 2A, the CCD camera 2C and the speaker/microphone 2D are connected to service providing facilities which provide the selected life supporting service, through a public telephone line network T or the Internet I.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device used to prevent the cross contamination of patients or injectors.

Abstract: Helmet protection methods and systems designed to protect the wearer from not only physical impact but also from non-impact safety risks posed by noxious fumes, fire, lack of oxygen, and particulate matter and the like by creating a positive pressure inside the helmet while still permitting normal human respiration, are presented. More specifically, a helmet, a compressed air canister(s) such as a cartridge or a tank, for example, sensor(s) that may trigger an pressurized air release element that may initiate a flow of breathable air from the canister(s), and an exfiltration mechanism that may permit the increase of air pressure within the helmet such that safety endangering conditions (such as noxious fumes, heat buildup, particulate matter and the like) are prevented from entering inside the helmet but respiration by the human wearer is still possible, are presented.

Abstract: A brace for protecting a pivoting joint situated between a first and second limb structure. The brace includes upper and lower frame members linked by a joint member, with each frame member having a cuff for encompassing a portion of each limb structure. Brace retention is accomplished with respective upper and lower securement members each including a medial piece and a lateral piece each attached at respective outside edges thereof to an elastomeric central piece disposed there behind. Respective inside edges of the medial and lateral pieces have a tightening member for drawing the edges toward each other. The respective outside edges of the medial and lateral pieces are releasably attached to respectively adjacent frame and cuff sites with quick-release connectors releasable substantially without increased pressure on the limb structure. Such quick-connect and quick-disconnect operability provides proper brace placement without awkward, and potentially incorrect, brace orientation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating multispectral images of tissue. The multispectral images may be used as a diagnostic tool for conditions such as cervical cancer detection and diagnosis. Primary radiation is produced with an illumination source. The primary radiation is filtered to select a first wavelength and a first polarization. Tissue is illuminated with the filtered primary radiation to generate secondary radiation, which is filtered to select a second wavelength and a second polarization. The filtered secondary radiation is collected with a detector, and a plurality of multispectral images of the tissue is generated according to different combinations of first and second wavelengths and first and second polarization with an analysis unit in operable relation with the detector. Apparatus utilizing the invention include endoscopes and colposcopes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting tumorous tissue comprising at least one excitation light source 12, which first excitation light source 12 emits a first excitation light 34 of a wavelength of between 300 nm and 314 nm and includes at least one optical fiber 14 for guiding the first excitation light 34 to an object field 18 of the tissue 16 to be examined, and at least one lens 24 for projecting an auto-fluorescence signal and/or a remission signal 20 of the tissue 16, generated by the first excitation light 34, to a CCD or ICCD chip of a camera 22, as well as a data processing system 28 for processing the signals transmitted by the camera 22, said lens 24 being capable of processing UV light and being designed such that at least two images 48, 50 from different spectral regions of the fluorescent object field 18 are generated and projected to the CCD or ICCD chip, of which at least one image 48, 50 represents the UV range and another, different wavelength range of the auto-fluoresc

Abstract: A heat transfer material comprised of a polymeric material and a nitride or oxide is provided and is thermally conductive, but electrically non-conductive. The polymeric material may be silicone rubber, and the nitride or oxide may be aluminum nitride, boron nitride, silicon nitride, aluminum oxide or beryllium oxide. The material is made flexible by adding plasticizer and remains flexible after an extended period of use. A dielectric jacket for an electrical heating cable is thermally conductive and remains flexible so that it can be reused. The heat transfer material can be used on heating devices such as steam tubes and panels, where the heat transfer material does not bond to or adhere to the heated surface, which allows the heating device to be reused.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an Internet server apparatus, method and device for implementing emergency information instructions. The instructions comprise a program of a plurality of steps and can be in the form of a virtual implementation through use of a web page that includes representations of a virtual emergency information apparatus or, alternatively, in the form of a physical portable device. Indicators are provided in the form of lights or a numerical display to indicate the completion of sequential steps in the program so as to aid the user in knowing how many steps will be necessary and to indicate the completion of each step.

Abstract: In an electrosurgical system which is operable within the frequency range of from 100kHz to 50MHz and which has a handheld instrument with an elongate instrument shaft, the distal end of the shaft carries a bipolar electrode assembly for use in a conductive fluid field. The electrode assembly has an active electrode and, set back from the active electrode, a return electrode coated with an insulative dielectric layer. The insulative layer may be made of a plastics or a ceramic material and acts as the dielectric of a capacitor when the electrode assembly is immersed in the conductive fluid. One of the effects of the insulative layer is to provide a more uniformly distributed electric field over the return electrode than is obtained with an exposed return electrode, yielding improved tissue desiccation and vaporisation characteristics. The active electrode may have a similar dielectric covering.

Abstract: A sensor for the measurement of physiological parameters in the blood, including at least one measuring apparatus and a digital sensor signal processor which is arranged in the sensor, and which is connected in a signal conducting manner to the measuring apparatus. The sensor may output a digital output signal, which may be transmitted to a signal evaluation device using a connection cable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides a sensed AV delay and/or a paced AV delay following an atrial sensed event and/or an atrial paced event, respectively. The AV delay is a predetermined time period initiated by the respective occurrence of the atrial sensed event or atrial paced event. A ventricular safety pacing window is defined during at least an initial portion of the AV delay. Ventricular events are sensed during the AV delay. If a ventricular event is sensed during the ventricular safety pacing window, then a commitment is made to the delivery of a ventricular safety pace upon expiration of the AV delay.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic image display apparatus (10) that adapts to sensed feedback data about an observer (12) in order to conform its operation to adapt to the position and intraocular dimensions of the observer. The apparatus (10) uses ball lens projection optics to provide wide field-of-view pupil imaging, providing separate left- and right-eye images to the left and right eye pupils (14l,14r) of the observer (12), respectively. The apparatus (10) compensates for positional variables such as variable interocular distance and variable observer distance from projection optics. At least one observer feedback sensor (52) is disposed to provide feedback data about the observer (12). The feedback data can be used by a control logic processor (50) that, based on the data, adjusts left- and right viewing pupil forming apparatus (36l,36r). The control logic processor (50), based on sensed feedback data, may also vary image content or provide other stimuli such as smell, movement, and sound.