Abstract: A sheet member with a heater wire comprises a sheet-like base cloth and a cylindrical containing portion containing the heater wire therein and attached at one surface of the base cloth in a meandering shape.

Abstract: A rapid diagnosis method for organ specific disease state is based on obtaining an infrared absorbance spectra of a patient's blood at a frequency range from about 400 cm−1 to about 2000 cm−1 and further from about 3000 cm−1 to about 3100 cm−1. Comparing it with the predetermined normal infrared absorbance spectra of known healthy subjects for the presence or absence of predetermined features such as increase or decrease of infrared absorbance, peaks at particular frequencies allows for accurate diagnosis of a disease of an organ, including most major organs such as a heart, lungs, stomach, liver, kidneys, brain, etc.

Abstract: A fast position detection system and related method for an ophthalmic instrument utilize stored geometrical relationships determined by multiple regression during instrument calibration to compute X-Y-Z alignment status of the instrument relative to a patient's eye based on local x-y position information from a pair of lateral detectors receiving corneally reflected light from a corresponding pair of lateral light sources. In a preferred embodiment, the lateral detectors are quad-cell detectors. A heads-up display image is preferably provided along an optical axis of the instrument for supplying instructive cues to an operator for moving the instrument to achieve alignment, whereby the operator sees both a macro-image of the patient's eye and the display image. The speed of the position detection system makes it particularly suitable for use in hand-held ophthalmic instruments.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products measure electrical activity of the cardiac tissue proximate the lesion site during an ablation treatment, and then compare the measurements to determine whether the lesion is clinically efficacious so as to be able to block myocardial propagation. The methods can include obtaining the measurements and performing the ablation therapy while the subject is experiencing atrial fibrillation and may measure the standard deviation of the electrogram signal.

Abstract: A device for enlarging a urethral passage includes an elongate member having a distal portion configured for intraurethral placement in the urethral passage, and an electrode at the distal portion. The electrode is configured to be energized with high frequency energy to necrose tissue of the urethral wall and surrounding prostate tissue to form a cavity in the urethral passage. The electrode has an adjustable working length. The electrode has a diameter greater than about 16 French to substantially occlude the urethra. The device includes multiple electrodes spaced apart a distance of about 1 to 5 mm to provide flexibility in the distal portion of the elongate member. A method of treating a urethral passage includes measuring a length of a patient's prostate, and selecting a length of an electrode based on the measured length of the prostate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of treating mammalian, for example, human, skin afflicted with a sebaceous follicle disorder, for example, acne. The method involves cooling an exposed surface of a region afflicted with the disorder and applying energy, for example, energy from a coherent or incoherent light source, to the region. The applied energy reduces the size and/or density of lesions associated with the disorder in the treated region, and can reduce or otherwise alleviate lesion-associated skin inflammation in the treated region. Cooling preserves the surface, for example, epidermis, of the skin. The method, therefore, is effective at treating the disorder while at the same time avoiding or minimizing thermal damage to the exposed surface of the skin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving blood flow to an ischemic region (e.g., myocardial ischemia) a patient is provided. An ultrasonic transducer is positioned proximate to the ischemic region. Ultrasonic energy is applied at a frequency at or above 1 MHz to create one or more thermal lesions in the ischemic region of the myocardium. The thermal lesions can have a gradient of sizes. The ultrasound transducer can have a curved shape so that ultrasound energy emitted by the transducer converges to a site within the myocardium, to create a thermal lesion without injuring the epicardium or endocardium.

Abstract: A moveable contact connector system provides easy lead insertion, lead retention, and reliable electrical connection for implantable devices. The connector system may be used with in-line leads commonly found in such applications. Moveable contacts are provided in the connector, which contacts are placed in a first position for easy lead insertion, and in a second position for lead retention. The second position also provides a good electrical connection between the moveable connector contacts and the lead contacts. Multiple means for moving said at least one moveable contact between the first and second positions are described. A first embodiment uses a rotatable cam which is rotated to align the cam lodes with said at least one moveable contact, pushing the movable contacts against the lead contacts. The second and third embodiments use a sliding key to force said at least one moveable contact against the lead contacts.

Abstract: A laser is used to radiate a non-homogeneous body comprising two or more materials, with varying scattering characteristics with reference to the radiation. The ballistic or snake radiation is detected as reflected radiation form incident points in the radiation light path and use to construct data indicative of one or more features of the body such as the interface between two of the varying characteristic materials which are in the radiation light path.

Abstract: A resistive heating conductor having at least one strand, a first electrical insulation surrounding the resistive heating element, a sensor conductor helically disposed around the first electrical insulation and a second electrical insulation surrounding both the sensor conductor and the first electrical insulation.

Abstract: A heat conductor coil for heating a flowing gaseous medium is configured to be attached to a support configuration and has a heat conductor wound in windings following an ascending line of a coil to form the heat conductor coil, wherein the ascending line of the coil defines a circumferential surface of the heat conductor coil. The heat conductor is deflected alternatingly in opposite directions within the circumferential surface of the coil out of the ascending line of the coil. The heat conductor coil is attached to a support plate by securing elements having a securing part for holding a winding of the heat conductor coil and a foot part for attaching the securing element to the support plate. The securing part is a tubular section with a substantially closed mantle surface and receives a winding of the heat conductor coil.

Abstract: A heatable vehicle window includes a bottom bus bar and a plurality of top bus bars. Voltages or electric potentials applied to the top bus bars are different, so that a first one of the top bus bars is at a given electric potential and another one of the top bus bars is at another electric potential (i.e., the voltages/potentials are offset from one another). The degree to which the top bus bar voltages/potentials are offset relative to one another is a function of the distance each respective bus bar is from the bottom bus bar across the heatable layer(s). Given a substantially continuous heatable layer(s), this can in certain example embodiments enable approximately uniform heating of the window (e.g., laminated vehicle windshield, laminated vehicle backlite, or laminated vehicle sidelite).

Abstract: An electrokinetic delivery or diagnostic device for personal use and self-administration of a medicament to a treatment site is provided. The device includes a housing containing a power supply, a first active electrode and a ground tactile electrode. An applicator includes a pad for containing medicament for overlying the first electrode of the device. The medicament may be applied by the user to the pad, contained within the pad or contained in rupturable capsules within the pad, together with a hydrogel if necessary for imparting electrical conductivity whereby, upon application of the applicator to the treatment site, the medicament is electrokinetically transported into the treatment site.

Abstract: A time-varying modulating signal is used as a plethysmography signal, rather than a time-varying detected optical power. The time-varying detected optical power is used (e.g., in a feedback loop) to adjust the source intensity. Light is transmitted from a light source, wherein an intensity of the transmitted light is based on a light control signal. A portion of the light transmitted from the light source is received at a light detector, the portion having an associated detected light intensity. A feedback signal is produced based the portion of light received at the light detector, the feedback signal indicative of the detected light intensity. The feedback signal is compared to a reference signal to produce a comparison signal. The light control signal is then adjusted based on the comparison signal, wherein at least one of the comparison signal and the light control signal is representative of volume changes in blood vessels.

Abstract: In a medical treatment method, magnetic elements are injected into organic tissues of a patient. The magnetic elements are disposed, upon injection, on opposite sides of tissues or a hole to be closed or collapsed. Owing to magnetic attraction between the magnetic elements, the organic tissues of the patient are drawn together to constrict tissues or to close or collapse a wound or vessel.

Abstract: A heating element or heater for use with an automotive windshield is adapted to prevent the accumulation of ice and slush on windshield wipers. The heater is defined by a laminate having an electrical resistance member sandwiched between the first and second films forming the laminate. Contacts extend out of the laminate for connection to a source of power. The electrical resistance member, preferably, comprises a resistance wire which reaches a temperature sufficient to melt snow and ice accumulating on the windshield wipers, but which is insufficient to melt the laminate or to create a fire hazard. Optimally, the heater is powered through an automotive lighter outlet or accessory power outlet disposed within the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a panel-type heating element having an excellent durability and high effectiveness in power saving. To attain this object, the present invention provides a panel-type heating element consisting of a base which a thin film containing zinc oxide and tin oxide can form a layer upon. The panel-type heating element is advantageously manufactured by a method comprising spraying a solution containing a zinc compound and a tin compound on a base. The solution then oxidizes by heating the base in a high temperature reaction chamber to form a thin film consisting of sediment containing zinc oxide and tin oxide on the surface of the base. As a result, the thin film gives the base excellent acid, water and chemical resistance, and heats quickly.

Abstract: An endoscopic image filing system mainly comprises an endoscope apparatus for performing endoscopical examination by way of an endoscopic image, an image filing apparatus connected with the endoscope apparatus for recording a required endoscopic image, and a cleaning apparatus for sterilizing/cleaning an endoscope used in the endoscope apparatus. The image filing apparatus is provided with a keyboard and a mouse for inputting and setting a variety of data. The cleaning apparatus is provided with a keyboard for inputting data and a printer for printing a sticker or the like which indicates that the endoscope has already been cleaned and is stuck for the endoscope after cleaned, for example. The cleaning apparatus is capable of transmitting cleaning information to the image filing apparatus.

Abstract: An active implantable medical device, in particular a pacemaker, cardioverter, defibrillator and/or a multisite device having circuits for measuring a trans-septal bio-impedance. This device is used with electrodes placed in a plurality of distinct respective sites comprising at least one left ventricular site and one right atrial site. These electrodes are connected to a collection circuit for collecting cardiac signals, in particular to detect a potential of depolarization, and to a stimulation circuit, to apply stimulation pulses to at least some of the aforementioned sites. The device evaluates the cardiac flow by obtaining an intracardiac measurement of the bio-impedance, more particularly measuring the trans-septum impedance bio-between the left ventricle and the right atrium, by injection of a current (16) between an atrial site (RA−) and a ventricular site (LV−), and collection of a differential potential (20) between an atrial site (RA+) and a ventricular site (LV−).

Abstract: An electrical resistance ceramic heating element comprises: a) three or more ceramic legs comprising regions of the element in which at least the majority of the electrical heating occurs (hot zones), at least one of the legs being effectively entirely a hot zone and at least two of the legs each comprising a hot zone and a cold zone; b) a number of leg terminal portions less than the number of legs, for connection to a power supply; and, c) ceramic bridging portions providing electrical connectivity between the legs.