Abstract: A sensor for transcutaneous measurement of physiological phenomena of living tissues is provided with a thermostatically-controlled electric heater. The purpose of the heater is to induce local hyperemia to enable operation of the sensor. The heater is thermostatically controlled. An independent temperature sensor is provided to disable the heater in the event of catastrophic failure of the thermostat circuit.

Abstract: A digital watch is employed to measure systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as heart rate. The band of the watch supports a piezoelectric transducer that is held in contact with the wrist adjacent to the radial artery when a switch on the band is activated. The watch contains electronic circuitry that derives a binary representation of the maximum or systolic pressure and the minimum or diastolic pressure that is generated at the artery by blood pressure pulses which can be displayed. Electronic circuitry is also provided to generate and address corresponding to the time interval T between successive measured heart beats. The address is used to access a memory device that contains a stored list of heart rates in cycles per minute. The contents of the memory at the address T corresponds to the reciprocal of T, in units of pulses per minute and a representation of the contents of the memory can be displayed.

Abstract: This invention consists of a collar which is worn as a neck support for posture training and therapeutic purposes. It is made of a soft spongy plastic material of a shape to fit the contour of the neck, and is reinforced around its rim with a narrow band of a stiff but flexible plastic material. The collar is provided with a plurality of spaced vertical stays which are made of longitudinal tubes containing removable strips of metal therein for controlling the shape and degree of stiffness of the collar. The spaces on the collar between the stays are open to provide vertilation. The collar is held around the neck by strips of adhesive tape such as "Velcro" which join the ends of the collar. Additional and variable support is provided by separate vertical supports which can be attached at various heights and locations on the collar, by "Velcro" type adhesive.