Abstract: An improved half-face mask assembly (10) which can be easily donned and doffed. The assembly includes a hard shell (12), a rubber-like face seal (14), a head harness assembly (16) and two harness anchors and adjusters (18). These parts can be readily assembled or disassembled. Face seals of differing sizes may be assembled to the hard shell. An improved seal is provided between a hard shell (12) and an associated rubber-like face seal (14). A two point head harness suspension system is typically provided althrough an optional neck strap assembly may be utilized with the half-face mask assembly. In addition, a novel one piece harness anchor and adjuster is disclosed.

Abstract: Method of toning the muscles and tissues of the human face by stimulating the motor nerves and hence cause contractions of the muscles of the human face by applying predetermined galvanic currents, frequencies, and polarities through moistened tips of electrodes continually moistened with a liquid solution of positively and negatively charged particles for introduction into the tissues for nourishment of the muscles and surrounding facial tissues.

Abstract: Gas mask mainly composed of an inlet and outlet part (1) with possibly a speaking membrane (9), fastening devices (2) for securing the inlet and outlet part (1) before the mouth and nose orifices and a filter connection part (3), which is rotatable towards the inlet and outlet part.

Abstract: A monitor for the automated non-invasive measurement of a patient's blood pressure comprising apparatus for automatically inflating and deflating a cuff which is to be applied around a patient's extremity, first and second pressure sensors coupled to the airway of said cuff, each providing an electronic signal indicative of cuff pressure, and a processor responding to the signals obtained by said pressure sensors for stopping the inflation of the cuff when a maximum cuff pressure is reached, and for calculating the blood pressure from the oscillations of the pressure signal. A memory is connected to said processor in which calibration values indicating the pressure related to the electronic signals provided by each of said two pressure sensors are stored.

Abstract: In a non-contact eye pressure meter wherein the cornea of an eye to be examined is pressurized to thereby detect predetermined deformation of the cornea of the eye to be examined and find the eye pressure value, the interim cornea deformation before said predetermined deformation of the cornea of the eye to be examined is detected, whereafter the degree of pressurization to the cornea of the eye to be examined is reduced.

Abstract: A diver's rescue apparatus includes a fillable buoyancy element and a breathing bag into which respiratory gas mixture is metered from a compressed gas source is to be expanded to a range of use for greater diving depths, for example up to 150 to 200 m. It is to be possible to carry out the then necessary supply of the apparatus wearer with physiologically adapted respiratory gas mixtures varying during the ascent by simple means in order to minimize the space requirement and weight of the apparatus as well as its trouble proneness and cost of maintenance. A first compressed gas tank containing a gas mixture for great depths to the breathing bag via a fixed throttle 7, while a second compressed gas tank containing a gas mixture for small depths is so connected via a separate pressure reducer and a downstream second fixed throttle.

Abstract: A system and method for muliplexing two lumens of a catheter to a single pressure transducer and monitor setup such that the pressure found in either of the two lumens may be alternately monitored. Included in the present invention is a pressure mulitplexing valve provided with a four-port body and a rotor which may be selectively rotated to either of two monitoring positions. The rotor is privided with passageways that interconnect the ports. In one embodiment both catheter lumens are always connected to a medical infusion device regardless of which lumen is connected to the transducer. In another embodiment, one lumen is shut off when not connected to the transducer. The present invention provides a compact system removably mounted on a single carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus for the objective and quantitative measure of hand function comprising an inflatable bladder 1 in fluid communication with a pressure transducer 3 the output of which is connected to a programmable integrated circuit 9 which accords the change in pressure of the fluid within the bladder and calculates the rate of change of the logarithm of the pressure with respect to time between predetermined lower and upper pressure levels during which the rate of change is substantially linear, and display means 11, 12 and 13 for diplaying said rate of change of logarithmic pressure with respect to time as well as the maximum pressure achieved, the elapsed time at which the predetermined lower and upper pressures and a third predetermined intermediate pressure are attained and the correlation coefficient of said linear portion.

Abstract: A device which may be used in the treatment of snoring sickness. An air blower supplies high volume air at slightly greater than atmospheric pressure to a flexible tube (2). Such air is communicated via tube (2) through nose piece (3), further through flexible tube (4) and a restrictive air outlet device (9). Communicating with nose piece (3) is a face mask (5) adapted to be sealingly attached to a patient's nose and providing communication between the patient's nostrils and the interior of nose piece (3). By varying the restriction of device (9) the air pressure at the region of nose piece (3) and also the patient's nostrils can be varied.

Abstract: A transdermal medication delivery system in which a housing includes a power source for supplying programmed current pulses to an electrical current path which includes an electrically charged medication and a body location at which the medication is placed. The level of the current pulses and the time over which they are provided is controlled to deliver a predetermined dosage of the medication to the body location at a predetermined rate.

Abstract: A reliable, pulse-flow supplemental oxygen apparatus for alleviating respiratory ailments is provided which yields substantial savings in oxygen while giving the patient the physiological equivalent of a prescribed continuous stream of oxygen. The apparatus preferably includes a demand oxygen valve operated in a pulse mode by means of electronic control circuitry which, through an appropriate sensor, monitors the patient's breathing efforts and gives a variable "custom tailored" pulse volume of oxygen to the patient during the very initial stages of each inspiration.

Abstract: An animal birth detector is described comprising apparatus attached in the proximity of the animal's vulva for detecting the birth of offspring by monitoring the swelling of the vulva during the period prior to and during delivery of the newborn. More specifically, the animal birth detector comprises a unitary device containing a transmitter attached to the skin proximate one side of the animal's vulva, the transmitter utilizing a reed relay switch to sense the proximity of a permanent magnet located in the device. As the vulva dilates at time of delivery, the magnet is moved out of the magnetic field sensing area of the reed switch, turning on the transmitter whose transmissions are received by a receiver monitored by an attendant.

Abstract: A therapeutic infant bed primarily intended for hospital use in the treatment and prevention of infant apnea. The bed comprises a hammock-forming sheet of material having one surface thereof covered with a soft tactile material. The hammock-forming sheet of material includes means for attaching a sonic device for generating audible sounds and mechanical vibrational impulses simulating a human heartbeat thereto and for causing the audible sounds and mechanical vibrational impulses to be transmitted through the sheet and the support structure to an infant disposed in the bed. A support structure is provided which has raised, spaced end members defining an open space therebetween. The hammock-forming sheet of material is horizontally suspended between the end members with the one surface facing up between the end members, within the open space, and above a surface upon which the support structure is sitting to form a hammock having spaced head and foot ends and spaced sides between which an infant can be placed.

Abstract: Prenatal audio apparatus includes a belt for fitting over a pregnant woman for directing audio sounds to the unborn baby. A belt has an inside surface, to fit against a pregnant woman's body, and an outside surface. Belt fasteners, such as hook and loop material, may adjustably attach the belt to the person. The belt can be made of a soft loop material fastenable for a hook material fastener portion. An audio signal source, such as a small portable tape recorder, is attachable to the belt. A pair of audio transducers are mounted in the belt in foam material with the output of the transducers facing the belt's inside surface, so that when attached to the patient, the sounds will be directed toward the unborn baby. The audio transducer is operatively connected to the audio signal source. The audio signal source may also be connected to earphones worn by the woman carrying the baby.

Abstract: The anti-motion sickness apparatus includes motion simulating means for providing a visually discernible wave motion image to create visually discernible orientation information for the user to confirm the inner ear information of the user, thereby preventing or at least greatly alleviating, the occurrence of motion sickness. A device helps position the motion simulating means in the field of view of the user. The method of use includes exposing the motion simulating means to the field of view of the user.

Abstract: An intraocular pressure sensor utilizes a small sensitive piezo-resistance strain gauge cell mounted in a curved semi-rigid holder which serves to position the planar pressure sensitive surface of the strain gauge cell in contact with the eyeball surface. Deformation of the strain gauge cell due to contact with the eyeball produces an output signal corresponding to the intraocular pressure. The sensor is small and can be worn in the eye like a contact lens for extended periods of time permitting the intraocular pressures to be accurately monitored under normal living conditions, including during sleep. Fine wires are led from the sensor out over the eyelid for connection to an external recording/monitoring apparatus.

Abstract: A needle base device for subcutaneously supplying electric current which simplifies surgical procedures and which saves time for plastic surgery such as hair removal by cauterization and/or coagulation of hair follicles, subcutaneous adipose tissues and/or sebaceous glands comprises a non-conductive plate-like member and a large number of conductive needles which are implanted on the plate-like member at a predetermined interval or spacing. The needles project from the plate-like member in substantially the same direction substantially in parallel to each other with the bottom thereof embedded in the plate-like member. The needles are conductively connected to each other to thereby allow simultaneous application of electric current thereto.

Abstract: A face mask (10) is provided for covering the mouth and nose of a wearer (14). The mask (10) prevents the passage of liquid from external to the mask to the face of the wearer (14). The mask (10) has four layers including a special low density polyethylene barrier (26). The barrier (26) prevents the passage of liquid in at least one direction while freely allowing the passage of gases in both directions.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying oxygen or anesthetic gas through a mask (10) on the face of a patient and including a flexible gas reservoir bag (14) having a manually operated valve assembly (16) attached to an end of the bag (14) for controlling the internal fluid pressure in the bag (14). A predetermined gas supply (21) has a vent valve means (22) in its supply lines (17, 20) for diluting the predetermined gas with ambient air as desired.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprising a catheter having a lumen and characterized by a flexible distal extremity. The assembly further comprises a bolt having a threaded distal extremity for threading into an opening in the skull in sterile relation. The bolt includes an elongated chamber extending between its distal extremity and a threaded proximal extremity of the bolt. The catheter is disposed through the bolt chamber, and includes an opening from the lumen to the exterior of its flexible distal extremity. A clamp is threaded onto the catheter proximal extremity and is operative to forcibly engage the catheter and constrain it against movement relative to the bolt to thereby maintain a predetermined depth of insertion of the catheter into the skull.