Abstract: A quantitative evaluation of current changes in a functional state of a human organism is performed by evaluation of characteristics of interaction processes of at least two different physiological systems of the organism.

Abstract: A non-invasive blood analyzer contains a light applicator for illuminating a detection region under the skin of a living body including a blood vessel; a camera for capturing an image of the illuminated detection region; an analyzer for processing the captured image and analyzing at least a component of blood in the blood vessel; a transparent plate; and a support for supporting the transparent plate and contacting the transparent plate closely with the skin over the detection region. The light applicator and the camera are constructed to illuminate the detection region and capture the image of the detection region through the transparent plate. Further, a drive controller is included for driving the support to move the transparent plate contacted closely with the skin in order to adjust the detection region to thereby compensate for any change in position of the blood vessel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of analyzing changes in continuously measured hemodynamic parameters in response to a set of predetermined changes in airway pressure or tidal volume. The method is generally called "respiratory systolic variation test" (RSVT). The analysis of the change in the hemodynamic parameter in response to such airway pressure maneuver serves as a non-invasive or minimally invasive method of assessing the cardiovascular status, particularly the volume responsiveness of the patient.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for enhancing immunosurveillance capacity, particularly, NK cell activity, without administration of medicines or immunological therapy, through a noninvasive and simple method. The invention also provides a method for enhancing power of concentration of users in intellectual activities. The method according to the invention is carried out by applying to the forehead, with foreign lights being excluded, a pulsed light in the frequency range of from 0.5 to 13 Hz, preferably in a frequency of a representative value in alpha wave band obtained by measuring brain waves of users or any frequencies near that representative value. NK cell activity is surely enhanced by the pulsed-light application with the eyes of users being shielded.

Abstract: A catheter set includes a flexible catheter which is placed over a guide wire according to the Seldinger technique. A clamp is provided which can be laterally applied to the guide wire for tapping electrical potential from the guide wire. The clamp is laterally applied and directly attached to the proximal end of the guide wire when the distal portion of the guide wire is surrounded by the catheter and the tip of the guide wire protrudes from the catheter tip.

Abstract: An optical system which utilizes a conventional light source to produce a narrowly focused beam of radiation having intensity similar to that produced by a laser. The system broadly includes an omnidirectional light source and an elliptical reflector, wherein the physical parameters of the light source and the reflector are matched to produce a narrowly focused beam of intense radiation. The light produced by the system is coupled into a fiber optic system for delivery to the target area. In one embodiment, a mirrored surface having an aperture therein is placed at a point near the second focal point of the reflector. The aperture is positioned such that only rays meeting predetermined geometrical exit criteria can pass through the aperture and be accepted by the fiber optic located at the second focal point. Those rays which do not meet the exit criteria are reflected by the mirrored surface toward the interior of the cavity.

Abstract: A signal processor which acquires a first signal, including a first desired signal portion and a first undesired signal portion, and a second signal, including a second desired signal portion and a second undesired signal portion, wherein the first and second desired signal portions are correlated. The signals may be acquired by propagating energy through a medium and measuring an attenuated signal after transmission or reflection. Alternatively, the signals may be acquired by measuring energy generated by the medium. A processor of the present invention generates a noise reference signal which is a combination of only the undesired signal portions and is correlated to both the first and second undesired signal portions. The noise reference signal is then used to remove the undesired portion of each of the first and second measured signals via an adaptive noise canceler, preferably of the joint process estimator type.

Abstract: A multifunctional instrument for performing endoscopic operations has an rator hand grip (11) and an instrument socket (12) on which an instrument body (13) with a multilumen tube (14) which can be guided through a trocar is mounted. The operator hand grip (11) extends transverse to the central axis (15) of the instrument body (13). The instrument body (13) is rotatable about the central longitudinal axis (15) relative to the instrument socket (12), which is fixedly connected to the operator hand grip (11), and securely holdable in the selected rotational position.

Abstract: A device for healing wounds and sores with the aid of light, including a light emitting element which is intended to lie against or be held close to a wound or sore on the body of an individual, and a drive arrangement for driving the light emitting element, wherein the light emitting element includes light emitting diodes or like devices and is constructed to emit infrared light. The drive arrangement (8, 9, 19) is constructed to cause the light emitting element (1) to emit infrared light in a first stage for a first predetermined length of time and thereafter to emit visible red light in a second stage for a second predetermined length of time. The drive arrangement (8, 9, 10) is also constructed to cause the light emitting element (1) to pulsate the emitted infrared light and the emitted red light respectively in accordance with a predetermined series of pulse frequencies over the predetermined time periods.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the monitoring perfusion of the tissue of a patient by arterial blood is provided. An optical path length change is calculated for a number of digitized samples of a received light intensity signal generated by a photo detector that receives light directed into a patient's tissue by one or more light emitting diodes or laser diodes. The optical path length changes are summed over a predetermined time such as one half cardiac cycle or other set interval to generate a perfusion index. An average perfusion index value may also be generated. In calculating the perfusion index spectral content compensation may be employed to compensate for the variety of center wavelengths associated with the spectral contents of various emitters.

Abstract: A procedure for breast reconstruction with a tissue flap having a cutaneous skin island. The procedure is performed as a total, immediate reconstruction, or on a delayed basis of reconstruction. The tissue flap is a free flap or a flap attached via a native vascular pedicle. Forces acting on the skin island yield enhanced nipple-areolar projection of the reconstructed breast.

Abstract: Light beams of different wavelengths, emitted from a light generating device, are transmitted through a living tissue. The transmitted light beams are converted into electrical signals by a photoelectric transducing device. A pulsation calculating device calculates a pulsation of an absorbance of tissue of a living tissue for each wavelength on the basis of the output signal of the photoelectric transducing device. By using this, a pulsation ratio calculating device calculates the ratio of the pulsations of the absorbance values. A concentration calculating device puts the output signal of the pulsation ratio calculating device into a formula having a single unknown on the tissue term, which is constructed on the basis of the fact that a predetermined relation is present between the tissue terms of the respective wavelengths, thereby calculating a value of the tissue term and the concentration of light absorbing material in blood.

Abstract: A plurality of embodiments for a flexible probe used to provide photodynamic therapy (PDT) and to effect other medical procedures at an internal treatment site inside a patient's body. Each of the embodiments of the flexible probe (100, 108, 130, 158, 182, 190, 220, 280, 370, 390, 440, 460, 520) includes a flexible substrate (102, 184, 196, 222, 250, 282, 412, 462, 482, 502, 522) on which are disposed conductive traces (414, 466, 468, 488, 490, 504, 506, 524, 526) electrically connected to leads through which electrical current and signals are conveyed. A plurality of light sources (104, 192, 256, 286, 418, 436, 470, 492, 508, 542) or other micro-electronic circuits are connected to the conductive traces and mounted on the flexible substrate. Each of the embodiments of the flexible probes is enclosed within a transparent, biocompatible polymer envelope (106, 110, 464, 522).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laparoscopic insertion and application of a liquid, gel or like medicinal material enables the laparoscopic surgeon to utilize various spray patterns to apply the desired material. In laparoscopy surgery of the abdomen (including pelvis), all instrumentation and all surgical products must be introduced through "ports" consisting of valved, sleeved or tubes. To properly and efficiently introduce and apply liquid, gel or like medicinal material, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for dispensing the desired material with a desired pattern or spray. The instrument consists of an elongated instrument body that can receive a selected flexible delivery tube having a distal end with a nozzle. The instrument body articulates at its distal end, thereby flexing the dispensing tube. The selected nozzle of the selected dispensing tube can be flexed to dispense with a desired spray pattern into any position of the patient's abdominal cavity.

Abstract: A method of permanent hair removal which uses a high energy light source projected at the skin to cause death of the hair follicle by photothermolysis. The process uses either incoherent or coherent light energy. Additional melanin is added to the skin by a process which delivers the melanin to the region of the hair follicle thereby enhancing that area as a light absorbing target. Collateral damage to the surrounding skin tissue is minimized. The delivery process uses liposomes selected particularly to encapsulate and carry melanin to the target region. The invention also encompasses a general method of deleterious tissue destruction by selective introduction of melanin and subsequent photothermolysis.

Abstract: A brace for disposition on a part of a person to provide heat retention, electrical stimulation, compression and/or support thereto. The brace basically comprises a sleeve for disposition around the body part, an electrically conductive fabric located on the inner surface of the sleeve, and at least one electrical connector, e.g, a snap means, for releasable electrical connection to an electric source providing High Voltage Pulsed Current. The sleeve is formed of an electrically insulative, thermally insulative, resilient or elastomeric material, e.g., neoprene rubber. The electrically conductive fabric is stretchable and flexible and arranged for direct engagement with the skin of the person when the brace is in place so that electrical stimulation is provided to the body part by the engagement of the electrically conductive fabric to the skin, while the sleeve retains heat in the portion of the person's body about which the sleeve is disposed and also provides mechanical compression and/or support.

Abstract: The objective evaluation of a subject's interest in specific information, such as education and training materials, for example, is made possible by using patterns of physiological activity generated in the brain. Samples of individual brain activity are obtained to assess whether an individual is paying attention and showing interest in certain materials. Effectiveness in presenting such materials would be improved when direct brain recording activity shows increased interest in the presented material.

Abstract: The invention is a system for inflating and deflating an intra-aortic balloon through an isolating safety chamber, which utilizes a flexible element to separate the balloon actuating gas from the driving air in a closed balloon circuit. Pressure and vacuum are supplied by separate pressure and vacuum stages, which are driven by the same shaft. The shaft speed is varied to control one of the pressures at a selected value, whereby the other pressure is maintained at a constant value within an allowable band.

Abstract: A method and device for selective photothermolysis of a surgical target within surrounding tissue. The target and the surrounding tissue are heated to about 60.degree. C. Then the target is heated to the point of coagulation, preferably by monochromatic light. The temperature difference between the coagulating target and the surrounding tissue is sufficiently mild that heat diffusing out of the target does not damage the surrounding tissue, even in the case of a relatively large target such as varicose veins.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the heart condition of a patient is disclosed. The system includes a measuring device used to generate an absolute blood pressure signal indicative of the absolute blood pressure of the patient. A processing element receives and processes the absolute blood pressure signal, and generates (1) a filtered blood pressure signal by removing certain variations from the absolute blood pressure signal caused by respiratory activity of the patient; and (2) a set of parameters derived from the filtered blood pressure signal. The set of parameters measure certain aspects of the absolute blood pressure signal which are indicative of the performance and condition of the patient's heart.