Abstract: A failsafe supervisor system for a patient monitor which integrates the functions of coordinating the turning on/off of the patient monitor with the user and the system software, alerting the operator in the event the patient monitor turns off due to a power failure, and alerting the operator to improper operation of the patient monitor system's processor hardware or software. Upon detection of such unexpected changes of state or malfunctions during operation of the patient monitor, the patient monitor is powered down in a failsafe manner to a safe state. Additionally, the failsafe supervisor system optionally allows the operator to select a service mode when turning on the monitor, thereby facilitating testing. The entire failsafe supervisor system is preferably implemented in a small one-chip microcontroller so that it can be readily incorporated into the patient monitor's microprocessor control system.

Abstract: The present invention is a computerized medical diagnostic method. It includes a first database containing a correlation of a plurality of diseases with a plurality of indicators associated with each such disease. A second database includes human experience test results associated with each indicator. An individual's test results are then compared with the second database data to determine presence levels for each indicator. Thereafter the presence levels are compared with the data in the first database to provide a determination of diseases associated with the various indicator presence levels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conserving power in a medical diagnostic apparatus by using a sleep mode during a monitoring state. The invention monitors physiological parameters of the patient and enters a sleep mode only after they have been stable for a predetermined period of time. The apparatus is periodically awakened from the sleep mode to take additional measurements and to ascertain that the stability of the physiological parameters has not changed.

Abstract: An electrode for use in an electrosurgical skin resurfacing procedure. In a preferred embodiment, the electrode is uniquely configured to form an active wire segment, generally straight or bowed shape, whose width controls the width of the graft, and terminating at opposite ends in aligned coated segments, the thickness of whose coatings controls the thickness of the skin processed. The active wire is supported by structure that is completely electrically-insulated to ensure treatment only of the desired tissue while avoiding damage to surrounding tissue. Anapparatus for moving the electrode over the skin is provided in another embodiment. Finally, a method for electrosurgically resurfacing the skin is discussed.

Abstract: An attachable enclosure for a lateral lasing device comprising a fiber optic for emitting a laser beam and an exposed reflector for laterally reflecting the laser beam opposite the distal end of the fiber optic. The enclosure comprises an elongated body having a head portion with an open end and a tail portion. The elongated body defines a longitudinal flute for receiving and immobilizing the mounting stem of the lateral lasing device within its body. The hollow envelope has an open end and a fluid exit port, and is removably mounted to the head portion of the elongated body at its open end. The hollow envelope is dimensioned to surround the laser beam reflector and is in fluid flow communication with the longitudinal flute through the open end of the hollow envelope.

Abstract: An apparatus of and method for measuring arterial blood oxygen saturation at a particular tissue level of interest. Visible and near infrared radiation is emitted into a patient at the measurement site using two different wavelengths. Detection at two different detection sites permits rejection of oxygen saturation at undesired tissue levels.

Abstract: In a surgical catheter or probe, an array of multiple surgical laser beams are directed such that several laser beams intersect at a precise point on, or in, the body of a surgical patient. The power density of the laser energy of the intersecting beams at the point of intersection is sufficient to alter or ablate the patient's tissue, bone or fluid. The energy of the individual laser beams before or after the point of intersection is not sufficient to injure the body of the patient. The apparatus may be embodied as a catheter or probe for an endoscope, or can be used in a separate mechanism such that the laser beams enter the surgical patient at different locations but intersect at a point within the patient.

Abstract: A method of investigation of a body including applying interrogatory electrical signals at different frequencies to the body. First signals are obtained representing first electrical impedance measurements at the different frequencies. Second signals are obtained representing subsequent second electrical impedance measurements at the different frequencies after a change in the internal state of the body. Characteristics of part of the body are selectively determined in response to the first and second signals at the different frequencies. The invention has application in electrical impedance tomography techniques where the different frequency behavior of different parts of the body associated with temporal changes can be used to improve organ resolution and tissue differentiation.

Abstract: A probe useful for invasively monitoring the oxygen saturation level of blood in the tissue walls of an anatomical canal generally includes a chassis with an electrical connector extending from the proximal end of the chassis and terminating at a plug configured for connection to a pulse oximeter box. The probe further includes an optics assembly configured to generate and transmit electrical signals that are indicative of the dynamic oxygen saturation level of blood in the wall tissue. The probe further includes a deployment device attached to the chassis for biasing the optics assembly into the tissue wall of the anatomical canal.

Abstract: A system and method for treating a stenosis or blockage in a bodily fluid passageway is described. The system includes a catheter and a controller for generating radio frequency energy along a pair of output lines, a monitoring circuit for monitoring the phase of the radio frequency energy along the output lines, and an impedance matching circuit for adjusting the output impedance of the generator so that it equals that of a load, e.g., the patient. The catheter includes a catheter body which is insertable into the bodily passageway and operatively connected to the controller. A lumen in the catheter body defines an opening and a stainless steel, metallic-plated mandril is disposed within the lumen so that a terminal end thereof extends through the opening and into the bodily passageway.

Abstract: A blood glucose monitoring system includes a broadband light source and a specially fabricated optical filter for modulating optical radiation to be transmitted through a fleshy medium. Optical radiation which passes through the fleshy medium is detected by an optical detector which generates an electrical signal indicative of the intensity of the detected light. Digital signal processing is performed on the electrical signal to extract those optical characteristics of the electrical signal due to the optical characteristics of the filter and constituents of the fleshy May 1, 1995 medium other than blood glucose concentration. The monitoring system employs a unique "double-log" transformation to minimize errors due to indeterminate path length variations of the optical radiation through the fleshy medium. The monitoring system further employs specialized signal processing to avoid inaccuracies due to the previously unidentified solvent effect which arises when glucose is dissolved into water.

Abstract: An intrauterine pulse oximetry apparatus and method are provided to measure fetal blood oxygen saturation at sites in a preferred region on the fetus. The sensor of the apparatus is attached to a stiff cable which can be inserted into the uterus past the presenting part and transcervical region of the fetus. The cable may have visual and tactile markings by which the user, without seeing or feeling the sensor, can guide it to an appropriate site on the fetus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for more accurately calculating and measuring vital information such as oxygen saturation and pulse rate when an ECG signal is not available. Instead of using an ECG R-wave as a trigger to overlay optical pulses, a virtual trigger is generated based on the heart rate and used to overlay optical pulse data. The optical information from a number of periods is added together, with the beginning of each period being determined by the issuance of the virtual trigger. In this way, the maximum and minimum of the optical signal should be lined up with each other in each period and added together to give a cumulative maximum and minimum. This enables precise identification of the maximum and minimum of the signal, and thus allows calculation of the oxygen saturation at that point.

Abstract: A high fluence diode laser device is provided which achieves high fluence by carefully designing the mount for the diode bars so as to permit high power and long pulse operation with little temperature rise in the diode lasers; providing a microlens array in front of the diode array to improve brightness; and utilizing a non-imaging (i.e., without lenses) optical condenser between the microlens array and the target to efficiently transmit light energy from the diode array to a smaller target area.

Abstract: A method to improve the solubility, dispersability and buffering capacity of blood by exposing a patient's blood to a constant mono-polar magnetic field of at least one tesla utilizing the patient's circulatory system to pass blood through the imposed magnetic field.

Abstract: The present air tubes include a resistive element which is located in the hollow space of the tubular portion. This resistive element is adapted for providing a linear resistance-versus-pressure response is sized and adapted to cause a pressure difference or differential as air flows in the hollow space across this element. The resistive element includes a planar member having a first face and a second face, and a circular parameter connecting the first face to the second face. An aperture is formed in a center of the planar member for connecting the first face to the second face. A plurality of slots in the planar member extend radially from the aperture, thereby forming a plurality of hinged windows in the planar member. Each of the slots includes a central end and a distal end. The resistive element further includes a plurality of hinge slots. Each hinge slot is connected to a distal end of a slot, and extends generally perpendicularly to an axis of the slot.

Abstract: A cardiac ablation system and method employs an ablation electrode having an energy emitting body. A temperature sensing element senses the temperature of the tissue being ablated by the electrode. The system monitors tissue temperature using the temperature sensing element. A control element controls the therapeutic characteristics of the ablated lesion based upon sensed tissue temperature conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing blood includes an image capturing device for capturing an image including at least one object blood cell and an analyzer for analyzing the captured image as an image F(x, y) in an x-y coordinate system. The analyzer includes an edge calculator for calculating an edge intensity distribution E(x, y) representing an outline of the image F(x, y); a weight memory for storing in advance a weight distribution W(i, j) corresponding to an average outline of the object cell; an assessment value calculator for obtaining an assessment value C (x, y) at each point (x, y) by calculating a degree of correspondence between the edge intensity distribution E (x, y) and the weight distribution W(i, j) for each point (x, y); and an extractor for extracting a point (x, y) at which the assessment value C(x, y) is larger than a predetermined value, thereby determining that the object blood cell is present at the point (x, y). The apparatus is useful as a device for identifying the object blood cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for and a method of providing brainwave biofeedback to a user while the user is simultaneously doing other tasks, for example, while the user is responding to a computer learning lab, working with another computer program, or playing a game. For example, a user could wear a headphone sensor unit, a virtual reality headset sensor unit, or a similar enclosure incorporating sensors made of comfortable compound sponges soaked in an electrolyte solution. The unit can detect brainwave signals which are then processed and interfaced with a computer. Audio and/or video feedback is provided to the user which indicates the user's focus or alertness. While the sensor unit could have therapeutic uses, the current embodiments relate to educational and recreational uses and for uses related to increasing personal performance.

Abstract: A submersive therapy apparatus which includes a tub filled with an aqueous solution adapted to provide physiotherapy and drug treatment to the body or body parts of a patient, such as the hands, arms, feet or knees, such aqueous environment containing a medicated fluid and/or other liquid medium. An array of stationary ultrasonic acoustic transducers are arrayed within the walls of the tub which are connected to movable ultrasound heads. The ultrasound heads are exposed on the surface of the inner tub walls to concentrate ultrasound energy on a body part target area. Additionally and alternatively to the delivery of ultrasound energy, rows of electrodes and coils are arranged around all sides of the inner walls or panels of the tub in alternating positive or negative polarities to deliver an electric current and/or provide an electromagnetic field.