Abstract: A method of treating facial skin depressions is provided in which, following laser ablation of the epidermal layer, the underlying dermal plug of skin is obtained having minimal thermal damage and is implanted into an area of depressed skin.

Abstract: An optoelectronic pulse oximetry sensor is described which physically conforms to a body portion of a patient, such as a finger, and provides a firm pressing engagement between the sensor and the patient's body portion. The sensor includes a flexible substrate, such as an elastic bandage-type material, which is physically conformable and attachable/adherable to the patient's body portion. The sensor also includes a light source assembly for transilluminating the patient's body portion, and a light detector assembly for measuring transmitted light. The dimensions of the light source and light detector assemblies are constructed to provide a high aspect ratio relative to the flexible substrate. When the sensor is conformably applied to the patient's body portion, localized pressure is exerted on the body portion at the points of contact with the light source and light detector assemblies, thereby stressing the skin and the underlying blood-perfused tissue.

Abstract: Dynamically cooling the epidermis of a port wine stain patient undergoing laser therapy permits maximization of the thermal damage to the port wine stain while at the same time minimizing nonspecific injury to the normal overlying epidermis. A cryogenic spurt is applied to the skin surface for a predetermined short period of time in the order of tens of milliseconds so that the cooling remains localized in epidermis while leaving the temperature of deeper port wine stain vessels substantially unchanged. The result is that epidermal denaturation and necrosis which normally occurs in uncooled laser irradiated skin sites does not occur and that clinically significant blanching of the port wine stains at the dynamically cooled sites establishes that selective laser photothermolysis of the port wine stain blood vessels is achieved. In addition, dynamic epidermal cooling reduces patient discomfort normally associated with flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical method and apparatus for determining the pH of a tissue. The method includes the step of first irradiating the tissue with optical radiation. The radiation may first pass through skin covering the tissue of interest, or may irradiate the tissue directly. Radiation reflected from the tissue is then collected to determine a reflection spectrum. pH is then determined by comparing this spectrum to a mathematical model relating optical properties to pH of the tissue.

Abstract: A fetal pulse oximeter sensor in which a sensor head is held against the fetus by the action of a securing means which is remote from the sensor head. The securing means is sufficiently remote so that light detected by the light detector in the sensor head does not scatter through tissue which may be deformed by the securing mechanism. The securing mechanism could deform the tissue by applying pressure, to exsanguinate the tissue, or could attach to the tissue by vacuum, penetration, or glue, etc.

Abstract: An illuminator including a differential optical radiator and a laser fiber disposed within the differential optical radiator. The differential optical radiator includes a first region that has a first level of reflectivity and a first level of transmissivity and a second region that has a second, higher level of reflectivity and a second, lower level of transmissivity. The first and second regions are positioned such and their reflectivities and transmissivities are chosen such that the radiator produces a substantially uniform pattern of illumination from the first and second regions. In another embodiment, the illuminator includes an expandable radiator and a laser fiber disposed within the expandable radiator. The reflectivity of the expandable radiator is such that the illumination at the outer surface of the expandable radiator is substantially uniform.

Abstract: A driving mental condition detecting apparatus for detecting a deterioration state of driving mental conditions such as sleepiness, fatigue, and impatience occurring in a driver on the basis of physiological data detected from the driver and road travel data of a vehicle derived from a navigation system, thereby generating an alarm.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a laser beam to a working surface, by displacing the laser beam to trace a plurality of circular scans over the working surface; and continuously varying the diameters of the circular scans at a rate to produce a substantially homogenous distribution of the laser energy over the working surface.

Abstract: A laser catheter device includes a main housing containing a main lumen defined within its inner edge. The housing further includes one or more subsidiary lumens surrounding the main lumen. An electrically insulated strip lies along an outer edge of the housing. The strip contains several vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers powered by an external power source. The lead from the lasers to the power source extends through the subsidiary lumen. The device further includes an inflatable balloon surrounding the insulated strip and communicates with the main lumen. The balloon is inflated by an external source of inflation fluid.

Abstract: A method of determining the existence and location of an obstruction in a respiratory track includes introducing a first catheter having a first sensing site into the body of a patient until the first sensing site is positioned so that it is distal to the obstruction. The first catheter is used to monitor respiratory effort with generated signals indicative of respiratory effort. A second catheter having a second sensing site is positioned so that the second sensing site is near the nostrils. The second catheter is used to monitor actual respiration with generated signals indicative of actual respiration. The existence of the obstruction is verified by observing respiratory effort signals without corresponding actual respiration signals.

Abstract: A reusable accessory for a sensor (such as a pulse oximeter or a plethysmograph) that allows close conformance between the sensor heads and the patient tissue to be measured. The accessory thus provides both a key advantage of adherent sensors (i.e. close tissue-sensor conformance) and a key advantage of rigid structure sensors (reusability). The accessory provides a structure for mounting the sensor heads, whereby the sensor heads can pivot about their respective points of attachment to the mounting structure within first and second voids, respectively, thereby allowing the sensors to closely conform to the patient tissue. In one embodiment, the mounting structure includes a spring containing two coils, and two frames surrounding the voids and connected to the coils, each frame having an end shaped to fit a portion of a sensor head and onto which a sensor head is mounted.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed which allows the non-invasive monitoring of a subject's carboxyhemoglobin level, thereby allowing the detection of possible carbon monoxide poisoning. The subject breathes oxygen to saturate his blood hemoglobin and eliminate reduced hemoglobin, thus allowing the detection and differentiation between oxy- and carboxyhemoglobin by modification of a conventional pulse oximeter. Preferably the device works in two modes. The first mode is a conventional pulse oximeter capable of determining the level of oxy-hemoglobin in the subject's arterial blood. Upon the achievement of certain criteria the preferred embodiment of the inventive device would switch to a second mode, in which mode the device would be capable of determining carboxyhemoglobin levels.

Abstract: A method and system for examination of a subject positioned between input and detection ports of the spectroscopic system applied to the subject. The systems shown include at lease one light source for introducing at one or multiple input ports, electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation of a known time-varying pattern of photon density of a wavelength selected to be scattered and absorbed while migrating in the subject, radiation pattern control means for achieving a directional pattern of emitted resulting radiation that possesses substantial gradient of photon density, at least one detector for detecting the radiation that has migrated in the subject at one or multiple detection ports. The systems also include processing means for processing the detected radiation and creating sets of data, and evaluation means for examining the subject using the data sets. The emitted directional radiation pattern utilizes its gradient of photon density to detect a hidden object while scanning across the examined subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensing device for capturing acoustic heart sounds. The sensing device has a diaphragm formed from a piezoelectric transducer material which generates excitation signals in response to acoustic and vibratory energy outputs. The sensing device includes metallization layers on the diaphragm for receiving and transmitting the excitation signals to an output display device via associated electrical contacts and electrical leads and also includes a layer of adhesive material for coupling the sensing device to the subject. The sensing device further includes snap connectors for allowing the device to be quickly disengaged from electrical leads and discarded. A patch sensor device is disclosed which enables acoustic outputs to be triangulated and pinpointed.

Abstract: A chemical detection and analysis system performs chemical measurements using microsensors. The in vivo or in vitro system records chemical concentrations of any substance that can be oxidized or reduced at the sensor surface in response to a voltage waveform applied to a reference electrode. The electrochemical technique has utility relative to molecules that are electroactive. Diffusion and metabolism of these chemicals are tracked in real time. A visual display of the measurements is provided in near real time. The system consists of: a 32 bit, digital computer; application software; an I/O board with analog to digital convertors, digital to analog converters, and digital input/output capability; a potentiostat; one to four microsensors; and a reference electrode. Calibrated microsensors, of carbon, platinum, or gold, are placed in brain tissue or other aqueous environments to detect chemical activity. A reference electrode is placed in the tissue at a location that is spaced from the sensors.

Abstract: A sensor probe operable to transmit light of a first wavelength for scattering by a tissue sample is described for use with a pulse oximeter designed to operate with another type of sensor probe which transmits light of a second wavelength. The sensor probe includes at least one source of light for transmitting light of the first wavelength for scattering and/or absorption by the tissue sample. At least one detector is included for detecting light of the first wavelength affected by the tissue sample and generating a signal in response thereto. An encoder in the sensor probe transforms the signal to a form which may be employed by the oximeter.

Abstract: The manufacture of the electronics component of the probe is simplified by using an integral lead frame on which is mounted all of the passive and active elements so that the entire electronics module can be assembled independent of the housing in a simplified form prior to integration into the housing. The lead frame provides not only the electrical interconnections but the support and positioning of the various light emitting elements that comprise the electronics of the probe. The remaining segment of the manufacturing process is simplified since the workers do not have to assemble multiple diverse elements to create the device housing. The light reflecting and lens assemblies lock together and enclose an epoxy material which encapsulates the electronics elements and provides improved optical transmissivity of the generated light.

Abstract: A method of facial rejuvenation is provided in which ablation of an area of skin is accomplished to above the papillary dermis, providing effective permanent smoothness. A laser beam directs a laser beam from a laser source to a scanner which directs the beam to ablate the skin.

Abstract: A measurement system including a first unit that obtains a first measurement value associated with a first time indication and a second measurement value associated with a second time indication and a second unit that comprises a processor and receives values asynchronously from the first unit, wherein the processor synchronizes the first and second measurement values using the first and second time indications.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for ensuring proper sequential usage of a surgical instrument is provided for an instrument utilizing a tissue treating energy, particularly a tissue heating energy, such as, for example, electrosurgical, ultrasonic, thermal, laser, infrared light, or other heating energies. One embodiment includes a cutting element to be used after heat treatment of tissue is completed to a desired degree. The instrument of the preferred embodiment includes a feedback monitor arranged to provide a signal indicating completion of tissue treatment. One embodiment includes an electro-mechanical locking mechanism responsive to the tissue treatment complete feedback signal and arranged to unlock when tissue treatment is complete.