Abstract: For non-invasively monitoring the concentration of a substance in blood, use is made of a pickup unit, with a cavity through which a liquid is passed. The cavity is held against the skin and the concentration of the substance which has penetrated into the passing liquid is measured. The method according to the invention makes it possible to monitor non-invasively and continuously the extent to which various low-molecular, water-soluble substances are present in the body of a human or an animal. Further described is an instrument for carrying out the method according to the invention.

Abstract: Noise content in the output signal of a system using time division multiplexing (TDM) is measured to determine whether the output signal represents a reliable measurement. A "dark" channel in a TDM input signal may be used to isolate noise which is present in the input signal from desired informational content in the signal. The noise is processed to determine if any component of the noise will be "imaged" into the passband of the system. Any such components are then processed in a manner approximating the system transfer function to produce a noise signal indicative of the noise content of the system output signal. In one embodiment of the invention, the noise signal is used to remove noise from the output signal of the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for creating and testing arterial and venous thrombotic conditions. The invention includes a tube which is inserted into a blood vessel of an animal. The tube contains one or more strands upon which various materials, such as procoagulants and anticoagulants may be placed. Blood flows through the tube and clots form on the threads. After the completion of the test, the tube is removed from the animal, the strands are removed from the tube and the clots may be measured and weighed. In a preferred embodiment, a flowmeter may be connected to the blood vessel to measure the blood flow so that the clot measurements may be correlated with the blood flow.

Abstract: A scheme for monitoring one or more solutes in a biological system comprising the steps of: delivering light into a biological system containing one or more solutes, the light having a wavelength selected to be in a range wherein at least one of the one or more solutes is substantially non-absorbing; detecting at least first and second portions of the delivered light, the first portion having traveled through the biological system along one or more paths characterized by a first average path length, and the second portion having traveled through the biological system along one or more paths characterized by a second average path length that is greater than the first average path length; and comparing the first and second portions of the delivered light to monitor a concentration of one or more of the solutes in the biological system.

Abstract: A magnetic therapeutic device including a flexible elasticized loop-type fabric band or belt having a buckle loop at one end and a hook-type fastening element (VELCRO) at the other end thereof for securing the band or belt around the to-be-treated portion of a user's body, one or more magnetizable stainless steel C-shaped clips slidably mounted for adjustable positioning on the band or belt, each clip having at least one recess for magnetically holding at least one small high-intensity permanent magnet therein.

Abstract: A system and method for assisting a person with a hearing disability includes an implantable microphone which senses sounds by monitoring pressure variations in the cochlear fluid. The electrical signal generated by the microphone is processed and used by a signal generator, such as cochlear implant to generate excitation signals for the patient. In this manner, external microphones, used in prior art systems, are eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes at least three wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation for determining a blood constituent, such as arterial oxygen saturation, in a patient. The detected radiation scattered by the tissue of the patient is analyzed in a manner that compensates for variations in the detected radiation caused by differences in the scattering of the radiation at different wavelengths. In particular, a result is determined which is equivalent to the sum of a first blood constituent estimate using a first pair of the detected signals, and the difference between the first blood constituent estimate and a second blood constituent estimate, using a different pair of wavelengths, with the difference being multiplied by a multiplicative factor.

Abstract: An air pulse generator for a non-contact tonometer comprises a bi-directional linear motor drivably connected to a compression mechanism and responsive to an applanation signal for reducing unnecessary air pulse energy delivered to an eye. Upon receiving the applanation signal from an applanation detector, a motor controller reverses current flow in the coil of the motor to create a reverse electromagnetic force to stop generation of the air pulse. In a first embodiment, the linear motor includes a moving permanent magnet armature for reversibly driving the compression mechanism, while in a second embodiment, the linear motor includes a moving coil for reversibly driving the compression mechanism.

Abstract: A gauge strip of flexible material having distal and proximal end portions has a cursor slot in its proximal end portion with graduation marks and penile constriction ring size indicia between the end portions for the distal end of the strip to be passed through the cursor slot to form a loop that is pulled tight on the penis for the cursor slot to coincide with an elastic ring size indicia that is read to select a ring or vacuum tube penis entry opening of the appropriate percentage of the penis size for developing an erection by vacuum exposure, maintaining an erection with the ring, or using the ring as a condom retainer.

Abstract: This invention provides an electronic blood pressure meter which can measure blood pressure with great accuracy. The angle of inclination is detected by inclination sensor and the height of the limb where the measurement is to be taken is obtained from this angle of inclination. An MPU determines whether the height which is obtained is within a specified difference from the height of the heart. The result of this determination is communicated via display or buzzer.

Abstract: An RF ablation catheter of the type comprising a flexible elongate catheter body having at least one lumen therethrough and having a proximal handle end and a distal end section adapted to be introduced into a heart chamber, at least one electrical conductor extending from the handle to the distal tip section within the at least one lumen for conduction RF energy, and a distal tip electrode coupled to the distal end section of the catheter body and electrically coupled with the at least one electrical conductor. The distal tip electrode is formed with a slip resistant, field focusing exterior contour for maintaining a position of the distal tip electrode bearing against the endocardium of the patient's heart, without penetrating the myocardium thereof, achieved through manipulation of the catheter distal tip section, and focusing ablation energy into the endocardium.

Abstract: A clamping force mechanism for use with electrosurgery allow a user to seal and/or join patient's particular vascular tissue; the mechanism is elongate with user and patient ends. An actuator is at the user end and the effectors are at the patient end. Each effector has a face of an area to contact the particular vascular tissue. A lost motion connection transfers user actuation to the effectors to hold a predetermined clamping force during electrosurgical tissue sealing. A yielding member in the loss motion connection clamps the particular tissue between the faces with a predetermined force. The yielding member is a spring, slip clutch or hydraulic coupling possibly near the actuator. An active electrode is carried on one end effector and a return electrode contacts the tissue so an electrosurgical energy supply connected thereacross delivers energy therebetween. A feedback circuit responds to parameters of energy delivered to tissue.

Abstract: An endoscopic bioptome jaw assembly has at least thee jaws. In one embodiment the assembly includes at least three distally extending resilient arms. Each of the resilient arms terminates in a jaw which includes a substantially hollow distal jaw cup. The resilient arms are bent to urge each jaw away from the other. Each jaw cup has at its distal end at least one end tooth having a cutting edge. An endoscopic bioptome includes a tubular member having a displaceable wire extending therethrough. The proximal ends of the tubular member and wire are coupled to a manual actuation means for axially displacing the flexible member relative to the wire. The distal end of the tubular member is coupled to either a cylinder having a distal edge or to the base of the jaw assembly. The distal end of the wire is coupled to the other of the cylinder or the jaw assembly.

Abstract: A two-pulse, lateral tissue illuminator in which a first pulse delivered by a first optical waveguide is used to irradiate a liquid-containing region to form a vapor bubble; a second pulse, delivered by a second optical waveguide, is then passed through the vapor bubble and used to incise a tissue of a patient. The illuminating device can be used to effectively deliver radiation to tissue positioned laterally relative to the axis of the delivery fibers, and allows a reduction in the attenuation of the radiation by the surrounding liquid.

Abstract: A sensor performs medical measurements, particularly pulsoximetric measurements, and is attached or otherwise adhered to a human fingernail or toenail by an inwardly concave, first casing part of a sensor. Electromagnetic, particularly optical, transmitting elements and receiving elements permit the measurement of the radiation reflected by or transmitted through the tissue. The sensor is easy to apply, allows a long application period and is reusable.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for measuring the oxygen saturation of blood within a retinal vessel illuminates the retinal vessel with light having a combination of wavelengths selected to reduce the error in the measured blood oxygen saturation. The oxygen saturation measuring method and apparatus illuminates a retinal vessel with light having the selected combination of wavelengths. For example, the oxygen saturation measuring method and apparatus can illuminate the retinal vessel with light having a first wavelength between 460 nm and 503 nm, a second wavelength between 600 nm, and 770 nm and a third wavelength between 770 nm and 1000 nm. The oxygen saturation measuring method and apparatus then measures the transmittance of the blood within the retinal vessel in response to the illumination at each of the selected wavelengths.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for measuring a scattering medium containing a light absorbing substance. The apparatus includes a light source; a photodetector; a gate voltage applying circuit for applying gate voltage pulses to the photodetector at a plurality of detection timings in order to generate the photodetector output light detection signals corresponding to the intensity of the light during periods of application of the pulses; and a signal processing unit for obtaining signal intensities during the periods and calculating internal information of the scattering medium based on the signal intensities.

Abstract: A constant power control circuit for an electrosurgical generator and a method for maintaining the electrical power output of an electrosurgical generator at a generally constant value throughout a given tissue impedance range are disclosed. The constant power control circuit and the method recognize and use the unique and simple linear characteristics associated with certain electrosurgical generator designs to monitor and control the electrical power output without having to calculate or monitor the actual output power. The constant power control circuit includes a current sampling circuit, a linear conversion circuit, and a feedback correction circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical method for reducing the food intake of a patient by dissecting the lower part of the Esophagus of a patient, applying a band to form a loop around the lower part of the Esophagus and displacing an upper part of the stomach through the loop, thereby forming a small pouch above the band wherein the final position of the band is above the Bursa Omentalis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the health of a patient by utilizing measurements. In order to improve the contact between the patient and the person treating him, the results of the measurements are supplied via a communications device (1) utilizing a wireless data transmission link to a data processing system (9) available to the person monitoring the patient's health, and the patient's health is monitored by means of the data stored in the data processing system (9).