Abstract: A device (10) for measurement of laxity of the knee includes a thigh support (12) and foot support (13) so arranged that the leg of the patient will be bent at the knee when the patient's thigh is resting in the thigh support (12) and his foot is strapped to the foot rest (13). A potentiometer (26) measures movement of the tibial tuberosity of the patient's leg relative to the patella, and a strain gauge mounted on plate (15) measures the force applied by a patient seeking to straighten the leg such as by tensioning the quadriceps muscle. A computer (9) plots and displays a graph (8) or other output of the force applied against the relative movement between the tibial tuberosity and the patella.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for measuring a predetermined penile rigidity or hardness in a penile tumescent event. The apparatus (10) includes a band-like structure (12) for releasably engaging a penis (11). Suitably attached and associated with band-like structure (12) are releasable fasteners (15) for detecting a predetermined force in a penile tumescent event whereby penile rigidity or hardness can be measured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for determining accurately the location of the tip (14) of a catheter (16) inside biological tissue is disclosed including a locator (34) having a coil (38) wound axially on a core (36) and a detector (12) in the form of a coil (28) wound on a core (24) removably positionable within catheter (16) adjacent the tip (14). A controller (20) generates AC current to coil (38) to produce an electromagnetic field and compares it with the output voltage developed in coil ( b 28) when the locator (34) comes within close physical proximity to detecetor (12). Locator (34) includes an amber LED indicator (42) which is energized when the locator (34) is behind the detector (12) and the monitored output voltage is in phase with the generated alternating current and includes a red LED indicator (44) which is energized when the locator (34) is beyond the detector (12) and the monitored output voltage is 180.degree. out of phase with the generated alternating current.

Abstract: Apparatus for contact-free imaging and measuring of a selected portion of the skin of a patient has a camera which is mounted on a support. The support is mounted on a holder so that it can move in the direction of as well as that it can turn about the optical axis of the camera. An annular light source on the support surrounds the objective of the camera, and the support is connected with an arcuate carrier of one, two or more additional light sources serving to illuminate that portion of the skin which is to be imaged by the camera. The latter can be connected to an electronic evaluating system including a computer, a video camera and/or a monitor which displays the images of the selected portion of the skin. The light source or sources on the carrier are adjustable relative to the carrier and relative to the selected portion of the skin, and the carrier is adjustable with reference to the support along an arcuate path.

Abstract: A device for the non-invasive determination of blood glucose of a patient. This glucose monitor is based upon the effect of glucose in rotating polarized infra-red light. More specifically, two orthogonal and equal polarized states of infra-red light of minimal absorption are passed through a tissue containing blood, and an accurate determination of change in signal intensity is made due to the angle of rotation of these states. This rotation depends upon the glucose level. In order to compensate for absorption in the tissue, another two orthogonal and equal polarized states of infra-red light are used, with the wavelength being selected to maximize absorption. At least two embodiments of forming the polarized states are described: an electro-optic switching unit, such as a lithium tantalate crystal with appropriately applied orthogonal voltages; and an infra-red beam splitter using two light sources.

Abstract: An afterloading device for handling radioactive material used in connection with the irradiation of malignant tumors has (1) a radiation-shielded container, (2) a number of channels within the container for transporting radioactive material-containing ribbons to and from the radiation therapy patient, (3) a device for propelling such ribbons along the channels and into external tubes leading into the patient, and (4) a coupling element connecting the channels to the external tubes leading into the patient, which coupling element is detachable from the container, channels, and propelling device. The propelling device is preferably ring magnets movable along the exterior of the channels.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of diabetes mellitus and for monitoring eye lens changes resulting from the disease is disclosed. The method involves ascertaining the diffusion coefficient of the lens of a patient's eye by directing a light beam from a low-power laser at a clear site in the lens of an in vivo eye and measuring the intensity of the back-scattered light. It has been found that the diffusion coefficient decreases more rapidly versus age in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus than for nondiabetic patients. Thus by comparing the intensity of back scattered light with the patient's age the presence of diabetes, the amount of damage caused by the disease and the efficacy of treatment can be detected.

Abstract: A body fluid component and/or temperature monitoring system including a fiber optic catheter, fluid monitoring probe at the distal end of the catheter, pulsed light source for exciting the probe, and photosensor for responding to light coming from the distal end of the catheter. Circuitry analyzes the light output from the probe and determines a time delay that characterizes the body fluid component concentration or temperature. The time decay is then preferably converted to either component concentration or temperature and displayed on a visual display.

Abstract: A feedback control system is disclosed for use in processing signals employed in pulse transmittance oximetry. The signals are produced in response to light transmitted through, for example, a finger at two different wavelengths. Each signal includes a slowly varying baseline component representing the relatively fixed attenuation of light produced by bone, tissue, skin, and hair. The signals also include pulsatile components representing the attenuation produced by the changing blood volume and oxygen saturation within the finger. The signals are processed by the feedback control system before being converted by an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter (72) for subsequent analysis by a microcomputer (16). The feedback control system includes a controllable offset subtractor (66), a programmable gain amplifier (68), controllable drivers (44) for the light sources (40, 42), and the microcomputer (16).

Abstract: Apparatus for rapidly measuring blood viscosity including a hollow column of narrow bore in fluid communication with a chamber containing a porous bed and means for measuring blood flow rate within the column. The specific permeability of the bed and the pressure gradient are selected so that in combination they result in an equivalent average wall shear stress of about 1 dyn/cm.sup.2 or less.

Abstract: Measuring the length of a human limb by compressing body tissue at the ends of the limb a prescribed amount and then making the length measurement while the body tissue is compressed the prescribed amount.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the retinal or nerve fiber layer thickness. A beam of light is focused on the retina. Reflected beams from the anterior and posterior surfaces of the retina are detected and analyzed to quantitavely determine the retinal thickness.

Abstract: An artificially induced blood pulse used for measuring oxygen saturation in arterial blood is produced by a cuff, wrapped around a body member having an artery upstream from a testing site, when a squeezing pulse is applied by the cuff to the body member.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for effecting radioactive therapy in an animal body. A radioactive source assembly is disposed in a source channel, and a test assembly is disposed in a test channel. A source connecting tube is attached to the source channel and to a connector, and a test connecting tube is attached to the test channel and to the connector. A guide transfer tube is connected to the connector and an other end thereof is disposable at the site in an animal body intended for therapy. A source assembly transport thread is connected to the source assembly and a test assembly transport thread is connected to the test assembly. A source drive means is connected to an other end of the source transport thread and a test drive means is connected to an other end of the test transport thread.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for treating a part of the body of a patient with radioactive material, in which at least one hollow needle is introduced into the part of the body concerned, said needle being capable of subsequently receiving a tube containing selectively positioned radioactive material, previously arranged therein. Use is made of a cart comprising at least one tube containing selectively positioned radioactive material, an intermediate container for shielding the tube or tubes, and apparatus for transporting the said tube with radioactive material into and out of the shielding means. According to the present invention, each implant needle is connected to the cart by means of a patient transfer tube with a patient connector and a machine connector connected with a plurality of external tubes, from which cart tubes are selectively inserted into the needle or needles already introduced by means of one or more transport threads movable in the patient transfer tubes.

Abstract: Described is a device for testing for a perfect fit of spectacle frames on the head of the spectacle wearer. The device has at least one plate- or blade-shaped force or pressure sensor, which is mounted on a holder and can be applied to the respective contact surfaces between the frame and head. With this device it is possible to make precise measurements of the forces and pressures actually occurring at each individual point so that they can be reproduced, for example, by raising the frame slightly, introducing the pressure sensor to the pertinent point of contact, and lowering the frame down again. Becausede of the negligible structural height of the pressure sensor, the individual contact areas between the frame and head can be tested without having to make any change in the controlled vane position in space existing when the spectacles are worn in place.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for indicating perfusion and oxygen saturation trends in oximetry. In transmittance and reflectance oximetry, LEDs (40, 42) are typically employed to expose tissue to light at two different wavelengths. The light transmitted through, or reflected by, the tissue is received by a detector (38) where signals proportional to the intensity of light are produced. These signals are then processed by oximeter circuitry (14, 16) to determine oxygen saturation, pulse rate, and perfusion. Displays (20) are provided including a display (132, 134) of the change in the oxygen saturation during a specified interval. This display may include first (132) and second (134) trend indication displays that indicate when the oxygen saturation has either been increasing or decreasing at a rate in excess of some predetermined level. Preferably, these displays are triangular, upwardly and downwardly directed light-emitting diodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the calculation of oxygen saturation by non-invasive pulse oximeters during transient conditions. Transient conditions introduce artifactual errors into the detected optical signal because of changes in transmittance of the light with localized blood volume changes and as the average background oxygen saturation level of the patient's blood changes. The invention relates to correcting the detected optical pulses by linear interpolation and rate of change techniques or by selective frequency filtering and compensating the detected optical signal using the filtered signal to provide accurate estimates of oxygen saturation during transient conditions.

Abstract: An array of Peltier-effect thermoelectric tiles are controlled by a microprocessor so as to produce a repeatable series of temperature patterns or sequences on the skin adjacent to the area of pain. The series can be modified by selecting between one and m different pre-programmed thermal patterns or sequences by the appropriate setting of a m-toggle switch bank. The hot intensity, cold intensity and time delay between sequences can also be selected. The period between temperature changes is greater than one minute. A variety of different pain soothing sequences can be generated including checkerboard patterns, hot and cold waves, alternating left and right side temperature changes, etc.

Abstract: A small, inexpensive, but reliable pressure warning system includes a plurality of pressure sensors which are disposed between an orthopedic restraining member and an injured portion of a patient's body, and a processor and alarm unit coupled to the pressure sensor and providing a warning when the pressure reaches a danger level (i.e. 30 mm) in which medical assistance is required. If the pressure goes above a critical value (i.e. 35 mm), another warning is provided that immediate medical attention is needed. The processor and alarm unit can be mounted directly on the patient's cast and are disposable, one-use items.