Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining right heart ejection fraction by injecting a cold indicator into the right ventricle or locations in the heart upstream thereof during an injection period and allowing the indicator to be diluted with blood and flow to the pulmonary artery whereby the temperature of the fluid in the pulmonary artery falls and then rises, measuring the temperature of the fluid in the pulmonary artery at least during the time that the temperature in the pulmonary artery is rising, measuring a prebolus temperature of the blood in the pulmonary artery prior to the time that the cold indicator reaches the pulmonary artery, establishing a post bolus baseline temperature which is lower than said prebolus baseline temperature, comparing at least some of the measured temperatures during the time that the temperatures of the fluid in the pulmonary artery are rising to the post bolus baseline temperature to establish temperature differentials, and using at least some of the temperature differential

Abstract: An improved foot pressure measurement system wherein pressure measurements are obtained from the variation of light output from an illuminated glass or transparent plate. A reflective material on the top surface of the plate causes an increase in light intensity escaping from the plate when pressure is applied to the reflective material. The accuracy and resolution of the pressure measurements are improved by obtaining a reference measurement of the background light intensity and distribution before pressure is applied and subsequently subtracting this background light from the light patterns produced when pressure is applied. The reflectance characteristics of the system are improved by using a photographic paper as the reflective material.

Abstract: The sensor and memory unit (30, 92 or 94) includes a sensor assembly (34) having at least one sensor (48, 50 or 96) therein and a memory (18, 22, 70, 98) associated and fixed therewith. In one embodiment the memory (70, 98) is mounted in a memory module (38 or 90) which is connected by a multiconductor lead (40 or 88) to the sensor or sensors (48, 50 or 96). Also the sensor assembly (34) can be fixed in the distal end (36) of a catheter (32).The sensor and memory unit (94) can be coupled to signal processing and conditioning circuitry (76, 176 or 276) which can include a microprocessor (178) for processing the sensor (96) signals and conditioning/correcting same based upon the information data retrieved from the memory (98).

Abstract: Blood gases and the like are monitored by a single probe having multiple dye wells and dyes immobilized in the wells, the dyes being exposed to the blood gases. Optical fibers and waveguides connected to the dye wells permit light to be directed from a light source to be dyes and the light due to absorption or the spontaneous emission of the dye returned to a light detector. The intensity, phase shift or other mechanism of the returned radiation is a measure of the partial pressure of a respective blood gas.

Abstract: A method and kit for measuring the effectiveness of various bronchodilators on an individual patient are disclosed. For example, the kit includes a plurality of bronchodilator test solutions and a nebulizer for providing a dose of each solution for introduction into a patient's lungs. A spirometer or other type of flowmeter is also provided for measuring the flow characteristics of a patient's forced expiratory flow before and after inspiration of each of the bronchodilator solutions. A test panel is also provided for recording and comparing the patient's flow data before and after inspiration of each of the test solutions. And, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the patient's lungs are rechallenged to verify the best treatment for the patient. And, a second embodiment includes instructions and a peak flow meter in place of a spirometer, so that the tests may be self-administered in a patient's home.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining percent fat in a body wherein substantially uniformly dispersed near-infrared radiation is transmitted into the body to achieve optical interactance between the body and the near-infrared radiation. Optical absorption by the body at only one wavelength of the near-infrared radiation is measured. The measured absorption at the one wavelength of near-infrared radiation is utilized to quantitatively determine the fat content of the body. Data on a plurality of physical parameters of the body, such as height, weight, exercise level, sex, race, waste-to-hip measurement and arm circumference, can be utilized along with the measured near-infrared absorption in the quantitative determination of body fat content.

Abstract: A device for applying heat and vibration to the body to relieve pain and stiffness and to enhance blood circulation. Individual hollow cases are pivotally coupled together in a stand of cases, the ends of which are coupled to belt portions adapted to be attached together to support the strand around a body member. Inside each case is a coil arrangement which, when electrically energized, produces heat and vibration that can be coupled to the body through the cases.

Abstract: A compact, easily dismantable device adapted to rest, when in use, across the shoulders, hips and back of an individual to provide a quantitative indication of the extent of scoliosis present.

Abstract: A probe comprising a casing of which one face which will be in contact with the skin is providied with an aperture, is connected to a measuring device by means of a flexible connection in fiber optics comprising at least three optical conductors which, at a first end, are secured in the casing of the probe such as to face the aperture thereof, the first and second conductors having their first end portions directed respectively in a first and a second directions which are symmetrical to each other with respect to an axis extending normally through the aperture, while the third conductor has its first end portion directed in another direction than said second direction.

Abstract: A diagnostic method whereby the sensitivity of inhibition of nocturnal growth hormone secretion by a growth hormone inhibiting factor is tested. The inhibiting factor or hormone, somatostatin is introduced into the bloodstream of sleeping children with classical GH deficiency, growth hormone neurosecretory dysfunction, and related disorders. The degree of suppression of the growth hormone secretion is studied to diagnose each child's condition preparatory to beginning a treatment program.

Abstract: An electromedical apparatus including a magnetic field generator and an electric field generator adapted for generation of perpendicular fields and for application of the generated fields transversely to the major blood vessels of an afflicted body portion induces helical movement of charged particles in the tissues and increased blood flow. The apparatus further includes electrical and magnetic lens systems for concentrating the electrical and magnetic flow generated by the apparatus.

Abstract: A method to determine the cholesterol level in a patient in a non-invasive manner by delivering a beam of light to a patient's eye. The intensity of light scattered from the aqueous of the eye and the mobility of the protein scatterers in the eye are measured and compared to a control.An apparatus to detect the cholesterol level in a patient in a non-invasive manner which delivers a beam of light to a patient's eye, collects the scattered light from the patient's eye and correlates the scattered light to a cholesterol level measurement.

Abstract: A three-plane goniometer or angle measuring apparatus includes three small potentiometers which are closely spaced together to measure rotation of the knee about three different axes. The unit is primarily mounted on a cuff on the outside of the thigh. The mounting assembly for the three plane goniometer includes a curved yoke where the ends of the yoke curve from the front to the rear, with the goniometer unit being held between the ends of the rearwardly extending arms of the yoke, so that accurate measurement may be maintained in all three planes even while the knee is bent to its extreme flexed position. Extending downwardly from the goniometer is a square rod which slidably engages a square hole in a nylon ball mounted in a two-axis gimbal, which is secured to a cuff strapped to the calf of the leg.

Abstract: An improved method for calibating a non-invasive apparatus for measuring respiration volume of the type wherein signals indicative of the rib cage and abdomen contributions to respiration volume are provided, and wherein at least one of the signals is multiplied by a predetermined weighting factor for reflecting the relative contributions of the rib cage and abdomen to respiration volume.The calibration method non-invasively determines the weighting factor by: totaling, during a period of breathing, a plurality of values of a parameter indicative of the relative amplitude, for each breath, of uncalibrated rib cage and abdomen signals; and dividing the average variability of the means of the total of the values of one of the rib cage and abdomen signals by the average variability of the mean of the tota of the values of the other signal. The quotient so derived represents the weighting factor.An apparatus for calibrating in accordance with the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continually measuring the specific gravity of a flow liquid. The liquid is caused to flow across a flat measurement surface defined by a light transmissive shelf member. The measurement surface, i.e. the interface between the shelf member and liquid sample thereon, is illuminated by rays incident at angles greater than and less than a critical angle to reflect a boundary line whose position is dependent on the critical angle and thus the specific gravity of the liquid sample. The reflected boundary line is projected onto a photovoltaic surface which, together with detector electronics, determines the position of the boundary line with respect to a boundary line position associated with a reference liquid. The difference in boundary line position is used by the detector electronics to determine the specific gravity of the sample by a table lookup procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an abnormality of the spinal column is provided with apparatus for obliquely applying at least one light beam to each of the left and right backs of a subject in parallel with an imaginary spinal line, and apparatus for comparing and detecting the positions on the left and right backs to which the light beams have been applied.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of perilymph fistula or other abnormal coupling between a subject's middle ear and inner ear. The subject is placed on a support surface that is sway-stabilized about an axis that is co-linear with the subject's ankle joints. After the subject has assumed a position in equilibrium, a controlled changed in air pressure is introduced to the external canal of one of the subject's ears. It is then determined whether the controlled change in pressure produces a significant subject sway response. In an alternative embodiment, the sway response is monitored with the subject placed on a support surface that is sway-stabilized about an axis that is perpendicular to the axis that is co-linear with the subject's ankle joints.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for detecting singlet oxygen emission produced during photoradiation is disclosed. The invention utilizes a two-band optical comparator to detect optical emissions. The optical comparator comprises an in-band filter that passes light in the 1270 nm singlet oxygen emission band and an out-of-band filter that passes light outside of the 1270 nm singlet oxygen emission band. The signal detected when the out-of-band filter is used is composed essentially of a fluorescence emission. This detected signal is used to synchronize an electronic reference signal. The electronic reference signal is used by a signal processing means to isolate a phase delayed singlet oxygen emission component which appears with a fluorescence emission component in the 1270 nm singlet oxygen emission band.

Abstract: Arthritis and related diseases are diagnosed by recording sound from a joint moving against a predefined resistance or a controlled velocity, and correlating the acoustic amplitude and instantaneous frequency with the joint angle.

Abstract: A IR-192 platinum wire implant includes a core area 0.1 mm in diameter, comprised of 25 percent iridium and 75 percent platinum. This core area is encased in a 100 percent platinum sheath of 0.15 mm thickness in cross-section and 0.075 mm thickness at its end portions. Therefore, the entire implant insert is 0.4 mm in diameter. Further, the iridium/platinum composite implant includes means for allowing it to be cut to any length desired so that cutting of the composite metal through cross-section would effectively squeeze the 0.15 mm sheath coating around the end portion of the iridium/platinum core and effectively achieve the 0.075 mm thickness at the end portion, thus sealing the end portion of the implant . There would further be provided a method for achieving the cutting of the composite implants to various pre-determined lengths and maintaining the sealed end portions upon completion of the cut.