Abstract: Apparatus for breast examination, comprising: a sensing unit including a probe capable of sensing electrical signals from a surface of a breast, including at least a portion of the nipple thereof; a processor operative to generate, based on sensed signals from only the nipple of the breast, optionally adjusted by values outside the breast, a malignancy score relating to the need of additional testing of the breast; and a display operative to indicate at least the range of the malignancy score.

Abstract: A constriction device that constricts body tissue is viewable under X ray fluoroscopy. The device includes an elongated sleeve. The sleeve includes opposed opened ends and is formed from expandable or elastic material to receive therein, when in an expanded condition, body tissue to be constricted and to constrict the body tissue therein when released from the expanded condition. At least a portion of the sleeve includes X ray opaque material rendering the device visible under X ray fluoroscopy.

Abstract: A lancet driver is provided wherein the driver exerts a driving force on a lancet during a lancing cycle and is used on a tissue site. The driver comprises of a drive force generator for advancing the lancet and a processor coupled to the drive force generator capable of changing the direction and magnitude of force exerted on the lancet during the lancing cycle. The driver further includes a human interface on the housing providing at least one output for communicating with the patient.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a body composition measuring device used in arithmetically deriving an index indicative of body composition in accordance with the bioelectric impedance measuring method, in which a highly accurate calculation result can be obtained with the reduced effect from the fluctuation in a day while using a simple measuring method.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for securely affixing a medical instrument to desired tissue in a patient's body, using a fixation agent. Such medical instruments may comprise localization wires or tissue acquisition instruments, such as biopsy instruments, for example. In the case of tissue acquisition instruments, the inventors have discovered significant advantages for securely affixing the distal end of the tissue acquisition instrument to a particular tissue target area. For example, such an approach permits the imaging environment to be uncoupled from the procedural environment so that expensive and often unavailable imaging equipment, such as stereotactic imaging equipment, need not be used. In a preferred embodiment, a bonding agent, such as adhesive, surgical glue, or a solvent, is used as the fixation agent.

Abstract: A handheld diagnostic device having a test head and a handle is equipped with an open test channel having sensors and liquid reagent dispensing opening for the diagnostic testing of body fluids. The test channel can draw in fluid sample by capillary force and be closed by a channel cover for mixing the fluid sample with liquid reagent for electrochemical reactions for providing measurement signals for diagnostic analysis by a microprocessor included in the handle. A vibration means is added for stimulating the production of the body fluid sample and for assisting mixing of the sample solution. A renewable biosensor having a reusable electrode system and a dispensing means for providing a new dose of liquid reagent is included in the test head for repeated uses of the test channel and the biosensor. A dual-dispensers system having two reagent cartridges and two dispensing lines is included for simultaneous or selective dispensing of reagents for multiple diagnostic testing.

Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a biopsy instrument, suitable for collecting at least one tissue sample from a body lumen, such as a mammary duct, and a cutter introducer sized for receiving the biopsy instrument and introducing the biopsy instrument into a mammary duct to retrieve a tissue sample therefrom.

Abstract: The present application describes a device for collecting biological samples comprising at least one collection protrusion comprising at least one tip; and at least one pad for contacting the tip.

Abstract: An intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring system includes an adaptive threshold detection circuit adapted for use in monitoring with a plurality of electrodes placed in muscles which are enervated by a selected nerve and muscles not enervated by the nerve. Nerve monitoring controller algorithms permit the rapid and reliable discrimination between non-repetitive electromyographic (EMG) events and repetitive EMG events, thus allowing the surgeon to evaluate whether nerve fatigue is rendering the monitoring results less reliable and whether anesthesia is wearing off. An artifact detection electrode provides a reliably detectable impedance imbalance between the electrode leads and antenna-like qualities for enhanced detection of current and electromagnetic artifacts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing biopsies in-vivo using magnetically labeled nanoparticles is disclosed. One embodiment of the apparatus is called a magnetic needle. When used in a biopsy, one embodiment of the present invention collects cancer cells in-vivo which have been tagged with magnetic nanoparticles coated with antibodies for specific cancer or tumor cells.

Abstract: A hollow medical device includes a coil member having a distal end, a proximal end, a plurality of turns extending therebetween, and a lumen extending through the turns. The coil member further includes at least one weld extending from one turn to an adjacent turn.

Abstract: This invention comprises guidewires, stents and other intraluminal devices having a performance enhancing coating deposited using physical vapor deposition (PVD) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Preferably, a radiopaque coating comprising platinum, tungsten, iridium, tantalum or the like is deposited on a desired portion of the device. Alternatively, the performance enhancing coating is a wear resistant coating of carbides such as tungsten carbide, titanium carbide, or nitrides such as titanium nitride.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a motion monitoring apparatus and method for monitoring a patient under medical care. A sensor arrangement is provided in the form of a pad which the patient lies on. The sensor arrangement provides a signal which can be monitored to observe motion of the patient and provide an alarm should the motion meet certain predetermined conditions. The invention is particularly applicable for monitoring patients under sedation, recovering from anaesthesia, or in intensive care. The device is particularly useful for veterinary patients.

Abstract: A harness for attachment about a knee femur and comprised of a rigid and non-flexible frame support two resiliently mounted clamping means and sensors is described for the non-invasive measurement of knee motion and its analysis in 3-D is described. The clamping means elements are urged under pressure outwardly for application against a skin outer surface at predetermined medial and lateral sites relative to a femur. A non-resilient adjustable stabilizing element is connected to the rigid frame and disposed at a predetermined location with respect to the medial clamping element in spaced relationship therewith and adjustable for clamping contact on a skin outer surface and in alignment with the center of a medial condyle of the femur whereby to stabilize the rigid frame about a knee. An attachment rod is secured to the harness and has straps for securing the rod above the knee.

Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for automated testing of a patient's hearing. The automated hearing test allows the patient to quickly and accurately test his own hearing with minimal or no assistance from an audiologist or other hearing health professionals. The test prompts and instructs the patient for inputs and responses as needed as needed. The patient can select one or several tests to be performed, including air and bone conduction testing with masking, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination, and tympanogram/acoustic reflex testing. Multiple languages are supported. Data obtained from one test may be used for another test or another iteration of the same test to calculate masking levels. The automatic hearing test also detects ambient noise and can compensate for it in the test results. If a contingency occurs, the automated hearing test is configured to page the operator for assistance.

Abstract: A method is described of inserting guide wires into a lumen, for example into the human gastrointestinal tract. A guide wire structure is employed which comprises at least two guide wires each having a leading end portion which terminates in a leading end, the guide wires being connected to one another by a junction at or adjacent their leading ends, the guide wires have a first position in which the leading end portions are substantially parallel to one another, a second position in which the leading end portions are curved, and a third position in which at least one of the leading end portions forms a loop. The guide wire structure is steered through the gastrointestinal tract by selectively advancing or retracting a single guide wire or advancing more than one guide wire simultaneously, according to the path which is required to be followed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mucosal biopsy including a stationary base clevis component, upon which an open frame jaw is actuated rotationally to engage tissue and retract samples. A rack and pinion mechanism drives the jaw motion, which can be controlled axially by the physician. A metal retriever component captures tissue from the open frame jaw, and advances the samples proximally into the collection chamber, where they are maintained as the retriever is returned to its most distal position. Furthermore, the open frame design employs a reliable and compact means for actuation that can be decoupled from sample transfer and storage functions.

Abstract: A guide wire is configured to have a less lossy marker formed at a desired position and providing a relatively high degree of contrastability under X-ray fluoroscopic guidance or the like. The guide wire includes a linear core member, a resin layer covering a main body portion of the core member, and a contrasting portion covering the distal end portion of the core member. The resin layer contains a color developing agent which develops color by laser light irradiation, and a contrast agent composed of a metal oxide powder. The contrasting portion is made from a resin containing a contrast agent composed of a metal powder and has a contrasting function higher than the resin layer. A visible marker is formed on the outer surface of the resin layer through color development of the color developing agent by irradiating the surface of the resin layer with laser light.

Abstract: In a medical guide wire, a front end of a core member is tapered off or diametrically reduced successively as it approaches a leading end tip to form a frustoconical configuration. A helical spring and the core member are spaced to form a non-integral zone extending at least 20 mm from a front end of the diameter-reduced front end portion. An inner circumference of the helical spring and an outer circumference of the core member are concentrically secured to form a plurality of securement points aligned in the lengthwise direction at regular spans so as to enable an operator to steer the guide wire with an improved rotation-following capability.

Abstract: An advancer system is described for moving an elongate medical device within a body. The system includes a drive unit having a motor. The drive unit is configured to translate movement of the motor to the device so as to alternately advance and retract the device relative to the body. The advancer system also includes a user-operable control system configured to control the drive unit. The control system can interface with a magnetic navigation system. The above-described system allows an operating physician to control catheter advancement and retraction while remaining outside an x-ray imaging field. Thus the physician is freed from repeated x-ray exposure.