Abstract: A probe for obtaining temperature and humidity readings within the oral and nasal cavity. An elongated tube having a wire cage at one of its ends, includes first and second longitudinally positioned pairs of thermocouples, one thermocouple of each pair having a wetted wick for obtaining humidity measurements. The pairs of thermocouples are positioned within the confines of the wire cage such that temperature and humidity measurements are made of the subject's airway. Other longitudinally positioned thermocouples are outside the confines of the wire cage and are used to obtain surface temperature readings. For positioning inside the relatively small nasal cavity, one embodiment is constructed and arranged to reduce the outside dimension of the cage for ease of insertion and to return it to its original dimension after insertion, so that the thermocouples outside the confines of the wire cage can contact the nasal membrane.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved cable driven surgical biopsy device wherein a transmission assembly is disposed at a proximal end of the biopsy device. The transmission assembly being adapted to convert rotational motion of a cable entering the biopsy device of a substantially right angle into rotational energy to drive the axial cutter in the biopsy device.

Abstract: A guidewire for intraluminal advancement of a medical device within a patient which has an elongate core member with a flexible body member disposed on a distal section thereof. In one embodiment, the distal section of the elongate core member has at least one flexible segment with at least one pair of opposed tapered or parallel faces. Preferably the flexible segment with the tapered or parallel faces is disposed at the distal end of the elongate core and forms a shapable segment.

Abstract: A fluid sampling apparatus including an elongate housing, a needle mount slidingly mounted in the elongate housing, a double-pointed needle adapted for flow of fluid therethrough, the needle being fixedly mounted in the needle mount with a proximal point extending proximally outwards of the needle mount and a distal point extending distally outwards of the needle mount, a seal plug mounted in the distal portion of the housing, the seal plug being aligned with the needle such that the distal point can pierce through the seal plug into a puncturable conduit and a biasing device positioned between the seal plug and a distal face of the needle mount and a flexible ring mounted in the housing operative to reversibly grip a head of a vacuum tube inserted through a proximal end of the housing.

Abstract: A body water amount condition judging apparatus is provided wherein at least two values selected from intra-cellular water resistance, extra-cellular water resistance, a combined resistance of the intracellular and extra-cellular water resistance, and the ratio of intra-cellular and extra-cellular water are used as the judging parameters, which values are obtained based on the bioelectric impedance measured in multi-frequency bioelectric impedance measurement. Using these parameters, it is possible to judge the body water amount condition considering not only total body water amount condition, but each constituent component of body water as well.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for removing a portion of tissue comprising an elongated body having a distal edge and a cutting member fixedly mounted to the elongated body and extending distally of the distal edge of the elongated body member. The cutting member has an exposed conductive distal edge forming an electrosurgical cutting surface for applying electrical energy to tissue. The cutting member resects a tubular region of tissue as the apparatus is advanced through tissue and the resected tissue extends through an opening in the cutting ring for containment within the elongated body.

Abstract: A method for etiologic diagnosis of ascending postural disturbances and a therapeutic method for correction of such ascending postural disturbances, comprising the steps of: identifying the type of a patient's postural disturbance to ascertain whether it is of an ascending, descending or multiple type, by means of mechanical maneuvers each apt to inhibit a respective foot or cranial nervous input to the Central Nervous System; in case an ascending postural disturbance is identified, identifying the specific intrinsic muscle(s) of the foot sole responsible for such disturbance; and performing an exteroceptive, pressoceptive, proprioceptive and/or reflexogen stimulation of an insertion point of the intrinsic muscle(s) identified as responsible for the ascending postural disturbance.

Abstract: The invention concerns a lancet system comprising a plurality of essentially needle-shaped lancets, a drive unit which has a drive element which is moved from a resting position into a lancing position in order to carry out a lancing process, a storage area to store the lancets, a withdrawal area to guide at least the tip of the lancet out of the system during the lancing process and a transport unit which can transport lancets from the storage area into the withdrawal area, wherein the drive element is arranged in such a manner that in the withdrawal area it can act on the lancet located there to carry out a lancing process and thus move the lancet from a resting position into a lancing position and wherein the system has a retraction device in the withdrawal area which can interact with the lancet located in the withdrawal area in order to move the lancet after completion of the lancing process from the lancing position into the resting position and it concerns a lancet magazine adapted to the system, a cor

Abstract: The fluid transport apparatus and related method for withdrawing fluid from, or infusing fluid to, a target. The apparatus has a fluid collection chamber that has attached thereto cutting devices. The cutting devices are used to make incisions through the wall or skin of the body or target by inserting the cutting device or devices through the wall of the body for automatically removing blood or other tissue fluids from the skin or other tissues. In the operating mode, the motion of the actuator from the rest position to a displaced position generates a negative pressure in the fluid collection chamber that draws blood or fluid from the target into the collection chamber.

Abstract: In this incubator, the door rotation restricting means in the operating state restrains the rotation of the door in the opening direction beyond the operating angle. Thus, in the case that the door rotation restricting means is in the operating state, even if the door is pushed by the accommodated baby from the inside of the hood under the state wherein the door is not fixed by the door fixing means in a closing state, the door does not rotate in the opening direction beyond the operating angle and the angle of the door does not exceed the operating angle. Therefore, even if opening and closing operation of the nursing window is not securely performed, at least the environment inside the hood hardly deviates from the physiological environment appropriate for the accommodated baby.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to know the current hormone balance and condition of the growing ovum of a woman instantaneously by carrying out a simple noninvasive and thereby provide the woman who wishes to become pregnant with sufficient information by informing her of whether she is in a condition in which she is likely to become pregnant at a high success rate. An instrument for estimating the condition of a growing ovum according to the present invention measures a bioelectrical impedance, calculates the index of follicle growth of an examinee from the measured bioelectrical impedance value and at least one parameter pertaining to the physique of the examinee, and compares the calculated index of follicle growth of the examinee with the index of follicle growth as a reference which corresponds to the number of passed days of a menstrual cycle to estimate whether the growing ovum of the examinee is in good condition.

Abstract: The loading apparatus includes a tray assembly which receives radioactive seeds and spacer elements from containers thereof. The seeds and spacers move into a receiving portion of the apparatus. Guide wall assemblies are located between the wells in the tray assembly and a funnel opening which extends through the tray assembly at the front end thereof. Positioned beneath the funnel opening and removably attached to the tray assembly is a visualization and positioning assembly which has a vertical slot therein for receiving seeds and spacers. The seeds and spacers move by gravity through the funnel opening into the slot. A portion of the visualization assembly is transparent, permitting a visual inspection of the seed/spacer lineup in the slot. A control element at the lower end of the visualization assembly releases the seeds and spacers from the visualization member into a hollow needle located therebelow.

Abstract: A cuff member for a sphygmomanometer that has a manually rotatable spindle mounted in a housing. One end of an inflatable cuff is attached to and wound spirally on the spindle. The spiral-wound portion of the cuff in use remaining at least partially inflatable but provides the effect of a constriction at a position along its length dependent on the extent of the spiral wound portion. The inflatable cuff extends through an opening in the housing. An end unit is attached to the other end of the inflatable cuff. A releasable fastening member fastens the end unit to the housing. A desired effective length of cuff is withdrawn from the housing via the opening to extend in a loop around the upper arm of a patient. A ratchet cooperates with the spindle to allow withdrawal of the cuff from the housing when the spindle is manually rotated in one direction and to restrain withdrawal of the cuff from the housing for rotation of the spindle in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A seeding needle has a detent formed near its distal end to prevent radioactive seeds and spacers from sliding out of the needle under the influence of gravity. In a first embodiment, the detent is provided in the form of a dimple that provides an interior protuberance that holds the seeds and spacers and a smooth exterior recess that does not cut tissue as the needle is advanced or retracted. In a second embodiment, a coined slot provides an interior protuberance and an exterior recess also having smooth, non-cutting edges. A third embodiment provides a plug that enables reduction of the size of the detent.

Abstract: A disposable closure for a natural or artificial intestinal or urethral opening in the form of a body made from a material being soluble in visceral contents provides a disposable closure for a natural or artificial intestinal or urethral opening which closure is easy to apply, provides a proper sealing and is readily removed after having exercised its effect.