Abstract: A fluid volume flow monitoring apparatus, fluid volume flow monitoring system and process of monitoring fluid volume flow are disclosed. The fluid volume flow monitoring apparatus includes a support member having a distal end, a proximal end, and an outer wall with a first temperature sensing means for sensing fluid temperature positioned on the support member outer wall. A second temperature sensing means is positioned apart from the first temperature sensing means and juxtaposed to a generally tubular heat transfer device which is radially disposed about the support member outer wall. The heat transfer device directly contributes to the ability of the monitor to determine continuously fluid volume flow and includes an electrically insulated heating means positioned between a temperature equilibrator and an insulating material.

Abstract: A medical ventilator having a valve which controls the flow of gas from a pressurized gas source to a patient for inhalation. Flow through the valve is choked and pressure upstream of the valve is held stable so that a known relationship exists between the position of the valve and the flow rate through the valve. An open loop control system causes the valve to open or close as needed to deliver a preselected tidal volume of gas to the patient on each breath. Since the flow rate is known, no feedback to the controller regarding actual flow conditions is required. The exact positioning of the valve and length of time that the valve is to be held open is predetermined by the controller before the breath is delivered, and is repeated for subsequent breaths. Preferably, the valve is driven by a stepping motor, and the controller comprises a microcomputer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a microprocessor based system utilizing electromyographic sensor to monitor muscle force for lift training and exercise training. In the lift training embodiment the electrodes of the electromyographic sensor are secured to a belt so that they are located adjacent to the lower back of the user when wearing the belt. The lift training embodiment is also provided with a goniometer to measure lifting angle during training, which together with muscle force generated by the lower back is compared in the microprocessor to a programmed lifting parameters and if these parameters are exceeded the user is warned by and audible indicator. The lift trainer embodiment also periodically measures interelectrode impedance to insure actual usage. The exercise training embodiment has a bar graph display displaying muscle intensity and two light emitting diodes alerting a user when to contract or relax a monitored muscle group.

Abstract: A device for stimulating heart tissue contains a stimulation unit connected via a switching device to an electrode system. The number of connecting lines between the stimulation unit and the switching device is minimized by emitting control signals and stimulation pulses from a common pulse signal output socket of the stimulation unit. The switching device contains a signal discriminator which separates the control signals from the stimulation pulses, the control signals then controlling the switching device such that the stimulation pulses are delivered to a specific part of the electrode system.

Abstract: A therapy apparatus for treating a subject with acoustic waves has a source of acoustic waves which is adjustable in at least one degree of freedom. The apparatus includes at least one further apparatus component, which is disposed remote from the source of acoustic waves, and which is connected to the source of acoustic waves via at least one line, which may be an electrical line or a fluid line. The apparatus component is adjustable in common with the source of acoustic waves so that the distance between the source of acoustic waves and the apparatus component does not change as a consequence of the adjustment.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for transporting a radioactive carrier device comprising flexible elongated bio-absorbable material having spaced radioactive seeds disposed therein in which the elongated material is loaded in a spacing jig member having spaced first recesses to accommodate the seeds and second recesses to accommodate the elongated material. The loaded jig member has a sheath shielding member placed over it. The carrier assembly is heated to make the carrier device non-deflecting. The carrier assembly, which is placed in a primary shipping container, also may be autoclaved prior to shipping the packaged assembly to a site of use.

Abstract: A method and devices for measuring pressure within blood vessels used for hemodialysis and also for flow of blood into or from such blood vessels during hemodialysis. In one aspect of the method, a currently available hemodialysis set is used. This set comprises a tube (14) attached at one end to a hollow needle (12) and closed at the other end by a cap (19) which covers a proximal connector (18). The method comprises puncturing the blood vessel with the needle (12), measuring the distance to which blood flows under pressure into tube (14), calculating that pressure from that distance, and finally using the hemodialysis set for flow of blood in the performance of hemodialysis. In other aspects of the method, the improved devices of the invention are used.

Abstract: A low profile defibrillation catheter which is much thinner than existing devices. The thin structure is provided by using the current conductor as the electrode. The thin design is motivated by an electrical field analysis which reveals that the length of the catheter is the important determinant of defibrillation ability, and that the large radius and surface area of prior art devices was not beneficial.

Abstract: An internal cardiac assist apparatus includes a balloon 1 having a variable internal volume, and a tube 2 that feeds and discharges a gas within said balloon. One end of the tube 2 is sealed. The balloon is secured to the tube so that the balloon contains the tube for a prescribed length of the tube near the one end of said tube which is sealed. At least one hole 23 for feeding and discharge of the gas is provided in the lengthwise direction in a wall 22 of the portion of the tube that is contained in the balloon. The internal cardiac assist apparatus imposes less of a burden on serious coronary insufficiency patients (by not requiring thoracotomy or incision of the pericardium, and therefore having little effect on breathing and causing little pain), does not require the provision of a complicated gas feeding apparatus, and reliably assists cardiac contraction over a long period of time.

Abstract: Tympanic temperature measurements are obtained from the output of a radiation sensor mounted in an extension from a housing. The housing has a temperature display and supports electronics for responding to sensed radiation. The sensor is mounted in an improved extension which is shaped to fit into smaller ear canals, such as a child's ear canal or a swollen adult ear canal. Within the extension, the sensor is positioned in a highly conductive environment and receives radiation from an external target through a tube. Electronics determine the target temperature based on the sensor output signal and a temperature sensor signal.

Abstract: A backboard with internal ducts for circulation of heated and/or cooled liquid or gas for treating a post-traumatic-injury patient, specifically a patient with a severe back injury. The backboard provides three vital functions for the patient: (1) immobilization (2) maintaining body core temperature, and (3) reduction/prevention of inflammation and/or edema. The thermally-interactive unit is constructed of radiolucent materials for compatibility with x-ray equipment, and is compatible with sterilization requirements.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac defibrillator system, comprising:a) a charge storage element,b) a switching element connected to the charge storage element,c) a processor capable of detecting a defibrillation event in a patient,d) patient connection electrodes connected to the switching element and to the processor,e) a cardiac impedance monitoring section connected to the patient connection electrodes, andf) a charge storage element discharge section communicatively connected to the switching element.

Abstract: An accelerometer-based, multi-axis physical activity sensor for use with a rate-responsive pacemaker, and a method for fabricating the sensor, are provided. The multi-axis physical activity sensor includes a cantilever beam having a film of a piezoelectric polymer adhered to each surface of an electrically conductive substrate. The piezoelectric films are highly resistant to fracturing during manufacture and in use, and they provide a strong output signal when stressed in response to bodily accelerations. A mass is mounted to a free end of the cantilever beam, and is substantially offset with respect to a planar surface of the beam so as to impart multi-axis sensitivity to the physical activity sensor. The accelerometer-based, multi-axis physical activity sensor provides an output signal that is communicated to pacemaker circuitry using a pair of electrical conductors.

Abstract: A method of modifying human behavior using automatically generated active signals to elicit post-hypnotic suggestions. When a patient is in a hypnotic state, a post-hypnotic suggestion is linked to the active signal. After the hypnotic state has been terminated, the active signal is automatically generated by an appropriate active device in the patient's environ. In this manner, the suggested behavior is reliably elicited without the need for patient intervention.

Abstract: Implantable hearing aid for stimulation of the inner ear with a hydromechanical coupling element having an input side connected to an electromechanical converter for transmission to the inner ear of the mechanical vibrations generated by the converter.

Abstract: A device for inducing the brain waves of a user to assume a predetermined frequency comprising a playback device, stereo earphones, and at least one light mounted on glasses in front of each eye of the user. Three separate control signals are pre-recorded superimposed onto a single control track. This composite signal is read by the playback device and is decomposed into the separate control signals by filters in a decoder/controller. One control signal drives a first LED and another drives a second LED. The number of sinusoids within the first and second control signal determine the light intensity. The third control signal is passed alternately to two speakers, with the switching between the speakers being controlled by the state of the first and second control signal. Conventional earphones and a conventional tape player may be used. The invention may be used to selectively activate the pins of a parallel port on a personal computer, to which are connected the LEDs.

Abstract: A blood pressure instrument and method in which analog blood pressure waveform signals are digitized and stored and used to determine blood pressure parameters to make physiological measurements based upon pattern recognition using information empirically obtained from clinical measurements. In a preferred embodiment, the analog waveform signals are obtained non-invasively using an external wrist-mounted displacement transducer.

Abstract: The monitoring method comprises the stages of acquiring and storing the values (Q.sub.inf, Q.sub.b and Q.sub.UF) of a plurality of parameters set by the operator for the individual dialysis treatment to be carried out and for determining the doctor's clinical prescription [[HCO.sub.3.sup.- ].sub.b ] on the basis of the stored values of the parameters prior to the commencement of treatment. During the dialysis treatment, the current values (Q.sub.inf1, Q.sub.b1 and Q.sub.UF1) of the parameters set are continuously acquired (block 29) and if these current values differ significantly from the stored values or in such a way as to entail a change to the predetermined prescription, an alarm signal (36) is generated and a new value (Q.sub.infs) for some parameters calculated in advance (block 31) is suggested so as to maintain the previous prescription unchanged.

Abstract: A combination catheter for both detecting monophasic action potentials and ablating surface tissue in an in vivo heart of a patient is provided. The apparatus includes a catheter probe having a terminal tip portion and an electrode carried on the tip such that a portion of the tip electrode is exposed to ambient. A reference electrode is spaced along the tip from the first electrode for supplying a reference potential signal. An ablating electrode is located adjacent to but electrically insulated from both the tip and reference electrodes for providing electromagnetic energy to the tip. The electrodes are electrically connected to the proximal end of the catheter through individual conductors or wires that run through an insulated cable. An electronic filter is provided to permit the recording of MAPs during ablation without radiofrequency interference. The catheter may also include standard mapping and/or pacing electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus for prompting an operator in the performance of cardio pulmonary resuscitation. The apparatus comprises a casing housing, a keypad with input switches, a display with light emitting devices, audible buzzers and a control circuit embodiment in a programmed microprocessor and associated circuitry. Input prompting signals are controlled by the control circuit to prompt the operator to ascertain the presence of a pulse of the casualty, specify the number of rescuers performing the resuscitation, and specifiy the age status of the casualty. The control circuit prompts the operator to perform either or both heart compression and lung inflation on the casualty at a prescribed rate.