Abstract: An oscillometric-type automatic blood pressure measuring apparatus, including a pressure device such as a cuff, an oscillometric-type blood pressure measuring device for (a) occluding an artery of a patient by increasing the cuff pressure, (b) detecting a first pulse wave transmitted from the artery to the cuff by reducing the increased cuff pressure, and (c) determining a first systolic blood pressure of the patient based on variation in amplitude of successive pulses of the first pulse wave, a display for indicating the determined first systolic blood pressure, a detecting device disposed downstream of the cuff, for detecting a second pulse wave produced from a portion of the artery located downstream of the cuff, a first determining device for determining, as an initial-pulse detection pressure, a cuff pressure at the time of detection of an initial pulse of the second pulse wave after the commencement of reduction of the cuff pressure in each of periodic measurement cycles, a second determining device for

Abstract: A high-frequency electrosurgery apparatus for cutting and/or coagulating biological tissues that may have a number of operating modes is described. As control panel on which one or more parameters of the high-frequency output of the apparatus can be set. Particularly important is the current-limiting system which includes setting of a desired maximal current level, to which for a particular mode of operation the current can be limited or in response to which a warning signal may be activated and/or the high-frequency generator shut down. The effective current that the application instrument reaches or exceeds previously set maximal current level. In such a high-frequency electrosurgery apparatus the cable leading to the active electrode is provided with electrial shielding which is connected to the conductor leading to the neutral electrode at a location between the output transformer of the apparatus and the current sensor of the current limiting system.

Abstract: The present invention is a wound assessment tool comprising a wound assessment sheet, having a place for writing wound assessment parameters and a wound assessment graph for tracing wound margins printed thereon, peelably secured to a disposable transparent flexible backing sheet. The backing sheet serves to prevent the wound assessment sheet from contacting the wound. Thus, after the wound is documented, the wound assessment sheet may be removed from the backing sheet which is then disposed. The wound assessment sheet is then secured to a wound assessment worksheet using an adhesive material on the back of the wound assessment sheet which originally secured the wound assessment sheet to the sterile backing sheet, thereby, creating a permanent record of the patient's wound.

Abstract: A blood pressure monitor system for monitoring blood pressure of a living subject, including a pulse wave detecting device detecting a first pulse wave produced from an artery of the subject via a body surface of the subject over the artery, an inflatable cuff pressing a body portion of the subject, a blood pressure measuring device measuring a systolic and a mean blood pressure of the subject, based on variation in amplitude of pulses of a second pulse wave transmitted to the cuff by changing a pressure in the cuff, and a blood pressure determining device determining a relationship between blood pressure and pulse wave magnitude, based on the systolic and mean blood pressure values measured by the blood pressure measuring device and an upper-peak magnitude and a mean magnitude of the first pulse wave detected by the pulse wave detecting device, and continuously determining, according to the relationship, blood pressure values of the subject based on magnitudes of the first pulse wave detected by the pulse wa

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for cauterizing and/or removing or debulking tissue located on the surface or within the body of a living being. The apparatus comprises a catheter having a distal end portion at which a working head is located. The working head is arranged to be moved, e.g., rotated, repeated by a drive system including an electrically conductive cable. The cable is connected between the working head and one electrode of an electrosurgical power supply. The other electrode of the supply is connected to a plate arranged to engage a portion of the being's skin. The working head is arranged to be located adjacent the biological material and to be rotated at a relatively high speed to sweep a localized intense electrical current (e.g., arc) across a portion of tissue located immediately adjacent the working head. The repeated movement of the working head impacts the tissue to debulk it.

Abstract: A biomedical pressure sensor having a pressure sensing diaphragm is provided with a distensible membrane overlying the diaphragm, and the diaphragm is provided with one or more holes. During normal operation, externally applied pressure forces the membrane against the diaphragm so that the membrane and diaphragm deform under pressure as a unit and transmit pressure-applied forces to a force transducer within the probe housing. When a reference pressure exceeding the externally applied pressure is supplied within the probe housing, such reference pressure passes through the hole in the diaphragm and forces the membrane away from the diaphragm, thereby isolating the diaphragm from the externally applied pressure and bringing the diaphragm to a zero-differential pressure condition. Use of a hole in the diaphragm permits an extremely compact construction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for discharging a defibrillation discharge circuit 30 across a short circuit load 166 for monitoring defibrillation pulses 180 generated by the circuit to test that the pulses are acceptable. The discharge circuit 30 comprises an electrical capacitor 34 for storing defibrillation pulse energy and an electrical inductor 38 in series with the capacitor for shaping the discharge pulses. In the invention, parameters representative of the shape of the defibrillation pulse are detected as the pulse is discharged and are compared to predetermined values characteristic of the shape of an acceptable pulse. Based on the outcome of this comparison, an output is provided indicating whether the pulse is acceptable.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of diagnosing the presence of a persistent occlusion in a myocardial infarct patient undergoing thrombolytic therapy. The method comprises detecting a series of three variables from the patient and then generating the probability of the presence of a persistent occlusion from those variables. The first variable comprises a serum creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) level from a patient at the onset of thrombolytic therapy. The second variable comprises a second CK-MB level in the patient at a predetermined time after the onset of thrombolytic therapy. The third variable comprises the presence or absence of chest pain a predetermined time after the onset of thrombolytic therapy. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second and third variables are detected within 30 minutes of each other and within about 1 to about 3 hours after the initial variable is detected.

Abstract: A cardiac arrhythmia ablation catheter that has a highly flexible tubular distal segment particularly adapted for navigating and exploring a ventridular cardiac chamber forming a lumen through its length which connects to a distal electrode-carrying tip which is provided with an independently rotatable tip electrode mounted at the distal end tip of the distal tip section and adapted to engage and roll over the internal surface of a ventricular heart chamber of interest without rotation of the catheter itself. A wire deflection control system is provided to deflect the distal tip system of the distal catheter section in a controlled manner and a hand-operated control is provided to control the rotation of the rotatable tip electrode.

Abstract: A targeting device for x-ray locating during an extracorporeal treatment of patients with focused shock waves, particularly for a lithotritor, is suggested. The targeting device comprises a carrier on or in which x-ray positive elements, preferably metal wires, are arranged such that they point to the focal point of the shock wave system. In the x-ray image, the position of the elements clearly indicates the position of the focal point.

Abstract: An implantable pacemaker provides three types of hysteresis for use in dual chamber and/or atrial tracking modes, such as VDI, VDD, DDI, DDD, VDIR, VDDR, DDIR or DDDR. The pacemaker defines a basic atrial escape interval (AEI) that defines the maximum time between a ventricular event and a subsequent atrial event, as well as an AV delay (AVD) that defines the maximum time between an atrial event and the next ventricular event. The sum of AEI plus AVD thus sets the rate at which stimulation pulses are generated in the absence of sensed natural cardiac activity. A first type of hysteresis, atrial escape rate hysteresis, causes the AEI to be extended upon sensing natural atrial beats (P-waves). The increased AEI remains in force so long as natural P-waves continue to be sensed during the AEI. Should a P-wave not be sensed during the AEI, a stimulation pulse is generated and the AEI reverts to its initial value.

Abstract: A protector for being mounted on a leading cord chip, and which is fixable to the top portion 1A of a leading cord fixing portion 1, includes an insulated cover portion which is longer than a conductive plug 2 projecting from the top portion 1A. The insulated cover portion has a slit through which only a connecting portion of an electrode can pass. The connecting portion of the electrode is connected to the plug 2.

Abstract: The electrode assembly includes at least one pregelled biopotential electrode having an electrolyte gel in contact with the electrode element. An electrically conductive component is removably mounted to electrically connect both the electrolyte gel and the electrode element conductor to complete a conductive bridge therebetween. The conductive element is inert relative to the electrolyte to avoid degradation of the electrolyte.