Abstract: A biopsy system includes a biopsy targeting assembly, a needle, and a biopsy device. The biopsy targeting assembly includes a cradle. The needle is releasably supported by the targeting assembly. The biopsy device includes a body having a tissue collection assembly and a cutter. The cutter is translatable relative to the body and extends distally from the body. The cradle of the targeting assembly releasably supports the body of the biopsy device distally of the tissue collection assembly. The biopsy device translates a distal portion of the cutter within the needle with the needle supported by the targeting assembly.

Abstract: An analyte and detecting apparatus includes a housing, an access door and a front end aperture. A module is positionable in the housing. A penetrating member is positioned in the module and upon launch passes through the front end aperture. An analyte sensor is positioned in the module. A penetrating member driver is configured to be coupled to the penetrating member. A mechanism is included that moves an arm coupled to the penetrating member driver into a launch position and allows motion of the penetrating member driver.

Abstract: This document provides needle biopsy systems and methods for obtaining tissue biopsies. In various embodiments, the systems and methods provided can inhibit needle contamination by unwanted tissue or cells and/or regulate a negative pressure to assist sampling of target tissue or cells.

Abstract: A medical device with a corrugated shaping ribbon is provided. The corrugated shaping ribbon for the medical device, which may be provided in the form of a guide wire or catheter, specifically a crossing guide wire or catheter, provides a mechanism by which energy can be stored as the distal tip of the medical device engages a lesion or other area of occlusion within a blood vessel. By storing such energy and continuing to apply force, eventually the distal tip extends thereby releasing the stored energy and allowing the distal tip to advance or cross through the lesion.

Abstract: An elongated medical device and components therefore, and methods for making and using the same. An example embodiment includes an elongated metallic tubular member including a tapered transition region disposed between two sections having different physical characteristics, such as flexibility characteristics. In some cases, the tubular member includes a section including a plurality of slots formed therein. Some example embodiments include a medical device including such a tubular member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical device for measuring cervical dilation, where the medical device is positionable about a hand having first and second fingers, with each finger having a tip and a side surface. The medical device may include a housing, a first extension element movably coupled to the housing, a second extension element movably coupled to the housing, and a dilation indication mechanism to measure a distance between the first and second extension elements. The medical device may also include a first lateral pressure sensor positionable about a side surface of the first finger, a second lateral pressure sensor positionable about a side surface of the second finger, a third pressure sensor positionable about a tip of the first finger, and a fourth pressure sensor positionable about a tip of the second finger.

Abstract: Cardiac output of a test individual is determined in a noninvasive method, by processing CO.sub.2 expirogram data obtained from the individual. The method also noninvasively determines pulmonary arterial blood CO.sub.2 concentration for the test individual. An apparatus for carrying out this noninvasive method includes a database of computed numerical CO.sub.2 expirograms, a device for measuring experimental CO.sub.2 expirogram data and means for processing the data sets to determine cardiac output.

Abstract: A skin allergy test device includes a skin allergy test bar and an antigen container. The skin allergy test bar includes a finger grip, an integral cover having a sealing plug portion, an elongated stem extending therefrom, and a plurality of step-shaped punctures, wherein each puncture has a flat step to act as a stop and an integral sharp tip projecting out from the flat step. Each sharp tip has a length shorter than the thickness of the epidermis layer of the skin of human beings such that each puncture will not penetrate the epidermis layer of the skin of human beings due to the flat step of the punctures acting as a stop during a skin allergy test. The container has an inner compartment for storing antigen solution, a top opening for receiving the sealing plug of the skin allergy test bar securely, and a middle opening intercommunicating the inner compartment and top opening.

Abstract: A single use device for analyzing a body fluid in an elongate body cavity including a pipe element with a neck and a bottom wall and a liquid transfer assembly partially located within the element and extending through a sampling region outside the neck to an axial collection point located within said element in the region of the bottom wall.

Abstract: A shaft (1) having a fiber swab (5) on one end, a metric scale (2) on the shaft starting at the swab end, and preferably a flat portion (7) of the shaft for orienting the scale by touch, without visual inspection. A second scale (3) is preferably provided, starting at the opposite end from the first scale, and on the opposite side of the shaft. The shaft optionally includes a bulb (6) on one or both ends. An arrangement of tactile indicators (7 and 8) allows a practitioner to orient the probe for used of the desired end and its associated scale by touch alone, allowing visual concentration on the patient.

Abstract: A bodily state detection apparatus comprising a CCD camera, an infrared LED device, a pickup image memory, a pupil extraction circuit and a bodily state judgment circuit. The CCD camera inputs images of a predetermined area including the subject person's face. The infrared LED device illuminates the subject person in such a way that the optical axis of the camera and the direction of the illumination coincide with each other. The pickup image memory stores temporarily the output data of the CCD camera. The pupil extraction circuit extracts the subject person's pupil position from the pickup images. The bodily state judgment circuit judges the subject person's bodily state by use of the result of pupil extraction performed by the pupil extraction circuit.

Abstract: An instrument for obtaining tissue samples from a site deep within the body. The instrument has an elongated proximal portion that is constructed to follow a long, torturous path to the site and a distal end constructed to remove a tissue sample from the body, including tissue specimens, polyps or the like. The instrument is constructed to take multiple biopsy samples without being withdrawn from the body by including a device body defining a storage space along the axis of the device suitable for storage of multiple, successively taken samples. The instrument includes a sampling assembly having a cutting member, constructed such that it can be actuated in a first, rotary motion to take a tissue sample from the body and a second, axial motion for disposing the sample axially into the storage space.

Abstract: The present invention is a device and method for controlling longitudinal movement of a tube relative to a shaft slidably disposed within the tube, especially in the catheterization of a patient. An operative segment on the shaft cooperates with an ancillary tool to create a coupling force field between the shaft and the tool. The tube can then be moved over the shaft while the coupling force field operates through the tube to restrict the movement of the shaft. In the preferred embodiment, the shaft is a guide wire and the tube is a catheter with a lumen for slidably receiving the guide wire, while the coupling force field is created magnetically. In one embodiment, the operative segment is borne on a short guide wire extension which is selectively securable to a standard guide wire.

Abstract: Devices and methods for measuring the weakness of body lumens, and in particular, urethral sphincters and similar valves, are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a catheter with a hollow fluted distal end can be inserted into a lumen. The hollow fluted distal end of the catheter is then expanded into an enlarged configuration. The measurement of resistance to withdrawal of the catheter in the enlarged configuration provides an indication of weakness of the lumen. In one aspect of the invention, the catheter is inserted into a bladder via the urethral sphincter and the weakness of the urethral sphincter is measured. In another aspect of the invention, a device for measuring weakness of a body lumen, such as a urethral sphincter and similar valves, can consist of a catheter with a hollow fluted distal end having of an array of wings, and an expanding means for radially expanding the wings into an enlarged configuration.

Abstract: Biofeedback monitoring and training of a subject using a computer and a computer mouse in the workplace is achieved by monitoring the galvanic skin response (GSR) of the subject every time he or she uses the mouse and by implementing a predetermined course of action on the computer monitor when measured GSR levels are outside of predetermined upper and lower limits. Biofeedback apparatus for implementing this technique includes a computer mouse with electrodes on the exterior surface of the mouse. When the user makes physical contact with two or more electrodes on the mouse, a very small electrical current is conducted by the subject's skin and is measured. The measured value is transmitted to the computer over a serial communication cable. The mouse otherwise functions as a conventional computer mouse. Software in the computer uses the GSR measurement and implements a predetermined course of action, such as a relaxing message with visual images and soft music.

Abstract: A process of calibrating an individual in preparation for the non-invasive measurement of an biological compound across the skin of that individual using non-ionizing radiation is provided. The process includes determining the contribution of one or more skin parameters to the absorption and transmittance data and correcting the subsequent non-invasive measurement of the biological compound for the contribution of the parameter(s).

Abstract: A determination is quantitatively made of the severity of pain exhibited at a specified area on an animal by determining the magnitude of cooling required at the area of pain in order for the pain to be masked or made to disappear. The amount of cooling required for pain disappearance is considered directly related to the severity of the pain. Hence, by measuring the temperature depression required to mask the pain in a patient, an examiner can determine just how serious is the pain, and additionally provide guidance in the selection of a specific medicine. There is always some finite temperature depression required for true pain to disappear. Should the patient alleges that no pain relief is encountered by the cooling of the painful area, the examiner considers that the patient is faking his pain.

Abstract: The guidewire attachment assembly comprises a tubing affixed to the proximal end of a guidewire. Inside the tubing is a shoulder and a ramp for directing and positioning a bolt arranged at the end of a resilient shaft affixed to the distal end of the extension wire. The assembly provides a positive locking action for the guidewire and extension wire and direct unlocking thereof.

Abstract: This invention concerns an improved multiple biopsy gun to collect tissue samples having a housing and an axially elongated cutting needle and stylet extending from the housing, wherein the housing contains a driving mechanism which propels the stylet and the cutting needle forward in sequential fashion to capture two or more tissue samples, without the necessity to reload the biopsy gun or to remove the biopsy gun from the target site between biopsies.

Abstract: A gas-column pressure measuring catheter which is insertable into a mammalian body for purposes of transmitting pressure changes from a location within the mammalian body to a pressure sensor which is either incorporated into, or connected to, the catheter. In a preferred embodiment, the gas-column pressure measuring catheter comprises an elongate catheter body having a gas-filled lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, and a gas-filled membrane-walled chamber positioned on the catheter body in communication with the gas-filled lumen such that pressure changes exerted against the outer surface of the membrane-walled chamber will result in the transmission of pressure changes through the gas-filled catheter lumen. The gas-filled membrane-walled chamber may be located on the side wall of the catheter body, or may be located on the distal end of the catheter body.