Abstract: A bioelectrical impedance apparatus and method includes a pair of current-carrying electrodes and a pair of measuring electrodes are rectilinearly arranged on a living body surface so that the measuring electrode having a smaller area than the other measuring electrode is placed very close to the current-carrying electrode having a smaller area than the other current-carrying electrode. The potential of the measuring electrode is substantially equal to the potential at a contact position of the current-carrying electrode, and the potential of the measuring electrode is substantially equal to the potential at a deepest position of a vertical part inside the living body. When a constant current flows between the current-carrying electrodes, a voltage between the measuring electrodes is measured by a detector so that a bioelectrical impedance of the vertical part may be calculated from a current, and a potential difference between upper and lower ends of the vertical part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining vulnerable plaque in a cardiovascular lumen is disclosed. In one embodiment, a guide member comprising a temperature sensor and a distance sensor are inserted into the cardiovascular lumen. The temperature of the cardiovascular wall is measured with the temperature sensor, and the distance from the temperature sensor to the cardiovascular wall is determined. The cardiovascular wall temperature is adjusted based on the distance determination, and the vulnerable plaque is determined based on the adjusted wall temperature measurement.

Abstract: A trabecular flow model for producing treatment recommendations for patients with elevated intraocular pressure is disclosed. One method includes providing intraocular pressure measurements for a patient; providing aqueous cavity information, such as collector channel resistance and Schlemm's canal resistance, and determining a treatment recommendation for the patient based on the aforementioned parameters.

Abstract: A biopsy system for retrieving biopsy tissue samples from different regions of the body is disclosed. The biopsy system includes a single use loading unit having a trocar assembly and a knife assembly. A trocar driver is operably connected to the trocar assembly and is actuable to move a trocar between retracted and advanced positions. The trocar driver is disengaged from the trocar assembly prior to firing the trocar into a target tissue mass to reduce drag on the trocar during firing. A knife driver is operably connected to the knife assembly such that when actuated, a knife is both rotatably and axially advanced about the trocar.

Abstract: Changes in fluid volume in a thoracic region, such as the lung, are detected by internally injecting a current through the region, detecting an induced voltage on the skin of the patient, and calculating an impedance value. A method for performing such a measurement includes injecting an electrical current between first and second internal electrodes that are implanted in the body and that are positioned such that a portion of the injected current flows through at least a portion of the region. The method also includes measuring a voltage between first and second external electrodes attached to an external surface of the skin of the body. The measured voltage is induced by the injected current. The method also includes calculating an impedance by taking the ratio of the measured voltage and the injected current, wherein the calculated impedance is related to the volume of fluid in the region.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of conducting a nerve conduction study is provided. In response to predetermined stimulation from an excitation device, a signal is generated that travels through a human body. The apparatus includes a sensing electrode operatively engagable with the human body downstream of the excitation device for sensing the signal. The apparatus further includes a pressure mounting structure operatively connected to the sensing electrode for controlling the pressure at which the sensing electrode engages the body. The pressure mounting structure includes a pressure source and a pressure sensor. A controller receives a pressure signal from the pressure sensor and the signal from the sensor electrode. The controller includes software to normalize the amplitude of the signal based on the pressure at which the sensing electrode engages the body.

Abstract: A diagnostic system is disclosed. The diagnostic system comprises a sensing device having a retrieval wire. The sensing device is configured to collect data. The system also includes a deployable housing that has a body defining an interior and an exterior. The housing is configured to allow fluid to flow through the housing and the housing completely encloses the sensing device. The system also includes a disposer for disposing the housing into a body part. The system also includes a processing device configured to receive the data from the sensing device. The processing device is configured to transmit the data.

Abstract: A medical device for obtaining biopsy tissue samples is provided includes a flexible outer tubular member having proximal and distal ends, and an inner tubular member slidably and coaxially received within the outer tubular member and a stylet slidably and coaxially received within the inner tubular member. A spring member coaxially oriented about the stylet has a proximal end attached to the stylet and a distal end attached to an outer hollow needle member. The inner hollow needle is attached to the distal end of the stylet to effect reciprocal movement thereof. The device has a retracted position, a first extended position wherein the outer hollow needle and a first portion of the inner needle are deployed beyond the distal end of the device, and a second extended position wherein a second length of the inner needle is deployed beyond the distal end of the device.

Abstract: A blood collecting needle includes a hub having a hole axially formed therein, a needle tube inserted into the hole of the hub and having a sharp edge on each of the distal end and the proximal end of the needle tube, which respectively project from the hub, and a resilient cap mounted airtightly on the proximal end side of the hub and capable of accommodating a portion of the needle tube and the sharp edge on the proximal end of the needle tube, a small diameter portion being formed on the periphery of the hub, and further a thread portion being formed on the periphery of the hub on a proximal end side of the small diameter portion.

Abstract: A device for obtaining an indication of the intracranial pressure of a living body includes a positional sensor which determines an initial position of an elastic biological object when the intracranial pressure within the living body is zero and which determines a subsequent position of the elastic biological object when the intracranial pressure within the living body is unknown but greater than zero. A pressure generator applies an external pressure to the elastic biological object, and a comparator compares the initial position with the subsequent position so as to identify the unknown intracranial pressure of the living body as that external pressure which causes the subsequent position to be equal to the initial position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the spinal distortions of a person with laser sources prior to and after chiropractic treatment of a patient to differentiate between spinal distortions prior to and subsequent to any treatment. The apparatus includes a wall chart having measurement indicia, shoulder and/or pelvic girdle harnesses or frames mounted on a patient and each having means for projecting laser line and/or dot beams onto the wall chart for measuring spinal tilt and torque. A unique protractor is provided to coact with the wall chart and the laser line beam to measure spinal tilt. A laser source for projecting a vertical line beam measures abnormalities in posture by projecting the beam to a side of a patient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining esophageal cells for diagnostic purposes. A distal end of a support body is inserted in a patient's stomach via the esophagus and mouth. A balloon at the distal support body end is inflated. The support body is withdrawn until the balloon engages the sphincter. A support body location is marked that is a predetermined distance from the patient's dental arch. The balloon is deflated and the support body is withdrawn so that the marked location is adjacent the patient's dental arch. The support body is withdrawn a second predetermined distance and a second support body location is marked. A cell collecting element is deployed from within the distal end of the support body. The support body is reciprocated with the cell collecting element deployed so that cells from the esophagus are deposited on the cell collecting element.

Abstract: A flexible guidewire system with an exposed midsection, for crossing an obstruction located in a patient's vessel, comprising a flexible pilot wire and a flexible casing having a distal and proximal portions slidable and rotatable over the pilot wire, at least a distal portion of the casing being a helical wire gated at its distal end, and a coupling for connecting the casing to a drive means.

Abstract: A single-use biopsy instrument for mounting at a multiple-use biopsy apparatus, comprises a cartridge enclosing proximal end portions of a canula, a finger tube slidingly disposed on the canula, and a stylet slidingly disposed in the canula. The canula and the finger tube have proximal holding portions and are displaceable in regard of the cartridge by displacement means disposed in the biopsy apparatus engaging with the holding portions through one or several engagement openings in one wall of the cartridge. Also disclosed is a corresponding biopsy apparatus.