Abstract: A cerebrospinal fluid collection system and method for conveniently and safely holding in a test tube rack, during a spinal tap and collection procedure, sterile test tubes and spinal needles, needle sleeves and stylettes. A test tube rack has four holes for holding four sterile test tubes, two needle holes for holding a spinal needle, stylette or needle sleeve, and a handle for the physician to hold when moving the test tube rack during the CSF procedure. The handle can be held on the left side by a left hand, on the right side by a right hand, or in the front by either hand. The test tube rack also allows the physician to see when the appropriate amount of cerebrospinal fluid has been collected in each test tube, while such test tube is being held in the test tube rack. The test tube rack may be prepackaged with the other needed items in a sterile package.

Abstract: A bone graft harvesting drill, comprising: a flexible tubular member and a hollow cylindrical drill bit mounted to a distal end of the flexible tubular member.

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: A brain function examining apparatus and others for performing an examination of a brain function by detecting a pupillary size of a subject's pupil are provided. The brain function examining apparatus includes a light source for illuminating the pupil, a pupillary detector for detecting the pupillary size, an index calculator for calculating, based on the pupillary size detected by the pupillary detector, a subject index indicative of a characteristic of the pupil, a database for storing a base index indicative of a characteristic of the pupil that can be used as reference, and an output unit for outputting the subject index, calculated by the index calculator, and the base index stored in the database.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a guidewire having a distal section with multiple distally tapered core segments with at least two contiguous distally tapering core segments in which the most distal tapered core segment preferably has a greater degree of taper than the proximally contiguous tapered core segment. The invention is also directed to an elongated intracorporeal device, preferably a guidewire or section thereof, that has a core member or the like with a plurality of contiguous tapered segments having taper angles that are configured to produce a linear change in stiffness over a longitudinal section of the device. The device may also have a core section with a continuously changing taper angle to produce a curvilinear profile that preferably is configured to produce a linear change in stiffness of the core over a longitudinal section of the device.

Abstract: A system for accurately obtaining cervical cells from a patient and quickly screening the sample includes a collector for collecting a spatially arranged cell sample from a target tissue, and an analyzer that examines the cell sample for abnormal cells while the cell sample remains on a surface of the collector.

Abstract: A flexible or rigid endoscope biopsy device provides for the taking of multiple biopsy specimens from different sites, and for separating and storing these specimens in a partitioned container. The distal end of this device consists of a grasper which can bite or cut off a bit of tissue. The proximal end of the inner tubing is connected via the handle end of the device to a multi-chambered specimen storage device, which is itself connected to suction. The storage device has several chambers, each of which may be lined up with the inner tubing, by rotating the top of the storage device. After some or all of the storage subpartitions have been filled with specimens, the storage device can be detached from the inner tubing and handle of the device and labeled and sent directly to the pathology lab.

Abstract: The present invention provides automated biopsy instruments especially useful for improving minimally invasive medical procedures to obtain soft tissue biopsy samples. The biopsy instruments provide side-by-side actuators which retract a stylet and a cannula in specific sequences. The biopsy instruments may include a single spring or two springs to sequentially fire the stylet and the cannula.

Abstract: A method and device in accordance with the present invention enabling detecting mechanical and structural properties of the breast tissue that are indicative of breast cancer. Detection of nodules is achieved by placing the breast into a mechanical scanning unit comprising of a two-dimensional pressure sensor array and a mobile linear pressure sensor array located opposite to the two-dimensional pressure sensor array, and analyzing the signals from the pressure sensors. The device is able to objectively detect presence of lesions suspicious for cancer or other breast pathologies in the breast and provide means for computerized three-dimensional mechanical imaging of the breast.

Abstract: A steerable guidewire or stylet that has increased torsional strength is disclosed. A braided structure located in the vicinity of at least the distal end of the guidewire or stylet provides for a more efficient transfer of rotational force over the length of the guidewire or stylet. The braided structure may be comprised of a flat metal ribbon wire that may optionally be reinforced with a polyimide. According to one aspect of the invention, the stylet includes an outer member, and a pull-wire located within the outer member. The pull-wire is coupled to the distal tip of the outer member such that when tension is applied to the pull-wire, the distal tip of the outer member is deflected. The distal tip of the outer member may be formed of a material having superelastic properties such as a nickel titanium alloy, whereas the proximal portion of the stylet may be formed of a material having more torsional strength.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for obtaining and measuring constituents in a sample of body fluid. The apparatus includes a member which is sized to penetrate into at least the dermal layer of skin to collect a sample of body fluid located within the dermal layer.

Abstract: The present invention is a stopper and shield closure assembly 16 millimeter (mm) fluid collection tube whereby the 16 millimeter tube is compatible with conventional needle holders.

Abstract: A probe penetration detector system and method of operation is disclosed for verifying the location of a probe within a patient during a surgical procedure. The system includes an electrically conductive antenna such as a probe adapted for insertion into body tissue and into a body cavity. A transmitter generates transmitted signals of a selected frequency range that are transmitted to the probe by an electrical connection or inductive coupling between the probe and transmitter for optimizing the conductance of transmitted signals to the probe. As the antenna probe is inserted through the body tissue and into a body cavity, a detector monitors feedback signals of energy reflected from the probe. As the feedback signals change in relation to the antenna probe location, an operator determines when the feedback signals are optimized, therefore providing notification that the antenna probe is positioned within a preferred tissue layer or body cavity.

Abstract: A device (10) and method for non-invasively monitoring asthma and other respiratory diseases. The method includes collecting condensate from a subject's breath, testing the condensate to determine its acidity level or ammonium concentration, and evaluating these properties to determine the presence, absence or status of a respiratory disease in the subject. The method may also include, prior to the testing step, standardizing the volatile substances that may be present within the condensate in a degassing or gas standardizing step. The device (10) includes a mouthpiece apparatus (20) configured to receive breath from a subject, a condensation apparatus (60) to condense the subject's breath and produce a condensate, and a collection apparatus (100) having a collection chamber (102) containing means for testing the condensate to determine its chemical properties. The device (10) also include a system for removing or standardizing the volatile substances that may be present with the condensate.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a system for determining the concentration of at least one analyte in a body fluid. The system has a first member and at least a second member of which at least one has a recess on its surface and the members are joined together in such a manner that the recess is closed by a surface of the other member to form a channel. The first and/or second member is composed at least partially of a membrane which is located either in the region of the recess or on the part of the other member that is opposite to the recess such that substances can be taken up from the surrounding fluid by means of the membrane. The system additionally has a sensor which can be used to determine the concentration of an analyte in the channel. Furthermore the system has at least one integrated reservoir which is connected to the channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring posture deficiencies in the spine and including a flexible body (30) encapsulating a flexible operating arm (31) cantilevered from a base moulding (34). The operating arm (31) is provided with upper (37) and lower (40) strain gauges bonded to the upper and lower faces respectively of the operating arm (31) at the point beyond the stiffening base moulding (34) to ensure that differential strain is experienced on deflection of the operating arm (31). Wire tails (41) are terminated as a PCB assembly (45) mounted to the printed circuit support (35), which assembly comprises a PC board bearing an LSI processor (46), rechargeable battery (47), vibrating motor (50) and inductive coil (51) selected to fulfil the functions of transmitting and receiving element, and inductive power supply for charging the battery (47), under the control of processor (46).

Abstract: A driver apparatus is provided for use with a biopsy instrument, the driver apparatus including a housing and an insertion mechanism including a carriage movably associated with the housing and adapted to support the biopsy instrument to affect longitudinal movement of at least a portion of the biopsy instrument. A linear motion control mechanism is also included that is adapted to move a tissue cutting element of the biopsy instrument from a first position to a second position relative to a tissue receiving portion of the biopsy instrument. Further, a tissue retract mechanism is included which facilitates removal of a tissue specimen from the biopsy instrument without removing the entire biopsy instrument from a surgical site.

Abstract: An instrumented arthrometer includes displacement sensors configured to be attached to joint-reference locations. An applied force produces a joint displacement that is indicated by the displacement sensors. A force sensor measures the force applied to produce a corresponding displacement, and force/displacement data are stored on a hard disk or other computer-readable medium. A controller displays displacement/force data with comparison data based on a displacement/force data for the same joint prior to therapy or with a normal range of joint displacement/force data. In a specific example, the displacement sensors are electromagnetic sensors that measure displacement in three dimensions, and stiffness/displacement data is displayed in three dimensions.

Abstract: A snore sensor incorporating a piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film material adapted to be adhered to the skin of a sleeping patient on the patient's throat for detecting mechanical vibrations due to snoring. The PVDF film has a layer of metallization on opposed major surfaces thereof which are insulated from one another by the PVDF material itself and elongated electrical leads individually connect to the metallization layers. One major surface of the film layer is covered by a layer of adhesive tape and the opposite major surface with its metallization is underlayed by a thin layer of plastic film having an adhesive on opposed surfaces thereof. The adhesive on one side of the plastic film layer adheres it to the PVDF film while the adhesive on the opposed major surface of the plastic film is used to adhere the device to the patient's skin.

Abstract: An infrared detector has a probe having curved surfaces which slide readily into a neonate axilla. The probe is covered by a disposable cover, or a bag completely encloses the infrared detector. The bag has a pleated end surface, through which the detector views the skin, and a flap at a rear surface to close an opening which receives the detector.