Abstract: An elastically deformable indwelling catheter formed as a hollow spring having a coiled portion positioned between a first and a second substantially straight portion. The catheter may be straightened for insertion into a patient, wherein the catheter is allowed to resume its coiled shape. A flexible connector extending at least partially through the catheter is used to “lock” the catheter into its coiled shape. The flexible connector extends through the first substantially straight portion and the coiled portion and penetrates through the wall of the second substantially straight portion. The flexible connector is anchored in the first substantially straight portion and extends through the helically coiled portion, penetrates through the catheter wall of the second substantially straight portion and returns to the exterior of the first substantially straight portion. The flexible connector may be secured relative the catheter to prevent further elastic deformation of the spring portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for guarding both the IV needle and the sampling port needle in IV procedures, whereby the opening end of a needle guard containing an IV needle is inserted into the open end of a tubular sampling port so that the sampling port needle enters the guard. The guard may be provided with a catch that engages a corresponding aperture in the port when the guard is fully inserted into the port so that the guard is retained within the port against inadvertent removal.

Abstract: A target nerve or nerve plexus registration point is percutaneously located using a cutaneous nerve stimulator electrode to elicit response. The electrode includes a tip at the end of a coaxial cylindrical body. A central bore extends through the electrode and carries a nerve stimulator needle. The needle is inserted at the located registration point with the needle path being mechanically guided by the bore, thereby avoiding errant needle passes. A peripheral flange of the body serves as a depth guide in assuring appropriate depression of epidural layers for electrical conductivity and for fixation of the nerve. A nerve stimulator current generator supplies both the percutaneous electrode and the nerve stimulator needle and includes multiple outputs as well as base and variable current setting levels as appropriate for each aspect of the technique and for the specific nerve or nerve plexuses being treated.

Abstract: Methods are provided for smoothing input signals having rapidly changing amplitudes, such as EMG signals from the tongue, which are detected by an intraoral device. One method calls for amplifying the EMG signals, converting the EMG signals to digital format, providing a moving average of the amplitudes of the EMG signals utilizing a moving the average processor, and windowing the averaged signals to discrete and stable amplitude levels. An adaptive moving average technique may be utilized, which includes a plurality of parallel moving average processes and a differentiator which determines which process is used, depending on the rate of change of the signal amplitude. Another method calls for the use of a plurality of moving average processes in series which calculate the moving average of the same number of signals as a single moving average process, but has a faster response time. An intraoral device is used to detect the EMG signals. The intraoral device includes acrylic maxillary and mandibular splints.

Abstract: A bone marrow collection kit is provided comprising a collection container for receiving a bone marrow containing fluid having a body that defines an interior and an inlet opening and an outlet opening and including a prefilter that extends from the outlet opening into the interior of the collection container so that fluid must flow through the prefilter to exit the collection container through the outlet opening. A first inline filter member is coupled to the outlet opening of the collection container, the first inline filter member having a flexible plastic body that defines an interior, and an inlet opening and an outlet opening and the interior including a filter so constructed and arranged that fluid that enters the inlet opening must flow through the filter to exit the first inline filter member through the outlet opening.

Abstract: A device (1) for acquiring cell samples by aspiration into an evacuated container (3) comprising: a front hollow needle portion (7) to be inserted into the body from which a sample is to be taken; a rear hollow needle portion (5) for communication with the evacuated container; a conduit (11) connecting the front needle portion (7) to the rear needle portion (5); and a normally closed pinch valve mechanism (6) to open and close the conduit; The valve mechanism (6) is manually operable by one hand and controls the application of negative pressure in the front needle portion (7). The conduit may comprise a flexible tube and the valve mechanism (6) may comprise releasable means (8) to pinch the flexible tube in a pressure-tight manner. The valve mechanism (6) may comprise a spring-biased push-button (8) operable by one digit of a user's hand.

Abstract: A system and method for stimulating human tissue using a master controller and a slave controller that communicate using high level commands. In one embodiment, a system of the invention includes a master controller, a slave controller in signal communication with and electrically isolated from the master controller, and a stimulation circuit in electrical communication with the slave controller and having a stimulation output capable of providing an electrical stimulation to the human tissue. The master controller communicates at least one command comprising at least one parameter to the slave controller, and the slave controller controls said stimulation circuit to stimulate human tissue in response to the command comprising at least one parameter.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for obtaining a sample of blood from a patient for subsequent diagnostic tests, e.g., glucose monitoring. In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for carrying out the method described previously is provided. The apparatus comprises: (a) a housing having a sealable chamber located therein and a sealable opening in fluid communication with the sealable chamber; (b) a vacuum pump in communication with the sealable chamber; (c) a device for forming an unobstructed opening in an area of skin from which a sample is to be collected, preferably a lancing assembly, the device positioned within the sealable chamber; (d) a movable support for supporting and positioning a port for a fluid collector in the sealable chamber, the movable support capable of moving the port within the sealable chamber between a first position and a second position; and (e) a stop for aligning the fluid collector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the intra-abdominal pressure within a patient. A reservoir is positioned between a drainage catheter (e.g. a urinary catheter or naso-gastric tube) and a collection container for the fluid being drained from the patient's body. The reservoir defines a constant volume and receives the withdrawn fluid through a manometer tube having a series of markings. The reservoir includes an air vent that ensures that the volume of fluid in the reservoir is held at atmospheric pressure when the reservoir is raised above the patient. When the reservoir is raised to a predetermined measurement height above the patient, the volume of fluid in the reservoir is returned to the patient. The height of the liquid column within the manometer tube provides a direct indication of the intra-abdominal pressure of the patient.

Abstract: A sampling device for sampling body fluid includes a casing which is pressed against a skin surface to produce a seal therewith. A cocking mechanism is pulled rearwardly to place a lancing device in a cocked state. By releasing a trigger, the lancing device is driven forward to produce an incision in the skin, and then is retracted out of the incision. A plunger mounted on the cocking mechanism is then retracted to generate a negative pressure at the front end of the casing to draw body fluid from the incision.

Abstract: An endoscope having a guide wire with an x-ray transparent window allows x-rays from an x-ray source to pass therethrough to reach the desired site. Preferably, the guide wire and x-ray catheter, which contains the x-ray source, have positioning flags or markers to aid alignment of the x-ray source with the x-ray transparent window of the guide wire.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring, predicting and detecting ovulation during the menstrual cycle of a female subject is based upon daily changes in frequency of an oscillator circuit when a capacitive oral sensor is placed in contact with the subject's saliva. An oral sensor that forms a component in the oscillator circuit contained in a hand-held, portable device includes a pre-programmed integrated circuit device with data processing and control capacities, data storage and display means for measuring, recording and processing historical baseline data and relative frequency changes within the subject's current menstrual cycle.

Abstract: A kit of parts for taking a biopsy sample from a hard tissue having a needle and a biopsy gun. The needle having an interior shaft and an exterior sleeve forming a tip for piercing hard tissue. The sleeve having a first attachment means and the shaft having a second attachment means complementary to the first attachment means. The biopsy gun having a sampling tip and a third attachment means that is complementary to the second attachment means. In operation, the biopsy gun is placed in the sleeve and secured by the third attachment means and when the gun is fired, a recoil is absorbed by the shaft.

Abstract: A tonometer sensor for disposition in proximity to a portion of a surface of eye comprises a substrate including a contact surface for making contact with the surface portion of the eye. The contact surface includes an outer non-compliant region and in inner compliant region fabricated as an impedance element that varies in impedance as the inner region changes shape. A first region of material is responsive to a non-invasive external force to press the contact surface against the surface portion of the eye and cause the compliant region to change shape in proportion to an intraocular pressure of the eye. A second region of conductive material is electrically coupled to the impedance element of the compliant region and is responsive to an external signal for energizing the impedance element so that the intraocular pressure may be determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting uterine contractions, determining the frequency of uterine contractions, trending the frequency data, and generating a real time graphical representation of the determined frequency. The invention employs commonly known methods of uterine activity detection. The uterine activity data is analyzed to determine the occurrence and frequency of contractions. The determined frequency of multiple time periods is displayed on a maternal/fetal monitor in real time over the course of labor.

Abstract: A fast, simple, and reliable method and apparatus for recording cough sounds for diagnosing pulmonary disorders and diseases is provided. This method uses signal analysis techniques to extract quantitative information from recorded cough sound pressure waves. The generated data can be used to diagnose pulmonary disorders and diseases as well as track the effectiveness of treatment regimes over time. The method can also be used to quickly and reliably screen individuals at risk of pulmonary disorders and diseases. A system according to one embodiment includes a mouthpiece connected to the proximal end of a tube. The distal end of the tube is connected to a flexible tube. A microphone is attached to the tube between the distal and proximal ends therof for recording sound pressure waves. A calculated cough sound index (CSI) can be used in diagnostic applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device that includes a sensor adapted to detect one or more specific health and/or nutrition markers in feces. The device may also signal the caretaker of the occurrence or quantity of the marker. In preferred embodiments, the device includes a diagnostic panel having at least two sensors. The sensors are adapted to detect different target biological analytes in bodily waste or on the wearer's skin. Preferably, the device of the present invention includes a diagnostic panel adapted to determine the cause of a particular disease state, such as diarrhea, and to signal the caretaker, the wearer, or an actuator of the occurrence.

Abstract: A method for testing hearing ability by which a patient can test his hearing ability any time and any place without spending time on visiting the hospital and making reservation and preparing expensive equipments for a self-test, is provided. When the method for testing the hearing ability is selected by a tested person connected by the Internet, sounds having different volumes of a predetermined frequency bandwidth are sequentially reproduced according to the selected hearing ability testing method. The average threshold value and the hearing hardness grade of the tested person are calculated and displayed according to the response of the tested person for the reproduced sounds. A hearing ability test is divided into a test in a low band, a test in a conversation band, and a test in a high band, respectively. The hearing ability test in the conversation band is divided into a continuous test and a test performed, while looking at a screen.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the viscosity of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids over a range of shear rates, especially low shear rates, by monitoring two rising columns of fluid (Newtonian or non-Newtonian) that pass through respective capillaries having different lengths. Furthermore, a specialized column monitor is provided that uses multiple interrogation sources (e.g., lasers) and a single detector (e.g., a charge-coupled device (CCD) array) to continuously monitor both columns of fluid substantially simultaneously. In particular, the system includes a Y-connector to form two flow paths and wherein each flow path includes a tube that includes a riser tube, a capillary tube of predetermined dimensions and a valve in each for controlling the fluid flow in each path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing gastrointestinal sounds includes a microphone array to be positioned on a body for producing gastrointestinal sound signals. The signals are digitized and their spectra and duration is determined by a processor. A characterization as to the state of the gastrointestinal tract is made on the basis of the spectra and duration of the sound or event.