Abstract: A guidewire for advancing a medical device such as a catheter through a patient's body lumen which has an elongated core with proximal and distal core sections, a flexible tubular member such as a coil on the distal end and an intermediate portion, preferably formed at least in part by a polymeric sheath proximal to the coil having contact regions and recessed non-contact regions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for monitoring cardiac output using bioelectrical impedance techniques in which three orthogonal pairs of sense electrodes are placed in the trachea or esophagus in the vicinity of the aorta, while an excitation current is injected into the intervening tissue mass via a current electrode, so that bioelectrical impedance measurements based on the voltage drop sensed by the sense electrodes reflect voltage changes induced primarily by blood flow dynamics. Methods are provided for computing cardiac output from bioelectrical impedance values using a multi-parameter algorithm derived using stepwise multiple linear regression or other optimization techniques. Apparatus and methods are also provided so that the measured cardiac output may be used to control administration of intravenous fluids or medication to an organism or to optimize a heart rate controlled by a pacemaker.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed are a remote pressure-monitoring device and a preparing method thereof. The device comprises a metal electrode on a glass substrate, a capacitive sensor made of a silicon diaphragm, and an electroplated inductor electrically connected, in parallel, with the sensor. The glass substrate and the silicon are electrically bonded to form an LC resonator. For the fabrication of the device, first, a metal electrode which plays a role as a lower electrode for a capacitive pressure sensor is deposited on the glass substrate with the same coefficient of thermal expansion as that of silicon. An inductor is formed at a thickness by copper electroplating, surrounding the metal electrode at a predetermined distance. A silicon substrate is anisotropically etched to form a space for enveloping the metal electrode at a central area and to form a groove around the space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high speed accurate temperature measuring device especially useful for measuring human body temperature, comprising (a) an elongated temperature probe, (b) a first temperature sensor located beneath the surface of the probe, (c) at least one second temperature sensor located within the probe and parallel to the first sensor, (d) a thermal insulation member located between the first sensor and the second sensor (or sensors), (e) a data processing unit connected to the first and second temperature sensors calculating the body temperature according to heat flux measured between the body and the first sensor and between the first sensor and the second sensor (or sensors), and (f) a data display connected to the data processing unit.

Abstract: A vessel is disclosed that is useful for collecting a sample of a body fluid and, when subjected to centrifugation, separating the sample into a higher specific gravity phase and a lower specific gravity phase. The vessel of the invention includes an elongate tube that has an open end, a closed end and a sidewall. The sidewall has an outside surface and an inside surface and defines a receptacle with a central axis. The vessel has a closure disposed to fit the open end of the tube thereby sealing the receptacle. The vessel also includes an elongate separator releasably positioned at the open end of the tube that has a resilient top portion an elongate lower portion. The elongate lower portion has an axial passage therethrough. The top portion is sized to fit releaseably within the receptcle with an interference fit against the inside surface. When the vessel is subject to axial centrifugal force, the separator moves a distance axially from the open end toward the closed end.

Abstract: A device for delivering a substance such as a surgical sealant or adhesive to an internal portion of the body that has been acted on by a procedure performing instrument such as a catheter, trocar, laparoscopic instrument or a biopsy device is described. The invention more particularly relates to a biopsy device for obtaining one or more tissue samples and for applying at least one substance to the biopsy site in one operation.

Abstract: Multiple ring-shape cylindrical members (3) and four wires (4) that link these cylindrical members (3) in a tubular shape are provided. Each cylindrical member (3) comprises two first protruding parts (33) which protrude from the top end face (31) and are formed at both ends of a first diameter (D1), two second protruded parts (34) which protrude from the bottom end face (32) and are formed at both ends of a second diameter (D2), two first small cylindrical members (35) for wire insertion mounted on the outer circumferential face of the cylindrical member respectively at the vicinity of each protruded part (33), and two second small cylindrical members (36) mounted on the outer circumferential face of the cylindrical member respectively at the vicinity of each second protruded part (35), and the first diameter (D1) and the second diameter (D2) are approximately perpendicular.

Abstract: A non-invasive system and method are provided for determining the presence or absence of neural, muscular, soft tissue, bone or joint damage or other disease affecting a person's hand. A preferred system includes a plurality of digit contact members, one of which is engageable by the person's thumb and others which are engageable by other digits of the hand, at least one of the other digits being innervated by the ulnar nerve. Force detectors are operatively connected to at least two of the digit contact members for measuring the quantity of force applied to the respective digit contact members by at least one digit innervated by the median nerve and a digit innervated by the ulnar nerve, as they engage in a natural gripping motion. The measured forces may be used to calculate quality indices useful in the diagnosis of disease and the monitoring of progression of disease.

Abstract: A double balloon endrotrachael tube has a hose section (1) and at least two adjacent balloons (3; 6) that may be independently inflated. Atraumatic sensors for monitoring the motor larynx nerves are associates to the upper balloon (3). For that purpose, electric and/or electromagnetic sensors (4) are arranged on the surface of said balloon.

Abstract: A kit containing all the materials needed to take a blood sample from a neonatal patient, a pediatric patient, a juvenile patient or an adult patient. The materials are supplied in a plastic package suitable for sterilization.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of the invention provide for the measurement of sensory or motor nerve conduction parameters with automatic setting of stimulus intensity. An apparatus of the invention includes a stimulator for stimulating a nerve, a detector for detecting an evoked signal generated by the nerve or a muscle innervated by the nerve, and a controller for determining a stimulus intensity for use in conducting the measurements in response to the stimulation and evoked signal. Methods of the invention include stimulating a nerve, detecting an evoked signal generated by the nerve or by a muscle innervated by the nerve in response to the stimulation, and determining a stimulus intensity for use in conducting sensory or motor nerve conduction in response to the stimulation and evoked signal. In determining the stimulus intensity level, the nerve is stimulated at incrementally increasing stimulus intensities, and the respective evoked signals are detected.

Abstract: A blood syringe includes a hollow barrel an external thread formed on one end and a circular internal flange formed on the inside of the other end. A piston with a hollow stub extending from one end is slidably mounted in the barrel. The stub contains a female thread and includes a ratchet stop defined on the free end of the stub. A plunger includes a first end and a second end. A male thread is formed on one end of the plunger and is inserted into the barrel. A button is formed on the other end of the plunger outside the barrel. The male thread on the plunger screws into the female thread in said stub. One end of the male thread has a ratchet wing opposite to the ratchet stop. The ratchet wing and the ratchet stop are engaged with each other after the male thread is screwed into the stub. A connecting block includes an open end and a closed end. A female thread is defined in the open end to securely receive the external thread of the barrel.

Abstract: A maxillary tooth dimension determining system includes a computer into which a photograph of a face of a client and its pupillary distance &agr; are inputted. The width W1 and height H1 of the first maxillary incisors are computed in accordance with the following expression. W1=&agr;×2.5×({fraction (1/16)}) and H1=W1×({fraction (4/3)}). The width W2 of the second maxillary incisors is computed in accordance with the following expression. W2=0.618W1 An image of the teeth is displayed on a display screen together with the image of the client's face, in such a manner that it can be moved to an appropriate position in the image of the client's face.

Abstract: A body-fluid inspection device, which sticks a skin so as to obtain a fine amount of body fluids and measures ingredients of the body fluids, includes a casing having an opening, a sticking device having a sticking needle that is allowed to protrude from the opening of the casing, and a suction device which places at least portion of a space inside the casing in a reduced-pressure state. Also included are a reduced-pressure releasing device for releasing the space inside the casing from the reduced-pressure state, a chip which is detachably attached to the opening of the casing and is provided with test paper for absorbing the body fluids that have been sucked by the body-fluid suction device, a measuring device for measuring ingredients of the body fluids that have been absorbed by the test paper, and a display device for displaying results of measurements made by the measuring device. The display device is placed on one portion of a surface of the casing.

Abstract: The invention features an assembly for taking a biopsy sample from a site within the body of a patient. The assembly includes a resecting device having a cutter near its distal end for resecting and containing a tissue sample and a sheath exterior to the resecting device and sized to be present within the body with the resecting device. The sheath includes an electrode element electrically isolated from the resecting device and disposed on the sheath's outer surface for cauterizing tissue. The resecting device and the sheath cooperate to permit sequential resecting of a tissue sample from a resecting site and cauterizing of the site with the cutter sufficiently spaced from the electrode element to avoid heat damage to the tissue sample.

Abstract: A blood viscosity measuring system and method that monitors the rising head of a column of fluid representing a living being's blood in-vivo to determine the blood viscosity over a range of shears. The system includes a capillary tube, at least a portion of which is located within the vascular system of the being, and a riser tube, having a liquid therein coupled to the capillary tube. A sensor and associated microprocessor are provided to determine the change in the height of the liquid in the riser tube at plural points along the length of the tube from which the viscosity is calculated.

Abstract: An improved ear probe tip for the end of a probe which can be inserted into an ear canal. The ear probe tip comprises a body portion having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end. The body portion inner surface defines a passage that extends the entire length of the body portion. The ear probe tip also has a plurality of flexible annular flanges disposed at spaced intervals on the outer surface of the body portion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an apparatus and method for the accurate and uniform diagnosis and/or treatment of varying forms of pain that a person is experiencing. The apparatus is a hand-held device displaying two complimentary scales on opposite faces bearing a slidable indicator that a person can use to describe the amount and intensity of the pain that he/she is experiencing. One side of the device displays a patient's pain scale that depicts a spectrum of pain ranging from no pain to unbearable pain. The other side of the device displays a provider's pain scale divided into discrete intervals identifying verbal and/or numerical pain descriptors. The slidable indicator is mounted on the device and overlays both scales on each side of the panel. The slidable indicator has an indicator line for each scale. The indicator lines are arranged such that when one indicator line is moved, the other indicator line is moved in a complimentary manner.

Abstract: The apparatus for analyzing the body composition based on the bioelectrical impedance analysis according to the present invention includes a standing plate having four electrodes for contacting a right front sole, a right rear sole, a left front sole, and a left rear sole, respectively; a hands bar having four electrodes for contacting a right palm, a right thumb, a left palm, and a left thumb, respectively; a support rod for supporting the hands bar and connecting an axis; a display; a sensor for sensing the rotating position of the support rod and indicating the height of the measuring person to the display; an impedance measuring circuit for measuring the impedance based on a voltage-current ratio by making an alternating current flow between two of the electrodes and reading the voltage difference; an electronic switch for being controlled by a microprocessor to select electrical connections between the electrodes and the impedance measuring circuit; a weight measuring sensor for measuring the body weight