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, the method comprises the steps of:(a) forming an unobstructed opening in the area of the skin from which the sample of blood is to be extracted; and(b) extracting the sample of blood from the unobstructed opening in the skin, with the aid of a vacuum and a stretching of the skin.In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for carrying out the method described previously is provided. The apparatus comprises:(a) a device for forming an unobstructed opening in an area of skin from which said sample is to be extracted, preferably a lancing assembly; and(b) a vacuum pump.Preferably, the apparatus also includes a housing.In a further aspect of the invention, a pneumatic lancing assembly is provided. The pneumatic lancing assembly uses differential gas pressure to thrust a lancet into skin tissue.

Abstract: An infusion guidewire that can be used either as a guidewire or an infusion catheter having an integral, tapered core wire within an infusion lumen formed of the aligned lumens of the conduit of a proximal connector housing, a proximal inner sheath in a proximal guidewire portion and a distal coil wire in a distal guidewire portion. The core wire proximal end is attached to the connector housing, and the core wire distal end is connected to the distal end of the distal wire coil. An outer sheath is attached to the connector housing and formed over the proximal inner sheath and the distal wire coil. A plurality of infusion side holes are formed in a distal infusion segment of the outer sheath in fluid communication with the infusion lumen.

Abstract: An assembly for the collection of a patient's blood specimen comprises an elongate needle holder, a blood collection tube, and a cap closing the blood collection tube. The needle holder supports a blood extracting needle through a closed end thereof. The blood collection tube is insertable into the interior of the needle holder so as to collect blood. The cap has a membrane which is puncturable by the needle upon insertion of the blood collection tube into the interior of the needle holder. The cap includes a deflectable member extending therefrom for engagement with the cylindrical wall of the needle holder so as to frictionally resist longitudinal movement of the tube within the tube holder.

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: A hybrid tubular wire includes first and second elongate tubular bodies, fitted end to end, and about which a catheter may be threaded for guidance to a target location in a vasculature passageway of a body. The first elongate body has greater rotational stiffness than the second elongate body, which has greater lateral flexibility. Cuts are formed either by saw-cutting, laser cutting or etching at spaced-apart locations along the length of the second elongate body to increase its lateral flexibility. At least some of the cuts extend through the tubular body to the interior cavity to allow the escape of fluids flowing in the cavity.

Abstract: A magnetic guidewire anchoring apparatus for deterring longitudinal movement of a guidewire during manipulation or exchange of an over-the-wire catheter. The magnetic guidewire anchoring apparatus may comprise permanent magnet(s) or electromagnet(s), and may incorporate configuration attributes and/or attendent mounting brackets or other apparatus to facilitate positioning of the apparatus on the outer surface of a catheter through which a guidewire extends.

Abstract: A system for measuring changes in the resistance of a living body includes a resistance measuring circuit, an amplifier circuit and an indicator circuit in which the amplifier circuit includes a calibration circuit to give a generally constant amplitude response to a given measured input. Radio frequency insulators are included to reduce noise in the system. The circuits are operated such that when an overall change in the resistance of a living body occurs, the resistance measuring circuit is adjusted to determine the overall resistance. To account for changes in sensitivity caused by the overall change in resistance, the gain of the amplifier circuit is automatically adjusted to thereby maintain a generally constant amplitude response.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for collecting vaginal fluid and exfoliated vaginal cells for medical diagnostic purposes. An absorbent media is placed interlabially or intravaginally. Fluid is collected within the absorbent media. The absorbent media is removed, and the fluid is extracted therefrom. For intravaginal collection, the absorbent media may be placed in a housing having fluid receiving apertures therein. Medical diagnostic testing is performed on the extracted fluid.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a method for diagnosing prostate cancer and determining preoperatively the pathological stage in patients with prostate cancer. The methods described herein can be used for prediction of margin positivity, seminal vesicle (S.V.) involvement, and lymph nodal (L.N.) involvement in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer. The method includes use of a neural network which provides prostate cancer stage information for a patient based upon input data which includes the patient's preoperative serum PSA, biopsy Gleason score, and systemic biopsy-based information. Its positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy are superior to that of current nomograms in use. Use of this method can result in enormous cost savings by accurately diagnosing patients with prostate cancer and by avoiding multiple imaging tests and expensive surgery in unindicated patients.

Abstract: The invention features a medical guidewire constructed for insertion into the body for providing access to a body passage. The medical guidewire has a main proximal portion in the form of an elongated tube extending the majority of the length of the guidewire, and a distal tubular portion integral with the main proximal portion. The distal portion includes a distal end and a flexible section having a slot cut in the wall of the distal tubular portion. The slot crosses the right sections of the distal tubular portion at an oblique angle and extends continuously about the distal tubular portion, in excess of at least one rotation about the distal tubular portion, to increase the flexibility of the distal tubular portion with respect to the main proximal portion.

Abstract: Electromyogram, temperature and heart rate measurements, which correlate to the dermatomal level and density of neural blockade, are obtained in a passive manner, i.e., the patient is not stimulated or exposed to any sensor that requires an active conduction in order to make a measurement and no active patient participation or response is required. The measurements obtained provide objective and quantitative indications of, for example, epidural blockade with local anesthetics, thus, allowing objective real-time assessment of density and level of neural blockade.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing fluid from the body of a patient, such as in paracentesis and thoracentesis. Fluid may be withdrawn via a retractable needle assembly, including a sharp introducing needle and a retractile blunt needle. The needle assembly is housed in a housing having a chamber with two oriented grommets that prevent fluid flow through the chamber (other than through the needle assembly) both when the needle assembly is inserted through the chamber and when it is withdrawn. A beam spring blocks the chamber after the needle assembly is withdrawn so that the device cannot be reused.

Abstract: An infusion wire that can be used either as a guidewire or an infusion catheter having a tapered core wire within an infusion lumen formed of the aligned lumens of the conduit of a proximal connector housing, an inner sheath in a proximal infusion wire portion and a distal coil wire in a distal infusion wire portion. The inner sheath is formed either of a polyimide tube or a wire reinforced polyimide tube, at least in a proximal section thereof In a fixed core wire embodiment, the core wire proximal end is attached to the connector housing, and the core wire distal end is connected to the distal end of the distal wire coil. An outer sheath is attached to the connector housing and formed over the inner sheath and the distal wire coil. A plurality of infusion side holes are formed in a distal infusion segment of the outer sheath in fluid communication with the infusion lumen.

Abstract: A device (10) holds a hollow puncturing needle (11) which can be controllably moved in a first direction (16) within an aparture (21) in the device (10). The handle (14) can, when pushed, be moved in the direction of the arrow (15). If the handle (14) is moved in the direction of the arrow (15), the hollow puncturing needle (11) moves in the first direction (16). The device (10) is to be placed against a counter-surface via a support surface (20). The hollow puncturing needle (11) is held in the device (10) to be axially movable controllably in the first direction (16) via the movable handle (14).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring intracranial pressure. The method includes the steps of measuring arterial inflow, venous outflow and cranial spinal fluid flow and calculating an intracranial volume change from the measured arterial inflow, venous outflow and cranial spinal fluid flow. The method also includes the steps of calculating a pressure gradient of spinal fluid flow from the measured cranial spinal fluid flow and calculating a pressure change per unit volume change based upon the calculated intracranial volume change and cranial pressure gradient.

Abstract: Total consumed calories are indicated in an upper portion of a display. A life activity intensity of each of the past seven days and an average life activity intensity over the same period are indicated by a bar graph in a lower portion of the display. The life activity intensity is classified into rank I (light), rank II (medium), and rank III (a little heavy). A total exercise amount (i.e., total consumed calories) and a life activity intensity are calculated and automatically displayed at the end of a day.

Abstract: A tissue examination device includes a plurality of sensors, each of which produces a signal in response to pressure imposed on the sensor in accordance with the properties of different types of underlying tissue structures as the sensor is pressed against the tissue. A plurality of processing tests are performed on the signals, and the different types of the underlying tissue structures are discriminated from each other based on the results of the tests.

Abstract: This is a surgical instrument. It is a guidewire made of a stainless steel alloy core which is coated with a non-hydrophilic lubricious polymer on the majority of its length located proximally and a hydrophilic polymer located at the majority of the remaining distal length of the guidewire. Preferably, the guidewire has a polymeric tie layer located between the metallic core of the guidewire assembly and the hydrophilic polymeric layer. The metallic core is one of a number of stainless steels so to preserve its torque transmitting capabilities. Desirably the outside diameter of the guidewire is constant from the distal end to the proximal end. The metallic core may be tapered at appropriate locations along the guidewire assembly.

Abstract: In the non-contact intraocular pressure measuring apparatus for measuring the intraocular pressure of the eye to be examined for a suitable measurement time, after alignment of the apparatus main body with the eye to be examined is performed, the time required for charging the condenser is calculated based on current supply time for the rotary solenoid at the time of the previous intraocular pressure measurement. When the calculated charging time elapses, the desired quantity of current is supplied from the condenser to the rotary solenoid, allowing the air supply unit to spray air to the cornea of the eye to be examined. The cornea is transfigured and flattened by the sprayed air. At the same time, intraocular pressure measuring light is illuminated from the intraocular pressure measuring optical system to the flattened cornea. The reflected light therefrom is detected to calculate intraocular pressure value of the eye to be examined.

Abstract: According to the present invention, two-dimensional pressure distribution associated with walking are collected at a preselected time interval as time series pressure distribution images, superposed images are formed by superposing the time series pressure distribution images in a time direction, a plurality of foot pressure mass regions are extracted from the superposed images, correspondence of each foot pressure mass region to the time series pressure distribution images are detected, feature parameters associated with the walking are detected based on the correspondence, and the feature parameters are displayed or printed.