Abstract: A ureteral catheter device composed of a catheter made of light transmitting material, the catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, and being formed to have a drainage lumen that extends between, and is open at the distal and proximal ends, and a second lumen that extends substantially parallel to the drainage lumen; and a single fiber optic filament housed in the second lumen, the fiber optic filament being provided to conduct light in a manner to illuminate the catheter.

Abstract: A method of soft tissue cephalometric analysis for diagnosis and a method for cephalometric planning treatment for aesthetic correction of facial imbalance in a patient. Normal size, distance, and angle ranges and harmony values of various facial landmarks of aesthetically pleasing faces from a population group are established. The patient will place his or her head in a natural head position. Markers will be placed on soft tissue landmarks and an image will be taken of the patient's head. A true vertical line will be established, and soft and hard tissue landmarks will be measured to the true vertical line. Dentoskeletal measurements will be taken of the face. Finally, in the method of cephalometric planning treatment necessary orthodontic and orthognathic action will be taken to bring measurements into normal range to improve facial balance and aesthetics.

Abstract: An indwelling catheter having an extremely low profile proximal section. The indwelling catheter of the present invention solves the problems associated with the prior art feeding catheters by providing an extremely low profile proximal section which is situated external to the patient's body when the catheter is in place. The external portion is preferably in the form of a "trap door", including a flat base portion that lies against the patient's skin and a flat, hinged cover which is operative to seal the proximal opening of the catheter when not in use. In order to retain the catheter and prevent it from being accidentally dislodged, the catheter includes a series of helical coils which are unformed during catheter insertion and then automatically reform in order to hold the catheter in place internally. The catheter is self-adjusting in that fewer or greater loops will automatically reform depending upon the thickness of the patient's abdominal wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides both devices and methods for determining a subject's cutaneous pain tolerance level at any site on the body so as to provide both for examiner and subject input as well as automatic data acquisition.The present invention fulfills a need for a devices and methods that provide a quantitative, objective measure of the pain tolerance level. The portability and automatic data acquisition capability of the present invention allow for its use as a cost-effective diagnostic tool in the general practitioner's office, thereby allowing for earlier assessment of neurological abnormalities than is possible with currently available pain measurement devices. The present invention further allows for chronic pain diagnosis, the diagnosis of subtle sensory abnormalities, and pain measurement quality assurance. The present invention is currently alone in its ability to address both the clinical and commercial needs in quantitative pain measurement.

Abstract: The disclosed measuring device includes a base plate with a scale for measuring a sitting-posture body anteflexion of a subject, and a back plate for supporting the back of the subject is connected to the base plate so that it can assume an upright posture relative to the base plate. A movable table is guided along the scale on the base plate toward and away from the back plate. The table has a cursor for reading the movement distance of the table from a reference point of the scale.

Abstract: An access device, such as a gastrostomy tube, includes a Mallincott anchoring structure reinforced with an insert and operable by a pair of sutures. An electrosurgical obturator is positioned in the tube and functions as a stylet for placing the structure in a low profile state. The obturator can then be activated to insert the tube through the abdominal wall and the stomach wall to provide access to the stomach cavity. The sutures can then be tensioned to raise the Mallincott structure to a high profile state and draw the stomach into proximity with the abdominal wall. Removing the obturator leaves the tube operatively disposed and providing direct access to the stomach cavity.

Abstract: A vibration pocket device is utilized for detecting severe neuropathy. The device is generally the size and shape of a conventional pen and includes a stimulus head or probe mounted at an end of the device. The head or probe is caused to vibrate and is applied to a patient's extremity in order to determine if the patient can feel the vibration.

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 method and apparatus for determining and displaying fetal development data during pregnancy which allows a user to instantly view the current status of fetal development based on user defined pregnancy reference data. Pregnancy reference data, including a pregnancy reference date such as the expected due date, is entered by the user and stored in a storage device. Thereafter, whenever the user requests the information concerning the fetus, the apparatus estimates the current status of fetal development using the pregnancy reference data and a look-up table containing various parameters. The apparatus then provides a convenient display of the current status of fetal development. The display may be in the form of current gestation measurements or expected current fetal measurements, such as the expected size and weight of the fetus.

Abstract: Devices for performing tissue biopsy on a small scale (microbiopsy). By reducing the size of the biopsy tool and removing only a small amount of tissue or other material in a minimally invasive manner, the risks, costs, injury and patient discomfort associated with traditional biopsy procedures can be reduced. By using micromachining and precision machining capabilities, it is possible to fabricate small biopsy/cutting devices from silicon. These devices can be used in one of four ways 1) intravascularly, 2) extravascularly, 3) by vessel puncture, and 4) externally. Additionally, the devices may be used in precision surgical cutting.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the energy, such as acoustic energy, generated by the translational (or "snapping") movement of tendons across the carpal tunnel, whereby an energy signature for such movement can be recognized. Feedback can then be provided to or about the person being monitored to permit, encourage, or force that person to choose a different movement whereby detrimental translational movement of tendons is reduced or minimized. Such reductions may result in a lower occurrence of CTS or the avoidance of its deleterious effects.

Abstract: A patient probe disconnect alarm where the patient probe is provided with a vacuum that is formed in a chamber between the patient probe and the skin of the infant. The level of vacuum is monitored within the chamber and whenever the level of vacuum lessens beyond a predetermined vacuum level, the monitor senses a probe disconnect and provides an alert to the user that there is a loss of integrity in the probe affixation to the infant.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter system capable of mapping thermal variations in the temperature of athrosclerotic plaque, on the athrosclerotic plaque surface, and in the arterial wall of aneurysms and other vascular lesions of the human vasculature is provided. The catheter system incorporates a plurality of thermal sensors fixedly attached along the catheters multi-lumen flexible tubular member which is adapted for insertion into the human body. Optionally, the thermal mapping catheter of the present invention is combined with other features such as intravascular ultrasound, and localized drug delivery, to provide integrated device functions.

Abstract: A dynamic system adapted to test a human subject to determine the degree to which his physical stability is impaired without regard to the cause of impairment. The system includes an unsteady platform on which the subject to be tested stands, the platform being supported at a raised position above ground to normally lie in a horizontal plane having an X axis which extends through the center of the platform and a Y axis which is normal to the X axis and extends through the center. The platform is tiltable by the subject standing thereon about the X and Y axes to thereby change the orientation of the platform, the tiltability being is restrained so that the standing subject is not rendered insecure. Electronic sensors are mounted on the platform yield signals which depend on the deviation of the platform from the X and Y axes.

Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus for diagnosis of lower back pain (LBP) caused by neuromuscular dysfunction, said diagnostic apparatus comprising:a monitoring means for monitoring an anticipatory muscle signal resulting from one or more electrodes associated with an anticipatory muscle and a prime mover muscle signal resulting from one or more electrodes associated with at least one prime mover muscle associated with a limb; anda processing means for detecting a variation in the time of onset of the anticipatory muscle signal relative to the time of onset of the prime mover muscle signal for providing diagnosis of presence or absence of LBP.

Abstract: The pressure measuring guide wire comprises an elongated flexible shaft with a lumen extending therethrough. The lumen is surrounded by a wall forming the shaft and the distal portion of which is provided with slots for pressure medium entry. The distal portion has a thickness, greater than the thickness of the proximal area of the shaft. A coil surrounds the proximal area of the shaft to compensate the difference in kinking resistance between the proximal and distal areas of the shaft.

Abstract: A guidewire for use in a catheter comprising a unitary core wire, a distal tip and an elongate tube. The core wire has a body segment and a transition segment, the body segment being of substantially uniform outer diameter with a distal end serially disposed proximal to the transition segment proximal end, the transition segment being more flexible than the body segment, and progressively reduced in cross-section from the body segment. The smoothly rounded distal tip is affixed to the distal end of the transition segment. The elongate tube defines a tube lumen, the core wire transition segment extends longitudinally through the tube, the tube having a uniform outer diameter equal to the outer diameter of the body segment, the proximal end of the tube being affixed to the proximal end of the transition segment, the distal end of the tube being affixed to the distal tip. The tube may be formed of a super-elastic metallic member or formed from a synthetic resin. The tube wall thickness is preferably between 0.

Abstract: Methods and devices are described for calibrating the pressure sensors of a tissue examination device to enable the sensors to produce signals that accurately indicate whether an underlying tissue structure is present in tissue being examined. In general, the calibration is performed using a substance configured to apply a selected amount of pressure to the sensors when engaged in a selected way by the tissue examination device. The sensors are calibrated based on levels of the signals produced in response to the selected amount of pressure imposed by the substance. The tissue examination device may be pressed against the substance, or the substance may be pressed against the sensors. Preferably, the substance applies the selected amount of pressure substantially uniformly to the sensors. A wide variety of substances can be used, such as a foam pad, a rubber pad, a gel, a fluid-containing balloon, and pressurized air.

Abstract: A urine collection system has a disposable pan that attaches to a toilet bowl or seat. The pan has overflow holes to dispose of excess urine. A flexible tube extends from the pan to a collection unit having a spring-loaded syringe that semi-automatically withdraws a urine sample from the pan. The collected urine is then transported in the syringe for further processing.

Abstract: A method for measuring and recording reflex response includes the steps of attaching an electrode to a first part of a test subject, connecting the electrode to an electrocardiograph, striking a body part of the test subject to elicit a reflex response, or stimulating a reflex by electrical current directed to the tendon, the current being similar to one generated by an electromyograph or a cardiac pacemaker, and measuring and recording the reflex response on the electrocardiograph. The method provides a simple, reliable procedure for producing accurate recordings of a patients reflex responses.