Abstract: A method of measuring intraocular pressure through an eyelid includes the step of subjecting the gristle region of an opened eyelid to two spaced contacts providing static support loading that deforms the eyelid. Simultaneously, the gristle region of the eyelid is subjected to the dynamic deformation of a body falling freely relative to the support contacts, such dynamic deformation being transferred to an eyeball area below the eyelid. The spaced contacts are located at equal distances from an axis of displacement of the freely falling body, thereby providing a decrease of eyeball shock absorption under the support. The amount of resilient deformation of a surface of the eyeball is then determined.

Abstract: A biopsy forceps device is provided for obtaining tissue samples, or removing tissue for therapeutic reasons, at a site within a body, while maintaining access to the site through an access lumen of the biopsy forceps. The device includes an elongate tubular body for introduction into the body and navigation to an area of interest. An inner tubular member having a lumen, or a plurality of lumens, extends through or adjacent the outer tubular member, from the proximal end to the distal end, where cutting jaws are provided. The cutting jaws are rotatably mounted at the distal end of the device and are controlled by movement of the inner tubular member. The inner tubular member is coupled with a handle portion allowing control of the cutting jaws at the proximal end. Access to the lumen of the inner tubular member is gained at the proximal end, where a luer fitting is provided.

Abstract: A blood sampling device has a barrel enclosing a lancet and a spring urging the lancet rearwardly. A dual purpose container fits the rear end of the barrel and its first function is to be pushed forwards relative to the barrel to project the tip of the lancet. A shearable bridge breaks when sufficient pressure is applied, allowing the lancet to retract. The device is then reversed to present the rear end of the container to the drawn blood, which is absorbed thereby. The container with sample for analysis is removed from the barrel which, when the lancet safe inside, can be discarded.

Abstract: A shoulder arthrometer for measuring glenohumeral joint translation upon application of a force to an arm of a patient. It includes an arm attachment assembly, a force measurement gauge, a translation measurement gauge assembly, and a girdle assembly. The arm attachment assembly is capable of being secured to the arm of a patient. The force measurement gauge is operably engaged with the arm attachment assembly for measuring a force applied to the arm attachment assembly in anterior-posterior directions and the inferior direction. The translation measurement gauge assembly is operably engaged with the arm attachment assembly. It is capable of measuring anterior-posterior translations and inferior translations relative to the arm of a patient and includes a girdle connecting element. The girdle assembly is operably engageable with the girdle connecting element. The girdle assembly is capable of being secured to the torso of the patient to provide a fixed point of reference.

Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus employs a spaced grid and a centerline on a vertically mounted mirror to reflect the skeletal position of a patient. The patient stands on two scales which measure the weight borne by each of the patient's legs. The output of each scale is displayed on the mirror. An aperture is formed in the mirror to enable the patient to be photographed. The photograph may be printed on paper bearing the grid pattern and the centerline.

Abstract: A body fluid is collected for testing for an analyte contained within the body fluid. The fluid is collected in an apparatus including a reservoir for receiving and collecting a flow of body fluid from a discharge end of a conduit. A capillary test space is in fluid flow communication with the reservoir. The capillary test space is positioned to be in contact with the fluid in the reservoir after the fluid has accumulated to a predetermined transfer volume of fluid. The capillary test space is sized to wick the fluid from the reservoir when the fluid contacts the capillary test space.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing steerable coated guidewires and the steerable guidewires produced thereby. The steerable coated guidewire has an inner wire member having a constant outer diameter over a major segment thereof and a tapered outer decreasing diameter over a minor segment thereof and a coating adhered to the inner wire member. The coating has a constant outer diameter such that the coated steerable guidewire has a constant outer diameter. The diameter decreases preferably in a linear manner over the length of the minor segment from a maximum diameter Dmax to a minimum diameter Dmin.

Abstract: A soft tissue diagnostic apparatus for diagnosis of stress and injury in anatomical soft tissue by detecting the response of the soft tissue to acoustic energy and a method of detecting soft tissue damage or stress and treating the tissue. An acoustic transmitter transmits excitation acoustic energy toward a target area of soft tissue of a subject. An acoustic receiver receives responsive acoustic energy generated by the soft tissue in response to the excitation acoustic energy transmitted by the acoustic transmitter and generates an output signal representative of the response of the soft tissue to the excitation acoustic energy. An analyzer receives the output signal of the acoustic receiver and provides an indication of at least one of stress and injury in the soft tissue based on the output signal.

Abstract: A self contained sensor apparatus generates a signal that corresponds to at least two of the three orientational aspects of yaw, pitch and roll of a human-scale body, relative to an external reference frame. A sensor generates first sensor signals that correspond to rotational accelerations or rates of the body about certain body axes. The sensor may be mounted to the body. Coupled to the sensor is a signal processor for generating orientation signals relative to the external reference frame that correspond to the angular rate or acceleration signals. The first sensor signals are impervious to interference from electromagnetic, acoustic, optical and mechanical sources. The sensors may be rate sensors. An integrator may integrate the rate signal over time. A drift compensator is coupled to the rate sensors and the integrator. The drift compensator may include a gravitational tilt sensor or a magnetic field sensor or both.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting, using differential diagnosis, and for treating tumors. The inventive device enables, in practically one operation, a tumor-selective and tissue-protective representation, a reduction in the duration of treatment and/or an extension of the treatment to larger tissue areas. The device includes a combination of the following elements: at least one electrode pair (12, 13) having electrodes fitted substantially diametrically to the organism/organism part (10) in a cross-sectional plane; the electrode pair detecting resistance signals in different orientations in relation to the organism/organism part (10); a measuring device (17) for converting the resistance signals into resistance values; and an evaluation device (20) which receives the resistance values for evaluation and representation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for brachytherapy treatment of prostate disease. The apparatus comprises a housing, a plunger, a needle, and a lock. The plunger is rigidly affixed to the housing. The lock selectively restricts motion of the needle relative to the plunger. The needle comprises a screw thread that engages the housing or plunger. Rotation of the needle with respect to the housing/plunger causes distal advancement or proximal retraction of the needle with respect to the plunger, providing improved control over delivery of radioactive seeds to a diseased portion of a prostate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluid recovery systems for collecting fluid from a patient. A fluid recovery system according to the teachings of the invention includes a housing having a collection chamber for collecting fluid from a patient, and further includes a plurality of components and/or structures that are integrally formed with the housing. Such integrally molded components can include valves for controlling fluid flow within the fluid recovery system and a tamper resistant disposal system.

Abstract: A rectal thermosensing unit includes, according to one aspect thereof, an elongate member having an inflation lumen extending therethrough. An inflatable balloon is supported by the elongate member. An interior of the inflatable balloon is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. An insertion lumen extends through the elongate member. An introducer is insertable into the insertion lumen. At least one temperature sensing device is supported by the inflatable balloon. The rectal thermosensing probe is located in a rectum by inserting the introducer into the inflation lumen, inserting the inflatable balloon supported by the elongate member having the introducer inserted in the insertion lumen therein into the rectum, removing the introducer from the insertion lumen, and inflating the inflatable balloon by providing fluid through the inflation lumen.

Abstract: This flask for preparing a fixative-based cytological suspension, which flask is provided with an opening (5) which is intended for receiving a brush (3) for cytological sampling, which brush is detachably fastened to a manipulation handle (4), is such that the opening (5) of the flask comprises abutment means (6) for the brush, which means enable the brush to be locked in the flask and to be detached from the handle (4), and at least one portion of perforated screen (6) for filtering the suspension during pouring.

Abstract: An improved body-fat measuring apparatus for measuring in-vivo impedance and computing body-fat quantity can obtain accurate and stable in-vivo impedance even if hand electrodes are used for the measurement. The apparatus includes a body-height measuring device having a footstool on which a examinee mounts, a measuring terminal to contact with the top of examinee's head, and a cursor movable in upward and downward direction with holding said measuring terminal, and also includes in-vivo impedance measuring electrodes integrated with said cursor, wherein said measuring electrodes are located at a height approximately corresponding to the examinee's shoulder as said measuring terminal of said body-height measuring device contacts with the top of examinee's head so that the angle between torso region and arm region of an examinee becomes approximately right angle when the examinee grasps said measuring electrodes.

Abstract: Improved approaches to assist those having hearing loss are disclosed. One approach pertains to providing on-line hearing loss testing. The on-line hearing loss testing can be self-performed without any specialized equipment. Another approach pertains to on-line sound customization. The sound customization can simulate hearing compensation on-line. As an example, the hearing compensation can be used to simulate hearing aid processing. Still another approach pertains to a recommendation and/or referral procedure.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting interactions in the circulating blood of a living being caused by external factors by analyzing the viscosity of the living being's circulating blood. The method utilizes a blood viscosity measuring system that monitors the change in height of two, oppositely-moving, columns of blood from the circulating blood of a patient and, given the dimensions of a capillary tube through which the blood flows, determines the blood viscosity over a range of shear rates, especially low shear rates. The system includes a tube set that includes a pair of riser tubes, a capillary tube of predetermined dimensions that is coupled between the riser tubes and a valve mechanism for controlling the circulating flow of blood from the patient into the riser tubes.

Abstract: An adaptive screening tool for hearing loss for use over the internet. The test is part of a web-based system which providing hearing related information and health services. The system allows users of the internet located anywhere in the world to perform a screening test in the privacy of their own homes or offices. The test is performed well above the threshold level of the user, and screens users for their ability to detect small changes in intensity within bursts of sound delivered to the user through headphones. Users are given a first or preliminary test to establish a base intensity. Then, after the base intensity is established, a second test for hearing loss is presented. The second test asks the user to identify which of a plurality of similar sounds, or stimuli, is different from the others because it has a short duration deviation embedded in it.

Abstract: A telemetric in vivo bladder urine monitor system is disclosed. The invention includes a small, buoyant recorder that floats in the bladder of an animal and telemetrically relays data to an external receiver. The invention may be used in measuring urinary tract pressure in diagnosing and treating urinary tract infections, anomalous bladder contraction, etc. The invention may also be used as a monitoring system for bed wetting syndrome, artificial bladders and sphincters.

Abstract: A disposable body fluid or tissue collection vial is disclosed. The vial has a sample accessing tool and a sample delivery member for dispensing a sample of body fluid or tissue into a reagent. The vial also has a base, a sample delivery sleeve, a sample accessing sleeve, and a cap. The sample delivery sleeve detachably attaches to the base, the sample accessing sleeve detachably attaches to the sample delivery sleeve, and the cap detachably attaches to the sample accessing sleeve. The base may contain one or more reagents suitable for diagnostic or other uses.