Abstract: The present invention is a collection container assembly comprising a container having a removable rounded bottom end and wherein the external dimensions of the container are substantially the same as a standard-sized blood collection tube but with a reduced internal volume.

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: A lower limb load monitor for providing feedback to a patient or user when a preselected force load is met or exceeded on a patient's or user's foot. The device includes one or more thin film force sensing elements positioned beneath the user's foot and connected with control means for providing a signal when a predetermined threshold force is met.

Abstract: An elongate elastic metal alloy member for use in a medical device. The elongate member may be formed from a linear elastic metal alloy which may be twisted such that the torsional elasticity of the member is removed while the longitudinal flexibility of the member is maintained. The elongate member may further be placed under tension, fixed to prevent rotation, and heat treated such that the stress caused by tensioning and twisting the member is relieved without transforming the linear elastic metal alloy into a super-elastic metal alloy. The resulting elongate elastic metal alloy member may have increased straightness and may be easier to grind.

Abstract: Apparatus for relating pain and activity experienced by a patient comprises: pain transducing means for allowing a patient to select any one pain level from a predetermined number of pain levels and for producing a pain level signal indicative of the selected level; activity transducing means responsive to the pain level signal for measuring a level of a parameter of a physical activity of the patient near the time corresponding to the selection of the pain level and for producing an activity parameter level signal indicative of the measured level of the parameter; and relating means responsive to the pain level signal and the activity parameter level signal for characterizing the activity of the patient corresponding to the selected level of pain to be one activity level of a predetermined number of predefined activity levels and for producing a signal indicative of the characterized level of activity and the corresponding pain level.

Abstract: A measuring system is disclosed for the detection, the manipulation and the output of medical measured values which includes a computer, an input interface (2) for the connection of measuring probes (3, 4, 5), an output interface (6) for further manipulation of the measuring data detected by the measuring probes (3, 4, 5) as well as a signal output device (7), wherein the computer is connected to the input interface (2), the output interface (6) as well as to the signal output device (7). In addition, the computer includes a device for automatic recognition of a particular embodiment from a plurality of different predetermined embodiments of measuring probes (3, 4, 5) with the connection of a measuring probe (3, 4, 5) of a particular embodiment to the input interface (2) as well as a device connected therewith for reprogramming the computer as determined from the automatic recognition device.

Abstract: A blood collection tube is provided having a sealingly engaged elastomeric disk bonded over the open end of the tube. The disk has two opposing major surfaces and is bonded to the tube while deformed in a generally arcuate configuration. One of the major surface faces exteriorally from the tube and the other major surface faces interiorly into the tube. The exterior-facing major surface of the disk is placed in tension and the interior-facing major surface is placed in compression.

Abstract: The test subject attaches pulse wave detectors 1 to his fingertips, and presses down on pressure sensor 110. As a result, CPU 4 determines the DC component of the received light signal LS, and stores this in calibration table 50 in association with the pressure level. Subsequently, CPU 4 calculates threshold values, which can be used for grading the touch sensation, based on maximum value Pmax of the pressure level and calibration table 50, and stores this result in threshold table 51. When the subject grips an object with his fingers, the blood flow volume is detected by pulse wave detector 1 as received light signal LS. CPU 4 calculates the DC component of received light signal LS, compares this result to the threshold values stored in threshold value table 51, generates touch information SJ, and displays this on LCD 108. Accordingly, in this case, pulse diagnosis can be easily performed by expressing the degree of pressure in the pulse diagnosis as touch information SJ.

Abstract: A method and device for measuring nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity. In a first embodiment, two circular elastic sensors of differing viscoelasticities, placed around a penis, sense changes in penile circumference, which describes penile tumescence. A comparison of the instantaneous circumferences of the two sensors describes penile rigidity. Sensor circumference is measured by monitoring changes in electrical resistance across the sensor. In a second embodiment, a single circular elastic sensor senses changes in penile circumference (describing tumescence), while rigidity is described by changes in amplitude of a plethysmographic signal sensed by the single circular sensor. In a third embodiment, a photoplethysmographic sensor senses a penile plethysmographic signal. The signal mean intensity describes penile tumescence, and changes in amplitude of the plethysmographic signal describe changes in cardiac outlook.

Abstract: An anatomic torsion monitor includes an examination table (A) equipped with forcibly extendable pads (54, 56) which are utilized to rotationally displace a patient (P) about the patient's transverse axis. A laser (84), or other such pointer, is disposed on a platform (90) which rests across the abdomen of the patient (P) to measure the rotational displacement. The output of the laser (84) is projected onto a scaled chart (100). Clockwise and counterclockwise rotational displacements of the patient (P) as a function of applied forces are obtained by reading the projection of the laser (84) on the scaled chart (100) as the forces are applied and withdrawn. Plotting the rotational displacement versus force on a Cartesian coordinate system produces a continuous, bounded, four quadrant hysteresis loop (116).

Abstract: Improved systems and methods are used for controlled infusion of fluid into a body cavity. In particular, the improved system allows a user to accurately control pressure created in a body cavity over a broad range of fluid flow rates required in various medical procedures. In one embodiment, the system comprises a pump having a conduit which defines a fluid flow path from the pump. Typically, a surgical instrument such as a resectoscope is coupled to the conduit to direct the fluid into the body cavity. The system controls pressure in the body cavity by using a first sensor to measure pump output and a second sensor to measure body cavity pressure. Preferably, the second sensor measures the actual pressure in the body cavity to correct for any pressure losses that may occur during fluid delivery from the pump.

Abstract: An apparatus for sampling blood through an intravenous or intraarterial tube which does not interfere with normal operation of an infusion operation or a direct pressure monitoring operation. A needleless sampling site at which fluid can be removed is connected to the tube. A chamber is provided which is connected to the tube such that fluid can be interchanged between the tube and the chamber. A plunger is provided for drawing the fluid from the tube into the chamber and for expelling the fluid from the chamber into the tube. In its normal position, the plunger blocks the interconnection between the tube and the chamber. When in its sampling position, the plunger creates a vacuum in the chamber causing the fluid in the tube to be aspirated into the chamber. The aspirating action causes fluid in the patient to be drawn up to the sampling site. An actuator, which can be operated by a single hand of a medical practitioner, imparts an appropriate feel to the system operation.

Abstract: A biopsy sampling system and method for aspirating bone marrow and bone cores from a patient with minimal or no perceived pain to the patient. The system includes a bone aspiration needle assembly having a handle and an electrically conductive needle shaft and an electrical nerve stimulator (ENS) which supplies a current of adjustable intensity to the needle shaft. Thus, when the aspirating needle is inserted into the bone marrow cavity of the patient, the stimulator is activated to anesthetize the nerves in the vicinity of the aspiration permitting the extraction to commence with little or no increased pain to the patient. A nonconducting insulating shaft is also disclosed to be placed on the needle shaft in order direct the ENS current to the area of the shaft that can most efficiently anesthetize the pain conducting nerves, i.e. to the tip of the needle shaft.

Abstract: A non-contact tonometer having a fluid pulse generating system for causing corneal applanation is improved by changing the pressure versus time characteristics of the fluid pulse from a linearly increasing relationship of the prior art to a non-linearly increasing relationship which reduces the impulse energy delivered to the eye during testing for purposes of patient comfort. In a preferred embodiment, an automatically driven piston for producing an air pulse is provided with a linearly increasing current source for driving the piston mechanism, whereby the pressure ramp of the air pulse increases as a squared function of time to reduce impulse energy delivered to the eye.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser includes a hollow housing having an elongate chamber formed therein. A power supply is located within the chamber of the housing, the power supply being in electrical communication with a variable speed motor also located within the chamber of the housing. A switch, accessible from outside the housing, is in electrical communication with the power supply and motor for selectively operating the motor from a non-operable condition to an operable condition. A microprocessor controls the speed of the motor, enabling the fluid dispenser to deliver fluid at a wide range of speeds.

Abstract: A small volume blood collection apparatus and method. A capillary tube has an end cap on each end thereof. Each end cap has a passage formed therethrough, a plug for selectively closing the passage and a flexible arm extending between the plug and a base portion of the end cap. A Luer surface is defined on each end cap.

Abstract: A suction device is disclosed comprising an elongated tubular metal handle portion having a predetermined uniform diameter suction bore therethrough and a spigot connection portion for connection to a hospital suction source. The device further comprises a selected metal probe having a predetermined uniform diameter suction passage therethrough and terminating in a suction tip. The inner diameter of the probe is less than the inner diameter of the handle portion. The proximal end of the probe has a non-metallic secured sleeve thereabout. The outer diameter of the sleeve is detailed to frictionally engage an inner wall end portion of the handle opposite to the spigot connection portion. The selected probe may be of varying diameters which is fitted with a selected diameter dimensioned sleeve whereby the probe fits within the selected and the probe carrying sleeve fits removably frictionally within the tubular metal handle.

Abstract: A barometric pressure sensor for deriving reference pressure data for use in combination with absolute pressure data derived by an implantable medical device (IMD) is disclosed. The barometric pressure sensor is located in a sensing module adapted to be located with the patient's body having a module housing enclosing an air chamber which encloses the barometric pressure sensor. An air vent extends through the module housing for venting the air chamber to atmospheric pressure outside the module housing. A protective vent cover extends across the air vent formed of a material capable of air passage and capable of inhibiting passage of moisture, liquids, and particulate contaminants through the air vent and into the air chamber. In one embodiment, the sensing module is adapted to be worn or carried by the patient and includes operating circuitry and a power supply for powering the barometric pressure sensor and periodically storing sensed atmospheric pressure values as reference pressure data.

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 sampling apparatus for sampling body fluid includes a sampler having an external geometry selected to mate with an internal geometry of a testing apparatus such that the sampler may be inserted within the testing apparatus in a predetermined alignment--and with a sampling location positioned accurately within a light path for detecting an amount of a desired constituent within fluid collected by the sampler.