Abstract: After removal of a protective cap, the forward end of a barrel (1) of a skin pricker is placed against the skin and the user presses the projecting end of a trigger (6) forwards. As the trigger pivots about a fulcrum (9) of the barrel (1), a thin bridge onto a lancet (2) shears. The lancet is released, and shoots forward as a spring (3) extends, thus projecting a needle tip (4) to prick the skin. This projection is only momentary and the lancet (2), which is captive to the spring (3), is pulled back as the spring (3) reverts to a recovery position where the needle tip is safe inside the barrel. The trigger (6), although broken away from the lancet, remains captive to the barrel by the enlargement (11). The lancet cannot again be operated to eject the needle and the pricker is then intended to be discarded.

Abstract: A surgical biopsy apparatus is provided which includes a housing; a first elongated tubular member removably mounted in the housing and defining a fluid passageway therein, the first elongated tubular member including: a tapered closed distal end portion adapted to penetrate tissue; a laterally disposed tissue receiving opening formed near the tapered distal end which includes a tissue support surface defining a plurality of holes in fluid communication with the fluid passageway; and a second elongated tubular member rotatably and reciprocatingly disposed coaxially about the first elongated tubular member, the second elongated tubular member having a cutting edge formed at an open distal end thereof and a lateral tissue discharge port formed proximally of the cutting edge.

Abstract: A system and method for accurately determining the power flow within a test subject's ear canal. A calibration device (300) is used in conjunction with a probe device (400) that measures the frequency response of a cavity. The probe (400), with eartip (440), is inserted into a patient's ear and a transducer (460,470) emits a periodic signal into the ear canal. The transducer (460,470) also measures the frequency response of the ear canal and relays the data back to a digital signal processor. The same probe setup (400) is then calibrated by measuring the frequency response of a plurality of cavities (340a, 340b, 350c, 350d) having known geometries. Mean cavity length is solved for based upon the known geometries of the plurality of cavities. Consideration is also given to spreading mass wave phenomena due to point source transducer emission. Cavity temperature for calibration purposes is maintained as close as possible to body temperature thereby negating a farther source of error.

Abstract: Guidewires having a substantially permanent disposition or predispostion to assume the configuration of a coil are disclosed. The guidewire assumes a coiled configuration when not in use and a straight or substantially linear configuration when being used to place a medical device within the anatomy of a patient. Guidewires of invention advantageously reduces the likelihood that the guidewire will fall out of the sterile field during a medical procedure and become contaminated, requiring replacement. Methods for making the guidewire also are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a guidewire having an elongate core member with a proximal section and a distal section. The distal section has at least one tapered segment, wherein the elongate core member tapers distally to a reduced diameter. Preferably, the tapered segments of the distal section of the elongate core member are marked with radiopaque markers to indicate where a tapered segment begins or ends. A proximal coil having a rectangular cross section and at least one distal coil having a round cross section are disposed around at least a portion of the distal section of the elongate core member. The proximal end of the proximal coil is attached to the distal section of the elongate core member. The distal coils can be made of a material that is radiopaque or non-radiopaque. If one of the distal coils is radiopaque, it may be made from a radiopaque material or it may be made of a hollow tube of non-radiopaque material that is filled with material that is at least partially radiopaque.

Abstract: A disposable, bone graft harvester having a clear, graduated plastic tube tipped with a bone cutting head at one end and a handle or other torque supplying connection at the other end.

Abstract: A device and method for sensing temperatures at internal body locations non-surgically accessible only through body orifices is disclosed. The device is particularly useful in medical applications such as screening for cancer and other abnormal biological activity signaled by an increase in temperature at a selected site. As applied to prostate examinations, a device is provided which may be temporarily, adhesively affixed to a user's fingertip or to a mechanical probe. In the preferred embodiment, the device includes two temperature sensing elements which may include a plurality of chemical indicators. Each indicator changes color in response to detection of a predetermined particular temperature. When properly aligned and installed, the first element is located on the palmar surface of the fingertip while the second element is located on the dorsal surface of the fingertip.

Abstract: A portable position detector and a position management system that are capable of accurately detecting the direction of a walking body even when GPS signals cannot be received (or without reception) and thereby enhancing the accuracy of the dead reckoned position of the walking body.The portable position detector is equipped with a pedometer and a geomagnetic sensor. With the pedometer, the moved distance of a walker is detected by a calculation of "the number of steps.times.the length of a step". The moved direction is detected with the geomagnetic sensor. With this, the moved position of the walker is accurately detected by the self-contained navigation system.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for detecting an onset of true labor in a pregnant mammal. In accordance with a method of this invention the following steps are executed: (a) detected electrical signals from a succession of muscular contractions associated with labor; (b) determining an average frequency of the electrical signals for each contraction; (c) determining a discriminant (.delta.) from the determined average frequency for each contraction so as to provide a set of discriminants, individual ones of the set of discriminants being associated with an individual one of the contractions; and (d) indicating a beginning of true labor when a slope of at least two discriminants of the set of discriminants exceeds a first threshold value and when a magnitude of a last determined discriminant exceeds a second threshold value.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a guidewire having an elongate core member with at least one distally tapered portion at the distal section, with a flexible body member disposed around said distal section. The flexible body member is preferably comprised of a metallic helical coil that has proximally tapered portion at the proximal end, with a diameter similar to the outer diameter of the elongate core member at the point of attachment thereto. The distal end of the flexible body member is attached to the distal end of the elongate core member. The proximal taper of the flexible body member provides a smooth transition from the elongate core member to the flexible body member while minimizing the amount of bonding material needed and the resulting localized stiff portion at the point of connection between the proximal end of the flexible body member and the elongate body member.

Abstract: An integrated optical biopsy forceps device and a method for tissue identification by optical analysis and biopsy sampling at a site within the body. The device includes an elongated catheter body for introduction into the body and navigation to an area of interest. An optical fiber extends through the device, from the proximal end, where it may be connected to electro-optical spectral analysis equipment, to a distal tip for illuminating and receiving light energy from tissue at the location of the tip. The distal end of the device has a pair of cutting jaws pivotally mounted at the distal end of the catheter body and controlled by control wires extending through the catheter body to a control handle at the proximal end, or by the optical fiber. The device may be spectroscopically guided to a site of interest within the body.

Abstract: A skin biopsy system covers all aspects of the biopsy procedure from initial incision to final closure. The system includes a flexible closure consisting of 4 elongated rigid members interconnected by flexible hinges. The opening within the closure is initially diamond-shaped, approximating an ellipse, which is then deformed or pinched to a narrow linear opening when the wound is closed. Included with the system is a knife which interacts with the closure to yield a guided incision of constant depth. The path of the knife is guided by interference between the blade and the inside faces of the closure while the depth is limited by interference of the handle proximal the blade and the top faces of the closure.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in measuring the properties of endogenous fluids during a medical examination. The apparatus includes a protective clothing article which is able to be used during the medical examination, as well as a diagnostic strip which is able to measure the pH of the endogenous fluid during the examination. In addition, the apparatus also includes a two-sided adhesive strip which is able to secure the diagnostic strip to a portion of the protective clothing article.

Abstract: An endoscopic bioptome includes a flexible coil having a lumen with an axially displaceable wire extending therethrough. The proximal ends of the coil and wire are coupled to a manual actuator for axially displacing one of the coil and wire relative to the other. The distal end of the coil is coupled to either a jaw assembly or a cylinder. The jaw assembly includes a pair of jaws each having a distal jaw cup having a proximal neck and a relatively narrow bent resilient arm. The distal end of the wire is coupled to the other of the cylinder or the jaw assembly. The cylinder is slidable over the jaw assembly. Axial movement of either the wire relative to the coil or vice versa moves the cylinder over the arms of the jaws and over the necks of the jaw cups, thereby forcing the jaw cups together in a biting action. In one embodiment, the axially displaceable wire is provided with a coaxial stopping band or sleeve which stops its movement as soon as the jaws close.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for determining intraocular pressure, automatically corrected for variations in corneal thickness. The apparatus includes an ophthalmic pachymeter having a pachymetric probe, an applanation tonometer having an applanation probe and a microprocessor. As the applanation probe touches the cornea, the ophthalmic pachymeter generates a pachymetric signal indicative of central corneal thickness. This signal is sent to and recorded by the microprocessor. When applanation occurs, the applanation tonometer generates an applanation signal indicative of intraocular pressure. This signal is sent, as well, to the microprocessor. The microprocessor, which has been programmed with an algorithm to correct the applanation signal based on the pachymetric signal, indicates the corrected value for intraocular pressure.

Abstract: An exoskeleton device is provided for measuring positions of links and angles of joints of an animate body, where the body comprises a plurality of links joined by intervening joints. The device is affixed at a first mobile terminus of said animate body and a second fixed terminus, having device links displaced from animate links, where the device links are connected by device joints and having sensor means for measuring the angle of the device joints. Using the signals from the sensor means, one can determine the position of the terminal device link and based on knowledge of the animate body structure, calculate the animate angle joints.

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: An exchange accessory useful with monorail and other types of catheters has a hollow, elongated sleeve for insertion into a Tuohy-Borst connector or the like, and an enlarged head at its proximal end to restrain the sleeve from advancing with the catheter into the connector. The sleeve is slidably mounted on the catheter shaft so that it may be interposed between a sealing member within the connector and the catheter. The internal diameter of the sleeve is greater than and complementary with the external diameter of the catheter shaft to define a space about the catheter shaft sufficient to allow backbleed of blood therethrough in a controlled manner.In one embodiment, the sleeve has a slotted head to accommodate a guidewire which may extend in parallel to the catheter shaft, for example, when used with a monorail type catheter. The slot permits the guidewire to extend proximal to the connector without bending or kinking.

Abstract: There is provided an autoloader apparatus and skin testing system for rapidly loading a multi-headed applicator used for epicutaneous application of biological testing agents, while at the same time, effectively inhibiting cross contamination of testing agents during loading and removal of the applicator. The autoloader apparatus includes a plurality of reservoirs for storing testing agents therein. Each reservoir includes a collar defining an open top. The autoloader apparatus further includes a receptacle having first and second surfaces defining a plurality of apertures therethrough for at least partially receiving the collars of the reservoirs. The skin testing system includes an applicator and an autoloader. The applicator has a plurality of picks for sealably engaging the open tops of the reservoirs of the autoloader to enable each pick to be loaded with an effective amount of testing agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for monitoring and recording the position and extent of motion of the body of a human or a lower animal. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it comprises: (1) a three-dimensional-position monitoring, mercury sensor, (2) a programmable control unit that receives as input the output from the sensor and has the capability to sufficiently interpret said input so as to determine the position and related movements with respect to gravity of the measurement site at which said sensor is located on its user's body, (3) a storage device, operable by said control unit, that stores time-stamped, data regarding the user's body position and related movements, and (4) an interface device that has the capability of transferring the stored data to an external computer.