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) placing a blood collection device over a region on the surface of the skin from which said sample is to be obtained,(b) forming a seal between said blood collection device and said surface of the skin,(c) creating a vacuum sufficient to result in said surface of the skin becoming stretched and engorged with blood,(d) triggering a lancing assembly and causing a lancet to penetrate said skin,(e) retracting said lancet,(f) withdrawing blood toward and onto a fluid collector, and(g) releasing the vacuum.In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for carrying out the method described previously is provided.

Abstract: A cytologic brush for an endoscope has a flexible sheath removably inserted into an instrument-inserting channel. A brush member is provided at the distal end of the sheath. A single control wire is inserted in the sheath to change the direction of the brush member from the proximal end of the sheath. The proximal end of the brush member is connected to a forward link member of a link mechanism provided at the distal end of the sheath. The distal end of the control wire is connected to the rear end of the link mechanism. By moving the control wire back and forth at an operating part connected to the proximal end of the sheath, the link mechanism is operated to change the direction of the brush member with respect to the distal end of the sheath.

Abstract: The dental device for determining the state of an at least partially metal tooth crown (2) or tooth bridge (2) of a tooth (1) comprises a scanning electrode (3) with which an electrical contact to the tooth crown (2) or tooth bridge (2) can be established, an active part (10) of a reference electrode (9), which active part (10) can be placed in the mouth, and a voltage meter (12) which can be connected electrically to the scanning electrode (3) and the reference electrode (9) and allows their potential difference to be measured, the voltage meter (12) having an input resistance of in particular more than 10.sup.6 .OMEGA.. The active part (10) of the reference electrode (9) consists in particular of a silver wire coated with silver chloride. The holder (13) of the reference electrode (9) can be plastically deformed as desired and can be fitted in the mouth of a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a guide wire, comprising a core wire (4) having a proximal and a distal end. There is at least one electrical lead (10a, 10b, 10c) provided on said core wire and extending along the length thereof, connecting to an electrical device (6) provided at the distal end of said core wire. A male connector is provided at the proximal end of said core wire, and a protective tubing (not shown) covers the core wire and the leads. The leads are formed on a sheet (14) of a thin, flexible material, said sheet being at least partially wrapped around said core wire along the length thereof. The flexible sheet has a wider portion (18) at the proximal end, and is wrapped at least one full turn around the proximal end of said core wire. The wider portion has at least one conductive strip (8a, 8b, 8c) extending over said portion in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A sampling device for sampling body fluid includes a casing which is pressed against a skin surface to produce a seal therewith. A cocking mechanism is pulled rearwardly to place a lancing device in a cocked state. By releasing a trigger, the lancing device is driven forward to produce an incision in the skin, and then is retracted out of the incision. A plunger mounted on the cocking mechanism is then retracted to generate a negative pressure at the front end of the casing to draw body fluid from the incision.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method of intraocular pressure determination is disclosed in which applanation tonometery is done with an ultrasonic transducer. The method allows for increased accuracy of intraocular pressure determination based upon adjustment of applanation tonometry for subjacent corneal thickness.

Abstract: A surgical biopsy instrument for the extraction of at least one tissue sample from a body is described herein. The surgical biopsy instrument has a vacuum source and an outer elongated hollow piercing needle for the penetration of the body. The needle has a proximal end and a distal piercing tip opposite the proximal end. The needle also includes a needle passageway extending between the proximal end and the tip. The needle has a tissue receiving port adjacent to the piercing tip and the tissue receiving port communicates with the needle passageway for reception of the tissue sample. A cutter is moveably disposed relative with the needle. The cutter has a distal cutting blade on the distal end of the cutter. The cutting blade is moveable across the tissue receiving port of the needle to cut the tissue sample. A tissue extractor is connected to the vacuum source and the extractor is moveably disposed relative to the needle.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for determining physiological characteristics of body lumens, such as the length of a blood vessel. According to one exemplary method, the distance between a first target location and a second target location within a lumen are measured by aligning a first marker on a first elongate member disposed within a lumen with the first target location. A second marker on a second elongate member disposed within the lumen is aligned with the second target location. The distance between the first and second markers is then measured, and the measured distance corresponds to the distance between the first and second target locations.

Abstract: A cartridge for sampling and analyzing blood from the skin of a patient. The cartridge has a cartridge case, a lancet, and associated with the cartridge case an analytical region for analyzing the property of blood. The lancet has a tip for lancing the skin and is housed in the cartridge case. The lancet is operatively connected to the cartridge case such that the lancet can be pushed to extend its tip outside the cartridge case for lancing the skin to yield blood. The blood from the lancing wound is transferred to the analytical region and be analyzed.

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 another aspect of this invention, an article is provided for an article capable of both collecting blood and detecting an analyte in that blood is provided.

Abstract: A food intake restriction device for surgical application in the abdomen of a patient for forming a stoma opening in the stomach or esophagus of the patient comprises an elongated non-inflatable restriction member, a forming device for forming the elongated restriction member into at least a substantially closed loop around the stomach or the esophagus to define a restriction opening, and a post-operation non-invasive adjustment device for mechanically adjusting the restriction member in the loop to change the size of the restriction opening. The components are of bio-compatible material and are effective for treating morbid obesity over an extended period of time always in a non-invasive manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the diagnosis and rehabilitation of abnormal human balance corrections. A subject is placed in a standing position on a support surface which can be moved in any combination of pitch and roll directions. Measurements of the balance response of the subject are made using, e.g., force transducers in the support surface (to measure changes in center-of-foot pressure or ankle torque), body sway sensors, such as velocity transducers, mounted on the subject's body (to measure body sway), and EMG electrodes, mounted over muscles on the left and right sides of the subject's body (to measure the electromyographic response of the subject's muscles). The response measures are displayed to an operator in a highly readable form along with response measures from a normal sample population. From the display of response measures, an operator or the system may diagnose the existence, cause (e.g.

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.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for collecting volatile products deposited on a surface, which comprises a housing having an open end and defining an internal cavity which runs into said opening, said housing containing a material for adsorbing said volatile compounds. The opening can be sealed by means of a stopper and is closed in the out-of-use position and adapted to be in contact with said surface in the operation position. The device is particularly appropriate for capturing volatile compounds from a perfuming composition which has been applied onto the skin.

Abstract: A surgical tool forms a collapsible cage that surrounds a lesion or a tumor in a breast or soft tissue so that removal of all encaged tissue ensures the removal of the tumor or lesion. The collapsibility of the cage enables it to be closed and repositioned if needed. A leading tube and a trailing tube are interconnected by a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart members that are jointed at their respective mid-lengths. The respective leading ends of the jointed members are hingedly connected to a trailing end of the leading tube and the respective trailing ends of the jointed members are hingedly connected to the leading end of the trailing tube. The leading and trailing tubes slidingly receive a hollow needle and the leading tube is secured to the hollow needle at its distal end so that the leading tube cannot slide with respect to the hollow needle.

Abstract: A device for receiving and holding a removable ultrasound transducer and a tocodynamometer against the exterior of the abdomen of the patient is disclosed. The device comprises an improved transducer support plate which is maintained in fixed contact with the abdomen of the patient by fastening pads, including an adhesive hydrogel and a belt encircling the patient to provide the necessary counterforces to the transducer support plate that is simple to attach and remove from a patient.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying magnetic flux to tissue utilizing strip-shaped flexible polymeric permanent magnets. The magnets are reinforced with an adhesively applied tape and removably inserted into retainer pockets or channels formed within a support structure. In one embodiment, the support structure is formed of two flexible mat components which are sewn together to form the retention pockets. A wrist rest embodiment utilizes a thin flexible platform to support the magnetic components within retention channels in combination with a foamaceous support structure.

Abstract: A medical/surgical suction device of three essential main parts. The first part is a metal tube having a proximal port and a distal port. The proximal part is attached to a have or flexible tube that is connected to a vacuum source. The distal end has plugged into it a portion of a sleeve. The other portion of the sleeve extends therefrom and carries coaxially the a thin tube. The other end is the suction end. The sleeve may be de-mounted from the metal tube whereby the sleeve may be cleaned apart from the metal tube. The metal tube has a port intermediate its proximal part and its distal part which acts as a valve to permit.

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 superelastic metal alloy. The resulting elongate elastic metal alloy member may have increased straightness and may be easier to grind.

Abstract: A covered medical specimen container comprises a collection tube having an open upper end defined by a perimetrical rim. A cover is positioned over the open end and removably attached to the rim. A removable cap is positioned over the cover at a location spaced from the rim. Removal of the cover is achieved by exerting a removal force on the cap which the cap transforms into a localized peeling force that progresses around the entire rim.