Abstract: A method and apparatus for endoscopic removal of compliant biological tissues utilizing an endoscopic ultrasonic aspirator comprising irrigation and aspiration means, a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer, a first resonator such as a half-wave stepped velocity transformer, a probe including a second resonator such as a constant-stress velocity transformer, a blunt or modified working tip of open channel means or restricted tubular means for application of ultrasonic energy to cellular material, and a capacitive fluid sensor to detect the presence of irrigation fluid adjacent these transformers within the instrument. The surgery is advantageously performed by operating the transducer in the 10-20 kHz range to achieve maximum cavitation of the intracellular fluids in the tissues to be removed.

Abstract: The soft tissue core biopsy instrument comprises a proximal outer barrel member and a distal inner barrel member which is slidably received within the outer barrel member. A cannula driver is slidably received within the distal inner barrel member and has a distally extending cannula fixed thereto. A stylet extends distally from a stylet hub with a stylet hub being removably attached to the proximal outer barrel member. A spring is positioned within the inner barrel member between a proximal wall thereof and a proximal wall of the cannula driver for biasing the cannula driver forwardly and a latching mechanism for latching the cannula driver in a proximally retracted position against the action of spring is also provided. A trigger for unlatching the latching mechanism may be actuated to allow the spring to quickly return to its forwardly biased position, shooting or forcing the cannula driver to a distally extended position, projecting the cannula over said stylet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system, apparatus and method for gathering physiological data. Basic to the system of the present invention is a rigid body mold having preferably a negative impression of the dorsal half of the body. By connecting and/or embedding sensors to the body mold at specific locations, e.g., acclerometers, thermistors, and electrocardiogram electrodes, the sensors will be accurately and reproducibly positioned next to a specific body location each time the subject lies in the body mold. The body mold can be used to insulate the body from external motions thereby facilitating the preparation of a ballistocardiogram. The exact re-positioning of the body in the mold allows exact determination of the center of gravity in the horizontal plane of the body.

Abstract: An electronic estrus detector that may be affixed to the back of a cow comprises a tapeswitch connected to a counter for storage and display of number of mounts by another cow. When a cow mounts another cow equipped with the estrus detector, the impact of the mounting cow upon the monitored cow closes the tapeswitch and increments the counter, such that the contents of the counter indicate the estrus condition of the monitored cow.In a second embodiment, a modified electronic estrus detector indicates estrus condition based upon satisfaction of a mount-second index. A user programs the estrus detector to shwo when a specified number of mounts, coupled with a specified total time duration of all mounts, has occured.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system, apparatus and method for gathering physiological data. Basic to the system of the present invention is a rigid body mold having preferably a negative impression of the dorsal half of the body. By connecting and/or embedding sensors to the body mold at specific locations, e.g., accelerometers, thermistors, and electrocardiogram electrodes, the sensors will be accurately and reproducibly positioned next to a specific body location each time the subject lies in the body mold. The body mold can be used to insulate the body from external motions thereby facilitating the preparation of a ballistocardiogram. The exact re-positioning of the body in the mold allows exact determination of the center of gravity in the horizontal plane of the body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system, apparatus and method for gathering physiological data. Basic to the system of the present invention is a rigid body mold having preferably a negative impression of the dorsal half of the body. By connecting and/or embedding sensors to the body mold at specific locations, e.g., accelerometers, thermistors, and electrocardiogram electrodes, the sensors will be accurately and reproducibly positioned next to a specific body location each time the subject lies in the body mold. The body mold can be used to insulate the body from external motions thereby facilitating the preparation of a ballistocardiogram. The exact re-positioning of the body in the mold allows exact determination of the center of gravity in the horizontal plane of the body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system, apparatus and method for gathering physiological data. Basic to the system of the present invention is a rigid body mold having preferably a negative impression of the dorsal half of the body. By connecting and/or embedding sensors to the body mold at specific locations, e.g., accelerometers, thermistors, and electrocardiogram electrodes, the sensors will be accurately and reproducibly positioned next to a specific body location each time the subject lies in the body mold. The body mold can be used to insulate the body from external motions thereby facilitating the preparation of a ballistocardiogram. The exact re-positioning of the body in the mold allows exact determination of the center of gravity in the horizontal plane of the body.

Abstract: A steerable guidewire for guiding a catheter includes an elongate hollow shaft having a distal core wire mounted at its distal end. The distal core wire tapers in a distal direction and has a flexible distral tip. The core wire is received within a helical coil mounted to the distal end of the guidewire, the distal tip of the core wire being attached to the distal tip of the helical coil. A pull wire extends the length of the guidewire through the hollow shaft and the helical coil and is connected, eccentrically, to the distal tip of the helical coil by a small diameter internal spring, the proximal end of which is attached to the distal end of the pull wire and the distal end of which is attached to the distal end of the helical coil. Pulling on the pull wire causes the distal tip of the guidewire to assume a curved configutation.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring respiration and cardiac activity of a person lying in a bed comprises a bed mounted for polydirectional movement and subjected to a restoring force when the bed is disturbed from its normal position. Pulses originiating from the person are detected by a vertically oriented sensor and a pair of horizontally oriented sensors thereby permitting monitoring of a wide range of respiratory and cardiac activity. In one arrangement, the bed is suspended by cords or on a vertical frame from a bracket. In other arrangements, the bed is variously mounted on a gimbal mechanism, on a support column which passes through a bearing ball, by flotation, and by a universal bearing joint.

Abstract: Applicators for the electrophoretic and/or electro-osmostic dispensing of a medicament across the skin and into the bloodstream of a patient. Each applicator includes two electrodes in electrical contact with the skin with at least one of the electrodes being a drug reservoir, at least one battery, a flexible, non-conductive substrate having an electrically conductive coating extending to electrical contact with each electrode and to the terminals of the battery, the substrate being folded into at least two layers, a cover adhesively secured to the applicator, and a release liner covering and protecting the drug reservoir or reservoirs until use.

Abstract: The soft tissue core biopsy instrument comprises a proximal outer barrel member having a distal end and a proximal end; a distal inner barrel member which is slidably received within said outer barrel member, which has a distal end and a proximal end and which has a stop in said distal end; a cannula driver in said inner barrel member; a cannula extending distally from said inner barrel member, being fixed to said cannula driver, and having a distal tip, said cannula driver being slidably received in and movable within said inner barrel member and said cannula extending a predetermined distance out of a distal end of said inner barrel member when the instrument is in an at-rest condition; a stylet having a distal end, a proximal end, and being removably received in said outer barrel, in said inner barrel, and in said cannula, said distal end having a biopsy sample receiving notch therein; a stylet hub mounted to said proximal end of said stylet; said stylet hub being removably attached to the proximal end of

Abstract: This invention relates to a biopsy forcep for use in a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope. More particularly, this invention is directed to a biopsy forcep having an increased range of operability when used in conjunction with the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope when obtaining tissue samples such as smooth growths in the trachea or main stem bronchii.

Abstract: An extremely simple cervical tissue or mucus sampling device comprising an outer protective sleeve, a guard means, a telescoping insertion tube, a stop means and a tissue or mucus sampling member is disclosed which enables a woman to obtain a sample of cervical tissue or mucus for examination and testing.

Abstract: An apparatus for artificial ventilation for assisting the volumetric breathing of a patient having a demand valve connected between a source of supply of gas and a spontaneous breath tube. This demand valve comprises a reference chamber connected to an expiration tube and a user and to the output of a Venturi tube connected by its inlet to the source of supply of gas. A generator of increasing pressure is provided for transfer of a complementary flow of gas, this generator being connected by its inlet to the source of gas supply and opening out in the upstream end of the Venturi tube assisting the user's exhalation.

Abstract: A swab transport apparatus for storing and transporting to a laboratory a swab containing a sample or specimen such as a micro organism sample. The uncontaminated swab is pre-packaged within a sterile swab storage chamber of the apparatus from which it can conveniently be removed for taking a sample. Disposed proximate the swab storage chamber and in communication therewith, is a squeeze bulb to which a suitable transport medium can be added either at time of manufacture of the device, or shortly prior to use. Following addition of the transport medium the squeeze bulb and the return of the contaminated swab to the apparatus, the squeeze bulb is squeezed to cause the transport medium to flow, preferably via a circuitous path, into the swab storage chamber. The apparatus can then be forwarded to the laboratory for testing with the swab safely immersed within the appropriate transport medium. In an alternate form of the apparatus, a second squeeze bulb is provided.

Abstract: A garment useful for examining for lumps under skin, the garment comprising first and second plies, wherein the first ply is form-fitting; and said first and second plies have contacting surfaces which glide easily over each other so that an effective examination can be conducted. Methods for examining for lumps or irregularities in a surface use principles embodied in the above examination garment.

Abstract: A biopsy needle, for sampling tissue and the like, including a sidewall defining a hollow interior and a sharpened end. The needle has a lanced section which is formed from material of the sidewall itself and defines a rearwardly sloping, rearwardly facing blade disposed within the hollow interior of the needle. Tissue is sampled per insertion of the needle by severing the tissue with the sharpened end, passing the tissue into the hollow interior and slicing the tissue off by rotating the blade through 360 degrees. The sliced off sample is securely held by the blade as the needle is withdrawn.

Abstract: A transdermal drug applicator for application to the skin or membrane of a patient and which is electrically powered. The applicator includes a flexible, non-conductive substrate having a plurality of conductive coated areas. The conductive coated areas include drug reservoir electrodes. The flexible substrate and the conductive coated areas form a single, substantially flat, flexible member. A plurality of separate drug reservoirs are in electrical contact with the drug reservoir electrodes. At least one battery is connected in series with the drug reservoir electrodes. The flexible substrate has opposed flat surfaces, the electrically conductive coated areas being electrically conductive coated areas on the flat surrfaces. Electrical connection between the conductive coated areas in the vicinity of each reservoir is provided by electrically conductive material extending into a single hole, small holes, or slots which extend between the opposed surfaces of the substrate.

Abstract: A fixture for use in establishing electrical contact between a banana plug mounted on a cable and a snap fastener on a disposable skin electrode comprises a bottom flange provided with a sleeve adapted to receive the banana plug. A resiliently expandable through hole formed at the bottom of the fixture makes it possible to snap the fixture over the snap fastener of the skin electrode, with the through hole being of length so that the snap fastener will protrude into the passage and establish electrical contact with a banana plug inserted therein.

Abstract: A vital signs monitor includes an ECG sensor, an oximetric finger probe, a respiration impedance sensor, a respiration strain gauge, and a blood pressure cuff with a pressure sensor. Signals generated by these sensors are processed by a microcomputer which is programmed to cross-reference data from multiple channels in order to improve accuracy. The microcomputer is programmed to select the more regular pulses from the ECG sensor and the finger probe to arrive at a better measure of heart rate. In addition, the microcomputer is programmed to use the strain gauge signal to remove artifacts from the signal generated by the impedance sensor. In this way a more artifact-free measure of respiration rate is obtained. Blood pressure is measured by using timing information derived from pulses sensed by the oximetric finger probe in combination with signals generated by the blood pressure cuff pressure sensor to determine systolic and diastolic pressures of the subject.