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.

Abstract: A guidewire advancement system for inserting catheter guidewires into blood vessels, and more particularly a guidewire dispensing system for the controlled sterile insertion of a coiled spring guidewire to avoid infection of the patient. The system provides for the transmission of an electrical signal by the guidewire to determine its location within the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device intended for monitoring the carbon dioxide output, oxygen consumption and respiration quotient of a patient connected to a respirator. The device comprises O.sub.2 (15) and CO.sub.2 (14) analyzers, a mixing chamber (6), a constant flow fan (8), a gas collector hose (2) and magnetic valves (10-13). The carbon dioxide output and oxygen consumption are directly calculated from the carbon dioxide content of gas mixed with constant air flow from said mixing chamber, from the carbon dioxide and oxygen contents of the gas in said mixing chamber, and from the oxygen content of the gas delivered into a patient by said respirator.

Abstract: Guidewire insertion method and apparatus. A guidewire can be inserted into an obstructed blood vessel. A proximal portion of the guidewire is driven back and forth at high speed by a hand-held drive unit containing a battery, a D.C. motor and a transmission that converts rotating motor output shaft motion to reciprocating back and forth movement of a clamp that engages the guidewire. The guidewire moves back and forth at high speed within a catheter and a distal guidewire tip engages the obstruction with a ramming back and forth action to form a pilot passageway through the obstruction.

Abstract: A biopsy device including a two- or multi-lumen biopsy cannula has a biopsy channel of constant cross section over its entire length and at least one application channel. On its proximal end, it is provided with connection facilities for an aspiration device and at least one application device. In order to enable the collection of tissue specimens of an unchanged structure with the most careful handling possible of the tissue and the application of auxiliary substances into the puncture channel without tissue specimens getting into the application cannula and obstructing the same, the cutting edge is formed by an acute-angularly designed end of the biopsy channel wall alone. At least one application channel is formed by a tube eccentrically slipped over the biopsy channel wall. The biopsy channel wall projects out of the tube with its cutting edge and the tube end encloses an obtuse angle with the biopsy channel.

Abstract: Process for transferring medicine through a patient's skin in which a first pair of electrodes is supported in a first container and the container is filled with the medicine in an electrolytic solution. A patient's foot is immersed in the solution in the first container in contact with the electrodes and a voltage is applied to the electrodes to facilitate the delivery of medicine across the patient's skin. A second pair of electrodes is supported in a second container and the second container is filled with the medicine in an electrolytic solution. Another portion of the patient's skin is exposed to the second pair of electrodes, medicine and electrolyte to receive the medicine. Related apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and assembly for inserting a plurality of sensors into a biological fluid vessel for diagnosing the condition of the vessel or fluid. A pressure sensor is described which is particularly adapted for use with a steerable guidewire for selective positioning in the vessel. In one application, the method is used in coronary diagnosis, to determine the pressure gradient across a coronary valve or stenosis in the coronary arterial tree. In this method, a guiding catheter is percutaneously inserted with its distal end proximate the ostium. A guidewire is inserted through the guiding catheter and subselectively positioned in a region of interest in the coronary arterial tree. Multiple pressure sensors are then threaded down the guidewire and positioned in the region of interest. Advantageously, such pressure sensors are approximately 3 French in diameter, allowing multiple sensors to be threaded through the guiding catheter and positioned in the small arteries of the coronary arterial tree.

Abstract: A device for preventing snoring of a sleeping person comprises an arrangement (5-9) for detecting snoring sounds and an apparatus (17) controlled by this arrangement and adapted to influence the person to stop snoring. The arrangement has a sound-receiving microphone (5) and at least one frequency filter (6, 8), arranged to deliver signals deriving from sounds with frequencies typical for snoring sounds in order to determine if the present sound derives from snores. The arrangement further comprises a circuit (10-14) for determining if the signals delivered by the microphone are periodically appearing at time intervals, which are typical for snores. The circuit comprises a counter (13) which is arranged to count the number of snores. The arrangement (5-14) of the device is adapted to send activating control pulses to the apparatus when the counter (13) has detected a predetermined number of successive snores with the time intervals.

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 head holder for holding the head of a human subject while imparting to it an acceleration. The holder comprises a helmet-like member at least partly surrounding subject's head, which helmet-like member is adapted to be set in motion by drive means and is provided with at least one head-clamping member appliable to selected locations on the subject's head. The head-clamping member is adapted to transfer the accelerating force produced by the drive means to the head. The arrangement being such that an effective component of the accelerating force applied by the head-clamping member to the head via selected locations thereon acts on the skull bone underneath the locations. A method for examining the vestibular system of a human subject is also described.

Abstract: A guidewire suited for inserting both diagnostic and therapeutic catheters. The guidewire has an initial uniform diameter segment that is coated with Telfon along a majority of its length. This core station tapers along a uniform portion to a second constant diameter segment surrounded by a flexible spring tip. The core again tapers in a region where the flexible spring separates from the core. The core is then flattened to increase flexibility within the flexible spring and the flattened core and spring are brazed together at a extreme distal tip portion to form a hemispherical distal guidewire tip.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an outer hollow cannula including a valve structure is adapted to receive inner instrument elements for performing the procedures of thoracentesis and plueral biopsy. The cannula comprises: a hollow cylindrical body including a longitudinally directed circular lumen; proximal attachment means; and the valve structure being interposed along the length of the cannula lumen. The valve structure includes a cylindrical member being interposed perpendicularly along the path of the cannula lumen, being rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cannula lumen, and further includes a short lumen having the same diameter as the cannula lumen and being rotatable to be concentric with the cannula lumen or being rotatable to be perpendicular to the cannula lumen. For performing the thoracentesis procedure, the cannula also comprises a distal circular annular surface.

Abstract: A steerable catheter guide comprised of an outer tube and an inner member surrounded by and rotatable with respect to said outer tube is disclosed. The steerable catheter guide also includes a formable member bonded to said inner member and said outer tube in the area of their respective distal ends. This design causes any rotation of the inner member with respect to the outer member to impart a torque directly to the distal end of the guide making steering much easier and less erratic.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an outer hollow cannula including a valve structure is adapted to receive inner instrument elements for performing the procedures of thoracentesis and plueral biopsy. The cannula comprises: a hollow cylindrical body including a longitudinally directed circular lumen; proximal attachment means; and the valve structure being interposed along the length of the cannula lumen. The valve structure includes a cylindrical member being interposed perpendicularly along the path of the cannula lumen, being rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cannula lumen, and further includes a short lumen having the same diameter as the cannula lumen and being rotatable to be concentric with the cannula lumen or being rotatable to be perpendicular to the cannula lumen. For performing the thoracentesis procedure, the cannula also comprises a distal circular annular surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the control and prevention of bruxing (nocturnal teeth grinding) which comprises a sound generating means affixed to one area of the face of the user, a sound receiving means affixed to another area of the face, and an electronic control means to "read" signals from said sound receiver and to activate an alarm when bruxing occurs. Said apparatus utilizes the principle of bone conduction whereby the sonic vibrations from said second generator are transmitted to said sound receiver bottom when the jaw of the user is closed than when it is open. The alarm develops a conditioned reflex in the user such that after the first few alarms incident to bruxing the user does not awaken but merely reacts by relaxing the jaw when the alarm occurs.

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: According to the present invention, an outer hollow cannula including a valve structure is adapted to receive inner instrument elements for performing the procedures of thoracentesis and plueral biopsy. The cannula comprises: a hollow cylindrical body including a longitudinally directed circular lumen; proximal attachment means; and the valve structure being interposed along the length of the cannula lumen. The valve structure includes a cylindrical member being interposed perpendicularly along the path of the cannula lumen, being rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cannula lumen, and further includes a short lumen having the same diameter as the cannula lumen and being rotatable to be concentric with the cannula lumen or being rotatable to be perpendicular to the cannula lumen. For performing the thoracentesis procedure, the cannula also comprises a distal circular annular surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dream retrieval method and system including the physiological monitoring of a sleeping subject, the analysis of recurring behavioral parameters, the application of suitable algorithms to the observed parameters and, subject stimulation in response to algorithm deductions. In the preferred embodiment, gross body motions and postural changes are both analyzed in magnitude and regularity. Upon recognizing recurring body motions indicative of a dream cycle, the device establishes a time window during which the completion of the next dream should occur. If physiological behavior indicative of dreaming is discovered within the time window, the subject is awakened. As a result of this timely awakening, the subject obtains greater dream recall than is normally possible and may optionally record dream content.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembly and disassembly of interchangeable surgical acoustic members includes a fixture for securing by a key a handpiece to which a tip and/or extender is attached. A torquing wrench has a tightening head and an untightening head on the same body, wherein the tightening head permits torquing of the tip and/or extender to a predetermined tightening torque in cooperation with a socket having a central bore therethrough so that the wrench and socket may be slid over an axially elongated combination and used at a point intermediate along the length thereof. In use, the handpiece is secured in the handpiece fixture and receives the tip and/or extender in a handtightened condition to be torqued to a predetermined limit by the torquing wrench while secured against rotation in the handpiece fixture. A table support structure for supporting a handpiece fixture for an alternative operation is also disclosed.