Abstract: Methods for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal disorders in human or lower animal subjects comprising the steps of administering to said subject a safe and effective amount of urea and analyzing the breath of said subject for the presence of carbon dioxide or ammonia products of the hydrolysis of said urea, wherein the presence of said hydrolysis products is a positive indication of a gastrointestinal disorder in said subject. Preferably the administered urea contains isotope-labelled nitrogen or carbon.

Abstract: An extendable guidewire system for introducing a dilatation catheter into the cardiovascular system. The guidewire has guidewire and extension sections with a connection therebetween which permits the two sections to be joined together and separated simply by pushing the two sections together and pulling them apart. One of the sections can be used for positioning the catheter within the cardiovascular system, and the other section can be employed to extend the wire to change catheters.

Abstract: A medical electrode intended for short term use has a disposable electrode pad provided with a socket and a reusable electrode conductor which is attached to a lead wire and which has a ridged body adapted to enter and be retained by the socket. The pad includes a pair of spaced foam sheets with patient-contacting adhesive layers on their lower surfaces. An electrolyte gel matrix, preferably formed from conductive adhesive urethane hydrogel, is located between the foam sheets. The socket is formed in a relatively stiff socket plate that overlies the gel matrix and the foam sheets. The socket includes a bore located over the gel matrix shaped to receive the electrode conductor, which is slightly larger than the bore, and may optionally include outwardly extending slits projecting from the bore. A method of manufacturing a strip of the electrode pads on a release liner on a continuous basis is disclosed.

Abstract: A dermal substance collection device (DSCD) is described which provides ms for the non-invasive, instantaneous and continuous monitoring of chemical substances which are present in a detectable amount in either or both interstitial fluid or sweat or which are on or in the skin. The transdermal substance collection device of this invention is comprised of three essential components: (1) a substance binding reservoir, wettable by (2) a liquid transfer medium which allows for liquid bridge transfer of a soluble substance from the skin surface to the binding reservoir by virtue of its wettability by the liquid, and (3) an occlusive cover.

Abstract: The self-inductance sensor disclosed includes a band of distensible material, and a strap of nondistensible material which form in combination a closed loop which circumscribes the object. A conductor is secured to the band of distensible material. The conductor includes two portions each extending from one end of the band to the other and having an irregular repetitive configuration. The conductor portions are symmetrically juxtaposed to one another to form a series of substantially enclosed areas which change shape as the band is distended. The self-inductance of the conductor is measured to indicate the relative extension of the band and thus the change in circumference of the object.

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 method of controlling metastasis of a cancerous tumor in a patient is disclosed. The method comprises administering a perfluorocarbon compound (PFC) emulsion to the patient at intervals of from about 3 to 14 days during a treatment period. PFC emulsion is administered initially in an amount of from about 2 to about 15 milliliters per kilogram of patient body weight. Subsequently administration of PFC emulsion do not exceed about 15 milliliters per kilogram of body weight. Oxygen is administered daily for at least three days following each administration of PFC emulsion & preferably every day during the treatment period. Radiation and/or chemothereapeutic agents may be administered to the patient in conjunction with the administration of PFC emulsion and oxygen.

Abstract: A biopsy forceps device comprises a handle portion an elongate flexible hollow body portion having a proximal end coupled to the handle portion and a distal end. A forceps assembly is coupled to the distal end and includes a pair of forceps. A stylet control wire in the body portion is coupled to the pair of forceps at the distal end of the body portion. A locking hub assembly is coupled between the handle portion and the proximal end of the body around the stylet/control wire and includes a locking hub and locking means for locking the stylet/control wire in an axial position thereof to the locking hub assembly relative to the body portion upon rotation of the locking hub.

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 transcutaneous blood gas sensor has a sensor housing with a central projection, a ring-shaped collar to be attached to the skin and a membrane holder having a membrane stretcher hole. The central projection of the sensor housing fits into the stretcher hole for holding and retaining a membrane in position across the membrane stretcher hole whereby a ring zone of the membrane is clamped between the membrane holder and the ring-shaped collar. The central projection of the sensor body has a spherical end surface, whose radius of spherical curvature is at least twice and not more than six times the inner diameter of the membrane stretcher hole. The spherical end surface contacts a central membrane portion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for controlling the rate of electrokinetic delivery of a drug or drugs through the skin (42) or mucous membrane of a human or animal being by way of a drug reservoir (12) having a pair of electrodes (16,18) positioned in the reservoir (12) that are connected to first (22A) and second (22B) power sources. The first (22A) and second (22B) power sources can be optionally directed to the electrodes (16, 18) to add to or subtract from the second (22B) power source so as to cause variations in the drug reservoir (12) in accordance with the type of drug being administered. The system can include computer (62) directed controls (66) programmed for the particular drug. With such pre-programmed variations in the drug reservoir (12), control of the rate of drug delivery through the skin (42) can be regulated or pre-set by prescription.

Abstract: Apparatus for electronically measuring ligamentous insufficiencies in the knee, the apparatus constructed in an exoskeletal articulating framework that is secured above the knee to the patient's femur and below the knee to the tibia and has substantially skeletal conforming articulating joint members with measuring means for determining the relative motions of tibia to femur.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed having a toe support portion, an arch support portion and a heel support portion, each of which are mounted along a longitudinal axis to be aligned with the elongate dimension of the foot, so as to be engageable with the respective portions thereof. The supports are movable along a vertical axis and rotatable about the longitudinal axis. A displacement means is also provided in coupling engagement with each support portion to displace vertically one of the support portions in response to vertical displacement of another of the support portions. A method is also disclosed for determining the neutral alignment position of a foot, while a further method is provided for ascertaining the condition of the posture of a person.

Abstract: A diagnostic electrode adapted to be affixed to a patient's body for diagnostic medical tests comprising a foam backing layer coated with an adhesive, a tin foil layer bonded to said backing layer and a conductive gel coated on a portion of the tin foil layer. The tin foil layer is of a smaller size than the backing layer and is oriented thereon such that the backing layer forms a U-shaped border around the tin foil layer, to thereby supplement the conductive gel in affixing the electrode to the patient's body. The foam backing layer further provides a surface which a clip, electrically coupled to diagnostic equipment, can securely bite into, in order to securely grip the electrode. A plurality of electrodes are arranged on a release web with their clip tabs intermeshing in side-by-side relation, and extending over a central fold line in the web whereby when the web is folded, the clip tabs are exposed for ease of grasping or securing a lead clip.

Abstract: Apparatus for obtaining a bone biopsy comprising a trocar which includes a guide tube with gripping teeth at one end and a tubular drill which is insertable through the tube. The drill has cutting teeth at its forward end and comprises an outer retaining sheath and an inner retaining sheath which is slidable axially within the outer retaining sheath. The inner retaining sheath consists of two separable longitudinal halves which separate when the inner retaining sheath is removed from the outer retaining sheath by means of an elongated extractor.

Abstract: Apparatus for infusion and removal of samples of blood and other body fluids comprising a blood connection which is connected via a first line to a sample taking means, a pump connected to the first line, a container connected to the first line via a second line and containing an aqueous fluid, a first shut-off means connected into the second line and a control means for activating the first shut-off means and the pump, the control means switching the shut-off means and the blood pump alternately into fluid supply mode and blood removal mode.

Abstract: The sense of touch is enhanced by: (1) placing two layers of a pliable, elastic material between the fingertips and the object being touched; (2) maintaining the coefficient of kinetic friction between the two layers at less than the coefficient between the fingertips and the top layer and less than the coefficient between the object being touched and the bottom layer; and (3) moving the fingertips over the object being touched separated by the two layers of material.

Abstract: This ultrasonic atomizer includes an oscillating member, a means for vibrating the oscillating member at a supersonic frequency, a bottle for liquid storage, with an opening, fitted generally above the oscillating member with regard to the preferred orientation of the atomizer during use, and a nozzle fitted into the opening of the bottle, this nozzle having a tip portion protruding outside the bottle in the generally downwards direction and approached closely to the oscillating member. The nozzle is formed with a fine groove for leading liquid in the bottle downwards to the tip portion of the nozzle by capillary action and by gravitational action, and with an aperture for introducing air from the outside into the bottle. Thereby liquid in the bottle may be properly supplied to the oscillating member to be atomized in a controlled fashion, and interruption of liquid supply and also dribbling of liquid are positively prevented. Constructions for the nozzle and for the bottle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A periodontal probe and recording apparatus for measuring the depth of a pocket formed by the gum (gingival tissue) surrounding a tooth. The periodontal probe and recording apparatus are comprised of a probe tip with a simplified spring tension device electrically connected via a transducer to the recording apparatus. The probe tip reciprocates via a movable arm in a short, easy to clean, sleeve fixed to a probe handle, wherein the probe tip acts against a constant spring tension. With the probe tip resting on the bottom of the pocket, the periodontal probe handle is pressed toward the pocket until the sleeve touches the margin of the gum forming the pocket. The exposed length of the probe tip represents the depth of the pocket. There is a locking mechanism for locking the tip at the measured depth for visual measurement.

Abstract: A biopsy needle assembly comprised of an outer flexible catheter and a reciprocating interior structure on which the needle is mounted. In one embodiment, the needle is directly connected to an internal guide wire. In another, the needle is directly connected to an inner flexible catheter and the guide wire can either extend through the needle or be stopped within the needle. In each embodiment, the needle includes a lateral opening providing a fluid path from the hollow needle, through the catheter, either between the catheter and guide wire or the inner and outer catheters to an outlet at the proximal end of the assembly. The invention also relates to a syringe plunger stop end lock attachment.