Abstract: A spirometer having double rolling seals, each seal comprising an annular elastomeric membrane folded upon itself and arranged between a piston and a cylindircal casing so that the rounded folds of the two membranes face each other. When the piston is fully extended, a major portion of the axial length of one of the membranes extends axially well beyond the rear limits of the piston; however, that membrane is nevertheless retained alongside the inner surface of the casing, and does not collapse inwardly into the path of return movement of the piston, because of a protective effect provided by the second membrane. Additional assurance against inward collapse may be achieved by depressurizing the annular space between the opposing membranes. A serpentine leaf spring returns the piston to its zero position and is configured and arranged to provide diminishing resistance with increasing forward travel of the piston.

Abstract: A dermal substance collection device (DSCD) is described which provides means 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: An electrode adapted to be utilized within the external ear canal for applying/recording electrical signals to/from the neural/neuromuscular system of a person having an external ear canal and adjacent tympanic membrane. The electrode utilizes an elongated flexible body having a proximate end and a distal end. The elongated flexible body is stiff enough to be inserted into the external ear canal but is flexible enough to bend if the electrode is inserted against the tympanic membrane without rupturing the tympanic membrane. A compressible material is mounted at the distal end of the body and an electrically conductive gel is carried by the compressible material. An electrical conductor communicates with the body and electrically couples the conductive gel to the proximate end of the electrode.

Abstract: A small plastic connector is provided with a unique electrical contact mounted in one jaw of the connector to mate with an angled edge on the other jaw of the connector to crimp and securely grip a thin, flat, flexible electrode in the connector while making good electrical contact. The jaws and the contact are further constructed so that the conductive surface on the electrode is pressed into engaging with a large contact surface.

Abstract: In a device for obtaining a smear sample from a body cavity, in particular the uterus mouth or cervix, a plurality of substantially parallel flexible bristles (3) is connected to a carrier (2) provided at one end of a stem (1). In order to ensure that cells from all the portions of the body cavity are sampled the bristles (3) extend substantially parallel to the stem (1) and the bristles (3) each have at least one longitudinal sharp edge (6). The said sharp edge (6) is adapted to scrape cells from the body cavity when the device is rotated about the stem axis.

Abstract: An apertured flexible body electrode is first adhesively affixed to the external clean and dry body surface of a living subject. Thereafter, electrode gels or other preparations are inserted through the aperture(s) into the interface between the electrode and the subject's body surface. The apertures may thereafter be closed (e.g., with an adhesive-backed covering) to prevent subsequent leakage of the electrode gel or other preparation.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining a core sample includes an elongate guide pin and a hollow drill element. The drill element has an open front end provided with a cutting edge and an open rear end provided with an axial engagement structure for engaging an associated driving tool. A longitudinal aperture extends from the front end of the drill element to the rear end with the aperture having a smooth uninterrupted interior periphery throughout at least a major portion of its length. A spacer slug is adapted to be positioned in the drill element longitudinal aperture. The spacer slug has a centrally disposed aperture extending longitudinally therethrough and sized so that the guide pin can extend therethrough. The spacer slug has a suitable outer diameter so that it can slide in the drill element longitudinal aperture.

Abstract: A needle aspiration biopsy device in the form of an external guide catheter having a distal end closed with a rapidly opening and closing valve. A syringe is disposed proximally of the guide catheter and has connected thereto a needle catheter which is telescopically received within the guide catheter. The needle catheter is made of an elongated tube mounting a needle at its distal end. A proximal seal seals the proximal end of the guide catheter and sealingly receives the needle catheter. The needle catheter extends to the distal end of the guide catheter and has a withdrawn position wherein the needle end thereof lies proximally of the valve in the distal end of the guide catheter and an extended position wherein the needle end thereof projects through and distally outwardly of the valve. A source of fluid is connected to the bore within the guide catheter at a location between the proximal seal and the distal valve.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held tympanometer that has the capability of performing the tympanometry and of displaying and storing the test results all within the hand-held instrument. A separate unit that is not in any way attached to the tympanometer during the testing is provided to print the test results and to recharge the tympanometer battery. The tympanometer has a body portion and a head portion to which a speculum is attached, the speculum being adapted to engage the canal of the ear being examined in sealed relation thereto. A speaker in the speculum transmits acoustic signals into the ear canal and a microphone in the speculum receives the signals that are reflected back through the canal by the tympanic membrane. A pressure transducer is located in the head portion of the tympanometer, and a miniature pump located in the body portion operates to introduce a range of pressures into the ear canal while the acoustic signals are being transmitted and received.

Abstract: A bone biopsy arrangement especially suited for use in obtaining axial skeleton trephine samples from the spinal vertebra centrum of a living test specimen in a safe and rapid manner. The disclosed arrangement uses radiographic mapping, precise mechanical control of the trephine with an apparatus disclosed in detail, conventional trephine energizing and a test speciment such as a rhesus monkey. Improved quality plural samples from a single test subject that were heretofore considered too inaccessible and dangerous for practicality are achieved.

Abstract: In order to counteract coagulation of a blood sample which is collected from an animal or a human body (24) and introduced into a receptacle, such as a syringe chamber (14), an anticoagulant is added to the sample within the receptacle. The anticoagulant may be capable of binding cation species in the blood, which are subsequently to be measured. Such cation species comprise hydrogen ions, ammonium ions, alkaline metal ions such as potassium and sodium ions, and alkaline earth metal ions such as magnesium and calcium ions. In order to compensate for the proportions of selected cation species which are bound by the anticoagulant, an additive containing such cation species is added to the blood sample so as to obtain substantially the same concentration of the selected cation species in an unbound condition in the anticoagulant treated blood sample as in the untreated blood sample.

Abstract: Orientable endovascular sound for the exploration of the arteries. Between the head and the body, the sound has a zone of articulation, in which there are bellows which can be inflated by a fluid to produce the orientation of the head in a radial direction opposite the inflated bellows.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for use in conducting an electroencephalographic (EEG) test where the apparatus includes a headset suitable for placement on the head of a subject to be tested. A plurality of electrodes are mounted on the headset at pre-determined positions about the headset. The electrodes are preferably mounted to the headset by the use of a resilient material, preferably a resilient wire or plastic mesh which is bonded to both the electrode assembly and to the headset.Each of the electrode assemblies include a separate air cylinder for displacing the electrode in the direction of the subject's head upon the application of additional air pressure into the cylinder. A bellows arrangement is provided within each air cylinder for effecting displacement of the electrode.Means are further provided for dispensing a predetermined amount of an electrolytic material from an external source of electrolyte, through the electrode, to the point of contact between the electrode and the subject's head.

Abstract: The invention contemplates dose-integrating instrumentation which relies upon continuously monitoring the illuminance level of a small sampling fraction of the total projected-light flux of the field-illuminating system of an operating microscope, the sampling being optionally within the projection system, or taken elsewhere. The sampled illuminance is in the form of an electrical signal which is continuously time-integrated to provide a continuous display of the dosage as it builds in the course of an operative procedure. Provision is made for the surgeon to preset what he chooses to be the safe upper limit of integrated exposure, beyond which he does not wish to go for fear of possible jeopardy to the retina of his patient, and the instrument continuously indicates the remaining time for him to complete his operation, should he continue at the current level of illumination.

Abstract: A meter (10) for measuring cervical dilation during labor includes rings (20 and 22) that fit at the bases of the user's fingers (24 and 26). Pivot arms (14 and 16) mount the rings (20 and 22) at one end and a scale and indicator (30) at the other end. Scale indicia indicate the separation of the rings. Ring separation can be translated into the separation of the finger tips and thus into cervical dilation.

Abstract: A medical instrument such as a defibrillator that includes first and second hand-held electrodes for applying an electric shock to a patient, wherein the two electrodes are respectively adapted for right and left-handed use. Each electrode comprises an elongated member (62) adapted for gripping by the fingers of an operator's hand, an actuator (26) positioned adjacent one end of the elongated member, and blocking means (52) positioned adjacent one side of the elongated member. The blocking means is adapted to hinder an operator from gripping the elongated member with one of the operator's hands while simultaneously positioning the thumb of that hand adjacent the actuator. The electrode is therefore adapted for either left-handed or right-handed use. The blocking means may comprise one sidewall (52) of a cup-shaped depression (50), and the elongated member may comprise a handle (62) spanning the cup-shaped depression in a direction parallel to the sidewall.

Abstract: A waterproof electrode assembly with a transmitter for recording an electrocardiogram, in which the electrodes can reliably be attached on the outer surface of a human body due to bonding force of the adherent sheet and the sucking force caused by returning action of a cup-shaped suction disk to its original shape, the electrodes are not separated from the body even during severe exercise in the water, such as swimming. The waterproofness of the electrode assembly is reliable and durable, and the electrocardiogram of the living body during swimming can be efficiently and accurately recorded, no current leakage phenomenon occurs, the entanglement of the cable with legs and arms can be removed.

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 an improved ballistocardiograph system, apparatus and method. Basic to the system of the present invention is a first rigid individualized mold having preferably a negative impression of the dorsal half of the body. The body mold rigidizes the body thereby facilitating the preparation of a ballistocardiogram. Additional rigidizing is provided by a second rigid mold, connected to the first mold, having preferably an exact negative impression of the ventral half of the body. The system can also include means for substantially eliminating artifacts created by movements of the body mold not caused by the subject.

Abstract: A biomedical electrode comprising a flexible electrode plate which conforms to the skin surface of a living body, and an electrically conductive adhesive layer which fixes the electrode plate on the skin surface and transmits an electric signal from the living body to said electrode plate, wherein a non-contact area to which said conductive adhesive layer is not substantially bonded is formed on the electrode plate and an electrically conductive tongue for connecting a terminal which takes said electric signal from the living body to a biomedical diagnostic apparatus is provided on the non-contact area by forming cut thereon.