Abstract: A microelectronic ionized device for curing oral cavity diseases being a special kind of toothbrush comprising a brush head, brush handle and a cavity in the handle for retaining a battery. A group of special bristles serving as a cathode at the brush head is connected in series with the battery and a metal plate which serves as an anode adjacent the brush head. During toothbrushing, saliva and/or ionized toothpaste fills the space between the cathode and anode to form a return circuit. When this occurs the trace elements in the special bristle releases ions essential for cementosis while at the same time produces a microcurrent to stimulate such soft tissues as the oral cavity and gums, thus achieving an effect of physical massage. Consequently, various kinds of diseases of the oral cavity are cured. The use of ionized toothpaste enhances the curing effect.

Abstract: An insert head (102) is tightly inserted in the rearward end of a commercially available ampoule (101) equipped with a plunger (100). A galvanic, gas-generating cell is arranged in the insert head (102). The plunger (100) is driven forward by the gas generated by this cell. A throttle device (103) constituted by a capillary tube is connected to the Luer's syringe (109) of the ampoule (101), the infusion fluid driven out by the plunger (100) flowing through this throttle means into a catheter (104).

Abstract: A suction irrigation device for use in the lumbar interspace following conventional discectomy is disclosed. The device has an inflatable cuff to seal the interspace opening and permit the evacuation of residual disc fragments through a closed system so as to assure that such debris does not find its way into the spinal canal.

Abstract: A device to prevent the spread of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome virus or AIDS comprises an elastic belt worn around the hips or mid-body portion of a male person. From the belt depends a tab and means for securing thereto a condom which means is removable after sexual intercourse.In an improved device according to the invention, a grip is carried by the belt and is connectable to the condom.

Abstract: A method for the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in a patient, comprises visually observing the size of the patient's nasal airway, administering a solution of up to 0.5% histamine to the patient's nasal airway, and after a predetermined time interval, again visually observing the size of the patient's nasal airway to determine whether or not it has become substantially blocked, the blocking of the patient's nasal airway indicating the patient is suffering from allergic rhinitis. Also described is a kit for the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in a patient, comprising a first nasal spray container containing a solution of 0.05% histamine; and a second nasal spray container containing a solution of 0.5% histamine.

Abstract: A device for administering oral fluid to a patient from a container (18) has a nipple (14) connected to the container (18) by a tube (16). The nipple (14) is held on the patient's tongue. A valve (22) opens in response to the patient sucking or pressing the nipple to initiate a flow of fluid in the tube (16). A detector (92) responds to this flow and switches on a peristaltic pump (90) for a period determined by the setting of a controller (102) to deliver positively a suitable bolus of 2 to 6 ml to the patient. To give the patient time to swallow the bolus, the detector (92) is inhibited for a predetermined delay period after termination of the bolus and over the same delay period, the tube (16) remains pinched or clamped.

Abstract: A flexible assembly for use with a fiberoptic endoscope to collect tissue specimens from a site within the human body. The assembly includes a flexible outer catheter provided with a metal tip at its distal end, a flexible stylet, and a control structure at the proximal end of the catheter to control movement of the stylet within and axially along the catheter and for the introduction of fluids to the collection site and/or withdrawal of fluids within the catheter from the collection site. The stylet has a distal end provided with a brush terminating with a needle point or a looped type end at its distal end. The brush will be movable through an incision in tissue produced by the needle point allowing penetration through the body cavity wall into a tumor or lesion located therebeyond. The stylet can also include a coiled spring for providing a flexible connection between the control structure and the tissue collection device.

Abstract: A guiding member for use as an independent guidewire or as an integral part of a low-profile steerable dilatation catheter. The guiding member has an elongated main hollow tubular member, a tubular extension preferably made of polyimide secured to the distal end of the tubular member, a core member which is secured by the proximal end thereof within the inner lumen of the main tubular member and which extends through and out the distal end of the tubular extension and a flexible body, such as a helical coil, disposed about and secured to the distal portion of the core member which extends out the distal end of the tubular extension. The transverse cross-sectional area of the core member disposed within the inner lumen of the main tubular member should be at least 10%, preferably at least 25% less than the transverse cross-sectional area of the inner lumen of the main tubular member.

Abstract: A guide wire assembly comprising a guide wire with first and second conductors which extend along the length thereof. The guide wire also comprises a flexible cable having first and second conductors which extend along the length thereof. A connector assembly is provided for interconnecting the flexible cable to said guide wire and interconnecting the conductors carried thereby. The connector assembly includes a male connector with a sleeve and a conductive core which is mounted in the sleeve. An insulator is mounted in the sleeve and insulates the conductive core from the sleeve. A conductive band is carried by the insulator and is spaced from the sleeve. The first and second conductors are disposed within the sleeve. The first connector is connected to the conductive core and the second conductor is connected to the conductive band.

Abstract: A guide wire assembly comprising a flexible guide wire having a diameter of 0.018 inches or less and having a connector assembly. The connector assembly includes male and female connectors. The male connector includes a conductive coil spring and a core wire which extends beyond the conductive coil. The female connector includes a recess for receiving the core wire as well as a conductive element for engaging the coil spring.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for acquiring physiological signals, comprising a flexible substrate having a bottom surface and a top surface, means forming a plurality of electrodes at the bottom surface of the substrate and each electrode having a bottom surface facing away from the substrate, an electrical connector fixed to the substrate and having a plurality of connector elements, a plurality of flexible conductors fixed on the substrate and connecting the electrodes to the connector elements, a layer of conductive adhesive on the bottom surface of each electrode; and an adhesive layer on at least a portion of the bottom surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A guidewire or guiding element for vascular catheters, particularly balloon dilatation catheters having an elongated core member with a tapered distal portion with a flexible length of interfitting links on the tapered distal portion. The individual links generally comprise a base with an aperture therein and a plurality of upwardly extending arms with the ends of the arms bent inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the flexible length to engage the base of an adjacent link. Improved flexibility and torquability are provided by the flexible length of interfitting links.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the determination of the presence of a psychedelic state in a person, wherein the test subject is presented with a three-dimensional, stereoscopically inverted image of an object and there is determined whether said subject sees this image convexly or concavely within a predetermined period of time.The present invention also provides an arrangement for the determination of the presence of a psychedelic state and especially of one due to the influence of a psychedelic drug, comprising a combination(a) of a device for the presenting of a three-dimensional image,(b) of at least one image which, in the device (a), depicts three-dimensionally an object in stereoscopically inverted representation and(c) at least one image which depicts the subject of image (b) in natural three-dimensional form.

Abstract: The apparatus serves for triggering optically evoked responses in the patient, and the response is acquired by means of a measuring equipment. The apparatus comprises a stimulation signal generator having a surface on which an optical stimulation signal is displayed, a waveguide having a first end and a second end, a first lens system for imaging the signal on the surface into the first end of the waveguide, a second lens system arranged at the second end for imaging the image at the second end onto a presentation surface and a mount for mounting the second lens system and presentation surface a fixed distance from the patient's eyes. In order to reduce possible magnetic interference with the measuring equipment, at least the mount, the second lens system and the waveguide are formed of non-magnetic material.

Abstract: A pressure monitoring guidewire and method of using the same for a coronary procedure such as angioplasty, angiography, or valvuloplasty. The guidewire has a main tubular member and a more flexible tubular extension with one or more pressure monitoring ports on the distal end thereof. The distal end portion of the guidewire is advanced beyond the distal end of the dilatation catheter, with the pressure monitoring port in a portion of the coronary anatomy where pressure is to be monitored. With the guidewire so positioned, the pressure in the desired portion of the coronary anatomy is measured at the proximal end of the guidewire through the proximal opening in the main tubular member.

Abstract: A catheter for endocardial biopsy comprises a distal portion provided with biopsy forceps including two jaws which are movable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position, and means which are operable from the proximal end of the catheter for causing the movement of the jaws. The two jaws of the forceps are of electrically conductive material, are insulated from each other, and are connected respectively to two terminals situated at the proximal end of the catheter so that, when the jaws are in their open position, they can be used as electrodes for identifying the point of origin of a ventricular arrhythmia. It is thus possible to carry out an endocardial biopsy in apparently normal patients with ventricular arrhythmia, tissue samples being taken both in correspondence with the zone of origin of the arrhythmia and in correspondence with other zones, immediately after the identification of the zone of origin.

Abstract: A home diagnosis device for vaginal yeast infections comprising a support stick; a swab having loosely woven fibers attached to one end of the support stick; a growth media for culturing and diagnosing vaginal yeast infection infiltrated between the loosely woven fibers of the swab. A home diagnosis device for vaginal yeast infections comprising: an outer tube; a cap, detachably connected to one end of the outer tube; a swab element having loosely woven fibers; a growth media for culturing and diagnosing vaginal yeast infection infiltrated between the loosely woven fibers of the swab element; and a holder for the swab element slideably mounted inside the outer tube.

Abstract: The present invention briefly refers to a driving unit for a device for tissue-sampling. The device comprises in addition to the driving unit a needle unit comprising a hollow outer needle and slidably disposed therein an inner needle, the driving unit being used to propel the needles. The driving unit comprises a driving device device for each mechanism adapted to be pre-tensioned. The driving unit in addition comprises an inner guide sleeve containing two successive needle holders adapted to be shifted in relation to each other in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve and adapted to be pretensioned in the same direction for propelling the needles with the aid of one spring each and which are provided with releasable locking means. A manual triggering device is provided for releasing the one needle holder which in turn is adapted during the final phase of its propulsion to release the other needle holder.

Abstract: A diagnostic method or process is disclosed for determining one or more parameters which are characteristic of the adhesiveness of blood platelets of a human patient. A blood sample is collected from a venipuncture of a patient through a filter which comprises a load of glass beads or spheres placed in a medically acceptable plastic, polyvinyl or like, tube. The time is measured that it takes for a predetermined volume of the sample to be collected through the filter. For control, a blood sample is also collected without passing the sample through a filter. The number of platelets per unit volume in each sample is determined by conventional counting techniques. From the measured platelet counts and the measured time period, the rate (in platelet count per second) is calculated at which the filter apparatus retains the blood platelets of the patient. The percentage of the retained platelets as compared to the unfiltered blood sample is also calculated.

Abstract: A monitoring belt which comprises at least one sensing element acting in the longitudinal direction of deformation of the belt enables abdominal muscular activity to be detected. The sensing element is connected to an electronic circuit for evaluation, treatment and/or recording of data supplied by the sensing element. The resultant evaluation enables an alarm or safety system to be triggered.