Abstract: A therapeutic wrap that can be releasably connected to a body has one or more chambers for holding one or more discrete hot or cold members. Openings into the chambers and connectors for holding the wrap to the body are provided so that the hot or cold member(s) can be accessed in the chamber(s) without substantially moving the wrap relative to the body to which it is connected.

Abstract: The invention presents an apparatus and a method for core body warming of hypothermic mammals. The apparatus has an enclosing element to be placed around a predetermined body portion of a mammal in a vacuum-tight manner and a vacuum system connected to the enclosing element for generating and maintaining a predetermined negative pressure, preferably between -20 mmHg and -80 mmHg, inside the enclosing element. A heating unit delivers a thermal energy while the vacuum system is maintaining the predetermined negative pressure. The simultaneous application of thermal energy and negative pressure produces vasodilation which promotes absorption of the thermal energy through the surface of the body portion. The circulatory system of the mammal naturally carries the thermal energy to the core body of the mammal.

Abstract: A coagulation timer device is used to monitor the bleeding time of a patient to determine the amount of time required to achieve clotting. The coagulation timer device includes a carrier member, a linearly oriented absorbing medium which is affixed to the carrier member and a bag member which overlays the carrier member and the medium. The medium, such as filter paper or the like, is used to blot blood from an incision which has been formed through the skin. The medium is affixed to the carrier member and includes a plurality of segments each of which are defined by a scalloped edge portion which extends beyond the edges of the carrier member. The segments are used one at a time at predetermined intervals to blot the blood by touching the scalloped edge to the blood.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging a portion of the body tissue comprises support for a portion of the tissue, and a force applying member that tends to deform the tissue relative to a reference position, while at the same time a pressure pattern distribution is generated indicating areas of greater pressure which are a function of the amount of deformation and localized portions of the tissue being deformed.

Abstract: A source wire for delivery of a radioactive source to the site of a deep body tumor via a relatively narrow passageway includes a relatively thin elongate flexible tube, a solid core running through substantially the entire length of the tube and at least slightly beyond one end of it to strengthen it against collapse while maintaining its flexibility, and a relatively short rigid sleeve overlying the exposed portion of the core and abutting that end of the tube. The sleeve extends at least slightly beyond the otherwise exposed core to accept insertion of the cylindrical filament-like radioactive source to abut against the core. The outer diameter of the sleeve is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the tube and to that of a sheath which overlies the radioactive source and abuts against the end of the sleeve opposite to that abutting the end of the tube. The sleeve is welded to the core and crimped onto the radiactive source for substantially permanent engagement therebetween.