Abstract: An inflatable blood pressure cuff is pressurized with a vapor which is produced by heating a fluid which has a boiling point between 290.degree. K. and 340.degree. K. with an electric heating element. The heating element may comprise a PTC resistor which is disposed within the fluid. A piezoresistive element may also be disposed in the fluid to detect pressure pulses associated with Korotkoff sound.

Abstract: A thoracostomy tube provides a pumping arrangement associated with the tube for removing blood and like fluids which enter the tube from the chest cavity area. An elongated tube for conveying liquids is provided, a portion of the tube being insertable, at least in part, into the thoracic cavity area of a patient during a thoracostomy. A valve, which can be, for example, a Heimlich valve, is associated with the tube and is mounted in the distal end portion which is placed into the lung cavity area during the thoracostomy. The valve allows fluids to flow into the tube under the urging of only the pressure normally experienced within the lung cavity. Once fluids pass from the lung cavity area into the tube through the valve, they are removed by a vacuum which is created at the outlet portion of the valve.

Abstract: An elongated, elastic tube provides a brace for wrapping about a person's knee or other part of the body. The brace is wrapped about the knee in a criss-cross fashion wherein four diagonal members intersect at four points surrounding the knee cap, i.e., top, bottom and each side. The brace is held in place by tape, VELCRO or other fastening means, and may be solid or inflated with air or another suitable fluid until a comfortable, protective pressure is reached within the elongated tube. When properly positioned and filled, the brace supports the knee or other body member, and also provides a protective cover which withstands otherwise injurious impacts. The basic wrap may be incorporated into a single unit having a criss-cross wrap outline integrally formed and adapted to be wrapped in a single unit.

Abstract: The closure part is formed by a flat plug which is longitudinally displaceable within a nipple of the suction bottle, the flat plug being displaceable from its basic position on the outside of transverse openings of the nipple, past the transverse openings, into its closing position just in front of the inner end of the nipple, in which closing position it is located at a greater distance from the transverse openings than the length between an end edge and sealing place of a drainage-tube connecting plug serving as a ram for the flat plug.

Abstract: Irrigation-aspiration fluid flow systems, including the electronic controls therefor, are disclosed for use with surgical removal of a cataracted lens of an eye of a human or animal. Irrigation flow is provided by gravitational forces and is primarily controlled thereby. Aspiration flow is accomplished by a vacuum pump in conjunction with high and low pressure relief valves. The system provides for purging of air from the irrigation and aspiration flow lines prior to surgery. Flashing pilot lights and on-off pilot lights indicate the readiness of the system for use during surgery and assures that the proper mode of operation will be achieved upon activation of a foot switch controlled by the operating surgeon.

Abstract: An apparatus for the correction of scoliotic curvature of the spinal column. A Harrington distraction rod engages a concave side of the curvature of the spinal column and a Harrington compression rod engages a convex side of the curvature of the spinal column. A tensioning device engages the Harrington distraction rod and the Harrington compression rod so that the rods may be drawn toward each other or otherwise held in position with respect to each other. The tensioning device is comprised of a transverse threaded rod having a basket hook at an end thereof. The threaded rod engages the basket hook via a swivel connection which allows the transverse rod to rotate about its longitudinal axis within the basket hook. The other end of the threaded rod has a knurled end to facilitate handling.

Abstract: An automatic digital backfat meter. An apparatus and method primarily for measuring the thickness of backfat in an animal which automatically adjusts sensitivity and notifies the user when a proper reading is obtained. The transducer (62) produces pulses which pass amplifier (64), threshold detector (68), and are counted in counter (74). If two counts are received, indicator (76) is activated. If two counts are not received, the cycle is repeated and the amplifier (64) has its gain increased by sensitivity control (66) in a stepwise increment until indicator light (76) is activated. Time delay (78) prevents the first echo from being counted at counter (74).

Abstract: An automatic digital backfat meter. An apparatus and method primarily for measuring the thickness of backfat in an animal which automatically adjusts sensitivity and notifies the user when a proper reading is obtained. The transducer (62) produces pulses which pass amplifier (64), threshold detector (68), and are counted in counter (74). If two counts are received, indicator (76) is activated. If two counts are not received, the cycle is repeated and the amplifier (64) has its gain increased by sensitivity control (66) in a stepwise increment until the first fat layer is detected. Time delay (78) prevents the first echo from being counted at counter (74).

Abstract: The present invention comprises a vacuum cup having a concave undersurface on which is mounted a doppler flow transducer. A vacuum tube is in communication with the undersurface of the cup and is capable of removing the air from beneath the suction cup so as to permit the suction cup to be clamped over an artery or other vessel. The device is used by activating the transducer to cause it to transmit a sound signal into the artery. The secondary or echo sounds created by this sound signal are sensed by the transducer and the transducer converts these secondary sound signals into electrical signals which are transmitted to means for analyzing the signals so as to determine the velocity of fluid flow within the vessel.

Abstract: A pulse rate monitor for use while exercising. A clothespin type finger clip remote from the counting and display unit grips the user's finger in a predictable, mechanically stable manner. A light emitting diode, strobed to reduce battery drain, transmits infrared radiation through the finger, and electronic circuitry monitors the modulation of radiation caused by changes in capillaries with each heart beat. The circuitry includes an active load for the phototransistor, which, by means of bandpass filtered feedback, enhances heart beat signal and reduces sensitivity to ambient light, noise, and variations in phototransistor characteristics.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring contaminants in aqueous humor without rupturing an examined eye. The apparatus includes a laser which projects a light beam through a gonioscopic lens into the aqueous humor of the examined eye. The light is scattered in the humor with a portion of the scattered light being reflected by the gonioscopic lens to an analyzing system. The system measures the diffusion constant of any contaminant in the aqueous humor and, by comparing the diffusion constant to a set of known diffusion constants, determines the composition of the macromolecules or the cells of the contaminant.

Abstract: An illumination optical system for use in an endoscope comprises a glass pane disposed in front of a source of illuminating light and which is centrally defined with a reflecting surface which is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the source. Light passing through the source in alignment with the optical axis thereof illuminates a near object while light passing through the source offset from its optical axis illuminates a far object.

Abstract: An endoscope has a flexible tube and a bendable tube connected to one end of the flexible tube in which an image guide is inserted and a control section connected to the other end of the flexible tube and having an eyepiece section connected to one end of the image guide to permit observation of a region of interest of a human being and a knob for operating the bendable tube to permit it to be bent. A distal end section of the endoscope is connected to the other end of the bendable tube and has a viewing window connected through an optical system to the other end of the image guide. One ultrasonic probe is provided in proximity to the viewing window and has a directionality in a direction substantially the same as that of an optical axis of the viewing window.

Abstract: An expendable electrosurgical flexible suction tube for use with a cauterizer surgical instrument which combines the suction and power supply utilized in micro electrosurgical procedures. The disposable suction tube has metallic electrical contacts built in that provide resilient connections with spaced annular metal contacts in an instrument. Power supply wires for the contacts in the tubes are embedded in the non-conductive material of the tube.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having a resealable tape tab fastener in which a first securing tape ribbon has a free end and a fixed end which is attached to the diaper. A second securing tape ribbon has a free working end, and a fixed end which is adhesively but releasably attached to the free end of the first securing tape ribbon. One face of the second securing tape ribbon is provided with an adhesive coating. The free end of the first securing tape ribbon is adapted to secure the diaper about an infant by adhesive attachment via the adhesive-coated face of the second securing tape ribbon. The free end of the first securing tape ribbon is separable from the fixed end of the second securing tape ribbon to permit the opening of an applied diaper for inspection, and to make the adhesive coating on the free end of the first securing tape ribbon available for use in refastening the diaper about the infant.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a surgically implantable apparatus for providing selective fluid communication with the interior of the body of a patient. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes an annular body permanently implanted in the abdominal wall and provides fluid communication to an internal tube placed in the gastrointestinal tract to facilitate feeding of a patient whose normal digestion process is inadequate. The internal tube is replaceable without surgery or removal of the annular body. The annular body houses a spring biased valve which is opened by coupling the annular body to an external conduit for nutrient fluid. The annular body includes flanges and tissue fixation material which permit regrowth of the abdominal wall tissue about the annular body.

Abstract: A non-invasive, real time blood pressure measurement system includes a cuff connected to a pump, a cuff pressure sensor, and a detector to sense the times when the cuff stops or starts blood flow in a user's body appendage. The pump cyclically varies the cuff pressure from above systolic to below diastolic levels at a relatively fast rate compared to the heartbeat rate enabling blood pressure measurements to be made quickly in sequence. Electrical circuitry is provided to make the blood pressure measurement by correlating the cuff pressure with the detected times. This system is compatible with major types of automatic sphygmomanometric systems.

Abstract: An endoscope comprises a control section, an insertion section and a light guide cable both connected to the control section and provided with envelopes prepared from a heat-resistant and pressure-resistant material, a cavity extending throughout the insertion section, the control section and the light guide cable, and a protective liquid such as silicone oil whose volume little varies with pressure and temperature and which is filled in the cavity. The protective liquid supports in the cavity the envelopes of the insertion section and light guide cable which are exposed to a high pressure and temperature in an autoclave to prevent damage to the envelopes, thereby ensuring easy and reliable high pressure steam sterilization of the whole of the endoscope.

Abstract: X-ray detectable fiducial markers are associated with a stereotactic surgery frame. The frame is fixed with respect to a patient's anatomy and defines a predetermined three-dimensional coordinate system in which surgical devices may be precisely positioned. A desired target area of the anatomy is detected in a cross-sectional CT scanner depiction of the combined stereotactic frame and patient anatomy. The target's coordinates with respect to the frame are calculated based on three non-collinear fiducial points also located within the cross-section and having known coordinates both with respect to the frame and with respect to the target.In the exemplary embodiment, detachable fiducial point-defining members are associated with a stereotactic surgical frame. For example, each member may be a plate having a series of parallel grooves or slots which progressively increase in length from one slot to the next. The frame coordinates of the end points of each slot are predetermined and known.

Abstract: A plurality of elongate absorbent pads, each of approximately circular cross-section, are arranged parallel to one another in a pyramid shaped bundle, with a first layer of pads arranged in parallel, side-by-side relationship, the layers of pads above the first layer of pads arranged in side-by-side relationship and overlying the layer of pads next below at positions over the adjacent surfaces of adjacent ones of the pads in the layer next below. The pads are movable with respect to one another, a liquid pervious tubular sock surrounds and encloses the pads, a sheet of liquid impervious material substantially covers the bottom portion of the first layer of pads, and a layer of adhesive material is disposed on the bottom portion of the napkin for securing the napkin to an undergarment.