Abstract: A blood pressure transducer apparatus having a semiconductor pressure sensor and a temperature compensating circuit mounted on a substrate which is fixedly mounted on a wall portion of a housing, with a fluid passageway being formed in the wall portion to be coupled with a fluid-filled catheter inserted into a blood vessel and being hydraulically coupled with the sensor. In order to improvement of temperature compensation, manufacturing yield and reliability as well as small-sizing the apparatus, the substrate has a first surface on which the sensor is mounted and an opposite second surface. The second surface is fixed at a partial area thereof to an abutment on an inner surface of the wall portion. The temperature compensating circuit is formed on the remaining area of the second surface so that the temperature compensating circuit is adjacent to the passageway.

Abstract: A miniaturized transducer for in vivo measurements of physiological pressure has a transducer unit and an inner tube with a wall opening. A diaphragm covers the wall opening. Distinguishing for the invention is that the diaphragm is protected by an outer tube arranged outside the inner tube, and having a wall opening situated radially opposite the wall opening of the inner tube. An end closure closes off the distal end of the tube and a seal seals the outer tube against the inner tube. The lumen of the inner tube is in communication with the atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An object is illuminated sequentially with light of wavelengths in respective narrow bands through a light guide in an electronic endoscope provided with an imaging device. The picture images are photoelectrically converted by the imaging device and are temporarily stored respectively in memories. The spectral distribution characteristics of the object are calculated by using spectral distribution calculating data and are displayed on a display.

Abstract: Cardiovascular sounds from a patient's body are monitored by placing a fiber optic coupler sensor at an appropriate location on the patient to sense the sounds. The sensor is comprised of all dielectric material having a variable coupler waist region encapsulated in material with index of refraction that varies with applied stress. Stress is induced in the encapsulating material in response to the cardiovascular sounds. Sensor configurations include encapsulating material membranes with curved surfaces to enhance sensitivity.

Abstract: A non-invasive automatic blood pressure measuring apparatus consisting of a blood flow meter non-invasively detecting the blood flow of the arteries on the proximal or distal side of the cuff, a blood flow standing up point detecting means detecting the standing up point of the blood flow signal output from the blood flow meter in the decompression process of the internal pressure in the cuff and a blood flow returning point detecting means detecting the returning point of the blood flow signal to the steady state in the further successive decompression process, and detecting the internal pressure in the cuff of the standing up point as the maximal value of the blood pressure and the internal pressure in the cuff of the returning point as the minimal value of the blood pressure.

Abstract: A goggle type eye movement analyzing device which can be mounted on examinee's head incorporating a pair of eyepieces positioned in front of the eyes. Each eyepiece includes a light source, a target, and a TV camera which receives light reflected from the eye to observe eye movement. A video analyzing device is connected to the eyepieces so that it records and analyzes signals from the TV cameras which can automatically focus on the proximate area of the iris of the eye.

Abstract: A blood collection and/or injection device includes a double-ended medical needle including a cannula having opposite pointed ends, a hub fitted over the cannula, a rubber sheath optionally fitted over an end portion of the cannula, a cylindrical holder having an opening defined in one end thereof, the end portion of the cannula which is optionally covered with the rubber sheath being adapted to be inserted into the opening with the hub held in the opening by the cylindrical holder, and an evacuated blood collection tube or syringe adapted to be inserted into the cylindrical holder through an opening defined in the opposite end of the cylindrical holder and pierced by the end portion of the cannula. The hub has spreading teeth, and the cylindrical holder includes a holder casing having chuck teeth spreadable radially outwardly by the spreading teeth of the hub.

Abstract: A probe is inserted into an external auditory meatus; the internal pressure of the external auditory meatus is maintained at the predetermined pressure by supplying the air from an air pump connected to one of the sound induction hole; an oscillation signal within the audible range converted into a sound with a predetermined sound pressure is transmitted into the external auditory meatus through another sound induction hole of said probe; and the change in the sound pressure within the external auditory meatus is measured through a microphone. Said probe is to be formed of a hard and relatively thick material and as small as possible in length.

Abstract: Pressure measuring lumen allows a coarse pressure value of a subject to be read. A liquid filled lumen is allowed to pressure communicate with an atmosphere adjacent to a patient, through the use of a membrane and an atomosphere-opening lumen. A liquid pressure value read from the liquid filled lumen is used to adjust the pressure value to compensate for pressure changes induced by a positional change of the subject.

Abstract: Intra-arterial stents are frequently used subsequent to balloon angioplasty to maintain arterial patency. The most frequent cause for failure to maintain patency is the rapid growth of the injured arterial tissue through the openings in the stent, which rapid growth is called "intimal hyperplasia." Since irradiation from a radioisotope source is capable of selectively inhibiting the growth of hyperproliferating cells as compared with normal cells, a radioisotope material which forms part of the stent can be used to decrease the rate of arterial reclosure. The radioisotope could be placed inside the stent, alloyed into the metal from which the stent is made, or preferably, it can be coated onto the stent's exterior surface. Beta emitting radioisotopes having a half-life between 1 and 100 days would be best suited as a stent coating because of their comparatively short range of action within human tissue, and because of their comparatively short half-life.

Abstract: A supersonic ophthalmic measuring apparatus includes a supersonic probe for contacting the cornea of an eye to be examined. A calculator for calculating the amount of depression of the cornea of the eye to be examined caused by the supersonic probe, and a corrector for correcting the result of the measurement of the eye axis length of the eye to be examined by the supersonic probe by the amount of depression.

Abstract: A device that pierces the skin due to the collapsing of dome between the fingertips. Immediately after a puncture is made, a blood or exudate sample can be collected on an absorbent test strip laminated on the pressure plate. Flow enhancement of blood or exudate from the puncture site is achieved by maintenance of pressure around the site and on the imparting of a vacuum within the device.

Abstract: An electrosurgical implement for tunneling through tissue for effecting drainage of an organ or to restore patency to a blood vessel is described. The implement comprises a stainless steel, helically wound, wire body similar to a conventional guidewire of the type used in angiography, angioplasty or in implanting cardiac pacing leads. The exterior of the guidewire is coated with an insulating material, save for one or two convolutions at its distal end. A core wire having a Teflon.RTM. shrink tube surrounding it over substantially its entire length is disposed within the lumen of the helical guidewire and only a short segment of the distal end of the core wire is allowed to extend out from the distal end of the guidewire. This short segment is stripped free of insulation.

Abstract: A personal integrating sphere system that provides a field of illumination of substantially uniform intensity for beneficially affecting the mental and physical health of a user. The system includes an integrating sphere configured to permit the user to experience the field of illumination of substantially uniform intensity. The integrating sphere integrates illuminating light injected thereinto to provide uniform illumination within the sphere. The system also includes an illuminator that may be controlled by the user to provide illuminating light sequences of variegated hues and mixtures thereof, saturation, brightness and duration. A sound system may be used in combination with the integrating sphere system to enhance the effect of the illuminating light sequences.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for medically examining a patient's spine using a non-invasive technique such as computerized tomography (CT). In this apparatus and method the patient is seated in a generally vertically-oriented chair which is tiltable in a forward and rearward direction, is pivotable relative to a vertical axis, is vertically movable and is stationary so as to adjustably induce gravitational effects on the patient's back. A pivotable chair back can be included for controllably applying additional loads or flexion to the patient's back. An annularly-shaped examination device, such as as CT device, is horitonzally positioned on a support frame over the patient who is aligned with a central opening in the device. The device can be positioned about the patient and oriented horizontally or angularly displaced relative to the horizontal for optimizing or adjusting the generated image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring central venous pressure (CVP) is disclosed, along with an improved transducer (50) for measuring CVP in infants. Changes in CVP may also be monitored by employing the method and apparatus of the invention.

Abstract: An automatic syringe drive assembly and disposable heat exchanger cassette are used in combination to provide an improved thermodilution technique and apparatus. The automatic syringe drive assembly includes replaceable connecting rods on a slider crank mechanism which permit easy and accurate adjustment of the syringe injection volume. The drive assembly supports as insulated syringe for use in making the injection. The heat exchanger cassette includes a heat transfer plate and a thermoformed plastic labyrinth adhesively connected and used in combination with a thermoelectric chiller to provide a cold bolus of injectate.

Abstract: In a hematomanometer in which the blood pressure values are detected while increasing the cuff pressure, the cuff pressure is increased to a predetermined value, the minimum blood pressure is presumed. When the presumed value is greater than a first reference value which is larger than the predetermined value, the measurement of the blood pressure is conducted while increasing the cuff pressure. When the presumed value is greater than the first reference value, the cuff pressure is decreased to a second reference value which is smaller than the predetermined value, and then the measurement of the blood pressure is conducted while increasing the cuff pressure.

Abstract: An electrosurgical blade to which eschar is less adherent, and which therefore requires less interruption during the operation for cleaning of the blade. The blade is of niobium covered by coating of niobium oxide.

Abstract: A sensing device for determining the sensory responses of the human skin to evaluate the fiber-receptor nervous system of the human body, primarily in connection with the measurement of the ability to discriminate separate points of touch of the hand. The sensing device includes electronic sensors for determining the displacement, or force, acting on individually mounted prongs or pins which are positioned to engage and apply a load to a human body. The force sensors provide not only the load individually to each of the prongs, but also the average load applied to the surface of the human body by the two prongs.