Abstract: Flowheads are described for use in expiratory flow measuring equipment. They are designed to be disposable and to fit on the casing of a unit containing a pressure transducer and associated electronics. The pressure transducer is placed, when the unit is fitted to the casing, in communication with ports (8 and 9) in the wall of a main tube, which ports are respectively upstream and downstream of a central perforated wall (5) which constitutes a passage restriction and across which a pressure drop is accordingly generated if breath is exhaled through the tube. Low pressure drop hydrophilic filters may be used to damp high frequency pressure oscillations and to protect the instrument from ingress of condensed water vapour.

Abstract: A female incontinence device according to the present invention includes one or more rings of water swellable gel forming material mounted on a female incontinence plug or catheter. The water swellable ring swells upon insertion of the device into the urethra and non-traumatically secures the device in the urethra while providing a seal between the device and the walls of the urethra. The water swellable ring may be replaced by other stimuli sensitive materials which allow the ring to be swollen and later reduced in volume for removal of the device. The stimuli sensitive materials which may be used in the invention include materials sensitive to light, pH, electrical field, mechanical stress, temperature, and solvent interaction.

Abstract: A sexual therapeutic device is provided for being worn by a male to delay ejaculation during sexual intercourse. The device includes a pouch for being positioned adjacent to the scrotum of the male. The pouch is adapted for receiving and holding the testicles when in a descended position. A cold compress is attached to the pouch and resides adjacent to the testicles when in an ascended position. The compress cools the testicles to delay ejaculation of the male during intercourse. A strap is attached to the pouch and extends around the penis of the male to hold the device in position during use.

Abstract: A photic stimulator for stimulating the central nervous system and the brain waves of a human subject having left and right eyes and left and right visual fields within each eye. The stimulator includes light assemblies providing pulsating light signals individually to the left and right visual fields of each of the left and right eyes of the subject and a control module for varying frequency and intensity of the light assemblies. The photic stimulator can stimulate the left and right visual fields of each eye independently of each other. This capability exploits the anatomical structure of the optic chiasm found within the human brain where stimuli of both eyes stimulates the side of the visual cortex opposite the side where the visual stimulation is seen in the visual field.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument having a handle, an end effector and an elongated hollow tube. The handle includes first and second grip members. The end effector includes first, second and third electrodes. The first electrode is substantially triangular in shape. The first electrode is adapted to pivot between an open position and a closed position. The first electrode also pivots around its proximal to distal axis and includes a coagulating surface and a cutting edge. The second and third electrodes are arranged substantially parallel to the first electrode when the first electrode is in the closed position. The elongated hollow tube includes a mechanism connecting the handle to the end effector such that movement of the first and second grip members relative to one another causes the first electrode to move relative to the second and third electrodes.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical scissors adapted to electrically cauterize and desiccate organic tissue prior to cutting the tissue in order to reduce or prevent bleeding. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors include a pair of scissor members attached through an electrically insulating point. Each scissor member includes, at a distal end, a shearing surface with a plurality of electrode regions interspersed between a plurality of insulating regions. The insulator regions are offset such that upon closure of the shearing members, the insulation region of one shearing member opposes a corresponding electrode on the other shearing member.

Abstract: A thermal blanket including an inflatable covering having a plurality of apertures for delivering a thermally-controlled medium to a patient sitting in a chair. The inflatable covering includes an upper sheet and a base sheet connected at a periphery. The periphery includes a shoulder-facing head section proximate to the head of the patient, a foot section opposite thereto, a first side section extending from the head section to the foot section, and a second side section opposite thereto. A non-inflatable shoulder drape is formed in the head section. The shoulder drape includes an aperture for accommodating the head of the sitting patient so that the thermal blanket is affixed to the sitting patient. An uninflatable first side drape is formed in the first side section and an uninflatable second side drape is formed in the second side section. An uninflatable foot drape may also be formed in the foot section of the inflatable covering.

Abstract: A sexual appliance that includes a main body portion having an aperture adapted to receive the wearer's penis and a suction device associated with the main body portion and adapted to apply a suction force to a predetermined portion of the anatomy of the wearer's intercourse partner.

Abstract: A sexual appliance that includes a phallic device and a support device having a first attachment member adapted to engage a support structure, such as a door, head board or bed post, and a second attachment member adapted to engage and support the phallic device.

Abstract: An apparatus that promotes patient relaxation, reduces patient stress, and/or expedites patient recovery, in a health care facility or home-based convalescent environment. The apparatus includes a substantially glare-free visual display device with one or more open, natural, serene and, preferably, savanna-like landscape pictures. Such pictures, including large size high resolution photo-realistic images, are displayed by means of a substantially glare-free display device, such as a flexible panel of fabric material positioned near a hospital bed or a like item of furniture, in close proximity to the patient so as to give the patient the perception of being in a natural and biophilic setting. In certain embodiments of the invention, the biophilic picture is removably attached to a movable wall, partition or hospital curtain structure which forms at least part of an enclosure substantially around at least part of the hospital bed.

Abstract: An endoscope and tool therefore which provides a shroud for the protection of the viewing end of an endoscope. The shroud is curved and extends forward of and around the viewing end of an endoscope. This configuration vastly reducing tissue traumatization as tissue is "guided" about the smooth curved outer edges of the shroud. Therefore, the surgeon may use the shroud to separate tissue to improve the view through the endoscope without fear of injuring the patient. Further, even though the shroud extends around the viewing end of the endoscope, viewing remains unobscured as there is a cut-away section in the shroud through which the endoscope receives its image. Additionally, the shroud is capable of being equipped with surgical tools to assist in slicing, cauterizing, and biopsy removal, thereby permitting the surgeon to perform more activities and reducing the need for an assisting surgeon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that promotes patient relaxation, reduces patient stress, and/or expedites patient recovery, in a health care facility or home-based convalescent environment. The method includes providing a substantially glare-free visual display device with one or more open, natural, serene and, preferably, savanna-like landscape pictures. Such pictures, including large size high resolution photo-realistic images, are displayed by means of a substantially glare-free display device, such as a flexible panel of fabric material positioned near a hospital bed or a like item of furniture, in close proximity to the patient so as to give the patient the perception of being in a natural and biophilic setting. In certain embodiments of the invention, the biophilic picture is removably attached to a movable wall, partition or hospital curtain structure which forms at least part of an enclosure substantially around at least part of the hospital bed.

Abstract: A system is provided for encouraging proper timing compliance with breast examination guidelines that breast examination be conducted at a given time within the menstrual cycle of the user, typically a set number of days after onset of the menstrual cycle. A device is included which provides prompt signals at the appropriate timing during each cycle and which prompt persists until compliance is indicated. Provision is made for adjusting the cycle to comply with the expected length of the menstrual cycle of the particular woman and in order to adjust same to account for irregularities in menstrual cycles for each specific woman.

Abstract: A surgical procedure is an endoscopic assisted abdominoplasty. This procedure eschews the use of abdominal incisions and obtains the desired result with no visible scars on the abdomen of the patient. A traditional or standard abdominoplasty (also called a dermolipectomy of the abdomen) has always required a surgical incision in the abdomen followed by surgical removal of part of the skin, the underlying fat layer, and suturing the opening. The endoscopic assisted abdominoplasty shown herein uses two small hidden incisions, one in the umbilicus or on the abdomen or other areas, in pre-existing scars or other areas such as under the armpit for introduction of the surgical instruments, and a small incision within the pubic hair line for endoscopic and/or direct observation and control of the procedure.

Abstract: A method for performing thermotherapy treatment of patient prostate tissue, comprising the steps of inserting a thermotherapy probe in a urethral passageway, the probe having a fluid volume containing portion and an energy source inserted therein for generating radiation to heat the patient prostate tissue by the tissue absorbing the radiation; generating a pressurized fluid flow in the probe within the fluid volume containing portion and cooling the energy source by enveloping at least a portion of the energy source to direct the pressurized fluid flow to come into direct contact with and circulate around and over all energy radiating portions of the energy source simultaneously with energy radiation by the energy source, thereby preventing thereby preventing thermal damage to the energy source; and providing an inflatable nondistensible structure as part of the probe inserted into the urethral passageway and inflating the nondistensible structure with the pressurized fluid flow to cool tissue contacting the

Abstract: An intra-vaginal device includes an anterior inflatable body having a hose extending therefrom and a pressure application zone structured and disposed to direct pressure against the urethra and urethra vesicle junction when inflated, to thereby prevent loss of urine. A posterior portion extends from the inflatable anterior body, terminating at a distal end, and is structured and configured to promote insertion and passage of the device within the vagina. A source of pressurized air is releasably attachable to a distal end of the hose to facilitate inflation of the anterior body.

Abstract: A combination soft body tissue stimulator and heating device including a thin, flat, molded flexible plastic pad, one side of which defines a working surface. The molded pad has a plurality or an array of spaced separate conductive areas each having an exposed conductive surface which is generally coplanar with the working surface. When the device is properly installed, each conductive area makes electrical contact with, and receives support from, a separate disposable double-sided flexible adhesive electrode attached to the skin over the soft tissue. The array of electrodes adhesively attached to the skin is generally aligned with the array of conductive areas of the pad so that only the adhesive attachment between the conductive areas and the electrodes is required to hold the device in place against the skin.