Abstract: A method for creating a surface having a fast changing temperature, comprises providing a heat exchanger coupled to an orifice opening into a jacket which is in contact with the surface to be heated and cooled, the jacket forming a reservoir capable of housing a fluid in contact with the surface to be heated and cooled, and providing two gas sources, each gas source being independently connected to the said heat exchanger, one source providing a first gas, which liquefies when it expands through the orifice, and the other gas source providing a second gas, having an inversion temperature lower than the temperature obtained by the liquefaction of the first gas, and causing the exhaust gas flowing out from the jacket, to flow through the said heat-exchanger to preheat or precool the inflowing gas, as the case may be, and further causing the said first and the second gas alternately to flow through the said heat exchanger and orifice, to cool or to heat the surface; means being provided for allowing and stopping

Abstract: A new heating band device for providing both heat and pressure to sore muscles and sprains. The inventive device includes an elongate elastomeric band member for wrapping around a body part and an elongate heating coil member embedded in a serpentine arrangement within the band member. A hook member secures the heating band device in place on the body part. A temperature control switch selectively controls the heat output of the heating coil member.

Abstract: An oximetry sensor comprising a foam wrap member including a fastener, back film mounting member, LED assembly and photodiode connected to a cable, support rings for the LED assembly and photodiode, window film for the LED assembly and photodiode, and a top liner.

Abstract: A laser treatment method is provided which removes vascular and pigmented lesions from the skin of a living human. The methodology involves a carefully designed treatment protocol utilizing a modified optical apparatus. The apparatus is a modified diode laser system, designed for optimal therapeutic selectivity.

Abstract: A flexible probe constructed using a flexible circuit having a small cross-sectional profile. In the various disclosed embodiments of the flexible circuit, a flexible substrate includes a plurality of conductive traces that extend along opposite surfaces of the substrate. Light emitting devices (or other electronic devices) are mounted at spaced-apart intervals along the length of the conductive traces using a conductive adhesive/solder. A conductor couples a terminal on the outwardly facing side of each of the light emitting devices to the conductive trace that is disposed on the opposite side of the substrate. In one embodiment, this conductor comprises a short conductive bar that extends between the terminals of pairs of the light emitting devices that are mounted on opposite sides of the flexible substrate so that the pair of light emitting devices are connected in series.

Abstract: An intravascular device for measuring blood pressure and flow is disclosed, which includes an elongate shaft having a pressure transducer and a flow transducer connected to its distal end. The pressure transducer may be a ferrofluid-type pressure transducer and the flow transducer may be an anemometer-type flow transducer. Measurement circuitry is also disclosed which provides a means for simultaneous measurement of both blood pressure and blood flow parameters. A sensor shield may be employed to isolate radial blood flow which is indicative of turbulent blood flow. An alternative blood flow measurement device is also disclosed which utilizes a thin metal film anemometer to measure flow in a vascular lumen.

Abstract: A method of treatment by ultrasound comprises providing a first, ultrasound field intensity-to-voltage transducer sized for insertion into the vicinity of a treatment site and a second ultrasound treatment transducer. The free field intensities created by the second transducer in response to various second transducer exciting signal levels are determined. The first transducer outputs in the free field in response to various second transducer exciting signal levels are also determined. The first transducer is inserted into the vicinity of the treatment site, and the second transducer is positioned to create an ultrasound field at the treatment site. The distance from the second transducer to the first transducer is determined. An exciting signal is applied to the second transducer. The output of the first transducer is determined.

Abstract: A pair of stretchable therapeutic sleeve embodiments for slipping over a human limb such as a leg, an arm, or a foot. They each have a primary tubular member made of stretchable material and they are used in combination with a cool or hot pack for either cooling or heating a particular body member. One embodiment has a pocket wall secured to the inner surface of the primary tubular member for removably receiving the hot or cool pack. The other embodiment requires a hot or cool foot pack having a specific configuration that is positioned over a liner sleeve and inside the primary tubular member.

Abstract: A light-weight portable temperature control system which includes form fitting disposable therapy pads for selected body parts having serpentine fluid channels therethrough, a programmable microprocessor for controlling the temperature type and length of cycle, quick disconnects for the therapy pad, a thermoelectric cooler with a liquid heat exchanger and a pump for circulating the fluid through the system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for projecting a concentrated beam of germicidal ultraviolet radiation onto a preselected target area on the body of a patient undergoing surgery, without substantial emanation of ultraviolet radiation outside the target.

Abstract: The invention is a remote controlled tanning bed salon that controls the operation of a plurality of tanning beds from a centrally located transceiver. A person wishing to use a tanning bed in the system will input a card having magnetic information coded onto a magnetic strip into a central unit. The central unit will read the information on the strip and determine if such information as to whether the user has already used the tanning bed within a recent time period, how much credit on the account, etc. Once the information has been verified by the central unit one of the tanning beds will be made operable by sending a message by a radio frequency signal to one of the tanning beds. Information concerning which tanning bed is to be used and the length of time of the tanning session are included in the message that is sent from the central unit.

Abstract: A mixture designed to be heated by microwave energy and a container that can inwardly contain the mixture. The mixture is in a dry form and includes a quantity of salt that functions as a heat storage medium. The mixture further includes a quantity of starch material that functions to rapidly absorb microwave energy when it is subjected to microwaves in a conventional microwave oven. The starch material is in powder form and preferably coats the salt to thereby maximize the speed and efficiency of heat transfer between the two materials. The mixture may also include a powder lubricant that functions to improve the mixture's flowability. The container used to receive the microwaveable mixture is preferably flexible and may be manufactured from a fabric, plastic or rubber material. The container may be in the form of a pad or ball and includes a least one inner cavity that contains a quantity of the microwaveable mixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating hiccups is disclosed. In the method, a physiological cold block is applied to the neck of a hiccuping individual at the level of the Adam's apple lateral to the sternocleidomastoid muscles near the superficially coursing phrenic nerve and/or medial to the sternocleidomastoid muscles near the superficially coursing vagus nerve. The apparatus provides a means for applying such a physiological cold block.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automatically predicting epileptic seizures monitor and analyze brain wave (EEG or MEG) signals. Steps include: acquiring the brain wave data from the patient; digitizing the data; obtaining nonlinear measures of the data via chaotic time series analysis tools; obtaining time serial trends in the nonlinear measures; comparison of the trend to known seizure predictors; and providing notification that a seizure is forthcoming.

Abstract: A method is provided for cooling skin during irradiation treatment including thermally coupling a window to the skin and actively extracting heat from the window. The window may be transparent to therapeutic wavelengths transmitted to and through the window and to the skin below. An apparatus for therapeutic treatment of skin tissue is provided, including a source of electromagnetic radiation, a window transparent to the radiation coupled to the skin being treated to remove heat from the skin, coolant fluid coupled to the window to extract heat from the window, and a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the coolant to remove thermal energy from the coolant.

Abstract: A bipolar push rod assembly is disclosed in conjunction with an endoscopic bipolar cautery scissors instrument. The push rod assembly has two conductive push rods which are substantially covered and insulated from each other by a double lumen flexible sheath. The proximal ends of the push rods are stabilized by an overmolded plastic collar and the distal ends of the push rods are stabilized by a ceramic insulator. The plastic collar is provided with a snap retainer for coupling it to a plastic plug retainer having a pair of spaced apart passages. A pair of female plug adapters are press fit onto the proximal ends of the push rods and are maintained in place by the plug retainer with each adaptor residing in a respective one of the passages. The distal ends of the push rods are swaged approximately 90.degree. in opposite directions. A ceramic insulator is disclosed as a one-piece unit into which the distal ends of the push rods are inserted.

Abstract: An in vivo apparatus for determining the absolute conductivity of a liquid such as human blood, including the steps of determining a location in a ventricle of a patient's heart at which blood conductivity may be measured effectively, positioning a catheter having a plurality of spaced electrodes in the ventricle such that at least a pair of adjacent electrodes are positioned at the location, applying a current of known magnitude to the adjacent electrodes, measuring the voltage between the adjacent electrodes, and determining the conductivity of the patient's blood from the known current and measured voltage.

Abstract: A device to reduce pain, relax muscle spasm, decrease swelling, and increase circulation to the bones, joints, and muscles of the face of a patient having temporomandibular joint dysfunction, the device having a thin, hexagonal configuration with an essentially uniform cross-section, and a flexible outer envelope having a perimeter limited to covering an area on one side of a patient's face to minimally include the area over the rear portion of the patient's mandible, the zygomatic arch, the front portion of the temporal bone, the great wing of the sphenoid bone, the lower front portion of the parietal bone, the outer envelope also having hook material on both sides of the upper panel placed away from the patient's face so that it can also be used inside-out against the opposite side of the patient's face and the lower rear portion of the frontal bone.

Abstract: A focal cooling apparatus includes a cooling, or heat sinking, layer over which a layer of compressible, thermally insulating material is disposed. The layer of compressible, thermally insulating material has a surface for supporting a portion of a human (or animal) body. The layer of compressible, thermally insulating material responds to pressure exerted against the surface by exhibiting a thermal resistance between the surface and the cooling layer that varies inversely with the pressure. Means are provided for maintaining the cooling layer at a predetermined temperature below normal human temperature.

Abstract: An in vivo method of determining the conductivity of a liquid such as human blood, including the steps of determining a location in a ventricle of a patient's heart at which blood conductivity may be measured effectively, positioning a catheter having a plurality of spaced electrodes in the ventricle such that at least a pair of adjacent electrodes are positioned at the location, applying a current of known magnitude to the adjacent electrodes, measuring the voltage between the adjacent electrodes, and determining the conductivity of the patient's blood from the known current and measured voltage.