Abstract: A plurality of electrodes are mounted within a hood positionable over a subject's hed to form an array of concentric electrically conductive electrode rings. The rings can be applied to an outer surface of an electrically insulating liner insertable within the hood. The array preferably comprises five rings mounted within the hood to subtend a 90° arc on both sides of a central perpendicular axis of the hood. The four upper electrodes each subtend an arc of about 15° and the fifth (lower) electrode subtends an arc of about 6°, with 6° arc gaps between each pair of electrodes on either side of the central perpendicular axis. A voltage pulse signal generator's output signal is connected across the two upper electrode pairs, with alternate electrodes being connected to one of the two output terminals of the voltage pulse generator. A voltage divider applies a reduced voltage signal to the lower electrode.

Abstract: An implant device which includes a structure implantable within a living animal and a sensor included as part of the structure. The sensor is operatively configured to detect accretion of biological material on the sensor by producing an output which varies as a function of the accretion of biological material on the sensor. A communication element is further included as part of the structure and is operatively coupled to the output of the sensor. The communication element is configured to communicate information based on the output of the sensor wirelessly to a remote element located outside the living animal.

Abstract: Microspheres are permanently marked with non-radioactive stable isotopes of elements suitably detected by neutron activation analysis. The marked microspheres are suitable to permanently label diverse things. For example, families of stable-multiple-isotope-marked microspheres injected into an animal become lodged by the circulating blood within selected tissues of an animal during blood flow analysis experimentation. Absolute and relative abundances of these stable-isotope-marked microspheres residing within harvested tissues are readily accurately automatically measured in situ within the harvested tissue samples by neutron activation analysis. The quantitatively measured abundance of the isotopes, and associated microspheres, are accurately indicative of the former flow of blood containing the microspheres to the tissue.

Abstract: A device and method are disclosed for electronically measuring the degree of pulsus paradox in a patient from a single patient date source. The single data source may be any device that outputs a waveform indicatiave of patient pulsatile cardiovascular behavior such as an optical plethysmograph, a pulse oximeter, or a blood pressure monitor. The invention is useful for rapidly assessing the status of a patient in acute respiratory distress for the purpose of objectively determining the severity of their condition.

Abstract: A health management device comprises at least four electrodes provided on a main body of an intelligent terminal unit; a constant current generating unit which applies a constant current to at least two electrodes among said at least four electrodes; a voltage detecting unit which detects a voltage of at least two electrodes among said at least four electrodes; a numeral input unit provided on said intelligent terminal unit; a display unit provided on said intelligent terminal unit; a switching unit which switches a function as an intelligent terminal unit into a function as a health management device and vice versa; and a control unit which calculates a health management indicator based on data input from said numeral input unit and a detected data from said voltage detecting unit and displays a calculated result on said display unit when said function being switched into the function as the health management device by said switching unit.

Abstract: A system which classifies patients according to their level of awareness or consciousness using measures derived solely from electroencephalograph (EEG) signals. The system comprises multiple observers of characteristics of signals, including artifact detectors, especially magnitude artifact detectors, eye blink detectors, stationarity/RMS detectors, slew rate detectors, and burst suppression detectors, and determination of power in certain frequency bands. The system produces a single derived probabilistic measure of conscious awareness called the patient state index (PSI) and displays values of trends in that index and values of an artifact index, an EMG index, and a suppression ratio in order to give the operator current information on the quality of the signal input. The PSI is derived from a statistical analysis using empirically derived population norms and other parameters.

Abstract: Carcinogenesis is accompanied by increased production of oxygen free radicals (OFRs) which degrade membranes by lipid peroxidation. The process evolves volatile organic compounds (VOCs), principally alkanes, which are excreted in the breath. VOCs in alveolar breath provided sensitive and specific markers of lung cancer. Breath VOC analysis is a non-invasive test which may potentially detect lung cancer at an early stage and reduce the high mortality of the disease.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in optimizing radiation dose distributions to a rectum and a bladder of a patient during the treatment of malignancies of female genitalia is provided in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus includes a colpostat intracavitary implant including a housing portion adapted to receive a radiation source therein and a jacket. The jacket defines a cavity sized to receive the housing portion. The jacket is configured to selectively expand in volumetric size to move the rectum and the bladder away from the radiation source.

Abstract: A method for continual monitoring of a physiologic analyte in a subject includes steps of contacting the subject with a collection reservoir such that the analyte can move from the subject into the collection reservoir, the contents of the collection reservoir being in operative communication with a detector, collecting the analyte in the collection reservoir, using the detector to detect the analyte in the collection reservoir, and, once the analyte has been detected, rendering the analyte undetectable by the detector. Also, apparatus for continual monitoring of a physiologic analyte in a subject includes a collection reservoir for receiving the analyte from the subject, the contents of the collection reservoir being in operative relationship with a detector that detects the analyte in the reservoir, and means for rendering the analyte, once detected, undetectable by the reservoir.

Abstract: An occlusive cuff is placed around a limb (e.g. an arm) of a patient. A fluid, such as air, is pumped into the cuff, and the pressure in the cuff is measured. The pressure variation in the cuff with respect to time is caused by the pump and expansion/contraction of the arm caused by blood being pumped therethrough by the patient's heart. This variation in pressure is used to calculate systolic and diastolic pressure, artery lumen area compliance and artery volume compliance, artery lumen area, and the blood flow rate through the patient's arteries (e.g. the brachial artery for the case of the patient's arm, or the femoral artery or the case of the patient's leg).

Abstract: A system and method for locating an implantable medical device. The system consists of a flat “pancake” antenna coil positioned concentric with the implantable medical device target, e.g. the drug reservoir septum. The system further features a three location antenna array which is separate from the implantable device and external to the patient. The antenna array features three or more separate antennas which are used to sense the energy emitted from the implanted antenna coil. The system further features a processor to process the energy ducted by the antenna array. The system senses the proximity to the implant coil and, thus, the implant device by determining when an equal amount of energy is present in each of the antennas of the antenna array and if each such ducted energy is greater than a predetermined minimum. When such a condition is met, the antenna array is aligned with the implant coil. Thus the needle port through the antenna array is lined up with the septum of the drug reservoir.

Abstract: A method for continual monitoring of a physiologic analyte in a subject includes steps of contacting the subject with a collection reservoir such that the analyte can move from the subject into the collection reservoir, the contents of the collection reservoir being in operative communication with a detector, collecting the analyte in the collection reservoir, using the detector to detect the analyte in the collection reservoir, and, once the analyte has been detected, rendering the analyte undetectable by the detector. Also, apparatus for continual monitoring of a physiologic analyte in a subject includes a collection reservoir for receiving the analyte from the subject, the contents of the collection reservoir being in operative relationship with a detector that detects the analyte in the reservoir, and means for rendering the analyte, once detected, undetectable by the reservoir.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and device for non-invasively sensing a physical parameter within the body of a patient by employing a magnetically-based sensing device and monitoring device. The magnetically-based sensing device has a first magnet and a second magnet which generate a combined magnet field. The first and second magnets are positioned such that a change in a physical parameter causes a change in the combined magnet field, which change is monitored by the monitoring device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the correction of measured value falsifications in invasive pressure measurements with a fluid-filled system, in which the measured pressure is passed via the fluid-filled system to an external pressure transducer, which converts the pressure signal into an electrical signal. To provide a method and a device for invasive pressure measurement with fluid-filled systems which are improved with respect to the correction of measured value falsifications, are cost-effective and versatile in their use, the electrical signal is passed through an analog/digital converter and the digitized signal is fed to a signal analyzing and processing unit, which operates on the basis of a digital Fourier analysis. Furthermore, a heartbeat-related or segmental analysis is carried out and the signal is combined with empirically determined correction data on the basis of the analysis.

Abstract: A percutaneous method of repairing a fissure in the annulus pulposus comprises placing an energy source adjacent to the fissure and providing sufficient energy to the fissure to raise the temperature to at least about 45-70° C. and for a sufficient time to cause the collagen to weld. An intervertebral fissure also can be treated by placing a catheter with a lumen adjacent to the fissure and injecting sealant into the fissure via the catheter, thereby sealing the fissure. An intervertebral fissure additionally can be treated by providing a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and an intradiscal section at the catheter's distal end on which there is at least one functional element. The next step is applying a force longitudinally to the proximal of the catheter which is sufficient to advance the intradiscal section through the nucleus pulposus and around an inner wall of an annulus fibrosus, but which force is insufficient to puncture the annulus fibrosus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a blood pressure cuff for a sphygmomanometer, adapted for attachment to the upper arm of a user to effect blood pressure measurement for the user. The blood pressure cuff comprises an air bag disposed in the blood pressure cuff which has both ends coupled with each other to define a closed loop; an attachment tab extending from a side of the blood pressure cuff; a Velcro brand hook and loop fastener strip secured to a surface of the attachment tab; and a complementary Velcro brand hook and loop fastener strip secured to an outer surface of the blood pressure cuff such that it can be engaged with the Velcro brand hook and loop fastener strip.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thin film radiation source, which may be used to deliver a radioactive dose to a site in a body lumen. The source comprises a thin flexible substrate, and a layer of radioisotope attached thereto. The source may further comprise additional layers such as one or more tie layers disposed between the substrate and the radioisotope layer and one or more outer coating layers. In one embodiment, the source is wrapped around an inflatable balloon. Inflation of the balloon at a treatment site positions the source directly adjacent to the vessel wall, and allows irradiation of the site following or simultaneously with a balloon angioplasty, stent implantation, or stent sizing procedure.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus for measuring a water transpiration amount, which comprises a barrel-type body having a humidity sensor inside of the body and opening portions on the top and bottom of the body, wherein a gas introductory path for feeding, from the outside of the apparatus, a gas having a predetermined water content to a surface to be measured is disposed at the side wall portion of the body and a freely openable or closable shutter is installed at the bottom opening portion of the body. The apparatus according to the present invention makes it possible to carry out accurate and prompt measurement of a water amount transpired locally from the skin surface, ocular surface or the like without being influenced by the external circumstances such as wind.

Abstract: A method, simulation, and apparatus are provided that are highly suitable for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A catheter is disclosed that includes a small diameter disk loaded monopole antenna surrounded by fusion material having a high heat of fusion and a melting point preferably at or near body temperature. Microwaves from the antenna heat prostatic tissue to promote necrosing of the prostatic tissue that relieves the pressure of the prostatic tissue against the urethra as the body reabsorbs the necrosed or dead tissue. The fusion material keeps the urethra cool by means of the heat of fusion of the fusion material. This prevents damage to the urethra while the prostatic tissue is necrosed. A computer simulation is provided that can be used to predict the resulting temperature profile produced in the prostatic tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering energy to a surgical site from an energy source is provided. The apparatus includes; a handle, an actuator, a shaft, and a deflection wire. The actuator is movably coupled to the handle. The actuator moves from a first position to a second position. The shaft includes a proximal end, a deflectable portion and an energy delivery portion. The proximal end of the shaft is coupled to the handle. The energy delivery portion is coupled to the energy source to deliver energy to the surgical site. The deflection wire includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion is affixed to the shaft. The proximal portion is affixed to the actuator. A movement of the actuator from the first position to the second position moves the deflection wire to produce a deflection of the deflectable portion. In an alternate embodiment of the invention a sensor and feedback control module are provided.