Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a probe for insertion into the body of a host and for manipulating the tissues of the host, the probe including an ultrasound transducer element for locating and positioning the probe within the body of the host; and a method for manipulating the tissues of a host using the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A non-invasive device for the quantitative determination of the level of dants and/or antioxidants in the skin of a subject includes a reference electrode and a working electrode which are connected to an electrical voltage measuring device; and a test solution container which is open at a bottom side thereof and which is placed on the skin of the subject and is sealingly but releasably affixed to the skin, is filled with a test solution, and which permits contact between the test solution and the skin. The test solution container further includes a top opening through which the electrodes are immersed in the test solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable thermal neck wraps having one or more thermal packs comprising a unified structure having at least one continuous layer of semirigid material, which has different stiffness characteristics over a range of temperatures, and a plurality of heat cells, wherein the heat energy is applied to specific areas of the upper back, neck and shoulders. More particularly, the present invention relates to disposable thermal neck wraps having good conformity to user's upper back, neck, and shoulders which provides consistant, convienent, and comfortable heat application.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode probe and a body fluid examination equipment enabling examination of a trace amount of body fluid. The electrode probe comprises an insulating needle member, a working electrode lead disposed in the needle member, a working electrode whose lead is protruding outside from the needle member, a counter electrode disposed on the surface of the needle member, a lead connected to the counter electrode, and a reagent layer disposed in contact with or in the vicinity of the working and counter electrodes of the electrode system. When a trace amount of body fluid leaking on the skin surface is brought into contact with the reagent layer, the reagent layer dissolves which results in electron transfer whereby information about the concentration of analyte in the body fluid can be obtained from the electrode system.

Abstract: A system and method for treating subcutaneous histological features without affecting adjacent tissues adversely employs microwave energy of selected power, frequency and duration to penetrate subcutaneous tissue and heat target areas with optimum doses to permanently affect the undesirable features. The frequency chosen preferentially interacts with the target as opposed to adjacent tissue, and the microwave energy is delivered as a short pulse causing minimal discomfort and side effects. By distributing microwave energy at the skin over an area and adjusting power and frequency, different conditions, such as hirsuitism and telangiectasia, can be effectively treated.

Abstract: The hearing aid comprises a external microphone, amplifier and battery assembly transmitting its signals to a transducer structure arranged on the squama temporalis. A transducer in the transducer structure generates oscillating motions that are transferred to a vibration transmitter arranged in a groove extending along the bony external auditory canal wall. A clip at the distal end of the vibration transmitter is coupled to the long process of the incus. The hearing aid is easy to implant and provides efficient coupling of the mechanical oscillations to the ossicles of the middle ear.

Abstract: A method for operating an implantable therapy system to conserve energy includes providing an implantable sensing device that generates a signal as a function of a physiological parameter of a patient during a treatment period. The signal is monitored during at least portions of the treatment period to detect a physiological event for use in controlling therapy of the patient during the treatment period. Energy consumption by the sensing device is terminated during the treatment period for at least portions of the treatment period when signal monitoring is not performed. Another method for operating an implantable therapy system for conserving energy includes providing an implantable component for performance of a function during a treatment period for the therapy system. The implantable component is operable in at least a first state during the treatment period and a second state outside of the treatment period; the first state using more energy than the second state.

Abstract: A simplified, quantitative electroencephalographic (QEEG) technique and apparatus for testing and assessing individuals for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is described. The simplified procedure and apparatus is consistent with emerging neuroanatomical models of the etiology of ADHD, makes the testing affordable to the public, and allows for practitioners to conduct the testing on an outpatient basis within their offices. The process comprises a new scanning method that obtains quantitative EEG data from an electrode placed at a single, active cranial site (Cz, the vertex). Multiple short periods (90 seconds) of digitized EEG are obtained. The electrophysiological power in two frequency bands (theta: 4-8 Hz; beta: 13-21 Hz) is examined. A computer that is programmed with the capacity to conduct a Fast Fourier Transformation selects and statistically analyzes the power in these specific EEG frequency bands.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable thermal body pads comprising one or more thermal packs having a unified structure of at least one continuous layer of a semirigid material which softens when heated and a plurality of individual heat cells, which typically comprise an exothermic composition, spaced apart and fixedly attached across the thermal pack. The material of the continuous layer or layers provide sufficient rigidity to maintain structural support of the heat cells, to prevent unacceptable stretching of structures of the continuous layer or layers during processing or use of the thermal pads, and to ensure child resistance, while also providing good overall drape characteristics when heated. The disposable thermal body pads are intended to be attached to a user's clothing on one side and to be held directly against the user's skin on the other side, for pain relief.

Abstract: A data processing system and method for evaluating the treatment of chest pain patients in a medical facility is disclosed. The system comprises means for entering patient treatment information, means for storing the patient treatment information, means for retrieving the patient treatment information, means for comparing the patient treatment information to predetermined values, and means for reporting the comparison of the patient treatment information to the predetermined values, so that the medical facility is able to improve its treatment of chest pain patients.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis rotator having a flexible drive for flexibly turning a heart valve. One embodiment has a shaft constructed from elastically deformable metal alloy such as super elastic nickel-titanium alloy. Another embodiment has a shaft constructed of surgical tubing. Yet another embodiment also has an annealed stainless steel shaft which can be bent by the surgeon interoperatively. The shaft will retain its shape after bending. Surrounding the shaft is a drive coil which connects a rotator head at a proximal end of the shaft to a drive knob at a distal end of the shaft and adjacent a handle. By turning the drive knob, a surgeon can turn the rotator head, thus orienting the prosthetic heart valve. Torsional motion is carried along the path defined by the bendable shaft so that the rotator head can be turned without displacing the handle of the heart valve rotator.

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: The invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for inducing hypothermia in an animal. Known methods for inducing hypothermia all involve cooling the outside or inside of an animal, sometimes in conjuction with drugs that disable the animal's homeostatic responses. The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for applying heat to the hypothalamus of a warm-blooded animal in order to utilize the physiological mechanisms that regulate body temperature to effect a compensatory cooling response, thereby lowering body temperature. It is new and unsuggested in the art to apply heat in an effort to reduce body temperature.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for manipulating the nervous system by imparting subliminal pulsative cooling to the subject's skin at a frequency that is suitable for the excitation of a sensory resonance. At present, two major sensory resonances are known, with frequencies near 1/2 Hz and 2.4 Hz. The 1/2 Hz sensory resonance causes relaxation, sleepiness, ptosis of the eyelids, a tonic smile, a "knot" in the stomach, or sexual excitement, depending on the precise frequency used. The 2.4 Hz resonance causes the slowing of certain cortical activities, and is characterized by a large increase of the time needed to silently count backward from 100 to 60, with the eyes closed. The invention can be used by the general public for inducing relaxation, sleep, or sexual excitement, and clinically for the control and perhaps a treatment of tremors, seizures, and autonomic system disorders such as panic attacks.

Abstract: An electrode catheter comprising a tubular body with a distal section having a flexible tubular portion, wherein the flexible tubular distal section is covered by at least one spirally wrapped flat ribbon electrode. Each spirally wrapped flat ribbon electrode has an associated lead wire that can be connected to a source of energy for ablation or connected to a recording system to produce electrophysiologic signals for diagnosis. The preferred catheter is steerable by use of a puller wire connected to the distal section and connected to a handle with means for controlling the movement of the puller wire. In a preferred embodiment, the spirally wound flat ribbon electrode is partially masked with a polyurethane or latex mask.

Abstract: A controlled cold therapy apparatus for treating body portions of an animal. The apparatus includes an appliance configured to fit over the body portion to be treated such that substantial total surface area contact is obtained between the body portion to be treated and the appliance. The appliance is comprised of a liquid impervious material which includes a liquid supply connector and a liquid return connector opened to internal flow channels to enable cooled liquid to be circulated through the appliance in a U-shaped flow pattern. The appliance is surrounded by an insulating jacket and is preferably secured around the body portion to be treated by hook and loop fastener strips. The apparatus further includes a liquid control station which circulates cooled liquid through the appliances connected thereto. The liquid control station may be a portable unit or a central fixture unit incorporated into a structure for treating multiple animals at the same time.

Abstract: A family of reusable hot/cold therapeutic compress appliances for application to a large number of different treated areas on the body of a patient, each member of the family being dimensioned to receive an integral number of standardly sized and dimensioned pouches containing a heat absorbing material. Individual compress appliances of the family comprise at least one sealed pouch containing a heat absorbing material contained within a sleeve comprising a relatively heat-conductive patient-contact surface, an adjacent outer adherent surface, and an insulant disposed between the sealed pouch and the outer adherent layer to reduce heat transfer occurring away from the patient-contact surface. Attachment means associated with the sleeve are co-operatively configured so as to releasably adhere to any location on the outer adherent surface, allowing the patient using the compress appliance to select a location of adherence that may provide a safe and therapeutic compressive loading.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable thermal back wraps having one or more thermal packs comprising a plurality of heat cells, wherein heat is applied to specific areas of the user's back, for pain relief. More particularly, the present invention relates to disposable elastic thermal back wraps having good conformity to user's back which provides consistent, convenient and comfortable heat application.

Abstract: An externally guidable intervertebral disc apparatus manipulates tissue at a selected location of an intervertebral disc. The apparatus comprises a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis, the catheter having an intradiscal section at the distal end of the catheter, the intradiscal section being extendible into the disc. The intradiscal section has sufficient rigidity to be advanceable through a nucleus pulposus and around an inner wall of an annulus fibrosus under a force applied longitudinally to the proximal end, sufficient flexibility in a direction of a disc plane to be compliant with the inner wall, but insufficient penetration ability to be advanceable out through the annulus fibrosus under the force. The apparatus also has an electromagnetic energy device located at the intradiscal section. Methods of using the apparatus are also provided.

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.