Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic agent for liver function, comprising a compound labelled with .sup.13 C at least at one specific position selected from the group consisting of the following (a) to (f):(a) galactose, glucose or xylose labelled with .sup.13 C at least at one specific position or a starch composed of glucose units labelled with .sup.13 C at least at one specific position;(b) a polar amino acid, heterocyclic amino acid, isoleucine or valine labelled with .sup.13 C at least at one specific position;(c) a carboxylic acid constituting the glycolytic pathway or the citric acid cycle, labelled with .sup.13 C at least at one specific position;(d) a fatty acid labelled with .sup.13 C at least at one specific position;(e) a glyceride labelled with .sup.13 C at least at one specific position; and(f) glycerol labelled with .sup.13 C at least at one specific position.

Abstract: A diagnostic patch comprising at least an adsorption carrier adsorbing a substance secreted from a living body, which is useful particularly for the diagnosis of mammary cancer or atopic dermatitis, and a method for the diagnosis of mammary cancer or atopic dermatitis with said preparation.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the concentration of a chemical component within a patient's physiological fluid is provided, comprising: (a) an electrode assembly for immersion within a patient's saliva, including: a ion selective electrode and a reference electrode for providing a voltage signal; and an interface element for electrically connecting the electrode assembly to a microprocessor; (b) a cup for accommodating a volume of a patient's saliva; (c) a stand element for holding the electrode assembly at a predetermined position with relation to the cup; and (d) a microprocessor for processing the voltage signal, the microprocessor determining the concentration of the chemical component within the volume of saliva and calculates the concentration of the chemical component within the physiological fluid according to a selected mathematical model.

Abstract: The invention involves a catheter for introducing a delivery member such as a guidewire having an implant coupled thereto via an electrolytically disintegratable link that is coupled to the anode of a power supply having an anode and a cathode. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular member having an outer surface, proximal and distal end portions, a lumen extending between those portions, an electrode and a conductor. The electrode is disposed within the outer surface of the tubular member in the vicinity of the distal end portion and has a surface that faces and communicates with the lumen. The electrode is electrically coupled to the conductor which, in turn, is adapted for coupling to the power supply cathode such that when the electrolytically disintegratable link is placed in an ionic solution, such as can be found in an aneurysm, and positive current is provided from the power supply to the link, current from the link may return to the cathode of the power supply via the electrode.

Abstract: Apparatus for diagnosing urinary stress incontinence of a subject, including a substantially rigid, disposable probe insertable into the urethra of the subject, generally along a longitudinal axis of the urethra. A reusable sensor unit, is removably coupled to the probe, for sensing physiological parameters of the subject. The apparatus preferably includes a fluid pressure sensor, contained in the sensor unit, in pressure communication with a distal end of the probe. The probe includes a flexible diaphragm in fluid communication with the distal end. The diaphragm provides the pressure communication between the pressure sensor and the distal end while substantially preventing fluid communication between the distal end and the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A portable light treatment device is capable of delivering the illumination which is sufficient in amount but mild to the subject's eyes for assuring effective light treatment without unduly annoying the subject. The device has a surface illuminating unit having an effective surface region of at least 15 cm.sup.2 which emits a visible diffused light of reduced luminance variation. The light is selected to give an illuminance of at least 2000 LUX measured at an eye position of the subject. A mount member is provided to mount the surface illuminating unit to a portion adjacent to eyes of the subject to direct the diffused light to the eyes of the subject. Thus arranged portable illumination device has an advantage of delivering sufficient amount of the light to the subject's eyes without dazzling the subject and therefore administering effective treatment without imposing severe restrictions to the subject's daily activities.

Abstract: A hyperthermia apparatus, suitable for transurethral application, has an energy radiating element comprising a leaky-wave antenna. The leaky wave antenna radiation pattern is characterized by a surface wave which propagates along an aperture formed by openings (small in comparison to a wavelength) in the outer conductor of a transmission line. Appropriate design of the leaky wave antenna produces a uniform, broadside pattern of temperature elevation that uniformly heats all or part of the periurethral tissues.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided to treat atherosclerosis wherein the artery is partially closed by dilating the artery while preserving the vital and sensitive endothelial layer thereof Microwave energy having a frequency from 3 GHz to 300 GHz is propagated into the arterial wall to produce a desired temperature profile therein at tissue depths sufficient for thermally necrosing connective tissue and softening fatty and waxy plaque while limiting heating of surrounding tissues including the endothelial laser and/or other healthy tissue, organs, and blood. The heating period for raising the temperature a potentially desired amount, about 20.degree. C., within the atherosclerotic lesion may be less than about one second. In one embodiment of the invention, a radically beveled waveguide antenna is used to deliver microwave energy at frequencies from 25 GHz or 30 GHz to about 300 GHz and is focused towards a particular radial sector of the artery.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting an extremity of a person includes a body having a recessed support surface for supporting the extremity, and a flap connected to the support surface. The body has a fastener that couples with a coupler on the flap to define a re-closable chamber. An ice bag or other similar heat absorbing apparatus may be secured within the chamber, thereby enabling the apparatus to both support the extremity and provide the anti-inflammatory function of the ice bag. The body, which may be crescent shaped, may include an interior for containing stuffing material. Both the body and the flap may be manufactured from the same fabric material.

Abstract: A plurality of electrodes are mounted within a hood positionable over a subject's head 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.degree. arc on both sides of a central perpendicular axis of the hood. The four upper electrodes each subtend an arc of about 15.degree. and the fifth (lower) electrode subtends an arc of about 6.degree., with 6.degree. 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: A signal processor which acquires a first signal, including a first desired signal portion and a first undesired signal portion, and a second signal, including a second desired signal portion and a second undesired signal portion, wherein the first and second desired signal portions are correlated. The signals may be acquired by propagating energy through a medium and measuring an attenuated signal after transmission or reflection. Alternatively, the signals may be acquired by measuring energy generated by the medium. A processor generates a noise reference signal which is a combination of only the undesired signal portions and is correlated to both the first and second undesired signal portions. The noise reference signal is then used to remove the undesired portion of each of the first and second measured signals via an adaptive noise canceler, preferably of the joint process estimator type.

Abstract: The invention provides improved devices, methods, and systems for shrinking of collagenated tissues, particularly for treating urinary incontinence in a noninvasive manner by directing energy to a patient's own support tissues. This energy gently heats fascia and other collagenated support tissues, causing them to contract. The energy will preferably be applied between a pair of large plate electrodes having cooled flat electrode surfaces. Such cooled plate electrodes are capable of directing electrical energy through an intermediate tissue and into fascia while the cooled electrode surface prevents injury to the intermediate tissue. Ideally, the plate electrode comprises an electrode array including discrete electrode surface segments so that the current flux can be varied to selectively target the fascia.

Abstract: A device measures pressures in animals and humans and includes a pressure transmission catheter (PTC) filled with a pressure transmitting medium and implantable in an area in having a physiological pressure. A transducer conmmunicates with the pressure transmitting medium to provide a pressure signal representing variations in the physiologic pressure on electrical wires. A connecting catheter carries the electrical wires to signal processing and telemetry circuitry, which transmits a telemetry signal representing the pressure signal to a receiver external to the animal or human. A housing holds the signal processing and telemetry circuitry, but the transducer is remote from the housing. The device is particularly useful in measuring venous pressure, pulmonary pressure, bladder pressure, or intracranial pressure without significant head pressure artifact and with a sufficient dynamic response. One embodiment of the PTC includes a multi-durometer stem.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a human or animal body, while selectively cooling weight-bearing areas of the body in order to prevent or reduce damage from ischemia includes a cooling layer that is partitioned into a plurality of zones, and a surface disposed over the cooling layer to support the body. Each zone of the cooling layer is disposed for cooling a respective portion of the surface. Means are provided to selectively operate one or more zones of the plurality of the zones to cool a portion of the surface that receives pressure from a weight-bearing surface of the body being supported.

Abstract: A catheter shaft carries a coaxial cable, the terminal end of which contains a dipole antenna with opposing first and second helical elements. The first and second helical elements originate from a common connection to an outer conductor of the coaxial cable. The first and second helical elements are formed by winding flat wire around an outer insulator of the coaxial cable near a terminal end of the coaxial cable. A variable, controllable impedance is connected between an inner conductor of the coaxial cable and a point on the second helical element where the resistive component of the antenna's impedance matches the characteristic impedance of the coaxial cable. The impedance match minimizes reflective losses of the antenna, thereby maximizing power transferred to the antenna. The antenna has an effective electrical length which is equal to one-half the wavelength of the radiation emitted, independent of the physical length of the antenna.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the sampling of blood or other body fluids which includes means for the direct measurement of the analyte of interest within the fluid. Also disclosed is a `closed-loop` device and method wherein the analyte is measured and the required amount of drug is determined and injected, without removal of the device from the patient's body.

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: An implantable barometric pressure sensor coupled with an implantable medical device (IMD) provides a barometric pressure related, reference pressure value for use in combination with an absolute pressure value measured by an implantable absolute pressure sensor coupled to the IMD. In one embodiment, the barometric pressure sensor is implanted under the skin and subcutaneous tissue layer at or near the implant site of the IMD. In variations of this embodiment, the barometric pressure is formed as part of a connector module of the IMD or extends from the connector module. In a further embodiment, a percutaneous access device is provided which is adapted to be implanted to extend through the skin and subcutaneous tissue layer of the patient and is coupled with the barometric pressure sensor to provide for an air chamber extending between the atmosphere and the barometric pressure sensor.

Abstract: Process and apparatus (170) for reducing adipose tissue in the human body (195), in certain areas by stimulating lipolysis through the presence of heat, provided by generators (185) of infrared rays (196) associated to muscular activity of an aerobic type, the generators (185) being fixed to specially made supports or mounted on gymnastic apparatus (170) and equipped so as to be directed onto the required areas of the body of the user (195) carrying out gymnastic exercises or muscular activity generally, either freely or with the aid of gymnastic apparatuses (170).

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting pulse waves and motion intensity of a living body in motion is disclosed. The apparatus has photosensors of the photo-coupler type for wavelengths of 660 nm and 940 nm, respectively. The sensors are attached to a person under examination, and provide output signals which include a blood pulse signal as well as body motion components superimposed on the blood pulse signal. These signals are subjected to the Fourier transformation in a fast Fourier transformation circuit, and then applied to a comparator which in turn compares amplitudes of major frequency components (components associated with pulse waves and body motion) to one another. According to the comparison result, a decision circuitdiscriminates the pulse wave from the body motion. A display unit displays the pulse rate corresponding to the fundamental frequency of the detected pulse wave. The display unit also displays the change in motion intensity detected by the decision circuit.