Abstract: An ultrasonic medical treatment apparatus contains a medical treatment ultrasonic transducer and an image ultrasonic transducer which is mechanically movable. The image ultrasonic transducer provides tomographic data to obtain, based on an arithmetic operation, one or both of plural pieces of tomographic data (B-mode tomogram) representing a first plane of a region of interest, extending parallel to the direction of ultrasonic wave propagation, and plural pieces of tomographic data (C-mode tomogram) representing a second plane intersecting with the first plane at right angles. These pieces of tomographic data are displayed by a display, so that an operator can recognize three-dimensional tomographic data from the displayed pieces of tomographic data, and ensuring an exact medical treatment of the region of interest.

Abstract: A diagnostic coupler is provided for transmitting ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic locating transducer to a patient body, particularly for use in a lithotriptic apparatus having an ultrasonic shock wave transducer and at least one ultrasonic locating transducer. The coupler is a dimensionally stable body which is releasably arranged on the ultrasonic locating transducer by fitting to the shape of the ultrasound emitting end of the transducer. The material of the coupler has a characteritic wave impedance which is substantially the same as that of the patient body tissue.

Abstract: A permanent magnet assembly used for creating a uniform magnetic field across a portion of an air gap has a permanent magnet grouping, including a first, principal magnet, a pole piece contacting said principal magnet, and a set of auxiliary magnets extending about the periphery of the pole piece. Two such magnet groupings are positioned within a test chamber, separated a spacer, with the magnet groupings and the chamber defining the air gap across which the magnetic field extends. The strength and uniformity of the magnetic field is adjusted by including a second set of auxiliary permanent magnets or a set of electromagnetic shim coils positioned within the air gap surrounding and overtapping a portion of the air gap. Further adjustment of the magnetic field is accomplished shaping the front surfaces of the pole pieces, thus affecting the shape and direction of the resulting magnetic field.

Abstract: A stone retrieval basket having superelastic metallic alloy wires attached to the distal end of an inner elongaged member tube for retrieving calculi and crushing them against an outer introducer tube percutaneously inserted into a patient. The basket comprises kink-resistant superelastic metallic alloy wires such as nitinol forming a bulbous shape for capturing calculi therein. The ends of the superelastic wires of the basket are attached to the distal end of a inner elongated member tube with the aid of sleeves crimped thereon, which are soldered or spot welded in recesses about the distal end of the inner tube. The outer tube is percutaneously inserted into the biliary or urinary system in which the basket is then inserted to capture large-sized stones. A peel-away sheath is also included to introduce the basket and inner elongatged member tube into the outer introducer tube.

Abstract: A sensitive photon detector can be used for external detection in vivo of emission from a body organ, for instance of singlet oxygen emission in the near infrared at 1280 nm, for various purposes such as control of oxygenation of a patient. At such a wavelength bone and overlying tissue are sufficiently transparent to allow detection exteriorly of the body. Stray light and thermal emissions at this wavelength in a lit room are sufficiently low, or can otherwise be controlled, to allow detection of this singlet radiation by for instance a cooled Ge detector, to determine a rate of detected photons. Detection of this radiation can be taken for instance as indicating damage in process from over-oxygenation of a patient, allowing preventing and remedial measures to be taken in oxygen treatment.

Abstract: A laser lithotriptor includes a laser adapted to emit pulsed light which is absorbed by water in the vicinity of a human stone or concrement to cause rapid erosion of the stone. A light transmitting device such as a fibreoptic cable is employed inside of an endoscope to direct the laser pulses to the vicinity of the stones. An irrigation apparatus also ensures that the tip of the light transmitting device and the stone are continuously immersed in water and also serves to remove the powder-like debris of the disintegrated stone from the body. Preferably, a NdYAG laser operating at 1.44 .mu.m which emits 27 pulses per second is coupled to the body stone through an anhydrous quartz fibreoptic cable passing through the interior of an endoscope.

Abstract: A pressure gauge including a bourdon tube where a substantial portion of the pressure gauge is filled with a silicone gel, gelatinous material, or any other suitable materials.

Abstract: An electrical lead having an elongated flexible lead body having a flattened cross sectional configuration. One flattened surface is provided with at least one aperture open to a longitudinal lumen carrying an electrode lead. The electrode lead is provided with electrodes located within the aperture, and the electrode lead is slideable within the lead body to allow for adjustment of the position of the electrodes within the aperture. The lead body is also provided with at least one expansible balloon, located radially opposite the aperture. In use, the lead is advanced down the esophagus, with the surface of the lead bearing the aperture facing anteriorly. Inflation of the balloon urges the aperture and the electrodes located therein adjacent the anterior surface of the esophagus. After inflation of the balloon, the electrode lead may be moved within the lead body to allow for adjacent of electrode location.

Abstract: A medical retrieval basket having superelastic metallic alloy wires attached to the distal end of an inner elongated member tube for percutaneously capturing and removing calculi from a cavity or duct of a patient. The basket comprises kink-resistant superelastic metallic alloy wires such as nitinol which forms a bulbous shape for capturing calculi therein. The ends of the superelastic wires of the basket extend through the passageway of the inner elongated member tube and are attached to the proximal end of the tube. An outer elongated member tube is percutaneously inserted into the biliary or urinary system. The inner member tube is inserted through the outer member tube into a duct, cavity or organ of the patient. The distal ends of both the inner and outer member tubes have a predetermined longitudinal curvature for controlling the positioning of the basket and the tubes within the patient.

Abstract: A steerable guide wire for cannulation of tubular or vascular organs. The guide wire has a distal end and a proximal end. The guide wire has at least one coil forming a helix near the distal end of the guide wire to aid in the negotiation through tubular or vascular organs such as endoscopic retrograde or antegrade cannulation of the cystic duct. A removable clamp is secured to the proximal end of the guide wire to allow the user to apply torsional and longitudinal force to steer the guide wire into position.

Abstract: An ultrasound densitometer for measuring the physical properties and integrity of a member in vivo includes a transmit transducer from which acoustic signals are transmitted, and a receive transducer which receives the acoustic signals after they have been transmitted through the member and/or a material with known acoustic properties. The densitometer allows the physical properties of a member to be measured without having to determine the distance between the transducers. The densitometer is able to measure the physical properties and integrity of the member from the transit time of acoustic signals through the member and/or by determining the absolute attenuation of at least one specific frequency component of acoustic signals transmitted through the member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for destroying calculuses with a human body which detects an expiration end period of the human body by a detector. A pulse generator generates a first drive pulse to drive destroying energy radiation in synchronism with a start point of the detected expiration end period. Succeeding the first pulse, another pulse generator generates a train of pulses at a rate as set by a pulse rate setting circuit. By utilizing the pulse train, the energy is repeatedly radiated to the location of the calculus during the detected expiration end period.

Abstract: A planar template and measuring device is provided for guiding a biopsy needle to a predetermined point with angular and radial coordinates, in a cross-sectional plane of a patient's torso, derived from CT scans of the patient. The device is configured to fit across and around the torso of a patient lying on the table of a CT scanner, when the device is positioned at right angles to the plane of the table and the long axis of the patient. The template is slidably mounted on rails attached to the long sides of the table so that it can be positioned at any point on the long axis of the patient. The device has an arcuate slot defining a part-circle marked with an angular scale, the center of which coincides with a central reference point of the CT scanner. A sliding carriage for a biopsy needle travels along the slot and may be set at any desired angle relative to the part-circle.

Abstract: An articulated arm has a plurality of arms connected to each other by joints. A pointer is connected to one of the plurality of arms. The arm nearest the pointer is the foremost arm of the articulated arm. Angular displacement sensors are provided at joints of the articulated arm, for producing angular signals. Tomographical images of a patient's body are displayed on a cathode-ray tube. The angular signals are converted to tomographical position signals corresponding to the tomographical images on the cathode-ray tube. In response to the tomographical position signals, the position of the tip of the pointer is displayed on the cathode-ray tube with a mark. The system can be used, for example, in locating a position on a patient's body where an operation is to be performed.

Abstract: The present invention is a tear production measuring sheet that has a pair of measuring strips adapted to be used for the right and left eyes and is disposed side by side in such a manner that the strips have a common scale. Each of the measuring strips is separated from the measuring sheet by a cut formed in the measuring sheet so as to extend around the measuring strip, except for a connection between the measuring strip and the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a life form with focused shockwaves has a patient bed, a locating system and a shockwave source, as apparatus components with which shockwaves converging in a focal region that coincides with a therapeutically relevant region located with the locating system can be generated. A common, essentially horizontally proceeding swiveling axis is provided around which the apparatus components are optionally pivotable independently of one another or around which at least two of the apparatus components are pivotable synchronously.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing breath for introduction to a measuring device such as a mass spectrometer. The apparatus includes a mouthpiece for interfacing a subject with the apparatus; a tube for carrying exhaled breath from the subject to the inlet of a mixing chamber; a mixing chamber having an inlet, sample outlet and exit tube, that provides a residence time for the exhaled breath sufficient to mix the breath and provide an adequate sample to the measuring device; and heating apparatus for maintaining the apparatus above a temperature where condensation of vapor occurs.

Abstract: An automatic blood pressure measuring apparatus, including an inflatable cuff having an elongate configuration, the inflatable cuff being wound around a body portion of a subject, for pressing an arterial vessel of the subject via a body surface over the arterial vessel, a detecting device for detecting at least one Korotkoff sound produced from the arterial vessel as the pressing force of the inflatable cuff applied to the arterial vessel is varied, and a determining device for determining at least one blood pressure value of the subject based on the detected at least one Korotkoff sound, the detecting device being located in a middle area, as viewed in a direction of width of the inflatable cuff, of an inner surface of the inflatable cuff which surface contacts the body portion of the subject.

Abstract: An air connector for use in association with a sphygmomanometer body, comprising an air socket having an air plug acceptor and a pressure measuring air line and an exhaust air line each communicating with the air plug acceptor, an air supply plug removably connected to the air plug acceptor of air socket and provided with an air tube joint at one end thereof and an insert cylinder at the other end, and a control means which is removably connected to the insert cylinder of air supply plug and, upon installation, brings the air supply line of air supply plug into communication with the pressure measuring air line and exhaust air line for blood pressure determination and, upon removal, brings the air supply line of air supply plug selectively into communication with the pressure measuring air line for pressure assay.

Abstract: A device for the non-invasive determination of blood glucose of a patient. This glucose monitor is based upon the effect of glucose in rotating polarized infrared light. More specifically, two orthogonal and equal polorized states of infrared light of minimal absorption are passed through a tissue containing blood, and an accurate determination of change in signal intensity is made due to the angle of rotation of these states. This rotation depends upon the glucose level. In order to compensate for absorption in the tissue, another two orthogonal and equal polarized states of infrared light are used, with the wavelength being selected to maximize absorption. At least two embodiments of forming the polarized states are described: an electro-optic switching unit, such as a lithium tantalate crystal with appropriately applied orthogonal voltages; and an infrared beam splitter using two light sources.