Abstract: A bioinstrumentation device utilizes an optical fiber for measuring biological parameters such as heart rate and breathing rate of a human subject. The device utilizes an optical fiber as a sensing element for sensing minute load variations resulting from the heart beating and breathing of the human subject and therefore indicative of the heart rate and the breathing rate. The device includes a base and a movable member movable relative to the base. The movable member is connected to a support structure for the human body and receives the minute load variations from the living body so as to vibrate in response thereto. Disposed between the base and the movable member is the optical fiber which is capable of resiliently deforming with changing characteristic of its internal reflectivity. A light source is disposed adjacent to the input end of the optical fiber to feed a light through the optical fiber.

Abstract: A breath gas analysis module for supplying a sample gas to a gas detector includes a manifold having a body defining a chamber therein. The chamber includes a main passage extending through the manifold body, an outlet passage extending into the manifold body from an outlet end at a base of the manifold body and toward the main passage and a metering orifice extending between and in fluid communication with the main passage and an interior end of the outlet passage. An inlet tube is attached to the manifold body at one end of the main passage and defines an internal passage in fluid communication with the main passage. A collection tube is attached to the manifold body at another end of the main passage and defines an internal passage in fluid communication with the main passage. A check valve is positioned within the inlet tube internal passage and is oriented to permit fluid flow into, but not back from, the main passage.

Abstract: A therapeutic pad for heating or cooling has a liquid absorbent to prevent liquid leakage in the event the sealed envelope of the pad is ruptured. The method of forming the pad includes vacuuming the thermoplastic envelope prior to sealing. The pad can be used alone or with a comforter to provide warmth or to remove heat from the body of the user.

Abstract: A method as described for testing the susceptibility of a person to asthma. The person inhales an effective amount of sodium chloride, mannitol or another substance capable of altering the osmolarity of airway surface liquid in the subject. The substance is in the form of a dispersible dry powder containing an effective proportion of particles of a respirable size. The subject is then measured to detect airway narrowing which is indicative of a propensity for asthma. The same technique of dry powder inhalation can be used to test for the susceptibility of a person to rhinitus, to induce sputum and promote mucociliary clearance.

Abstract: An RF ablation catheter of the type comprising a flexible elongate catheter body having at least one lumen therethrough and having a proximal handle end and a distal end section adapted to be introduced into a heart chamber, at least one electrical conductor extending from the handle to the distal tip section within the at least one lumen for conduction RF energy, and a distal tip electrode coupled to the distal end section of the catheter body and electrically coupled with the at least one electrical conductor. The distal tip electrode is formed with a slip resistant, field focusing exterior contour for maintaining a position of the distal tip electrode bearing against the endocardium of the patient's heart, without penetrating the myocardium thereof, achieved through manipulation of the catheter distal tip section, and focusing ablation energy into the endocardium.

Abstract: A system and method for providing computerized, knowledge-based medical diagnostic and treatment advice. The medical advice is provided to the general public over a telephone network. Two new authoring languages, interactive voice response and speech recognition are used to enable expert and general practitioner knowledge to be encoded for access by the public. "Meta" functions for time-density analysis of a number of factors regarding the number of medical complaints per unit of time are an integral part of the system. A semantic discrepancy evaluator routine along with a mental status examination are used to detect the consciousness level of a user of the system. A re-enter feature monitors the user's changing condition over time. A symptom severity analysis helps to respond to the changing conditions. System sensitivity factors may be changed at a global level or other levels to adjust the system advice as necessary.

Abstract: A guiding introducer for use in the left atrium comprised of a first, second and third section wherein the first section is a generally elongated straight section wherein merged with the distal end of the first section is a second section which is curved in a compound curve, first curving upward in a first longitudinal curve and simultaneously curving to the right in a second longitudinal curve, wherein the second section merges with the third section wherein said third section is a third longitudinal curve wherein the plane of the third section is angled upward at an angle of approximately 25 to about 60 degrees from the plane of the first section and wherein substantially all of the third section is coplanar.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and reporting medical information includes a stand-alone monitor for storing data records comprising measured values and time stamps and for transmitting the records to a remote reporting unit over a communication system. The remote reporting unit includes a relational data base that is updated when records are down-loaded from the monitor; a report generator for generating chronological graphs of the measured values for a particular patient; and a report transmitting unit for transmitting reports to a requesting health care provider.

Abstract: This invention is a method for ensuring for endovascular occlusion through the formation of thrombi in arteries, veins, aneurysms, vascular malformations, and arteriovenous fistulas. In particular, it deals with a method to predictably determine the instant of electrolytic detachment of an embolic device which is introduced to and is intended to remain at the desired thrombus formation site. The invention further includes a method for delivering an embolic device and detecting its electrolytic separation. According to the present invention, DC power with AC superposition is delivered to the sacrificial link that couples a delivery member (e.g., a guidewire) to an occlusion device. The impedance (as measured by the amplitude of the superposed AC) is monitored. When a predetermined change in that impedance (or amplitude occurs), which indicates coil detachment, the DC power is interrupted to minimize or avoid further electrolysis.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention is a combination of a breath interface and an external exposure dosimeter interface to a chemical analysis device, all controlled by an electronic processor for quantitatively analyzing chemical analysis data from both the breath interface and the external exposure dosimeter for determining internal tissue dose. The method of the present invention is a combination of steps of measuring an external dose, measuring breath content, then analyzing the external dose and breath content and determining internal tissue dose.

Abstract: A method and apparatus diagnose a circulation disorder in a patient, and in particular, predict whether a patient is likely to suffer a stroke. The diagnosis is made based on a patient's responses to questions regarding whether the patient has experienced symptoms of a neurological disorder, and based on sensed electrical brain activity and sensed blood pulse activity. The pulse measurements may be taken at the patient's head, and/or at the patient's arms and/or legs. The diagnosis may be based upon a comparison of the patient's electrical brain activity on the right and left sides of the patient's brain, and on a comparison of the pulse activity on the right and left sides of the patient's head, arms and legs. The diagnosis may also be based on the patient's electrical heart activity. The diagnosis may further be based on the results of a stress test that measures the patient's blood pressure, pulse rate and anxiety level.

Abstract: An actuarial method for statistically determining the probable truth or falsity of a statement concerning a human subject and whether responses or statements made by the subject precede either a knowing representation by the subject of a truth or a lie. The method enables the correlation of a video image of a human subject, including mannerisms of the human subject, a selected plurality of eclectroencephalographic signals gathered from a plurality of electrodes located at specific points on the head of the subject, and a simultaneous detection or display of the subject's responses from a single video monitor combined with a computer analysis of the electroencephalographs to determine the subject's knowledge regarding a fact, a personal experience, and/or the truth or falsity of a particular statement by using a set of regression equations which establish before-truth, before-lie, during-truth, and during-lie base actuarial profiles for correlation and comparative analysis via computer.

Abstract: Physiological stress in a human subject is treated by generating a weak electromagnetic field about a quartz crystal. The crystal is stimulated by applying electrical pulses of pulse widths between 0.1 and 50 microseconds each at a pulse repetition rate of between 0.5K and 10K pulses per second to a conductor positioned adjacent to the quartz crystal thereby generating a weak electromagnetic field. A subject is positioned within the weak electromagnetic field for a period of time sufficient to reduce stress.

Abstract: A heating unit and control system for warming tissue exposed during an open surgical procedure to an ambient temperature below body temperature, such that the exposed tissue remains substantially at body temperature. Heated air is blown through a duct to be introduced into the surgical field where the temperature of the tissue and the temperature of the exiting air is monitored and processed by a control system to insure maintenance of the tissue at substantially body temperature.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure and temperature sensing system for providing signals representative of the magnitude of body fluid absolute pressure at a selected site and ambient operating conditions, including body temperature, at the site. An implantable lead having a sensor module formed in its distal end is coupled to a monitor that powers a sensor circuit in the sensor module and demodulates and stores absolute pressure and temperature data derived from signals generated by the sensor circuit. The sensor module is formed with a pickoff capacitor that changes capacitance with pressure changes and a reference capacitor that is relatively insensitive to pressure changes. The sensor circuit provides charge current that changes with temperature variation at the implant site, alternately charges and discharges the two capacitors, and provides timing pulses having distinguishable parameters at the end of each charge cycle that are transmitted to the demodulator.

Abstract: Concomitant measurement of EtCO.sub.2, EtN.sub.2 and (FiO.sub.2 -FeO.sub.2) concentrations are used to detect a VAE. In a respiratory gas monitoring system, continuous measurements of end-tidal carbon dioxide, end-tidal nitrogen and the difference between inspired and expired oxygen concentrations are averaged using a predetermined time period and stored as historical data. Periodically, a present value of each of these concentrations is compared to its respective historical average for a predetermined time period. If the following conditions are met, the device signals the presence of a venous air embolism: 1) a decrease in the EtCO.sub.2 concentration of 1.5 mm Hg; 2) an increase in the FeN.sub.2 concentration of 0.03 vol %; and 3) a decrease in the difference between the inspired oxygen concentration and the expired oxygen concentration of 0.20 vol %.

Abstract: A method for neuromagnetic stimulation or functional neuromuscular stimulation comprises applying a magnetic field with a magnetic induction B to a subcutaneous nerve tissue to be stimulated, and simultaneously directing a focused beam of ultrasonic waves into the magnetic field region such that the ultrasonic waves vibrate orthogonally to the direction of the magnetic field, thereby producing a subcutaneous focus of stimulation having a focal diameter of approximately 1 cm, in order to confine the stimulation into a single nerve bundle or one single nerve region, and to avoid unintentional stimulation of adjoining nerve regions. An apparatus is described for carrying out such method.