Abstract: A surgically implantable connector for a transcutaneous driving system comprised of a case having a base and a lid which are shaped to provide a cavity between them with a first elastomeric pad for supporting a first set of electrical contacts in the cavity which contacts mate with a second set of electrical contacts carried by the lid, a second elastomeric pad for supporting a third set of electrical contacts inbetween the lid and the first pad and which mate with the first or the second set of electrical contacts, means for electrically connecting the first set of electrical contacts to an implantable electrode, means for electrically connecting the second set of electrical contacts to the driving system and means for electrically connecting the third set of electrical contacts to a percutaneous plug.

Abstract: An intravenous monitoring system in which dynamic reference threshold circuitry is used to provide output signals indicating the presence of liquid passing through the drip chamber of an intravenous feeding apparatus. A light sensor that detects the presence of liquid passing through the drip chamber generates a detecting signal that is amplified and processed by the dynamic reference threshold circuitry. The dynamic reference threshold circuitry comprises a comparator circuit, and a D.C. component reference circuit that provides the reference threshold to the comparator circuit. The amplified detecting signal is directed both to an input of the comparator circuit and the D.C. component reference circuit. The D.C. component reference circuit uses a diode to produce a voltage drop in the amplified detecting signal and an RC circuit to both store and emit a residual signal when there is a sudden drop in the amplified detecting signal.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the birth of a child, e.g. to allow immediate response to a blood circulation failure or metabolic distress symptom, comprises a support member on which is mounted an intrusive ekg measuring electrode and heat-flow detector. The heat-flow detector responds to the thermal flux at the head or other body portion of the infant and produces a signal which can be compared with a set point value.

Abstract: A body implantable lead which may be provided with a desired predetermined curve. A memory coil is inserted into the lead while straightened by a stylet. After removal of the stylet, the memory coil imparts the desired curve to the lead.

Abstract: A method for implanting electrodes in or around a human cochlea that involves inserting one end of an anchor in the temperal bone, and functionally engaging a lead to the electrode with the anchor. Numerous anchor embodiments are described together with tools for inserting some of the anchors.

Abstract: The high frequency incising device includes a flexible tubular member secured to a manipulating unit. The tubular member has an open ended tip portion and a pair of longitudinal spaced openings in the wall of the tube. An electrically conductive wire extends through the flexible tube passing outwardly thereof through a forward one of the longitudinal openings and being anchored to the flexible tube at a rearward one of the longitudinal openings. Such anchoring is accomplished by bending the wire toward the tip portion of the tube. A second bend portion in the outwardly exposed wire is directed away from the tip portion such that the outwardly exposed wire takes on the shape of a fan or sector. An opposite end of the wire is connected to an electrically conductive pipe that is movably disposed in the manipulating unit and the tube. An end of the movable pipe that projects beyond the manipulating unit is connected to an anchoring device that is movable with respect to the manipulating unit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cervical canal swelling device having an essentially cylindrically shaped stem formed in major portion thereof of a dehydrated hydrogel having a swelling capacity of 0.01 to 0.25 and an enforced unimaxial deformation of at least 1.1 and sized to a diameter of from 2 to 10 mm. and to a length of from 35 to 150 mm.

Abstract: A portable topical hyperbaric chamber assembly for covering a surface portion of the patient's body for treatment with pressurized oxygen. The assembly comprises a circular base with a plurality of support and positioning rods extending downwardly from the peripheral portion of the base. A resilient circular gasket, open at its top and bottom, snugly fitted into the circular area defined by the rods depending from the base so that its top snugly engages the bottom surface of the base for sealing purposes and the bottom engages the skin of the patient for sealing. The base is equipped with connections for attaching various hoses from the pressurized oxygen control device.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator, having particular utility in arthroscopic surgical procedures, is provided with a rapid start capability in its pure cut mode by inhibiting secondary modulation for an initial starting interval during which an uninterrupted high frequency cutting signal is applied to the output terminals. Upon expiration of the starting interval, the secondary modulation takes effect to modulate the cutting signal with a low frequency repetitive signal having a predetermined duty cycle. In addition, the generator output isolation transformer is arranged to provide an output impedance of at least 1,000 Ohms to match the impedance of human joints on which arthroscopic surgery is performed.

Abstract: A medical implement including a relatively stiff ring which is positionable through a person's anal opening into the rectum, and a method for inserting same. The implement includes, in combination therewith, a rod having a cradle at the distal end thereof onto which the ring is held while the remainder of the ring is held by tension against the side of the rod. The method includes applying the ring to the rod, inserting the ring, while on the rod, into the rectum and then dislodging the ring from the rod. In one embodiment, the medical implement is an elongated tube forming a catheter for removing waste material from the rectum, wherein the ring forms the inner end of the catheter. The rod comprises an insertion rod usable with the catheter for inserting same. Sponges applied to the side of the catheter outside of the anal opening stabilize it in place.

Abstract: An apparatus for infusing liquid medication such as insulin into a living body has a memory for storing a basic pattern and meal patterns which decide the medication infusion dose in accordance with time. The basic pattern is designated under ordinary conditions, with a meal pattern being designated for a predetermined period of time when desired. With the passage of the predetermined period, the basic pattern is restored, the address of the basic pattern being designated according to the actual time. When a pattern is selected, the one actually addressed and read out of the memory is that appropriate for the time of day. The pattern information read out of the memory is applied to means for infusing the liquid medication into the living body, the dose of the medication conforming to the specific pattern.

Abstract: A method for implanting electrodes in or around a human cochlea that involves inserting one end of an anchor in the temperal bone, and functionally engaging a lead to the electrode with the anchor. Numerous anchor embodiments are described together with tools for inserting some of the anchors.

Abstract: A method for implanting electrodes in or around a human cochlea that involves inserting one end of an anchor in the temperal bone, and functionally engaging a lead to the electrode with the anchor. Numerous anchor embodiments are described together with tools for inserting some of the anchors.

Abstract: Implantable variable flow infusion apparatus comprises a collapsible infusate chamber having an outlet conduit leading to the infusion site by way of series-connected fixed and variable fluid flow restrictors. The infusate in the chamber is maintained under substantially constant pressure by a nonelectric energy storage cell to establish flow from the chamber to the site. The variable restrictor is controlled by commands from a preprogrammed microprocessor and programmable memory powered by a small long-lived battery. The processor sets the variable restrictor to the proper setting to establish the correct infusate flow for the particular time of day. A pressure transducer connected across the fixed restrictor senses the pressure differential across the fixed restrictor which differential indicates actual infusate flow from the chamber.

Abstract: A programmable implantable infusion pump includes a housing containing a variable volume infusate chamber and variable volume control fluid pressure and displacement reservoirs. A conduit conducts infusate from the chamber exteriorly of the housing. A restricted fluid path exists between the two reservoirs which are filled with an incompressible control fluid. A loaded spring applies a constant force to the pressure reservoir causing fluid flow between the two reservoirs. The differential pressure across the flow restriction is sampled by a microprocessor which computes the fluid flow rate, that rate being proportional to the infusate flow rate from the chamber. When the fluid flow rate deviates from a programmed value, the processor issues an error command to a battery-driven motor which reloads the spring to reestablish the constant force on the pressure reservoir.

Abstract: An implantable programmable pulse generator provides electrical stimulation signals to the heart of a patient. The operating parameters of the pulse generator, such as stimulation rate, refractory period duration, and operating mode are programmable by a physician after the pulse generator has been implanted surgically in the patient. An external programmer device includes a transmitter of coded radio frequency (RF) signals. The pulse generator includes a receiver antenna for receiving the coded RF signals. The receiver antenna includes a first wire-wound, air core, planar coil antenna carried on a flexible insulating substrate adjacent an inner wall of a first major side surface of the pulse generator housing and a second wire-wound, air core, planar coil antenna carried on the flexible insulating substrate adjacent an inner wall of a second major side surface of the pulse generator housing.