Abstract: A flexible and disposable allergen-containing patch is provided with markings transferable to the skin. The patch may also include piercing elements to become an all-in-one system. A reusable actuator enables a user with little training or experience to administer multiple test injections with the disposable patch. A scope allows magnified viewing of a test site after the skin test is provided, the scope incorporating the patch as a releasable component. An all-in-one applicator assembly that can be bent to fit a convex engagement surface of a rolling actuator is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing an insertion tube in a remote video inspection system, comprising a container having an interior volume bounded by an inner curved surface and an outer curved surface, a first endplate substantially perpendicular to and supporting a first end of the container, a second endplate substantially perpendicular to and supporting a second end of the container, and an opening in the first endplate aligned with the interior volume of the container, wherein the opening is configured to allow insertion of a first end of the insertion tube through the opening towards the outer curved surface of the container.

Abstract: There is described in one embodiment an eye viewing device for viewing a structure of an eye such as a retina. The eye viewing device can include an image sensor. In one embodiment an eye viewing device can be adapted to facilitate both visual viewing of an eye structure and electronic image capture.

Abstract: An LED for use with a medical diagnostic instrument having an adapter disposed between an instrument head and a hand-grippable handle, the LED being removably attachable in relation to the adapter in order to permit selective replacement of the LED, as needed. The LED is situated in order to provide mechanical and electrical interface with at least one of the adapter and the instrument, thereby enabling the adapter and the LED to convert the illumination source of the instrument selectively between an incandescent light source and the LED. The adapter matches a polarity between the LED and a power supply that is specifically intended for powering an incandescent light source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for making and using endoscopes comprising one or more fluid lenses. An endoscope or bore-scope for various highly accurate imaging, visual inspection and measurement applications is equipped with an adaptive lens operated based on the electrowetting or electro-capillarity phenomenon. The adaptive lens is digitally controlled and is able to provide auto-focusing and optical zooming functions while remaining in a stationary position relative to a distal end section of the endoscope. Endoscopes equipped with these adaptive lenses provide a simpler, more compact design and a faster response while providing high quality images. Several functions needed in a variety of endoscopic imaging, inspection and measurement applications are further enhanced through the addition of a number of improvements of the adaptive lens itself and of the systems incorporating the adaptive lens.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing at least one elongated and flexible object, such as an insertion tube that functions as a portion of an endoscope or a borescope device. The apparatus includes a rotating storage carousel having a base and a peripheral barrier. An elongated and flexible object, such as an insertion tube, is stored along the inner side of the peripheral barrier and the base. The storage cavity of the carousel rotates while accepting the transfer of the elongated and flexible object for storage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for making and using handheld data readers comprising one or more fluid lenses. One or more fluid lenses are provided to allow a handheld data reader to perform such operations as reading indicia, including such additional operations as zooming, reorienting a viewing direction, focusing, adjusting an optical axis, and correcting for the effects of motion such as hand jitter. The fluid lens or lenses can be operated for example by applying electrical signals to fluid lenses comprising a plurality of fluids including at least one that is conductive and at least one that is non-conductive.

Abstract: A bleed flow valve for venting air from a blood pressure cuff includes a valve body having an axially extending central bore. The central bore has a transition section, a fluid inlet port opening into the central bore upstream of the transition section and a fluid outlet port opening into the central bore downstream of the transition section. A piston is disposed within the central bore of the valve body and is axially translatable within the central bore of the valve body. An annular orifice is defined between an outer circumferential surface on the piston and the transition section of the central bore. The bleed valve is self-compensating as the pressure within the cuff decreases in that the piston self adjusts axially within the central bore to adjust the area of the annular orifice so as to maintain a relatively constant cuff pressure change rate throughout the deflation process.

Abstract: A bleed flow valve assembly for venting air from a blood pressure cuff at relatively constant pressure decrease rate irrespective of cuff size includes a multiple chamber bleed valve and a multiple position control valve operatively associated therewith. A first end chamber is connected in pneumatic communication with the cuff and pneumatically sealed from a second central chamber by a first flexible diaphragm. A third end chamber is separated from the central chamber by a second flexible diaphragm. A variable flow area opening through the second diaphragm provides a flow path for controllably venting air from the second chamber to ambient pressure when the control valve is selectively positioned to connect the third chamber in pneumatic communication with ambient pressure. Air is vented from the cuff through the first chamber in regulated response to the pressure differential between the first chamber and the second chamber acting upon the first flexible diaphragm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rapid and easy to use diagnostic tool that a point-of-care practitioner can use to specifically identify the cause of a disease, such as the upper respiratory infection (URI) pharyngitis. Such a disease has multiple potential causative pathogens and has a number of combined clinical manifestations. The diagnostic tool is rapid in order to provide the busy point-of-care practitioner with an assay result within a time that does not affect patient flow. The time usually available to such a practitioner is optimally less than 10 minutes, so that an assay that detects multiple pathogens rapidly is regarded as one that does so in less than 10 minutes. The diagnostic tool can be operated with minimal training and within the confines of said practitioner's environment. The diagnostic tool has specificity and sensitivity above those of the prior art devices. The tool is self-contained, which thereby helps to control the spread of infection and eases the burden of disposal of used equipment.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic instrument includes a housing containing at least one battery and a light source, such as a lamp, for illuminating a medical target. A switch includes a movable member that selectively moves at least one of the battery and the lamp into and out of electrical connection with the other. The instrument is preferably fabricated from a diecast or an extrusion process wherein a thin plastic sleeve member having text and/or graphic materials can be shrink fitted onto an extruded handle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rapid and easy to use diagnostic tool that a point-of-care practitioner can use to specifically identify the cause of a disease, such as the upper respiratory infection (URI) pharyngitis. Such a disease has multiple potential causative pathogens and has a number of combined clinical manifestations. The diagnostic tool is rapid in order to provide the busy point-of-care practitioner with an assay result within a time that does not affect patient flow. The time usually available to such a practitioner is optimally less than 10 minutes, so that an assay that detects multiple pathogens rapidly is regarded as one that does so in less than 10 minutes. The diagnostic tool can be operated with minimal training and within the confines of said practitioner's environment. The diagnostic tool has specificity and sensitivity above those of the prior art devices. The tool is self-contained, which thereby helps to control the spread of infection and eases the burden of disposal of used equipment.

Abstract: A combined sensor assembly used in conjunction with a patient includes at least one electrical sensor that is capable of detecting electrical signals that are indicative of a physiological parameter. The at least one electrical sensor is coupled to the patient by means of an electrically conductive gel material. The sensor assembly further includes at least one acoustic sensor that is coupled to the patient using an acoustically conductive gel material. The conductive gel material used in conjunction with the at least one acoustic sensor and the at least one electrical sensor can be the same or a different material, wherein a transducer of the acoustic sensor and the acoustically conductive gel define an interface region that is essentially devoid of air.

Abstract: A borescope device having an insertion tube, a camera head assembly, and a fluid supply system. The camera assembly includes through holes allowing fluid escape. The fluid supply system is controllable to force fluid through the through holes. The fluid supply system may be actuated to cool the camera head assembly.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and apparatus for measuring (Intraocular Pressure) IOP and (Corneal Thickness) CT for diagnosis and for monitoring a condition of health of an eye. The apparatus uses measurements selected from at least one of IOP and a CT, and a plurality of IOP measurements to deduce an interpretive result indicative of a condition of an eye. In another embodiment, the apparatus measures a relationship between an applanated area of variable size and a selected one of an applied force and an applied pressure. The relationship is used to deduce an interpretive result indicative of the condition of an eye. The result can be displayed to a practitioner. The practitioner uses the result to determine a course of treatment as necessary, and to monitor the effect of a course of treatment on the state of health of the eye over time.

Abstract: A tip element for an otoscopic apparatus includes engagement features that permit selective attachment to two different tip attachment mechanisms. The tip element includes both interior and exterior engagement features that provide interchangeability with otoscopes having different tip attachment schemes. The tip element includes an increased distal aperture formed from a decreased slope that enables a larger field of view, permitting the entire tympanic membrane to be viewed at once. External engagement features permit ejection of the tip from the otoscope, as well as stackability of a plurality of tip elements.