Abstract: An anesthesia machine with a head worn display includes a gas delivery system and a patient monitor system cooperating in such a manner as to monitor the anesthesia and vital parameters of a patient in surgery. The gas delivery system supplies oxygen or a gaseous anesthetic at a controlled pressure and flow rate as monitored by gas delivery sensors. The gas delivery sensors and patient vital parameter sensors are interfaced to a monitor processor and the measured values of the sensors can be displayed on a head worn display device having stereoscopic capabilities. The monitor processor includes communication ports for selectively monitoring the sensors of a similar anesthesia machine remotely positioned and for downloading patient medical records from a hospital medical records computer. A wireless communication link can be employed between the monitor processor and the head worn display to facilitate movement of an anesthesiologist about an operating room.

Abstract: A stereoscopic video telecommunication system includes a fiberoptic based wideband switching network interconnecting wideband subscriber stations and narrowband subscriber stations. A wideband station includes a stereoscopic video receiver along with a stereophonic audio receiver for respectively displaying and playing stereo video and audio signals received by way of the network. The wideband station may also include a stereoscopic video source such as a pair of stereoscopic video cameras along with a stereophonic pair of microphones. The wideband station may also include narrowband devices such as a conventional telephone, a computer, and a facsimile machine. Connections between stations on the network are established by dialing another station and transferring the desired signal, including stereoscopic video signals. Preferably, the signals are converted to a digital format and, especially for stereoscopic video signals, data compressed to conserve network overhead.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment of urinary incontinence comprising the application of a compressive force to the tissue surrounding the urethra from below the urethra upwards towards the pubic bone. The apparatus comprises an inflatable, urethra-compressing balloon having a tissue-engaging surface positioned between layers of tissue adjacent the urethra on a side of the urethra opposite the pubic bone. The balloon flow communicates with a fluid reservoir secured to the frontal portion of the pubic bone. A patient having the apparatus surgically-implanted therein may selectively advance hydraulic fluid between the reservoir and the balloon so as to inflate or deflate the balloon and prevent or allow bladder emptying respectively.

Abstract: A stereoscopically displayed three dimensional medical imaging system derives image data from a tomographic imaging apparatus and reconstructs the image data into a three dimensional model and displays right and left stereoscopic three dimensional image components of the model on corresponding right and left video display devices of a stereoscopic viewing unit. The system includes a system computer interfaced to the imaging apparatus and a pair of image channels, each including a three dimensional display processor, and a video display device. The three dimensional display processors receive polygon image data, reconstruct it into a three dimensional form, and select image data representing a three dimensional view from a selected perspective. The system computer generates the polygon image data and controls the display processors to present mutually angularly displaced views of the same three dimensional image to form the stereoscopic image components.

Abstract: A stereoscopically displayed three dimensional ultrasound imaging system derives image data from an ultrasound imaging apparatus including a two dimensional ultrasound transducer array, reconstructs the image data into a three dimensional model, and displays right and left stereoscopic three dimensional image components of the model on corresponding right and left video display devices of a stereoscopic viewing unit. The system includes a system computer interfaced to the imaging apparatus and a pair of image channels, each including a three dimensional display processor, and a video display device. The three dimensional display processors receive polygon image data, reconstruct it into a three dimensional form, and select image data representing a three dimensional view from a selected perspective. The system computer controls the display processors to present mutually angularly displaced views of the same three dimensional image to form the stereoscopic image components.

Abstract: A portable or "lap-top" computer includes an associated head mounted display. The display is constructed in a manner similar to a pair of eyeglasses but with liquid crystal display screens replacing or forming a portion of the eyeglass lenses. The display screens can be either opaque or light transmitting, and can be hinge mounted to the glasses frame so that they can be swung up and out of the field of vision of the user. Specialized uses for the portable computer and head mounted display include a computer desk for secretarial workstations and the like, a research library workstation, and a moving map installation in an automobile or airplane.

Abstract: A disposable surgical apparatus for removing potentially harmful materials including fluids, vapors and airborne particles, especially AIDS virus, from an operating zone, during an operation comprising a vacuum generating system that draws the potentially harmful material through a suction manifold mounted on a surface in the proximity of a wound or incision. The suction manifold is incorporated in an elongate strip having an adhesive surface that is adhered to the patient in the vicinity of an incision or the like and that includes a plurality of apertures therealong in flow communication with the vacuum generating system.

Abstract: An apparatus to aid in isolating a medical practitioner from infectious materials found in a patient. The apparatus includes a collector for providing a vacuum barrier around the mouth of a patient to trap aerosols and the like emanating from the patient during a dental procedure. The collector is flow connected to a vacuum source for drawing a vacuum, and gases drawn in by the source are passed through a filter. The collector is ring-shaped to surround the mouth and to allow the practitioner to see into the site of the procedure and is disposable after each operation.

Abstract: An attachment for use with medical tools to aid in isolating a medical practitioner from infectious materials found in a patient. The attachment includes both a physical barrier and means for providing a vacuum barrier around the tool to trap aerosols and the like developed by the tool during an operation. The barrier is flow connected to a vacuum source for drawing a vacuum, and gases drawn in by the source are collected by a filter. The barrier is transparent with radial spokes which form a ring-shaped passage or air channel to allow the practitioner to see the site of the operation and is disposable after each operation.

Abstract: A combined navigational and display system for a person including a helmet carrying apparatus for communication, storage and processing of information and for the visual display of information. The navigational system is based on an electromagnetic field generated at sufficiently high frequency preferably by intermediate reference stations. Preferably, the display is part of a flip-up/down visor stereographically showing a local map generated by an information storage device, and the display shows the location of the person on the map as well as the coordinates of that location on the map. The same system can be used by a person in a vehicle for navigational systems using lower carrier frequencies, the antenna and all communication and information storage and processing equipment being mounted on the vehicle and a wireless link being provided between the equipment mounted in the vehicle and the display apparatus mounted in the helmet or the equipment transmits directly to a vehicle mounted display.

Abstract: A disposable surgical apparatus for removing potentially harmful vapor and airborne particulate, especially AIDS virus, from an operating zone, including an environment occupied by a surgeon during an operation comprises a vacuum generating system that draws the potentially harmful vapor and airborne particulate through a suction manifold mounted on the surgeon's wrists and outside the protective apparel donned by surgeons during operations. The apparatus further includes a suction conduit routed beneath the surgeon's protective apparel connecting the suction manifold cuff to a high efficiency filter and vacuum pump. The protective cuff is designed so as not to appreciably impair the movement or vision of the surgeon.

Abstract: A protective apparatus for preventing the exchange of harmful substances between an area isolated by the apparatus and the environment for use in medical, laboratory, and industrial application. The apparatus includes a physical shield, a vacuum barrier, and an adjustable support frame. The apparatus further includes a vacuum connector for connecting the apparatus to a vacuum source, a vacuum conduit for flow communicating with the air around the perimeter of the physical shield such that the vacuum source draws air along with solid and liquid matter entrained in the air into the vacuum conduit, and a plurality of vacuum apertures located along the vacuum conduit for communicating the vacuum source with the air. The apparatus is designed so as to provide protection for persons in proximity to a source of harmful substances such as aerosols produced by surgical procedures at a surgical incision on a patient infected with the AIDS virus or the like.

Abstract: A stereoscopic fluoroscope apparatus includes a pair of spaced x-ray tubes mounted on a support opposite a respective pair of x-ray image intensifiers having a pair of video cameras coupled thereto. The x-ray tubes and image intensifiers are positioned to form a stereoscopic pair of fluorescent images which are converted to video signals by the cameras. The cameras are connected to a head worn video stereoscopic display including miniature right and left video display devices therein for stereoscopic viewing of the images produced by irradiating a target of examination. The apparatus includes provisions for selectively routing the video signals representing the x-ray images to external signal receivers such as remote video monitors, video recorders, or computers and for routing external video signals to the stereoscopic display unit for displaying the images represented thereby.

Abstract: A portable television playback system includes a video source unit, video processing circuitry, audio processing circuitry, and a stereo viewing and sound unit. The video source unit is a television receiver, a small videocassette tape cartridge player, or a stereo optical video disc player. The viewing and sound unit has stereoscopic and stereophonic capabilities and is generally a head worn unit having right and left image display devices and right and left earphones. The video and audio processing circuits receive the signals from the video source unit and parallel the video and audio signals to drive the stereo output devices if the source is a television receiver or a videocassette tape player or perform demultiplexing functions to separate the right and left video and audio signals from the right and left multiplexed video/audio signals.

Abstract: A stereoscopic endoscope includes a sheath for insertion into the body of a patient and a pair of image guides and an illumination or light guide extending through the sheath. The image guides and light guide are preferably formed of optical fibers to facilitate flexibility of the endoscope. The image guides optically connect with a stereoscopc viewer for three dimensional viewing of a site within the body. The viewer includes couplings for attaching miniaturized video cameras, the cameras in turn being connected to a head worn stereoscopic video display. In addition, the video signals representing the images gathered by the endoscope may be displayed on remote monitors or recorded by a video recorder. The endoscope may include other channels extending through the sheath such as water, air, gas, other fluid channels with associated valves and/or a channel for receiving an endoscopic surgical tool.

Abstract: A stereoscopic remote viewing system includes a pair of spaced apart cameras mounted on a platform which is movable along a semicircular support track for azimuth aiming of the cameras. The track is pivotable about a diametric axis for elevation aiming of the cameras. The cameras are connected through selection switches to a head worn video display unit having a pair of cathode ray tubes (CRT's) mounted therein. Lenses and mirrors are positioned to project the images reproduced by the CRT's indirectly into the eyes of a viewer. A digital computer is connected through the selection switches and is employed for the storage and retrieval of texts and graphic information related to the operations viewed with the system.

Abstract: The device includes a shaft having a plurality of interengaging shaft members. A tension member extends through the shaft and is positional between two positions. When the tension member is in the first position thereof, the shaft members are capable of movement relative to one another allowing the shaft to be manipulable between a continuous range of positions. When the tension member is biased to the second position thereof, the shaft members are non-movably held together forming a rigid shaft of desired shape. An articulation member extends through the shaft and is connected to a live attachment which is retained on a distal end of the shaft. By manipulation of the articulation member at a proximal end of the shaft the live attachment is manipulated.

Abstract: An eyeglass frame with structural spare key is provided comprising an eyeglass frame having a lens supporting member with opposed, spaced temple bars extending rearwardly from sides thereof with at least one of the temple bars having integrally incorporated therewith at a free end thereof a key to be used by the wearer of the eyeglass frame as a spare key for emergencies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus therefor for providing an individual a magnified view of the manual manipulations of the individual, particularly those of a surgeon during surgery. Video cameras are provided for viewing the manual manipulations of the individual. Electric signals representing an image of the manual manipulations are transmitted to a video screen placed in optical alignment with eyes of the individual. The image viewed by the individual is selectively magnified and focused by the individual. An image other than that of manual manipulations of the individual can be transmitted to and projected on the video screen to provide the individual with additional visual information.