Abstract: The present invention is a device to be used during an emergency egress situation to enable a user to safely and effectively carry a child or pet during the emergency egress while at the same time allowing the user the full use of his or her arms during the egress. The device includes a pouch that is secured to the user's chest by means of straps that pass from the pouch over the user's shoulders, around the user's back and which are then secured to the pouch. The straps are easily adjustable to allow the invention to be put on the user and then rapidly secured to the user. The pouch is dimensioned to receive and securely hold a child or pet. The pouch also includes straps or a closure top that secures the child or pet within the pouch.

Abstract: A device and method for measuring and communicating parameters of a brain, tissue or other organs is disclosed. The invention includes a sensor to sense the parameter of interest and then communicate the sensed parameter to an activation system. The activation system may cause the parameter to be displayed, processed or cause action to be taken. The activation system may be entirely or partially implanted or entirely external to the patient.

Abstract: An implantable system for treating a patient by an implantable electrical transducer and an implantable and rechargeable power source comprising a capacitive energy storage unit. A circuit is provided for recharging the power source without removing the power source from the patient. The power source preferably comprises a capacitor having a rating of at least 0.1 farads fabricated from carbonized phenol fibers.

Abstract: A device for repositioning an organ, such as the heart, during minimally invasive surgical procedures includes a pod having a plurality of inflatable/deflatable pillows on at least an upper surface thereof, each pillow forming a separately sealed chamber. Each chamber may include a separate lumen or supply line in direct communication therewith. Each lumen is in turn connected to a fluid source through either a manually or electrically actuatable valve. The valve associated with each supply line permits fluid to be selectively introduced into or withdrawn from any number of chambers by manipulating the valves to thereby selectively inflate or deflate the selected chambers. Preferably, a pressure sensor is used to monitor the pressure in one or more chambers and means are incorporated to selectively inflate or deflate the chambers in response to the detected pressure.

Abstract: A stimulation device for screening therapeutic effects from electrical stimulation of electrically excitable tissue. The stimulation device includes inputs such that the user can easily select the polarity, amplitude, pulse width, and pulse rate of the respective stimulation signal applied on each of the implanted electrodes. Alternatively, the stimulation device automatically sets those parameters of the stimulation signal with parameters that have historically produced high ratings of therapeutic effect. The user then enters a rating of the therapeutic effect that results from the application of those stimulation signals on the implanted electrodes. The stimulation device is designed to also include a casing such that the stimulation device is adapted to be portable. Because the stimulation device of the present invention is also inexpensive, the user can carry this device around during normal daily activities of the user during the screening process.

Abstract: A tight, sterile connection between flexible tubing and a connector on a medical device is produced by pre-assembling the tubing and the connector, heat-shrinking the tubing onto the connector, and then sterilizing the connection while maintaining compression of the tubing against the connector.

Abstract: A lancet type device having a movable and retractable lancet tip is disclosed. The lancet tip extends beyond the end of a lancet body. The device includes an actuating mechanism that moves and retracts the sharp distal lancet tip linearly into and out of contact with a patient's skin. The actuating mechanism includes an arm with a substantially "V" shaped groove. In one embodiment, the arm extends away from and pivots around the proximal end of the device. In another embodiment, the arm moves transversely across the device. A cylindrical cam follower protrudes from the lancet body. Contact between the groove and the cam follower moves the cam follower, and consequently the lancet body, in a linear direction along the axis of the lancet body.

Abstract: A suction catheter is disclosed having a tubular, bellowed flexible proximal or patient contacting end creating a rigidity to not permit bending and twisting during the catheter's insertion and operation, a flexibility to prevent injuring a patient's trachea or bronchial tube and having a good suction efficiency. A lumen leads to openings in the catheter made at the bellowed proximal end that fluidly connects the lumen with the exterior of the catheter.

Abstract: A device is provided for reducing the number of ECG data sample points presented to a video display system to avoid overwhelming the video display screen with a number of ECG sample points and to present several seconds of data on the screen at the same time. The device ensures that the maximum and minimum values of the original ECG signal are displayed. A collection of consecutive points is broken into sub-groups which are each processed to produce representative amplitude values for each sub-group which representative values are then displayed on the display screen.In the preferred embodiment, the device includes a microprocessor with electronic memory which calculates a representative amplitude value for each sub-group. The representative amplitude value is chosen depending on whether the sub-group contains a local maximum or a minimum in the values of consecutively sampled points or whether the data points of the sub-group are part of a curve leading to a local maximum or minimum.

Abstract: A drop detector circuit and method are provided for a drop detector of the type including a drop chamber and an electro-optical sensor. A detector detects drops passing through the drop detector in an optical sensing path between the detector and at least one light source. In response to the detection of a drop passing through the optical path, the detector produces an output signal. A capacitor is connected between the detector and an amplifier to block the DC component of the output signal. After amplification, the signal is passed through a low pass filter to further block signals caused by undesirable factors. The cutoff frequency of the low pass filter is controlled by a microprocessor that controls the pump that pumps liquid from the drop chamber. The detector and light source or sources are arranged to detect drops falling in the drop chamber at virtually any angle and in virtually any ambient light condition.