Abstract: A reusable temperature sensing probe assembly comprises a temperature sensor strip extending from one end of a handle. The temperature sensor strip carries at least one temperature sensor for measuring temperature within a body cavity of a person, such as the rectum. The handle/temperature sensor strip is reversibly positionable within a unitary balloon/sleeve assembly comprised of a balloon portion and a sleeve portion. The balloon portion is comprised of a first interior space configured to hold the temperature sensor stip and a second interior space separate from the first interior space that is configured for inflation. An inflation tube has one portion sealed within the second interior space of the balloon portion and a second portion which extends through the sleeve portion for connection to a fluid source.

Abstract: A reusable temperature sensing probe assembly comprises a temperature sensor strip extending from one end of a handle. The temperature sensor strip carries at least one temperature sensor for measuring temperature within a body cavity of a person, such as the rectum. The handle/temperature sensor strip is reversibly positionable within a unitary balloon/sleeve assembly comprised of a balloon portion and a sleeve portion. The balloon portion is comprised of a first interior space configured to hold the temperature sensor stip and a second interior space separate from the first interior space that is configured for inflation. An inflation tube has one portion sealed within the second interior space of the balloon portion and a second portion which extends through the sleeve portion for connection to a fluid source.

Abstract: A perforated medical adhesive tape has a tape backing layer formed from flexible sheet material, e.g., plastic film, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer for bonding the adhesive tape to the skin of a patient. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is flexible, deformable, elastic and has a permanently tacky surface. The backing layer has a planar outer surface with a multiplicity of upwardly extending protrusions, i.e., minute mounds which are upward deflections in the tape with corresponding upwardly extending, downwardly opening concavities or indentations in its lower surface below each of the protrusions. Each of the protrusions has a pierced opening located at its approximate center. The openings are elevated above the planar surface of the tape, and each opening extends through both the tape backing and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer to facilitate the diffusion of air and moisture vapor through the tape. The tape is pierced with a multiplicity of heated needles, each having a tapered point.

Abstract: A dual purpose biomedical device has a solid flexible ultrasonic couplant sheet or pad formed from an electrically conductive hydrogel. The hydrogel sheet has an upper surface that is exposed during use for allowing direct contact between an ultrasonic generator and the hydrogel sheet and a lower surface that is placed during use against the skin of a patient whereby the hydrogel sheet transmits ultrasonic waves to and from the body of the patient. An adhesive is operatively associated with the hydrogel sheet for adhering the sheet to the skin. A removable and replaceable electrically conductive flexible sheet is supported upon the upper surface of the hydrogel sheet for establishing electrical contact with the patient through the hydrogel sheet when lowered into contact with the hydrogel sheet. The conductive sheet is removable therefrom for allowing the ultrasonic generator to contact the hydrogel sheet.

Abstract: A solid, multipurpose, flexible, ultrasonic biomedical couplant hydrogel in sheet form is applied to the skin of a patient to facilitate the transfer of ultrasound energy between a standard ultrasound instrument and the body. The couplant sheet has broad upper and lower surfaces and a narrow peripheral edge which is usually circular, square or rectangular but can have other shapes such as the shape of the part of the body being monitored. During use, the lower surface of the sheet is applied to the skin of a patient and remain in place throughout use. The ultrasound instrument is then passed back and forth, usually in contact with the exposed upper surface of the hydrogel sheet while ultrasound energy is transmitted through the hydrogel which serves as a transmission path for the sonic energy passing to and from the body of the patient. The hydrogel sheet of the present invention is a flexible, self-supporting solid sheet which holds its form during storage and when placed on the body.

Abstract: A hydrogel matrix is provided for a multipupose medical electrode having an electrically conductive backing. The matrix comprises a dispersion of a natural or a synthetic hydrophilic polymer, e.g., polyacrylamide, polyacrylic acid, modified starch, or gum karaya, gum acacia, locust bean gum or the like, water, and a humectant such as triethylene glycol or glycerol. The matrix is a flexible sheet having a tacky lower surface for establishing a bond to provide electrical contact with the skin of a patient. The matrix has a resistivity greater than the resistivity of the electrical conductive backing and includes a gelation inhibitor such as a salt of a weak acid, e.g., Mg(OAc).sub.2 uniformly distributed within the matrix in an amount sufficient to retard gelation of the matrix prior to forming the matrix into a flexible sheet.

Abstract: A multipurpose medical stimulating electrode is described for use in external cardiac pacing, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and neuromuscular stimulation which includes a protective cover layer at the top extending over and bonded to the upper surface of an electrically conductive layer, e.g. carbon filled silicone rubber having a resistivity of about 100 ohm centimeters on the lower surface of which is coated a selfsupporting skin contacting hydrogel layer comprising a matrix having a sticky surface adapted to make a good electrical contact with the skin and having a resistivity of greater than 1,000 and less than 10,000 ohm centimeters. The matrix is composed of natural or synthetic hydrocolloid, e.g. polyacrylamide, and/or natural gum such as karaya gum, water and a humectant comprising a polyhydric alcohol and optionally with Mg(OAc).sub.2 as a gelation inhibitor and electrolyte.