Abstract: A contact medium structure attachable to externally-applied medical diagnostic devices for providing self-adherence of the medical device to the skin of a patient thereby eliminating the need for belts or similar means. The contact medium is inherently adhesive, hydrophilic, skin-compatible, ultrasonic-compatible and pressure sensitive to facilitate self-adhesion of the medical device to the patient's skin. A particularly suitable contact medium is a mesh-reinforced hydrogel film which adheres to the device and extends beyond the perimeter of the device to provide additional adhesiveness and compliance with the contour of the patient's body. A support element associated with and extending beyond the perimeter of the medical device adheres to the contact medium and provides adjustability of the extended hydrogel film relative to the patient's skin.

Abstract: A non-invasive intracorporeal movement transducer for translating intracorporeal movement into a detectable pressure signal is described. The movement transducer includes a fluid-filled bubble with a rigid rear portion, and a semi-rigid, flexible forward portion which is placed against a patient's skin above the organ to be monitored. The rear portion of the bubble has a fluid duct which provides fluid communication to the interior, and tubing is connected between the duct and a pressure sensor which detects the pressure of fluid within the bubble. Self-adhering attachment means is associated with the rear portion of the bubble for affixing the bubble against the patient's skin. In one embodiment, the attachment means is a foam backing larger than the bubble, with adhesive on one side for adhering to the patient's skin and to the rear portion of the bubble.

Abstract: A safety inflation apparatus for preventing full inflation of a catheter balloon in a small body cavity of lesser internal diameter than that of the fully-inflated catheter balloon. The apparatus includes a safety reservoir which inflates to absorb excess fluid volume from a catheter inflation device (such as a syringe) when the catheter balloon comes into contact with the wall of the small cavity, thereby preventing damage to the cavity wall and injury to the patient. In one embodiment of the invention, sensors and cooperating electronic displays are employed to provide an indication of the operating state of the system as the catheter balloon is inflated, and in another embodiment of the invention, the catheter inflation device is automatically actuated and driven, in addition to employing sensors and displays.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a safety inflation apparatus for preventing full inflation of a catheter balloon in a small body cavity of lesser internal diameter than that of the fully-inflated catheter balloon. The present invention includes a safety reservoir which inflates to absorb excess fluid volume from a catheter inflation device (such as a syringe) when the catheter balloon comes into contact with the wall of the small cavity, thereby preventing damage to the cavity wall and injury to the patient. In one embodiment of the invention, sensors and associated electronic displays are employed to provide an indication of the operating state of the system as the catheter balloon is inflated.