Abstract: The invention features pharmaceutical compositions that include lubricin, a compound that inhibits an enzyme selected from the group consisting of neutrophil elastase, cathepsin B, cathepsin K, cathepsin L, cathepsin S, papain, trypsin, chymotrypsin, subtilisin, pepsin, bromelain, ficin, Protease A, Protease B, Protease D, granzyme A, granzyme B, granzyme K, pepsin, thermolysin, pronase, dipeptidyl peptidase IV, and pancreatin, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. Another aspect of the invention features methods of lubricating a joint in a mammal by contacting the joint with a pharmaceutical composition of the invention. The invention also features methods of inhibiting adhesion formation between a first surface and a second surface in a mammal (e.g., between injured tissues or between injured tissue and an artificial device).

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for measuring pulsus paradoxus. The methods herein employ a combination of one or more forms of waveform analysis for the purpose of measuring pulsus paradoxus and diagnosing respiratory distress. The methods also combine measurements of pulsus paradoxus and physician assessments to diagnose respiratory distress. The methods also combine measurements of pulsus paradoxus and percentage oxygenated hemoglobin to diagnose respiratory distress. The devices of this invention employ pulse oximeters, arterial tonometers, finometers, or processors for the purpose of implementing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The invention features a tribonectin and a method of tribosupplementation carried out by administering tribonectins directly to an injured or arthritic joint.

Abstract: The invention features a lubricating polyeptide and methods of lubricating joints or other tissues by administering the polypeptide systemically or directly to tissues.

Abstract: The invention features a tribonectin and a method of tribosupplementation carried out by administering tribonectins directly to an injured or arthritic joint.

Abstract: A system for determining an indication of animal joint mobility includes a mounting apparatus configured to hold a first condyle of the joint stationary in a position such that a second condyle of the joint can pivot about the joint, a pendulum configured to be coupled to the second condyle and configured such that a portion of a weight of the pendulum is disposed below a pivot axis of the joint such that the pendulum and second condyle can oscillate about the pivot axis, an angular displacement indicator associated with the pendulum, an angular displacement recorder configured to store indicia of the angular displacement, as indicated by the angular displacement indicator; of the pendulum over time, and a processor coupled to the angular displacement recorder and configured to use the angular displacement indicia to determine a first value associated with momentum decay of oscillations of the pendulum and to use the at least one value to determine a second value associated with a coefficient of friction of t

Abstract: The invention features a tribonectin and a method of tribosupplementation carried out by administering tribonectins directly to an injured or arthritic joint.

Abstract: The invention features a lubricating polyeptide and methods of lubricating joints or other tissues by administering the polypeptide systemically or directly to tissues.

Abstract: A method of estimating an amount of a substance in a bodily fluid from the color of a tissue surface of a subject includes capturing an image including at least a portion-of-interest of the subject and at least a reference portion of a color reference, the image being a digital image of pixels of at least one color, the image including a component value for each pixel for each of the at least one color, obtaining a first value associated with at least one component value corresponding to the portion-of-interest of the subject, obtaining a second value associated with at least one component value corresponding to the reference portion, and calculating an estimated amount of the substance using the first and second values.

Abstract: A device and method are disclosed for electronically measuring the degree of pulsus paradox in a patient from a single patient date source. The single data source may be any device that outputs a waveform indicatiave of patient pulsatile cardiovascular behavior such as an optical plethysmograph, a pulse oximeter, or a blood pressure monitor. The invention is useful for rapidly assessing the status of a patient in acute respiratory distress for the purpose of objectively determining the severity of their condition.

Abstract: A device and method are disclosed for electronically measuring the degree of pulsus paradoxus in a patient from a single patient data source. The single data source may be any device that outputs a waveform indicative of patient pulsatile cardiovascular behavior such as an optical plethysmograph, a pulse oximeter, or a blood pressure monitor. The invention is useful for rapidly assessing the status of a patient in acute respiratory distress for the purpose of objectively determining the severity of their condition.

Abstract: An electronic stethoscopic system is described which permits detection of auscultory sounds in a patient in high noise environments such as ambulances and aircraft. The stethoscope employs an electroacoustical transducer, an acoustical driver mounted in a headset providing acoustical isolation from exterior noise, a summing microphone positioned within the insulating headset, and active noise reduction circuitry to feed an error signal back from the summing microphone to the acoustical driver so as to effectively cancel the unwanted acoustical noise originating external to the insulating headset. The stethoscopic system includes circuitry permitting the headset to selectively receive the audio output from a vehicular intercom system whenever a voice signal is present, thereby allowing treating medical personnel to monitor the patient while participating in the conversation being conducted on the vehicle's intercom system.