Abstract: An ultrasound densitometer is disclosed in which ultrasonic transducers are located spaced apart in a water bath into which the heel of a person may be inserted. The transit time of an ultrasonic pulse through the water and heel and the attenuation of the pulse may be measured to evaluate the physical properties of the bone in the heel. A central controller coordinates the ultrasonic measurement with the automatic filling and draining of the water bath to ensure hygienic and repeatable operation. The water may be preheated to reduce patient discomfort and to improve the consistency of the result. The delay of preheating is reduced by preheating water in a separate pre-fill chamber during the previous scan. Gravity feed of the water reduces the complexity of the water handling and provides extremely quiet operation. A toe peg in the water bath, which fits between the patient's toes, and a calf support help to reduce patient motion during the measuring.

Abstract: An ultrasound densitometer is disclosed in which ultrasonic transducers are located spaced apart in a water bath into which the heel of a person may be inserted. The transit time of an ultrasonic pulse through the water and heel and the attenuation of the pulse may be measured to evaluate the physical properties of the bone in the heel. A central controller coordinates the ultrasonic measurement with the automatic filling and draining of the water bath to ensure hygienic and repeatable operation. The water may be preheated to reduce patient discomfort and to improve the consistency of the result. The delay of preheating is reduced by preheating water in a separate pre-fill chamber during the previous scan. Gravity feed of the water reduces the complexity of the water handling and provides extremely quiet operation. A toe peg in the water bath, which fits between the patient's toes, and a calf support help to reduce patient motion during the measuring.

Abstract: A desitometer gantry may translate in two directions for scanning and may swivel about a vertical axis to allow the radiation angle and the detector-to-patient distance to be altered during a scan so as to provide constant magnification of the image and to align the patient's spine with the radiation beam for more accurate edge measurements. A method of reducing the effects of osteophytes on density measurements applies an iterative threshold based on the density difference between hard and soft tissue.

Abstract: A portable positioning device for supporting and holding a patient in a lateral decubitus position on the table of a densitometer or the like includes a rigid back support having a vertical wall, a buttocks support having a vertical wall extending laterally at an angle relative to the vertical wall of the back support and a restraining means for holding the patient against these vertical walls, such as a flexible strap. The positioning device is placed on the densitometer table with the vertical wall of the back support parallel to the longitudinal axis of the table and the patient is positioned on the table in a lateral decubitus position and legs flexed with his or her back against the back support, buttocks against the buttocks support and knees bent in a comfortable position. The strap is wrapped around the patient's waist, pulled tight enough to hold him or her in place and then secured to the back support.

Abstract: A defibrillator paddle includes a pediatric electrode of relatively small size attached to a mounting portion of a housing having a handle. An adult electrode assembly is releasably mounted to the mounting portion of the housing by a quick release latch mechanism. The adult electrode assembly includes an adult electrode larger than the pediatric electrode. The pediatric electrode nests within the adult electrode assembly and a spring makes electrical contact between the electrodes when the adult electrode assembly is mounted.

Abstract: A lead connector is disclosed for connecting cardiac pacing leads to a pulse generator through a cable. The lead connector is capable of receiving either in-line or bifurcated leads. The electrodes of the leads need not be of the same diameter due to the construction of a clamping assembly which clamps the lead electrodes to the connector electrodes. The clamping assembly includes a threaded shaft which receives a threaded nut that is retained in a clamping block. The clamping block is constructed so that it may rock relative to the shaft on a domed outer surface of the nut, thereby allowing clamping arms on the clamping block to press against the lead electrodes even if they are of different diameters. A second version of the connector has two clamping blocks and is capable of receiving either a bifurcated lead or an in-line lead, or alternately, both ventricular and atrial leads of either type at the same time.