Abstract: Minor traumatic brain injury is detected by operating (a) an image generator for presenting a visual stimulus having a predetermined movement across a visual field of a subject and (b) a sensor device for monitoring fast eye movement of the subject while the subject views the stimulus. The sensor device generates a signal encoding the subject's eye position. A computer or microprocessor operatively connected to the sensor device is configured for determining a magnitude for the fast eye velocity component.

Abstract: Minor traumatic brain injury is detected by operating (a) an image generator for presenting a visual stimulus having a predetermined movement across a visual field of a subject and (b) a sensor device for monitoring fast eye movement of the subject while the subject views the stimulus. The sensor device generates a signal encoding the subject's eye position. A computer or microprocessor operatively connected to the sensor device is configured for determining a parametric value for the fast eye velocity component.

Abstract: Minor traumatic brain injury is detected by operating (a) an image generator for presenting a visual stimulus having a predetermined movement across a visual field of a subject and (b) a sensor device for monitoring fast eye movement of the subject while the subject views the stimulus. The sensor device generates a signal encoding the subject's eye position. A computer or microprocessor operatively connected to the sensor device is configured for determining a magnitude for the fast eye velocity component.

Abstract: Minor traumatic brain injury is detected by operating (a) an image generator for presenting a visual stimulus having a predetermined movement across a visual field of a subject and (b) a sensor device for monitoring fast eye movement of the subject while the subject views the stimulus. The sensor device generates a signal encoding the subject's eye position. A computer or microprocessor operatively connected to the sensor device is configured for determining a parametric value for the fast eye velocity component.

Abstract: Minor traumatic brain injury is detected by operating (a) an image generator for presenting a visual stimulus having a predetermined movement across a visual field of a subject and (b) a sensor device for monitoring fast eye movement of the subject while the subject views the stimulus. The sensor device generates a signal encoding the subject's eye position. A computer or microprocessor operatively connected to the sensor device is configured for determining a parametric value for the fast eye velocity component.

Abstract: Minor traumatic brain injury is detected by operating (a) an image generator for presenting a visual stimulus having a predetermined movement across a visual field of a subject and (b) a sensor device for monitoring fast eye movement of the subject while the subject views the stimulus. The sensor device generates a signal encoding the subject's eye position. A computer or microprocessor operatively connected to the sensor device is configured for determining a magnitude for the fast eye velocity component.

Abstract: A tympanic ventilation tube or pressure equalization device includes a pair of flanges disposed at opposite ends of a tubular member. At least one of the tubular member and the flanges is made of a polymeric material impregnated with an antibiotic.

Abstract: A tympanic ventilation tube or pressure equalization device includes a tapered tubular member and a distal flange in the form of two opposite projecting flexible tabs connected to one end of the tubular member. A proximal flange is connected to an opposite end of the tubular member, while a blade member is removably inserted in a groove in the proximal flange. The blade member facilitates the incising of the tympanic membrane during the insertion of the tubular member, wherein the first flange and the second flange seat against opposite sides of the membrane following the insertion. The blade member is provided with a cutting edge on one side and a tongue extension on an opposite side, the tongue extension facilitating a grasping of the blade member and concomitantly the entire device by a grasper instrument during an insertion procedure.

Abstract: An endotracheal assembly comprises an endotracheal tube, a malleable obturator inside the tube for enabling a placement of a distal end of the tube into a patient's trachea, and a pressure-sensitive detector mounted to the obturator at a distal end thereof for detecting air or gas pressure above a predetermined threshold exerted against a distal end of the obturator upon placement of the tube with the obturator into the patient. Upon an initial insertion of the tube and the obturator into a patient's trachea and possible manipulation of the tube and the obturator to effectuate a placement of the tube, a compressive pressure is exerted externally on the patient's chest. The compressive pressure forces air out of the patient's lungs and, if the tube and obturator assembly is properly placed, effectuates a change in the condition of the pressure sensor. That change in condition indicates that pressure above a predetermined level was exerted against the detector element.

Abstract: A surgical closure device comprises an elongate tubular member having a balloon attached in a collapsed configuration to the tubular member at the distal end thereof. A disk is attached to the tubular member at the distal end thereof, proximally of the balloon. During a surgical operation, the distal end of the instrument, including the balloon but not the disk, is inserted through a perforation in an internal body organ of a patient. The balloon is inflated while inside the organ and presses a wall of the organ against the disk to effectively close the perforation. The tubular member may then be subjected to a suction force to enable evacuation of liquid from the organ. After the suctioning operation, the tube is clamped and severed, the balloon remaining at least temporarily attached to the organ.

Abstract: An endotracheal assembly comprises an endotracheal tube, a malleable obturator inside the tube for enabling a placement of a distal end of the tube into a patient's trachea, and a colorimeteric carbon dioxide indicator mounted to the obturator for determining a passage of carbon dioxide through the tube upon a placement of the tube in the patient. The indicator may be removably connected to the obturator, for example, at the distal end thereof. In addition, cooperating locking elements are provided for releasably locking the indicator to the obturator.

Abstract: A device for use during sinus surgery comprises a housing, a pair of straps connected to the housing for attaching the housing to a patient's head so that the housing is juxtaposed to an eyeball of the patient, and a pressurization component mounted to the housing for automatically exerting a varying pressure on the patient's eyeball. The pressure exerted is controlled to provide a regular pulsation of the eye in the event that the bony orbit between the sinus cavity and the eye is thin or perforated.

Abstract: A tympanic ventilation tube device for releasing fluid from the middle ear includes a tubular member, a first flange connected to a proximal end of the tubular member, a second flange connected to a distal end of the tubular member, and a cutting element connected to either the tubular member or the second flange. The cutting element projects in a generally distal direction and serves to facilitate the incising of the tympanic membrane during the insertion of the tubular member, wherein the first flange and the second flange seat against opposite sides of the membrane following the insertion. A spring-loaded protector is movably mounted to either the tubular member or the second flange for retracting in a proximal direction to expose the cutting element during an incising of a tympanic membrane by the cutting element in an insertion operation and for extending in a distal direction to cover the cutting element upon insertion of the cutting element and the distal flange through the tympanic membrane.

Abstract: A device for repairing a tympanic membrane comprises a patch provided on one side with an adhesive layer, and an elongate tubular applicator member having a proximal end and a distal end. The patch is removably attached via suction to the distal end of the tubular applicator member so that the adhesive layer faces away from the elongate applicator member. The proximal end of the tubular applicator member is temporarily closed or sealed to maintain the suction force, thereby holding the tympanic patch to the distal end of the applicator tube while the tube is being inserted through the auditory canal. Upon a pressing of the patch against the ear drum so that the patch covers the perforation, the proximal end of the tube is released to pressurize the tube channel with ambient air. This pressurization releases the patch and allows it to adhere to the tympanic membrane.

Abstract: A surgical closure device comprises an elongate tubular member having a pair of balloons attached in a collapsed configuration to the tubular member at the distal end thereof. During a surgical operation the distal end of the instrument, including the distal-most balloon, is inserted through a perforation in an internal body organ of a patient. The distal-most balloon is inflated while inside the organ, the proximal balloon being inflated outside the organ. In their inflated states, the balloons press against one another and sandwich the wall of the organ between them to effectively close the perforation. The tubular member may then be subjected to a suction force to enable evacuation of liquid from the organ. After the suctioning operation, the tube is clamped and severed, the balloons remaining at least temporarily attached to the organ.

Abstract: A tympanic ventilation tube for ventilating and/or releasing fluid from the middle ear has, in accordance with the present invention, a tubular member and a first flange and a second flange connected to opposite ends of the tubular member. The first flange is provided with a cutting edge and with a tongue extension angularly spaced from the cutting edge. The cutting edge facilitates the incising of the tympanic membrane during the insertion of the tubular member, while the first flange and the second flange seat against opposite sides of the membrane following the insertion.

Abstract: A tympanic ventilation tube device for use in incising an ear drum and ensuring continued drainage of fluid from the middle ear comprises a tube, a first flange connected to one end of the tube, and a second flange connected to an opposite end of the tube, the first flange being provided with a cutting edge. The cutting edge includes a pair of straight edge segments oriented at an acute angle to one another to form a cutting wedge extending away from the second flange. A graspable extension is connected to the second flange and projects therefrom on a side thereof opposite the first flange. The ventilation tube is installed by using an elongate applicator rod or obturator releasably coupled to the tube. The rod is made of a material such as a metal or alloy having a limited malleability. Accordingly, the applicator rod may be reconfigured prior to the application of the ventilation tube, thereby facilitating the insertion of the tube at an appropriate position in the tympanic membrane.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use in hernia repair comprises an elongate tube having a distal end and a proximal end and a balloon attached in a collapsed configuration to the tube at the distal end, the balloon being made of a material which is absorbable by the human body. A net which envelops the balloon is also attached to the tube at the distal end thereof. During a hernia repair operation, the tube is used to insert the balloon from the abdominal cavity of a patient through a hernial opening in an abdominal wall of the patient and into a hernial pocket in inguinal tissue. After the balloon has been so inserted, it is inflated, which expands the net, and the abdominal wall opening is subsequently sealed. A mesh of biologically inert polymeric material for inducing human tissue growth is attached to the abdominal wall over the opening therein. The peritoneal tissue is stapled closed over the sealed opening in the abdominal wall.