Abstract: Inhalant anesthetics are developed with a number of properties including rapid onset and recovery, controllability, and, ideally, a broad safety profile. The efficacy of these agents is measured by their ability to create anesthesia within the framework of the other desirable properties. The instant invention focuses on the dosage level where analgesia occurs but amnesia or lack of consciousness does not. In addition to identifying the dosage level where pain is sharply reduced or eliminated but awareness remains, a delivery system for safe and effective delivery of the agent is described.

Abstract: Inhalant anesthetics are developed with a number of properties including rapid onset and recovery, controllability, and, ideally, a broad safety profile. The efficacy of these agents is measured by their ability to create anesthesia within the framework of the other desirable properties. The instant invention focuses on the dosage level where analgesia occurs but amnesia or lack of consciousness does not. In addition to identifying the dosage level where pain is sharply reduced or eliminated but awareness remains, a delivery system for safe and effective delivery of the agent is described.

Abstract: A targeting system, which provides an adjustable optical assembly, for use with imaging systems having a penetrating beam source, a penetrating beam receiver. The optical assembly has a targeting marker in the path of a penetrating beam emitted by the source. The targeting marker is at least partially opaque to the penetrating beam emitted by the source, and the targeting marker indicates a targeting point on a target axis. The optical assembly further includes a sensible targeting beam device that is capable of providing a sensible targeting beam coaxial and collinear with the target axis. In addition, there is provide a method of aligning the targeting system, such as the system described above, and a method of targeting an area of interest. One advantage of the system and method is that it requires only a two point alignment.

Abstract: A method and system for the application of molecular sieves to the removal of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide from the patient expired gases during anesthesia. The system is especially useful in anesthesia using any of the halogenated ether inhalation anesthetic agents. The expired gases are dried using a non-reactive desiccant to remove water, passed through a filter capable of removing particles larger than 0.3 microns, passed through a bed containing either natural or synthetic molecular sieves capable of removing carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide and then returned to the breathing circuit for recirculation to the patient.

Abstract: An embodiment of the targeting system includes a penetrating beam emitter, a penetrating beam receiver, and a targeting assembly. The targeting assembly is adjustable. The targeting assembly has a targeting marker in a path of a penetrating beam provided by the emitter. The targeting marker is at least partially opaque to a penetrating beam emitted by the emitter, and the targeting marker indicates a targeting point on a target axis. The targeting assembly further includes a targeting beam device capable of providing a targeting beam along the target axis.

Abstract: A sterile drape serving to preserve the sterile integrity of an operating field is disclosed. The drape has a rigid optically clear window which allows a visible light beam, such as a laser beam, to exit a targeting device without refraction or distortion that could result in misalignment of the visible light beam relative to a targeted object. The rigid optically clear window is made of a material having an ability to transmit light and which ability remains substantially unchanged after the drape has undergone a gamma radiation sterilization process. The drape is positioned so that the optically clear window is located across the device window. The optically clear window is adjusted with respect to the device window so that a secondary light beam caused by distortion due to misalignment of the windows disappears and only the visible light beam travels toward the targeted object.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for suppressing human activity in enclosed spaces. More particularly, the invention provides a method for the introduction of anesthesia into an enclosed space for the purpose of rendering occupants of the enclosed space unconscious.

Abstract: Inhalant anesthetics are developed with a number of properties including rapid onset and recovery, controllability, and, ideally, a broad safety profile. The efficacy of these agents is measured by their ability to create anesthesia within the framework of the other desirable properties. The instant invention focuses on the dosage level where analgesia occurs but amnesia or lack of consciousness does not. In addition to identifying the dosage level where pain is sharply reduced or eliminated but awareness remains, a delivery system for safe and effective delivery of the agent is described.

Abstract: An embodiment of the targeting system includes a penetrating beam emitter, a penetrating beam receiver, and a targeting assembly. The targeting assembly is adjustable. The targeting assembly has a targeting marker in a path of a penetrating beam provided by the emitter. The targeting marker is at least partially opaque to a penetrating beam emitted by the emitter, and the targeting marker indicates a targeting point on a target axis. The targeting assembly further includes a targeting beam device capable of providing a targeting beam along the target axis.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved infusion pump (15). In the preferred embodiment, the infusion pump is comprised of an elastomeric hollow balloon (140) and a longitudinal member (110), the balloon having an axial and radial dimension and an open end (22), the longitudinal member (110) having an insertion member (16) extending into the hollow portion (24) of the balloon, the insertion member and the balloon being so configured that the insertion member stretches the elastomeric balloon in the radial direction, but does not stretch the balloon in an axial direction, whereby the infusion pump delivers the quantity of liquid at a substantially constant flow rate. The present invention also discloses an infusion pump comprising a hollow inert membrane (130), an insertion member extending into the hollow portion (23) of the membrane, and the insertion member and the membrane extending into the hollow portion of the balloon, such that the membrane is between the insertion member and the balloon.

Abstract: The device and method of the present invention relate to detecting physiological changes in humans and other mammals by monitoring and detecting changes in concentration of various blood components. In particular, a concentration of an analyte is determined by immobilizing the analyte in a medium with a first antibody having a specific affinity for the analyte, labeling the analyte with a detectable second antibody, and utilizing spectrophotometric, calorimetric and fluorimetric methods of analysis to calculate the concentration.

Abstract: A sterile drape serving to preserve the sterile integrity of an operating field is disclosed. The drape has a rigid optically clear window which allows a visible light beam, such as a laser beam, to exit a targeting device without refraction or distortion that could result in misalignment of the visible light beam relative to a targeted object. The rigid optically clear window is made of a material having an ability to transmit light and which ability remains substantially unchanged after the drape has undergone a gamma radiation sterilization process.

Abstract: The invention relates to an analyte detector and an analyte detection method. An analyte detector according to the invention may include a first variable volume reagent container and a sample receiving cup in fluid communication with the first variable volume reagent container. The detector may include a capture chamber in fluid communication with the first variable volume reagent container and the sample receiving cup. The detector may include a first antibody residing in the capture chamber, the first antibody being specific for an analyte of interest. A method according to the invention involves using a detector such as that described above.

Abstract: A sterile drape serving to preserve the sterile integrity of an operating field is disclosed. The drape has a rigid optically clear window which allows a visible light beam, such as a laser beam, to exit a targeting device without refraction or distortion that could result in misalignment of the visible light beam relative to a targeted object. The rigid optically clear window is made of a material having an ability to transmit light and which ability remains substantially unchanged after the drape has undergone a gamma radiation sterilization process.

Abstract: A device and method for verifying positional alignment between a visible light beam and an x-ray beam by providing a radio-opaque body that is to be positioned in the center of the visible light beam in the x-ray field. The image of the radio-opaque body provides an indication of whether the position of the visible light beam is colinear and coincident with the central ray of the x-ray beam of an imaging system.

Abstract: A measuring and gauging device for ruling the depth of penetration of the needle of an invasive instrument into a patient's body is also used to fit over the needle and the needle tip to protect against needle damage, accidental sticking of the user's fingers and puncture of the package within which the invasive instrument is stored and shipped.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-invasive method and device for detecting hormonal changes in humans by monitoring and detecting changes in psycho-acoustic sensitivity of humans. In particular, the onset of ovulation in a female, preceded by a sudden increase in the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the blood stream, is predicted by measuring various psycho-acoustic responses of the female in certain frequency ranges. The measured psycho-acoustic responses include monaural and binaural audio interpretation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an instrument adapted for alignment with a light beam, which instrument includes an instrument body having a point of entry of the light beam, a light conducting channel, and a sensing element carried by the instrument and being spaced from the point of entry of the light beam. The sensing element serves to provide indication of alignment or misalignment between the instrument and the light beam. The light beam travels inside the instrument along the light conducting channel extending from the point of entry to the sensing element. One or more light guiding devices are disposed inside the light conducting channel to increase precision of alignment between the instrument and the light beam. The light guiding device has a wall forming a guiding passage inside the guiding device.

Abstract: An invasive instrument, such as a biopsy needle, syringe or drill, is adapted to be guided by an energy beam such as a laser beam along a predefined line of sight path toward a subsurface target. The instrument is adapted for use in conjunction with an energy beam targeting and directing system which directs an energy beam in a line of sight path toward a target. The instrument includes a portion for percutaneously accessing a subsurface target, an energy conducting portion and an energy responsive means interposed between the means for percutaneously accessing a subsurface target and the energy conducting portion. In use of the instrument, whereby an operator monitors the energy responsive component for a visual indication of alignment of the instrument with the predefined line of sight path, while advancing the portion for percutaneously accessing the subsurface target along the line of sight path toward the target.