Abstract: Releasable magnetic pole strap systems are disclosed. Embodiments are directed to a releasable magnetic pole strap system including a pole which includes: a proximal end having a distal surface; and a pole attachment device connected to the distal surface of the proximal end of the pole. The system also includes a strap including a strap attachment device which is configured to be releasably attached to the pole attachment device. The distal surface of the proximal end of the pole is at least partially covered by the pole attachment device. Each of the pole attachment device and the strap attachment device includes either a magnet or a non-magnetic ferric material. At least one of the pole attachment device or the strap attachment device includes a magnet.

Abstract: Releasable magnetic pole strap systems are disclosed. Embodiments are directed to a releasable magnetic pole strap system including a pole which includes: a proximal end having a distal surface; and a pole attachment device connected to the distal surface of the proximal end of the pole. The system also includes a strap including a strap attachment device which is configured to be releasably attached to the pole attachment device. The distal surface of the proximal end of the pole is at least partially covered by the pole attachment device. Each of the pole attachment device and the strap attachment device includes either a magnet or a non-magnetic ferric material. At least one of the pole attachment device or the strap attachment device includes a magnet.

Abstract: Magnetic license plate holder systems are disclosed. Embodiments are directed to a magnetic license plate holder system including a license plate which includes a rear side and an opposing front side. The magnetic license plate holder system also includes a magnetic attachment system which includes: a rear attachment system configured to be positioned between a license plate holder and the rear side of the license plate, while facing the rear side of the license plate; and a front attachment system configured to be facing the front side of the license plate. The rear attachment system is configured to be releasably attached to the front attachment system. Each of the rear attachment system and the front attachment system includes either a magnet or a non-magnetic ferric material. At least one of the rear attachment system or the front attachment system comprises a magnet.

Abstract: A structure for a plethysmogram and a method for obtaining an optical gating signal using a plethysmogram are disclosed. The structure includes: a backing; a plurality of electrodes mounted on the backing; a reflectance (or transmission) optical sensor mounted on the backing; and a cable that connects the plurality of electrodes and the reflectance optical sensor to a pulse flowmeter. In an embodiment, “look-back” software is employed to obtain an optical gating signal for averaging the impedance waveforms associated with each heartbeat.

Abstract: Optical ankle-brachial index (ABI) and blood pressure measurement systems and methods are disclosed. The blood pressure measurement system includes a pressure cuff and an optical pulse detector placed on a finger or toe or a reflectance optical pulse detector attached to the skin distal to the inflation bladder of its respective cuff. The ABI measurement system includes a brachial artery pressure cuff, a first reflectance optical pulse detector attached to the brachial artery pressure cuff or a transmission or reflectance optical pulse detector attached to a finger, an ankle pressure cuff; and a second reflectance optical pulse detector attached to the ankle cuff or an optical pulse detector attached to a toe. A computer may also be included in the above systems and methods to detect optical pulses from the detectors and control the inflation and deflation of the cuffs in order to determine blood pressure and/or ABI.

Abstract: Optical ankle-brachial index (ABI) and blood pressure measurement systems and methods are disclosed. The blood pressure measurement system and method includes a brachial artery pressure cuff and a reflectance optical pulse detector attached to the pressure cuff. The ABI measurement system and method includes a brachial artery pressure cuff, a first reflectance optical pulse detector attached to the brachial artery pressure cuff, a dorsalis pedis artery pressure cuff or a posterior tibial artery pressure cuff; and a second reflectance optical pulse detector attached to the dorsalis pedis artery pressure cuff or the posterior tibial artery pressure cuff. A computer may also be included in the above systems and methods to detect optical pulses from the cuffs and control the inflation and deflation of the cuffs in order to determine blood pressure and/or ABI.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the impedance and impedance changes in a body segment are disclosed. By utilizing an ECG buffer, at least one plethysmograph buffer, and concurrently performing at least extraction of an ECG waveform stored in the ECG buffer and extraction of impedance waveforms stored in the at least one plethysmograph buffer, enhanced signal-to-noise ratios of output signals of impedance plethysmographs are achieved. In an embodiment, improved waveform selection using template matching is also achieved. With template matching, a new candidate waveform is compared in shape to the previous average waveform and may be accepted for current averaging based on the comparison.

Abstract: Improvements in a safety hypodermic needle and a method of making the same are disclosed. The improvements relate to a commercial embodiment of a patented safety needle and comprise a tubular member extruded from a flexible elastomeric or rubber-like polymeric material. The tubular member is extruded with two ribs extending from the outer wall of the tubular member and spaced apart 90° circumferentially. The wall of the tubular member is provided with through cuts to form a cutout on one wall portion and an elongated lever on the opposite wall portion in the 90° space between the ribs. The cuts separate the wall of the tubular member into two outwardly flexible arms, each having a single rib thereon adjacent an edge of the arm. One end of the tubular member is stretched over the needle hub of a hypodermic needle and the other end is stretched over a needle cup which houses the sharp needle point. The needle cup is provided with a needle opening through which the needle extends during use.

Abstract: A device for non-invasive measurement of blood pressure includes a blood pressure cuff, a plethysmographic electrode for acquiring an impedance plethysmogram distal to the cuff and a processing device to inflate and deflate the cuff, generate the impedance plethysmogram and to determine the systolic and diastolic blood pressures. It is determined when the cuff is completely occluding the extremity, e.g., by detecting pulses at a second, partially occluded cuff or by a photoplethysmogram attached to the big toe. The device can be used to measure systolic or diastolic blood pressure or both. It can also be used to take ankle-brachial measurements. An autocorrelation technique can be used to correct noise.

Abstract: An improved buoyancy compensation device having a lesser change in buoyancy with depth than conventional buoyancy compensation devices which use ambient pressure bladders is disclosed. The improved device comprises one or more elastic members that, throughout the working range of diving pressures and volumes, is always elastic and, when pressurized, maintains an internal air pressure that is always greater than the ambient pressure at any dive depth. The invention also relates to a method of providing a buoyancy compensation device with an elastic member having a lift versus depth characteristic that approaches the lift versus depth characteristic of a constant or fixed volume buoyancy compensation device.

Abstract: A safety hypodermic needle and a method of using the same are disclosed. The safety needle comprises a hypodermic needle and a protective sheath molded of a flexible polymeric material. The protective sheath comprises a needle sleeve with an open central passage which houses the sharp needle point. The needle sleeve is supported on a plurality of inwardly bowed ribs in an unflexed “at rest” condition in which the needle point is retained inside the needle sleeve to prevent inadvertent needle sticks. Levers attached to the ribs are used to move the ribs from their inwardly bowed unflexed “at rest” condition to an outwardly bowed flexed condition to permit the needle to pass through the open central passage of the needle sleeve and into a patient's body. After the needle is removed from the patient's body, the ribs automatically return to the unflexed “at rest” condition without the assistance of any additional biasing or restoring means.

Abstract: In a system and method for peripheral impedance plethysmography, an electrode for application to the patient's limb includes two outer current electrodes and two inner voltage electrodes. A distance between the two inner electrodes is automatically input into an analyzing device, either as a pre-stored value or as determined automatically from the electrode. Peripheral blood flow is calculated in accordance with that distance.

Abstract: This device uses electrical impedance and signal processing to measure the small change in volume (“Pulse Volume”) of a limb-segment that occurs with each heartbeat. “Pulsatile Flow” is defined as the pulse volume multiplied by the heart rate and is an index of tissue perfusion. This information can be combined with measured blood oxygen saturation to determine how much oxygen is reaching the tissues. The combination of knowing oxygen saturation and tissue perfusion is far more useful than knowing just one or the other of these parameters.

Abstract: A device for non-invasive measurement of blood pressure includes a blood pressure cuff, a plethysmographic electrode for acquiring an impedance plethysmogram distal to the cuff and a processing device to inflate and deflate the cuff, generate the impedance plethysmogram and to determine the systolic and diastolic blood pressures. It is determined when the cuff is completely occluding the extremity, e.g., by detecting pulses at a second, partially occluded cuff or by a photoplethysmogram attached to the big toe. The device can be used to measure systolic or diastolic blood pressure or both. It can also be used to take ankle-brachial measurements. An autocorrelation technique can be used to correct noise.

Abstract: An adjustable and disposable blood pressure cuff comprises a bladder provided with adhesive layers on both sides thereof which are covered by peelable strips. According to the method of using the cuff, selected strips or portions thereof on one side of the cuff are peeled away and removed. The cuff is then folded and adhesively secured to itself at the optimum width for the circumference of the limb of the patient. Selected strips or portions thereof on the other side of the cuff are peeled away and removed so that the cuff may be adhesively secured about the limb of a patient. In a second embodiment, a hook-and-loop fastener piece replaces the adhesive layer on the other side of the cuff for securing the cuff about the limb of a patient.

Abstract: A multiple blood pressure cuff system comprises a plurality of inflatable cuffs of a range of widths and lengths which collectively share a common pressure source and a common pressure measuring device. A manifold pneumatically connects each cuff to the common pressure source and pressure measuring device and stopcock valves allow airflow to be directed to only the particular cuff in use. A mounting board is provided for affixing the system to a wall or cabinet and for conveniently supporting and displaying the cuffs that are not in use.

Abstract: A footwear fastening system and a method of converting lace fastened footwear to hook-and-loop fastened footwear comprising hook-and-loop fastener strips which are secured to the footwear by means of a lace which passes through adjacent eyelets along each upper side of the footwear. The fastener strips are anchored to one upper side with the lace and are passed beneath the lace on the other upper side and tensioned to draw the upper sides together into a snug fit. Tubular posts may be disposed between the eyelets and laced to the upper sides by the lace.

Abstract: A safety hypodermic needle and a method of using the same are disclosed. The safety needle comprises a hypodermic needle and a protective sheath molded of an flexible polymeric material. The protective sheath comprises a needle cup which encloses the sharp needle point and is supported on a plurality of outwardly flexed ribs. The needle cup has a needle opening which is misaligned with the needle axis in the at rest or unflexed condition of the protective sheath. Application of transverse and axial forces to the needle cup aligns the needle with the opening and cause the ribs to bow outwardly so that the needle passes through the opening and into the patient's body.

Abstract: A flexible blood pressure cuff for use in measuring the blood pressure of a patient, includes an inflatable bladder having a first side and a second side. One of the bladder sides is provided with hook and loop fasteners for adjustably and removably retaining at least a portion of one of the two bladder sides against a remaining portion of the one bladder side when the bladder is folded over itself. The effective inflatable width of the bladder is thereby adjusted to accommodate the circumference of the limb of the patient so that accurate blood pressure measurements may be obtained for each patient. According to the method, the blood pressure cuff is folded over itself to produce a cuff having an effective inflatable width which is adjusted according to the circumference of the limb of the patient whose blood pressure is to be measured.

Abstract: A stereoscopic fluoroscopy apparatus comprising an X-ray source means, a specimen to be X-rayed, an image intensifier unit means to produce images of the X-rayed specimen, recording means to record and output said images as image pairs, offset means to create an output of different images forming each image pair, and means to direct said images to a viewer to create a stereoscopic image from said paired images.