Abstract: Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) are well recognized technologies to allow couples or individuals with a desire for pregnancy to achieve their goals. ART is a group of technologies which may include but is not limited to in vitro fertilization; donor insemination; embryo, sperm or oocyte cryopreservation; embryo, sperm or oocyte thawing; embryo, sperm or oocyte transfer into the uterus of a recipient; isolation, preparation and transportation of sperm cells, eggs and embryos for later use; intracytoplasmic insemination; genetic studies and surrogacy. This invention is directed toward an assisted reproductive technology media incorporating one or more antiviral compounds or medicines, and more specifically relates to such media incorporating one or more antiviral compounds or medicines directed to the HHV-6A virus, the HHV-6B virus or other viruses which are members of the Human Herpesvirus group.

Abstract: A vascular access detection device and method for ensuring the proper insertion of a needle into a target is disclosed. A light source generates a beam of light which is directed along the needle's longitudinal axis so that said beam of light passes though the hollow shaft of the needle. The needle may be guided to a target inside a patient's body. Reflection and scattering of light by portions of the patient's body may be monitored to assist in determining when the target inside of the patient's body has been pierced by the needle.

Abstract: A method, and an apparatus to perform the method, of determining a location of a medical instrument in a patient during a medical procedure, the method including connecting at least a portion of the medical instrument to a first body region of the patient, propagating a plurality of signals at different frequencies along a conductive path of the medical instrument, measuring one or more feedback parameters corresponding to each of the plurality of signals at the first body region, determining an operational frequency from the different frequencies according to a comparison of the one or more feedback parameters, propagating a signal having the operational frequency along the conductive path as the medical instrument penetrates the body of the patient during the medical procedure, and measuring the one or more feedback parameters corresponding to the operational frequency to determine a penetration location of the medical instrument in the body of the patient.

Abstract: A light-diffusing safety cap for use with a light cable that couples an endoscope to a high intensity light source. The light-diffusing safety cap can be detachably or releasably coupled, in lieu of the endoscope, to the light cable, such that when the high intensity light source emits a high intensity light and the endoscope is not connected to the light cable, the light-diffusing safety cap reduces the intensity of the high intensity light emitted to the environment and provides an indication that the high intensity light source is activated when the endoscope is not connected to the light cable.

Abstract: A light-diffusing safety cap for use with a light cable that couples an endoscope to a high intensity light source. The light-diffusing safety cap can be detachably or releasably coupled, in lieu of the endoscope, to the light cable, such that when the high intensity light source emits a high intensity light and the endoscope is not connected to the light cable, the light-diffusing safety cap reduces the intensity of the high intensity light emitted to the environment and provides an indication that the high intensity light source is activated when the endoscope is not connected to the light cable.

Abstract: A light diffusing safety cap for use with a light guide that couples an endoscope to a high intensity light source is shown and described in detail herein. The light diffusing safety cap is coupled, in lieu of the endoscope, to the light guide. The high intensity light source emits a high intensity light, when activate, which is sufficient to cause thermal harm within a selected time. The light diffusing safety cap reduces the intensity of the high intensity light to inhibit thermal harm and emits the reduced intensity light to provide an indication that the high intensity light source is activate.

Abstract: A probe penetration detector system and method of operation is disclosed for verifying the location of a probe within a patient during a surgical procedure. The system includes an electrically conductive antenna such as a probe adapted for insertion into body tissue and into a body cavity. A transmitter generates transmitted signals of a selected frequency range that are transmitted to the probe by an electrical connection or inductive coupling between the probe and transmitter for optimizing the conductance of transmitted signals to the probe. As the antenna probe is inserted through the body tissue and into a body cavity, a detector monitors feedback signals of energy reflected from the probe. As the feedback signals change in relation to the antenna probe location, an operator determines when the feedback signals are optimized, therefore providing notification that the antenna probe is positioned within a preferred tissue layer or body cavity.

Abstract: A probe penetration detector system and method of operation is disclosed for verifying the location of a probe within a patient during a surgical procedure. The system includes an electrically conductive antenna such as a probe adapted for insertion into body tissue and into a body cavity. A transmitter generates transmitted signals of a selected frequency range that are transmitted to the probe by an electrical connection or inductive coupling between the probe and transmitter for optimizing the conductance of transmitted signals to the probe. As the antenna probe is inserted through the body tissue and into a body cavity, a detector monitors feedback signals of energy reflected from the probe. As the feedback signals change in relation to the antenna probe location, an operator determines when the feedback signals are optimized, therefore providing notification that the antenna probe is positioned within a preferred tissue layer or body cavity.

Abstract: A surgical hand and arm protector and method of protection wherein a base is attached to an elongated arm channel terminating in a mitt; the base is placed under a patient on an operating table with a portion of the arm placed in the arm channel and the hand in the mitt.

Abstract: This invention describes a process for the diagnosis of meconium stained amniotic fluid. Meconium staining is often the result of ongoing or transient fetal distress or prolonged gestation. This process involves the non-invasive illumination of the amnion with light of a specific wavelength and detecting the fluorescence of certain biological pigments contained within the meconium. The process uses a source of light and a means of selecting the desired wavelength of light, directing the light to the target area, retrieving the fluorescence, converting the fluorescent emission to an electrical signal, amplifying the signal and analyzing the signal with a data processing unit.