Abstract: A medical diagnostic system comprises a monitoring device juxtaposable to a patient for collecting individualized medical data about the patient's condition, and a digitizer operatively connected to the monitoring device for digitizing the data. A computer is operatively connected to the digitizer and a memory which stores medical data for a multiplicity of previously diagnosed medical conditions. The computer is operated to compare digitized data about the patient's condition with the data stored in the memory and for deriving a diagnosis as to the patient's condition. The computer is connected to an output device, e.g., a printer, for communicating the derived diagnosis to a user.

Abstract: A cardiovascular treatment method utilizes an elongate flexible surgical instrument (e.g., catheter) having a distal end. A distal end portion of the instrument is inserted into a vascular system of a patient. A surgical head at the distal end of the instrument is positioned so that the head is disposed adjacent to myocardium tissue of the patient. The head is operated to form a recess in the myocardium tissue. Prior to operating the head to form the recess, a thickness of the myocardium tissue is measured, the recess formed during the operation having a length determined in accordance with the measured thickness of the myocardium tissue. The thickness measurement partially determines the length of the recess. The angle of entry of the recess with respect to the heart wall also partially determines the length of the recess: the greater the angle, the longer the recess can be for a given myocardium thickness.

Abstract: A clothing material comprises a first fabric layer connected to a tear-resistant second layer. The second layer includes a plurality of first threads extending generally parallel to one another in a first direction and a plurality of second threads extending generally parallel to one another in a second direction different from the first direction. The threads all extend substantially in a common plane. The first threads are all connected to each of the second threads at cross-over points between the first threads and the second threads. A third layer of fabric is attached to the second layer of the material on a side thereof opposite the first layer. The threads of the intermediate, tear-resistant layer may be interconnected by a plurality of connecting thread segments tied in knots about the cross-over points.

Abstract: In a pelvic or peritoneal surgical method, a funnel shaped membrane is inserted in a closed configuration through a laparoscopic trocar sleeve into the abdominal cavity of a patient. The membrane is spread from the closed configuration to an opened configuration upon emergence of the membrane into the abdominal cavity. The opened membrane and an internal organ of the patient are then positioned relative to one another so that the organ is disposed essentially vertically above the opened membrane. Upon proper positioning, the organ is subjected to a laparoscopic surgical operation while the organ is disposed above the opened membrane, whereby tissue particles and fluid escaping the organ during the operation fall into the opened membrane. The membrane and collected tissue particles and fluid are removed from the abdominal cavity upon termination of the operation.

Abstract: A laparoscopic suturing method comprises the steps of (a) disposing a laparoscopic cannula in an abdominal wall of the patient, (b) moving a first end section of a suture through the laparoscopic cannula and into an abdominal cavity of the patient so that a second end section of the suture remains outside the patient, (c) passing the first end section of the suture through organic abdominal tissues of a patient, and (d) drawing the first end section of the suture back out through the laparoscopic cannula upon passing of the suture through the abdominal tissues of the patient. Upon drawing of the first end section of the suture out of the patient, a suture locking device is slid along the suture end sections and through the laparoscopic cannula until the locking device is substantially juxtaposed to the organic tissues at the opening. Then, the suture end sections are severed on a side of the locking device opposite the abdominal tissues and the opening.

Abstract: A medical testing device comprises an analog-to-digital converter for converting to an electrical digital signal a voice-frequency signal originating in a speech by a human speaker. The A/D converter is connected to a speech analyzing circuit which analyzes the digital signal to determine a value for a preselected first parameter characteristic of the speech, the parameter being taken from the group comprising frequency or tone, amplitude or loudness, and speed. A video camera or other component is provided for generating a video signal encoding an image of the human speaker's face during the speech. The camera is connected to an image analyzing circuit which processes the video signal to determine a value for a preselected second parameter characteristic of an emotional expression of the human speaker during the speech. A text encoder is provided for encoding a text corresponding in essential words to the speech.

Abstract: In a method for concentrating solar energy waveform energy is directed to a predetermined region of the atmosphere located a pre-established distance above a surface of the earth. The directing of the energy is controlled so as to modulate an index of refraction of air in the predetermined region of the atmosphere to produce a predetermined refraction index pattern in the region. The distribution of solar radiation is modified as it passes through the atmospheric region to thereby concentrate the solar radiation at a predetermined location.

Abstract: A device for use in laparoscopic surgery includes an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end opposite thereto, and a pair of grasper components mounted to the shaft at the distal end thereof for grasping and holding organic tissues of a patient. The shaft is provided with a longitudinally extending channel having a distal end opening located essentially between the grasper components. A first actuator is operatively connected to the grasper components and mounted to the shaft at the proximal end thereof for actuating the grasper components to grasp and hold the tissues. An elongate rod member is slidably inserted through the channel in the instrument shaft, the rod having an operative tip at a distal end which is insertable between the grasper components when the grasper components are in an operatively closed, grasping configuration.

Abstract: A hygienic method utilizes a bidet device including a substantially annular frame having an inlet port, an outlet port and a reservoir chamber for guiding a fluidic cleaning agent from the inlet port to the outlet port. The method comprises the steps of (a) disposing the frame on a toilet bowl rim or toilet seat, (b) introducing the fluidic cleaning agent to the frame via the inlet port, (c) pressurizing the fluidic cleaning agent introduced to the frame, (d) dispensing the fluidic cleaning agent from the frame through the outlet port onto one's anus and/or external genitalia, and (e) subsequently to the step of dispensing, removing the bidet device from the toilet bowl rim or toilet seat.

Abstract: A hospital-type medical stocking is provided with a temperature sensor and an indicator operatively connected to the sensor for providing a signal indicative of leg temperature. The stocking is additionally provided with at least one strip of soft but substantially rigid material for inhibiting a rolling down of the stocking. The strip extends longitudinally along the stocking from an edge of the stocking's mouth. In addition, a pressure application component is provided on the stocking for automatically applying periodic compressive pressure to the person's leg.

Abstract: A medical device comprises a sensor for at least periodically measuring a predetermined physiological parameter of a patient and for generating a signal encoding a measured value of the physiological parameter. A comparator is operatively connected to the sensor for comparing the measured value of the physiological parameter with a predetermined threshold value for the physiological parameter to determine whether the measured value of the physiological parameter has passed the threshold value. A treatment component is operatively connected to the comparator for automatically injecting a predetermined chemical composition into the patient upon a determination by the comparator that the measured value of the physiological parameter has passed the threshold value. An attachment element is provided for attaching the sensor, the comparator and the treatment component to the patient.

Abstract: A surgical method utilizes an endoscope with an elongate flexible insertion member and (i) an endoscopic instrument guide having a plurality of lumens, (ii) a flexible irrigation member slidably insertable through one of the lumens and (iii) an auxiliary endoscopic surgical instrument slidably insertable through another of the lumens. The irrigation member has a distal end provided with a multiplicity of apertures spaced from one another both longitudinally and circumferentially. Upon introduction of the endoscope insertion member into a patient, the endoscopic instrument guide is moved through the biopsy channel so that a distal end of the endoscopic instrument guide emerges from the biopsy channel. The irrigating member is then slid through endoscopic instrument guide so that the distal end of the irrigation member emerges therefrom.

Abstract: An intrapericardial assist device and method comprises an electrode carrier in the form of an inflatable cuff-shaped balloon adapted for juxtaposition to a patient's heart in an intrapericardial space. An electrical contact or electrode is disposed on the contact surface of the carrier for conducting electrical energy to the heart upon an insertion of the electrode carrier into the intrapericardial space and upon inflation of the balloon so that the electrode engages cardiac tissues.

Abstract: A system for protecting valuable personal possessions comprises a first housing, a transmitter of wireless energy disposed in the first housing, a second housing, and a receiver of the wireless energy disposed in the second housing. One of the housings is attached to an earring of a user, and the other housing is attached to the person of the user. A detector is connected to the receiver to monitor the distance between the first and second housings, and an alarm signal generator connected to the detector generates an alarm when the distance between the first and second housings surpasses a predetermined maximum threshold.

Abstract: A protective device for storage and transport containers comprises a sensor for detecting orientation, an attachment element for securing the sensor to a container, and an alarm operatively coupled to the sensor for generating a cognizable alert signal upon detection by the sensor that the container is in an orientation other than a predetermined preferred orientation. The alarm may include an electroacoustic transducer and means for reproducing a voice message. A timer operatively connected to the sensor measures a time interval during which the container is in an orientation other than the preferred orientation. A memory is operatively connected to the timer for automatically storing the time interval in encoded form. A mechanism and/or circuit may be operatively connected to the timer and the memory for deactivating the timer and for locking the memory to ensure integrity of contents of the memory upon an opening of the container. The device may also include a detector for measuring temperature.

Abstract: A catheterization device comprises a catheter, a hollow hypodermic needle longitudinally traversing the catheter, and a pressure detector and indicator attached to the needle at a proximal end thereof for sensing pressures inside a patient upon insertion of a distal tip of the needle into the patient and for qualitatively indicating the sensed pressure. The pressure detector and indicator includes an at least partially transparent housing, a fluid in the housing communicating with a lumen of the needle, and a movable indicator element such as a styrofoam sphere disposed in the fluid in the housing.

Abstract: A laparoscopic suturing device includes an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and an arcuate tissue piercing element permanently fixed to the shaft at the distal end, the arcuate tissue piercing element lying in a plane disposed substantially transversely to the shaft. The tissue piercing element is provided at a free end, spaced from the shaft, with an eyelet, and the device has a suture thread extending through the eyelet. A distal end portion of the device is inserted through a laparoscopic trocar sleeve and the shaft of the device is turned in one direction to insert the tissue piercing element with a first end portion of the suture thread into internal tissues of the patient, a second end portion of the suture thread remaining disposed outside the patient. The first end portion of the suture thread is grasped upon insertion through the tissues and then the shaft of the suturing device is turned in the opposite direction to remove the tissue piercing element from the internal tissues.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a frame member having a distal end and a proximal end and a pair of tissue holding mechanisms movably mounted to the frame member at the distal end thereof for securing holds on spaced organic tissues of a patient. Actuators mounted to the frame member at the proximal end thereof are operatively connected to the holding mechanisms for controlling the operation thereof. Another actuator, also mounted to the frame member, is operatively connected to the holding mechanisms for moving the holding mechanisms relative to one another, thereby stretching organic tissues between the held tissues and facilitating access to the stretched tissues. The instrument assembly is particularly useful during laparoscopic surgery.

Abstract: In a method for remotely determining information relating to a person's emotional state, an waveform energy having a predetermined frequency and a predetermined intensity is generated and wirelessly transmitted towards a remotely located subject. Waveform energy emitted from the subject is detected and automatically analyzed to derive information relating to the individual's emotional state. Physiological or physical parameters of blood pressure, pulse rate, pupil size, respiration rate and perspiration level are measured and compared with reference values to provide information utilizable in evaluating interviewee's responses or possibly criminal intent in security sensitive areas.

Abstract: A medical method comprises the steps of attaching a sensing device to a limb of a patient, automatically operating the sensing device to monitor a circumference of the limb, automatically comparing a measured circumference with a reference value, and automatically generating an alarm signal upon detecting that the measured circumference differs from the reference value by more than a predetermined magnitude. In one application of the method, an intravenous catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in the limb, and a fluid is fed into the blood vessel via the catheter. The limb is covered upon insertion of the catheter and attachment of the sensing device, thereby preventing direct visual observation of the limb during performance of a surgical operation on the patient. The circumference measurements and automatic comparisons are performed periodically.