Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging body tissue utilizing autofluorescence. The apparatus includes an endoscope having a distal end, proximal end and a light processing unit located at the proximal end of the endoscope. The light processing unit accepts light in a spectral region from a light source and directs the light through the endoscope to the tissue located at the distal end of the endoscope. The light excites autofluorescence in the tissue. Optics located in the distal end of the endoscope collect the excited autofluorescence in a spatially resolved manner and routes it to the light processing unit which separates the emitted light from any reflected excitation light. A plurality of imaging detectors receive the emitted light. Each imaging detector is responsive to light in a different spectral band such that an image is generated and interpreted according to a plurality of independent measurements. An apparatus for sampling tissue includes an endoscopic device having a sampling device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging body tissue utilizing autofluorescence. The apparatus includes an endoscope having a distal end, proximal end and a light processing unit located at the proximal end of the endoscope. The light processing unit accepts light in a spectral region from a light source and directs the light through the endoscope to the tissue located at the distal end of the endoscope. The light excites autofluorescence in the tissue. Optics located in the distal end of the endoscope collect the excited autofluorescence in a spatially resolved manner and routes it to the light processing unit which separates the emitted light from any reflected excitation light. A plurality of imaging detectors receive the emitted light. Each imaging detector is responsive to light in a different spectral band such that an image is generated and interpreted according to a plurality of independent measurements. An apparatus for sampling tissue includes an endoscopic device having a sampling device.

Abstract: A multi-chambered blood culture device for simultaneously conducting two blood culture tests on a single blood sample. An integrated unit including a syringe port with pin extensions is provided for receiving a blood sample simultaneously into two independent sample compartments. At least two culture chambers contain growth media, one culture chamber preferably containing an aerobic growth medium and another culture chamber preferably containing an anaerobic growth medium. The device is configured to isolate the sample vials and culture chambers from contaminants of the external environment. Downward pressure on the syringe port causes the pin extensions to breache the sample compartment walls and thereby releases the blood sample from one sample compartment into one culture chamber while simultaneously releasing the blood from the other sample compartment into the other culture chamber.

Abstract: A multi-chambered blood culture device for simultaneously conducting two blood culture tests on a single blood sample. An integrated unit is provided for receiving a blood sample simultaneously into two independent sample vials. Independent culture chambers contain growth media, one culture chamber preferably containing an aerobic growth medium and another culture chamber preferably containing an anaerobic growth medium. The device is configured to isolate the sample vials and culture chambers from contaminants of the external environment. Further, means are provided for releasing the blood from one sample vial into one culture chamber while simultaneously releasing the blood from the other sample vial into the other culture chamber. In the preferred embodiment, outer walls of the device are constructed of transparent plastic so as to enable visual observance of microorganism growth in the respective culture chambers.

Abstract: A multi-chambered blood culture device for simultaneously conducting two blood culture tests on a single blood sample. An integrated unit is provided with a syringe port and a piston assembly for receiving a specimen syringe and for enabling a predetermined quantity of blood to be injected into two sample cups. Isolated media compartments contain growth media, one preferably containing an aerobic growth medium and another preferably containing an anaerobic growth medium. Once the blood specimen is fully injected into the sample cups, the sample cups are released into the media compartments, thereby enabling the blood specimens to mix with the respective growth media for testing. Further, means may also be provided to lock the syringe into the integral device in order to facilitate efficient disposal upon completion of testing.

Abstract: A multi-chambered blood culture device for simultaneously conducting two blood culture tests on a single blood sample. An integrated unit is provided with rotating blood inlet valve assembly for receiving a blood sample simultaneously into two independent sample vials. Independent culture chambers contain growth media, one culture chamber preferably containing an aerobic growth medium and another culture chamber preferably containing an anaerobic growth medium. The device is configured to isolate the sample vials and culture chambers from contaminants of the external environment. By rotating the blood inlet valve assembly, blood is simultaneously released from one sample vial into one culture chamber and from the other sample vial into the other culture chamber. Outer walls of the device are preferably constructed of a transparent plastic material so as to enable visual observance of microorganism growth in the respective culture chambers.

Abstract: A handheld pocket terminal (22) having a display screen (40) and a bar code reader (42).

Abstract: A patient identification system for relating items with patients and ensuring that an identified item corresponds to an identified patient. The patient identification system includes a computer system (42) interconnected to a plurality of remote terminals (62) by conventional telephone wiring (66,70). The patient identification system further including a portable bar code reading device (48) including a bar code wand (120), an LCD display (116) and a key pad (114). The portable bar code reading device (48) communicates via RF transmission with an RF/PLC modem (60).

Abstract: A portable handheld terminal (20) including optical bar code reader apparatus. A housing (22) having first and second spaced apart, opposing major surfaces (24,26) extending longitudinally between first and second end portions (28,30). A handle portion (40) being interconnected to the housing (22) and extending longitudinally along the second surface (26) so as to provide a handle for holding the bar code reader apparatus. Additionally, the portable handheld terminal (20) includes an optical bar code reader apparatus utilizing a binary imaging sensor (52) and an RF transceiver (79).

Abstract: A patient identification system for relating items with patients and ensuring that an identified item corresponds to an identified patient. The patient identification system includes a computer system (42) interconnected to a plurality of remote terminals (62) by conventional telephone wiring (66, 70). The patient identification system further including a portable bar code reading device (48) including a bar code wand (120), an LCD display (116) and a key pad (114). The portable bar code reading device (48) communicates via RF transmission with an RF/PLC modem (60).

Abstract: A continuous strip bar code label (10) bearing bar code indicia thereon. The continuous strip bar code label (10) has an edge (13) which facilitates tearing of the continuous strip bar code label (10) transversely of its length whereby the continuous strip bar code label (10) can be readily separated into individual bar code labels of various lengths.

Abstract: A flat panel display monitor which may be secured to a wall includes structure for interacting with a data input device. The monitor further includes a housing and a flat video screen attached to the housing. A support assembly is included for supporting the screen relative to the housing in any one of at least three different positions with respect to the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical sensor apparatus (21) for use in a remote meter monitoring system (20) for remotely monitoring the dials (34) of a utility meter or the like by use of a liquid crystal display (31). The liquid crystal display (31) includes five distinct areas 71 through 75 arranged in a semicircle in register with the circumferential path of a dial pointer arrangement (36) of the meter which including a dial pointer (37) and a disk like member (38) having a light absorptive semicircular portion (38a) and a reflective semicircular portion (38b). A sixth distinct area (76) being positioned in a diametrically opposed semicircle. The disk like member (38) being illuminated by a light emitting diode (40).

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand held labeler apparatus (40) utilizing an X-Y plotter apparatus (71) for printing on label material (60) rotatably supported as a label supply roll (58). The labeler apparatus (40) includes a keyboard (62) for entering label information to be printed on the label, such as alpha/numeric characters and special symbols and operational information for control of the labeler apparatus. Further, a liquid crystal display (66) is provided facing generally toward the user when the labeler apparatus (40) is hand held such that the liquid crystal display (66) is readily observable as the label information is entered at the keyboard (62).

Abstract: A heart beat rate monitor is provided with memory means for storing upper and lower limits of a range of heart beat rates. The limits are transmitted to and stored in the memory from an external source. The monitor wearer's heart beat is sensed and whenever the sensed beat rate is outside the range defined by the limits an out-of-range indication is provided to the wearer. The memory means are powered so as not to be affected by the depletion of the main battery which is the primary source of power for the monitor circuitry. In some embodiments, the limits received from the external unit are transmitted thereto for verification purposes. In some embodiments the actual sensed heart beat rate and/or the stored limits are displayable to the wearer upon request.