Abstract: A vital signs monitor comprising a first device capable of being disposed at a selected location on a patient to pass at least exhaled gases therethrough; a second device coupled to the first device to perform a plurality of resistive measurements of certain predetermined parameters of the exhaled gases and a plurality of optical absorption measurements of other predetermined parameters of the exhaled gases; and a third device coupled to the second device responsive to the plurality of resistive measurements and the plurality of optical absorption measurements to provide individual read outs of at least a value of carbon dioxide in the exhaled gases, a value of tidal volume of the exhaled gases and a value of a respiration rate of the patient.

Abstract: A method and a system to provide images of the internal anatomy of a mammal wherein first images of a selected one of body cavities of the mammal are provided by externally generated tomography slice data employing existing tomography techniques, wherein second images are provided by a unique endoscope inserted into the selected one of the body cavities, and wherein the first and second images are correlated to generate composite images of the selected one of the body cavities in real time, in large fields of view and in three-dimensions. The surgeon can utilize the first images to externally select a path through the selected one of the body cavity to a surgical site. The surgeon can also select predetermined three-dimensional views from said composite images for viewing during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A non-invasive cardiac output and left ventricular ejection volume monitor system comprising a first arrangement disposed on a given portion of a patient's body having a fluid passageway therein in juxtaposition with the given portion of the body; a second arrangement coupled to an inlet of the passageway to cause a fluid to continously flow therethrough at a controllable input temperature and flow rate; and a third arrangement coupled to the second arrangement and an outlet of the passageway to determine energy transferred between the fluid and the given portion of the body, the determined energy transfer being a measure of cardiac output. A fourth arrangement disposed at an extremity of the body and coupled to the third arrangement, the fourth arrangement measuring the heart rate of the body and the third arrangement dividing the cardiac output by the heart rate to provide an indication of the left ventricular ejection volume.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, the device is in the form of a face mask for affixing to the face of a patient to monitor the patient's respiration. It is self-powered and self-contained so that such respiration can be monitored all the while the patient is being transported. It incorporates light-emitting diodes which are illuminated, sequentially, to evidence regular breathing. When the patient stops breathing, the diodes do not illuminate, and an audible alarm is sounded to make medical personnel immediately aware of the breathing cessation.