Abstract: The invention relates to a laryngoscope (1) that has been adapted to improve comfort during use. The important adaptations are that the laryngoscope handle (4) is offset and in one embodiment the handle (4) is pivotably connected to a receiving portion (5).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing remote detection of physiological activity are described. One aspect of the invention involves obtaining information concerning respiration and heart function. In one embodiment, the invention includes a source containing an oscillator configured to illuminate the subject with electromagnetic signal beam and a receiver configured to observe changes in the amplitude of the electromagnetic signal reflected by the subject.

Abstract: An LED arrangement which produces a color temperature adjustable white light. The LED arrangement includes one or more white LEDs and a first drive circuit operable to supply a first drive current to the one or more white LEDs such that a white light is output at a desired intensity. The LED arrangement further includes one or more colored LEDs arranged such that a light output from the one or more colored LEDs combines with the white light to produce a resultant light having a desired color temperature. The colored LEDs are driven by a second drive circuit which supplies a second drive current to the one or more colored LEDs such that a colored light is output at a desired intensity, the intensity of the colored light output from the one or more colored LEDs being adjustable so as to adjust the color temperature of the resultant light.

Abstract: A computer system provides authenticated access for a client computer over an insecure, public network to one of a plurality of destination servers on private, secure network, through the use of a client-side X.509 digital certificate. A firewall is disposed between the insecure, public network and the private network. A demilitarized zone (DMZ) proxy server intercepts messages destined for the destination servers, and forwards the intercepted messages through the firewall to a gateway on the private network. The gateway is configured to create a cookie, based on the selection of one of a several applications available on the private network. The cookie contains an identifier sufficient to identify the destination server corresponding to the selected application. Messages from the client computer include the cookie. The gateway processes the cookie and appends the identifier on a destination URL portion of the messages for routing.

Abstract: A laryngoscope includes a body portion having a receiving portion for receiving an elongate blade adapted to be inserted into a patient's month. The laryngoscope also includes a handle that is pivotally connected to the receiving portion and spaced apart from the receiving portion in the direction of the pivoting axis. The handle is pivotable about the axis between a folded position where the handle extends substantially parallel to the blade, and a working condition where the handle extends substantially transverse to the blade.

Abstract: An LED arrangement which produces a color temperature adjustable white light. The LED arrangement includes one or more white LEDs and a first drive circuit operable to supply a first drive current to the one or more white LEDs such that a white light is output at a desired intensity. The LED arrangement further includes one or more colored LEDs arranged such that a light output from the one or more colored LEDs combines with the white light to produce a resultant light having a desired color temperature. The colored LEDs are driven by a second drive circuit which supplies a second drive current to the one or more colored LEDs such that a colored light is output at a desired intensity, the intensity of the colored light output from the one or more colored LEDs being adjustable so as to adjust the color temperature of the resultant light.

Abstract: A rectal thermosensing unit includes, according to one aspect thereof, an elongate member having an inflation lumen extending therethrough. An inflatable balloon is supported by the elongate member. An interior of the inflatable balloon is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. An insertion lumen extends through the elongate member. An introducer is insertable into the insertion lumen. At least one temperature sensing device is supported by the inflatable balloon. The rectal thermosensing probe is located in a rectum by inserting the introducer into the inflation lumen, inserting the inflatable balloon supported by the elongate member having the introducer inserted in the insertion lumen therein into the rectum, removing the introducer from the insertion lumen, and inflating the inflatable balloon by providing fluid through the inflation lumen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing restenosis of a stenotic region of a blood vessel after performing a dilatation angioplasty treatment is disclosed. The method includes radiating microwave energy from a microwave antenna to kill a medial tissue layer of the blood vessel in the stenotic region. The radiation is applied during or after inflation of dilatation balloon to permanently dilate the stenotic region. When radiation is applied during dilatation of the stenotic region, the dilatation balloon forms a seal against the inner wall surface of the blood vessel to exclude blood in the vessel from contacting the stenotic region. The method preferably further includes cooling the blood circulating in the blood vessel about a shaft of the catheter with cooling fluid circulating within cooling lumens of the catheter and cooling an inner wall surface of the blood vessel in the stenotic region during the application of radiation to the medial cell layer.

Abstract: Tissue surrounding a bodily conduit, such as a urethra, is thermally treated while preventing restrictions of the bodily conduit due to heat-induced shrinkage of collagen rich tissue surrounding the bodily conduit. A select volume of collagen-containing tissue surrounding the urethra is heated to destroy the tissue and to cause the tissue to be capable of being plastically remodeled into a selected shape. The selected shape is defined while the tissue is heated, and the tissue is allowed to cool while continuing to define the selected shape to cause plastic remodeling of the tissue into the selected shape. The method also includes performing a thermal therapy treatment without causing the surrounding tissue to exceed a collagen transition temperature of the tissue during the heating step of the treatment session.

Abstract: A device and method for treatment of cancerous tissue from a body conduit involves insertion into the body conduit of a probe including an energy-emitting element for delivering ionizing energy. The body conduit is dilated to decrease a distance between at least a portion of the body conduit and the cancerous tissue. Ionizing energy is delivered from the energy-emitting element to selectively injure the cancerous tissue, with dilation of the body conduit minimizing the radiation dose delivered to the body conduit for a given radiation dose delivered to the cancerous tissue.

Abstract: A device for prostate treatment is inserted into a prostatic portion of an urethra and connected to an energy source. Energy is delivered to the prostate from the device. The amount of energy emitted to prostatic tissue adjacent to a bladder is greater than that emitted to prostatic tissue distant from the bladder.

Abstract: A method of prostate treatment includes the step of inserting into a prostatic portion of urethra an energy emitting device that is connected to an energy source. Energy is delivered to the prostate from the energy emitting device. The amount of energy emitted to prostatic tissue adjacent to a bladder is greater than that emitted to prostatic tissue distant from the bladder.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a flexible tubular member containing a shape-memory tube formed to include a lumen extending along the central axis of the tubular member. A liner sleeve extends through the lumen of the shape-memory tube and lies inside the tubular member. A control system selectively heats the shape-memory tube to its activated state causing the shape-memory tube to move toward a predetermined shape if it is different than its present configuration. Whether the shape-memory tube moves or not, it will increase significantly in stiffness, both axial and bending to help retain, hold, or wedge the apparatus in place in a selected body cavity while catheters or other objects are passed through a lumen in the liner sleeve.

Abstract: A safety container having an array of ratchet teeth cooperating with a pawl stop is provided. The cover of the container can only be removed by counterclockwise rotation while the pawl is urged out of engagement with the ratchet teeth.

Abstract: A safety container having an array of ratchet teeth cooperating with a pawl stop is provided. The cover of the container can only be removed by counterclockwise rotation while the pawl is urged out of engagement with the ratchet teeth.

Abstract: A noncontacting waveguide backshort is provided for use with frequencies of interest between 1 and 1000 GHz including a relatively rugged metallic bar movably mounted within the waveguide in a MYLAR insulator. A series of regularly shaped and spaced circular or rectangular openings are made in the metallic bar to form sections of high impedance alternating with sections of the bar having low impedance. This creates a periodic impedance variation which serves to provided an adjustable short circuit in a waveguide for the frequencies of interest.

Abstract: A device for tuning a circuit includes a substrate, a transmission line on the substrate that includes first and second conductors coupled to a circuit to be tuned, and a movable short-circuit for varying the impedance the transmission line presents to the circuit to be tuned. The movable short-circuit includes a dielectric layer disposed atop the transmission line and a distributed shorting element in the form of a conductive member that is configured to be slid along at least a portion of the transmission line atop the dielectric layer. The conductive member is configured to span the first and second conductors of the transmission line and to define at least a first opening that spans the two conductors so that the conductive member includes first and second sections separated by the first opening.

Abstract: An arbor assembly for use with rotary mowers, and the combination of such arbor assembly with a mower blade subassembly and with a pulley subassembly. The arbor assembly comprises a shaft having reduced diameter end portions defining upper and lower shoulders against which are seated the inner races of upper and lower antifriction bearings. The outer races of the upper and lower antifriction bearings are supported by bearing retainers supported by the mower deck. The opposite ends of the shaft are splined. The opposite ends of the shaft are also internally axially tapped. A mower blade subassembly is adapted to be mounted by means of a cap screw which engages the tapped lower end of the shaft. The mower blade subassembly comprises a blade adaptor and a mower blade which bears against the under surface of the blade adaptor. The mower blade is free to rotate relative to the shaft if the blade strikes an obstruction.