Abstract: A connector for blood pressure measurement systems is provided, wherein the connector enables interchangeable individual connection of a cuff to various gage housings, including those equipped with a male fitting or a female fitting, yet wherein the presence of the connector also desirably prevents inadvertent connection of a gage housing to certain other medical equipment.

Abstract: A portable medical diagnostic instrument includes an instrument head and a handle portion having an open-ended receiving cavity. A compact illuminator defined by a housing retaining a miniature light source and a power supply is releasably fitted within the open-ended receiving cavity of the handle portion wherein the light source of the illuminator is optically coupled with the instrument on assembly therewith. The handle portion can be integral with the instrument or releasably attached. The handle portion according to at least one version is made from a plastic or other suitable material, permitting disposability and/or single patient use. In one version, the handle portion is flexibly deformable, at least partially, to facilitate release of the portable illuminator.

Abstract: A gauge for measuring the magnitude of a measurable quantity, such as fluid pressure. The gauge includes a rotatable axle or shaft intended to rotate in response to different magnitudes of the quantity being measured and includes a dial possessing indicia corresponding to different magnitudes of such quantity. The improvement in the gauge relates to a very light-weight pointer having a needle section and a counterbalance section, in which the needle section is formed of a relatively light mass material, preferably balsa wood. The counterbalance section may be fashioned of a different, denser material. The surface of the counterbalance section may be provided with a series of parallel depressions that aid in cutting or trimming the counterbalance section to achieve a balance of the pointer about the axle or shaft. A method of making such a pointer is also disclosed.

Abstract: Two stereo images are created by splitting a single image into two images using a field of view dividing splitter. The two images can be displayed side by side so that they can be viewed directly using stereopticon technology, heads-up display, or other 3-D display technology, or they can be separated for individual eye viewing. The two images focus on one imager such that the right image appears on the right side of the monitor and the left image appears on the left side of the monitor. The view of the images is aimed to converge at a given object distance such that the views overlap 100% at the object distance. Measurement is done with at least one onscreen cursor.

Abstract: A borescope device having an insertion tube, a camera head assembly, and a fluid supply system. The camera assembly includes through holes allowing fluid escape. The fluid supply system is controllable to force fluid through the through holes. The fluid supply system may be actuated to cool the camera head assembly.

Abstract: A blood pressure measuring apparatus includes a gage and sleeve attached to the gage that includes an interior pressure chamber. A diaphragm is disposed within the gage, the diaphragm being responsive to pressure changes in said sleeve, wherein the diaphragm is fabricated from a nickel-beryllium alloy.

Abstract: An otoscope permitting examination of a patient's ear is defined by an instrument head including a proximal end and a distal insertion portion that is insertable into the ear. The otoscope includes an imaging lens train disposed within the instrument head, wherein each of the imaging lens train, an eyepiece and a distal opening of said insertion portion are aligned along an optical axis. The otoscope further includes a focusing mechanism for selectively moving at least one of the imaging lens train and the optics contained within the eyepiece relative to one another along the optical axis. The imaging lens train and the optics in the eyepiece define an optical system such that an entrance pupil is substantially located in the distal insertion portion of the instrument head, thereby enabling the entire tympanic membrane to be viewed at once by the user.

Abstract: A connector for blood pressure measurement systems is provided, wherein the connector enables interchangeable individual connection of a cuff to various gage housings, including those equipped with a male fitting or a female fitting, yet wherein the presence of the connector also desirably prevents inadvertent connection of a gage housing to certain other medical equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing an insertion tube in a remote video inspection system, comprising a container having an interior volume bounded by an inner curved surface and an outer curved surface, a first endplate substantially perpendicular to and supporting a first end of the container, a second endplate substantially perpendicular to and supporting a second end of the container, and an opening in the first endplate aligned with the interior volume of the container, wherein the opening is configured to allow insertion of a first end of the insertion tube through the opening towards the outer curved surface of the container.

Abstract: An intraoral dental instrument includes an elongate handle or body and a mirror that is releasably attachable to a distal end thereof. An LED housing disposed in the handle proximate a light entrance surface of the mirror includes a housing body sized to retain at least one LED and a reflector attached to a distal end of the housing body. The reflector has an inwardly tapered cavity covering a LED lens envelope for focusing illumination from the at least one LED onto a portion of the light entrance surface of the mirror.

Abstract: An electronic imaging device is provided that includes a plurality of sensor elements, such as multiple photosensor arrays, wherein some of the sensor elements have a different numerical aperture value than the others, and wherein the sensor elements can be arranged such that their electrical signals can be combined to produce a composite electrical signal.

Abstract: Two stereo images are created by splitting a single image into two images using a field of view dividing splitter. The two images can be displayed side by side so that they can be viewed directly using stereopticon technology, heads-up display, or other 3-D display technology, or they can be separated for individual eye viewing. The two images focus on one imager such that the right image appears on the right side of the monitor and the left image appears on the left side of the monitor. The view of the images is aimed to converge at a given object distance such that the views overlap 100% at the object distance. Measurement is done with at least one onscreen cursor.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing at least one elongated and flexible object, such as an insertion tube that functions as a portion of an endoscope or a borescope device. The apparatus includes a rotating storage carousel having a base and a peripheral barrier. An elongated and flexible object, such as an insertion tube, is stored along the inner side of the peripheral barrier and the base. The storage cavity of the carousel rotates while accepting the transfer of the elongated and flexible object for storage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for making and using endoscopes comprising one or more fluid lenses. An endoscope or bore-scope for various highly accurate imaging, visual inspection and measurement applications is equipped with an adaptive lens operated based on the electrowetting or electro-capillarity phenomenon. The adaptive lens is digitally controlled and is able to provide auto-focusing and optical zooming functions while remaining in a stationary position relative to a distal end section of the endoscope. Endoscopes equipped with these adaptive lenses provide a simpler, more compact design and a faster response while providing high quality images. Several functions needed in a variety of endoscopic imaging, inspection and measurement applications are further enhanced through the addition of a number of improvements of the adaptive lens itself and of the systems incorporating the adaptive lens.

Abstract: A pressure measuring apparatus includes a gage that is at least partially imbedded within a flexible elastomeric member disposed within an interior cavity of a device housing. A shock resistant member into which the gage is inserted permits fluid interconnection between the interior of the gage having a contained movement mechanism that is responsive to fluid pressure changes and a fluid source, such as an inflatable blood pressure cuff and further provides shock and/or impact resistance for a contained movement mechanism. Additional impact/shock absorption is provided by exterior features of the apparatus, including a peripheral bumper having a plurality of raised spring-like protrusions, and rubberized and contoured features of the device housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for making and using handheld data readers comprising one or more fluid lenses. One or more fluid lenses are provided to allow a handheld data reader to perform such operations as reading indicia, including such additional operations as zooming, reorienting a viewing direction, focusing, adjusting an optical axis, and correcting for the effects of motion such as hand jitter. The fluid lens or lenses can be operated for example by applying electrical signals to fluid lenses comprising a plurality of fluids including at least one that is conductive and at least one that is non-conductive.

Abstract: Two stereo images are created by splitting a single image into two images using a field of view dividing splitter. The two images can be displayed side by side so that they can be viewed directly using stereopticon technology, heads-up display, or other 3-D display technology, or they can be separated for individual eye viewing. The two images focus on one imager such that the right image appears on the right side of the monitor and the left image appears on the left side of the monitor. The view of the images is aimed to converge at a given object distance such that the views overlap 100% at the object distance. Measurement is done with at least one onscreen cursor.

Abstract: Adaptive attachments used in combination with a blood pressure cuff enable various blood pressure measurements to be taken in a hospital or other setting having various single and/or dual lumen manual or electronic blood pressure measuring equipment with a single, patient-worn cuff.