Abstract: The present invention features a remote viewing device that is capable of improving its operation by removing slack in its control cables and/or by increasing the range of motion of its viewing head. In one embodiment, the method for improving the operation involves removing at least a portion of the slack in at least one control cable attached to a servo motor. The removal of at least a portion of the slack includes changing the position of a servo motor relative to a flexible tube termination block until a specified tension is encountered in at least one of the control cables. The method further includes determining first and second servo control signal values corresponding to no angular deflection and a specified deflection in a viewing head.

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.

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: 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: A capacitive sensor is disclosed that includes a variable capacitor transducer that varies its capacitance with changes in an environmental parameter. The present invention is adapted to measure any linear parameter such as pressure, force, or distance. The sensor of the present invention is compact, inexpensive to make, and easily fabricated using commonly available components. Furthermore, it is not susceptible to errors caused by vibration, acceleration, and its orientation to the earth's gravitational field. The output of the capacitive sensor does not substantially drift with changes in temperature.

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: The present invention features a remote viewing device that is capable of improving its operation by removing slack in its control cables and/or by increasing the range of motion of its viewing head. In one embodiment, the method for improving the operation involves removing at least a portion of the slack in at least one control cable attached to a servo motor. The removal of at least a portion of the slack includes changing the position of a servo motor relative to a flexible tube termination block until a specified tension is encountered in at least one of the control cables. The method further includes determining first and second servo control signal values corresponding to no angular deflection and a specified deflection in a viewing head.

Abstract: An insertion tube for an inspection device including a helically wound spiral tube, a first braided tube disposed about the helically wound spiral tube, a second braided tube disposed about the first braided tube, a first polymeric layer disposed between said first braided tube and said second braided tube and a polymeric layer coating the outer periphery of the second braided tube.

Abstract: A modular remote video inspection system for inspecting the interior of a living thing or of an inanimate object, such as a machine. The system comprises a base module connected by way of an interconnection module to a handset comprising a unitary display module and control module. The system makes observations by generating light that is caused to impinge on a surface of the interior of the object of interest. An inspection module attached to the handset comprises both a light guide for providing the light to the area of interest, and a selected one of a sensor and a light receiver. The inspection module comprises a steerable tip configured to be located adjacent the area of interest. The handset includes both controls for operating the system, and a display for providing a view of the region being inspected, as well as status information for the user of an operator.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor is disclosed that includes a variable capacitor transducer that varies its capacitance with changes in an environmental parameter. The present invention is adapted to measure any linear parameter such as pressure, force, or distance. The sensor of the present invention is compact, inexpensive to make, and easily fabricated using commonly available components. Furthermore, it is not susceptible to errors caused by vibration, acceleration, and its orientation to the earth's gravitational field. The output of the capacitive sensor does not substantially drift with changes in temperature.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and apparatus for measuring (Intraocular Pressure) IOP and (Corneal Thickness) CT for diagnosis and for monitoring a condition of health of an eye. The apparatus uses measurements selected from at least one of IOP and a CT, and a plurality of IOP measurements to deduce an interpretive result indicative of a condition of an eye. In another embodiment, the apparatus measures a relationship between an applanated area of variable size and a selected one of an applied force and an applied pressure. The relationship is used to deduce an interpretive result indicative of the condition of an eye. The result can be displayed to a practitioner. The practitioner uses the result to determine a course of treatment as necessary, and to monitor the effect of a course of treatment on the state of health of the eye over time.

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 medical diagnostic instrument includes at least one blood oxygen saturation sensor and at least one temperature sensor. The sensors are being capable of measuring blood oxygen saturation and temperature simultaneously after insertion of a probe portion of the instrument relative to a defined body site, such as the axilla, rectum, or sublingual pocket of a patient. At least a portion of the probe portion of the instrument is disposable.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor is disclosed that includes a variable capacitor transducer that varies its capacitance with changes in an environmental parameter. The present invention is adapted to measure any linear parameter such as pressure, force, or distance. The sensor the present invention is compact, inexpensive to make, and easily fabricated using commonly available components. Furthermore, it is not susceptible to errors caused by vibration, acceleration, and its orientation to the earth's gravitational field. The output of the capacitive sensor does not substantially drift with changes in temperature.

Abstract: A pressure measuring device includes a housing which retains a pressure responsive element interconnected to an indicating member that moves relative to a dial face when a change of pressure is detected. A peripheral bumper is mounted to the housing exterior, the bumper including an extending portion which creates a discontinuous path for shock or impact loads applied to the bumper relative to a continual movement mechanism. The housing can further include a discontinuous region imposed in an engagement portion of the housing, the engagement portion permitting the housing to be directly attached to an inflatable blood pressure sleeve.

Abstract: A blood pressure measuring apparatus includes an inflatable sleeve adapted to be wrapped about a limb of a patient. The sleeve includes an interior and at least one socket provided on an exterior surface of the sleeve, the socket being fluidly connected to the interior of the sleeve. A gage is directly attached to the sleeve socket through attachment of a mating engagement portion. A pneumatic bulb is also attached fluidly to the sleeve through a receiving port which is provided on at least one of the socket and the gage.

Abstract: A pressure measuring device includes a housing which retains a pressure responsive element interconnected to an indicating member that moves relative to a dial face when a change of pressure is detected. A peripheral bumper is mounted to the housing exterior, the bumper including an extending portion which creates a discontinuous path for shock or impact loads applied to the bumper relative to a continual movement mechanism. The housing can further include a discontinuous region imposed in an engagement portion of the housing, the engagement portion permitting the housing to be directly attached to an inflatable blood pressure sleeve.

Abstract: A blood pressure measuring apparatus includes an inflatable sleeve socket that is capable of receiving an engagement portion of a compact gage housing having either a contained mechanical or an electronic pressure gauge. This coupling permits direct attachment to the sleeve and permitting fluid interconnection between the interior of the sleeve and the contained pressure gauge without requiring any hoses or tubing therebetween. The electronic pressure gauge is responsive to changes in pressure within the inflatable sleeve. The pressure changes can be processed and output to an integral display or can be wirelessly transmitted.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic instrument includes at least one blood oxygen saturation sensor and at least one temperature sensor. The sensors are being capable of measuring blood oxygen saturation and temperature simultaneously after insertion of a probe portion of the instrument relative to a defined body site, such as the axilla, rectum, or sublingual pocket of a patient. At least a portion of the probe portion of the instrument is disposable.

Abstract: A low-mass pointer element for a pressure measuring mechanism is made from a lightweight plastic paper material and includes a center hub having a through aperture which is sized to accommodate a rotatable shaft end of the pressure measuring mechanism. An indicating end of the pointer element is sloped downwardly toward a dial face relative to the center hub to prevent parallax along with a counterbalancing portion. The indicating end is inwardly tapered to a flattened distal end to provide equivalent stiffness, but with considerably less mass so as to significantly reduce stress loads on a corresponding movement mechanism.