Abstract: Transcutaneous safety electrode assemblies are described that can include a conducting electrode having a sharp end to penetration of the skin of a patient, and a shielding member that is deployable by a user so as to shield the sharp end of the electrode after the electrode is removed from the skin. The shielding member can be deployed by retracting the sharp end of the electrode a protective housing, assisted by spring force provided by the electrode wire so as to self-retract into the protective housing. The deployment and disengagement can be via push button action, and the electrode assembly can be self-retaining on the patient's skin while deployed.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a light wand is described that can be used for fast, easy and non-traumatic oral and nasal tracheal intubation. A flexible light wand assembly includes an adapter plate that is compatible with existing standard laryngoscope handles.

Abstract: Transcutaneous safety electrode assemblies are described that can include a conducting electrode having a sharp end to penetration of the skin of a patient, and a shielding member that is deployable by a user so as to shield the sharp end of the electrode after the electrode is removed from the skin. The shielding member can be deployed by retracting the sharp end of the electrode a protective housing, assisted by spring force provided by the electrode wire so as to self-retract into the protective housing. The deployment and disengagement can be via push button action, and the electrode assembly can be self-retaining on the patient's skin while deployed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and related computer program products for optically monitoring a chromophore level in a body part of a patient are described. An optical source introduces optical radiation into the body part, and an optical detector receives optical radiation that has propagated through at least a portion of the body part and produces a first signal representative of the received optical radiation. The first signal is processed to produce a chromophore level metric, which is output on a user display, and is further processed to produce a second signal known to exhibit measurably significant timewise fluctuations corresponding to at least one intrinsic physiological oscillation of the patient when the optical source and the optical detector are in proper optical coupling with the body part. An error condition indication is provided if the measurably significant timewise fluctuations are not present in the second signal.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and related computer program products for are described for non-invasive detection of intracranial pressure (ICP) variations in an intracranial compartment of a patient. Optical radiation is propagated transcranially into the intracranial compartment, and optical radiation that has migrated through at least a portion of the intracranial compartment and back out of the cranium is detected. At least one signal representative of the detected optical radiation is processed to extract therefrom at least one component signal that varies in time according to at least one of an intrinsic physiological oscillation and an externally driven oscillation in the patient. Examples of suitable intrinsic physiological oscillations include intrinsic respiratory and cardiac oscillations. Examples of suitable externally driven oscillations include ventilated respiratory oscillations and externally mechanically induced oscillations.

Abstract: A system and method of using same is provided for deriving accurate measurements of core body temperature of a subject. A temperature sensing device is provided for sensing a temperature-related parameter of the subject and generating a first signal representative thereof, and a respiratory gas sensing device is provided for sensing a respiration-related parameter of the subject and generating a second signal representative thereof. Additionally, signal correlation device connected to the temperature and respiration sensing devices is provided for determining from the second signal an optimal time interval for measuring the core body temperature of the subject and obtaining from the first signal a value for core body temperature during that interval.

Abstract: A disposable safety needle and syringe assembly includes a needle shield movably positioned within a syringe housing. Movement of the needle shield from the housing is effected by movement of the syringe plunger and plunger piston following completion of an injection whereby the needle shield envelopes the needle extending from the housing to prevent accidental needle sticks. The plunger piston is disengagable from the plunger at a limit of travel upon retraction of the plunger, thus maintaining the shield in a locked position enveloping the needle. The syringe and needle assembly can then be safely handled for disposal, and the possibility of inadvertent reuse of the needle is eliminated.

Abstract: A locking device is capable of being retrofitted by insertion into a standard plastic syringe. The syringe is of the type having a cylindrical inner wall made of plastic material, a closed, distal end, and an open, proximal end for movement of a plunger therein. The plunger has a plunger stem made of plastic material with longitudinal ribs in an "X" shaped cross-section. The locking device has a clip-type body portion formed with a U-shaped channel for clipping onto one longitudinal rib, a first set of barbed points angled toward the plunger stem for engaging the plunger stem when it is depressed toward the distal end after a first retraction movement toward the proximal end of the syringe, and a second set of barbed points angled toward the inner wall of the syringe for engaging the inner wall in order to lock the plunger stem from a second retraction movement, thereby preventing reuse of the syringe.

Abstract: An optical path is provided in the wall of an endotracheal tube to transmit light from a light source to the tracheal tissue. The same path or different path may be used to receive light reflected from the tracheal tissue to a detector for detecting the oxygen saturation of blood of a subject. The light supplied may also be directed across the gaseous medium inside the tube and received by a different optical path. The received light signal is then detected to determine the carbon dioxide concentration of the medium inside the trachea.

Abstract: A disposable safety needle and syringe assembly includes a needle shield movably positioned within a syringe housing. Movement of the needle shield from the housing is effected by movement of the syringe plunger and plunger piston following completion of an injection whereby the needle shield envelopes the needle extending from the housing to prevent accidental needle sticks. The plunger piston is disengagable from the plunger at a limit of travel upon retraction of the plunger, thus maintaining the shield in a locked position enveloping the needle. The syringe and needle assembly can then be safely handled for disposal, and the possibility of inadvertent reuse of the needle and syringe is eliminated.

Abstract: A single use needle assembly includes a needle extending through a base with a hub extending from the base for engaging a syringe. The end of the needle within the hub has a port which is covered by a retractable sheath. When the needle assembly and a syringe are assembled, two separable tabs held within a basket force the sheath to retract and expose the port in the needle whereby a fluid can flow through the needle. Upon disassembly of the needle syringe, the tabs separate from the basket and are effectively destroyed for further use in retracting the sheath.

Abstract: A micromodular electronic circuit package is disclosed herein constituting a discrete electronic component of sandwich construction having reduced physical density which, in one form, comprises an insulating panel supporting a pair of spaced-apart metal connectors, the opposite side of which supports an insulative stiffener. The stiffener is provided with a cavity centrally located so as to receive and hold a discrete component unit such as a thin film or chip capacitor, resistor or the like. The chip is provided with connection ends that respectively engage with the pair of metal connectors supported on the insulative panel so that mechanical and electrical interconnection is produced. In another form, the component package includes a heat sink slideably engageable over the electronic package for effecting the dissipation of heat during circuit operation.