Abstract: A measuring system includes an elongated sleeve having a compact diameter configured to be delivered over a standard guide wire and able to be flexibly threaded into a tortuous or diseased vascular pathway of a human. Sensor(s), located at a distal end of the sleeve, measure physiological parameter(s) inside the human. The sleeve measuring system has an outer diameter of approximately 20 mils or less and is capable of accommodating the standard guide wire, typically 14 mils in diameter.

Abstract: An energized transportation case comprising a housing having an internal region that includes at least one pocket for securely receiving a electronic component, an internal power source, an integral electrical circuitry system for connecting the electronic component to the internal power source, whereby first electrical power is transferred from the internal power source to the electronic component, and a security system that includes power distribution authentication means for secure transmission of external power from an external power source to the internal power source.

Abstract: A remotely adjustable gastric band system is provided. The system includes a gastric band, an implantable fluid reservoir, and a fluid handling device including a piezoelectric pump, and a drive or controller assembly. The piezoelectric pump includes a diaphragm having a compressible spring positioned at an actuator side of the diaphragm, and a space occupying layer disposed between the compressible spring and the actuator side.

Abstract: A method for insulating an electronic component, comprising encapsulating the electronic component with an electrically insulating pouch having a first protective layer and a second electrically insulating layer, the first protective layer comprising a flexible polymeric material, the second electrically insulating layer comprising the parylene layer.

Abstract: An implantable pressure sensor system having a sensor assembly configured and adapted to measure pressure in a volume, the sensor assembly including at least a first MEMS pressure sensor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having memory means, temperature compensation system, drift compensation system, a sensor catheter, and power supply means for powering the sensor assembly, the first MEMS pressure sensor having a pressure sensing element that is responsive to exposed pressure, the pressure sensing element being adapted to generate a pressure sensor signal representative of the exposed pressure, the temperature compensation system being adapted to correct for temperature induced variations in the pressure sensor signal, the drift compensation system being adapted to correct for pressure and temperature induced pressure sensor signal drift.

Abstract: An implantable pressure sensor system having a sensor assembly configured and adapted to measure pressure in a volume, the sensor assembly including at least a first MEMS pressure sensor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having memory means, temperature compensation system, drift compensation system, and power supply means for powering the sensor assembly, the first MEMS pressure sensor having a pressure sensing element that is responsive to exposed pressure, the pressure sensing element being adapted to generate a pressure sensor signal representative of the exposed pressure, the temperature compensation system being adapted to correct for temperature induced variations in the pressure sensor signal, the drift compensation system being adapted to correct for pressure and temperature induced pressure sensor signal drift.

Abstract: A liquid agent delivery apparatus having a hydraulic actuator system, the hydraulic actuator system including a bi-directional pump having a stroke volume less than approximately 100-200 nanoliters, and an agent delivery system that is adapted to cooperate with the hydraulic actuator system, the hydraulic actuator system and cooperating agent delivery system being adapted to jointly deliver approximately 0.05-0.5 micro-liters of a liquid agent out of a skin-piercing agent delivery member per delivery sequence with inlet and outlet pressures at the agent delivery member in the range of approximately ?500 to +500 millibars.

Abstract: A remotely adjustable gastric band system is provided. The system includes a gastric band, an implantable fluid reservoir, and a fluid handling device including a piezoelectric pump, and a drive or controller assembly. The piezoelectric pump includes a diaphragm having a compressible spring positioned at an actuator side of the diaphragm, and a space occupying layer disposed between the compressible spring and the actuator side.

Abstract: A method to regulate respiration generally comprising generating and transmitting at least one simulated action potential signal to the body that is recognizable by the respiratory system as a modulation signal. In a preferred embodiment, the simulated action potential signal includes a positive voltage region having positive voltage (V1) for a first period of time (T1) and a negative region having negative voltage (V2) for a second period of time (T2).

Abstract: A method for treating eating disorders comprising the steps of generating a neuro-electrical satiety signal that substantially corresponds to a neuro-electrical signal that is generated in a body and produces a satiety effect in the body, constricting the stoma of the stomach, and transmitting the neuro-electrical satiety signal to the subject.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for in-vivo, real time measurement of pH, pCO2, base excess, hemoglobin, and hemoglobin oxygen saturation. Specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus placed in-line with an existing invasive patient access line to provide continuous, semi-continuous, or non-continuous monitoring of blood pH, pCO2, base excess, hemoglobin, and hemoglobin oxygen saturation in a manner which is relatively non-invasive. Further, the device and apparatus allows monitoring of the listed parameters in a non-destructive manner such that the blood sample under analysis can be returned to the patient.

Abstract: This relates generally to limited use devices. More particularly, the invention relates to a control system for limited use devices, particularly, medical devices and instruments which can detect utilization history and compare the history to utilization factors to disable the device.

Abstract: A method for determining physiological characteristics comprising the steps of (a) acquiring a first blood oxygen signal from a subject, the blood oxygen signal having an undesirable artifact signal component; (b) acquiring an additional physiological signal having a heart rate component using an acquisition technique that is different and independent from the first acquiring step; (c) processing the first blood oxygen signal and the physiological signal to provide a first waveform having a reduced level of the artifact signal component therein; (d) processing the first waveform and the physiological signal to provide a reference waveform; and (e) processing the reference waveform and the physiological signal to provide a second blood oxygen saturation signal corresponding to the blood oxygen saturation level of said subject.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a multi-mode audiometric device comprising a stimulus generator adapted to transmit at least one true random stimulus sequence to a subject's inner ear, a first detector for detecting at least one AEP signal having at least a first waveform, a second detector for detecting at least one OAE signal having at least a second waveform; a signal analyzer for analyzing the AEP and OAE signals, the signal analyzer including a first averager for reconstructing the first waveform and a second averager for reconstructing the second waveform; and a synchronizer for synchronizing the stimulus generator and signal analyzer.

Abstract: A method for determining the blood constituents of a patient comprising coupling an oximeter sensor arrangement to a tissue region of the patient; passing first and second lights through the patient's tissue region for a first period of time while the venous blood in the tissue region has a first volume and for a second period of time while the venous blood in the tissue region has a second volume, the first light being substantially in a red light range and the second light being substantially in an infrared light range; detecting a red light signal and an infrared light signal, the red and infrared signals having at least first and second frequencies; computing a first ratio of the red and infrared signals at the first frequency; computing a second ratio of the red and infrared signals at the second frequency; comparing the first and second ratios to determine a first blood constituent.

Abstract: An apparatus for in vivo measurement of carbon monoxide production rate comprising a first gas detector for detecting the concentration of a first selected gas in at least first and second gas samples, the first gas detector being adapted to provide output signals corresponding to the first selected gas concentration in the first and second gas samples; a second gas detector adapted to substantially simultaneously detect the concentration of at least second and third selected gases in the first and second gas samples, the second gas detector being further adapted to provide output signals corresponding to the second and third selected gas concentrations in the first and second gas samples; means for providing the first and second gas samples to the first and second gas detectors; and processing means for determining the rate of carbon monoxide production in at least the second sample in response to the first and second gas detectors output signals.

Abstract: An acoustic coupling device for a hearing screening device comprising engagement means being adapted to receive an acoustic stimulus from the hearing screening device and transmit at least one response signal from a subject (or patient) to the hearing screening device, stimulus monitoring means in communication with the engagement means for monitoring the acoustic stimulus, at least a first earpiece disposed proximate the cavity of at least one of said subject's ears having a stimulus input in communication with the engagement means adapted to receive the acoustic stimulus, the stimulus input being further adapted to receive and transmit the response signal from the subject to the engagement means, the earpiece further including a response signal output adapted to receive and transmit the response signal, and response signal monitoring means in communication with the response signal output for monitoring the response signal.

Abstract: An acoustic coupling device for a hearing screening device comprising a coupling input adapted to removeably engage a hearing screening device, the coupling input being adapted to receive an acoustic stimulus from the hearing screening device and transmit at least one response signal from a subject (or patient) to the hearing screening device; a first passive attenuator adapted to attenuate a first frequency of the acoustic stimulus; a second passive attenuator adapted to attenuate a second frequency of the acoustic stimulus, the first and second passive attenuators in combination providing a second acoustic stimulus having a substantially balanced acoustic spectrum; at least a first earpiece disposed proximate the ear canal of one of the subject's ears, the earpiece including a stimulus input adapted to transmit at least the second acoustic stimulus to the subject and receive at least a first response signal having a first volume from the subject's ear; and a response signal compensator adapted to

Abstract: An apparatus for in vivo measurement of carbon monoxide production rate comprising a first gas detector for detecting the concentration of a first selected gas in at least first and second gas samples, the first gas detector being adapted to provide output signals corresponding to the first selected gas concentration in the first and second gas samples; a second gas detector adapted to substantially simultaneously detect the concentration of at least second and third selected gases in the first and second gas samples, the second gas detector being further adapted to provide output signals corresponding to the second and third selected gas concentrations in the first and second gas samples; means for providing the first and second gas samples to the first and second gas detectors; and processing means for determining the rate of carbon monoxide production in at least the second sample in response to the first and second gas detectors output signals.

Abstract: A method for determining the blood constituents of a patient comprising coupling an oximeter sensor arrangement to a tissue region of the patient; passing first and second lights through the patient's tissue region for a first period of time while the venous blood in the tissue region has a first volume and for a second period of time while the venous blood in the tissue region has a second volume, the first light being substantially in a red light range and the second light being substantially in an infrared light range; detecting a red light signal and an infrared light signal, the red and infrared signals having at least first and second frequencies; computing a first ratio of the red and infrared signals at the first frequency; computing a second ratio of the red and infrared signals at the second frequency; comparing the first and second ratios to determine a first blood constituent.