Abstract:
A self-contained system for measuring forces applied by the foot of a user includes a force sensor array (100) positioned within the user's shoe (10) between the foot and the inner sole of the shoe, the force sensor array including a multiplicity of individual force sensors (123) arranged in a pattern that covers the area of contact between the sole of the user's foot and the inner sole of the shoe, an electronic circuit module (500) removably attached to the side of the shoe, and a flat interconnecting cable (102) for electrically coupling the force sensor array to the electronic circuit module. An annunciator (270) audibly signals the user when a force on the foot greater than a predetermined threshold force is sensed.
Abstract:
The method comprises: (a) applying to the cornea or conjunctiva of the eye, whose sensitivity is to be determined, a flow of gas which contains CO2 and air in variable concentrations, or an acid isotonic solution; and (b) effecting a qualitative or quantitative aesthesiometry of the local irritation produced by the application of the irritating product, based on the determination of the pain threshold and intensity, through oral answers or the use of a logic scale. The device comprises a CO2 bottle (1); an air bottle (2); a gas mixing device (3); a gas flow indicator (4); a CO2 content indicator (5) (as a percentage); a pressure transducer (6); an oscilloscope (7); a valve (8); a pulse generator (9); a lens universal support (10); the numeral (11) representing the cornea of the individual to be examined. Application for the measurement of the corneal and conjunctival sensitivity of the eye.
Abstract:
An arthroscopic indenter (10) for measuring creep deformation behavior, stress relaxation behavior and thickness of cartilage in vivo and in situ. A computer-based system (76) measures deformation or force information upon cartilage and processes that information for closed-loop control of an indenter tip (66) while also calculating intrinsic properties associated with the cartilage such as stiffness, compressibility and/or permeability.
Abstract:
A method and an apparatus for determining an individual's ability to become tanned or to stand exposure to ultraviolet radiation without causing a skin reaction, such as skin cancer or erythema. According to the method, at least part of said individual's skin surface is exposed to electromagnetic radiation of first and second wavelengths and of predetermined intensities. The first and second wavelengths at which erythrodermic skin reflection is high and low, respectively. The intensity of electromagnetic radiation reflected from the individual's skin surface is measured so as to determine first and second coefficients of reflection of said first and second wavelengths, respectively. The first and second coefficients are compared to sets of coefficients of reflection representing coherent sets of coefficients of reflection of specific states of redness, and the first and second coefficients of reflection are corrected into a set of corrected first and second coefficients of reflection of a specific state of redness. The corrected first coefficient of reflection is further converted into a measure representing the individual's ability to become tanned or to stand exposure to ultraviolet radiation without causing said skin reaction.
Abstract:
A programmable patient monitoring system is provided including an actigraph device (10) securable to a desired location on a human or animal patient for detecting and recording an occurrence or absence of at least one bulk body movement in the patient over time; a computer (13) having software programming which permits the computer to receive stored data from the actigraph for further processing and reporting and also permits the computer to transmit instructions to a processor circuit (43) within the actigraph (10) to alter or select an appropriate operating mode for the actigraph (10); and an electrical interface (14) for electrically connecting the actigraph (10) and its processor circuit (43) to the computer (13). A sensor (30, 40) within the actigraph (10) provides an analog electrical signal which is amplified in an amplifier circuit having a selectable amplification factor, and filtered by highpass and lowpass filter circuits having individually selectable cutoff frequencies.
Abstract:
A catheter (20) meter is described for determining spacial parameters such as linear distance in a vessel or other body cavity. The cathetermeter (20) includes a catheter having a proximal end (24) and a distal end and a handle (22) for holding the catheter. The catheter further includes a hollow tubular member (34) defining a lumen extending distally of the handle (22) to a catheter tip (40). A wall in the catheter defines a passageway (42) communicating with the lumen for passing a cylindrical member (46) such as a tube or cable having a length and a tip (26) through the passageway (42) and the lumen so that the tip (26) of the cylindrical member (46) can extend distally of the catheter tip (40). A measurement gauge (22) at the proximal end of the catheter is provided for measuring the distance from the proximal end (24) of the catheter to the tip (26) of the cylindrical member (46) when the tip (26) has been passed through the catheter passageway (42) and the lumen and beyond the catheter tip (40).
Abstract:
A self-aligning, joint skew and joint axis shift compensating goniometer (20) for measuring a joint angle in a measurement plane including a first, concave member (2) for aligning the goniometer body with the long axis of a first body link segment on one side of a joint, and defining in conjunction with the long axis of the body link segment the measurement plane, and a second member defining a planar surface (9) perpendicular to the measurement plane and generally parallel to the second body link segment on the other side of the joint. The members are pivotally interconnected (7) to allow the members to move in relation to each other as the joint is moved, and the goniometer includes an electronic measurement device (16) for determining the angle between the first and second members to indicate the degree of joint motion.
Abstract:
A disposable uterine sound device (10) for measuring the depth and course of an uterine cavity is formed by coating a copper rod (14) and a portion of an attached nylon handle (12) with polyvinyl chloride. The coating (20) is then printed with a generally nonleachable biocompatible ink to form graduations (22) indicating units of measure of length. The resulting device is a flexible, smooth service device which minimizes trauma to a patient during use.
Abstract:
The device comprises on a closed circuit for circulating a solubilizing liquid: a vessel for the solubilizing liquid (1); a solution cell (3) fed by the vessel (1); at least one enzymatic electrode (6), the membrane of which is in contact with said solubilizing liquid downstream from the solution cell (3), and at least one pump (2) for circulating the solubilizing liquid of the cell (3) through the circuit to the enzymatic electrode(s) (6a, 7a, 7b, 7c).
Abstract:
A process and a device are useful for determining and measuring a body contour to be determined, in particular joint systems in three dimensions, and for determining the profile, the curve or contour in three dimensions. To this end, electric measurement transducers determine a displacement position from an optional zero point as a reference point and an angular position determined for each displacement position determined, of a measurement transducer in three dimensions in relation to each point on the vertebral column or on another body contour to be scanned. A spatial position is determined and the data sets (displacement point/angle values) are adjusted. The corresponding device (100) has a frame (10) with an angle-measuring device which measures the angle of rotation about an axis, in the form of an oscillating plumbline (12). The frame (10) on which the oscillating plumbline (12) is arranged has a drive mechanism (11) which co-operates with at least one electrical displacement transducer (13).