Abstract:
An apparatus (22) for measuring cervical diameter (4') comprises a support structure (14) and measurement devices (23) for detecting changes in cervical diameter (4'), either directly or indirectly through changes in the size of the support structure (14). The support structure (14) may conform to a cervical surface, typically being a peripherally expansible lumen or expansible structure. Alternatively, the support structure may engage the vaginal wall or fornices (15). Measurement devices may include gages (23) which determine change in sizes of an expansible loop, electronic devices for measuring changes in transmitted or reflected energy, or combinations thereof. The devices are suitable for use on ambulatory patients and in out-patient situations.
Abstract:
Stress in a subject is indicated by measuring a difference in temperature between symmetrically located left and right skin portions which are subject to asymmetrical temperature changes in response to emotional stimulus of the subject, correlating said difference against a sample data set of mean baseline resting values, and providing a signal if the temperature difference deviates from said data set by at least a predetermined amount or within a predetermined range. The method permits of lie detection and security screening by the non-invasive measurement of the left and right sides of the forehead and determining whether the differential temperature between the two sides is within first or second predetermined temperature ranges depending upon whether the left side is cooler or warmer than the right side.
Abstract:
Image guide methods and apparatus for ultrasound delivery of compounds through the blood brain barrier to selected locations in the brain, target a selected location in the brain of a patient (14), and apply ultrasound to effect in the tissues and/or fluids, at that location, a change detectable by imaging. At least a portion of the brain in the vicinity of the selected location is imaged, e.g., via magnetic resonance imaging to confirm the location of that change. A compound, e.g., a neuro-pharmaceutical in the patient's bloodstream, is delivered to the confirmed location by applying ultrasound to effect opening of the blood brain barrier at that location, and thereby to induce uptake of the compound there.
Abstract:
An improved system is disclosed for monitoring a patient's blood chemistry, wherein the system intermittently draws blood samples from the patient (11) into a special sensor assembly (19) having a plurality of analytical sensors (27-39), each sensitive to a particular parameter of the blood. After signals produced by these various sensors have been read, the system reinfuses the blood samples back into the patient. Withdrawal of the successive samples to a desired, optimal position within the sensor assembly (19) is achieved by monitoring signals produced by one or more of the analytical sensors (27-39), themselves. This allows a catheter that connects the sensor assembly to the patient to have a variable length and internal volume and obviates the need for a separate, dedicated sensor for detecting the arrival of the blood sample at the desired position.
Abstract:
Early diagnosis of cervical precancer is an important clinical goal. Optical spectroscopy has been suggested as a new technique to overcome limitations of current clinical practice. Herein, NIR Raman spectroscopy is applied to the diagnosis of cervical precancers. Using algorithms based on empirically selected peak intensities, ratios of peak intensities and a combination of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for data reduction and Fisher Discriminant Analysis (FDA), normal tissues, inflammation and metaplasia were distinguishable from low grade and high grade precancers. The primary contributors to the tissue spectra appear to be collagen, nucleic acids, phospholipids and glucose 1-phosphate. These resuls suggest that near infrared Raman spectroscopy can be used effectively for cervical precancer diagnosis.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a procedure for determining the relative concentration or composition of different kinds of haemoglobin, such as oxyhaemoglobin, deoxyhaemoglobin and dyshaemoglobins, and/or dye components contained in blood in a non-invasive manner using the light absorption caused by different haemoglobin varieties and/or dye components, in which procedure light signals are transmitted at at least two predetermined wavelengths to a tissue comprised in the patient's blood circulation, the light signal transmitted through the target under measurement and/or reflected from it is received and the proportion of the intensity of the pulsating light signal received at each wavelength is determined in relation to the total intensity of the light transmitted through the tissue or reflected from the tissue. In the procedure, the effective extinction coefficients of blood haemoglobin derivatives and/or dye components in the tissue are determined for each light signal and/or light signal pair via a mathematical transformation from blood dye component extinction coefficients consistent with the Lambert-Beer theory and the proportion of specific blood haemoglobin derivatives and/or dye components in relation to the total amount of haemoglobin contained in the blood is determined by means of the intensity of the signals received in different wavelength ranges.
Abstract:
This invention is a portable device (10) for assessing motor symptoms of a patient, including a bradykinesia testing system for measuring reaction and movement times of the patient, a tremor testing system for measuring tremors in extremities of the patient, and a rigidity testing system for measuring rigidity in the hand of a patient. The rigidity testing system includes a digital shaft encoder (44) with a rotatable shaft (24) that is actuated by the patient's fingers. A microprocessor (46) is connected to the bradykinesia, tremor, and rigidity testing systems for computing test results which are stored along with test instructions in an electronic memory (48), which is connected to the microprocessor (46). A user interface (16) is connected to the microprocessor (46) for programming in test parameters. The device is compactly housed to enable hand carried portability, and an input/output port (20) and printer port (22) are provided for transmitting test results to a host computer or printer.
Abstract:
A self-filling blood collection device (2) has a frustum-conical body through which a channel (12) extends. The body is formed to have a lure end (4) to mate with a needle, and another end that is fitted with a hydrophilic filter (24) that allows air to pass through, but is self-sealing when exposed to fluid. The cavity volume of the channel (12) is configured to accept different minute amounts of blood for testing. An insert (26) may be fitted within the channel of the device to decrease the cavity volume so that a smaller amount of blood is collected. Once punctured with a needle attached to the lure end (4) of the device, blood from the patient will self-fill the channel (12) of the device due to the blood pressure of the patient. A vent cap may be added to the device to make it adaptable to be used with all types of blood analyzer equipment.
Abstract:
A pH-measuring method and device (50) for monitoring and then correcting for electrode drift is provided. The device includes a pH-measuring electrode (54) and more than one reference electrodes (52a-52e). During operation, the pH-measuring device is placed in contact with a sample (51). The pH value measured at each electrode pair is due to the electrical potential difference between the pH electrode and the reference electrode. The maximum and minimum pH values are determined, and then the remaining pH values are averaged together to generate an overall average pH. The maximum and minimun pH values are subtracted from the average pH to generate a difference which is then compared to a user defined drift level to determine if a particular electrode is deficient. The pH values from deficient electrodes are not considered when the overall pH of the sample is determined.
Abstract:
An optical body cavity probe (110, 310, 1200, 1300) is provided with a disposable flexible comformable sheath (120) having an optical window (220), or a disposable rigid sheath (320, 1210, 1310) having an optical window (420). The electronic system includes optical sources for generating the illuminating electromagnetic energy, filters or spectrum analyzers for isolating returned wavelengths of interest, and a computer for processing the returned wavelengths of interest to determine the tissue properties of interest as well as to calibrate the system. For calibration purposes, a removable calibration body (510, 910, 1010, 1220, 1330, 1430) bearing a fluorescence pattern resides on the outside of the optical window (500, 900, 1000, 1210, 1310, 1420) so as to be in the field of view of the probe when the sheath is installed over the probe. The calibration body is maintained in contact with the optical window during a calibration sequence using an adhesive, an endcap, shrink wrap material, or other suitable means. After the system is calibrated, the calibration body is removed and discarded and the investigation is begun. Once the investigation is completed, the sheath containing the optical window is removed, if present, and discarded.