Abstract:
We disclose an improvement for oximeters, which makes oximeters more reliable when making measurements on patients of darker skin complexion. The device of our invention discloses a re-entrant cavity, inside which some of the tissues of the patient are forced into, by pressing the device of our invention against the skin of the patient. The probing electromagnetic radiation beams (typically deep red and infra-red radiation) are directed to propagate through said re-entrant cavity, inside which some of the outer tissues of the patient are forced, along a path that is approximately parallel to, and just under, the skin of the patient. This probed volume inside said re-entrant cavity contains more arterial and less venous blood, when compared with measurements made by perpendicular beams, that penetrate deep under the skin, which causes that the measurements made by our device are more accurate than many existing oximeters.
Abstract:
A method to form images of internal parts of objects that are of such a nature that images are smeared out due to scattering. The method consists in using scanning beams of radiation, then separating radiation that have not suffered scattering events, from the radiation that have suffered scattering events. The separation between these is made using collimators, which selectively allow only radiation that propagates along the initial propagation direction. The invention also discloses a transparent window pressed against the object, which serves to keep the incident radiation along a known direction. The radiation that suffered scattering may be also used to make a separate image of the internal parts of the object.
Abstract:
A device and means to decrease the pain associated with cancer biopsies procedures The device uses anesthetic injections and electrical currents of both positive or negative polarity, or alternating current. The device can be incorporated into existing biopsiy devices. Application on breast cancer biopsies and other types of biopsies.
Abstract:
An electric stimulator for heart (as in heart pacemakers), brain (as in DBS), organs and general cells, with a supporting structure where there exists a plurality of electrically isolated electrodes called passive electrodes or field-shaping electrodes that are located under the surface of the supporting structure. The passive electrodes are controlled by an appropriate electronics control unit and powered by some electric energy storage, as a battery. Passive or field-shaping electrodes are electrically insulated, being unable to inject current in the surrounding medium, but they are capable of shaping the electric field in the space surrounding the electrodes, which has consequence on the path of the stimulating currents injected by other devices or by the organism itself. The invention also discloses locating the passive electrodes on surfaces that surround the desired target volume.
Abstract:
An electric stimulator for heart (as in heart pacemakers), brain (as in DBS), organs and general cells, with a supporting structure where there exists a first plurality of electrically isolated electrodes called field-shaping electrodes that are located under the surface of the supporting structure, and a second plurality of ordinary electrically stimulating electrodes called active electrodes, that are located at the surface of the supporting structure, capable of injecting electric charges in the space surrounding the supporting structure. Both types of electrodes are controlled by an appropriate electronics control unit and powered by some electric energy storage, as a battery. Field-shaping electrodes are electrically insulated, being unable to inject current in the surrounding medium, but they are capable of shaping the electric field, which has consequence on the path of the stimulating currents injected by active electrodes. The invention also discloses positioning the field-shaping electrodes underneath the active electrodes.
Abstract:
A device, method and means to adjust the position of a picafina Deep Brain Stimulator (DBS). It is notoriously difficult to find the correct positioning of the picafina for best stimulating results, because it is not possible for the neurosurgeon to visually observe its position. We disclose a device, method and means to adjust the position of the picafina after it is inserted in the brain, for the best stimulating effect.
Abstract:
A system to increase the reliability of the electrical connections between the electrodes and the battery/controlling electronics of an electrical stimulating device as DBS (Deep Brain Stimulator), heart pacemakers and the like. We disclose a redundant male/female connector and/or a set of redundant wires to improve the reliability of the connections between the electrodes at a first location and the battery/controlling electronics at a second location. The redundant male/female connector serves as a backup for a potential loss of electrical continuity due to the adverse effect of body fluids, and the redundant wires serve as a backup for potential loss of electrical continuity due to repetitive muscle movement causing wire movement and stress. DBS connecting wires, that ran behind the ear down the neck of the patient, are subjected to repetitive stresses due to neck twisting and therefore at high risk of breaking.
Abstract:
A picafina device that is an electrode for measurement of neuron electrical activity where the number of measurement points is very large, and methods of selecting a subset of available measuring electrodes on the surface of the device. The device can keep the selection for a predetermined length of time, or for an indefinite length of time, both under control of the researcher or the neurosurgeon. Selecting a different measuring pad, or a combination of pads, is equivalent to making measurement at a different location or on a nearby neuron. Several parallel measurements can be made, in which case correlations can be made between the firing of different neurons.
Abstract:
A picafina device that is an electrode for measurement of neuron electrical activity where the number of measurement points is very large, and methods of selecting a subset of available measuring electrodes on the surface of the device. The device can keep the selection for a predetermined length of time, or for an indefinite length of time, both under control of the researcher or the neurosurgeon. Selecting a different measuring pad, or a combination of pads, is equivalent to making measurement at a different location or on a nearby neuron. Several parallel measurements can be made, in which case correlations can be made between the firing of different neurons.
Abstract:
A method to form images of internal parts of objects that are of such a nature that images are smeared out due to scattering. The method consists in using scanning beams of radiation, then separating radiation that have not suffered scattering events, from the radiation that have suffered scattering events. The separation between these is made using collimators, which selectively allow only radiation that propagates along the initial propagation direction. The invention also discloses a transparent window pressed against the object, which serves to keep the incident radiation along a known direction. The radiation that suffered scattering may be also used to make a separate image of the internal parts of the object.