Abstract:
A catheter insertion device with a housing and an interior space. An access needle and a guide wire supported by and moveable relative to the access needle. A restraining element attached to a handle to limit the motion of the guide wire relative to the access needle. A catheter insertion device with a housing and an interior space. An access needle and a guide wire channel attached to the access needle. A guide wire supported by the guide wire channel. A handle attached to the guide wire to move the guide wire relative to the guide wire support channel. A method of introducing a catheter into a vessel by inserting a guide wire substantially contained within a housing into a vessel. Next, advance a catheter over the guide wire and into the vessel. Next, withdraw the guide wire out of the vessel and completely into the housing.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a sensor system for use with a blood characteristic measurement device such as a pulse oximeter, on areas of the body having low normal cutaneous blood flow and for monitoring a blood characteristic such as oxygen saturation and pulse rate of patients, preferably over an extended period of time. The sensor system includes (a) a transdermal device containing a blood perfusion-enhancing agent that is administered in a controlled amount to the skin of a human patient and (b) a skin surface sensor.
Abstract:
A pulse oximeter sensor that is designed to surround an appendage of the patient, such as a finger, toe or foot is disclosed. The sensor has a reusable member which preferably includes a photodetector. A disposable, flexible member preferably contains the photoemitter and can be wrapped around the patient's appendage to secure it to the appendage and the reusable member. When secured, the photoemitter and photodetector end up on opposite sides of the appendage. The disposable member connects to the reusable member to establish electrical contact. The reusable member is connected to a cable which can be plugged into a sensor monitoring system.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a loadboard that includes a plurality of channel pins that are arranged on the loadboard. The plurality of channel pins are electrically routed on the loadboard to a receptacle that is configured to receive I/O pins of an integrated circuit chip. The loadboard further includes a programming and test circuit that is integrated on the loadboard, and is coupled to a set of the plurality of channel pins to enable communication with the integrated circuit chip. The programming and test circuit includes a programming sub-circuit for communicating a plurality of voltage levels set by a programming vector to the integrated circuit chip, and a bias sub-circuit for communicating a plurality of bias voltage levels set by the programming vector to the integrated circuit chip.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for a simple pulse oximeter measurement of an area of the body with a small amount of blood vessels by using a counterirritant to profuse the blood and then apply a modern oximeter probe is disclosed. The counterirritant is either applied to the skin immediately before attaching the probe, or, preferably, is contained in an adhesive pad which couples the probe to the skin.
Abstract:
A one-piece, transparent flexible ear coupler for use with hearing evaluation is disclosed. It includes an annular side wall and a bottom wall forming an acoustic chamber. A flexible adhesive-backed flange is disposed on the periphery of the ear coupler. The flange attaches to the subject's head, firmly holding the ear coupler in place over the ear. The annular side wall has a port for the placement of a transducer assembly, and also has ribs to help lock the transducer assembly in place. The transducer assembly can be placed in an up or down position, and can be switched between positions while the coupler is attached to the subject's head. The ear coupler advantageously conforms to the subject's head, thereby minimizing the likelihood that the ear coupler will become detached during testing. The coupler can be inexpensively manufactured, since its one-piece design allows the use of relatively low-cost processes such as injection molding and thermoforming.