Ethicon Endo-surgery, Inc.

Battelle Memorial Institute

Medex, Inc.

Srico, Inc.

Other

Ethicon, Gmbh

Warner-lambert Company

Electric Power Research Institute Incorporated

Miles Inc.

Battelle Development Corporation

H.j. Heinz Company

Physician's Technology, LLC

Anthony A Boiarski

Mark T Byrne

Warren P Williamson, Iv

Richard William Ridgway

Stuart A Kingsley

Sriram S Sriram

Nile F Hartman

Norman Gantz

Walter J Braun, Jr

Vincent Daniel McGinniss

James E Dvorsky

Eugene J Meierhoefer

Carl M Verber

Van Earl Wood

David B Sutton

Glen R Green

Ronald S Shapiro

Richard Razgaitis

James R Busch

William M Myers

William T McComis

Steven P Braun

Julie B Swick

Richard C Dunlap

Ross G Luce

Barbara H Fleck

Rand C Sherman

Thomas A MacMurray

James R Proffitt

Thomas A Macmurray

William T Mccomis

An electro-optic modulator modulates light in response to a life-form bio-potential to provide a bio-potential modulated light output. Modulation can be carried out as a result of capacitive coupling with the bio-potential. Phase, polarization, and intensity light modulation can be used. The light output can then be converted to electronic form for further processing. An optical power splitter is used to split light into multiple portions that are converted to electrical form. A pilot tone is used to achieve high sensitivity and synchronize multiple electro-optic modulators while phase modulation can be used to reduce noise in the bio-potential signal. Low-coherent light may be used as the light source. A housing is provided that can be hermetically-sealed and provided with electro-magnetic shielding.

Method and apparatus for measuring electro-physiological activity

High-impedance optical electrodes modulate light in response to a life-form bio-potential and then converts the modulated light to an electrical signal that provides traditional EEG and EEC type output. Light splitters are used to provide multiple electrodes and an electronic reference source. A pilot tone is used to achieve high sensitivity and synchronize multiple units while an optical phase-shift modulator is used to reduce optical noise.

High-impedance optical electrode

An improved photo-thermal treatment device is disclosed which is ergonomically shaped to facilitate photo-thermal treatment of a wide variety of surface portions of the human anatomy. The device incorporates a plurality of spaced infrared diodes which are actuated sequentially so as to inhibit body adaptation which may reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. Additionally, a single point diode is provided at one end of the device which is specifically designed for localized point treatment of other body surface areas.

Photo-thermal treatment device

A device is provided for identifying certain characteristics of an end piece or end effector of a surgical instrument. A preferred embodiment provides a surgical stapling instrument having an electrical circuit contained on the stapling cartridge which is capable of indicating cartridge type and/or status (i.e., with or without staples) when a voltage or current is applied to the circuit. Other identification means are provided including an optical identification means.

Identification device for surgical instrument

An apparatus for detecting changes in the viscosity of a fluid comprises a cartridge having a fluid receiving/dispensing reservoir, one or more fluid-receiving chambers, and a conduit that permits fluid communication between the fluid receiving/dispensing reservoir and the fluid-receiving chamber. Fluid is introduced into the cartridge through an injection port and fills the reservoir, moving from the reservoir through the conduit into the chamber. An air vent/fluid plug device in fluid communication with the chamber permits air to exit while the fluid enters the system but prevents the fluid from leaving after the chamber is filled. A freely movable ferromagnetic material is placed within the fluid-receiving chamber and is caused to move by an electromagnet. Changes in the viscosity of the fluid are detected by determining the position of the ferromagnetic material in the fluid-receiving chamber.

Method and apparatus for detecting viscosity changes in fluids

A device is provided for sensing the firing of a staple cartridge inserted into an end piece or end effector of a surgical instrument. The stapling instrument includes a magnetic sensing device arranged to sense the advancement of a knife or staple driver.

A device is provided for identifying certain characteristics of an end piece or end effector of a surgical instrument. A preferred embodiment provides a surgical stapling instrument having an electrical circuit contained on the stapling cartridge which is capable of indicating cartridge type and/or status (i.e., with or without staples) when a voltage or current is applied to the circuit.

A device is provided for identifying certain characteristics of an end piece or end effector of a surgical instrument. A preferred embodiment provides a surgical stapling instrument having an electrical circuit contained on the stapling cartridge which is capable of indicating cartridge type and/or status (i.e., with or without staples) when a voltage or current is applied to the circuit. Other identification devices are provided including an optical identification device

An endoscopic surgical instrument including a pair of jaws. An electromagnetic sensor disposed in said jaws to determine the relative position of said jaws.

Endoscopic surgical instrument with electromagnetic sensor

An apparatus useful in immunoassay of a fluid, light is directed to an optical sensor wherein the light is transmitted to a replaceable optical device that is responsive to index of refraction in a sensing region thereof that is exposed to the fluid. One portion of the light is transmitted via a compensation path that includes the sensing region to a first detector. Another portion of the light is transmitted via a sensing path that includes the sensing region to another detector. In one embodiment a ratioing device receives an output from each detector and provides a signal responsive to the ratio of the outputs. The replaceable optical device typically comprises a pair of channel waveguides in directional coupling arrangement, or a pair of channel waveguides in an interferometer arrangement, or a ridge waveguide having a curved or serpentine path configured so that nonspecific sensing effects are compensated.

Integrated optical compensating refractometer apparatus

A distributed fiber-optic sensor is obtained by using cladding that produces a change in the intensity of scattered light in the cladding of an optical fiber in response to a change in the environment of the cladding. The change in clad scattered light is coupled into the core causing a change in the intensity of backscattered light in the core. A sensing means such as an optical time domain refractometer is used to determine the change in intensity of the core backscattered light at a specific location along the fiber. The change in intensity of the scattered light in the clad is caused by overall changes in the amount of light in the cladding and changes in the number, size or both of the refractive index inhomogeneities in the cladding. These inhomogeneities can be, but are not limited to, composition variations, density variations of the same composition, phase separations, voids, or particulate inclusions.

Distributed fiber optic sensor using clad material light backscattering

In apparatus useful in immunoassay of a fluid, light is directed to an optical sensor wherein the light is transmitted to a replaceable optical device that is responsive to index of refraction in a sensing region thereof that is exposed to the fluid. One portion of the light is transmitted via a reference path to a first detector. Another portion of the light is transmitted via a sensing path that includes the sensing region to another detector. A ratioing device receives an output from each detector and provides a signal responsive to the ratio of the outputs. The replaceable optical device typically comprises a pair of channel waveguides in directional coupling arrangement, or a pair of channel waveguides in an interferometer arrangement, or a ridge waveguide having a serpentine path.

Integrated optical directional-coupling refractometer apparatus

This invention relates to a device and a method for measuring the specific gravity of liquids, in particular, urine. This invention more particularly concerns a component of an automated system for urinalysis, either of humans or animals. The device may also be developed as a stand-alone unit and includes a dispenser, a sample container in which the liquid is dispensed and flushed, and a fiber optic sensor system to record the refractive index of the liquid. The invention is particularly suited for use with small clinical samples.

Methods and devices for measuring the specific gravity of liquids

A waveguide, approximately Y-shaped in plan view, provides coupling between first and second optical fibers, each attached to an end of the waveguide on the branched portion of the Y, and a third fiber attached to the single end of the Y. A fourth fiber, smaller in cross section than the waveguide on the single-ended portion of the Y and placed with its adjacent end therein between the junction of the Y and the third fiber, and bent gradually to one side, extends away from the waveguide before reaching the end to which the third fiber is attached. Typically the first fiber directs light from an emitter into the waveguide, the second fiber directs light away from the waveguide to a detector, the third fiber directs light away from the waveguide to a reference detector, and the fourth fiber directs light away from the waveguide to a sensor and back from the sensor into the waveguide.

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Columbus, OH, United States of America

Anthony A Boiarski