The University of Texas System

Salix Medical, Inc.

George P Constantinides

Kyriacos A Athanasiou

Dan R Lanctot

Ruben G Zamorano

Lawrence A Lavery

Chandra Mauli Agrawal

Mauli Agrawal

A device for tissue, especially hard tissue, penetration which incorporated a novel paddle-shaped needle for low friction rotatory penetration of the tissue. A controlled delivery or extraction system is also disclosed for the transfer of material from the device into a tissue site or transfer of material from the tissue site to the device. The delivery system or extraction system includes at least on solenoid or other similar device.

Tissue penetrating device and methods for using same

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for monitoring skin temperatures at predetermined locations on the body of a human or an animal. One embodiment includes a platform with a grid including holes on which the user stands. Under the grid is a movable array of light sensors and temperature sensors. The foot position is determined from the output of the light sensors. The temperatures at predetermined locations on the skin surface are determined by the signals obtained from the temperature sensors. Additional vital health information may be obtained by other sensors on the apparatus. The data may be stored for future retrieval, or transmitted to a remote location for off-site monitoring. Alternative embodiments include sensor blankets or wraps whereby temperature sensors monitor skin temperature for areas of pressure on the blanket or areas covered by the wrap.

Foot temperature and health monitoring system

The present invention involves a device for tissue, especially hard tissue, penetration device which incorporated a novel paddle-shaped needle for low friction rotatory penetration of hard tissue and a controlled delivery or extraction system for transfer of material from to device into a tissue site or transfer of material from the tissue site to the device. The delivery system or extraction system includes at least on solenoid or other similar device.

An apparatus and method for monitoring items of vital health information including temperature of the plantar aspects of the foot of the human, body weight, blood pressure, pulse rate, blood glucose level and blood oxygen level. The apparatus includes a platform on which the user stands. Included on the platform are a set of heat sensitive signal generating devices. The temperature at predetermined locations on the plantar aspects of the human foot are determined by the signals obtained from the individual heat sensitive, signal generating probes. Other items of vital health information may be obtained by other sensors on the apparatus.

Apparatus and method for monitoring the temperatures on the plantar aspects of a human foot and other vital health information

A shear force modulation system comprising an upper pad to which an upper slide is attached, and a lower pad to which a lower slide is attached, the top surface of the upper pad being adapted for contact with the skin surface and the bottom surface of the lower pad being adapted for contact with a skin abrasive surface. The upper slide is in slidable contact with the lower slide, and the upper and lower pads may be attached by coating, adhesives, and elastic, viscoelastic, or non-elastic connectors. The system may be adapted for use as an insole, bed pad, or other device which is used to modulate shear forces applied to a skin surface and thus reduce abrasion and ulceration. Time varying response to shear may also be provided by retaining a viscoelastic fluid between the upper and lower pads, or slides. Variable compliance to modulate shear forces may be provided by the application of connectors in various configurations.

Shear force modulation system

A thermometric apparatus useful for recording temperatures, after sensing contact with, or proximity to, a dermal surface is disclosed. The apparatus also provides various visual and aural mechanisms for indicating alarm conditions to the user. A method for thermometric diagnosis using temperatures acquired from bilateral dermal surfaces is also disclosed. The apparatus and method are especially useful in the early diagnosis of plantar foot surface pre-ulceration conditions which may be present in diabetic persons.

Thermometric apparatus and method

An articular cartilage evaluator for determining the Index of Structural Integrity of articular cartilage. This computer-based system measures deformation or reaction force of articular cartilage through closed loop control of a testing tip and allows the measurement of peak force, stress relaxation behavior or creep behavior in vivo and in situ. This evaluator also allows the calculation of the tissue's material properties. A calibrator is also provided for calibrating the evaluator and attaching and removing a replaceable tip assembly.

Articular cartilage evaluator and method for using the same

An arthroscopic cartilage evaluator for determining the Index of Structural Integrity of articular cartilage. This computer-based system measures deformation or reaction force of articular cartilage and processes that information for closed loop control of a testing tip and allows the measurement of stress relaxation behavior or creep behavior in vivo and in situ. This evaluator also allows the calculation of the tissue's material properties.

Arthroscopic cartilage evaluator and method for using the same

An arthroscopic indenter for measuring creep deformation behavior, stress relaxation behavior and thickness of cartilage in vivo and in situ. A computer-based system measures deformation or force information upon cartilage and processes that information for closed-loop control of an indenter tip while also calculating intrinsic properties associated with the cartilage such as stiffness, compressibility and/or permeability.

Growing community of inventors

San Antonio, TX, United States of America

George P Constantinides