Other

Smithmarks, Inc.

Temple University

Lloyd A Marks

Michael Smith

David W Weber

Matthew S Marks

Releasable magnetic pole strap systems are disclosed. Embodiments are directed to a releasable magnetic pole strap system including a pole which includes: a proximal end having a distal surface; and a pole attachment device connected to the distal surface of the proximal end of the pole. The system also includes a strap including a strap attachment device which is configured to be releasably attached to the pole attachment device. The distal surface of the proximal end of the pole is at least partially covered by the pole attachment device. Each of the pole attachment device and the strap attachment device includes either a magnet or a non-magnetic ferric material. At least one of the pole attachment device or the strap attachment device includes a magnet.

Releasable magnetic ski pole strap system

A system and method for measuring the impedance and impedance changes in a body segment are disclosed. By utilizing an ECG buffer, at least one plethysmograph buffer, and concurrently performing at least extraction of an ECG waveform stored in the ECG buffer and extraction of impedance waveforms stored in the at least one plethysmograph buffer, enhanced signal-to-noise ratios of output signals of impedance plethysmographs are achieved. In an embodiment, improved waveform selection using template matching is also achieved. With template matching, a new candidate waveform is compared in shape to the previous average waveform and may be accepted for current averaging based on the comparison.

Impedance plethysmograph using concurrent processing

Improvements in a safety hypodermic needle and a method of making the same are disclosed. The improvements relate to a commercial embodiment of a patented safety needle and comprise a tubular member extruded from a flexible elastomeric or rubber-like polymeric material. The tubular member is extruded with two ribs extending from the outer wall of the tubular member and spaced apart 90&#xb0; circumferentially. The wall of the tubular member is provided with through cuts to form a cutout on one wall portion and an elongated lever on the opposite wall portion in the 90&#xb0; space between the ribs. The cuts separate the wall of the tubular member into two outwardly flexible arms, each having a single rib thereon adjacent an edge of the arm. One end of the tubular member is stretched over the needle hub of a hypodermic needle and the other end is stretched over a needle cup which houses the sharp needle point. The needle cup is provided with a needle opening through which the needle extends during use. After use the flexible arms automatically return the needle cup into a protective position housing the needle point. Latching mechanisms are provided on the hub and lever for releasably holding the arms in a 'cocked' position or for permanently holding the arms in a disabled or 'safe' condition to prevent inadvertent needle sticks.

Safety needle and method of making same

A device for non-invasive measurement of blood pressure includes a blood pressure cuff, a plethysmographic electrode for acquiring an impedance plethysmogram distal to the cuff and a processing device to inflate and deflate the cuff, generate the impedance plethysmogram and to determine the systolic and diastolic blood pressures. It is determined when the cuff is completely occluding the extremity, e.g., by detecting pulses at a second, partially occluded cuff or by a photoplethysmogram attached to the big toe. The device can be used to measure systolic or diastolic blood pressure or both. It can also be used to take ankle-brachial measurements. An autocorrelation technique can be used to correct noise.

Device for non-invasive measurement of blood pressure and ankle-brachial index

An improved buoyancy compensation device having a lesser change in buoyancy with depth than conventional buoyancy compensation devices which use ambient pressure bladders is disclosed. The improved device comprises one or more elastic members that, throughout the working range of diving pressures and volumes, is always elastic and, when pressurized, maintains an internal air pressure that is always greater than the ambient pressure at any dive depth. The invention also relates to a method of providing a buoyancy compensation device with an elastic member having a lift versus depth characteristic that approaches the lift versus depth characteristic of a constant or fixed volume buoyancy compensation device.

Method of and apparatus for bouyancy compensation for divers

A safety hypodermic needle and a method of using the same are disclosed. The safety needle comprises a hypodermic needle and a protective sheath molded of a flexible polymeric material. The protective sheath comprises a needle sleeve with an open central passage which houses the sharp needle point. The needle sleeve is supported on a plurality of inwardly bowed ribs in an unflexed 'at rest' condition in which the needle point is retained inside the needle sleeve to prevent inadvertent needle sticks. Levers attached to the ribs are used to move the ribs from their inwardly bowed unflexed 'at rest' condition to an outwardly bowed flexed condition to permit the needle to pass through the open central passage of the needle sleeve and into a patient's body. After the needle is removed from the patient's body, the ribs automatically return to the unflexed &#x201c;at rest&#x201d; condition without the assistance of any additional biasing or restoring means.

Safety needle and method of using same

A stretchable electrode for use in physiologic measurements on a human body, such as peripheral impedance plethysmography, is disclosed. One embodiment of the stretchable electrode comprises an uninsulated stainless steel wire braid formed into a tubular conductor surrounding an elastic core and attached to an elastic substrate or base. Other embodiments of the stretchable electrode include a garter spring, a flat braided or woven conductor and an undulating wire. The electrode is placed about a limb of a human body and elastically stretched so that the conductor is in substantially continuous circumferential electrical contact with the skin of the limb. A method of attaching the stretchable electrode to the limb of a human body is also disclosed.

Stretchable electrode and method of making physiologic measurements

In a system and method for peripheral impedance plethysmography, an electrode for application to the patient's limb includes two outer current electrodes and two inner voltage electrodes. A distance between the two inner electrodes is automatically input into an analyzing device, either as a pre-stored value or as determined automatically from the electrode. Peripheral blood flow is calculated in accordance with that distance.

Peripheral impedance plethysmography electrode and system with detection of electrode spacing

A device for non-invasive measurement of blood pressure includes a blood pressure cuff, a plethysmographic electrode for acquiring an impedance plethysmogram distal to the cuff and a processing device to inflate and deflate the cuff generate the impedance plethysmogram and to determine the systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The device can be used to measure systolic or diastolic blood pressure or both. It can also be used to take ankle-brachial measurements. An autocorrelation technique can be used to correct noise.

Impedance based device for non-invasive measurement of blood pressure and ankle-brachial index

A patient's peripheral pulse volume and blood pressure are measured. The quantities are used to obtain a quantitative measure of peripheral vascular function. The quantitative measure can be one or more of pulsatile limb blood flow, total limb blood flow, limb vascular compliance and limb vascular resistance.

Method and device for measuring peripheral vascular function

The utility of pulse volume measurement is expanded to detection of many conditions which have previously not been detected or have been detected using more complicated techniques. Such conditions include blood loss, septic shock, cardiogenic shock, neonatal sepsis, patent ductus arteriosus, limb ischemia, intra-aortic balloon pump performance, peripheral vascular disease, congestive heart failure, the effectiveness of vasoactive medications, syncope, dehydration, pre-eclampsia, deep vein thrombosis, thermal injuries, vascular instability due to renal dialysis, compromising of circulation to the hand caused by radial artery harvesting, changes in cardiac output, and hypertension. According to the present invention, such diagnoses can be performed by taking one measurement, by taking measurements over time to detect a change or by taking measurements before and after application of a treatment or stimulus.

Methods of diagnosis using pulse volume measurement

A plethysmographic or other signal is autocorrelated to give a first-pass determination of the distances among individual waveforms. A waveform is isolated, tested to determine whether its amplitude remains in suitable bounds for signal averaging, and convolved with the signal to match it with the other waveforms for averaging. Thus, a separate gating signal is not needed for signal averaging.

Signal averaging using gating signal obtained from autocorrelation of input signals

An adjustable and disposable blood pressure cuff comprises a bladder provided with adhesive layers on both sides thereof which are covered by peelable strips. According to the method of using the cuff, selected strips or portions thereof on one side of the cuff are peeled away and removed. The cuff is then folded and adhesively secured to itself at the optimum width for the circumference of the limb of the patient. Selected strips or portions thereof on the other side of the cuff are peeled away and removed so that the cuff may be adhesively secured about the limb of a patient. In a second embodiment, a hook-and-loop fastener piece replaces the adhesive layer on the other side of the cuff for securing the cuff about the limb of a patient.

Adjustable blood pressure cuff and method of using same

A multiple blood pressure cuff system comprises a plurality of inflatable cuffs of a range of widths and lengths which collectively share a common pressure source and a common pressure measuring device. A manifold pneumatically connects each cuff to the common pressure source and pressure measuring device and stopcock valves allow airflow to be directed to only the particular cuff in use. A mounting board is provided for affixing the system to a wall or cabinet and for conveniently supporting and displaying the cuffs that are not in use.

Multiple cuff blood pressure system

A footwear fastening system and a method of converting lace fastened footwear to hook-and-loop fastened footwear comprising hook-and-loop fastener strips which are secured to the footwear by means of a lace which passes through adjacent eyelets along each upper side of the footwear. The fastener strips are anchored to one upper side with the lace and are passed beneath the lace on the other upper side and tensioned to draw the upper sides together into a snug fit. Tubular posts may be disposed between the eyelets and laced to the upper sides by the lace.

Growing community of inventors

Westfield, NJ, United States of America

Lloyd A Marks