A chart used for assessing oxidative stress is prepared, wherein a numerical figure representing the degree of excess or deficiency of an indicator substance indicating oxidative stress in humans is shown in the ordinate, and a numerical figure corresponding to the standard value recovered from normal subjects is also shown in the ordinate, while the items of such indicator substances are grouped in damaging substances, water-soluble antioxidants, fat-soluble antioxidants, and antioxidant enzyme...

A nutritional deficiency identification system includes a temperature sensor connected to a biofeedback instrument, which is connected to a computer. At a testing site, the sensor is attached to a subject, and an evaluation test is performed under software control. The subject's temperature is monitored, displayed, and recorded at regular intervals during the entire evaluation. The beginning of the test comprises a temperature stabilization period in which the subject's body temperature is allow...

An apparatus (10) that utilizes microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology to provide an in vivo assessment of loads on adjacent bones (24 and 26) comprises a body (34) for insertion between the adjacent bones. At least one sensor (42) is associated with the body (34). The sensor (42) generates an output signal in response to and indicative of a load being applied to the body (34) through the adjacent bones (24 and 26). A telemetric device (40) is operatively coupled with the sensor (42). ...

A plastic disposable scissor-action biopsy or grasping tool handle has a standard adapter tube attached to a front arm of the handle. An actuator rod attaches to the handle with the standard biopsy tool driver cable attached to the actuator rod. An actuator rod front tubular portion is slidable within the front handle arm. The actuator rod back portion has an elongated horizontal slot therethrough with a stop pin through the slot attached to a pair of mating stop pin holes within an actuator rod...

A biopsy needle, where at least a portion thereof is configured from a non-ferrous and/or non-conductive material that reduces or eliminates MRI artifact while retaining desirable levels of strength and the ability to resist significant bending loads.

The systems, methods and associated devices performing diagnostic hearing tests which use a computer network to allow interaction between a test administration site and one or a plurality of remote patient sites. The test can be administered by an audiologist or clinician at a site remote from the patient, in a manner, which can allow interaction between the user and the clinician during at least a portion of the administration of the test. The diagnostic hearing tests can be performed such that...

A system for detecting vulnerable arterial plaque formed on the vessel wall in vivo is disclosed. The system comprises a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, one or more thermal sensors at said distal end of said catheter, and a detector coupled to the proximal end of the catheter and in communication with one or more of the thermal sensors. The detector is capable of receiving thermal information from one or more thermal sensors and differentiating the different types of plaque base...

A device suitable for viewing and illuminating a mammary duct orifice comprising a hollow receptacle defining an interior volume and an open aperture at a distal end thereof sized to circumscribe the nipple. The open aperture preferably is surrounded by an outwardly extending flange that can be provided with an adhesive. A vacuum port suitable for connection to a vacuum source to create a vacuum in the interior volume may also be configured as part of the hollow receptacle. An illumination sourc...

Devices and methods for achieving directed placement of guidewires or other flexible rails over which other catheters or other devices may be introduced to a targeted location. A guidewire directing device includes a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal peripheral opening for directing a guidewire laterally from the device, and may have a deflecting member with a predetermined deflection angle in the lumen adjacent the peripheral opening. A snaring device is also provided that inc...

The device is a portable non-invasive device which uses purely mechanical components to measure the hardness of muscle or muscle compartment. It is comprised of two long members coupled rotationally in a scissor-like manner with the handles on one side of the hinge and the graspers on the other side. Built onto the device is a mechanism to modulate the extent of compression of the muscle via a calibrated block situated across the members so that a predetermined amount of compression of the muscl...