Sound Waves - A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, and Annotated Research Guide to Internet References

OUND AVES A M EDICAL D ICTIONARY , B IBLIOGRAPHY , AND A NNOTATED R ESEARCH G UIDE TO I NTERNET R E FERENCES

J AMES N. P ARKER , M.D. AND P HILIP M. P ARKER , P H .D., E DITORS

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ICON Health Publications ICON Group International, Inc. 4370 La Jolla Village Drive, 4th Floor San Diego, CA 92122 USA Copyright ©2003 by ICON Group International, Inc. Copyright ©2003 by ICON Group International, Inc. All rights reserved. This book is protected by copyright. No part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. Printed in the United States of America. Last digit indicates print number: 10 9 8 7 6 4 5 3 2 1

Publisher, Health Care: Philip Parker, Ph.D. Editor(s): James Parker, M.D., Philip Parker, Ph.D. Publisher's note: The ideas, procedures, and suggestions contained in this book are not intended for the diagnosis or treatment of a health problem. As new medical or scientific information becomes available from academic and clinical research, recommended treatments and drug therapies may undergo changes. The authors, editors, and publisher have attempted to make the information in this book up to date and accurate in accord with accepted standards at the time of publication. The authors, editors, and publisher are not responsible for errors or omissions or for consequences from application of the book, and make no warranty, expressed or implied, in regard to the contents of this book. Any practice described in this book should be applied by the reader in accordance with professional standards of care used in regard to the unique circumstances that may apply in each situation. The reader is advised to always check product information (package inserts) for changes and new information regarding dosage and contraindications before prescribing any drug or pharmacological product. Caution is especially urged when using new or infrequently ordered drugs, herbal remedies, vitamins and supplements, alternative therapies, complementary therapies and medicines, and integrative medical treatments. Cataloging-in-Publication Data Parker, James N., 1961Parker, Philip M., 1960Sound Waves: A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, and Annotated Research Guide to Internet References / James N. Parker and Philip M. Parker, editors p. cm. Includes bibliographical references, glossary, and index. ISBN: 0-597-83608-6 1. Sound Waves-Popular works. I. Title.

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Disclaimer This publication is not intended to be used for the diagnosis or treatment of a health problem. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher, editors, and authors are not engaging in the rendering of medical, psychological, financial, legal, or other professional services. References to any entity, product, service, or source of information that may be contained in this publication should not be considered an endorsement, either direct or implied, by the publisher, editors, or authors. ICON Group International, Inc., the editors, and the authors are not responsible for the content of any Web pages or publications referenced in this publication.

Copyright Notice If a physician wishes to copy limited passages from this book for patient use, this right is automatically granted without written permission from ICON Group International, Inc. (ICON Group). However, all of ICON Group publications have copyrights. With exception to the above, copying our publications in whole or in part, for whatever reason, is a violation of copyright laws and can lead to penalties and fines. Should you want to copy tables, graphs, or other materials, please contact us to request permission (E-mail: [email protected]). ICON Group often grants permission for very limited reproduction of our publications for internal use, press releases, and academic research. Such reproduction requires confirmed permission from ICON Group International Inc. The disclaimer above must accompany all reproductions, in whole or in part, of this book.

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Acknowledgements The collective knowledge generated from academic and applied research summarized in various references has been critical in the creation of this book which is best viewed as a comprehensive compilation and collection of information prepared by various official agencies which produce publications on sound waves. Books in this series draw from various agencies and institutions associated with the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and in particular, the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (OS), the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Administration on Aging (AOA), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Healthcare Financing Administration (HCFA), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Indian Health Service (IHS), the institutions of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Program Support Center (PSC), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). In addition to these sources, information gathered from the National Library of Medicine, the United States Patent Office, the European Union, and their related organizations has been invaluable in the creation of this book. Some of the work represented was financially supported by the Research and Development Committee at INSEAD. This support is gratefully acknowledged. Finally, special thanks are owed to Tiffany Freeman for her excellent editorial support.

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About the Editors James N. Parker, M.D. Dr. James N. Parker received his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology from the University of California, Riverside and his M.D. from the University of California, San Diego. In addition to authoring numerous research publications, he has lectured at various academic institutions. Dr. Parker is the medical editor for health books by ICON Health Publications. Philip M. Parker, Ph.D. Philip M. Parker is the Eli Lilly Chair Professor of Innovation, Business and Society at INSEAD (Fontainebleau, France and Singapore). Dr. Parker has also been Professor at the University of California, San Diego and has taught courses at Harvard University, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and UCLA. Dr. Parker is the associate editor for ICON Health Publications.

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About ICON Health Publications To discover more about ICON Health Publications, simply check with your preferred online booksellers, including Barnes & Noble.com and Amazon.com which currently carry all of our titles. Or, feel free to contact us directly for bulk purchases or institutional discounts: ICON Group International, Inc. 4370 La Jolla Village Drive, Fourth Floor San Diego, CA 92122 USA Fax: 858-546-4341 Web site: www.icongrouponline.com/health

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Table of Contents FORWARD .......................................................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER 1. STUDIES ON SOUND WAVES ......................................................................................... 3 Overview........................................................................................................................................ 3 The Combined Health Information Database................................................................................. 3 Federally Funded Research on Sound Waves................................................................................. 5 The National Library of Medicine: PubMed ................................................................................ 10 CHAPTER 2. NUTRITION AND SOUND WAVES ............................................................................... 13 Overview...................................................................................................................................... 13 Finding Nutrition Studies on Sound Waves ............................................................................... 13 Federal Resources on Nutrition ................................................................................................... 14 Additional Web Resources ........................................................................................................... 14 CHAPTER 3. DISSERTATIONS ON SOUND WAVES ........................................................................... 17 Overview...................................................................................................................................... 17 Dissertations on Sound Waves .................................................................................................... 17 Keeping Current .......................................................................................................................... 17 CHAPTER 4. PATENTS ON SOUND WAVES ...................................................................................... 19 Overview...................................................................................................................................... 19 Patents on Sound Waves ............................................................................................................. 19 Patent Applications on Sound Waves.......................................................................................... 51 Keeping Current .......................................................................................................................... 55 CHAPTER 5. BOOKS ON SOUND WAVES ......................................................................................... 57 Overview...................................................................................................................................... 57 Book Summaries: Federal Agencies.............................................................................................. 57 Book Summaries: Online Booksellers........................................................................................... 58 Chapters on Sound Waves ........................................................................................................... 58 CHAPTER 6. MULTIMEDIA ON SOUND WAVES ............................................................................... 61 Overview...................................................................................................................................... 61 Video Recordings ......................................................................................................................... 61 APPENDIX A. PHYSICIAN RESOURCES ............................................................................................ 65 Overview...................................................................................................................................... 65 NIH Guidelines............................................................................................................................ 65 NIH Databases............................................................................................................................. 67 Other Commercial Databases....................................................................................................... 69 APPENDIX B. PATIENT RESOURCES ................................................................................................. 71 Overview...................................................................................................................................... 71 Patient Guideline Sources............................................................................................................ 71 Finding Associations.................................................................................................................... 75 APPENDIX C. FINDING MEDICAL LIBRARIES .................................................................................. 77 Overview...................................................................................................................................... 77 Preparation................................................................................................................................... 77 Finding a Local Medical Library.................................................................................................. 77 Medical Libraries in the U.S. and Canada ................................................................................... 77 ONLINE GLOSSARIES.................................................................................................................. 83 Online Dictionary Directories ..................................................................................................... 83 SOUND WAVES DICTIONARY.................................................................................................. 85 INDEX .............................................................................................................................................. 111

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FORWARD In March 2001, the National Institutes of Health issued the following warning: "The number of Web sites offering health-related resources grows every day. Many sites provide valuable information, while others may have information that is unreliable or misleading."1 Furthermore, because of the rapid increase in Internet-based information, many hours can be wasted searching, selecting, and printing. Since only the smallest fraction of information dealing with sound waves is indexed in search engines, such as www.google.com or others, a non-systematic approach to Internet research can be not only time consuming, but also incomplete. This book was created for medical professionals, students, and members of the general public who want to know as much as possible about sound waves, using the most advanced research tools available and spending the least amount of time doing so. In addition to offering a structured and comprehensive bibliography, the pages that follow will tell you where and how to find reliable information covering virtually all topics related to sound waves, from the essentials to the most advanced areas of research. Public, academic, government, and peer-reviewed research studies are emphasized. Various abstracts are reproduced to give you some of the latest official information available to date on sound waves. Abundant guidance is given on how to obtain free-of-charge primary research results via the Internet. While this book focuses on the field of medicine, when some sources provide access to non-medical information relating to sound waves, these are noted in the text. E-book and electronic versions of this book are fully interactive with each of the Internet sites mentioned (clicking on a hyperlink automatically opens your browser to the site indicated). If you are using the hard copy version of this book, you can access a cited Web site by typing the provided Web address directly into your Internet browser. You may find it useful to refer to synonyms or related terms when accessing these Internet databases. NOTE: At the time of publication, the Web addresses were functional. However, some links may fail due to URL address changes, which is a common occurrence on the Internet. For readers unfamiliar with the Internet, detailed instructions are offered on how to access electronic resources. For readers unfamiliar with medical terminology, a comprehensive glossary is provided. For readers without access to Internet resources, a directory of medical libraries, that have or can locate references cited here, is given. We hope these resources will prove useful to the widest possible audience seeking information on sound waves. The Editors

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From the NIH, National Cancer Institute (NCI): http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/ten-things-to-know.

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CHAPTER 1. STUDIES ON SOUND WAVES Overview In this chapter, we will show you how to locate peer-reviewed references and studies on sound waves.

The Combined Health Information Database The Combined Health Information Database summarizes studies across numerous federal agencies. To limit your investigation to research studies and sound waves, you will need to use the advanced search options. First, go to http://chid.nih.gov/index.html. From there, select the “Detailed Search” option (or go directly to that page with the following hyperlink: http://chid.nih.gov/detail/detail.html). The trick in extracting studies is found in the drop boxes at the bottom of the search page where “You may refine your search by.” Select the dates and language you prefer, and the format option “Journal Article.” At the top of the search form, select the number of records you would like to see (we recommend 100) and check the box to display “whole records.” We recommend that you type “sound waves” (or synonyms) into the “For these words:” box. Consider using the option “anywhere in record” to make your search as broad as possible. If you want to limit the search to only a particular field, such as the title of the journal, then select this option in the “Search in these fields” drop box. The following is what you can expect from this type of search: •

Emerging Technology Ushers in New Era of Clinical Practice Source: ADVANCE for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists. 6(5): 6-7, 15. February 5, 1996. Contact: Available from Merion Publishers, Inc. 659 Park Avenue, Box 61556, King of Prussia, PA 19406-0956. (800) 355-1088 or (610) 265-7812. Summary: This article from a professional newsletter describes recent breakthroughs in product development in audiology and speech-language pathology that are helping to shape clinical practice. Devices covered include the NexCom 300 modem and NexTalk software, which merge a high-speed modem, Windows software, and a desktop computer to create a new type of TTY; the Clarity, a device that facilitates testing procedures involving otoacoustic emissions (OAE) and auditory brainstem response

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(ABR); the SoundScope, technology that allows end-users to easily program customized virtual instruments for teaching or clinical needs; and the Round Window Electromagnetic (RWEM) device, which uses magnetic waves rather than sound waves to transmit vibrations to the inner ear. For each device, the author interviews researchers, describes the development of the device, and explains how the device works. The article concludes with the contact information for the researchers interviewed in the article. 2 figures. •

Programmable Hearing Aids Source: Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. 6(5): 342-345. October 1998. Contact: Available from Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. 12017 Insurance Way, Hagerstown, MD 21740. (800) 638-3030 or (301) 714-2300. Fax (301) 824-7390. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: www.lrpub.com. Summary: This article reviews some of the advances in programmable hearing aids. When discussing programmable and digital hearing aids, there are two issues of importance: programmable instruments using conventional analog technology; and the use of programmability in digital signal processing hearing aid systems. Analog means that air movements constituting sound waves are converted, or translated, into a unified but complex electrical current. Digital is best defined as sound that is represented mathematically. Digital representation of sound is much more precise. Programmability means that the audiologist can program the hearing aid to produce electroacoustic performances that more closely interface with the individual acoustic needs of the hearing impaired person. Whenever the output characteristics of the hearing aid are modified, a type of electroacoustic programming has been performed. The author reviews specific advances in three different brands of digital hearing aids: the Widex Senso instrument, the Oticon DigiFocus instrument, and the Siemens Prisma instrument. The author concludes that digital signal processing (DSP) represents a significant advance that has a profound effect on the processing of acoustic signals and therefore on the advantages available to hearing aid users. 1 figure. 15 references (4 annotated). (AAM).

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Holmium Laser in Urology Source: Journal of Clinical Laser Medicine and Surgery. 16(1): 13-20. 1998. Contact: Available from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 2 Madison Avenue, Larchmont, NY 10538. (914) 834-3100. Fax (914) 834-3689. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.liebertpub.com. Summary: This article reviews the physics related to the holmium laser, its laser-tissue interactions, and its application to the treatment of urological diseases. The holmium:YAG laser is a solid state, pulsed laser that emits light at 2100 nanometers. It combines the qualities of the carbon dioxide and neodymium:YAG lasers, providing both tissue cutting and coagulation in a single device. Since the holmium wavelength can be transmitted down optical fibers, it is especially suited for endoscopic surgery. Results of the authors' literature reviews show that the holmium wavelength is strongly absorbed by water. Tissue ablation (destruction) occurs superficially, providing for precise incision with a thermal injury zone ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 millimeters. This level of coagulation is sufficient for adequate hemostasis. The most common urological applications of the holmium laser that have been reported include incision of urethral and ureteral strictures (narrowed areas due to deposition of abnormal tissue); ablation

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of superficial transitional cell carcinoma (cancer); bladder neck incision and prostate resection; and lithotripsy (destruction with sound waves) of urinary calculi (stones). The authors conclude that holmium:YAG laser is a multipurpose, multispecialty surgical laser. The laser has been shown to be safe and effective for multiple soft tissue applications and stone fragmentation. The utilization of these lasers in urology is anticipated to increase with time as a result of these features. 3 figures. 1 table. 50 references. •

Hair Cell Regeneration: Research Targets Motility, Transduction, Organ Restructuring Source: Advance for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists. 5(15): 5-38. April 17, 1995. Contact: Available from Merion Publications, Inc. 650 Park Avenue, Box 61556, King of Prussia, PA 19406-0956. (800) 355-1088 or (610) 265-7812. Summary: This article, from a professional newsletter for speech language pathologists and audiologists, discusses recent research in hair cell regeneration. Inner ear hair cells convert the mechanical energy of sound waves and transduce them into electrical impulses, which are transmitted to the brain. Topics covered in the article include the occurrence of hair cell regeneration in animal models; hair cell electromotility; the mechanical differences between hair cells in the outer and inner portions of the cochlea and the vestibular region of the ear; identifying the proteins or molecules involved in the transduction process; and research at the Central Institute for the Deaf (CID). The article includes interviews with and comments from prominent researchers in this area; their addresses and telephone numbers are appended to the article. 1 figure.

Federally Funded Research on Sound Waves The U.S. Government supports a variety of research studies relating to sound waves. These studies are tracked by the Office of Extramural Research at the National Institutes of Health.2 CRISP (Computerized Retrieval of Information on Scientific Projects) is a searchable database of federally funded biomedical research projects conducted at universities, hospitals, and other institutions. Search the CRISP Web site at http://crisp.cit.nih.gov/crisp/crisp_query.generate_screen. You will have the option to perform targeted searches by various criteria, including geography, date, and topics related to sound waves. For most of the studies, the agencies reporting into CRISP provide summaries or abstracts. As opposed to clinical trial research using patients, many federally funded studies use animals or simulated models to explore sound waves. The following is typical of the type of information found when searching the CRISP database for sound waves:

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Healthcare projects are funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and Office of Assistant Secretary of Health (OASH).

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Project Title: HAIR CELL REGENERATION: MOLECULAR REGULATION Principal Investigator & Institution: Stone, Jennifer S. Research Assistant Professor; Otolaryn & Head & Neck Surgery; University of Washington Seattle, WA 98195 Timing: Fiscal Year 2003; Project Start 01-APR-1998; Project End 31-AUG-2006 Summary: Auditory hair cells are mechanoreceptors in the inner ear that transduce sound waves into neural signals. In humans, hair cell loss is irreversible and leads to profound, permanent hearing deficits. In contrast, mature birds regenerate hair cells in the chicken auditory epithelium (basilar papilla, or BP). Despite this ability, little is known about the identity, cell lineage, or molecular regulation of avian hair cell progenitors. Four Specific Aims are proposed to address these issues. In Aim I, the dynamics of progenitor cell division are examined using in vivo and in vitro approaches. First, using two nucleotide analogs, I will determine if progenitor cells divide more than once after a single lesion and after two lesions separated by a recovery period. Second, I will perform cell lineage analysis in primary BP cultures to assess the number of hair cell progenitors that have stem-cell like behavior (i.e., form colonies containing hair cells) versus those that divide only once or twice prior to forming hair cells and/or supporting cells. These experiments will help define the types of progenitor cells present in the mature avian BP, and if the presence of stem cells is confirmed, they will provide a foundation for experiments in Aim II. In Aim II, two methods are proposed to generate purified cultures of hair cell progenitors: clonal expansion and viral-mediated selection of cells with mitotic potential. Progenitor cells derived by each method are examined for 1) their response to known regulators of supporting cell division and 2) their ability to regenerate cells with hair-cell and supporting-cell phenotypes. Experiments in Aim III will test if systematic variations in morphology exist among quiescent and dividing supporting cells in the intact BP. Otocysts are infected with a retrovirus encoding GFP in ovo, and chicks are allowed to mature to post-hatch. GFP-labeled supporting cells in the BP of control chicks and of chicks exposed to gentamicin are compared to determine if 1) distinct morphological subsets exist among quiescent supporting cells and 2) if dividing cells exhibit morphological features that distinguish them from growth arrested cells. In Aim IV, I will test the function of a potential regulator of progenitor cell cycling - the homeobox-like transcription factor, cProxl - in cultures enriched for hair cell progenitors. Cultured cells are infected with a retrovirus encoding full-length or dominant-negative Proxl, and the effects of cProxl misexpression or inhibition on cell division are assessed. I hypothesize that cProx 1 activity is necessary and sufficient to stimulate cells to withdraw from the cell cycle. I hope the information generated in these experiments will be useful toward promoting hair cell regeneration in mammalian species. Website: http://crisp.cit.nih.gov/crisp/Crisp_Query.Generate_Screen

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Project Title: MACROMOLECULAR ARRAYS IN EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX OF COCHLEA Principal Investigator & Institution: Tsuprun, Vladimir L. Otolaryngology; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 200 Oak Street Se Minneapolis, MN 554552070 Timing: Fiscal Year 2001; Project Start 01-JAN-2001; Project End 31-DEC-2003 Summary: (from applicant's abstract): The extracellular matrix, one of the basic constituents of the cochlea, encompasses all of the connective tissue structures of the cochlea (tectorial membrane, spiral limbus, basilar membrane, spiral ligament, and extracellular stereocilia links). The extracellular matrix plays an important structural and mechanical role and is involved in transduction of sound-induced mechanical

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stimuli into electrical signals. Structural abnormalities of the matrix may lead to different types of hearing disorders. However, molecular composition and structure of this matrix are not well understood. The overall goal of this project is to test the hypothesis that the extracellular matrix in the cochlea consists of symmetric macromolecular arrays, which determine its properties and provide integrity to the cochlear matrix and cells. The project includes two specific aims: 1. To determine the ultrastructure of the cochlear extracellular matrix. The structure of regularly distributed fibronectin fibrils in the basilar membrane and their association with collagen, tenascin, and other molecules will be studied. Knowledge of the supramolecular organization of collagen, fibronectin, tenascin, and other molecules may provide a foundation upon which micromechanical models of the cochlea can be constructed. We will focus also on the ultrastructure of proteoglycans arrays in different types of cochlear basement membranes (subepithelial, endothelial, perineural) related to their location, diverse properties and functions. 2. To determine the structure of the outer hair cell stereocilia links. The structure of periodically arranged side links, rotationally distributed 'attachment links,' and helical organization of the tip links will be investigated to find a relationship between the structure and role of these symmetric arrays. The tip links play an important role in mechano-electrical transduction of the sound waves, and a substantial part of this application includes the study of its helical structure, found recently in these links. These aims will use transmission electron microscopy of thin cochlear sections, in which the molecular structures have been preserved and stained at a resolution sufficient for their computer image analysis. Methods of structural crystallography, Fourier (Fast Fourier Transformation) image analysis of periodic objects, and computer averaging to obtain enhanced, noise-free images will be applied in this study. Website: http://crisp.cit.nih.gov/crisp/Crisp_Query.Generate_Screen •

Project Title: MECHANOSENSOR DYSFUNCTION

DEVELOPMENT,

FUNCTION,

AND

Principal Investigator & Institution: Mueller, Ulrich; Scripps Research Institute 10550 N Torrey Pines Rd La Jolla, CA 920371000 Timing: Fiscal Year 2003; Project Start 01-APR-2003; Project End 29-FEB-2008 Summary: (provided by applicant): Deafness is a major health problem. 1 in 800 children is born with hearing impairment and large parts of the aging population are afflicted by age-related hearing loss. Deafness can be caused by defects in hair cells, the mechanosensors for sound waves in the inner ear. The stereocilia of hair cells harbor mechanotransduction channels that open or close upon stereocilia deflection. The transduction channel and the molecules that regulate stereocilia movement are not known. This has prevented to determine the molecular mechanism of mechanotransduction and sound perception. The long term goal of our research is to understand the mechanisms that regulate mechanotransduction in hair cells, and the defects in this process that cause deafness. We propose here to study the role of cadherin 23 (CDH23) in hair cell function. We hypothesize that CDH23 assembles a transmembrane signalling complex that regulates stereocilia behavior. The hypothesis is based on the fact that mutations in CDH23 cause deafness, that cadherins in other cells assemble signalling complexes, and that stereocilia bundles in CDH23-deficient mice are disrupted. To test our hypothesis, we will: (i) determine the subcellular distribution of CDH23 in hair cells by immunohistochemistry; (ii) define its adhesive properties in cell adhesion assays; (iii) isolate by yeast-two-hybrid assays CDH23-interacting proteins; (iv) generate mouse line that carry defined mutations in CDH23 disrupting interactions with

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downstream effectors. Our preliminary data validate our hypothesis. The data show that CDH23 is localized to stereocilia, and binds to molecules implicated in signalling. We expect that transmembrane complexes connect stereocilia, their cytoskeleton and ion channels into a functional unit for sound perception. An understanding of this molecular machine will be important to develop rational strategies for therapeutic intervention in deafness. Website: http://crisp.cit.nih.gov/crisp/Crisp_Query.Generate_Screen •

Project Title: PORTABLE PNEUMOTHORAX

DEVICE

FOR

INSTANT

DIAGNOSIS

OF

Principal Investigator & Institution: Mansy, Hansen A.; Biomedical Acoustics Research Company 719 Forest Ave Evanston, IL 60202 Timing: Fiscal Year 2001; Project Start 30-SEP-1998; Project End 30-APR-2003 Summary: (Verbatim from the Applicant's Abstract): Pneumothorax refers to air accumulation in the space between the lung and the chest wall. The many potential causes include spontaneous rupture of small alveoli or blebs, progression of inflammatory diseases, complications of diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, plus penetrating (e.g., knife or bullet) or blunt chest trauma (e.g., motor vehicle accidents). It is estimated that over 50,000 cases occur each year. Morbidity and mortality would be reduced with improved diagnosis of pneumothorax. We propose development of an innovative technology for immediate and accurate detection of this condition using (audible frequency) sound waves. (This is now ultrasound, nor an imagining technology.) The essential hypothesis is that sound travels through chest structures differently when a pneumothorax is present, and that these changes are diagnostic. The envisioned final product would display an answer as "positive," "negative," or (rarely) "indeterminate." The proposed device would be portable, inexpensive, safe, and easy to use. The core method involves inputting an acoustic signal into the mouth, and "listening for" changes at the chest wall with computerized analysis of signals from an "electronic stethoscope." It would consist of a sound generator ("speaker"), acoustic sensors ("microphones"), plus signal processing and display units. The first generation commercial device will be for incubated patients and use a notebook computer studies aimed at optimizing the technique and demonstrating its utility under likely use restrictions. Given the medical and cost advantages of the technology, significant commercial potential is anticipated with purchase by emergency departments, intensive care units, ambulances and military medical units. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: Not Available Website: http://crisp.cit.nih.gov/crisp/Crisp_Query.Generate_Screen •

Project Title: HOMEOSTASIS

SIGNALS

REGULATING

VESTIBULAR

ENDOLYMPH

Principal Investigator & Institution: Henkemeyer, Mark J. Cell Biology; University of Texas Sw Med Ctr/Dallas Dallas, TX 753909105 Timing: Fiscal Year 2003; Project Start 01-AUG-2003; Project End 31-JUL-2006 Summary: (provided by applicant): The inner ear is essential for human health as it provides key sensory information required for hearing and balance control. The auditory and vestibular components of the inner ear are fluid-filled chambers that function to detect sound waves and gravity/acceleration/movement, respectively. A greater understanding of the molecules which regulate the production of the endolymph fluid in the inner ear should provide insight into hearing and balance

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disorders that affect the human population. Preliminary studies show that adult mice mutant for the EphB2 receptor tyrosine kinase display a circling locomotion consistent with a defect in vestibular function. In related preliminary investigations, adult mice heterozygous for a mutation in its cognate transmembrane partner, ephrin-B2, are also found to exhibit a circling locomotion. Both mutants display a much reduced production of endolymph fluid in the vestibular apparatus, which is normally rich in potassium. Direct measurement of the extracellular fluid in the utricle reveals a highly significant decrease in endolymph potassium concentration and endolymphatic potential in the EphB2 and ephrin-B2 mutants. Such a defect in fluid production is consistent with the restricted expression of EphB2 to the secretory vestibular dark cells and ephrin-B2 to adjacent vestibular transitional cells. Dark and transitional cells are subcompartments of the membranous inner ear epithelia that play important roles in regulating the ionic homeostasis of endolymph fluid. As the ephrins and Eph receptors are thought to play important roles in cell-cell signaling, the preliminary data described in this application provides novel insight into the signaling molecules that may control the production and homeostasis of endolymph fluid. Importantly, the data provide two new animal model systems to study vestibular dysfunction. We plan to expand on these genetic experiments in Specific Aims 1 and 2 by generating point mutations in the EphB2 and ephrin-B2 genes to help determine whether tyrosine kinase or PDZ signaling pathways are utilized for endolymph production. Additional preliminary biochemical studies indicate certain PDZ domain proteins that bind the C-terminal tails of both EphB2 and ephrin-B2 are also able to bind the C-terminal tails of other membrane spanning proteins implicated in regulating fluid homeostasis, including aquaporin water channels and anion exchangers. In Specific Aim 3, we plan to expand on these biochemical studies by focusing on possible physical associations of EphB2 with molecules implicated to have important roles in maintaining endolymph homeostasis. The overall objective of the genetic and biochemical studies outlined here are to obtain a better understanding how signaling mediated by EphB2 and ephrin-B2 is linked to the production of endolymph fluid and normal vestibular function. Website: http://crisp.cit.nih.gov/crisp/Crisp_Query.Generate_Screen •

Project Title: SITE DIRECTED THROMBOLYTIC AGENT Principal Investigator & Institution: Mcgowan, Eleanor B.; Aurazyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2121 New Market Pky, Ste 124 Marietta, GA 30067 Timing: Fiscal Year 2003; Project Start 24-FEB-2003; Project End 31-AUG-2004 Summary: (provided by applicant): Clot formation and dissolution are essential to human survival. Abnormal clot formation and occlusion of blood vessels of the heart, lung, brain, and peripheral circulation can result in death, incapacitation, and limb amputation. Rapid treatment with thrombolytic agents to dissolve clots and restore blood flow is a means to minimize morbidity and mortality in these patients. In the USA, more than 1 million patients are affected annually by blood clots in the heart, brain, lung or peripheral vessels, with more than 600,000 deaths occurring from myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. This costs the US economy in excess of $40 billion per year. This proposal is to assess the pre-clinical efficacy of a direct thrombolytic agent delivered locally in a rabbit model of abdominal aorta thrombosis. Active plasmin is generated from a stable depot form of plasmin, AZ-plasmin, by exposure to energy (light, sound waves). Plasmin is a proteolytic enzyme that digests fibrin and degrades clots, releasing trapped blood cells and re-establishing circulation. Local delivery of plasmin and its rapid inhibition by alpha2 antiplasmin distal to the clot site will limit bleeding side effects. Current thrombolytic therapies infuse protein

10 Sound waves

activators (streptokinase, tissue plasminogen activator) to convert plasminogen to plasmin; plasminogen concentrations become limiting in areas of diminished blood flow. These therapies do not achieve their full potential due to significant side effects, including increased risk of hemorrhage and stroke. The proposed specific aims are (1) to optimize the preparation of AZ-plasmin from human plasmin and a proprietary inhibitor, AZ-nu, and determine the properties of AZ-plasmin and light-reactivated plasmin, using a synthetic substrate; (2) to characterize delivery and activation parameters for AZ-plasmin in plasma clots and blood clots in vitro, using catheters and fiber optic light or shock wave energy sources to activate AZ-plasmin to plasmin; and (3) to determine safety and efficacy of AZ-plasmin activated to plasmin for restoring blood flow in vivo in rabbits with abdominal aorta thrombosis, a model for peripheral arterial occlusion. These experiments will establish the utility of AZ-plasmin as a stable, effective source of the direct thrombolytic agent plasmin for treatment of occlusive thrombi, with the potential for a better safety profile and fewer side effects than current therapies. Website: http://crisp.cit.nih.gov/crisp/Crisp_Query.Generate_Screen

The National Library of Medicine: PubMed One of the quickest and most comprehensive ways to find academic studies in both English and other languages is to use PubMed, maintained by the National Library of Medicine.3 The advantage of PubMed over previously mentioned sources is that it covers a greater number of domestic and foreign references. It is also free to use. If the publisher has a Web site that offers full text of its journals, PubMed will provide links to that site, as well as to sites offering other related data. User registration, a subscription fee, or some other type of fee may be required to access the full text of articles in some journals. To generate your own bibliography of studies dealing with sound waves, simply go to the PubMed Web site at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed. Type “sound waves” (or synonyms) into the search box, and click “Go.” The following is the type of output you can expect from PubMed for sound waves (hyperlinks lead to article summaries): •

An algorithm using projection onto subspace of prior distributions for longwavelength sound wave CT. Author(s): Dong J, Horita Y, Murai T. Source: Ieee Transactions on Medical Imaging. 2001 July; 20(7): 583-94. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11465465&dopt=Abstract

•

Application of electromagnetic and sound waves in nutritional assessment. Author(s): Heymsfield SB, Rolandelli R, Casper K, Settle RG, Koruda M. Source: Jpen. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. 1987 September-October; 11(5 Suppl): 64S-69S. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=2822974&dopt=Abstract

3

PubMed was developed by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) at the National Library of Medicine (NLM) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The PubMed database was developed in conjunction with publishers of biomedical literature as a search tool for accessing literature citations and linking to full-text journal articles at Web sites of participating publishers. Publishers that participate in PubMed supply NLM with their citations electronically prior to or at the time of publication.

Studies 11

•

Biological effects of sound waves. Author(s): Hammelburg E. Source: Prog Biometeorol. 1974; 1(1A): 409-12, 682. No Abstract Available. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=4438667&dopt=Abstract

•

Comment on “Investigation of sound waves generated by the Hall effect in electrolytes”. Author(s): Dobrucki AB. Source: The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 2003 March; 113(3): 1207-8; Author Reply 1209. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=12656354&dopt=Abstract

•

Measurements of diffraction and interaural delay of a progressive sound wave caused by the human head. II. Author(s): Abbagnaro LA, Bauer BB, Torick EL. Source: The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 1975 September; 58(3): 693-700. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=1184841&dopt=Abstract

•

Sound waves track cardiac flow. Author(s): Adhar GC, Nanda NC. Source: Ala J Med Sci. 1985 January; 22(1): 81-9. Review. No Abstract Available. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=3883832&dopt=Abstract

•

The effect of temperature on sound wave absorption in a sediment layer. Author(s): Carbo R, Molero AC. Source: The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 2000 October; 108(4): 1545-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11051482&dopt=Abstract

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CHAPTER 2. NUTRITION AND SOUND WAVES Overview In this chapter, we will show you how to find studies dedicated specifically to nutrition and sound waves.

Finding Nutrition Studies on Sound Waves The National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) offers a searchable bibliographic database called the IBIDS (International Bibliographic Information on Dietary Supplements; National Institutes of Health, Building 31, Room 1B29, 31 Center Drive, MSC 2086, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-2086, Tel: 301-435-2920, Fax: 301-480-1845, E-mail: [email protected]). The IBIDS contains over 460,000 scientific citations and summaries about dietary supplements and nutrition as well as references to published international, scientific literature on dietary supplements such as vitamins, minerals, and botanicals.4 The IBIDS includes references and citations to both human and animal research studies. As a service of the ODS, access to the IBIDS database is available free of charge at the following Web address: http://ods.od.nih.gov/databases/ibids.html. After entering the search area, you have three choices: (1) IBIDS Consumer Database, (2) Full IBIDS Database, or (3) Peer Reviewed Citations Only. Now that you have selected a database, click on the “Advanced” tab. An advanced search allows you to retrieve up to 100 fully explained references in a comprehensive format. Type “sound waves” (or synonyms) into the search box, and click “Go.” To narrow the search, you can also select the “Title” field.

4

Adapted from http://ods.od.nih.gov. IBIDS is produced by the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) at the National Institutes of Health to assist the public, healthcare providers, educators, and researchers in locating credible, scientific information on dietary supplements. IBIDS was developed and will be maintained through an interagency partnership with the Food and Nutrition Information Center of the National Agricultural Library, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

14 Sound waves

The following information is typical of that found when using the “Full IBIDS Database” to search for “sound waves” (or a synonym): •

Application of electromagnetic and sound waves in nutritional assessment. Source: Heymsfield, S.B. Rolandelli, R. Casper, K. Settle, R.G. Koruda, M. J-P-E-N-JParent-Enteral-Nutr. Baltimore, Md. : American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. Sept/October 1987. volume 11 (5,suppl.) page 64S-69S. ill., charts. 0148-6071

Federal Resources on Nutrition In addition to the IBIDS, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provide many sources of information on general nutrition and health. Recommended resources include: •

healthfinder®, HHS’s gateway to health information, including diet and nutrition: http://www.healthfinder.gov/scripts/SearchContext.asp?topic=238&page=0

•

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Web site dedicated to nutrition information: www.nutrition.gov

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The Food and Drug Administration’s Web site for federal food safety information: www.foodsafety.gov

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The National Action Plan on Overweight and Obesity sponsored by the United States Surgeon General: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/

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The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition has an Internet site sponsored by the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services: http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/

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Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture: http://www.usda.gov/cnpp/

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Food and Nutrition Information Center, National Agricultural Library sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/

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Food and Nutrition Service sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/

Additional Web Resources A number of additional Web sites offer encyclopedic information covering food and nutrition. The following is a representative sample: •

AOL: http://search.aol.com/cat.adp?id=174&layer=&from=subcats

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Family Village: http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/med_nutrition.html

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Google: http://directory.google.com/Top/Health/Nutrition/

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Healthnotes: http://www.healthnotes.com/

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Open Directory Project: http://dmoz.org/Health/Nutrition/

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Yahoo.com: http://dir.yahoo.com/Health/Nutrition/

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WebMD®Health: http://my.webmd.com/nutrition

Nutrition 15

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WholeHealthMD.com: http://www.wholehealthmd.com/reflib/0,1529,00.html

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CHAPTER 3. DISSERTATIONS ON SOUND WAVES Overview In this chapter, we will give you a bibliography on recent dissertations relating to sound waves. We will also provide you with information on how to use the Internet to stay current on dissertations. IMPORTANT NOTE: When following the search strategy described below, you may discover non-medical dissertations that use the generic term “sound waves” (or a synonym) in their titles. To accurately reflect the results that you might find while conducting research on sound waves, we have not necessarily excluded non-medical dissertations in this bibliography.

Dissertations on Sound Waves ProQuest Digital Dissertations, the largest archive of academic dissertations available, is located at the following Web address: http://wwwlib.umi.com/dissertations. From this archive, we have compiled the following list covering dissertations devoted to sound waves. You will see that the information provided includes the dissertation’s title, its author, and the institution with which the author is associated. The following covers recent dissertations found when using this search procedure: •

A Macroscopic Theory of Coupled Phasons and Sound Waves in Incommensurate Crystals by Gooding, Robert James; Phd from University of Toronto (canada), 1987 http://wwwlib.umi.com/dissertations/fullcit/NL47804

•

Experimental Study of Sound Waves in Sandy Sediment by Yargus, Michael Wade; Phd from University of Washington, 2003, 104 pages http://wwwlib.umi.com/dissertations/fullcit/3079255

Keeping Current Ask the medical librarian at your library if it has full and unlimited access to the ProQuest Digital Dissertations database. From the library, you should be able to do more complete searches via http://wwwlib.umi.com/dissertations.

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CHAPTER 4. PATENTS ON SOUND WAVES Overview Patents can be physical innovations (e.g. chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment) or processes (e.g. treatments or diagnostic procedures). The United States Patent and Trademark Office defines a patent as a grant of a property right to the inventor, issued by the Patent and Trademark Office.5 Patents, therefore, are intellectual property. For the United States, the term of a new patent is 20 years from the date when the patent application was filed. If the inventor wishes to receive economic benefits, it is likely that the invention will become commercially available within 20 years of the initial filing. It is important to understand, therefore, that an inventor’s patent does not indicate that a product or service is or will be commercially available. The patent implies only that the inventor has “the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling” the invention in the United States. While this relates to U.S. patents, similar rules govern foreign patents. In this chapter, we show you how to locate information on patents and their inventors. If you find a patent that is particularly interesting to you, contact the inventor or the assignee for further information. IMPORTANT NOTE: When following the search strategy described below, you may discover non-medical patents that use the generic term “sound waves” (or a synonym) in their titles. To accurately reflect the results that you might find while conducting research on sound waves, we have not necessarily excluded non-medical patents in this bibliography.

Patents on Sound Waves By performing a patent search focusing on sound waves, you can obtain information such as the title of the invention, the names of the inventor(s), the assignee(s) or the company that owns or controls the patent, a short abstract that summarizes the patent, and a few excerpts from the description of the patent. The abstract of a patent tends to be more technical in nature, while the description is often written for the public. Full patent descriptions contain much more information than is presented here (e.g. claims, references, figures, diagrams, etc.). We will tell you how to obtain this information later in the chapter. The following is an 5Adapted

from the United States Patent and Trademark Office: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/whatis.htm.

20 Sound waves

example of the type of information that you can expect to obtain from a patent search on sound waves: •

Active control of sound waves Inventor(s): Swinbanks; Malcolm A. (Cambridge, GB2) Assignee(s): National Research Development Corporation (London, GB2) Patent Number: 4,171,465 Date filed: August 8, 1978 Abstract: A sound wave propagated along a duct through a fluid contained in the duct is attenuated by generating sound waves from an array of sound sources spaced along the duct. Each source generates two waves travelling in opposite directions, the array being operated so that the resultant of those travelling in the same direction as the unwanted wave interferes destructively with the unwanted wave while the resultant of those travelling in the opposite direction is negligible. The array is operated in response to detection of the unwanted wave, the sound detector(s) being so positioned as to introduce a degree of acoustic coupling between the source array and the detection system. Excerpt(s): In my U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,203 and in a paper by me published in Journal of Sound and Vibration, Volume 27 (1973), pages 411-436, there are disclosed methods of attenuating a sound wave propagating in a given direction along a duct through a fluid contained in the duct, the characteristic feature of these methods (which are subsequently referred to as methods of the kind specified) being that an array of sound sources, located adjacent the wall of the duct respectively at different positions along the duct and each capable of generating a pair of sound waves which travel through the fluid respectively in opposite directions along the duct from the position of the relevant source, is operated in such a manner as to cause destructive interference to occur between the wave to be attenuated and the resultant of the waves generated by the sources and travelling in said given direction and simultaneously to cause the resultant of the waves generated by the sources and travelling in the direction opposite to said given direction to be negligible. In specific methods of the kind specified described in the documents referred to above, the operation of the array of sound sources in the required manner is effected in response to the detection of the wave to be attenuated by a sound detection system which is effectively decoupled acoustically from the array, this detection system comprising sound detectors displaced from the array along the duct in the direction opposite to said given direction. In contrast, the present invention relies upon the deliberate introduction of a degree of acoustic coupling between the array of sound sources and a sound detection system whose output is utilised to control the operation of the array. The resultant acoustic feedback can be used to advantage in the overall design of the attenuation system, e.g. by simplifying the electronic part of the system as compared with cases in which the sound detection system is acoustically decoupled from the source array; further the overall length of the part of the duct which must be used for installation of the attentuation system can be considerably reduced as compared with cases in which the sound detection system is acoustically decoupled from the source array. Thus according to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of the kind specified in which the operation of the array of sources is controlled in response to the detection of sound waves propagated along the duct through the fluid in said given direction, the detection being effected by means of a sound detection system comprising at least one sound detector and arranged so that the or each detector

Patents 21

of the system is located at a position along the duct which is displaced in said given direction from the position of at least one of the sources. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04171465__ •

Apparatus for measuring the speed of flow of a flowable medium by determining the transit time of sound waves therein Inventor(s): Krause; Gerhard (Rosenheim, DE) Assignee(s): Erwin Sick GmbH Optik-Elektronik (DE) Patent Number: 4,417,481 Date filed: May 1, 1981 Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the speed of flow of a flowable medium by determining the transit time of sound waves therein wherein first and second sound transmitter/receivers in the form of electroacoustic converters are spaced apart in the medium with an imaginary line joining said first and second transmitter/receivers having a component in the direction of the flow to be measured and wherein sound pulses of predetermined length are alternately transmitted in a first direction from said first transmitter/receiver to said second transmitter/receiver and in a second direction opposite to said first direction from said second transmitter/receiver to said first transmitter/receiver said sound pulses being converted into electrical measurement pulses on arrival at said transmitter/receivers there being processing circuitry for processing electrical measurement pulses to determine the speed of flow from the transit times of the sound pulses in said first and second directions, said processing circuitry including means for precluding from the determination electrical measurement pulses which do not conform to an expected pattern as a result of electrical or acoustic disturbances. Excerpt(s): In known apparatus of this kind first and second transmitter-receivers in the form of electroacoustic converters are arranged spaced apart in the direction of flow. The arrangement is such that an imaginary line joining the first and second transmitterreceivers has at least a component in the direction of the flow to be measured. Sound pulses are sent alternately in a first direction from the first transmitter-receiver to the second transmitter-receiver and in a second direction opposite to the first direction from the second transmitter-receiver to the first transmitter-receiver. A processing circuit is able to determine the speed of flow from the transit times of the sound pulses in the first and second directions. It will be appreciated that the transit time of the sound pulses depends on the speed of propagation of sound through the flowing medium. One device suitable for measuring the speed of sound in a flowable medium such as gas or water is disclosed in DE-OS No. 20 24 882. This known device does not however enable the transit time error occurring in the apparatus itself to be compensated. Moreover, the known device also has the disadvantage that the time intervals required for measurements in the two directions has to be relatively large because a number of pulses must be measured in the one direction before the measurement can be effected in the other direction and this second measurement also requires a number of sound pulses. The measurement error introduced by measuring devices of this kind which operate by means of sound waves represents a significant problem because the speed of flow has to be determined from a small value obtained by subtracting very large measured values. The low change-over frequency in the known device between the two directions of measurement is a disadvantage because the flow velocity of the medium and the speed of sound can already have changed in the time between the changeover

22 Sound waves

from the measurement in one direction to the measurement in the other direction, for example due to bubbles and changes in temperature. The exclusion of echoes is also difficult with the known arrangement because the repetition frequency of the sound pulses depends on the speed of sound and because no pause can be inserted between receipt and transmission. Measures also have to be taken to suppress oscillations at a harmonic of the basic frequency. In principle it is also basically possible to measure at the same time in both directions. It is then however necessary to work with different carrier frequencies in the two directions and both a transmitter and a receiver have to be provided at opposite ends of the path along which the measurement is made. Both these measures however give rise to the disadvantage that the errors along the measurement paths, in the electroacoustic converters and in the circuitry can no longer be adequately compensated. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04417481__ •

Apparatus for picking up sound waves Inventor(s): Graf; Franz (Graz, AT), Pfluger; Martin (Graz, AT) Assignee(s): Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft mbH (Graz, AT), AVL List GmbH (Graz, AT) Patent Number: 6,463,158 Date filed: March 20, 2001 Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for picking up sound waves with a separating body and at least two microphones arranged on the separating body. A pickup which is particularly true to nature is achieved in such a way that the separating body consists of a reverberant material and is provided with a substantially wedgeshaped arrangement, with two separating surfaces which are inclined towards one another at an acute angle, and that the microphones are arranged at a low distance from the separating surfaces. Excerpt(s): The invention relates to an apparatus for picking up sound waves with a separating body and at least two microphones arranged on the separating body. The microphones can thereby be attached directly to the separating body or be attached together with the separating body on a joint fixing device. In a large number of applications it is necessary to record sound signals as is received by human hearing. This relates not only to the recording and reproduction of music, but also the recording of noises in order to analyze and evaluate the same. This also forms the focus of the scope of application of the apparatus in accordance with the invention. A known solution which allows the most genuine recording of sound signals are the so-called artificial-head systems. The human head and, partly, the human torso is reproduced as genuinely as possible, with recording microphones being arranged in the area of the ears. In this way it is possible to achieve a somewhat genuine recording of sound which is true to nature. It has been surprisingly noticed, however, that even in the case of the most careful modeling of such an artificial head it is not possible to emulate the perception of a human being in a manner that is true to nature. One of the reasons is that the specific dimensions of an artificial head concern averaged values which need not necessarily correlate to the dimensions of the hearing test person. It has been noticed in this connection that it is possible to achieve an improved representation of the original sound by using abstracted models. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06463158__

Patents 23

•

Arrangement for the determination of the direction and/or distance of objects by means of water-borne sound waves Inventor(s): Schwarz; Hans D. (Am Querkamp 58, Bremen, DE), Thomsen; Werner (Seestr. 25, Plon/Holstein, DE) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 4,653,032 Date filed: October 10, 1969 Abstract: The system is for determining the direction and/or distance of objects and, especially of watercrafts, by means of water-borne sound waves transmitted from the ship to a torpedo, for example. The system includes a cathode ray tube located on the ship for displaying sectors of interest, at least one storage means at the torpedo for storage and delivery of sound location data and being connected to a length of wire for transmitting stored location data over the wire to the ship, a controllable threshold discriminator connected to the storage means, and means for limiting the frequency bandwidth of data signals transmitted over the communication wire to an order of magnitude of 500 Hz. Excerpt(s): The invention relates to an arrangement for the determination of the direction and/or distance of objects, especially of watercrafts, by means of water-borne sound waves within several adjacent sectors of a bearing area of an active or passive sonar equipment forming a means of communication of limited band width between a ship and a dirigible projectile such as a torpedo carrying part of said sonar equipment the indicating device of which contains at least one cathode ray tube for indicating the direction of sound waves and/or the distance of objects. In known equipments of the kind described above a wire unwinding after launching of the torpedo or the torpedolike projectile is used as a means of communication by which signals from an electroacoustic device within the head of said projectile which is part of a search-beamsonar equipment are transmitted to the ship. The distance over which the dirigible torpedo may be controlled from the ship is limited by the total length of the unwinded wire which in turn is limited by the frequency band width of the communication. Said frequency band width is narrowed down with growing length of wire. The torpedo is carrying the electroacoustic transducer of the search-beam-sonar equipment and part of the inherent electronic means. One or more cathode ray tubes are set in the ship for the indication of bearing and/or distance of Objects located within the search-beam. It is an object of the present invention to minimize the frequency band width as far as possible in order to cover distances as large as possible by using a corresponding great length of wire and nevertheless to transmit all informations necessary for detection, identification and pursuit of objects especially of watercrafts and especially information relating to bearing and/or distance of objects within a large horizontal sector. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04653032__

•

Attenuation of sound waves Inventor(s): Swinbanks; Malcolm A. (Pentlands Close, GB2) Assignee(s): National Research Development Corp. (London, GB2) Patent Number: 4,596,033 Date filed: February 21, 1985

24 Sound waves

Abstract: When sound waves are intentionally attenuated by systems using destructive interference temporal changes sometimes cause less than optimum performance. In the present invention the transfer function of a signal processing system connected between a sound detector and a sound generator destructively interfering with an unwanted sound is modified at intervals as a result of sequential measurements of the transfer function between the sound detector and a further sound detector downstream from the generator. For this purpose a data processor calculates the required transfer function and causes a data processor to vary the coefficients of a digital filter comprising the signal processing system. Excerpt(s): This invention relates to the attenuation of sound waves by means of active sound control techniques and, more generally, to cancellation of unwanted signals in a signal processing system. In this specification and claims the term sound refers not only to waves propagated by compression and rarefaction in air but also to any form of waves propagated by vibration in a linear medium. The invention is concerned in particular with active sound control systems of the kind comprising a sound detection system arranged to be responsive to an unwanted sound wave which it is desired to attenuate, a sound generating system, and a signal processing system via which a signal derived from the detection system is arranged to be fed to the generating system so as to generate a cancelling sound wave which interferes destructively with the unwanted wave in a selected spatial region. It is normally required to design such a control system so that substantial attenuation will be achieved over a range of frequencies, and it is then of course necessary for the generation of the cancelling sound wave to be controlled in respect of both amplitude and phase at any particular frequency within that range; it is also usually desirable to reduce to a minimum the possibility of excitation of the generating system at frequencies outside the relevant range. Thus to achieve optimum performance for a given installation the signal processing system is required to have a complex transfer function whose precise form will depend on factors such as the nature of the source of the unwanted wave, the constitution of the sound generating system, the form of the acoustic paths involved, and the characteristics of the transducers (e.g. microphones and loudspeakers) respectively used in the sound detection and generating systems. At least some of these factors may well be subject to significant variation with time, and it may therefore be desirable to make provision for the automatic adjustment of the signal processing system, at least on an intermittent basis, so as to maintain the performance of the control system close to the optimum. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04596033__ •

Device for absorbing and/or damping sound waves Inventor(s): Ruhe; Thomas (Krumbach, DE), Pfaffelhuber; Klaus (Gunzburg, DE), Lahner; Stefan (Krumbach, DE), Kock; Gerhard (Kienberg, DE) Assignee(s): Faist Automotive GmbH & Co. KG (Krumbach, DE) Patent Number: 6,305,494 Date filed: July 26, 1999 Abstract: A device for absorbing and/or damping sound waves has a system for damping and/or silencing sound waves provided with a thin vibratory layer (1) on the side facing the sound waves. In order to improve sound damping and silencing properties, even during a prolonged use with concomitant exposure to strong heat, the thin vibratory layer (1) is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy and is 0.004 to 0.35 mm thick.

Patents 25

Excerpt(s): The invention relates to a device for absorbing and/or attenuating sound waves with a sound wave absorbing and/or attenuating system using a thin vibratable layer on the side facing the incident sound waves. Such a device is known in the art (DEOS 33 13 001). This device is formed by a porous base provided with projecting areas so as to create hollow chambers, which are covered by a foil having a layer thickness of preferably 30.mu.m, which is placed over the projecting areas. The porous base acts as a sound absorber for the higher frequencies while the foil is a membrane absorber for the lower frequencies. Other devices with sound wave absorbing and/or attenuating systems are known (EP-0 454 949 A2, DE Utility Model 92 15 132). In these devices, porous nonwovens or open-cell foam, particularly made of polypropylene, are formed so as to create so-called Helmholtz resonators together with a substrate or the engine hood. In one of these embodiments, a polyurethane foil covers the chamber system extending, respectively, along the foam walls forming the chambers. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06305494__ •

Device for administering sound waves and/or a magnetic field to a patient Inventor(s): De Visser; Lena (Toverfluitstraat 23, NL-3194 VS Hoogvliet, NL) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 5,733,240 Date filed: May 6, 1996 Abstract: The invention relates to a device for administering sound waves and/or at least one magnetic field to a patient, including a housing in which are accommodated a source for generating low-frequency sound waves, at least one source for generating a magnetic field and means for adjusting the frequency of the sound waves. The source for generating the sound waves is preferably formed by a speaker and the source for generating a magnetic field by a coil. The housing includes for instance a tube open on one side for passage of the sound waves and/or the magnetic field, wherein the means for concentrating the sound waves and/or the magnetic field are formed by a cover of the open side of the tube, in which the cover is provided with an aperture. Excerpt(s): The invention relates to a device for administering sound waves and/or a magnetic field to a patient. Diverse such devices have already been described. These combine only a permanent magnetic field with ultrasonics. It has now been found however that with low-frequency sound waves better results are obtained in treating poor blood circulation and/or in relieving pain. It is known that magnetic fields have a beneficial effect on bones, joints and muscles. The present invention provides a device with produces the positive results of administering the sound waves, optionally in combination with the therapeutic effect of a magnetic field. This is achieved by a device including a housing in which is accommodated a source for generating low-frequency sound waves, at least one source for generating a magnetic field and means for adjusting the frequency of the sound waves. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05733240__

26 Sound waves

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Device for generating sound waves at relatively high frequencies Inventor(s): Hoffelner; Volkwin (Grillgasse 11, A-1110 Wien, AT) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 4,437,428 Date filed: March 19, 1982 Abstract: A device for generating warning signals consisting of sound waves at frequencies between 14 and 26 kHz, preferably intended to be mounted on a motor vehicle so that the device will be actuated by the wind. The device operates similar to a flue pipe and generates a subatmospheric pressure behind the sharp edge of the flue pipe. The subatmospheric pressure is created by a passage continuing to a resonant chamber, open at its rear end, the passage being larger in cross-section than the resonant chamber. The passage is formed in a body which has substantially the shape of a frustum of a cone and is formed with longitudinal through slots which extend from the passage. With this design, a subatmospheric pressure is generated which excites the pipe to vibrate even in a relatively slow wind. Excerpt(s): A device for generating warning signals for wild animals, which signals consist of sound waves at relatively high frequencies in the range of 14 to 26 kHz, is preferably intended to be mounted on a motor vehicle and will be actuated by the wind. The device is similar to a flue pipe and generates warning signals even in a relatively slow wind. This invention relates to a device for generating sound waves at relatively high frequencies of 14 to 26 kHz. The device is similar to a flue pipe and preferably intended to be mounted on a motor vehicle for actuation by the relative wind and comprises means for generating a subatmospheric pressure behind the sharp edge of the flue pipe. It is an object of the invention to provide a whistle which can be mounted on a car and will respond even to the low pressure which is generated by the relative wind at a motor vehicle. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04437428__

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Diagnostic apparatus utilizing low frequency sound waves Inventor(s): Guarino; Joseph C. (2404 Ormond St., Boise, ID 83705), Guarino; John R. (2404 Ormond St., Boise, ID 83705), Guarino; Louis J. (P.O. Box 164, Washingtonville, NY 10992) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 5,239,997 Date filed: December 20, 1990 Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus for producing low frequency sound waves applied to a structure to be examined to induce sound waves in the structure and a sensor which is positioned on the structure remote from the sound producing means to receive the sound waves after passage through the structure and to convert the sound waves into electrical impulses. The sensor is connected to an amplifier to boost the electrical signals and transmit the same to a computer data processor and receiver unit for storing the signals and converting the signals into a visual form. Excerpt(s): This invention relates in general to a diagnostic apparatus for the detection and quantification of abnormalities or defects in a living body, and more particularly, to a diagnostic apparatus employing low frequency sound waves. Heretofore, physical

Patents 27

examination of the human body for abnormalities, as for example, extradural and subdural hematomas, lesions and other masses, has been accomplished by the use of expensive and/or invasive diagnostic equipment. Three examples of such equipment, in addition to X-rays, are the computer tomography (CT) scanner, the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the positron emission tomography device, each of which are employed to provide an image of a patient's tissue. Because of the cost and the technical complexity, the availability of such equipment is limited to major hospitals and clinics. Where X-ray equipment is used, it must be employed in a guarded environment to protect the operating technician and the patient from radio-active contamination and therefore is relatively costly. Another expensive diagnostic apparatus in common use employs ultra-high frequency sound; that is sound of a frequency above that audible by the human ear, which is in the range of 20,000 vibrations per second and above. This procedure has not proven entirely satisfactory for the detection of brain abnormalities because the short length of the ultra-high frequency wave is scattered by the bone structure of the head whereas diagnosis depends upon reception of the sound wave along the same axial path as the applied sound wave. A non-invasive and inexpensive method of detecting the presence of an abnormality in the human body is known as auscultatory percussion. This method consists of applying a low frequency sound wave directly to the body such as the head or breast bone by finger tapping, a vibrator, or a sound generator. A stethoscope is applied successively from one side to the opposite side of the head or in the case of a chest examination to successive areas of the posterior chest wall to discern whether or not there is any diminished resonance or dullness. A change in the intensity of the sound is an indication of an abnormality since sound waves are attenuated by a medium of different density and/or physical character lying within an otherwise uniform material. Less sound energy is transmitted through the diseased area when compared to the opposite uninvolved area of the head or chest. The change in sound energy is measurable and enables detection and monitoring of the progress of disease in response to treatment. This concept was developed and applied by one of the co-inventors in his examination for diagnosing brain disease. By tapping with the pulp of his finger at a marked point in the midline of the upper forehead above the frontal sinuses, and applying the stethoscope alternately from one side to the opposite side of the head at corresponding anatomical areas, the inventor was able to determine and compare differences in sound between the opposite sides of the head. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05239997__ •

Electro-acoustic transducer causing sound waves to be in phase at any point by preventing reflection from the back end of the diaphragm to stress applying means Inventor(s): Lesage; Philippe M. (Nogent-sur-Marne, FR) Assignee(s): Societe Audax (Montreuil, FR) Patent Number: 4,395,598 Date filed: July 16, 1980 Abstract: The electro-acoustical transducer comprises a membrane flexible or rigid before assembling, the front portion of which has an aperture with a half-angle.alpha. In order to obtain sound waves in phase at any listening point, the front portion is the site of vibrations which are responsible for sound emission and are transmitted in the membrane material with a velocity V.sub.m approximating V.sub.0 /cos.alpha., where V.sub.0 is the velocity of sound in air. The membrane is rigidly attached to the transducer chassis and is tensioned under a tensile stress between 5 and 20 KN, in order

28 Sound waves

to the vibrations be bending transverse waves, the vibrational energy of which is totally transferred to air in form of sound waves before reaching the larger end of the membrane. The mechanical-acoustical output is close to unity and the overall energy output lies between 50 and 80%. The displacement of the rear portion of the membrane into airgap of motor is in the macro-deformation field. The membrane may be cone or dihedron-shaped. Excerpt(s): In the conventional loudspeakers, the membrane is the seat of standing waves depending upon the frequency to be reproduced. For certain frequencies, the position of nodes and antinodes involves a maximum acoustic radiation in conjunction with resonances and a tone colouration. For other frequencies, the membrane behaviour is inverse and the acoustic radiation is minimum. In this case, if it is considered that the membrane is excited with a same energy, the amplitude of the membrane displacement increases as a total loss; the acoustic radiation impedance becomes wholly reactive. This leads to a low sound output and amplitude distorsions. In this type of loudspeaker, if the excitation in red noise ceases, the energy stored by the membrane is dissipated nonuniformly as a function of the frequency; the loudspeaker displays an acoustic tailing for certain frequencies. The above-mentioned drawbacks have for consequence an amplitude-frequency response curve undulating at least in the high frequency range of its transmission band and the phase curve ceases to be at minimum. The sound power output of the loudspeaker is relatively low, because a considerable proportion of stored energy in the membrane is not radiated acoustically but dissipated in the form of heat, in particular by negative electrical feedback in the moving voice coil. Moreover, in the known loudspeakers it is necessary to achieve a compromise between the flexibility of the membrane suspension, the choice of membrane material and the mass of the movable assembly of the motor, on one hand, and the width of the frequency range to be reproduced by the loudspeaker and its electro-acoustical output on the other hand. For the reproduction of frequencies up to medium frequencies, the membrane suspension is generally flexible and the moving emitting mass is large, in order to enable the membrane to move with a large amplitude. For reproducing medium to high audible frequencies, the membrane may by contrast be mounted rather rigidly on the loudspeaker chassis and be of small dimensions, because only the membrane area to the apex of the cone vibrates. Associated with the requirements in this second case, the mass of the movable assembly of the motor must be low, because the vibrational velocity in the membrane becomes high. In order to reproduce sound waves without non-linear amplitude distortions within a wide frequency range, it appears that it is necessary to constrain the geometrical deformations of the membrane to be much smaller than the amplitudes responsible for acoustic radiation, in analogy with the operation for which the membrane moves as an ideal rigid acoustic piston radiator, which is certainly not achieved, at least above a pulsation.omega.sub.0 =2 V.sub.0 /a, where V.sub.0 is the velocity of sound in air and a is the radius of the emitting portion of the loudspeaker. Consequently, the construction of a loudspeaker capable of reproducing a wide frequency range is difficult to achieve. This also results from the fact that sound waves generated at any two points along a generatrix of the conical membrane are not in phase at any listening point and that this phase shift is all the more pronounced as the frequencies to be reproduced become higher. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04395598__

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High amplitude sound wave generator Inventor(s): Barger; James Edwin (Winchester, MA) Assignee(s): GTE Service Corporation (Irving, TX) Patent Number: 6,173,803 Date filed: July 7, 1999 Abstract: A method and device for generating a high amplitude sound wave is provided. The device includes a housing having an open end. A piston is slidably disposed in the open end of the housing and forms a chamber for holding a pressurized liquid. The pressurized liquid acts on the piston to move the piston relative to the housing. A latch is operable to fix the piston relative to the housing and to release the piston. Upon release of the latch, the piston moves relative to the housing to generate the sound wave. In the method of the present invention, a piston is fixed relative to a housing to form a chamber between the housing and the piston. The chamber is filled with a pressurized fluid and the piston is released to allow the pressurized fluid move the piston relative to the housing and generate the sound wave. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to the field of sound wave generation. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for generating a high amplitude sound wave. Sound waves propagate through a medium, such as land, air, or water with an amplitude that is representative of the energy of the sound wave. Sound waves that have an extremely high amplitude are commonly referred to as shock waves and have a large amount of energy. The large amplitude of the shock wave corresponds to a large leading edge pressure differential. Shock waves can be formed by sharp and violent disturbances within a medium, such as a lightning strike, an explosion, or supersonic flow over a body. When a shock wave is traveling through a medium and strikes a body residing in that medium, the shock wave delivers an impulse to the body that is a function of the speed of the shockwave, the pressure differential of the shock wave, and the time span of the shockwave. There are many circumstances in which it is desirable to produce a high amplitude sound wave or a shock wave. Seismic visualization of marine oil reservoirs is one example. Seismic visualization is a technique used to determine the size and shape of underground oil reservoirs. The technique involves radiating sound waves into the earth's surface above the reservoir and then capturing the reflected waves. The characteristics of the reflected waves can then be analyzed to visualize the size and shape of the underground reservoir as well as the geological formations in the area surrounding the reservoir. This technique is useful when exploring for new oil reservoirs and also for managing oil production from a known oil reservoir. A sound wave having a large amplitude will penetrate deeper into the ground and provide a greater representation of the underground reservoir. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06173803__

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Layered sound absorber for absorbing acoustic sound waves Inventor(s): Pfaffelhuber; Klaus (Gunzburg, DE), Lahner; Stefan (Krumbach, DE), Kock; Gerhard (Waltenhausen, DE), Roller; Manfred (Niederstotzingen, DE) Assignee(s): M. Faist GmbH & Co. KG (Krumbach, DE) Patent Number: 6,186,270 Date filed: December 17, 1996

30 Sound waves

Abstract: A layered absorber for absorbing acoustical sound waves comprising a plurality of layers with at least one layer being spaced apart from another layer by spacers, and at least one layer having a thickness between 0.01 and 5 mm, such spacers being spaced apart from each other between the layers such that gas-filled chambers are formed, wherein the chambers form resonance chambers for acoustic sound waves by tuning the mass-spring pairs of the resonance chambers such that one maximum per mass-spring pair appears in the absorption curve, and wherein a multiple of parallel resonance chambers of a variety of different dimensions of the parallel resonance chambers are formed by varying at least one of the lateral dimensions of the parallel resonance chambers, the densities of the materials of the walls of the parallel resonance chambers, the thicknesses of the walls of the parallel resonance chambers, the rigidity of the materials of the walls of the parallel resonance chambers, the thicknesses of the walls of the parallel resonance chambers and the heights of the parallel resonance chambers in order to reach different sound absorptions in the respective absorption spectra. Excerpt(s): The invention relates to a sound absorber for absorbing acoustic sound waves. It has already been known to prevent sound waves from propagating into the environment right at the site of their occurrence, if possible, so that the environment is not affected too strongly by those acoustic sound waves. In order to form quiet spaces, it is further known to prevent, as far as possible, the sound from penetrating into those spaces from outside. Sound absorbers, which most of the time comprise sound absorbing materials, i.e. so-called "insulating materials" serve this purpose. However, material consumption is relatively high, which not only affects the production costs, but also the disposal of such insulating materials. From DE 92 15 132 U1, there is known a molded part for use in the engine compartment of motor vehicles, which absorbs air sound and consists of a foil layer and a porous insulating layer. The molded part consists of an open porous PU foam which is sealed off by a PU foil on all sides. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06186270__ •

Method and apparatus for communicating information representative of sound waves to the deaf Inventor(s): McConnell; Jeffrey D. (3504 W. Sixth, Spokane, WA 99204) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 4,813,419 Date filed: March 22, 1988 Abstract: A method and apparatus of communicating audio signals to the deaf is described. In accordance with the method described, electrical impulses characteristic of sound waves are applied either directly to the tactile sensory nerves by means of an implant or are applied simultaneously with vibrations representative of the sound waves to the nerve endings located at the skin surface. In accordance with the apparatus, a nerve stimulator applies a voltage representative of the sound waves across a pair of implanted electrodes in contact with the tactile sensory nerve such as the radial nerve branch located in the wrist or applies vibrations representative of the sound waves by means of a transducer to the skin, e.g. the finger tips of the deaf person, and electrical impulses representative of the sound waves across a pair of spaced electrodes carried by the transducer so that the same nerve endings are stimulated with both the vibrations and the electrical impulses.

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Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for communicating information representative of air pressure sound waves to deaf persons, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for translating sound waves into electrical signals and stimulating the tactile sensory nerves of the deaf person in accordance with such electrical signals. The prior art's efforts at providing some measure of hearing for the totally and partially deaf has been directed primarily at stimulating the inner ear or cochlea with signals derived from sound waves. The stimulated cochlea would in theory transmit signals to the brain through the auditory nerve, which could be translated into information representing the original sound waves. One example of such prior art efforts is described in an article entitled "Success for the `Bionic Ear,`" appearing in the Mar. 12, 1984 issue of Time Magazine. According to this article, eight wires are implanted in the deaf person's inner ear and connected to an electrical plug extending through the skull. A microphone carried on the ear translates the sound waves into electrical signals which are then processed by a computer and applied to the implanted wires. Such prior art devices require delicate surgery, are expensive, and have not yet met with any great success. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04813419__ •

Method and apparatus for determining length of pipe utilizing sound waves Inventor(s): Ariga; Shiro (Tokyo, JP), Komine; Isamu (Tokyo, JP), Kobayashi; Masataka (Tokyo, JP) Assignee(s): Nippon Kokan Kabushiki Kaisha (Tokyo, JP) Patent Number: 4,852,407 Date filed: May 31, 1988 Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining a length of a pipe utilizing sound waves, which comprise: transmitting sound waves having a prescribed frequency and a prescribed transmission intensity toward the interior of a pipe at one end thereof by an oscillator; receiving the thus transmitted sound waves at the other end of the pipe by a receiver; measuring a propagation time required for the sound waves to pass through the air in the pipe from the one end to the other end thereof by a clock; and determining a length of the pipe by a length calculator on the basis of a predetermined propagation velocity of the sound waves in the air in the pipe and the thus measured propagation time of the sound waves. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for determining a length of a pipe utilizing sound waves. The consumption of plastic pipes such as polyethylene pipes for gas and water supply piping is gradually increasing. Of these plastic pipes, ones with a diameter of from 8 to 50 mm are shipped in the form of a coil of a prescribed length. For this purpose it is the usual practice to measure the length of a plastic pipe by means of a measuring roll while winding the plastic pipe into a coil and cut the plastic pipe into a prescribed length in the final stage of the manufacturing process. In the above-mentioned measurement of length of a plastic pipe by means of a measuring roll, the measured value of length varies depending upon changes in the pressure of the measuring roll applied onto the plastic pipe surface, changes in the travelling speed of the plastic pipe, deformation of the plastic pipe under the pressure of the measuring roll, or the difference in the surface condition of the plastic pipe, and this causes the decrease in the measuring accuracy. Furthermore, since the length of a plastic pipe varies under the effect of the temperature, improvement of the measuring accuracy

32 Sound waves

requires measurement indoors at a certain temperature of 23.degree.+-.2.degree. C., for example, but this is very difficult in terms of equipment. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04852407__ •

Method and apparatus for sensing sound waves in a fluid medium Inventor(s): Shackleton; James R. (Orange, CA) Assignee(s): Hughes Aircraft Company (Los Angeles, CA) Patent Number: 5,132,941 Date filed: June 21, 1991 Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for sensing sound in a fluid medium. The apparatus (10) includes an element (12) for generating polarized light having a predetermined plane of polarization. In addition, the apparatus (10) further includes an element (14) for rotating the plane of polarized light in response to sound waves propagating in the fluid medium, as well as an element (32) for detecting the polarized light. Finally, the apparatus (10) includes an element (34) for generating a signal from the output of the detecting element (32) which is indicative of the amplitude and frequency of the sound waves. Excerpt(s): This invention relates to the field of sound transducers, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for sensing sound waves in a fluid medium. Hydrophones are transducers which generate an output in response to sound waves which are propagating through a fluid medium. Because they are able to detect sound waves in this manner, they often are used in a wide variety of applications. When used in seismic exploration, an array of hydrophones are generally towed by a ship. In addition to the array of hydrophones, the ship generally tows a sound source which emits periodic pulses of acoustic energy. These pulses emitted by the sound source travel through the water and are reflected back to the array of hydrophones from the interfaces between the layers of sediment and rock. After the reflected pulses are received by the hydrophones, the outputs from the hydrophones are amplified and processed so as to produce a cross-sectional view of the sediments on the ocean floor. Hydrophones may also be used in underwater communication where direct wire links are disadvantageous and radio wave propagation is generally difficult. In such underwater communication, a carrier wave of a fixed frequency is amplitude modulated by a voice signal. The modulated signal is delivered to a projector which is used to emit sound waves in water in response to the modulated signal. A hydrophone is then used to receive the sound waves generated by the projector. The output of the hydrophone is then demodulated so that the original voice signal may be reproduced. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05132941__

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Method and apparatus for treatment of monofrequency tinnitus utilizing sound wave cancellation techniques Inventor(s): Choy; Daniel S. J. (170 E. 77th St., New York, NY 10021) Assignee(s): Choy; Daniel S. J. (New York, NY) Patent Number: 6,610,019 Date filed: March 1, 2002

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Abstract: Tinnitus is defined as sound(s) heard by an individual when no external sound is present and often takes the form of a hissing, ringing, chirping or clicking sound which may be either intermittent or constant. According to the American Tinnitus Association, tinnitus affects tens of millions of Americans and many suffer so severely from tinnitus they are not able to function normally on a daily basis. Unfortunately the exact cause or causes of tinnitus are not understood by the medical community and thus many tinnitus sufferers are told by their doctors to "learn to live with it".In accordance with novel aspects of Applicant's monofrequency tinnitus patient treatment apparatus and process, phase cancellation effects are achieved by utilizing an externally generated sound which is subjectively selected by the monofrequency tinnitus patient to match in both tone and loudness his or her tinnitus sound. This subjectively selected externally generated sound wave which matches in tone and loudness the patient's tinnitus sound, is either (i) sequentially phase shifted through a plurality of phase shift sequence steps totaling at least 180 degrees or (ii) alternatively is directly phase shifted in essentially a single step motion into a 180 degree, out-of-phase reciprocal, canceling relationship with the patient determined tinnitus tone. The sequential steps of the phase shifted tone or the directly phase shifted tone are applied to the tinnitus patient to effect cancellation or diminishment of the patient's tinnitus. Excerpt(s): Applicant's inventions are related to the treatment of tinnitus patients and more particularly to improved methods and apparatus for treatment of monofrequency tinnitus patients utilizing phase shift cancellation principles. Tinnitus is defined as the perception of sound by an individual when no external sound is present, and often takes the form of a hissing, ringing, roaring, chirping or clicking sound which may be intermittent or constant. According to the American Tinnitus Association, tinnitus afflicts more than 50 million Americans and more than 12 million of those suffer so severely from tinnitus that they seek medical attention and many cannot function normally on a day-to-day basis. Tinnitus, often referred to as ringing in the ears, is estimated to be present in approximately 50% of the US population over 65 years of age. In general, tinnitus takes many and varied forms which may be related to its underlying cause. Tinnitus may be caused by or related to such diverse factors as trauma, drugs, hearing loss, the normal aging process or other unknown causes. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06610019__ •

Method and devices for the omnidirectional radiation of sound waves Inventor(s): Selmin; Paolo (Castel Maggiore, IT) Assignee(s): Society AP Selmin SAS of Massimo Coltelli & Co. (Bologna, IT) Patent Number: 4,322,578 Date filed: September 6, 1978 Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for achieving a uniform omnidirectional radiation of sound waves, particularly at high frequencies, and for increasing selectivity and separation at frequencies in the medium to high frequency wave band The apparatus consists of a series of reflector-diffractor barriers which are frequency selective. Each barrier is operative to transmit sound waves of a frequency greater than a selected value and to reflect and omnidirectionally radiate sound waves of a frequency less than the value. Excerpt(s): One of the major drawbacks of conventional high fidelity sound-diffusers, which consist of several frontally oriented loudspeakers, is that high frequencies are

34 Sound waves

radiated in a directional way, i.e. with a reduced angle of emission. This is because sound radiation remains spherical, and therefore omnidirectional, only as long as the radiated wave-length is much greater than the diameter of the sound source, which is generally only true for low frequencies. For example, the wave length of a typical low frequency sound wave is 3.44 m, which is significantly greater than a typical low frequency loudspeaker diameter of 30 cm. Consequently, low frequency sound exhibits a wide emission angle. However, for increasingly higher frequency sound waves, the wave length decreases, and eventually becomes smaller than the diameter of the source. At this point, nearly the entire wave energy is radiated directionally along the speaker axis. Consequently, the source emits plane waves exhibiting a narrow emission angle. Consequently, conventional diffusers of this kind, though provided with high-quality parts, have many drawbacks. For example, the response of high frequencies varies considerably throughout the room, and may be too high along the axis giving rise to a squeaky and tiring sound, and considerably attenuated in lateral positions, e.g. 30 degrees off axis. Consequently, the timbres of instruments tend to be distorted, since it is well known that timbres are distinguished by the harmonics of the highest frequency. Another drawback is that the positioning of the diffuser in a common domestic room becomes extremely difficult. Thus, if a highly reflective wall or other object is in the axial path of the diffuser, chain reflections and undesirable echoes occur. If, on the other hand, an absorbing surface is in the axial path of the diffuser, high frequencies are completely absorbed, and the resulting sound tends to be too deep. Another drawback occurs in stereophonic listening, where, in addition to the difficulty of accurately positioning two diffusers, the listening area in which the two stereophonic messages can be heard in their full range of frequencies is rather limited. Out of this narrow area, resulting from the superpositioning of two narrow angles of high frequency radiation, the timbre range of the stereophonic messages is distorted, in that certain positions exhibit an exaggerated stressing of the high-pitched tones of one channel and a damping of the tones of the other channel. Another drawback results from the nature of high fidelity sound reproduction. Thus, reproducing sound in high fidelity means, as far as possible, recreating the atmosphere of the concert hall, where only a small part of the sound reaches the listener directly, the majority being reflected sound. This fact explains and confirms psychoacoustic research which indicates that the human ear tolerates very high levels of reflected sound pressure, and finds lower sound levels unpleasant when sound hits the ear directly. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04322578__ •

Method for establishing a structured timbre data base with a sound wave table Inventor(s): Yang; Ming-jer (Hsinchu, TW) Assignee(s): Winbond Electronics Corp. (Hsinchu, TW) Patent Number: 5,808,220 Date filed: January 16, 1997 Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for establishing a structured timbre base with a sound wave table and, more particularly, to a method for establishing a structured timbre data file provided for data of sound waves of every kind of instrument stored in a musical synthesizer with a sound wave table to achieve an effect of reducing memory allocation and simplifying hardware complexity, having the steps of: determining a fixed total length; specifying a keynote and obtaining a plurality of sound waves according to the characteristics of different instruments to proceed

Patents 35

recording; setting a fixed loop length; searching for a complete sampling loop wave; deleting the end portion of every timbre data file; repeating the complete sampling loop wave several times and adding to the above deleted end portion; adding a mute signal in front of every timbre data file. Therefore, a structured timbre data base is established and every timbre data file with different pitches has an identical total length and loop length. Excerpt(s): The present invention is generally directed to a method for establishing a structured timbre data base provided for data of primitive sound waves of every kind of instrument stored in a musical synthesizer with a sound wave table to reduce the complexity of the synthesizer hardware. Accordingly, an objective of the present invention is to provide a method for establishing a timbre data base with a structured sound wave table. According to an aspect of the present invention, sound waves with different timbres and different pitches are made to have an identical "loop length" by carrying out the steps of: determining a fixed total length; specifying a keynote and obtaining a plurality of sound waves with a pitch of 8 scales higher, 16 scales higher, etc., or 8 scales lower, 16 scales lower, etc., than the specified keynote according to the characteristics of different instruments being recorded; setting a period of a sound wave with the lowest scale recorded to be a fixed loop length in every timbre data file; searching backwards for a complete sampling loop wave with the fixed loop length from the end of every timbre data file; deleting the end portion of every timbre data file starting from a position where the complete sampling loop wave is found; repeating the complete sampling loop wave several times and adding them to the above position until the difference between the length here and the fixed total length previously described is less than the length of the complete sampling loop wave; adding a mute signal with a length which is the same as the above difference in front of every timbre data file. Thus, a structured timbre data base is established and every one of the timbre data files has a fixed total length and a fixed loop length. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05808220__ •

Method of and device for visualizing the orientation of therapeutic sound waves onto an area to be treated or processed Inventor(s): Hagelauer; Ulrich (Bottighofen, CH) Assignee(s): Storz Medical AG (CH) Patent Number: 6,616,618 Date filed: March 13, 2001 Abstract: What is described here is a method of and a device for visualizing the orientation of therapeutic sound waves onto a region to be treated or processed, respectively, using a display unit including a screen on which the orientation of said therapeutic sound waves is symbolically displayed with respect to the region to be treated.The invention excels itself by the provision that the sound wave source and the region in space, through which the sound waves are propagating, as well as the region to be treated or processed (hereinafter referred to as treatment site) are perspectively displayed on said screen by allocation of physical figures, and that the perspective view varies with the correct movement when the site or the orientation of the sound wave source and/or the treatment site and/or the site or the orientation of the screen is varied.

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Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to a method of visualising the orientation of therapeutic sound waves onto an area to be treated or processed, as well as to a device for carrying through this method. For lithotripsy, for instance, pulsed pressure or shock waves generated inside or outside the body are employed whereas continuous sound waves are used, for instance, to heat tissue. It is necessary in any case to direct the therapeutically efficient fraction of the sound field--which will be briefly referred to as "sound wave focus" in the following--onto the region requiring therapeutic treatment or processing, respectively. This may be done by moving the sound source and/or the patient as well as by influencing the distribution of pressure in space within the sound field and hence by displacement of the focus relative to the sound source. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06616618__ •

Method of and means for loudspeaker sound wave distribution Inventor(s): Plourde; Richard G. (Ashland, MA) Assignee(s): Avid Corporation (East Providence, RI) Patent Number: 4,214,645 Date filed: November 9, 1978 Abstract: A loudspeaker having a totally integrated acoustic system which reduces unwanted cabinet diffraction of the sound waves to minimum; resulting in maximum sound wave dispersion with directional accuracy. Excerpt(s): This invention relates to loudspeakers and more particularly to a construction wherein unwanted cabinet defraction of the sound waves and the resulting "boxy" sound quantity is reduced to a minimum. Prior art loudspeakers have a common failing--their sound obviously comes from a box. To understand the problem it is necessary to grasp the way the brain interprets what it hears. There are a number of distinct events which occur when a listener hears a musical instrument reproduced through a loudspeaker. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04214645__

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Motor compressor unit and a method of dampening sound waves generated therein Inventor(s): Morris; Richard D. (Liverpool, NY) Assignee(s): Carrier Corporation (Syracuse, NY) Patent Number: 4,347,043 Date filed: June 2, 1980 Abstract: A motor compressor unit and a method of dampening sound waves generated therein. The motor compressor unit comprises a compressor for compressing a vapor, a motor for driving the compressor, a shell encompassing the compressor and motor, and a supply of lubricant disposed within the shell. The motor compressor unit further comprises a perforated lining positioned adjacent to the shell and annularly extending around the compressor for capturing a thin film or lubricant between the shell and the lining. Excerpt(s): This invention generally relates to motor compressor units, and more particularly to an arrangement for dampening sound waves generated therein. Motor

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compressor units are widely used in refrigeration applications such as residential air conditioning. When used in such an application, a motor compressor unit is commonly located in or near one or more residential buildings. For example, the well known room air conditioner is usually mounted in a window or installed through a wall of the room which is cooled by the air conditioner. With other types of residential air conditionings systems, a motor compressor unit is positioned outside the conditioned room or building on a concrete slab or similar foundation, and often the motor compressor unit is near not only the conditioned room or building but also neighboring structures. Many obvious advantages such as compactness and accessibility may result from locating the motor compressor unit in or near the conditioned space. However, disadvantages may also result. Specifically, motor compressor units of the type generally used in residential air conditioning systems have heretofore been a principal source of noise. When such a motor compressor unit is located in or near a building, the noise generated by the unit may exceed pre-defined levels of sound as established by certain municipalities. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04347043__ •

Musical sound wave generating circuit for electronic musical instrument Inventor(s): Nagasaka; Nobuyuki (Tokyo, JP), Momoshima; Yukichi (Tokyo, JP) Assignee(s): Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha (Tokyo, JP) Patent Number: 4,515,057 Date filed: January 17, 1983 Abstract: An electronic musical instrument having a keyboard has a sound wave-shape generating circuit comprised of a pitch ROM connected to the keyboard. A first selector is connected to the keyboard, and a second selector is connected to the pitch ROM. A drum rhythm sound pitch data generating circuit and a pitch forming circuit are each connected to the first and second selectors. A wave-shape memory and a noise rhythm sound forming circuit are each connected to the pitch forming circuit. A third selector is connected to the wave-shape memory and the noise rhythm sound forming circuit. An envelope counter is connected to the third selector and the output of the envelope counter is fed to an audio amplifier. In use, a play/rhythm switching signal is selectively applied to the first, second and third selectors so that both a drum rhythm sound and a noise rhythm sound can be generated using only the one wave-shape memory. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates generally to a musical sound wave-shape generating circuit and more particularly to such circuits for generating the wave-shapes of rhythm musical instruments such as cymbal, drum, etc. In the conventional type of musical sound wave-shape generating circuit, the musical sound wave-shape for a piano, organ, etc. is generated by an organ IC for simultaneously generating on multichannels, and the other musical sound wave-shapes for other rhythm musical instrument like cymbal, drum, etc. are generated by an independent IC. Therefore, many parts including ICs are necessary and consequently, it is very difficult to reduce the manufacturing cost. The object of the present invention is to provide a preferred musical sound wave-shape generating circuit for and electronic musical instrument which selectively generates a plurality of playing musical sound wave-shapes or rhythm musical sound wave-shapes by using the conventional organ IC and additive very small hardware. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04515057__

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Optical methods for selectively sensing remote vocal sound waves Inventor(s): Shnier; J. Mitchell (25 Lower Links Road, Toronto, Ontario, CA M2P 1H5) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 6,590,661 Date filed: January 19, 2000 Abstract: Methods for remotely sensing sound waves in an optically transparent or semitransparent medium through detecting changes in the optical properties of the medium, which are caused by the sound waves. For example, to implement a microphone that can sense sound at a distance from the sound source. The variations in the attenuation or the phase of a beam of light that is received after passing through the sound waves are sensed and converted to an electrical or other signal. For the attenuation method, the wavelength of the beam of light sensed is selected to be one that is highly attenuated by a constituent of the medium, so that the changing instantaneous pressure of the medium due to the sound pressure waves can be detected through the changing light attenuation due to the changing density of the air along the light path. For the phase shift method, the velocity of light, and therefore its phase is changed by the changing density of the air due to the sound waves, and this can be detected through interferometric means. Excerpt(s): This invention relates to methods for sensing sound waves, and in particular, using optical means to detect sound waves through certain corresponding changes in the optical properties of air or other optically transparent or semitransparent medium through which the sound propagates. Current methods for sensing sound waves typically involves the sound waves impinging on a diaphragm or other mechanical surface, and then using an electrical, or in some cases optical, means to detect the movement of said diaphragm or other mechanical surface. Such traditional microphones typically need to be located close to the source of the sound waves so that the diaphragm moves according to the sound waves to be sensed with adequate fidelity and signal strength, and so that the effects of noise and other undesired sounds is minimized. Locating the microphone close to the source of the sound can be problematic, for example, when the microphone is being used to monitor sound waves from a person who needs to be somewhat mobile (for example, a performer on a stage) or does not have a hand free to hold the microphone. Also, traditional microphones typically obstruct the view of a performer's face. And often microphones need to be hidden from view, for example for motion picture actors and people on television. Or surveillance and security applications may require that the microphone be located a distance from the sound source. Failings with traditional microphones themselves are that they: require cables or other transmission means to relay their sensed sounds to a receiving device, require careful mechanical design and assembly to provide good performance, due to their mechanical nature they have a limited range of frequencies to which they are sensitive, and are often fragile. Also, due to environmental factors, such as electromagnetic fields, pressure, and temperature, or the presence of corrosive or combustible gases, it may be difficult to get acceptable performance from such traditional microphones. And the connectors and cables of traditional microphones are also expensive, subject to wear and damage, and are a source of electromagnetic field induced and electromechanical contact noise. Finally, high quality microphones are large, and as is often seen at press conferences, mounting larger numbers of them on a podium can be a problem. Prior art has attempted to solve these limitations in a variety of ways.

Patents 39

Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06590661__ •

Process and device for converting a periodic LF electric voltage into sound waves Inventor(s): Bondar; Henri B. (314 rue Felix Piat, 13300 - Salon de Provence, FR) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 4,460,809 Date filed: May 12, 1982 Abstract: A process and a device for converting a periodic LF voltage into sound waves, or vice versa. The electro-acoustic transducer device has two groups of substantially parallel points which are separated by insulating screens. The points of each group are respectively connected to the positive terminal and to the negative terminal of a source of DC voltage, of the order of 10,000 volts, which renders the points emitters of an ion plasma. The DC voltage is modulated by a periodic LF voltage. The ion plasma oscillates and creates sound waves which analogically reproduce the LF voltage. This technology is particularly applicable to the construction of loud-speakers. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to a process and device for converting a periodic LF voltage into sound waves, or vice versa. The technical sector of the invention is that of the construction of electro-acoustic transducer devices, particularly loud-speakers. It has already been proposed to use plasma, i.e. ionized gases, electrically vibrated to convert electric signals, analog of acoustic signals, into sound waves. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04460809__

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Process for culturing microorganisms or cells using sound waves Inventor(s): Otani; Sugio (Gunma, JP), Matsuhashi; Michio (Tokyo, JP), Kaneko; Tomohiko (Shizuoka, JP) Assignee(s): Research Development Corporation of Japan (JP) Patent Number: 5,955,334 Date filed: July 31, 1996 Abstract: A process is disclosed for culturing microorganisms or cells isolated from a multicellular organism while exposing the microorganism or cells to sound waves of 5 to 100 kHz. This procedure effects the proliferation and the expression of functions of the cells so exposed. An apparatus for culturing the cells according to this process is also disclosed. Excerpt(s): This invention relates generally to an apparatus and process for cell culture, and more particularly to a process for culturing a microorganism or cells isolated from a multicellular organism while controlling the proliferation and function expression thereof, and an apparatus for reducing the process to practice. Cell culture has been extensively applied from technology in various fields of study and for industrial production. Such efforts are designed to grow under artificial nutrient conditions, microorganisms such as bacteria, virus and yeast, or cells isolated from multicellular organisms, including animals and plants (in some cases, hereafter referred to collectively as "cells"), and to grow them over an extended period of time for gene manipulation. Cell culture processes are available in two types One process is concerned with the cultivation of bacteria, yeast and other microorganisms, a process which

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provides the basis for genetic recombination and biotechnology, and is also indispensable for the production of useful substances, including antibiotics and yeast. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05955334__ •

Process of protecting an object from sound waves Inventor(s): Audoly; Christian (Six Fours, FR) Assignee(s): Delegation Generale pour l'Armement (Paris, FR) Patent Number: 5,803,009 Date filed: April 29, 1996 Abstract: A method of providing protection to a substrate or an object near a substrate includes placing a material between the substrate or object and a source of sound waves, the material being a viscoelastic matrix reinforced with rods or fibrous materials. The method is particularly useful when the substrate is an underwater craft or when the object to be protected is a sonar antenna. Excerpt(s): The invention relates to a material for absorbing sound waves and reducing sound echo when placed on a structure excited by an exterior sound wave, particularly for submarine applications. An acoustic material is characterized by input impedance whose value is the density of the material multiplied by the speed of sound. The efficiency of an acoustic material absorbing sound waves is evaluated by its reflection coefficient, which has to be as low as possible and which is defined as the ratio between reflected pressure and incident pressure when a layer of such a material is placed on an immovable support. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05803009__

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Propulsion of slurry along a pipeline by ultrasonic sound waves Inventor(s): Haentjens; Walter D. (R.D. #1 Box 121, Sugarloaf, PA 18249) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 4,171,852 Date filed: June 27, 1977 Abstract: Transmission of a slurry along a pipeline by ultrasonic sound waves introduced at an angle to the direction of flow of the slurry particles to intersect the moving particles with a forward and lifting component. Ultrasonic generators or transducers are placed along the bottom of a pipeline at preselected angles relative to the pipeline and flow of material therealong. The ultrasonic waves are in the nature of mechanical waves and may be of a given frequency for specific types of solids. The slurry for which this apparatus is particularly adapted is a slurry of coal particles in the range of approximately 30 to 70% solids by weight with a general spatial concentration of approximately 50%. The mechanical ultrasonic waves propagating in the slurry, which is an elastic body, lift the particles by the angular components of the waves and propel the particles along the pipeline by the horizontal components of the ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic transducers are of known forms and are mounted along the pipeline in predetermined spaced relation with respect to each other and open to the pipeline to propel the particles at an average optimum velocity and elevate the particles

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above the bottom of the pipeline to prevent settling of the particles in the bottom of the pipeline. Excerpt(s): Sonic waves have heretofore been used to facilitate the gravity flow of granular material as in British Patent No. 1,175,356, while ultrasonic waves have been used for cleaning various articles and producing jets of water or other liquid as disclosed in the respective U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,973,760; 3,985,344 and 4,004,736. Copies of all of these patents accompany this application and are incorporated herein as a part thereof. Ultrasonic waves, however, have never been used to induce a flow of slurry along a pipeline, and maintain the flow and keep the particles from settling on the bottom of the pipeline insofar as applicant is aware. A series of ultrasonic transducers is placed along the bottom of a slurry pipeline for the length of the pipeline at an angle with respect to the direction of flow of the slurry along the pipeline. The transducers open to the interior of the pipeline. The sound waves emitted are in the nature of highfrequency mechanical waves and not only prevent settling of the slurry particles along the bottom of the pipeline, but also induce a flow of slurry along the pipeline. The frequency of the sound waves may be at an optimum based on particle size, density and average velocity of flow of slurry along the pipeline. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04171852__ •

Protection by underwater sound waves Inventor(s): Mount; Wadsworth W. (Warren Township Somerset County, NJ) Assignee(s): Bossert Manufacturing Corporation (Utica, NY) Patent Number: 4,196,789 Date filed: February 21, 1967 Abstract: Underwater protection for ships, for channels at harbor entrances and the like is obtained by the use of this invention in which one or more sending wires are put under tension under water and a mechanical vibration is applied to each sending wire longitudinally. Sound waves are propagated into the water from the entire underwater length of the cable. A suitable sound receiver is spaced under water separated from the sending wire to include the area to be protected. The sound put forth by this sending wire may be enhanced by attaching one or more disks to the submerged portion of the sending wire. A curtain wall of sound propagation is thereby created, which may be of great power and intensity and which would be in the low-frequency range. Excerpt(s): In order to determine the feasibility of this invention, underwater tests have been made and positive results have been obtained which indicate the operability of the sending and receiving wires. One object of the invention is to produce a field or area traversed by sound waves and including a receiving device which is activated by the sound waves and which will respond abnormally when an extraneous object traverses the field or area. For example, the presence of a swimmer, who is carrying a bomb or other means of destruction, would be detected as he passes through a field laid out for the protection of a warship or raft or other floating object, or a bridge pier. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04196789__

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Rib stiffened sound wave projector plate Inventor(s): Cray; Benjamin A. (Richmond, RI) Assignee(s): The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy (Washington, DC) Patent Number: 5,442,594 Date filed: September 14, 1994 Abstract: A rib-stiffened sound wave projector plate is disclosed which generates low requency sound waves in a fluid medium when energized and flexed. A flexible sound wave projector plate includes at least first and second parallel, major planar surfaces. The first major planar surface includes at least one set of sound wave projector plate ribs, disposed perpendicular to the first major planar surface. Each set of sound wave projector plate ribs includes at least first and second sound wave projector plate rib set members. Each member of the rib sets are offset or spaced laterally from one another by a first predetermined distance, while the first rib member of each rib set is spaced apart a second predetermined distance which is greater than the first distance between the rib set members. Further, each rib set member has a predetermined height and width which may vary from other rib set members in each rib set. Excerpt(s): This invention relates to sound wave projectors and more particularly, to a sound wave projector which repeatedly generates low frequency sound waves in a fluid medium such as utilized in Sound Navigation and Ranging (SONAR). Sound navigation and ranging (sonar) has long been utilized by underwater vessels for both navigation and detection. Sonar utilizes sound waves which are propagated through the water and reflected back by the object(s) of interest which the sound waves strike. Sonar systems are most efficient when they rely on the generation of low frequency (less than 1,000 hertz) sound waves. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05442594__

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Rodent control by sound waves Inventor(s): Shirley; Gerald C. (P.O. Box 1101, Osage Beach, MO 65065) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 5,208,787 Date filed: January 7, 1992 Abstract: A sound wave generator is effective for producing ultrasonic sound wave vibrations as well as low frequency vibrations which are offensive to rodents. A wiring conductor which serves as a sonic radiator is attached to an end portion of a solenoid rod which is reciprocated by a coil which is energized by alternating current power. The solenoid rod is permitted to vibrate within a hollow spool, and the sonic radiator is mechanically coupled to the solenoid rod by a high compliance, conductive metal spring. Ultrasonic sound waves are produced by forming the solenoid rod of a ferromagnetic material which is characterized by magnetostriction in the presence of an alternating magnetic field. The amplitude of sound wave vibration is intensified by selecting the length and diameter of the solenoid rod so that its natural frequency of vibration is in harmony with either the pulse frequency of the electromagnetic driving force, or alternatively, the frequency of ultrasonic sounds produced by magnetostriction. The sound wave generator circuit includes a pseudo-random signal generator for

Patents 43

randomly gating the conduction of electrical alternating current through the solenoid coils during a pulsing duty cycle. Excerpt(s): This invention is related generally to non-chemical rodent control systems, and in particular to apparatus for generating sound waves which are offensive to rodents. Sound waves having frequencies of about 60 Hz are known to be offensive to rodents such as rats and mice. Conventional sound wave generators utilize electromagnetic coils to cause a solenoid to vibrate at various frequencies for the purpose of producing offensive sound waves. Such sound waves and vibrations have been coupled to the ground through pipe probes and anchor tubes. The vibrations have also been coupled to building structures and to the ground safety conductor of AC power distribution wiring in building structures. Such systems typically generate mechanical vibrations and emit sound waves at frequencies which range from about 60 Hz to several hundred Hz. The pulse generators are usually controlled to apply vibrations at a 60 Hz rate for a duty cycle of one to two minutes followed by a rest period of one or two minutes. A sound wave generator which produces sound waves at a frequency offensive to rats and mice is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,414,653 which is assigned to Gerald C. Shirley. The circuitry of that device includes coils which are pulsed with 60 Hz alternating current power which causes a solenoid bar to reciprocate and vibrate at a 60 Hz rate within a hollow spool. The vibrations produced by the solenoid bar are mechanically coupled to various sonic radiators, including the ground wire of an AC power distribution system. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05208787__ •

Sound isolation cabinet using two sound sources to generate complimentary sound waves Inventor(s): Kulas; Charles J. (244 Texas St., San Francisco, CA 94107) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 6,434,240 Date filed: December 19, 1997 Abstract: Two or more speakers are used to generate complimentary sound waves within a soundproof cabinet. The sounds generated inside the cabinet are detected by a microphone and sent to an external device for recording or listening purposes. In one embodiment, two speakers are arranged side-by-side and mounted on a panel. The panel serves to section off two chambers within the cabinet. The primary chamber is the chamber toward which the speakers are facing. The secondary chamber is the chamber within which the backs of the speakers are positioned. The speakers are connected to the input signal in reverse polarity of each other. Thus, during operation one speaker is pushing air outward while the other is pulling air inward. This complimentary generation of sound waves alleviates the muffling effect of the small isolated space and allows the speakers to generate sound as though they were in a much larger open area. Thus, the sound picked up by the microphone is very close to the desired "live" sound. Excerpt(s): This invention relates in general to sound isolation cabinets useful for recording musical instruments such as electric guitars, and more specifically to a sound isolation cabinet using complimentary sound sources to generate improved isolated sound. It is very difficult to accurately reproduce an electric guitar's "live" sound in an isolated space. However, it is very desirable to do so because isolating the sound allows the sound to be recorded without bothering other people such as neighbors in an

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apartment building. Also, isolating the sound prevents other sounds from interfering with the recording of the electric guitar sound as in professional recording situations where a live performance requires other loud instruments to play at the same time as the electric guitar. Two approaches have been made to isolate an electric guitar sound. One is the direct approach where the sound is maintained as a purely electronic signal. The other is the "isolation cabinet" approach where the sound is reproduced acoustically in an enclosed space. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06434240__ •

Sound wave absorbing apparatus for air cooled engine Inventor(s): Lee; Michael C. (Beaver Dam, WI), Muse; James E. (Columbus, WI) Assignee(s): Deere & Company (Moline, IL) Patent Number: 5,125,474 Date filed: December 13, 1991 Abstract: A sound wave absorbing air intake baffle is provided for reducing the level of sound reaching an operator on a vehicle having an air cooled engine with an upwardly opening air intake passage in the hood. The baffle includes first and second chambers carrying sound absorbing material and a sound wave deflecting structure spanning the air intake opening for deflecting sound waves into the chambers. To permit cooling air to be drawn through the passage around the deflecting structure and into the engine compartment, an air deflecting structure is positioned above the sound wave deflecting structure. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates apparatus for absorbing sound waves radiated from an air cooled engine and its cooling fan, and particularly to the use of such an apparatus with a lawn and garden vehicle. Various laws and regulations make it desirable to restrict the level of lawn and garden vehicle sound to which the operator is exposed. While compliance can and often is easily met by providing the operator of such vehicles with ear plugs and/or sound blocking personal protection devices, that type of compliance may not be practical in some circumstances. For example, sound blocking devices often block out the sounds of other vehicles, people and/or traffic which may be near the operator and of which he should be aware for his own and their safety. Further, the use of such protection makes it difficult for the operator to monitor the performance of the engine, belts, and other accessories as indicated by their respective sounds. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05125474__

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Sound wave control device Inventor(s): Mizuno; Keiichiro (Yokohama, JP), Kondo; Kazuo (Yokohama, JP), Iida; Kazuyoshi (Yokohama, JP) Assignee(s): Bridgestone Corporation (Tokyo, JP) Patent Number: 4,726,444 Date filed: September 8, 1986 Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sound wave control device which is shaped in a lens form or a prism form from an acoustically rigid porous material, wherein numerous paths having different path lengths are provided and the apparent medium density is varied.

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This second wave control device is used to improve the sound quality and the directivity of the sound waves from a speaker and the directional control of noises. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to a sound wave control device, and can be used for reducing noise and improving sound quality and directivity of a speaker through controlling the propagating direction and phase of the sound waves generated from a relatively small size noise source of office machines, and speakers, and so on. As the noise control device for reducing the noise, there have been conventionally known the lens- or prism-shaped noise control devices having numerous hollow conduit paths of different conduit path lengths, for instance, from Japanese Patent Publication No. 47,162/1980 and Japanese Utility Model Registration Publication No. 24,716/1983. However, according to the structure of the noise control device in which differences in the conduit path length are provided by piling pipe members, parallel partition plates, or the like to form a hollow body with a number of hollow conduit paths and shaping the thus obtained hollow body into a lens or prism form as described in the above publications, unfavorably it is necessary to provide very long hollow conduit paths due to the relation to the wavelength in order to control even low frequency waves, thereby rendering the sound wave control device bulky. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04726444__ •

Sound wave generator for therapeutic purposes Inventor(s): Lobentanzer; Hans (Munich, DE), Wiesheu; Norbert (Munich, DE) Assignee(s): Dornier Medizintechnik GmbH (DE) Patent Number: 5,191,560 Date filed: October 15, 1991 Abstract: This invention relates to a sound wave generator with a variable effective aperture angle according to the electromagnetic principle for therapeutic applications and particularly for the contactless smashing of a concrement situated in the body of a living being. The sound wave generator includes a flat coil and a metallic diaphragm which is insulated with respect to the flat coil. The flat coil includes three separately activatable and concentrically arranged coil sections. The sum of the areas of the inner coil section and the center coil section is equal to the sum of the areas of the central coil section and the outer coil section. By means of the varying activation of the coil sections, the aperture of the shock wave source can be changed so that the focus geometry and the peak pressures can be varied for different applications, particularly kidney and gallbladder lithotrity. Excerpt(s): The invention relates to a sound wave generator for therapeutic applications such as the contactless smashing of a concrement situated in the body of a living being. A device of the above-mentioned type is described in the European Patent Document EP 0 275 427. In front of a flat coil, an insulating foil is arranged and in front of the insulating foil, a diaphragm is arranged which is made of an electrically conductive material. By the feeding of a discharge current to the flat coil, that is, by electrical primary energy, the diaphragm is abruptly moved away from the flat coil and generates plane waves in a liquid medium bordering on the diaphragm which propagate perpendicularly to the diaphragm surface and are focussed by means of an arrangement of acoustic focussing lenses. The German patent Document DE 37 39 390 A1 describes a shock wave source with a flat coil and a diaphragm which is insulated with respect to it,

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the flat coil consisting of two coil sections which can be activated separately and/or jointly. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05191560__ •

Sound-wave collector Inventor(s): Lee; Tien-Chu (c/o Hung Hsing Patent Service Center, P.O. Box 55-1670, Taipei (10477) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 5,345,512 Date filed: June 30, 1993 Abstract: A sound-wave collector includes a headframe secured to a pair of retainers held on two opposite sides of a user's head adjacent to the user's two ears, a pair of reflectors each pivotally secured on each retainer and universally positioned behind each ear of the user's two ears each reflector extrapolatively diverging from the area of each user's ear outwardly and sidewardly, and an adjusting controller operatively adjusting a deflecting angle of the two reflectors for efficiently collecting or catching audible sound waves of multiple frequency ranges and reflecting the caught sound waves inwardly into the user's ears for enjoying the music sounding of high fidelity. Excerpt(s): A conventional headphone is provided to be worn on someone's ear for listening music played from a speaker of a phonographic equipment. However, such a conventional headphone is used to "shield" the user's ear for his or her unique listening of the music sounding in order to prevent noise pullution to the others. If for enjoying a hi-fi (high fidelity) music reproduced from a musical equipment like a true attendence in a music concert, such a conventional headphone will not satisfy a perfect enjoyment for a "natural" listening of the music since the ear has been uncomfortably "shielded" by the ear cushion or housing of the conventional headphone. If the music sound waves are merely caught by the human natural ears, the human ears may efficiently "catch" those sound waves of low and middle frequency, but may not well catch the sound waves of higher frequency. It is therefore expected to invent a sound-wave collector for helpfully catching sound waves of multiple frequency ranges by the ears for prefectly enjoying the clear listening of music sounding of low, middle and high frequencies. The object of the present invention is to provide a soundwave collector including a headframe secured to a pair of retainers held on two opposite sides of a user's head adjacent to the user's two ears, a pair of reflectors each pivotally secured on each retainer and universally positioned behind each ear of the user's two ears each reflector extrapolatively diverging from the area of each user's ear outwardly and sidewardly, and an adjusting controller operatively adjusting a deflecting angle of the two reflectors for efficiently collecting or catching audible sound waves of multiple frequency ranges and reflecting the caught sound waves inwardly into the user's ears for enjoying the music sounding of high fidelity. The fastener belt 13 has its each end portion secured to a slide member 14 adjustably slidably held on each base member 12. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05345512__

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Speaker for radiating sound waves in all directions relative to a speaker supporting surface Inventor(s): Nakamura; Takeshi (Uji, JP) Assignee(s): Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Kyoto, JP) Patent Number: 5,802,196 Date filed: December 4, 1996 Abstract: A speaker is adapted to transmit sound waves in an omni-directional manner relative to an installation surface upon which the speaker is mounted. The speaker includes an oscillator having a hemispherical oscillating body comprising a piezoelectric body polarized in a thickness direction thereof, a pair of electrodes provided on an inner surface and an outer surface of the oscillating body, input terminals connected to the electrodes via lead wires, an end portion of the oscillator being connected to spacers in a groove to cover a projecting portion of a horn, a cavity communicating with a hole of the horn and being defined between the oscillator and the horn and support members fixed to a flange portion of the horn whereby a sound transmission path communicating with the hole of the horn is defined between the horn and the installation surface upon which the speaker is mounted such that the sound transmission path extends in all directions relative to the installation surface. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to a speaker, more particularly to a speaker adapted to transform electric signals into sound waves and radiate the sound waves in all directions relative to a surface upon which the speaker is supported. Conventional speakers include a cone type speaker using a cone for transmitting sound waves, a horn type speaker using a horn for transmitting sound waves and a plane type speaker using a piezoelectric element formed to have a flat plate shape for transmitting sound waves. However, all of the conventional speakers are arranged such that a sound wave transmitting member, such as the cone, the horn or the flat plate, are arranged substantially parallel to an installation surface upon which the speaker is supported. For example, the sound transmitting hole in the cone or horn of most conventional speakers extends parallel to the installation surface. As a result, the conventional speakers have directivities or sound wave transmissions only in directions parallel to an installation surface or a floor surface upon which the speaker is supported. Therefore, sound waves cannot be radiated in all directions (360.degree.) relative to an installation surface or a floor surface. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05802196__

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System for measuring the transfer time of a sound-wave in a gas and thereby calculating the temperature of the gas Inventor(s): Gray; Antonio (Segrate, IT) Assignee(s): ENEL (Ente Nazionale per l'Energia Elettrica) & CISE S.p.A. (IT) Patent Number: 5,437,506 Date filed: February 5, 1993 Abstract: A system for measuring the "time of flight" or transfer time of a sound wave in a gas by using the relation between the gas temperature and the velocity of the sound wave in the gas, and calculating therefrom the temperature of the gas. The system comprises an emitter, which generates a sound which is coherent in phase, at one

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frequency or a group of frequencies; a self-correlating decoder and a receiver, which is associated with the emitter, and which sends the sound to a filter system and to an assembly controlled by a microprocessor, which processes the signal coming out of the filter system in a shape similar to a Hamming wave shape in order to determine the absolute maximum value and therefrom determine the transfer time. With this knowledge, it is easy to relate the transfer time to the distance traveled between the emitter and receiver and the known properties of the gas, in order to arrive at the temperature of the gas through which the sound has been sent. Excerpt(s): The present invention concerns a system for measuring the transfer time of a sound-wave, in particular for continuously measuring the transfer time of a sound-wave through a gas which is in a state of turbulence at a high temperature, and in such cases as involve a corrosive environment, with the ultimate goal of continuously measuring the temperature. The invented system is also suited to measuring other associated parameters of the said transfer time within a body, such as its relative velocity or distance from a determined reference point. For the measurement of the temperature of a gas, the state of the art includes the use of conventional pyrometers such as thermocouples and thermoresistors but also more advanced systems which utilize the existing relation between the velocity of sound propagation through a gas and the temperature of this gas: an emitter is stimulated by a suitable electric signal and generates an acoustic vibration in the gas, while a microphone suitably placed relative to the emitter receives the said vibrations which are then transformed into electrical signals. The transmitted signals and received signals are compared by appropriate algorithms to provide the so called "time of flight", or transfer time that is the time which the signal emitted by the emitter takes to arrive at the microphone. From this transfer time one is able to ascertain the average temperature of the gas passed through by the acoustic vibration. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05437506__ •

System to block unwanted sound waves and alert while sleeping Inventor(s): Lewis; Mark Henry (Watts Post Office, 10301 S. Compton Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90002-9998) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 6,035,047 Date filed: May 6, 1997 Abstract: A cordless, wireless headset to block unwanted sound waves and/or noise from entering the ears of a user. The headset (FIG. 5) contains an electronic receiver, an audible tone/alert generator, volume control/switch and battery. The wireless headset would permit freedom of movement during sleep without danger of being entangled by cords/wires. The wireless headset would be secured to the ears and head of the user while sleeping by a Top head-strap, a Rear head-strap and Chin-strap. Referencing FIG. 1, the wireless headset will receive and interpret signals from remote sound sensor(s) and/or motion detection sensor(s). Remote sensor(s) would transmit radio signal(s) to the headset when an unwanted sound or motion is detected. The signal would be received in the wireless headset and an audible tone would be generated in the ear of the user, to alert of an important event. Excerpt(s): This invention relates to the blockage of unwanted sounds and/or noise from entering a person's ears, while at the same time allowing that person to be alerted

Patents 49

of, or notified of, important emergency sounds and noises (such as fire or burglar alarms) and/or intrusions. There are several types of devices which try to stop, prevent, block or dampen external unwanted sounds and/or noises from entering the ear of a person or user of a particular device. Some devices are designed to dampen or stop unwanted sounds to help a person sleep better. U.S. Pat. No. 4,047,377(SleepInducing/Interrupting Audio System) granted Sep. 13, 1977 shows a system which is physically hard-wired to the earphones and physically connects to an external house system such as a burglar alarm or smoke alarm; however, this system will not permit undisturbed sleep. It will not permit undisturbed sleep because the user must be conscious and aware to not become entangled in the physical wires connected to the earphones. U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,145 (Travel Convenience and Security device) granted May 3, 1994 discloses a complex system which does not prevent noise or unwanted sounds from entering the a persons ear; thus, it is not effective in helping a person to sleep. Noise Cancellation Technologies Inc., of Stamford, Conn. produces a product called the Noisebuster headphone; and also Discwasher, a division of Recoton of New York, N.Y. both produce headphones that utilize electronic noise cancellation to prevent unwanted sounds from entering a persons ear; however, the headphones of these devices are physically connected using wires from the headphones to the noise cancellation electronics. The physical wires to the headphones will not permit undisturbed sleep because the user must be conscious and aware to not become entangled in the physical wires connected to the headphones during natural movements. Also these products will not alert the user of important or desired sounds and/or noises that may warn the user of potential danger or harm, or alert the user of physical intrusions while sleeping. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06035047__ •

Ultrasonic sound wave generating device for repelling animals Inventor(s): Morris; Kenneth L. (Pittsford, NY) Assignee(s): Mobil Oil Corporation (New York, NY) Patent Number: 4,658,386 Date filed: February 1, 1985 Abstract: A device for repelling animals is disclosed which is adapted for use with refuse and garbage containers to discourage entry therein by foraging animals. The device comprises:(a) a detector for remote-sensing the presence of an animal within its vicinity;(b) an ultrasonic sound generator for producing an animal-repelling ultrasonic sound wave; and(c) means for temporarily activating the ultrasonic sound generator when the detector has sensed the presence of an animal within its vicinity. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to an ultrasonic sound wave generating device and, in particular, to such a device especially adapted for repelling animals. Devices for generating ultrasonic sound waves which are inaudible to man but within the audible range of many kinds of animals are well known. Typically, these devices are employed for the purpose of repelling pest animals such as insects, birds, small mammals such as mice, bats, rats, etc., from a particular site, for example, a place where foodstuffs are grown or stored, and from discouraging them from intruding upon, gaining access to, or occupying the site. Illustrative of such devices are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,922,999; 3,138,138; 3,188,999; 3,277,861; 3,522,791; and 4,284,845, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. Devices for the detection of a moving human intruder which remote-senses the infra-red radiation emitted by the intruder when the

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intruder has come within the infra-red radiation-sensing range of the devices are also known. Several of these devices feature means for activating an alarm which is audible to the human ear when the infra-red radiation detector has sensed the presence of an intruder. Illustrative of such devices are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,760,399; 3,792,275; 4,087,688; and, 4,271,358, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04658386__ •

Vibration apparatus capable of generating and externally transmitting a sound wave of audible frequency and transmitting a vibration for notification Inventor(s): Jeong; Sung Tae (Suwon, KR), Jeong; Seog Hwan (Suwon, KR), Lee; In Ho (Suwon, KR) Assignee(s): Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd. (Kyungki-Do, KR) Patent Number: 6,211,775 Date filed: April 22, 1999 Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration apparatus capable of generating both a sound wave and a vibration with a simple structure due to the fact that a driving control section selectively supplies a current relying upon a kind of frequency of the current inputted from the outside. If a high frequency current is inputted into the driving control section, because a vibrating body vibrates up and down by interaction between a magnet and a pair of vibrating coils which are disposed in a side-by-side relationship such that they are opposite to the magnet, a sound wave is generated whereby it is possible to notify of reception of an incoming call by the sound wave. If a low frequency current is inputted into the driving control section, because the vibrating body seesaws sideways by interaction between the magnet and the pair of vibrating coils, a vibration is generated as a seesaw motion of the vibrating body is transferred to a cover attached to a case of the apparatus whereby it is possible to notify of reception of an incoming call by the vibration. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to a vibration apparatus capable of generating and externally transmitting a sound wave of audible frequency and transmitting a vibration for notification, which is provided in a communication device such as a portable phone, a beeper or the like to selectively perform a sounding function and a vibrating function relying upon a frequency of a current inputted therein. Generally, the notification of the reception of an incoming call in a portable communication device can be performed by a sounding function and a vibrating function. Between these two functions, the sounding function by which bell or speaker sound can be discharged is mainly used, and the sounding function can be converted into the vibrating function to be used in such a situation where a silent atmosphere must be inevitably maintained. In order to perform the sounding function and the vibrating function, a micro-speaker and a vibrating motor are provided in a communication device to be selectively operated in compliance with an instruction inputted by a user. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06211775__

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Waterbed with sound wave system Inventor(s): Smith, Jr. Gray H. (1257 Cherokee Rd., Louisville, KY 40204) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 4,507,816 Date filed: December 21, 1983 Abstract: A standard waterbed is shown having added thereto a sound wave system having four loudspeaker housings positioned within the floor pedestal of the bed beneath the supporting deck for the water-filled bladder mattress. Each of these loudspeaker housings is an airtight, acoustically insulated loudspeaker enclosure that supports a loudspeaker in the top portion thereof which faces upwardly to be in alignment with the plurality of openings formed through the deck. These loudspeakers are wired to an external balance control box that includes a volume control as well as a left and right hand and a head and foot speaker volume control capability. This external balance control box is wired to a stereo amplifier of a stereo radio and/or phonographic sound system, whereby the sound waves projected from the loudspeakers cause waves to form in the water within the mattress so that a person reclining on the mattress will feel as well as hear the sound and music passing through the mattress. Excerpt(s): This invention relates to radio and stereophonic sound systems and in particular to such sound systems that are especially designed for waterbeds such that a plurality of loudspeakers are arranged within the floor pedestal of the waterbed and of such a design as to create sound waves as well as water waves in the water-filled bladder mattress of the waterbed so that a person reclining on the bed will both feel as well as hear the sound within the water-filled mattress. The Paii U.S. Pat. No. 2,821,191 describes a treating table, not a bed, to provide a pulsating device that includes controlled sound, light and electrical vibrations that are adapted to tone up physically both healthy and sick persons. The pulsating device is of a type where the pulsation is synchronized with a musical score, permitting the user to "feel" the music as it is played. The musical score controlling the pulsations may be played from either a built-in radio or a phonograph. The loudspeaker is not directly associated with the top surface of this treating table. The Betts U.S. Pat. No. 3,872,526 describes a vibratory waterbed that includes an electrical motor that drives an eccentric weight for transmitting vibrations of the motor housing to a flexible sheet supported in the side of the open frame construction that contains the water-filled bladder mattress. There is no sound system combined with this vibratory mechanism. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04507816__

Patent Applications on Sound Waves As of December 2000, U.S. patent applications are open to public viewing.6 Applications are patent requests which have yet to be granted. (The process to achieve a patent can take several years.) The following patent applications have been filed since December 2000 relating to sound waves:

6

This has been a common practice outside the United States prior to December 2000.

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Apparatus and method of detecting the room temperature by means of sound waves Inventor(s): Luthi, Yves; (Cham, CH) Correspondence: GREER, BURNS & CRAIN, LTD. Suite 2500; 300 South Wacker Drive; Chicago; IL; 60606; US Patent Application Number: 20020101905 Date filed: September 21, 2001 Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the temperature of a room (2) includes means (4) for generating and receiving sound waves, means (5) for determining the transit time of the sound waves for a certain distance (x) in the room (2) and means (10) for calculating the temperature (U) of the room (2) by means of the ascertained transit time (t) of the sound waves for the distance (x) in the room (2). An approximation procedure for ascertaining the distance (x) is automatically executed. The temperature (U) ascertained in that way corresponds to a mean room temperature over the distance (x). Excerpt(s): The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for detecting the temperature of a room. Such apparatuses and methods are advantageously used in buildings for detecting an average temperature in a room. An apparatus for detecting temperature by means of sound waves is known (U.S. Pat. No. 5,349,859), in which the speed of sound in a fluid is detected and the temperature of the fluid is calculated therefrom. Web site: http://appft1.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html

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Apparatus for picking up sound waves Inventor(s): Pfluger, Martin; (Graz, AT), Graf, Franz; (Graz, AT) Correspondence: DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC; FRANKLIN SQUARE, THIRD FLOOR WEST; 1300 I STREET, NW; WASHINGTON; DC; 20005; US Patent Application Number: 20010043710 Date filed: March 20, 2001 Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for picking up sound waves with a separating body and at least two microphones arranged on the separating body. A pickup which is particularly true to nature is achieved in such a way that the separating body consists of a reverberant material and is provided with a substantially wedgeshaped arrangement, with two separating surfaces which are inclined towards one another at an acute angle, and that the microphones are arranged at a low distance from the separating surfaces. Excerpt(s): The invention relates to an apparatus for picking up sound waves with a separating body and at least two microphones arranged on the separating body. The microphones can thereby be attached directly to the separating body or be attached together with the separating body on a joint fixing device. In a large number of applications it is necessary to record sound signals as is received by human hearing. This relates not only to the recording and reproduction of music, but also the recording of noises in order to analyze and evaluate the same. This also forms the focus of the scope of application of the apparatus in accordance with the invention. A known solution which allows the most genuine recording of sound signals are the so-called artificial-head systems. The human head and, partly, the human torso is reproduced as genuinely as possible, with recording microphones being arranged in the area of the

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ears. In this way it is possible to achieve a somewhat genuine recording of sound which is true to nature. It has been surprisingly noticed, however, that even in the case of the most careful modeling of such an artificial head it is not possible to emulate the perception of a human being in a manner that is true to nature. One of the reasons is that the specific dimensions of an artificial head concern averaged values which need not necessarily correlate to the dimensions of the hearing test person. It has been noticed in this connection that it is possible to achieve an improved representation of the original sound by using abstracted models. Web site: http://appft1.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html •

Method and apparatus for treatment of monofrequency tinnitus utilizing sound wave cancellation techniques Inventor(s): Choy, Daniel S. J. (New York, NY) Correspondence: RADER FISHMAN & GRAUER PLLC; LION BUILDING; 1233 20TH STREET N.W., SUITE 501; WASHINGTON; DC; 20036; US Patent Application Number: 20020177877 Date filed: March 1, 2002 Abstract: Tinnitus is defined as sound(s) heard by an individual when no external sound is present and often takes the form of a hissing, ringing, chirping or clicking sound which may be either intermittent or constant. According to the American Tinnitus Association, tinnitus affects tens of millions of Americans and many suffer so severely from tinnitus they are not able to function normally on a daily basis. Unfortunately the exact cause or causes of tinnitus are not understood by the medical community and thus many tinnitus sufferers are told by their doctors to "learn to live with it".In accordance with novel aspects of Applicant's monofrequency tinnitus patient treatment apparatus and process, phase cancellation effects are achieved by utilizing an externally generated sound which is subjectively selected by the monofrequency tinnitus patient to match in both tone and loudness his or her tinnitus sound. This subjectively selected externally generated sound wave which matches in tone and loudness the patient's tinnitus sound, is either (i) sequentially phase shifted through a plurality of phase shift sequence steps totaling at least 180 degrees or (ii) alternatively is directly phase shifted in essentially a single step motion into a 180 degree, out-of-phase reciprocal, canceling relationship with the patient determined tinnitus tone. The sequential steps of the phase shifted tone or the directly phase shifted tone are applied to the tinnitus patient to effect cancellation or diminishment of the patient's tinnitus. Excerpt(s): This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/272,461 filed Mar. 2, 2001, the specification and disclosure of this related application is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. Applicant's inventions are related to the treatment of tinnitus patients and more particularly to improved methods and apparatus for treatment of monofrequency tinnitus patients utilizing phase shift cancellation principles. Tinnitus is defined as the perception of sound by an individual when no external sound is present, and often takes the form of a hissing, ringing, roaring, chirping or clicking sound which may be intermittent or constant. According to the American Tinnitus Association, tinnitus afflicts more than 50 million Americans and more than 12 million of those suffer so severely from tinnitus that they seek medical attention and many cannot function normally on a day-to-day basis. Web site: http://appft1.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html

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Method of and device for visualizing the orientation of therapeutic sound waves onto an area to be treated or processed Inventor(s): Hagelauer, Ulrich; (Bottighofen, CH) Correspondence: ST. ONGE STEWARD JOHNSTON & REENS, LLC; 986 BEDFORD STREET; STAMFORD; CT; 06905-5619; US Patent Application Number: 20010039379 Date filed: March 13, 2001 Abstract: What is described here is a method of and a device for visualising the orientation of therapeutic sound waves onto a region to be treated or processed, respectively, using a display unit including a screen on which the orientation of said therapeutic sound waves is symbolically displayed with respect to the region to be treated.The invention excels itself by the provision that the sound wave source and the region in space, through which the sound waves are propagating, as well as the region to be treated or processed (hereinafter referred to as treatment site) are perspectively displayed on said screen by allocation of physical figures, and that the perspective view varies with the correct movement when the site or the orientation of the sound wave source and/or the treatment site and/or the site or the orientation of the screen is varied Excerpt(s): This application is a continuation of pending International Application PCT/DE99/02913 filed on Sep. 14, 1999, which designates the United States. The present invention relates to a method of visualising the orientation of therapeutic sound waves onto an area to be treated or processed, as well as to a device for carrying through this method. For lithotripsy, for instance, pulsed pressure or shock waves generated inside or outside the body are employed whereas continuous sound waves are used, for instance, to heat tissue. Web site: http://appft1.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html

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Sound isolation cabinet using two sound sources to generate complimentary sound waves Inventor(s): Kulas, Charles J. (San Francisco, CA) Correspondence: Charles J. Kulas; 244 Texas St. San Francisco; CA; 94107; US Patent Application Number: 20020061111 Date filed: January 2, 2002 Abstract: Two or more speakers are used to generate complimentary sound waves within a soundproof cabinet. The sounds generated inside the cabinet are detected by a microphone and sent to an external device for recording or listening purposes. In one embodiment, two speakers are arranged side-by-side and mounted on a panel. The panel serves to section off two chambers within the cabinet. The primary chamber is the chamber toward which the speakers are facing. The secondary chamber is the chamber within which the backs of the speakers are positioned. The speakers are connected to the input signal in reverse polarity of each other. Thus, during operation one speaker is pushing air outward while the other is pulling air inward. This complimentary generation of sound waves alleviates the muffling effect of the small isolated space and allows the speakers to generate sound as though they were in a much larger open area. Thus, the sound picked up by the microphone is very close to the desired "live" sound.

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Excerpt(s): This invention relates in general to sound isolation cabinets useful for recording musical instruments such as electric guitars, and more specifically to a sound isolation cabinet using complimentary sound sources to generate improved isolated sound. It is very difficult to accurately reproduce an electric guitar's "live" sound in an isolated space. However, it is very desirable to do so because isolating the sound allows the sound to be recorded without bothering other people such as neighbors in an apartment building. Also, isolating the sound prevents other sounds from interfering with the recording of the electric guitar sound as in professional recording situations where a live performance requires other loud instruments to play at the same time as the electric guitar. Two approaches have been made to isolate an electric guitar sound. One is the direct approach where the sound is maintained as a purely electronic signal. The other is the "isolation cabinet" approach where the sound is reproduced acoustically in an enclosed space. Web site: http://appft1.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html •

System and method for relating electromagnetic waves to sound waves Inventor(s): Sandborn, Michael T. (Brandon, FL), Sandborn, Mark D. (Alpharetta, GA) Correspondence: THOMAS, KAYDEN, HORSTEMEYER & RISLEY, LLP; 100 GALLERIA PARKWAY, NW; STE 1750; ATLANTA; GA; 30339-5948; US Patent Application Number: 20020176591 Date filed: March 14, 2002 Abstract: A system for relating electromagnetic waves to harmonic sound waves that includes a memory with logic, and a processor configured with the logic to assign one fundamental color of a color spectrum of twelve analogous colors to one of twelve fundamental tones of a musical 5.sup.th relationship, wherein the tones are represented by notes, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to consecutively associate the remaining analogous colors to the tones. Excerpt(s): This application claims priority to copending U.S. provisional applications entitled, "Unified Wave Notation System and Notation Software Application" having Ser. No. 60/276,221, filed Mar. 15, 2001, and Applications of Unified Wave Color to Instruments and Teaching Materials" having Ser. No. XX/XXX,XXX, filed Oct. 5, 2001, both of which are entirely incorporated herein by reference. A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material, which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. The present invention is generally related to energy, and, more particularly, is related to a system and method for describing energy wave functions. Web site: http://appft1.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html

Keeping Current In order to stay informed about patents and patent applications dealing with sound waves, you can access the U.S. Patent Office archive via the Internet at the following Web address: http://www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html. You will see two broad options: (1) Issued Patent,

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and (2) Published Applications. To see a list of issued patents, perform the following steps: Under “Issued Patents,” click “Quick Search.” Then, type “sound waves” (or synonyms) into the “Term 1” box. After clicking on the search button, scroll down to see the various patents which have been granted to date on sound waves. You can also use this procedure to view pending patent applications concerning sound waves. Simply go back to http://www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html. Select “Quick Search” under “Published Applications.” Then proceed with the steps listed above.

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CHAPTER 5. BOOKS ON SOUND WAVES Overview This chapter provides bibliographic book references relating to sound waves. In addition to online booksellers such as www.amazon.com and www.bn.com, excellent sources for book titles on sound waves include the Combined Health Information Database and the National Library of Medicine. Your local medical library also may have these titles available for loan.

Book Summaries: Federal Agencies The Combined Health Information Database collects various book abstracts from a variety of healthcare institutions and federal agencies. To access these summaries, go directly to the following hyperlink: http://chid.nih.gov/detail/detail.html. You will need to use the “Detailed Search” option. To find book summaries, use the drop boxes at the bottom of the search page where “You may refine your search by.” Select the dates and language you prefer. For the format option, select “Monograph/Book.” Now type “sound waves” (or synonyms) into the “For these words:” box. You should check back periodically with this database which is updated every three months. The following is a typical result when searching for books on sound waves: •

Introduction to Sound: Acoustics for the Hearing and Speech Sciences Source: San Diego, CA: Singular Publishing Group, Inc. 1992. 319 p. Contact: Available from Singular Publishing Group, Inc. 401 West 'A' Street, Suite 325, San Diego, CA 92101-7904. (800) 521-8545 or (619) 238-6777. Fax (800) 774-8398 or (619) 238-6789. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: www.singpub.com. PRICE: $34.95. ISBN: 1879105985. Summary: This book was written to teach the fundamental concepts of acoustics, particularly to those who are interested in the discipline of speech-language-hearing science. Eight chapters cover the nature of sound waves; simple harmonic motion; logarithms and antilogarithms; sound intensity and sound pressure: the decibel; complex waves; resonance and filtering; distortion; and sound transmission. The book includes nearly 400 practice problems that are followed by answers and explanations of

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how the correct answers were obtained. The book concludes with an alphabetical listing of selected equations and a subject index. 13 references.

Book Summaries: Online Booksellers Commercial Internet-based booksellers, such as Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com, offer summaries which have been supplied by each title’s publisher. Some summaries also include customer reviews. Your local bookseller may have access to in-house and commercial databases that index all published books (e.g. Books in Print®). IMPORTANT NOTE: Online booksellers typically produce search results for medical and non-medical books. When searching for “sound waves” at online booksellers’ Web sites, you may discover non-medical books that use the generic term “sound waves” (or a synonym) in their titles. The following is indicative of the results you might find when searching for “sound waves” (sorted alphabetically by title; follow the hyperlink to view more details at Amazon.com): •

Sound Waves by Leonora Davies; ISBN: 0003125297; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0003125297/icongroupinterna

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Sound Waves by David Colley; ISBN: 0312746075; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0312746075/icongroupinterna

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Sound Waves and Light Waves by Winston E. Kock; ISBN: 0385027745; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385027745/icongroupinterna

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Sound Waves and Their Properties in the Surrounding Media by John Holland (1987); ISBN: 0966369025; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0966369025/icongroupinterna

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Sound waves in solids by Howard F. Pollard; ISBN: 0850860539; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0850860539/icongroupinterna

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Sound Waves to Music (Hands on Science Series) by Neil Ardley; ISBN: 0531172368; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0531172368/icongroupinterna

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Sound Waves: Practical Ideas for Children's Music Making by Leonora Davies; ISBN: 0713523336; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0713523336/icongroupinterna

Chapters on Sound Waves In order to find chapters that specifically relate to sound waves, an excellent source of abstracts is the Combined Health Information Database. You will need to limit your search to book chapters and sound waves using the “Detailed Search” option. Go to the following hyperlink: http://chid.nih.gov/detail/detail.html. To find book chapters, use the drop boxes at the bottom of the search page where “You may refine your search by.” Select the dates and language you prefer, and the format option “Book Chapter.” Type “sound waves” (or synonyms) into the “For these words:” box. The following is a typical result when searching for book chapters on sound waves:

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•

Process of Hearing Loss Source: in Carmen, R., ed. Consumer Handbook on Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids: A Bridge to Healing. Sedona, AZ: Auricle Ink Publishers. 1998. p. 43-64. Contact: Available from Auricle Ink Publishers. P.O. Box 20607, Sedona, AZ 86341. (520) 284-0860; E-mail: [email protected]; http://www.hearingproblems.com. PRICE: $18.95 plus shipping and handling. ISBN: 096618260X. Summary: This chapter on the process of hearing loss is from a consumer handbook that offers information about the problems of hearing loss and how they affect families. All chapters are authored by clinical audiologists who work on a daily basis with people who have hearing loss. In this chapter, the author addresses two key factors that interrelate to create a hearing loss handicap: the components of sound (especially speech sounds) and the function (or dysfunction) of the ear. After a discussion of these factors, the author reviews the tests that are used to assess hearing. Specific topics include the three main types of hearing loss (conductive, sensorineural, and mixed); vibrations; speech sounds; intensity of different sound waves; usage of decibels to measure sound; intensity versus loudness; frequency; audiograms; frequency versus pitch; hearing aid applications; transmission of sound through the ear; anatomy of the ear, including the ear canal, eardrum, middle ear, Eustachian tube, inner ear, and auditory nerve; and the central auditory system. The chapter concludes with the author debunking a series of common myths about hearing loss and hearing aids. 2 figures.

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Structure and Function of the Ear Source: in Flexer, C. Facilitating Hearing and Listening in Young Children. 2nd ed. San Diego, CA: Singular Publishing Group, Inc. 1999. p. 23-33. Contact: Available from Singular Publishing Group, Inc. 401 West 'A' Street, Suite 325, San Diego, CA 92101-7904. (800) 521-8545 or (619) 238-6777. Fax (800) 774-8398 or (619) 238-6789. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: www.singpub.com. PRICE: $45.00 plus shipping and handling. ISBN: 1565939891. Summary: This chapter on the structure and function of the ear is from a textbook that emphasizes the need to create an auditory world for children, in which their auditory brain centers continue to develop the neurological and experiential foundations for literacy and learning. The author stresses that, in order to understand the causes of hearing impairment, it is first important to gain an appreciation for the intricate, complex ear. Topics include sound waves, the frequencies for intelligibility of speech, the anatomy of the ear (conductive mechanism, sensorineural mechanism, central mechanism), and the peripheral central distinction. The outer, middle, and inner ear, together, are known as the peripheral auditory system, and function to receive sounds from the environment. There are two general processes in hearing: getting sounds to the brain through the outer, middle, and inner ear; and learning the meaning of those sounds once they are in the brain. 5 figures. 1 table.

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CHAPTER 6. MULTIMEDIA ON SOUND WAVES Overview In this chapter, we show you how to keep current on multimedia sources of information on sound waves. We start with sources that have been summarized by federal agencies, and then show you how to find bibliographic information catalogued by the National Library of Medicine.

Video Recordings An excellent source of multimedia information on sound waves is the Combined Health Information Database. You will need to limit your search to “Videorecording” and “sound waves” using the “Detailed Search” option. Go directly to the following hyperlink: http://chid.nih.gov/detail/detail.html. To find video productions, use the drop boxes at the bottom of the search page where “You may refine your search by.” Select the dates and language you prefer, and the format option “Videorecording (videotape, videocassette, etc.).” Type “sound waves” (or synonyms) into the “For these words:” box. The following is a typical result when searching for video recordings on sound waves: •

Ear Ye, Hear Ye: Exploring the Science of Hearing Source: Wheeling, IL: Film Ideas, Inc. 1999. (videocassette). Contact: Available from Film Ideas, Inc. 308 North Wolf Road, Wheeling, IL 60090. (800) 475-3456 or (847) 419-0255. Fax (847) 419-8933. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: www.filmideas.com. PRICE: $175.00 plus shipping and handling. Summary: This educational videotape program teaches young children about the ears and the sense of hearing. The program features peppy music with colorful graphics, then a depiction of a family camping in the 'quiet' of the wilderness. A young boy in the family is kept awake by the noises he can hear now that he is away from the bustle of the city. The program then features a young narrator discussing hearing-related topics, including why we have ears, why hearing is so important (warnings, safety, enjoyment, and communication), the concept of listening to learn, how sound gets into the ears, the role of vibration, and sound waves. The program shows drawings of the outer, middle, and inner ears, showing their anatomical parts and how they work together to provide

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hearing. The program concludes with ear exercises for viewers. With their eyes closed viewers may try to determine the source of three different sounds: children playing in a swimming pool, popcorn popping, and a kids' orchestra practice session.

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APPENDICES

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APPENDIX A. PHYSICIAN RESOURCES Overview In this chapter, we focus on databases and Internet-based guidelines and information resources created or written for a professional audience.

NIH Guidelines Commonly referred to as “clinical” or “professional” guidelines, the National Institutes of Health publish physician guidelines for the most common diseases. Publications are available at the following by relevant Institute7: •

Office of the Director (OD); guidelines consolidated across agencies available at http://www.nih.gov/health/consumer/conkey.htm

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National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS); fact sheets available at http://www.nigms.nih.gov/news/facts/

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National Library of Medicine (NLM); extensive encyclopedia (A.D.A.M., Inc.) with guidelines: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthtopics.html

•

National Cancer Institute (NCI); guidelines available at http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/list.aspx?viewid=5f35036e-5497-4d86-8c2c714a9f7c8d25

•

National Eye Institute (NEI); guidelines available at http://www.nei.nih.gov/order/index.htm

•

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI); guidelines available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/index.htm

•

National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI); research available at http://www.genome.gov/page.cfm?pageID=10000375

•

National Institute on Aging (NIA); guidelines available at http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/

7

These publications are typically written by one or more of the various NIH Institutes.

66 Sound waves

•

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA); guidelines available at http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/publications.htm

•

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID); guidelines available at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/

•

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS); fact sheets and guidelines available at http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/index.htm

•

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD); guidelines available at http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubskey.cfm

•

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD); fact sheets and guidelines at http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/

•

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR); guidelines available at http://www.nidr.nih.gov/health/

•

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK); guidelines available at http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/health.htm

•

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA); guidelines available at http://www.nida.nih.gov/DrugAbuse.html

•

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS); environmental health information available at http://www.niehs.nih.gov/external/facts.htm

•

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH); guidelines available at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/practitioners/index.cfm

•

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS); neurological disorder information pages available at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorder_index.htm

•

National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR); publications on selected illnesses at http://www.nih.gov/ninr/news-info/publications.html

•

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering; general information at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/becon/becon_info.htm

•

Center for Information Technology (CIT); referrals to other agencies based on keyword searches available at http://kb.nih.gov/www_query_main.asp

•

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM); health information available at http://nccam.nih.gov/health/

•

National Center for Research Resources (NCRR); various information directories available at http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/publications.asp

•

Office of Rare Diseases; various fact sheets available at http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/html/resources/rep_pubs.html

•

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; various fact sheets on infectious diseases available at http://www.cdc.gov/publications.htm

Physician Resources 67

NIH Databases In addition to the various Institutes of Health that publish professional guidelines, the NIH has designed a number of databases for professionals.8 Physician-oriented resources provide a wide variety of information related to the biomedical and health sciences, both past and present. The format of these resources varies. Searchable databases, bibliographic citations, full-text articles (when available), archival collections, and images are all available. The following are referenced by the National Library of Medicine:9 •

Bioethics: Access to published literature on the ethical, legal, and public policy issues surrounding healthcare and biomedical research. This information is provided in conjunction with the Kennedy Institute of Ethics located at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/databases_bioethics.html

•

HIV/AIDS Resources: Describes various links and databases dedicated to HIV/AIDS research: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/aidsinfs.html

•

NLM Online Exhibitions: Describes “Exhibitions in the History of Medicine”: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/exhibition.html. Additional resources for historical scholarship in medicine: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/hmd.html

•

Biotechnology Information: Access to public databases. The National Center for Biotechnology Information conducts research in computational biology, develops software tools for analyzing genome data, and disseminates biomedical information for the better understanding of molecular processes affecting human health and disease: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

•

Population Information: The National Library of Medicine provides access to worldwide coverage of population, family planning, and related health issues, including family planning technology and programs, fertility, and population law and policy: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/databases_population.html

•

Cancer Information: Access to cancer-oriented databases: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/databases_cancer.html

•

Profiles in Science: Offering the archival collections of prominent twentieth-century biomedical scientists to the public through modern digital technology: http://www.profiles.nlm.nih.gov/

•

Chemical Information: Provides links to various chemical databases and references: http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/Chem/ChemMain.html

•

Clinical Alerts: Reports the release of findings from the NIH-funded clinical trials where such release could significantly affect morbidity and mortality: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/alerts/clinical_alerts.html

•

Space Life Sciences: Provides links and information to space-based research (including NASA): http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/databases_space.html

•

MEDLINE: Bibliographic database covering the fields of medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, the healthcare system, and the pre-clinical sciences: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/databases_medline.html

8

Remember, for the general public, the National Library of Medicine recommends the databases referenced in MEDLINEplus (http://medlineplus.gov/ or http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/databases.html). 9 See http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/databases.html.

68 Sound waves

•

Toxicology and Environmental Health Information (TOXNET): Databases covering toxicology and environmental health: http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/Tox/ToxMain.html

•

Visible Human Interface: Anatomically detailed, three-dimensional representations of normal male and female human bodies: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/research/visible/visible_human.html

The NLM Gateway10 The NLM (National Library of Medicine) Gateway is a Web-based system that lets users search simultaneously in multiple retrieval systems at the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). It allows users of NLM services to initiate searches from one Web interface, providing one-stop searching for many of NLM’s information resources or databases.11 To use the NLM Gateway, simply go to the search site at http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/gw/Cmd. Type “sound waves” (or synonyms) into the search box and click “Search.” The results will be presented in a tabular form, indicating the number of references in each database category. Results Summary Category Journal Articles Books / Periodicals / Audio Visual Consumer Health Meeting Abstracts Other Collections Total

Items Found 15686 133 218 2 1 16040

HSTAT12 HSTAT is a free, Web-based resource that provides access to full-text documents used in healthcare decision-making.13 These documents include clinical practice guidelines, quickreference guides for clinicians, consumer health brochures, evidence reports and technology assessments from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), as well as AHRQ’s Put Prevention Into Practice.14 Simply search by “sound waves” (or synonyms) at the following Web site: http://text.nlm.nih.gov.

10

Adapted from NLM: http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/gw/Cmd?Overview.x.

11

The NLM Gateway is currently being developed by the Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications (LHNCBC) at the National Library of Medicine (NLM) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). 12 Adapted from HSTAT: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/hstat.html. 13 14

The HSTAT URL is http://hstat.nlm.nih.gov/.

Other important documents in HSTAT include: the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Conference Reports and Technology Assessment Reports; the HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Service (ATIS) resource documents; the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (SAMHSA/CSAT) Treatment Improvement Protocols (TIP) and Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (SAMHSA/CSAP) Prevention Enhancement Protocols System (PEPS); the Public Health Service (PHS) Preventive Services Task Force's Guide to Clinical Preventive Services; the independent, nonfederal Task Force on Community Services’ Guide to Community Preventive Services; and the Health Technology Advisory Committee (HTAC) of the Minnesota Health Care Commission (MHCC) health technology evaluations.

Physician Resources 69

Coffee Break: Tutorials for Biologists15 Coffee Break is a general healthcare site that takes a scientific view of the news and covers recent breakthroughs in biology that may one day assist physicians in developing treatments. Here you will find a collection of short reports on recent biological discoveries. Each report incorporates interactive tutorials that demonstrate how bioinformatics tools are used as a part of the research process. Currently, all Coffee Breaks are written by NCBI staff.16 Each report is about 400 words and is usually based on a discovery reported in one or more articles from recently published, peer-reviewed literature.17 This site has new articles every few weeks, so it can be considered an online magazine of sorts. It is intended for general background information. You can access the Coffee Break Web site at the following hyperlink: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Coffeebreak/.

Other Commercial Databases In addition to resources maintained by official agencies, other databases exist that are commercial ventures addressing medical professionals. Here are some examples that may interest you: •

CliniWeb International: Index and table of contents to selected clinical information on the Internet; see http://www.ohsu.edu/cliniweb/.

•

Medical World Search: Searches full text from thousands of selected medical sites on the Internet; see http://www.mwsearch.com/.

15 Adapted 16

from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Coffeebreak/Archive/FAQ.html.

The figure that accompanies each article is frequently supplied by an expert external to NCBI, in which case the source of the figure is cited. The result is an interactive tutorial that tells a biological story. 17 After a brief introduction that sets the work described into a broader context, the report focuses on how a molecular understanding can provide explanations of observed biology and lead to therapies for diseases. Each vignette is accompanied by a figure and hypertext links that lead to a series of pages that interactively show how NCBI tools and resources are used in the research process.

71

APPENDIX B. PATIENT RESOURCES Overview Official agencies, as well as federally funded institutions supported by national grants, frequently publish a variety of guidelines written with the patient in mind. These are typically called “Fact Sheets” or “Guidelines.” They can take the form of a brochure, information kit, pamphlet, or flyer. Often they are only a few pages in length. Since new guidelines on sound waves can appear at any moment and be published by a number of sources, the best approach to finding guidelines is to systematically scan the Internet-based services that post them.

Patient Guideline Sources The remainder of this chapter directs you to sources which either publish or can help you find additional guidelines on topics related to sound waves. Due to space limitations, these sources are listed in a concise manner. Do not hesitate to consult the following sources by either using the Internet hyperlink provided, or, in cases where the contact information is provided, contacting the publisher or author directly. The National Institutes of Health The NIH gateway to patients is located at http://health.nih.gov/. From this site, you can search across various sources and institutes, a number of which are summarized below. Topic Pages: MEDLINEplus The National Library of Medicine has created a vast and patient-oriented healthcare information portal called MEDLINEplus. Within this Internet-based system are “health topic pages” which list links to available materials relevant to sound waves. To access this system, log on to http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthtopics.html. From there you can either search using the alphabetical index or browse by broad topic areas. Recently, MEDLINEplus listed the following when searched for “sound waves”:

72 Sound waves

•

Other guides Diagnostic Imaging http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/diagnosticimaging.html Ear Disorders http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/eardisorders.html Hearing Disorders & Deafness http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hearingdisordersdeafness.html Speech & Communication Disorders http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/speechcommunicationdisorders.html

You may also choose to use the search utility provided by MEDLINEplus at the following Web address: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/. Simply type a keyword into the search box and click “Search.” This utility is similar to the NIH search utility, with the exception that it only includes materials that are linked within the MEDLINEplus system (mostly patient-oriented information). It also has the disadvantage of generating unstructured results. We recommend, therefore, that you use this method only if you have a very targeted search. The Combined Health Information Database (CHID) CHID Online is a reference tool that maintains a database directory of thousands of journal articles and patient education guidelines on sound waves. CHID offers summaries that describe the guidelines available, including contact information and pricing. CHID’s general Web site is http://chid.nih.gov/. To search this database, go to http://chid.nih.gov/detail/detail.html. In particular, you can use the advanced search options to look up pamphlets, reports, brochures, and information kits. The following was recently posted in this archive: •

Gallstones Source: Bethesda, MD: American Gastroenterological Association. 199x. [4 p.]. Contact: American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Seventh Floor, Bethesda, MD 20814. (800) 668-5237 or (301) 654-2055. Fax (301) 652-3890. Website: www.gastro.org. PRICE: Single copy free; bulk copies available. Summary: Gallstone disease is a common medical problem in the United States. This brochure from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) reviews the problem of gallstones and advances in the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Topics include a definition of gallstones and how they form, diagnostic tests used to confirm the presence of gallstones, and treatment options. Gallstones form when the components of bile (a digestive juice) precipitate out of solution and form crystals. Pigment (bilirubin) gallstones and cholesterol gallstones are the most common types. The most typical symptom of gallstone disease is severe steady pain in the upper abdomen or right side. If the blockage caused by a gallstone is prolonged, the gallbladder may become inflamed (acute cholecystitis), which usually requires hospitalization for treatment. Abdominal ultrasound and oral cholecystograms are used to diagnose gallstones. Surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) remains the most widely used therapy for gallstones; surgical options include the standard open procedure and a less invasive procedure using laparoscopy ('belly button surgery').

Patient Resources 73

Alternatives to surgery include endoscopic removal of the stone, chemical dissolution, and lithotripsy (in which sound waves are used to disintegrate the stones). Unfortunately, in all nonsurgical approaches, the gallstones tend to recur in about half of patients treated. The brochure includes a diagram of the digestive tract, with organs labeled. 2 figures. •

Prostate Ultrasound and Biopsy: Early Detection of Cancer. [Ultrasonido y Biopsia de la Prostata: Diagnostico Temprano del Cancer] Source: San Bruno, CA: StayWell Company. 1999. [2 p.]. Contact: Available from Staywell Company. Order Department, 1100 Grundy Lane, San Bruno, CA 94066-9821. (800) 333-3032. Fax (650) 244-4512. PRICE: $0.40 each; $20.00 per pack of 50; plus shipping and handling. Order number 91518 for English version; 91946 for Spanish version. Summary: If a potential prostate problem is identified through a digital rectal exam or a PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test, the physician may suggest that the patient have an ultrasound. This brochure describes this imaging technique, including the possible use of biopsy (tissue sample), as it is used to detect cancer in its early stages. Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to create an image of the prostate gland. The ultrasound test is simple and is usually performed in the doctor's office. The brochure describes how the test is performed, notes the indications for a biopsy, and explains what the patient can expect to experience after the biopsy. The brochure includes a section that describes the anatomy of the prostate and notes how cancer can often appear in the outer area of the prostate. The brochure concludes with a reminder that the American Cancer Society recommends yearly digital rectal examines for men over age 40 and yearly PSA blood tests for men over age 50. For men who are African American or who have a family history of prostate cancer, both tests are recommended on a yearly basis, starting at age 40. The brochure is illustrated with full color line drawings. The brochure is available in English or Spanish. 7 figures.

•

About On-the-Job Hearing Conservation Source: South Deerfield, MA: Channing L. Bete Co., Inc. 1993. 16 p. Contact: Available from Channing L. Bete Co., Inc. 200 State Road, South Deerfield, MA 01373. Voice (800) 628-7733 or (413) 665-7611; FAX (413) 665-2671. PRICE: $1.00 plus shipping and handling; bulk prices available. Item Number 13276J-8-93. Summary: This booklet, written in clear, easy-to-understand language, is designed to help employees understand the importance of avoiding noise-induced hearing loss. Topics covered include a definition of hearing conservation; why good hearing is important; how the ear hears, including the role of sound waves and vibrations; how noise can result in temporary or permanent hearing loss; how excessive noise may harm overall health; legal limits on noise in the workplace; the role of hearing protectors and the three basic types of hearing protection; and audiometric testing used to check hearing. The booklet concludes with a brief post-test on the reader's knowledge of onthe-job hearing conservation. The booklet is illustrated with cartoon-like line drawings.

•

Hearing Aids Source: Bethesda, MD: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), National Institutes of Health (NIH). May 1999. [6 p.].

74 Sound waves

Contact: Available from NIDCD Information Clearinghouse. 1 Communication Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20892-3456. Voice (800) 241-1044. TTY (800) 241-1055. Fax (301) 907-8830. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: www.nidcd.nih.gov. PRICE: Single copy free. NIH Publication Number 99-4340. Summary: This fact sheet describes hearing aids and their use. A hearing aid is an electronic, battery operated device that amplifies and changes sound to allow for improved communication. Hearing aids receive sound through a microphone, which then converts the sound waves to electrical signals. The amplifier increases the loudness of the signals and then sends the sound to the ear through a speaker. Written in a question and answer format, the fact sheet covers hearing loss and its causes, including conductive, sensorineural, and mixed hearing loss; the physiology and anatomy of hearing; how to find out if a hearing loss is present; how hearing aids can help, particularly in improving the hearing and speech comprehension of people with sensorineural hearing loss; the different kinds of hearing aids, including in the ear (ITE), behind the ear (BTE), canal aids, and body aids; three types of circuitry used in hearing aids, including adjustable analog, programmable analog, and programmable digital; questions to ask before buying a hearing aid; what to expect from a hearing aid and problems that may be experienced during the adjustment period; suggestions for optimal care of the hearing aids; and ongoing research related to hearing aid technology and usage. The fact sheet concludes with a list of resource organizations through which readers can obtain additional information. 1 figure. The NIH Search Utility The NIH search utility allows you to search for documents on over 100 selected Web sites that comprise the NIH-WEB-SPACE. Each of these servers is “crawled” and indexed on an ongoing basis. Your search will produce a list of various documents, all of which will relate in some way to sound waves. The drawbacks of this approach are that the information is not organized by theme and that the references are often a mix of information for professionals and patients. Nevertheless, a large number of the listed Web sites provide useful background information. We can only recommend this route, therefore, for relatively rare or specific disorders, or when using highly targeted searches. To use the NIH search utility, visit the following Web page: http://search.nih.gov/index.html. Additional Web Sources

A number of Web sites are available to the public that often link to government sites. These can also point you in the direction of essential information. The following is a representative sample: •

AOL: http://search.aol.com/cat.adp?id=168&layer=&from=subcats

•

Family Village: http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/specific.htm

•

Google: http://directory.google.com/Top/Health/Conditions_and_Diseases/

•

Med Help International: http://www.medhelp.org/HealthTopics/A.html

•

Open Directory Project: http://dmoz.org/Health/Conditions_and_Diseases/

•

Yahoo.com: http://dir.yahoo.com/Health/Diseases_and_Conditions/

•

WebMD®Health: http://my.webmd.com/health_topics

Patient Resources 75

Finding Associations There are several Internet directories that provide lists of medical associations with information on or resources relating to sound waves. By consulting all of associations listed in this chapter, you will have nearly exhausted all sources for patient associations concerned with sound waves. The National Health Information Center (NHIC) The National Health Information Center (NHIC) offers a free referral service to help people find organizations that provide information about sound waves. For more information, see the NHIC’s Web site at http://www.health.gov/NHIC/ or contact an information specialist by calling 1-800-336-4797. Directory of Health Organizations The Directory of Health Organizations, provided by the National Library of Medicine Specialized Information Services, is a comprehensive source of information on associations. The Directory of Health Organizations database can be accessed via the Internet at http://www.sis.nlm.nih.gov/Dir/DirMain.html. It is composed of two parts: DIRLINE and Health Hotlines. The DIRLINE database comprises some 10,000 records of organizations, research centers, and government institutes and associations that primarily focus on health and biomedicine. To access DIRLINE directly, go to the following Web site: http://dirline.nlm.nih.gov/. Simply type in “sound waves” (or a synonym), and you will receive information on all relevant organizations listed in the database. Health Hotlines directs you to toll-free numbers to over 300 organizations. You can access this database directly at http://www.sis.nlm.nih.gov/hotlines/. On this page, you are given the option to search by keyword or by browsing the subject list. When you have received your search results, click on the name of the organization for its description and contact information. The Combined Health Information Database Another comprehensive source of information on healthcare associations is the Combined Health Information Database. Using the “Detailed Search” option, you will need to limit your search to “Organizations” and “sound waves”. Type the following hyperlink into your Web browser: http://chid.nih.gov/detail/detail.html. To find associations, use the drop boxes at the bottom of the search page where “You may refine your search by.” For publication date, select “All Years.” Then, select your preferred language and the format option “Organization Resource Sheet.” Type “sound waves” (or synonyms) into the “For these words:” box. You should check back periodically with this database since it is updated every three months.

76 Sound waves

The National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. The National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. has prepared a Web site that provides, at no charge, lists of associations organized by health topic. You can access this database at the following Web site: http://www.rarediseases.org/search/orgsearch.html. Type “sound waves” (or a synonym) into the search box, and click “Submit Query.”

77

APPENDIX C. FINDING MEDICAL LIBRARIES Overview In this Appendix, we show you how to quickly find a medical library in your area.

Preparation Your local public library and medical libraries have interlibrary loan programs with the National Library of Medicine (NLM), one of the largest medical collections in the world. According to the NLM, most of the literature in the general and historical collections of the National Library of Medicine is available on interlibrary loan to any library. If you would like to access NLM medical literature, then visit a library in your area that can request the publications for you.18

Finding a Local Medical Library The quickest method to locate medical libraries is to use the Internet-based directory published by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM). This network includes 4626 members and affiliates that provide many services to librarians, health professionals, and the public. To find a library in your area, simply visit http://nnlm.gov/members/adv.html or call 1-800-338-7657.

Medical Libraries in the U.S. and Canada In addition to the NN/LM, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) lists a number of libraries with reference facilities that are open to the public. The following is the NLM’s list and includes hyperlinks to each library’s Web site. These Web pages can provide information on hours of operation and other restrictions. The list below is a small sample of

18

Adapted from the NLM: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/psd/cas/interlibrary.html.

78 Sound waves

libraries recommended by the National Library of Medicine (sorted alphabetically by name of the U.S. state or Canadian province where the library is located)19: •

Alabama: Health InfoNet of Jefferson County (Jefferson County Library Cooperative, Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences), http://www.uab.edu/infonet/

•

Alabama: Richard M. Scrushy Library (American Sports Medicine Institute)

•

Arizona: Samaritan Regional Medical Center: The Learning Center (Samaritan Health System, Phoenix, Arizona), http://www.samaritan.edu/library/bannerlibs.htm

•

California: Kris Kelly Health Information Center (St. Joseph Health System, Humboldt), http://www.humboldt1.com/~kkhic/index.html

•

California: Community Health Library of Los Gatos, http://www.healthlib.org/orgresources.html

•

California: Consumer Health Program and Services (CHIPS) (County of Los Angeles Public Library, Los Angeles County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Library) - Carson, CA, http://www.colapublib.org/services/chips.html

•

California: Gateway Health Library (Sutter Gould Medical Foundation)

•

California: Health Library (Stanford University Medical Center), http://wwwmed.stanford.edu/healthlibrary/

•

California: Patient Education Resource Center - Health Information and Resources (University of California, San Francisco), http://sfghdean.ucsf.edu/barnett/PERC/default.asp

•

California: Redwood Health Library (Petaluma Health Care District), http://www.phcd.org/rdwdlib.html

•

California: Los Gatos PlaneTree Health Library, http://planetreesanjose.org/

•

California: Sutter Resource Library (Sutter Hospitals Foundation, Sacramento), http://suttermedicalcenter.org/library/

•

California: Health Sciences Libraries (University of California, Davis), http://www.lib.ucdavis.edu/healthsci/

•

California: ValleyCare Health Library & Ryan Comer Cancer Resource Center (ValleyCare Health System, Pleasanton), http://gaelnet.stmarysca.edu/other.libs/gbal/east/vchl.html

•

California: Washington Community Health Resource Library (Fremont), http://www.healthlibrary.org/

•

Colorado: William V. Gervasini Memorial Library (Exempla Healthcare), http://www.saintjosephdenver.org/yourhealth/libraries/

•

Connecticut: Hartford Hospital Health Science Libraries (Hartford Hospital), http://www.harthosp.org/library/

•

Connecticut: Healthnet: Connecticut Consumer Health Information Center (University of Connecticut Health Center, Lyman Maynard Stowe Library), http://library.uchc.edu/departm/hnet/

19

Abstracted from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/libraries.html.

Finding Medical Libraries 79

•

Connecticut: Waterbury Hospital Health Center Library (Waterbury Hospital, Waterbury), http://www.waterburyhospital.com/library/consumer.shtml

•

Delaware: Consumer Health Library (Christiana Care Health System, Eugene du Pont Preventive Medicine & Rehabilitation Institute, Wilmington), http://www.christianacare.org/health_guide/health_guide_pmri_health_info.cfm

•

Delaware: Lewis B. Flinn Library (Delaware Academy of Medicine, Wilmington), http://www.delamed.org/chls.html

•

Georgia: Family Resource Library (Medical College of Georgia, Augusta), http://cmc.mcg.edu/kids_families/fam_resources/fam_res_lib/frl.htm

•

Georgia: Health Resource Center (Medical Center of Central Georgia, Macon), http://www.mccg.org/hrc/hrchome.asp

•

Hawaii: Hawaii Medical Library: Consumer Health Information Service (Hawaii Medical Library, Honolulu), http://hml.org/CHIS/

•

Idaho: DeArmond Consumer Health Library (Kootenai Medical Center, Coeur d’Alene), http://www.nicon.org/DeArmond/index.htm

•

Illinois: Health Learning Center of Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago), http://www.nmh.org/health_info/hlc.html

•

Illinois: Medical Library (OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria), http://www.osfsaintfrancis.org/general/library/

•

Kentucky: Medical Library - Services for Patients, Families, Students & the Public (Central Baptist Hospital, Lexington), http://www.centralbap.com/education/community/library.cfm

•

Kentucky: University of Kentucky - Health Information Library (Chandler Medical Center, Lexington), http://www.mc.uky.edu/PatientEd/

•

Louisiana: Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation Library (Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation, New Orleans), http://www.ochsner.org/library/

•

Louisiana: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Medical LibraryShreveport, http://lib-sh.lsuhsc.edu/

•

Maine: Franklin Memorial Hospital Medical Library (Franklin Memorial Hospital, Farmington), http://www.fchn.org/fmh/lib.htm

•

Maine: Gerrish-True Health Sciences Library (Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston), http://www.cmmc.org/library/library.html

•

Maine: Hadley Parrot Health Science Library (Eastern Maine Healthcare, Bangor), http://www.emh.org/hll/hpl/guide.htm

•

Maine: Maine Medical Center Library (Maine Medical Center, Portland), http://www.mmc.org/library/

•

Maine: Parkview Hospital (Brunswick), http://www.parkviewhospital.org/

•

Maine: Southern Maine Medical Center Health Sciences Library (Southern Maine Medical Center, Biddeford), http://www.smmc.org/services/service.php3?choice=10

•

Maine: Stephens Memorial Hospital’s Health Information Library (Western Maine Health, Norway), http://www.wmhcc.org/Library/

80 Sound waves

•

Manitoba, Canada: Consumer & Patient Health Information Service (University of Manitoba Libraries), http://www.umanitoba.ca/libraries/units/health/reference/chis.html

•

Manitoba, Canada: J.W. Crane Memorial Library (Deer Lodge Centre, Winnipeg), http://www.deerlodge.mb.ca/crane_library/about.asp

•

Maryland: Health Information Center at the Wheaton Regional Library (Montgomery County, Dept. of Public Libraries, Wheaton Regional Library), http://www.mont.lib.md.us/healthinfo/hic.asp

•

Massachusetts: Baystate Medical Center Library (Baystate Health System), http://www.baystatehealth.com/1024/

•

Massachusetts: Boston University Medical Center Alumni Medical Library (Boston University Medical Center), http://med-libwww.bu.edu/library/lib.html

•

Massachusetts: Lowell General Hospital Health Sciences Library (Lowell General Hospital, Lowell), http://www.lowellgeneral.org/library/HomePageLinks/WWW.htm

•

Massachusetts: Paul E. Woodard Health Sciences Library (New England Baptist Hospital, Boston), http://www.nebh.org/health_lib.asp

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Massachusetts: St. Luke’s Hospital Health Sciences Library (St. Luke’s Hospital, Southcoast Health System, New Bedford), http://www.southcoast.org/library/

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Massachusetts: Treadwell Library Consumer Health Reference Center (Massachusetts General Hospital), http://www.mgh.harvard.edu/library/chrcindex.html

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Massachusetts: UMass HealthNet (University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worchester), http://healthnet.umassmed.edu/

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Michigan: Botsford General Hospital Library - Consumer Health (Botsford General Hospital, Library & Internet Services), http://www.botsfordlibrary.org/consumer.htm

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Michigan: Helen DeRoy Medical Library (Providence Hospital and Medical Centers), http://www.providence-hospital.org/library/

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Michigan: Marquette General Hospital - Consumer Health Library (Marquette General Hospital, Health Information Center), http://www.mgh.org/center.html

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Michigan: Patient Education Resouce Center - University of Michigan Cancer Center (University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor), http://www.cancer.med.umich.edu/learn/leares.htm

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Michigan: Sladen Library & Center for Health Information Resources - Consumer Health Information (Detroit), http://www.henryford.com/body.cfm?id=39330

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Montana: Center for Health Information (St. Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center, Missoula)

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National: Consumer Health Library Directory (Medical Library Association, Consumer and Patient Health Information Section), http://caphis.mlanet.org/directory/index.html

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National: National Network of Libraries of Medicine (National Library of Medicine) provides library services for health professionals in the United States who do not have access to a medical library, http://nnlm.gov/

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National: NN/LM List of Libraries Serving the Public (National Network of Libraries of Medicine), http://nnlm.gov/members/

Finding Medical Libraries 81

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Nevada: Health Science Library, West Charleston Library (Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, Las Vegas), http://www.lvccld.org/special_collections/medical/index.htm

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New Hampshire: Dartmouth Biomedical Libraries (Dartmouth College Library, Hanover), http://www.dartmouth.edu/~biomed/resources.htmld/conshealth.htmld/

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New Jersey: Consumer Health Library (Rahway Hospital, Rahway), http://www.rahwayhospital.com/library.htm

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New Jersey: Dr. Walter Phillips Health Sciences Library (Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Englewood), http://www.englewoodhospital.com/links/index.htm

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New Jersey: Meland Foundation (Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Englewood), http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/9360/

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New York: Choices in Health Information (New York Public Library) - NLM Consumer Pilot Project participant, http://www.nypl.org/branch/health/links.html

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New York: Health Information Center (Upstate Medical University, State University of New York, Syracuse), http://www.upstate.edu/library/hic/

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New York: Health Sciences Library (Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park), http://www.lij.edu/library/library.html

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New York: ViaHealth Medical Library (Rochester General Hospital), http://www.nyam.org/library/

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Ohio: Consumer Health Library (Akron General Medical Center, Medical & Consumer Health Library), http://www.akrongeneral.org/hwlibrary.htm

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Oklahoma: The Health Information Center at Saint Francis Hospital (Saint Francis Health System, Tulsa), http://www.sfh-tulsa.com/services/healthinfo.asp

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Oregon: Planetree Health Resource Center (Mid-Columbia Medical Center, The Dalles), http://www.mcmc.net/phrc/

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Pennsylvania: Community Health Information Library (Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey), http://www.hmc.psu.edu/commhealth/

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Pennsylvania: Community Health Resource Library (Geisinger Medical Center, Danville), http://www.geisinger.edu/education/commlib.shtml

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Pennsylvania: HealthInfo Library (Moses Taylor Hospital, Scranton), http://www.mth.org/healthwellness.html

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Pennsylvania: Hopwood Library (University of Pittsburgh, Health Sciences Library System, Pittsburgh), http://www.hsls.pitt.edu/guides/chi/hopwood/index_html

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Pennsylvania: Koop Community Health Information Center (College of Physicians of Philadelphia), http://www.collphyphil.org/kooppg1.shtml

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Pennsylvania: Learning Resources Center - Medical Library (Susquehanna Health System, Williamsport), http://www.shscares.org/services/lrc/index.asp

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Pennsylvania: Medical Library (UPMC Health System, Pittsburgh), http://www.upmc.edu/passavant/library.htm

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Quebec, Canada: Medical Library (Montreal General Hospital), http://www.mghlib.mcgill.ca/

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South Dakota: Rapid City Regional Hospital Medical Library (Rapid City Regional Hospital), http://www.rcrh.org/Services/Library/Default.asp

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Texas: Houston HealthWays (Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library), http://hhw.library.tmc.edu/

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Washington: Community Health Library (Kittitas Valley Community Hospital), http://www.kvch.com/

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Washington: Southwest Washington Medical Center Library (Southwest Washington Medical Center, Vancouver), http://www.swmedicalcenter.com/body.cfm?id=72

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ONLINE GLOSSARIES The Internet provides access to a number of free-to-use medical dictionaries. The National Library of Medicine has compiled the following list of online dictionaries: •

ADAM Medical Encyclopedia (A.D.A.M., Inc.), comprehensive medical reference: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/encyclopedia.html

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MedicineNet.com Medical Dictionary (MedicineNet, Inc.): http://www.medterms.com/Script/Main/hp.asp

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Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary (Inteli-Health, Inc.): http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/

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Multilingual Glossary of Technical and Popular Medical Terms in Eight European Languages (European Commission) - Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish: http://allserv.rug.ac.be/~rvdstich/eugloss/welcome.html

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On-line Medical Dictionary (CancerWEB): http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/omd/

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Rare Diseases Terms (Office of Rare Diseases): http://ord.aspensys.com/asp/diseases/diseases.asp

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Technology Glossary (National Library of Medicine) - Health Care Technology: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/nichsr/ta101/ta10108.htm

Beyond these, MEDLINEplus contains a very patient-friendly encyclopedia covering every aspect of medicine (licensed from A.D.A.M., Inc.). The ADAM Medical Encyclopedia can be accessed at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/encyclopedia.html. ADAM is also available on commercial Web sites such as drkoop.com (http://www.drkoop.com/) and Web MD (http://my.webmd.com/adam/asset/adam_disease_articles/a_to_z/a).

Online Dictionary Directories The following are additional online directories compiled by the National Library of Medicine, including a number of specialized medical dictionaries: •

Medical Dictionaries: Medical & Biological (World Health Organization): http://www.who.int/hlt/virtuallibrary/English/diction.htm#Medical

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MEL-Michigan Electronic Library List of Online Health and Medical Dictionaries (Michigan Electronic Library): http://mel.lib.mi.us/health/health-dictionaries.html

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Patient Education: Glossaries (DMOZ Open Directory Project): http://dmoz.org/Health/Education/Patient_Education/Glossaries/

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Web of Online Dictionaries (Bucknell University): http://www.yourdictionary.com/diction5.html#medicine

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SOUND WAVES DICTIONARY The definitions below are derived from official public sources, including the National Institutes of Health [NIH] and the European Union [EU]. Abdomen: That portion of the body that lies between the thorax and the pelvis. [NIH] Abdominal: Having to do with the abdomen, which is the part of the body between the chest and the hips that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs. [NIH] Ablation: The removal of an organ by surgery. [NIH] Acoustic: Having to do with sound or hearing. [NIH] Adenosine: A nucleoside that is composed of adenine and d-ribose. Adenosine or adenosine derivatives play many important biological roles in addition to being components of DNA and RNA. Adenosine itself is a neurotransmitter. [NIH] Adjustment: The dynamic process wherein the thoughts, feelings, behavior, and biophysiological mechanisms of the individual continually change to adjust to the environment. [NIH] Adverse Effect: An unwanted side effect of treatment. [NIH] Air Pressure: The force per unit area that the air exerts on any surface in contact with it. Primarily used for articles pertaining to air pressure within a closed environment. [NIH] Air Sacs: Thin-walled sacs or spaces which function as a part of the respiratory system in birds, fishes, insects, and mammals. [NIH] Algorithms: A procedure consisting of a sequence of algebraic formulas and/or logical steps to calculate or determine a given task. [NIH] Alpha Particles: Positively charged particles composed of two protons and two neutrons, i.e., helium nuclei, emitted during disintegration of very heavy isotopes; a beam of alpha particles or an alpha ray has very strong ionizing power, but weak penetrability. [NIH] Alternative medicine: Practices not generally recognized by the medical community as standard or conventional medical approaches and used instead of standard treatments. Alternative medicine includes the taking of dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, and herbal preparations; the drinking of special teas; and practices such as massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation. [NIH] Aluminum: A metallic element that has the atomic number 13, atomic symbol Al, and atomic weight 26.98. [NIH] Alveoli: Tiny air sacs at the end of the bronchioles in the lungs. [NIH] Ambulances: A vehicle equipped for transporting patients in need of emergency care. [NIH] Amino acid: Any organic compound containing an amino (-NH2 and a carboxyl (- COOH) group. The 20 a-amino acids listed in the accompanying table are the amino acids from which proteins are synthesized by formation of peptide bonds during ribosomal translation of messenger RNA; all except glycine, which is not optically active, have the L configuration. Other amino acids occurring in proteins, such as hydroxyproline in collagen, are formed by posttranslational enzymatic modification of amino acids residues in polypeptide chains. There are also several important amino acids, such as the neurotransmitter y-aminobutyric acid, that have no relation to proteins. Abbreviated AA. [EU]

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Ampulla: A sac-like enlargement of a canal or duct. [NIH] Amputation: Surgery to remove part or all of a limb or appendage. [NIH] Analog: In chemistry, a substance that is similar, but not identical, to another. [NIH] Analogous: Resembling or similar in some respects, as in function or appearance, but not in origin or development;. [EU] Anatomical: Pertaining to anatomy, or to the structure of the organism. [EU] Animal model: An animal with a disease either the same as or like a disease in humans. Animal models are used to study the development and progression of diseases and to test new treatments before they are given to humans. Animals with transplanted human cancers or other tissues are called xenograft models. [NIH] Antibacterial: A substance that destroys bacteria or suppresses their growth or reproduction. [EU] Antibiotic: A drug used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms. [NIH]

Antibodies: Immunoglobulin molecules having a specific amino acid sequence by virtue of which they interact only with the antigen that induced their synthesis in cells of the lymphoid series (especially plasma cells), or with an antigen closely related to it. [NIH] Antibody: A type of protein made by certain white blood cells in response to a foreign substance (antigen). Each antibody can bind to only a specific antigen. The purpose of this binding is to help destroy the antigen. Antibodies can work in several ways, depending on the nature of the antigen. Some antibodies destroy antigens directly. Others make it easier for white blood cells to destroy the antigen. [NIH] Antigen: Any substance which is capable, under appropriate conditions, of inducing a specific immune response and of reacting with the products of that response, that is, with specific antibody or specifically sensitized T-lymphocytes, or both. Antigens may be soluble substances, such as toxins and foreign proteins, or particulate, such as bacteria and tissue cells; however, only the portion of the protein or polysaccharide molecule known as the antigenic determinant (q.v.) combines with antibody or a specific receptor on a lymphocyte. Abbreviated Ag. [EU] Antiplasmin: A member of the serpin superfamily found in human plasma that inhibits the lysis of fibrin clots which are induced by plasminogen activator. It is a glycoprotein, molecular weight approximately 70,000 that migrates in the alpha 2 region in immunoelectrophoresis. It is the principal plasmin inactivator in blood, rapidly forming a very stable complex with plasmin. [NIH] Anus: The opening of the rectum to the outside of the body. [NIH] Aorta: The main trunk of the systemic arteries. [NIH] Aperture: A natural hole of perforation, especially one in a bone. [NIH] Aqueous: Having to do with water. [NIH] Arterial: Pertaining to an artery or to the arteries. [EU] Arteries: The vessels carrying blood away from the heart. [NIH] Arterioles: The smallest divisions of the arteries located between the muscular arteries and the capillaries. [NIH] Artery: Vessel-carrying blood from the heart to various parts of the body. [NIH] Attenuation: Reduction of transmitted sound energy or its electrical equivalent. [NIH] Audiologist: Study of hearing including treatment of persons with hearing defects. [NIH]

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Audiology: The study of hearing and hearing impairment. [NIH] Auditory: Pertaining to the sense of hearing. [EU] Auditory nerve: The eight cranial nerve; also called vestibulocochlear nerve or acoustic nerve. [NIH] Avian: A plasmodial infection in birds. [NIH] Bacteria: Unicellular prokaryotic microorganisms which generally possess rigid cell walls, multiply by cell division, and exhibit three principal forms: round or coccal, rodlike or bacillary, and spiral or spirochetal. [NIH] Bacteriophage: A virus whose host is a bacterial cell; A virus that exclusively infects bacteria. It generally has a protein coat surrounding the genome (DNA or RNA). One of the coliphages most extensively studied is the lambda phage, which is also one of the most important. [NIH] Base: In chemistry, the nonacid part of a salt; a substance that combines with acids to form salts; a substance that dissociates to give hydroxide ions in aqueous solutions; a substance whose molecule or ion can combine with a proton (hydrogen ion); a substance capable of donating a pair of electrons (to an acid) for the formation of a coordinate covalent bond. [EU] Basement Membrane: Ubiquitous supportive tissue adjacent to epithelium and around smooth and striated muscle cells. This tissue contains intrinsic macromolecular components such as collagen, laminin, and sulfated proteoglycans. As seen by light microscopy one of its subdivisions is the basal (basement) lamina. [NIH] Basilar Membrane: A membrane that stretches from the spiral lamina to the basilar crest consisting of an inner and an outer part. The inner part supports the spiral organ of Corti. [NIH]

Bile: An emulsifying agent produced in the liver and secreted into the duodenum. Its composition includes bile acids and salts, cholesterol, and electrolytes. It aids digestion of fats in the duodenum. [NIH] Bile Acids: Acids made by the liver that work with bile to break down fats. [NIH] Bile Acids and Salts: Steroid acids and salts. The primary bile acids are derived from cholesterol in the liver and usually conjugated with glycine or taurine. The secondary bile acids are further modified by bacteria in the intestine. They play an important role in the digestion and absorption of fat. They have also been used pharmacologically, especially in the treatment of gallstones. [NIH] Bile duct: A tube through which bile passes in and out of the liver. [NIH] Bilirubin: A bile pigment that is a degradation product of heme. [NIH] Biochemical: Relating to biochemistry; characterized by, produced by, or involving chemical reactions in living organisms. [EU] Biopsy: Removal and pathologic examination of specimens in the form of small pieces of tissue from the living body. [NIH] Biotechnology: Body of knowledge related to the use of organisms, cells or cell-derived constituents for the purpose of developing products which are technically, scientifically and clinically useful. Alteration of biologic function at the molecular level (i.e., genetic engineering) is a central focus; laboratory methods used include transfection and cloning technologies, sequence and structure analysis algorithms, computer databases, and gene and protein structure function analysis and prediction. [NIH] Bladder: The organ that stores urine. [NIH] Blebs: Cysts on or near the surface of the lungs. [NIH]

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Blood pressure: The pressure of blood against the walls of a blood vessel or heart chamber. Unless there is reference to another location, such as the pulmonary artery or one of the heart chambers, it refers to the pressure in the systemic arteries, as measured, for example, in the forearm. [NIH] Blood vessel: A tube in the body through which blood circulates. Blood vessels include a network of arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins. [NIH] Body Fluids: Liquid components of living organisms. [NIH] Brachial: All the nerves from the arm are ripped from the spinal cord. [NIH] Brachial Plexus: The large network of nerve fibers which distributes the innervation of the upper extremity. The brachial plexus extends from the neck into the axilla. In humans, the nerves of the plexus usually originate from the lower cervical and the first thoracic spinal cord segments (C5-C8 and T1), but variations are not uncommon. [NIH] Branch: Most commonly used for branches of nerves, but applied also to other structures. [NIH]

Breakdown: A physical, metal, or nervous collapse. [NIH] Bronchioles: The tiny branches of air tubes in the lungs. [NIH] Cadherins: A group of functionally related glycoproteins responsible for the calciumdependent cell-to-cell adhesion mechanism. They are divided into subclasses E-, P-, and Ncadherins, which are distinct in immunological specificity and tissue distribution. They promote cell adhesion via a homophilic mechanism. These compounds play a role in the construction of tissues and of the whole animal body. [NIH] Calcium: A basic element found in nearly all organized tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes. [NIH] Calculi: An abnormal concretion occurring mostly in the urinary and biliary tracts, usually composed of mineral salts. Also called stones. [NIH] Camping: Living outdoors as a recreational activity. [NIH] Carbon Dioxide: A colorless, odorless gas that can be formed by the body and is necessary for the respiration cycle of plants and animals. [NIH] Carcinoma: Cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. [NIH]

Cardiac: Having to do with the heart. [NIH] Catheter: A flexible tube used to deliver fluids into or withdraw fluids from the body. [NIH] Cathode: An electrode, usually an incandescent filament of tungsten, which emits electrons in an X-ray tube. [NIH] Caudal: Denoting a position more toward the cauda, or tail, than some specified point of reference; same as inferior, in human anatomy. [EU] Cell: The individual unit that makes up all of the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells. [NIH] Cell Adhesion: Adherence of cells to surfaces or to other cells. [NIH] Cell Division: The fission of a cell. [NIH] Cell Lineage: The developmental history of cells as traced from the first division of the

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original cell or cells in the embryo. [NIH] Cellulose: A polysaccharide with glucose units linked as in cellobiose. It is the chief constituent of plant fibers, cotton being the purest natural form of the substance. As a raw material, it forms the basis for many derivatives used in chromatography, ion exchange materials, explosives manufacturing, and pharmaceutical preparations. [NIH] Cervical: Relating to the neck, or to the neck of any organ or structure. Cervical lymph nodes are located in the neck; cervical cancer refers to cancer of the uterine cervix, which is the lower, narrow end (the "neck") of the uterus. [NIH] Character: In current usage, approximately equivalent to personality. The sum of the relatively fixed personality traits and habitual modes of response of an individual. [NIH] Chest wall: The ribs and muscles, bones, and joints that make up the area of the body between the neck and the abdomen. [NIH] Cholecystectomy: Surgical removal of the gallbladder. [NIH] Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder. [NIH] Cholesterol: The principal sterol of all higher animals, distributed in body tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in animal fats and oils. [NIH] Chromosomal: Pertaining to chromosomes. [EU] Clinical trial: A research study that tests how well new medical treatments or other interventions work in people. Each study is designed to test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease. [NIH] Cloning: The production of a number of genetically identical individuals; in genetic engineering, a process for the efficient replication of a great number of identical DNA molecules. [NIH] Clot Retraction: Retraction of a clot resulting from contraction of platelet pseudopods attached to fibrin strands that is dependent on the contractile protein thrombosthenin. Used as a measure of platelet function. [NIH] Coagulation: 1. The process of clot formation. 2. In colloid chemistry, the solidification of a sol into a gelatinous mass; an alteration of a disperse phase or of a dissolved solid which causes the separation of the system into a liquid phase and an insoluble mass called the clot or curd. Coagulation is usually irreversible. 3. In surgery, the disruption of tissue by physical means to form an amorphous residuum, as in electrocoagulation and photocoagulation. [EU] Coal: A natural fuel formed by partial decomposition of vegetable matter under certain environmental conditions. [NIH] Cochlea: The part of the internal ear that is concerned with hearing. It forms the anterior part of the labyrinth, is conical, and is placed almost horizontally anterior to the vestibule. [NIH]

Cochlear: Of or pertaining to the cochlea. [EU] Cochlear Diseases: Diseases of the cochlea, the part of the inner ear that is concerned with hearing. [NIH] Collagen: A polypeptide substance comprising about one third of the total protein in mammalian organisms. It is the main constituent of skin, connective tissue, and the organic substance of bones and teeth. Different forms of collagen are produced in the body but all consist of three alpha-polypeptide chains arranged in a triple helix. Collagen is differentiated from other fibrous proteins, such as elastin, by the content of proline, hydroxyproline, and hydroxylysine; by the absence of tryptophan; and particularly by the

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high content of polar groups which are responsible for its swelling properties. [NIH] Collapse: 1. A state of extreme prostration and depression, with failure of circulation. 2. Abnormal falling in of the walls of any part of organ. [EU] Compliance: Distensibility measure of a chamber such as the lungs (lung compliance) or bladder. Compliance is expressed as a change in volume per unit change in pressure. [NIH] Computational Biology: A field of biology concerned with the development of techniques for the collection and manipulation of biological data, and the use of such data to make biological discoveries or predictions. This field encompasses all computational methods and theories applicable to molecular biology and areas of computer-based techniques for solving biological problems including manipulation of models and datasets. [NIH] Concomitant: Accompanying; accessory; joined with another. [EU] Conduction: The transfer of sound waves, heat, nervous impulses, or electricity. [EU] Cone: One of the special retinal receptor elements which are presumed to be primarily concerned with perception of light and color stimuli when the eye is adapted to light. [NIH] Connective Tissue: Tissue that supports and binds other tissues. It consists of connective tissue cells embedded in a large amount of extracellular matrix. [NIH] Connective Tissue: Tissue that supports and binds other tissues. It consists of connective tissue cells embedded in a large amount of extracellular matrix. [NIH] Connective Tissue Cells: A group of cells that includes fibroblasts, cartilage cells, adipocytes, smooth muscle cells, and bone cells. [NIH] Consumption: Pulmonary tuberculosis. [NIH] Contamination: The soiling or pollution by inferior material, as by the introduction of organisms into a wound, or sewage into a stream. [EU] Contraindications: Any factor or sign that it is unwise to pursue a certain kind of action or treatment, e. g. giving a general anesthetic to a person with pneumonia. [NIH] Coronary: Encircling in the manner of a crown; a term applied to vessels; nerves, ligaments, etc. The term usually denotes the arteries that supply the heart muscle and, by extension, a pathologic involvement of them. [EU] Coronary Thrombosis: Presence of a thrombus in a coronary artery, often causing a myocardial infarction. [NIH] Cortices: The outer layer of an organ; used especially of the cerebrum and cerebellum. [NIH] Cranial: Pertaining to the cranium, or to the anterior (in animals) or superior (in humans) end of the body. [EU] Craniocerebral Trauma: Traumatic injuries involving the cranium and intracranial structures (i.e., brain; cranial nerves; meninges; and other structures). Injuries may be classified by whether or not the skull is penetrated (i.e., penetrating vs. nonpenetrating) or whether there is an associated hemorrhage. [NIH] Crossing-over: The exchange of corresponding segments between chromatids of homologous chromosomes during meiosia, forming a chiasma. [NIH] Cutaneous: Having to do with the skin. [NIH] Cystine: A covalently linked dimeric nonessential amino acid formed by the oxidation of cysteine. Two molecules of cysteine are joined together by a disulfide bridge to form cystine. [NIH]

Cytoplasm: The protoplasm of a cell exclusive of that of the nucleus; it consists of a continuous aqueous solution (cytosol) and the organelles and inclusions suspended in it

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(phaneroplasm), and is the site of most of the chemical activities of the cell. [EU] Cytoskeleton: The network of filaments, tubules, and interconnecting filamentous bridges which give shape, structure, and organization to the cytoplasm. [NIH] Decubitus: An act of lying down; also the position assumed in lying down. [EU] Density: The logarithm to the base 10 of the opacity of an exposed and processed film. [NIH] Diagnostic Equipment: Nonexpendable items used in examinination. [NIH] Diagnostic procedure: A method used to identify a disease. [NIH] Diaphragm: The musculofibrous partition that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity. Contraction of the diaphragm increases the volume of the thoracic cavity aiding inspiration. [NIH] Digestion: The process of breakdown of food for metabolism and use by the body. [NIH] Digestive tract: The organs through which food passes when food is eaten. These organs are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and rectum. [NIH] Diploid: Having two sets of chromosomes. [NIH] Direct: 1. Straight; in a straight line. 2. Performed immediately and without the intervention of subsidiary means. [EU] Directivity: A measure of the degree to which a microphone is able to differentiate between sounds from different directions. [NIH] Distal: Remote; farther from any point of reference; opposed to proximal. In dentistry, used to designate a position on the dental arch farther from the median line of the jaw. [EU] Dorsal: 1. Pertaining to the back or to any dorsum. 2. Denoting a position more toward the back surface than some other object of reference; same as posterior in human anatomy; superior in the anatomy of quadrupeds. [EU] Duct: A tube through which body fluids pass. [NIH] Duodenum: The first part of the small intestine. [NIH] Eardrum: A thin, tense membrane forming the greater part of the outer wall of the tympanic cavity and separating it from the external auditory meatus; it constitutes the boundary between the external and middle ear. [NIH] Efficacy: The extent to which a specific intervention, procedure, regimen, or service produces a beneficial result under ideal conditions. Ideally, the determination of efficacy is based on the results of a randomized control trial. [NIH] Elastic: Susceptible of resisting and recovering from stretching, compression or distortion applied by a force. [EU] Elastin: The protein that gives flexibility to tissues. [NIH] Electrocoagulation: Electrosurgical procedures used to treat hemorrhage (e.g., bleeding ulcers) and to ablate tumors, mucosal lesions, and refractory arrhythmias. [NIH] Electrode: Component of the pacing system which is at the distal end of the lead. It is the interface with living cardiac tissue across which the stimulus is transmitted. [NIH] Electrolyte: A substance that dissociates into ions when fused or in solution, and thus becomes capable of conducting electricity; an ionic solute. [EU] Electromagnetic Fields: Fields representing the joint interplay of electric and magnetic forces. [NIH] Embryo: The prenatal stage of mammalian development characterized by rapid morphological changes and the differentiation of basic structures. [NIH]

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Endolymph: The fluid contained in the membranous labyrinth of the ear. [NIH] Endoscope: A thin, lighted tube used to look at tissues inside the body. [NIH] Endoscopic: A technique where a lateral-view endoscope is passed orally to the duodenum for visualization of the ampulla of Vater. [NIH] Environmental Health: The science of controlling or modifying those conditions, influences, or forces surrounding man which relate to promoting, establishing, and maintaining health. [NIH]

Enzyme: A protein that speeds up chemical reactions in the body. [NIH] Epinephrine: The active sympathomimetic hormone from the adrenal medulla in most species. It stimulates both the alpha- and beta- adrenergic systems, causes systemic vasoconstriction and gastrointestinal relaxation, stimulates the heart, and dilates bronchi and cerebral vessels. It is used in asthma and cardiac failure and to delay absorption of local anesthetics. [NIH] Epithelial: Refers to the cells that line the internal and external surfaces of the body. [NIH] Epithelial Cells: Cells that line the inner and outer surfaces of the body. [NIH] Epithelium: One or more layers of epithelial cells, supported by the basal lamina, which covers the inner or outer surfaces of the body. [NIH] Esophagus: The muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach. [NIH]

Excitation: An act of irritation or stimulation or of responding to a stimulus; the addition of energy, as the excitation of a molecule by absorption of photons. [EU] Extensor: A muscle whose contraction tends to straighten a limb; the antagonist of a flexor. [NIH]

Extracellular: Outside a cell or cells. [EU] Extracellular Matrix: A meshwork-like substance found within the extracellular space and in association with the basement membrane of the cell surface. It promotes cellular proliferation and provides a supporting structure to which cells or cell lysates in culture dishes adhere. [NIH] Extracellular Space: Interstitial space between cells, occupied by fluid as well as amorphous and fibrous substances. [NIH] Extremity: A limb; an arm or leg (membrum); sometimes applied specifically to a hand or foot. [EU] Family Planning: Programs or services designed to assist the family in controlling reproduction by either improving or diminishing fertility. [NIH] Fat: Total lipids including phospholipids. [NIH] Fibrin: A protein derived from fibrinogen in the presence of thrombin, which forms part of the blood clot. [NIH] Fibrinogen: Plasma glycoprotein clotted by thrombin, composed of a dimer of three nonidentical pairs of polypeptide chains (alpha, beta, gamma) held together by disulfide bonds. Fibrinogen clotting is a sol-gel change involving complex molecular arrangements: whereas fibrinogen is cleaved by thrombin to form polypeptides A and B, the proteolytic action of other enzymes yields different fibrinogen degradation products. [NIH] Flatus: Gas passed through the rectum. [NIH] Forearm: The part between the elbow and the wrist. [NIH] Frontal Sinus: One of the paired, but seldom symmetrical, air spaces located between the

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inner and outer compact layers of the frontal bone. [NIH] Fungi: A kingdom of eukaryotic, heterotrophic organisms that live as saprobes or parasites, including mushrooms, yeasts, smuts, molds, etc. They reproduce either sexually or asexually, and have life cycles that range from simple to complex. Filamentous fungi refer to those that grow as multicelluar colonies (mushrooms and molds). [NIH] Gallbladder: The pear-shaped organ that sits below the liver. Bile is concentrated and stored in the gallbladder. [NIH] Gallstones: The solid masses or stones made of cholesterol or bilirubin that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts. [NIH] Gas: Air that comes from normal breakdown of food. The gases are passed out of the body through the rectum (flatus) or the mouth (burp). [NIH] Gene: The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA, and most genes contain the information for making a specific protein. [NIH]

Generator: Any system incorporating a fixed parent radionuclide from which is produced a daughter radionuclide which is to be removed by elution or by any other method and used in a radiopharmaceutical. [NIH] Genital: Pertaining to the genitalia. [EU] Genotype: The genetic constitution of the individual; the characterization of the genes. [NIH] Gland: An organ that produces and releases one or more substances for use in the body. Some glands produce fluids that affect tissues or organs. Others produce hormones or participate in blood production. [NIH] Glycoprotein: A protein that has sugar molecules attached to it. [NIH] Governing Board: The group in which legal authority is vested for the control of healthrelated institutions and organizations. [NIH] Growth: The progressive development of a living being or part of an organism from its earliest stage to maturity. [NIH] Habitual: Of the nature of a habit; according to habit; established by or repeated by force of habit, customary. [EU] Hair Cells: Mechanoreceptors located in the organ of Corti that are sensitive to auditory stimuli and in the vestibular apparatus that are sensitive to movement of the head. In each case the accessory sensory structures are arranged so that appropriate stimuli cause movement of the hair-like projections (stereocilia and kinocilia) which relay the information centrally in the nervous system. [NIH] Handicap: A handicap occurs as a result of disability, but disability does not always constitute a handicap. A handicap may be said to exist when a disability causes a substantial and continuing reduction in a person's capacity to function socially and vocationally. [NIH] Haploid: An organism with one basic chromosome set, symbolized by n; the normal condition of gametes in diploids. [NIH] Harmony: Attribute of a product which gives rise to an overall pleasant sensation. This sensation is produced by the perception of the product components as olfactory, gustatory, tactile and kinaesthetic stimuli because they are present in suitable concentration ratios. [NIH]

Hearing aid: A miniature, portable sound amplifier for persons with impaired hearing, consisting of a microphone, audio amplifier, earphone, and battery. [NIH] Hearing Disorders: Conditions that impair the transmission or perception of auditory

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impulses and information from the level of the ear to the temporal cortices, including the sensorineural pathways. [NIH] Heme: The color-furnishing portion of hemoglobin. It is found free in tissues and as the prosthetic group in many hemeproteins. [NIH] Hemolytic: A disease that affects the blood and blood vessels. It destroys red blood cells, cells that cause the blood to clot, and the lining of blood vessels. HUS is often caused by the Escherichia coli bacterium in contaminated food. People with HUS may develop acute renal failure. [NIH] Hemorrhage: Bleeding or escape of blood from a vessel. [NIH] Hemostasis: The process which spontaneously arrests the flow of blood from vessels carrying blood under pressure. It is accomplished by contraction of the vessels, adhesion and aggregation of formed blood elements, and the process of blood or plasma coagulation. [NIH]

Heredity: 1. The genetic transmission of a particular quality or trait from parent to offspring. 2. The genetic constitution of an individual. [EU] Holmium: An element of the rare earth family of metals. It has the atomic symbol Ho, atomic number 67, and atomic weight 164.93. [NIH] Homeobox: Distinctive sequence of DNA bases. [NIH] Homeostasis: The processes whereby the internal environment of an organism tends to remain balanced and stable. [NIH] Hormones: Chemical substances having a specific regulatory effect on the activity of a certain organ or organs. The term was originally applied to substances secreted by various endocrine glands and transported in the bloodstream to the target organs. It is sometimes extended to include those substances that are not produced by the endocrine glands but that have similar effects. [NIH] Host: Any animal that receives a transplanted graft. [NIH] Hybrid: Cross fertilization between two varieties or, more usually, two species of vines, see also crossing. [NIH] Hydrogen: The first chemical element in the periodic table. It has the atomic symbol H, atomic number 1, and atomic weight 1. It exists, under normal conditions, as a colorless, odorless, tasteless, diatomic gas. Hydrogen ions are protons. Besides the common H1 isotope, hydrogen exists as the stable isotope deuterium and the unstable, radioactive isotope tritium. [NIH] Hydrolysis: The process of cleaving a chemical compound by the addition of a molecule of water. [NIH] Hydroxylysine: A hydroxylated derivative of the amino acid lysine that is present in certain collagens. [NIH] Hydroxyproline: A hydroxylated form of the imino acid proline. A deficiency in ascorbic acid can result in impaired hydroxyproline formation. [NIH] Id: The part of the personality structure which harbors the unconscious instinctive desires and strivings of the individual. [NIH] Immune response: The activity of the immune system against foreign substances (antigens). [NIH]

Immunoelectrophoresis: A technique that combines protein electrophoresis and double immunodiffusion. In this procedure proteins are first separated by gel electrophoresis (usually agarose), then made visible by immunodiffusion of specific antibodies. A distinct

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elliptical precipitin arc results for each protein detectable by the antisera. [NIH] Immunohistochemistry: Histochemical localization of immunoreactive substances using labeled antibodies as reagents. [NIH] Impairment: In the context of health experience, an impairment is any loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological, or anatomical structure or function. [NIH] In vitro: In the laboratory (outside the body). The opposite of in vivo (in the body). [NIH] In vivo: In the body. The opposite of in vitro (outside the body or in the laboratory). [NIH] Incision: A cut made in the body during surgery. [NIH] Incubated: Grown in the laboratory under controlled conditions. (For instance, white blood cells can be grown in special conditions so that they attack specific cancer cells when returned to the body.) [NIH] Indicative: That indicates; that points out more or less exactly; that reveals fairly clearly. [EU] Infarction: A pathological process consisting of a sudden insufficient blood supply to an area, which results in necrosis of that area. It is usually caused by a thrombus, an embolus, or a vascular torsion. [NIH] Infection: 1. Invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in body tissues, which may be clinically unapparent or result in local cellular injury due to competitive metabolism, toxins, intracellular replication, or antigen-antibody response. The infection may remain localized, subclinical, and temporary if the body's defensive mechanisms are effective. A local infection may persist and spread by extension to become an acute, subacute, or chronic clinical infection or disease state. A local infection may also become systemic when the microorganisms gain access to the lymphatic or vascular system. 2. An infectious disease. [EU]

Infertility: The diminished or absent ability to conceive or produce an offspring while sterility is the complete inability to conceive or produce an offspring. [NIH] Infuse: To pour (a liquid) into something. [EU] Inner ear: The labyrinth, comprising the vestibule, cochlea, and semicircular canals. [NIH] Innervation: 1. The distribution or supply of nerves to a part. 2. The supply of nervous energy or of nerve stimulus sent to a part. [EU] Insight: The capacity to understand one's own motives, to be aware of one's own psychodynamics, to appreciate the meaning of symbolic behavior. [NIH] Intensive Care: Advanced and highly specialized care provided to medical or surgical patients whose conditions are life-threatening and require comprehensive care and constant monitoring. It is usually administered in specially equipped units of a health care facility. [NIH]

Intensive Care Units: Hospital units providing continuous surveillance and care to acutely ill patients. [NIH] Intermittent: Occurring at separated intervals; having periods of cessation of activity. [EU] Intestines: The section of the alimentary canal from the stomach to the anus. It includes the large intestine and small intestine. [NIH] Intracellular: Inside a cell. [NIH] Intracranial Hypertension: Increased pressure within the cranial vault. This may result from several conditions, including hydrocephalus; brain edema; intracranial masses; severe systemic hypertension; pseudotumor cerebri; and other disorders. [NIH] Intrinsic: Situated entirely within or pertaining exclusively to a part. [EU]

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Invasive: 1. Having the quality of invasiveness. 2. Involving puncture or incision of the skin or insertion of an instrument or foreign material into the body; said of diagnostic techniques. [EU]

Ion Channels: Gated, ion-selective glycoproteins that traverse membranes. The stimulus for channel gating can be a membrane potential, drug, transmitter, cytoplasmic messenger, or a mechanical deformation. Ion channels which are integral parts of ionotropic neurotransmitter receptors are not included. [NIH] Ions: An atom or group of atoms that have a positive or negative electric charge due to a gain (negative charge) or loss (positive charge) of one or more electrons. Atoms with a positive charge are known as cations; those with a negative charge are anions. [NIH] Ischemic stroke: A condition in which the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Also called "plug-type" strokes. Blocked arteries starve areas of the brain controlling sight, speech, sensation, and movement so that these functions are partially or completely lost. Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke, accounting for 80 percent of all strokes. Most ischemic strokes are caused by a blood clot called a thrombus, which blocks blood flow in the arteries feeding the brain, usually the carotid artery in the neck, the major vessel bringing blood to the brain. When it becomes blocked, the risk of stroke is very high. [NIH] Joint: The point of contact between elements of an animal skeleton with the parts that surround and support it. [NIH] Kb: A measure of the length of DNA fragments, 1 Kb = 1000 base pairs. The largest DNA fragments are up to 50 kilobases long. [NIH] Labyrinth: The internal ear; the essential part of the organ of hearing. It consists of an osseous and a membranous portion. [NIH] Laminin: Large, noncollagenous glycoprotein with antigenic properties. It is localized in the basement membrane lamina lucida and functions to bind epithelial cells to the basement membrane. Evidence suggests that the protein plays a role in tumor invasion. [NIH] Language Disorders: Conditions characterized by deficiencies of comprehension or expression of written and spoken forms of language. These include acquired and developmental disorders. [NIH] Laparoscopy: Examination, therapy or surgery of the abdomen's interior by means of a laparoscope. [NIH] Large Intestine: The part of the intestine that goes from the cecum to the rectum. The large intestine absorbs water from stool and changes it from a liquid to a solid form. The large intestine is 5 feet long and includes the appendix, cecum, colon, and rectum. Also called colon. [NIH] Lens: The transparent, double convex (outward curve on both sides) structure suspended between the aqueous and vitreous; helps to focus light on the retina. [NIH] Library Services: Services offered to the library user. They include reference and circulation. [NIH]

Ligament: A band of fibrous tissue that connects bones or cartilages, serving to support and strengthen joints. [EU] Linkages: The tendency of two or more genes in the same chromosome to remain together from one generation to the next more frequently than expected according to the law of independent assortment. [NIH] Lithotripsy: The destruction of a calculus of the kidney, ureter, bladder, or gallbladder by physical forces, including crushing with a lithotriptor through a catheter. Focused percutaneous ultrasound and focused hydraulic shock waves may be used without surgery.

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Lithotripsy does not include the dissolving of stones by acids or litholysis. Lithotripsy by laser is laser lithotripsy. [NIH] Liver: A large, glandular organ located in the upper abdomen. The liver cleanses the blood and aids in digestion by secreting bile. [NIH] Localization: The process of determining or marking the location or site of a lesion or disease. May also refer to the process of keeping a lesion or disease in a specific location or site. [NIH] Localized: Cancer which has not metastasized yet. [NIH] Locomotion: Movement or the ability to move from one place or another. It can refer to humans, vertebrate or invertebrate animals, and microorganisms. [NIH] Loop: A wire usually of platinum bent at one end into a small loop (usually 4 mm inside diameter) and used in transferring microorganisms. [NIH] Lymphocyte: A white blood cell. Lymphocytes have a number of roles in the immune system, including the production of antibodies and other substances that fight infection and diseases. [NIH] Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Non-invasive method of demonstrating internal anatomy based on the principle that atomic nuclei in a strong magnetic field absorb pulses of radiofrequency energy and emit them as radiowaves which can be reconstructed into computerized images. The concept includes proton spin tomographic techniques. [NIH] Meatus: A canal running from the internal auditory foramen through the petrous portion of the temporal bone. It gives passage to the facial and auditory nerves together with the auditory branch of the basilar artery and the internal auditory veins. [NIH] Mechanoreceptors: Cells specialized to transduce mechanical stimuli and relay that information centrally in the nervous system. Mechanoreceptors include hair cells, which mediate hearing and balance, and the various somatosensory receptors, often with nonneural accessory structures. [NIH] Mediate: Indirect; accomplished by the aid of an intervening medium. [EU] MEDLINE: An online database of MEDLARS, the computerized bibliographic Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System of the National Library of Medicine. [NIH] Melanin: The substance that gives the skin its color. [NIH] Membrane: A very thin layer of tissue that covers a surface. [NIH] Memory: Complex mental function having four distinct phases: (1) memorizing or learning, (2) retention, (3) recall, and (4) recognition. Clinically, it is usually subdivided into immediate, recent, and remote memory. [NIH] Mental: Pertaining to the mind; psychic. 2. (L. mentum chin) pertaining to the chin. [EU] MI: Myocardial infarction. Gross necrosis of the myocardium as a result of interruption of the blood supply to the area; it is almost always caused by atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, upon which coronary thrombosis is usually superimposed. [NIH] Microorganism: An organism that can be seen only through a microscope. Microorganisms include bacteria, protozoa, algae, and fungi. Although viruses are not considered living organisms, they are sometimes classified as microorganisms. [NIH] Microscopy: The application of microscope magnification to the study of materials that cannot be properly seen by the unaided eye. [NIH] Mitosis: A method of indirect cell division by means of which the two daughter nuclei normally receive identical complements of the number of chromosomes of the somatic cells of the species. [NIH]

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Mitotic: Cell resulting from mitosis. [NIH] Modeling: A treatment procedure whereby the therapist presents the target behavior which the learner is to imitate and make part of his repertoire. [NIH] Modification: A change in an organism, or in a process in an organism, that is acquired from its own activity or environment. [NIH] Molecular: Of, pertaining to, or composed of molecules : a very small mass of matter. [EU] Molecular Structure: The location of the atoms, groups or ions relative to one another in a molecule, as well as the number, type and location of covalent bonds. [NIH] Molecule: A chemical made up of two or more atoms. The atoms in a molecule can be the same (an oxygen molecule has two oxygen atoms) or different (a water molecule has two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom). Biological molecules, such as proteins and DNA, can be made up of many thousands of atoms. [NIH] Monitor: An apparatus which automatically records such physiological signs as respiration, pulse, and blood pressure in an anesthetized patient or one undergoing surgical or other procedures. [NIH] Morphological: Relating to the configuration or the structure of live organs. [NIH] Morphology: The science of the form and structure of organisms (plants, animals, and other forms of life). [NIH] Myocardial infarction: Gross necrosis of the myocardium as a result of interruption of the blood supply to the area; it is almost always caused by atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, upon which coronary thrombosis is usually superimposed. [NIH] Myocardium: The muscle tissue of the heart composed of striated, involuntary muscle known as cardiac muscle. [NIH] Need: A state of tension or dissatisfaction felt by an individual that impels him to action toward a goal he believes will satisfy the impulse. [NIH] Neodymium: Neodymium. An element of the rare earth family of metals. It has the atomic symbol Nd, atomic number 60, and atomic weight 144.24, and is used in industrial applications. [NIH] Nerve: A cordlike structure of nervous tissue that connects parts of the nervous system with other tissues of the body and conveys nervous impulses to, or away from, these tissues. [NIH] Nerve Endings: Specialized terminations of peripheral neurons. Nerve endings include neuroeffector junction(s) by which neurons activate target organs and sensory receptors which transduce information from the various sensory modalities and send it centrally in the nervous system. Presynaptic nerve endings are presynaptic terminals. [NIH] Nervous System: The entire nerve apparatus composed of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and ganglia. [NIH] Neural: 1. Pertaining to a nerve or to the nerves. 2. Situated in the region of the spinal axis, as the neutral arch. [EU] Neuroeffector Junction: The synapse between a neuron (presynaptic) and an effector cell other than another neuron (postsynaptic). Neuroeffector junctions include synapses onto muscles and onto secretory cells. [NIH] Neurons: The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the nervous system. [NIH] Neurotransmitter: Any of a group of substances that are released on excitation from the axon terminal of a presynaptic neuron of the central or peripheral nervous system and travel

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across the synaptic cleft to either excite or inhibit the target cell. Among the many substances that have the properties of a neurotransmitter are acetylcholine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, glycine, y-aminobutyrate, glutamic acid, substance P, enkephalins, endorphins, and serotonin. [EU] Neutrons: Electrically neutral elementary particles found in all atomic nuclei except light hydrogen; the mass is equal to that of the proton and electron combined and they are unstable when isolated from the nucleus, undergoing beta decay. Slow, thermal, epithermal, and fast neutrons refer to the energy levels with which the neutrons are ejected from heavier nuclei during their decay. [NIH] Nuclei: A body of specialized protoplasm found in nearly all cells and containing the chromosomes. [NIH] Omnidirectional: Sound source which radiates uniformly in all directions. [NIH] Opacity: Degree of density (area most dense taken for reading). [NIH] Oxalate: A chemical that combines with calcium in urine to form the most common type of kidney stone (calcium oxalate stone). [NIH] Pancreas: A mixed exocrine and endocrine gland situated transversely across the posterior abdominal wall in the epigastric and hypochondriac regions. The endocrine portion is comprised of the Islets of Langerhans, while the exocrine portion is a compound acinar gland that secretes digestive enzymes. [NIH] Papilla: A small nipple-shaped elevation. [NIH] Pathologic: 1. Indicative of or caused by a morbid condition. 2. Pertaining to pathology (= branch of medicine that treats the essential nature of the disease, especially the structural and functional changes in tissues and organs of the body caused by the disease). [EU] Patient Education: The teaching or training of patients concerning their own health needs. [NIH]

Pelvic: Pertaining to the pelvis. [EU] Pelvis: The lower part of the abdomen, located between the hip bones. [NIH] Peptide: Any compound consisting of two or more amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Peptides are combined to make proteins. [NIH] Perception: The ability quickly and accurately to recognize similarities and differences among presented objects, whether these be pairs of words, pairs of number series, or multiple sets of these or other symbols such as geometric figures. [NIH] Percutaneous: Performed through the skin, as injection of radiopacque material in radiological examination, or the removal of tissue for biopsy accomplished by a needle. [EU] Perforation: 1. The act of boring or piercing through a part. 2. A hole made through a part or substance. [EU] Perineural: Around a nerve or group of nerves. [NIH] Pharmacologic: Pertaining to pharmacology or to the properties and reactions of drugs. [EU] Phenotypes: An organism as observed, i. e. as judged by its visually perceptible characters resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment. [NIH] Phenylalanine: An aromatic amino acid that is essential in the animal diet. It is a precursor of melanin, dopamine, noradrenalin, and thyroxine. [NIH] Photocoagulation: Using a special strong beam of light (laser) to seal off bleeding blood vessels such as in the eye. The laser can also burn away blood vessels that should not have grown in the eye. This is the main treatment for diabetic retinopathy. [NIH]

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Physical Examination: Systematic and thorough inspection of the patient for physical signs of disease or abnormality. [NIH] Physiologic: Having to do with the functions of the body. When used in the phrase "physiologic age," it refers to an age assigned by general health, as opposed to calendar age. [NIH]

Physiology: The science that deals with the life processes and functions of organismus, their cells, tissues, and organs. [NIH] Pitch: The subjective awareness of the frequency or spectral distribution of a sound. [NIH] Plants: Multicellular, eukaryotic life forms of the kingdom Plantae. They are characterized by a mainly photosynthetic mode of nutrition; essentially unlimited growth at localized regions of cell divisions (meristems); cellulose within cells providing rigidity; the absence of organs of locomotion; absense of nervous and sensory systems; and an alteration of haploid and diploid generations. [NIH] Plasma: The clear, yellowish, fluid part of the blood that carries the blood cells. The proteins that form blood clots are in plasma. [NIH] Plasmin: A product of the lysis of plasminogen (profibrinolysin) by plasminogen activators. It is composed of two polypeptide chains, light (B) and heavy (A), with a molecular weight of 75,000. It is the major proteolytic enzyme involved in blood clot retraction or the lysis of fibrin and quickly inactivated by antiplasmins. EC 3.4.21.7. [NIH] Plasminogen: Precursor of fibrinolysin (plasmin). It is a single-chain beta-globulin of molecular weight 80-90,000 found mostly in association with fibrinogen in plasma; plasminogen activators change it to fibrinolysin. It is used in wound debriding and has been investigated as a thrombolytic agent. [NIH] Plasminogen Activators: A heterogeneous group of proteolytic enzymes that convert plasminogen to plasmin. They are concentrated in the lysosomes of most cells and in the vascular endothelium, particularly in the vessels of the microcirculation. EC 3.4.21.-. [NIH] Platinum: Platinum. A heavy, soft, whitish metal, resembling tin, atomic number 78, atomic weight 195.09, symbol Pt. (From Dorland, 28th ed) It is used in manufacturing equipment for laboratory and industrial use. It occurs as a black powder (platinum black) and as a spongy substance (spongy platinum) and may have been known in Pliny's time as "alutiae". [NIH]

Pneumonia: Inflammation of the lungs. [NIH] Pneumothorax: Accumulation of air or gas in the space between the lung and chest wall, resulting in partial or complete collapse of the lung. [NIH] Point Mutation: A mutation caused by the substitution of one nucleotide for another. This results in the DNA molecule having a change in a single base pair. [NIH] Polyethylene: A vinyl polymer made from ethylene. It can be branched or linear. Branched or low-density polyethylene is tough and pliable but not to the same degree as linear polyethylene. Linear or high-density polyethylene has a greater hardness and tensile strength. Polyethylene is used in a variety of products, including implants and prostheses. [NIH]

Polysaccharide: A type of carbohydrate. It contains sugar molecules that are linked together chemically. [NIH] Posterior: Situated in back of, or in the back part of, or affecting the back or dorsal surface of the body. In lower animals, it refers to the caudal end of the body. [EU] Postnatal: Occurring after birth, with reference to the newborn. [EU] Potassium: An element that is in the alkali group of metals. It has an atomic symbol K,

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atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte and it plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the water-electrolyte balance. [NIH] Practice Guidelines: Directions or principles presenting current or future rules of policy for the health care practitioner to assist him in patient care decisions regarding diagnosis, therapy, or related clinical circumstances. The guidelines may be developed by government agencies at any level, institutions, professional societies, governing boards, or by the convening of expert panels. The guidelines form a basis for the evaluation of all aspects of health care and delivery. [NIH] Precursor: Something that precedes. In biological processes, a substance from which another, usually more active or mature substance is formed. In clinical medicine, a sign or symptom that heralds another. [EU] Presynaptic: Situated proximal to a synapse, or occurring before the synapse is crossed. [EU] Presynaptic Terminals: The distal terminations of axons which are specialized for the release of neurotransmitters. Also included are varicosities along the course of axons which have similar specializations and also release transmitters. Presynaptic terminals in both the central and peripheral nervous systems are included. [NIH] Progression: Increase in the size of a tumor or spread of cancer in the body. [NIH] Progressive: Advancing; going forward; going from bad to worse; increasing in scope or severity. [EU] Projection: A defense mechanism, operating unconsciously, whereby that which is emotionally unacceptable in the self is rejected and attributed (projected) to others. [NIH] Proline: A non-essential amino acid that is synthesized from glutamic acid. It is an essential component of collagen and is important for proper functioning of joints and tendons. [NIH] Prostate: A gland in males that surrounds the neck of the bladder and the urethra. It secretes a substance that liquifies coagulated semen. It is situated in the pelvic cavity behind the lower part of the pubic symphysis, above the deep layer of the triangular ligament, and rests upon the rectum. [NIH] Prostate gland: A gland in the male reproductive system just below the bladder. It surrounds part of the urethra, the canal that empties the bladder, and produces a fluid that forms part of semen. [NIH] Protease: Proteinase (= any enzyme that catalyses the splitting of interior peptide bonds in a protein). [EU] Protein S: The vitamin K-dependent cofactor of activated protein C. Together with protein C, it inhibits the action of factors VIIIa and Va. A deficiency in protein S can lead to recurrent venous and arterial thrombosis. [NIH] Proteins: Polymers of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. The specific sequence of amino acids determines the shape and function of the protein. [NIH] Proteoglycans: Glycoproteins which have a very high polysaccharide content. [NIH] Proteolytic: 1. Pertaining to, characterized by, or promoting proteolysis. 2. An enzyme that promotes proteolysis (= the splitting of proteins by hydrolysis of the peptide bonds with formation of smaller polypeptides). [EU] Protons: Stable elementary particles having the smallest known positive charge, found in the nuclei of all elements. The proton mass is less than that of a neutron. A proton is the nucleus of the light hydrogen atom, i.e., the hydrogen ion. [NIH] Protozoa: A subkingdom consisting of unicellular organisms that are the simplest in the

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animal kingdom. Most are free living. They range in size from submicroscopic to macroscopic. Protozoa are divided into seven phyla: Sarcomastigophora, Labyrinthomorpha, Apicomplexa, Microspora, Ascetospora, Myxozoa, and Ciliophora. [NIH] Proximal: Nearest; closer to any point of reference; opposed to distal. [EU] Psychoacoustic: That branch of psychophysics dealing with acoustic stimuli. [NIH] Psychophysics: The science dealing with the correlation of the physical characteristics of a stimulus, e.g., frequency or intensity, with the response to the stimulus, in order to assess the psychologic factors involved in the relationship. [NIH] Public Policy: A course or method of action selected, usually by a government, from among alternatives to guide and determine present and future decisions. [NIH] Pulsation: A throb or rhythmical beat, as of the heart. [EU] Pulse: The rhythmical expansion and contraction of an artery produced by waves of pressure caused by the ejection of blood from the left ventricle of the heart as it contracts. [NIH]

Quiescent: Marked by a state of inactivity or repose. [EU] Radial Nerve: A major nerve of the upper extremity. In humans the fibers of the radial nerve originate in the lower cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord (usually C5 to T1), travel via the posterior cord of the brachial plexus, and supply motor innervation to extensor muscles of the arm and cutaneous sensory fibers to extensor regions of the arm and hand. [NIH]

Radiation: Emission or propagation of electromagnetic energy (waves/rays), or the waves/rays themselves; a stream of electromagnetic particles (electrons, neutrons, protons, alpha particles) or a mixture of these. The most common source is the sun. [NIH] Radiopharmaceutical: Any medicinal product which, when ready for use, contains one or more radionuclides (radioactive isotopes) included for a medicinal purpose. [NIH] Radius: The lateral bone of the forearm. [NIH] Randomized: Describes an experiment or clinical trial in which animal or human subjects are assigned by chance to separate groups that compare different treatments. [NIH] Rarefaction: The reduction of the density of a substance; the attenuation of a gas. [NIH] Receptor: A molecule inside or on the surface of a cell that binds to a specific substance and causes a specific physiologic effect in the cell. [NIH] Recombination: The formation of new combinations of genes as a result of segregation in crosses between genetically different parents; also the rearrangement of linked genes due to crossing-over. [NIH] Rectal: By or having to do with the rectum. The rectum is the last 8 to 10 inches of the large intestine and ends at the anus. [NIH] Rectum: The last 8 to 10 inches of the large intestine. [NIH] Recur: To occur again. Recurrence is the return of cancer, at the same site as the original (primary) tumor or in another location, after the tumor had disappeared. [NIH] Refer: To send or direct for treatment, aid, information, de decision. [NIH] Reference point: The midpoint of a line connecting the centers of the two end faces of the acoustic test fixture. [NIH] Reflective: Capable of throwing back light, images, sound waves : reflecting. [EU] Refraction: A test to determine the best eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct a refractive error (myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism). [NIH]

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Regeneration: The natural renewal of a structure, as of a lost tissue or part. [EU] Regimen: A treatment plan that specifies the dosage, the schedule, and the duration of treatment. [NIH] Renal pelvis: The area at the center of the kidney. Urine collects here and is funneled into the ureter, the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder. [NIH] Reproductive system: In women, this system includes the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the uterus (womb), the cervix, and the vagina (birth canal). The reproductive system in men includes the prostate, the testes, and the penis. [NIH] Resection: Removal of tissue or part or all of an organ by surgery. [NIH] Respiration: The act of breathing with the lungs, consisting of inspiration, or the taking into the lungs of the ambient air, and of expiration, or the expelling of the modified air which contains more carbon dioxide than the air taken in (Blakiston's Gould Medical Dictionary, 4th ed.). This does not include tissue respiration (= oxygen consumption) or cell respiration (= cell respiration). [NIH] Retina: The ten-layered nervous tissue membrane of the eye. It is continuous with the optic nerve and receives images of external objects and transmits visual impulses to the brain. Its outer surface is in contact with the choroid and the inner surface with the vitreous body. The outer-most layer is pigmented, whereas the inner nine layers are transparent. [NIH] Retinal: 1. Pertaining to the retina. 2. The aldehyde of retinol, derived by the oxidative enzymatic splitting of absorbed dietary carotene, and having vitamin A activity. In the retina, retinal combines with opsins to form visual pigments. One isomer, 11-cis retinal combines with opsin in the rods (scotopsin) to form rhodopsin, or visual purple. Another, all-trans retinal (trans-r.); visual yellow; xanthopsin) results from the bleaching of rhodopsin by light, in which the 11-cis form is converted to the all-trans form. Retinal also combines with opsins in the cones (photopsins) to form the three pigments responsible for colour vision. Called also retinal, and retinene1. [EU] Retrovirus: A member of a group of RNA viruses, the RNA of which is copied during viral replication into DNA by reverse transcriptase. The viral DNA is then able to be integrated into the host chromosomal DNA. [NIH] Reverberant: The sound field prevailing in a large enclosure with moderately reflecting surfaces. [NIH] Rigidity: Stiffness or inflexibility, chiefly that which is abnormal or morbid; rigor. [EU] Rod: A reception for vision, located in the retina. [NIH] Rodent Control: The reduction or regulation of the population of noxious, destructive, or dangerous rodents through chemical, biological, or other means. [NIH] Rubber: A high-molecular-weight polymeric elastomer derived from the milk juice (latex) of Hevea brasiliensis and other trees. It is a substance that can be stretched at room temperature to atleast twice its original length and after releasing the stress, retractrapidly, and recover its original dimensions fully. Synthetic rubber is made from many different chemicals, including styrene, acrylonitrile, ethylene, propylene, and isoprene. [NIH] Screening: Checking for disease when there are no symptoms. [NIH] Secretion: 1. The process of elaborating a specific product as a result of the activity of a gland; this activity may range from separating a specific substance of the blood to the elaboration of a new chemical substance. 2. Any substance produced by secretion. [EU] Secretory: Secreting; relating to or influencing secretion or the secretions. [NIH] Sediment: A precipitate, especially one that is formed spontaneously. [EU]

104 Sound waves

Segregation: The separation in meiotic cell division of homologous chromosome pairs and their contained allelomorphic gene pairs. [NIH] Semen: The thick, yellowish-white, viscid fluid secretion of male reproductive organs discharged upon ejaculation. In addition to reproductive organ secretions, it contains spermatozoa and their nutrient plasma. [NIH] Semicircular canal: Three long canals of the bony labyrinth of the ear, forming loops and opening into the vestibule by five openings. [NIH] Sensor: A device designed to respond to physical stimuli such as temperature, light, magnetism or movement and transmit resulting impulses for interpretation, recording, movement, or operating control. [NIH] Serine: A non-essential amino acid occurring in natural form as the L-isomer. It is synthesized from glycine or threonine. It is involved in the biosynthesis of purines, pyrimidines, and other amino acids. [NIH] Ships: Large vessels propelled by power or sail used for transportation on rivers, seas, oceans, or other navigable waters. Boats are smaller vessels propelled by oars, paddles, sail, or power; they may or may not have a deck. [NIH] Shock: The general bodily disturbance following a severe injury; an emotional or moral upset occasioned by some disturbing or unexpected experience; disruption of the circulation, which can upset all body functions: sometimes referred to as circulatory shock. [NIH]

Side effect: A consequence other than the one(s) for which an agent or measure is used, as the adverse effects produced by a drug, especially on a tissue or organ system other than the one sought to be benefited by its administration. [EU] Skeleton: The framework that supports the soft tissues of vertebrate animals and protects many of their internal organs. The skeletons of vertebrates are made of bone and/or cartilage. [NIH] Skull: The skeleton of the head including the bones of the face and the bones enclosing the brain. [NIH] Sodium: An element that is a member of the alkali group of metals. It has the atomic symbol Na, atomic number 11, and atomic weight 23. With a valence of 1, it has a strong affinity for oxygen and other nonmetallic elements. Sodium provides the chief cation of the extracellular body fluids. Its salts are the most widely used in medicine. (From Dorland, 27th ed) Physiologically the sodium ion plays a major role in blood pressure regulation, maintenance of fluid volume, and electrolyte balance. [NIH] Soft tissue: Refers to muscle, fat, fibrous tissue, blood vessels, or other supporting tissue of the body. [NIH] Sound wave: An alteration of properties of an elastic medium, such as pressure, particle displacement, or density, that propagates through the medium, or a superposition of such alterations. [NIH] Specialist: In medicine, one who concentrates on 1 special branch of medical science. [NIH] Species: A taxonomic category subordinate to a genus (or subgenus) and superior to a subspecies or variety, composed of individuals possessing common characters distinguishing them from other categories of individuals of the same taxonomic level. In taxonomic nomenclature, species are designated by the genus name followed by a Latin or Latinized adjective or noun. [EU] Specificity: Degree of selectivity shown by an antibody with respect to the number and types of antigens with which the antibody combines, as well as with respect to the rates and

Dictionary 105

the extents of these reactions. [NIH] Spectrum: A charted band of wavelengths of electromagnetic vibrations obtained by refraction and diffraction. By extension, a measurable range of activity, such as the range of bacteria affected by an antibiotic (antibacterial s.) or the complete range of manifestations of a disease. [EU] Speech-Language Pathology: The study of speech or language disorders and their diagnosis and correction. [NIH] Spinal cord: The main trunk or bundle of nerves running down the spine through holes in the spinal bone (the vertebrae) from the brain to the level of the lower back. [NIH] Spiral Lamina: The bony plate which extends outwards from the modiolus. It is part of the structure which divides trhe cochlea into sections. [NIH] Stem Cells: Relatively undifferentiated cells of the same lineage (family type) that retain the ability to divide and cycle throughout postnatal life to provide cells that can become specialized and take the place of those that die or are lost. [NIH] Stethoscope: An instrument used for the detection and study of sounds within the body that conveyed to the ears of the observer through rubber tubing. [NIH] Stimulus: That which can elicit or evoke action (response) in a muscle, nerve, gland or other excitable issue, or cause an augmenting action upon any function or metabolic process. [NIH] Stomach: An organ of digestion situated in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen between the termination of the esophagus and the beginning of the duodenum. [NIH] Streptococci: A genus of spherical Gram-positive bacteria occurring in chains or pairs. They are widely distributed in nature, being important pathogens but often found as normal commensals in the mouth, skin, and intestine of humans and other animals. [NIH] Streptokinase: Streptococcal fibrinolysin . An enzyme produced by hemolytic streptococci. It hydrolyzes amide linkages and serves as an activator of plasminogen. It is used in thrombolytic therapy and is used also in mixtures with streptodornase (streptodornase and streptokinase). EC 3.4.-. [NIH] Stress: Forcibly exerted influence; pressure. Any condition or situation that causes strain or tension. Stress may be either physical or psychologic, or both. [NIH] Stroke: Sudden loss of function of part of the brain because of loss of blood flow. Stroke may be caused by a clot (thrombosis) or rupture (hemorrhage) of a blood vessel to the brain. [NIH] Struvite: A type of kidney stone caused by infection. [NIH] Subspecies: A category intermediate in rank between species and variety, based on a smaller number of correlated characters than are used to differentiate species and generally conditioned by geographical and/or ecological occurrence. [NIH] Substrate: A substance upon which an enzyme acts. [EU] Symphysis: A secondary cartilaginous joint. [NIH] Synapse: The region where the processes of two neurons come into close contiguity, and the nervous impulse passes from one to the other; the fibers of the two are intermeshed, but, according to the general view, there is no direct contiguity. [NIH] Systemic: Affecting the entire body. [NIH] Tailing: The modification of some forms of HnRNA following transcription by the addition of between 10 and 20 adenosine residues to the 3'-end. [NIH] Tectorial Membrane: A gelatinous membrane, attached to the bony spiral lamina, which overlies the hair cells within the cochlea of the inner ear. [NIH]

106 Sound waves

Temporal: One of the two irregular bones forming part of the lateral surfaces and base of the skull, and containing the organs of hearing. [NIH] Thermal: Pertaining to or characterized by heat. [EU] Thoracic: Having to do with the chest. [NIH] Thorax: A part of the trunk between the neck and the abdomen; the chest. [NIH] Threshold: For a specified sensory modality (e. g. light, sound, vibration), the lowest level (absolute threshold) or smallest difference (difference threshold, difference limen) or intensity of the stimulus discernible in prescribed conditions of stimulation. [NIH] Thrombin: An enzyme formed from prothrombin that converts fibrinogen to fibrin. (Dorland, 27th ed) EC 3.4.21.5. [NIH] Thrombolytic: 1. Dissolving or splitting up a thrombus. 2. A thrombolytic agent. [EU] Thrombolytic Therapy: Use of infusions of fibrinolytic agents to destroy or dissolve thrombi in blood vessels or bypass grafts. [NIH] Thrombosis: The formation or presence of a blood clot inside a blood vessel. [NIH] Thrombus: An aggregation of blood factors, primarily platelets and fibrin with entrapment of cellular elements, frequently causing vascular obstruction at the point of its formation. Some authorities thus differentiate thrombus formation from simple coagulation or clot formation. [EU] Thyroid: A gland located near the windpipe (trachea) that produces thyroid hormone, which helps regulate growth and metabolism. [NIH] Tinnitus: Sounds that are perceived in the absence of any external noise source which may take the form of buzzing, ringing, clicking, pulsations, and other noises. Objective tinnitus refers to noises generated from within the ear or adjacent structures that can be heard by other individuals. The term subjective tinnitus is used when the sound is audible only to the affected individual. Tinnitus may occur as a manifestation of cochlear diseases; vestibulocochlear nerve diseases; intracranial hypertension; craniocerebral trauma; and other conditions. [NIH] Tissue: A group or layer of cells that are alike in type and work together to perform a specific function. [NIH] Tissue Distribution: Accumulation of a drug or chemical substance in various organs (including those not relevant to its pharmacologic or therapeutic action). This distribution depends on the blood flow or perfusion rate of the organ, the ability of the drug to penetrate organ membranes, tissue specificity, protein binding. The distribution is usually expressed as tissue to plasma ratios. [NIH] Tissue Plasminogen Activator: A proteolytic enzyme in the serine protease family found in many tissues which converts plasminogen to plasmin. It has fibrin-binding activity and is immunologically different from urinary plasminogen activator. The primary sequence, composed of 527 amino acids, is identical in both the naturally occurring and synthetic proteases. EC 3.4.21.68. [NIH] Tomography: Imaging methods that result in sharp images of objects located on a chosen plane and blurred images located above or below the plane. [NIH] Tone: 1. The normal degree of vigour and tension; in muscle, the resistance to passive elongation or stretch; tonus. 2. A particular quality of sound or of voice. 3. To make permanent, or to change, the colour of silver stain by chemical treatment, usually with a heavy metal. [EU] Tonus: A state of slight tension usually present in muscles even when they are not

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undergoing active contraction. [NIH] Torpedo: A genus of the Torpedinidae family consisting of several species. This genus as well as all the other genera of this family have powerful electric organs and are commonly called electric rays. [NIH] Toxic: Having to do with poison or something harmful to the body. Toxic substances usually cause unwanted side effects. [NIH] Toxicology: The science concerned with the detection, chemical composition, and pharmacologic action of toxic substances or poisons and the treatment and prevention of toxic manifestations. [NIH] Toxins: Specific, characterizable, poisonous chemicals, often proteins, with specific biological properties, including immunogenicity, produced by microbes, higher plants, or animals. [NIH] Transcriptase: An enzyme which catalyses the synthesis of a complementary mRNA molecule from a DNA template in the presence of a mixture of the four ribonucleotides (ATP, UTP, GTP and CTP). [NIH] Transduction: The transfer of genes from one cell to another by means of a viral (in the case of bacteria, a bacteriophage) vector or a vector which is similar to a virus particle (pseudovirion). [NIH] Transfection: The uptake of naked or purified DNA into cells, usually eukaryotic. It is analogous to bacterial transformation. [NIH] Transitional cell carcinoma: A type of cancer that develops in the lining of the bladder, ureter, or renal pelvis. [NIH] Transitional cells: Cells that vary in shape depending on whether the tissue is being stretched. The cells may be stretched without breaking apart. They line hollow organs such as the bladder. [NIH] Translating: Conversion from one language to another language. [NIH] Transmitter: A chemical substance which effects the passage of nerve impulses from one cell to the other at the synapse. [NIH] Trauma: Any injury, wound, or shock, must frequently physical or structural shock, producing a disturbance. [NIH] Tryptophan: An essential amino acid that is necessary for normal growth in infants and for nitrogen balance in adults. It is a precursor serotonin and niacin. [NIH] Tungsten: A metallic element with the atomic symbol W, atomic number 74, and atomic weight 183.85. It is used in many manufacturing applications, including increasing the hardness, toughness, and tensile strength of steel; manufacture of filaments for incandescent light bulbs; and in contact points for automotive and electrical apparatus. [NIH] Tyrosine: A non-essential amino acid. In animals it is synthesized from phenylalanine. It is also the precursor of epinephrine, thyroid hormones, and melanin. [NIH] Ultrasound test: A test that bounces sound waves off tissues and internal organs and changes the echoes into pictures (sonograms). [NIH] Unconscious: Experience which was once conscious, but was subsequently rejected, as the "personal unconscious". [NIH] Ureter: One of a pair of thick-walled tubes that transports urine from the kidney pelvis to the bladder. [NIH] Urethra: The tube through which urine leaves the body. It empties urine from the bladder. [NIH]

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Urinary: Having to do with urine or the organs of the body that produce and get rid of urine. [NIH] Urinary Calculi: Calculi in any part of the urinary tract. According to their composition or pattern of chemical composition distribution, urinary calculi types may include alternating or combination, cystine, decubitus, encysted, fibrin, hemp seed, matrix, mulberry, oxalate, struvite, urostealith, and xanthic calculi. [NIH] Urinary Plasminogen Activator: A proteolytic enzyme that converts plasminogen to plasmin where the preferential cleavage is between arginine and valine. It was isolated originally from human urine, but is found in most tissues of most vertebrates. EC 3.4.21.73. [NIH]

Urinary tract: The organs of the body that produce and discharge urine. These include the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. [NIH] Urine: Fluid containing water and waste products. Urine is made by the kidneys, stored in the bladder, and leaves the body through the urethra. [NIH] Urology: A surgical specialty concerned with the study, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the urinary tract in both sexes and the genital tract in the male. It includes the specialty of andrology which addresses both male genital diseases and male infertility. [NIH] Vaccines: Suspensions of killed or attenuated microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, or rickettsiae), antigenic proteins derived from them, or synthetic constructs, administered for the prevention, amelioration, or treatment of infectious and other diseases. [NIH]

Vector: Plasmid or other self-replicating DNA molecule that transfers DNA between cells in nature or in recombinant DNA technology. [NIH] Veins: The vessels carrying blood toward the heart. [NIH] Ventricle: One of the two pumping chambers of the heart. The right ventricle receives oxygen-poor blood from the right atrium and pumps it to the lungs through the pulmonary artery. The left ventricle receives oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium and pumps it to the body through the aorta. [NIH] Venules: The minute vessels that collect blood from the capillary plexuses and join together to form veins. [NIH] Vestibular: Pertaining to or toward a vestibule. In dental anatomy, used to refer to the tooth surface directed toward the vestibule of the mouth. [EU] Vestibule: A small, oval, bony chamber of the labyrinth. The vestibule contains the utricle and saccule, organs which are part of the balancing apparatus of the ear. [NIH] Vestibulocochlear Nerve: The 8th cranial nerve. The vestibulocochlear nerve has a cochlear part (cochlear nerve) which is concerned with hearing and a vestibular part (vestibular nerve) which mediates the sense of balance and head position. The fibers of the cochlear nerve originate from neurons of the spiral ganglion and project to the cochlear nuclei (cochlear nucleus). The fibers of the vestibular nerve arise from neurons of Scarpa's ganglion and project to the vestibular nuclei. [NIH] Vestibulocochlear Nerve Diseases: Diseases of the vestibular and/or cochlear (acoustic) nerves, which join to form the vestibulocochlear nerve. Vestibular neuritis, cochlear neuritis, and acoustic neuromas are relatively common conditions that affect these nerves. Clinical manifestations vary with which nerve is primarily affected, and include hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus. [NIH] Veterinary Medicine: The medical science concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases in animals. [NIH]

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Viral: Pertaining to, caused by, or of the nature of virus. [EU] Virus: Submicroscopic organism that causes infectious disease. In cancer therapy, some viruses may be made into vaccines that help the body build an immune response to, and kill, tumor cells. [NIH] Vitreous: Glasslike or hyaline; often used alone to designate the vitreous body of the eye (corpus vitreum). [EU] Vitro: Descriptive of an event or enzyme reaction under experimental investigation occurring outside a living organism. Parts of an organism or microorganism are used together with artificial substrates and/or conditions. [NIH] Vivo: Outside of or removed from the body of a living organism. [NIH] White blood cell: A type of cell in the immune system that helps the body fight infection and disease. White blood cells include lymphocytes, granulocytes, macrophages, and others. [NIH]

Xenograft: The cells of one species transplanted to another species. [NIH]

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INDEX A Abdomen, 72, 85, 89, 96, 97, 99, 105, 106 Abdominal, 9, 72, 85, 91, 99 Ablation, 4, 85 Acoustic, 4, 8, 20, 21, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 36, 39, 40, 45, 48, 85, 87, 102, 108 Adenosine, 85, 105 Adjustment, 24, 74, 85 Adverse Effect, 85, 104 Air Pressure, 31, 85 Air Sacs, 85 Algorithms, 48, 85, 87 Alpha Particles, 85, 102 Alternative medicine, 85 Aluminum, 24, 85 Alveoli, 8, 85 Ambulances, 8, 85 Amino acid, 85, 86, 90, 94, 99, 101, 104, 106, 107 Ampulla, 86, 92 Amputation, 9, 86 Analog, 4, 39, 74, 86 Analogous, 55, 86, 107 Anatomical, 27, 61, 86, 95 Animal model, 5, 9, 86 Antibacterial, 86, 105 Antibiotic, 86, 105 Antibodies, 86, 94, 95, 97 Antibody, 86, 95, 104 Antigen, 73, 86, 95 Antiplasmin, 9, 86 Anus, 86, 95, 102 Aorta, 9, 86, 108 Aperture, 25, 27, 45, 86 Aqueous, 86, 87, 90, 96 Arterial, 10, 86, 101 Arteries, 86, 88, 90, 96, 97, 98 Arterioles, 86, 88 Artery, 86, 88, 90, 96, 97, 102, 108 Attenuation, 20, 23, 24, 38, 86, 102 Audiologist, 4, 86 Audiology, 3, 87 Auditory, 3, 6, 8, 31, 59, 87, 91, 93, 97 Auditory nerve, 31, 59, 87, 97 Avian, 6, 87 B Bacteria, 39, 86, 87, 97, 105, 107, 108 Bacteriophage, 87, 107

Base, 25, 34, 35, 46, 87, 91, 96, 100, 106 Basement Membrane, 7, 87, 92, 96 Basilar Membrane, 6, 87 Bile, 72, 87, 93, 97 Bile Acids, 87 Bile Acids and Salts, 87 Bile duct, 87, 93 Bilirubin, 72, 87, 93 Biochemical, 9, 87 Biopsy, 73, 87, 99 Biotechnology, 10, 40, 67, 87 Bladder, 5, 51, 87, 90, 96, 101, 103, 107, 108 Blebs, 8, 87 Blood pressure, 88, 98, 104 Blood vessel, 9, 88, 94, 99, 104, 105, 106 Body Fluids, 88, 91, 104 Brachial, 88, 102 Brachial Plexus, 88, 102 Branch, 30, 81, 88, 97, 99, 102, 104 Breakdown, 88, 91, 93 Bronchioles, 85, 88 C Cadherins, 7, 88 Calcium, 88, 99 Calculi, 88, 108 Camping, 61, 88 Carbon Dioxide, 4, 88, 103 Carcinoma, 88 Cardiac, 11, 88, 91, 92, 98 Catheter, 88, 96 Cathode, 23, 88 Caudal, 88, 100 Cell, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 25, 39, 87, 88, 90, 92, 95, 97, 98, 99, 100, 102, 103, 104, 107, 109 Cell Adhesion, 7, 88 Cell Division, 6, 87, 88, 97, 100, 104 Cell Lineage, 6, 88 Cellulose, 89, 100 Cervical, 88, 89, 102 Character, 27, 89 Chest wall, 8, 27, 89, 100 Cholecystectomy, 72, 89 Cholecystitis, 72, 89 Cholesterol, 72, 87, 89, 93 Chromosomal, 89, 103 Clinical trial, 5, 67, 89, 102 Cloning, 87, 89 Clot Retraction, 89, 100

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Coagulation, 4, 88, 89, 94, 106 Coal, 40, 89 Cochlea, 5, 6, 31, 89, 95, 105 Cochlear, 7, 89, 106, 108 Cochlear Diseases, 89, 106 Collagen, 7, 85, 87, 89, 101 Collapse, 88, 90, 100 Compliance, 42, 44, 50, 90 Computational Biology, 67, 90 Concomitant, 24, 90 Conduction, 43, 90 Cone, 26, 28, 47, 90 Connective Tissue, 6, 89, 90 Connective Tissue Cells, 90 Consumption, 30, 31, 90, 103 Contamination, 27, 90 Contraindications, ii, 90 Coronary, 90, 97, 98 Coronary Thrombosis, 90, 97, 98 Cortices, 90, 94 Cranial, 87, 90, 95, 108 Craniocerebral Trauma, 90, 106 Crossing-over, 90, 102 Cutaneous, 90, 102 Cystine, 90, 108 Cytoplasm, 90, 91 Cytoskeleton, 8, 91 D Decubitus, 91, 108 Density, 27, 38, 40, 41, 44, 91, 99, 100, 102, 104 Diagnostic Equipment, 27, 91 Diagnostic procedure, 19, 91 Diaphragm, 27, 38, 45, 91 Digestion, 87, 91, 97, 105 Digestive tract, 73, 91 Diploid, 91, 100 Direct, iii, 9, 32, 36, 44, 55, 91, 102, 105 Directivity, 45, 91 Distal, 9, 91, 101, 102 Dorsal, 91, 100 Duct, 20, 86, 91 Duodenum, 87, 91, 92, 105 E Eardrum, 59, 91 Efficacy, 9, 91 Elastic, 40, 91, 104 Elastin, 89, 91 Electrocoagulation, 89, 91 Electrode, 88, 91 Electrolyte, 91, 101, 104 Electromagnetic Fields, 38, 91

Embryo, 89, 91 Endolymph, 8, 92 Endoscope, 92 Endoscopic, 4, 73, 92 Environmental Health, 66, 68, 92 Enzyme, 9, 92, 100, 101, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109 Epinephrine, 92, 99, 107 Epithelial, 92, 96 Epithelial Cells, 92, 96 Epithelium, 6, 87, 92 Esophagus, 91, 92, 105 Excitation, 24, 28, 92, 98 Extensor, 92, 102 Extracellular, 6, 9, 90, 92, 104 Extracellular Matrix, 6, 90, 92 Extracellular Space, 92 Extremity, 88, 92, 102 F Family Planning, 67, 92 Fat, 87, 92, 104 Fibrin, 9, 86, 89, 92, 100, 106, 108 Fibrinogen, 92, 100, 106 Flatus, 92, 93 Forearm, 88, 92, 102 Frontal Sinus, 27, 92 Fungi, 93, 97, 108 G Gallbladder, 45, 72, 85, 89, 93, 96 Gallstones, 72, 87, 93 Gas, 21, 30, 31, 47, 48, 88, 92, 93, 94, 100, 102 Gene, 39, 87, 93, 104 Generator, 8, 24, 27, 29, 42, 43, 45, 48, 49, 93 Genital, 93, 108 Genotype, 93, 99 Gland, 93, 99, 101, 103, 105, 106 Glycoprotein, 86, 92, 93, 96 Governing Board, 93, 101 Growth, 6, 86, 93, 100, 106, 107 H Habitual, 89, 93 Hair Cells, 5, 6, 7, 93, 97, 105 Handicap, 59, 93 Haploid, 93, 100 Harmony, 42, 93 Hearing aid, 4, 59, 74, 93 Hearing Disorders, 7, 72, 93 Heme, 87, 94 Hemolytic, 94, 105 Hemorrhage, 10, 90, 91, 94, 105

Index 113

Hemostasis, 4, 94 Heredity, 93, 94 Holmium, 4, 94 Homeobox, 6, 94 Homeostasis, 9, 94 Hormones, 93, 94, 107 Host, 87, 94, 103 Hybrid, 7, 94 Hydrogen, 87, 94, 98, 99, 101 Hydrolysis, 94, 101 Hydroxylysine, 89, 94 Hydroxyproline, 85, 89, 94 I Id, 14, 74, 80, 82, 94 Immune response, 86, 94, 109 Immunoelectrophoresis, 86, 94 Immunohistochemistry, 7, 95 Impairment, 7, 59, 87, 95 In vitro, 6, 10, 95 In vivo, 6, 10, 95 Incision, 4, 95, 96 Incubated, 8, 95 Indicative, 32, 58, 95, 99 Infarction, 95 Infection, 87, 95, 97, 105, 109 Infertility, 95, 108 Infuse, 9, 95 Inner ear, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 31, 59, 61, 89, 95, 105 Innervation, 88, 95, 102 Insight, 8, 95 Intensive Care, 8, 95 Intensive Care Units, 8, 95 Intermittent, 24, 33, 53, 95 Intestines, 85, 95 Intracellular, 95, 101 Intracranial Hypertension, 95, 106 Intrinsic, 87, 95 Invasive, 27, 73, 96, 97 Ion Channels, 8, 96 Ions, 87, 91, 94, 96, 98 Ischemic stroke, 9, 96 J Joint, 22, 52, 91, 96, 105 K Kb, 66, 96 L Labyrinth, 89, 92, 95, 96, 104, 108 Laminin, 87, 96 Language Disorders, 96, 105 Laparoscopy, 73, 96 Large Intestine, 91, 95, 96, 102 Lens, 44, 45, 96

Library Services, 80, 96 Ligament, 6, 96, 101 Linkages, 96, 105 Lithotripsy, 5, 36, 54, 73, 96 Liver, 85, 87, 93, 97 Localization, 95, 97 Localized, 8, 95, 96, 97, 100 Locomotion, 9, 97, 100 Loop, 35, 97 Lymphocyte, 86, 97 M Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 27, 97 Meatus, 91, 97 Mechanoreceptors, 6, 93, 97 Mediate, 97 MEDLINE, 67, 97 Melanin, 97, 99, 107 Membrane, 7, 9, 25, 27, 28, 87, 91, 96, 97, 103, 105 Memory, 34, 37, 55, 97 Mental, iv, 5, 66, 68, 97 MI, 83, 97 Microorganism, 39, 97, 109 Microscopy, 7, 87, 97 Mitosis, 97, 98 Mitotic, 6, 98 Modeling, 22, 53, 98 Modification, 85, 98, 105 Molecular, 6, 7, 67, 69, 86, 87, 90, 92, 98, 100, 103 Molecular Structure, 7, 98 Molecule, 86, 87, 92, 94, 98, 100, 102, 107, 108 Monitor, 38, 44, 98 Morphological, 6, 91, 98 Morphology, 6, 98 Myocardial infarction, 9, 90, 97, 98 Myocardium, 97, 98 N Need, 3, 22, 38, 53, 57, 58, 59, 61, 75, 85, 98 Neodymium, 4, 98 Nerve, 30, 87, 88, 95, 98, 99, 102, 103, 105, 107, 108 Nerve Endings, 30, 98 Nervous System, 93, 97, 98, 101 Neural, 6, 97, 98 Neuroeffector Junction, 98 Neurons, 98, 105, 108 Neurotransmitter, 85, 96, 98 Neutrons, 85, 99, 102 Nuclei, 85, 97, 99, 101, 108

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O Omnidirectional, 33, 34, 99 Opacity, 91, 99 Oxalate, 99, 108 P Pancreas, 85, 99 Papilla, 6, 99 Pathologic, 87, 90, 99 Patient Education, 72, 78, 80, 83, 99 Pelvic, 99, 101 Pelvis, 85, 99, 107 Peptide, 85, 99, 101 Perception, 7, 22, 33, 53, 90, 93, 99 Percutaneous, 96, 99 Perforation, 86, 99 Perineural, 7, 99 Pharmacologic, 99, 106, 107 Phenotypes, 6, 99 Phenylalanine, 99, 107 Photocoagulation, 89, 99 Physical Examination, 27, 100 Physiologic, 100, 102 Physiology, 74, 100 Pitch, 35, 37, 59, 100 Plants, 39, 88, 98, 100, 107 Plasma, 10, 39, 86, 92, 94, 100, 104, 106 Plasmin, 9, 86, 100, 106, 108 Plasminogen, 10, 86, 100, 105, 106, 108 Plasminogen Activators, 100 Platinum, 97, 100 Pneumonia, 90, 100 Pneumothorax, 8, 100 Point Mutation, 9, 100 Polyethylene, 31, 100 Polysaccharide, 86, 89, 100, 101 Posterior, 27, 91, 99, 100, 102 Postnatal, 100, 105 Potassium, 9, 100 Practice Guidelines, 68, 101 Precursor, 99, 100, 101, 107 Presynaptic, 98, 101 Presynaptic Terminals, 98, 101 Progression, 8, 86, 101 Progressive, 11, 93, 101 Projection, 10, 101 Proline, 89, 94, 101 Prostate, 5, 73, 101, 103 Prostate gland, 73, 101 Protease, 101, 106 Protein S, 87, 101 Proteins, 5, 7, 9, 85, 86, 89, 94, 98, 99, 100, 101, 107, 108

Proteoglycans, 7, 87, 101 Proteolytic, 9, 92, 100, 101, 106, 108 Protons, 85, 94, 101, 102 Protozoa, 97, 101, 108 Proximal, 91, 101, 102 Psychoacoustic, 34, 102 Psychophysics, 102 Public Policy, 67, 102 Pulsation, 28, 51, 102 Pulse, 42, 43, 98, 102 Q Quiescent, 6, 102 R Radial Nerve, 30, 102 Radiation, 28, 33, 34, 49, 102 Radiopharmaceutical, 93, 102 Radius, 28, 102 Randomized, 91, 102 Rarefaction, 24, 102 Receptor, 9, 86, 90, 102 Recombination, 40, 102 Rectal, 73, 102 Rectum, 86, 91, 92, 93, 96, 101, 102 Recur, 73, 102 Refer, 1, 93, 97, 99, 102, 108 Reference point, 48, 102 Reflective, 34, 102 Refraction, 102, 105 Regeneration, 5, 6, 103 Regimen, 91, 103 Renal pelvis, 103, 107 Reproductive system, 101, 103 Resection, 5, 103 Respiration, 88, 98, 103 Retina, 96, 103 Retinal, 90, 103 Retrovirus, 6, 103 Reverberant, 22, 52, 103 Rigidity, 30, 100, 103 Rod, 42, 103 Rodent Control, 43, 103 Rubber, 103, 105 S Screening, 89, 103 Secretion, 103, 104 Secretory, 9, 98, 103 Sediment, 11, 17, 32, 103 Segregation, 102, 104 Semen, 101, 104 Semicircular canal, 95, 104 Sensor, 26, 48, 104 Serine, 104, 106

Index 115

Ships, 41, 104 Shock, 10, 29, 36, 45, 54, 96, 104, 107 Side effect, 9, 85, 104, 107 Skeleton, 96, 104 Skull, 31, 90, 104, 106 Sodium, 104 Soft tissue, 5, 104 Specialist, 75, 104 Species, 6, 92, 94, 97, 104, 105, 107, 109 Specificity, 88, 104, 106 Spectrum, 55, 105 Speech-Language Pathology, 3, 105 Spinal cord, 88, 89, 98, 102, 105 Spiral Lamina, 87, 105 Stem Cells, 6, 105 Stethoscope, 8, 27, 105 Stimulus, 91, 92, 95, 96, 102, 105, 106 Stomach, 85, 91, 92, 95, 105 Streptococci, 105 Streptokinase, 10, 105 Stress, 27, 103, 105 Stroke, 10, 66, 96, 105 Struvite, 105, 108 Subspecies, 104, 105 Substrate, 10, 25, 40, 105 Symphysis, 101, 105 Synapse, 98, 101, 105, 107 Systemic, 86, 88, 92, 95, 105 T Tailing, 28, 105 Tectorial Membrane, 6, 105 Temporal, 24, 94, 97, 106 Thermal, 4, 99, 106 Thoracic, 88, 91, 102, 106 Thorax, 85, 106 Threshold, 23, 106 Thrombin, 92, 106 Thrombolytic, 9, 100, 105, 106 Thrombolytic Therapy, 105, 106 Thrombosis, 9, 101, 105, 106 Thrombus, 90, 95, 96, 106 Thyroid, 106, 107 Tinnitus, 32, 33, 53, 106, 108 Tissue, 4, 10, 27, 36, 54, 73, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 96, 97, 98, 99, 103, 104, 106, 107 Tissue Distribution, 88, 106 Tissue Plasminogen Activator, 10, 106 Tomography, 27, 106 Tone, 28, 33, 48, 51, 53, 106

Tonus, 106 Torpedo, 23, 107 Toxic, iv, 107 Toxicology, 68, 107 Toxins, 86, 95, 107 Transcriptase, 103, 107 Transduction, 5, 6, 7, 107 Transfection, 87, 107 Transitional cell carcinoma, 5, 107 Transitional cells, 9, 107 Translating, 31, 107 Transmitter, 21, 96, 107 Trauma, 8, 33, 107 Tryptophan, 89, 107 Tungsten, 88, 107 Tyrosine, 9, 107 U Ultrasound test, 73, 107 Unconscious, 94, 107 Ureter, 96, 103, 107 Urethra, 101, 107, 108 Urinary, 5, 88, 106, 108 Urinary Calculi, 5, 108 Urinary Plasminogen Activator, 106, 108 Urinary tract, 108 Urine, 87, 99, 103, 107, 108 Urology, 4, 5, 108 V Vaccines, 108, 109 Vector, 107, 108 Veins, 88, 97, 108 Ventricle, 102, 108 Venules, 88, 108 Vestibular, 5, 8, 93, 108 Vestibule, 89, 95, 104, 108 Vestibulocochlear Nerve, 87, 106, 108 Vestibulocochlear Nerve Diseases, 106, 108 Veterinary Medicine, 67, 108 Viral, 6, 103, 107, 109 Virus, 39, 87, 107, 109 Vitreous, 96, 103, 109 Vitro, 109 Vivo, 109 W White blood cell, 86, 95, 97, 109 X Xenograft, 86, 109

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