Abstract: According to one embodiment, a biopsy needle for removal of tissue from a patient includes an outer tube having a distal end and an inner tube disposed within the outer tube. The needle includes a capturing mechanism that has a variable diameter for capturing a tissue specimen. The capturing mechanism includes a distal first end that is fixed relative to the distal end of the outer tube and an opposing proximal end that is attached to the inner tube. The inner tube is free to move longitudinally within and relative to the outer tube, whereby longitudinal movement of the inner tube causes activation of the capturing mechanism resulting in the closing and opening, respectively, of the capturing mechanism to capture and release the specimen, respectively.

Abstract: The invention includes a forceps and collection assembly for acquiring and storing a plurality of tissue samples in a single pass, and accompanying mechanisms for use with the forceps and collection assembly. The accompanying mechanisms include an endoscope working channel cap assembly configured to minimize compression of a pouch of the forceps and collection assembly as it traverses a seal of the cap assembly, and a flush adapter configured to be coupled to the pouch so as to assist in removing tissue samples in the pouch by flowing fluid through the pouch.

Abstract: A biopsy gun and surgical instrument for practical and innovative sample collecting of biopsies in the field of medical diagnosis. The biopsy gun and surgical instrument contains an interchangeable connector system which allows for the usage of needles of the most diversified models, sizes and diameters existing in the market. The biopsy gun and surgical instrument enables usage of such various needles without the need to change the whole grip of the biopsy gun.

Abstract: A method of locating the position of a selected neural centre in the central nervous system of an animal is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of (a) stimulating neurons at a first central nervous system position; (b) measuring the field potential evoked at a second central nervous system position; and (c) comparing the evoked field potential against a known evoked field potential from the neural centre.

Abstract: Devices and methods for visually confirming the positioning of a distal end portion of an illuminating device placed within a patient include inserting a distal end portion of an illuminating device internally into a patient, emitting light from the distal end portion of the illuminating device, observing transillumination resulting from the light emitted from the distal end portion of the illuminating device that occurs on an external surface of the patient, and correlating the location of the observed transillumination on the external surface of the patient with an internal location of the patient that underlies the location of observed transillumination, to confirm positioning of the distal end portion of the illuminating device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and probe for examining tissue for the presence of target cells, particularly cancerous cells, by subjecting the tissue to be examined to a contrast agent containing small particles of a physical element conjugated with a biological carrier selectively bindable to the target cells. Energy pulses are applied to the examined tissue. The changes in impedance and/or optical characteristics of the examined tissue produced by the applied energy pulses are detected and utilized for determining the presence of the target cells in the examined tissue. In a described preferred embodiment, the applied energy pulses include laser pulses, and the physical element conjugated with a biological carrier is a light-sensitive semiconductor having an impedance which substantially decreases in the presence of light. The same probe used for detecting the targeted cells may also be used for destroying the cells so targeted.

Abstract: A guidewire or section thereof, that has a core member or the like with a plurality of contiguous tapered segments having taper angles that are configured to produce a linear change in stiffness over a longitudinal portion of the device. The device may also have a core section with a continuously changing taper angle to produce a curvilinear profile that is configured to produce a linear change in stiffness of the core over a longitudinal portion of the device. An embodiment has a plurality of radiopaque elements that may be intermittent, continuous or in the form of a helical ribbon for scaled measurement of intracorporeal structure under fluoroscopic imaging. Another embodiment has at least one layer of polymer over the distal end of the device.

Abstract: A stress-at-work evaluating device evaluates a stress of a subject at work by measuring activities of one of the right and the left masseter muscles, the work including exercise of arms or feet of the subject. The device evaluates the stress from a normalized intensity of the myoelectric potential one of the right and the left masseter muscles. The normalized intensity is calculated by dividing the intensity of the measured myoelectric potential of the masseter muscles by the level of the external force acting on the head of the subject at work.

Abstract: Device and method for rapid extraction of body tissue from an enclosed body cavity. Hollow entry cannula with optional core element provides entry into body tissue space such as bone marrow. Aspiration cannula is inserted through entry cannula into body tissue and is manipulated to advance directionally through body cavity. Optional stylet within aspiration cannula aids in advancing aspiration cannula through body tissue and is removed to facilitate extraction of body tissue through the aspiration cannula. Inlet openings near distal tip of aspiration cannula allow tissue aspiration, with negative pressure source at proximal end of aspiration cannula providing controlled negative pressure. Aspiration cannula may be withdrawn and its path adjusted for multiple entries through the same entry point, following different paths through tissue space for subsequent aspiration of more tissue.

Abstract: A guidewire or section thereof, that has a core member or the like with a plurality of contiguous tapered segments having taper angles that are configured to produce a linear change in stiffness over a longitudinal portion of the device. The device may also have a core section with a continuously changing taper angle to produce a curvilinear profile that is configured to produce a linear change in stiffness of the core over a longitudinal portion of the device. An embodiment has a plurality of radiopaque elements that may be intermittent, continuous or in the form of a helical ribbon for scaled measurement of intracorporeal structure under flouroscopic imaging. Another embodiment has at least one layer of polymer over the distal end of the device.

Abstract: A biopsy needle for removal of tissue from a patient includes an outer tube having a distal end and an inner tube disposed within the outer tube. The inner tube has a first section that includes a proximal end thereof, a second section that includes an actuatable snare, and a third section that includes a distal end thereof. The third section is coupled to the outer tube. The snare has a variable diameter that is controlled by rotation of the inner tube with respect to the outer tube in a prescribed direction resulting in the opening and closing, respectively, of the snare. The needle is configured such that the distal end of third section of the inner tube extends beyond the distal end of the outer tube such that the distal end of the inner tube represents a distal tip of the needle.

Abstract: An abdominal impedance based body composition meter is provided for estimating a body composition indicator with high accuracy. In one embodiment, the body composition meter measures pressing forces while load detection sections 3a-3d are pressed against the abdomen and abdominal impedances are measured by electrodes 2a-2d. Body composition indicators are estimated based on the measured pressing forces and the abdominal impedances.

Abstract: An obtained tissue extractor is used in combination with a biopsy forceps. The biopsy forceps includes an elongate insertion portion to be inserted into a body, and a biopsy cup provided at a tip of the insertion portion, including a pair of cup bodies which obtains a living body tissue, and having holes communicating with the inside of the cup bodies. The obtained tissue extractor includes protrusions, and the protrusions enter the inside of the cup bodies from the holes of the cup bodies when the cup bodies are driven to open in a state set at the distal end of the insertion portion, in order to release the obtained tissue from the cup bodies.

Abstract: An acceleration information detecting unit of an acceleration detecting apparatus having an acceleration sensor with at least one axis that measures acceleration in a back and forth direction (or a right and left direction) of a walking person. Acceleration data indicating the acceleration is sent to a wireless communication control unit. The wireless communication control unit sends the acceleration data to a physical movement analyzer using a short-distance wireless communication method. On the other hand, the wireless communication control unit of the physical movement analyzer receives the acceleration data that is sent from the acceleration detecting apparatus using a short-distance wireless communication method and sends it to a walking speed detecting unit. The walking speed detecting unit estimates strides and walking period based on the received acceleration data and calculates the walking speed based on the strides and the walking period.

Abstract: A biopsy needle for removal of tissue from a patient includes an outer tube having a distal end that has an inner diameter (IDtip) and an inner tube within the outer tube and having an inner diameter (IDsc), defined at the distalmost section of the inner tube. The needle also includes a snare having a first end connected to the inner tube and a second end coupled to the outer tube. The snare has a variable diameter that is controlled by rotation of the inner tube with respect to the outer tube in a prescribed direction resulting in the opening and closing, respectively, of the snare. A ratio (R) defined as (IDsc)/(IDtip) is greater than 1.

Abstract: An integrated bodily fluid sampling device is used to sample a bodily fluid from an incision in skin. The device includes a lancet for forming the incision in the skin. A housing is coupled to the lancet. The housing defines at least in part a capillary channel with an opening. The capillary channel is sized to draw the bodily fluid from the incision via capillary action. A test strip is positioned along the capillary channel for analyzing the fluid. In one form, a flexible sheet extends from the housing proximal the opening of the capillary channel for drawing the bodily fluid into the opening of the capillary channel. In another form, the lancet is slidably received inside the channel. During lancing, the lancet extends from the housing to form the incision. Fluid from the incision is drawn into the channel and is deposited on the test strip for analysis.

Abstract: An activity-induced energy expenditure estimating instrument is provided which is capable of estimating an activity-induced energy expenditure with ease and high accuracy.

Abstract: A biopsy needle for removal of tissue from a patient includes an outer tube having a distal end that has an inner diameter (IDtip) and an inner tube within the outer tube and having an inner diameter (IDsc), defined at the distalmost section of the inner tube. The needle also includes a snare having a first end connected to the inner tube and a second end coupled to the outer tube. The snare has a variable diameter that is controlled by rotation of the inner tube with respect to the outer tube in a prescribed direction resulting in the opening and closing, respectively, of the snare. A ratio (R) defined as (IDsc)/(IDtip) is greater than 1.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring the dimensions of the palpable surface of the prostate in the physician's office and calculating prostate volume, rate of growth and changes in rate of growth. A membrane with a grid pattern is located proximate the prostate. A physician moves a measurement system, formed at the end of the index finger and located in a glove, between opposite margins of the prostate. The measurement system counts the grid elements between the margins that translate into a quantitative measurement of size of the palpable surface of the prostate.