Abstract: The invention relates to trans-epithelial frictionally abrasive tissue sampling devices for performing biopsies and methods of inducing an immune response against a pathogen, wherein epithelial cells containing the pathogen are disrupted with the frictionally abrasive tissue sampling device to introduce the pathogen into the bloodstream of a patient.

Abstract: A bio-pressure sensor system is disclosed, comprising a first sensor configured to provide a reference pressure measurement and second sensor configured to measure a fluid pressure within a human body. The bio-pressure sensor system also comprises a first reference element and second reference element. The first and second sensors share the first reference element. The second reference element is coupled to the first sensor and configured to provide a reference pressure. The first and second sensors each comprise independent output signals.

Abstract: A temperature probe for monitoring temperatures of a surface of a tissue or organ within the body of a subject includes a section with a substantially two-dimensional arrangement and a plurality of temperature sensors positioned across an area defined by the substantially two-dimensional arrangement. Such an apparatus may be used in conjunction with procedures in which thermal techniques are used to diagnose a disease state or treat diseased tissue. Specifically, a temperature probe may be used to monitor temperatures across an area of a surface of a tissue or organ located close to the treated tissue to prevent subjection of the monitored tissue or organ to potentially damaging temperatures.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of assembling an intravascular device is provided that includes positioning a first tubular member around a plurality of conductors and a core member; advancing a first of the plurality of conductors through an opening of the first tubular member; positioning a first conductive member around the first tubular member; and electrically coupling the first of the plurality of conductors to the first conductive member. In some embodiments, an intravascular device is provided that includes an insulating member positioned around a plurality of conductors and a core member and a conductive member positioned around the insulating member, wherein at least one of the plurality of conductors extends through an opening in the insulating member and is electrically coupled to the first conductive member.

Abstract: A method for performing an orthopedic surgical procedure on a knee joint of a patient includes resecting a proximal end of a patient's tibia to create a resected surface of the patient's tibia and positioning a tibial paddle of a sensor module on the proximal end of the patient's tibia. The tibial paddle includes a sensor array generating sensor signals indicative of the joint force of the patient's knee joint. The method also includes performing a number of orthopedic surgical steps while monitoring a display of the sensor module that provides a visual indication of the medial-lateral balance of the joint force of the patient's knee joint.

Abstract: A cognitive and/or motor skill testing system and method may include a processor that records respective time information for each of multiple positions of a display device that are traced during administration of a test, that determines speed and/or velocity values based on the recorded time information, and that outputs test result information based on the determined values. The test result information may be based on a comparison between a graphed curve of such values to an ideal curve. The positions may correspond to a path between displayed targets whose size and/or distance therebetween depend on past test performance. The system and/or method may output a change expected with a change to therapy parameters for a patient, where the expected change is determined based on changes which occurred in other patients having similar test results and therapy parameters as those of the patient.

Abstract: A system is used to measure, record and analyze ocular surface temperature. The system comprises a contact lens and a receiving analyzer. The contact lens includes a temperature sensing device and a signal transmitting device. The temperature sensing device obtains data by measuring ocular surface temperature, and the signal transmitting device transmits the data through wireless signals. The receiving analyzer includes a signal receiving unit and an analyzing unit. The signal receiving unit receives the wireless signals, and based on the wireless signals, the analyzing unit analyzes and determines whether the ocular surface temperature is normal.

Abstract: A needle tip section of a biopsy needle includes a first beveled surface having a plane extended across a tube axis of a tubular section, a second beveled surface adjacent to and forming an angle with the first, having a plane adjacent to an inner circumferential surface of the tubular section, a third beveled surface adjacent to and forming an angle with the first beveled surface, opposite the second, with an opening portion interposed therebetween and having a plane adjacent to the inner circumferential surface of the tubular section, a first boundary line between the first and second beveled surfaces, and a second boundary line between the first and third beveled surfaces, and the first and second boundary lines are non-parallel straight lines having an interval that gradually increases in a direction from the second toward the first end portion in a tube axis direction of the tubular section.

Abstract: Apparatus for allowing measurements to be made of a blood sample comprises a shaft and at least first and second blood collection members. The blood collection members are independently rotatable about the shaft. Each blood collection member includes: a blood analysis part for receiving a blood sample, plural conductive contacts, and plural conductors extending between the blood analysis part and respective ones of the conductive contacts. The apparatus also includes plural terminals configured to provide an electrical connection with the plural conductive contacts on a first member when the apparatus is in a first configuration and to provide an electrical connection with the plural conductive contacts on a second member when the apparatus is in a second configuration, thereby allowing successive measurements of at least one parameter of blood samples provided on the blood analysis parts of the first and second members.

Abstract: A cryogenic biopsy device is configured to provide thin, frozen tissue samples, which may be viewed under a microscope and selected for biomarker analysis. The device is configured to provide slices which are less than 50 micrometers in thickness, while snap-freezing the tissue and maintaining the sample in a deep-frozen state until it reaches the pathology lab for further processing. Alternatively, thicker slices can be harvested by the device and additional sectioning can be done in the pathology lab by using cryomicrotome. The device of the present invention may be used in rigid instruments and in flexible devices, such as endoscopes, for example, and may be suitable for single use or multiple use.

Abstract: A blood testing apparatus includes a laser source configured to produce a wound from which blood flows and at least one test member. A humidity cover is positioned at the at least one test member. The humidity cover is at least partially removable. Electronics are provided for analysis. The electronics includes an evaluation device for comparisons with previously stored measurements or evaluation data with the evaluation device storing a current test measurement.

Abstract: A medical guide wire which has a core wire having a distal end-side small-diameter portion and a proximal end-side large-diameter portion having a larger outside diameter than the outside diameter of the distal end-side small-diameter portion, and a coil spring installed on an outer periphery of the distal end-side small-diameter portion of the core wire along an axial direction and fixed to the core wire at at least the front end portion and rear end portion thereof. The outside diameter of the proximal end-side large-diameter portion of the core wire and the outside diameter of coil of the coil spring are each at most 0.012 inch. The front end portion of the coil spring is fixed to the core wire by gold-containing solder. The length of a distal end portion stiffened by the gold-containing solder is 0.1 to 0.5 mm. The medical guide wire is high in fixing strength of the coil spring to the core wire and can shorten a shaping length compared with a conventional medical guide wire.

Abstract: A spinal probe comprises a handle, a shaft coupled to the handle and a force sensor to detect forces applied to a tip of the shaft. A controller that executes a predictive algorithm to predict whether or not the tip of the shaft is going to breach a cortex of a pedicle based on the detected forces. The controller may be embedded within the spinal probe or external within a computer or other device coupled to the probe by a data acquisition component.

Abstract: A method of monitoring relative nerve health and the presence of neuropraxia is described. The methods utilize the integration of a waveform function of an elicited or monitored nerve response to provide an indication of the strength of a detected signal from a nerve and thus the relative health and integrity of the nerve. In some embodiments motor nerve stimulation innervates muscle and an EMG waveform is obtained in response thereto. The integration under the waveform is expressed and an indexed value indicating a percentage of a certain threshold value. Methods set forth provide a more reliable status of a nerve in real-time and allow action to be taken to reduce neuropraxia or prevent permanent nerve damage.

Abstract: System using on- or in-body communication technologies such as body-sound communication (BSC) or body-coupled communication (BCC) to obtain information on the body composition of a patient (e.g. water content/hydration level on bone density/joint status). The system, in a preferred embodiment, comprises a transmitter, receiver and processor connected to the receiver. The transmitter is arranged to transmit a signal through a medium (the body of the patient), the signal comprising a plurality of different frequency components and transmission technologies. The receiver is arranged to receive the signal following propagation through the said medium. The processor is arranged to generate, at a first time, one or more transfer functions from the received signal, each transfer function defining values for a predetermined signal parameter at different frequencies.

Abstract: Apparatus includes: a housing, the housing having an aperture; a shaft; and plural blood sample collection members supported on the shaft. The apparatus is constructed such that different ones of the plural blood sample collection members are able to be presented at the aperture in turn. Each of the blood sample collection members may be independently rotatable about the shaft.

Abstract: A system and a method for estimating the mechanical behavior of human lower limbs is provided. The method includes the following steps: sensing a plurality of foot pressure signals of a user by using a sensor array, the foot pressure signals comprising at least a rearfoot pressure signal and at least a forefoot pressure signal; calculating a temporal sequence of a gait cycle of the user according to the foot pressure signals; calculating a foot reaction force of the user according to the foot pressure signals and a calibration parameter; and calculating a mechanical state of the lower limb joints of the user according to the temporal sequence of the gait cycle and the foot reaction force.

Abstract: Methods and systems to collect a sample of bodily fluid from a patient using an integrated needle and test strip assembly are provided. The test strip and needle form one unit that captures the sample of blood or interstitial fluid from the patient once the apparatus is pressed to the skin. The hollow needle includes more than one opening at a distal end, each opening coming into contact with the bodily fluid when disposed within a cutaneous or subcutaneous layer of the patient's skin. The sample may flow through the needle onto a test region by capillary action and/or the positive pressure of the bodily fluid (e.g. blood or interstitial fluid) relative to the external environment. The disclosed test strip includes at least one reaction site for testing analyte concentrations and a means for interfacing with many commercially available test strip meters to provide readout of the analyte concentration.

Abstract: Various exemplary drive apparatuses and associated methods are disclosed for driving an elongated member, e.g., a guidewire or catheter. An exemplary drive apparatus for driving an elongated member may include a rotational component configured to apply a torque to the elongated member, where the rotational component is positioned a first distance away from an insertion site along the elongated member. The drive apparatus may further include a rotational support configured to apply an assistance torque to the elongated member. The rotational support may be positioned a second distance from the rotational component along the elongated member that is larger than the first distance.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method for performing a balance evaluation that utilizes a hand held accelerometer that measures upper body compensatory and correctional movement. Instead of testing movement in the waist or lower extremity as is commonly done, the instant invention measures thoracic trunk sway to estimate an individual's balance via positional change algorithms. By holding the measuring device to the chest and performing one or a variety of balance tests, the instant invention can determine the amount of sway in the trunk without attached or fixed monitors, which presents a novel approach to assessing postural sway above the center of mass.