Abstract: An acoustic sensor is configured to provide accurate and robust measurement of bodily sounds under a variety of conditions, such as in noisy environments or in situations in which stress, strain, or movement may be imparted onto a sensor with respect to a patient. Embodiments of the sensor provide a conformable electrical shielding, as well as improved acoustic and mechanical coupling between the sensor and the measurement site.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding an elongated flexible instrument, includes a first plurality of linkages forming a first side of a channel of a variable-length support assembly, a second plurality of linkages forming a second side of the channel, opposite the first side, a third plurality of linkages disposed between the first and second plurality of linkages and forming a third side of the channel, and a fourth plurality of linkages disposed between the first and second plurality of linkages and forming a fourth side of the channel, opposite the third side. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of linkages are separable from each other to transition the variable-length support assembly from an elongated configuration to a compact configuration.

Abstract: A force measurement system is disclosed herein. The force measurement system includes a force measurement assembly configured to receive a subject, and one or more data processing devices operatively coupled to the force measurement assembly. In one embodiment, the one or more data processing devices are configured to determine a difference between a center of pressure and a center of mass for the subject from output force and/or moment data, and to determine the fall risk of the subject based upon the difference between the center of pressure and the center of mass for the subject. In another embodiment, the one or more data processing devices are configured to determine one or more balance parameters of the subject from the output force and/or moment data while the subject is stepping onto the top surface of the force measurement assembly and/or stepping off the top surface of the force measurement assembly.

Abstract: A nanocalorimeter device includes a substrate having test cells, each test cell comprising a sample location. Each sample location includes a reaction surface suitable for an enthalpic reaction of constituents of liquid droplets, droplet movement and configured to merge the droplets, and a layer of thermochromic material thermally coupled to the reaction surface. The thermochromic material is configured to exhibit a spectral shift in light emanating from the thermochromic material in response to a change in temperature of the merged droplets.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting body vital signs through the use of a Bioelectric Impedance Spectroscopy (BIS), either by (a) direct contact with the person (such as through one or more of their fingers) or (b) measurement of reflections from a field projected into the person's body. The techniques may be implemented using the projected capacitive touch array in a device such as the screen of a smartphone or tablet computer, or the touchpad of a laptop computer.

Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for use with a guidewire are provided. The systems/apparatuses can include a first housing, shaped to define a first channel through which the guidewire is slidable and a second housing, shaped to define a second channel through which the guidewire is slidable in at least a first direction toward the first housing. The systems/apparatuses can also include a guidewire-engaging element, disposed within the second housing, and configured to inhibit the guidewire from sliding through the second channel in a second direction away from the first housing. A tubular member having a lumen through which the guidewire is slidable and being slidably coupled to the first housing can also be included. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Devices and methods for simultaneously measuring, in real time: 1) volumetric changes of a mammalian breast due to milk production and output, and 2) breast temperature, are provided. The devices are generally sensors which can be disposed within a wearable garment such as a bra.

Abstract: A system for simultaneously detecting audio-characteristics within a body over multiple body surface locations comprising a coherent light source directing at least one coherent light beam toward the body surface locations, an imager acquiring a plurality of defocused images, each is of reflections of the coherent light beam from the body surface locations. Each image includes at least one speckle pattern, each corresponding to a respective coherent light beam and further associated with a time-tag. A processor, coupled with the imager, determines in-image displacements over time of each of a plurality of regional speckle patterns according to said acquired images. Each one of the regional speckle patterns is at least a portion of a respective speckle pattern. Each regional speckle pattern is associated with a respective different body surface location. The processor determines the audio-characteristics according to the in-image displacements over time of the regional speckle patterns.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for diagnosing and determining the disease progression of neurodegenerative disorders in patients using neurophysiological biomarkers.

Abstract: An electronic system for non-invasive monitoring of estrogen of a female human comprises a wearable device (1) and a processor (13, 30, 40). The wearable device (1) includes a first sensor system (101) configured to be worn in contact with the skin of the female human and to determine a level of perfusion of the female human. The processor (13, 30, 40) is configured to receive and store the level of perfusion of the female human from the first sensor system (101) for a respective point in time. The processor (13, 30, 40) is further configured to determine a change in the level of perfusion of the female human, using the levels of perfusion of the female human stored for a plurality of respective points in time. Furthermore, the processor (13, 30, 40) is configured to detect a change in estrogen level of the female human based on the change in the level of perfusion of the female human.

Abstract: A temperature-sensing face covering, such as a facemask or a face shield, with a temperature sensor and display unit therein to provide for hands free temperature readings that go wherever the individual goes and continue to measure the individual's temperature throughout the day. The temperature-sensing face covering is simple and does not require the sites of work or other places to have any additional equipment, and provides continual readings that could very easily change throughout the day and be missed because at the beginning of the day the individual did not have a fever.

Abstract: A dermal patch for collecting a physiological sample includes a housing with a collection chamber, a sample channel and a pin within a receptacle of the housing. The sample channel is configured to direct a physiological sample drawn from a subject to the collection chamber. The pin is removably positioned within the receptacle and is configured to move from an undeployed position to a deployed position. The pin is configured to seal the receptacle when in the undeployed position and is further configured to facilitate generation of negative pressure in the sample channel when the pin is moved from the undeployed to the deployed position.

Abstract: A mucosal impedance measuring apparatus detects and measures a condition of mucosa. The mucosal impedance measuring apparatus includes a catheter comprising a tube, impedance sensing electrodes on an exterior surface of the catheter, a balloon mounted on the tube in which the balloon is capable of inflation and deflation, and an impedance measuring system. The impedance measuring system is adapted to measure a pressure-regulated impedance measurement of the mucosa that is indicative of the condition of the mucosa when the balloon is inflated and the impedance sensing electrodes direct an electric current through mucosa while the balloon is pressed against the mucosa.

Abstract: Guidewires and methods of use of guidewires having improved atraumatic tips that can distribute force to lessen trauma as well as anchor the guidewire to facilitate improved catheter exchange.

Abstract: A biological information monitoring system (100) configured to monitor biological information of a subject (S) on a bed (BD) includes at least one load detector (11, 12, 13, 14) provided below the bed or legs of the bed and configured to detect a load of the subject on the bed, a waveform calculation unit (31) configured to calculate a waveform indicating a temporal variation in a detected value of the at least one load detector in accordance with respiration or a heartbeat of the subject, and a biological information calculation unit (32) configured to calculate a respiration rate or a heart rate of the subject by using the waveform.

Abstract: A triaxial acceleration sensor and a triaxial angular rate sensor are mounted on each of the lower limb portions on both sides of one joint among joints constituting a part of one lower limb of a subject. The acceleration and angular rate of each lower limb portion are measured by the triaxial acceleration sensor and triaxial angular rate sensor while the subject is walking. The orientations of each lower limb portion while walking are calculated on the basis of the measured acceleration and angular rate. A three-dimensional model including the motion trajectory of one joint is constructed by linking the lower limb portions in the calculated orientation to each other. The angle formed by the acceleration vector of one joint when the heel strikes the ground to the movement trajectory in the sagittal plane is calculated as a gait parameter.

Abstract: An automatic biopsy gun is described, the gun comprising a body and a needle cantileverly extending from the body. The needle comprises a stylet provided with a collecting hollow to collect a tissue sample, and a cannula in which the stylet is slidingly housed so that the collecting hollow can come out of the cannula and go back in it with a guillotine effect. The gun further comprises a pushing member to push the cannula and a pushing member to push the stylet, both being movable in the body between a forward position and a rearward position in order to slide the stylet with respect to the cannula. Elastic countering means counter the pushing members which are loaded by driving means operable by the user. Advantageously, pushing members are guided by inner guides that are inside the gun body and the guide of the cannula is closer to the needle than the guide of the stylet.

Abstract: Devices and systems have a sensor probe configured to measure tissue oxygen saturation in the intestine or mesentery. The devices and systems can determine the oxygenation state of the entire thickness of the intestine or mesentery. Embodiments of the invention also include methods for inducing a temporary ischemic period in an intestine or mesentery tissue and analyzing changes in oxygen saturation of the tissue during the temporary ischemic period or during a recovery phase. The devices, systems, and methods can be applied in diagnosing intestinal ischemia in a patient, as well as in monitoring tissue oxygen saturation of the intestine or mesentery during or after a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Devices and systems have a sensor probe configured to measure tissue oxygen saturation in the intestine or mesentery. The devices and systems can determine the oxygenation state of the entire thickness of the intestine or mesentery. Embodiments of the invention also include methods for inducing a temporary ischemic period in an intestine or mesentery tissue and analyzing changes in oxygen saturation of the tissue during the temporary ischemic period or during a recovery phase. The devices, systems, and methods can be applied in diagnosing intestinal ischemia in a patient, as well as in monitoring tissue oxygen saturation of the intestine or mesentery during or after a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A system and method are provided, the system including a monitoring device to monitor sensory data of a patient and to provide a sensory data response thereto, and a control unit configurable to cool or warm circulated fluid through at least one contact pad for thermal exchange with the patient. The monitoring device can be configured to monitor a patient physiological response to a change in temperature of the patient (e.g. pursuant to induced hypothermia therapy), wherein a monitoring signal is provided by the monitoring device. A processor can be provided to process the monitoring signal and provide an output employable by medical personnel. The processor can be programmed to control automatically a temperature of the circulated fluid to cool or warm the patient in different treatment phases in accordance with a predetermined protocol, and process the sensory data signal to provide an output signal indicative of a sensory measurement.