Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a fluid reservoir, a flow control mechanism, and an actuator. The housing defines an inner volume and has an inlet port that can be fluidically coupled to a patient and an outlet port. The fluid reservoir is disposed in the inner volume to receive and isolate a first volume of a bodily-fluid. The flow control mechanism is rotatable in the housing from a first configuration, in which a first lumen places the inlet port is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, and a second configuration, in which a second lumen places the inlet port in fluid communication with the outlet port. The actuator is configured to create a negative pressure in the fluid reservoir and is configured to rotate the flow control mechanism from the first configuration to the second configuration after the first volume of bodily-fluid is received in the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: An improved endoscopic tool easily and efficiently obtains samples of multiple polyps from a patient by debriding one or more polyps and retrieving the debrided polyps without having to alternate between using a separate cutting tool and a separate sample retrieving tool and may be used with an endoscope.

Abstract: A method of detecting hypoxia. Detecting hypoxia includes detecting, in exhaled breath, at least one indicator for hypoxia. The at least one indicator is selected from the group consisting of pentanal, 2-pentanone, 2-hexanone, 2-heptanone, 2-cyclopenten-1-one, and 4-butyrolactone.

Abstract: The saliva collection kit includes a housing, a plunger, and a gum-like hydrogel that can be removably disposed in the housing. The housing is defined by a cylindrical barrel, which receives the plunger at one end and is connected to a hub at an opposing end. The hub includes an open free end and a cotton filter disposed within the hub. The gum-like hydrogel can be chewed to collect saliva in the mouth and disposed in the barrel after chewing. The hydrogel can then be compressed with the plunger to release purified saliva from the hydrogel into the hub. As the purified saliva flows through the hub, the cotton filter can further purify the saliva to provide a filtered saliva.

Abstract: A system for utilizing wearable, wireless-connected sensors that record both IMU and EMG muscle activity for rehabilitation with kinematic monitoring is disclosed. The system runs an efficient quaternion-based complementary filter that estimates the sensor orientation while correcting for estimate drift and constraining magnetometer estimates to only influence heading. The difference in the two sensor orientations is used to estimate the joint angle, which can be further improved with joint axis estimation. Thus, successful tracking of joint angle and muscle activity in a home environment can be accomplished with the sensors and a smartphone. Further, a system utilizing these sensors may include video-capable cameras configured for capturing a video of a pose of the user, and a game framework executable by a processor in communication with the sensors and the cameras.

Abstract: The invention is generally a system, apparatus, and method for monitoring and measuring a change in intrauterine pressure without rupturing the amniotic sac. A catheter is coupled to a pressure sensing module. The pressure sensing module is configured with a chamber that is in fluid communication with a balloon of the catheter. The chamber includes a pressure-sensing membrane coupled to sensing circuitry. The sensing circuitry is configured to detect a pressure applied to the pressure-sensing membrane and communicate the condition to a monitor of the system. Methods include inserting the catheter through the cervix so that the balloon may be inflated and situated in the lower segment of the uterus, resting against the amniotic sac. Because the balloon of the catheter is in fluid communication with the pressure-sensing membrane, pulsations of the amniotic sac will be sensed by the sensing circuitry of the pressure sensing module.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a cutting cannula mechanism having a cutting cannula and an inner stylet mechanism having an inner stylet coaxial with the cutting cannula. A cocking mechanism is configured to cock the cutting cannula mechanism and the inner stylet mechanism by retracting each of the cutting cannula and the inner stylet in a proximal direction to a cocked position. A trigger device is configured to fire at least one of the inner stylet mechanism and the cutting cannula mechanism to advance a respective at least one of the inner stylet and the cutting cannula from the cocked position in a distal direction. A selector assembly includes a selector switch having an exterior tab accessible by a user. The selector assembly is configured to select between at least two user selectable operating modes and at least two user selectable firing distances.

Abstract: An impact or extension handle for a needle assembly such as a jamshidi needle can include an attachment portion and a handle portion. The impact or extension handle can also include an impact strikeplate. The attachment portion is configured to couple to the jamshidi needle. A user can use the impact or extension handle to manipulate the position or angle of the needle assembly. A user can tap a mallet or similar instrument on the impact strikeplate to drive the needle assembly into a target location in a patient's body. The impact or extension handle can allow the user to hold his or her hands out of the way of equipment used during the procedure and away from potentially harmful radiation from imaging equipment used during the procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a memory, a second type spectrum measurer, and a processor. The memory stores an individualized blood sugar estimation model. The second type spectrum measurer measures second type spectrum data for a skin of a user. The processor calculates blood sugar of the user based on the measured second type spectrum data and the individualized blood sugar model. The blood sugar model is generated based on blood sugar profile data of the user calculated based on a first type spectrum-blood sugar profile relationship model and training second type spectrum data for the skin of the user.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and techniques for tracking menstrual cycles, which can include receiving temperature measurements from an array of temperature sensors positioned on a bed. A use period for the array can be determined when temperature measurements from at least one temperature sensor of the one or more temperature sensors exceed a first temperature threshold. In some embodiments, for each use period in a set of two or more use periods, a temperature of the user using the set of temperatures from the respective use period can be determined. After determining the temperature of the user for each use period in the set of two or more use periods, at least one change in the temperature of the user between different use periods can be identified. An ovulation day of the user based on the at least one change in the temperature of the user can be estimated.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices include at least one mounting structure within a distal portion of the device. In that regard, one or more electronic, optical, and/or electro-optical component is coupled to the mounting structure. In some instances, the mounting structure is formed of a plurality of material layers. In some embodiments, the material layers have substantially constant thicknesses. Methods of making and/or assembling such intravascular devices/systems are also provided.

Abstract: A physiological signal sensing system and a physiological signal sensing method are provided. The physiological signal sensing system includes a signal processing device and a physiological signal sensing device having a plurality of sensing electrodes. The sensing electrodes are used to contact the skin of an organism to sense a plurality of physiological signals. The signal processing device is coupled to the physiological signal sensing device to receive the physiological signals, compares these physiological signals with the reference physiological signal pattern to obtain a comparison result, selects a selected electrode pair from the sensing electrodes based on the comparison result, and uses the selected electrode pair to perform physiological signal measurement on the organism during a normal operation period.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods for diagnosing a cognitive disorder including performing a tactile perception test on a subject, measuring the subject's tactile perception test performance with a microelectromechanical sensor, and performing a cognitive disorder diagnosis on the subject. The tactile perception test may include distinguishing between various shaped and sized objects and selecting a predetermined one. The tactile perception test may include a two-point discrimination test. The tactile perception test may include testing lower extremity coordination. The tactile perception test may include testing upper extremity coordination. The cognitive disorder may include dementia, Alzheimer's, brain trauma, or concussion. The microelectromechanical sensor may include an accelerometer or gyroscope.

Abstract: A steerable device, such as a steerable catheter, may include a control handle and an insertion shaft extending outwardly therefrom. In use, the insertion shaft is navigated to an area of interest for examination and/or treatment thereof. The steerable device may include a steering system that controls the deflection angle of the distal end of the insertion shaft in two or more non-planar directions for navigating the insertion shaft to the area of interest. The steering system may also include a locking mechanism for arresting or partially arresting the movement of the distal end of the insertion shaft in a first direction independent of arresting or partially arresting the movement of the distal end in a second non-planar direction.

Abstract: A non-invasive method of estimating intra-cranial pressure (ICP). The method including the steps of: a. non-invasively measuring pressure pulses in an upper body artery; b. determining central aortic pressure (CAP) pulses that correspond to these measured pressure pulses; c. identifying features of the ICP wave which denote cardiac ejection and wave reflection from the cranium, including Ejection Duration (ED) and Augmentation Index of Pressure (PAIx); d. non-invasively measuring flow pulses in a central artery which supplies blood to the brain within the cranium; e. identifying features of the measured cerebral flow waves which denote cardiac ejection and wave reflection from the cranium as Flow Augmentation Index (FAIx); f. calculating an ICP flow augmentation index from the measured central flow pulses; g.

Abstract: Blood sample optimization systems and methods are described that reduce or eliminate contaminates in collected blood samples, which in turn reduces or eliminates false positive readings in blood cultures or other testing of collected blood samples. A blood sample optimization system can include a blood sequestration device located between a patient needle and a sample needle. The blood sequestration device can include a sequestration chamber for sequestering an initial, potentially contaminated aliquot of blood, and may further include a sampling channel that bypasses the sequestration chamber to convey likely uncontaminated blood between the patient needle and the sample needle after the initial aliquot of blood is sequestered in the sequestration chamber.

Abstract: A mechanism for interpreting spatiotemporal data from augmented and virtual reality devices into fitness related metrics and recommendations. Spatiotemporal data can be compared to the physical data of the end user to interpret energy expense such as estimated calorie burn. A virtual reality or augmented reality device can report positional data over time as the user engages with a corresponding environment. The positional data is compared to a biometric profile of the end user to understand how their physical body is exerting itself. The spatiotemporal data is a series of coordinate data expressed over time. The biometric data is the physical profile of the end user. This data is used to understand and quantify physical movement while using a virtual reality or augmented reality device. The energy expense determination mechanism can be used to provide a virtual coach for activities and workouts, games involving physical movement, and other applications.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes at least two pairs of electrodes, and a processor, wherein the processor may be configured to generate a signal and output the signal by using a first pair of electrodes, measure a voltage response signal by using a second pair of electrodes, detect a differential electrocardiogram from the measured voltage response signal, detect a local impedance cardiogram from the measured voltage response signal, calculate a pulse arrival time by using the detected differential electrocardiogram and local impedance cardiogram, and calculate blood pressure by using the calculated pulse arrival time. It is possible to provide various other embodiments.

Abstract: Aspects of automatically detecting periods of sleep of a user of a wearable electronic device are discussed herein. For example, in one aspect, an embodiment may obtain a set of features for periods of time from motion data obtained from a set of one or more motion sensors in the wearable electronic device or data derived therefrom. The wearable electronic device may then classify the periods of time into one of a plurality of statuses of the user based on the set of features determined for the periods of time, where the statuses are indicative of relative degree of movement of the user. The wearable electronic device may also derive blocks of time each covering one or more of the periods of time during which the user is in one of a plurality of states, wherein the states include an awake state and an asleep state.

Abstract: A device for interventions within the body, the device comprising: an end piece 6 for insertion into the body at a distal end thereof, the end piece 6 including a rigid lumen for holding an instrument 10 and guiding the instrument 10 to the distal end of the end piece; and a body section 4 supporting the lumen and being rigidly connected thereto, the body section including a navigation array 14 for guidance of the device using a surgical navigation system and/or including an anchor point 20 for a standard navigation array.