Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for performing tissue removal and analysis based on the in-situ optical analysis of tissue and of liquid collected from the tissue region. In one example embodiment, a tissue removal and analysis probe includes an elongate tissue removal device, an optical fiber, and a fluid fillable conduit, where distal ends of the optical fiber and the conduit are in communication with an external region that is adjacent to a distal functional portion of the tissue removal device. The results of optical analysis one of both of external tissue and collected fluid may be employed to determine whether or not tissue removal is to be carried out. Various devices may be interfaced with the conduit for optical analysis of the collected fluid. In one example embodiment, the tissue removal device may be movable relative to the optical fiber and conduit.

Abstract: In the field of virtual reality, virtual tool manipulation systems and related methods and software are described in the present disclosure. One implementation of a virtual tool manipulation system, among others, comprises a motion tracking system configured to generate motion information related to the position of a part of a user's body. The virtual tool manipulation system also comprises a haptic feedback system configured to provide a haptic sensation to the user based on the motion information, the position of a virtual tool, and characteristics of the virtual tool.

Abstract: A guide wire includes (1) a core shaft, (2) a coil body covering a distal end portion of the core shaft and having spirally wound multiple element wires, and (3) a distal end fixed portion by which a distal end of the core shaft is fixed to a distal end of the coil body. The distal end of the coil body includes (i) a fixed portion in which adjacent ones of the multiple element wires are fixed to each other and (ii) a gap portion in which adjacent ones of the multiple element wires are not fixed to each other to provide a gap between the adjacent ones of the multiple element wires in the gap portion, as viewed in a cross section that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the guide wire. The distal end fixed portion enters into the gap portion.

Abstract: A method, system, and process are described to decrease muscle fatigue and improve circulation of an individual resting on a support device, such as an adjustable chair or bed. The body pose and heat distribution of the individual are determined and used to estimate muscle fatigue and circulation. The estimated muscle fatigue and circulation are then used to determine settings for the support device or the temperature of the environment.

Abstract: A marking apparatus includes a rigid cannula having a peripheral wall forming a lumen that carries an imaging marker. A lateral opening in the peripheral wall is open to the lumen. The lateral opening has a proximal extent and a distal extent. A closed-off distal portion is distal to the lateral opening. A resilient end wall extends downwardly from the peripheral wall at the distal extent of the lateral opening. A stylet has a distal end having a ramp. The stylet is slidably received within the lumen of the rigid cannula for movement in the lumen. The resilient end wall of the rigid cannula is configured to engage the ramp of the distal end of the stylet when the stylet is advanced through the lumen of the rigid cannula to an extended position to substantially close off the lateral opening of the rigid cannula.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes an instrument set and an instrument drive unit removably coupled to the instrument set. The instrument set includes an instrument set housing; an elongate outer cannula having a tissue receiving aperture in a side wall thereof; an elongate inner cannula disposed within an outer cannula lumen; an aspiration vent fluidly coupling the outer cannula lumen to atmosphere; and an aspirate valve in the aspiration vent, and configured such that the outer cannula lumen is vented to atmosphere only when the aspirate valve is open. The instrument drive unit includes a drive unit support structure removably coupled to the instrument set housing; a motorized inner cannula driver configured to axially oscillate the inner cannula relative to the outer cannula to sever tissue extending through the tissue receiving opening; and an actuating member configured to selectively mechanically prevent the aspirate valve from closing.

Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a needle, a body portion, and a needle firing assembly. The needle firing assembly is operable to fire the needle distally relative to the body portion. The needle firing assembly includes two translating members, a resilient member, and a motor. The motor is operable to selectively move the first translating member distally and proximally. The second translating member is secured relative to the needle such that the needle and the second translating member translate unitarily. The resilient member compresses as the first translating member is moved distally toward the second translating member. The first translating member is then secured to the second translating and the translating members are moved proximally while holding the resilient member in the compressed state. The second translating member is released from the first translating member when they reach a proximal position, which allows the resilient member to fire the needle distally.

Abstract: Support structures for positioning sensors on a physiologic tunnel for measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters of the body and to produce an action according to the measured value of the parameters. The support structure includes a sensor fitted on the support structures using a special geometry for acquiring continuous and undisturbed data on the physiology of the body. Signals are transmitted to a remote station by wireless transmission such as by electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared, sound and the like or by being reported locally by audio or visual transmission. The physical and chemical parameters include brain function, metabolic function, hydrodynamic function, hydration status, levels of chemical compounds in the blood, and the like. The support structure includes patches, clips, eyeglasses, head mounted gear and the like, containing passive or active sensors positioned at the end of the tunnel with sensing systems positioned on and accessing a physiologic tunnel.

Abstract: Support structures for positioning sensors on a physiologic tunnel for measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters of the body and to produce an action according to the measured value of the parameters. The support structure includes a sensor fitted on the support structures using a special geometry for acquiring continuous and undisturbed data on the physiology of the body. Signals are transmitted to a remote station by wireless transmission such as by electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared, sound and the like or by being reported locally by audio or visual transmission. The physical and chemical parameters include brain function, metabolic function, hydrodynamic function, hydration status, levels of chemical compounds in the blood, and the like. The support structure includes patches, clips, eyeglasses, head mounted gear and the like, containing passive or active sensors positioned at the end of the tunnel with sensing systems positioned on and accessing a physiologic tunnel.

Abstract: A mucosal impedance measuring system that is capable of direct and accurate impedance measurements of esophageal mucosa includes example multi-channel intraluminal impedance catheters with inflatable and deflatable components for positioning the impedance sensor electrodes in direct contact with the esophageal mucosa on the inside surface of the esophagus. Impedance measurements from multiple locations in the esophagus are processed for indications of mucosal damage that are indicative of damage due to gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), and Barrett's esophagus.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for self-administered noninvasive retrieval of biological materials of the uterus and/or cervix. The cervical device comprises a receptacle with a variable volume receptacle cavity, a controller configured to change the volume of the receptacle cavity, a surface for collection of biological materials, and a flexible pouch for generation of suction to facilitate efficient retrieval of biological materials. The biological materials retrieved include various biomarkers of diseases and disorders of reproduction, are directly isolated from a site of pathology, and are not metabolized or diluted. Information generated by analyzing these biological materials permits early diagnosis and prognosis assessments of disease and disorders of the female reproductive organs, irregularities of pregnancy, anomalies of the fetus in utero, and microbial infections.

Abstract: Systems and methods for effecting bariatric procedures are disclosed. Each system includes an instrument, a control valve and, optionally, a suction controller. The instrument is in the form of an elongated, flexible sizing tube having a distal end portion including a plurality of apertures. The control valve enables suction to be applied to the patient's stomach via the apertures to drain gastric fluids and to bring adjacent portions of the patient's stomach into engagement the sizing tube to provide a visually perceptible delineation line along which a portion of the stomach may be resected, sealed and tested.

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: 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: A tissue penetrating system has a housing member, a plurality of penetrating members positioned in the housing member and a plurality of sample chambers. Each sample chamber is associated with a penetrating member. A tissue stabilizing member has a tissue interface surface configured to be applied to a tissue surface and provide for spontaneous flow of blood for sample capture. The tissue stabilizing member is coupled to the housing.

Abstract: A catheter assembly including a tapered steering spine having a varying stiffness along an axial length. The tapered steering spine is tailored to provide increasing flexibility from proximal to distal in a way that makes the bend radius more uniform along the length of the steering section. In one embodiment, the tapered steering spine includes structures on adjacent rings that engage with each other when the steering section is flexed to limit the minimum bend radius to a predetermined minimum and which enhances the torsional rigidity of the steering section regardless of the degree of flexure of the steering section. The limited bend radius can prevent excessive bending of components such as fiber optics. The enhanced torsional rigidity can negate the need for torque braid in the section of the catheter shaft that surrounds the tapered steering spine.

Abstract: A system for determining parameters of porous media or material, which in an embodiment is biological tissue, includes an actuator and a displacement monitor. The actuator is adapted to apply a displacement to tissue at a particular frequency selected from a range of frequencies, and the force monitor adapted to monitor a mechanical response of tissue. The system also has a processor coupled to drive the actuator and to read the mechanical response, the processor coupled to execute from memory a poroelastic model of mechanical properties of the material, and a convergence procedure for determining parameters for the poroelastic model such that the model predicts mechanical response of the tissue to within limits.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an access system having a maneuverable catheter assembly configured for providing access to and navigating a desired vessel for subsequent treatment thereof. The access system includes an adjustable delivery handle assembly and an access catheter subassembly having a maneuverable access catheter configured to be delivered to desired site (e.g., within duodenum) to assist in treatment of a condition (e.g., drainage of a bile ducts via Endoscopic Ultrasound Guided Biliary Drainage (EUS-BD) techniques). The access catheter includes at least a distal section having an adjustable portion along a length thereof configured to transition to a pre-defined arcuate shape to provide directional control over the distal end of the catheter as it is navigated through a vessel (e.g., bile duct). The handle assembly includes additional elements configured to allow a clinician to maneuver and manipulate the distal end of the access catheter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for examining a subject for a particular physiological condition according to a technique which utilizes sounds generated by the subject and sensed at a predefined distance from the site of sound generation of the subject, by locating a first sound sensor, e.g., a sound level meter which measures the sound levels in decibels, on a particular region of the subject's body to produce an output corresponding to the sound level sensed thereby; modifying the output of the first sound level meter by a pre-calculated Transfer Function equating its output to that of a second sound level meter located at a predefined distance from the site of sound generation of the subject's body; and utilizing the modified output of the first sound level meter in determining the existence of the particular physiological condition.

Abstract: Described here are devices and methods for measuring a distance in an airway. In some instances, the devices may comprise an outer shaft and an inner shaft that is slidably disposed in a lumen of the outer shaft. An expandable stopper may be positioned at a distal end of the inner shaft, which may be configured to engage a carina of a patient. The device may comprise one or more alignment markings and one or more displacement markings that may be used to measure a distance between a distal tip of an endotracheal tube and the carina. In some variations, measurement may be facilitated by the use of an alignment guide that may attach to a predetermined portion of an endotracheal tube.