Abstract: A system to help patients manage their healthcare using a comprehensive package of healthcare reminders administered by remote computing and wireless communications devices. Healthy lifestyle, preventive care, chronic condition maintenance care, medication compliance and custom reminders are set according to a schedule and delivered via email, SMS text message, IVR phone message, live voice phone or other communications methods. Participants respond to reminders with their actual progress toward achieving the goal or with data concerning their condition which is recorded and reported. Tools allow users to schedule healthcare provider appointments and receive related reminders and follow-ups, refill prescriptions and generate a variety of reports to track their own progress and condition and which can be shared with a physician. Participating physicians have direct access to patient records to monitor progress and compliance in real time and to communicate with and manage their patients.

Abstract: A biometric device for detecting biological tissue based upon ratiometric measurements of metabolic and/or biochemical intermediates is provided in which a radiation source (103) is electromagnetically coupled to a target region (125). A radiation sensor (155) receives emission signals (128) from the target region as a result of emitted radiation (121) interacting with the target region. A CPU (167) receives a signal from the sensor, and provides a biometric output signal based upon the presence of live, healthy tissue versus sham or dead tissue. Optionally, a conventional, non-metabolism, non-biochemical-based biometric sensor can be incorporated into the present invention, and the biometric output signal is then a result of both the metabolism- and/or biochemical based and non-metabolism non-biochemical-based biometric determinations. A method of performing this biometric analysis is also described.

Abstract: An ischemia detection system in two or more somatic measures, collected simultaneously or near-simultaneously, are provided for direct or computational comparison, in which light from light source A (103A) and source B (103B) is detected by a sensor (155), and a difference-weighted value is determined (167), thereby enhancing the value of the spectroscopic measurements over values taken individually and singly.

Abstract: A device and a method for the screening of in-vivo tumors in a target tissue are provided. The device and method provide a local measure of a risk of tumor presence in the target tissue with high specificity. The local measure may be based upon a non-linear combination of local hemoglobin and tissue oxygen saturation and other tissue characteristics.

Abstract: An implantable ischemia detection system in which a white LED (105) produces a continuous, visible, broadband light illuminating a target site (125). Light backscattered by the target is collected by a sensor (155), allowing for an index of ischemia to be determined, and subsequently transmitted by a sending unit (167). Power is provided by an internal power source (179). The entire implantable device is encapsulated by a biocompatible shell (102) to add long-term safety with regard to implantation.

Abstract: An improved hybrid connector for rapidly, reliably, and reversibly making mixed optical and electrical connections has a plug (103) with one or more centrally located fiber-containing optical ferrules (108) and one or more peripheral electrical contacts (109), and second, a socket (105) with interior electrical contacts (115) and a fiber-bearing central floating optical connector (225). Insertion and rotation of a shaft (107) of the plug into a bore (201) of the socket connects the respective electrical contacts of the shaft and socket, and nearly-simultaneously couples the respective optical fibers of the plug ferrule and socket connector, thus creating a rapid, reversible, and low-cost hybrid connection optimized for both the electrical and optical requirements of a mixed optical and electrical connection.