Abstract: An endoscope includes a bending operation section that performs pulling and loosening operation of a traction member for bending driving and performs bending operation of the entire of a bending portion, a first traction member for bending fixing configured by a tubular member and inserted through an insertion section in a state where the traction member for bending driving is disposed on an inside of the tubular member; a first operation section for bending fixing that performs pulling/loosening operation of the first traction member for bending fixing and operates fixing or release of the entire of the bending portion, a second traction member for bending fixing connected to the bending portion and inserted through the insertion section; and a second operation section for bending fixing that performs pulling/loosening operation of the second traction member for bending fixing and operates fixing or release of a part of the bending portion.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes a distance information acquisition section that acquires distance information about a distance between a specific part and a treatment tool, a degree-of-relation acquisition section that acquires a degree of relation between the specific part and the treatment tool based on at least one of specific part information and treatment tool information, and the distance information, a notification processing section that performs a notification process based on the degree of relation, a treatment tool information acquisition section that acquires performance information about the treatment tool as the treatment tool information, the performance information relating to an incision capability of the treatment tool, and an incision capability acquisition section that acquires information about the incision capability of the treatment tool based on the performance information about the treatment tool.

Abstract: Tissue visualization devices and variations thereof are described herein where such devices may utilize a variety of methods for facilitating clearing of the device of opaque bodily fluids and sealing between the device and the underlying tissue surface. Additionally, methods and devices for enhancing navigation of the device through a patient body are also described.

Abstract: An endoscope which is capable of backward viewing and the structure of whose tip section is reduced in size. The endoscope includes: an insertion unit; a tip section; and a connecting part. The insertion unit is inserted into a subject. The tip section includes a first illumination optical system for illuminating the inside of the subject, a first imaging device that captures an image of the interior of the subject, and a first imaging optical system having a first objective lens provided in front of the first imaging device. The connecting part connects the tip section to the insertion unit. The first imaging device is placed so that an imaging surface thereof faces the insertion unit.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for performing water aided endoscopy (WAE) are provided herein. The systems include a plurality of devices designed to create a sealed environment within the body cavity, including a multi-functional plug, valves, balloons and pumps. The systems also provide specialized tools configured for operation within a liquid environment which are designed to interface with the multi-functional seal for insertion into the body cavity while maintaining the seal, including an adjustable constant shape snare. Additional features of the systems and methods include specialized fluids for increasing visibility with the body cavity, dyes and other solutions for image-enhancement and diagnostics, and software for increasing the clarity of the image in real-time.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved medical devices equipped with a visualization device for intubation, ventilation, drug delivery, feeding and continuous remote monitoring of a patient. The present invention also provides methods for rapid and accurate placement of a medical device in a patient and continuous real time monitoring, including a remote monitoring, of the patient after the placement.

Abstract: A switching circuit includes a first switch and a second switch respectively connecting a first terminal and a second terminal of an electrical coil to a positive terminal of a voltage source, a third switch and a fourth switch respectively connecting the first terminal and the second terminal of the electrical coil to a negative terminal of the voltage source, and a controller to control the switching circuit in a current control mode to alternate a voltage polarity of the voltage source to thereby control a magnitude and direction of the electrical current of the electrical coil, and to control the switching circuit in a current hold mode to disconnect the electrical coil from the voltage source and to short-circuit the electrical coil to maintain the magnitude and direction of the electrical current at the transition time when the switching circuit switched to the current hold mode.

Abstract: A main body apparatus includes a first detection fiber that transmits light received by an endoscope; a first beam splitter that divides the light transmitted by the first detection fiber into a first optical path and a second optical path, and can guide the light; a second detection fiber that is a detection fiber different from the first detection fiber, and that transmits light received by the endoscope; a second beam splitter that reflects the light transmitted by the second detection fiber into a third optical path oriented in the same direction as the first optical path, and can guide the light; a photodetector that can detect light intensities of the light from the first optical path and the third optical path; and an auxiliary image pickup device that can receive the light from the second optical path.

Abstract: A medical robotic system includes an entry guide with articulatable instruments such as surgical tools and a camera extending out of its distal end. The camera instrument is manipulatable by a camera manipulator, which has a first mechanism for pivoting a focal point of the camera instrument about a pivot of the camera instrument and a second mechanism for positioning the pivot within a three-dimensional space in response to translational commands received from one or a coupled pair of input devices. The system also includes a controller which is configured to receive sensed movement of the input devices, and cause actuation of the first mechanism in response to the sensed movement if the system is in an orientational mode and cause actuation of the second mechanism in response to the sensed movement if the system is in a translational mode.

Abstract: A speculum includes a first blade member and a second blade member, each of the first and second blade members having a distal end and an opposing proximal end. A portable illuminator having a light source and at least one battery includes a switch that is accessible through a slit or similar feature in the speculum. According to at least one version, the switch includes an extending tab portion that can extend through the slit or the end of a handle portion of the speculum to enable illumination. In another version, the portable illuminator can be attached to an articulation mechanism that is configured for moving the first and second blade members in relation to one another.

Abstract: A sterile sleeve for a medical viewing instrument, in particular for an endoscope, exoscope or surgical microscope, designed to enclose at least one heat-emitting component of the medical viewing instrument, has an air inlet, an air outlet, and means for conveying and/or guiding an air stream from the air inlet through the sterile sleeve to the air outlet in order to carry off the heat emitted by the at least one heat-emitting component. The invention also relates to a method for operating a medical viewing instrument, in particular an endoscope, exoscope or surgical microscope.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved medical devices equipped with a visualization device for intubation, extubation, ventilation, drug delivery, feeding and continuous remote monitoring of a patient. The present invention also provides methods for rapid and accurate placement of a medical device in a patient and continuous real time monitoring, including a remote monitoring, of the patient after the placement.

Abstract: An anoscope kit includes an anoscope having a plurality of spaced apart fingers having free ends and a dilator removably positionable within the anoscope to aid insertion of the anoscope. The dilator has a proximal region, an intermediate region and a distal region. The distal region includes an enlarged distal head. A ramped surface extends from the enlarged distal head toward the intermediate region. The intermediate region has an outer surface to contact the fingers of the dilator.

Abstract: An insertion device for use during surgical procedure to enlarge an opening in a patient's tissue to facilitate access to an internal treatment site with a surgical instrument. The insertion device includes an anoscope including a flange, and an elongate body having proximal and distal ends extending distally from the flange along a longitudinal axis. The anoscope may include a configuration that is asymmetrical about a plane extending along the longitudinal axis that bisects the flange.

Abstract: A retractor vision system having an elongate body with at least one longitudinal pathway defined therein is provided. The retractor vision system also has a vision module configured to fit at least partially in the longitudinal pathway. The vision module enables a surgeon to externally see an interior viewpoint of a patient during surgery.

Abstract: The present invention provide for improved optical entry systems and methods for minimally invasive surgery. According to some aspects of the disclosure, an obturator and trocar are merged to provide a device that can be used with an integrated visualization means (e.g. laparoscope) to provide optical entry into a patient's body cavity. Further, a reconfigurable tip is configured to be in an entry state and a visualization state. Said aspects and associated method steps can significantly reduce the complexity of the entry process and do not require removal and reinsertion of surgical instruments which eliminates the need for valves in the trocar and reduces the possibility of contamination of the visualization means' objective lens.

Abstract: A macular health measurement and storage system comprises a plurality of macular-pigment measurement machine for measuring macular pigment density in humans, a plurality of computers each of which is associated with a corresponding one the macular-pigment measuring machines, and a central host. The plurality of macular-pigment measurement machines include a device for receiving macular pigment data from a patient, at least one data transfer port, and at least one processor that enables the transfer of the macular pigment data from the transfer port. The plurality of computers include a first port coupled to the data transfer port of the corresponding macular-pigment measurement machine for receiving the macular pigment data. Each of the computers includes a second port for transferring patient data. The central host is coupled to the second ports on each of the plurality of computers. The central host includes a storage device for storing the patient data.

Abstract: Methods for improving gaze tracking are presented. These methods eliminate the need for a separate initial calibration step to determine whether the subject is properly centrally fixated during testing. In one embodiment, whether the subject is centrally fixated is determined by identifying inlier and outlier gaze descriptors; the inliers are assumed to be associated with central fixation. This reduces the total time required for testing. These methods also improve the accuracy of gaze tracking during testing without the need for individual subject calibration. Instead, a database of reference eyes is used. The subject's eye can be compared to the reference eyes, and the mapping function for one or more reference matches can be used to estimate the subject's gaze direction. In another embodiment, previous calibration data from the same subject can be used to determine whether the subject is properly centrally fixated and/or the direction of the subject's gaze.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhanced accuracy in optical coherence tomography imaging of the cornea are presented, including approaches for more accurate corneal surface modeling, pachymetry maps, keratometric values, and corneal power. These methods involve new scan patterns, an eye tracking mechanism for transverse motion feedback, and advanced motion correction algorithms. In one embodiment the methods comprise acquiring a first sparse set of data, using that data to create a corneal surface model, and then using the model to register a second set of denser data acquisition. This second set of data is used to create a more accurate, motion-corrected model of the cornea, from which pachymetry maps, keratometric values, and corneal power information can be generated. In addition, methods are presented for determining simulated keratometry values from optical coherence tomography data, and for better tracking and registration by using both rotation about three axes and the corneal apex.

Abstract: A wavefront sensor is integrated with a surgical microscope for allowing a doctor to make repeated wavefront measurements of a patient's eye while the patient remains on an operating table in the surgical position. The device includes a wavefront sensor optically aligned with a surgical microscope such that their fields of view at least partially overlap. The inclusion of lightweight, compact diffractive optical components in the wavefront sensor allows the integrated device to be supported on a balancing mechanism above a patient's head during a surgical procedure. As a result, the need to reposition the device and/or the patient between measuring optical properties of the eye and performing surgical procedures on the eye is eliminated. Many surgical procedures may be improved or enhanced using the integrated device, including but not limited to cataract surgery, Conductive Keratoplasty, Lasik surgery, and corneal corrective surgery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ophthalmologic apparatus for acquiring depth information of an eye including a light source; a measurement optical path guiding measurement light; a reference optical path generating reference light; and a detector generating a detection signal containing an interference signal of the measurement light via the measurement optical path and the reference light coming from the reference optical path; an actuator driving at least part of the interference optical system to vary an optical path length difference between the measurement optical path and the reference optical path; a standard optical system including optical members disposed corresponding to the optical path length differences in one of the measurement optical path and the reference optical path. Optical members guide part of the measurement light or the reference light to the detector.

Abstract: A wavefront sensor includes a light source configured to illuminate a subject eye, a detector, a first beam deflecting element configured to intercept a wavefront beam returned from a subject eye when the subject eye is illuminated by the light source and configured to direct a portion of the wavefront from the subject eye through an aperture toward the detector and a controller, coupled to the light source and the beam deflecting element, configured to control the beam deflecting element to deflect and project different portions of an annular ring portion of the wavefront from the subject eye through the aperture and further configured to pulse the light source at a firing rate to sample selected portions of the annular ring at the detector.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for detecting fixation of an eye of a subject on a target. The methods provide for optimization of parameters of the spinning half wave plate and the fixed wave plate in the retinal birefringence scanning (RBS) design to enable uses of the “spinning artifact” frequency component. Frequency of the “spinning artifact” component is determined by half wave plate rotation speed and direction, and amplitude is determined by interaction of the spinning half wave plate with any retardance encountered in the double-pass optics such as the fixed wave plate, the corneal birefringence, and the small amount of retinal birefringence. With optimum selection of the fractional spinning frequency of the half wave plate, and the orientation/retardance of the fixed wave plate, the “spinning artifact” frequency component is essentially independent of the fixation direction and is also essentially independent of the normal range of corneal birefringence.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an intelligent nursing care device, which is a wearable nursing care device and comprises a monitoring unit that acquires a position information and a health condition information of a wearer in real time, and a control unit that determines, based on the position information and the health information acquired by the monitoring unit, a safety condition and a health condition of the wearer, and transmits a determination result to at least one of a cloud server and a monitoring terminal. By wearing the intelligent nursing care device, an intelligent nursing care service and safety tracking service are provided to a wearer.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for imaging.

Abstract: A target peripheral nerve is treated by providing a real-time fluorescent image of a tissue region where the target peripheral nerve has an enhanced appearance in the fluorescent image. A treatment element is advanced from an adjacent body lumen or cavity through the tissue region or externally aimed toward the peripheral nerve while viewing the fluorescent image, and the peripheral nerve is treated using the treatment element.

Abstract: Systems and methods for near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging and frequency-domain photon migration (FDPM) measurements. An optical tomography system includes a bed, a wheel, a light source, an image detector, and radio frequency (RF) circuitry. The bed is configured to support an object to be imaged. The wheel is configured to rotate about the bed. The light source is coupled to the wheel. The image detector is coupled to the wheel and disposed to capture images of the object. The RF circuitry is coupled to the light source and the image detector. The RF circuitry is configured to simultaneously generate a modulation signal to modulate the light source, and generate a demodulation signal to modulate a gain of the image detector.

Abstract: Optical pressure sensor assemblies that can be used with existing catheters and imaging systems. Pressure sensors may be compatible with atherectomy and occlusion-crossing catheters, where intravascular pressure measurements at various vessel locations are needed to determine treatment efficacy. The pressure sensors may employ an optical pressure measurement mechanism using optical interferometry, and may be integrated with existing imaging modalities such as OCT. The pressure sensor assemblies may include a movable membrane that deflects in response to intravascular pressure; an optical fiber that transmits light to the movable membrane and receives light reflected or scattered back from the movable membrane into the fiber; and a processor or controller configured to determine the distance traveled by the light received in the fiber from the movable membrane, where the distance traveled is proportional to the intravascular pressure exerted against the membrane.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a guide with the aid of optical coherence tomography (OCT) data are described. A guide wire includes at least one optical fiber, a flexible substrate, and one or more optical elements. The at least one optical fiber transmits a source beam of radiation. The flexible substrate includes a plurality of waveguides. At least one of the plurality of waveguides transmits one or more beams of radiation away from the guide wire, and at least one of the plurality of waveguides receives one or more beams of scattered radiation that have been reflected or scattered from a sample. The multiplexer generates the one or more beams of exposure radiation from the source beam of radiation. The one or more optical elements at least one of focus and steer the one or more beams of radiation.

Abstract: Pre-intubation examination apparatus and method for generating digital pre-intubation examination files for assisting successful intubations. The digital pre-intubation examination files include personal patient details, facial photographic data, one or more standard exterior patient anatomical measurements determined from the facial photographic data, and a clinician's subjective rating of a patient on one or more of the standard intubation classifications. The pre-intubation examination apparatus can be implemented either as a standalone pre-intubation examination probe or a pre-intubation examination accessory for use with a commercially available handheld digital device, for example, a computer tablet.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in one aspect, a toothbrush system for imaging a dental structure includes a handle, a brush head, a tracking system, an optical system operable to acquire a set of optical absorption samples associated with a set of optical properties and a time, and a set of machine readable instructions operable to receive the three dimensional position of the brush head, receive the optical absorption samples, associate each optical absorption sample with a point on the dental structure, and determine oral health measures associated with each point on the dental structure. In another aspect, a method for quantifying oral health includes acquiring a set of optical absorption samples wherein each sample is associated with a three dimensional point on a dental structure, and computing a set of oral health measures based on the set of optical absorption samples.

Abstract: This puncture needle for a photoacoustic imager is a puncture needle for a photoacoustic imager including a semiconductor light-emitting element light source portion, and includes a puncture needle body and a cover layer, formed on a surface of the puncture needle body, made of a cover material containing a material higher in light absorptivity than the puncture needle body and a resin material larger in linear expansion coefficient than the puncture needle body.

Abstract: A method for acquiring dynamic information of a living body comprises steps: arranging a plurality of temperature measurement points on a surface, and pointwise encoding positions of the plurality of temperature measurement points; decoding to receive the positions of the temperature measurement points and temperatures detected by the temperature measurement points in different time intervals with a same given length; obtaining an ambient temperature; comparing the temperatures of the temperature measurement points with the ambient temperature respectively to determine relative temperatures of the temperature measurement points; and comparing the relative temperature in the current time interval with the relative temperature in the last time interval for each of the temperature measurement points respectively to determine the temperature variations of the plurality of temperature measurement points in each time interval and thus acquire dynamic information of the living body on the surface.

Abstract: A core temperature sensor and a method of using such a sensor to non-invasively measure a temperature of a core thermal compartment of a human body or other mammals. A heater of the core temperature sensor heats a peripheral area to a temperature greater than the core temperature. A skin temperature sensor of the core temperature sensor monitors a cooling of the peripheral area to determine the core temperature.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the instance disclosure are assessing a fitness of a user using a weighing scale apparatus. Specific embodiments concern an arrangement of devices configured and arranged to monitor physiological parameters while the user is standing on a platform region of the device, and communicate an assessed fitness to the user as feedback. Further specific embodiments concern methods of monitoring physiological parameters of a user using the apparatus, assessing the fitness of the user based on one or more of the physiological parameters, and communicating the assessed fitness to the user as feedback.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the instance disclosure are physiological data updates using a weighing scale and a user wearable device. Specific embodiments concern an arrangement of devices including a user wearable device and a weighing scale. The weighing scale is configured and arranged to monitor a plurality of physiological signals of the user using current-impedance electrodes and select data indicative of a physiological parameter of the user, for display on the user wearable device, based on a threshold value and the plurality of physiological signals.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for assessing the compliance of internal patient tissue for purposes of catheter guidance and/or ablation procedures. Specifically, the system/method provides for probing internal patient tissue in order to obtain force and/or tissue displacement measurements. These measurements are utilized to generate an indication of tissue elasticity. In one exemplary embodiment, the indication of elasticity is correlated with an image of the internal tissue area and an output of this image including elasticity indications is displayed for a user.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for non-invasively assessing one or more parameters associated with systems such as fluidic circulating systems (e.g., the circulatory system of a living organism). In a first aspect, an improved method of continuously measuring pressure from a compressible vessel is disclosed, wherein a substantially optimal level of compression for the vessel is achieved and maintained using dynamically applied dither perturbations (e.g., modulation) on the various axes associated with the vessel. In a second aspect, an improved apparatus and method are provided for monitoring hemodynamic parameters, such as blood pressure, in a continuous and non-invasive manner while operating under a single unifying scheme. One variant of this scheme using a simulated annealing (SA) type approach to determining and maintaining an optimal operating state.

Abstract: A PPG system includes a processor configured to receive a PPG signal from a PPG sensor, the PPG signal having a plurality of pulses each representing a heartbeat of a patient. The processor is also configured to determine an amplitude variance of the plurality of pulses over a time period, determine a pulse period variance of the PPG signal over the time period, determine a cardiac stability based on a ratio of the amplitude variance and the pulse period variance, and provide an indication of the cardiac stability via a display. The amplitude variance includes an average of squared differences of an amplitude of a peak of each pulse of the plurality of pulses from a mean amplitude of the plurality of pulses over the time period, and the mean amplitude includes an average of respective midpoints of each of the plurality of pulses over the time period.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for assessing, predicting and/or estimating a probability that a patent is bleeding, in some cases, noninvasively. In various embodiments, tools and techniques are provided for implementing rapid detection of bleeding before, during, and after fluid resuscitation, in some instances, in real-time.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for assessing, predicting and/or effectiveness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (“CPR”), in some cases, noninvasively. In various embodiments, tools and techniques are provided for implementing rapid estimation of a patient's compensatory reserve index (“CRI”) before, during, and after CPR is performed, and using the CRI and variations in CRI values to determine, in some instances, in real-time, the effectiveness of CPR that is performed.

Abstract: A method for measuring blood pressure of a subject is described herein. In an implementation, the method includes obtaining a plurality of photoplethysmogram (PPG) features associated with the subject. The method further includes ascertaining one or more latent parameters associated with the subject based on the plurality of PPG features and a reference model, wherein the reference model indicates a correlation between the plurality of PPG features and the one or more latent parameters. Further, blood pressure of the subject is determined based on the one or more latent parameters and the plurality of PPG features.

Abstract: An algorithm for removing motion artifacts from the PPG signal in the time domain to determine heart rate is disclosed. A device for determining a heart rate of a user can include a heart rate sensor configured to generate heart rate signals when positioned on or adjacent to a user's skin, an accelerometer configured to generate one or more acceleration signals, and processing circuitry configured to remove, in a time domain, motion artifacts from the heart rate signals based on the acceleration signals. In some examples, the removal of motion artifacts can also be based on mean-centered, variance-scaled integrated acceleration signals. In some examples, the processing circuitry can be configured to remove motion artifacts using a least squares algorithm to identify a best representation of acceleration and integrated acceleration signals in the heart rate signals.

Abstract: A device for detecting rhinitis in a human subject includes an inflatable member that, in a first state, is configured to be introducible into the nasal cavity of the human subject; an expansion member configured to expand the inflatable member to an expanded, second state within the nasal cavity such that the inflatable member abuts against the tissue of the nasal cavity, and a pressure sensing member configured to measure a pressure exerted on the inflatable member by the tissue of the nasal cavity. A system for detecting rhinitis and methods for analyzing tissue response pressure, detecting rhinitis, predicting the efficacy of a planned rhinitis treatment and evaluating the efficacy of a previous rhinitis treatment are provided.

Abstract: A method, including recording parameters indicative of a quality of ablation performed at one or more sites in a region of a human heart, and receiving a set of electrophysiological signals indicative of a wave of electrical activation flowing through the region. The method further includes identifying locations within the region at which the wave is blocked from flowing and estimating confidence levels with respect to a blockage of the wave at the locations in response to the signals and the parameters. The method also includes displaying a map of the human heart including an indication of the confidence levels.

Abstract: There is a method and system for detecting heartbeat irregularities comprising the steps of receiving a dataset representative of at least one waveform, the at least one waveform indicative of a subject's heart activity over a predetermined period of time; identifying from the data representative of at least one waveform, a plurality of peaks, each peak corresponding to a heartbeat; identifying from the predetermined period of time the time occurrence of each peak; calculating the difference (duration) between the time occurrence of each peak with its adjacent peak; determining the difference between each duration; classifying the absolute value of the difference into one of at least three intermediate categories; wherein each intermediate category comprises a specified range such that the absolute value is categorized into the intermediate category if it falls between the range; the intermediate categories further providing an indication of whether the subject has heartbeat irregularity.

Abstract: A method of analyzing neurophysiological data recorded from a subject is disclosed. The method comprises identifying activity-related features in the data, and parceling the data according to the activity-related features to define a plurality of capsules, each representing a spatiotemporal activity region in the brain. The method further comprises comparing at least some of the defined capsules to at least one reference capsule, and estimating a brain function of the subject based on the comparison.

Abstract: A system and method providing outpatient ECG monitoring and safe home based cardiac tele-rehabilitation. The system includes a recordation module for recording ECG signals using at least one lead, a tele-rehabilitation module for home based exercise management for a patient's recovery from a heart disease, the tele-rehabilitation module including a processing module for recognizing erroneous data from the ECG signals and an analysis module for calculating beat-to-beat annotations and determining if an ECG event and/or if a QT interval duration change has occurred.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, a systems, and methods for determining the dipole densities on heart walls. In particular, a triangularization of the heart wall is performed in which the dipole density of each of multiple regions correlate to the potential measured at various locations within the associated chamber of the heart.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a plurality of electrically conductive elements for transmitting an electrical signal from a sensor to a medical device is described, wherein the electrically conductive elements are moveable between a first stored position and a second in use position. In this manner the apparatus provides an interface between the sensor and the medical device such that the length of each of the electrically conductive elements can be varied and adjusted such that the excess amount of the elements is minimized and the functionality of the sensors and/or medical device maximized.