Abstract: A blood flow monitor with a visual display. The monitor may include a probe monitoring circuit configured to be associated with a blood vessel. The probe monitoring circuit may transmit a burst signal and receive a reflected signal, where a frequency shift in the reflected signal represents a flow rate associated with the blood vessel. A mixer may be provided in electrical communication with the probe. A signal processing circuit in electrical communication with the output of the mixer may be configured to drive the visual display with a signal representing the flow rate associated with the blood vessel.

Abstract: Catheter systems and methods for determining blood flow rates based on speed of sound measurements. The catheter may include a lumen extending between a proximal end of the catheter and a distal end of the catheter. The catheter may include fluid infusion openings at the distal end region of the catheter that are configured to permit the indicator fluid to exit the catheter from the lumen. The catheter system may include a guidewire having one or more sensors thereon for sensing speed of sound in a body vessel lumen and/or in a lumen of the catheter. The sensors may sense a sound sent through the catheter to the body vessel lumen. A blood flow rate may be calculated based on the measured speeds of sound.

Abstract: A microradio is provided with a hysteretic switch to permit an optimum range increasing charging cycle, with the charging cycle being long relative to the transmit cycle. Secondly, an ensemble of microradios permits an n2 power enhancement to increase range with coherent operation. Various multi-frequency techniques are used both for parasitic powering and to isolate powering and transmit cycles. Applications for microradios and specifically for ensembles of microradios include authentication, tracking, fluid flow sensing, identification, terrain surveillance including crop health sensing and detection of improvised explosive devices, biohazard and containment breach detection, and biomedical applications including the use of microradios attached to molecular tags to destroy tagged cells when the microradios are activated. Microradio deployment includes the use of paints or other coatings containing microradios, greases and aerosols.

Abstract: A blood flow rate acquisition device which does not require an injection operation for injecting a cooling saline into a blood vessel and can acquire a blood flow rate inside the blood vessel includes an elongated member that is insertable into a blood vessel, a flow velocity measuring member that is disposed in a distal end of a distal end portion of the elongated member in order to measure a flow velocity of blood flow, a cross-sectional area measuring member that is disposed on a side surface in the distal end portion of the elongated member in order to measure a cross-sectional area of a lumen of the blood vessel, and an acquisition device that acquires the blood flow rate by using detection values detected by the flow velocity measuring member and the cross-sectional area measuring member.

Abstract: A catheter for delivering securing elements to a tissue, such as a blood vessel, and imaging the tissue before, after, or during the imaging. The catheters incorporate intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging, including Focused Acoustic Computed Tomography (FACT), as well as optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Abstract: Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart, and create a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may be further configured to create a physics-based model relating to a blood flow characteristic of the patient's heart and determine a fractional flow reserve within the patients heart based on the three-dimensional model and the physics-based model.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart, and create a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may be further configured to create a physics-based model relating to a blood flow characteristic of the patient's heart and determine a fractional flow reserve within the patient's heart based on the three-dimensional model and the physics-based model.

Abstract: A blood flow measuring apparatus includes a sensor unit including a light emitter configured to emit light onto a measurement area and a light receiver configured to receive the light transmitted through the measurement area; at least one more light receiver configured to receive the light transmitted through the measurement area; and a control part configured to measure a blood flow state of the measurement area according to signals outputted by the light receivers. The light emitted by the light emitter is received by the light receivers arranged at different distances from the light emitter and the light receivers output the signals responsive to the received light. The control part measures the blood flow state of the measurement area by performing an arithmetic process to cancel a component of oxygen saturation in the blood, said component being included in the signals outputted by the light receivers.

Abstract: This disclosure describes antenna structures for use with implantable medical devices (IMDs). The IMD may include a housing that hermetically encloses electronic components of the IMD and a fixation mechanism that attaches the IMD to a target location within a patient, such as a wall of a vessel. The fixation mechanism may function as a radiating element of an antenna of the IMD. The fixation mechanism may be attached to a housing of the IMD with two different members. One member may be an anchoring structure that mechanically anchors the fixation mechanism to the housing. The second member may be a connector that electrically connects the fixation mechanism to the housing such that the fixation mechanism is configured to transmit and/or receive communication signals with other implantable or external devices.

Abstract: An implantable device that includes a plurality of conduits, a plurality of chambers, and a control unit. The blood through the plurality of conduits and the chambers collect the ingredient information of the blood according to the blood through the conduits. The chambers transfer the ingredient information of the blood to the control unit to analysis. The chamber includes two electrodes, the chamber exploits a reverse theorem to force the glucose of the blood generates a plurality of charges flowing between the electrodes and further to generate a current in the chamber. Thus, the implantable device can achieve the goal of the self-electricity-generation.

Abstract: Catheter systems and methods for determining blood flow rates based on temperature measurements by thermodilution. The catheter may include a fluid lumen defined between inner and outer tubular members for delivering an indicator fluid, and a guidewire lumen defined by the inner tubular member. The catheter may include fluid infusion openings at the distal end region of the outer tubular member configured to permit the indicator fluid to exit the catheter from the fluid lumen, and a fluid hole located at the distal end region of the inner tubular member configured to permit the indicator fluid to pass from the fluid lumen into the guidewire lumen. A temperature sensor positioned on a guidewire may be positioned within the guidewire lumen to measure the temperature of the indicator fluid entering the guidewire lumen through the fluid hole. A blood flow rate may be calculated based on the measured temperature.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to sensing guidewires with a centering element and methods of use thereof. In certain aspects, guidewires of the invention include a core member sized to fit within a vessel. A sensor is coupled to the core member. A centering element including a retracted and deployed configuration that is coupled to the core member such that upon deployment of the centering element, the sensor on the core member is located within a center of a lumen.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for detecting endoleaks associated with EVAR procedures using physiological measurements. The method can involve the taking of functional measurement data in the vicinity of a stent-graft delivered as part of the EVAR procedure and determining the presence of an endoleak based on such data.

Abstract: A renal denervation catheter includes a catheter shaft, at least one ablation member, and a sensor, and is operable to perform a renal denervation procedure. The catheter shaft includes a distal end portion insertable into a renal artery. The at least one ablation member is positioned at the distal end portion of the catheter shaft and operable to ablate renal nerves along a wall of the renal artery. The sensor provides information that correlates to blood flow in the renal artery. A change in blood flow rate in the renal artery resulting from the ablation is indicative of the efficacy of the renal denervation procedure.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining information about a vascular bodily lumen are described. An exemplary method includes generating an electrical signal, delivering the electrical signal to a plurality of excitation elements in the vicinity of the vascular bodily lumen, measuring a responsive electrical signal from a plurality of sensing elements in response to the delivered electrical signal, and determining a lumen dimension. Specific embodiments include generating a multiple frequency electrical signal. Another embodiment includes measuring a plurality of responsive signals at a plurality of frequencies. Still other embodiments include using spatial diversity of the excitation elements. Yet other embodiments use method for calibration and de-embedding of such measurements to determine the lumen dimensions. Diagnostic devices incorporating the method are also disclosed, including guide wires, catheters and implants.

Abstract: A device and method determining or measuring a biological, physical or physiological parameter of an object includes a flexible carrier configured to be placed in a vicinity of the object; and at least one a sensor element attached to the flexible carrier and configured to determine at least one biological, physical or physiological parameter. In addition, a heating element is attached to the flexible carrier and configured to provide heat to the object; and a degradable adhesive is arranged on the flexible carrier adjacent to the heating element and configured to at least temporally affix the flexible carrier to the object.

Abstract: A measurement system may comprise a sensor wire and a transceiver unit. The sensor wire may comprise an insertable portion configured to be inserted in a blood vessel of a patient's body and a sensor disposed within the insertable portion at a distal end of the senior wire. The sensor is configured to measure a parameter when inserted inside the patient. The transceiver unit may comprise: a housing adapted to be connected to a proximal end of the sensor wire; and a first communication module within the housing adapted to wirelessly communicate by a communication signal with an external second communication module in order to transfer information to the external second communication module.

Abstract: Several different smart stent structures are described for placement in vessel of a mammal. The stents can be advantageously used to perform measurements of the conditions in the vessel and transmit the measurements wireless out from the patient. In some embodiments, the stent performs therapy within the vessel and may be controlled with a microprocessor, which may or may not communicate wirelessly. Some implantable devices comprise a drug delivery system based, for example, on either a microelectromechanical structure or a cover that opens upon application of an electrical current. Smart devices can be used, for example, the detect deposits in a vessel, aneurysms in the vessel or other modifications of flow in the vessel.

Abstract: A medical system for minimally-invasive measurement of blood flow in an artery (AT). An interventional device (IVD) with an optical fiber (FB) comprising a plurality of temperature-sensitive optical sensor segments, e.g. Fiber Bragg Gratings, spatially distributed along its longitudinal extension is configured for insertion into an artery (AT). A temperature changer (TC) is arranged in the WD to introduce a local change in temperature (?T) of a bolus of blood in the artery, to allow thermal tracking over time with the optical fiber (FB). A measurement unit (MU) with a laser light source (LS) delivers light to the optical fiber (FB) and receives light reflected from the optical fiber (FB) and generates a corresponding time varying output signal. A first algorithm (A1) translates this time varying output signal into a set of temperatures corresponding to temperatures at respective positions along the optical fiber (FB).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sensing guidewire for performing atraumatic intravascular physiologic measurements includes an elongated core wire and a sensor disposed at a distal end portion thereof. A flexure is disposed in the core wire proximal to the sensor housing. The flexure is substantially more flexible than regions of the core wire disposed on either side of the flexure, and enables a distal end portion of the guide wire to conform to and rest against a wall of vascular structure, such as an aneurism, without exerting an undue outward pressure thereon in response to making any contact with the wall.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some instances, the intravascular device is a guide wire with electrical conductors printed on a solid core wire. In some instances, the electrical conductors are coupled to conductive bands adjacent a proximal portion of the guide wire. Methods of making, manufacturing, and/or assembling such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided. In certain aspects, guidewires of the invention include a body having an inner core and an outer layer with one or more embedded conductors. The conductors are exposed at one or more locations along the body and a conductive material can be layered over the exposed locations. A sensor can also be coupled to the body via the conductive material at one of the exposed locations.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to guidewires with adjustable tips. In certain aspects, the guidewire includes an elongate member and a core member extending through a lumen of the elongate member. The elongate member includes a distal portion. The distal portion includes a coil segment and at least a portion of the coil segment being compressible from a relaxed state, in which the coil segment aligns with a longitudinal axis of the elongate body, to a compressed state, in which the coil segment moves in a direction away from the longitudinal axis. The distal portion may include one or more sensors. The core member is coupled to the elongate member at a point on the distal portion such that movement of the elongate member translates the elongate member relative to the core member and compresses the coil segment from the relaxed state to the compressed state.

Abstract: A steerable sheath for a catheter delivery system and associated devices and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the catheter delivery system includes a catheter sheath having a steerable distal portion and a flexible elongate member connecting to a steering unit. The flexible elongate member has a central lumen through which a therapeutic or diagnostic device of a first modality can be inserted, used to perform a procedure, and then removed and replaced by a different therapeutic or diagnostic device while the catheter sheath remains substantially at the same location within a patient.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, side-loading electrical connectors for use with intravascular devices are provided. The side-loading electrical connector has at least one electrical contact configured to interface with an electrical connector of the intravascular device. A first connection piece of the side-loading electrical connector is movable relative to a second connection piece between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position an elongated opening is formed between the first and second connection pieces to facilitate insertion of the electrical connector between the first and second connection pieces in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the intravascular device and wherein in the closed position the at least one electrical contact is electrically coupled to the at least one electrical connector received between the first and second connection pieces.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices for determining pressure and flow in a vessel and methods for using such devices. The device can involve an elongate body configured for insertion into a vessel, a flow sensor positioned on the elongate body configured for detecting flow in the vessel, and a pressure sensor positioned on the elongate body configured for detecting pressure in the vessel, wherein the pressure sensor comprises an optical sensor.

Abstract: Devices and methods for guidewire assisted placement of catheters into blood vessels are described. Some of the devices and methods relate to automated or partially automated or assisted insertion and placement of an intravenous catheter into a vein or artery of a patient. Other of the devices are blood draw devices and methods for insertion and placement of an intravenous device into a vein or artery of a patient or to withdraw a blood sample from the patient. The devices also provide for guide wire tip inspection after use.

Abstract: A device for the in vivo determination of the blood flow rate in a patient's blood vessel includes a microelectrode arrangement provided for placement in the blood vessel, an electrical power source which provides excitation energy having physiologically harmless parameters for obtaining a measured signal, a signal detector for detecting an electrical measured signal resulting from the blood flow in the presence of the excitation energy at measuring electrodes of the microelectrode arrangement, and a signal evaluation device, connected to the signal detector, for determining the blood flow rate on the basis of the measured signal.

Abstract: A system for accurate placement of a catheter tip in a patient, the system including a catheter adapted for placement within a patient, the catheter having a tip at a distal end thereof and having a proximal end which is normally located outside of the patient, a pressure sensor adapted to sense pressure at the tip of the catheter and catheter tip placement location indicating circuitry operative in response to at least an output of the pressure sensor for indicating the location of the catheter tip in the patient.

Abstract: A multifunctional invasive cardiovascular diagnostic measurement host is disclosed that interfaces a variety of sensor devices, such as guide wire-mounted pressure sensors, flow sensors, temperature sensors, etc, and provides a multi-mode graphical user interface providing a plurality of displays in accordance with the various types of sensors and measurements rendered by the sensors.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for determining fractional flow reserve. At least one method for determining fractional flow reserve of the present disclosure comprises the steps positioning a device comprising at least two sensors within a luminal organ at or near a stenosis, wherein the at least two sensors are separated a predetermined distance from one another, operating the device to determine flow velocity of a second fluid introduced into me luminal organ to temporarily displace a first fluid present within the luminal organ, and determining fractional flow reserve at or near the stenosis based upon the flow velocity, a mean aortic pressure within the luminal organ, and at least one cross-sectional area at or near the stenosis. Devices and systems useful for performing such exemplary methods are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for obtaining fractional flow reserve in the presence of a catheter. In a method of determining a fractional flow reserve in the presence of a catheter, the method comprises the steps of obtaining measurements of an inner luminal organ diameter proximal to, at, and distal to a stenosis and a length of the stenosis, obtaining a pressure drop measurement at the stenosis, calculating a volumetric flow of fluid through the inner luminal organ at the stenosis, and determining a stenotic pressure drop at the stenosis corresponding to dimensions of the guidewire as a function of the calculated volumetric flow of fluid through the inner luminal organ at the stenosis, wherein the stenotic pressure drop is indicative of a fractional flow reserve at or near the stenosis.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a heat exchanging assembly with a body adaptable to a catheter for measuring blood flow rate with a supply system for providing the heat exchanging medium to the heat exchanging assembly at a constant temperature and constant flow rate. The heat exchanging assembly comprises a heat exchanging element, a plurality of temperature sensors, a sensor lumen and an inflation lumen.

Abstract: The present invention provides implantable systems that communicate wirelessly with each other using a unique format that enables devices configurations and applications heretofore not possible. Embodiments of the present invention provide communication apparatuses and methods for exchanging information with implantable medical devices. In some embodiments, two implantable devices communicate with each other using quasi-electrostatic signal transmission in a long wavelength/low frequency electromagnetic band, with the patient's body acting as a conductive medium.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for delivering gas to a subject and obtaining plethysmograph readings from a subject. Specifically disclosed herein are masks and helmets which comprise one or more pulse oximeter probes associated therewith. The masks and helmets may be used in particular contexts, including, but not limited to, emergency responder personnel, pilots or subjects of medical attention.

Abstract: The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to methods and/or apparatus for measuring the effectiveness of a renal denervation treatment. In some embodiments, a method for determining effectiveness of the denervation treatment comprises tracking at least one of arterial wall movement, arterial blood flow rate, arterial blood flow velocity, blood pressure and arterial diameter at one or more selected locations in the renal artery over time, and assessing the effectiveness of said renal denervation treatment according to results obtained by tracking.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for measuring fluid flow in a vasculature system of a patient. Some systems may include an injection system configured to inject a bolus of fluid into a vessel of a patient. Some systems may include a measurement engine configured to monitor the bolus of fluid in the vessel using measurement data generated by an intravascular measuring device. The measurement engine may determine a travel distance of the bolus of fluid and an elapsed time during which the bolus of fluid traversed the travel distance based on the measurement data. A fluid flow rate (e.g., velocity, volumetric flow) of the vessel may be calculated using the travel distance and the elapsed time.

Abstract: An electrical connector is described. In one implementation, the connector includes a female portion including one or more electrical contacts and a male portion including one or more electrical contacts. The female portion and the male portion each have a self-orientating geometry that allows the male portion to be mated with the female portion in any rotational position along 360 degrees of rotation. When mated, the electrical contacts of the female portion mate with corresponding one or more electrical contacts of the male portion to form one or more electrical connections between two electronic components.

Abstract: Method and systems for ablating nerves including measurement of physiological parameters and/or electrical conduction. The method may include ablating nerves within an artery of a patient such as the renal artery and may include advancing a catheter into the artery, measuring a physiological parameter, emitting an electrical pulse into a wall of the artery, measuring the physiological parameter during or after the step of emitting the electrical pulse, ablating the artery wall, then repeating the steps of measuring the physiological parameter, emitting an electrical pulse, and measuring the physiological parameter during or after the step of emitting the electrical pulse. The change in the physiological parameter caused by the electrical pulse before ablation may be compared to the change in the physiological parameter caused by the electrical pulse after ablation to determine the degree of nerve ablation achieved and whether or not to perform further ablation.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for assessing, treating, and for developing new treatments for COPD. Methods can involve obtaining one or more PA hemodynamic readings from a subject with COPD, processing the PA hemodynamic readings to obtain one or more PA hemodynamic parameters, and using the one or more PA hemodynamic parameters to assess, treat, and/or develop new treatments for COPD. The methods can optionally be used to evaluate the progress of (COPD) in a subject, or to predict an outcome in a subject having COPD.

Abstract: A sensor wire system with an integrated power source and wireless transmission is provided. A sensor wire includes a distal end that is inserted into a blood vessel of a patient's body. A sensor that is mounted at the distal end of the sensor wire and an electronics unit of the distal end of the sensor wire transmit information generated by the sensor to a receiver unit outside of the patient's body wirelessly. The system further includes a power source, which in one example is mounted to the distal end of the sensor wire, that supplies power to the electronics unit. Preferably the wire body functions as an antenna for the wireless broadcasting.

Abstract: An electromedical implant (100, 101, 102, 103) for monitoring a cardiac blood flow (B1) of a patient includes a detector (10, 10?, 10?) which obtains a first measurement signal (S1) associated with the cardiac blood flow (B1) and a second measurement signal (S2) associated with the epithoracic, peripheral blood flow (B2). A monitoring assembly (20) then generates a first parameter (P1) from the first measurement signal (S1) which is indicative of a time (tsys) at which blood is ejected from the heart, and a second parameter (2) from the second measurement signal (S2) which is indicative of a time (tgef) of a blood pulse in the thoracic tissue which is associated with the ejection of blood. An evaluation unit (30) then generates a pulse transit time (?t=tgef?tsys) from the first parameter (P1) and the second parameter (P2).

Abstract: An implantable medical device including a radially-expandable body and an attached detection device. The detection device includes a sensor positioned on a surface of the radially-expandable body and configured to detect endothelialization of the surface. The detection device also includes a transmitter and a receiver. Systems incorporating the implantable medical device and methods of using the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion into a vascular system of a patient and for directing fluid flow includes a catheter body having a longitudinal axis and longitudinally spaced proximal and distal catheter ends with an intermediate catheter portion defined therebetween. An intermediate catheter outlet in the catheter body is located in the intermediate catheter portion and is spaced longitudinally from the proximal and distal catheter ends. A first lumen is defined within the catheter body and has longitudinally spaced proximal and distal first lumen ends with a reversing bend located therebetween, the first lumen providing fluid communication between the proximal catheter end and the intermediate catheter outlet. The reversing bend is located longitudinally between the intermediate catheter outlet and the distal catheter end. The reversing bend directs fluid flow to turn approximately 180° as the fluid flows through the first lumen. A method of using the catheter is also described.

Abstract: Described here are implantable devices and methods for monitoring physiological information relating to sleep. The implantable devices are generally designed to include at least one sensor for sensing physiological information, a processor for processing the physiological information using low computational power to detect a sleep stage, and a battery. The detected sleep stage information may then be used to indicate sleep quality, identify or monitor a medical condition, or guide treatment thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a patient's circulatory fill status is adapted to provide a dilution curve and is capable to derive the ratio between the patient's global end-diastolic volume GEDV and the patient's intra thoracic thermo volume ITTV from the dilution curve. Further, a computer program for determining a patient's circulatory fill status has instructions adapted to carry out the steps of generating the dilution curve on basis of provided measurement data of dilution versus time, deriving the ratio between the patient's global end-diastolic volume GEDV and the patient's intra thoracic thermo volume ITTV from the dilution curve, and determining the patient's circulatory fill status on basis of the ratio between the patient's global end-diastolic volume GEDV and the patient's intra thoracic thermo volume ITTV, when the computer program is run on a computer. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An analyte measuring system has an implantable medical device having a signal source arranged for generating a current signal and electrodes for applying the current signal to a surrounding tissue in a subject body. The device measures a resulting voltage signal with the electrodes and calculates an impedance signal therefrom. The system comprises a signal processor arranged for generating an estimate of a concentration of an analyte in the tissue based on a spectrum analysis of the determined impedance signal.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, an implantable device for detecting variation in fluid flow rate is provided. The implantable device includes: a substrate having an active element arrangement; a sensor arrangement having a first portion that is mechanically secured and a second portion that is freely deflectable, the sensor arrangement in electrical communication with the active element arrangement, wherein the active element arrangement is configured to detect changes in deformation of the sensor arrangement and produce an output in response to the detected changes; and at least one inductive element mechanically coupled to the substrate and in electrical communication with the active element arrangement, wherein the inductive element is adapted to power the active element arrangement through inductive coupling to an excitation source, and wherein the inductive element is adapted to transmit the output associated with the detected changes in the sensor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining information about a vascular bodily lumen are described. An exemplary method includes generating an electrical signal, delivering the electrical signal to a plurality of excitation elements in the vicinity of the vascular bodily lumen, measuring a responsive electrical signal from a plurality of sensing elements in response to the delivered electrical signal, and determining a lumen dimension. Specific embodiments include generating a multiple frequency electrical signal. Another embodiment includes measuring a plurality of responsive signals at a plurality of frequencies. Still other embodiments include using spatial diversity of the excitation elements. Yet other embodiments use method for calibration and de-embedding of such measurements to determine the lumen dimensions. Diagnostic devices incorporating the method are also disclosed, including guide wires, catheters and implants.

Abstract: Disclosed are hypertension systems and related methods that include a blood pressure sensor located or implanted under the skin of a patient, and electronics, which may have the size and shape of a wrist watch, for example, that monitors the blood pressure of the patient by communicating with the implanted sensor.

Abstract: A distributed medical sensing system including a first body sensing device configured to sense medical characteristics, the first body sensing device being located in a first sterile field and a second body sensing device configured to sense medical characteristics, the second body sensing device being located in a second sterile field, the second sterile field being spaced from the first sterile field. The syJostem also includes a computing device outside of the first and second sterile fields and communicatively coupled to the first and second body sensing devices, the computing device configured to respectively receive first and second medical characteristic data from the first and second body sensing devices, process the first and second medical characteristic data, and transmit the processed first and second medical characteristic data to respective first and second user interface devices.