Abstract: Provided are CD164 mucin domain fusion proteins with a heterologous protein, such as a heterologous protein with a therapeutic function and can benefit from extended serum half-life. Methods of using the fusion proteins are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for removal and replacement of artifacts in electrophysiological data from muscular activity in the gastrointestinal tract of a patient are disclosed. The approach includes setting an artifact identification threshold based on the parameters of the data, assessing the full extent of the artifact in time, and replacing the values with ones that are neutral in the time series and minimizing the effect on a power spectrum of the data. More particularly, the method includes steps of identifying artifacts within the raw time series data, eliminating the identified artifacts, and replacing the artifacts with any of interpolated points or constant value points to create a clean time series data set representing valid gastrointestinal tract EMG signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing electrical activity in smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract of a patient are disclosed. The systems includes an electromyographic-sensing patch adapted for placement on the skin of the abdomen of the patient. The patch has at least one bipolar electrode pair, or a multitude arranged in an array, and is enabled for communication of a signal indicative of a sensed electromyographic signal. The methods include artifact removal, data normalization, and peak detection methods on data derived from the sensed electromyographic signal and employ, at least for example, machine learning methods.

Abstract: A rod cutter that has a ratcheting mechanism that allows incremental, stepped forces applied to the rod being cut. The ratcheting mechanism employs multiple pawls to retain the rod cutter in stepped positions during the cutting process.

Abstract: A laser therapeutic apparatus includes a laser and a therapeutic optical fiber. The therapeutic optical fiber is configured for being implanted into a body of a patient during surgery to perform a repair treatment on a spinal cord site to-be-treated by irradiation and then being removed from the body of the patient after the surgery. The therapeutic optical fiber includes N number of laser fibers, N?1 number of optical fiber connection components, an optical fiber guiding structure, and an optical fiber controller; the N number of laser fibers are coupled with one another by the N?1 number of optical fiber connection components to form a cascaded optical fiber structure, an end of the cascaded optical fiber structure is coupled to the optical fiber guiding structure, and another end of the cascaded optical fiber structure is coupled to the optical fiber controller.

Abstract: An example system coupled to a rollator for monitoring usage of the rollator, includes a grip assembly and/or a hip sensing assembly. The grip assembly includes a first sensor configured to detect a force applied to the first sensor. The hip sensing assembly includes a second sensor configured to measure a distance between the second sensor and a hip of the user positioned with respect to the rollator. A microcontroller is electronically coupled in signal communication with the first sensor, the second sensor, and a feedback circuitry. When the force applied to the first sensor exceeds a first threshold, the microcontroller activates the feedback circuitry to generate a first response indicating that the first threshold has been exceeded. When the distance exceeds a second threshold, the microcontroller activates the feedback circuitry to generate a second response indicating that the second threshold has been exceeded.

Abstract: In an improved cranial drill guide for guiding a drill bit during drilling a brain-access hole in a skull, the improvement comprising an elongate guide-body having a wall defining an internal through-hole therealong, the through-hole sized to receive the drill bit, and a side-opening in the wall for passage of bone debris from the drill bit to outside the guide-body.

Abstract: Measurement of airway resistance and/or lung compliance during non forced exhalation is performed using initial occlusion of exhalation followed by removal of the occlusion or opening of a shutter. The measurement device can use a single sensor to measure both pressure and flow. A pressure monitor can detect that exhalation is improperly forced to signal an error or to reject a pressure and flow measurement from a forced exhalation trial.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a device for a surgical instrument, including at least one sensor, a circuit for controlling and processing signals coming from the at least one sensor, a memory for storing information coming from the circuit, and a radio interface for transmitting this information to an external device, the sensor(s), the circuit, the memory and the radio interface being powered by a power source, the circuit, the memory, the radio interface and the power source being housed in one or several hermetic and heat and pressure resistant case(s), in order to allow an autonomous operation of the device.

Abstract: System and methods for acquiring and processing myoelectrical data from the gastrointestinal tract of a patient are provided. In various embodiments, the systems and methods monitor the motor activity of a patient recovering from surgery to detect a resumption in gastrointestinal motility. In some embodiments, the systems and methods enable proper post-operative ileus in the patient. In some embodiments, the systems and methods allow researchers or clinicians to determine the efficacy of one or more therapies intended to encourage gastrointestinal motility. In some embodiments, the systems and methods enable clinicians to predict and facilitate the proper timing of discharge from a healthcare facility following surgery.

Abstract: A system and method for profiling electrical activity in smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract muscular of a patient are disclosed. The system includes electromyographic-sensing patches adapted for placement on the skin of the abdomen of the patient. Each patch has at least one bipolar electrode pair, or a multitude arranged in an array, and is enabled for communication of a signal indicative of a sensed electromyographic signal. The system further includes networked computing devices. The local patch device is configured for wireless communication between the EMG-sensing patches and a local computing device, to enable wireless transmission from the patch to the networked computing devices. The networked computing device is configured to process large aggregate collections of multi-hour or day signals received from the local computing device to yield diagnostically valuable physiological parameters of gastrointestinal smooth muscle electrical activity.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for removal and replacement of artifacts in electrophysiological data from muscular activity in the a gastrointestinal tract of a patient are disclosed. The approach includes setting an artifact identification threshold based on the parameters of the data, assessing the full extent of the artifact in time, and replacing the values with ones that are neutral in the time series and minimizing the effect on a power spectrum of the data. More particularly, the method includes steps of identifying artifacts within the raw time series data, eliminating the identified artifacts, and replacing the artifacts with any of interpolated points or constant value points to create a clean time series data set representing valid gastrointestinal tract EMG signals.

Abstract: A system and method for profiling electrical activity in smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract muscular of a patient are disclosed. The system includes electromyographic-sensing patches adapted for placement on the skin of the abdomen of the patient. Each patch has at least one bipolar electrode pair, or a multitude arranged in an array, and is enabled for communication of a signal indicative of a sensed electromyographic signal. The system further includes networked computing devices. The local patch device is configured for wireless communication between the EMG-sensing patches and a local computing device, to enable wireless transmission from the patch to the networked computing devices. The networked computing device is configured to process large aggregate collections of multi-hour or day signals received from the local computing device to yield diagnostically valuable physiological parameters of gastrointestinal smooth muscle electrical activity.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting plural multi-contact linear arrays with an electrical system, including: a base portion having a base member and an alignment member on the base member configured to hold the multi-contact linear arrays in place; an interconnect portion configured to mate with the base portion and having (1) a plurality of pins mounted thereto, each pin positioned for contact with a respective contact of the multi-contact linear arrays, and (2) an interconnect array having a plurality of conductive pathways to the electrical system; and one or more closure elements for holding the base and interconnect portions together, wherein each of the contacts of the multi-contact linear arrays is electrically connected to a corresponding point in circuits within the electrical system.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting plural multi-contact linear arrays with an electrical system, including: a base portion having a base member and an alignment member on the base member configured to hold the multi-contact linear arrays in place; an interconnect portion configured to mate with the base portion and having (1) a plurality of pins mounted thereto, each pin positioned for contact with a respective contact of the multi-contact linear arrays, and (2) an interconnect array having a plurality of conductive pathways to the electrical system; and one or more closure elements for holding the base and interconnect portions together, wherein each of the contacts of the multi-contact linear arrays is electrically connected to a corresponding point in circuits within the electrical system.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing motility disorders of a gastrointestinal tract of a body. The method can include measuring electrical signals from the gastrointestinal tract while the patient is engaged in normal daily activities, recording the measured electrical signals on a portable electronic device carried by the body, recording by the patient in real time one or more symptoms of the body and analyzing characteristics of the recorded electrical signals with the recorded symptoms of the body to diagnosis gastrointestinal disorders of the body. Apparatus for use therewith and methods for treatment thereof are provided.

Abstract: A cortical sensing device for contact with the surface of the brain is provided that includes a support member, at least one macroelectrode sensing element secured with respect to the support member and at least one microelectrode sensing element secured with respect to the macroelectrode. The support member is substantially thin and made from flexibly-conformable material to accurately and safely place the sensing device upon the brain surface. The microelectrode sensing element is surrounded by the macroelectrode brain-contact surface of the macroelectrode sensing element. The first surface of the support member, the macroelectrode brain-contact surface and the microelectrode brain-contact surface are substantially co-planar to abut the surface of the brain for sensoring and monitoring.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for intracranial treatment of a patient for facilitating concurrent electrical sensing and fluid flow is provided and includes an outer flexible tube having a proximal end, a principal lumen extending therealong to the proximal end, and at least one radial aperture through the wall communicating with the lumen as well as a secondary lumen adjacent to the tube outer-wall surface and extending therealong. The catheter assembly including a depth electrode within the secondary lumen, extending along the length thereof. The depth electrode having electrical contacts exposed to brain tissue along the flexible tube.

Abstract: A cortical sensing device for contact with the surface of the brain is provided that includes a support member, at least one macroelectrode sensing element secured with respect to the support member and at least one microelectrode sensing element secured with respect to the macroelectrode. The support member is substantially thin and made from flexibly-conformable material to accurately and safely place the sensing device upon the brain surface. The microelectrode sensing element is surrounded by the macroelectrode brain-contact surface of the macroelectrode sensing element. The first surface of the support member, the macroelectrode brain-contact surface and the microelectrode brain-contact surface are substantially co-planar to abut the surface of the brain for sensoring and monitoring.

Abstract: A cortical sensing device for contact with the surface of the brain is provided that includes a support member, at least one macroelectrode sensing element secured with respect to the support member and at least one microelectrode sensing element secured with respect to the macroelectrode. The support member is substantially thin and made from flexibly-conformable material to accurately and safely place the sensing device upon the brain surface. The microelectrode sensing element is surrounded by the macroelectrode brain-contact surface of the macroelectrode sensing element. The first surface of the support member, the macroelectrode brain-contact surface and the microelectrode brain-contact surface are substantially co-planar to abut the surface of the brain for sensing and monitoring.