Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring cholesterol by using a cholesterol dependent cytolysin (CDC), which is a cholesterol binding protein, and an antibody specifically recognizing HDL-C or LDL-C. The method according to the present application is capable of rapidly measuring low density lipoproteins and high density lipoproteins at low cost, and thus can be effectively applied in various fields requiring the measurement of low density lipoproteins and high density lipoproteins.

Abstract: A flexible patch pump for controllable accurate subcutaneous delivery of one or more medicaments to a patient includes a laminated layered structure. The pump may have a rigid reservoir layer including a number of rigid reservoirs disposed in a flexible material; a flexible microfluidic layer including a compliant membrane for sealing the rigid reservoirs, a network of microfluidic channels connecting the rigid reservoirs, and a number of inlet and/or outlet valves corresponding to the rigid reservoirs; and a flexible-rigid electronic circuit layer including a number of individually-addressable actuators. In operation, the rigid reservoirs may contain medicament that is dispensed in precise volumes at appropriate times due, for example, to a pressure change in an addressed reservoir caused by displacement of the compliant membrane or other actuation element.

Abstract: A calculus targeting system for performing a calculus targeting method includes a processor, a storage unit, a calculus coordinate acquisition module, a model establishing module, a prediction module, a firing determination module, and a shock wave module, all the latter six of which are connected to the processor. The calculus targeting method can be programmed as a computer program product and essentially includes a sampling step for acquiring different sets of calculus coordinates in a sampled respiration cycle, a model establishing step for establishing a prediction model, and a firing determination step for determining according to the prediction model whether to fire or not.

Abstract: A device for introduction into a body vessel includes a main elongated element, a balloon positioned at the main elongated element distal end, a distal connecting element positioned at the distal end of the balloon to receive a guidewire during use, and a longitudinally movable sheath positioned external to the main elongated element, a position of the sheath distal end with respect to the balloon defining an exposed portion of the balloon that expands when fluid is delivered to the balloon through the inflation lumen.

Abstract: A pedicle insulator implant is designed to protect the nerves and surrounding tissue from injury by pedicle screws or other surgical devices and instruments. In its basic structure, the implant has a thicker section and a thinner section, the thicker section providing protection for nerves and other sensitive tissues while the thinner section can be deformable and provides grip. In one variation of the basic structure, the thinner section possess a rough surface when it is desirable in situations to provide further grip of the assembly and prevent rotation during the insertion of, for example, a pedicle screw.

Abstract: The present application discloses a multi-well cuvette for integrating the reaction between a sample and a reagent with the detection of a specific analyte included therein, and the multi-well cuvette comprises: a reaction chamber part having a sample and a reagent placed therein; and a detection part for detecting the reaction between the sample and the reagent, wherein the reaction chamber part comprises: an extraction member standby chamber in which a member for dividing or distributing the sample is on standby; a sample filling chamber; and a reagent filling chamber which is filled with the reagent, and in which the reaction with the sample is carried out, wherein the detection part comprises: a chromatography analysis means for a reactive product between the sample and the reagent; and a detection chamber for accommodating the same.

Abstract: An interdental brush (1) with a handle (2) and a brush head (3), wherein the brush head (3) includes a wire element (4), which extends from the handle (2) to a free end (5) and to which bristles (7) are attached, which decrease in length towards the free end (5) of the wire element (4) in at least one section, and wherein a bristle-free section (8) is formed at the free end (5) of the wire element (4).

Abstract: Provided are the use of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-butyl methacrylate) in preparing an embolism material for blood vessels, an embolism material for blood vessels and the use thereof in preparation of drugs. The embolism material for blood vessels comprises poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-butyl methacrylate) and a dispersion medium consisting of an electrolyte, a contrast agent, a pH regulator and water. The concentrations of the polymer, electrolyte and contrast agent are respectively 5-30 mg/ml, 0.1-30 mg/ml and 100-350 mg/ml based on iodine. The embolism material for blood vessels is suitable for embolization therapy of tumors in hypervascular and parenchymal visceral organs.

Abstract: An electrical feedthrough assembly for an implantable medical device includes an outer ferrule of metallic material having an outer surface hermetically sealed to an implantable device housing. There is an inner feedthrough assembly which is hermetically sealed within the ferrule and which has a structure of sintered layers that include: i. an electrical insulator of ceramic insulator material, ii. one or more electrically conductive vias of metallized conductive material embedded within and extending through the electrical insulator, and iii. a transition interface region around each of the conductive vias comprising a gradient mixture of the ceramic insulator material and the metallized conductive material forming a gradual transition and a mechanical bond between the electrical insulator and the conductive via.

Abstract: A dual case system includes a wrist band and a belt hook for operatively mounting a fall detection device on a user. The wrist band includes a central housing that is shaped to receive and frictionally engage the fall detection device. The clothing clip includes a main housing having an inner cavity which can be accessed through an upper perimeter for receiving and frictionally engaging the fall detection device. A hook extends from the main housing for removably mounting the main housing on the article of clothing of the user.

Abstract: Provided is an infusion system including: a liquid container that accommodates a blood derivative; a heating device that heats the blood derivative; an air bubble removal chamber that removes air bubbles in the blood derivative; a first flow path that connects the liquid container and the heating device to each other; a second flow path that connects the heating device and the air bubble removal chamber to each other; a third flow path that connects the air bubble removal chamber and an infusion unit to each other; a fourth flow path that connects the air bubble removal chamber and the liquid container to each other; a first pump provided in the first flow path; and a second pump provided in the third flow path. The heating device has a heating flow path where the blood derivative flows and a heat supply body that contacts the heating flow path.

Abstract: System and method to reducing risk of patient infections (HAI), using operating rooms equipped with suitable automatic airborne sterilizing agent generators, sensors, mechanisms, automatic air control devices, and ceiling mounted structures that allows the room to both provide air curtains of laminar flow sterilized air over the operating table, as well as to be quickly and completely sterilized. After suitable safety checks, the system isolates the interior air from external air, and activates an air phase anti-microbial agent generator, filing the room with air-phase anti-microbial agent. After sterilization, the invention deactivates the generator, removes the remaining air-phase anti-microbial agent by flowing room air through a catalytic converter, and then restores the connection to outside sterilized air. The ceiling mounted structure is configured for laminar flow air curtain delivery, supply lighting, and support boom mounted operating room equipment.

Abstract: A method is described for determining an optimal placement location for an auditory brainstem implant (ABI) electrode array. A cochlear implant (CI) electrode array is inserted into a patient cochlea, and the ABI electrode array is initially placed at an initial placement location on a patient brainstem. The optimal placement location for the ABI electrode array is then determined by, for multiple electrode contacts on the ABI electrode array: i. selecting a specific electrode contact, ii. delivering a stimulation signal to the selected electrode contact, iii. sensing an efferent nerve signal from the stimulation signal using the electrode contacts of the CI electrode array, and iv. determining a maximum response location in the patient cochlea where a largest efferent nerve signal is sensed. The ABI electrode array is then repositioned to the optimal placement location.

Abstract: An implantable neural tissue electrode assembly includes a cylindrical electrode lead with at least one electrode contact on the outer surface of the electrode lead. An active distal end fixation anchor is located at the distal end of the electrode lead and is adapted to fasten to adjacent tissue by rotation in a fastening direction. A passive rear fixation anchor is located on the outer surface of the electrode lead offset a longitudinal distance back from the distal end and has at least one curved blade with a blade tip directed away from rotation in the fastening direction. The rear fixation anchor is adapted to permanently fasten to adjacent tissue by rotation opposite to the fastening direction so that the blade tip cuts into the adjacent tissue, and the electrode assembly is adapted such that physiological induced strains are distributed along the electrode lead.

Abstract: A respiration sensor is described of a respiration implant system for an implanted patient with impaired breathing. A sensor body is made of electrically insulating material and is configured to fit between two adjacent ribs and between the pectoralis muscle and the parasternal muscle of the implanted patient, with the bottom surface adjacent to an superficial surface of the parasternal muscle and the top surface adjacent to a profound surface of the pectoralis muscle. At least one parasternal sensor electrode is located on the bottom surface of the sensor body and is configured to cooperate with the electrically insulating material of the sensor body to sense a parasternal electromyography (EMG) signal representing electrical activity of the adjacent parasternal muscle with minimal influence by electrical activity of the nearby pectoralis muscle.

Abstract: A cochlear implant system is described which includes an implant housing containing a stimulation processor for processing externally produced communications signals to generate electrical stimulation signals for the cochlea of an implant patient. The implant housing lies substantially in a plane and has an outer perimeter adapted to fit within a surgically prepared housing recess in skull bone of the implant patient. Multiple housing fixation features are located on the outer perimeter and cooperate to develop lateral force in the plane of the implant housing between the implant housing and adjacent skull bone of the housing recess to fixedly secure the implant housing within the housing recess.

Abstract: An implantable processor arrangement is described for an active implantable medical device (AIMD) system implanted under the skin of a patient. An implantable communications coil arrangement is configured for transdermal transfer of an implant communications signal. An implantable processor is coupled to and controls the implantable communications coil arrangement so as to operate in two different communications modes. In a normal operation mode, the processor configures the communications coil arrangement for peridermal communication with an external communications coil placed on the skin of the patient immediately over the implantable communications coil arrangement using load modulation of the communications coil arrangement, wherein the implantable communications coil has a resonance frequency matching the transmission frequency.

Abstract: Provided are methods and kits for determining predisposition of a subject to develop a kidney disease, by identifying in a sample of the subject at least one APOL1 polypeptide variant which is characterized by a higher trypanolytic activity on Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense as compared to the trypanolytic activity of wild type APOL1 polypeptide as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 on the Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense under identical assay conditions; or at least one APOL1 nucleotide mutation in the APLO1 genomic sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3, wherein the at least one nucleotide mutation or polypeptide variant being in linkage disequlibrium (LD) with the S342G mutation in the APOL1 polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, wherein presence of the APOL1 polypeptide variant indicates increased predisposition of the subject to develop the kidney disease.