Abstract: A method for connecting wireless devices using Bluetooth® low energy can be used to connect wireless computing devices with a medical device in an ambulatory care setting. The wireless computing devices can receive measured vital sign data and transmit the vital sign data to a patient's electronic medical record. The wireless computing devices can be configured to include a user-friendly name and the transmitter power in one or more advertising broadcasts. The medical device can receive advertising broadcasts from one or more wireless computing devices and sort the devices by proximity, last use, number of times used, or alphabetically. After the devices exchange information over Bluetooth® low energy, the devices can connect in Bluetooth® Classic. Systems for implementing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fundus imaging system includes: an image sensor array, where the image sensor array includes monochrome photodiodes and global shutter control, an illumination unit with one or more light-emitting diodes that have one or more dies, a computing system including a processor and memory, one or more lenses, one or more reflective mirrors, and a display. In an example method of use, a clinician positions a patient, initiates a focal adjustment, initiates a retinal imaging process, and the same or a different clinician views the image. In some embodiments, the imaging system is configured to analyze the image and identify detected physical attributes in the image relating to the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

Abstract: A powered system includes a parent module including a first battery storing a charge and a child module including a second battery storing a charge and a controller. When the parent module and the child module are in electrical communication, the controller is configured to receive power from the parent module. When the charge in the parent module is depleted, the controller is configured to backfeed power from the child module to the parent module.

Abstract: A method of determining a temperature of a patient includes determining a temperature associated with a measurement site of the patient with a temperature device, and without contacting the patient with the device. The method also includes estimating a temperature of the patient based at least in part on the temperature associated with the measurement site. The temperature device includes a sensing element configured to determine the temperature associated with the measurement site, an imaging device, and a controller configured to estimate the temperature of the patient based on the temperature associated with the measurement site.

Abstract: A vaginal speculum apparatus includes a portable illumination assembly that is releasably attached to one of the upper blade and lower blade of a disposable vaginal speculum. The portable illumination assembly is defined by a housing that retains at least one LED and a portable power supply. The portable illumination assembly can be energized by an externally accessible member after the illuminator has been attached to the speculum.

Abstract: A body worn patient monitoring device includes a flexible substrate having a plurality of electrical connections adapted to be coupled to a skin surface to measure physiological signals. The flexible substrate is adapted to be directly and non-permanently affixed to a skin surface of a patient and configured for single patient use. A communication-computation module, removably attached to an upper surface of the flexible substrate, is configured to receive physiological signals from the flexible substrate and includes a microprocessor that is configured to process and analyze the physiological signals. A series of resistive traces screened onto the flexible substrate are configured as at least one series current-limiting resistor to protect the communication-computation module.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a person-supporting device with an antenna and a near-field communication (NFC) interrogation device. A first sensor is configured to measure a physiological parameter of a patient associated with the person-supporting device, and the NFC interrogation device and the antenna are configured to establish wireless communication with the first sensor and receive data from the first sensor from a distance of at least 10 inches.

Abstract: A printed circuit board assembly includes a printed circuit board and a ferrite. The printed circuit board has a substantially planar top surface and a substantially planar bottom surface. The ferrite has an annular cross section that defines a channel. The ferrite is positioned on the printed circuit board such that a portion of the plurality of traces passes through the channel.

Abstract: A system for storing data collected by a body-worn sensor includes a central processing unit (CPU) that is configured to control operation of a gateway device; and one or more computer readable data storage media storing software instructions that, when executed by the CPU, cause the gateway device to: receive a MAC address of a new sensor and a protocol version associated with the new sensor from a server; attempt to contact the new sensor using the protocol version and the MAC address; when a response is received, send the response to the server for validation; when the response is validated by the server, establish communications with the new sensor; and forward data from the new sensor to a second server.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for monitoring a patient that includes a cuff configured to inflate to at least partially occlude an artery of the patient and a cuff controller configured to inflate the cuff during a dynamic phase and generally maintain inflation of the cuff at about a target pressure during a static phase. The system also includes a sensor configured to receive a signal associated with the at least partially occluded artery and generate an output signal based on the received signal, and a cuff control module configured to determine the target pressure during the dynamic phase and based on the output signal, and control the cuff controller during the dynamic phase and the static phase.

Abstract: A handheld device includes an electronic instrument and a capacitive power supply for storing and delivering power to the electronic instrument. The capacitive power supply includes at least one capacitor, and an electronic circuit operable to boost a voltage from the capacitor to a higher voltage for use by the electronic instrument. The capacitive power supply can be rapidly recharged. Some configurations include an accelerometer which permits the handheld device to detect movement and perform various operations responsive to detected movement. A dual charging station is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for displaying information and receiving inputs with a medical device includes displaying a first interface on a display of the medical device, receiving various inputs from a user, displaying a second interface on the display of the medical device, and receiving vital signs data from the patient using the second interface. The first interface includes a login area including one or more prompts for information identifying a user of the medical device and profile selection area including two or more profiles offered by the medical device. The method further involves receiving user identifying information from the user via the login area, confirming the user identifying information, activating the profile selection area in response to confirming the user identifying information, receiving a profile selection from the user via the profile selection area, and receiving patient identification information from the user with the medical device.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic instrument includes a housing having an interior, a distal end and an opposing proximal end. A supporting member is disposed within the interior of the housing, and supports a plurality of LEDs. A light guide made from a light transmissive material is distally disposed in relation to the LED supporting member for transmitting light emitted by the plurality of LEDs through the distal end of the housing. In at least one version, at least one end of the light guide can be provided with a patterned surface that is configured to produce a uniform illumination spot.

Abstract: An electrode includes separate first and second electrical contacts to contact the skin of a subject. A charge-holding structure is electrically connected between the first and second contacts. An indicator is operatively coupled to the charge-holding structure so that the indicator changes visibly in response to a change in the charge stored in the charge-holding structure. The electrode can include a rectifier across the contacts. A container for electrodes includes an electrical supply and a plurality of receptacles for electrodes so that a voltage difference is maintained across conductors of each receptacle (and contacts of an electrode therein) for at least one week. A method of making electrodes includes arranging the contacts over a support, connecting the charge-holding structure between them, arranging the indicator over the support, and charging the charge-holding structure so that the indicator has a first visual appearance.

Abstract: A medical software package stored on a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium is disclosed. The medical software package can include a plurality of software components programmed to provide one or more functionalities to one or more medical monitoring devices, where each software component is programmed to run independently as a daemon, where each software component is programmed to be modified without recompiling unchanged software components, where the software components are programmed to communicate to each other through at least one of the software components, and where the software package is hardware agnostic and operating system agnostic. A medical device including a tangible, non-transitory storage device storing a medical software package comprising a plurality of modular software components programmed to provide medical device functionality is also disclosed.

Abstract: A temperature probe includes a handle and a shaft extending from the handle. The shaft includes a distal end, a proximal end, and a tip at the distal end. The temperature probe also includes a capacitance sensor disposed on one of the handle and the shaft, the capacitance sensor configured to measure a change in capacitance when positioned proximate a conductor. The temperature probe further includes a temperature sensor disposed on the shaft, the temperature sensor configured to measure a body cavity temperature of a patient.

Abstract: A temperature measurement system includes a temperature probe including a temperature sensor. The system also includes a reader, and a controller in communication with the temperature sensor and the reader. The system further includes a container housing a plurality of probe covers associated with the temperature probe. The container includes an information feature providing information related to the plurality of probe covers. The reader is configured to read the information and direct a signal to the controller indicative of the information.

Abstract: A protective cover for an insertion probe of a medical instrument. The cover contains a flexible tubular body that compliments the probe geometry and a radially disposed flange that surrounds the proximal end of the body. A series of snap-on fasteners removably connect the cover to the instrument. A camming surface is located on the outer face of the flange which coacts with a cam follower that is movably mounted upon the instrument to flex the cover sufficiently to open the fastener and release the cover from the instrument and move the cover axially toward the distal end of the tip.

Abstract: A medical device includes: a processor; a display; and memory encoding instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to create an interface on the display, the interface including: a login area including one or more prompts for information identifying a user of the medical device; a profile selection area including two or more profiles offered by the device, wherein each of the profiles is a series of tasks to be performed by the medical device, and a description of each profile is provided in the profile selection area; a vital signs area programmed to display a plurality of vital signs associated with a patient; and an additional parameters area programmed to capture one or more additional parameters associated with the vital signs displayed in the vital signs area.