Abstract: A unique technique for maintaining the sterility and integrity of a lancet tip. One or more lancet tips are sandwiched between a first web and a second web of material to protect the sterility of the lancet tips. The first and second webs are heat fused together to form a structure that covers and encapsulates the lancet tips to protect the integrity of the lancet tips. The structure is cut to form individual protective caps to detachably cover each of the lancet tips.

Abstract: A gait change determination device includes a main body unit, an accelerometer that detects an acceleration of the main body unit, and a control unit, and determines a change in the gait of a user that wears the main body unit on a predetermined area. The control unit specifies a trajectory of a predetermined area on which the main body unit is worn during walking based on accelerations detected by the accelerometer, calculates the temporal change amount of the specified trajectory, and determines the degree of change, which is the degree of the temporal change, based on the calculated temporal change. The degree of change in the gait can be more accurately determined.

Abstract: Lancets comprising a piercing element for puncturing the skin of a patient, a test region containing detection reagents for determining an analyte concentration of a body fluid sample, a capillary structure arranged in the piercing element for transporting a body fluid sample to the test region, and a sterile protection element, which encloses the tip of the piercing element. The capillary structure is blocked in a section surrounded by the sterile protection element. Also provided are methods for producing a lancet, comprising: producing a piercing element, which on the upper side has an upwardly open capillary structure; covering a section of the upper side of the piercing element and blocking the capillary channel in this section using a first material; covering a section of the underside using a second material; sterilizing the piercing element; and attaching a test region containing detection reagents to the piercing element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an orthopedic technical device for the lower extremities, with at least one receptacle (12, 16) for an extremity (14, 18), a sensor (30) and an electric evaluating unit (34), which is connected with the sensor (30) for processing data of a sensor (30). According to the invention, it is proposed that the electric evaluating unit (34) be set up in order to carry out a method with the following steps: (i) switching into a learning mode, (ii) determining at least one characteristic value of the system (R, S, N, aw,threshold), (iii) storing the characteristic value of the system (R, S, N, aw,threshold), (iv) switching into an operating method and (v), in the operating mode, influencing, optimizing or selecting a control algorithm of the orthopedic device by means of the characteristic value of the system (R, S, N, aw,threshold).

Abstract: A visceral fat measuring device is capable of simply and noninvasively measuring a visceral fat amount, by calculating the visceral fat amount based on trunk measurement information, impedance information of the entire trunk, and impedance information of a surface layer of the trunk. The visceral fat measuring device includes: a belt to be wound around the trunk that has a pressing member with electrodes E to be pressed onto the dorsal side of a person subjected to measurement; a pair of belt portions respectively fixed to both sides of the pressing member; a buckle for connecting the pair of belt portions; and indicators on the pair of belt portions to show distances from a reference position of the belt.

Abstract: A needle assembly includes a transparent or translucent housing with a fluid inlet and outlet end, a flashback chamber, and a venting mechanism therebetween. The venting mechanism includes a blocking member to control the fluid flow in the venting mechanism so that it flows along the longest path through the vent. Substantially axially aligned inlet and outlet cannulas extend from the housing and communicate with the chamber. A sealable sleeve covers the external end of the outlet cannula. Relative volumes of the cannulas, the chamber, and the sleeve are selected to provide rapid reliable flashback indicative of venous entry with an internal vent positioned within the housing to divide the interior into first and second chambers, with the second chamber being adapted to maintain a negative pressure therein relative to the external environment so as to inhibit leakage of blood from the needle tip on withdrawal from the patient.

Abstract: A muscle strength measuring apparatus has a force receiver connected to a force sensor. An upright bracing surface is rigidly positioned with respect to the force receiver to provide a testing space between the surface and the force receiver. The receiver is adjustable such that a person standing in the testing space can brace against the surface and exert a force against the force receiver with a first muscle on each side of the person's body, and can then adjust the position of the force receiver and exert a force against the force receiver with a second muscle on each side. Thus comparative strengths of muscles on opposite sides of the person's body can be accurately determined by measuring the isometric force exerted by corresponding muscles on each side.

Abstract: An allergy skin test device is disclosed that causes less pain than commonly used devices that include multi-point sharp puncture heads. The allergy skin test device incorporates multiple dull pressure heads distributed amongst the sharp multi-point sharp puncture heads, each dull pressure head activating a neurological pain gate that reduces pain sensation typically caused by the neighboring multi-point head when it engages the skin.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a coring cannula, a retract stylet, and a localization needle. The coring cannula has a longitudinal axis and a shaft centered on the axis. The stylet has a tip containing at least one blade and a central passage. The localization needle has a channel and is slidably disposed within the central passage. A drive mechanism rotates the cannula and moves the cannula in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cannula. A guide element has a first end and a second end and is slidably disposed within the channel of the localization needle. The guide element is movable from a first position to a second position within the localization needle.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a coring cannula, a retract stylet, and a localization needle. The coring cannula has a longitudinal axis and a shaft centered on the axis. The stylet has a tip containing at least one blade and a central passage. The localization needle has a channel and is slidably disposed within the central passage. A drive mechanism rotates the cannula and moves the cannula in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cannula. A guide element has a first end and a second end and is slidably disposed within the channel of the localization needle. The guide element is movable from a first position to a second position within the localization needle.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a coring cannula, a retract stylet, and a localization needle. The coring cannula has a longitudinal axis and a shaft centered on the axis. The stylet has a tip containing at least one blade and a central passage. The localization needle has a channel and is slidably disposed within the central passage. A drive mechanism rotates the cannula and moves the cannula in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cannula. A guide element has a first end and a second end and is slidably disposed within the channel of the localization needle. The guide element is movable from a first position to a second position within the localization needle.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a coring cannula, a retract stylet, and a localization needle. The coring cannula has a longitudinal axis and a shaft centered on the axis. The stylet has a tip containing at least one blade and a central passage. The localization needle has a channel and is slidably disposed within the central passage. A drive mechanism rotates the cannula and moves the cannula in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cannula. A guide element has a first end and a second end and is slidably disposed within the channel of the localization needle. The guide element is movable from a first position to a second position within the localization needle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sleep state classification involve detecting conditions related to sleep, including at least one condition associated with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Additionally, a condition modulated by the sleep-wake status of the patient may be detected. A medical system that is partially or fully implantable incorporates sensors and circuitry for detecting and processing the sleep-related signals. A sleep state processor classifies the patient's sleep state based on the sleep-related signals. Sleep state classification may be used in connection with the delivery of sleep state appropriate therapy, diagnostic testing, or patient monitoring.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a coring cannula, a retract stylet, and a localization needle. The coring cannula has a longitudinal axis and a shaft centered on the axis. The stylet has a tip containing at least one blade and a central passage. The localization needle has a channel and is slidably disposed within the central passage. A drive mechanism rotates the cannula and moves the cannula in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cannula. A guide element has a first end and a second end and is slidably disposed within the channel of the localization needle. The guide element is movable from a first position to a second position within the localization needle.

Abstract: A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site. Some embodiments of the surgical access system may be particularly suited for establishing an operative corridor to a surgical target site in the spine. Such an operative corridor may be established through the retroperitoneal space and the psoas muscle during a direct lateral, retroperitoneal approach to the spine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to design and generate frequency-specific electrical or acoustical stimuli for the recording of auditory steady-state responses, ASSR, from human individuals, where the stimuli are generated as a combination of a series of three or more spectral components (i.e. pure tones), each having a specified frequency, amplitude and phase and where the frequency difference between the successive pure tones in the series preferably is constant=fs. The invention further relates to a device for detection of ASSR and to a software program for use in such device.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices to measure and potentially promote thermogenesis, preferably non-exercise activity thermogenesis are disclosed. In the various embodiments, the present invention may rely on one or more sensors that detect a subject's body posture and/or activity. Feedback regarding the subject's posture and/or activity (relative to preferred postures and/or activity levels) may preferably be provided after the data is retrieved and analyzed. A power interlock may also be used to control delivery of electrical energy based on a subject's posture and/or activity level.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the orientation of a surgical tool with respect to a bone of a patient, and a device for positioning a sensor are disclosed. The bone has at least three predetermined reference locations.

Abstract: Devices and methods for determining fallopian tube occlusion. The methods may include determining fallopian tube occlusions through a pressurization or volumetric determination.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a guidewire capable of obtaining a sufficient tip load, and also preventing as much as possible a distal portion from being twisted or bent. The guidewire has an outer coil and an inner coil. The outer coil has a taper coil portion with its outer diameter gradually decreasing toward the front end of the core shaft. The inner coil surrounds a distal side portion of the core shaft inside the outer coil. The rear end of the inner coil is joined only to the core shaft on the front side of a position where the taper coil portion of the outer coil has a maximal outer diameter.