Abstract: A biofeedback system and a display device for the use in the biofeedback system. Also disclosed is a method for a biofeedback treatment of a person or an animal. Biofeedback is a therapy method which is used in rehabilitation facilities, for example in the neurological rehabilitation. A neural signal magnitude below a certain threshold does not result in a muscle response, for example, because the provided stimulus is insufficient to trigger the muscle. In order to provide a patient with an intuitive feedback of the sub-threshold neural signal nevertheless, the signal is detected and made recognizable to the patient.

Abstract: An introducer cannula configured for receiving a medical instrument includes a cannula tube having a side wall surrounding a central lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end. An elongate tissue anchor is positioned in the central lumen of the cannula tube. The elongate tissue anchor has a mounting end and an anchoring free end. The elongate tissue anchor is movable in the central lumen such that the anchoring free end is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position. An actuator is coupled to the proximal end of the cannula tube. The actuator is coupled to the mounting end of the elongate tissue anchor. The actuator is operatively configured to selectively position the anchoring free end of the elongate tissue anchor in one of the retracted position and the deployed position.

Abstract: A biopsy localization device made according to the invention includes a bioresorbable element, such as a cellulose. The bioresorbable element preferably carries a radiopaque marker. The bioresorbable element preferably swells to fill the biopsied open region. The bioresorbable element and radiopaque marker permit the biopsy site to be relocated by various techniques, including mammography and ultrasound. In addition, the bioresorbable element can be used as a therapeutic tool for treatment of the diseased lesion and for hemostasis.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may include methods and systems capable of estimating the underlying concentrations of chromophores in a sample. The photon scattering and absorption model may be based on Laplace and stable distributions, which may reveal that measurements in diffuse reflectance may follow a Beer-Lambert and Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts (KWW) product. This Beer-Lambert portion of the product may dominate in high absorption sample areas, while the KWW portion of the product may dominate in low absorption sample areas.

Abstract: The systems, methods and associated devices performing diagnostic hearing tests which use a computer network to allow interaction between a test administration site and one or a plurality of remote patient sites. The test can be administered by an audiologist or clinician at a site remote from the patient, in a manner, which can allow interaction between the user and the clinician during at least a portion of the administration of the test. The diagnostic hearing tests can be performed such that they meet standardized guidelines such as ANSI requirements or certification standards and can include distortion product emission level measurements or middle ear compliance measurements.

Abstract: A flexible biomonitor comprises: a flexible substrate having a circuit apparatus, a hybrid sensor, a plurality of IC devices, a central processing module, a RF transmitter circuit, an antenna, and a power supply. Thereupon the flexible biomonitor can be plastered on the skin where the human body needs to be monitored to achieve the purposes of reducing occupied area, providing comfortable wear and achieve compactness, module expansion and EMI shielding. Besides, it is capable of remote real-time monitoring this signal to achieve the purpose of home care.

Abstract: A body fluid sampling device is provided. A mesh may be used to guide blood or fluid to travel directly from the wound to an analyte detecting port on the cartridge. Thus the volume of blood or body fluid produced at the wound site irregardless of its droplet geometry can be reliable and substantially completely transported to the analyte detecting member for measurement.

Abstract: In order to later identify the location of a biopsy or surgery, various means and methods for permanently and non-surgically marking selected tissue in the human body are used. Later visualization of the markers is readily accomplished using state-of-the-art imaging systems.

Abstract: A method and device for removing tissue from a patient during a biopsy procedure utilizing a biopsy collection device are provided. The biopsy collection device includes a body portion configured for attachment to an endoscope and a receptacle portion configured to retain a portion of tissue removed from a target site during the biopsy procedure. The biopsy collection device further includes a passageway configured to receive a biopsy sampling device, such as a pair of forceps, passing through the endoscope to the target site.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for determining a condition of a selected region of epithelial and stromal tissue in the human breast. A plurality of measuring electrodes are used to measure the tissue and transepithelial electropotential of breast tissue. Surface electropotential and impedance are also measured at one or more locations. An agent may be introduced into the region of tissue to enhance electrophysiological characteristics. The condition of the tissue is determined based on the electropotential and impedance profile at different depths of the epithelium, stroma, tissue, or organ, together with an estimate of the functional changes in the epithelium due to altered ion transport and electrophysiological properties of the tissue. Devices for practicing the disclosed methods are also provided.

Abstract: A wearable portable device (10) for increasing user awareness of a paretic limb and recording the user awareness, the device (10) comprising: a sensory signal generator (52, 20) to emit a continuous sensory signal to remind the user to move the paretic limb according to a predetermined schedule; a switch (13) to be actuated by the user for stopping the emission of the sensory signal; and an accelerometer (61) to detect movement of the paretic limb in 3-axis; wherein after the switch (13) is actuated by the user, the user is instructed to move the paretic limb in accordance with predetermined instructions and the movement of the paretic limb detected by the accelerometer (61) and response time of when the switch (13) is actuated after the sensory signal is emitted are recorded for analysis by data analysis software.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of manufacturing a flexible tubular body for catheter, sheath or similar medical device. The method comprises pre-extruding an inner layer of the body from a thermoplastic polymer and then pulling the inner layer over a mandrel and tightening the layer down. If wire lumens were not integrally formed in the inner layer when pre-extruded, then two polymer spaghetti tubes, each with wire lumens, are laid 180 degrees apart axially along the outer surface of the inner layer. Deflection wires are then fed into the wire lumens. A cylindrical wire braid is woven or pulled over the inner layer (and the spaghetti tubes, as the case may be) and tightened down. The aforementioned components are then encased in an outer polymer layer. A heat-shrinkable tube is then placed over the outer layer.

Abstract: A method for generating optimized tinnitus masks includes, for example, presenting stimuli in succession to a user, receiving the user's rating of the effectiveness of each presented stimulus in reducing tinnitus, selecting a subset of the stimuli to maintain as tinnitus masks, and, generating variant stimuli from the subset of the stimuli that is maintained as tinnitus masks.

Abstract: An endoluminal biopsy device is provided with a proximal actuation mechanism attached to a distal sampler by at least one elongate member. The distal sampler includes a distal inner portion defining a plurality of chambers, each configured to receive a tissue sample, and a distal outer portion defining a cutting mechanism opening having a cutting edge adjacent the cutting mechanism opening. The distal outer portion is configured so that, when the cutting mechanism opening aligns with one of the plurality of chambers, the distal outer portion covers the remaining chambers. A related method for the use of such an endoluminal biopsy device also is provided.

Abstract: Medical devices for navigation through anatomy, including guidewires, which may have a core wire, a slotted tubular member, or both. Embodiments may have coils, including non-circular cross-section edge-wound marker coils, extended coil tips, and soldered or glued mesial joint coils. Core wires may have a step, ridge, or taper at the joints to the tubular member, and may be flattened at the distal tip. Radiopaque material may be located inside the tubular member, and the distal tip may be heat treated to make it shapeable. Additional tubular members or coils may be used concentrically or in line and may enhance flexibility, provide radiopacity, reduce friction, or reduce material or manufacturing cost. Tubular members may be chamfered or tapered continuously or incrementally. Slots may be arranged in groups, such as groups of three, and may be equal in depth or unequal in depth to provide a steerable or compressible tip.

Abstract: A guide wire for guiding a medical device within a patient is disclosed. The guide wire has a solid inner core made of high modulus material such as Conichrome® or a rhenium alloy, and an outer shell made of a flexible, kink resistant material such as a nickel-titanium alloy. Preferably, the modulus of elasticity of the inner core material is at least about 20 percent greater than that of the outer shell material. The outer shell is mechanically joined to the inner core through a drawing or cladding process. In various embodiments, the distal end of the guide wire can be tapered by grinding away the outer shell to expose the inner core. Because of its stiffness, it can be manually shaped by the physician or cardiologist.

Abstract: A bodily fluid sampling device includes a piercing device and a sensor enclosed in a housing. A cassette, which contains test media, is positioned proximal to the sensor so that the sensor is able to analyze a bodily fluid sample collected on the test media. The cassette includes a supply portion from which unused test media is supplied and a storage portion in which contaminated test media is stored after exposure to the bodily fluid. The cassette is adapted to collect a series of bodily fluid samples without requiring disposal of the test media.

Abstract: The present application is directed to an image-guided, vacuum assisted, percutaneous, coring, cable driven breast biopsy instrument which may be conveniently mounted to an x-ray machine wherein the biopsy instrument incorporates a rotation knob at the proximal end of the instrument to manually rotate the distal end of the probe, thus allowing the clinician to conveniently position the tissue port next to the tissue to be sampled.

Abstract: A self-contained hand-held biopsy needle has various features relating to automated sampling and recovery. Among the disclosed features are ones suited to fully-disposable single-use automatic biopsy devices, such as light weight, low cost, and simple design.

Abstract: A device for introducing a catheter guide wire into a vessel of a patient has a connector and a straightener for a J-shaped end of the guide wire, the connector having an axial bore, and its distal end and proximal end permitting a connection of the Luer type to a needle and to a syringe, respectively. The connector supports, on its inside, a sealing valve equipped with a slit, and the axial bore has, in its portion between the sealing valve and the distal end of the connector, a leaktight mating surface, the shape of which is such that it permits liquid-tight mating with the outer surface of the distal end of the straightener, when the latter is introduced into the connector via the sealing valve.