Abstract: The invention is related to a lancet wheel (1) having a plurality of lancets (2) in a ring-shaped arrangement, the lancets (2) comprising a lancet body (4) that ends in a lancet tip (3). A lancet wheel (1) according to the invention has a carrier (5) that carries the lancets (2), whereby the lancets (2) are connected to the carrier (5) via bars (7, 7a, 7b, 7c) that allow for mobility of the lancets (2) relative to the carrier (5).

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a horse's tendons and ligaments includes a base plate and a rotatable plate with a guide member for receiving and positioning one of a horse's hooves thereon. A rod or lever is provided for manually rotating the rotatable plate up to and include an angle of 55° and a scale or indicator is provided for indicating the angle of rotation. A method for testing the horse's tendons and ligaments is also described.

Abstract: A system for diagnostic testing may include a meter for performing a diagnostic test on a sample applied to a test media and a container configured to contain test media compatible with the meter. The meter may include a closure portion for selectively closing the opening of the container. The system may also provide mechanisms to disable a power source, an auto-on function of the meter, a diagnostic testing function of the meter, or other function of the meter when it has been determined that a triggering event has occurred. The system may further provide mechanisms to reconfigure the meter to perform a new function when it has been determined that the triggering event has occurred.

Abstract: Medical instruments and methods of using the instruments are described. In some embodiments, a medical instrument includes a housing, a stylet having a portion in the housing, a movable first member in the housing, the movable member being connected to the stylet, and a second member located in the housing to reduce movement of the first member. The second member is configured to change movement of the first member from a first direction to a second direction different than the first direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for measurement of a living body, comprising: a personal data input unit; a basal metabolism input unit; a standard value storage unit; a comparison unit; and a display unit. According to the invention the personal data input unit enters at least an age of a person to be measured, the basal metabolism input unit enters a basal metabolism of the person to be measured, and the standard value storage unit stores standard values of basal metabolism according to the ages. Furthermore, the comparison unit compares the basal metabolism entered by the input unit with the standard values of basal metabolism according to the ages stored in said storage unit, and calculates a basal metabolic age indicating what age the basal metabolism of the person to be measured corresponds to. Then, the display unit displays the information about the calculated basal metabolic age.

Abstract: A guide wire includes a wire body having an elongate reshapeable section at its distal part. The guide wire may include a surface of the reshapeable section being provided with a plurality of grooves extending in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the reshapeable section.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for evaluating the risk of stress-related injury associated with a predetermined activity. One embodiment involves collecting physiological data while a subject performs a predetermined task, collecting psychological data while the subject performs a cognitive task, and ascertaining the risk of stress-related injury based on both the collected physiological data and the collected psychological data. Another embodiment involves presenting a subject with a plurality of mental and physical tasks during which physiological data, psychological data, and/or both is collected, and determining the risk of stress-related injury based on the data collected. Yet another embodiment includes a test circuit for measuring stress responses that includes both physiological test stations and psychological test stations. Physiological stress is evaluated in the form of surface electromyography data that is quantified into a single index value, as will be described in detail herein.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus to determine the presence of a disease condition in a medical patient by evaluating conductivity information. In some embodiments, point-attributes values may be obtained from conductivity data sets. This data may be compared to previously determined data, such as threshold values. In some embodiments, z-scores may be determined to combine a plurality of point-attribute values in formulation of a composite score for a patient. In some embodiments, z-scores may be weighted by overall accuracy of the point-attribute in predicting presence of the disease.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system, catheter and method for measuring the cross-sectional areas and pressure gradients in any hollow organ, such as, for example, blood vessels. One embodiment of such a system includes: an impedance catheter capable of being introduced into a targeted site; a solution delivery source; a constant current source; a balloon inflation control device; and a data acquisition and processing system that receives conductance and/or pressure gradient data from the catheter and calculates the cross-sectional area of the targeted site. In one embodiment, the catheter has an inflatable balloon along its longitudinal axis, thereby enabling the breakup of any materials causing stenosis at the targeted site and/or distention and delivery of an optional stent into the targeted site.

Abstract: An autonomous sensing unit and system that includes a set of sensors, a conditioning means for deriving information from the sensors, display means for displaying the information to an operator, and a means for recording the kinematic parameters of a body segment, and a method for using the system.

Abstract: The invention discloses an epileptic event alert system, capable of detecting and analyzing whether motions sensed by at least one motion sensor of the system, are related to an epileptic seizure event. The system may be utilized for detection of additional motion-related pathologies. A detection method is similarly disclosed, as is computer-readable media adapted to perform the detection method of the invention.

Abstract: A disposable tissue removal device comprises a “tube within a tube” cutting element mounted to a handpiece. The inner cannula of the cutting element defines an inner lumen and terminates in an inwardly beveled, razor-sharp cutting edge. The inner cannula is driven by both a rotary motor and a reciprocating motor. At the end of its stroke, the inner cannula makes contact with the cutting board to completely sever the tissue. An aspiration vacuum is applied to the inner lumen to aspirate excised tissue through the inner cannula and into a collection trap that is removably mounted to the handpiece. The rotary and reciprocating motors are hydraulically powered through a foot pedal operated hydraulic circuit. The entire biopsy device is configured to be disposable. In one embodiment, the cutting element includes a cannula hub that can be connected to a fluid source, such as a valve-controlled saline bag.

Abstract: The disclosure of the present application provides for systems and methods for determining a phasic change in a vessel and vessel compliance. In at least one exemplary method for determining a phasic change in a vessel, the method comprises the steps of introducing a device into a site within a vessel, operating the device in connection with two or more fluid injections in the vessel to obtain two or more conductance values, calculating a parallel conductance value and a total conductance value, and calculating a phasic change in at least one vessel parameter based in part upon the calculated parallel conductance value and the calculated total conductance value.

Abstract: Among other things, a vestibular prosthesis includes a wearable motion sensing system, the motion sensing system generating a motion signal indicative of a motion thereof, wherein the motion includes rotation about two distinct axes; a signal processor in communication with the motion sensing system, the signal processor being configured to generate an estimate of a tilt of the motion sensing system; and an actuator responsive to the estimate of the tilt made by the signal processor.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a housing, a stylet having a portion in the housing, a cannula coaxially receiving the stylet and having a portion in the housing, and a member slidably coupled to the housing. The stylet and the cannula are movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The member is configured with first and second bars to move the stylet and the cannula from their extended positions to their retracted positions.

Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a probe operably coupled with a holster. The probe comprises a needle portion, a body portion, a rotatable thumbwheel, a cutter, and a rotatable tissue sample holder. The needle portion has a tissue receiving aperture. The needle portion extends distally from the body portion. The thumbwheel is fixedly secured relative to the needle portion such that the thumbwheel is operable to rotate the needle portion about its longitudinal axis. The cutter is longitudinally movable within the needle portion and is configured to cut tissue protruding into the aperture. The rotatable tissue sample holder is configured to receive tissue samples severed by the cutter and communicated through the cutter lumen. The holster comprises a linking mechanism. The thumbwheel is coupled with the tissue sample holder via the linking mechanism such that the thumbwheel is manually rotatable to rotate the tissue sample holder via the linking mechanism.

Abstract: A guidewire converter for use in intravascular procedures along with a guidewire. The guidewire converter includes an elongate tubular structure defining a lumen having an inner diameter and a first outer diameter. The inner diameter of the lumen is sized to receive the guidewire for intravascular procedures. The guidewire converter includes a locking mechanism coupled to the elongate tubular structure that has a second outer diameter that is less than or substantially equal to the first outer diameter. Operation of the locking mechanism releasably secures the elongate tubular structure to the guidewire.

Abstract: The present disclosure comprises a system, catheter and method for measuring the cross-sectional areas and pressure gradients in any hollow organ, such as, for example, blood vessels. One embodiment of such a method includes the steps of introducing an impedance catheter into a treatment site, providing electrical current flow to the treatment site, injecting a first solution and measuring a first conductance value, injecting a second solution and measuring a second conductance value, and calculating the cross-sectional area of the treatment site, in part, based on the first and second conductance values.

Abstract: The disclosure of the present application provides for a system for measuring cross-sectional areas and pressure gradients in luminal organs. The disclosure of the present application also provides a method and apparatus for measuring cross-sectional areas and pressure gradients in luminal organs, such as, for example, blood vessels, heart valves, and other visceral hollow organs. In at least one embodiment, a method for measuring a cross-sectional area of a targeted treatment site comprises the steps of introducing a device, injecting two solutions, measuring a first conductance, moving the device, injecting two solutions, measuring a second conductance, and calculating cross-sectional areas based upon the two conductance measurements.

Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a probe that is configured to couple with a holster. The probe comprises a needle, a cutter, and a body portion. The needle is rotatable and translatable relative to the body portion. The holster has a locking feature that is configured to prevent the needle from rotating relative to the body portion upon coupling of the probe with the holster. The locking feature may also be configured to prevent the needle from translating relative to the body portion upon coupling of the probe with the holster. The same probe may thus be used with a holster intended for use in a fixture-based, stereotactic setting, in which rotation and translation of the needle may be desired; and with a holster intended for use in a handheld, ultrasound-guided setting, in which rotation and translation of the needle may be less desired if not undesirable.