Abstract: Among other things, there is disclosed a biopsy needle capable of taking samples of varying size. In particular embodiments, a user selects one of a plurality of sample-size settings, which sets the needle to a particular cannula throw-length by moving an internal wall against which a spring engages. For a shorter throw, the wall is in a forward position and the cannula is retracted the smaller amount to compress the spring. For a longer throw, the wall is in a rearward position and the cannula is retracted a larger amount to compress the spring.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a biopsy sample extraction needle with a sample extraction end and a recovery end. A transport channel links the extraction end and recovery end. A pump is provided, and a multi-way valve is coupled in fluid communication with the biopsy sample extraction needle and the pump. The multi-way valve has a plurality of settings.

Abstract: A cytological cell sample collection, storage, and transport device is disclosed. The device comprises a sheath, a collection assembly, a base, and a containment vial. The collection assembly is slidably coupled to the base to expose a swab head comprising the collection assembly. The containment vial is configured to enclose the sheath and collection assembly within the internal volume defined by the containment vial and the base.

Abstract: A medical guidewire having distal tip coil that includes a twisted ribbon wire construction. The distal tip coil is mounted to the distal end of the distal core section of the guidewire. The coil is made from a flat ribbon wire with a polygonal, preferably rectangular, cross-section that is twisted along the length of the wire. The twisted, flat ribbon wire creates a tip coil that has a roughened, undulating surface at the outer circumference that, whether coated or bare, is perceptible to the physician or cardiologist when pushing or torquing the guidewire in an interventional procedure.

Abstract: Methods for determining structural integrity of a bone within the spine of a patient, the bone having a first aspect and a second aspect, wherein the second aspect separated from the first aspect by a width and located adjacent to a spinal nerve. The methods involve (a) applying an electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone; (b) electrically monitoring a muscle myotome associated with the spinal nerve to detect if an onset neuro-muscular response occurs in response to the application of the electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone; (c) automatically increasing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus to until the onset neuro-muscular response is detected; and (d) communicating to a user via at least one of visual and audible means information representing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus which caused the onset neuro-muscular response.

Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a body, a needle, and a cutter operable to sever tissue protruding through a lateral aperture of the needle. A vacuum pump is in fluid communication with the cutter. A fluid pump is in fluid communication with the needle. A fluid pump actuation assembly is operable to actuate the fluid pump to deliver a bolus of fluid to the needle based on movement of the cutter. A valve assembly responsive to cutter movement is operable to selectively couple the needle with the fluid pump, couple the needle with atmospheric air, or seal the needle relative to the fluid pump and atmospheric air. The fluid from the fluid pump and atmospheric air cooperate with the vacuum to urge severed tissue samples proximally through the cutter. Components operable to actuate the cutter and the fluid pump include coaxial lead screws having different pitch diameters.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes an elongate inner sheath rotatably coupled to a first drive mechanism. The elongate inner sheath has a side port that opens to a sample chamber in the elongate inner sheath. An elongate outer sheath is rotatably coupled to a second drive mechanism. The elongate outer sheath is coaxial with the elongate inner sheath. The elongate outer sheath includes a side opening having a cutting edge having a lengthwise orientation. The elongate inner sheath is configured for rotation relative to the elongate outer sheath via the first drive mechanism, and the elongate outer sheath is configured for rotation relative to the elongate inner sheath via the second drive mechanism such that the cutting edge passes over the side port to sever tissue.

Abstract: A body fluid sampling device is provided. A mesh (120) may be used to guide blood or fluid to travel directly form the wound to an analyte detecting port on the cartridge (121). 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 (150) for measurement.

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: 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: 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 self-contained hand-held biopsy device includes a hollow needle having a distal end portion with a circumferential cutting edge. A sample-receiving device is received in the hollow needle, and has a tapered distal tip and a cavity configured to receive a tissue sample. The sample-receiving device is configured to move in the hollow needle between a first extended position and a second retracted position. A transport device is configured to move the sample-receiving device relative to the hollow needle. A liquid supply unit is configured to operatively connect to the cavity of the sample-receiving device when the sample-receiving device is in the second retracted position and is configured to deliver a flow of the flushing liquid to the cavity to facilitate tissue sample ejection from the cavity. The liquid supply unit is disconnected from the cavity of the sample-receiving device when the sample-receiving device is in the first extended position.

Abstract: A single-use lancet cartridge for inserting into a multi-use lancet driver assembly of a meter housing includes an elongated lancet housing with an open end, a lancet within the lancet housing and movable between a retracted and resting orientation to a piercing orientation through the open end, and a re-use prevention component that is a rotated drive wing incorporated within the lancet cartridge and oriented to cooperatively engage with a driver piston of the multi-use lancet driver assembly only one time thereby preventing the lancet from being moved into a piercing orientation a second time.

Abstract: Devices and systems to measure luminal organ parameters using impedance. In at least one embodiment of an impedance device of the present disclosure, the impedance device comprises an elongated body having a distal body end and a pair of detection electrodes positioned in between a pair of excitation electrodes located at or near the distal body end, the pair of detection electrodes configured to obtain one or more conductance values within a mammalian luminal organ within a field generated by the pair of excitation electrodes, wherein a measured parameter of the mammalian luminal organ can be calculated based in part upon the one or more conductance values obtained by the device and a known distance between the pair of detection electrodes.

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 tree, and may be equal in depth or unequal in depth to provide a steerable or compressible tip.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is an instrument for measuring posture in a patient. The instrument comprises a measuring instrument, further comprising a perpendicular member mechanically coupled to a fixed marker and a sliding marker. The fixed marker and the sliding marker can mark a poster instrument. The poster instrument is mechanically coupled to right side banner track which is mechanically coupled to three track screws, a left side banner track which is mechanically coupled three track screws and an upper banner track, which is mechanically coupled to an upper track screw. An examiner can utilize the measuring instrument to mark the poster instrument and maneuver the track screws to determine difference in measurements at head, shoulders, iliac crests, and vertical head measurement in a repeatable and consistent manner.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a needle extending distally from a body. The needle includes a transverse aperture, a first lumen, and a second lumen. A cutter is movable within the first lumen to sever tissue protruding through the transverse aperture. A valve assembly is operable to change the pneumatic state of the second lumen. The valve assembly includes a valve body and a translating member slidably disposed in a bore of the valve body. The valve body includes a first port and a second port. The first port is in fluid communication with the second lumen of the needle. The second port is in fluid communication with atmospheric air. The translating member selectively couples the first port with the second port based on the longitudinal position of the translating member within the bore. The translating member translates relative to the valve body based on the position of the cutter.

Abstract: An adhesive patch for monitoring acoustic signals from a human or animal body, comprising a skin contact surface, converting means for recording the acoustic signals and converting it to a first electric output signal, and an adhesive element for attaching the converting means to the skin surface, the patch further comprises transmitting means for transmitting the output signal to a peripheral device.

Abstract: A force sensing and exercise device for assessment and therapeutic usage is described herein. The force sensing device may include a registration plate, to form a ridge with a body part of a patient and provide a fixed point from which measurements are taken. The force sensing device allows for linear movement as a component of the measurement and the ability to vary exercise resistance continuously over an exercise range. Tactile and auditory feedback is provided to a patient to indicate than an exercise objective has been achieved.

Abstract: A whole blood collection system includes an automated pump/control unit and an accompanying disposable blood set. When combined and connected to a source of anticoagulant, these elements allow automatic priming of the blood set with anticoagulant and automatic collection of anticoagulated blood product according to three different collection modes. The unit's pump and the blood set are specially designed to cooperate during the collection process to assure that the collected product has a precise blood to anticoagulant ratio. During the collection procedure, the pump/control unit automatically collects data relating to the procedure. Additional data specifically identifying components of the blood set, such as the blood collection bag, along with identification data on the donor's registration form may be scanned into the pump/controller unit by a scanner associated with the unit; this facilitates positive sample identification and tracking.