Abstract: Timed sensing of collection of saliva in a liquid collection element of predetermined volumetric capacity may be used to determine salivary secretion rate, as may be indicative of state of euhydration or dehydration. Sensing of salivary flow rate may be further augmented by sensing concentration of at least one analyte in saliva (e.g., with an immunochromatographic assay performed in a lateral flow device) in order to determine a state of euhydration or dehydration. Production of saliva may be stimulated, and collected saliva may be analyzed to generate an analyte detection signal that indicative of presence and/or correlative of concentration of at least one analyte in the collected saliva to sense a state of euhydration or dehydration.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring cerebral compliance of a patient by placing a first pressure sensor in a first sub-dural location, preferably a sub-meningeal location, within the brain of the patient and placing at least a second pressure sensor in a second sub-dural location, preferably a sub-meningeal location, within the brain which is different from the first location. At least one parameter from each of the signals derived from the pressure sensors is compared to estimate cerebral compliance for the patient. Alternatively, at least a single pressure sensor is utilized with a generator of reference signals having at least two different frequencies. Preferably, any change in cerebral compliance is detected by determining a change in the compared parameter, and a perceptible indication is generated when cerebral compliance deviates beyond a pre-selected value.

Abstract: A handheld device for canceling unintentional muscle movement. The device includes a base comprising a handgrip for a user to hold, a gripping element linked to the base for releasably connecting the handheld device to an object, a sensor that detects movement of the base, a controller linked to the sensor, and at least one actuator that operates under control of the controller to cause movement of the gripping element in a direction that at least partially counteracts the detected movement of the base.

Abstract: A method is described to provide real-time fetal position, movement velocity, and head orientation feedback to professional medical staff and delivering mothers. Using this feedback, the mother can be apprised of how effective her pushing is moving the baby through the birth canal. Medical staff can use this feedback to assess fetal head orientation and determine location of the baby in the birth canal. The feedback device consists of metrology devices mounted on a fetal scalp electrode, a data acquisition method, software to interpret the metrology signals, and feedback hardware for doctors and the mother.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a hat-based or headband sensor assembly may provide an output to indicate when a patient's body temperature changes. The sensor assembly may include sensors and other features to alert healthcare providers when a temperature is outside of a desired range. The sensor assembly may include a medical sensor, such as a pulse oximetry sensor, and a temperature sensor.

Abstract: A portable measuring system which analyzes a liquid sample for at least one analyte. The portable measuring system has a substantially moisture-proof housing with an internal atmosphere. The housing prevents moisture from the air and water vapor from penetrating into the housing. The portable measuring system also has at least one test element support inserted into the internal atmosphere of the housing. The test element support is equipped with a retaining structure and a test element that is supported by the retaining structure. The test element support is designed such that, after insertion into the internal atmosphere, the test element is exposed to the internal atmosphere. A release mechanism is also provided which can convey at least one test element into an application position within the internal atmosphere of the housing. In this application position, the liquid sample can be applied to the test element.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for generating an index associated with non-nutritive suck pattern stability. A method includes measuring a plurality of non-nutritive suck (NNS) pressure samples, generating a plurality of correlation values using the NNS pressure samples, and generating a measure of non-nutritive suck pattern stability using the plurality of correlation values.

Abstract: A probe for an electronic thermometer includes a first elongate, semi-cylindrical probe shaft member having a distal end, a proximal end, first and second edges extending between the proximal and distal ends, an interior surface and an exterior surface. A second elongate, semi-cylindrical probe shaft member has a distal end, a proximal end, first and second edges extending between the proximal and distal ends, an interior surface and an exterior surface. A joint along which the second probe shaft member is attached to the first probe shaft member forms an interior space between the probe shaft members. A probe tip is disposed on the distal ends of the first and second probe shaft members. A temperature sensor is in thermal communication with the probe tip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lancing system having a lancet carrier tape (3) supporting a plurality of lancets (4), a transport means (5, 11, 17) serving to move the lancet carrier tape (3) in a feed or transport direction along a transport path and to thereby move lancets (4) of the lancet carrier tape (3) one after the other to a puncturing position, and a lancing drive (6) for causing a lancet (4) that occupies a puncturing position to perform a puncturing movement.

Abstract: The body of a pressure sensing component includes a pressure sensor, a first opening, and a first pair of electrical contacts. A cap of the pressure sensing component comprises a second opening, a wiper seal, and a second pair of electrical contacts. The cap is rotatable relative to the body. When the cap is in a first rotational position, the first and second openings are in fluid communication with each other; and the first pair of contacts are not coupled with the second pair of contacts. When the cap is in a second rotational position, the seal isolates the first opening from the second opening; and the first pair of contacts are coupled with the second pair of contacts. The pressure sensing component may be coupled with a syringe and needle to externally adjust and monitor the pressure of fluid in an implanted gastric band system.

Abstract: A guide wire is comprised of a flexible elongate wire body. The wire body has a plurality of protruding portions n the external surface and recessed portions between the adjacent protruding portions. The protruding portions possess a friction coefficient smaller than that of the recessed portions.

Abstract: A measurement device (10) for quantitatively measuring stiffness, torque or range of motion (ROM) around the joint axis of the ankle-foot complex of a lower limb in the sagittal and coronal planes, the device (10) comprising: a plate (13, 21) for placement of the ankle-foot complex, the plate (13, 21) operatively connected to an actuator (14, 16) for manual actuation; an angular measurement device (12, 17) to measure an angular position of the ankle-foot complex; a torquemeter (11) to measure resistance torque of the ankle-foot complex; an electromyograph (48) to monitor muscular activity of muscles of the lower limb; and computer software to record the measured angular position, resistance torque of the ankle-foot complex and EMG of the lower limb muscles.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for dynamically fitting an insole to a patient, the apparatus comprising: a first fitting panel, comprising: a virtual model of desired strains on the plantar surface of a foot; a plurality of fitting units deployed on the first panel, each fitting unit comprising: (a) a strain sensor, for measuring the strain of the foot on the fitting unit; and (b) an elevating unit, for elevating the top point of the fitting unit to a desired point; a processing unit, for instructing the elevating unit to adjust the elevation of the top point of the fitting unit towards a position wherein the strain of the foot, as measured by the strain sensor, corresponds to the strain of the virtual model.

Abstract: The present invention presents a shoe or insole fitting navigation system including a set of foot sole pressure measuring sensors for measuring foot sole pressure distributions; a set of TV cameras for taking foot images; a processor; and a monitor screen. The present system acquires right and left foot sole pressure data, acquires right and left foot images, computes a foot sole gravity center position of each foot, computes an outer dimension of each foot, and determines bias in gravity center balance of each foot accurately based on the foot sole gravity center position of each foot and the outer dimension of each foot. In addition, the present system determines an abnormal foot symptom of each foot, and selects a shoe or insole of each foot based on the determined bias in gravity center balance and the determined foot symptom.

Abstract: A method for detecting hearing impairment and a device thereof are provided. The device includes a sound collecting unit and analyzing unit. The sound collecting unit is used for receiving a voice signal from a subject based on the subject pronouncing a vowel. The analyzing unit is coupled to the sound collecting unit and is used for receiving the voice signal and performing a signal processing and a predetermined operation for the voice signal to provide the power of low-frequency oscillations of the voice fundamental frequency of the subject, wherein the hearing impairment of the subject is linear dependency with the low frequency oscillations.

Abstract: A body fat measurement device includes a bioelectrical impedance measurement body attachment unit with an electrode support and a belt. The belt includes a stretchable region at one part. The electrode support includes a fixing portion fixed with one end of the belt, and a holder for holding a portion closer to another end of the belt in a movable manner and including a wrapping length adjustment mechanism for adjusting the wrapping length thereof. The body fat measurement device includes a displacement amount detection unit for detecting a displacement amount of the belt caused by the stretching of the stretchable region, and a wrapping length adjustment mechanism control section for controlling the wrapping length adjustment mechanism based on information detected by the displacement amount detection unit.

Abstract: A probe system for use with a neuro-monitoring device includes a wire probe, a cable and a handle. The cable has an adaptor at one end that is pressed from the side of the handle into an adaptor-shaped portion of a channel formed in the handle. The channel runs the length of the handle. The wire probe has a probe tip on one end and is in electrical connection with the adaptor on the other end when that adaptor end is inserted into the channel of the handle and seated in the adaptor held by the handle. The sensor tip on the end of the wire probe is a conducting, smooth, hemisphere just beyond the end of the insulation covering wire probe and conducts signals between the tissue through which the probe passes and the cable. The handle has ribs formed thereon for giving the user better purchase on the probe for applying the requisite force and control, and windows formed along the sides of the handle to allow the user to confirm that the wire probe is fully seated in the adaptor.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device may include a guidewire. The guidewire may include an elongate shaft. The shaft may include a porous metal alloy. The porous metal alloy may be arranged so that the porous metal alloy has a first pore distribution along a first portion of the shaft and a second pore distribution different from the first pore distribution along a second portion of the shaft.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a device and method for identifying estrus in production animals by detecting one or more standing mounts with a single device.

Abstract: An implantable intraocular pressure sensor system has a sealed geometric shape with an internal pressure at a first value. The sealed geometric shape has a first light permitting surface and a second flexible surface. A pair of photocells is located in the sealed geometric shape. A light shield is coupled to the second flexible surface. When the second flexible surface is deflected, a light measurement by the pair of photocells indicates an intraocular pressure condition.