Abstract: Methods and devices for implanting an intra-ocular pressure sensor within an eye of a patient are provided herein. Methods include penetrating a conjunctiva and sclera with a distal tip of a fluid-filled syringe and positioning the pressure sensor within a vitreous body of the eye by injecting the sensor device through the distal tip. The sensor device may be stabilized by one or more anchoring members engaged with the sclera so that the pressure sensor of the sensor device remains within the vitreous body. Methods further include advancing a sensor device having a distal penetrating tip through at least a portion of the sclera to position the sensor within the vitreous body and extracting of the sensor devices described herein by proximally retracting the sensor device using an extraction feature of the sensor device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cavity determination apparatus for determining a cavity (3) within an object (2), in particular, for determining the location and dimensions of a heart chamber within a person. A bendable segment of an introduction element (5) is arranged within the cavity in different arrangements, wherein curves defined by the bendable segment in the different arrangements are determined by a curve determination unit (7). A cavity reconstruction unit (8) reconstructs the cavity based on the determined curves. Thus, not only single locations within the cavity are acquired and used for reconstructing the cavity, but larger curves. A lot of spatial information can therefore be acquired and used very fast. This allows reconstructing the cavity with improved quality in a relatively short time.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a device and method for an ingestible medical device with a rotatable element. In some described embodiments, the ingestible medical device includes a storage sub-unit with multiple chambers each having an opening for collecting or dispensing substances from the GI tract. The device further comprises a chamber enclosure with an access port. One of the chamber enclosure and the storage sub-unit are rotatable to allow for aligning the access port with a chamber opening. The ingestible medical device includes a sensor for positioning the access port of the chamber enclosure or the storage sub-unit as one of these elements rotates.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for the localization of body lumen junctions and other intraluminal structure are disclosed. Various embodiments permit clinicians to identify the locations of intraluminal structures and medical devices during non-surgical medical techniques, such as cardiac ablation, by determining the intralumen conductance and/or cross-sectional area at a plurality of locations within the body lumen.

Abstract: A method of operating a biopsy device includes providing a hollow needle having a longitudinal axis; moving a sample-receiving device received in the hollow needle from a retracted position to an extended position to expose a cavity in the sample-receiving device, the cavity configured to receive a tissue sample; displacing the hollow needle in a distal direction relative to the sample-receiving device to sever tissue received by the cavity of the sample-receiving device; moving a toothed flexible member along the longitudinal axis to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle from the extended position to the retracted position, the toothed flexible member having a proximal portion that extends proximal to the proximal end of the hollow needle; and receiving the proximal portion of the toothed flexible member in a helical coiling-up groove of a housing element when the sample-receiving device is moved to the retracted position.

Abstract: An attachable monitoring device includes a battery unit, a wiring board unit and a physical condition sensor and an adhesive. The battery unit includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of side surfaces connecting the top surface and the bottom surface. The wiring board unit covers the top surface, the bottom surface and one of the side surfaces and electrically connected to the battery unit. The wiring board unit includes a printed antenna printed on a first outer surface of the wiring board unit. The physical condition sensor is disposed on a second outer surface of the wiring board unit opposite to the first outer surface. The physical condition sensor includes a sensing region for contacting a user to detecting a physical-condition signal of the user. The adhesive is disposed on the wiring board unit for being attached to the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for in vivo measurement of pressure. An implantable sensor assembly includes a pressure sensor configured to provide an analog signal representing pressure and a signal conditioning component configured to convert the pressure sensor output into a digital signal. A transmitter is configured to transmit the digital signal to an external base unit. A power control unit is configured to dynamically allocate power throughout the implantable sensor assembly, such that during an active measurement interval of the implantable sensor assembly, each of the pressure sensor, the signal conditioning component, and the transmitter are powered only for a portion of the active measurement interval necessary to perform a related function.

Abstract: Systems are described for monitoring extremities for injury following an impact. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a device including a deformable substrate integrated with a textile; a sensor assembly coupled to the deformable substrate, the sensor assembly configured to generate one or more sense signals based on detection of a physical impact to a body portion and based on detection of a physiological parameter; circuitry operably coupled to the sensor assembly and configured to receive the one or more sense signals based on detection of the physical impact and to determine whether the physical impact exceeds a threshold impact value, the circuitry configured to instruct the sensor assembly to detect one or more physiological parameters of the body portion when the physical impact exceeds the threshold impact value; and a reporting device operably coupled to the circuitry; and an external device communicatively coupled with the device.

Abstract: Patient swallow frequency is automatically determined by collecting patient data, analyzing the patient data to automatically identify swallow events, and automatically calculating the swallow frequency based upon the identified swallow events. In some cases, the patient data is collected by a patient interface that wirelessly transmits the data to a computing device for analysis.

Abstract: A muscle activity and skeletal monitoring system and method are disclosed. A network of at least two distributed inertial sensor nodes are configured to communicate with each other over a first interface. Each of the inertial sensor nodes comprises at least one sensor configured to sense muscle vibrations and monitor body motion. A muscle activity recognition and motion tracking and visualization methods also are disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques are described for improving results of hearing tests. For example, the hearing tests described herein may be divided into multiple hearing test segments which may be provided to the test subject individually. Additionally, the hearing test may include multiple cognitive test segments that may be interleaved between the hearing test segments to gauge the test subject's awareness level.

Abstract: In a syringe type pump with a barrel (2) and a piston (4) movable in the interior of the barrel the barrel has the shape of a segment of a toroidal tube (2) and the piston is moved by means of a driving rod (6) which is guided and supported by the inner surface of the barrel wall. By the toroidal shape the overall size of the pump is significantly reduced and by guiding and supporting the driving rod of the piston by the inner surface of the barrel wall intrinsic problems of tightness, stick-slip phenomena and blockage are solved. A device for injecting fluid into a patient's body or removing body fluid therefrom is using a syringe type pump with a toroidal barrel and a driving rod of the piston guided and supported by the inner surface of the barrel wall.

Abstract: A guide wire includes an elongated core wire possessing a distal portion at which is located a reshaping portion that is configured to be reshaped. The reshaping portion includes a first material portion made of a first material and a second material portion which is made of a second material different than the first material. The first material portion is joined to the second material portion at a joint surface which extends in the longitudinal direction of the core wire.

Abstract: With the Quantified Self movement becoming prevalent, more people are looking to incorporate technology to acquire data regarding aspects of a person's daily life in terms of inputs (e.g. food consumed, quality of surrounding air), states (e.g. blood oxygen levels, body temperature), and/or performance. This self-monitoring concept combines wearable sensors with computing devices to produce an output to improve daily functioning. Disclosed is a device that senses and measures the created cavity temperature (CCT) within an artificial cavity in the wearer's body. This current device provides a wearable thermometer that measures temperature for a convenient, comfortable method of continuously tracking the wearer's temperature.

Abstract: The subcutaneous injection device contains a pump and a mechanism for inserting a cannula into the patient's skin. The cannula is fixedly positioned relative to the pump and the insertion mechanism has a flexible surface adhering to the skin. The flexible surface is positioned relative to the cannula in such a way that in a first position the tip of the cannula is concealed by the surface and in a second position the cannula is exposed beyond the surface. The insertion mechanism brings the surface from the first to the second position, thereby pulling the skin against the tip of the cannula.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an analytic test unit for use in a test device for detecting an analyte in a bodily fluid, having at least one test element with a carrier film and a reagent layer, the latter being affixed on the carrier side of the carrier film and it being possible to apply bodily fluid on said reagent layer, wherein the light-transparent carrier film can be positioned in the beam path of a photometric measuring unit for optically scanning the reagent layer. According to this disclosure, it is proposed that the carrier film has a surface, modified by a raised surface structure, for reducing reflections in the beam path of the measuring unit.

Abstract: A laser system calibration method and system are provided. In some methods, a calibration plate may be used to calibrate a video camera of the laser system. The video camera pixel locations may be mapped to the physical space. A xy-scan device of the laser system may be calibrated by defining control parameters for actuating components of the xy-scan device to scan a beam to a series of locations. Optionally, the beam may be scanned to a series of locations on a fluorescent plate. The video camera may be used to capture reflected light from the fluorescent plate. The xy-scan device may then be calibrated by mapping the xy-scan device control parameters to physical locations. A desired z-depth focus may be determined by defining control parameters for focusing a beam to different depths. The video camera or a confocal detector may be used to detect the scanned depths.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes an elongated probe having a central longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, and an aperture. A tissue penetrating tip includes a proximal base secured to the distal end of the probe. A sharp distal point distal to the proximal base lies on the central longitudinal axis. Each of a first, second and third concave surface is configured to extend from the base to the sharp distal point. The second concave surface is located to intersect the first concave surface to form a first curved cutting edge. A third concave surface is located to intersect the first concave surface to form a second curved cutting edge and is located to intersect the second concave surface to form a third curved cutting edge. Each curved cutting edge extends from the base to the sharp distal point. A tissue cutting device is coaxial with the probe.

Abstract: An integrated electromyography (EMG) and signal/stimulation generation clinician programmer may be coupled with an implantable temporary or permanent lead in a patient and at least one EMG sensing electrode minimally invasively positioned on a skin surface or within the patient. Generally, the integrated clinician programmer may comprise a portable housing, a signal/stimulation generator, and EMG signal processor, and a graphical user interface. The signal/stimulation generator may be disposed within the housing and configured to deliver test stimulation to a nerve tissue of the patient via the implantable lead. The EMG signal processor may be disposed within the housing and configured to record a stimulation-induced EMG motor response for each test stimulation via the at least one EMG sensing electrode. The graphical user interface at least partially comprises the external surface of the housing and has a touch screen display for direct user interaction or a keyboard, mouse, or the like.

Abstract: A closure for use with a specimen collection container is disclosed. The closure includes a base portion having a first end adapted for engagement with an open end of the specimen collection container, and a second end adapted for receiving a portion of a syringe assembly therein. The closure also includes a luer fitting connected to the base portion and having at least one channel for venting an interior of the specimen collection container to atmosphere during introduction of a fluid specimen from the syringe assembly into the specimen collection container. The closure further includes a shielding portion connected to the base portion and adapted to transition from an open position in which fluid communication is established between the first end and the second end through the luer fitting, to a closed position in which the luer fitting is fully shielded by the shielding portion.