Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating the tongue strength and coordination of a subject includes an intermediate device such as a lever which is pivotably attached to a coupling device and extends into a cavity of a nipple element. The lever is detached from the nipple and pivotable in response to deformation of the nipple element by a tongue force exerted on the nipple element by a subject during a suck-swallow-breathe sequence. The coupling device includes a sensing device to wirelessly transmit sensor outputs to a mobile device paired to the sensing device. The sensing device includes at least one sealed chamber defined by a membrane and a sensor. In one example, a first membrane and sensor senses pressure change in a fluid in the apparatus, and a second membrane and sensor is actuated by the intermediate device to sense deformation of the nipple element. A method using the apparatus is provided.

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.

Abstract: An example method for preparing a surgical site for a femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgical procedure includes measuring a lower eyelid length of a patient, and determining whether the patient is associated with one or more exposure resistant factors. The method also includes, upon determining that the measured lower eyelid length does not exceeds a threshold length or determining that the patient is associated with at least one exposure resistant factor, performing a canthotomy procedure on the patient.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes instrument parts which can be releasably connected to one another. One part includes a hollow-cone-shaped receiving space and another part includes a cone-shaped coupling section which can be inserted into the receiving space to connect the parts. The coupling section includes a locking receiver for a locking element of the receiving space and which can be brought into and out of engagement with the locking receiver. A securing element moves between a position holding the locking element in a locking position, and a position releasing the locking element. An actuation element projects into the receiving space of the first instrument part, engages into the locking receiver in the locking position of the locking element and is movable in the direction of its middle axis. The middle axis of the actuation element is aligned in the proximal direction obliquely to a middle axis of the receiving space.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for non-invasively measuring blood glucose levels in a biological sample based on spectral data. This includes utilizing at least one light source configured to strike a target area of a sample, utilizing at least one light filter positioned to receive light transmitted through the target area from the at least one light source, utilizing at least one light detector positioned to receive light from the at least one light source and filtered by the at least one light filter, and to generate an output signal, having a time dependent current, which is indicative of the power of light detected, receiving the output signal from the at least one light detector with a processor and based on the received output signal, calculating the attenuance attributable to blood in a sample with a signal-to-noise ratio of at least 20-to-1; and determining a blood glucose level.

Abstract: A method for determining the risk of a person falling is provided. The method includes acquiring depth image data that comprises a plurality of frames that depict a person walking through a home, and extracting a foreground object from the depth image data. The method additionally includes generating a three-dimensional data object based on the foreground object, and identifying a walking sequence from the three-dimensional data object. The method further includes generating one or more gait parameters from the identified walking sequence, and comparing the one or more gait parameters against a standard clinical measure of the one or more gait parameters to determine a level of risk at which the person is of falling.

Abstract: A method for use in performing impedance measurements on a subject. The method includes, in a processing system, determining at least one first impedance value, measured at a site using a first electrode configuration, determining at least one second impedance value, measured at the site using a second electrode configuration, and determining the presence, absence or degree of an anomaly using the first and second impedance values.

Abstract: An intraocular pressure measuring and/or monitoring system comprises an intraocular pressure measuring device (1) comprising a support (3) and a pressure sensor (2) united with the support. The support (3) is configured for placing the pressure sensor (2) in contact with an eye (8) of a user for sensing the intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eye. A portable recording device (6) is configured for communicating with the intraocular pressure measuring device (1) and for storing data received from the intraocular pressure measuring device. The system further comprises an inertial and/or environmental sensor (9).

Abstract: Systems and methods for the diagnosis of chronic pain are disclosed. An algometer comprising a pressure sensor and electrode is disclosed. The algometer may be used to measure pressure applied by a clinician at a location on a patient's body, along with EMG signals emanating from the same location of the patient. Further, a pain trigger operable by the patient may be used in coordination with the algometer. Data from the algometer and pain trigger are transmitted to a computing device and display for rendering and analysis of patient data, leading to improved diagnosis.

Abstract: A device and a method for irradiating the cornea of an eye, wherein the device includes at least the following elements: a ring body, which has a bearing surface embodied concentrically about the longitudinal axis of the device for the purpose of fastening the device on the eye, an irradiation channel for irradiating the cornea, which is located inside the ring body, a light source, which, in the operationally-ready state of the device, is attached inside the ring body for emitting light in the irradiation channel, wherein the bearing surface for fastening the device is arranged outside the irradiation channel, which has the result that the irradiated area itself is not additionally loaded by bearing surfaces of the device.

Abstract: A male coupler for a guidewire, the guidewire having a hollow walled tube, the male coupler comprising a connector section, coupled with the guidewire, a portion of the connector section having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the hollow tube, at least one conducting ring coupled with the connector section where the diameter of the connector section is smaller the diameter of the guidewire, wherein the diameter of connector section and the at least one conducting ring substantially equals the diameter of the guidewire.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein are directed to monitoring the force or pressure applied to a portion of the human body, including in the neck region of a patient during a medical procedure, such as tracheal intubation, to ensure that the medical personnel are applying the desired level of force, and in regions of bony prominences to monitor and prevent the formation of pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers. In particular, the systems and methods described herein include piezoresistive elements connected to signal processing circuitry for measuring the force or pressure.

Abstract: A guide for anatomical mapping of a face includes two flexible strips arranged at right angles with one of the strips slidable in its lengthwise dimension relative to the other strip. The other strip is provided with an arcuate end edge and a window predetermined based on facial anatomical features. The width and intersection of the strips are predetermined based on facial anatomical features. The guide is arranged in various positions on the face of a subject and in each position markings are made on the face of the subject along edges and through the window of the guide. This facilitates, for example, locating safe and effective injection sites for filler and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an adherent sensor patch for wireless and remote physiological monitoring and evaluation of health and disease state of a patient wearing the patch, and specifically with respect to cardiac and pulmonary pathologies, including heart failure and sleep apnea. Data generated by the patch, which includes a microphone sensor and other sensors, is processed by a remote server and is made accessible to caregivers and also used to manage, calibrate and control the operations of the sensors of the patch.

Abstract: The disclosure describes tissue resistance measurement techniques. To avoid errors caused by bandwidth limitations of the amplifier that amplifies a signal used to determine the tissue resistance, the disclosure describes determining values at different frequencies, where the values include respective error values. The respective error values are proportional to the respective frequencies, and based on this relationship the error value can be removed from the tissue resistance measurement.

Abstract: A wire guide and methods for making the same is provided. The method includes joining a proximal core wire comprised of a stiff material to a distal core wire comprised of a highly elastic wire material. The proximal core wire may have a recess at a distal face and the distal core wire is secured within the recess. The recess may be machined into the distal face of the proximal core wire. The distal core wire may be a coaxial wire having a sleeve of material that is easily weldable to the proximal core wire. The sleeve is welded to the proximal core wire and a distal portion of the sleeve is then removed to expose the distal core wire.

Abstract: A guide wire includes a core shaft, a coil body which covers the core shaft, and a coating film which covers the coil body. Portions of the coating film are disposed between adjacent coils of coil body, and gaps are formed between the coils and the portions of the coating film disposed between the adjacent coils. Due to this configuration, the coating the film can be easily bent, and thus the coil body may easily bend. As a result, it is possible to ensure lubricity of guide wire within the blood vessel while also enabling the guide wire to follow the shape of the blood vessel in which it is inserted.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for skin treatment. An apparatus includes an applicator assembly that includes an applicator tip which is configured to apply a normal cyclical mechanical force to a skin surface area of a user and to deliver a skin formulation to a skin surface area of a user. The apparatus further includes an electromagnetic energy assembly that includes at least one electromagnetic energy source adjacent to or within the applicator assembly and is configured to deliver pulses of electromagnetic energy stimulus of a character and for a duration sufficient to penetrate one or more dermal layers within the skin surface area of a use.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a probe, a holster, and a tissue sample holder for collecting tissue samples. The probe includes a needle and a hollow cutter. The tissue sample holder includes a housing having one or more chambers that are configured to receive a removable tray including one or more prongs and a bulk chamber of a different volume than the one or more chambers. The housing is releasably engageable with the probe. Each tray prong is configured to receive a tissue sample communicated through the cutter lumen. The tray is removable from the housing, such as along an axial direction. The tissue sample holder is rotatable to successively index each chamber to the cutter lumen. The trays may be flexible, resilient, or rigid.

Abstract: A guidewire for use in a medical procedure includes an elongate guide member dimensioned for insertion within a body vessel of a subject. The guide member defines a longitudinal axis and has trailing and leading end segments. The leading end segment has a reduced cross-sectional dimension relative to a cross-sectional dimension of the trailing end segment. The leading end segment includes a first core element comprising a first material and a second core element comprising a second material different from the first material and being forward of the first core element. The first material of the first core element has greater rigidity than the rigidity of the second material of the second core element, to thereby facilitate advancement of, and application of torque to, the leading end segment while minimizing deformation.