Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for non-invasively measuring blood glucose levels in a biological sample based on spectral data. This includes at least one light source configured to strike a target area of a sample, at least one light detector positioned to receive light from the at least one light source and to generate an output signal, having a time dependent current, which is indicative of the power of light detected, a processor configured to receive the output signal from the at least one light detector based on the received output signal, calculate the attenuance attributable to blood in a sample present in the target area with a ratio factor, eliminate effect of uncertainty caused by temperature dependent detector response of the at least one light detector, and then determine a blood glucose level associated with a sample present in the target area based on the calculated attenuance with the processor.

Abstract: A blood collection device comprising a cannula hub defining a chamber; an inlet cannula and an outlet cannula mounted to the cannula hub; a closed sleeve mounted over a portion of the outlet cannula; and a venting mechanism between the chamber and the ambient surroundings comprising a tubular insert and a membrane permeable to air and substantially impermeable to blood.

Abstract: A device for collecting fluid from a penis includes a fluid collection structure configured to be attached to a glans of the penis directly over a meatus of the penis such that a substantial majority of the glans remains uncovered by the device. The device includes an attachment structure configured to secure the fluid collection structure to the penis.

Abstract: A method for producing a membrane ring or test strip ring for a diagnostic test device includes an elongate strip that is divided into segments by cuts running transversely to the longitudinal direction of the strip, where the cuts are made only as far as a residual width of the strip so that a material bridge remains intact between the segments adjacent to the cuts (24). The strip is closed by bringing its ends together to form a ring where the cut edges of the cuts running towards the material bridges each enclose an acute angle (?). The ring is inserted into a support structure as a membrane ring or test strip ring for the test device.

Abstract: A method implementing an accelerometer for analyzing biomechanical parameters of a runner's stride. The method includes fastening a device (1) on the runner that has a triaxial accelerometer (17), a chronograph (16), a digital processor (19) and a display (11). The method measures a sequence of acceleration data in at least the vertical direction using the accelerometer, while the runner runs a certain distance (D) along a running course. During or at the end the running course, the processor calculates the biomechanical parameters of the stride, including lowering the center of gravity and/or the elevation (E) of the center of gravity and/or the sum of the lowering and of the elevation (E) and/or the vertical mechanical work of the center of gravity, based on the acceleration data, of the distance (D) and a period of time measured by the chronograph (16); and displays the parameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing a user's condition based on his gait. A sensor module with multiple sensors is placed inside a user's shoe and biometric data is gathered from the sensors when the user takes a step or walks. The data is used to generate loops as the various sets of data is plotted against each other. The loops obtained from the data are then compared against stored loops previously obtained. Based on the results of the comparison, the user's condition is diagnosed using predetermined indicators of specific health issues. Using the biometric data and in conjunction with data from various databases, it can be determined whether the user has a specific condition, whether a specific condition is worsening, or whether a specific condition is improving.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for monitoring the actual pressure exerted by the interior wall of a biological channel at different locations along the length of said biological channel. The method comprises: i) introducing into the lumen of the biological channel a device comprising an elongated tube and at least two expandable means located at a predetermined distance on said elongated tube; ii) inflating each of the expandable means to its contact pressure (Pc); and iii) measuring the internal pressure in each expandable means, wherein when said internal pressure is greater than Pc, the actual pressure exerted by the interior wall of the biological channel is equal to the difference between said internal pressure and Pc.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device (10) for taking at least one sample of soft tissue from an organ, said device comprising a body (11) and a needle (12) formed by a stylet (13) and a cannula (14) coaxial with said stylet, said device comprising a mechanism for arming the needle, designed for sequentially moving the cannula (14) and then the stylet (13) from a rest position wherein the stylet and the cannula are extended towards the outside of the body, to a shooting position wherein the stylet and the cannula are retracted towards the rear of the body, and a triggering mechanism designed to release the stylet then the cannula and to allow their displacement from the shooting position to the rest position, the cannula being coupled kinematically to a cannula slider (24) comprising at least one retaining element (26) for maintaining the cannula slider in a shooting position, the stylet being coupled kinematically to a stylet slider (30) comprising at least one retaining element (32) for maintaining the stylet

Abstract: An automatically locking safety device, e.g., for use in a blood collection procedure, can include a housing, first and second needle covers that are at least partly received in the housing, and a needle that is at least partly received in at least one of the first and second needle covers. The needle can include a proximal tip configured for placement into a patient and a distal tip configured for placement into a blood collection vial. In some embodiments, the first and second needle covers are biased by a biasing member. In some cases, one or both of the first and second needle covers can be locked to prevent axial movement thereof after the blood collection procedure. In certain embodiments, a distal end of the device is configured to connect with a medical connector, such as a needleless IV access device.

Abstract: A retractable needle assembly includes a housing having a sidewall defining a hollow bore, and an elongate plunger, the distal end of the plunger forming a reservoir within the hollow bore for containing a fluid therein. The plunger is adapted for slideable movement within the hollow bore. The assembly includes a hub disposed within the hollow bore and at least partially supporting a cannula therewith, and a needle retraction member engaged with the hub for manually selectable advancement with respect to a portion of the housing. The needle retraction member may be advanced from an initial position in which at least a portion of the needle is disposed outside the housing, to a retracted position in which the needle is fully surrounded by the housing. The elongate plunger may be advanced about the hub for extracting the fluid into the reservoir or expelling the fluid from the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus of utilizing an eye detection apparatus in a medical application, which includes calibrating the eye detection apparatus to a user; performing a predetermined set of visual and cognitive steps using the eye detection apparatus; determining a visual profile of a workflow of the user; creating a user-specific database to create an automated visual display protocol of the workflow; storing eye-tracking commands for individual user navigation and computer interactions; storing context-specific medical application eye-tracking commands, in a database; performing the medical application using the eye-tracking commands; and storing eye-tracking data and results of an analysis of data from performance of the medical application, in the database. The method includes performing an analysis of the database for determining best practice guidelines based on clinical outcome measures.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a proximal control mechanism having an instrument control surface. The instrument control surface has an opening through which a resilient latch arm can be inserted to engage a fixed latch structure contained within the proximal control mechanism. The fixed latch structure provides a lead-in ramp that forces the resilient latch arm onto a locking surface. The resilient latch arm is contained entirely within the proximal control mechanism when engaged. A release channel extends from an outer periphery of the instrument control surface to the opening through which the resilient latch arm enters, and provides a passage through which a release tool can be inserted to engage the resilient latch arm and release it from the locking surface of the fixed latch structure. A section of the release channel may be shaped to provide a fulcrum for the release tool.

Abstract: An arrangement for producing a sample of body fluid from a wound opening created in a skin surface at a sampling site includes: a housing, the housing comprising a first opening; a skin interface member disposed in the first opening, the skin interface member comprising an inner member having a second opening, and an outer member at least partially surrounding the inner member and attached to the first opening; and at least one skin-penetration member configured and arranged to project within the second opening. Arrangements having alternatively constructed skin interface members are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated method of determining a kinetic state of a person. The method obtains accelerometer data from an accelerometer worn on an extremity of the person and processes the accelerometer data to determine a measure for the kinetic state. The present invention further relates to a device for determining a kinetic state of a person. The device comprises a processor configured to process data obtained from an accelerometer worn on an extremity of the person and to determine from the data a measure for the kinetic state. In the method and system the kinetic state is at least one of bradykinesia, dyskinesia, and hyperkinesia.

Abstract: Non-invasive intracranial pressure detection and/or monitoring and use of data with respect thereto. Illustratively, with respect to a method, there can be a method to digitally produce and communicate intracranial pressure data from skull deformation electric signals, the method including: receiving, from at least one sensor, detected skull deformation electric signals at electrical equipment configured to transform and process the skull deformation signals that are received; transforming and processing, by the electrical equipment, the received skull deformation electric signals to produce digital intracranial pressure data; and outputting, by the electrical equipment, the digital intracranial pressure data via an output device operably associated with the electrical equipment to render the digital intracranial pressure data.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of detecting the presence or progression of neuromuscular disorders (including ALS) based at least in part on diaphragm EMG signals taken at different points in time from the same implanted electrode(s). Signals may be used to diagnose or to monitor progression of a disorder or to track a treatment. Thus, diaphragm EMG signal may be used as a marker (e.g., a “biomarker”) for the detection or progression of a neurological disorder such as ALS. The characteristics or parameters of diaphragm EMG signals may be used to create an activity index, which may be output or compared and further analyzed. These signals may also be analyzed to show a difference between the left and right sides of the diaphragm.

Abstract: Generally, a method performed by one or more processing devices includes generating a graphical user interface that when rendered on a display of the one or more processing devices renders a visual representation of an environment and a visual representation of an object in the environment; retrieving an auditory stimulus with one or more auditory attributes indicative of a location of a virtual target in the environment; receiving information specifying movement of the object in the environment; determining, based on the movement of the object, a proximity of the object to the virtual target; adjusting, based on the proximity, one or more values of the one or more auditory attributes of the auditory stimulus; and causing the one or more processing devices to play the auditory stimulus using the adjusted one or more values.

Abstract: A device and method for treating a bone includes a bone plate including first and second portions joined to one another via a connecting portion, a rigidity of the connecting portion being less than rigidities of each of the first and second portions in combination with a first sensor mounted on the first portion measuring strain on the first portion and a second sensor mounted on the second portion measuring strain on the second portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for laser-assisted eye treatment comprises a laser device and first and second accessory modules. The laser device is configured to provide focused laser radiation and has a coupling port. The first accessory module may form a patient interface and has a contact surface for an eye. The second accessory module includes a measuring device that performs measurements of the laser radiation. In certain embodiments, the measurements include the measurement of a pulse duration of the laser radiation using a detector operating on the basis of two-photon absorption. The first and second accessory modules are configured to detachably couple to the laser device at the coupling port. Only one accessory module can be coupled to the coupling port at a time. Therefore, the first accessory module must be removed from the coupling port before the second accessory module can be attached to the coupling port.

Abstract: A new hearing profile assessment plays each of a plurality of frequency tones multiple times at a plurality of loudness levels. For each frequency, the patient indicates which tones that they can hear, establishing minimum-amplitude thresholds for each frequency. The assessment adapts loudness levels until the patient indicates consistent minimum-amplitude thresholds for each frequency. Also, a new system for training the hearing of a subject is disclosed. The system instructs the subject to vocalize various sound items and remember the sounds that they vocalize. The system plays either recorded samples of the subject's own voice, or comparison samples of a synthesized voice or other's vocalizations of the same sound items. The system prompts the subject to compare the played samples with the sounds they remembered vocalizing. The system uses the feedback to adjust sound processing parameters for a hearing aid, cochlear implant, sound output devices, or a training program.