Abstract: A system for marking a non-human biological object and removing a sample of the biological object includes a first tag part, a second tag part, a pin connected to the first tag part by its first end and provided with a head at its second end, a sample removing stopper which, while attaching the tag parts on the biological object and removing the sample therefrom, is positioned on the head of the pin. The stopper has a cutter at its front, which cutter delimits a sample receiving cavity. The second tag part is provided with a passage for the stopper and the head of the pin. The second tag part is provided in the region of the passage of the second tag part with a sample fixating spike member.

Abstract: A hearing protection device is disclosed which incorporates integrated audiometric testing, thereby allowing for testing without removal of safety hearing protection. The hearing protection is typically intended to be worn for the duration of a work shift, and allows for self-testing during the shift. Embodiments of the device may utilize a series of partial test sessions, so that each test session is kept brief so as to not interfere unduly with the work schedule. This may encourage frequent testing, hopefully aiding in early detection of potential hearing loss. Additionally, methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: A guide for a flexible member includes a stationary member, an articulating member, and an actuating member. The articulating member defines a first lumen. The stationary member, the articulating member, and the actuating member are coupled to one another by one or more arcuate grooves or flanges such that the articulating member pivots relative to the stationary member when the actuating member is moved relative to the stationary member. The stationary member and the actuating member form a second lumen arranged to accommodate the flexible member coextensively in the first lumen and the second lumen.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and a device for accurately guiding a chest tube to an intended position within a pleural cavity of an animal or human being. There is also provided a kit-of-parts comprising a catheter and a catheter guiding device according to the present invention.

Abstract: A pelvic floor treatment apparatus (100) includes a head portion (A) and a body portion (B) connected to the head portion (A) at a first end. The body portion (B) comprises: one or more pressure transducers (D1) located along a length of the body portion (B) and configured to determine pressure at one or more locations within an organ, wherein at least one of the one or more pressure transducers (D1) is selectively movable along the length of the body portion (B); and one or more electrodes (D2) configured to selectively electrically stimulate a location within the organ.

Abstract: A method for scoring one or more functional abilities of a patient that comprises exercising a patient according to an exercising pattern, using at least one sensor for sensing one or more manipulations of the patient during the exercising, and scoring the one or more functional abilities according to the sensed manipulations. The scoring is performed according to a visual rehabilitation evaluation scale for scoring the one or more functional abilities.

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: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods and corresponding systems for performing health risk assessments for a patient in the home environment. In various aspects, depth image data for a person may be obtained and subsequently processed to generate one or more parameters, such as temporal and spatial gait parameters. Subsequently, the generated parameters may be processed with other medical information related to the patient, such as electronic health records, to perform various health risk assessments.

Abstract: A handheld tissue stretching device combined with an extremity flexibility number, stretchscore, enables users to independently evaluate and treat the flexibility of their extremity tissue minimizing physical therapist intervention to evaluate and treat tissue. The distance between handheld stretching devices and the extremity supports changes with a high degree of variability during home treatments; whereas, medical professionals monitor stretch intensity visually and manually. Patients performing home-based stretches impart variable intensity that leads to inconsistent tissue treatment resulting in increased tissue stiffness. The present inventors have discovered when the slack is automatically retracted, the distance between the users hands and the extremity support is continuously proportional to the flexibility of the extremity.

Abstract: A data processing method for determining the position of a main plane of an anatomical body part, comprising the steps of: • providing absolute auxiliary point data which describe the position of at least one actual auxiliary point of the body part relative to a marker device attacked to the body part, the at least one actual auxiliary point being outside the main plane; • providing relative point data which constrain the possible positions of the main plane relative to the at least one actual auxiliary point; • providing absolute main point data which describe the position of one or two actual main points of the body part relative to the marker device attached to the body part, said one or two actual main points lying in the main plane and/or calculating the position of at least one virtual main point relative to the marker device, said at least one virtual main point being in the main plane and being calculated based on the absolute auxiliary point data and the relative point data; • calculating a position

Abstract: A method of treating a patient and an external programmer for use with a neurostimulator. Electrical stimulation energy is serially conveyed into tissue of the patient via different combinations of electrodes implanted within the patient, thereby creating one or more clinical effects for each of the different electrode combinations. An influence of each of the different electrode combinations on the clinical effect(s) is determined. A graphical indication of the one or more clinical effects is generated based on the determined electrode combination influences. A graphical representation of the electrodes is displayed. The graphical indication of the clinical effect(s) is displayed adjacent the graphical electrode representation, such that a user can view an extent to which each of the different electrode combinations influences the clinical effect(s).

Abstract: A syringe assembly for fluid collection includes a housing having a sidewall defining a hollow bore therein, and an elongate plunger with the distal end of the plunger forming a chamber within the hollow bore for containing a fluid therein. The plunger is adapted for slideable movement within the hollow bore between an initial position and a retracted position. The assembly includes a hub disposed at least partially within the hollow bore and at least partially supporting a cannula therewith. The hub is adapted to automatically transition from an initial position in which at least a portion of the cannula is disposed external to the housing, to a retracted position in which the cannula is fully shielded by the housing, upon transition of the elongate plunger from the initial position to the retracted position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a specimen collecting and testing apparatus and a method for testing the specimen using said apparatus, and more particularly concerns a specimen and testing apparatus for collecting urine specimen use in drug screening program wherein said apparatus has tamper-proof features to prevent adulteration or substitution and a method of using the same. This apparatus also provides a novel arrangement for retaining the specimen collected having tamper-proof features and is also leak proof and easy to handle.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for extending the service life of a battery source by fully utilizing the energy in batteries and/or providing higher energy reserve using multiple batteries. An universal battery bank consists of an ensemble of possibly heterogenous batteries all connected in series to provide a usable operational energy source. For a universal battery bank consists on N batteries, the minimum operational voltage for the individual batteries (Vmin) can be lowered to Vmin/N on average, thereby extending the time interval between battery replacements and draining the individual batteries more efficiently. To exploit this power supply that may vary over a wide voltage range, electronics are designed to monitor the individual batteries, guard against excessive voltage and current, and provide constant current sources and/or constant voltage sources for various appliances.

Abstract: An IOP monitoring device for implantation in an eye of a patient may include a first tube having a first opening, the first tube being configured to extend into an anterior chamber of the eye and extend to a first sensor outside the anterior chamber. The first sensor may be in fluid communication with the first opening of the first tube. The device also may include a second tube having an opening spaced from a second sensor. The opening of the second tube may be configured to be exposed to a pressure representative of atmospheric pressure, with the second sensor being in fluid communication with the second opening. In one aspect, a patch is attachable to a globe of the eye and configured to lie over the opening of the second tube and secure the opening in place in the eye.

Abstract: A dosimetry device includes at least one sensor in a housing and a dosimetry processing device with a memory. The dosimetry processing device is coupled to the at least one sensor in the housing. The dosimetry processing device is configured to execute programmed instructions stored in the memory comprising: obtaining readings from the sensor; storing the readings; conducting an analysis of the stored readings to determine an injury risk assessment; and outputting at least one of the conducted analysis of the determined injury risk assessment or the stored readings.

Abstract: Devices and systems have a sensor probe configured to measure tissue oxygen saturation in the intestine or mesentery. The devices and systems can determine the oxygenation state of the entire thickness of the intestine or mesentery. Thus, embodiments of the invention can be applied in diagnosing intestinal ischemia in a patient, as well as in monitoring tissue oxygen saturation of the intestine or mesentery during or after a surgical procedure.

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 method for modelling pressure exposure and/or the risk of pressure ulcer formation includes steps of using pressure sensors to derive pressure exposure or risk values and displaying the pressure exposure or risk values in a graphical manner to a user. Computer-implemented systems includes a pressure-sensing interface mat and components for implementing the steps of the methods.

Abstract: An accelerometer analyzing biomechanical parameters of the stride of a runner, including: fastening a device on the torso of the runner that is electrically self-sufficient and includes a triaxial accelerometer, chronograph, digital processor and display; measuring a sequence of acceleration data in at least the vertical direction using the accelerometer, while the runner runs a certain distance along a running course; during or at the end of the course, having the processor calculate the biomechanical parameters of the stride, including the lowering of the center of gravity and/or the elevation of the center of gravity and/or the sum of the lowering and of the elevation of the center of gravity and/or the vertical mechanical work of the center of gravity of the runner, on the basis of the acceleration data, of the distance and of a period of time measured by the chronograph; and displaying the parameters on the display.