Abstract: A balloon catheter (100), suitable for delivery of a balloon to the stomach via application by the nose, the balloon catheter comprising a catheter (2) and one or more inflatable balloons (1) fixedly attached to the catheter. The balloons have an outer diameter from 4 to 7 cm, are made of a relatively hard material (e.g. durometer 70 to 100 shore A), and have an effective length of 7 to 18 cm or a total inner volume of 90 to 330 ml, when inflated by 0.2 psi. A system comprising the balloon catheter, and a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure of a fluid inside the balloon, and optionally a fluid pump for inflating and/or deflating the balloon, and a control unit for reading the pressure sensor and optionally for controlling the fluid pump.

Abstract: Methods and system are provided for thermally-induced renal neuromodulation. Thermally-induced renal neuromodulation may be achieved via direct and/or via indirect application of thermal energy to heat or cool neural fibers that contribute to renal function, or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers. In some embodiments, parameters of the neural fibers, of non-target tissue, or of the thermal energy delivery element, may be monitored via one or more sensors for controlling the thermally-induced neuromodulation. In some embodiments, protective elements may be provided to reduce a degree of thermal damage induced in the non-target tissues. In some embodiments, thermally-induced renal neuromodulation is achieved via delivery of a pulsed thermal therapy.

Abstract: The invention includes a system to determine body surface area (BSA) or volume of an animal that can be used to determine a health status of the animal. The system has a plurality of integrated measuring devices such as radar or infrared sensors. The measuring devices are mounted within a confined space. A plurality of measurements is taken along vertically oriented sections or slices of the animal as the animal passes by the confined space. The measurements are combined and numerically converted to BSA or volume estimations. The health status can be derived as a direct relation to BSA or volume, or changes in BSA or volume over a selected time period.

Abstract: Reducing noise in a signal is provided. A first filter includes a selectively definable passband for filtering a first signal used in determining at least one patient parameter. A characteristic analyzer detects a characteristic of a second signal and generates a variability measurement value using a series of data values within the second signal over a previously occurring window of time. A filter controller coupled to the characteristic analyzer uses the variability measurement value to define a characteristic of the passband for the first filter and selectively tunes the passband of the first filter according to the defined characteristic. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

Abstract: A lancing device with rear adjustment of penetration depth includes a cap, cap holder, ejection pin and shell, wherein: the lancing device has an external and medium depth adjusting sleeve. The ejection pin is located in the medium sleeve and the external depth adjusting sleeve is sleeved outside the medium sleeve; the external sleeve connects axially and circumferentially to the shell, and a rotary locating mechanism is between the external sleeve and the shell; the medium sleeve is connected circumferentially and axially in a sliding way, and a rotary moving mechanism is between the medium the external sleeve, and the medium includes a passive impact face relative to the active impact face of the ejection pin; the external sleeve includes a manual adjusting ring outside the lancing device at the middle and rear part, and rotates to drive the medium sleeve to move axially, changing the needle tip penetration depth.

Abstract: Systems and methods for navigation and positioning a central venous catheter within a patient. The system may include a first pole and a second pole designed to generate an electric field sufficient to obtain a plurality of field measurements. The system may include a stylet inserted into a medical device. The stylet may include a magnetic assembly configured to produce a magnetic field positioned along a distal portion of the stylet, and a stylet electrode positioned distal of the magnetic assembly. The stylet electrode may be designed to function as both an interior excitation electrode and an interior detection electrode. Advancement of the medical device in the patient may include using a conductance curve generated from the plurality of field measurements to identify an obstruction or malposition in the patient.

Abstract: A lower limb loading assessment system having at least one motion sensor mounted to a subject's lower limb that is configured to sense the tibial shockwaves experienced by the lower limb as the subject performs a repetitive physical activity involving repetitive footstrikes of the lower limb with a surface. The motion sensor comprises an accelerometer that is configured to sense acceleration data in at least three axes and generate representative acceleration data over a time period associated with the physical activity. The acceleration data represents a series of discrete tibial shockwaves from the discrete footstrikes. A data processor receives the tibial shockwave data and processes that to generate output feedback data comprising data to assist the subject to minimize future loading in their lower limbs.

Abstract: A blood pressure measurement module includes a top cover, a micro pump, a driving circuit board, and a pressure sensor. The top cover has a gas inlet hole, an accommodation trough, and an outlet channel. An inner wall of the accommodation trough is recessed to form a gas collection chamber in communication with the gas inlet hole, and the outlet channel is connected to a gas bag. The pressure sensor is electrically connected to the driving circuit board. The driving circuit board covers the accommodation trough of the top cover. The operation of the micro pump is controlled by the driving circuit board. The gas is continuously guided to the outlet channel and is converged at the gas bag by the micro pump. When the pressure of the gas in the gas bag measured by the pressure sensor reaches a valve value, the micro pump stops its operation.

Abstract: Various examples related to power sources for implantable sensors and/or devices are provided. In one example, a device for implantation in a subject includes circuitry for sensing an observable parameter of the subject and a power source comprising a nanowired ultra-capacitor (NUC), the power source having a volume of 10 mm3 or less. The NUC can have a surface capacitance density in a range from about 25 mF/cm2 to about 29 mF/cm2 or greater. Such devices can be used for, e.g., ocular diagnostic sensors or other implantable sensors that may be constrained by size limitations.

Abstract: The invention discloses an objective and quantitative detection method for amblyopia by electroencephalogram (EEG). The method comprises the following steps: firstly, carry out binocular dichoptic viewing display, then design a visual evoked stimulation paradigm, establish a brain-computer interface platform, build a test interaction interface, next determine an amblyopia EEG quantitative index. By using a suppression coefficient (SI) to describe the binocular suppression relationship, quantify the degree of amblyopia, and finally obtain amblyopia detection result feedback, where the computer interaction interface module presents a final amblyopia detection result to realize feedback of a user. The operation is simple and rapid, the applicability is high, and the indexes are objective and quantitative.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments describing finger calipers with a pair of lever arms pivotally attached to a hand plate via a pivot point at their respective proximal ends. Each of the lever arms extend along the length of a finger and attach to the end of the respective finger via a finger cuff or some other attachment means. Accordingly, the lever arms can open and close, or otherwise splay apart, in a scissor like manner when the fingers that they are attached to open and close or otherwise splay apart. A ratchet system comprised by one of the lever arms and the hand plate allow for one-way motion of the ratcheted lever arm. The other lever arm freely pivots across the hand plate. When a medical examiner is using the finger calipers, they can reliably measure a dilated cervix by reading a corresponding dilation measurement indicium associated with the ratcheted lever arm.

Abstract: A catheter with a distal end that rotates through the conversion of linear motion to rotational motion, thus the distal end may be rotated without longitudinally advancing or retracting the distal end. The catheter includes a tube with a single helix or a dual chirality helix cut into the tube, a distal end segment, means for linear displacement of the helix, and means for coupling the junction point of the helix to the distal segment.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for extracting physiological information indicative of at least one vital sign of a subject. An embodiment of a device comprises a pre-treatment unit configured to derive at least three detection signals from electromagnetic radiation reflected from a skin region of a subject, wherein at least two detection signals comprise wavelength-dependent reflection information in a different wavelength channel and at least two detection signals comprise reflection information in different polarization channels having different polarization directions.

Abstract: A load sensing assembly for a spinal implant includes a set screw having a central opening that extends from a first end of the set screw toward a second end of the set screw. The second end of the set screw is configured to engage with an anchoring member. The load sensing assembly includes an antenna, an integrated circuit in communication with the antenna, where the integrated circuit is positioned within the central opening of the set screw, and a strain gauge in connection with the integrated circuit. The strain gauge is located within the central opening of the set screw in proximity to the second end of the set screw.

Abstract: A detecting method and a positioning analysis method of human functional joint rotation center are provided. The detecting method of human functional joint rotation center includes: step 11: in a continuous motion, a human functional joint rotation center FCR is abstracted as a center of a flexible ball; step 12: at any moment during a test, position coordinates of the center of the ball (i.e. FCR) at the moment are determined according to position coordinates of M1, M2 and M3, and then the motion trajectory of the FCR is obtained in the continuous motion; the positioning analysis method performs positioning analysis of joint positions based on morphological parameters collected by 3D scanning. The detecting method is based on an idea of flexible ball, its operation is simple within a certain error range, and the method performs very well in the continuity of trajectory of joint.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and/or device for measuring a physiological condition of a user. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include: a band configured to attach to a body part of a user; a housing coupled to the band; a processing device integrated into the band or disposed within the housing; an interface integrated into the band or disposed within the housing; and a miniaturized impedance sensor.

Abstract: A biological fluid collection device that includes a housing and a cartridge that is removably receivable within a portion of the housing is disclosed. The biological fluid collection device of the present disclosure allows for collection of capillary blood from a finger stick and provides a closed system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample. In one embodiment, a cartridge of the present disclosure also provides fast mixing of a blood sample with a sample stabilizer. In another embodiment, a cartridge of the present disclosure provides automatic plasma separation of the blood sample. Advantageously, once the cartridge is filled with a sample aid removed from the housing, the cartridge can be used for a variety of important purposes.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for non-invasive monitoring and measuring of intraocular pressure (IOP) of a subject. Embodiments include a lens that is adapted to fit on the subject's eye, a microstructure disposed in or on the lens, the microstructure having at least one feature that exhibits a change in shape and/or geometry and/or position on the lens in response to a change in curvature of the lens. When the curvature of the lens changes in response to a change in IOP, a corresponding change in shape and/or geometry and/or position of the feature may be used to determine the change in IOP. The change in the feature is detectable in digital images of the lens taken with a mobile electronic device such as a smartphone.

Abstract: A urine collecting and sample kit includes a self-standing urine collecting bag and an evacuated test tube. The collecting bag includes a female connector fitment adapted to connect to a sample end of the evacuated test tube to enable taking a urine sample from urine deposited in the bag using the evacuated test tube. The female connector fitment is sealed by means of a sealing technique to a front and/or back panel of the self-standing urine collecting bag, at a height above a bottom panel of the bag, such that the insert opening of the fitment faces outward and the sample end of the test tube can be inserted into the recess and be removed from the recess while the bag is in its standing position.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and devices configured to detect the heart rate of a user. The method includes receiving at least one input signal, separating the input signal into signal components, receiving a motion signal from the user, and applying a Bayesian filter to the signal components and the motion signal to estimate the heart rate of the user. The method further includes calculating a combination of at least two reflected light signals from at least two different wavelengths. The device includes a photodetector configured to detect at least one reflected light signal resulting from the emitted at least two different wavelengths and a motion detector for detecting a motion signal. The device also includes a processing component configured to calculate a combination of the reflected light signals, separate the combination of detected light signals into signal components, and apply a Bayesian filter to the signals.