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.

Abstract: A biodegradable pressure sensor for measuring vital physiological pressures and for preventing the buildup of dangerous internal forces in impaired organs. The pressure sensor is constructed by depositing Mg or Mo on both sides of a PLLA film. This layered configuration (Mg/PLLA/Mg) or (Mo/PLLA/Mo) may then be encapsulated by layers of high molecular weight PLA. These materials are biodegradable such that after implantation, the sensor does not require invasive removal surgery that can damage directly interfaced tissues.

Abstract: A data processing method for detecting the conversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer disease (AD), allowing objectively quantifying the effects that this has on the patient's electroencephalogram (EEG). The method of the invention provides an objective criterion for monitoring the brain health status of MCI subjects, which goes alongside the other criteria of neurological, psychological, clinical and cognitive assessment normally provided by the evaluation protocols of these patients.

Abstract: A method of performing impedance measurements on a subject. The method includes using a processing system to determine at least one impedance measurement to be performed, and at one electrode arrangement associated with the determined measurement. A representation of the arrangement is displayed so the impedance measurement can be performed once the electrodes have been arranged in accordance with the displayed representation.

Abstract: A system for traversing an arterial occlusion in an artery includes a housing sized to fit in a palm of a user, an elongate drive tube configured to be rotated by the housing, the drive tube including an axially extending passage, a cylindrical member, configured to be rotationally coupled to the drive tube, such that a distal tip of the cylindrical member may be delivered to a location adjacent the arterial occlusion when the cylindrical member is coupled to the drive tube, and wherein grasping and activating the housing such that the drive tube is rotated, thereby causes the distal tip of the cylindrical member to be rotated, the rotation of the distal tip including at least a component of linear oscillation.

Abstract: Disclosed are steerable needles having a shaft that can be controllably buckled, a steering head positioned at a distal end of the shaft, a transmission for controlling the orientation of the steering head, and a base at the end of the shaft, the base optionally comprising a controller for controlling the transmission. Also disclosed are methods of using the disclosed steerable needles.

Abstract: A cassette for retrieving plural tissue samples from a fluid stream. The cassette includes a bypass conduit and plural voids. A catch tray is removably seated in each of the voids. A fitting extends from the cassette. The cassette has an outlet opening through which a suction is drawn. The cassette also has a valve. The valve directs the fluid stream from the fitting so the fluid stream flows through the bypass conduit or through one of the voids in which a catch tray is seated.

Abstract: A syringe or other vessel having a substrate surface coated by PECVD is provided. The PECVD coating is made by generating plasma from a gaseous reactant comprising an organosilicon precursor and optionally O2. The lubricity, hydrophobicity and/or barrier properties of the coating are set by setting the ratio of the O2 to the organosilicon precursor in the gaseous reactant, and/or by setting the electric power used for generating the plasma. In particular, a lubricity coating made by said method is provided. Vessels coated by said method and the use of such vessels protecting a compound or composition contained or received in said coated vessel against mechanical and/or chemical effects of the surface of the uncoated vessel material are also provided.

Abstract: A method for characterizing tissues within a subject as cancerous or non-cancerous includes determining the electrical properties of the subject. The electrical properties of the subject are fit to a model and a specific range of a set of characteristic frequencies of each tissue is then calculated. Each tissue is finally characterized as cancerous or non-cancerous if the specific range of the set of characteristic frequencies inside or outside, respectively, a pre-determined spread of characteristic frequencies.

Abstract: Embodiments described relate to a medical device including an invasive probe such as a guidewire that, when inserted into a duct (e.g. vasculature) of an animal (e.g., a human or non-human animal, including a human or non-human mammal), may be used to aid in diagnosing and/or treating a lesion of the duct (e.g. a growth or deposit within vasculature that fully or partially blocks the vasculature). The invasive probe may have one or more impedance sensors to sense characteristics of the lesion, including by detecting one or more characteristics of tissues and/or biological materials of the lesion. There is further described a method of assembling such a medical device.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a subject's attentional response to a stimulus. The method includes measuring microsaccadic eye movement dynamics of the subject, detecting whether a microsaccadic signature (a suppression in microsaccadic rate) is present in the measured microsaccadic eye movement relative to a time of the stimulus, and correlating the subject's attentional response to the stimulus based on the detection. The method further includes determining that the stimulus was sensed if the microsaccadic signature is present and determining that the stimulus was not sensed if the microsaccadic signature is absent.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computer-implemented method includes receiving signals corresponding to wavelengths of light detected by an optical sensor placed in proximity to a patient's body, and for each received signal: separating the signal into an AC signal and a DC signal; separating the AC signal into component signals; analyzing the component signals through a fractional phase transformation to identify a desired component signal and harmonic signals associated with the desired component signal; smoothing the desired component signal, the harmonic signals, and the DC signal; and combining the smoothed desired component signal, the smoothed harmonic signals, and the smoothed DC signal to generate a modulation signal. A modulation ratio signal is generated based on the modulation signals derived from the signals, and a peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) of the patient's body is determined based on the modulation ratio signal.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to health monitoring and assessment systems, and more particularly to perform postural stability assessment of a user and quantify the assessed postural stability. In an embodiment, the system, by monitoring specific actions (which are part of certain tests done for the postural stability assessment) being performed by a user, collects inputs which are then processed to determine SLS duration, the body joint vibration, and the body sway area of the user, while performing the tests. By processing the SLS duration, the body joint vibration, and the body sway area together, a postural stability index score for the user is determined, and based on this score, postural stability assessment for the user is performed.