Abstract: A system for confirming acquisition of a fluid sample is provided. The system includes a wearable electronic device configured to be worn by a user. The device has a housing, at least one imaging sensor associated with the housing, a data transmission interface for sending data to or receiving data from an external electronic device, a microprocessor for managing the at least one imaging sensor and the data transmission interface, and a program for acquiring and processing images acquired by the at least one imaging sensor. The system further includes a sampling device for collecting a fluid sample in a sample container and at least one identification tag attached to or integrally formed with the sampling device or sample container. The at least one identification tag includes or is associated with a tracking code.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for manufacturing an analyte detecting device. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a housing; a penetrating member driver; a cartridge containing a plurality of penetrating members; a display on the cartridge; a linear slider on the housing, the slider coupled to a rod; and the rod moving with the slider, the rod having at least one roller. The device uses the linear motion of the slider to rotate the cartridge, punch open a new cavity and load a new penetrating member.

Abstract: An illuminating wire medical device may include an elongate flexible housing and an illuminating fiber and a core wire extending through at least part of the housing, the core wire providing desired pushability and torquability. The illuminating device may further include a connector assembly cooperating with the illuminating fiber to accommodate changes in length and to absorb forces applied during use of the device.

Abstract: A guide wire includes a wire main body that has a plate-like portion in a distal end portion of the wire main body and a reinforcement portion that is provided on at least one surface of the plate-like portion and reinforces the plate-like portion. The reinforcement portion is made up of two wire rods, and both end portions of the reinforcement portion are fixed to the plate-like portion. The plate-like portion is formed in a ribbon shape, and the reinforcement portions are diagonally provided on the same plane of the plate-like portion, and intersect each other. The guide wire has a coil that covers the plate-like portion and the reinforcement portion.

Abstract: An inter-ureter signaling device intended to provide a surgeon with a signal to identify when a ureter is grasped by a surgical clamping device, such as a pair of forceps, the device being comprised of a catheter, a signal generator, and wiring, such that when the catheter component of the device, having been inserted into a ureter, is compressed by the surgical clamping device an electrical circuit is closed and the signal generator generates a human perceptible signal, indicating that the clamp has been placed on the ureter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting blood from the umbilical cord of a newborn into a standard vacuum collection tube is disclosed wherein the apparatus comprises a vessel in the general shape of a cup with an open top, a receiving cavity and a tapered bottom surface wherein the taper of the tapered bottom surface is away from the receiving cavity; a pick up tube with open top end and closed bottom, and side tabs, a needle inserted through an opening in the closed bottom of said tube wherein the diameter of the opening is of sufficient size to only allow the tip of the needle to be inserted, and a means for providing an air tight seal between the inserted needle and said opening.

Abstract: Bone marrow access apparatus includes a bone attachment part attachable to bone, a tubular conduit part attached to the bone attachment part and defining a conduit communicating with a hollow interior of the bone attachment part, and a port attached to the conduit part. The port defines a hollow interior communicating with the conduit defined by the conduit part. One or more optional flow control components are arranged in a passage defined by the interior of the bone attachment member, the conduit of the conduit part and the interior of the port and operatively restrict inflow or outflow. A localization part is on or integrated into the port and enables the port to be located through skin. In use, a sampling device is inserted through skin overlying the port, into and through the passage defined by the apparatus, through the flow control component(s), when present, and into the marrow space. Marrow is captured and then the sampling device is removed.

Abstract: A detecting apparatus for curved surface of sole and distribution of pressure thereon, that includes a housing, a top plate enclosed at an opening of the housing, a detecting mechanism capable of vertical reciprocating movement and contacting the curved surface of sole, a detecting circuit collecting the vertical movement data of the detecting mechanism and transferring the vertical movement data to a data processing system, and the data processing system receiving and analyzing the data as well as re-constructing the profile of sole. The detection and reconstruction for 3D surface of the sole and pressure distribution thereon can be achieved by emitting and receiving an infrared ray, with high precision, strong anti-jamming ability, low power consumption and low cost.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted lancing system for blood extraction can include a tubular body having a vacuum chamber, a lancing mechanism configured to removably couple with a lance, a vacuum mechanism including a piston slideably coupled within the body, a release mechanism for selectively holding the vacuum mechanism in an energized state, and an opening for allowing fluid communication between the vacuum chamber and an atmosphere surrounding the vacuum chamber. The system can include structure for selectively commencing dissipation of the vacuum and a fixed or adjustable depth controller. A method of manipulating a surface for blood extraction can include coupling the lancing system to the surface, blocking the opening, creating a vacuum, moving the lance coupler from a first position distal from the surface to a second position proximal to the surface, maintaining the vacuum for a period of time, and commencing dissipation of the vacuum by unblocking the opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lancing device (1) for obtaining bodily fluid samples, comprising a base body (3), on one longitudinal-face end (6) of which a removable cap (12) is arranged which has a positioning face (8) with an outlet opening (7), a lancet magazine (4) for receiving at least one lancet (5), which is held replaceably in the base body (3), a drive device (14) for moving a lancet (5) arranged in the lancet magazine (4) back and forth in the direction of the longitudinal axis (2), said lancet being positioned therein in such a way that the tip thereof can exit the outlet opening (7) during the movement back and forth, wherein the lancet magazine (4) has a locking element (30) and the cap (12) has an unlocking element (31) formed to engage in the locking element (30).

Abstract: A palpometer device for assisting an examiner to evaluate deep pain sensitivity in a patient includes a housing supporting an axially displaceable spring-biased probe having a proximal end extending from an axial bore in a proximal axial face of the housing, and adapted for abutting contact with the patient. Within the housing, the spring-biased probe incorporates an annular flange for engaging one end of a bias spring coaxially disposed within the housing. The bias spring is disposed coaxially about the probe to resist axial displacement of the housing towards the proximal end of the probe upon manual application of a bias force to the housing, when the proximal end of the probe is in contact with a patient's body.

Abstract: A wrist joint performance measuring device includes a base having a seat and two positioning arms on two sides of the seat. A switching device is pivotably mounted to the base. A forearm support is connected to the switching device. A measurement device includes a pivotal seat, a torque meter, a first handle, and a second handle. The pivotal seat is pivotably connected to the forearm support. The torque meter is mounted to the pivotal seat. The first handle or the second handle is connected to a force receiving end of the torque meter. The forearm support and the measurement device are movable by the switching device to one of the two positioning arms and are positioned by the one of the two positioning arms.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a surgical instrument comprising a combination femoral nerve localizer and needle placement guide instrument. The instrument may be used with a neuromonitoring system to localize and monitor the femoral nerve during a spinal procedure.

Abstract: A tinnitus masking system for use by a person having tinnitus The system comprises a sound delivery system having left and right ear-level audio delivery devices and is configured to deliver a masking sound to the person via the audio delivery devices such that the masking sound appears to originate from a virtual sound source location that substantially corresponds to the spatial location in 3D auditory space of the source of the tinnitus as perceived by the person. The masking sound being represented by left and right audio signals that are converted to audible sound by the respective audio delivery devices.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for measuring the size of body parts treated by a compression therapy device. Either the volume or circumference of the body part may be measured. The methods may include evacuating an inflatable compression sleeve to a known pressure, inserting the body part into the compression sleeve, inflating the sleeve to a pre-set condition, and then measuring one or more inflation related parameters. The pre-set conditions may include a pre-determined pressure, volume, or size of the inflatable cells comprising the sleeve. The inflation related parameters may include the time to fill the cell to a pre-set pressure, the pressure attained after a pre-set time of inflation, or the measured volume of a cell after a pre-set amount of air is introduced into it. The methods may also include deflating the cells from the known inflation state to a second inflation state and measuring similar parameters.

Abstract: A device for facilitating the testing of a fluid sample on a test strip includes a housing containing a loading receptacle, a support member, a disposal receptacle, a lancet device and a sensor device. The loading receptacle is adapted to receive the test strip. The support member is adapted to support the test strip. The disposal receptacle is adapted to hold the test strip. The sensor device is adapted to analyze the fluid sample. The device further includes a strip control assembly that is adapted to move the test strip from a first position in the loading receptacle to a second position on the support member, and from the second position to a third position in the disposal receptacle. The device may include a sample door that provides access to the test strip in the second position wherein the test strip is operatively engaged with the sensor device.

Abstract: An implantable intraocular physiological sensor for measuring a physiological characteristic, such as intraocular pressure. The implantable intraocular physiological sensor may include a tubular main body configured to house one or more electrical components. The implantable intraocular physiological sensor may also include a sensor cap configured to be inserted into a first end of the tubular main body with a moisture barrier seal. The implantable intraocular physiological sensor may wirelessly transmit measurements to an external device.

Abstract: A device and method for the collection of sterile specimen samples from the uterus is presented. Also presented is a method of delivering nano-encapsulated drugs to the female reproductive tract to treat pelvic inflammatory disease. The device generally is comprised of an outer cannula over which a cover is provided. A sampler may be positioned within the cannula so that when the sampler is advanced through the cannula, the sampler exits an orifice at one end of the cannula and pierces the cover causing it to retract. In use, the device is positioned within the vagina and once correctly positioned, the sampler is advanced thus piercing the cover and allowing an uncontaminated sample to be taken from the uterus or a drug to be delivered directly into the uterus.

Abstract: A method and system for extracting important signal information is disclosed. The method examines a group of signals obtained from testing of a patient's nervous system and finds a signal area of interest. Once a cluster of signals that all have the area of interest is found—the system concludes that the area of interest is located and validated. Signals that are not within the cluster are rejected and the signals within the cluster are signal-averaged to yield a signal-averaged waveform. The signal averaged waveform represents the results of the test.

Abstract: A pressure sensor module configured for implant at a desired site at which a pressure is to be measured. The pressure sensor module includes a pressure sensitive membrane which is in direct contact with the environment at which a pressure is to be measured. The pressure sensor module forms a part of a pressure measuring system which uses a telemetry link between the pressure sensor module and an external controller for data transmission and transfer. The pressure measuring system provides a dual stage power and data transfer capability for use with an implantable system. An exemplary use is in a three pressure sensor system including a flow control valve in a shunt to treat hydrocephalus. An embodiment of the invention includes a pressure sensor and associated electromagnetic coils embedded in the tip portion of the shunt for measuring the pressure of fluid externally of the shunt at the tip portion.