Abstract: An analyte and detecting apparatus has a housing and a disposable positionable in the housing. A penetrating member driver is positioned in the housing. A plurality of penetrating members are positioned in the disposable. Each a penetrating member is configured to be coupled to the penetrating member driver. A plurality of sampling chambers are provided with each one including an analyte sensor. A cam disk indexing and drive mechanism is included.

Abstract: A technique for performing computational analysis of craniosynostosis from CT images is discussed. An image-computing platform assesses craniofacial malformations by using a shape analysis methodology for image processing. The shape of a patient's craniofacial anatomy is assessed in terms of a statistical shape model that incorporates normal shape variability. The model allows for the identification of a closest normal variant to a patient's anatomy rather than comparing the patient's anatomy to an age-specific average shape. Further, an image registration and segmentation method is discussed which enables obtaining a personalized anatomical model for each patient, thereby achieving a precise and systematic characterization of shape abnormality. Visual (qualitative) and quantitative surgical planning, as well as pre-operative and post-operative assessments are achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying acupuncture points according to the present invention recognizes a curved surface of a human body via 3D scanning, and then sets acupuncture points corresponding to the body surface that has been recognized to project them onto the body. More specifically, the apparatus for displaying acupuncture points comprises: a 3D scanner for performing 3D scanning; a control unit for setting acupuncture points by using the data that has been scanned by the 3D scanner; and a projection unit for projecting the acupuncture points that have been set by the control unit onto the body. Accordingly, the present invention allows accurate selection of acupuncture points on a highly curved surface of a human body.

Abstract: An apparatus for in-situ sensing of longitudinal and transverse strain in biological tissue (e.g. tendons and ligaments) includes a set of sensing electrodes that contact biological tissue and enable measurement of an electrical property of the biological tissue along two or more directions. The apparatus may also include a sensing module that senses the electrical property of the biological tissue along the two or more directions to provide multi-directional measurements that are captured by a logging module. The apparatus may also include a transmission module that transmits the captured measurements to a data analysis workstation or the like. The data analysis workstation may include a strain estimation module that receives the multi-directional measurement and estimates a longitudinal strain and a transverse strain therefrom. A corresponding system and method for in-situ sensing of longitudinal and transverse strain in biological tissue is also presented.

Abstract: An implantable medical device performs impedance measurement and demodulation, such as for obtaining lead impedance measurements, or thoracic impedance measurements, such as for extracting respiration, cardiac stroke, or fluid status information. A 4-point FIR filter demodulator can be used to demodulate a two-phase current excitation waveform. The demodulator can also be used to measure noise for triggering a noise response. Among other things, an increased excitation current level can be used when noise is deemed to be present.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor includes a base plate provided with a concave part formed on one of surfaces thereof, a fluid channel formed so that a bottom part of the concave part and the other one of the surfaces of the base plate are communicated with each other, a plurality of electrodes formed on the concave part; a reagent fixed on the electrodes, a cover which covers the concave part, and an air channel which causes the inside and outside of the concave part to be communicated with each other.

Abstract: A biopsy needle having a longitudinal channel formed within an inner conductor of a coaxial antenna is disclosed. The coaxial antenna terminates in a rigid insertion tip e.g. a ceramic cone that is insertable into biological tissue. Microwave energy (e.g. having a frequency of 1 to 100 GHz) delivered to the coaxial antenna is emitted at the insertion tip. The insertion tip may be arranged to match the impedance of the coaxial antenna to a predetermined tissue impedance. The emitted radiation can be used to measure properties of or treat (e.g., ablate) tissue at the insertion tip. Needle biopsy apparatus is also disclosed, in which a microwave energy is controllably delivered to a needle from a microwave generator. The apparatus may include an impedance tuner to dynamically match the impedance of the needle with tissue at the insertion tip.

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: A valve sizer for determining an appropriate replacement valve size when performing a heart valve replacement procedure is provided. In one version the valve sizer has a hollow shaft with proximal and distal ends. A movable sizing element couples to the distal end of the shaft and is radially expandable between first, contracted and second, expanded positions. An actuator assembly on a handle includes an actuator coupled to a clutch member via a ball-spring-detent clutch. A rod extends through the shaft and maintains a fixed distance between the handle and a distal hub in the sizing element. Movement of the actuator causes axial movement of the shaft, thereby causing radial expansion of sizing petals relative to the hub. The clutch slips when a predetermined reaction force from the surrounding valve annulus is met by the petals.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention relates to systems, methods, and apparatus relating to the detection of a neuropathy such as a periopertive neuropathy. In one embodiment, a wristband comprising a plurality of anodes and cathodes is used. The wristband can be a component in a electrode array that includes a plurality of reference or recording electrodes. The electrode array can be configured to stimulate and collect responsive signals from an ulnar, a median, radial and posterior tibial nerve. The simulation and signal collection can be performed on a continuous basis for time periods of interest such as a given perioperative time period using a monitoring device.

Abstract: A guide wire has a coil body covered with a hydrophilic coating film that exhibits sufficient lubricity even when there is little moisture in its surroundings. In the coil-type guide wire, a coating portion is formed by a plurality of layers where the innermost layer includes a hydrophobic film and an outer layer includes a hydrophilic film. Portions of the innermost layer extend between adjacent coils of the coil body and spaces are formed between the outer layer thereof and the portions of the innermost layer between the coils. The spaces allow moisture to pool so that when moisture in the guide wire's surroundings decreases, it is possible to supply the moisture pooled in the spaces to the hydrophilic film. Thus, even when there is little moisture in the guide wire's surroundings, it is possible to have a sufficient amount of lubricity.

Abstract: At least one embodiment is directed to an insert for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The insert can be temporary or permanent. In one embodiment, the insert is prosthetic component for a single compartment of the knee. The insert comprises a support structure and a support structure respectively having an articular surface and a load bearing surface. The height of the insert can be less than 10 millimeters. At least one internal cavity is formed when support structures are coupled together for housing electronic circuitry, sensors, and the power source. The insert includes a flexible articular surface. Flexible articular surface transfers loading to sensors internal to the insert.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes coaxially disposed inner and outer needles in which the outer needle tip is configured for obtaining a tissue sample. The inner surface of the outer needle includes a tissue retention feature which may include a countersink and/or a feature formed in the inner surface. The device may be introduced to a biopsy site through an introducer in which the introducer is vented and/or a certain ratio of introducer inner diameter and biopsy device outer diameter is maintained.

Abstract: The invention includes, in part, methods and apparatus for determining the status of labor in a pregnant subject. In some embodiments of the invention, organ-level uterine function is determined as a measure of the status of labor such as non-labor (e.g. false labor), latent phase labor, active phase labor, or post-delivery.

Abstract: Examples of systems and methods for profiling the hearing ability of a consumer are disclosed. One example includes a personal computer and a handheld device configured to produce calibrated acoustic output at suprathreshold levels above 20 db HL, and at step levels of 10-20 decibels, and presented test frequency bands across an audiometric frequency range from 400 to 8000Hz. The consumer's minimal audibility levels are registered, and a hearing profile score is presented to indicate hearing ability and hearing aid candidacy. In some embodiments, band-limited natural sounds are presented. Systems and methods disclosed herein, with considerations for noise present in the consumer's environment, allow for rapid calibrated hearing profiling, using a standard personal computer and minimal hardware, thus particularly suited for self-testing outside clinical environments such as at home or the office.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for implant distance measurement. Certain embodiments of a method provide determining a tool trajectory, comparing the trajectory to one or more measured distances stored in memory to identify a requested distance measurement, and indicating the requested distance measurement to a user based on a matched trajectory. Certain embodiments of a system provide a processor configured to determine a tool trajectory with respect to a region of interest. The processor compares the trajectory to one or more measured distances between implants stored in memory to identify a requested distance measurement. The system also includes a display configured to display an image including the implants and the requested distance measurement to a user.

Abstract: A medical device having a frontal attachment and a connector housing having at least a body part of an associated medical apparatus, the frontal attachment slidably engaging the connector housing and having a forwardly projecting, rearwardly biased needle and a needle retraction assembly, and the connector housing having a needle retraction cavity laterally offset from the needle in a first position, the needle retraction cavity being selectively movable relative to the frontal attachment following use to reposition the needle retraction cavity into alignment with the needle to permit retraction. The subject device is desirably specially modified for use in blood gas sampling by the addition of a filter plug.

Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for measuring pressure exerted against a surface. In an aspect, the surface corresponds to the urethra and the device measures the pressure exerted against the urethra. Methods include treatment of a patient suffering urinary stress incontinence. A pressure sensor system is used to determine, pre-surgically, the minimum pressure required to alleviate incontinence. During surgery, the pressure sensor system is employed to ensure the surgical intervention provides a corresponding minimum pressure that was clinically identified. In this manner, the surgical intervention is precisely monitored and measured to insure the appropriate pressure is exerted on the urethra to alleviate stress incontinence, thereby improving surgical outcome and decreasing post-operative complications.

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: A method for analyzing nerve fibers distribution is provided, including inputting a stimulation signal into a nerve tissue through at least two sensing and conducting electrodes, applying a stimulation signal ratio to control the stimulation signal using an electric current steering technique to electrically stimulate a plurality of nerve fibers within a plurality of stimulations areas of the nerve tissue; receiving a plurality of evoked compound action potentials (ECAP) using at least two sensing and conducting electrodes due to the nerve fibers electrically stimulated and computing a distance between the nerve fiber and the conducting electrodes including eliminating non-ideal effect caused by an electric potential attenuation factor, wherein the electric potential attenuation factor is a function of the distance between each of the conducting electrodes and the nerve tissue; and integrating and comparing the received ECAPs and analyzing the nerve fibers distribution of the nerve tissue.