Abstract: Medical devices, systems and methods that are useable to facilitate transnasal insertion and positioning of guidewires and various other devices and instruments at desired locations within the ear, nose, throat, paranasal sinuses or cranium. Direct viewing of such placements via an endoscope.

Abstract: A surgical tool for use in a tissue removal procedure from a subject is described. The surgical tool has proximal and distal regions and at least one sensor for sensing one or more predetermined conditions located at a distal region of the surgical tool. And a substantially flat signal transmission structure electrically connected with the at least one sensor and extending between the location at the distal region and the proximal region. The signal transmission structure is configured for providing impedance controlled signal transmission between the at least one sensor and the proximal region.

Abstract: A method for providing a hearing aid, which is adapted to the individual needs of a hearing aid user, wherein hearing loss data is measured on an individual. In order to allow time and cost savings during the fitting procedure of said hearing aid and to provide a ready-to-wear hearing aid the method comprises the steps of—assessing the admissibility of the measured hearing loss by determining if said measured hearing loss data is located within a predetermined admissibility range; attributing said measured hearing loss data to one of a set of standardized profiles, wherein each standardized profile corresponds to a certain type of hearing loss generally located within said admissibility range and is associated with a set of standardized programming parameters of a hearing aid; providing a hearing aid (104, 114) which is programmed according to the set of standardized programming parameters that is associated with said attributed standardized profile.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an articulating structure for use as at least part of a medical device. In one aspect, the invention features an articulating structure comprising an inner member, a sleeve, a pull wire, and an outer member. The inner member defines at least one channel on the outer surface of the inner member, the at least one channel extending along a length of the inner member. The inner member further defines at least one lumen extending through the inner member. The sleeve is disposed in the at least one channel. The pull wire extends within a lumen of the sleeve. The outer member is disposed over the inner member and defines a lumen through which the inner member extends.

Abstract: A meter for determining the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample comprises a memory device, electrical circuitry and a detection device for distinguishing between an alternative site test and a standard site test. The memory device is adapted to store information. The electrical circuitry is adapted to determine the analyte concentration of the fluid sample located on a test sensor. The electrical circuitry is in electronic communication with the memory device. The electrical circuitry communicates the determined analyte concentration to the memory device for storage.

Abstract: A system for determining the posture of a person has a motion sensor (CM) with at least one axis of measurement, which is provided with fixing means (MF) for rigidly connecting said motion sensor (CM) to a user. Analysis means (AN) are also included for determining a posture of the user. The analysis means (AN) utilize: (A) joint densities of probabilities of a low-frequency component and a high-frequency component, these densities of probabilities being defined for each posture; and (B) probabilities of transition between two successive postures.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a disposable unit including a needle carrier and a biopsy needle. The biopsy needle has a distal portion including a sample chamber, and is configured to rotate around a longitudinal axis. The disposable unit includes a hub portion connected to the biopsy needle proximal to the sample chamber. The needle carrier has a holding portion. The holding portion and the hub portion are collectively configured to permit the biopsy needle to rotate within the needle carrier to rotationally position the sample chamber while restraining rotation of the biopsy needle at a series of rotational detent positions within a range of rotation around the longitudinal axis. Each of the series of rotational detent positions is defined by a resistance to a rotation of the hub portion in the holding portion.

Abstract: A method of detecting seizures may comprise receiving an EMG signal and processing the received EMG signal to determine whether a seizure characteristic is present in the EMG signal during a time window. An apparatus for detecting seizures with motor manifestations may comprise one or more EMG electrodes capable of providing an EMG signal substantially representing seizure-related muscle activity; and a processor configured to receive the EMG signal, process the EMG signal to determine whether a seizure may be occurring, and generate an alert if a seizure is determined to be occurring based on the EMG signal.

Abstract: A biopsy system includes a biopsy device and a vacuum control module. The biopsy device includes a cannula and a cutter that translates relative to the cannula to obtain tissue samples. The vacuum control module includes a source of vacuum in communication with the cutter and a user interface. The user interface includes a first page and a second page. The first page has a first graphical representation to indicate the operational status of the biopsy device and does not accept user inputs to alter the operational status of the biopsy device. The second page has at least one icon to adjust the operational status of the biopsy device indicated on the first page and a second graphical representation to indicate the adjustment to the operational status of the biopsy device. The user interface includes a user input feature to select the first page or the second page.

Abstract: A tissue sample holder for a biopsy device comprises an outer cup, a collection tray, and a flow restriction device. The outer cup defines a hollow interior. The collection tray separates the hollow interior into an upper chamber and a lower chamber while allowing fluid to pass between the two chambers through an opening in the collection tray. The flow restriction device selectively seals the opening thereby preventing fluid from passing from the lower chamber into the upper chamber. The flow restriction device may be operable to selectively seal the opening in response to a vacuum being induced within the upper chamber. The collection tray may have a shape (e.g., tapered, funnel-shaped, convex, etc.) selected to facilitate the flow of fluid toward the opening. The lower chamber may be coupled with an external fluid collection device. The lower chamber may define a larger volume than the upper chamber.

Abstract: A method for operating a biopsy device for taking tissue samples includes coupling an electric power source to a tension slide via a removable biopsy needle unit, the removable biopsy needle unit including a biopsy needle and a cutting sheath coaxially arranged with the biopsy needle, the biopsy needle having a sample removal chamber; rotating the cutting sheath via the electric power source to move the tension slide against an action of a spring; locking the tension slide in a cocked position by a releasable locking mechanism; and releasing the releasable locking mechanism when the tension slide is in the cocked position such that the tension slide is moved by the spring away from the cocked position to move the biopsy needle and the cutting sheath in a distal direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an indwelling catheter in particular an intravenous indwelling catheter for emergency treatment. The catheter comprises a housing and a puncturing cannula, which can be introduced into and removed from the housing interior in the longitudinal direction of the housing and which extends through a front housing opening, in such a way that when the cannula is fully introduced, an entry opening is located outside the housing. A collection component stores a blood sample, the component being held in a displaceable manner on the housing with the aid of a fixing element and being displaced between a coupled position, in which a self-filling reservoir, which is configured in the collection component, is in contact with an exit opening of the cannula in order to receive a sample of blood that traverses the cannula and an uncoupled position, in which the reservoir is separated from the exit opening of the cannula and the collection component is held on the housing by the fixing element.

Abstract: An arrangement includes a housing, a plurality of sampling and analysis sites contained within the housing, each of the sampling and analysis sites having a skin-penetration member having a first end configured to pierce the skin, and an inner lumen in communication with the first end, an actuator operatively associated with the skin-penetration member, and an analyte quantification member in fluid communication with the inner lumen of the skin-penetration member. Integrated devices including such arrangements are also described.

Abstract: A removal pouch that is utilized for removing body tissue from the interior of the body as part of a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The specimen removal pouch includes an elongated body and a gas vent. The elongated body has an interior portion to collect specimen from a body cavity of a patient. The gas vent is configured to allow passage of gas from the interior portion of the elongated body to an external environment during removal of the pouch from within the body cavity of the patient.

Abstract: A catheter guidewire for facilitating introduction of a flexible catheter into the human body (e.g., into the bladder) has a proximal end having a first stiffness which is sufficient to facilitate guidance of a stiff plastic expansion sheath through the tissue. A distal end of the guide wire has a second stiffness, substantially less than the first stiffness, to avoid damage to internal walls of the bladder. Preferably, the guide wire incorporates an intermediate portion having a stiffness between the first stiffness value and the second stiffness value.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a hollow needle, and a sample-receiving device that is movable in the hollow needle. A power-driven element having a motor is provided. A transport device is drivably coupled to the motor. The transport device includes a toothed flexible member drivably engaged with a drive gear. The toothed flexible member has a distal portion coupled to the sample-receiving device. The toothed flexible member is configured to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle between an extended position and a retracted position. The toothed flexible member has a proximal portion that extends proximal to the proximal end of the hollow needle. A housing element has a helical coiling-up groove configured to accommodate the proximal portion of the toothed flexible member when the sample-receiving device is retracted to the retracted position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for collecting a sample of exfoliated cells from a colorectal mucosal surface of a human subject which comprises a colorectal insertion member (1) having a distal, insertion end (2), a proximal end (34) and a closable interior cavity (3), a flexible membrane having an outer, cell sampling surface (5) and an inner surface, wherein said membrane is sealingly attached to the distal, insertion end of the insertion member and held within the interior cavity, such that, in use, pressurization of the interior cavity to at least a first elevated pressure causes the membrane to emit from the distal end of the insertion member to make contact with the colorectal mucosal surface and pressurization of the interior cavity to a second reduced pressure causes the membrane to invert and return to the interior cavity of the insertion member. A kit comprising the device and methods of colorectal cell sampling using the device are also described.

Abstract: Biopsy systems, as well as related methods and components, are disclosed. In some embodiments, a biopsy system can include a biopsy gun and a spacer. The biopsy gun can include a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, and a biopsy needle having a proximal end and a distal end. A lumen can extend partially through the housing, and can have a distal end that is defined by the distal end of the housing. A lumen also can extend through the spacer, which can be associated with the distal end of the housing. The biopsy needle can have a first position in which its distal end is disposed within the lumen of the housing or the lumen of the spacer, and a second position in which its distal end is disposed external to the lumen of the housing and the lumen of the spacer.

Abstract: A tissue sampling device includes a sheath having an inner surface having a proximal end and a distal end, and an inner surface defining a passage. An inner tube is disposed within the passage. The inner tube has an inner surface defining a passage, and an outer surface radially spaced outward from the inner surface. A cutting needle is pivotally mounted to the inner tube and pivots between a first position radially inward of the inner surface of the sheath and a second position substantially radially outward of the outer surface of the inner tube. Relative movement between the inner tube and the sheath causes the cutting needle to move between the first position and the second position. Rotation of the inner tube relative to the sheath when the cutting needle is in the second position causes the cutting needle to remove tissue in a helical path.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for screening infants at high risk for central auditory processing deficits and then remediating less efficient processing behaviorally using an adaptive training algorithm that gradually increases sensitivity to rapidly occurring stimuli streams.