Abstract: A method of using a biological sampling device to obtain a biological sample. The device comprises a sheath, an applicator, a collector, and a handle. The method includes inserting a first applicator end into an organism with the device being in a pre-sampling configuration; transitioning the device from the pre-sampling configuration to a sampling configuration; with the device in the sampling configuration, via the handle, moving the collector against biological material within the organism to collect the biological material; transitioning the device from the sampling configuration to a post-sampling configuration; and with the device in the post-sampling configuration, withdrawing the device from within the organism.

Abstract: The present invention describes vertically stacked and hermetically sealed implantable pressure sensor devices for measuring a physiological signal. The implantable device comprises multiple layers, including a first wafer having a pressure sensor configured to measure the physiological signal and a second wafer having at least a digitizing integrated circuit. The first wafer is vertically stacked or disposed over the second wafer so as to form a hermetic seal. The device may include one or more additional layers adapted for energy storage and transfer, such as a third layer having a super-capacitor and a fourth layer having a thin film battery.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a first cannula and a second cannula disposed co-axially with the first cannula. A first gear is fixedly attached to the first cannula. A second gear is fixedly attached to the second cannula. A torsion spring is interposed between the first gear and the second gear. The torsion spring is connected to each of the first gear and the second gear. A ratchet drive mechanism is configured to wind the torsion spring to store energy during a cocking operation, and is configured to release the energy stored by the torsion spring during a firing operation to drivably rotate the first gear to rotate the first cannula relative to the second cannula.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and programs for real-time surgical procedure assistance are provided. A first set of 3D poses of the 3D points on the organ may be received. An electronic organ map built for the organ via pre-surgical medical information may be retrieved. A tissue parameter of the organ may be obtained based on the first set of 3D poses and their corresponding 3D poses from the electronic organ map. A deformation transformation of the electronic organ map may be calculated based on the obtained tissue parameter and the first set of 3D poses during the surgical procedure. The deformed electronic organ map may be projected onto the organ with respect to the first set of 3D poses during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A monitoring system and method tracks a patient's position over time and ensures that proper turning or other manipulation is done within the time prescribed. Preferably, the techniques herein continuously monitor patient position and alert medical or other personnel of the need for turning or other patient manipulation. The system may be implemented within a medical or other care facility, or within a patient's home.

Abstract: An intelligent health strap. A detection and analysis method comprises: acquiring multiple groups of pulse data collected by multiple pulse sensors (11); and according to the multiple groups of pulse data, using a calculation method for analysis to obtain physical sign information (12). An intelligent health wrist strap and an intelligent health ankle strap having multiple pulse sensors are used for performing pulse monitoring and analysis, displaying multiple types of pulse physical sign information, and transmitting data to an external device, so that a user can conveniently monitor changes of individual physiological status, and the intelligent health wrist strap and the intelligent health ankle strap can provide massage and health-care for wrists and ankles.

Abstract: An apparatus obtaining a pH level of a tissue comprises an array of at least three optical sensors configured to absorb light shined on the tissue and thereby obtain at least three electronic digital signals, wherein the first electronic signal A1(X,t) represents the light absorbed by the tissue in location X=(X,Y,Z) at time t and at wavelength L1, and similarly the second and third electronic signal A2(X,t) and A3(X,t), and a finite absorption range of the three wavelength L1, L2 and L3 is such that 0<=A3(X,t)<=A2(X,t)<A1(X,t); and an electronic processing unit receives the signals and applies an ordered monotone function, F1, to the tissue, to spatial temporal information of each wavelength, F1 used by a transfer function for presentation as a LookUp Table connecting actual values computed by F1 and an actual pH of the tissue in location X at time t.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to collecting and preparing samples. For example, the technology relates particularly, but not exclusively, to devices, systems, and kits that allow a subject to collect and prepare a sample for analysis.

Abstract: An excisional biopsy and delivery device may comprise one or more rotating, penetrating and cutting rod elements. The rod elements may be configured to advance from a stored and confined first position and rotate about an axis, while being simultaneously revolved about a central axis. The rod elements may then assume a second released and expanded configuration that is operative to cut around and surround target tissue. In this manner, the rod elements are operative to move through the surrounding tissue to create a volume of revolution and to sever and capture the target tissue contained within the volume of revolution from the surrounding tissue. The severed and captured volume of revolution containing the target issue may then be removed.

Abstract: A method includes, in a living organ (28) in which an ambient pressure varies as a function of time, sensing the ambient pressure using a pressure sensor (36, 90, 174), which has a capacitance that varies in response to the ambient pressure, so as to produce a time-varying waveform. A calibration voltage, which modifies the capacitance and thus the time-varying waveform, is applied to the pressure sensor. The time-varying waveform is processed so as to isolate and measure a contribution of the calibration voltage to the waveform. A dependence of the capacitance on the ambient pressure is calibrated using the measured contribution of the calibration voltage.

Abstract: A system for determination of intraocular pressure includes: an intraocular pressure sensor; a light source illuminating the sensor with one or more wavelengths of light; and a detector that measures emitted light from the sensor. The sensor includes a substrate member, a spacer member, and a flexible membrane, which define a sealed cavity. The flexible membrane moves in response to intraocular pressure changes. A device for measuring intraocular pressure includes: the sensor; an anchoring member attached to the sensor for immobilizing the sensor in an eye; and a protective member attached to the anchoring member and covering the sensor to prevent contact between the flexible membrane and the eye. A method for determination of intraocular pressure includes: placing the sensor in an eye; illuminating, with a light source, the sensor with one or more wavelengths of light; and detecting, with a detector, a resultant light that contains information about intraocular pressure.

Abstract: A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site. Some embodiments of the surgical access system may be particularly suited for establishing an operative corridor to a surgical target site in the spine. Such an operative corridor may be established through the retroperitoneal space and the psoas muscle during a direct lateral, retroperitoneal approach to the spine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for effecting bariatric procedures are disclosed. Each system includes an instrument, a control valve and, optionally, a suction controller. The instrument is in the form of an elongated, flexible member having a distal end portion arranged for anchoring the instrument in the patient's stomach and for enabling fluids to be removed from the patient's stomach. Suction is applied to the patient's stomach by the distal end portion of the instrument to drain gastric fluids and to bring adjacent portions of the patient's stomach into engagement with the instrument to provide a visually perceptible delineation line along which a portion of the stomach may be resected, sealed and tested.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for blood sampling from skin capillaries are provided. Blood extraction is improved by applying gradient pressure in a proximal to distal direction of an extremity. Blood is extracted and sampled from the skin capillaries with a blood sampling mechanism of at least a lancet and testing kit.

Abstract: A device to monitor penetration of an instrument in an anatomical structure including at least two electrodes, a source of current supplying the at least two electrodes, and means for measuring impedance between the electrodes, wherein the electrodes are located on the penetration instrument, wherein the first electrode has a contact surface coinciding with a distal surface of the penetration instrument and the second electrode has a contact surface coinciding with a lateral surface of the penetration instrument, and wherein the contact surfaces are dimensioned to have a coinciding and constant contact surface as a function of a degree of penetration of the penetration instrument in the anatomical structure.

Abstract: In a guide wire of the present invention, a distal end portion of a core has a distal small-diameter body and a combined truncated cone including a first truncated cone in order from a distal end side to a proximal end side. A twist angle of the distal small-diameter body is specified to be larger than the twist angle of the first truncated cone to increase flexibility for easily bending at the distal end. At least one truncated cone is connected on the proximal end side of the first truncated cone to form the structure of a combined truncated cone. Thus, the guide wire of the present invention has high rotation transmission performance toward the distal end side and other performances. Accordingly, the guide wire can be quickly reached to the vascular lesion and has high passability at the vascular lesion.

Abstract: A tilted needle biopsy assembly is provided for mounting on an x-ray system. Because the biopsy needle is angled relative to at least one of the detector and the x-ray source, x-ray imaging may be performed during the biopsy procedure without interference by the biopsy device. The angled biopsy needle additionally allows improved access to the axilla and chest wall of the patient. The stereotactic biopsy device of the present invention may be coupled to any x-ray system, whether upright or prone, including but not limited to mammography systems, tomosynthesis systems, and combination mammography/tomosynthesis systems. The system flexibly supports the use of any mode of image capture (i.e., scout, two dimensional mammogram, three-dimensional reconstructed volume) for either or both target visualization and target localization. With such an arrangement, a needle biopsy assembly having improved patient coverage is provided for use with a variety of different x-ray imaging platforms.

Abstract: An insertion device (110) for inserting an analyte sensor (114) into a body tissue is proposed. The insertion device (110) comprises an insertion needle holder (120) and a drive mechanism (124) for linearly driving the insertion needle holder (120) in a longitudinal direction (126). The drive mechanism (124) comprises at least one actuator (132) for actuating the drive mechanism (124). The actuator (132) comprises at least one actuator arm (136, 138) which is pivotable about at least one axle (140) in order to actuate the drive mechanism (124). The insertion device (110) further comprises at least one protection against reuse including at least one locking mechanism (178). The locking mechanism (178) is adapted to at least partially prevent a back-pivoting of the actuator arm (136, 138) in a direction reversing the actuation direction once the actuator arm (136, 138) has been pivoted by at least one threshold angle.

Abstract: A biopsy apparatus includes a housing, a biopsy cannula mounted to the housing, and a cannula rotation mechanism mounted to the housing. The cannula rotation mechanism has a thumbwheel, a first gear, and a second gear. The thumbwheel is configured to rotate about a rotational axis, with the rotational axis being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the biopsy cannula. The first gear is mounted in fixed attachment to the thumbwheel. The second gear is mounted in fixed attachment to the biopsy cannula. The first gear is in mesh with the second gear such that the first gear is directly drivably engaged with the second gear to rotate the biopsy cannula about the longitudinal axis when the thumbwheel is rotated.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing a standardized pressure value representing a transient pressure event within a region of interest within a living body. An air-charged catheter is configured to record pressure data representing the region of interest. A measurement assembly includes a parameter calculation component configured to calculate at least a peak pressure representing the transient pressure event and a time to peak pressure, representing the time necessary to reach the peak pressure, from the recorded pressure data. A standardization component is configured to calculate the standardized pressure value as a function of the peak pressure and the time to peak pressure. A user interface is configured to display at least the standardized pressure value at an associated display.