Abstract: A method and/or computer program product identifies and/or predicts a cognitive state of a user. A buffer on a device is loaded with a predetermined set of sensor readings for a user. A hardware receiver receives a “push” signal from the device. The “push” signal is transmitted by the user in response to the user subjectively experiencing a user-defined cognitive state. The “push” signal causes readings from the buffer to be loaded as pushed sensor readings onto a data matrix. One or more processors analyze the pushed sensor readings to identify a sensor pattern of the pushed sensor readings. In response to detecting a subsequent set of sensor readings that match the sensor pattern of the pushed sensor readings, a signal transmitter transmits a cognitive state signal that indicates a prediction of a particular cognitive state of the user.

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: A method of manufacturing a flexible tubular body for a medical device includes extruding an inner layer from a thermoplastic polymer, pulling it over a mandrel, and tightening it down. If wire lumens were not formed in the inner layer when extruded, polymer spaghetti tubes with wire lumens are laid along the outer surface of the inner layer. Deflection wires are fed into the wire lumens. A wire braid is placed over the inner layer (and spaghetti tubes, if present) and tightened down. The components are encased in an outer polymer layer and a heat shrinkable tube. Pressurized fluid is injected into each wire lumen to maintain the internal diameter thereof greater than the diameter of the deflection wire received therein. Heat is applied to the assembled components, causing the layers to laminate. Once the laminated body has cooled, the heat-shrinkable tube is removed.

Abstract: A biopsy device for taking a 3D biopsy may comprise an outer sleeve, a hollow main shaft, a biopsy tube and a tube shaft. The hollow main shaft may have a distal end portion with a sideward facing notch, and the main shaft may be adapted to be accommodated within the outer sleeve. The biopsy tube may be provided for receiving cut and thus isolated tissue. A proximal end of the biopsy tube may be releasably attachable to a distal end of the tube shaft so that the biopsy tube is movable together with the tube shaft within the hollow main shaft between a proximal position in which the biopsy tube is not located in the notch, and a distal position in which the biopsy tube is located in the notch.

Abstract: A blood collection assembly includes a hub with a distal end, a proximal end, a hub outer surface and an internal opening extending therethrough. The assembly also includes a holder housing defining a receiving chamber and having a rearward end adapted to receive a sample collection tube within the chamber and a forward end including a receiving port extending into the chamber, where the receiving port receives a portion of the proximal end of the hub therein. An internal opening of the hub accommodates a puncturing element at the proximal end thereof for providing passage of a fluid therethrough, and the puncturing element contacts the sample collection tube. The hub and the holder housing include an interengaging structure extending substantially perimetrically therearound for axially locking the hub with the holder housing.

Abstract: A driver state monitoring (DSM) system includes a wearable device main body worn by a user, a display unit, and an information collection unit that collects information related to a body state of the user. The DSM system includes a controller that, based on the collected information, senses a situation associated with the user's body state, and converts the collected information into a numerical value representing the body state of the user in context of the sensed situation. The controller further calculates a well-driving score for the user based on the numerical value that represents the body state of the user in context of the sensed situation; and controls at least one of the display unit or an image information output device to display the well-driving score and the numerical value that represents the body state of the user in context of the sensed situation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for assessing thermoalgesic and vibratory sensitivity, including a first unit (1) configured to apply, to localized points of the patient, a plurality of stimuli comprising vibrations and temperature changes, a second unit (2) for gathering data communicating with the first unit, wherein the communication between the first unit (1) and the second unit (2) takes place by means of a two-way wireless transmission means. The invention also relates to a method for assessing vibratory, thermal and thermoalgesic sensitivity using the device according to the invention.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a biopsy sample extraction needle having a sample extraction end, a recovery end, and a transport channel linking the extraction and recovery ends. In a first configuration, a valve has a first position wherein the valve directly connects a pump to an ambient vent and the pump can reduce the pressure in at least the sample extraction end. In a second configuration, the valve has a second position wherein the valve directly connects the pump to a fluid reservoir and the pump can draw fluid from the fluid reservoir. In a third configuration, the valve has a third position wherein the valve directly connects the pump to the extraction end and the pump can supply fluid to the extraction end to flush fluid along the transport channel from the extraction end to the recovery end to transport a sample along the transport channel.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a cell collection device includes a sample brush including a proximal end, a distal end, and outwardly extending bristles provided at the distal end, and an outer sleeve adapted to receive the sample brush, the sleeve including a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the sleeve can be linearly slid along the length of the brush to encapsulate the bristles after they have been used to collect cells from a patient.

Abstract: Intracranial pressure of a patient may be monitored in order to evaluate a seizure disorder. In some examples, trends in the intracranial pressure over time may be monitored, e.g., to detect changes to the patient's condition. In addition, in some examples, a seizure metric may be generated for a detected seizure based on sensed intracranial pressures. The seizure metric may indicate, for example, an average, median, or highest relative intracranial pressure value observed during a seizure, a percent change from a baseline value during the seizure, or the time for the intracranial pressure to return to a baseline state after the occurrence of a seizure. In addition to or instead of intracranial pressure, patient motion or posture may be monitored in order to assess the patient's seizure disorder. For example, a seizure type or severity may be determined based on patient motion sensed during a seizure.

Abstract: A method and a system for search/treatment of tinnitus are disclosed. The method includes outputting a tinnitus search interface, which comprises several response regions corresponding to the different frequency bands within audible frequency range of human beings, outputting an acoustic signal corresponding to the response region selected by a user, and storing the frequency information corresponding to the user's tinnitus frequency as a tinnitus frequency band. Accordingly, tinnitus may be rapidly diagnosed and treated.

Abstract: A footwear having a sole customized to a wearer's anatomy, the sole formed by receiving a 3D model of a sole having a volume, generating a structural lattice inside the volume of the sole, updating the structural lattice to provide strength while using reduced material, optimizing the structural lattice to maximize energy absorption by the sole, and 3D fabricating the sole with the optimized structural lattice; and sensors coupled to the sole to detect foot pressure and movement data.

Abstract: The invention is a method of automatically adjusting a retinal electrode array to the neural characteristics of an individual patient. By recording electrically evoked electroretinograms (eERG) to a predetermined input stimulus, one can alter that input stimulus to the needs of an individual patient. A minimum input stimulus is applied to a patient, followed by recording the eERG response to the input stimulus. By gradually increasing stimulus levels, one can determine the minimum input that creates a neural response, thereby identifying the threshold stimulation level. One can further determine a maximum level by increasing stimulus until a predetermined maximum neural response is obtained. However, eERG signals include a significant amount of noise. Applicants have developed novel techniques for artifact reduction and noise filtering to provide an accurate measure of neural activity.

Abstract: A footwear having a sole customized to a wearer's anatomy by receiving a foot model; generating an elevated foot model with a heel at a predetermined heel height from a ground and determining a structure to support a foot arch and a ball area of the foot model; and fabricating a high heel sole with the optimized structure to support the foot.

Abstract: The invention relates to trans-epithelial frictionally abrasive tissue sampling devices for performing biopsies and methods of inducing an immune response against a pathogen, wherein epithelial cells containing the pathogen are disrupted with the frictionally abrasive tissue sampling device to introduce the pathogen into the bloodstream of a patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for measuring the biomechanical state of a subject using various sensors simultaneously with providing the subject with visual exercises for rehabilitation and assessment of disequilibrium, balance and motion disorders. The biomechanical state of a subject is measured during the subject's performance of a predetermined task. Such measurements are useful for the assessment of disequilibrium, balance and motion disorders and are also useful for the determination of therapeutic application of vibrotactile, auditory, or visual feedback to a subject during the subject's attempt to perform a predetermined task. An intelligent controller compares the subject's biomechanical state to a predetermined parameter to determine a variance. If the variance exceeds a threshold, feedback in the form of visual feedback, vibrotactile feedback or auditory feedback may be provided to the subject as a therapeutic means for enabling the subject to compensate for disorder effects.

Abstract: Systems, kits and methods are provided, which analyze the large intestine content and utilize acoustic signals detected during delivery of water into the large intestine and drained large intestine contents to derive large intestine characteristics such as microbiotal analysis. Systems may include a water delivery unit including a water supply and a nozzle connected thereto, configured to introduce water controllably into a patient's large intestine, and an analysis unit that provides information about the drained contents using optical examination or biological assays. The information may be related to acoustic analysis of signals from acoustic sensors that are attachable to a patient's abdomen. A variety of sensor configurations, positioning options, analysis strategies and large intestine characteristics are presented.

Abstract: A process for detecting activity of a person, in which movements of the person are measured by at least one sensor attached to the person, and respective components of the movements due to external activity and due to physiological activity are separated. The process obtains a signal of the sensor, filters the signal to derive a filtered signal, the filtering including partitioning the signal of the center into a low frequency component and high frequency component, and subtracts the filtered signal from the signal of the sensor. The filtering further variably extracts portions of the high frequency component according to a criterion of either a minimal level or a minimal instability of the signal of the sensor, and the filtered signal includes the low frequency component and the extracted portions of the high frequency components.

Abstract: A tube for an intravascular medical device has a longitudinal extension along a longitudinal axis. The tube comprises a tube wall having a specified thickness and a plurality of through-going slots, wherein each slot has an essentially elongated shape along a main extension extending along the circumference of the tube. At least two slots are provided in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis such that the main extension of the at least two slots are in the perpendicular plane. The lengths of the slots in the same perpendicular plane P are essentially the same, and the lengths L of the slots in different planes vary along the longitudinal extension of the tube according to a predefined pattern. A sensor guide wire for an intravascular measurement of at least one variable in a living body may comprise such a tube.

Abstract: A temperature determination method includes temporarily contacting a forehead of a subject with a first surface of a removable patch, and exposing a second surface of the patch opposite the first surface to ambient conditions. The method also includes sensing a temperature of the first surface of the patch while the first surface is in contact with the forehead at a first location thereon, sensing a temperature of the second surface of the patch, and calculating a sub-skull temperature of the subject based on the sensed temperatures of the first and second surface.