Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a control system that measures changes in the pressure of one or more zones of a patient supporting surface and utilizes the changes in pressure to determine the mobility of a person supported on the patient supporting surface. The mobility of the person may be measured using one of several methods. The mobility measurement results in the determination of a mobility score. The mobility score is graphically displayed on a user interface that is interactive and allows a user to view additional information besides the mobility score.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-invasive analysing the structure and chemical composition of bone tissue eliminating the influence of surrounding tissues, is provided. The method consists in using a system of at least four electrodes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) placed in electrical contact with tissues surrounding the analysed bone, preferably a long bone to establish screening potential distribution using screening electrodes (7, 8). Measuring current injecting electrodes (1, 2) are used to force the measuring current flow through the internal part of the analysed bone. At the same time the screening electrodes (7, 8) reduce the measuring current flow through the tissues surrounding the analysed bone almost to zero. Then measuring current and potential at the measuring current injecting electrodes (1, 2) as well as phase difference between potential at measuring current injecting electrodes (1, 2) and measuring current are measured.

Abstract: In various embodiments of the invention, a tissue biopsy sampling device is located or oriented on a site within a body cavity or canal with a retention device. In various embodiments of the invention, a tissue biopsy sampling device is retained or held in place on a desired specific location on the epithelial tissue with the retention device. In various embodiments of the invention, the epithelial tissue within the cavity or canal is presented to the tissue biopsy sampling device using the retention device. In various embodiments of the invention, the retention device is used to assist withdrawal of the tissue biopsy sampling from within the body cavity or canal.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a first cannula disposed co-axially with a second cannula. A ratchet drive mechanism is operatively coupled to the first cannula and the second cannula. The ratchet drive mechanism includes a first gear, a second gear and a torsion spring. The first gear is fixedly attached to the first cannula. The second gear is fixedly attached to the second cannula. A second side surface of the second gear is oriented to face a first side surface of the first gear. The torsion spring is interposed between the first gear and the second gear. The torsion spring has a first end portion inserted into a hole of the first gear and has a second end portion inserted into a hole of the second gear. The torsion spring stores energy which when released drivably rotates one of the first gear and the second gear relative to the other.

Abstract: Provided are a medical insertion apparatus including a screw body to be inserted into a body, and a conductive portion provided in the screw body and including an externally exposed portion, wherein the conductive portion may extend in a longitudinal direction of the screw body and form a single closed loop, and a medical insertion apparatus including a screw body to be inserted into a body, a driver to engage with the screw body to be used to fasten or loosen the screw body, and a conductive portion provided in the screw body and the driver and including an externally exposed portion on one side of the screw body, wherein a portion of the conductive portion disposed in the screw body and another portion of the conductive portion disposed in the driver may be electrically connected to each other.

Abstract: A pressure-sensing device is disclosed, which includes a pressure sensor pad. The pressure sensor pad includes a first planar substrate, a second planar substrate, first signal lines, second signal lines, a plurality of rows of first sensor components, and a plurality of columns of second sensor components. The first signal lines and the rows of first sensor components are formed on the first planar substrate, and each row of the first sensor components is connected to a corresponding one of the first signal lines. The second planar substrate is disposed opposite to the first planar substrate. The second signal lines and the columns of second sensor components are formed on the second planar substrate, and each column of the second sensor components is connected to a corresponding one of the second signal lines, where the second sensor components face the first sensor components respectively.

Abstract: Methods for intra-operatively monitoring nerve evoked potentials such as somatosensory nerve evoked potentials during a surgical procedure. The methods include orthodromic and antidromic monitoring of nerve evoked potentials. Monitoring includes navigating the surgical pathway to avoid insult to anatomical tissue, minimizing activation of sensory nerves that result in undesirable side effects in a patient, and determining the suitable location for placement of an implantable medical device.

Abstract: A sampling hub directs a medical device towards a target area. The hub may have some of: a hub body; a lumen passing between openings at the front end and the rear end, the lumen allowing for passage of an elongate element through the entire lumen; the bottom of the hub body may be flat; the top of hub body preferably is sloped downwardly; the lumen is preferably sloped downwardly to enable guidance of the elongate body towards the target area; and an area surrounding the opening of the lumen at the rear end configured to receive a support for the elongate element, the support for the elongate element having a diameter in the support larger than a diameter of the elongate element.

Abstract: A test chamber for epicutaneous patch test units is provided. The test chamber is formed of a multilayer material including at least one absorbent layer and at least one barrier layer. The test chamber is adapted to contain a liquid or petrolatum-based allergen. The absorbent layer absorbs the liquid or petrolatum-based allergen, while the barrier layer prevents the allergen from migrating out of the test chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sampling device, a sampling system and a method of sampling, and in particular a method of analysis, for application to a living entity.

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: The present invention provides for exemplary embodiments of a single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device. Exemplary embodiments of a single-insertion, multiple sampling device with integrated marker release.

Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a body, a needle, a cutter, and a tissue sample holder. The tissue sample holder comprises an outer cup and a cap. A tray retains severed tissue samples from a biopsy procedure. In some versions, the tray is selectively detachable from the cap in a one-handed operation by the user. The tray may be ejected into a sample container, such as a formalin cup. The cap may include a threaded portion that is configured to engage a complementary threaded portion of a sample container to seal the sample container once the tissue samples have been transferred to the sample container from the tissue sample holder of the biopsy device. One or more ports may be provided in the cap to manage excess fluid within the outer cup of the tissue sample holder, and/or to provide integrated access for a marker delivery device.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for measuring forces in the space of a knee during surgery. Such forces can be caused by tension in the ligaments of the knee. A femoral member is engaged with a distal femur. While the knee is flexed, partially extended, or fully extended, a force sensor and a gauge shim can be placed in the gap between the femoral member and the tibial plateau to measure the forces therebetween. The force sensor provides an accurate and quantifiable measurement of force, making knee replacement surgery and ligament tension balancing more accurate, standardized and repeatable. The force sensor comprises an elongate housing which comprises a thin force sensing distal portion and a proximal handle portion.

Abstract: A device and method for determining an excretion flow rate of a body fluid of a person or an animal. The device includes an absorbent element equipped with at least three electrodes connected to a measuring system for measuring at least one electric parameter so as to be electrically coupled two by two and to form at least two pairs of electrodes, separating systems which include an inlet opening exposing a part of the absorbent element so as to create a diffusion path. At least two of the electrodes are first electrodes placed along the diffusion path in such a way that each of the first electrodes is at a distance from the inlet opening representative of a volume of absorbed fluid.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a cannula and an inner divider wall disposed in the cannula. The inner divider wall defines a plurality of cannula fluid openings. The outer wall of the cannula and the inner divider wall together define a cutter receiving lumen and a cannula vacuum lumen. The cannula fluid openings provide fluid communication between the cutter receiving lumen and the cannula vacuum lumen. A cutter is translatable with respect to the cannula for severing tissue drawn into the cannula. The cutter is operable to cover and/or uncover the cannula fluid openings. A proximal portion of the cutter is spaced away from the inner divider wall. A distal portion of the cutter is configured to slide adjacent to the inner divider wall.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for improving force and torque sensing and feedback to the surgeon performing a telerobotic surgery are provided. In one embodiment, a robotic surgical manipulator system, a robotic surgical system, and a method for improved sensing of forces on a robotic surgical instrument and/or manipulator arm are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling lancing speed of a lancing structure of a portable handheld medical diagnostic device includes providing an elongated lancet structure having a skin piercing end and a blood transport portion adjacent the skin piercing end. The skin piercing end when displaced makes an incision at a skin site to produce an amount of bodily fluid from the skin site and in which the blood transport portion transports the amount of bodily fluid away from the skin site for use by a measurement system in making a physiological measurement. A spring-driven motor assembly is operatively connected to the lancet structure. The spring-driven motor assembly displaces the lancet structure toward the skin site to make the incision for producing the amount of bodily fluid and retracts the lancet structure to carry the amount of bodily fluid away from the skin cite.

Abstract: A biopsy apparatus includes a driver assembly and biopsy probe mechanism drivably coupled to the driver assembly. The biopsy probe mechanism includes a biopsy cannula having a cylindrical side wall that defines a lumen and has a side port located near a distal end that extends through the side wall to the lumen. A thumbwheel mechanism includes a thumbwheel mounted to the driver assembly to rotate about a first rotational axis, the first rotational axis being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A first gear is mounted to the thumbwheel for coaxial rotation with the thumbwheel about the first rotational axis. A second gear is mounted to the biopsy cannula for coaxial rotation with the biopsy cannula about the longitudinal axis, the second gear being located to be drivably engaged by the first gear. The housing is grasped and the thumbwheel rotated with a single hand.

Abstract: Medical apparatus for diagnosing of a diseased condition of the skin of a subject. The apparatus comprises an electrically conducting probe including a plurality of electrodes, each electrode comprising a plurality of micro-needles, wherein each electrode comprises a base substrate, said micro-needles being integrally formed with said substrate and arranged in a laterally spaced relationship apart from each other and having a length being sufficient to penetrate the stratum corneum, said micro-needles being arranged with an at least partially oblique shape. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an electrode for use in the device, arrays of micro-needle and method for the diagnostics of biological conditions using impedance measurements. The diagnostics is in particular related to cancer, and preferably skin cancer, wherein skin cancer is a basal cell carcinoma, a malignant melanoma, a squamous cell carcinoma, or precursors of such lesions.