Abstract: A continuous glucose monitoring system may utilize externally sourced information regarding the physiological state and ambient environment of its user for externally calibrating sensor glucose measurements. Externally sourced factory calibration information may be utilized, where the information is generated by comparing metrics obtained from the data used to generate the sensor's glucose sensing algorithm to similar data obtained from each batch of sensors to be used with the algorithm in the future. The output sensor glucose value of a glucose sensor may also be estimated by analytically optimizing input sensor signals to accurately correct for changes in sensitivity, run-in time, glucose current dips, and other variable sensor wear effects.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for using EEG recordings to improve vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy. In particular, described herein are methods and systems for using EEG recordings to detect P300 and/or activation of the nucleus basalis and/or the locus coeruleus to determine the efficacy of VNS. The EEG recordings can be used to provide feedback control to help optimize stimulation parameters and to screen for patients that respond well to VNS therapy.

Abstract: An airway status evaluation apparatus includes a respiration monitoring unit, a data processing unit, an inflation/deflation unit, and an inflation/deflation control unit. The data processing unit is electrically connected to the respiration monitoring unit, collects a respiration parameter of a patient from the respiration monitoring unit when a cuff meets an evaluation state, and evaluates an airway status of the patient according to the respiration parameter. The inflation/deflation control unit is connected to the inflation/deflation unit and controls the inflation/deflation unit to inflate and deflate the cuff so as to enable the cuff to meet an evaluation state. In the present disclosure, inflation and deflation of the cuff are implemented in a full-automatic or semi-automatic control manner, the respiration parameter can be automatically monitored, and the evaluation result is automatically calculated, thereby achieving the automatic evaluation for the airway status of a patient.

Abstract: A biopsy device for acquiring a tissue sample is disclosed. The biopsy device comprises a tissue-engaging outer element, a handle and a trocar. Multiple tissue samples may be collected.

Abstract: Example posture analysis systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a computing system identifies a deviation of a user's posture from a predetermined posture based on visual data associated with the user. The user is informed of the deviation via a graphical image displayed on a display device. The user is then provided with instructions for correcting the deviation via the graphical image displayed on the display device.

Abstract: There is provided a device arranged to couple electromagnetic radiation into or out of a biological material. The device comprises a first metamaterial comprising: a substrate component having a thickness no greater than a first wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation; and a plurality of elements supported by the substrate component, wherein each element has a first dimension no greater than a first wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation and at least two of the elements of the plurality of elements are non-identical.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system which adds biochemical sensitivity to a standard biopsy needle such that the practitioner is provided immediate feedback on the metabolism and physiology of tissue in the local environment. Disclosed is a sensor integrated biopsy device for in situ and real time tissue analysis. The sensor integrated biopsy (SIB) needle system will enable biopsy teams to measure local tissue biochemistry in real time during biopsy procedures, adding a valuable new set of parameters to augment and extend conventional image-guided procedures.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for optimizing analyte sensor calibration including receiving a current blood glucose measurement, retrieving a time information for an upcoming scheduled calibration event for calibrating an analyte sensor, determining temporal proximity between the current blood glucose measurement and the retrieved time information for the upcoming calibration event, initiating a calibration routine to calibrate the analyte sensor when the determined temporal proximity is within a predetermined time period, and overriding the upcoming scheduled calibration event using the current blood glucose measurement are provided.

Abstract: A breath parameter measuring device is described which takes into account breathing patterns which historically have been incompatible with accurate measurements. In particular, during fast breathing patterns, the sensor performing the measurement may not be able to respond quickly enough to provide the true reading. The disclosure may be useful for example in the case of neonatal breath carbon dioxide measurements.

Abstract: Techniques for determining average value of an arterial blood pressure parameter of an examined subject are disclosed. A pressure device is used to apply changing pressure conditions over a body part of a subject and generate pressure measurement data indicative of the pressure applied. A first measuring unit measures blood-pressure-pulse related signals in the pressure-affected body part, and generate blood-pressure-pulse related measurement data indicative thereof, and a second measuring unit measures blood-pressure-pulse related signals in a pressure-free body part of the examined subject, and generate reference blood-pressure-pulse related measurement data indicative thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating a ventilatory threshold for a patient and estimating likelihood of pulmonary arterial hypertension are provided. An example method includes determining ratios of minute ventilation to rate of oxygen uptake based on breath-by-breath data for a patient. The example method also includes determining a ventilatory threshold based upon the determined ratios and determining a score based upon an end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PetCO2) value at the determined ventilatory threshold and a minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production relationship (VE/VCO2) value at the determined ventilatory threshold. The method also includes using the score to estimate a likelihood that the patient has pulmonary arterial hypertension and causing the estimated likelihood to be displayed on a user interface.

Abstract: A holding device for a breathing tube for use in lung function diagnostics is disclosed. This holding device consists of a material that is transparent for light having a wavelength in a first wavelength range but nontransparent for light having a wavelength in a second wavelength range. In other aspects, a lung function diagnostics device comprising such a holding device and a method for reading out a coding on a surface of a breathing tube for use in lung function diagnostics are disclosed.

Abstract: A sample collecting device for collecting samples of cellular material includes an outer tubular member, an inner tubular member and a swab having a tip. At least one guiding element supports and slidably arranges the swab in the inner tubular member such that there is a free space around the swabbing tip. A flexible valve is arranged at a distal end of the outer tubular member. In a storage configuration, the valve is closed and seals the distal end of the outer tubular member. In a sampling configuration, the valve is open such that the swab is slidable to extend through the distal end of the outer tubular member without contacting the valve. A swab kit for collecting and storing samples of cellular material from body cavities includes a sample collecting device and a sealable container adapted to receive and store at least a part of the sample collecting device.

Abstract: A biosensor is for sensing analytes in a fluid. The biosensor may include a first structural layer having a first hydrogel, a second structural layer having a second hydrogel, and a bioactive region extending between the first structural layer and the second structural layer and having a third hydrogel. The biosensor may include a first electrode coupled to the bioactive region, and a second electrode coupled to the first structural layer and being spaced apart from the bioactive region. The second structural layer may have a through opening adjacent the bioactive region, and the bioactive region may be configured to be in fluid communication with an environment external to the biosensor for receiving the fluid comprising the analytes.

Abstract: Methods of coaching a user of a breathalyzer to make use of correct blowing technique when blowing into the breathalyzer are provided. Methods of setting up a breathalyzer such that it adjusts a breathalyzer's parameters to account for jurisdictional variations in blood and/or breath alcohol limits and other standards are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for implementation of a portable SIBO testing system for convenient sampling of intestinal gases exhaled from a patient's breath. These devices may be in the form of a hand held meter that would integrate with a smartphone or other device with an application that can record data relating to food consumed by a user. Various technologies may be utilized to measure the levels of gases exhaled by a user, which may include (1) sorbent based technology and (2) membrane based technology. In some examples, the system will determine an indication of whether a patient has SIBO by adjusting a change in exhaled hydrogen concentration by a methane level exhaled by a patient.

Abstract: A respiratory monitor, systems of respiratory monitoring, and methods of calibrating sensing equipment are described. The respiratory monitor may be configured to identify respiratory patterns while ignoring normal noise aberrations from a sensing device. The monitor may be configured for more comfortable use by a patient. Calibration techniques are also described. These calibration techniques may be employed to adjust sensing systems and to correct for unwanted noise in output signals of sensing equipment.

Abstract: A pulse measurement apparatus, a method therefor, and a vehicle system are provided. The pulse measurement apparatus includes a communicator configured to transmit a first signal to a user and receive a second signal reflected from the user during a predetermined time, a filter configured to extract a signal of a set frequency band from the second signal, a setting device configured to set a frequency band of the filter to a first frequency band or a second frequency band, and a pulse detector configured to measure a pulse from the signal extracted by the filter, analyze an average pulse, and detect pulse information of the user from the analyzed result.

Abstract: Various embodiments of optical computing devices utilized in healthcare-related applications.

Abstract: A method of avoiding a contaminant which would skew an analyte result in a breath analysis method and of calibrating subject of the breath analysis includes, immediately before the breath analysis method or the collection of breath for the breath analysis method, administering to the subject a predetermined gas composition. A system for analyzing an analyte in breath of a subject while avoiding a local contaminant which would skew an analyte result and calibrating the subject of so that the result of the analyte analysis will be the same regardless of where the test is performed geographically, includes a source of a predetermined gas composition immediately before the breath analysis method or the collection of gas for the breath analysis method, administering to the subject a predetermined gas mixture.