Abstract: A guidewire device comprising: a micro-fabricated elongated outer member having an outer surface and an interior surface forming a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end; an outer elastomer laminate layer in contact with at least a portion of said outer surface; and an inner member disposed within a substantial portion of said lumen, and embodiments thereof.

Abstract: An arrangement for producing a sample of body fluid from an opening created in a skin surface at a sampling site including a cartridge with a plurality of compartments and a plurality of sampling sites, and a detector assembly. Each sampling site includes a skin-penetration member having a first end configured to pierce the surface of the skin and an inner lumen in communication with the first end, a spring actuator operatively associated with the skin-penetration member, and a needle hub connecting the skin-penetration member and the spring actuator. The needle hub includes a reagent pad and the spring actuator is configured to drive the skin-penetration member to form the wound opening. Each compartment at least partially encloses the skin-penetration member, the spring actuator, and the needle hub of a respective sampling site.

Abstract: A sampling system comprises a mailing package; a cell sampling device comprising a flexible shaft having a handle at one end, wherein the shaft is configured to allow an individual to self collect a cell sample from mucous tissue, and a sample collecting element removably connectable with the other end of the shaft and operable to collect a cell sample from mucous tissue of an individual; and a sealable unit, wherein the unit is configured to store the sample collecting element having a cell sample thereon configured to receive the remaining components of the system for delivery to a user.

Abstract: Optical coherence tomography (herein “OCT”) based analyte monitoring systems are disclosed. In one aspect, techniques are disclosed that can identify fluid flow in vivo (e.g., blood flow), which can act as a metric for gauging the extent of blood perfusion in tissue. For instance, if OCT is to be used to estimate the level of an analyte (e.g., glucose) in tissue, a measure of the extent of blood flow can potentially indicate the presence of an analyte correlating region, which would be suitable for analyte level estimation with OCT. Another aspect is related to systems and methods for scanning multiple regions. An optical beam is moved across the surface of the tissue in two distinct manners. The first can be a coarse scan, moving the beam to provide distinct scanning positions on the skin. The second can be a fine scan where the beam is applied for more detailed analysis.

Abstract: A method of determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure includes determining the number of cycles of use of an orthopaedic joint of the patient. If a predetermined threshold is exceeded, communication with an orthopaedic care provider is initiated. A patient monitoring system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A measuring device to aid mattress selection has an upstanding frame with a plurality of vertically space-apart horizontal illuminated strips. A camera mounted in front of the frame takes front view and side view images of a person standing in front of the illuminated strips. These images are delivered to an associated computer having means to determine the body mass distribution and the spine curvature of the person based on the images of the strips taken by the camera and in particular based on those portions of the image of the illuminated strips blocked by the person standing in front of the illuminated strips. This information can then be used to aid in appropriate mattress selection for the person.

Abstract: An integrated lancing test strip includes a test strip and a lancet packet coupled to the test strip. The lancet packet includes a sterility sheet enclosing a lancet to maintain the sterility of the lancet and prevent cross-contamination between the test strip and the lancet. The sterility sheet allows the lancet to be sterilized separately from the test strip. The sterility sheet gives the integrated strip a low profile, which is attractive for packaging multiple integrated strips in cassettes, drums, magazines or the like. In one form, the integrated strip is loaded in a meter that includes an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of the test strip relative to the skin being sampled. This allows the user to adjust the position of the test strip so as to not apply excessive pressure against skin, which could hamper bleeding from the incision in the skin.

Abstract: A tissue cutting device that is especially suited for neurosurgical applications is disclosed and described. The device includes a handpiece and an outer cannula in which a reciprocating inner cannula is disposed. The inner cannula may include a hinge between a body section and a cutting section that allows the cutting section to pivot when the inner cannula reciprocates within the outer cannula. A tissue collector may also be provided and is in fluid communication with the lumen of the inner cannula. The inner cannula reciprocates at a rate that is greater than 1000 reciprocations per minute, and variable aspiration may also be provided to the device to control tissue traction and provide fine shaving and debulking.

Abstract: A biological measurement apparatus of this invention includes (i) a micro piezoelectric element for vibrating a nerve cell of a subject without coming in contact with the nerve cell, (ii) an electromagnetic wave antenna for receiving an electromagnetic wave generated by the nerve cell vibrated by the micro piezoelectric element, and (iii) a computer for measuring an electric charge of the nerve cell based on the electromagnetic wave received by the electromagnetic wave antenna. Further, this biological measurement apparatus includes an electromagnetic wave antenna for emitting an electromagnetic wave to a nerve cell. This configuration provides an apparatus capable of measuring an electrical activity of a nerve cell in a living organism in real time and three-dimensionally at a spatial resolution of a nerve cell size. Moreover, this configuration provides an apparatus capable of individually giving electrical stimulations to any desired cells in the subject.

Abstract: A interstitial fluid collection kit for collecting interstitial fluid extracted via micropores formed in a skin is disclosed. The kit includes a marker sheet that has an adhesive face and that defines a region in which micropores are to be formed; a transparent retention sheet having an adhesive face; and a collecting body that is retained by a part of the adhesive face of the retention sheet and that collects interstitial fluid extracted from the skin.

Abstract: A swab for collecting biological specimens is of the type consisting of a rod terminating in a tip covered with fibers with hydrophilic properties to allow absorption of said specimens, wherein said fibers cover said tip in the form of a layer deposited by flocking.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for calibrating and normalizing eye data of one or more subjects prior to and/or during emotional testing of the subjects. In particular, initially performing one or more calibration or normalization operations prior to an emotional test of a subject may result in accurate evaluations of emotional responses based on measurements of eye data. Additionally, further calibration or normalization performed during the emotional test may be used to refine the initial calibration or normalization, further increasing the accuracy of the evaluated emotional responses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mapping catheter for determination of data of an area of an organ embodied as a flat surface, especially of the heart, to be presented graphically, with at least one thermosensor essentially aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the mapping catheter for determination of temperature-related data which is arranged at a tip of the mapping catheter being provided in the distal area of the mapping catheter for introduction into the organ.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a swab for collecting biological specimens of the type consisting of a rod terminating in a tip covered with fiber with hydrophilic properties to allow absorption of said specimens, wherein said fiber covers said tip in the form of a layer deposited by flocking.

Abstract: Systems, devices, techniques and methods are disclosed for implementing an actuator mechanism of an analyte testing device. In one aspect, a method to test an analyte includes advancing an analyte sensor from a first position within a sensor cartridge of an analyte testing device to a second position that exposes at least a portion of the analyte sensor outside of the device, advancing a lancet projecting component from an initial position to a cocked position for a subsequent projection of a lancet, in which the advancing the analyte sensor and the advancing the lancet projecting component are initiated by a single operation, projecting the lancet to expose at least a portion of the lancet outside of the device, receiving a testing sample including an analyte at the exposed portion of the analyte sensor, processing the testing sample to determine a parameter of the analyte, and ejecting the analyte sensor from the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrophysiological analysis system which comprises a plurality of electrodes (E1-E4), power supply means (10, 30) for successively applying a substantially continuous voltage ranging approximately from 1 to 5 volts and lasting from 0.1 to 5 seconds to different slotted electrode pairs, collecting and storing means (450) for recording the variation of a current flow in the electrode pairs to which said voltage slots are applied, means (50) for enabling the current variations obtained by comparison between at least two current variations caused by supposed identical conditions and means (50) for comparing data related to the current variations recorded for several electrode pairs and enabled with reference data. Said invention can be used for chronoamperometrically detecting pathologies, pathological areas and organ dysfunctions.

Abstract: A coaxial guidewire for use in accessing smaller vessels within a patient's body, consists of an inner core wire and an outer hollow wire. The distal end of the inner core wire tapers and supports a spring coil. The core wire, including the spring coil, fits within a 25-gauge needle that is used to locate an artery of the patient. When the needle is removed over the inner core wire, the outer hollow wire, having a distal end that tapers to the outer diameter of the spring coil, fits over the inner wire and is advanced until the distal end of the outer wire meets the spring coil of the core wire. A dilator and introducer sheath combination may then be fed over the assembled coaxial guidewire. When the distal end of the sheath is in the desired position, the dilator and the coaxial guidewire are removed.

Abstract: Tissue can be removed from a patient with a catheter or other medical device having a cutting member. A source of suction can be coupled to the device for suctioning removed tissue through a lumen in the device and out of the patient's body.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ophthalmic analysis system for measuring the intraocular pressure in an eye comprising an actuating device for contact-free deformation of the cornea, an observation system with which the deformation of the cornea can be observed and recorded, an analysis device with which the intraocular pressure can be deduced from the image information of the observation system, wherein split images of at least parts of the undeformed and/or deformed cornea can be recorded using the observation system.

Abstract: An oximeter measures oxygen saturation for two or more different tissue depths and shows these results on a screen. A probe of the oximeter has multiple different distances between source and detector sensors. One probe implementation has fixed sensor positions. Other implementations include sensors on a moveable platform or openings to accept sensors, which allow a user to vary a distance between sensors.