Abstract: A guidewire includes a first junction that joins a distal end of an inner coil body and a portion of a core shaft positioned a non-zero distance away from a distal end toward a proximal end; a second junction that joins a proximal end of the inner coil body and the core shaft; a third junction that joins a distal end of the outer coil body and the distal end of the core shaft; and a fourth junction that joins a proximal end of the outer coil body and the core shaft. The outer coil body includes a tapered coil portion and a uniform-diameter coil portion. The inner coil body is disposed inside the uniform-diameter coil portion of the outer coil body. The inner coil body is joined to the core shaft at only the first and second junctions but is not joined to the outer coil body.

Abstract: A pressure sensing device is provided that can monitor and measure pressure at two points in a vessel or artery without moving the outer sheath or catheter of the device. The outer sheath or catheter includes two spaced apart openings that may be positioned in a vessel or artery on opposing sides of an occlusion. The device also includes an inner elongated tube with at least one opening. The inner elongated tube is slidable with respect to the outer sheath or catheter thereby permitting the opening of the elongated tube to be moved into selective registration with one of the openings of the outer sheath. A pressure measurement may be taken through one of the openings in the outer sheath by aligning the opening of the elongated tube with said opening and, then, a second pressure reading may be taken by sliding the elongated tube within the outer sheath so that the opening of the elongated tube is in registry with the other opening of the tubular sheath.

Abstract: An automated sample aspirating method in which a magnetic force is applied to a collection tube containing a sample carrier to move at least the top of the carrier to a location off the center axis of the collection tube. An aspirator is inserted into the tube at a vertical position along the sample carrier, and a fluid is aspirated from the tube. Also provided are a sample collector having a tip adapted to obtain a sample from a sample source, and a handle that extends from the tip and is magnetic at a location remote from the tip. Also provided is a sample processing system having a sample collector such as described above, a collection tube adapted to hold the sample collector with the tip at a closed lower end of the tube and the handle extending towards an open upper end of the tube, and a cap that seals the sample collector tip and at least a portion of the handle inside the tube.

Abstract: System, methods, and media for finding and matching tremor signals that: receive a first piece of tremor signal content; identify a first plurality of tremor peaks that describe at least a portion of the first piece of tremor signal content using a Teager-Kaiser operator; form a first template of tremor peaks from at least a portion of the first plurality of tremor peaks, the first group of tremor peaks having a first croup of parameters; compare the first template and the first group of parameters with at least one second template and a second group of parameters, wherein the second group of parameters is based on a second set of tremor peaks associated with a second piece of tremor content; and identify a match between the first piece of tremor signal content and the second piece of tremor signal content based on the comparing.

Abstract: A method is provided for calibrating a surgical biopsy system. The biopsy system includes a biopsy instrument and control unit. The biopsy instrument includes a piercer, rotatable cutter, and a port for receiving tissue samples. The method comprises the steps of translating the cutter distally until the translation of the cutter is stopped at an extended position and recording the extended position. The cutter is then translated from the extended position proximally until the translation of the cutter is stopped at a retracted position proximal to the extended position. The retracted position is recorded. The method further comprises the step of rotating the cutter to a rotation speed while the cutter is located at the retracted position and, if determined that the rotation speed is within a predetermined rotation speed range, a feedback signal is provided on the display allowing the operator to progress to the next procedural step.

Abstract: A body fat measurement device, including: a plurality of electrodes which contact a body surface of the subject; a current application unit which passes a current between a pair of electrodes of the plurality of electrodes; a first measurement unit which measures a voltage between another pair of electrodes, while current is passed between the pair of electrodes; a calculation unit which calculates an abdominal impedance of the subject on the basis of the voltage measured by the first measurement unit and calculates an amount of body fat of the subject; a second measurement unit which outputs a signal indicating a parameter other than the abdominal impedance; a cable in which a first core wire which connects between at least one of the current application unit and the pair of electrodes, and the first measurement unit and the other pair of electrodes, and a second core wire which connects the second measurement unit and the calculation unit are provided inside a same insulating coating; and an isolating unit

Abstract: A medical treatment device comprises a sensor to detect operating states of the medical treatment device, wherein the sensor comprises a first electrode, a second electrode and impedance means. The first electrode is arranged between a current path input and a current path output, wherein an electric input signal for powering the medical treatment device is applicable to the current path input, and the current path output is configured to couple to a load of the medical treatment device. The second electrode is separated from the first electrode by a first dielectric material, the second electrode comprising a first signal terminal for obtaining a first sensor signal. The impedance means are separated from the first electrode by a second dielectric material and comprise a second signal terminal for obtaining a second sensor signal.

Abstract: A system and method are described for sensing the orientation of a catheter relative to a tissue and regulating the application of power to maintain the tissue at a pre-determined temperature.

Abstract: Among other things, there is disclosed a biopsy needle system in which the needle is capable of obtaining more than one length of sample. Generally, the needle includes an inner stylet, an outer cannula, and a handle connected to the stylet and cannula. The stylet has a notch that is extendable from the cannula to accommodate a tissue sample. An insert member is provided for attachment to the handle to make the amount of exposed notch smaller. Consequently, when the insert member is not attached to the handle, the needle can obtain a larger sample of tissue, and when the insert member is attached to the handle, the needle can obtain a smaller sample of tissue.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a tissue sensor may include a micro-fabricated structure that can be coupled to a medical instrument, such as a probe, an endoscopic tool, or another minimally invasive instrument. The tissue sensor can be configured to provide information indicate of tissue properties, such as tissue elasticity characteristics or the type of tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical measuring device having an impedance measurement unit (100) for detecting an impedance measurement signal from the skin surface (200) of a patient to be examined via at least one measurement electrode pair (3). According to the invention, the distance between the electrodes of the measurement electrode pair (3) is from a few millimeters to several centimeters such that, during the measurement process, both electrodes of the measurement electrode pair (3) for locally detecting the impedance measurement signal contact the same region of the skin surface (200) of the patient at the same time.

Abstract: A surgical forceps includes a housing having one or more shafts attached thereto and an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another. At least one jaw member is moveable from an open position to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaw members include at least one sensing component that determines an output of one or both of cross-sectional diameter and composition of tissue disposed between the jaw members. A processing component is configured to receive the output and determine a seal pressure for adequately sealing tissue disposed between the jaw members based upon the output. A regulating component regulates the movement of the jaw members between the first and second positions such that the determined seal pressure is applied to tissue disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A needle assembly and delivery system for biopsying tissue of a patient includes a flexible biopsy needle, a cannula for receiving and supporting the biopsy needle, and a guide assembly which defines at least one guide assembly for receiving, guiding, and orienting the flexible biopsy needle and cannula through an angle of at least forty degrees through the needle guide assembly to a fixed orientation and position for biopsying tissue of the patient. The biopsy needle includes a sampling section which has smooth or rounded edges, a bending section which has a first circular cross-section, and a body portion proximal of the bending section which has a second circular cross-section larger than the first circular cross-section. The flexible biopsy needle, cannula, and guide assembly may be used with a biopsy ultrasound delivery system which includes an ultrasonic probe and a biopsy gun.

Abstract: A coiling parameterization tool includes a processor and a display for displaying values of lumen volume, packing and coiling parameters for filling a lumen in relation to a desired packing. The processor is configured to detect a change in one of the displayed values and, in response to the change, to automatically evaluate, change and display remaining values displayed on the display.

Abstract: A device and method for accurately characterizing tissue impedance employs multiple electrodes at a plurality of separation distances to cancel the effects of front end loading leakage currents and electrode polarization to improve the accuracy of sensitive impedance measurements used to identify cancerous tissues. These measurements may be automated over a range of frequencies.

Abstract: System and method for locating and identifying nerves innervating the wall of arteries such as the renal artery are disclosed. The present invention identifies areas on vessel walls that are innervated with nerves; provides indication on whether a dose of energy is delivered accurately to a targeted nerve; and provides immediate post-procedural assessment of the effect of the energy delivered to the nerve. The method includes at least the steps to evaluate a change in physiological parameters after a dose of energy is delivered to an arterial wall; and to determine the type of nerve that the energy was directed to (none, sympathetic or parasympathetic) based on the results of the evaluation. The system includes at least a device for delivering a dose of energy to the wall of an artery; sensors for detecting physiological signals from a subject; and indicators to display the results obtained using the said method.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including apparatus for use with a plurality of clinicians. The apparatus includes a patient-monitoring system. A clinical sensor measures a clinical parameter of a patient, and generates a clinical-sensor signal in response thereto. In response to the clinical-sensor signal, a control unit determines that an alert event has occurred, and communicates an alert to a first subset of the plurality of clinicians before communicating the alert to any other clinician. The control unit designates the first subset of the plurality of clinicians in response to respective numbers of alerts that the plurality of clinicians have received within a previous given time period. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A guidewire for use in a medical procedure includes an elongate guide member dimensioned for insertion within a body vessel of a subject. The guide member includes an elongate body segment and a leading tip segment. The elongate body segment defines a longitudinal opening, and the leading tip segment is adapted and dimensioned to articulate relative to the elongate body segment about a single axis. A control element extends through the longitudinal opening of the elongate body segment and is longitudinally movable through manual manipulation of a clinician to cause corresponding articulating movement of the leading tip segment.

Abstract: A guidewire positioning tool includes a sheath having a body bore extending axially through a length of the sheath with a radially extending body slot configured to receive a guidewire. A collet portion extends laterally from the sheath and has collet arms and interstitial spaces with a collet bore extending therethrough. The collet bore has a collet slot extending radially from the collet bore configured to receive a guidewire. The collet arms have threads located on the exterior of the collet arms. A clamp nut is positioned over the collet portion and configured to threadably engage the threads. A retainer is rotatably attached to an end of the sheath opposite from the collet portion. The retainer has a retainer bore extending axially therethrough. The retainer has a retainer slot extending radially from the retainer bore configured to receive a guidewire.

Abstract: Provided is a guidewire including a core shaft, an outer flexible tube, and an inner flexible tube that surrounds a distal end portion of the core shaft. The inner flexible tube is disposed in the outer flexible tube so that a distal end thereof is positioned between the distal end of the core shaft and a proximal end of the core shaft so as to be separated from the core shaft. A first joint is formed so as to join the distal end of the inner flexible tube to the core shaft. At least one second joint is formed so as to join the outer flexible tube to the inner flexible tube. The at least one second joint is positioned between the first joint and the proximal end of the core shaft.