Abstract: A blood viscosity measuring system and method that monitors the rising head of a column of fluid representing a living being's blood in-vivo to determine the blood viscosity over a range of shears. The system includes a capillary tube, at least a portion of which is located within the vascular system of the being, and a riser tube, having a liquid therein coupled to the capillary tube. A sensor and associated microprocessor are provided to determine the change in the height of the liquid in the riser tube at plural points along the length of the tube from which the viscosity is calculated.

Abstract: A guide wire (1) including an elongate tubular member with a distal end (3) and a proximal end (4), and at least one core member (2) disposed axially movable within the tubular member. A pre-shaped curved portion (12) on the core member is flexible. The tubular member has a first segment (5) with a rigidity causing a straightening of the curved portion (12) when the latter is positioned within the first segment, and a second segment (9) which is flexible so as to be bent when the curved portion of the core member is positioned within the second segment.

Abstract: An information remote monitor (IRM) is implemented to collect medical device data locally in a patient's home for transmission to a remote location. Specifically, the IRM integrates data from an external pressure reference (EPR) and an implanted medical device (IMD), preferably the Chronicle™, for remote transmission to a server or a clinical center for follow-up, monitoring and evaluation. The IRM utilizes wireless telemetry to downlink to the IMO and directly engages the EPR to download barometric pressure data to correct cardiac pressure readings from the Chronicle™ or IMO. The IRM may be connected serially to a PC and the PC may control the functions of the IRM. In the alternate, the PC may be used to transfer data from the IRM, through a Web-enabled network system, to a server or a remote location. The IRM utilizes an integral modem to dial a server and transfer patient data via FTP, PPP and TC/PIP protocols.

Abstract: The present invention offers a comprehensive solution to care management which aggregates, integrates and stores clinical information from disparate sources. The system finds at-risk individuals before they experience preventable, high-cost medical events and stratifies high risk populations according to clinical criteria, which can include severity of disease states and co-morbidities. The system also compares the actual care an individual is receiving to established standards of clinical excellence and, if necessary, suggests pertinent medical care considerations to improve the care of medically mismanaged individuals. Another feature of the present invention may include a secure, patient-specific Web page which is automatically populated with a patient's own clinical information and can be personalized with customized, relevant healthcare information. The system allows users to design, facilitate and monitor clinical care plans and increase communications among physicians, nurses and patients.

Abstract: A method for measuring blood pressure during a limited number of blood pressure cycles at an area overlying an artery of a living subject, includes applying a pressure (P) to the artery for occluding the artery in response to a pressure signal. Subsequently the pressure is released to re-open the artery in response to a pressure release signal. A delay time is computed, by comparing a first time duration with a second time duration. The delay time is from a reference point in time after which a next pressure release signal is to be supplied to a device for applying a pressure. A pressure to be applied to the artery in a next measuring cycle is computed. Subsequently a pressure signal and a pressure release signal corresponding to the computed pressure and delay time are supplied to the device for applying a pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a pressure pulse wave from a living subject, including a pressure-pulse-wave sensor which is adapted to be pressed against a portion of the subject to detect the pressure pulse wave from the subject, a pressing device which presses the pressure-pulse-wave sensor against the portion of the subject, a blood-pressure measuring device which measures at least one blood pressure value of the subject, and a comparison-value determining device for determining a comparison value based on the at least one blood pressure value measured by the blood-pressure measuring device and at least one pressure value corresponding to the pressure pulse wave detected by the pressure-pulse-wave sensor.

Abstract: Implants and implants, including sensors responsive to pressure, fluid flow, concentration of analytes, pH and other variables, including a feedback loop and means for modifying the implant after placement in a patient in response to measurements made using the sensors, have been developed. These are particularly useful in cardiology, where the implants contain one or more sensors responsive to variables which change over time, for example, pressure which is indicative of changes in fluid flow and diameter of the vessel in which the implant has been placed. Feedback from the sensor(s) either directly, or indirectly via monitoring means external to the patient, signal changes that may be required, such as expansion of the implant in the case where the vessel diameter changes over time or the implant becomes unstable or migrates.

Abstract: A blood-pressure measuring apparatus including a cuff which is adapted to be worn on a portion of a living subject to press the portion, an augmentation-index determining device for determining an augmentation index of the subject based on a cuff pulse wave obtained from the cuff, and a cuff-pulse-wave obtaining device for obtaining, during a pressing period in which the cuff presses the portion of the subject for measuring a blood pressure of the subject, the cuff pulse wave from the cuff so that the augmentation-index determining device determines the augmentation index based on the obtained cuff pulse wave.

Abstract: A resection device and method permits safe and efficient encapsulation, isolation and resection of body tissue. The device includes a sheath of flexible and severable material configured to receive the body tissue to be resectioned as it is drawn therein. The sheath may be expandable and held in an expanded condition as the body tissue to be resectioned is drawn into the sheath. Thereafter, the sheath is permitted to collapse about the body tissue to contain and constrict the body tissue. Once the body tissue to be resectioned is disposed in the sheath, the sheath is severed to resection the body tissue.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable sealant plug that expands in response to contact with moisture in a mammalian body is optimally positioned in a biopsy tract to seal the biopsy tract when a biopsy procedure is completed. In a first method, the leading end of the sealant plug is advanced through the lumen of a coaxial needle by a plunger until a leading end of a supporting leg abuts the patient's skin surface. A second method is performed with a pistol-shaped tool having a trigger that enables adjustment of the plunger. A third embodiment includes a plunger having a bifurcated end that grasps the plug. A fourth embodiment has a turning nut that causes compression of a gasket that clamps down on the plug. A supporting rod and coaxial needle are in parallel relation to one another in a fifth embodiment.

Abstract: A portable living body information collection device is arranged to continuously measure living body information in daily life and to efficiently collect relating mental information by timely questioning about health. The device can be worn on a human body. The portable living body information collection device extracts living body information in electrical signal form by a detection circuit and a signal processing circuit, and discretizes the information by a conversion circuit. A control circuit stores the discretized living body information in a storage and displays questions about feelings and mental conditions on a display unit periodically or when a large changes occurs in living body information. The wearer inputs answers by using an input device, and the answers are also recorded as mental information in the storage.

Abstract: A method of navigating a medical device having a changeable magnetic moment within an operating region within a patient, the method includes applying a navigating magnetic field to the operating region with an external source magnet, and changing the direction of the magnetic moment in the medical device to change the orientation of the medical device in a selected direction within the operating region. The magnet moment of the medical device can be created by one or more electromagnet coils, in which case the magnetic moment can be changed by changing the current to the coil. Alternatively, the magnetic moment of the medical device can be created by one or more permanent magnets, in which case the magnetic moment can be changed by mechanically or magnetically manipulating the permanent magnet.

Abstract: An augmentation-index measuring apparatus including a cuff which is adapted to be worn on a portion of a living subject to press the portion, an augmentation-index determining device for determining an augmentation index of the subject based on a cuff pulse wave obtained from the cuff, and a preliminary pressing device for preliminarily pressing, before the cuff pulse wave is obtained, for the determination of the augmentation index, from the cuff having a pulse-wave detection pressure, the portion of the subject using the cuff having a pressure higher than the pulse-wave detection pressure.

Abstract: A self contained sensor apparatus generates a signal that corresponds to at least two of the three orientational aspects of yaw, pitch and roll of a human-scale body, relative to an external reference frame. A sensor generates first sensor signals that correspond to rotational accelerations or rates of the body about certain body axes. The sensor may be mounted to the body. Coupled to the sensor is a signal processor for generating orientation signals relative to the external reference frame that correspond to the angular rate or acceleration signals. The first sensor signals are impervious to interference from electromagnetic, acoustic, optical and mechanical sources. The sensors may be rate sensors. An integrator may integrate the rate signal over time. A drift compensator is coupled to the rate sensors and the integrator. The drift compensator may include a gravitational tilt sensor or a magnetic field sensor or both.

Abstract: A method and device for audiological screening of infants and newborns by generating one or more stimuli with an audiologic screening device having acoustic transmitters in each ear canal to generate otoacoustic emissions, collecting and transmitting the otoacoustic emissions signals and brain stem response signals, analyzing the same, and transmitting the data to a remote central computer server via a built-in or attached modem or global information network for further analysis and storage.

Abstract: Medical devices for insertion into the body of human or veterinary patients, wherein the device comprises a) a working element (e.g. a wire, a guidewire, a tube, a catheter, a cannula, a scope (e.g., rigid or flexible endoscope, laparoscope, sigmoidoscope, cystoscope, etc.) a probe, an apparatus for collecting information from a location within the body (e.g., an electrode, sensor, camera, scope, sample withdrawal apparatus, biopsy or tissue sampling device, etc.) which has an outer surface and b) a continuous or non-continuous coating on the outer surface of the working element. The outer surface of the working element is prepared to create a surface topography which promotes mechanical or frictional engagement of the coating to the working element. In some embodiments the coating is a lubricious coating and/or a swellable coating.

Abstract: The present invention involves apparatus and methods for use in collecting bodily fluids, such as interstitial fluids, from the epidermal layer of an animal. A preferred apparatus includes a pressure head and, optionally, a holder therefor for supplying a positive pressure to the head. The methods include the application of a positive pressure to the area surrounding an epidermal site from which stratum corneum has been breached, such as by laser ablation, to cause bodily fluids, such as interstitial fluids, to exude from the site and collecting the fluids exuding therefrom.

Abstract: Accurate occurrences of pulsation per unit time, that is, a heart rate is measured with a burden on a subject person being reduced to be very small and without being susceptible to body vibrations accompanying exercise.

Abstract: A method and system for extracting cardiac parameters from a plethysmographic signal is described wherein the plethysmographic signal is passed through a first filter to remove non-cardiac components of the signal. A second filter averages a plurality of cardiac cycles and cardiac parameters are extracted from the averaged cardiac signal.

Abstract: A feature-pattern extraction apparatus uses a logarithmic transformation processing to extract a feature pattern from a myoelectric pattern that is a muscle action potential. The extracted feature patterns are classified, and an output control signal is generated. By using the logarithmic transformation processing to extract feature patterns, distribution bias is reduced, improving classification accuracy.