Abstract: A method for obtaining an estimation of a physiological feature of a specific user includes: using a physiological sensor device under a normal sensing mode to sense the physiological feature of the specific user to generate a physiological signal of the normal sensing mode; determining a matched physiological signal from a plurality of test physiological signals by comparing the plurality of test physiological signals with the physiological signal of the normal sensing mode; and calculating a resultant estimation of the physiological feature of the specific user according to the matched physiological signal and the profile of the physiological feature of the specific user.

Abstract: An example information processing system performs an analysis relating to health of a user based on biological information of the user so as to provide information to the user based on a result of the analysis. The information processing system updates, for each user, at least a part of a rule for deciding information to be provided based on the biological information. Thus, the information processing system can provide information that is useful for the user. Note that the update of the rule is performed based on the biological information of the user that is obtained after the provision of the information, for example.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring for accumulation of lung fluid comprises a feeding tube having first electrode(s) positioned thereon for electrical contact with tissue of an esophagus of a target patient including a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and/or tissue in proximity to the LES, second electrode(s) sized and shaped for contacting skin of the target patient, and a non-transitory memory having stored thereon code instructions for applying alternating current(s) to pair(s) of first and second electrodes, measuring a voltage over the pair(s), and computing an estimate of a change of lung fluid relative to a baseline in lung(s) of the target patient according to the applied alternating current and measured voltage, wherein the applying, the measuring, and the computing the estimate of the change in lung fluid are iteratively executed for monitoring the target patient for accumulation of lung fluid while the feeding tube is in use.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for detecting fatigue comprises a dry-contact electroencephalogram (EEG) electrode to measure EEG data operably coupled to at least one processor. The at least one processor is to: calculate a frequency domain representation of the EEG data, detect spectral features indicative of fatigue based on the frequency domain representation; and determine whether the brain is fatigued based on the detection. In another aspect, a method for detecting fatigue comprises receiving EEG data from dry-contact EEG electrode, calculating a frequency domain representation of the EEG data, detecting spectral features indicative of fatigue based on the frequency domain representation; and determining whether the brain is fatigued based on the detection.

Abstract: Various exemplary drive apparatuses and associated methods are disclosed for driving an elongated member, e.g., a guidewire or catheter. An exemplary drive apparatus for driving an elongated member may include a rotational component configured to apply a torque to the elongated member, where the rotational component is positioned a first distance away from an insertion site along the elongated member. The drive apparatus may further include a rotational support configured to apply an assistance torque to the elongated member. The rotational support may be positioned a second distance from the rotational component along the elongated member that is larger than the first distance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring eye health. The systems and methods monitor eye health by measuring scleral strain by way of an implantable monitor, a wearable monitor configured in eyeglasses, or an external monitor using a portable tablet computing device. Certain embodiments of the strain monitor may be utilized to measure the strain on any surface to which it is attached, including, but not limited to, the skin of a patient or the surface of a structure such as a building or a bridge.

Abstract: Electrooculogram (EOG) detection methods and EOG detection apparatuses are described. The EOG detection method can comprise: acquiring at least one EOG signal of a blink of at least one eye of a user; and analyzing the at least one EOG signal to determine whether the blink is a protective blink. A basis is thus provided for further applications of an eye movement detection technology by determining, according to an EOG signal of a user, whether a blink of the user is a protective blink.

Abstract: A medical device such as a cannula, catheter, needle or biosensing probe includes an elongated body for penetrating, inserting and/or positioning in or through the skin of a patient. The elongated body has an outer surface that when positioned in the patient with a coefficient of friction sufficient to inhibit movement between the elongated body on the skin at the insertion site to inhibit irritation at the infusion site. A lubricious coating is provided on the elongated body to assist in penetration and/or insertion of the elongated body into the patient. The lubricious coating can be removed by a shearing action by the insertion of the elongated body into the patient and/or by absorption of the lubricious coating to expose the outer surface of the elongated member.

Abstract: A method for processing EEG signals includes reading the EEG signals from two frontal electrodes of an electroencephalograph (301); converting the EEG signals to a frequency domain (305); determining values of a BIS/BAS response on the basis of an asymmetry between the EEG signals (208). The method includes calculating the asymmetry between the EEG signals in the frequency domain in a frequency range from 26 to 29 Hz.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a body, a needle, a cutter, a tissue sample holder, and a gate assembly. The needle extends distally from the body. The cutter is longitudinally translatable relative to the needle and defines a cutter lumen. The tissue sample holder is coupled proximally relative to the body. The cutter lumen of the cutter defines at least a portion of a fluid conduit extending between the cutter and the tissue sample holder. The gate assembly is configured to selectively arrest movement of a tissue sample holder within the fluid conduit between the cutter and the tissue sample holder.

Abstract: A bio-pressure sensor system is disclosed, comprising a first sensor configured to provide a reference pressure measurement and second sensor configured to measure a fluid pressure within a human body. The bio-pressure sensor system also comprises a first reference element and second reference element. The first and second sensors share the first reference element. The second reference element is coupled to the first sensor and configured to provide a reference pressure. The first and second sensors each comprise independent output signals.

Abstract: A method, device, and system for the assessment of the quality of balance and for alerting from an impairment of balance of a subject. The device comprises a plate for receiving the feet of a subject and mounted on a plurality of pressure sensors measuring vertical forces applied to the plate, wherein the method comprises the measurement, by means of the pressure sensors thereof, of vertical forces applied to the plate, at least before and while the subject mounts the device (1) and the calculation, according to the measured values, of parameters that are relevant for the assessment, including at least one parameter relating to at least one slowdown in the rise of the values measured by the pressure sensors thereof, when the subject mounts the device.

Abstract: A sensor includes a bridge circuit including one or more strain gauges mounted on a nail plate, the bridge circuit outputting a voltage signal, an amplifier circuit amplifying the voltage signal output by the bridge circuit to generate an amplified signal, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter converting the amplified signal into a digital signal, a controller receiving the digital signal and facilitating communication with a receiver, and an antenna configured to transmit the digital signal.

Abstract: Wrist-worn devices and related methods measure a pulse transit time non-invasively and calculate a blood pressure value using the pulse transit time. A wrist-worn device include a wrist-worn elongate band, at least four EKG or ICG electrodes coupled to the wrist-worn device for detecting a ventricular ejection of a heart, a photo-plethysmogram (PPG) sensor coupled to the wrist-worn device for detecting arrival of a blood pressure pulse at the user's wrist, and a controller configured to calculate a pulse transit time (PTT) for the blood pressure pulse. The controller calculates one or more blood pressure values for the user based on the PTT.

Abstract: A wearable measurement apparatus capable of measuring a biometric signal is provided. The wearable measurement apparatus includes a main body, and a main-body elastic part disposed on a bottom surface of the main body, and configured to elastically support the main body against a body part of a user. The wearable measurement apparatus further includes a biometric signal sensor disposed apart from the main-body elastic part, and configured to detect a biometric signal from the body part, and a sensor elastic part interposed between the main body and the biometric signal sensor, and configured to form a step difference between a bottom surface of the biometric signal sensor and a bottom surface of the main-body elastic part, and elastically support the biometric signal sensor against the main body.

Abstract: A bleeding detection unit in a surgical system processes information in an acquired scene before that scene is presented on a display unit in the operating room. For example, the bleeding detection unit analyzes the pixel data in the acquired scene and determines whether there are one or more initial sites of blood in the scene. Upon detection of an initial site of blood, the region is identified by an initial site icon in the scene displayed on the display unit. In one aspect, the processing is done in real-time which means that there is no substantial delay in presenting the acquired scene to the surgeon.

Abstract: A needle assembly for sampling fluid from a patient including a needle guard, an insertion needle, and a needle housing. The distal end of the needle guard includes a nose portion and a flexible nose extension defining a fluid collection reservoir. The proximal end of the needle guard includes a push feature. The insertion needle has a sharpened distal tip, a proximal needle end and a shaft defining a lumen extending therebetween. The needle housing is operably coupled to the proximal needle end and is slideably coupled to the needle guard. The needle housing includes a flash chamber including a wall defining a cavity. The cavity is in fluid communication with the lumen of the insertion needle and is sealed at one end by a gas permeable flash plug. The push feature selectively engages the flash plug to divert captured bodily fluids to the fluid collection reservoir for sampling.

Abstract: A patch including a fiducial layer, an adhesive, and a sensor layer. The fiducial layer having a surface adapted to secure to a portion of skin on a patient, wherein the fiducial layer further includes a plurality of fiducial markers having at least one of acoustic properties, material density, and proton content different from those of human tissue. The adhesive being disposed along the surface of the fiducial layer. The sensor layer removably secured to a side of the fiducial layer and positionable distal the skin of the patient. The sensor layer including a plurality of sensors evenly spaced from one another, adapted to be in electrical communication with the skin of the patient, and each adapted to measure at least electric field or impedance.

Abstract: The present invention provides non-invasive devices, methods, and systems for determining a pressure of blood within a cardiovascular system of a user, the cardiovascular system including a heart and the user having a wrist covered by skin. More particularly, the present invention discloses a variety of wrist-worn devices having a variety of sensors configured to non-invasively engage the skin on the wrist of the user for sensing a variety of user signals from the cardiovascular system of the user. Generally, approaches disclosed herein may passively track blood pressure values without any interaction required on the part of the user or may allow for on demand or point measurements of blood pressure values by having a user actively interact with the sensors of the wrist-worn device.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a system for identifying an animal comprising a male part (30), cooperating with at least one cutting element intended to cut out a sample of animal tissue, a female part (40) with open head having a through-channel, and a detachable device (50) for storing said sample, intended to be fixed to one end of said through-channel. According to the invention, the system also comprises means for closing said head that can take at least two positions, comprising an open position enabling the passage of said sample through the through-channel during a collecting operation, and an irreversible closed position by which the channel is closed in the vicinity of said one end (422) subsequently to the collecting operation.