Abstract: Assistive apparatuses or devices, kits, and methods for assisting with removal of a biological sample from an intraosseous device are described. Some of the present assistive apparatuses comprise: a body including a first end and a second end, and defining a channel with a first portion having a first transverse dimension, a second portion disposed between the first portion and the second end and having a second transverse dimension that is smaller than the first transvers dimension, and a longitudinal axis extending through the first portion and the second portion, the body further including a protrusion extending laterally outward relative to the longitudinal axis; where the channel is configured to receive a portion of an intraosseous device having a hub and a cannula extending from the hub, with the first portion of the channel receiving a part of the hub, and the second portion of the channel receiving a part of the cannula while preventing passage of the hub through the second portion.

Abstract: In various embodiments of the invention, a manipulator attaches to and allows a sheath to be positioned inside the cervix and a catheter to thereby be inserted through the sheath and be positioned in a desired location in the uterus. In various embodiments of the invention, the manipulator may be attached or permanently connected to the sheath. In various embodiments of the invention, the sheath is fenestrated to allow the catheter to be detached from the sheath. In various embodiments of the invention, the manipulator allows the sheath to be positioned through the cervix canal to allow for catheter transmitted intrauterine pressure monitoring or balloon catheter assisted ripening of the cervix.

Abstract: An object is to provide programs for reliable predictions of the day of ovulation. A process is executed in a program for predicting a day of ovulation on a computer, the process including calculating a predicted ovulation day data corresponding to a particular menstrual cycle by applying the particular menstrual cycle to a relationship between a period between a menstrual day and a day of ovulation and an average length of a menstrual cycle, the relationship being estimated based on data of a plurality of persons which have been previously obtained.

Abstract: Embodiments of devices and methods for evaluating tissue are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for measuring a characteristic of a tissue may include passing a current through the tissue, measuring a signal corresponding to the voltage resulting from passing the current through the tissue, analyzing current passed through the tissue and resulting voltage to determine the electrical characteristics of the tissue; and analyzing the electrical characteristics of the tissue to determine a status of the tissue. Disposable sensors are disclosed.

Abstract: A method uses patches fixed to a surface of a body, the patches including respective electrodes in contact with the surface, and at least one of the patches configured to output a signal in response to a magnetic field applied to the body. Initially, the signal is processed to compute first magnetic locations and first electrical locations of the at least one of the patches. Subsequently, the signal is processed to compute second magnetic locations and second electrical locations of the at least one of the patches. A first relation is computed between the first magnetic and the first electrical locations, a second relation is computed between the second magnetic and the second electrical locations, and upon detecting a difference between the second and the first relations, a magnetic location correction is computed and then applied to track a position of a magnetic sensor inside the body.

Abstract: A medical sensor assembly comprises a flexible plaster adapted for adhesion on the skin of a patient and a sensor configured for transdermal measuring a physiological parameter, wherein the sensor has a measuring part insertable into the skin and a contact part for providing a signal connection to a measuring unit. It is proposed that the plaster has a flap which is adhered to an intermediate section of the sensor between the measuring part and the contact part.

Abstract: A medical device configured as a blood collection tube holder, the device having a body with two spaced-apart, oppositely facing, coaxially aligned needles including a forwardly facing venipuncture needle and a rearwardly facing fluid discharge needle, the two needles being held by first and second needle holders separated by a compressible fluid seal defining part of a fluid path between the two needles and the two needle holders. The body also includes a discharge needle displacement member that is manually repositioned following removal of the last blood tube holder so that the discharge needle displacement member contacts the second needle holder and displaces the second needle holder and the fluid discharge needle laterally inside the body to initiate retraction of the venipuncture needle into a rearwardly projecting needle retraction chamber.

Abstract: A biopsy needle has a cylindrical shell outer cannula and a stylet consisting of an inner stylet and outer stylet, both of which are inserted into the cylindrical cannula. The outer stylet has a series of strain relieved slits which provide bending over a deflection region in one direction, and the outer stylet is formed from a material such as a shape memory alloy (SMA) having a superelastic phase. The deflection is generated by an SMA wire spanning a deflection extent and attached to the outer stylet on either side of the deflection extent. The inner stylet, when positioned inside the outer stylet, has one or more actuation fibers which couple optical energy into the SMA wire or hollow SMA tube, causing a deflection of the outer stylet over the deflection extent, with the optical energy provided to the actuation fibers for control of the deflection. Additional fibers may be placed in the inner stylet to measure temperature and to measure deflection.

Abstract: A system performs surgical procedures and assessments. The system includes the use of neurophysiology-based monitoring to determine nerve proximity and nerve direction to surgical instruments employed in accessing a surgical target site.

Abstract: A system includes companion device that has movement sensors and a separate wearable device that has core contraction sensors. The companion device can be coupled to moving objects such as exercise equipment. Signals from the companion device and wearable device sensors are transmitted to a processor which analyzes the object movement signals and determines when a qualifying movement is performed which benefits from core contraction. Signals from the core contraction sensors are also transmitted to the processor and are used to determine if the core is contracted during the qualifying movement. If the core is contracted during the qualifying movement, the movement is a protected qualifying movement. However, if the core is not contracted during the qualifying movement the movement is an unprotected qualifying movement. The system can inform the user when unprotected qualifying movements are performed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods and a computer readable storage medium that determine an individual's movement during sleep. In some embodiments, the identification is based on data from a motion sensor included in wearable device. In some embodiments, the individual wears the wearable device on his wrist during the individual's resting and/or sleep activities. In some embodiments, the system, methods and the computer readable storage medium automatically identify the various (stages) types of sleep during an individual's sleep periods that include periods of REM sleep, deep sleep, and light sleep and that are indicative of the individual's overall well-being and health.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, devices, and methods for sample collection. A sample collection device may comprise a vessel, a lid, and pre-loaded liquid solutions. The sample collection device may collect a liquid sample, such as a biological sample. The liquid solutions may comprise reagents for preserving and/or stabilizing biological samples, such as saliva, collected in the vessel. A chamber comprising the liquid solutions may be located in the vessel and/or the lid. In some instances, the liquid solution may be released from the chamber upon closure of the vessel with the lid. In some instances, the liquid solution may be released from the chamber upon actuation of an implement, such as a plunger. In some instances, the liquid solution may be released upon compression of an absorbent member. The sample collecting device may be delivered to a remote location for further processing and/or analysis.

Abstract: Methods that can that can identify involuntary movement diseases are provided. One method includes sensing, by a set of sensors of a computing device, behavior of a user while the user interacts with the computing device and identifying, by a processor of the computing device, involuntary movement patterns for the user based on one or more characteristics of the sensed behavior. Systems and apparatus that can include, perform, and/or implement the methods are also provided.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for determining a temporal duration of a rest period using motion data are described herein. In one exemplary embodiment, one or more data filters are applied to received motion data to generate one or more data sets of the motion data. The motion data represents an amount of activity experienced by an individual over the course of a period of time, such as one day. An iterative process is performed to identify a starting point and an ending point of a rest period using the generated data set(s). After the starting and ending points are identified, a temporal difference between the starting and ending points is calculated, and a total temporal duration of the rest period is determined.

Abstract: A system for a healthcare provider to administer a portable interactive hearing assessment is provided. The system allows the healthcare provider to administer the hearing assessment in a way that accurately detects hearing loss and provides recommendations for seeking further assistance from qualified hearing health specialists and/or an ENT physician. The system includes a hearing test device, and a processor that receives and processes a pressure test result associated with each of the patient's ear from a tympanometer and the patient's response to one or more pure tone frequencies transmitted by the hearing test device. The processor may also provide a report and recommendation based on received pressure test result and the determined hearing results, and demonstrate effects of any hearing loss to a person accompanying the patient so that the accompanying person understands a scope of the patient's hearing loss.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient includes providing a guidewire having an elongate body defining a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate body including a shapeable portion disposed proximate the proximal end, the shapeable portion being malleable so as to be shaped into a shape and remain in the shape until reshaped. The distal end of the elongate body is advanced into a vasculature of the patient. The shapeable portion of the elongate body is shaped into a first shape that prevents advancement of the guidewire further into the vasculature of the patient.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing system for administering an alertness test on a client electronic device to determine a result for a user, wherein the result is indicative of a level of alertness of the user. Biometric information concerning the user may be received from a biometric device. The result for the user may be adjusted based, at least in part, upon the biometric information.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for measuring and analyzing startle response of a subject comprises a stimuli delivery module, whereby startle stimuli and prepulse stimuli are delivered to subject; said diagnostic system comprises at least one sensor module, whereby the startle response of subject are detected and recorded; said sensor module comprises at least one electrode and one eyeblink response measuring means; and said diagnostic system comprises a diagnosis module whereby the features of the startle response and prepulse inhibition of subject are extracted and analyzed.

Abstract: An inventive medical device includes an implantable device, such as an electrochemical sensor. The implantable device has an implantable portion configured for insertion into a patient, a contact portion configured for connection to another device, and an interconnecting portion connecting the implantable portion and the contact portion. A housing is provided that has a first part that is removably connectable with a second part to form a sterile packaging to seal the implantable portion against a surrounding environment. The first part comprises a first sealing surface and the second part comprises a second sealing surface and the first and second sealing surfaces interact to form a sealing area. The interconnecting portion of the implantable device extends through the sealing area. An inventive method of producing the medical device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device monitors circumferences of the leg, and estimates volume of a section of the leg, to detect edema, which can be indicative of CHF, and gauge the effectiveness of medication. The device sends the calculations to a database via BLUETOOTH™ for the patient's treating medical personnel to see.