Abstract: According to certain described aspects, multiple acoustic sensing elements are employed in a variety of beneficial ways to provide improved physiological monitoring, among other advantages. In various embodiments, sensing elements can be advantageously employed in a single sensor package, in multiple sensor packages, and at a variety of other strategic locations in the monitoring environment. According to other aspects, to compensate for skin elasticity and attachment variability, an acoustic sensor support is provided that includes one or more pressure equalization pathways. The pathways can provide an air-flow channel from the cavity defined by the sensing elements and frame to the ambient air pressure.

Abstract: A system for augmenting uterine forces includes a medical apparatus having a balloon body that transitions between a compacted state and an expanded state, a catheter that receives the medical apparatus and obtains electrical signals indicative of intrinsic uterine contractions, and a controller coupled to the catheter to receive the electrical signals, and to a source of an agent. The controller processes the electrical signals to detect an onset of an intrinsic uterine contraction, an increase in uterine contraction forces, or a decrease in uterine contraction forces. In response to a detection of an onset of an intrinsic uterine contraction or an increase in uterine contraction forces, the controller causes an agent to be delivered from the agent source to the balloon body to expand the balloon body. In response to a detection of a decrease in uterine contraction forces, the controller causes agent to discharge from the balloon body to collapse the balloon body.

Abstract: A system for transmitting a temperature of a patient to an electronic medical record associated with the patient includes a thermometer with a digital display that is configured to display a temperature value associated with the temperature signal and at least one error-checking value. The system also includes a handheld imaging device including a camera to capture an image of the digital display of the thermometer, a processor to extract the text in the image using optical character recognition, and perform an error-check on the temperature value using the at least one error-checking value in the image, and to transmit the patient's identification number and temperature to an electronic medical record system.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods to analyze gait, balance or posture information extracted from data collected by one or more wearable and connected sensor devices with sensors embedded therewithin. The embedded sensors include a three-axis accelerometer, a three-axis gyroscope and an array of pressure sensors. Sensor data detected by the sensors can be received by a mobile computing device, which can analyze the sensor data to identify a pattern related to gait, balance or posture within the sensor data; and apply a statistical/machine learning-based classification to the pattern related to gait, balance or posture to assign a clinical parameter to the pattern characterizing a risk of a slip, trip and fall event.

Abstract: This invention is a wearable circumferential array of electromyographic (EMG) sensors with a plurality of rings and columns of sensors which collect electromagnetic energy data concerning neuromuscular activity and functions as a Human-to-Computer Interface (HCI). In an example, it can be incorporated into a wearable device or clothing accessory such as an arm band, wrist band, finger ring, leg band, ankle band, bracelet, or watch strap. In an example, it can be incorporated into the cuff or sleeve of an article of clothing such as a shirt or a pair of shorts.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include catheter assemblies, systems for sampling a targeted region of tissue, and methods of sampling a targeted region of tissue. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a catheter assembly includes: a catheter defining a lumen therein, a wall of the catheter defining an opening therein at a distal end of the catheter; and a curved flexible needle disposable in the lumen and being extendable from the opening at the distal end of the catheter at an angle that diverges from an axis of the lumen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for discriminating cells of a cellular structure, notably of a cellular tissue, comprising the steps consisting in determining (12) a frequency spectrum of the impedance of the cellular structure; defining (22) at least one model of the impedance of the cellular structure including a constant phase element (30); determining (44) the impedance of the constant phase element (30) which optimizes the correlation of each model of the impedance of the cellular structure with the spectrum; and deducing (66), from the impedance of the constant phase element (30) or from the impedances of the constant phase elements (30), an item of information on the cells of the cellular structure. The invention also relates to a system for implementing the method for discriminating cells of a cellular structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (100), system (200), method (300), and computer program for distinguishing between active and inactive time periods of a subject. An input unit (110) receives time-dependent activity data (120) (e.g., corresponding to a level of activity). An activity threshold providing unit (130) provides an activity threshold (140) for the subject. An activity assessment unit (150) classifies the time-dependent activity data (120) based on the activity threshold (140). The activity threshold providing unit (130) provides the activity threshold (140) individually for said subject. The present invention provides an approach to patient-tailor the activity threshold (140) for periods of activity and inactivity.

Abstract: An elongated surgical manipulator apparatus and method of operating enables determination of the shape of a flexible portion of the elongated surgical manipulator and/or the location of an arbitrary point thereon, as well as a measure of a contact force exerted on a distal portion of the manipulator. A plurality of fiber optics are operatively coupled with the manipulator, each of the fiber optics including a plurality of fiber Bragg gratings for determination of the shape and/or position. Each of the fiber optics further includes a fiber optic strain gauge such as a Bragg grating or a Fabry-Perot resonator at a distal portion of the elongated surgical manipulator that is isolated from the strain associated with the bending of the manipulator. The fiber optic strain gauges at the distal portion may thus be used to detect a force vector (magnitude and direction) imposed on the distal portion.

Abstract: A method for coordinating activities includes monitoring physiologic signals and movement signals from a plurality of individuals, and learning at least one baseline for each of the plurality of individuals from the physiologic stress signals and the movement signals. The method further includes comparing the individual's physiologic signals to their baseline, determining a current activity for each individual, and learning correlations between current activities and sequences of activities and estimated divergences of the physiologic signals from baseline. The method also includes determining prospective activities for each individual, identifying at least one prospective shared activity among two or more individuals, estimating prospective divergences of the physiologic signals associated with the prospective shared activity, and mitigating the prospective divergences of the physiologic signals by controlling the scheduling component to adjust a schedule of the at least one prospective shared activity.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a pulmonary biopsy needle having a proximal end, a distal end, and an elongated body extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The needle may be configured to access a periphery of a patient's lungs and the elongated portion may have a first portion, a second portion, and a piercing tip. The first portion may have a first flexibility and the second portion may have a second flexibility that is more flexible than the first flexibility. The second portion may extend distally of the first portion and the second flexibility may be constant along a length of the second portion. The first portion of the needle may have a wall-thickness different than a wall-thickness of the second portion of the needle.

Abstract: A system for displaying and collecting biomechanical measurements is provided. The system comprises: an electronic caliper including a bar, two arms slidably mounted on the bar and extending normal therefrom, a display module, and an electronic system housed in the display module and comprising a light emitting diode string of lights, a nine-axis sensor, firmware, a wireless radio, and a power source connector for electronic communication with a power source; and a remote computing device, the wireless radio in communication with the remote computing device. The electronic caliper and method of use thereof is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an access system having a maneuverable catheter assembly configured for providing access to and navigating a desired vessel for subsequent treatment thereof. The access system includes an adjustable delivery handle assembly and an access catheter subassembly having a maneuverable access catheter configured to be delivered to desired site (e.g., within duodenum) to assist in treatment of a condition (e.g., drainage of a bile ducts via Endoscopic Ultrasound Guided Biliary Drainage (EUS-BD) techniques). The access catheter includes at least a distal section having an adjustable portion along a length thereof configured to transition to a pre-defined arcuate shape to provide directional control over the distal end of the catheter as it is navigated through a vessel (e.g., bile duct). The handle assembly includes additional elements configured to allow a clinician to maneuver and manipulate the distal end of the access catheter.

Abstract: A biopsy system includes a motorized driver having a drive member operatively coupled with a needle interface of a biopsy needle assembly that is removably installed on the motorized driver, wherein the motorized driver actuates the drive member to thereby actuate the biopsy needle assembly via the needle interface. A system controller that controls operation of the motorized driver is configured to perform a homing process including determining a system test failure or a needle removal condition in which a biopsy needle assembly installed on the motorized driver has been or should be removed from the motorized driver. Upon determining a system test failure or needle removal condition, the controller positions the drive member in a drive member home position for receiving a new biopsy needle assembly to be installed on the motorized driver.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for easy, reliable, and rapid screening of a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) based on a modeling of a subject's tracking of a dynamic target during the course of a simple motor tracking task. The gathered tracking data can be used to calculate tracking errors between the subject's actual input (e.g., grip force) and the intended target input. The tracking errors may be used to generate numerical values for model parameters that correlate the subject's responses to the tracking errors during the course of the dynamic motor tracking task. A classification model may be used to compare the model values to multi-subject model values of known diagnoses for mTBI. The entire screening process can be effectively administered in a matter of minutes or less, and with a high degree of accuracy.

Abstract: A biopsy device including a body, a needle, a cutter, and a tissue sample holder. 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 includes an outer cup or cover, a rotatable member, a tissue receiving tray, and a bulk cup assembly. The rotatable member defines a plurality of passages and a first cylindrical portion. Each strip of the plurality of strips are insertable into a corresponding passage of the plurality of passages. The bulk cup assembly is insertable into the first cylindrical portion of the rotatable member.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a user that includes a sensor unit configured and arranged to be disposed on the user, the sensor unit including an accelerometer and a communication arrangement; and at least one processor configured and arranged for performing actions including: receiving signals from the accelerometer of the sensor unit; determining a step count from the signals; determining a gait velocity from the signals; determining a step distance from the signals; determining a posture of the user from the signals; and determining a gait posture index as a function of the step count, gait velocity, step distance, and posture. In other embodiments, the system can be used to determine metrics other than the gait posture index, such as a fall prediction score based on gait velocity and posture deviation.

Abstract: An eye sensor, system and method for measuring fixational eye movements of an individual's eyeball (e.g., ocular microtremors and microsaccades) to provide a variable voltage biosignal for measuring the individual's brain stem activity. The eye sensor comprises a sensor mounted on the individual's closed or opened eyelid so as to be deflected by the fixational eye movements of the eyeball. A shielded flexible ribbon assembly supplies the biosignal generated by the sensor to an amplifier located on the individual's skin where the biosignal is amplified. The amplifier is interconnected with a signal processor and a display by which graphical and numerical representations of the biosignal are made accessible to an anesthesiologist, intensivist or clinician. A method for analyzing the biosignal to determine the brainstem activity of a patient.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and techniques are disclosed for predicting a urinary event of a patient. In one example, a system comprises a fluid consumption cup comprising one or more sensors. The system may comprise communication circuitry configured to receive, from the fluid consumption cup, one or more signals that indicate an amount of fluid removed from the fluid consumption cup. The system may comprise processing circuitry configured to: update a patient log based on the one or more signals that indicate the amount of fluid removed from the fluid consumption cup; determine that the urinary event is predicted to occur, the occurrence of the urinary event predicted based on the patient log; and provide, in response to the determination and for receipt by the patient, a notification that the urinary event is predicted to occur.

Abstract: An actively-powered temperature data logger patch with wireless data communication includes a first substrate layer, a second substrate layer, a non-adhesive release layer, and an electronics inlay disposed between the first and second substrate layers. The electronics inlay includes a sealed, flexible battery, and a flexible circuit having a temperature sensor. An outer face of the non-adhesive release layer is has release properties. A replaceable adhesive includes a carrier substrate, a structural adhesive coated on a first face and attached to the outer face of the non-adhesive release layer, and a skin-contact approved adhesive coated on a second opposite face. In another example, an auxiliary sleeve having an exterior surface with an adhesive configured to be removably applied to a subject, may partially enclose the temperature data logger patch in an internal compartment.