Abstract: A device and method for mapping, diagnosing and treating the intestinal tract is provided using a capsule passing through the intestinal tract. Further, a capsule tracking system is provided for tracking a capsule's location along the length of an intestinal tract as various treatment and/or sensing modalities are employed. In one variation, an acoustic signal is used to determine the location of the capsule. A map of sensed information may be derived from the pass of a capsule. Capsules may be subsequently passed through to treat the intestinal tract at a determined location along its length. One variation uses an electrical stimulation capsule to treat and/or diagnose a condition in the intestinal tract.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring medial-lateral tilt of a bone is disclosed. The bone is coupled to a joint of the muscular-skeletal system. The method comprises coupling a three-axis accelerometer to a prepared bone surface of a bone. The three-axis accelerometer is configured to measure position, rotation, and tilt. The joint is rotated between two points. The rotation between the two points traverses an arc having a maximum therebetween. The joint pivots off of a surface to which the bone is coupled. In one embodiment, a pivot point and joint rotation relates to a mechanical axis of the joint and bone. The three-axis accelerometer measures data points along the arc as it is rotated between the two points. Multiple passes along the arc generates sufficient data points to determine the maximum. The position of the maximum is used to calculate the medial-lateral tilt of the bone.

Abstract: A biopsy system includes an elongate cannula coupled to and extending from a support structure, the cannula having a distal portion with a tissue receiving aperture in a side wall thereof, and an elongate hollow introducer sized and configured to be mounted to the support structure over the cannula. The support structure and a proximal portion of the introducer are respectively configured for providing releasable attachment of the introducer to the support structure over the cannula in a first attachment configuration, in which the distal portion of the cannula extends out an open distal end of the introducer with the tissue receiving aperture unobscured by the introducer, and in a second attachment configuration, in which the distal portion of the cannula extends out the open distal end of the introducer with the tissue receiving aperture partially obscured by the introducer.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method for performing a balance evaluation that utilizes a hand held accelerometer that measures upper body compensatory and correctional movement. Instead of testing movement in the waist or lower extremity as is commonly done, the instant invention measures thoracic trunk sway to estimate an individual's balance via positional change algorithms. By holding the measuring device to the chest and performing one or a variety of balance tests, the instant invention can determine the amount of sway in the trunk without attached or fixed monitors, which presents a novel approach to assessing postural sway above the center of mass.

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: Methods and systems to collect a sample of bodily fluid from a patient using an integrated needle and test strip assembly are provided. The test strip and needle form one unit that captures the sample of blood or interstitial fluid from the patient once the apparatus is pressed to the skin. The hollow needle includes more than one opening at a distal end, each opening coming into contact with the bodily fluid when disposed within a cutaneous or subcutaneous layer of the patient's skin. The sample may flow through the needle onto a test region by capillary action and/or the positive pressure of the bodily fluid (e.g. blood or interstitial fluid) relative to the external environment. The disclosed test strip includes at least one reaction site for testing analyte concentrations and a means for interfacing with many commercially available test strip meters to provide readout of the analyte concentration.

Abstract: Guide wire devices fabricated from a linear pseudo-elastic Ni—Ti alloy and methods for their manufacture. The Ni—Ti alloy that includes nickel, titanium, and about 3 atomic % (at %) to about 30 at % niobium (Nb). Cold working the Ni—Ti alloy stabilizes the alloy's martensitic phase and yields a linear pseudo-elastic microstructure where reversion to the austenite phase is retarded or altogether blocked. The martensitic phase of cold worked, linear pseudo-elastic Ni—Ti—Nb alloy has an elastic modulus that is considerably higher than the comparable cold worked, linear pseudoelastic binary Ni—Ti alloy. This yields a guide wire device that has better torque response and steerability as compared to cold worked, linear pseudoelastic binary Ni—Ti alloy or superelastic binary Ni—Ti alloy.

Abstract: An integrated lancing test strip includes a test strip and a lancet packet coupled to the test strip. The lancet packet includes a sterility sheet enclosing a lancet to maintain the sterility of the lancet and prevent cross-contamination between the test strip and the lancet. The sterility sheet allows the lancet to be sterilized separately from the test strip. The sterility sheet gives the integrated strip a low profile, which is attractive for packaging multiple integrated strips in cassettes, drums, magazines or the like. In one form, the integrated strip is loaded in a meter that includes an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of the test strip relative to the skin being sampled. This allows the user to adjust the position of the test strip so as to not apply excessive pressure against skin, which could hamper bleeding from the incision in the skin.

Abstract: This invention is a multipolar or multi-conductor guidewire which can be navigated or steered through the vasculature from outside a patient's body to perform a medical procedure within the patient's vasculature. In one embodiment, a guidewire of this invention has at least 4, preferably at least 6, to as many as 10 or more distal-to-proximal conductive pathways, which are substantially longitudinally parallel to each other running linearly along substantially the majority if not the entire length of the guidewire body, preferably in a printed circuit format. In a further practice, the conductive pathways helically wound around the guidewire body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting seizures with motor manifestations including detecting EMG signals, isolating from the EMG signals spectral data for a plurality of frequency bands, and calculating a T-squared value there from. The T-squared values may be detected in real time, such as in a patient's home environment, and the T-squared data may be compared to a threshold T-squared value to determine whether an alarm is sent.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices and methods for the modulation of retinal stimulation and/or retinal signal processing. Such methods may be useful for the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of a disease or disorder. The disclosed methods may comprise visual intervention by using lenses, prisms, mirrors, and/or filters (e.g., occluders) to alter the amount and/or direction of light on to the retina.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and garment that incorporates sensors that can be used for measuring or monitoring pressure or forces in feet, the stumps of limbs of an amputee that are fitted with prosthetic devices, or any other parts of the body that are subject to forces such as the buttock while seated or when external pressure inducing devices are employed, such as for example, pressure bandages. The invention also relates to a method to monitor or diagnose any foot or limb related activity for recreational, sporting, military or medical reasons and is particularly aimed at the treatment of neuropathic or other degenerating conditions.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a kit of parts for use in a surgical procedure performed under image guidance, and particularly under real time image guidance. The kit includes a sterilized drape for use with the chosen imaging machine and which can be used to provide a sterile operating environment when the procedure is performed under the imaging beam. The kit also includes a needle holder that can keep the surgeon's hand away from the imaging beam. The needle holder is operable to hold a needle that is made from a material suitable for piercing tissue, but also substantially preserves the appearance of the needle when it is viewed under the imaging beam.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a mapping catheter including a plurality of mapping electrodes, each mapping electrode configured to sense signals associated with an anatomical structure. The catheter system further includes a processor operatively coupled to the plurality of mapping electrodes and configured to receive the signals sensed by the plurality of mapping electrodes, characterize the signals sensed by the plurality of mapping electrodes based on amplitudes of the sensed signals, and generate an output of a quality of contact of the plurality of mapping electrodes with the anatomical structure based on the signal characterization.

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 group 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: An apparatus for recognizing a user's posture in a horse-riding simulator, the apparatus comprising: a standard posture model generation module configured to find out a standard posture model by selecting feature points from an expert database, and generate the standard posture model; and a posture recognizing module configured to obtain a user's posture from the horse-riding simulator, recognize a user's horse-riding posture by matching the obtained user's posture with the standard posture model generated in the standard posture model generation module, and suggest a standard posture model appropriate for a user's level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical grasper for measuring force, the surgical grasper having a first gripping part and a second gripping part, the first gripping part being provided with a first recess portion recessed inwardly from an outer surface of the first gripping part, the surgical grasper including: a first elastic dielectric body having one surface surface-contacting the first recess portion; an electrode part including a pair of electrodes opposed to each other on opposite surfaces of the first elastic dielectric body and having a distance between the electrodes, varied by external force applied thereto; and a first finishing part surface-contacting the other surface of the first elastic dielectric body and formed to correspond to the first recess portion to thereby be inserted into the first recess portion.

Abstract: A method and device for reducing muscle tension through electrical manipulation applies a low level current to muscles of a user. Each muscle has two electrodes applied thereto, one for passing the current from the device to the muscle, and the other for receiving the current from the muscle to complete the circuit. The device has several channels, one for each pair of electrodes, and current is passed through a muscle at a level below the threshold required to cause the muscle to contract. The device is programmed to automatically apply an alternating current at predetermined frequencies for predetermined time periods to each muscle of the user that is being treated. A method of diagnosing an ailment using the device is provided.

Abstract: Intraosseous needle sets (e.g., cannulas and stylets) and kits comprising the same, such as those, for example, having a non-circular bore and configured to receive a sample from a target area (e.g., a cortex, a sternum, a humerus, and/or the like).

Abstract: A biological fluid sampling device adapted to receive a blood sample and includes a housing having a reservoir disposed therein and a first cavity in fluid communication with the reservoir is disclosed. The biological fluid sampling device includes a first test element removably receivable within the first cavity and a lancet having a puncturing element. Additionally, the housing may include a second cavity in fluid communication with the reservoir and a second test element removably receivable within the second cavity. With the blood sample received within the reservoir of the biological fluid sampling device, the first test element and the second test element are adapted to receive a portion of the blood sample. In this manner, the biological fluid sampling device allows for a blood sample to be collected on a plurality of test elements simultaneously. In one embodiment, the biological fluid sampling device contains a sample stabilizer.