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: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a medical device and methods for collecting a tissue sample from a patient's body. The device may include a first tube defining a lumen and an aperture at a distal end of the first tube. A second tube extends within the lumen of the first tube and defines a lumen and slots, where at least some of the slots have sharp edges configured to shear tissue. The second tube is movable relative to the first tube such that the sharp edges cut a plurality of samples from tissue disposed within the aperture.

Abstract: An example of a system comprises a patch of electrodes for placement on tissue containing neural tissue, and a tissue tester configured to measure an electrical characteristic of tissue. The tissue tester may include a test controller and switches. The test controller and the switches may be configured to connect different combinations of the electrodes to create subsets of two or more electrodes to measure the electrical characteristic of tissue using the subsets. The test controller may be configured to measure an electrical characteristic of tissue using the subsets within the set of electrodes placed on the tissue, and compare measurements of the electrical characteristic and identify a neural target for a therapy based on the comparison of the measurements of the electrical characteristic for tissue at the neural target relative to adjacent non-neural tissue.

Abstract: A biopsy device for acquiring a tissue sample is disclosed. The biopsy device comprises a partoff mechanism which can have at least a tab and an actuator. The actuator can be used to control the angle of the tab and thus partoff a tissue sample. The tab may be on a cutter tube, which may have a sharp distal end which may core the samples from the mass of tissue. Multiple tissue samples may be collected.

Abstract: A bio impedance measurement apparatus includes a current applicator configured to provide, to terminals contacting a body, a current based on a first control signal, and a modulator configured to modulate a voltage generated as the current flows through the body, based on a second control signal. The apparatus further includes an amplifier configured to amplify the modulated voltage, and a demodulator configured to demodulate the amplified voltage based on a third control signal.

Abstract: A guidewire comprises an elongate metal core, an inner layer, an optical core, and an outer layer. The metal core is configured to communicate torsional motion from a proximal end of the metal core to the distal end of the metal core. The inner layer extends about the metal core and has a first index of refraction. The optical core is disposed about the inner layer, wherein the optical core is configured to transmit light along the length of the guidewire. The optical core has a second index of refraction, which is greater than the first index of refraction. The outer layer is disposed about the optical core and has a third index of refraction. The third index of refraction is less than the second index of refraction.

Abstract: A hybrid MEMS microfluidic gyroscope is disclosed. The hybrid MEMS microfluidic gyroscope may include a micro-machined base enclosure having a top fluid enclosure, a fluid sensing enclosure and a bottom fluid enclosure. The hybrid MEMS microfluidic gyroscope may include a plurality of cantilevers disposed within the bottom semi-circular portion of the micro-machined base enclosure or a single membrane disposed within the bottom semi-circular portion of the micro-machined base enclosure.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a body, a probe cannula, a cutter, a vacuum source, a tissue sample holder, and a flexible tube. The probe cannula extends distally from the body and defines an internal passage with a side aperture. The cutter is translatable relative to the probe cannula to sever a tissue sample received in the probe cannula. The vacuum source is in communication with the cutter. The tissue sample holder includes a vacuum port on the exterior surface to communicate with the vacuum source and a removable portion to hold solid tissue samples. The removable portion is selectively removable from the tissue sample holder and includes a straining member to separate fluids from solids. The flexible tube couples the tissue sample holder with the body such that the tissue sample holder is flexibly spaced away from the body.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device includes a housing, a needle, a catheter, and a guide wire. The needle has a proximal end positioned in the housing and a distal end extending beyond a distal end of the housing. The catheter is positioned coaxially over the needle, and includes a flexible tube and a catheter hub on a proximal end of the flexible tube. A proximal portion of the flexible tube and the catheter hub are positioned in the housing. the guide wire has a proximal end positioned in the housing and a distal end positioned in a lumen of the needle. The catheter insertion device also includes a handle coupled to the catheter, wherein movement of the handle relative to the housing moves the catheter hub from a position in the housing to a position outside of the housing.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of assembling an intravascular device is provided that includes positioning a first tubular member around a plurality of conductors and a core member; advancing a first of the plurality of conductors through an opening of the first tubular member; positioning a first conductive member around the first tubular member; and electrically coupling the first of the plurality of conductors to the first conductive member. In some embodiments, an intravascular device is provided that includes an insulating member positioned around a plurality of conductors and a core member and a conductive member positioned around the insulating member, wherein at least one of the plurality of conductors extends through an opening in the insulating member and is electrically coupled to the first conductive member.

Abstract: A method of determining a temperature of a patient includes determining that a temperature measurement device is located within at least one of a distance range and an alignment range of a portion of a measurement site of the patient, providing an indication to a user of the device that the device is located within the at least one of the distance range and the alignment range, and determining, with the device, a first temperature of a first location on the portion of the measurement site without contacting the patient with the device. Such a method also includes determining, with the device, a second temperature of a second location on the portion of the measurement site without contacting the patient with the device, wherein the second location is different from the first location. Such a method further includes determining a third temperature of the patient based on the first and second temperatures.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing phlebotomy through a peripheral intravenous line. The apparatus includes an introducer and a catheter configured to advance the catheter through a peripheral intravenous line. A y-adapter with a port of larger diameter is configured to receive the catheter and place in fluid communication with the peripheral intravenous line. When advanced the catheter is configured to transport a bodily fluid (i.e. blood) to a volume outside of the body.

Abstract: A tissue cutting member includes a distal tubular portion having a side wall defining a lumen, a longitudinal axis, and a flared distal section. The flared distal section has an inclined distal tip and an outwardly flared distal tubular portion that defines an inner tissue receiving aperture. The inclined distal tip has a beveled front face with a leading tissue cutting edge and a trailing cutting edge. A single longitudinally oriented opening is in the side wall in the flared distal section which radially opens to the lumen. The longitudinally oriented opening has an open distal end and is configured to extend from a closed proximal end to the open distal end. The closed proximal end has a relief opening with a transverse dimension larger than a transverse dimension of the longitudinally oriented opening adjacent the relief opening. The longitudinally oriented opening diverges to intersect the trailing cutting edge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biopsy device comprising a needle extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a channel extending there through. At least one section (6) of the needle (3) is provided with a curved shape so that tissues that normally would be out of reach of conventional needles can be targeted.

Abstract: A probe system includes a finger-mountable housing having a distal end and a proximal receptacle end. The proximal receptacle end defines an opening to receive a finger. The probe system also includes a probe assembly disposed on or within the finger-mountable housing and having at least a first sensor. The first sensor is positioned to measure a physical characteristic of a first tissue when the finger-mountable housing and probe assembly are inserted in a rectum of the patient.

Abstract: The device for screening for bioactive materials using the visual recognition of animals according to the present invention includes: an accommodating member (100) in which animals administered with a candidate bioactive material are accommodated; an imaging member (200) which captures images of the animals; and a detecting member (300) which reads the images in order to detect the visual recognition reactions of the animals. According to the method of the present invention for screening for bioactive materials using visual recognition of animals, the animals are administered with the candidate bioactive material, and the visual recognition reactions of the animals are detected.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to receiving bodily fluid through a device opening. In one aspect, the device includes a flow activator arranged to cause fluid to be released from a subject. A deployment actuator may actuate the flow activator in a deployment direction, which may in turn cause fluid release from a subject. The flow activator may also be moved in a retraction direction by a retraction actuator. In one aspect, the device may include a vacuum source that may help facilitate fluid flow into the opening of the device and/or may help facilitate fluid flow from the opening to a storage chamber. In one aspect, a device actuator may enable fluid communication between the opening and the vacuum source and the flow activator may be actuated after the enablement of fluid communication.

Abstract: The present invention includes a device and method for measuring skin elasticity that comprises: a probe, wherein the probe comprises one or more holes, a vacuum source, a pressure sensor, and one or more proximity sensors aligned about the one or more holes; and a processor for recording the deformation of the skin using a control unit comprising a microcontroller connected to the proximity and the pressure sensors, wherein the proximity sensor and the processor is adapted to automatically initiate a test when the sensor is positioned at a pre-determined distance from the skin, wherein a vacuum in the probe is capable of pulling skin into the one or more holes and the proximity sensor is capable of measuring an amount of skin drawn into the one or more holes to determine an elasticity of the skin.

Abstract: The present invention includes a device and method for measuring skin elasticity that comprises: a probe with one or more holes, a vacuum source, a pressure sensor, and one or more infrared or optical proximity sensors aligned about the one or more holes, wherein the probe further comprises a raised area surrounding the one or more holes; and a processor for recording the deformation of the skin using a control unit comprising a microcontroller connected to the one or more infrared or optical proximity sensors and the one or more pressure sensors, to measure an amount of skin drawn into and out of the one or more holes to determine the distance between the one or more proximity sensors and the skin both inside and outside the probe.

Abstract: Devices are provided to automatically access blood from beneath or within skin. These devices include an injector configured to drive a needle into the skin and subsequently to retract the needle from the skin. These devices additionally include a seal to which suction is applied. To drive the needle into the skin, the needle is first driven through the seal, creating at least one hole in the seal. The suction applied to the seal acts to draw blood from the puncture formed in the skin by the needle, through the at least one hole in the seal, and to a sensor, blood storage element, or other payload. These devices can be wearable and configured to automatically access blood from skin, for example, to access blood from the skin at one or more points in time while a wearer of a device is sleeping.