Abstract: A biological information monitoring system (100) configured to monitor biological information of a subject (S) on a bed (BD) includes at least one load detector (11, 12, 13, 14) provided below the bed or legs of the bed and configured to detect a load of the subject on the bed, a waveform calculation unit (31) configured to calculate a waveform indicating a temporal variation in a detected value of the at least one load detector in accordance with respiration or a heartbeat of the subject, and a biological information calculation unit (32) configured to calculate a respiration rate or a heart rate of the subject by using the waveform.

Abstract: A triaxial acceleration sensor and a triaxial angular rate sensor are mounted on each of the lower limb portions on both sides of one joint among joints constituting a part of one lower limb of a subject. The acceleration and angular rate of each lower limb portion are measured by the triaxial acceleration sensor and triaxial angular rate sensor while the subject is walking. The orientations of each lower limb portion while walking are calculated on the basis of the measured acceleration and angular rate. A three-dimensional model including the motion trajectory of one joint is constructed by linking the lower limb portions in the calculated orientation to each other. The angle formed by the acceleration vector of one joint when the heel strikes the ground to the movement trajectory in the sagittal plane is calculated as a gait parameter.

Abstract: An automatic biopsy gun is described, the gun comprising a body and a needle cantileverly extending from the body. The needle comprises a stylet provided with a collecting hollow to collect a tissue sample, and a cannula in which the stylet is slidingly housed so that the collecting hollow can come out of the cannula and go back in it with a guillotine effect. The gun further comprises a pushing member to push the cannula and a pushing member to push the stylet, both being movable in the body between a forward position and a rearward position in order to slide the stylet with respect to the cannula. Elastic countering means counter the pushing members which are loaded by driving means operable by the user. Advantageously, pushing members are guided by inner guides that are inside the gun body and the guide of the cannula is closer to the needle than the guide of the stylet.

Abstract: Devices and systems have a sensor probe configured to measure tissue oxygen saturation in the intestine or mesentery. The devices and systems can determine the oxygenation state of the entire thickness of the intestine or mesentery. Embodiments of the invention also include methods for inducing a temporary ischemic period in an intestine or mesentery tissue and analyzing changes in oxygen saturation of the tissue during the temporary ischemic period or during a recovery phase. The devices, systems, and methods can be applied in diagnosing intestinal ischemia in a patient, as well as in monitoring tissue oxygen saturation of the intestine or mesentery during or after a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Devices and systems have a sensor probe configured to measure tissue oxygen saturation in the intestine or mesentery. The devices and systems can determine the oxygenation state of the entire thickness of the intestine or mesentery. Embodiments of the invention also include methods for inducing a temporary ischemic period in an intestine or mesentery tissue and analyzing changes in oxygen saturation of the tissue during the temporary ischemic period or during a recovery phase. The devices, systems, and methods can be applied in diagnosing intestinal ischemia in a patient, as well as in monitoring tissue oxygen saturation of the intestine or mesentery during or after a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A system and method are provided, the system including a monitoring device to monitor sensory data of a patient and to provide a sensory data response thereto, and a control unit configurable to cool or warm circulated fluid through at least one contact pad for thermal exchange with the patient. The monitoring device can be configured to monitor a patient physiological response to a change in temperature of the patient (e.g. pursuant to induced hypothermia therapy), wherein a monitoring signal is provided by the monitoring device. A processor can be provided to process the monitoring signal and provide an output employable by medical personnel. The processor can be programmed to control automatically a temperature of the circulated fluid to cool or warm the patient in different treatment phases in accordance with a predetermined protocol, and process the sensory data signal to provide an output signal indicative of a sensory measurement.

Abstract: A deep body thermometer includes an upper exterior body that is made of a foamed material of closed cells or semi-closed cells having waterproof properties and is formed in a substantially hat-like shape in side view, a lower exterior body that has a peripheral edge in close contact with the upper exterior body, a sticking member that has adhesiveness and one surface of which is stuck to an outer side surface of the lower exterior body, and a wiring substrate that is accommodated in a space defined by the upper exterior body and the lower exterior body. The upper exterior body includes stress relieving portions that extend in the direction intersecting with the direction in which stress generated by external force acts and are smoothly curved with respect to the direction in which the stress acts so as to relieve the stress.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to using detected bladder events for the diagnosis of urinary incontinence or the treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction. A system includes a sensing device comprising a pressure sensor to directly detect a pressure within a bladder. The sensing device is adapted to be located within the bladder. The system also includes a signal processing device to: receive a signal indicating the detected pressure within the bladder; detect a bladder event based the detected pressure within the signal; and characterize the bladder event as a bladder contraction event or a non-contraction event. The characterization of the bladder event can be used in the diagnosis of urinary incontinence or the treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing customized cosmetics according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may manufacture customized cosmetics in consideration of an individual skin characteristic and external environment information by combining a dosage form reference component corresponding to a skin state measured by subdividing a face of a user according to each predetermined region and an auxiliary dosage form reference component corresponding to the external environment information.

Abstract: Polymer catheters and guidewires for use in intravascular surgery, and more particularly polymer catheters and guidewires micro-machined with a micro-cutting machine to provide sufficient flexibility to travel through a patient's vasculature while retaining sufficient torquability to transmit torque from a proximal end to the distal end of the catheter or guidewire, and methods of producing the same.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a fluid reservoir, a flow control mechanism, and an actuator. The housing defines an inner volume and has an inlet port that can be fluidically coupled to a patient and an outlet port. The fluid reservoir is disposed in the inner volume to receive and isolate a first volume of a bodily-fluid. The flow control mechanism is rotatable in the housing from a first configuration, in which a first lumen places the inlet port is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, and a second configuration, in which a second lumen places the inlet port in fluid communication with the outlet port. The actuator is configured to create a negative pressure in the fluid reservoir and is configured to rotate the flow control mechanism from the first configuration to the second configuration after the first volume of bodily-fluid is received in the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides a service based on biometric information. A bioelectrical impedance of a user is measured at a first time point to obtain a first value representing biometric information of the user. At least one processor predicts the biometric information of the user at a third time point subsequent to the first time point to obtain a third value, based on the first value representing biometric information of the user at the first time point and a second value representing the biometric information at a second time point prior to the first time point. The processor calculates a difference between a fourth value representing a target related to the biometric information of the user, input by the user in advance, and the third value. Information regarding a health management service is output based on the difference between the fourth value and the third value.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a fluid reservoir, a flow control mechanism, and an actuator. The housing defines an inner volume and has an inlet port that can be fluidically coupled to a patient and an outlet port. The fluid reservoir is disposed in the inner volume to receive and isolate a first volume of a bodily-fluid. The flow control mechanism is rotatable in the housing from a first configuration, in which a first lumen places the inlet port is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, and a second configuration, in which a second lumen places the inlet port in fluid communication with the outlet port. The actuator is configured to create a negative pressure in the fluid reservoir and is configured to rotate the flow control mechanism from the first configuration to the second configuration after the first volume of bodily-fluid is received in the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: According to some embodiments there is provided a wearable device for breast screening, comprising: at least one breast-contacting member shaped to contact a surface of a breast, the member comprising an array of force applying units and an array of sensors configured for sensing at least one parameter in response to force applied by the force applying units; the force applying units and the sensors disposed on or within the breast-contacting member and positioned to contact a surface of the breast; a memory storing one or more patterns suitable to detect a lump underlying the surface; wherein the pattern comprises a sequence of forces that vary spatially and/or vary in time; a controller configured for: reading data from the memory to control application of force; communicating with the sensors to receive signals associated with the at least one parameter sensed in response to the application of force; and to process the received signals to detect a lump.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to an apparatus for evaluating skin tightening and a method for evaluating skin tightening by using the same, the apparatus comprising: a suction device for suctioning skin by a predetermined pressure for a predetermined time; a height measurement unit for measuring the height of the skin, which is changed by the suctioning; and a skin tightening evaluation unit for evaluating the degree of skin tightening on the basis of the measured height.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a proximal control mechanism having an instrument control surface. The instrument control surface has two openings through which two resilient latch arms can be inserted to engage a fixed latch structure contained within the proximal control mechanism. The fixed latch structure provides two lead-in ramps that force the resilient latch arms onto locking surfaces. The resilient latch arms are contained entirely within the proximal control mechanism when engaged. Inward forces can be applied to two buttons to apply an outward force on the resilient latch arms and release them from the locking surfaces of the fixed latch structure. Each of the two buttons is accessible from one of two opposite outside surfaces of the proximal control mechanism.

Abstract: A sampling system that uses a handheld body that can hold a punch and storage container to receive the punch. A sample identification reader and an item ID reader are used to read ID of the item and punch or storage container. The timing between the taking of a sample and the reading of the item ID and the ID of the punch/storage container may be recorded and if the time is too long the sample may be assigned as being invalid or of high tamper risk.

Abstract: A tubing system for use in a blood sampling-blood pressure monitoring system. The blood sampling-blood pressure monitoring system may include a control valve, a reservoir with a plunger, a sampling site, and a blood pressure transducer for measuring the blood pressure of a patient. The tubing system may comprise: a plurality of flexible tubing sections and a plurality of rigid tubing sections. The plurality of rigid tubing sections and flexible tubing sections may be interlinked with one another between the patient and the blood pressure transducer for the blood pressure measurement of the patient.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a housing, a probe assembly, and an insert aid. The probe includes a biopsy needle unit, a vacuum pressure-generating device, and a flexible connection tube that connects the biopsy needle unit to the vacuum pressure-generating device. The insert aid device has a body that defines a pair of cradles configured to respectively receive the biopsy needle unit and the vacuum pressure-generating device, and configured to orient the biopsy needle unit to lie parallel to the vacuum pressure-generating device in the insert aid device for insertion of the biopsy needle unit and the vacuum pressure-generating device into the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the flow rate of urine, including an encasement, configured to encase components of the apparatus; a receptacle bowl attached to the encasement, configured to be placed over a toilet bowl or seat, and direct fluid through a single point of exit to a fluid flow guide; the fluid flow guide, configured to transfer fluid from the receptacle bowl to an impeller; the impeller, configured to rotate along a rotation axis, wherein the impeller includes a plurality of blades, configured to receive the urine from the flow guide, and thereby rotate the impeller at a speed correlating with the flow rate of the urine; and an angular velocity sensor, configured to produce electric signals that correlate with the angular velocity or angular position of the impeller.