Abstract: A method for communicating activity-related notifications to a user includes: receiving a record of activity events of a particular activity type performed by the user over a period of time; selecting a first time-based filter from a set of time-based filters; identifying a cluster of activity events in the record of activity events filtered according to the first time-based filter; identifying an early bound and a late bound on start times of activity events of the particular activity type from the cluster; communicating a notification of a first type to the user at a first time within a threshold time of the early bound on a day fulfilling the first time-based filter; and communicating a notification of a second type to the user at a second time within a threshold time of the late bound on a day fulfilling the first time-based filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fitness device comprising a display having plurality of lights that are configured for illumination as fitness intervals are achieved by a user. The fitness device is interchangeable with plural wearable articles. This functional fitness device allows a user to track their steps while at work, shopping, an evening out, or anytime one is on the move, even when it is interchanged between different wearable articles.

Abstract: An Advanced Biopsy Needle is disclosed that provides both fine needle aspiration and core biopsy with a single insertion, thus reducing trauma and pain to the patient. An inner needle for aspiration and an outer needle for core biopsy are in coaxial relation to each other, thus providing both histology and cytology functions with a single medical device and also with a single insertion. Lateral cutting edges along fenestration openings in the outer needle ensure that adequate tissue samples are taken. A syringe is attached to the inner needle for collection of aspirate.

Abstract: Methods for determining structural integrity of a bone within the spine of a patient, the bone having a first aspect and a second aspect, wherein the second aspect separated from the first aspect by a width and located adjacent to a spinal nerve. The methods involve (a) applying an electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone; (b) electrically monitoring a muscle myotome associated with the spinal nerve to detect if an onset neuro-muscular response occurs in response to the application of the electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone; (c) automatically increasing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus to until the onset neuro-muscular response is detected; and (d) communicating to a user via at least one of visual and audible information representing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus which caused the onset neuro-muscular response.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recognizing a gait motion by detecting a landing point in time of a foot of a user based on sensed acceleration information, inferring a gait motion based on right and left hip joint angle information of the user sensed at the detected landing point in time of the foot of the user, and detecting a landing leg between both legs of the user based on the inferred gait motion may be provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a needle assembly for drawing blood. The needle assembly can be a standalone or part of an over-the-needle medical device, such as an intravenous catheter. A blood collection device is attached directly or indirectly to the needle hub of the needle assembly and/or to a catheter hub, such as through a Y-site or adaptor connected to a tubing that is connected to the catheter hub. The needle is configured to access the vascular system to draw blood, which then passes to the blood collection device via the needle lumen, which has a tip having a discontinuity opening, an opening with a movable stem, or a shaft element with a lumen.

Abstract: This invention provides an assay device for testing an analyte in samples, comprising a chamber with an opening for collecting samples, a test element, and a sound indication structure. The indication structure creates sound by vibrating after the structure deforms and would move back to the original position. The assay device is easy to operate for non-professionals.

Abstract: Biopsy devices (10, 10?) for acquiring tissue samples (59). In embodiments, exemplary biopsy devices include a cutter (127), a cannula (13) including a tissue-receiving cavity (42), a vacuum generating mechanism (17) and a tissue cutting mechanism (15). Vacuum generating mechanism draws tissue (47) into tissue-receiving cavity and tissue cutting mechanism cuts a tissue sample (59). Vacuum generating mechanism may provide positive air pressure for tissue sample ejection.

Abstract: Devices and methods provide for the sensing of physiological signals during stimulation therapy by preventing stimulation waveform artifacts from being passed through to the amplification of the sensed physiological signal. Thus, the sensing amplifier is not adversely affected by the stimulation waveform and can provide for successful sensing of physiological signals. A common mode voltage is applied to the stimulation electrodes while sensing during a recharge period where the common mode voltage approximates the stimulation pulse being received at the sensing electrodes. This common mode voltage is determined based on measuring a common mode signal for at least one of the inputs of the amplifier or by deriving the proper common mode from monitoring the output signal of the amplifier to observe the elimination of artifacts during stimulation. Blanking switches may be used to blank the sensing of the peak of the recharge period should that peak be relatively large.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tube with an integrated heating element for laparoscopy. By means of a humidifying material in the interior of the tube, the gas introduced during laparoscopy is heated and humidified.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises one or more sensors that produce one or more signals based on one or more joint motions of an individual, and one or more processing components that employ one or more of the one or more signals to make a determination of a positional change of the individual.

Abstract: An exemplary EMG response detection system may be configured to 1) direct an implantable stimulator to sequentially present a plurality of substantially identical stimulation events to a patient, 2) record a plurality of EMG signals generated by a muscle in the patient and each corresponding to a presentation of a particular stimulation event included in the plurality of substantially identical stimulation events, 3) determine an asynchronous component of each of the recorded EMG signals, and 4) utilize the asynchronous components of the recorded EMG signals to determine whether an EMG response is evoked by the stimulation events.

Abstract: A puncture needle for an endoscope includes a flexible sheath having a longitudinal axis and deformed to be bent by a raising base, a flexible needle tube having a needle tip and a distal opening section and that is movable in the sheath with respect to the sheath, and a stylet having a distal end surface that is able to advance and retreat in the needle tube and protrude and withdraw from needle tube along the longitudinal axis of the sheath, wherein the stylet retracts the needle tip such that the needle tip of the needle tube is separated from an inner surface of the sheath as the distal end surface of the stylet comes in contact with the inner surface of the sheath formed in the bent shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for profiling evoked potentials in brain electrical activity which apply steady state response concepts to analysis of longer latency responses reflective of activity of brain regions beyond the brainstem, up to an including the cortex. The use of repeated stimuli within a single analysis window produces a quasi steady-state response and permits a high-resolution spectral analysis. Response amplitudes were measured at repetition rates from 80 to below 1 Hz, using trains of repeated tone-burst stimuli. An amplitude measure introduced and defined as the harmonic sum was incorporated into the spectral power of the response carried by both the fundamental frequency, and the harmonics thereof. Additionally, time ensemble averaging can be employed to improve signal to noise ratio.

Abstract: A biosignal measurement apparatus according to the present technology includes a voltage supply, a measurement electrode, a resistor, a first amplifier, and a neutral electrode. The measurement electrode is connected to the voltage supply and brought into contact with a living body. The resistor is connected between the voltage supply and the measurement electrode. The first amplifier amplifies a potential between the resistor and the measurement electrode. The neutral electrode is brought into contact with the living body. The object of the invention is to provide a biosignal measurement apparatus capable of measuring a contact resistance with high accuracy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and device for apnea and hypopnea detection. In one embodiment, a method is provided for detecting apneas and hypopneas from a digitized breath sound recording acquired from a candidate suspected of sleep apnea. The method comprises scanning an amplitude profile of the digitized breath sound recording to identify a prospect event segment; evaluating characteristics of the prospect event segment for consistency with one or more preset apnea-specific criteria; classifying the prospect event segment as representative of an apnea upon it satisfying each of the one or more apnea-specific criteria; evaluating the prospect event characteristics for consistency with one or more preset hypopnea-specific criteria distinct from the apnea-specific criteria; and classifying the prospect event segment as representative of a hypopnea upon it satisfying each of the one or more hypopnea-specific criteria.

Abstract: A spring type firing mechanism applied to an endoscope accessory includes a housing, a cap, a bottom cover, a driving module, a buffering module and a spring pipeline, and the spring pipeline includes a push-rod coupled to the sensor, and the driving module includes a firing spring and a restoring spring, and the two springs have different rigidities so as to form a reciprocating structure of the firing mechanism. After the sensor of the firing mechanism is triggered, the resilience of the restoring spring compresses the firing spring back to its firing length, so as to restore its position by a single driving point and allow users to complete the firing operation by one hand and simplify the operation of doctors to improve convenience and efficiency.

Abstract: An electromyography muscle sensing system including a sensor platform and a cloud-based data analysis and storage platform. The sensor platform has an electromyography muscle sensor having sensing electrodes and a signal processing circuit having a sensor output, an analog-to-digital converter having a digital output, a memory, a communications device, a display indicating a status and an indication of CMAP presence, a microcontroller maintaining a record of a current procedure, transmitting in real-time the record, determining if CMAP is being achieved, and displaying a status or indication of CMAP. The data analysis and storage platform has a database, organizes and stores the output data, maintains a history of each procedure, analyzes the output data and defines a successful CMAP outcome, predicts an outcome of the current procedure if the output data correlates with stored output data of a successful CMAP outcome, and real-time communicates the outcome of the current procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one sensor, a connector and a conversion unit. The sensor is coupled to a patient body so as to measure a physiological parameter of the body. The connector coupled to a patient monitor, which measures a value of the physiological parameter by applying a test signal via the connector and measuring a response signal on the connector in response to the test signal. The conversion unit is coupled between the at least one sensor and the connector, and is configured to determine a corrected value of the physiological parameter, to calculate an auxiliary signal that, in combination with the test signal produced by the patient monitor, causes the response signal on the connector to represent the corrected value of the physiological parameter, and to generate and output the auxiliary signal to the connector so as to cause the patient monitor to measure the corrected value.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an analysis circuit and a controller. The analysis circuit may be configured to automatically make a plurality of segmental bioelectrical resistance and reactance measurements using permutations of a plurality of electrodes selected four at a time. The plurality of electrodes are configured to be attached to predetermined locations on a body of a subject. The controller may be configured to (i) calculate a plurality of segmental body composition values using the plurality of segmental bioelectrical resistance and reactance measurements, a number of predetermined coefficients, and a number of predictive equations, and (ii) generate a report presenting the plurality of segmental body composition values and a total body composition value. The number of predetermined coefficients are stored in a lookup table. Each of the segmental body composition values when added sum to a value essentially equal to respective whole body composition values.