Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, an implantable dielectric compartment including a channel in an outer surface of the implantable dielectric compartment, the channel configured to constrain a portion of an implantable antenna in a specific configuration along the length of the portion of the implantable antenna. In certain examples, the implantable antenna can be configured to wirelessly transfer information electromagnetically at a specified operating frequency provided using the specific configuration of the portion of the implantable antenna.

Abstract: A method of operating a glucose test meter is provided. The method can be achieved by storing a plurality of glucose readings to a first memory of the test meter, each of the glucose readings having a time stamp and an order index, the time stamp comprising a date and a time when the glucose reading was performed, the order index indicating an order in which the plurality of glucose readings was saved to the first memory; determining whether successively saved glucose readings have time stamps in chronological order consistent with the order index; and indicating that the date and the time setting in the test meter is incorrect if there are successively saved glucose readings having time stamps inconsistent with the order index.

Abstract: Ultrasonic catheters and methods for determining and/or monitoring reflux volumes during gastroesophageal reflux events.

Abstract: A system for detecting abnormalities or inconsistencies and a method to utilize the same are provided. In particular, a computer system may be adapted to detect the abnormality or inconsistency within at least a portion of a subject by generating internal impedance data which indicates that an impedance change within the portion of the subject has occurred. For example, the impedance change may be associated with a change in at least one characteristic of a blood vessel within the subject (such as a change in a fluid flow rate within at least a portion of the subject), a change in a fluid volume within at least a portion of the subject, etc. The impedance change also may be associated with the presence of a foreign object within the portion of the subject. In an exemplary embodiment, it is possible to detect the abnormality or inconsistency within the subject by generating a continuous, real time internal impedance map indicating the impedance change within the subject.

Abstract: A closed system mouthpiece uses light and heat generation to activate a gel formulation to increase its volume. The gel formulation is coated into the mouthpiece, which is inserted into the user's mouth. Application of heat above a threshold temperature causes the gel to transform into foam and expand out of the mouthpiece and into the oral cavity. The mouthpiece creates a hermetic seal such that the foam expands out throughout the oral cavity into nooks and crannies that are normally difficult to access. Activation of a light source embedded within the mouthpiece enhances the bacteria killing properties of the foam material. The pH balance of the mouth is restored by the inventive method and apparatus to a neutral level in the range of 6.75 to 7.25.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system may receive a physiological signal such as a photoplethysmograph (PPG) signal. The PPG signal may include a pulsatile component that functions as a carrier signal and an amplitude modulation component that represents respiration information. The patient monitoring system may move the amplitude modulation component to a baseline component of the PPG signal. Respiration information may be calculated based on the amplitude modulation component.

Abstract: A blood glucose sensing system includes a sensor and a sensor electronics device. The sensor includes a plurality of electrodes. The sensor electronics device includes stabilization circuitry. The stabilization circuitry causes a first voltage to be applied to one of the electrodes for a first timeframe and causes a second voltage to be applied to one of the electrodes for a second timeframe. The stabilization circuitry repeats the application of the first voltage and the second voltage to continue the anodic-cathodic cycle. The sensor electronics device may include a power supply, a regulator, and a voltage application device, where the voltage application device receives a regulated voltage from the regulator, applies a first voltage to an electrode for the first timeframe, and applies a second voltage to an electrode for the second timeframe.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for providing continuous measurement of an analyte concentration. In some embodiments, the devices include a membrane that has an interference domain designed to reduce the permeation of one or more interferents.

Abstract: To provide a training apparatus for effective and safe performance of KAATSU training. A training apparatus is made up of a tight fitting band 100, a main device 200, a measuring segment 300, and a control segment 400. The tight fitting band 100 is wrapped around a predetermined region of a limb. The tight fitting band 100 has an air-tight inflatable bag. The compression force applied to the limb can be varied by supplying the air to and removing the air from the inflatable bag. The main device 200 controls the supply and removal of the air into and from the inflatable bag. The measuring segment 300 is attached to the limb around which the tight fitting band 100 is wrapped to measure the magnitude of a pulse wave.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring glucose in a host, including a continuous glucose sensor that produces a data stream indicative of a host's glucose concentration and an integrated receiver that receives the data stream from the continuous glucose sensor and calibrates the data stream using a single point glucose monitor that is integral with the integrated receiver. The integrated receiver obtains a glucose value from the single point glucose monitor, calibrates the sensor data stream received from the continuous glucose sensor, and displays one or both of the single point glucose measurement values and the calibrated continuous glucose sensor values on the user interface.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system for weaning a patient from mechanical ventilation (MV), the system comprising a ventilation device and a controller comprising an interface module configured to receive two or more measured patient parameters, wherein at least one measured patient parameters parameter comprise a CO2 related parameter, wherein said controller is further configured to compute an Integrated Pulmonary Index (IPI) value based on the two or more measured patient parameters and to provide a signal to the ventilation device, based on the computed IPI value, wherein said signal adjusts one or more weaning related parameters in said ventilation device.

Abstract: A blood pressure measurement device includes a cuff, a display, a distance sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a CPU. The display displays a positional relationship between the patient's heart and the device, which includes a flat screen. The distance sensor measures a distance between the device and the patient, and detects a subject to be measured on a line perpendicular to the flat screen of the display and measures the distance. The acceleration sensor measures an angle of inclination of the device when mounted on the patient's wrist. The CPU calculates a positional relationship between the patient's heart and the device based on the distance between the device and the subject to be measured, the angle of inclination of the device mounted on the patient's wrist, the length of the patient's forearm and upper arm, and a vertical distance between the patient's shoulder and heart.

Abstract: An instrument defining instruments proximal and distal ends and positionable with respect to a body valve in the body of a living subject for implanting anchors into living tissue at a predetermined location relative to the body valve. The instrument includes a body. A movement sensor and an effective portion including an anchor implanting mechanism are mounted to the instrument body in the instrument distal end section in a predetermined positional relationship relative to each other. The effective portion positioner is mounted to the instrument body in the instrument proximal end section.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for measuring the electromechanical delay of the heart of a patient. An electrocardiogram (EKG) signal may be used to detect heart electrical activity. Photoplethysmograph (PPG) signals may be used to detect heart mechanical activity. The electromechanical delay may be calculated based at least in part on the timing of an EKG signal and at least two PPG signals.

Abstract: A neuronal recording system featuring a large number of electrodes and a portable wireless front-end integrated circuit for signal processing for low-power spike detection and alignment. The system is configured as a Neuroprocessor and introduces hardware architectures for automatic spike detection and alignment algorithms. The Neuroprocessor can be placed next to the recording electrodes and provide for all stages of spike processing, stimulating neuronal tissues and wireless communications to a host computer. Some of the algorithms are based on principal component analysis (PCA). Others employ a novel Integral Transform. The algorithms execute autonomously, but require off-line training and setting of computational parameters. Pre-recorded neuronal signals evaluate the accuracy of the proposed algorithms and architectures: The recorded data are processed by a standard PCA spike sorting software algorithm, as well as by the several hardware algorithms, and the outcomes are compared.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pulse wave velocity measuring device includes a first sensor, a second sensor, a base body and a calculation unit. The first sensor is configured to sense a pulse wave propagating through an interior of a vessel. The second sensor is separated from the first sensor and is configured to sense the pulse wave. The base body is configured to hold the first sensor and the second sensor and regulate a distance between the first sensor and the second sensor. The calculation unit is configured to derive a difference between a time of the sensing of the pulse wave by the first sensor and a time of the sensing of the pulse wave by the second sensor.

Abstract: A biological information monitor includes: a first measuring unit which measures a pulse wave propagation time of a patient; a second measuring unit which measures a blood pressure of the patient; a calculating unit which calculates an estimated blood pressure value of the patient based on the pulse wave propagation time of the patient; a setting unit which sets a threshold; and a determining unit which compares the estimated blood pressure value with the threshold. The second measuring unit is activated to measure the blood pressure of the patient at least one of at time intervals and at a time when an operator operates the second measuring unit, and the second measuring unit is activated to measure the blood pressure of the patient by the determining unit based on the comparison result.

Abstract: A piezoelectric pump is provided with an actuator containing a piezoelectric element and a vibrating sheet; a first diaphragm, positioned opposite the actuator, with a first connecting hole provided therein; a pump chamber formed by the space between the actuator and the first diaphragm; and a second diaphragm positioned opposite the first diaphragm. The part of the second diaphragm opposite the first connecting hole is provided with an opposing wall portion that prevents a fluid that has been introduced into the pump chamber via the first connecting hole from flowing back towards a suction side via the first connecting hole.

Abstract: Methods of controlling the operation of a device traveling in a body tube tree, including sensing parameters from possible directions of travel and selecting the direction of travel based on the sensed parameters, implemented with a control system located partially or fully on the lumen traveling device. Various actions can be performed by the device for, e.g., medical or therapeutic purposes. Machine-readable media including instructions for performing the methods are also described.

Abstract: A device embodiment is configured to deliver vagal stimulation therapy (VST) to a vagus nerve of a patient. The device embodiment includes a neural stimulator, an implantable pressure sensor, and a pressure analyzer. The neural stimulator is configured to deliver the VST to the vagus nerve in a cervical region of the patient. The implantable pressure sensor is configured to be implanted in the cervical region and to detect pressure changes in the cervical region caused by laryngeal vibrations. The pressure sensor is configured to generate sensed pressure values. The pressure analyzer is configured to analyze the sensed pressure values generated by the pressure sensor. The analyzer is configured to detect laryngeal vibrations or cough from the sensed pressure values.