Abstract: An energy transfer system includes a spinal implant having one or more antennae, and the spinal implant is configured to be positioned within a spinal area of a patient, and a relay device configured to be positioned within the patient between the implant and the skin of the patient when implanted. The relay device is configured to receive energy from a reader device located externally to the patient and convey at least a portion of the received energy to the one or more antennae of the spinal implant.

Abstract: A wireless stethoscope provides a method of listening, recording and diagnosis of heart, lung, abdominal, vascular and other visceral organs sounds in place of a standard stethoscope. Simultaneous transfer of data occurs from the wireless stethoscope to an earpiece and a computing device, or an electronic medical records system, for recording, transmitting and analyzing information obtained from physical examination to provide a provisional diagnosis. A digital membrane portion has the capability to transmit sounds and subtle vibrations. The device measures acoustic transmissions that may include airborne transmission, impact transmission and flanking transmission. The device is capable of transmitting sound directly through an earbud port or to provide analog data for digital conversion and transmission of digital information. Further, the device includes sound wave control and noise reduction. The device can be switched from a bell to a membrane mode.

Abstract: A blood pressure measurement device according to one aspect includes: a blood pressure measurement unit configured to measure blood pressure at a measurement target site of a measurement target subject; a pulse transit time measurement unit configured to measure a pulse transit time at the measurement target site of the measurement target subject; a blood pressure value calculation unit configured to calculate a blood pressure value, on the basis of measurement results of the pulse transit time and a relational expression representing a correlation between the pulse transit time and the blood pressure; a posture instruction unit configured to instruct the measurement target subject to assume a plurality of postures in which height positions of the measurement target site with respect to a heart of the measurement target subject are different from each other; and a calibration unit configured to calibrate the relational expression, on the basis of the blood pressure measured by the blood pressure measurement u

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring pulmonary edema and/or pulmonary congestion are based on changes in impedance parameters that are indicative of lung impedance of a patient. Early detection of changes in the status of a patient pertaining to pulmonary edema and/or pulmonary congestion may be especially beneficial for heart failure patients. Quantification is based on differentials, e.g. within a span of 24 hours, of one or more lung impedance parameters.

Abstract: A sweat collection device includes a flexible body having a first, outwardly facing surface and a second, skin-facing surface, and a sweat collection channel formed in the body, the sweat collection channel having a first end defining a sweat inlet port, and a second end defining a sweat outlet port. The sweat inlet port and the sweat outlet port are configured to be closed and sealed such that the sweat collection device and the collected sweat therein may be stored and shipped.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described to obtain and analyze one or more gas samples from the breath of a person, and organizing the samples in a sample registry for subsequent analysis. This technique solves the various problems that are associated with targeting an individual breath for analysis, and allows for additional versatility and options in the analysis process.

Abstract: An implantable device for sensing intravascular pressure, the device comprising a bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator arranged to be deflected by changes in intravascular fluid pressure to provide a pressure dependent sensing signal and an acoustic reflector arranged to separate the BAW resonator from the intravascular fluid and to mediate pressure from the intravascular fluid to the BAW resonator wherein the acoustic reflector comprises a layer structure arranged to provide a series of transitions in acoustic impedance between the intravascular fluid and the BAW resonator.

Abstract: Described herein is a fluid collection unit comprising: a receptacle for passively collecting a fluid sample; and a fluid flow path in fluid communication with the receptacle, the fluid flow path passing through the unit for directing the fluid sample from the receptacle to an opposing end of the unit.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing an air leak in a lung compartment of a patient may include: advancing a diagnostic catheter into an airway leading to the lung compartment; inflating an occluding member on the catheter to form a seal with a wall of the airway and thus isolate the lung compartment; measuring air pressure within the lung compartment during multiple breaths, using the diagnostic catheter; displaying the measured air pressure as an air pressure value on a console coupled with the diagnostic catheter; and determining whether an air leak is present in the lung compartment based on the displayed air pressure value during the multiple breaths.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an apparatus, method and system for monitoring respiratory state. The apparatus includes an airflow sensor configured to monitor an exhalation flow of a subject, and a controller configured to determine whether the subject is experiencing an apnea according to the monitored exhalation flow and issue an alarm signal in response to determining that the subject is experiencing an apnea. Thereby, health problems caused by apnea are avoided.

Abstract: A dressing assembly for providing a warning to a patient or caregiver that the patient needs attention. The dressing assembly is adapted to be applied to or near a surface of the patient's body and generate electrical outputs corresponding to soft tissue pressure and other health characteristics sensed at the surface. The dressing assembly includes a pocket formed therein for removable, secured and protected insertion of a variety of different sensors such as multiple pressure sensors.

Abstract: A sleep position trainer (1) has a normal operational mode for alerting when a posture of the body detected by the position sensor (34) corresponds with an undesired body posture. The sleep position trainer further comprises a non-movement timer (t1) for timing a non-movement period of the user wearing the sleep position trainer. An output signal is send to an alert unit in case that a posture of the body detected by a position sensor (34) corresponds with a body posture when a threshold value of the non-movement timer (t1) of at least 15 minutes is exceeded.

Abstract: An optical fiber guidewire according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one optical fiber and a sleeve surrounding the optical fiber. The sleeve includes a functional section, a guiding section and a supporting section that are connected in sequence. An asymmetric structure is provided on the sleeve itself or the surround of the sleeve along the optical fiber. Therefore, the optical fiber guidewire provided in this disclosure has good bending performance and operability, and thus can be easily manipulated, readily enters a body cavity with a larger opening angle, and achieves self-guidance and flexible detection of the optical fiber guidewire in the body cavity, thereby improving the effect of minimally invasive interventional treatment.

Abstract: A medical sampling device is disclosed for use with a medical device having a suction channel and a suction connector in fluid communication with said suction channel. The sampling device includes a suction inlet for connection to the suction connector, a suction outlet for connection to a vacuum source, a sampling inlet and outlet for connection to a sample container, and a valve including a valve member having first and second chambers and being rotatable between first and second positions. The first chamber in the first position establishes fluid communication between the suction inlet and the sampling inlet. The second chamber in the first position establishes fluid communication between the sampling outlet and the suction outlet. One of the first and the second chambers in the second position establish fluid communication between the suction inlet and the suction outlet.

Abstract: A pulse sensing module used in a blood pressure measuring device attached to the skin to allow at least one of systolic pressure Psystolic, diastolic pressure Pdiastolic, and blood pressure variation to be measured according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a piezoelectric layer that includes a piezoelectric material for generating a piezoelectric effect due to a pulse and a protective layer that is applied to the piezoelectric layer to protect the piezoelectric layer, allows a poling process of applying a high voltage to the first electrode line and the second electrode line formed on the piezoelectric layer to improve the polarity of the piezoelectric material, and has an opening for allowing a portion of the first electrode line and a portion of the second electrode line to be exposed.

Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly and passively powering and/or interrogating an implanted stent using a touch probe assembly through a near-field electrical connection not over an air interface. The stent apparatus includes at least one stent member functioning as an antenna and an electronics module coupled to the at least one stent member. Also, a wirelessly and passively powered power meter for use with implanted stents. The power meter includes an electronics module coupled to a stent member, wherein the electronics module includes a programmable oscillator structured to generate an oscillating signal that is proportional to an amount of AC power received by the implantable stent apparatus power meter through the stent member.

Abstract: Provided are conformable devices to measure subdermal fluid flow and related methods. A soft, stretchable and flexible substrate supports a thermal actuator and various specially positioned temperature sensors. A microprocessor in electronic communication with sensors calculates subdermal fluid flow from the measured upstream and downstream temperatures, as well as various application-dependent parameters. Devices and methods provided herein are particularly useful for measuring cerebral spinal fluid in a ventricular shunt placed for treatment of hydrocephalus.

Abstract: A kit for urine collection is disclosed. The kit comprises a clip; a collector device comprising a connector portion configured for receiving the clip, a holder portion configured for receiving a sponge; and a stopper portion; a tube configured to receive the collector device; and a cap configured to be inserted onto an open end of the tube and seal the tube and simultaneously receive an end of the collector device into a recess disposed inside the cap.

Abstract: A pulse wave signal is registered and an occurrence of human limb movements detected during sleep using a pulse wave sensor and an accelerometer. The values of RR intervals and respiratory rate are measured at preset time intervals ?ti based on pulse wave signal. Mean P1, minimal P2, and maximal P3 values of RR intervals, the standard deviation of RR intervals P4, average respiratory rate P5 and average number of limb movements P6 are determined based on the above measured values. Function value F(?ti) is determined thereafter as: F(?ti)=?K1P1?K2P2?K3P3+K4P4+K5P5+K6P6, where K1-K6 are weight coefficients characterizing the contribution of the corresponding parameter to function value F(?ti); whereat the onset and termination of sleep phase favorable to awakening is determined by increments of function F(?ti).

Abstract: A method of monitoring respiration with an acoustic measurement device, the acoustic measurement device having a sound transducer, the sound transducer configured to measure sound associated with airflow through a mammalian trachea, the method includes correlating the measured sound into a measurement of tidal volume and generating at least one from the group consisting of an alert and an alarm if the measured tidal volume falls outside of a predetermined range.