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.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sample collection apparatus. The sample collection apparatus includes a self-sampling pad and a cell fixing container, wherein the sample collection pad includes a filter unit, the structure and material of which are such that cells, viruses and DNAs contained in vaginal secretions can be efficiently absorbed and attached to the filter unit and can be efficiently detached from the filter unit in a cell preserving solution after the filter unit is removed and put into the cell preserving solution. Thus, the filter unit includes at least one adsorbent layer which is formed of a hydrophobic material having low fineness and high resilience.

Abstract: A position sensing apparatus includes a position sensor, a voltage/current detector, and an alarm. The position sensor is coupled to the body part and includes a capsule, and first and second electrodes. The capsule has an interior volume configured to contain a liquid with a first density, and a contact member having a second density different from the first density. The first and second electrodes are fixed to the capsule to define a sensor meridian that is coupled to a tilt angle of the body part, with each electrode having a distal portion in the interior volume of the capsule, and the distal portions being configured to form a circuit with the liquid or the contact member. The voltage/current detector is configured to detect a change in a state of the circuit, and the alarm is configured to respond to the voltage/current detector.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting and reducing bruxism is described. The method includes the placement of a pressure resistive (or piezoelectric) sensor on the skin above the temporalis muscle in order to detect grinding of the teeth based on movement of the temporalis muscle. Alternatively, a pressure resistor could be used in the ear. The pressure resistive sensor could be made of carbon-impregnated polyolefin. Once bruxism is detected, a patient is notified and uses bio-feedback to curtain the grinding of the teeth.

Abstract: A medical device that includes an outer tube assembly that includes a straight outer tube, an inner tube assembly that includes a straight inner tube disposed within the outer tube, and at least one interference member on the outer tube assembly and at least one interference member on the inner tube assembly. The inner tube and the outer tube are configured to rotate relative to each other to resect tissue at a distal end of the inner and outer tubes. The interference members are configured to prevent a force exerted along a longitudinal axis of the inner tube from separating the inner and outer tubes without rendering the medical device unusable.

Abstract: A method for measuring motions of a thumb and fingers, which can relatively easily measure angles at joints of a thumb and fingers within a limited space of the thumb and fingers, using a system that may be lightweight and compact enough not to hinder a natural motion of a hand. To this end, the method measures motions of a thumb and fingers of a user who wears a glove, and includes: attaching first ends of first and second flexible wires to positions of the glove respectively corresponding to middle and proximal phalanxes of each finger; connecting second ends of the first and second flexible wires to a sensing module so that the first and second flexible wires can move forward and backward while maintaining tension thereof in accordance with a motion of the finger; and by the sensing module, measuring moved distances of the first and second flexible wires, wherein rotary angles at corresponding joints in the thumb and fingers are calculated based on the measured moved distances.

Abstract: A guide wire configured for intravascular insertion includes a core wire having a flattened portion configured to allow the core wire to preferentially bend in at least one plane that passes through a longitudinal axis of the core wire. A distal most end of the flattened portion is spaced from a distal most end of the core wire. The guide wire may further include a sensor element configured to measure a physiological variable in a living body and a coil surrounding a portion of the core wire.

Abstract: An eye-movement determination method includes providing an a touch display and a memory that stores an image that includes a point of interest, wherein the image is a stored image, and repeatedly executing a set of steps. The steps include determining a position of a contact point, locating a corresponding position in an image that is displayed on the touch display, generating a degraded image from the stored image, displaying the degraded image on the touch display, and recording successive positions of the contact point. The contact point is a point at which a user contacts the touch display. The degraded image is substantially identical to the stored image with a clear zone but degrades beyond the clear zone.

Abstract: A wearable paper-based platform with simultaneous passive and active feedback for monitoring perspiration is provided. The sensor platform comprises two modules: a disposable wicking-based sweat collection patch with discrete colorimetric feedback, and a reusable electronic detachable module for active feedback. The disposable patch comprises a hygroscopic wicking material laminated between two polymeric films. The wicking material is patterned with a radial finger design that offers discretized visual readout of the sensor. The active module attaches to the film and alerts the user when the film collects a pre-determined volume of sweat. The multi-feedback system allows high-performance athletes who value objective quantification of perspiration to better assess their sweat loss during physical activities.

Abstract: A balloon assembly for an anorectal manometry catheter may include a three-part tube and a balloon mountable on the tube. The three-part tube may include a flexible proximal connection tube (PCT), a flexible distal connection tube (DCT), and a semi-flexible transfer tube that is interposed between and connected to each of said PCT and said DCT. The balloon may have a first opening connected to a first end of the transfer tube and a second opening connected to a second end of the transfer tube which is opposite the first end of the transfer tube. The three-part tube may be configured to be slidable along and over a catheter in a first direction, with the DCT slid first. The three-part tube may also be configured to be slidable over the catheter in the opposite direction such that the PCT is folded onto itself and completely contained in the transfer tube.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting deceptive intent of a subject include observing eye movements of the subject and correlating the observed movements to known baseline neurophysiological indicators of deception. A detection system may record eye movement data from the subject, compare the eye movement data to a data model comprising threshold eye movement data samples, and from the comparison make a determination whether or not the subject is lying. The detection system may create an alert if deception is detected. The eye movements detected include saccadic and intersaccadic parameters such as intersaccadic drift velocity. Measurements may be collected in situ with a field testing device, such as a non-invasive, non-contact device attached to the subject's computing device and configured to non-obtrusively record the eye movement data.

Abstract: A smart toilet capable of monitoring excrement and urine comprises a toilet bowl, a toilet seat, a telescopic lifting device, an excrement sample collection device, an excrement specimen preprocessing device, an excrement sample detection and analysis device, a telescopic lighting and photographing device, and a smart terminal. The whole process of bowel movement can be monitored to observe the general characteristics of the excrement and the presence or absence of parasites or eggs and to weigh the excrement, thereby realizing the automatic collection of an excrement sample and the pretreatment of the excrement specimen to provide convenience for the hospital users.

Abstract: A forceps is provided that includes a housing defining an internal passageway and a longitudinal axis, first and second jaws slidably and pivotably connected to the housing, a first connection member having a first end pivotably attached to the first jaw, a second connection member having a first end pivotably attached to the second jaw; and a driver pivotably connected to the other ends of the first connection member and the second connection member, wherein the jaws have an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein longitudinal movement of the driver in a first direction rotates the first and second jaws relative to the housing from the open configuration towards the closed configuration, wherein longitudinal movement of the driver in the first direction also moves the first and second jaws longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the housing from the open configuration towards the closed configuration.

Abstract: A system having a chest piece for fitting to human skin, a receiver unit and a distant server; said chest piece encapsulates a sound transducer for acquiring raw sound data for being communicated as data signal; said receiver, in operation, is in communication with said chest piece; said receiver is a portable device having a display unit and data processing ability, and is further connectable to a local data network or global internet; said distant server comprises computer coded instructions which, in operation, processes said data signals, stores medical information and communicates said data signals and/or medical information with at least two recipients, the recipients are able to communicate information.

Abstract: A biopsy device handle having a biased firing mechanism activated by side and rear triggers. The firing mechanism has a longitudinally sliding deflecting portion including a post. The post is disposed within a channel and retained by a catch. The deflecting portion deflects transversely when transverse force is applied to a transverse face by the side trigger or when a longitudinal force is applied to an inclined face by the rear trigger to release the post from the catch.

Abstract: A medical needle comprising a flat puncturing part having front and back surfaces that are parallel to each other, wherein the puncturing part comprises a pair of side-surface inclined parts and provided at tips of respective side surfaces and a front-surface inclined part provided at a tip of the front surface, the pair of side-surface inclined parts and the front-surface inclined part each extend in an inclined manner relative to a puncturing direction so as to be tapered, and the tip of the front-surface inclined part adjoins a blade edge part formed by adjoining the tips of the pair of side-surface inclined parts and a depression is formed in the front surface of the puncturing part so as to partially indent the pair of side-surface inclined parts and the front-surface inclined part.

Abstract: A method of determining a condition of bone structure in a living organism includes impacting a bone to induce vibration in multiple modes having a resonance frequency in a range of about 400 Hz to about 1000 Hz, detecting at least one modal vibration response of the bone for the at least one mode of vibration, and analyzing the at least one modal vibration response to determine a modal vibration characteristic of the bone. A system for determining a condition of bone structure in a living organism includes a force input device configured to impact a bone to induce vibration having a resonance frequency of about 400 Hz to about 1000 Hz, at least one sensor configured to sense at least one modal vibration response, and a computer configured to collect modal vibration response data and analyze the modal vibration response data to determine a vibration characteristic of the bone.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a disposable negative-pressure anterior chamber Paracentesis syringe which belongs to the technical field of medical supplies. It comprises nine parts, including a needle cap, a Paracentesis syringe, a needle base, an internal needle, a protective cover of the internal needle, an airlock, a needle tube, a collection tube and a collection tube rack. The invention has the advantages that it fixes the Paracentesis syringe during puncture and limits the depth of the needle insertion, releases the aqueous humor slowly to prevent a sudden drop of the intraocular pressure, reduces the risk of the intraocular infection by separating the anterior chamber from outside and the collection tube can collect and store the aqueous humor directly.

Abstract: A system, an apparatus, and a method for measuring muscle stiffness in a predetermined joint of an individual are provided. The system and apparatus comprises a measuring unit and a processing unit. The measuring unit is configured to be applied to a body segment of the predetermined joint. The processing unit is configured to: receive a plurality of data sets from the at least one measurement device, analyze the plurality of data sets for one or more indications of an elicited stretch reflex, and calculate a muscle stiffness score. The muscle stiffness score is based on at least a difference between a first stiffness and a second stiffness. The first stiffness is determined from the first subset, and the second stiffness is determined from the second subset.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method and apparatus for testing vital capacity. The method comprises: measuring a static pressure P0 of a pressure hole inner cavity of a mobile device; wherein the pressure hole is communication with the exterior and is purposely disposed on the mobile device or is an already-designed opening; obtaining an air pressure P(t) at each moment by blowing air towards the pressure hole; obtaining an air flow speed v(t) corresponding to each moment according to a correspondence relation formula between the air flow speed v(t) and a pressure differential P(t)?P0; and obtaining vital capacity Vc of the subject according to a correspondence relationship between a measurement time t and the air flow speed v(t).