Abstract: In a method for examining the faculty of hearing for at least one ear of a mammal, in which growth curves are determined on the basis of the measurement of DPOAE's evoked by pairs of excitation signals (f1, f2) for different excitation frequencies f2, the ear is presented with first excitation signals with a first excitation frequency f1 and a first noise level L1 and secondary excitation signals with a second excitation frequency f2 and a second noise level L2. Pulse pairs with a first pulse of the first excitation signal and a second pulse of the second excitation signal are presented in the ear, and the DPOAE's evoked thereby are captured and evaluated. A set of at least two different pulse pairs with different second excitation frequencies f2 is presented in one block that is repeated several times during a measuring period.

Abstract: A device for fine needle aspiration comprising: an inner tubular member; an outer tubular member disposed around the inner tubular member, wherein the outer tubular member comprises a plurality of slots; an outer housing disposed around the outer tubular member; a biasing member disposed between the outer tubular member and the outer housing. The device also comprises a rod coupled to the inner tubular member, where the rod extends through the outer tubular member and the rod is configured to be moved from a first slot in the plurality of slots to a second slot in the plurality of slots.

Abstract: Wrist-worn devices and related methods measure a pulse transit time non-invasively and calculate a blood pressure value using the pulse transit time. A wrist-worn device includes an accelerometer, a photo-lethysmogram (PPG) or a pulse pressure sensor, and a controller. The PPG or the pulse pressure sensor coupled to the wrist-worn device for detecting an arrival of a blood pressure pulse at the user's wrist. The controller is configured to process output signals from the accelerometer to detect when the blood pressure pulse is propagated from the left ventricle of the user's heart, process a signal from the PPG or the pulse pressure sensor to detect when the blood pressure pulse arrives at the wrist, calculate a pulse transit time (PTT) for propagation of the blood pressure pulse from the left ventricle to the wrist, and generate one or more blood pressure values for the user based on the PTT.

Abstract: A sleep monitoring system (10) for monitoring the sleep of a pair of subject comprises a pair of CO2 sensors (21,21?) for mounting in different sleeping regions within a space (1) and a processor (31) communicatively coupled to the pair of CO2 sensors. The processor is adapted to, for each CO2 sensor in a particular sleeping region, monitor (203) a CO2 concentration from sensor data produced by the CO2 sensor in said particular sleeping region to detect a presence of a subject in said sleeping region; to register (207) the monitored CO2 concentration upon detecting (205) said presence; to determine (303) a degree of crosstalk between said CO2 sensors upon detecting said presence; and to derive (305, 313) sleep pattern information for said subject from the registered CO2 concentration during said presence as a function of the determined degree of crosstalk, wherein the sleep pattern information comprises at least an indication that the subject is awake and an indication that the subject is asleep.

Abstract: System and methods for acquiring and processing myoelectrical data from the gastrointestinal tract of a patient are provided. In various embodiments, the systems and methods monitor the motor activity of a patient recovering from surgery to detect a resumption in gastrointestinal motility. In some embodiments, the systems and methods enable proper post-operative ileus in the patient. In some embodiments, the systems and methods allow researchers or clinicians to determine the efficacy of one or more therapies intended to encourage gastrointestinal motility. In some embodiments, the systems and methods enable clinicians to predict and facilitate the proper timing of discharge from a healthcare facility following surgery.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a fall detection device and method. One or more motion sensors can access a user's acceleration data. The acceleration data can be segmented using a segmentation algorithm to identify a potential fall event. The segmentation algorithm can determine a cumulative sum of the acceleration data, where the cumulative sum is based on acceleration values being greater than or less than an acceleration threshold value, and a potential fall event can be identified where the cumulative sum is greater than a cumulative sum threshold value. Statistical features can be extracted from the segmented acceleration data and aggregated, and a determination can be made as to whether the potential fall event is a fall event based at least in part on the statistical features.

Abstract: A neurological condition detection unit can include a computer device that is connected to at least two leads that are connectable to a patient for evoking a response from that patient via an electrical current passed through the leads (e.g. a shock) and at plurality of sensors connected to the computer device to sense how the left side and right side of the patient's brain reacts to the evoked event (e.g. the shock). The stroke detection device and/or neurological condition detection unit can be configured to output a warning when one side of the patient's brain is determined to react differently than the opposite side of the patient's brain by at least a pre-selected threshold value. The warning can include an identification of a nearby care facility that may be best suited for providing care to a patient determined to have a neurological condition (e.g. a stroke).

Abstract: A wearable thermometer patch includes a substrate and a temperature probe unit mounted in the substrate and configured to measure temperature of a user's skin. The temperature probe unit includes a force sensor configured to measure contact force between the temperature probe unit and the user' skin, a plate, a first temperature sensor attached to a lower surface of the plate, and a second temperature sensor attached to an upper surface of the plate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring phase dynamics and other properties (e.g. intracranial pressure) are disclosed. For example, the system may generate a reference waveform and a measurement waveform using digital synthesizers, each waveform having an identical constant frequency but also a relative phase shift. Next, system may send a tone-burst, via a transducer, into a sample (e.g. a skull or a bonded material), and then receive a reflected tone-burst in response. Then, a phase difference between the received tone-burst and the measurement waveform may be determined with a linear phase detector. Next, the phase shift of the measurement waveform may be adjusted, by the determined phase difference, such that there is no longer any phase difference between the received tone-burst and the adjusted measurement waveform generated by the appropriate digital synthesizer. A similar adjustment may occur after subsequent tone-bursts, allowing accurate monitoring of continuously variable phase relationships.

Abstract: A system for recording, processing, and monitoring biosignals is provided, the system being configured to suspend data acquisition whenever an electric surgical tool or other generator of high frequency interference is in use. Such a system may protect the hardware of the system and reduce or eliminate the acquisition of distorted signals. The system of some embodiments includes an amplifier system configured to detect the presence of high frequency interference. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A length measurement device includes a tape portion (10) which is provided with a plurality of electrode pads (100a, 100b, 101a, 1010b, . . . ) arrayed thereon and is used in a state being wound around a measuring object, an impedance acquisition unit that selects any pair of electrode pads from a plurality of electrode pads and acquires electrical impedance between the pair of electrode pads, and a length calculation unit that calculates a length between the pair of electrode pads, based on a change in impedance of the pair of electrode pads.

Abstract: A surgical forceps includes a housing having one or more shafts attached thereto and an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another. At least one jaw member is moveable from an open position to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaw members include at least one sensing component that determines an output of one or both of cross-sectional diameter and composition of tissue disposed between the jaw members. A processing component is configured to receive the output and determine a seal pressure for adequately sealing tissue disposed between the jaw members based upon the output. A regulating component regulates the movement of the jaw members between the first and second positions such that the determined seal pressure is applied to tissue disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A soft tissue biopsy or material collection device may comprise a work element consisting of an outer tube with external sheath and formed from a tapered helical structure over an internal tube structure configured to open and close its distal end to perform penetration, coring, capturing, parting off and transporting multiple material samples in a single or multiple insertion procedure.