Abstract: A method of monitoring a patient's foot forms a thermogram of the sole of at least one foot of the patient, and determines whether the thermogram presents at least one of a plurality of prescribed patterns. The method also compares the thermogram against a prior thermogram of the same foot, and produces output information indicating the emergence of an ulcer on a given portion on the at least one foot as a function of 1) whether the thermogram is determined to present the at least one pattern, and 2) the comparison with the prior thermogram, which shows non-ulcerated tissue at the given location.

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 amplifiers are not adversely affected by the stimulation waveform and can provide for successful sensing of physiological signals between stimulation waveform pulses. A blanking switch may be used to blank the stimulation waveform artifacts where the blanking switch is operated in a manner synchronized with the stimulation waveform so that conduction in the sensing path is blocked during the stimulation pulse as well as during other troublesome artifacts such as a peak of a recharge pulse. A limiter may be used to limit the amplitude of the sensed signal, and hence the stimulation artifacts, that are passed to the amplifier without any synchronization of the limiter to the stimulation waveform.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for collecting cells from a body lumen are described. The system may include a cell collection device and a capsule configured to releasably retain the cell collection device. The cell collection device may comprise a plurality of distinct regions, each region comprising one or more material properties. In some instances, at least one material property of at least one distinct region differs from at least one material property of at least one other distinct region. The distinct regions may comprise different materials or may comprise the same material where at least one of the distinct regions is mechanically or chemically altered to yield the at least one differing material property.

Abstract: A laser system for use in an environment is disclosed. The laser system may include a base unit including a laser, a controller operatively coupled to the laser, and a first antenna operatively coupled to the controller. The laser system may further include a laser energy delivery system having a first end which receives laser energy from the laser and a second end which delivers the laser energy to the environment. The laser system may further include a switch unit located remote from the base unit and including a switch controller, a second antenna operatively coupled to the switch controller, and a user operable switch. The switch unit may be connected to the base unit through a tether. The controller may determine when the laser energy is provided to the laser energy delivery system based on a signal from the switch unit, the signal being sent wirelessly to the controller from the second antenna of the switch unit to the first antenna of the base unit.

Abstract: An intraosseous needle set is provided for penetrating a target area. The intraosseous needle set includes a cannula having a first end, a second end, and a bore. The bore may accommodate an intraosseous device, such that the intraosseous device and the cannula are operable to penetrate the target area. The bore has a length extending from the second end of the cannula through the first end of the cannula. The bore has a first cross-section with a substantially constant diameter along a majority of the length and extends from the second end of the cannula toward the first end of the cannula. The bore has a second cross-section along a minority of the length and extends from the first end of the cannula toward the second end of the cannula. The second cross-section may have a different shape than the first cross-section.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for performing tissue removal and analysis based on the in-situ optical analysis of tissue and of liquid collected from the tissue region. In one example embodiment, a tissue removal and analysis probe includes an elongate tissue removal device, an optical fiber, and a fluid fillable conduit, where distal ends of the optical fiber and the conduit are in communication with an external region that is adjacent to a distal functional portion of the tissue removal device. The results of optical analysis one of both of external tissue and collected fluid may be employed to determine whether or not tissue removal is to be carried out. Various devices may be interfaced with the conduit for optical analysis of the collected fluid. In one example embodiment, the tissue removal device may be movable relative to the optical fiber and conduit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device and method for controlling a solenoid valve of a portable medical device. The portable medical device comprises a power source; an electrically actuated valve, a control unit for regulating at least one of a control voltage and a control current for actuation of the valve, and at least one inertial sensor for detecting and transmitting motion signals representative of external motions applied to the portable medical device. The control unit is configured to regulate the at least one of the control voltage and the control current of the valve as a function of the motion signals of the at least one inertial sensor.

Abstract: The invention provides device for needle biopsy having a novel delivery handle system for interchangeably delivering needles of various sizes to a biopsy site. The delivery handle system is adjustable in length and includes a proximal slideably disposed over a middle handle member, the middle handle member is slideably disposed over a distal handle member. The proximal handle member includes an inner hub housing component configured to interchangeably receive a needle subassembly that can be inserting into and withdrawn from the proximal handle member. The needle subassembly includes a needle of a plurality of different sizes, a needle luer, a needle hub coupled to a proximal end portion of the needle, and a needle protector subassembly. The needle protector subassembly includes a needle protection hub configured to receive the distal end of a needle.

Abstract: A method is provided for continuously monitoring pressure ulcer risk for a patient positioned on a support surface. The support surface has an associated pressure sensing device for sensing instantaneous pressure at the support surface. The method includes acquiring pressure data from the pressure sensing device to generate a two-dimensional instantaneous pressure (IP) map indicative of instantaneous pressure at locations of the support surface. The method further includes acquiring a body position model using the two-dimensional IP map, where the body position model includes body parts that are respectively mapped to locations on a pressure ulcer risk map. An accumulated risk is determined in associated with each body part. The pressure ulcer risk map is displayed in accordance with the accumulated risk. Further, a current body position model is compared to a previous body position model to detect a position change of the patient on the support surface.

Abstract: In accordance with disclosed embodiments, there are provided systems, methods, and apparatuses for integrating a body joint rehabilitation regimen with a wearable movement capture device operable in conjunction with a cloud based computing environment. For instance, a wearable apparatus for monitoring activity of a body joint such as knee or elbow for monitoring rehabilitation and recovery after surgical procedures and after injury to the joint is disclosed. Such a wearable apparatus includes a wearable harness in which a first portion of the wearable harness includes an proximal strap to be positioned proximal to the body joint and in which a second portion of the wearable harness includes a distal strap to be positioned distal to the body joint, in which the wearable harness is positionable upon a patient's body at the body joint without occluding a surgical site of the patient.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for coordinated laser delivery and imaging during an interventional procedure. A method may include activating an imaging source to provide a pulsed imaging signal and activating a laser source to provide a pulsed laser signal while the imaging source remains activated. The method may include coordinating the pulsed laser signal and the pulsed imaging signal to output each pulse of the pulsed laser signal and each pulse of the pulsed imaging signal in non-overlapping time windows. A system may include a controller in communication with the laser source and the imaging source for coordinating the output of the laser signal and the imaging signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices and processes for monitoring attributes of a user's physical activity (e.g., workout) or inactivity, and to user interfaces (e.g., an activity indicator) for displaying the same. In some examples, a device determines whether physical activity corresponds to a first type based on a first set of criteria, and whether physical activity corresponds to a second type based on a second set of criteria. In some examples, the device controls an inactivity timer that measures user's inactivity. In some examples, the device displays a first visual representation of an attribute or amount of a first type of physical activity, and a second visual representation of an attribute or amount of a second type. In some examples, the device displays a third visual representation of an attribute or amount of a third type of activity. In some examples, the third visual representation corresponds to user's inactivity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for monitoring a physiological parameter of a player(s) from a larger group of players engaged in a contact sport. The system includes a helmet having a protective outer shell and an internal padding assembly, a portable signaling device, and a reporting unit positioned within the helmet. The reporting unit includes a sensor, a wireless transmitter and a control unit. The reporting unit has a flexible configuration to enable removable positioning within the helmet's internal padding assembly while maintaining overall comfort and fit of the helmet. The method involves monitoring impacts sustained by the specific player; computing impact results and comparing impact results to at least one impact-related threshold; defining an alert event when an impact result surpasses a predetermined threshold value; sending an alert from the reporting unit to the signaling device; and providing an impact assessment protocol on the signaling device.

Abstract: A system includes a wearable sensor device including an accelerometer configured to be worn by a person and to record sensor data during an activity performed by the person; an analysis element configured to receive the sensor data from the wearable sensor, determine sensor orientation data of the wearable sensor during the activity based on the sensor data, translate the sensor orientation data of the wearable sensor to person orientation data of the person during the activity, determine, for the person during the activity, (a) a lift rate, (b) a maximum sagittal flexion, (c) an average twist velocity, (d) a maximum moment, and (e) a maximum lateral velocity, and determine a score representative of an injury risk to the person during the activity based on such data; and a tangible feedback element configured to provide at least one tangible feedback based on the score so as to reduce the injury risk.

Abstract: A process for the determination of the cross-sectional area and volume of an object including the steps of a. Providing a container having a closed bottom, an open top, a side wall, a tap at a reference height, b. Providing a flowable medium having a surface in the container, c. Providing at least one measuring means for measuring a height of the surface of the flowable medium in the container relative to the reference height, d. Providing an object having a vertical Z-axis relative to the X,Y plane of the surface and positioning the object in the container, the object being at least partly submerged in the flowable medium, e. Providing calculating means for calculating the cross-sectional area and/or volume of the object in the X,Y plane relative to a position on the Z-axis, f. Opening the tap in the container to allow the flowable medium to flow out of the container, g.

Abstract: An assembly for sampling bodily fluid, the assembly comprising a membrane penetration device comprising a membrane penetrating element for penetrating a bodily membrane to release a bodily fluid; and, a collector configured in a collection position to take up the released bodily fluid and retain the fluid for delivery to a test element.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) exhaust valve-based impact attenuating fluid filled cell for use in cushioning impact and decelerating of a wearer's body portion (e.g. head, shoulder, torso, etc.) after an impact. In combination with the use of accelerometers, pressure sensors, location and other electronics supply signals to a microcontroller, the controlled opening/closing of said exhaust valve (resulting in the expelling of said fluids with an optional combination with cell refill means) when certain parameters exceed a threshold.

Abstract: A device for measuring an angular difference in a range of motion of the arms of a patient comprises a gripping bar, a housing, and an angle-determining assembly comprising a weighted needle and a compass. When the patient raises her arms to their unassisted physiological limits, the device indicates an angle that represents the angular difference in the range of motion between the arms of the patient.

Abstract: The finding that patients with Sjögren's syndrome exhibit a statistically significant increase in expression of BMP6 in the salivary gland relative to healthy control subjects is described. Also described is the finding that overexpression of BMP6 in the salivary glands of mice results in an increase in electrical potential across the salivary gland. Thus, methods of diagnosing a subject as having Sjögren's syndrome, or at risk for developing Sjögren's syndrome, by measuring the level of BMP6 expression in a salivary gland of a subject, measuring electrical potential in a salivary gland of a subject, or both, are disclosed. Also described are methods of treating a subject with Sjögren's syndrome by administering an agent that inhibits expression of BMP6 expression or activity. Further disclosed is the use of XIST and MECP2 as diagnostic and therapeutic targets for male Sjögren's syndrome patients.

Abstract: A wearable patch includes a first portion comprising a first material, a second portion comprising a second material different from the first material, a first temperature sensor disposed proximate a first surface of the patch, and a second temperature sensor disposed proximate an additional surface of the patch.