Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering and/or receiving a substance or substances, such as blood, from subjects. In one embodiment, devices and methods for receiving blood from a subject employ devices including a substance transfer component (such as one or more microneedles), and a storage chamber having an internal pressure less than atmospheric pressure prior to receiving blood. In certain embodiments, substances may be received from and/or delivered to the subject with relatively little pain. The pain may be assessed, for example, using pain scales such as the WONG BAKER FACES Pain Scale. The device may be self-contained, applied to the skin, and activated to receive blood from the subject. The device, or a portion thereof, may be processed to determine the blood and/or an analyte within the blood using sensors or agents in the device or an external apparatus.

Abstract: An acoustic sensor is configured to provide accurate and robust measurement of bodily sounds under a variety of conditions, such as in noisy environments or in situations in which stress, strain, or movement may be imparted onto a sensor with respect to a patient. Embodiments of the sensor provide a conformable electrical shielding, as well as improved acoustic and mechanical coupling between the sensor and the measurement site.

Abstract: Aspects of an apparatus and method for detecting movement of an object includes a base and a projection member extending between a first second ends, wherein the first end is attached to the base. Further included is a support member at the second end of the projection member, and a guide wire carried by the support member and having a substantially fixed length, wherein the guide wire is movable between a first position and a second position in conjunction with movement of an object. Also included is a sensor located a substantially fixed distance along a path of the guide wire from the support member, wherein the sensor detects movement of the guide wire between the first second positions. Additionally included is a feedback unit in communication with the sensor, wherein the feedback unit is configured to generate feedback corresponding to the detected movement.

Abstract: A device and method for collecting a urine sample from a neonate is provided. The device is attached to the neonate shortly after birth and removed after the neonate produces a urine sample. An interior shell and an exterior shell form the device, and an absorbent material is located inside the interior shell to absorb the urine sample. The interior shell and the exterior shell are connected by a hinge and are initially in a nesting position, with the exterior shell on top of the interior shell. After the urine sample is absorbed by the absorbent material, the exterior shell is rotated around an axis defined by the hinge to contact and compress the absorbent material to release the urine sample for collection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for taking a liquid bone marrow sample (aspiration) and a solid bone sample (biopsy) in the same procedure, which can thus replace specialized needles for taking bone marrow and needles exclusively used for taking bone biopsies. The device for taking liquid bone marrow samples and a solid bone sample has a simple mechanism that uses two grooved clamps, it is easy to disassemble for sterilization and its handle is designed to perform the puncture easily. The needle of the device is hollow, and within it a guide is placed with two sections of different diameters. The guide makes it possible to open up the empty needle channel to allow the bone marrow liquid to flow and be extracted, and also to close the channel to be able to penetrate the tissue. The purpose of this invention is to combine the procedures of bone marrow aspiration and bone biopsy, thus reducing the patient's discomfort and the time needed for the procedure.

Abstract: A spinal aspiration apparatus 10 is described that includes a needle 11 that has a shape suitable for the location of and penetration through a pedicle pathway of a vertebra 1. The distal end portion of the spinal aspiration apparatus 10 includes a plurality of apertures that are in fluid communication with a lumen 24 of needle 11. The size and angular orientation of the apertures are constructed using the principles of fluid mechanics to create separate and distinct harvest volumes of bone marrow 4 within a body 2 of vertebra 1. A proximal end portion 14 of needle 11 includes an external interface 17 that is adapted to provide a fluid tight coupling with an external source of reduced pressure. A handle 16 is connected to proximal end portion 14 that aids in the manipulation of needle 11.

Abstract: Acoustic impulses from a muscle are converted into an electrical signal with a transducer such as a piezo film microphone, and analog or digital signal processing circuitry determines the density of self-similar spectral components of the signal and generating an output signal representative of the contractile force of the muscle based upon the density of the self-similar spectral components. The circuitry is used to determine self-similar spectral components of the signal and the density of those components, and the density is used to provide an output signal filtering. Different embodiments use combinations of filtering, Fourier analysis and correlation or auto-correlation. The self-similar spectral components may be pre-determined or determined through signal processing. The output signal may be used to calculate muscle contractile force, fatigue or other muscle conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for hearing tests are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method determines a set of candidate audiograms for a user. In one embodiment, the method includes estimating the slope of hearing level of a user. The method also includes estimating a pure tone average for the user based on the answers of the user to a questionnaire. The gender of the user is also determined. The gender, estimated slope, estimated pure pone average of the user are used to estimate the most possible audiograms from a set of predetermined candidate audiograms. A hearing aid is programmed based on the estimated audiograms for the user. The programmed hearing aid has several settings, each based on the estimated audiograms, for the user to choose from.

Abstract: A device for needle biopsy is presented. The device includes a handle member having proximal and distal portions. A proximal handle member is disposed to the proximal portion of the handle member and a distal handle member is disposed to the distal portion of the handle member. A sheath lumen is disposed within the handle member and extends from the distal portion of the handle member. A needle housing member is partially disposed to the proximal portion of the handle member and a needle is disposed within the sheath lumen. A plurality of protrusions is disposed upon the needle. A needle protection member is partially disposed to the distal portion of the needle housing member. The needle protection member includes a needle protection hub and a needle protection shaft.

Abstract: A device for reducing traumatic brain injury comprises a first sensor, a first linkage element, and a processing element. The first sensor is coupled to a head component and configured to measure an acceleration of a user's head as a result of an impact on the head component and to generate corresponding first sensor measurements. The first linkage element is configured to connect the head component to a body component and is able to switch between a first state in which it is relatively flexible and a second state in which it is relatively rigid. The first linkage element is switched from its first state to its second state by a locking signal. The processing element is configured to receive the first sensor measurements and to generate the locking signal when a value of the first sensor measurements is greater than or equal to an injury level.

Abstract: An arrangement for collecting a tissue or stool sample has a sample vial and a source of preservative fluid. A fluid valve controls a flow of the preservative fluid from the source of preservative fluid to the sample vial. An air equalization vent tube is coupled to the source of preservative fluid and an air valve controls a flow of air through the air equalization vent tube, the air valve and the fluid valve being actuated simultaneously. A scoop for collecting the sample is coupled to the sample vial coupler and extends into the sample vial. The preservative fluid flows from the source of preservative fluid to the sample vial by force of gravity upon actuation of the fluid valve. The air equalization vent tube transfers air from the sample vial to the source of preservative fluid upon actuation of the air valve.

Abstract: A force transducer comprises a handle operably connected to a probe having an elongate tip. The force transducer includes a biasing element arranged with respect to the handle, in force transmitting communication with the probe, and a detector operable to detect a degree of force applied between the probe and the handle. The force transducer further includes an actuator operable to exert a force on the biasing element in dependence upon the degree of force detected by the detector so as to cause a predetermined force to be transmitted from the handle to the probe.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus combine patient measurement data with demographic or physiological data of the patient to determine an output that can be used to diagnose and treat the patient. A customized output can be determined based the demographics of the patient, physiological data of the patient, and data of a population of patients. In another aspect, patient measurement data is used to predict an impending cardiac event, such as acute decompensated heart failure. At least one personalized value is determined for the patient, and a patient event prediction output is generated based at least in part on the personalized value and the measurement data. For example, bioimpedance data may be used to establish a baseline impedance specific to the patient, and the patient event prediction output generated based in part on the relationship of ongoing impedance measurements to the baseline impedance. Multivariate prediction models may enhance prediction accuracy.

Abstract: An object is to provide a blood collection set configured such that a sampling holder and a needlestick-preventive needle cover are more difficult to disengage from each other than conventional. A blood collection set (500) includes a sampling holder (100) and a needlestick-preventive needle cover (200). The sampling holder (100) includes a tubular body (110), a lid (130), and a fitting portion (140) having a circumferential rib as a rib portion and a catching portion. The needlestick-preventive needle cover (200) includes an engaging portion (250) that is engageable with the catching portion of the sampling holder (100).

Abstract: A method of measurement of or mapping the distribution of complex permittivity, complex conductivity, complex impedance, or electric loss angle during magnetic resonance imaging or analysis. The method includes applying a time-varying electric field of a Faraday shield to a sample and cross-correlating the line spectrum signal so produced with the voltage applied to the Faraday shield in a detection circuit. The method permits non-contrast magnetic resonance screening for breast cancer in vivo and/or continuous measurement of electrical characteristics of materials at variable frequencies in vitro. A system of detecting and evaluating sample pathology includes a Faraday shield device that includes parallel electrodes oriented orthogonal to the static magnetic field of a MRI device to produce a time varying electric field. A detector is coupled to the MRI device to detect at least one of a complex permittivity, a complex conductivity, and an electrical impedance of the sample.

Abstract: An interactive virtual care system may include a user sensory module to acquire multi-modal user data related to user movement. A data analysis module may compare the multi-modal user data to predetermined historical user data and/or statistical norm data for users to identify an anomaly in the user movement.

Abstract: Objectively identifying an acoustic characteristic of tinnitus of a subject. The subject is exposed to a sound pattern having a background acoustic signal preceding an audible silence. The background acoustic signal has a selected acoustic characteristic. An electrical response of the subject's central nervous system to the exposure to the sound pattern is measured. The measured electrical response has a first portion representing the electrical response of the subject's central nervous system to the background acoustic signal, and a second portion representing the electrical response of the subject's central nervous system to the audible silence in the sound pattern. The first portion of the measured electrical response is compared to the second portion of the measured electrical response and a determination is made as to whether the subject has tinnitus with an acoustic characteristic similar to the selected acoustic characteristic based on the comparison.

Abstract: An article suitable for conducting one or more assays with an apparatus, e.g., a meter, for determining the presence or concentration of an analyte in a sample of biological fluid. The article contains a plurality of biosensors arranged in such a manner that each of the biosensors can be utilized before the article must be removed from the apparatus.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus for acquiring, processing and transmitting physiological sounds may include a sensor for acquiring physiological sounds. Analog signals representative of the physiological sounds are converted into an electrical output. The electrical output is converted to digital data. A processing unit processes the digital data. The digital data is transmitted over a wireless network.

Abstract: A biopsy device for harvesting tissue samples from a body of a living being, e.g. in percutaneous aspiration biopsy, includes an outer needle and a sample-receiving device for receiving a severed tissue sample, the sample-receiving device being movable in the hollow needle. The device includes a transport device for moving the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle, the transport device comprising a bendable elongate element, such as a steel wire, a toothed wire made from e.g. a plastics material or a Bowden cable capable of pushing and pulling the sample-receiving device in distal and proximal directions, respectively. A coiling device is provided for the bendable elongate element. The bendable elongate element and the coiling device may be included in a disposable unit, which is attachable to a hand-held unit including a motor for driving the transport device. Orientation means are provided for appropriately orienting the sample-receiving device with respect to the hollow needle.