Abstract: A probe for intermittent contacting a patient body with a predetermined speed and force. Initially, the probe is recessed inside the device which is brought in contact with the patient body, while keeping the probe from making a contact with the patient. On a command from an operator or control circuit, the probe is deployed moving toward the patient body surface with a substantially consistent force and rate of motion, thus making a contact in a consistent fashion.

Abstract: A walking shoe that senses a fall and urges a user of the shoe to perform movement for fall prevention. When the walker stumbles or almost falls, a microprocessor is activated, based on a sensing signal of a pressure-sensitive sensor that senses a pressure applied to a tread to detect a lifting velocity and/or a lifting amount of the foot based on a detection signal of an acceleration sensor, and when the lifting velocity and/or the lifting amount is lower than a reference value, the microprocessor actuates a stimulator that stimulates a bottom of the foot. At this time, since the user reflexively lifts the foot, the user can avoid stumbling.

Abstract: A tissue penetrating system has a housing member. A plurality of penetrating members are positioned in the housing member. A tissue stabilizing member is coupled to the housing. A penetrating member sensor is coupled to the plurality of penetrating members. The penetrating member sensor is configured to provide information relative to a depth of penetration of a penetrating member through a skin surface.

Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a body, a needle, and a cutter operable to sever tissue protruding through a lateral aperture of the needle. A vacuum pump is in fluid communication with the cutter. A fluid pump is in fluid communication with the needle. A fluid pump actuation assembly is operable to actuate the fluid pump to deliver a bolus of fluid to the needle based on movement of the cutter. A valve assembly responsive to cutter movement is operable to selectively couple the needle with the fluid pump, couple the needle with atmospheric air, or seal the needle relative to the fluid pump and atmospheric air. The fluid from the fluid pump and atmospheric air cooperate with the vacuum to urge severed tissue samples proximally through the cutter. Components operable to actuate the cutter and the fluid pump include coaxial lead screws having different pitch diameters.

Abstract: A medical system comprises a medical probe including an elongated probe body, a lumen extending within the probe body, an axially flexible section, and a push-pull member slidably disposed within the lumen. The system comprises a ditherer mechanically coupled to the member for cyclically displacing it axially back and forth within the lumen, such that the ends of the probe body are axially displaced relative to each other via the axially flexible section. The system further comprises a sensor for sensing a force axially applied to the distal end of the probe body. A method comprises introducing a medical probe into a patient, axially dithering the distal end of the medical probe back and forth relative to the proximal end of the medical probe, and sensing a force applied between tissue of the patient and the distal end of the medical probe while the distal end is axially dithered.

Abstract: At least one embodiment is directed to an insert for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The insert can be temporary or permanent. In one embodiment, the insert is prosthetic component for a single compartment of the knee. The insert comprises a support structure and a support structure respectively having an articular surface and a load bearing surface. The height of the insert is less than 10 millimeters. At least one internal cavity is formed when support structures are coupled together for housing electronic circuitry, sensors, and the power source. The cavity can be sterilized through a port. A membrane is between the port and the cavity. A sterilization gas permeates the membrane for sterilizing cavity. The membrane reduces the ingress of solids and liquids to the cavity.

Abstract: An insertion device for taking samples within a body. The insertion device includes a trigger housing, an outer sheath assembly, a sampling device, and a resilient member. The trigger housing includes an interior channel in which the resilient member is disposed to urge the outer sheath assembly away from a proximal end of the trigger housing. The outer sheath assembly is disposed within the interior channel of the trigger housing. The outer sheath assembly includes a body and an outer sheath attached to a distal end of the body. The sampling device is removably disposed within the outer sheath assembly and the trigger housing. The sampling device may be a removable biopsy needle assembly which is used to cock the insertion device. The removable biopsy needle assembly may be removed from the insertion device and be replaced by a needle assembly for fine needle aspiration.

Abstract: A method of operating a biopsy device includes inserting a sampling probe having a first component and a second component into a biological tissue mass, the first component having a sample chamber and a side port that opens to the sample chamber, and the second component having a side opening; generating a vacuum in the sample chamber during a first drive interval; rotating at least one of the first component and the second component of the sampling probe during a second drive interval until the side port of the first component and the side opening of the second component are in radial alignment; and rotating at least one of the first component and the second component of the sampling probe during a third drive interval to sever tissue drawn by vacuum into the sample chamber to deposit a tissue sample in the sample chamber.

Abstract: A biopsy system with a grid plate used as either a lateral or medial compression plate of a localization fixture used with a breast coil includes a rotatable guide cube that may be inserted into a desired rectangular recess in the grid plate after rotating to position a selected guide hole in the desired spatial orientation. Versions of a guide cube include those rotatable in two axes to provide additional hole positions, angled holes, enlarged circular holes that function with a rotating guide to support a noncircular biopsy instrument cannula (e.g., trocar/sleeve combination, core biopsy probe of a biopsy device) for rotation. A rotating guide may have an unlocked state for easily sliding to a selected longitudinal position thereon. Thereafter, the rotating guide is locked to serve as a positive depth stop (e.g., quarter turn locking elastomeric rings, triangular and scissor clips, and shutter depth stops).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and device for separating and collecting a tissue specimen from a target site within a patient. The device includes a probe component which is releasably secured to the driver component. The probe component has an elongated tubular section, a penetrating distal tip and a tissue receiving aperture in the distal end of the tubular section proximal to the distal tip, and a tissue cutting member which is slidably disposed within the probe member to cut a tissue specimen drawn into the interior of the device through the aperture by applying a vacuum to the inner lumen of the tissue cutting member. The driver has drive members for operating the elements of the probe component. The tissue penetrating distal tip preferably has a triple concave curvature shape with three curved cutting edges leading to a sharp distal point.

Abstract: A fat mass measurement apparatus includes an area detection unit that detects a predetermined position in a measurement subject's trunk area and detecting a predetermined area in the trunk area using the detected position; an electrode position setting unit that sets, on the body surface at the predetermined area detected by the area detection unit, a plurality of positions along the vertical direction of the trunk area for measuring the body impedance; an impedance measurement unit that measures the body impedance by bringing the impedance measurement electrodes into contact with each of the plurality of positions that have been set; and an abdominal area fat mass calculation unit that calculates a fat volume at the predetermined area based on the body impedances at each of the plurality of positions measured by the impedance measurement and the size of the trunk area at the predetermined area.

Abstract: Support structures for positioning sensors on a physiologic tunnel for measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters of the body and to produce an action according to the measured value of the parameters. The support structure includes a sensor fitted on the support structures using a special geometry for acquiring continuous and undisturbed data on the physiology of the body. Signals are transmitted to a remote station by wireless transmission such as by electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared, sound and the like or by being reported locally by audio or visual transmission. The physical and chemical parameters include brain function, metabolic function, hydrodynamic function, hydration status, levels of chemical compounds in the blood, and the like. The support structure includes patches, clips, eyeglasses, head mounted gear and the like, containing passive or active sensors positioned at the end of the tunnel with sensing systems positioned on and accessing a physiologic tunnel.

Abstract: A collection container for collecting biological fluid specimens having an integral fill-line indicator which corresponds to a desired specimen volume is disclosed. The integral fill-line indicator may comprise a ridge that is raised from the surface of the collection container. The integral fill-line indicator may also be altered by surface modification to impart a distinct visual appearance and/or texture. The collection container may have a single or a plurality of integral fill-line indicators which correspond to a desired specimen volume range. A method of manufacturing a collection container having an integral fill-line indicator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A core body temperature measurement device includes a plurality of electronic temperature sensors (12, 12f, 12b, 132) operatively coupled with or near a surface (STA, PAA, BTT) having a surface temperature approximating the core body temperature, and a readout controller (10, 48, 68, 90, 124) including a maximum temperature reading selector (14). The readout controller is configured to acquire temperature readings using the plurality of temperature sensors and to output a core body temperature based on a highest usable temperature reading of the acquired temperature readings as determined by the maximum temperature reading selector. A core body temperature measurement method includes: acquiring a plurality of temperature readings at and near a surface (STA, PAA, BTT) having a surface temperature approximating the core body temperature; generating a highest usable temperature reading from the acquired temperature readings; and outputting a core body temperature based on the highest usable temperature.

Abstract: A support assembly is configured to support a biopsy device. The biopsy device has a probe portion coupled with a holster portion. The probe portion may have an integral or removable needle. The holster portion has a mounting recess and a pair of distally extending mounting arms. The support assembly comprises a cradle and a mount. The cradle has a rail that complements the mounting recess of the holster portion. The mount is configured to move longitudinally along the rail. The mount has a pair of recesses that complement the pair of distally extending mounting arms of the holster portion. A cannula support member may be located at the distal end of the cradle. The cradle, mount, and cannula support may collectively support and stabilize the biopsy device in a rigid fashion. The cradle may be coupled with a targeting assembly such as a grid or pedestal.

Abstract: A classification estimating system can include an input element group; an intermediate element group into which are input values of first intermediate variables for which a first multiple desensitization, including an accumulation of values of each input element of a first input element group and each value of a first output sensitivity and each value of a first multiplex output sensitivity, has been carried out and calculated; an output element group into which is input a value of an output variable calculated based on a value of each intermediate element of a first intermediate element group and a value of each connection weight; a classification information estimating module for estimating classification information based on pre-stored correspondence relationship information and a value of the output variable; and a classification information display.

Abstract: A hospital bed includes a force sensor or scale apparatus configured to detect the weight of a patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device (10) for collecting a biological sample, the device comprising an elongate handle (40) extending generally along a handle axis, and a sample collecting head (20) removably supported or supportable on the handle, the head being formed from a porous folded planar or sheet material, optionally including a plurality of arms (22-28 FIG. 2) each extending away from the handle axis in a different direction. An ejection handle is provided. Disclosed also is an efficient method for extracting DNA information from the device.

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: An apparatus for detecting sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, includes a housing insertable into an ear canal of a subject. A sensor disposed within the housing measures a position of the subject's head relative to an axis of gravity. A transducer is responsive to the sensor and is capable of creating a stimulus detectable by the subject under certain conditions. In various embodiments, a controller receives signals corresponding to a pitch angle and a roll angle of the subject's head measured by the sensor, determines if the pitch and roll angles correspond to a sleep apnea inducing position, and causes the transducer to generate a stimulus upon determining that the subject's head is in the sleep apnea inducing position more than a predetermined threshold number of times. Various parameters of the stimulus may be modified with successive stimulus generation until a non-sleep apnea inducing position is detected.