Abstract: A surgical or laparoscopic method of treating obesity of a patient using a device adapted to stretch a portion of the stomach wall of said patient. The method comprising the steps of: cutting a hole in the abdominal wall of said patient, dissecting an area around the stomach, placing said device in contact with the stomach, and fixating, direct or indirect, through invagination of the stomach wall, said device to the stomach wall such that said device can stretch a portion of said stomach wall.

Abstract: A catheter system can include a first catheter having an elongated body that defines a lumen, and a second catheter slidably disposed within the lumen of the first catheter. The second catheter can include an acoustic device. The acoustic device can create a sound for verifying the location of the second catheter within a body lumen. The distal end portion of the second catheter can include a pre-formed bend that extends at a non-zero angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the first catheter. In some embodiments, the second catheter can be used to aspirate a substance from a body lumen.

Abstract: One embodiment having features of the invention is directed to a guide block for an MRI device which has a block body with a proximal face, a distal face, and four parallel passageways extending between the two faces. The first passageway is centrally disposed, the second passageway is disposed vertical or horizontal to the first, the third passageway is located diagonal to the first and has a longitudinal opening in fluid communication with the first passageway, and the fourth passageway is diagonal to the first and in an opposite side of the body from the third passageway. In an alternative embodiment the guide block has at least one passageway that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for determining the position of an esophageal catheter that is inserted into the esophagus of a patient, the catheter having a number of electrodes, muscular activity of the diaphragm is stimulated by applying a stimulus signal that produces a myoelectrical signal in the diaphragm having a well-defined peak at a specific point in time. The myoelectrical signal is detected by respective pairs of electrodes of said catheter, and the electrode pair or pairs that detected the signal having the highest amplitude at the specific point in time is identified. If this electrode pair or these electrode pairs that detected the signal with highest amplitude are not located approximately at the middle of the catheter, an indication is emitted that the position of the catheter should be adjusted.

Abstract: An impedance analyzer includes: a control voltage generating unit for generating a control voltage that has a predetermined amplitude value; a measuring unit operable to provide an output current, which has an amplitude value corresponding to that of the control voltage, for flowing through first and second body portions of a biological target, and to generate a measurement voltage that has an amplitude value corresponding to a difference between voltages at the first and second body portions attributed to flow of the output current therethrough; and a calculating module operable to determine an electrical impedance between the first and second body portions according to a predetermined adjustment value and the amplitude value of the measurement voltage.

Abstract: An information processing method includes the following steps: applying a pattern matching process on the body motion signal information, and extracting rhythm cycle candidate waves which are rhythm cycle candidates related to the rhythmic motion; performing ?1 or more times integration on the body motion signal information to obtain a motion trajectory, and performing coarse-graining on the motion trajectory to produce an auxiliary wave; superimposing the rhythm cycle candidate waves which are extracted in the process of extracting the cycle candidate waves, on the obtained auxiliary wave, and selecting a cycle of a rhythm cycle candidate wave which has a peak in the auxiliary wave, as a true cycle; and finally obtaining a result of the processing.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and kits for monitoring the status of women's health, including HRT monitoring and determination or diagnosis of ovulation, contraception, pregnancy, menopause, polycystic ovarian disease, and female sexual dysfunction. The method comprises the steps of: (a) collecting a tear fluid from a female human; (b) determining the tear concentration of at least one hormone of relevance to female fertility, sexual differentiation or sexual dysfunction in a female human, wherein the tear concentration is diagnostics of the status of women's health.

Abstract: A urethra gauge for measuring an inner size of a urinary tract. The gauge permits a clinician to measure the size of the urethral lumen (proximal to an outer orifice of the urethra) before a catheterization is performed. Selecting a properly-sized catheter for insertion into a patient by measuring the size of the urethral lumen before performing a catheterization is believed to reduce: (1) catheter-associated-urinary-tract infections; (2) urethral injuries due to inserting a catheter that is too large for the urethra; and/or (3) leakage associated with catheters that are too small for a particular patient.

Abstract: A mechanical amplification device includes a three-dimensional knitted material and foam bodies and laminated in the periphery of the three-dimensional knitted material. A mechanical amplification device provided with a film is disposed between the three-dimensional knitted material and the foam bodies and is provided, and a vibration sensor is attached to this mechanical amplification device. Micro vibration on the body surface caused by a human biological signal is propagated to the foam bodies, the film, and the three-dimensional knitted material, and membrane vibration is generated in the foam bodies and the film, while string vibration of a fiber is generated in the three-dimensional knitted material. As a result, the biological signal such as heart rate, respiration, atrial and aortic vibrations and the like can be accurately transmitted.

Abstract: A heart size measuring tool includes a tubular body, a flexible measuring cord having length indicia, a measuring cord support mechanism movable between retracted and extended states with respect to the body, and an actuating mechanism to move the measuring cord support mechanism. When in the retracted state the measuring cord support mechanism is positioned within the tubular body with the measuring cord in a collapsed position. When the measuring cord support mechanism is in the extended state the measuring cord extends around a portion of a heart to be measured. A scale on the body can be used in connection with the indicia on the measurement cord to provide a reading of the heart size.

Abstract: A method of detecting the presence of a sacral nerve in a human subject includes providing an electrical stimulus within an intracorporeal treatment area of the human subject; detecting a physical response of at least one of an external sphincter of the bladder and an external sphincter of the anus; and providing an indication to a user if the detected physical response corresponds to the provided electrical stimulus.

Abstract: A toothbrush comprising: a body comprising a handle and a head; a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from the head; an oral member coupled to the body, the oral member comprising a water-soluble material; a reservoir in the body; and a fluid pathway in the body, the fluid pathway in fluid communication with the oral member.

Abstract: An extravascular system is disclosed. The system includes a body, a septum, a septum activator, and a blood sampling device. The body has and inner lumen extending therethrough. The septum is disposed within the inner lumen. The septum activator is disposed within the inner lumen proximal the septum. The septum activator has an inner passage extending therethrough. The blood sampling device has a tube that is longer than a length of the septum activator and has a width less than or equal to a width of the inner passage of the septum activator. An interior of the tube is in fluid communication with a reservoir within the blood sampling device. A vent is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The vent passes air but not blood therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-contact photoplethysmographic (PPG) pulse measurement device, and oxygen saturation and blood pressure measurement devices using the PPG pulse measurement device. The PPG pulse measurement device includes a sensing unit including at least two light emitting units for emitting light into a human body without making direct contact with skin, and a light receiving unit for sensing reflected light. A signal separation unit separates output of the sensing unit into a ripple component and a ripple-free component. A microprocessor unit monitors the ripple-free component and compares the ripple-free component with a DC signal value. A luminance adjustment unit adjusts luminance of the light emitting units. A filter and amplification unit eliminates noise from the ripple component. An A/D conversion unit converts output of the filter and amplification unit into a digital signal. A signal transmission unit transmits output of the A/D conversion unit.

Abstract: There is provided a fall detection and/or prevention system, comprising one or more sensors for detecting characteristics of movement of a user of the fall detection and/or prevention system and for generating corresponding signals; processing means for analyzing the signals from the one or more sensors using a fall detection algorithm to determine if a fall has taken place or is likely to take place; wherein the processing means is further adapted to update said fall detection algorithm based on the result of the analysis of the signals and an indication whether a fall has actually taken place from the user or a third party.

Abstract: A pedometer that records the number of steps over a defined period of time and a moment sensor that records the moments experienced by a prosthesis are used in a networked computer environment to assess the functional activity level and instability of a lower limb amputee. The networked environment may include a user computer and a server computer in communication through the Internet. Both the user computer and the server computer include a functional assessment tool and a stability assessment tool. The tools on the user computer and server computer cooperate in assessing the activity level and the instability of a lower limb amputee. The server computer may further host a Website and a secure online database that provides support to the user including the managing of clients and their medical records.

Abstract: A medical device is provided having reduced penetration force. The device includes a body having a central hollow channel and a piezoelectric transducer received within and secured to the body. The piezoelectric transducer has a hollow portion concentric with the central hollow channel. A tubular member is associated with and in communication with the piezoelectric transducer. The tubular member has at least one open end formed concentric with the central hollow channel and the hollow portion of the piezoelectric transducer, wherein the transducer is adapted for vibrating at a frequency to produce an oscillating displacement of the tubular member.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for measuring and displaying the magnitude of traction forces applied to a patient's lower limbs during surgery, and for measuring the direction and magnitude of counter-traction forces applied to the patient's body by the perineal post located at the patient's groin to oppose traction forces applied to the patient's lower limbs.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating the tongue strength of a subject during a sucking event includes an insert positioned within a nipple element to provide an output in response to deformation of the nipple element during a sucking event. The output is at least one of resistive force exerted against the subject's tongue and movement measurement of deformation force exerted on the nipple element during the sucking event. The apparatus is configurable to evaluate nutritive sucking (NS) or non-nutritive sucking (NNS) capabilities of the subject. The insert may be a sensing device, a compliance element, an intermediate device or a combination of these. A coupling device is configured to position the insert relative to the nipple element and/or to receive output from the insert. A method includes evaluating tongue strength of a subject during NS or NNS and using inserts providing increasing levels of resistive force to exercise the subject's tongue.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may include an adapter which is capable of converting signals from an oximeter sensor such that the signals are readable by an oximeter monitor. In an embodiment, the adapter is capable of converting signals relating to calibration information from the oximeter sensor. The calibration information may relate to wavelengths of light emitting diodes within the oximeter sensor. In a specific embodiment, the adapter will convert wavelength calibration information in a first form relating to data values stored in a digital memory chip to a second form relating to a resistance value of an expected resistor within the oximeter sensor.