Abstract: The thigh adhesion quantitative measurement system is a sensor system for precisely locating fibers and/or bands of connective tissue formed between layers of body tissue, binding the layers together and not permitting them to glide over each other. This bonding is called an adhesion. The present system is designed to determine quantitatively the degree of adhesion and the location of high-pressure adhesion(s) such that medical removal procedures (e.g., liposuction) can be precisely performed. The system makes use of a scanning device having an array of pressure sensors, the scanning device being defined by a flexible plate wrapped by a belt to a patient's limb, such as a thigh. A flexible cable connects the plate to a body-worn transmitter that wirelessly transmits real-time pressure distribution images received from the flexible plate to a computer for use by doctors preparing for the liposuction procedure.

Abstract: A sizing device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent. A microelectromechanical sensor is coupled to the stent, the sensor being capable of collecting information related to the size and stiffness of tissue.

Abstract: Preferably, an embodiment of a vein presentation enhancement device includes at least, an interior cover supporting a first fastening member, and an exterior cover communicating with the interior cover, wherein the exterior cover provides a first securement member that interacts with the first fastening member to secure the preferred device positioned about a limb of a subject. The preferred embodiment further includes a bladder formed between the interior and exterior covers, and an air transfer assembly connected to said bladder for transfer of air into and out of said bladder, wherein said interior and exterior covers collectively provide a plurality of projections defining a blood access window.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for non-invasively measuring blood glucose levels in a biological sample based on spectral data. This includes at least one light source configured to strike a target area of a sample, at least one light detector positioned to receive light from the at least one light source and to generate an output signal, having a time dependent current, which is indicative of the power of light detected, and a processor configured to receive the output signal from the at least one light detector and based on the received output signal, calculate the attenuance attributable to blood in a sample present in the target area and eliminate effect of uncertainty caused by temperature dependent detector response of the at least one light detector, and based on the calculated attenuance, determine a blood glucose level associated with a sample present in the target area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining abnormal gait comprising the following steps: (a) measuring ground reaction force generated during walking by a plurality of sensors arranged on the left-foot and the right-foot respectively; (b) applying measurements from each of the plurality of sensors to a predetermined fuzzy membership function to transform the measurements into the first fuzzy values; (c) applying the first fuzzy values to a predetermined fuzzy logic to generate the second fuzzy values for a plurality of gait phases; and (d) comparing the second fuzzy values with pre-stored data of normal gait to determine whether it is abnormal gait or not. Therefore, it is possible to determine abnormal gait more accurately even with fewer sensors.

Abstract: An improved tissue specimen trapping device for collecting and separating solid particles and materials from body fluids has a porous separator that rests on a shelf-like annular ledge between upper and lower portions of the tissue collection container. At least one tissue collection basket removably disposed in the tissue collection container above the separator shelf has a porous bottom surface to filter tissue specimens from body fluids and has downward projections to the tissue collection basket above the separator shelf to create a space therebetween.

Abstract: Here provided are systems and methods for monitoring bladder and/or abdominal pressures, and a bladder function recovery device. In the systems and methods, the bladder pressure can be detected in real time with a bladder pressure detection unit that is communicated with a urinary catheter. In addition, the abdominal pressure can also be obtained in real time according to the corresponding relationship between the bladder pressure and the abdominal pressure. Furthermore, the bladder function recovery device can be used for bladder function recovery for patients in need.

Abstract: Improved coring devices suitable for articular cartilage and bone, wherein the cutting device is capable of slicing through a tough protective tangential zone, delicately separating the shock absorbing columns of cells in the radial zone of the cartilage, and finally cutting into the hard underlying bone in a manner that preserves the viability of osteochondral cells. The coring device features an annulus having a flat annular cutting edge interrupted by at least one serration having neutral cutting angles. A method for concurrently removing cartilaginous and bony tissue using an improved coring device that preserves the viability of osteochondral cells.

Abstract: The present invention generally pertains to an apparatus and a method for uroflowmetry. Uroflowmetry can generally be defined as the collection and measurement of a patient's urination for the purpose of determining urine flow data that are necessary to analyze the patient's urination by comparing the patient's urine flow data to standardized urine flow data of healthy individuals. The present invention allows medical professionals to non-invasively diagnose a patient's urination by collecting, measuring and computing urine flow data to determine if any medical conditions and symptoms that affect urine flow are present. The within invention is designed and constructed in such a manner as to allow for the collection and measurement of urination to be done quickly, easily and at a reduced cost.

Abstract: A measurement system for acquiring biopotentials is provided, which comprises a sensor device and a processing device, which are electrically connected to cooperate during use. The measurement system may be capable of simultaneous measurement of biopotentials by the sensor device and wireless transmission of amplified biopotentials by the processing device, and may be provided with means for preventing the measurements from being disturbed by the transmissions. Also disclosed are (i) a sensor device for measuring a biopotential having at least one sensor with a measurement electrode for measuring the biopotential at a measurement portion of a body and (ii) a processing device for processing biopotentials that has at least one sensor input for receiving the amplified biopotentials measured by a sensor of the sensor device.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for automated assessment of pruritus comprising detecting movement of a band located on a limb of a subject animal so as to obtain a signal associated with the detection movement, processing the signal associated with the detected movement through an algorithm configured to establish a scratch movement trigger, and translating the processed signal into scratch counts.

Abstract: Embodiments of a guide wire having a dual tip design and methods for using the guide wire.

Abstract: A medical device system and associated method determine an implantable medical device state prior to implantation. An impedance monitoring module monitors for a change in impedance between a pair of electrodes coupled to the impedance monitoring circuit. The system includes an enclosure for carrying the implantable medical device. The enclosure has a surface having an electrical impedance. A control module is configured to detect one of a first pre-implant state and a second pre-implant state of the implantable medical device in response to the impedance monitoring module detecting a change in impedance between the electrodes and adjust operation of the implantable medical device in response to detecting the impedance change.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing external magnetic fields in implantable medical devices are provided. One aspect of this disclosure relates to an apparatus for sensing magnetic fields. An apparatus embodiment includes a sensing circuit with at least one inductor having a magnetic core that saturates in the presence of a magnetic field having a prescribed flux density. The apparatus embodiment also includes an impedance measuring circuit connected to the sensing circuit. The impedance measuring circuit is adapted to measure impedance of the sensing circuit and to provide a signal when the impedance changes by a prescribed amount. According to an embodiment, the sensing circuit includes a resistor-inductor-capacitor (RLC) circuit. The impedance measuring circuit includes a transthoracic impedance measurement module (TIMM), according to an embodiment. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: A medical device including a tissue characterization probe having an elongated carrier for carrying an array of tissue characterization sensors arranged in a spaced-apart relationship at least along an axis of said carrier within at least a distal portion thereof, such that progression of the probe through a tissue mass provides for locating and determining a dimension of an abnormal tissue specimen inside said tissue mass based on characterization signals from the sensors in the array. The elongated carrier has two integral portions including said distal portion and a hollow portion extending between a proximal end of the carrier and said distal portion. The carrier is configured for passing a predetermined treatment tool through the hollow portion thereof and enabling at least a part of the treatment tool to project from the hollow portion and extend along the distal portion.

Abstract: A photo scaling guide or system configured to scale both the area and linear dimensions of wounds or objects at the same time with one device.

Abstract: Biological samples, such as saliva, are commonly collected on a swab and subsequently transferred to an absorbent storage medium. Embodiments of the present invention provide a biological sample collection device 600 comprising a collection portion 620 and a body portion 610, the body portion including a holding portion 652 for holding a biological sample storage medium (618 FIG. 1), and a sample collection/transfer means. The collection portion 620 can be arranged in a first position shown in FIG. 4, separated from the body portion for collecting a sample. The device employs depressible latches (630, 640 FIG. 6) to control the movements of the collection portion.

Abstract: A biopsy device may comprise a probe assembly that has a needle assembly extending distally from the probe assembly. The needle assembly has a needle portion and blade assembly. The blade assembly comprises a blade and a multi-member coupling assembly. The multi-member coupling assembly is configured to couple to the blade and to the needle portion to attach the blade to the needle portion. In one configuration the multi-member coupling assembly comprises two coupling members configure to couple to the blade. The blade may be a flat blade that has a retention channel formed therein, wherein the two coupling members may couple to the blade at the retention channel. The needle portion may comprise a needle and a cutter receiving tube. The needle may be an ovular cross-sectioned tube having a cut-out portion into which a circular cross-sectioned cutter receiving tube may be inserted and coupled thereto.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a cytology brush may include an elongated shaft including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The cytology brush may also include a plurality of bristles mounted on the distal end portion of the elongated shaft. The plurality of bristles may be arranged at least partially around the distal end portion of the elongated shaft, and may be configured to engage tissue. An outer surface of at least one of the bristles may include a micropattern formed by a plurality of protrusions or recesses. The plurality of protrusions or recesses may be separated by one or more gaps.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods of treating a vertebrate organism via application of signals in a manner that enhances biological function. The signals applied can be produced by an electronic circuit, and can comprise magnetic fields emitted via one or more coil emitter devices.