Abstract: An orthopedic system configured for pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative assessment of a musculoskeletal system. The orthopedic system comprises a first screw, a second screw, a first device, a second device, and a computer. The first screw and the second screw are respectively coupled in a first bone and a second bone of a musculoskeletal system. The first and second screws each include electronic circuitry, one or more sensors, and an IMU. In one embodiment, a first device and a second device can be respectively located in proximity to the first and second screws. The first and second devices respectively transmit a radio frequency signal to the first and second screws. The first and second screws harvest a predetermined amount of energy and then are enabled to perform at least one task and an orderly shutdown. The computer receives measurement data from the first and second screws.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for use in predicting impedance values or responses in a three-dimensional space. Broadly, an impedance potential field and its measurement characteristics is modeled in an impedance model such that an impedance measurement may be estimated for any location within the impedance potential field. The impedance model may evolve over time based on actual impedance measurements of electrodes located in the three-dimensional space. Initially a plurality of patch electrodes to provide an impedance field to a three-dimensional space while electrodes disposed in the impedance field measure impedances. While each patch is driven, a number of independent impedance fields exist between the non-driven patches. These independent impedance potential fields may be estimated and mapped to impedance measurements of the electrode(s) at locations(s) within the impedance field to model the impedance field.

Abstract: A yoke for use with infrasonic sensing elements, where the yoke is Y shaped, flexible, and assists in positioning, on a human subject, the sensing elements appropriately on the carotid arteries and on the heart.

Abstract: A blood sample collection system, may include a housing, the housing including a blood collection port; and a baffle chamber; a needle formed through the housing and into the blood collection port; and a baffle formed within the baffle chamber to counteract a vacuum within a blood collection tube when pierced by the needle.

Abstract: Two biomarkers are provided for obstructive apnea. A first biomarker determines amplitude and timing of inspiratory efforts from a bioelectric signal. The respiratory rate is compared with a normal pre-detection rate, and the amplitude of the effort is compared with a normal amplitude. The obstructive apnea is likely present if a series of inspiratory efforts are above a normal amplitude and with increasing amplitude, but at a normal rate. A second biomarker determines heart rate and respiratory rate. A normal lower threshold for heartbeat interval is established, and if subthreshold events occur (short RR intervals), a commencement time for each sequence of subthreshold events is compared for a respiratory rate-normalized window. If the number of subthreshold events exceeds a minimum for the window, obstructive apnea is likely present.

Abstract: A plasmapheresis system and a method for operating a plasmapheresis system are provided by which a volume of plasma product (i.e., anticoagulated plasma) so that that the targeted volume of pure plasma in the plasma product is determined based on donor-specific characteristics. In particular, the targeted amount of pure plasma to be collected is based on the weight, or the weight and the height, of the donor. The targeted volume of pure plasma to be collected, TVP, may be a multiple of the donor's weight. Alternatively, TVP may be a multiple of the donor's total blood volume, TBV, with the TBV of the donor being determined based on the donor's weight and height. A target volume for the plasma product to be collected, TVPP, is established, and separation of whole blood into a plasma component and a second component continues until the volume of plasma product in a collection container equals TVPP.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a technique of quantitatively measuring physical properties including both viscosity and elasticity. A viscoelasticity measurement system includes a measurement apparatus, a processor, and a display apparatus. The measurement apparatus includes a movable unit continuously pressed against a measurement object, a first sensor outputting acceleration information corresponding to an acceleration of pressing-directional movement of a contact portion of the movable unit with respect to the measurement object, and a second sensor outputting reactive force information corresponding to a reactive force applied to the contact portion of the movable unit with respect to the measurement object. The processor calculates first information on an elasticity component of the measurement object and second information on a viscosity component of the measurement object based on the acceleration information and the reactive force information.

Abstract: A package for a needle assembly includes a tray defining a compartment in a first configuration for receiving the needle assembly. The tray can be reconfigured in a second configuration to form a holder configured to hold the needle assembly during fluid collection.

Abstract: A biopsy gun having a cannula and a stylet guided in the cannula comprises the following a housing, a cannula carriage for moving the cannula, a stylet carriage for moving the stylet, a tensioning grip for tensioning the cannula carriage and the stylet carriage from an initial position into a tensioning position, and an engaging member that is provided on the tensioning grip and has recesses adapted to engage with corresponding projections of the cannula carriage and the stylet carriage. The engaging member is rotatably attached to the tensioning grip and is biased by a spring against a contact surface of the housing.

Abstract: A core needle biopsy device including a needle assembly, a cutter drive assembly, a piercer drive assembly and a piercer retraction assembly. The needle assembly includes a piercer and a hollow cutter. The piercer includes a sharp distal tip and a notch proximal to the distal tip. The piercer is slidably disposed within the cutter to sever a tissue sample into the notch. The cutter drive assembly is configured to selectively fire the cutter. The piercer drive assembly is configured to selectively fire the piercer. The piercer retraction assembly is configured to retract the piercer independently of the cutter while the needle assembly is disposed within a patient to expose the notch of the piercer to an exterior of a patient.

Abstract: A method and corresponding test kit is provided for the determination of whether a non-consensual sexual encounter between known individuals has occurred when previous consensual relations have taken place between the known individuals.

Abstract: Sensor system comprising a frame supporting a force-sensing tip arranged to generate a signal based upon a force applied by said force-sensing tip to a material to be tested, the system further comprising: an input drum mounted in said frame such that it can rotate about an input axis of rotation; an output lever supported by said frame by means of an output revolute joint defining an output axis of rotation; wherein said force-sensing tip is mounted on said output lever such that said force-sensing tip is arranged to be brought into contact with a material to be tested; and wherein said sensor system comprises a mechanical transmission arranged to kinematically link said input drum to said output lever such that a rotation of said input drum about said input axis of rotation causes said output lever to pivot in an oscillatory manner about said output axis of rotation.

Abstract: A system includes an applicator and a dermal patch coupled to the applicator. The applicator includes a needle configured to puncture a subject's skin to draw a physiological sample, a first actuating lever configured to move form an undeployed position to a deployed position, and a second actuating lever configured to move form an undeployed position to a deployed position. The dermal patch includes a fluid reservoir configured to store a processing fluid, a sample collection chamber configured to receive the processing fluid and the physiological sample, wherein the applicator is configured to cause the needle to puncture the subject's skin to draw the physiological sample when the first actuating lever is moved from the undeployed lever position to the deployed lever position and cause the processing fluid to release from the fluid reservoir when the second actuating lever is moved from the undeployed position to the deployed position.

Abstract: A device for making available sample carriers includes a tube with a receiving chamber for a plurality of sample carriers. The receiving chamber is delimited, at its front end, by a holding means for individualized release of the sample carriers and, at its rear end, by a plunger for exerting a force on the sample carriers. The holding means is elastic. To prevent a plurality of sample carriers being released at the same time from the tube, a plurality of fins are mounted on the plunger. The fins are mutually offset in the circumferential direction of the plunger. The offset arrangement of the fins has the effect that, under the action of the force, the plunger is pressed into the interior of the tube by in each case only a predefined ejection stroke. The ejection stroke is adapted to the length or the diameter of one of the sample carriers.

Abstract: A plasmapheresis system and a method for operating a plasmapheresis system are provided by which a volume of plasma product (i.e., anticoagulated plasma) so that that the targeted volume of pure plasma in the plasma product is determined based on donor-specific characteristics. In particular, the targeted amount of pure plasma to be collected is based on the weight, or the weight and the height, of the donor. The targeted volume of pure plasma to be collected, TVP, may be a multiple of the donor's weight. Alternatively, TVP may be a multiple of the donor's total blood volume, TBV, with the TBV of the donor being determined based on the donor's weight and height. A target volume for the plasma product to be collected, TVPP, is established, and separation of whole blood into a plasma component and a second component continues until the volume of plasma product in a collection container equals TVPP.

Abstract: A swallowing action measurement device includes a holder, a sound detector and a posture detector. The holder is fitted to a neck region of a person being measured from behind. The sound detector is held in the holder in contact with the outer side surface of the neck region close to the epiglottis, and detects sound associated with at least a swallowing action of the person being measured and outputs a measured sound signal. The posture detector detects a posture of the person being measured.

Abstract: A suction applying device (10) for applying suction to a sampling unit (50) for sampling bodily fluid, wherein the suction applying device comprises a syringe body (12) with a hollow interior (14) and a piston (20) movable inside the hollow interior of the syringe body. The syringe body has a rear end (16) through which a piston rod (21) connected to the piston extends outside of the syringe body and by means of which the piston can be moved, and a front end (18) opposite the rear end. The suction applying device further comprises a connection arrangement (130) configured for connection of a sampling unit, wherein the connection arrangement is located at the front end of the syringe body.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the chance that a patient will develop a bedsore may determine whether a caregiver physically approaches a patient and remains in close physical proximity to a patient for a time sufficient to perform a bedsore prevention action. If a planned bedsore prevention action does not appear to be performed, the systems and methods may alert the patient, the caregiver, or others. A determination may be made as to whether the patient's position has changed in a manner consistent with a bedsore prevention action.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a body cavity shape of a subject is reconstructed based on intrabody measurements of voltages by an intrabody probe (for example, a catheter probe) moving within a plurality of differently-oriented electromagnetic fields crossing the body cavity. In some embodiments, the method uses distances between electrodes as a spatially calibrated ruler. Positions of measurements made with the intrabody probe in different positions are optionally related by using spatial coherence of the measured electromagnetic fields as a constraint. Optionally, reconstruction is performed without using a detailed reference (image or simulation) describing the body cavity shape. Optionally, reconstruction uses further information to refine and/or constrain the reconstruction; for example: images, simulations, additional electromagnetic fields, and/or measurements characteristic of body cavity landmarks. Optionally, reconstruction accounts for time-dependent cavity shape changes, for example, phasic changes (e.g.

Abstract: A temperature sensor (210) measures a temperature inside clothes being a temperature inside the clothes worn by a user. The acceleration sensor (220) detects acceleration applied to the user. A processing device (100) estimates a deep body temperature that is a temperature inside the body of the user based on the temperature inside the clothes measured by the temperature sensor (210) and an acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor (220).