Abstract: A steerable guidewire. The steerable guidewire is fabricated includes an outer tube, an inner tube, a hub, and a distal articulating region. The steerable guidewire hub can be removed to permit advancement of catheters over its proximal end followed by re-attachment of the hub to permit deflection of the distal end of the steerable guidewire.

Abstract: Embodiment methods of treating a human or animal patient using a remotely controlled robotic catheter device inserting a handle of a catheter into a handle controller, inserting the catheter tubular portion into a resealable delivery channel forming a sterile barrier to a sled base, engaging a tip of the catheter with a sterile introducer disposed at an end of the sled base and engaged with the patient's body, positioning the catheter into the patient's body by remotely sending commands to the tele-robotic device to cause the sled member to advance toward the patient's body, and performing a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure on the patient using the catheter. Diagnostic or therapeutic procedures may include a mapping procedure, an ablation procedure, an angioplasty procedure, a drug delivery procedure; an electrophysiology procedure, a radiological procedure, and a medical device implantation or positioning procedure.

Abstract: Non-invasive intracranial pressure detection and/or monitoring and use of data with respect thereto. Illustratively, with respect to a method, there can be a method to digitally produce and communicate intracranial pressure data from skull deformation electric signals, the method including: receiving, from at least one sensor, detected skull deformation electric signals at electrical equipment configured to transform and process the skull deformation signals that are received; transforming and processing, by the electrical equipment, the received skull deformation electric signals to produce digital intracranial pressure data; and outputting, by the electrical equipment, the digital intracranial pressure data via an output device operably associated with the electrical equipment to render the digital intracranial pressure data.

Abstract: A suture loop assembly is provided for securing a specimen collection bag in a closed condition. The suture loop assembly generally includes a length of suture material forming a distal loop and a one-way ferrule for securing the distal loop in a closed condition about an upper end of the specimen collection bag. A specimen retrieval device is also provided for use with the suture loop assembly.

Abstract: A method of neurocognitive training or neuropsychological assessment of a subject including providing at least one initial stimulus to the subject, assessing at least one initial action of the subject in response to the at least one initial stimulus, based on the assessing the at least one initial action of the subject in response to the at least one initial stimulus, thereafter providing at least one further stimulus to the subject, assessing at least one further action of the subject in response to the at least one further stimulus and based at least on the assessing the at least one further action of the subject in response to the at least one further stimulus, thereafter providing at least one additional stimulus to the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a guide wire insertion device for a catheter procedure. The guide wire insertion device for a catheter procedure includes an injection unit (100) including an injection needle, and a guide wire transfer unit (200) which transfers a guide wire so as to insert the guide wire through the injection needle, and the injection unit and the guide wire transfer unit are integrated with each other so as to continuously perform injection of the injection needle and transfer of the guide wire. According to such a configuration, the injection of the injection needle and the insertion of the guide wire may be accurately and easily performed so that a catheter procedure is convenient.

Abstract: A medical device having a frontal attachment and a connector housing having at least a body part of an associated medical apparatus, the frontal attachment slidably engaging the connector housing and having a forwardly projecting, rearwardly biased needle and a needle retraction assembly, and the connector housing having a needle retraction cavity laterally offset from the needle in a first position, the needle retraction cavity being selectively movable relative to the frontal attachment following use to reposition the needle retraction cavity into alignment with the needle to permit retraction.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention describe mechanisms configured to monitor, track, and manage symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. According to particular embodiments, a system includes sensors configured to monitor repetitive motion exhibited by a user with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The sensors are connected to a processor that is configured to determine whether the repetitive motion exhibited by the user exceeds an autism episode threshold. Once the autism episode threshold has been reached, the processor can access from memory an autism episode alleviation action associated with the user. Materials associated with the autism episode alleviation action can be presented to the user through an output interface, such that presentation of these materials is configured to reduce the severity or duration of the autism episode.

Abstract: In a puncture needle for an endoscope, in a state in which a distal end of an outer sheath is located in an observation field of an observation optical system of an endoscope and a needle slider is retracted to abut a needle slider engaging section, a distal end of an inner sheath is located closer to a distal side than a proximal end of a raising base in the outer sheath, and a proximal end of the inner sheath is located closer to a proximal side than a needle tip of a needle tube in the outer sheath.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for measuring muscle reflexes (e.g., a bulbocavernosus reflex) as a tool for identifying/diagnosing dysfunctions (e.g., spinal cord abnormalities, bladder voiding dysfunction, and sexual organ dysfunction) non-invasively by using mechanical stimulation. The system and method includes a probe having a predetermined patient contacting portion, wherein when the contacting portion is moved into contact with a particular area of the patient (e.g., the patient's genitals), the contact induces a muscle reflex. The probe detects the pressure resulting from the contacting portion being abruptly and forcibly brought into contact with the particular area. Such detection is used to electronically initiate capture of electrical responses from a plurality of electrodes placed on the patient's skin in proximity to the particular area. Such electrical responses are processed to determine characteristics of the patient's reflexes of one or more muscles adjacent to the electrodes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device (10) for taking at least one sample of soft tissue from an organ, said device comprising a body (11) and a needle (12) formed by a stylet and a cannula coaxial with said stylet. The device comprises a mechanism for arming the needle, designed for sequentially moving the cannula and then the stylet from a rest position wherein the stylet and the cannula are extended towards the outside of the body, to a shooting position wherein the stylet and the cannula are retracted towards the rear of the body, and a triggering mechanism designed to release the stylet then the cannula and to allow their displacement from the shooting position to the rest position. The cannula is kinematically coupled to a cannula slider (24) comprising at least one retaining element (26) for maintaining the cannula slider in a shooting position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for the consolidation of a bone structure, comprising: a system for determining the quality of the bone structure, including a body, first and second electrodes arranged on the body, an electric generator for applying an electric current, a measurement device for measuring the electric current, and a processing device for determining an electrical magnitude representative of the aptitude of the bone structure for allowing electric current to pass therethrough and for delivering a signal representative of the quality of the bone structure, using the determined electrical magnitude; and a device selected from between an electrical stimulation device for applying an electric bone-growth stimulation and a fixation device for immobilizing the bone structure.

Abstract: A heart valve sizer and sizer cover are provided for determining the size of a heart valve annulus. The valve sizer can include a handle, a shaft extending distally from the handle, a sizing element coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the sizing element being movable between a first retracted position and a second expanded position, and a sizer cover. The sizer cover can be formed from a continuous sheet of material configured to surround at least a portion of the sizing element of the heart valve sizer so as to guard against entanglement of the sizing element with structures of a human heart.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device (10) for taking at least one sample of soft tissue from an organ, said device comprising a body (11) and a needle (12) formed by a stylet (13) and a cannula (14) coaxial with said stylet, said device comprising a mechanism for arming the needle, designed for sequentially moving the cannula (14) and then the stylet (13) from a rest position wherein the stylet and the cannula are extended towards the outside of the body, to a shooting position wherein the stylet and the cannula are retracted towards the rear of the body, and a triggering mechanism designed to release the stylet then the cannula and to allow their displacement from the shooting position to the rest position, the cannula being coupled kinematically to a cannula slider (24) comprising at least one retaining element (26) for maintaining the cannula slider in a shooting position, the stylet being coupled kinematically to a stylet slider (30) comprising at least one retaining element (32) for maintaining the stylet

Abstract: This invention relates to a device (10) for taking at least one sample of soft tissue from an organ, said device comprising a body (11) and a needle (12) formed by a stylet (13) and a cannula (14) coaxial with said stylet, said device comprising a mechanism for arming the needle, designed for sequentially moving the cannula (14) and then the stylet (13) from a rest position wherein the stylet and the cannula are extended towards the outside of the body, to a shooting position wherein the stylet and the cannula are retracted towards the rear of the body, and a triggering mechanism designed to release the stylet then the cannula and to allow their displacement from the shooting position to the rest position, the cannula being coupled kinematically to a cannula slider (24) comprising at least one retaining element (26) for maintaining the cannula slider in a shooting position, the stylet being coupled kinematically to a stylet slider (30) comprising at least one retaining element (32) for maintaining the stylet

Abstract: Non-invasive intracranial pressure detection and/or monitoring and use of data with respect thereto. Illustratively, with respect to a method, there can be a method to digitally produce and communicate intracranial pressure data from skull deformation electric signals, the method including: receiving, from at least one sensor, detected skull deformation electric signals at electrical equipment configured to transform and process the skull deformation signals that are received; transforming and processing, by the electrical equipment, the received skull deformation electric signals to produce digital intracranial pressure data; and outputting, by the electrical equipment, the digital intracranial pressure data via an output device operably associated with the electrical equipment to render the digital intracranial pressure data.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for facilitating knee balancing during a knee replacement surgery. A system can include a force sensor, a main body, a moveable sensor platform, and an adjustment mechanism. The force sensor can sense one or more forces applied within a knee joint, including forces applied on a medial side and a lateral side. The movable sensor platform can be coupled between the force sensor and the main body. The adjustment mechanism can adjust the moveable sensor platform, relative to the main body, thereby adjusting a collective height of the system. A method can include inserting portions of a knee balancing system into a gap formed between a cut distal end of a femur and a cut proximal end of a tibia, adjusting an adjustable mechanism of the system to increase or decrease a collective system height, and sensing and displaying the medial and lateral forces.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and devices comprising a cutting element used to contact circumferentially and longitudinally the surface walls of the endocervical canal to provide for broad and complete contact of the intended surface with the device, resulting in attainment of a sufficient volume and comprehensive tissue sample for analysis as an endocervical curettage or screening pap smear. The device may provide for a reservoir for the obtained sample to be contained when removing from the cervical canal and vagina. The device may be comprised of a detachable means or be of a material that allows the user to cut the sampling head of the device for placement in collection means to maximize the amount of tissue or cells being sent to the laboratory for analysis.

Abstract: A modulated physiological sensor is a noninvasive device responsive to a physiological reaction of a living being to an internal or external perturbation that propagates to a skin surface area. The modulated physiological sensor has a detector configured to generate a signal responsive to the physiological reaction. A modulator varies the coupling of the detector to the skin so as to at least intermittently maximize the detector signal. A monitor controls the modulator and receives an effectively amplified detector signal, which is processed to calculate a physiological parameter indicative of the physiological reaction.

Abstract: An operating room control system that is soft configurable allowing a user to completely configure the control and function of the system. The system includes a touchscreen that provides a video display received from a video endoscope and presents icons on the touchscreen allowing the user to control and interface with the tools/equipment in the operating room as well as hospital systems. The controls, displays, tools, equipment, etc. are configured to be operated from a single centralized platform.