Abstract: A method uses internal patient data from an implantable medical device (IMD) and environmental factor information associated with cardiovascular diseases as input to a predictive cardiovascular disease software tool for enabling alerts, e.g., generated by a computing system configured to receive data from the IMD. A computing system may receive diagnostic metric data from the IMID and time correlated location data of the patient, e.g., from a smartphone, smartwatch, or other computing device of the user. The computing system may use the patient's location, such as from a user's device such a programmer or patient's computing device, to determine a particulate matter exposure level corresponding to the diagnostic metric data that may then be used as an input to a predictive cardiovascular disease software tool to refine the risk score or risk stratification.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a portable mobile device caddy assembly that permits a user to mount a mobile device to the caddy assembly for a hands free experience with the mobile device. The assembly includes a console member, an attachment member configured to receive a mobile device having a camera, a cup holder having a base member and a sleeve member, and one or more lights that allow a user to illuminate an object for photographic capture by the camera. Additional features include one or more handles for carrying the assembly and electrical ports for connecting the mobile device to an electrical network of the assembly.

Abstract: A nasopharyngeal airway device for receiving a nasal cannula is provided. The device has a flexible tube having first and second open ends and a flexible receptacle open at its upper end and integral with the flexible tube first open end. The flexible receptacle has a diameter greater than a diameter of the flexible tube and contains a lower end opening that communicates with the flexible tube first open end and opposed recesses arranged at an upper edge thereof and configured to receive and retain a nasal cannula. Preferably, the receptacle further includes a bottom wall containing the lower end opening and side wall containing the recesses. When the flexible tube second open end is inserted into a nasal passage of a patient, tubing of a nasal cannula is arranged in the recesses to deliver oxygen to the patient via the receptacle and the flexible tube.

Abstract: A nasopharyngeal airway device for receiving a nasal cannula is provided. The device has a flexible tube having first and second open ends and a flexible receptacle open at its upper end and integral with the flexible tube first open end. The flexible receptacle has a diameter greater than a diameter of the flexible tube and contains a lower end opening that communicates with the flexible tube first open end and opposed recesses arranged at an upper edge thereof and configured to receive and retain a nasal cannula. Preferably, the receptacle further includes a bottom wall containing the lower end opening and side wall containing the recesses. When the flexible tube second open end is inserted into a nasal passage of a patient, tubing of a nasal cannula is arranged in the recesses to deliver oxygen to the patient via the receptacle and the flexible tube.

Abstract: A system comprising an apparatus for obtaining pixel intensity which is capable of assigning depth information to the pixel and is configurable to capture pixel intensity corresponding to multiple images; an image acquisition module operating on pixel intensity to access signal intensity data; a light segmentation module that analyzes the signal intensity data to detect intensity changes in each of the pixels to estimate pixel intensity present in regions associated with a subject of interest; a selective amplification module, configurable to apply tone correction and/or level shifting, that operates on each region to increase the intensity of the signal associated with the subject of interest relative to the intensity of other signals, producing a selectively-enhanced signal; and a HDR image composition module, taking the selectively-enhanced signal as an input and producing an image or image sequence based on the selectively-enhanced signal.

Abstract: A nasopharyngeal airway device for receiving a nasal cannula is provided. The device has a flexible tube having first and second open ends and a flexible receptacle open at its upper end and integral with the flexible tube first open end. The flexible receptacle has a diameter greater than a diameter of the flexible tube and contains a lower end opening that communicates with the flexible tube first open end and opposed recesses arranged at an upper edge thereof and configured to receive and retain a nasal cannula. Preferably, the receptacle further includes a bottom wall containing the lower end opening and side wall containing the recesses. When the flexible tube second open end is inserted into a nasal passage of a patient, tubing of a nasal cannula is arranged in the recesses to deliver oxygen to the patient via the receptacle and the flexible tube.

Abstract: A system for collecting a sample from a tissue includes a medical instrument having a sample collection region. One or more sensors is configured to detect one or more properties of a sample, and is configured to output at least one measured value representative of the one or more properties of the sample. An indicator is operatively connected to the one or more sensors and is configured to provide a notification to a user of the medical instrument based on the one or more properties of the sample detected by the at least one sensor. A method of guiding sample collection is also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for guiding a surgical instrument based on information obtained using enhanced contrast-mode ultrasound. The enhanced information can be added to information or images obtained in one or more imaging modes. Various pieces of information can be combined and composited, including information regarding tumors, blood vessels, location information, confidence levels, and other information, and can be composited into operative imaging.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for enhancing images acquired by an ultrasound scanner. The system and method employs novel techniques that are compatible with the real-world constraints (i.e. energy levels, duration of exam, geometries involved, etc.) of imaging in mammalian tissue (e.g. tissues of human organs containing lesions/tumors), while providing the dramatically image quality.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for background removal from images acquired by an ultrasound scanner in the presence of molecularly bound contrast agent. The system and method employs novel techniques that are compatible with the real-world constraints (i.e. energy levels, duration of exam, geometries involved, etc.) of imaging in mammalian tissue (e.g. tissues of human organs containing lesions/tumors), while providing the dramatically improved signal clarity required to reliably disambiguate contrast agent from other sources of signal intensity.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for background removal from images acquired by an ultrasound scanner in the presence of molecularly bound contrast agent. The system and method employs novel techniques that are compatible with the real-world constraints (i.e. energy levels, duration of exam, geometries involved, etc.) of imaging in mammalian tissue (e.g. tissues of human organs containing lesions/tumors), while providing the dramatically improved signal clarity required to reliably disambiguate contrast agent from other sources of signal intensity.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method to propagate uncertainty information in a deep learning pipeline. It allows for the propagation of uncertainty information from one deep learning model to the next by fusing model uncertainty with the original imagery dataset. This approach results in a deep learning architecture where the output of the system contains not only the prediction, but also the model uncertainty information associated with that prediction. The embodiments herein improve upon existing deep learning-based models (CADe models) by providing the model with uncertainty/confidence information associated with (e.g. CADe) decisions. This uncertainty information can be employed in various ways, including (a) transmitting uncertainty from a first stage (or subsystem) of the machine learning system into a next (second) stage (or the next subsystem), and (b) providing uncertainty information to the end user in a manner that characterizes the uncertainty of the overall machine learning model.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method that allows the utilization of computer vision system techniques and processes, such as multi-layer separation and contrast mapping, to enhance the detectability of an imaged tumor, opening the door to real-time tumor tracking and/or modulation of a treatment radiation beam so as to maximize the radiation dosage applied to the tumor itself while minimizing the dosage received by surrounding tissues. The techniques and processes also permit more accurate assessment of the level of radiation dosage delivered to the tumor. An image processor receives the image data from the detector as a plurality of image frames, and performs contrast stretching on the image frames to resolve features. A motion analysis module compares static and dynamic features in the contrast-stretched image frames to derive layers of features. The image frames are output as enhanced image frames. The output can be used to guide the beam.

Abstract: An image acquisition apparatus configured to receive an adjustable image acquisition parameter, wherein said parameter is adjusted based on an image that has had its subject selectively enhanced via comparison with at least one background reference image.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for performing a surgical procedure that effectively locates and allows a user to avoid engagement with hidden nerves in tissue in real-time. The system and method employs an integrated stimulating and sensing array. The array includes a plurality of spaced-apart electrodes, which are selectively stimulated while the electrodes then sense for a neural response. Each of the electrodes is stimulated to map of the sensed tissue region for localization of nerve paths. This localization can be stored and used to control cutting of tissue. The locations can be marked as nerve-free and/or no-go regions so as to avoid nerve-containing regions in subsequent procedures or following a stimulation procedure. This marking can be by any acceptable physical and/or virtual fiducial mechanism. The array can be a single structure with all relevant electrodes or some electrodes can be provided in a separate, remote probe assembly.

Abstract: This invention provides systems and methods for using spatially localized sensor data to construct a multi-dimensional map of the location of key anatomical features, as well as systems and methods for utilizing this map to present location-based information to the surgeon and/or to an automated surgical navigation system. The location map is updated during surgery, so as to retain accuracy even in the presence of muscle-induced motion or deformation of the anatomy, as well as tissue location changes induced by translations or deformations induced by surgical dissection, surgical instrument contact, or biologically-induced tissue motion associated with activities such as respiration, anesthesia-induced gag reflex, blood flow/pulsation, and/or larger-scale changes in patient posture/positioning.

Abstract: A system for collecting a sample from a tissue includes a medical instrument having a sample collection region. One or more sensors is configured to detect one or more properties of a sample, and is configured to output at least one measured value representative of the one or more properties of the sample. An indicator is operatively connected to the one or more sensors and is configured to provide a notification to a user of the medical instrument based on the one or more properties of the sample detected by the at least one sensor. A method of guiding sample collection is also provided.

Abstract: An image acquisition apparatus configured to receive an adjustable image acquisition parameter, wherein said parameter is adjusted based on an image that has had its subject selectively enhanced via comparison with at least one background reference image.

Abstract: A method of imaging an organism includes introducing a composite nanoparticle into a circulating fluid of an organism to form a circulating fluid mixture in the organism is provided. The composite nanoparticle comprises a core comprising at least one of a contrast agent and a magnetic material, and at least one layer of biocompatible material surrounding the core. The method further includes receiving an image of at least a portion of the organism where the circulating fluid has circulated, removing at least a portion of the circulating fluid mixture from the organism at a first rate, applying a magnetic field to the removed portion of the circulating fluid mixture to selectively remove the composite nanoparticle from the circulating fluid mixture and to produce a filtered fluid mixture, and returning the filtered fluid mixture to the circulating fluid of the organism at a second rate.

Abstract: A display window (10) displays items of merchandise in association beacon apparatus (22). The merchandise is provided in Association with display furniture (12) that supports the beacon apparatus (22). The beacon apparatus (22) is short range and carries (24) product and location codes (28, 30) together with app activation codes (26) that cause the portable device (16) to activate an app. The app receives all of the beacon information (24,26, 28,30) and transfer them to an app server which response by providing product outlines to the portable device (16), that enables selection of an item of merchandise for interaction with the app server. A single short range beacon apparatus (22) can provide information for a plurality of items of merchandise. The app server stores all of the beacon (22) location codes and selected product indication codes (30) as statistical evidence of customer preference. The app server permits purchase of items.