Abstract: A probe for traversing a tubular passage includes an introducer to be supported at an entrance to the tubular passage. The probe also includes a probe tip to traverse the tubular passage, and a tube with an inflatable tube segment. In some embodiments, the inflatable tube segment is storable in the probe tip. The inflatable tube segment is configured to be inflated to push the probe tip away from the introducer toward an end of the tubular passage. In some embodiments, the probe includes a sealing mechanism, where the sealing mechanism can be positioned between the inflatable tube segment of the tube and the introducer to maintain the inflatable tube segment in a deflated configuration until inflation of the inflatable tube segment.

Abstract: A device includes an orally-administrable capsule and a tissue capture device coupled to the orally-administrable capsule. The tissue capture device is configured to connect to gastrointestinal tissue within a body. The tissue capture device is configured to detach from the orally-administrable capsule after the tissue capture device connects to the gastrointestinal tissue. A device includes an orally-administrable capsule, a tissue capture device coupled to the orally-administrable capsule, a chamber within the orally-administrable capsule, and an actuator. The tissue capture device includes multiple fasteners configured to connect the tissue capture device to gastrointestinal tissue within a body. The chamber is configured to draw gastrointestinal tissue towards the fasteners when a fluid pressure of the chamber is decreased. The actuator is configured to cause a decrease of the fluid pressure of the chamber.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal (GI) sensor deployment device is disclosed. In implementations, the sensor deployment device includes an orally-administrable capsule with a tissue capture device removably coupled to the orally-administrable capsule. The tissue capture device includes a plurality of fasteners for connecting the tissue capture device to GI tissue within a body. A biometric sensor is coupled to the tissue capture device for continuous or periodic monitoring of the GI tract of the body at the GI tissue attachment location. A chamber within the orally-administrable capsule is configured to draw gastrointestinal tissue towards the plurality of fasteners when a fluid pressure of the chamber is increased. An actuator can be configured to cause an increase of the fluid pressure of the chamber. Control circuitry coupled to the actuator can be configured to trigger the actuator to cause the increase of the fluid pressure of the chamber at a selected time.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal (GI) sensor deployment device is disclosed. In implementations, the sensor deployment device includes an orally-administrable capsule with a tissue capture device removably coupled to the orally-administrable capsule. The tissue capture device includes a plurality of fasteners for connecting the tissue capture device to GI tissue within a body. A biometric sensor is coupled to the tissue capture device for continuous or periodic monitoring of the GI tract of the body at the GI tissue attachment location. A chamber within the orally-administrable capsule is configured to draw gastrointestinal tissue towards the plurality of fasteners when a fluid pressure of the chamber is increased. An actuator can be configured to cause an increase of the fluid pressure of the chamber. Control circuitry coupled to the actuator can be configured to trigger the actuator to cause the increase of the fluid pressure of the chamber at a selected time.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an airborne imaging spectrometry method and system. According to the present invention, a digital airborne imaging spectrometer is provided aboard an aircraft and is used to collect hyperspectral imagery of an area of interest while the aircraft flies over the area of interest. The method and system of the present invention combine (1) real-time display, aboard an aircraft, of the hyperspectral imagery being collected for an area of interest below the aircraft with (2) transmission of such hyperspectral imagery to a remote location, wherein such imagery is received at the remote location in near real-time. When hyperspectral imagery and related data are received from the aircraft at the remote location, the transmitted hyperspectral imagery and related data are useful at the remote location in time-sensitive or time-critical decision making.