Abstract: A modular endoscope including a handle and sheath that may be coupled or uncoupled. The tip of the sheath distal from the location where it is coupled to the handle includes an illumination element, an image capture element and a deflection element, allowing the distal tip to be pointed in a selected direction.

Abstract: A modular endoscope including a handle and sheath that may be coupled or uncoupled. The tip of the sheath distal from the location where it is coupled to the handle includes an illumination element, an image capture element and a deflection element, allowing the distal tip to be pointed in a selected direction.

Abstract: A mobile cardiac monitoring device is disclosed. The mobile cardiac monitoring device receives voltage-time measurements of a subset of electrocardiogram (ECG) leads for a user, and derives a full set of ECG leads from the voltage-time measurements of the subset of ECG leads. The mobile cardiac monitoring device calculates a heart rate and monitors the cardiac rhythm of the user based on at least one of the subset of ECG leads and calculates a cardiac electrical biomarker (CEB) based on the derived ECG. The mobile cardiac device detects a trigger condition based on the calculated CEB and transmits an alert in response to detecting the trigger condition.

Abstract: A mobile cardiac monitoring device is disclosed. The mobile cardiac monitoring device receives voltage-time measurements of a subset of electrocardiogram (ECG) leads for a user, and derives a full set of ECG leads from the voltage-time measurements of the subset of ECG leads. The mobile cardiac monitoring device calculates a heart rate and monitors the cardiac rhythm of the user based on at least one of the subset of ECG leads and calculates a cardiac electrical biomarker (CEB) based on the derived ECG. The mobile cardiac device detects a trigger condition based on the calculated CEB and transmits an alert in response to detecting the trigger condition.

Abstract: The onset of cardiac pathology can be predicted by first acquiring a plurality of lead values as a function of time for set of electrocardiogram leads and defining a spatial curve from the lead values for at least three leads. A fractal index for the spatial curve is calculated as a function of time and the time rate of change of the fractal index is monitored. A negative time rate of change is indicative of normal cardiac activity, while a positive time rate of change is indicative of pathological cardiac activity.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing electrocardiogram leads includes obtaining a sequence of voltage-time measurements for a set of electrocardiogram leads and subjecting the measurements to abstract factor analysis to obtain a set of eigenvalues and associated eigenvectors. A minimal subset of electrocardiogram leads is identified from which the voltage-time measurements can be calculated with acceptable error. Simplex optimization is performed on a subset of the voltage-time measurements measured with the minimal subset of electrocardiogram leads to obtain a universal transformation matrix, and the universal transformation matrix is multiplied by the subset of the voltage-time measurements to calculate the full set of voltage-time measurements. The full set of leads can be used to calculate a body surface map, and the eigenvalues can be tracked in time to predict the onset of pathology such as myocardial infarction.

Abstract: The onset of cardiac pathology can be predicted by first acquiring a plurality of lead values as a function of time for set of electrocardiogram leads and defining a spatial curve from the lead values for at least three leads. A fractal index for the spatial curve is calculated as a function of time and the time rate of change of the fractal index is monitored. A negative time rate of change is indicative of normal cardiac activity, while a positive time rate of change is indicative of pathological cardiac activity.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing electrocardiogram leads includes obtaining a sequence of voltage-time measurements for a set of electrocardiogram leads and subjecting the measurements to abstract factor analysis to obtain a set of eigenvalues and associated eigenvectors. A minimal subset of electrocardiogram leads is identified from which the voltage-time measurements can be calculated with acceptable error. Simplex optimization is performed on a subset of the voltage-time measurements measured with the minimal subset of electrocardiogram leads to obtain a universal transformation matrix, and the universal transformation matrix is multiplied by the subset of the voltage-time measurements to calculate the full set of voltage-time measurements. The full set of leads can be used to calculate a body surface map, and the eigenvalues can be tracked in time to predict the onset of pathology such as myocardial infarction.

Abstract: An apparatus for percutaneous catheterization of a vascular or other body compartment employs a shape memory alloy cylindrical cannula which expands after introduction into the body compartment with sufficient radial force to dilate the vascular member. A cylindrical plastic sheath embracing the cannula facilitates introduction and insulates the vascular compartment from contact with the metal of the cannula.