Abstract: A device for detection of internal bleeding in a patient's body is provided. An optical interface for transmitting IR light through an area of a skin of a patient and to collect IR light from the area of the skin, is provided. In some embodiments the optical interface includes one or more delivery components and one or more collection components. The delivery component includes a plurality of first optical channels configured to transmit the IR light through a plurality of respective first sub-areas on the area of the skin, into an internal layer of the body. The collection component includes a plurality of second optical channels, configured to collect IR light from a plurality of respective second sub-areas on the area of the skin.

Abstract: A device for resecting undesired tissue from an inner wall of a body cavity, the device having a tip section in a shape of a cylinder's sector, the tip section comprising: a plurality of optical fibers located along an inner surface of the tip section and configured to transmit laser radiation to the undesired tissue; and a cutter having a shape of a cylinder's sector located inwardly or outwardly to the plurality of optical fibers, wherein said cutter is configured to cut through the undesired tissue and thereby detach at least a part of the undesired tissue from the inner wall of the body cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Specifically, the present invention relates to the use of breath tests based on isotope-labeled octanoate in the detection and monitoring of HCC.

Abstract: A catheter for debulking of an undesired deposit from an inner surface of at least one of a blood vessel wall and a stent located in a blood vessel, the catheter having a tip section comprising: circumferentially-directed laser optics; and a circular-action cutter, wherein said circumferentially-directed laser optics is configured to transmit laser radiation for modifying an area of the undesired deposit thereby preparing said area for penetration of said cutter, wherein said cutter is configured to cut through said modified area and thereby debulk at least a part of the undesired deposit. In addition, a catheter for pacemaker and ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) lead extraction is disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a method of evaluating a liver condition of a subject, the method includes computing a fluctuation parameter from a liver breath test based on at least one of a percentage dose recovery (PDR) curve and a delta over baseline (DOB) curve of an isotope labeled methacetin, or a salt or a derivative thereof, and evaluating at least one liver condition of the subject, based at least on the fluctuation parameter. There is provided herein a method of evaluating a liver condition of a subject, the method includes computing a hepatic impairment score based at least on a breath test related parameter and on a demographic parameter.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to breath test devices and methods for the evaluation of liver functional and metabolic capacity or to assess liver heath and/or degree of liver injury. Specifically, there is provided a method of evaluating a liver condition, the method includes on-line monitoring a metabolic product of methacetin, a salt or a derivative of methacetin, in a subject's breath after administering to the subject isotope labeled methacetin, a salt or a derivative thereof in water solution form. There is also provided a device for evaluating a liver condition, the device includes one or more sensors adapted to monitor on-line an isotope level of a metabolic product of labeled methacetin, or a salt or a derivative of methacetin in a subject's breath and a controller adapted to sample measurements of the one or more sensors at a continuous mode.

Abstract: There is provided a method of evaluating a liver condition of a subject, the method includes computing a fluctuation parameter from a liver breath test based on at least one of a percentage dose recovery (PDR) curve and a delta over baseline (DOB) curve of an isotope labeled methacetin, or a salt or a derivative thereof, and evaluating at least one liver condition of the subject, based at least on the fluctuation parameter. There is provided herein a method of evaluating a liver condition of a subject, the method includes computing a hepatic impairment score based at least on a breath test related parameter and on a demographic parameter.

Abstract: An automatic breath collecting and sampling system, which is preferably carried by the subject, or otherwise kept with him or near him, for the recommended duration of the collection period. The system collects samples in separate switchable containers, either at predetermined time intervals, or in response to an automatic stimulus, which could be related to the breath content itself, or to another physiological signal, such as the subject s pulse rate, breath rate, blood pressure, or temperature, or in response to a signal related to an environmental effect, such as the presence of a strong concentration in the air of a foreign gas, which could be detected by an electrochemical sensor, or manually by the subject after being prompted by the system. After collection of the requisite number of separate containers, they may be detached and sent for analysis or other treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of methods and apparatus for the determination of various conditions of gastric and gastro-intestinal malfunction, especially those performed by means of breath tests.

Abstract: Methods of determining gastro-intestinal conditions by performing a succession of breath tests or others tests, particularly for determining the gastric emptying or gastric accomodation condition of a subject. Methods of performing successive gastric emptying tests with different test meals are also presented, enabling the gastric accommodation to be determined. The effects of different test means on the results is presented. Novel substrates for use in such tests are suggested, including the use of micro-encapsulation. Breath tests for the detection of bacterial overgrowth, lactose intolerance and combinations thereof are presented.

Abstract: Included herein are embodiments relating to detecting and warning of the presence of pre-fainting and other conditions that may be hazardous to the health of a patient having one or more types of disease or disorder. A wide range of physiological and physical parameters can be monitored and logically and/or mathematically related to determine the value of a new parameter, the risk parameter alpha. The parameters that appear in the function can be selected according to the patient's known pathological condition. An initial threshold value for alpha can be determined and compared with a current value of alpha. If the comparison shows that there exists danger of the onset of a pre-fainting and/or other medically hazardous condition, a warning signal can be emitted. The current value of alpha can be continually determined and, if relevant, updated according to the history of the patient.

Abstract: The disclosure relates breath test devices and methods for the evaluation of liver functional and metabolic capacity or to assess liver heath and/or degree of liver injury. Specifically, there is provided a method of evaluating a liver condition, the method includes on-line monitoring a metabolic product of methacetin, a salt or a derivative of methacetin, in a subject's breath after administering to the subject isotope labeled methacetin, a salt or a derivative thereof in water solution form. There is also provided a device for evaluating a liver condition, the device includes one or more sensors adapted to monitor on-line an isotope level of a metabolic product of labeled methacetin, or a salt or a derivative of methacetin in a subject's breath and a controller adapted to sample measurements of the one or more sensors at a continuous mode.

Abstract: There is provided a method of evaluating a liver condition of a subject, the method includes computing a fluctuation parameter from a liver breath test based on at least one of a percentage dose recovery (PDR) curve and a delta over baseline (DOB) curve of an isotope labeled methacetin, or a salt or a derivative thereof, and evaluating at least one liver condition of the subject, based at least on the fluctuation parameter. There is provided herein a method of evaluating a liver condition of a subject, the method includes computing a hepatic impairment score based at least on a breath test related parameter and on a demographic parameter.

Abstract: Breath test methods and apparatus for increasing accuracy and reducing the time taken to achieve diagnostically useful results. In order to determine when an increase in isotopic ratio of the exhaled breath is clinically significant, methods are described for the use of a variable and multiple threshold level; for reducing the time taken to determine an accurate baseline level; and for avoiding the effects of oral activity when making measurements. To increase measurement accuracy, methods are described, using the results of the breath tests themselves, of continuous and automatic self-calibration to correct for drifts in the gas spectrometer absorption curves. A method for increasing the spectral stability of cold cathode discharge infra-red light sources for use in breath test instrumentation is described. Calibration checking devices and methods of mandating their use at regular time intervals are described, to ensure maintenance of the accuracy of breath tests.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of methods and apparatus for the determination of various conditions of gastric and gastro-intestinal malfunction, especially those performed by means of breath tests.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of methods and apparatus for the determination of various conditions of gastric and gastro-intestinal malfunction, especially those performed by means of breath tests.

Abstract: A calibration checking device, and methods of mandating its use at regular time intervals, to ensure maintenance of the accuracy of gas analyzers, especially for use with breath tests. Each calibration checking device is designed to be used for a predetermined number of tests. After first connection of a new calibration checking device, a volume of known calibration checking gas is released into the instrument, and a calibration checking measurement is initiated. A signal is sent to a counting mechanism which both enables the use of the instrument, and commences a count of the number of tests performed by the breath tester. When the number of tests is exceeded, the instrument is disenabled. The device can include a moisture filter having an interface with the instrument, which prevents its operation if the filter is used beyond the recommended number of times, or if excess moisture renders it saturated.

Abstract: An NDIR spectrometer based on the use of wavelength specific lamp sources, whose emission spectrum consists of discrete, narrow lines characteristic of the isotope present in the lamp, and which it is desired to measure with the spectrometer. This allows very high intrinsic sensitivity, enabling the use of an extremely compact absorption cell with a very short path length. In addition, the source can be self-modulated, such that problems associated with external choppers are avoided. Furthermore, there is insignificant cross sensitivity between the isotopes themselves and between the isotopes and other ambient gases in the operating environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of methods and apparatus for the determination of various conditions of gastric and gastro-intestinal malfunction, especially those performed by means of breath tests.

Abstract: Apparatus, including a printing system, press, press components, and printing members for lithographic printing and other similar processes, is disclosed. The printing system for imaging printing members includes a plurality of infra red laser diodes coupled to a respective optical fiber for providing an output light beam, and a stationary telecentric lens assembly, that operates to image a printing member by exposure from ablative infra-red radiation. The printing members include a first substrate layer, with a second radiation absorbing layer over this first layer, for supporting an image ablated onto the printing member. A third surface coating layer is over the second layer. The third layer is substantially abdhesive to ink while the second layer has an affinity for ink opposite that of the third layer. Methods for imaging with the apparatus and for imaging the printing members are also disclosed.