Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wear-out assessment system including a patient interface for delivering a flow of breathable gas to an airway of a patient, wherein the patient interface includes a first wireless communication unit a communication device including a second wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with the first wireless communication unit and a wear-out assessment unit for determining wear-out data relating to a wear-out of the patient interface. The first and second wireless communication unit are configured to exchange at least parts of the wear-out data. The present disclosure also relates to a method of assessing wear-out of a patient interface.

Abstract: A mechanism for tracking the position of an interventional device from a sensing signal, generated by a capacitive pressure sensing arrangement of the interventional device, responsive to a change in pressure applied to a capacitor of the capacitive pressure sensing arrangement. The sensing signal is processed to identify a first response, which is responsive to ultrasound wave(s) incident on the capacitive pressure sensing arrangement. The first response is then further processed using a tracking algorithm to track the position of the interventional device with respect to the ultrasound transducer emitting the ultrasound wave(s).

Abstract: The invention is directed to systems and methods for determining a fundamental pulse wave velocity value for a vessel with minimized effect of reflections originating from the vessel network connected distal to the respective vessel.

Abstract: A device and method for increasing a patient's compliance with a therapy relating to an upper airway disorder includes a receiving unit, a processing unit, and a display unit. The receiving unit is configured to receive vital sign data including glucose level data of the patient, and therapy data including information regarding the therapy of the patient. The processing unit is configured to process the therapy data and the vital sign data in order to determine feedback information based on the therapy data and the vital sign data. Lastly, the display unit is configured to display the feedback information based on the therapy data and the vital sign data.

Abstract: A deflectable device (100) comprising an elongate body (110) and a folded elongate member (120) is configured to change an orientation of the distal portion (114) of the elongate body (110) with respect to the proximal portion (112) of the elongate body (110) upon an electrical current flowing through the folded elongate member (120) causing a change of a length of the folded elongate member (120).

Abstract: An invasive medical device (10) is disclosed comprising an elongate device portion (20) attached to a handle (30), the elongate device portion including a flexible tip (21) at a distal end of the elongate device portion and a plurality of pull wires (23) attached to said flexible tip; and a plurality of electrically conductive shape memory elements (33) entirely contained with in said handle, each of the shape memory elements coupled to and extending in a length direction between one of said pull wires and a current source connection (61) arranged to provide an electrical current to said electrically conductive shape memory element, each of the electrically conductive shape memory elements having a negative coefficient of expansion in said length direction. The invasive medical device (10) preferably comprises a cooling arrangement (70, 80) for the plurality of electrically conductive shape memory elements to reduce the relaxation times of the shape memory elements.

Abstract: A deflectable medical device (1) includes a shape memory alloy wire (15) integrated into a flexible elongated body (11). The shape memory alloy wire (15) is arranged to shorten upon receiving energy from an energy supply (2,4), thereby deflecting the medical device (1). A rod (18) positioned in a lumen (14) of the flexible elongated body (11) and compressed between a fixture (16) in the proximal end (12) of the elongated body (11) and the distal end (13) of the elongated body (11) is responsible for the shape memory alloy wire (15) recovering its initial length upon discontinuation of energy supply.

Abstract: A deflectable medical device (1) includes a shape memory alloy wire (15) integrated into a flexible elongated body (11). The shape memory alloy wire (15) is arranged to shorten upon receiving energy from an energy supply (2,4), thereby deflecting the medical device (1). A rod (18) positioned in a lumen (14) of the flexible elongated body (11) and compressed between a fixture (16) in the proximal end (12) of the elongated body (11) and the distal end (13) of the elongated body (11) is responsible for the shape memory alloy wire (15) recovering its initial length upon discontinuation of energy supply.

Abstract: A patient interface device uses a pressure flap which extends inwardly from an outer edge of a mask of the device. The pressure flap is for contacting the skin of the patient to provide a seal or partial seal between the mask volume and the ambient surroundings. The pressure flap includes a cavity area which is exposed to a reduced pressure compared to the mask volume. This assists in keeping the pressure flap pressed against the patient's skin, and thereby maintain a large contact area. This in turn gives a reduction in local high pressure areas.

Abstract: A deflectable device (100) comprising an elongate body (110) and a folded elongate member (120) is configured to change an orientation of the distal portion (114) of the elongate body (110) with respect to the proximal portion (112) of the elongate body (110) upon an electrical current flowing through the folded elongate member (120) causing a change of a length of the folded elongate member (120).

Abstract: A height measurement apparatus comprising an array of differential pressure sensors, each differential pressure sensor comprising a reference outlet and a measurement outlet, the reference outlet being a predetermined distance from a reference surface, and each differential pressure sensor further comprising an inlet configured to provide pressurized gas for the reference outlet and the measurement outlet. A flexible membrane is positioned such that a reference side of the flexible membrane is in fluid communication with the reference outlet and a measurement side of the flexible membrane is in fluid communication with the measurement outlet. The flexible membrane is configured to move when a pressure change occurs at the measurement outlet and a detector is configured to monitor the movement of the flexible membrane.

Abstract: A patient interface and a patient interface system comprise a responsive material and a method for preventing the formation of red marks due to wearing a patient interface that is pressing against the skin of a patient for a longer time and/or for reducing air leakages of the patient interface that may result from an unintended shift of the patient interface on the patient's face. The responsive material is configured for alternating the pressure exerted by the cushion element on the patient and/or the area on the patient where the pressure is exerted by the cushion element in response to a physical quantity acting on the responsive material. The formation of red marks and of air leakages can be reduced or even avoided by means of the responsive material.

Abstract: A device and method for increasing a patient's compliance with a therapy relating to an upper airway disorder are presented. The device comprises a receiving unit for receiving for receiving vital sign data including glucose level data of the patient, and therapy data including information regarding the therapy of the patient; a processing unit configured to process the therapy data and the vital sign data in order to determine feedback information based on the therapy data and the vital sign data; and a display unit for displaying the feedback information based on the therapy data and the vital sign data.

Abstract: An elongated device includes an optical fiber arranged to allow transmission of light to phase change material arranged long the elongated device, for optically heating the phase change material to change its stiffness from one stiffness value to a different stiffness value. Using distributed tilted or blazed Bragg gratings with light wavelength dependent unique grating periods along the optical fiber, a guide wire or catheter is provided which can be stiffness controlled at selected longitudinal portions. Behavior of the tip of a guide wire or catheter is controlled for optimal navigation. Portions of phase change material arranged inside a tube material can be activated at selected longitudinal parts of the elongated device.

Abstract: There is provided a fall detector for detecting falls of a user or an object to which the fall detector is attached, characterized in that the fall detector comprises an air flow sensor for providing measurements indicative of vertical velocity and/or changes in altitude of the fall detector.

Abstract: A nebulizer comprises a head detachably coupled to a body. The head comprises a nebulizer, an air channel and a flow sensor. A nebulized liquid is released in an air channel that ends in a mouth piece through which a user inhales and exhales. The inhaling and exhaling causes a flow in the air channel which is detected with the flow sensor. The nebulizer is controlled by a controller included in the body.

Abstract: A deflectable medical device (1) includes a shape memory alloy wire (15) integrated into a flexible elongated body (11). The shape memory alloy wire (15) is arranged to shorten upon receiving energy from an energy supply (2,4), thereby deflecting the medical device (1). A rod (18) positioned in a lumen (14) of the flexible elongated body (11) and compressed between a fixture (16) in the proximal end (12) of the elongated body (11) and the distal end (13) of the elongated body (11) is responsible for the shape memory alloy wire (15) recovering its initial length upon discontinuation of energy supply.

Abstract: An elongated device, e.g. an interventional guide wire or catheter, comprises an optical fiber (OF) arranged to allow transmission of light to phase change material (PCM) arranged long the elongated device, for optically heating the phase change material (PCM) to change its stiffness from one stiffness value to a different stiffness value. Using distributed tilted or blazed Bragg gratings with light wavelength dependent unique grating periods along the optical fiber, it is possible to provide a guide wire or catheter which can be stiffness controlled at selected longitudinal portions. Especially, it may be preferred to be able to control the behavior of the tip of a guide wire or catheter for optimal navigation, e.g. during a FEVAR procedure. Portions of phase change material (PCM-1, PCM 2) arranged inside a tube material T_M can be activated at selected longitudinal parts of the elongated device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wear-out assessment system (10) comprising a patient interface (12) for delivering a flow of breathable gas to an airway of a patient, wherein the patient interface (12) comprises a first wireless communication unit (18), a communication device (14) comprising a second wireless communication unit (19) configured to wirelessly communicate with the first wireless communication unit (18) and a wear-out assessment unit (16) for determining wear-out data relating to a wear-out of the patient interface (12). The first and second wireless communication unit (18, 19) are configured to exchange at least parts of the wear-out data.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interventional system (1) for performing an interventional procedure. An interventional instrument (5) like a catheter comprises a bendable portion (12), which is bendable by a bending element (11), and an OSS fiber (10) for generating OSS signals being indicative of the degree of bending of the bendable portion. The actual degree of bending of the bendable portion is determined based on the generated OSS signals and the bending element is controlled depending on the actual determined degree of bending. By using OSS, the actual real degree of bending of the bendable portion of the interventional instrument can very accurately be determined. Moreover, since the bending element is controlled based on this very accurately determined degree of bending, the control of the bending element and, thus, of the interventional instrument can be very accurately.