Abstract: Various embodiments of multielectrode radiofrequency (RF) ablation probes are described herein that disclose methods and apparatus for improved control and predictability of the size and shape of RF thermal electrocoagulations. The features of the invention include the ability to make irregularly shaped ablations in order to conform to irregularly shaped target tissue volumes, and to make very large ablations without the requirement for electrode cooling.

Abstract: A method of associating a hygiene monitoring device to a station device, the hygiene monitoring device being configured to monitor a hygienic state of a user, the method comprising: the hygiene monitoring device obtaining, when in use, an station identifier from the station device; and the hygiene monitoring device storing the station identifier. A hygiene monitoring device for this method and a system comprising the hygiene monitoring device and the station device.

Abstract: A device for irrigation of an oral cavity in a patient includes a suction element configured to be disposed in the oral cavity and configured to suction a fluid out of the oral cavity. The suction element also has one or more irrigation outlets configured to irrigate the oral cavity with the fluid. A suction line is fluidly coupled with the suction element and is configured to be fluidly coupled with a vacuum source. An irrigation line is fluidly coupled with the one or more irrigation outlets and is fluidly coupled with a source of the fluid.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a combination of a sensing device and a charging system. The sensing device is configured to be applied to a surface of an absorbent article for sensing a characteristic of moisture in the absorbent article, and it is configured such that a transmitter for transmitting data from the sensing device is attached or attachable to the sensing device. The charging system is configured to charge a transmitter battery, and it is configured such that a transmitter, which is attached or attachable to the sensing device, is also attachable to the charging device.

Abstract: A base assembly includes an imaging sensor having a sensor surface to receive a sample, and a platform connected to the base assembly. The base assembly includes (a) an aperture configured to receive a lid surface of a lid in a position to define an imaging space between the sensor surface and the lid surface and (b) a movement portion movable toward and away from the base assembly. The platform and the base assembly are configured to limit contact between the sample and the base assembly other than at the sensor surface.

Abstract: A base assembly includes an imaging sensor having a sensor surface to receive a sample, and a platform connected to the base assembly. The base assembly includes (a) an aperture configured to receive a lid surface of a lid in a position to define an imaging space between the sensor surface and the lid surface and (b) a movement portion movable toward and away from the base assembly. The platform and the base assembly are configured to limit contact between the sample and the base assembly other than at the sensor surface.

Abstract: A hygiene monitoring system comprising: a hygiene monitoring device, the hygiene monitoring device comprising a housing with an identifier-obtaining component; and a station for receiving the hygiene monitoring device, the station comprising: a securing component configured to receive and hold the housing at a defined location relative to the station; and a station identifier configured to provide an identifier to the identifier-obtaining component when the housing of the hygiene monitoring device is received by the securing component of the station.

Abstract: A hygiene monitoring system comprising: a hygiene monitoring device, the hygiene monitoring device comprising a housing with an identifier-obtaining component; and a station for receiving the hygiene monitoring device, the station comprising: a securing component configured to receive and hold the housing at a defined location relative to the station; and a station identifier configured to provide an identifier to the identifier-obtaining component when the housing of the hygiene monitoring device is received by the securing component of the station.

Abstract: A base assembly includes an imaging sensor having a sensor surface to receive a sample, and a platform connected to the base assembly. The base assembly includes (a) an aperture configured to receive a lid surface of a lid in a position to define an imaging space between the sensor surface and the lid surface and (b) a movement portion movable toward and away from the base assembly. The platform and the base assembly are configured to limit contact between the sample and the base assembly other than at the sensor surface.

Abstract: A method of associating a hygiene monitoring device to a station device, the hygiene monitoring device being configured to monitor a hygienic state of a user, the method comprising: the hygiene monitoring device obtaining, when in use, an station identifier from the station device; and the hygiene monitoring device storing the station identifier. A hygiene monitoring device for this method and a system comprising the hygiene monitoring device and the station device.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting moisture in an absorbent article worn by a wearer including an impedance sensing element and an attachment member for securing the impedance sensing element at a location on an exterior surface of the absorbent article. The impedance sensing element includes electrodes. The electrodes are positioned so as to be capacitively coupled to an interior region of the absorbent article and to measure an impedance of the absorbent article from the location on the exterior surface of the absorbent article. The system may also include an impedance measurement subsystem for measuring the impedance of the absorbent article, and extracting a real component of the impedance and an imaginary component of the impedance for determining a characteristic of the moisture in the absorbent article.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a combination of a sensing device and a charging system. The sensing device is configured to be applied to a surface of an absorbent article for sensing a characteristic of moisture in the absorbent article, and it is configured such that a transmitter for transmitting data from the sensing device is attached or attachable to the sensing device. The charging system is configured to charge a transmitter battery, and it is configured such that a transmitter, which is attached or attachable to the sensing device, is also attachable to the charging device.

Abstract: An anesthetic delivery system for use in conjunction with an anesthetic return system for reutilizing anesthetic exhaled by a subject, the system including a measurement system operatively connected to a breathing circuit for continuously measuring at least one flow parameter and anesthetic content of a gas stream reaching the subject and a control system for receiving input from the measurement system and controlling the amount of anesthetic entering the system, the control system including an input device for inputting a setting that corresponds to a desired amount of anesthetic in the gas stream reaching the subject, and utilizing a control algorithm for controlling the amount of anesthetic entering the system based on said desired amount of anesthetic, and flow and anesthetic content parameters as determined by the measurement system, such that the control algorithm is adapted to supplement anesthetic already in gas stream flowing to the subject to attain a level of anesthetic reaching the subject that co

Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting moisture in an absorbent article worn by a wearer including an impedance sensing element and an attachment member for securing the impedance sensing element at a location on an exterior surface of the absorbent article. The impedance sensing element includes electrodes. The electrodes are positioned so as to be capacitively coupled to an interior region of the absorbent article and to measure an impedance of the absorbent article from the location on the exterior surface of the absorbent article. The system may also include an impedance measurement subsystem for measuring the impedance of the absorbent article, and extracting a real component of the impedance and an imaginary component of the impedance for determining a characteristic of the moisture in the absorbent article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for delivering oxygen for breathing at a higher concentration than found in normal air and therapeutic applications of such a system and method, which improves on the limitations of the prior art by reducing and practically eliminating the waste of oxygen gas. The main benefit of this approach is a reduction in the amount of oxygen required which may result in secondary benefits such as simplifying the logistics of acquiring and storing oxygen, reducing cost, improving system portability, and allowing for the use of low-flow sources such as an oxygen concentrator instead of only using high-flow sources such as tanks of compressed oxygen.

Abstract: Apparatus for electrically connecting measurement apparatus to a biological subject, the apparatus including a signal delivery circuit including a current buffer having a current buffer input for receiving a signal from a signal source and a current buffer output for supplying a current to an electrode attached to the biological subject, and a voltage buffer having a voltage buffer input coupled to the current buffer output and a voltage buffer output for providing a voltage signal indicative of a voltage at the electrode, to a sensor.

Abstract: An anesthetic delivery system for use in conjunction with an anesthetic return system for reutilizing anesthetic exhaled by a subject, the system including a measurement system operatively connected to a breathing circuit for continuously measuring at least one flow parameter and anesthetic content of a gas stream reaching the subject and a control system for receiving input from the measurement system and controlling the amount of anesthetic entering the system, the control system including an input device for inputting a setting that corresponds to a desired amount of anesthetic in the gas stream reaching the subject, and utilizing a control algorithm for controlling the amount of anesthetic entering the system based on said desired amount of anesthetic, and flow and anesthetic content parameters as determined by the measurement system, such that the control algorithm is adapted to supplement anesthetic already in gas stream flowing to the subject to attain a level of anesthetic reaching the subject that co

Abstract: A steerable, multifunction radiofrequency (RF) catheter probe for providing improved steerability plus variable rigidity of RF catheter probes. The features of the invention include the ability to reversibly vary the rigidity of catheter probes and to configure the shape of the distal end of catheter probes as required by the application.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for measuring the composition of a body part of a patient, or for otherwise determining a clinically relevant fact using characteristics of tissue in or proximal to said body part. In an example, this disclosure relates to measuring the electrical impedance of an organ or portion of an organ, such as the female breast, so as to obtain clinically relevant information. In an aspect, the system and method can be used for measuring and utilizing certain information such as breast density data and other risk factors for determination or classification of a woman's likelihood to develop breast cancer. Other aspects quantify or qualify a woman's responsiveness to a drug or hormonal therapy.

Abstract: In various embodiments, applicants' teachings are related to an active guarding circuit and method for reducing parasitic impedance signal loading on a signal-transmission channel that is shunted by a parasitic impedance. The presence of an electrical signal on the signal-transmission channel causes a leakage current to flow through the parasitic impedance. In various embodiments, the circuit comprises an amplifier and an impedance, one terminal of the impedance is coupled to the signal-transmission channel. The input of the amplifier is coupled to the signal-transmission channel and the output is coupled to the other terminal of the impedance so as to cause a compensation current to flow through the impedance. The gain of the amplifier and the value of the impedance are selected so that the compensation current has a magnitude substantially equal to the leakage current magnitude.