Abstract: A monitoring system includes an implantable intra-vascular support device for positioning against a vessel wall and an implantable sensor-actuator mounted to the support device. The sensor-actuator is drivable between a non-deployed position in which it is against the support device and a deployed position in which it is displaced away from the support device. Sensor signals are generated when in the deployed position. This system is able to monitor flow away from the edge of a vessel by deploying the sensor-actuator towards the center of the vessel. When flow monitoring does not need to take place, it can be non-deployed so that it does not present an occlusion to the flow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photonic probe apparatus and a method for probing tissue to detect and mark biological tissue with cancerous or precancerous states. The apparatus involves a probe for illuminating tissue and collecting light from an illuminated tissue region through the probe, a unit for analyzing collected light to determine whether a threshold measure of probability of a cancerous or precancerous lesion in the probed tissue region in contact with the probe is exceeded, and an integrated tissue marking facility which can be activated to mark the probed tissue region through the probe when the threshold measure is exceeded. The photonic probe apparatus and the method are especially suitable for probing regions in squamous and columnar epithelia to detect and mark regions with cervical cancer or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

Abstract: A phase reference system for a phase-sensitive receiver is shown that provides an output signal which can be used for phase calibration of a frequency-converting device under test. The phase reference system has a first frequency generator that generates a first generator signal with a first generator frequency fg1 and a second frequency generator that generates a second generator signal with a second generator frequency fg2. The first and second generator signals are fed to a multiplier. The multiplier process the signals and outputs first, second and third spectral line data.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intravascular blood flow sensor (200) comprising a guidewire or catheter (202) for intravascular insertion, and a vibration sensor (206) arranged and configured to provide a vibration sensor signal indicative of an oscillation frequency of blood flow propagating along a main direction (L) of intravascular blood flow. The vibration sensor comprises a flagellum (206.1) that extends from the catheter or guidewire (204) in the main direction of intravascular blood flow and is elastically deformable in a direction perpendicular to the main direction of intravascular blood flow by the blood flow oscillations.

Abstract: A blood flow measurement system for measuring a blood flow quantity such as flow velocity or flow volume inside a blood vessel includes an intravascular blood flow measurement device with a body that comprises an expandable body section. A control unit sequentially provides a size control signal indicative of a respective one of the at least two predetermined expandable sizes to be assumed by the expandable body section. A pressure sensor unit measures respective sequences of blood pressure signals over a measuring time span defined with respect to a heart cycle period. A flow determination unit uses the values of cross sectional area of the expandable body section, the associated pressure signals and a known value of a density of blood, to calculate a value of a blood flow quantity inside the blood vessel based on Bernoulli's law.

Abstract: A suspension fabric seat includes a fabric seat surface formed from a woven fabric material having heating element fibers. The heating element fibers are in electrical communication with a conductor. A carrier is overmolded onto the seat surface. The carrier and the conductor are disposed in a frame and a connector is mounted to the frame in electrical communication with the conductor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a signal processing unit (208) for determining a value of a blood flow quantity characterizing blood flow inside a blood vessel, wherein the signal processing unit comprises a vibration sensor signal input, which is configured to receive vibration sensor signals from an intravascular vibration sensor at two different measuring times, the vibration sensor signal comprising a vibration sensor signal component caused by blood flow oscillations of intravascular blood flow, and a blood flow determination unit which, for each measuring time, is configured to determine the vibration sensor signal components using the vibration sensor signal, to determine a respective oscillation frequency of the blood flow oscillations using the vibration sensor signal component and to determine and provide a frequency ratio of the determined oscillation frequencies as the value of the blood flow quantity.

Abstract: For operating a motor vehicle, a travel path of the motor vehicle across a roadway section of a roadway situated ahead of the motor vehicle and in the direction of travel of the motor vehicle is ascertained. The travel path is defined by an instantaneous running condition of the motor vehicle, a virtual local map that contains instantaneous local wind conditions, an instantaneous location of the motor vehicle on the virtual local map, and information relating to the instantaneous environment of the motor vehicle. The ascertained travel path is used for actuating at least one device of the motor vehicle that influences the instantaneous running condition of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for determining information relating to a suspected occluding structure. It is described to provide (210) a spectral resolving unit with at least one broadband radiation. The at least one broadband radiation comprises a first broadband radiation acquired from a region of interest within a vascular structure. An occluding structure is suspected to be located within the region of interest and wherein the first broadband radiation is associated with the suspected occluding structure. At least one spectrally resolved data set is determined (220) on the basis of the at least one broadband radiation, wherein the at least one spectrally resolved data set comprises a first spectrally resolved data set determined on the basis of the first broadband radiation. A processing unit is provided (230) with the at least one spectrally resolved data set on the basis of the at least one broadband radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (10) for guiding an instrument (12, 100, 100A, 100B, 112) in a body (14). The system (10) records an image where the instrument (12, 100, 100A,100B, 112) is identifiable and the instrument (12, 100, 100A, 100B, 112) records signals indicative of the type of tissue at the instrument (12, 100, 100A, 100B, 112). The system (10) determines the tissue type based on a signal from the instrument (12, 100, 100A, 100B, 112). The system (10) displays an image being a combined image of the body (14) and instrument (12, 100, 100A, 100B, 112) and an indication of tissue type at a position where the tissue type was determined. The present invention further relates to a method of displaying an image comprising tissue-type and instrument position in a body. The present invention further relates to an instrument and a software implemented method for being executed on a digital processor.

Abstract: A system and method to support exploring the interior of an object. The system 100, 200 includes a graphical user interface generator (GG) to generate a graphical user interface (GUI). The graphical user interface (GUI) includes an indicator (NC) of a current position of an interventional tool (IT) inside an object (OB). There is also an exploratory indictor (PC) to indicate material composition and/or type that surrounds the tool's tip (TP) at a current position in the object (OB). The exploratory indicator (PC) includes a pointer element for a current reading against a dial element for a range of possible values.

Abstract: A device for the variable fixing of a headrest to a vehicle seat, having a receptacle (1) forming a receiving space (5) a headrest support, and having a locking element (7) which, by a disengagement movement of a disengagement element (10), is movable from a locking position, in which a locking section (18) of the locking element (7) projects into the receiving space, into a release position, in which the locking section does not project into the receiving space or projects into the receiving space to a lesser extent than in the locking position and movement of the disengagement element leads along the longitudinal axis (9) of the receiving space (5). The movement of the disengagement element (10) can be effected by an actuation movement (12) of an actuation element (11), wherein the direction of the actuation movement (12) is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The rod coupler according to the present invention comprises two clamping jaws and locking means for locking said clamping jaws against one another. Each clamping jaw comprises an outside surface and a clamping surface, the latter providing at least a first and a second groove. Each groove runs laterally from a different part of the outside surface extending into the rod coupler, wherein longitudinal axis of the first groove and the second groove include an angle that is equal to or less than 160 degrees. Opposing grooves form an aperture. The apertures are adapted for receiving a rod if the locking means is released. Clamping jaws that are locked by the locking means clamp the rods received in said apertures.

Abstract: A device for the variable fixing of a headrest to a vehicle seat, having a receptacle (1), which forms a receiving space (5) for receiving a headrest support (6), and having a locking rocker (7) which, by means of an actuation movement of an actuation element (11), can be rotated from a locking position, in which a locking section (18) of the locking rocker (7) projects into the receiving space, into a release position, in which the locking section (18) does not project into the receiving space or projects into the receiving space (5) to a lesser extent than in the locking position, is characterized in that the direction of the actuation movement is not oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation (25) about which the locking rocker (7) is rotatable.

Abstract: A catheter (12) has an image sensing system (S1-S5) for imaging the interior wall of a passageway in which the catheter is to be located. The catheter has a radial imaging system comprising a light source arrangement for generating a light output radially around the catheter and an image sensor for receiving the generally radial light after the light has been scattered back by the interior wall. The catheter is positioned within the passageway with a known position and orientation, for example a known angle with respect to the anterior-posterior plane along the length of the catheter, so that it is known where along the catheter length, and at which angular position around the catheter, it is close to the passageway wall. The light output has a different intensity at different radial directions and/or the catheter comprises a light transmission arrangement which gives rise to different transmission of the light output at different radial directions.

Abstract: Laser siping forms sipes in an article. The laser operates in a scan laser configuration for some sipe patterns and the laser operates in a fixed laser concept for other siping patterns. The article on which the sipes are formed is secured by a part holder. Movement of the part holder may be computer controlled. Movement of the laser may also be computer controlled. A movement of a reflective surface of the laser may be computer controlled. Together, the movement of the part holder, the laser, and the reflective surface is coordinated to achieve the scan laser configuration and the fixed laser configuration when forming sipes.

Abstract: A system for detection of optically anisotropic tissue is provided. The system comprises an optical source, an optical detector, a processing unit and a probe. The probe has a shaft with a longitudinal axis and a front end, and a plurality of optical fibers; wherein an end of each of the optical fibers is arranged at the front end of the shaft, and at least one of the optical fibers is a source optical fiber adapted to transmit optical radiation emitted from the optical source to a tissue adjacent to the front end of the shaft. Another one of the optical fibers is a detector optical fiber adapted to transmit optical radiation reflected from the tissue to the optical detector, so that an optical path through the tissue is defined, wherein the optical paths differ from each other with respect to their spatial orientation, and wherein the optical paths cross each other.

Abstract: An interventional device, e.g. a Vacuum Assisted Biopsy (VAB) needle, incorporating optical fibers such that biological tissue in a volume at a side of the interventional device can be substantially completely optically probed by optical spectroscopy. In a VAB embodiment, a plurality of optical fiber pairs connected to respective optical ports, are placed at opposite positions along the suction cavity, and they are readout subsequently allowing to make a map of the tissue properties along the place where the tissue will be cut by the VAB needle. Based on decision software in an optical console, it can be determined whether the tissue present in the cutting cavity is completely normal tissue or not, prior to actually performing the biopsy on the tissue. In this way a well defined end point for VAB is created.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes a medical device configured to provide a function to a user, communicate via a wireless communication channel with one or more other devices, and send a signal to shift a medical device application from a locked state to an unlocked state. The system also includes a computing device having wireless communication channels and a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor. The logic is configured to cause the computing device to communicate with the medical device, execute the medical device application, and shift from the locked state to the unlocked state in response to receiving the signal from the medical device. Core functionality of the medical device application is disabled when the medical device application is in the locked state, and some functionality applicable to the medical device is enabled when the medical device application is in the unlocked state.

Abstract: An electro-surgical system (100) with an optical feedback functionality for performing electro-surgery on tissue (200) of patient. An electro-surgical device (105) has an electrode portion (110) with an optical guide (114) integrated therein. An optical unit (160) performs optical characterization of tissue type and/or condition, and is arranged for performing an analysis of the tissue type and/or condition. A control unit (170) generates a feedback control signal (FEEDCON) based on the analysis of the tissue type and/or condition, optical guide allows inspecting the tissue that is e.g. just a few millimeters ahead of the electrode portion (110) performing e.g. the cutting. As a result of the fast and reliable analysis performed by the spectrometer in the optical unit according to the present invention, the system can proactively react to what kind of tissue is in front of the electro-surgical portion i.e. the ‘blade’ of the electro-surgical device or the electro-surgical ‘knife’.