Abstract: Various embodiments of a tube changer device and methods of use are described herein. A tube changer device to aid in placement or replacement of an endotracheal tube including tubular shaft having a hollow interior forming a main lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end and a dilator portion at the distal end. The dilator portion having a tapered profile with an outer diameter that varies along a length measured from a junction point on the tubular shaft to a blunt tip. The main lumen extending through the dilator portion to the blunt tip. The tube changer device configured to be slidably received within the endotracheal tube. The tubular shaft can be flexible. The tube changer device can be used with or without a stylet for the placement or replacement of an endotracheal tube.

Abstract: A fluid warming device has a heat exchange body having an input port and an output port and conducts fluid from the input port to the output port. The fluid warming device has a heater assembly configured to transfer heat to the heat exchange body. The fluid warming device may also have a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the heater assembly, and a power sensor for measuring a power to the heater assembly. The fluid warming device also has a controller connected to the temperature sensor and the power sensor. The controller calculates a fluid flow rate and a total volume of fluid delivered through the heat exchange body based on the temperature and the power.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and devices for improved drainage systems and tubing. In one embodiment, a context-sensitive flow interrupter is provided that inhibits or facilitates flow of fluid when engaged with a mating holder. In another embodiment, outflow is optimized through control of the pressure in gas pockets in a tube, drainage tube or assembly. In one such embodiment, gas pockets are vented to inhibit excessive back-pressure or suction on an organ, vessel or cavity being drained. In another such embodiment, loops in the tubes are avoided by using a mechanical template in the form of a groove or peg assembly to thread the slack in the drainage tube to generate a monotonic gradient. In another embodiment, such as for active drainage systems, a bypass channel is provided that allows an applied vacuum to go around an obstruction created by the collection of fluid in an undrained dependent loop.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and devices for improved drainage systems and tubing. In one embodiment, a context-sensitive flow interrupter is provided that inhibits or facilitates flow of fluid when engaged with a mating holder. In another embodiment, outflow is optimized through control of the pressure in gas pockets in a tube, drainage tube or assembly. In one such embodiment, gas pockets are vented to inhibit excessive back-pressure or suction on an organ, vessel or cavity being drained. In another such embodiment, loops in the tubes are avoided by using a mechanical template in the form of a groove or peg assembly to thread the slack in the drainage tube to generate a monotonic gradient. In another embodiment, such as for active drainage systems, a bypass channel is provided that allows an applied vacuum to go around an obstruction created by the collection of fluid in an undrained dependent loop.

Abstract: According to a method for using near infrared spectroscopy to detect compartment syndrome, an optics array is placed around a body region of a patient that contains a vulnerable compartment of tissue. The optics array includes emitters that generate photons at NIR wavelengths and detectors that detect photons at NIR wavelengths. Photons are emitted from at least one of the emitters, and detected at more than one of the detectors after those photons traveled through the tissues of the body region of the patient. A cross-sectional measure of regional differences in absorption within a cross-section of the body region of the patient is displayed so as to allow detection of compartment syndrome. The method is carried out with a device for using near infrared spectroscopy to detect compartment syndrome.

Abstract: Methods and systems for patient participatory care and monitoring are provided for applications including respiratory care, ECG monitoring, capnography, infusion pump alarm prevention/management, pressure sore prevention, incentive spirometry, consciousness monitoring during sedation, pain management and other care and monitoring modalities. A patient in-the-loop system includes an input interface for receiving data acquired from a monitoring, controlling or sensing device, a storage device for storing the data at a first location, and a processor for analyzing artifacts in the data and determining whether the patient provided a deliberate action with respect to the device as a response to a prompt or query. The processor can further initiate a variety of prompts and/or output queries stored in the storage device at a second location to the patient.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for detecting melanoma in a host. The methods include non-invasive methods of detecting melanoma and methods and systems for providing a molecular signature and/or melanoma biomarker signature for a host.

Abstract: Methods and systems for patient participatory care and monitoring are provided for applications including respiratory care, ECG monitoring, capnography, infusion pump alarm prevention/management, pressure sore prevention, incentive spirometry, consciousness monitoring during sedation, pain management and other care and monitoring modalities. A patient in-the-loop system includes an input interface for receiving data acquired from a monitoring, controlling or sensing device, a storage device for storing the data at a first location, and a processor for analyzing artifacts in the data and determining whether the patient provided a deliberate action with respect to the device as a response to a prompt or query. The processor can further initiate a variety of prompts and/or output queries stored in the storage device at a second location to the patient.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for guiding the placement of orthodontic brackets are provided. The system can include an at least one indexing tool designed to conform to at least a portion of a patient's teeth or alveolar process. The system can receive signals from a sensor at the indexing tool as well as signals from a sensor at a bracket positioning tool in order to track spatial location—and/or orientation of one or more brackets relative to the surface of the patient's actual or modeled teeth. A method for guiding the placement of orthodontic brackets involves detecting the location and/or orientation of a bracket with respect to at least one tooth of a patient and notifying the orthodontist that the actual bracket position and/or orientation meets specified criteria with respect to planned placement coordinates for the bracket. The method can further include collecting the planned placement coordinates for each bracket tooth combo during a planning phase.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and devices for improved drainage systems and tubing. In one embodiment, a context-sensitive flow interrupter is provided that inhibits or facilitates flow of fluid when engaged with a mating holder. In another embodiment, outflow is optimized through control of the pressure in gas pockets in a tube, drainage tube or assembly. In one such embodiment, gas pockets are vented to inhibit excessive back-pressure or suction on an organ, vessel or cavity being drained. In another such embodiment, loops in the tubes are avoided by using a mechanical template in the form of a groove or peg assembly to thread the slack in the drainage tube to generate a monotonic gradient. In another embodiment, such as for active drainage systems, a bypass channel is provided that allows an applied vacuum to go around an obstruction created by the collection of fluid in an undrained dependent loop.

Abstract: Methods and systems for patient participatory care and monitoring are provided for applications including respiratory care, ECG monitoring, capnography, infusion pump alarm prevention/management, pressure sore prevention, incentive spirometry, consciousness monitoring during sedation, pain management and other care and monitoring modalities. A patient in-the-loop system includes an input interface for receiving data acquired from a monitoring, controlling or sensing device, a storage device for storing the data at a first location, and a processor for analyzing artifacts in the data and determining whether the patient provided a deliberate action with respect to the device as a response to a prompt or query. The processor can further initiate a variety of prompts and/or output queries stored in the storage device at a second location to the patient.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and devices for improved drainage systems and tubing. In one embodiment, a context-sensitive flow interrupter is provided that inhibits or facilitates flow of fluid when engaged with a mating holder. In another embodiment, outflow is optimized through control of the pressure in gas pockets in a tube, drainage tube or assembly. In one such embodiment, gas pockets are vented to inhibit excessive back-pressure or suction on an organ, vessel or cavity being drained. In another such embodiment, loops in the tubes are avoided by using a mechanical template in the form of a groove or peg assembly to thread the slack in the drainage tube to generate a monotonic gradient. In another embodiment, such as for active drainage systems, a bypass channel is provided that allows an applied vacuum to go around an obstruction created by the collection of fluid in an undrained dependent loop.

Abstract: An interactive mixed reality simulator is provided that includes a virtual 3D model of internal or hidden features of an object; a physical model or object being interacted with; and a tracked instrument used to interact with the physical object. The tracked instrument can be used to simulate or visualize interactions with internal features of the physical object represented by the physical model. In certain embodiments, one or more of the internal features can be present in the physical model. In another embodiment, some internal features do not have a physical presence within the physical model.

Abstract: An interactive mixed reality simulator is provided that includes a virtual 3D model of internal or hidden features of an object; a physical model or object being interacted with; and a tracked instrument used to interact with the physical object. The tracked instrument can be used to simulate or visualize interactions with internal features of the physical object represented by the physical model. In certain embodiments, one or more of the internal features can be present in the physical model. In another embodiment, some internal features do not have a physical presence within the physical model.

Abstract: An interactive mixed reality simulator is provided that includes a virtual 3D model of internal or hidden features of an object; a physical model or object being interacted with; and a tracked instrument used to interact with the physical object. The tracked instrument can be used to simulate or visualize interactions with internal features of the physical object represented by the physical model. In certain embodiments, one or more of the internal features can be present in the physical model. In another embodiment, some internal features do not have a physical presence within the physical model.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are related to apparatus and methods for acoustically monitoring the performance of a medical device disposed within the body of a patient. According to one embodiment of an apparatus, the apparatus includes at least one acoustic sensor and a computer system that is connected to receive information from the acoustic sensor, wherein the acoustic sensor is adapted to receive a set of acoustic information that corresponds to acoustic activity within the body of said patient. The computer system is adapted for: (A) receiving the set of acoustic information, and (B) using the set of acoustic information to calculate location information relating to a location of a source of the acoustic activity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a method and apparatus for detecting and/or analyzing respiratory motion of a patient, such as an animal or person. A specific embodiment can use a radar motion detector to measure and record respiratory movements at different parts of the body, using multiple identifiable markers, such as reflectors, positioned such that movements of the patient can be monitored by monitoring the movement of the markers. As an example, the markers can be attached to or worn by the patient, inserted into the patient (such as under the skin), or otherwise positioned in a known relation to a portion or surface of the patient. In an embodiment, the identifiable reflectors are transponders with different modulation codes (in frequency, phase, amplitude, or combinations thereof) on the reflected signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for patient participatory care and monitoring are provided for applications including respiratory care, ECG monitoring, capnography, infusion pump alarm prevention/management, pressure sore prevention, incentive spirometry, consciousness monitoring during sedation, pain management and other care and monitoring modalities. A patient in-the-loop system includes an input interface for receiving data acquired from a monitoring, controlling or sensing device, a storage device for storing the data at a first location, and a processor for analyzing artifacts in the data and determining whether the patient provided a deliberate action with respect to the device as a response to a prompt or query. The processor can further initiate a variety of prompts and/or output queries stored in the storage device at a second location to the patient.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention include devices for use in determining the concentration of a tissue energy absorber (e.g., hemoglobin) in an individual's blood. In particular embodiments, the device includes a photometric device (e.g., a pulse oximeter) and an imaging device (e.g., an ultrasound imaging device or other suitable imaging device), and the device is adapted for: (A) using the photometric device to measure a change in mass of the tissue energy absorber within a particular volume of the individual's blood between a first point in time and a second point in time, the particular volume of blood being blood within a particular portion of at least one vascular structure, the vascular structure comprising at least one of the individual's vessels (e.g.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a panoramic, interactive, seamless, intuitive, high-resolution and yet extensive simulation tool capable of simulating dynamic events that alter the panoramic view in response to the user's actions or inaction. The dynamic panorama simulation can generate and display novel scenes that are not limited to static “canned” content that has been previously photographed, rendered, recorded, captured or filmed thus providing great flexibility, contextual authenticity and liveliness and, in some instances, unanticipated and surprising but accurate developments in the simulation.