Abstract: A radial illumination system is for projecting a light pattern radially. A light source generates a light output to an optical fiber. A ferrule is provided around the end of the optical fiber, and a reflector is mounted over or in the ferrule or integral with the ferrule, for redirecting the light to form generally radial light. In this way, a simple design with low component count is able to perform the optical alignment and optical reflecting functions.

Abstract: The invention provides an imaging system comprising an optical element for deflecting axially incident light into a series of axially spaced outward radial projections, and further comprising an image collection means for collecting reflected light. The element comprises a plurality of light deflecting surfaces or features which are arranged at axially successive points along the element, each at a different radial location. The light-deflecting surfaces are arranged to deflect light incident upon them from an axial direction in a radial direction, each thereby generating a radial projection of light from the element. A beam or beam bundle projected along the element has successive outer annular layers stripped by the facets and deflected outwards at different axial points along the structure.

Abstract: A tongue advancer system is for use in a tongue manipulation device, comprising a tissue anchor having a set of retractable fingers having a retracted configuration in which the tissue anchor is adapted to be loaded into a delivery tube and a deployed configuration in which the fingers are adapted for extending into tongue tissue in forward and lateral directions. The system further comprises a spacer which extends beyond the maximum forward extent of the retractable fingers. The spacer ensures that the fingers do not puncture the tongue surface.

Abstract: A system is provided for determining the position of an implanted device (10) in a human or animal body relative to a probe (12). In one device, a reference signal is generated and it is received in the other device. A phase angle or an amplitude attenuation or difference between the reference signal and the received signal is used to determine the proximity the probe to the implanted device. The approach makes use of body channel sensing by which the frequencies at which the body behaves as a waveguide are employed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to wearable or insertable devices that allow for ongoing sampling and analysis of biomarkers and self-cleaning. In various embodiments, an apparatus may include a base (102) defining at least one reservoir (104), and at least one microneedle (106, 306, 406, 506, 606, 706, 806, 906) extending from the base. The at least one microneedle may define an inner lumen (409, 509, 609, 709, 809, 909) that fluidly couples the at least one reservoir with tissue of the patient. A mechanically responsive material (670, 770, 870) on an inner surface of the at least one microneedle defining the inner lumen may be reactive to various stimuli to undergo various mechanical responses, such as one mechanical response that purges fluid from the inner lumen of the at least one microneedle and another mechanical response that draws fluid into the inner lumen of the at least one microneedle.

Abstract: A tongue manipulation device (10) has a tissue anchor (20) for attachment to the tongue, a bone anchor (22) typically for attachment to the mandible and a tether line (24) which fixes the tissue anchor to the bone anchor. The bone anchor comprises a tether line spool arrangement which comprises a spool (46) rotatable about a spooling axis and a spooling locking arrangement (54). The spooling locking arrangement is controlled by rotation about the spooling axis between spooling locking and permitting configurations. In this way, the physician implanting and setting the device can perform titration and subsequent locking as two independent operations.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to enhanced sampling of bioanalytes from bodily fluids using wearable and/or insertable devices. In some embodiments, an apparatus (100, 500, 600) for sampling bioanalyte(s) in tissue (107, 507, 607) may include: a base (102, 502, 602) having conduit(s) adapted to receive fluid extracted from the tissue; microneedles (106, 306, 506, 606) fluidly coupled with the conduit(s) and adapted to be pierced into the tissue; a plurality of individually-controllable energy emitters (112, 114, 350, 612, 614); and logic (90) operably coupled with the plurality of individually-controllable energy-emitters. The logic may be adapted to operate a subset of the plurality of individually-controllable energy emitters to apply energy at a first subset of the microneedles to induce bioanalyte flow through tissue towards the first subset or a second subset of the microneedles, or through the first subset or a second subset of the microneedles.

Abstract: A radial imaging system is provided for capturing an image of an object which extends radially around an image sensor in an object plane. A reflector (42) is used for reflecting incident light (46) to a generally axial direction. The image sensor (40) receives the generally axially directed reflected light, and it has a stepped reflector surface having a series of reflecting linear facets (48) which together form a generally curved, e.g. concave surface. This design enables improved uniformity of the imaging performance with respect to the radial distance to the object being imaged.

Abstract: A radial illumination system is for projecting a light pattern radially. A light source generates a light output to an optical fiber. A ferrule is provided around the end of the optical fiber, and a reflector is mounted over or in the ferrule or integral with the ferrule, for redirecting the light to form generally radial light. In this way, a simple design with low component count is able to perform the optical alignment and optical reflecting functions.

Abstract: A connection rod for a tongue manipulation device system, the connection rod comprising: a first coupling part (307) configured to couple the distal end of the connection rod to a tongue advancer (305); a second coupling part (309) configured to couple the proximal end of the connection rod to an implant tool (101) or a removal tool (1601), wherein the connection rod is configured to transmit a tension or pulling force from the implant tool (101) or the removal tool (1601) to the tongue advancer (305) such that the tongue advancer is configured to be retracted within the implant tool (101) or removal tool (1601) respectively.

Abstract: The invention provides an imaging system comprising an optical element for deflecting axially incident light into a series of axially spaced outward radial projections, and further comprising an image collection means for collecting reflected light. The element comprises a plurality of light deflecting surfaces or features which are arranged at axially successive points along the element, each at a different radial location. The light-deflecting surfaces are arranged to deflect light incident upon them from an axial direction in a radial direction, each thereby generating a radial projection of light from the element. A beam or beam bundle projected along the element has successive outer annular layers stripped by the facets and deflected outwards at different axial points along the structure.

Abstract: A bone anchor for a tongue manipulation device which has a tissue anchor for attachment to the tongue, the bone anchor, for example for attachment to the mandible and a tether line which fixes the tissue anchor to the bone anchor. The bone anchor has a spool arrangement with a indexing part and a spool part. In a first configuration the spool part is operable to spool the tether line without operation of the indexing part, and in a second configuration the spool part is operable to spool the tether line with operation of the indexing part. This means the spooling to take up slack in the tether line does not cause wear to the indexing springs, and it also means the user can feel when the slack has been taken up.

Abstract: The invention provides a catheter (12) comprising longitudinally spaced acoustic emitters (S1, S2) and receivers (M1, M2, M3) for use in determining the locations of obstructions in an upper airway of a patient. A plurality of emitters and plurality of receivers are provided, such that, when inserted into an upper airway or oral cavity, the relative attenuation of signals received at each receiver from each emitter may be used to determine the existence and/or extent of obstructions located along the propagation path between each of the various emitter-receiver pairs. Also provided are methods for determining the locations of obstructions in an upper airway using signals received from acoustic receivers as comprised by catheter arrangements according to embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: A radial imaging system is provided for capturing an image of an object which extends radially around an image sensor in an object plane. A reflector (42) is used for reflecting incident light (46) to a generally axial direction. The image sensor (40) receives the generally axially directed reflected light, and it has a stepped reflector surface having a series of reflecting linear facets (48) which together form a generally curved, e.g. concave surface. This design enables improved uniformity of the imaging performance with respect to the radial distance to the object being imaged.

Abstract: A tongue advancer system is for use in a tongue manipulation device, comprising a tissue anchor having a set of retractable fingers having a retracted configuration in which the tissue anchor is adapted to be loaded into a delivery tube and a deployed configuration in which the fingers are adapted for extending into tongue tissue in forward and lateral directions. The system further comprises a spacer which extends beyond the maximum forward extent of the retractable fingers. The spacer ensures that the fingers do not puncture the tongue surface.

Abstract: A tongue manipulation device (10) has a tissue anchor (20) for attachment to the tongue, a bone anchor (22) typically for attachment to the mandible and a tether line (24) which fixes the tissue anchor to the bone anchor. The bone anchor comprises a tether line spool arrangement which comprises a spool (46) rotatable about a spooling axis and a spooling locking arrangement (54). The spooling locking arrangement is controlled by rotation about the spooling axis between spooling locking and permitting configurations. In this way, the physician implanting and setting the device can perform titration and subsequent locking as two independent operations.

Abstract: A bone anchor for a tongue manipulation device which has a tissue anchor for attachment to the tongue, the bone anchor, for example for attachment to the mandible and a tether line which fixes the tissue anchor to the bone anchor. The bone anchor has a spool arrangement with a indexing part and a spool part. In a first configuration the spool part is operable to spool the tether line without operation of the indexing part, and in a second configuration the spool part is operable to spool the tether line with operation of the indexing part. This means the spooling to take up slack in the tether line does not cause wear to the indexing springs, and it also means the user can feel when the slack has been taken up.

Abstract: A device determines a critical rotation speed of an optical data carrier at which a critical deflection of said optical data carrier may occur. The device includes a drive unit, a measurement unit and a determination unit. The drive unit rotates the optical data carrier according to a sweep covering a predetermined range of rotation speeds. The measurement unit generates a measurement signal indicative of a distance between a surface of the optical data carrier and a reference position corresponding to the sweep. The determination unit determines the critical rotation speed of the optical data carrier by processing the measurement signal on the basis of at least one characteristic of the measurement signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (9, 109) and a method (501) for determining a critical rotation speed of an optical data carrier (1) at which a critical deflection of said optical data carrier (1) may occur in said device (9, 109), an apparatus (209) and a method for monitoring a condition of an optical data carrier (1), an apparatus (309) and a method for reading data from and/or writing data to an optical data carrier (1), and a device (409) and a method for generating a reference signal to be used for determining a critical rotation speed of an optical data carrier (9).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reading apparatus and to a corresponding reading method for reading data from, and detecting cracks in, an optical record carrier (10).