Abstract: Sensors and systems for determining a physiological parameter such as blood pressure using external pressure are disclosed. Such sensors and/or systems may be embodied in a wearable user device. The wearable user device may include a cuff configured to apply a pressure to a portion of a user at one or more substantially constant pressure levels; a photoacoustic sensor configured to obtain photoacoustic signals generated from light incident on a blood vessel; and a wearable structure including the cuff and the photoacoustic sensor. Techniques involving the wearable user device may include: obtaining photoacoustic signals from a portion of the user; determining a curve associated with the user, the curve including a plurality of spatial measurements of the blood vessel as a function of a plurality of discrete pressures, the curve enabling determination of a characteristic of the blood vessel; and determining the physiological parameter based at least on the characteristic.

Abstract: Some disclosed examples pertain to an apparatus that can include a platen, a light source system, a receiver system, and an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield. The light source system can include light source system circuitry, a light-emitting component, and a light guide component having a substantially uniform cross-section. The light-emitting component provides light to an area of the platen via the light guide component. The receiver system can include at least two receiver stack portions residing proximate on either side of the light guide component. The receiver system detects acoustic waves corresponding to a photoacoustic response of a target object proximate the area of the platen, to light emitted by the light source system. The EMI shield shields the receiver system from at least some of the EMI produced by the light source system circuitry. The light guide component conveys light through a portion of the EMI shield.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a platen, a light source system, an ultrasonic receiver system and a control system, the light source system configured for providing first light of a first wavelength and second light of a second wavelength to a target object on an outer surface of the platen. The control system may be configured to: cause the light source system to provide the first light to the target object at a first time and to provide the second light to the target object at a second time; receive first ultrasonic receiver signals and second ultrasonic receiver signals from the ultrasonic receiver system corresponding to photoacoustic responses of the target object to the first light and the second light, respectively; and estimate one or more blood vessel features based on at least one of the first ultrasonic receiver signals or the second ultrasonic receiver signals.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a platen, a light source system, an ultrasonic receiver system and a control system, the light source system configured for providing first light of a first wavelength and second light of a second wavelength to a target object along a first axis. The control system may be configured to: cause the light source system to provide the first light to the target object at a first time and to provide the second light to the target object at a second time; receive first ultrasonic receiver signals and second ultrasonic receiver signals from the ultrasonic receiver system corresponding to photoacoustic responses of the target object to the first light and the second light, respectively; and estimate one or more blood vessel features based on at least one of the first ultrasonic receiver signals or the second ultrasonic receiver signals.

Abstract: Some disclosed examples involve controlling a light-steering system to direct light emitted by at least a first light source of a light source system to a first plurality of areas of a target object, wherein controlling the light-steering system involves controlling one or more adjustable micromirrors, one or more adjustable lenses, one or more adjustable diffraction gratings, or combinations thereof. Some examples involve receiving ultrasonic receiver signals from an ultrasonic receiver system corresponding to photoacoustic responses of the target object to light provided the light source system to each area of the first plurality of areas and determining a selected area of the target object from which additional ultrasonic receiver signals will be obtained, wherein determining the selected area involves detecting a blood vessel within the target object. Some examples involve controlling the light source system to obtain additional ultrasonic receiver signals from the selected area.

Abstract: Some disclosed examples involve receiving ultrasonic receiver signals from an ultrasonic receiver system corresponding to ultrasonic waves generated by a target object responsive to light from a light source system, estimating one or more blood vessel features based, at least in part, on the ultrasonic receiver signals and estimating blood pressure based, at least in part, on the one or more blood vessel features. Some disclosed examples involve receiving inertial sensor data from an inertial sensor system, determining whether the inertial sensor data indicates apparatus motion that exceeds a threshold and controlling a photoacoustic plethysmography (PAPG) system that includes the light source system and the ultrasonic receiver system according to whether the apparatus motion exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a platen, a light source system, an ultrasonic receiver system and a control system, the light source system being configured for providing first light and second light having first and second wavelengths to a target object on an outer surface of the platen and including one or more light guides configured to convey light parallel to a surface of the platen. The control system may be configured to: cause the light source system to provide the first light and the second light to the target object at a first time and a second time, respectively; receive first and second ultrasonic receiver signals from the ultrasonic receiver system corresponding to photoacoustic responses of the target object to the first light and the second light, respectively; and estimate one or more blood vessel features based on at least one of the first or the second ultrasonic receiver signals.

Abstract: Some disclosed methods may involve providing first light of a first wavelength to a target object at a first time, receiving first ultrasonic receiver signals from an ultrasonic receiver system corresponding to photoacoustic responses of the target object to the first light, providing second light of a second wavelength to the target object at a second time, receiving second ultrasonic receiver signals from the ultrasonic receiver system corresponding to photoacoustic responses of the target object to the second light and differentiating a desired signal from one or more background signals based, at least in part, on the first ultrasonic receiver signals and the second ultrasonic receiver signals. The desired signal may correspond to at least a portion of a blood vessel within the target object. A light source system may be configured for providing the first light and the second light to the target object along the same axis.

Abstract: A matching layer for an ultrasound imaging head includes a translucent matrix and a plurality of translucent particles (e.g, glass beads, etc.) disposed in the translucent matrix. A volume fraction of the plurality of translucent glass beads in the translucent matrix is selected to provide a predetermined acoustic impedance. The diameter of the glass beads of the plurality of glass beads may be selected to provide a predetermined acoustic impedance. The matching layer may be disposed on a transparent piezoelectric element. Such an arrangement may be configured for photoacoustic imaging. An illumination source may provide light to a region of interest, and the light may be transmitted at least partially through the transparent piezoelectric element and the matching layer.

Abstract: A guide catheter is adapted for providing improved backup support while accessing an ostium of a patient's left coronary artery. The guide catheter includes an elongate shaft having a proximal shaft portion and a power zone shaft portion. The elongate shaft includes an inner polymeric layer extending through the proximal shaft portion and the power zone shaft portion, and outer polymeric layer, and a braid that is disposed between the inner polymeric layer and the outer polymeric layer and extends through the proximal shaft portion and the power zone shaft portion, the braid having a first PIC count within the power zone shaft portion and a second PIC count within the proximal shaft portion. The elongate shaft is biased into a primary curve disposed distal of the power zone shaft portion and a coplanar secondary curve disposed within the power zone shaft portion.

Abstract: A hemostasis valve assembly for use in a medical device. The hemostasis valve assembly may include a main body portion defining an internal cavity, a seal cartridge disposed within the internal cavity, and a low pressure valve assembly positioned within the internal cavity adjacent to the seal cartridge. The low pressure valve assembly may include a first valve member having a first valve body and a second valve member having second valve body. A portion of a distal side of the first valve member may abut at least a portion of a proximal side of the second valve member.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method of manufacture may include a receiver system that includes an array of receiver elements, in addition to receiver system circuitry. A least a portion of the array of receiver elements is transparent. The transparency allows light to pass through so that blood vessel behind may be visible or otherwise perceived. In this manner, the receiver system may detect (i.e., through the transparent portion of the receiver elements) acoustic waves corresponding to the blood vessel's photoacoustic response to light emitted by a light source system that includes a light-emitting component.

Abstract: Some disclosed examples involve controlling, by a control system, a light source system to provide light to a target object on an outer surface of a platen and receiving, by the control system, ultrasonic receiver signals from each of a plurality of ultrasonic receiver elements in an array of ultrasonic receiver elements. The ultrasonic receiver signals may correspond to ultrasonic waves generated by the target object responsive to the light from the light source system. Some disclosed examples involve applying, by the control system, a receiver-side beamforming process to the ultrasonic receiver signals, to produce a beamformed ultrasonic receiver image and detecting, by the control system, a blood vessel within the targe object based, at least in part, on the beamformed ultrasonic receiver image.

Abstract: A valve hub assembly for use with a sheath includes a valve hub with a proximal end opposite a distal end, a first arm defining a lumen, and a second arm defining a lumen. A tightening port is arranged at the proximal end of the valve hub. The tightening port includes a hub cap engaged with the tightening port, a radially expandable seal positioned in a lumen of the hub cap, a pusher engaged with the radially expandable seal and at least partially disposed within the hub cap, and a lock nut arranged around the pusher and configured for pressing of the pusher against the radially expandable seal.

Abstract: A device, system and method to determine a frequency function of a basilar membrane of cochleae to tune cochlear implants is provided. A clinically available scan of a cochlea of a given format is input to a machine learning engine trained to: output higher resolution cochlear images of a resolution higher than the given format using input based on clinically available cochlear scans of the given format. A higher resolution image of the cochlea is determined using the machine learning engine. A number of turns of the cochlea is determined from the higher resolution image. A frequency function of a basilar membrane of the cochlea is determined and/or output, the frequency function being dependent on an angle of the basilar membrane. The frequency function is determined and/or output by inputting the number of turns into a generic predetermined frequency function dependent on the number of turns and the angle.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a platen, a light source system and a receiver system. The light source system may at least a first light-emitting component and at least a first light guide component. The first light guide component may be configured to transmit light from the first light-emitting component towards a target object in contact with a first area of the platen. The receiver system may include at least two receiver stack portions. A first receiver stack portion may reside proximate a first side of a first portion of the first light guide component and a second receiver stack portion may reside proximate a second side of the first portion of the first light guide component. The receiver system may be configured to detect acoustic waves corresponding to a photoacoustic response of the target object to light emitted by the light source system.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a substrate, a light source system and a receiver system. The light source system may be configured to emit light through an area of the substrate, from a first side of the substrate towards a target object in contact with a second and opposite side of the substrate. The receiver system may include one or more receivers residing in, on or proximate the substrate. The receiver system may be configured to detect surface acoustic waves propagating in the substrate corresponding to a photoacoustic response of the target object to light emitted by the light source system. In some examples, the apparatus may include a control system. The control system may be configured to receive surface acoustic wave signals from the receiver system corresponding to detected surface acoustic waves and to detect at least one structure within the target object based on the surface acoustic wave signals.

Abstract: A hemostasis valve for use in a medical device. The hemostasis valve may include a generally cylindrical body having a proximal side, a distal side, and a thickness extending therebetween. The proximal side may include a tapered central region having a surface sloped towards a center of the body and the distal side may include a distally extending curved central region.

Abstract: A tightening port for use with a hemostasis valve of an introducer sheath includes a gripper configured for engagement with the hemostasis valve hub, the gripper having a proximal end, a distal end, a cylindrical body defining a lumen, and a plurality of protrusions extending from the proximal end, a base having a cylindrical body and a lumen defined therethrough for receiving a portion of the gripper, and a plurality of engagement features configured for engaging with the plurality of protrusions of the gripper, and wherein the lumen of the gripper has an initial diameter prior to engagement with the base, and the lumen of the gripper has a compressed diameter after engagement with the base, wherein the compressed diameter is less than the initial diameter.

Abstract: A tightening port for use with a hub of an introducer sheath includes a cartridge for reversible engagement with a proximal end of the hub, the cartridge having a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen extending therebetween, a seal positioned within the lumen of the cartridge, a lock nut having an inner portion positioned within the lumen of the cartridge and an outer portion configured for engagement with the proximal end of the cartridge, such that the inner portion of the lock nut is configured to push the seal to reduce a size of an opening of the seal.