Abstract: A visualization system may include a radiographic imaging apparatus for obtaining radioscopic images of a bodily organ with one or more radio discernible sensors introduced into the organ in order to sense physiological parameter(s) related to the physiological activity of the imaged organ. The sensors may be pressure sensors, temperature sensors, etc. The visualization system may also include a computing device for identifying the organ and the relative locations of the sensors in each radioscopic image, and it may generate a displayable representation symbol that may represent the sensors and the sensors' output values. Display attributes that depend on the sensors' locations and output values may define the location of the representation symbol. Acquiring a radioscopic image of the bodily organ and reading the sensors' outputs may be performed simultaneously in order to facilitate spatiotemporal synchronization between display of the image of the organ and display of the representation symbol.

Abstract: A balloon assembly for an anorectal manometry catheter may include a three-part tube and a balloon mountable on the tube. The three-part tube may include a flexible proximal connection tube (PCT), a flexible distal connection tube (DCT), and a semi-flexible transfer tube that is interposed between and connected to each of said PCT and said DCT. The balloon may have a first opening connected to a first end of the transfer tube and a second opening connected to a second end of the transfer tube which is opposite the first end of the transfer tube. The three-part tube may be configured to be slidable along and over a catheter in a first direction, with the DCT slid first. The three-part tube may also be configured to be slidable over the catheter in the opposite direction such that the PCT is folded onto itself and completely contained in the transfer tube.

Abstract: Anorectal diagnostic procedures are oftentimes carried out with the patient laying in the left decubitus position, which leads to non-representative response to test maneuvers due to the unnatural position and patient anxiety. Devices spanning, or fastened on, the interglutial cleft of a patient allow for a more natural patient position and eliminate non-representative responses.

Abstract: An mucosal impedance (“MI”) device may include or utilize a retaining member sized to retain a tines structure including N tines, each provided with one or more impedance electrodes on each tine. The retaining member may mechanically deform the tines such that they fit inside it. The tines, made of spring like material, may be chosen, for example, for their elastic modulus and yield strength. The tines may be pre-conditioned with a shape that provides a spring tension force in the radial outward direction. When the retaining member or is retracted to release and expose the tines and impedance electrodes, the preconditioned shape and elasticity of the tines cause the tines to expand radially outward, providing an appropriate contact force of the impedance electrodes on the inner wall of the esophagus for a range of esophageal diameters.

Abstract: A balloon assembly for an anorectal manometry catheter may include a three-part tube and a balloon mountable on the tube. The three-part tube may include a flexible proximal connection tube (PCT), a flexible distal connection tube (DCT), and a semi-flexible transfer tube that is interposed between and connected to each of said PCT and said DCT. The balloon may have a first opening connected to a first end of the transfer tube and a second opening connected to a second end of the transfer tube which is opposite the first end of the transfer tube. The three-part tube may be configured to be slidable along and over a catheter in a first direction, with the DCT slid first. The three-part tube may also be configured to be slidable over the catheter in the opposite direction such that the PCT is folded onto itself and completely contained in the transfer tube.

Abstract: A pressure sensor and pressure-sensing catheter in which a deformable pressure sensing membrane is separated from an inner metalized surface on a rigid support by an air gap. An input allows a voltage to be applied to an electrode on the sensing membrane and an output allows reading of the signal modulation from the support surface. An outer sleeve overlays the membrane and a wire bus transmits the signals to a terminal connector. The catheter may include a vented air gap, a multiplexing wire bus, and an internal cable to maintain tension.

Abstract: Anorectal diagnostic procedures are oftentimes carried out with the patient laying in the left decubitus position, which leads to non-representative response to test maneuvers due to the unnatural position and patient anxiety. Devices spanning, or fastened on, the interglutial cleft of a patient allow for a more natural patient position and eliminate non-representative responses.

Abstract: A physiological sensor-transmitter assembly for measuring a physiological property at an internal body location of a subject over time is described. An instrument for inserting the assembly in the subject and a method of monitoring a physiological property measured at the internal body location over time are also described. The assembly includes a sensor and a transmitter adapted to transmit information from the sensor in a non-wired fashion to a receiver. The assembly also includes an anchor adapted to attach to an externally accessible portion of a subject and a tether that connects the sensor and the anchor to maintain a position of the sensor within the gastrointestinal tract of the subject.

Abstract: A pressure sensor and pressure-sensing catheter in which a deformable pressure sensing membrane is separated from an inner metalized surface on a rigid support by an air gap. An input allows a voltage to be applied to an electrode on the sensing membrane and an output allows reading of the signal modulation from the support surface. An outer sleeve overlays the membrane and a wire bus transmits the signals to a terminal connector. The catheter may include a vented air gap, a multiplexing wire bus, and an internal cable to maintain tension.

Abstract: A visualization system may include a radiographic imaging apparatus for obtaining radioscopic images of a bodily organ with one or more radio discernible sensors introduced into the organ in order to sense physiological parameter(s) related to the physiological activity of the imaged organ. The sensors may be pressure sensors, temperature sensors, etc. The visualization system may also include a computing device for identifying the organ and the relative locations of the sensors in each radioscopic image, and it may generate a displayable representation symbol that may represent the sensors and the sensors' output values. Display attributes that depend on the sensors' locations and output values may define the location of the representation symbol. Acquiring a radioscopic image of the bodily organ and reading the sensors' outputs may be performed simultaneously in order to facilitate spatiotemporal synchronization between display of the image of the organ and display of the representation symbol.

Abstract: A system and methods that provide for visualization and/or characterization of manometry data. Visual representations of pressure information represent pressure information measured over time by sensors positioned within an organism. Markers may be provided on the visual representations. Using the system and methods described herein, various characteristics of an organism and/or events that occur within the organism may be determined.

Abstract: A system and methods that provide for visualization and/or characterization of manometry data. Visual representations of pressure information represent pressure information measured over time by sensors positioned within an organism. Markers may be provided on the visual representations. Using the system and methods described herein, various characteristics of an organism and/or events that occur within the organism may be determined.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for display of physiological data in a format useful for identifying or diagnosing physiological conditions. The system registers visual representations of different types of physiological data to aid in an understanding of bodily processes. In addition to registering the data, the system may display different types of physiological data with different visual characteristics. Further, the transparency of the visual representations of the different datasets may be controlled to enhance the understandability of displayed information. The system, for example, can be used with data representative of pressure and impedance within a patient's gastrointestinal tract to provide greater understanding of physiological processes during a swallow.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining a quantitative measurement of the location and size of a contrast material within a bodily organ, such as the GI tract of a person. A contrast material is introduced into the organ and a plurality of images is obtained. A curve representing the bodily organ is formed based on the images. Local image fields are defined along the curve and a field intensity is found for each by integrating the intensity of the image in the field. An intensity profile along the length of the curve is thus obtained for each image and provides a quantitative representation of contrast material along the bodily organ. The profiles are displayed in any suitable way. In some embodiments, identification of the curve may be aided by introduction of targets are into the organ. The target locations can be identified in each image.

Abstract: A system for visually indicating, in real time or post hoc, values of a physical property detected over a period of time along a dimension of an organism to a user on a temporal plot and a profile plot, either individually or concurrently. The detected values may be visually indicated on the temporal plot using any of a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to, a contour technique, a line trace technique or a mesh plot technique. Further, the detected values may be visually indicated on the profile plot using any of a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to a contour technique, a line trace technique or a histogram technique. To provide a finer spatial resolution, values may be interpolated for locations between the locations at which values were detected, and these values may be displayed on the temporal plot and the profile plot.

Abstract: A system for visually indicating, in real time or post hoc, values of a physical property detected over a period of time along a dimension of an organism to a user on a temporal plot and a profile plot, either individually or concurrently. The detected values may be visually indicated on the temporal plot using any of a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to, a contour technique, a line trace technique or a mesh plot technique. Further, the detected values may be visually indicated on the profile plot using any of a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to a contour technique, a line trace technique or a histogram technique. To provide a finer spatial resolution, values may be interpolated for locations between the locations at which values were detected, and these values may be displayed on the temporal plot and the profile plot.

Abstract: An accurate and low cost macro pressure sensor is described. The pressure sensor includes an array of capacitive sensing elements formed at the intersections of sets of conductors. A lower set of conductors is supported by a substrate and an upper set of conductors is supported on a flexible polymer membrane. Capacitive sensing elements are formed where a conductor in the upper set overlaps a spacer in the lower set. Separators hold the membrane away from the substrate with a separation that, because of deflection of the membrane, varies in relation to the pressure applied to the membrane. As a result, the separation of conductors, and therefore capacitance, in each cell varies in response to the applied pressure. By attaching the membrane to the separators and optionally using slits in the membrane between capacitive sensing elements, measurements made in each capacitive sensing element can be mechanically decoupled.

Abstract: An accurate and low cost macro pressure sensor is described. The pressure sensor includes an array of capacitive sensing elements formed at the intersections of sets of conductors. A lower set of conductors is supported by a substrate and an upper set of conductors is supported on a flexible polymer membrane. Capacitive sensing elements are formed where a conductor in the upper set overlaps a spacer in the lower set. Separators hold the membrane away from the substrate with a separation that, because of deflection of the membrane, varies in relation to the pressure applied to the membrane. As a result, the separation of conductors, and therefore capacitance, in each cell varies in response to the applied pressure. By attaching the membrane to the separators and optionally using slits in the membrane between capacitive sensing elements, measurements made in each capacitive sensing element can be mechanically decoupled.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining a quantitative measurement of the location and size of a contrast material within a bodily organ, such as the GI tract of a person. A contrast material is introduced into the organ and a plurality of images is obtained. A curve representing the bodily organ is formed based on the images. Local image fields are defined along the curve and a field intensity is found for each by integrating the intensity of the image in the field. An intensity profile along the length of the curve is thus obtained for each image and provides a quantitative representation of contrast material along the bodily organ. The profiles are displayed in any suitable way. In some embodiments, identification of the curve may be aided by introduction of targets are into the organ. The target locations can be identified in each image.

Abstract: A system for visually indicating, in real time or post hoc, values of a physical property detected over a period of time along a dimension of an organism to a user on a temporal plot and a profile plot, either individually or concurrently. The detected values may be visually indicated on the temporal plot using any of a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to, a contour technique, a line trace technique or a mesh plot technique. Further, the detected values may be visually indicated on the profile plot using any of a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to a contour technique, a line trace technique or a histogram technique. To provide a finer spatial resolution, values may be interpolated for locations between the locations at which values were detected, and these values may be displayed on the temporal plot and the profile plot.