Abstract: Systems and methods for locating, assessing, diagnosing, treating and monitoring of musculoskeletal disorders, soft tissue injuries, pain and other areas of dysfunctional tissue in patients, are provided. In the systems and methods, such assessments and treatments are performed using a combination of electrical stimulation and imaging tools.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for monitoring brain pulsatility. A change in volume of the brain is estimated based at least in part on an output of a non-contact, surface measuring sensor (e.g., a distance sensor or a camera). A metric indicative of brain pulsatility is then calculated based at least in part on a ratio of the estimated change in volume of the brain relative to a change in arterial blood pressure.

Abstract: The described invention provides a ureteral stent device comprising a tubular structure comprising a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end comprises a magnet, a magnetic tip, a magnetic coating, a magnetic metal, or a magnetic alloy. The distal end comprises a tapered tip and can form any one of a J-curl, a j-shape, or a pigtail loop for securing the distal end in a kidney. The proximal end is not secured in the bladder and terminates in the ureter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for monitoring brain pulsatility. A change in volume of the brain is estimated based at least in part on an output of a non-contact, surface measuring sensor (e.g., a distance sensor or a camera). A metric indicative of brain pulsatility is then calculated based at least in part on a ratio of the estimated change in volume of the brain relative to a change in arterial blood pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for locating, assessing, diagnosing, treating and monitoring of musculoskeletal disorders, soft tissue injuries, pain and other areas of dysfunctional tissue in patients, are provided. In the systems and methods, such assessments and treatments are performed using a combination of electrical stimulation and imaging tools.

Abstract: A system includes a thermal therapy element adapted to provide thermal therapy to a body part of a patient. The system also includes a compression therapy element adapted to provide compression therapy to the body part. The compression therapy element includes a plurality of portions. Each of the plurality of portions is adapted to be independently controllable to provide a corresponding one of a plurality of pressures to a corresponding one of a plurality of regions of the body part.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus includes a clip assembly configured to be secured on a patient's digit. The clip assembly houses an accelerometer which measures acceleration in three dimensions. A microcontroller is configured to receive acceleration data from the accelerometer representative of the acceleration measured in each of the three dimensions. A processor is configured to analyze the acceleration data and determine and output a train-of-four ratio based the acceleration measured in each of the three dimensions.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for displaying, on a confidence gauge comprising a set of lights, a confidence level of whether a blood vessel is an artery or a vein, wherein a number of illuminated lights of the set of lights indicates the confidence level.

Abstract: An extendable Intubation stylet including a handle member and a trigger mechanism moveable relative to the handle member between a retracted position and an extended position. A hollow semi-rigid stylet member extends from the handle member from a proximal end to a distal end. A flexible stylet member has a proximal end and a distal end and extends through the semi-rigid stylet member with the proximal end of the flexible stylet member connected with the trigger mechanism and configured such that when the trigger mechanism is in the retracted position, the flexible stylet member distal end is proximate the semi-rigid stylet member distal end and when the trigger mechanism is in the extended position, the flexible stylet member distal end is extended from the semi-rigid stylet member distal end.

Abstract: A apparatus and a method are disclosed for transmitting a signal directed to a blood vessel via a Doppler ultrasound waveform apparatus, receiving, by the Doppler ultrasound waveform apparatus, a reflected signal from the blood vessel; and determining, by a processing device, whether the blood vessel is an artery or a vein based on a blood flow velocity in the blood vessel.

Abstract: A apparatus and a method are disclosed for transmitting a signal directed to a blood vessel via a Doppler ultrasound waveform apparatus, receiving, by the Doppler ultrasound waveform apparatus, a reflected signal from the blood vessel; and determining, by a processing device, whether the blood vessel is an artery or a vein based on a blood flow velocity in the blood vessel.

Abstract: A multi-lumen catheter for use in a cavity having a main lumen surrounded by a wall, and at least one access lumen positioned in or on the wall, the one access lumen conveys a solution to the cavity and said main lumen. A method for treating or preventing fluid or accumulation in a body cavity including (a) aseptically inserting through an incision at an insertion site the catheter comprising a main drainage lumen surrounded by a wall and the one access lumen positioned in or on the wall, (b) securing the inserted catheter by closing the incision with a suture, (c) infusing a physiological solution through the one access lumen to dilute a drainage fluid, (d) connecting a distal end of a main drainage lumen of the catheter to a suction drainage system, and (e) applying a vacuum force to the suction drainage system to remove the diluted drainage fluid.

Abstract: A distractor and measuring device includes a first handle operatively connected to a first paddle and a second handle operatively connected to a second paddle. The first and second handles are pivotally connected to one another such that movement of the handles relative to one another causes the paddles to move relative to each other. At least one transducer is positioned on at least one of the first and second handles for measuring an amount of force applied during distraction. A measurement rod is pivotally connected to the device and is movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the first and second paddles. A potentiometer is operatively connected to the measurement rod to measure the angular orientation of the measurement rod.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral fusion cage that includes an inferior baseplate and a superior baseplate, an insert rotatably received between the inferior and superior baseplates, and a guide pin coupled to the inferior and superior baseplates for facilitating the rotation of the insert. The insert includes a pair of protuberances, each of which are releasably engageable with a corresponding lock groove formed within the inferior and superior baseplates. When said insert is rotated relative to the guide pin, the protuberances engage the lock grooves, and the inferior and superior baseplates expand from a collapsed position, in which said inferior and superior baseplates are juxtaposed with one another, and an expanded position, in which said inferior and superior baseplates are diverged away from one another. Tabs formed on the superior baseplate continuously engage slots formed within the inferior baseplate when the baseplates expand from their collapsed position to their expanded position.

Abstract: In a method of electrical impedance tomography (EIT), a mediating fluid provides electrical contact between the electrodes of an EIT device and the skin of a body part to be examined. The height of the fluid is raised or lowered between impedance measurements, enabling tomographic images of the tissue under examination to be resolved mathematically for subsequent viewing. Tomographic planes are isolated by calculating differences between Cartesian models generated from impedance values measured at the plane of interest and at an adjacent plane.

Abstract: A portable water purification system and method of operation of the system is disclosed that may comprise a container defining a water purification chamber; a plurality of UV generating light sources distributed in the purification chamber of the container; and a portable power source electrically connected to the light sources, and adapted to convert kinetic energy to electrical energy to provide to the light sources. The portable power source may be adapted to be driven by human motive power to provide the kinetic energy. The purification system may comprise a filling opening to the container; and a filter intermediate the filling opening and the chamber adapted to remove turbidity from the water entering the water purification chamber through the filling opening. The portable power source may comprise a hand-cranked electrical generator.

Abstract: A distractor and measuring device includes a first handle operatively connected to a first paddle and a second handle operatively connected to a second paddle. The first and second handles are pivotally connected to one another such that movement of the handles relative to one another causes the paddles to move relative to each other. At least one transducer is positioned on at least one of the first and second handles for measuring an amount of force applied during distraction. A measurement rod is pivotally connected to the device and is movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the first and second paddles. A potentiometer is operatively connected to the measurement rod to measure the angular orientation of the measurement rod.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral fusion cage that includes an inferior baseplate and a superior baseplate, an insert rotatbly received between the inferior and superior baseplates, and a guide pin coupled to the inferior and superior baseplates for facilitating the rotation of the insert. The insert includes a pair of protuberances, each of which are releasably engageable with a corresponding lock groove formed within the inferior and superior baseplates. When said insert is rotated relative to the guide pin, the protuberances engage the lock grooves, and the inferior and superior baseplates expand from a collapsed position, in which said inferior and superior baseplates are juxtaposed with one another, and an expanded position, in which said inferior and superior baseplates are diverged away from one another. As a result, the cage distracts in parallel.

Abstract: In a method of electrical impedance tomography (EIT), a mediating fluid provides electrical contact between the electrodes of an EIT device and the skin of a body part to be examined. The height of the fluid is raised or lowered between impedance measurements, enabling tomographic images of the tissue under examination to be resolved mathematically for subsequent viewing. Tomographic planes are isolated by calculating differences between Cartesian models generated from impedance values measured at the plane of interest and at an adjacent plane.