Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for forming a hole in a wall of a hollow organ. The applicator includes a hole forming element for forming a hole in the wall of the organ, a positioning means for positioning the hole forming element, and a retractor element. In addition, the applicator includes a sequencing means for coordinating the relative movement of the retractor element and the hole forming element in a sequential manner to thereby carry out a procedure for forming a hole in the wall of the hollow organ. The sequencing means may further include a safety latch element operatively coupled to the retracting means and the hole forming element. The safety latch of the invention keeps prevents damage to the internal surface of the organ during the formation of the hole.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a surgical instrument support assembly which includes an enclosure defining an opening; a light transmissive pane located at least partially across the opening and defining a support surface; and, a light source located inside the enclosure for generating light to be transmitted through the light transmissive pane. A sterilizable light transmissive surgical instrument support may be also provided to be disposed over at least a portion of the light transmissive pane. Advantageously, with the subject invention, an assembly is provided which includes a sterilized surface for supporting surgical instruments which is backlit. With this arrangement, surgical instruments may be supported and illuminated from beneath to aid a medical practitioner in identifying the surgical instruments.

Abstract: A device for assisting a caregiver in delivering therapy to a patient, the device comprising a user interface configured to deliver prompts to a caregiver to assist the caregiver in delivering therapy to a patient; at least one sensor configured to detect the caregiver's progress in delivering the therapy, wherein the sensor is other than an electrode in an electrical contact with the body; a memory in which a plurality of different prompts are stored; a processor configured to determine which of the different prompts should be selected for delivery based on the progress detected by the sensor.

Abstract: A medical cloud system with an automatically checking and feeding back self-status function utilizes a database to receive and integrate a physiological information, an electronic physiological monitoring device intrinsic information, an electronic physiological monitoring device status information, an electronic physiological monitoring device error code or a miss operation information from an electronic physiological monitoring device through a smart transmitting unit. The database can notify user or manager of the electronic physiological monitoring device of arising of the electronic physiological monitoring device status information, the electronic physiological monitoring device error code or the miss operation information, and confirm the system status.

Abstract: A gas measurement device for measuring at least one gas in the stomach of a mammal, the device comprises a housing for being located in the mammal's stomach and providing at least one gas sensor for detecting the gas. The housing is impermeable to liquid within the stomach. The device may also comprise a controller disposed within the housing and which is electrically coupled to the at least one gas sensor. The controller is arranged to periodically process an output from the gas sensor(s) to provide data indicative of the amount of the gas within the stomach. The controller can include a wireless transmitter for transmitting the data to a remotely located receiving device disposed exterior to the mammal.

Abstract: A device configured to detect, measure, and/or monitor physiological signals of a mammal. The device and system can detect a pulse and/or skin bioimpedance of a mammal and determine one or more physiological parameters based on the detected pulse and/or dermal bioimpedance. The device and system converts one or more physiological signals detected by the one or more sensors into one or more physiological parameters and stores the physiological parameters as electronic data, the electronic data being related to a physiological condition of the mammal.

Abstract: A method for monitoring physiological parameters associated with a subject using a hand held device is described herein. In an implementation, the method includes obtaining a plurality of sample photoplethysmographic (PPG) features associated with a sample subject, from a video of a body part of the sample subject. From among the plurality of sample PPG features, at least one relevant sample PPG feature associated with the physiological parameter, is selected based on a ground truth value of the physiological parameter for the subject. Further, based on the at least one relevant sample PPG feature and the ground truth value of the physiological parameter, a mathematical model indicative of a correlation between the relevant sample PPG feature and the physiological parameter, is determined. The mathematical model can be deployed for monitoring the physiological parameter in real time.

Abstract: Non-invasive monitoring of cardiovascular health is performed by monitoring changes in the volume of blood in the venous side of the vascular system. The blood volume changes are determined from measurements of bioimpedance of limbs or neck, in particular changes in bioimpedance in response to blood modulating events performed on the limbs or neck, where bioimpedance is measured and compared before and after such events.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for attenuating environmental interference are described. A wearable monitoring apparatus includes a housing configured to be attached to the body of a subject and a sensor module that includes an energy emitter that directs energy at a target region of the subject, a detector that detects an energy response signal—or physiological condition—from the subject, a filter that removes time-varying environmental interference from the energy response signal, and at least one processor that controls operations of the energy emitter, detector, and filter.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to intrapleural air leak detection and monitoring. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an air leak may be detected utilizing at least one sensor to determine whether fluid extracted from a pleural cavity of a patient includes carbon dioxide and/or a second substance. The second substance may be a foreign substance inhaled by the patient to confirm presence of the air leak. The air leak may be further monitored over a period of time by collecting temporally successive measurements associated with detected concentrations of carbon dioxide. Therefore, tissue damage and recovery may be assessed according to objectively collected criteria.

Abstract: A system for measuring of arterial and venous blood constituent concentration based first on measuring cardiac blood flow balance parameter between the right chamber of the heart and the left chamber of the heart, which includes a sensor device for measuring one of blood pressure and blood flow rate and blood constituent concentration of a patient so as to generate an arterial pulse signal. A processing unit is responsive to the arterial pulse signal for generating full arterial pulse plethysmography waveforms, arterio-venous pulse plethysmography waveforms, and balance parameters. A computational device that is responsive to plethysmography waveforms generating a plurality of state space linear transfer functions by applying system identification between plethysmography waveforms at various wavelengths representing a plurality of models of the blood constituent concentration, including oxygen, carbon dioxide, hemoglobin, and glucose, and displaying related useful information.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for monitoring oxygen saturation are provided. A monitoring system may include a sensor configured to obtain a physiological signal and a monitor configured to obtain the signal from the sensor and to determine a baseline oxygen saturation from the physiological signal and to generate one or more zones based at least in part on the baseline oxygen saturation. Each zone may include a different range of percentages of oxygen saturation and at least one of the zones corresponds to an anaerobic exercise condition.

Abstract: A physiological monitoring system may receive a sensor signal from a physiological sensor. The system may generate an estimate of the sensor signal based on, for example, prior received signals. The estimate signal may be subtracted from the sensor signal using a transimpedance amplifier to generate a difference signal. A gain and/or offset may be applied to the difference signal by the amplifier. The amplified difference signal may be digitized and combined with the estimate signal to generate a high resolution digital representation of the sensor signal. Physiological information such as blood oxygen saturation, pulse rate, respiration rate, respiration effort, blood pressure, hemoglobin concentration, any other suitable physiological parameters, or any combination thereof, may be determined using the digitized sensor signal.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a physiological (e.g., an ECG) signal during application of chest compressions. The method includes acquiring a physiological signal during application of chest compressions; acquiring the output of a sensor from which information on the velocity of chest compressions can be determined; and using the information on the velocity to reduce at least one signal artifact in the physiological signal resulting from the chest compressions.

Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to monitoring and/or controlling levels of an analyte in bodily fluid. In particular, estimation of a concentration of the analyte in a first physiological compartment based upon observations of a concentration of the analyte in a second physiological compartment may account for a latency in transporting the analyte between the first and second physiological compartments.

Abstract: The present application relates to an apparatus for eliciting a blood sample. The apparatus has a housing having an aperture. A shaft extends in the housing and a testing member is mounted on the shaft which rotates with the shaft. A lancing member is pivotably mounted to the testing member and a lancet protrudes from the lancing member. The lancing member is arranged to pivot relative to the testing member from a retracted position to a skin penetrating position in which the lancet extends into or through the aperture when the testing member is rotated so that the lancing member is coincident with the aperture.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a probe, including a first electrode disposed at least partially on the probe surface, a second electrode disposed at least partially on the probe surface, a first conductor electrically coupled to the first electrode, a second conductor electrically coupled to the second electrode, and a reactive element electrically coupling the first conductor and the second conductor.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for monitoring uterine and/or cervical activity indicative of labor in a patient. The system includes a medical device and a data processor in communication with the medical device. The medical device includes a structural component, a first electrode attached to the structural component, and a second electrode attached to the structural component. The structural component is structured to be in contact with a cervical surface and a vaginal surface of the patient, such that said first electrode is in electrical contact with said cervical surface and said second electrode is in electrical contact with said vaginal surface. The first electrode is adapted to receive an electrical activity of the cervical surface and the second electrode is adapted to receive an electrical activity of the uterus through the vaginal surface. The data processor is adapted to process the electrical activity of the electrodes to detect contractions on a surface of the patient indicative of labor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a perfusion cannula for placement of an access, having a cannula wall and a perfusion lumen which is surrounded by the cannula wall and in which a fluid flow can flow through the perfusion cannula, wherein the perfusion cannula furthermore comprises at least one sensor lumen and at least one sensor device, in particular an ECG sensor, which is arranged at least partially in the sensor lumen. As a result, it is possible to provide a particularly reliable perfusion cannula with improved functionality and for reliable handling, in particular in conjunction with an extracorporeal lung support system.

Abstract: A thoracic garment for bringing an EM transducer to contact with a thoracic surface area of a wearer. The thoracic garment comprises a front thoracic garment piece and a back thoracic garment piece the front and/or back thoracic garment pieces having EM transducer(s), the front thoracic garment piece having an arrangement of passages formed therein or thereon, a handhold mechanically connected to the front thoracic garment piece, a positioning marker, and a plurality of straps each threaded in the arrangement of passages. The thoracic garment is configured to be adapted by the wearer which uses a first hand to hold the handhold for mounting the front thoracic garment piece against or close to the chest such that the positioning marker is positioned at the predefined position while using a second hand for pulling the straps.

Abstract: A method of deriving one or more individual thoracic parameters of a subject. The method comprises instructing a subject to perform a thoracic volume manipulation, receiving a plurality of measurements of a plurality of EM signals from a thoracic intrabody area of lungs of the subject during the thoracic volume manipulation, deriving a plurality of thoracic volume values at a plurality of different intervals during the thoracic volume manipulation so that each the thoracic volume value correspond with another of a plurality of estimated thoracic volumes achieved during the thoracic volume manipulation, and calculating at least one individual thoracic parameter of the subject by combining between the plurality of measurements and the plurality of thoracic volume values.

Abstract: A system and method for brain signal management are provided. In some embodiments, a brain signal management system includes a detecting module configured to measure a first signal which indicates a state of a brain, and a controlling module configured to generate the second signal by transforming the first signal into the second signal in a time reversal order.

Abstract: A high-frequency antenna unit includes a high-frequency antenna element and a stabilization layer, arranged at least partially around the one high-frequency antenna element. In at least one embodiment, the high-frequency antenna unit includes a layer which at least partially includes an imaging material.

Abstract: A trajectory frame for use with surgical navigation systems includes a base having a patient access aperture formed therein. A yoke is mounted to the base and is rotatable about a roll axis. A platform is mounted to the yoke and is rotatable about a pitch axis. An elongated guide is secured to the platform and includes opposite proximal and distal end portions and a bore that extends from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion. The guide is configured to removably receive various devices therein for quick release therefrom, including an optical tracking probe (which may be a universal tracker) detectable by a camera-based tracking system or an EM probe detectable by an EM navigation system, a microelectrode probe driver adapter, a drill guide and drill bit, skull fixation device and driver, and a catheter guide.

Abstract: A magnetic resonant imaging (MRI) review workstation includes a control processor, and a display integrated or otherwise operatively coupled with the control processor, wherein the control processor is configured to receive and analyze magnetic resonant imaging information pertaining to an imaged volume of tissue, and to cause to be displayed on the display output information that reflects or is otherwise indicative of an absorption rate of a contrast agent in the volume of tissue.

Abstract: The embodiments include a magnetic resonance device having a head antenna unit configured for acquiring magnetic resonance signals, and a projection unit that has a presentation surface unit for presenting picture elements and a first projection surface unit for presenting a projection of the picture elements. The first projection surface unit has a center and the presentation surface unit has a center, where the center of the first projection surface unit defines an axis together with the center of the presentation surface unit. The projection unit has a second projection surface unit, a first mirror plane for projecting a picture element onto the second projection surface unit and a second mirror plane for projecting a picture element onto the first projection surface unit, the axis intersecting a normal vector of the first mirror plane and/or a normal vector of the second mirror plane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for navigating an instrument relative to a subject. A reference device can be associated with the subject. The reference device can be moved while maintaining or allowing registration with an image space.

Abstract: A medical instrument is provided for use with a phase contrast imaging. The medical instrument includes at least one component, which has a strong small angle scattering of x-rays. Furthermore, a corresponding x-ray recording system with phase contrast imaging for recording an examination object may include such a medical instrument.

Abstract: A device and method are described for navigating and positioning a central venous catheter into the venous system using two different modes of location. For example, a peripherally inserted central catheter (“PICC”) may be navigated and positioned within the superior vena cava. A light emitting element is used in the first mode to navigate the PICC to the superior vena cava. To improve visibility during navigation, the light emitted from the light emitting element may include a narrow range of wavelengths that generally matches the wavelengths of light that are transmissable through a light absorbing material defining the wall of the catheter. A conductive medium is used in the second mode to monitor an ECG signal in order to position the PICC in the superior vena cava. One advantage of this procedure is that X-ray visualization can be eliminated to reduce the danger associated with X-rays.

Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic system that is widely applicable to general solid cancers, can achieve both a reduction in side effects of cancer therapy and suppression of cancer recurrence and metastasis, and requires no expensive drug such as an antibody; and a nanoparticle for internal radiation therapy. A system for internal radiation therapy of a vascular lesion site comprising: a device comprising a means for acquiring image data showing a position of a vascular lesion site, and a means for positioning a needle, which should be punctured into the vascular lesion site, at the vascular lesion site based on the image data; and a nanoparticle comprising an amphiphilic block polymer comprising a hydrophilic block having a sarcosine unit and a hydrophobic block having a lactic acid unit, and a substance labeled with a ?-ray emitting nuclide. The nanoparticle for internal radiation therapy.

Abstract: An indicator guide and method of use is provided for use with an instrument arranged to be guided to a target site within the body of the patient by an electronic tracking system. A sensor is coupled to at least one of the instrument and indicator guide provides a signal to the tracking system which determines the position and orientation of the instrument with respect to the target site and provides output signals indicative thereof. The indicator guide includes a display responsive to the output signals for providing a visual indication of the path the instrument should take to reach the target site and for providing a perceptible indication of the distance to the target site. The display is located on or immediately adjacent the instrument and within the surgical field, whereupon the user can readily see the display while directly viewing and moving the instrument along that path.

Abstract: An intraoperative registration and tracking system includes an optical source configured to illuminate tissue intraoperatively with electromagnetic radiation at a substantially localized spot so as to provide a photoacoustic source at the substantially localize spot, an optical imaging system configured to form an optical image of at least a portion of the tissue and to detect and determine a position of the substantially localized spot in the optical image, an ultrasound imaging system configured to form an ultrasound image of at least a portion of the tissue and to detect and determine a position of the substantially localized spot in the ultrasound image, and a registration system configured to determine a coordinate transformation that registers the optical image with the ultrasound image based at least partially on a correspondence of the spot in the optical image with the spot in the ultrasound image.

Abstract: Many image guided needle procedures use ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or other imaging systems. In such procedures, there is currently a preference for long axis injections and related procedures where the long axis of the needle is parallel to the plane of the two dimensional images created by the imaging system. This is due to the fact that long axis imaging of a needle provides good visual indication of depth of penetration of the needle, whereas short axis imaging shows only a dot or small circle, which is the cross section of the needle and provides no depth of penetration information. Many procedures, however, benefit from, or require the use of, short axis imaging. The depth advancement marker needle of the present invention provides a feature along the shaft of the needle that provides a visual indicator of depth of penetration while performing short axis imaging.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining the composition of a kidney stone from a medical image. A feature extractor is configured to provide a plurality of features from the medical image. The plurality of features includes either a pair of an attenuation values including a first attenuation value from a first location in or on the kidney stone and a second attenuation value from a second location in or on the kidney stone or a function of the first and second attenuation values. The second location is spatially distinct from the first location. A classifier is configured to select one of a plurality of classes for the kidney stone from the plurality of features. Each class represents a specific constituent material.

Abstract: Methods for performing a surgical procedure using optical coherence tomography (OCT) are provided.

Abstract: A method of fitting a user with an athletic mouthguard. The method comprises determining a position of a user's jaw to achieve desirable inhalation characteristics, and providing a mouthguard to the user. The mouthguard is of a size and shape to position the user's jaw in approximately the determined desired position. The mouthguard is shaped and configured to enhance performance of the user during an athletic endeavor.

Abstract: Motion artifacts are suppressed for three-dimensional parametric ultrasound imaging. Motion tracking is performed so that the parameter values derived over time are based on return from the same locations. Distortion due to the scan pattern is accounted for in the results of the motion tracking, such as by re-sampling the results to deal with discontinuity in time between data from adjacent sub-volumes and/or by aligning the scan pattern based on a direction of motion.

Abstract: Provided are nanoparticles comprising an organic photovoltaic semiconductor polymer and a phospholipid, the semiconductor polymer being near-infra red absorbing and generating a detectable photoacoustic signal and a fluorescent emission when irradiated by an incident activation energy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to technology for delivering electromagnetic (EM) energy to nanoparticles (nanos) utilized in the treatment of either existing or potential medical conditions. Nanotechnology is increasingly being used to deliver various types of treatments and remedies for existing medical conditions. Potentially, nanotechnology may be used in an inoculation mode to protect a patient from incurring future medical conditions. Such treatments, either real-time or proactive, may require a method of energizing nanoparticles or nanodevices (collectively referred to as nanos) energized in a noninvasive manner. Similarly nanodoctors or nanosurgeons operating in situ (within the human body) may require a method of being energized.

Abstract: Provided is an object information acquiring apparatus including: a holding unit that holds an object; a probe that receives an acoustic wave that propagates from the object; a housing that constitutes a holding container; a matching solution that is filled inside the holding container; and a pressure adjustment unit including a liquid quantity adjustment section that adjusts the quantity of the matching solution, and a distance adjustment section that adjusts the distance between the holding container and the object, wherein the pressure adjustment unit performs a first compression which increases a pressure applied to the object to a predetermined pressure value, and then performs a second compression which maintains the predetermined pressure value, while decreasing the liquid quantity inside the holding container.

Abstract: Portable ultrasound systems and associated devices and methods for managing power in such systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for conserving power in a portable ultrasound system includes disabling one or more first amplifiers and/or at least one or more first analog to digital converters (ADCs) upon initiation of a first pulse repletion interval (PRI). The method further includes, upon initiation of a second PRI, enabling the one or more first amplifiers and/or the one or more of the first ADCs and disabling one or more second amplifiers of and/or one or more second ADCs.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic method and apparatus determines a transmission condition for generating shear waves at two or more positions of an object, for each of a plurality of elements of a transducer, and generates an ultrasound signal transmitted to the object through a full aperture of the transducer, according to the transmission condition.

Abstract: In tomographic image data, a reference region-setting unit (30) sets a body reference region for the body of a fetus and sets a cardiac reference region for the heart of the fetus. A body shift analysis unit (50) analyzes the movement of the fetus' body in the tomographic image data using the body reference region and obtains body shift information. A cardiac motion analysis unit (60) analyzes the movement of the fetus' heart in the tomographic image data using the cardiac reference region and obtains cardiac motion information. Once body shift information and cardiac motion information are obtained in this manner, a pulse information-processing unit (70) obtains fetal pulse information on the basis of the cardiac motion information from which the body shift information has been subtracted. The pulse information obtained by the pulse information-processing unit (70) is displayed on the display unit (80).

Abstract: Ultrasound devices and methods are described, including a repeatable ultrasound transducer probe having ultrasonic transducers and corresponding circuitry. The repeatable ultrasound transducer probe may be used individually or coupled with other instances of the repeatable ultrasound transducer probe to create a desired ultrasound device. The ultrasound devices may optionally be connected to various types of external devices to provide additional processing and image rendering functionality.

Abstract: A method of generating an ultrasound image in an ultrasound apparatus connected with at least one wired probe and at least one wireless probe is provided. A wired response signal corresponding to a first ultrasound response signal reflected from an object is received from the at least one wired probe, and a wireless response signal corresponding to a second ultrasound response signal reflected from the object is received from the at least one wireless probe. An ultrasound image of the object is generated by using the wired and wireless response signals.

Abstract: Provided are an ultrasonic probe, a system including the same, and an operation method thereof. The ultrasonic probe may include a probe head comprising a transducer configured to receive a signal and a first storage configured to store information, and a probe body comprising an image processor configured to generate an ultrasonic image with the signal received from the probe head, wherein the transducer and the image processor are electrically connected to each other by a coupling between the probe head and the probe body, and wherein the transducer and the image processor are separated from each other by a separation between the probe head and the probe body.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a color ultrasound system and a method and a device thereof for obtaining beam-forming line data. The method comprises: a processor sending a control command according to a currently triggered color ultrasonograph mode; the processor receiving the digital ultrasonic echo signal data obtained according to the control command, wherein the digital ultrasonic echo signal data is a digital signal obtained by performing analog-to-digital conversion on an analog ultrasonic echo signal; and the processor performing beam-forming processing on the digital ultrasonic echo signal data to obtain corresponding beam-forming line data. With the disclosure, the color ultrasound system hardware is simple in design and flexible, and resource conservation and cost reduction are achieved during technical update.

Abstract: A wearable device monitoring body conditions is disclosed. The device consists of a single or plurality transducers, particularly, ultrasonic transducers, and electronic circuitry which are packaged in a low profile patch. The electronics controls a transducer or transducers for signal transmission and receiving, data processing and wire or wireless interfacing to external devices. Laying out the electronics on a flexible printed circuit which mounted along with the transducers to a bendable material, easily adaptable to the curvature of a surface enables attaching the device to curved bodies, such as a human body, for purpose of health conditions monitoring. Low profile of the devices makes it possible to be worn a round-the-clock without causing much inconvenience for a patient. Depending on the application, the transducers can be configured as fixed or movable, providing appropriate monitoring results.

Abstract: System for indicating a possibility a cardiac tamponade occurring in a patient, comprising: —a right atrium pressure sensor, configured for measuring a right atrium pressure in a right atrium of the patient; —an intra pericardial pressure sensor, configured for measuring an intra pericardial pressure in a portion of an intra-pericardial space of the patient; —a processing device that is operatively connected to the pressure sensors, is provided with a predetermined statistical distribution of pressure versus tamponade probabilities, and is configured for: —determining a trans-mural pressure difference between the right atrium pressure and the intra pericardial pressure; —comparing the trans-mural pressure difference with the statistical distribution, and —indicating the possibility of cardiac tamponade occurrence, based on the trans-mural pressure difference comparison.

Abstract: A tissue diagnosis apparatus constituted of: a broad band light source arranged to irradiate a target area with broad band light; a narrow band light source arranged to irradiate the target area with narrow band light; at least one light sensor arranged to: sense the broad and narrow band light after interaction with the target area; a color sensor arranged to sense the broad band light after interaction with the target area; and a housing, the broad band light source, narrow band light source, light sensor and color sensor situated within the housing, wherein a control circuitry is arranged to: determine the image abnormality of the sensed broad band light, the spatial scattering of the sensed narrow band light and the chromatic impact of the interaction of the broad band light with the target area; and output a signal responsive to the identified image abnormality, spatial scattering and chromatic impact.