Abstract: A method for fast high-resolution deep photoacoustic tomography of action potentials in brains is provided herein. The method may utilize a high-speed, high-spatial-resolution, deep-penetration photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) system for real-time imaging of action potentials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (100) for detection of plaque (P) on teeth (T). According to a preferred embodiment, light (Im) is emitted towards the teeth (T), and a part thereof as scattered from the surface of the teeth (T) and plaque (P) which may be present on the teeth (T) is recollected by a light receiving element (121). The received light (Isc) is provided to a light detector (120) for generating a detection signal (x) that represents at least one property of the light (Isc), which is then evaluated with respect to the presence of plaque (P) by determining at least one scattering-related quantity. The quantity may for example be a ratio or coefficient to be calculated from the spectrum of the received light (Isc), or the temporal development of a speckle pattern.

Abstract: Techniques for imaging are disclosed. In one example, the disclosure is directed to a sensor positioned on an elongate optical fiber. The sensor comprises a plurality of blazed Bragg gratings configured to generate acoustic energy for imaging a region in response to a first optical signal, an interferometer configured to sense acoustic energy from the region and to provide a responsive second optical signal, the interferometer including a first fiber Bragg grating (FBG) and a second FBG, wherein the plurality of blazed Bragg gratings are positioned between the first and second FBGs.

Abstract: A health-monitor patch comprising at least one physiological sensor and digital processor is configured to be adhered to the skin of a subject. A health-monitor patch may further include an accelerometer and may detect cardiac waveforms, activity performed by the subject, and a body orientation of the subject. A health-monitor patch may be disposable, in some embodiments, and used for outpatient monitoring. Aspects of noise cancellation and reel-to-reel manufacturing are also described.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a system comprising a sensor signal processor configured to receive a plurality of electrical sensor signals produced by a plurality of sensors and at least one sensor signal produced by an implantable sensor, a memory that includes information indicating a co-morbidity of a subject, a sensor signal selection circuit that selects a sensor signal to monitor from among the plurality of sensor signals, according to an indicated co-morbidity, a threshold adjustment circuit that adjusts a detection threshold of the selected sensor signal according to the indicated co-morbidity, and a decision circuit that applies the adjusted detection threshold to the selected sensor signal to determine whether an event associated with worsening heart failure (HF) occurred in the subject and outputs an indication of whether the event associated with worsening HF occurred to a user or process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device worn about the wrist that monitors the user's vital signs, such as pulse, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and other vital signs. The device provides for the real time transfer of data relating to a user's vital signs to an external monitoring system. The external monitoring system may be staffed by certified medical personnel.

Abstract: There is provided a physiological measurement device including a light source, an image sensor and a processor. The light source illuminates a skin surface with a first brightness value and a second brightness value. The image sensor receives scattered light from tissues below the skin surface, and outputs a first image frame corresponding to the first brightness value and a second image frame corresponding to the second brightness value. The processor calculates an intensity comparison index between the first image frame and the second image frame, calculates perfusion data according to the first image frame and/or the second image frame, and identifies a contact status according to the intensity comparison index.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating a physiological monitoring system that comprises a distributed algorithm. The physiological monitoring system ma comprise a sensor and a physiological monitor that may be communicatively coupled with the sensor. The sensor may store a first executable code segment and the physiological monitor may store a second executable code segment. The physiological monitor may be configured to receive the first executable code segment and execute the first and second executable code segments to determine at least one physiological parameter of a subject based on physiological signal provided by the sensor. The physiological monitor may be configured to delete or deactivate the first executable code segment. The physiological monitor may also store a configurable algorithm stage that may be configured based on algorithm configuration data received from the sensor.

Abstract: A biological-information measuring device functioning as a pulse-wave measuring module includes a light emitter configured to emit light to a test object and a light receiver configured to receive reflected light from the test object. The light receiver includes a light detector (a light receiving element) configured to detect the reflected light and an optical filter disposed on the light detector (the light receiving element) and configured by a plurality of layers. A layer most distant from the light detector (the light receiving element) among the plurality of layers of the optical filter is formed by a silicon oxide layer made of silicon oxide.

Abstract: A BPF connected to a pulse wave generator has a bandwidth encompassing the fluctuation range of the resonance frequency of a helical antenna. As a result, even if the resonance frequency of the helical antenna fluctuates by a human body approaching the helical antenna, one or a number of a plurality of frequencies of signals passing through the BPF can pass through the bandwidth of the helical antenna.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter for nerve activity ablation and/or sensing includes one or more needles advanced through supported guide tubes (needle guiding elements) which expand to contact the interior surface of the wall of the renal artery or other vessel of a human body allowing the needles to be advanced though the vessel wall into the extra-luminal tissue including the media, adventitia and periadvential space. The catheter also includes structures which provide radial and lateral support to the guide tubes so that the guide tubes open uniformly and maintain their position against the interior surface of the vessel wall as the sharpened needles are advanced to penetrate into the vessel wall. Electrodes near the distal ends of the needles allow sensing of nerve activity before and after attempted renal denervation. In a combination embodiment ablative energy or fluid is delivered from the needles in or near the adventitia to ablate nerves outside of the media while sparing nerves within the media.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter, e.g., a coronary sinus catheter, for insertion into a cardiac vessel, such as the coronary sinus, includes a handle and a catheter shaft coupled at one end to the handle. The catheter shaft has a distal end and an anchor is associated with the catheter shaft and is movable between a deployed position and a collapsed position. In the deployed position, the anchor extends radially outward from an outer surface of the catheter shaft for contacting a wall and temporarily anchoring the catheter shaft within the coronary sinus. The catheter also includes an actuator for causing deployment and collapsing of the anchor upon manipulation of the actuator.

Abstract: A system includes an input to receive at least one electrophysiological signal representing cardiac electrical activity measured from a body surface of a patient. The system also includes a signal processor to analyze the at least one electrophysiological signal and compute a score having a value to indicate a likelihood of arrhythmogenic activity, the score being computed as a function of at least two of cycle length, amplitude and polarity of the at least one signal.

Abstract: An evaluating method for ECG signals is provided, which comprises the steps of: a) obtaining a multichannel ECG signal of a subject over a first predetermined time period by means of a multi-lead ECG device; b) extracting a plurality of first parameters from the multichannel ECG signal; c) evaluating the quality of the multichannel ECG signal based on the plurality of first parameters; and d) presenting an indicator for indicating the quality of the ECG signal via a user interface. An ECG signal evaluating apparatus, an ECG signal acquiring apparatus, an ECG signal evaluation system and a computer program are also provided. The ECG signal evaluating method, apparatus, system and computer program of the present invention can improve the accuracy of the evaluation of the quality of the ECG signals and reduce the computational complexity of the evaluation of the quality of the ECG signals.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods (including methods of using such apparatuses) for de-noising electrocardiograms (ECGs) by manually or automatically adjusting the amount of filtering of an ECG signal. For example, real-time ECG signals may be filtered by combining in a weighted fashion an unfiltered portion of an ECG (or a filtered portion of the same ECG) with the same portion of the ECG that has been filtered. The weighting may be adjusted manually and/or automatically. Also described herein are methods for real-time filtering of ECG signals using a combination of filtering techniques including filtering to correct baseline wander, Savitzky-Golay denoising, and threshold smoothing. Multiple filtering techniques may be combined in a weighed manner to provide signal de-noising.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for electrophysiology catheter scheme configuration are disclosed. The method includes providing an interactive image of a heart to a user and receiving a user input of a type of catheter and a number of electrodes corresponding to the catheter. A pictorial representation of the catheter positioned inside the interactive image of the heart is generated according to the type of catheter. A pictorial representation of the electrodes as markers on the pictorial representation of the catheter is generated depending on the number of electrodes. Slot numbers of a catheter input pod are mapped to the corresponding electrodes of the catheter that are to be connected to the catheter input pod depending on the type of catheter. Intracardiac electrogram (ICEG) signal labels are assigned depending on the type of catheter, and the ICEG signal labels are marked on the interactive image of the heart to create the electrophysiology catheter scheme.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example system for sensing tissue contact is disclosed. The system comprises a catheter shaft including a distal end portion. The distal end portion includes a sensing assembly having a plurality of electrodes. The plurality of electrodes includes a current-carrying electrode, a first sensing electrode and a second sensing electrode. The first sensing electrode is positioned a first distance from the current-carrying electrode. The second sensing electrode is positioned a second distance from the current-carrying electrode and the first distance is different from the second distance. The system also includes a controller coupled to the plurality of mapping electrodes. The controller is capable of calculating a parameter based at least in part on the first and the second distances.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for monitoring a patient for seizure activity and for verifying the contact integrity of electrodes included among an EMG sensor may include generating a test signal of known periodicity and applying the signal to at least one electrode in a sensor system. The test signal may be monitored to verify contact integrity of the electrodes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating a subject's response to a task related to a stimulus include a brain activity sensor, such as an EEG sensor, for measuring neural data generated by the subject in response to the visual stimulus. One or more neural discriminators can be calculated based on the neural data. In order to generate one or more neural discriminators, two or more task conditions can be selected for discrimination. The subject's performance can be evaluated based on the one or more neural discriminators. Feedback can be provided to the subject to assist in achieving better performance.

Abstract: The invention provides an evaluation method capable of objectively evaluating average visual perception for a comparatively long period of time when a subject looks through an eyeglass lens to be evaluated, time-dependent change in visual perception, and visual perception when looking with both eyes, and the invention provides a design method, and the invention provides a calculation method for calculating characteristics of visual perception of the subject when viewing an object through a lens.

Abstract: The invention includes, in part, methods and apparatus for determining the status of labor in a pregnant subject. In some embodiments of the invention, organ-level uterine function is determined as a measure of the status of labor such as non-labor (e.g., false labor), latent phase labor, active phase labor, or post-delivery.

Abstract: A vital signal measuring apparatus is attached to a living body to measure a vital signal of the living body, which includes an amplifier, an A/D converter, a processing unit, an n-th-order differential signal output unit, and an output unit. The amplifier and the A/D converter constitute a vital signal measuring unit for measuring a vital signal from a vital signal sensor and outputting a first signal corresponding to the vital signal. A time differentiation signal output unit includes the n-th-order differential signal output unit for receiving the first signal and outputting an n-th-order time differentiation signal (where n is an integer of 1 or more) of the first signal. The processing unit functions as a contact condition determination unit for determining contact condition between the vital signal measuring apparatus and the living body based on the n-th-order time differentiation signal.

Abstract: An electrical impedance tomography system for determining electric properties of an internal body part of a patient comprises an electrode array in electrical contact with the patient, a device for applying current or voltage between electrodes of the array and for measuring voltages or currents between other combinations of the array. A computing unit comprises a processor and a storage unit. The storage unit comprises a reconstruction algorithm used by the data processor for reconstructing the measured voltages of the body part into electrical properties or changes thereof. The data processor outputs a representation of the reconstructed electrical properties and generates or processes anatomical models descriptive of the body part. The data processor uses biometric data of the patient and, according to the biometric data of the patient, selects an anatomical model for reconstructing the measured electrical voltages of the body part into electrical properties or changes thereof.

Abstract: An analyzer is provided for sensing an analyte in breath of a patient. The analyzer includes a base, a breath input port on the base for removable coupling to a source of breath, a cartridge receiving cavity on the base for removably receiving a disposable cartridge having an optically transparent window and a reaction volume, a flow path in the base configured to place the breath input port into communication with the reaction volume when the cartridge is installed in the cartridge receiving cavity, an optical subsystem in the base that senses an optical change in the reaction volume through the window, and a pump in the base configured to pump breath from the source of breath to the reaction volume during a measurement cycle when the source of breath is coupled to the breath input port, and to pump atmospheric air through the flow path during a flush cycle.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for detecting the deteriorating health of a patient receiving gas from a respiratory device. The apparatus comprises a sensor unit configured to monitor a flow rate or pressure of a gas that is flowing in a pipe that connects the respiratory device to a gas delivery device worn by the patient, and a processor configured to measure a respiratory rate of the patient based on variations in the flow rate or pressure of gas in the pipe and to implement a trend analysis of the measured respiratory rate. The processor is configured to generate a warning when it determines that there is an upward trend in the measured respiratory rate and that a magnitude of the trend exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a length measuring device with a vernier caliper, a hollow profile, on which the vernier caliper is displaceably mounted externally so that it is capable of being brought into contact with an object to be measured in terms of its length, an inner slide, which is displaceably mounted inside the hollow profile, a magnet arrangement, which couples the vernier caliper and inner slide magnetically, so that the inner slide follows every movement of the vernier caliper along the hollow profile, a measuring means for measuring the position of the inner slide along the hollow profile, and a display, visible in the surrounding space of the hollow profile, of the length determined by the measuring means in accordance with the measured position of the inner slide.

Abstract: A measurement device for determining the dimensions of a specific user in order to optimally configure a slatted bedframe for the user. The device has a plurality of cross members, each cross member measuring the height of a specific measuring point on the user, such as shoulders, waist, hips. The cross members are coupled to each other by a height-adjustment system that is based on the standard height proportions of the human body. Manually adjusting the height of one cross member, for example, the shoulder height, results in the hip and waist cross members automatically being adjusted to the appropriate heights. Pairs of calipers are provided on each cross member that are adjustable in width, for measuring the widths at the selected measuring points.

Abstract: An organ image photographing apparatus includes an imaging unit, an image processing unit, and a detecting unit. The imaging unit obtains an image by photographing a living organ. The image processing unit creates a frequency distribution of image data including any of red, green, and blue color components from the photographed image of the organ obtained by the imaging unit, and obtains an index indicating a spread of the frequency distribution. The detecting unit detects a crack in a surface of the organ based on the index.

Abstract: A technique for measuring and collecting human tremor data includes measuring motions of a handheld tool manipulated by a user while performing a task with the handheld tool. The motions are measured using an inertial measurement unit (“IMU”) disposed within a handle of the handheld tool. Motion data of the motions is recorded to a motion log stored within a memory unit of the handheld tool. The motion data contains information for determining a severity of tremors that occurred while the user performed the task with the handheld tool. The motion log is communicated to a remote server for analysis.

Abstract: A comfort level monitoring system monitors the physical and surrounding environment of an individual includes a wearable item to house a plurality of sensors, at least one physical pressure measuring sensor to detect an amount of external physical pressure exerted on a person wearing the wearable item, a first set of sensors to detect environmental data associated with an environmental comfort level of the person wearing the wearable item, a second set of sensors to detect oxygen ratios associated with the environment surrounding the person, a third set of sensors to detect total energy expenditure of the person, a user interface to receive personal physical data associated with the person, a fuzzy logic circuit to calculate, in response to received inputs, an overall comfort level associated with the person, and an activity alarm triggered when the overall comfort level falls below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system for determining the location of patients uses a patient-associated communicator which wirelessly communicates with a network of environmental reference communicators arranged at fixed or otherwise known locations. A camera can be used to monitor or detect pressure ulcers and relay the information to a host system. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A noninvasive analyzer apparatus and method of use thereof is described for spatially separating light having noninvasively probed a tissue volume into groups, which narrows standard deviations of probed tissue pathlength for each of the groups. Reduction in tissue pathlength uncertainty subsequently enhances noninvasive analyte concentration determination accuracy. Control of individual detector distance from an illumination zone in combination with control of area of a detection zone coupled to an individual detector yields intensity control of the various groups.

Abstract: A component measurement apparatus includes: a first unit including a sensor module that receives first reflected light reflected at a measured portion, and that outputs a signal corresponding to light intensity of the first reflected light; and a second unit separately provided from the first unit, the second unit including a calibration plate that has a stable reflectance and that outputs second reflected light to the sensor module, the second reflected light being used for comparing the light intensity of the first reflected light.

Abstract: Devices and methods for positioning a portion of a sensor at a first predetermined location, displacing the portion of the sensor from the first predetermined location to a second predetermined location, and detecting one or signals associated with an analyte level of a patient at the second predetermined location are disclosed. Also provided are systems and kits for use in analyte monitoring.

Abstract: Sensors and methods for measurement of an analyte in a medium within a living animal are described. The sensor may include an inductive element that may receive power from an external device. The sensor may also include a charge storage device (CSD) and a memory. The sensor may perform analyte measurements initiated by the external device using power received from the external device and convey the analyte measurements to the external device using the inductive element. The sensor also may perform autonomous analyte measurements using the on board charge device's power and store the autonomous analyte measurements in the memory. The sensor may convey one or more stored analyte measurements to the external device using the inductive element using power received from the external device. The sensor may include a CSD-powered clock and a CSD-powered measurement scheduler that initiate the autonomous analyte measurements.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to the field of medical monitoring, and, more specifically, to a fiberoptic probe for monitoring tissue oxygenation and a method for using such a probe. A non-invasive method of measuring tissue oxygenation includes, in some embodiments, illuminating a tissue surface with a first fiberoptic fiber, receiving light from the tissue surface with a second fiberoptic fiber, measuring the absorption spectra of oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin in the light, and calculating a tissue oxygenation value based on the absorption spectra.

Abstract: A detection method using a detection element, including a first electrode and a second electrode, in which a detection layer containing an enzyme is provided in the first electrode and the second electrode, includes a first step of measuring an electric current generated by decomposition of hydrogen peroxide generated from glucose in the detection layer of the first electrode as an electric current value between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a second step of measuring an electric current generated by decomposition of hydrogen peroxide generated from glucose in the detection layer of the second electrode as an electric current value between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A syringe assembly for fluid collection includes a housing having a sidewall defining a hollow bore therein, and an elongate plunger with the distal end of the plunger forming a chamber within the hollow bore for containing a fluid therein. The plunger is adapted for slideable movement within the hollow bore between an initial position and a retracted position. The assembly includes a hub disposed at least partially within the hollow bore and at least partially supporting a cannula therewith. The hub is adapted to automatically transition from an initial position in which at least a portion of the cannula is disposed external to the housing, to a retracted position in which the cannula is fully shielded by the housing, upon transition of the elongate plunger from the initial position to the retracted position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blood withdrawal device (10) having an active liquid (12) containing a platelet aggregation inhibitor, a microneedle patch (14) having a plurality of microneedles (20), wherein a plurality of microneedles (20) is configured for dispensing the active liquid (12) into the skin (34) of a patient, and comprising a negative pressure generating device (16) connected to a plurality of microneedles (20) such that blood (46) can be drawn from the skin (34) by means of the microneedles (20). According to the invention the active liquid (12) contains a pain killer, the active liquid (12) is arranged in the blood receptacle (18), and the negative pressure generating device (16) is connected to the blood receptacle (18), such that by generating an excess pressure in the blood receptacle (18), the active liquid (12) can be dispensed by way of microneedles (20), and by generating a negative pressure, blood (46) can be drawn into the blood receptacle (18).

Abstract: Various examples are provided for brain state advisory systems using calibrated metrics and optimal time-series decompositions. In one embodiment, a method includes monitoring brainwave activity of a subject and classifying a brain state of the subject based upon the brainwave activity and a model of the brainwave activity. In another embodiment, brain states of the subject are modeled based upon the brainwave activity of the subject.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a pilot's health is provided herein. The system may include: a head mounted device mountable to a head of a pilot; at least one vital signs sensor couplable to a body portion of said pilot and configured to obtain vital signs data associated with said pilot; at least one head sensor configured to obtain head-related data associated with the head of said pilot; and a computer processor configured to receive the vital signs data and the head-related data as an input and generate as an output, an indication of pilot incompetence, based on predefined criteria.

Abstract: The invention provides a sensor assembly embeddable within an oral appliance comprising a sensing means; and a data processing means coupled to the sensing means for processing data obtained by the sensing means; wherein the sensing means and the data processing means are sealed within a deformable layer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for promoting physical activity by users utilizing a plurality of components. Embodiments of the present invention collect data concerning user activity, analyze the data, and provide feedback to promote physical activity by the user. These functions may be provided by a single component or dispersed across a plurality of components, and may utilize a variety of intermediary devices to facilitate communications and presentation.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting sleep related autonomic nervous system arousals has a PVDF piezo component designed to be affixed to a body part exhibiting arterial pulse wave activity, such as a finger or toe. The signal from the PVDF piezo transducer due to pulse wave activity is signal processed and delivered to a PSG machine or a portable device for stowing digitized waveforms. It is found that the sensor output correlates well with EEG indications of cortical arousals.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a system for estimating body fat that are capable of measuring a portion of an abdominal outline by a simple method are provided. A method of estimating the body fat according to the present embodiments includes: a step of obtaining orientation information and motion information of the apparatus itself; a step of calculating a portion of an abdominal outline by a control unit based on the orientation information and the motion information; and a step of estimating, based on the portion of the abdominal outline, at least one of a visceral fat area and a subcutaneous fat area of the abdominal cross-section.

Abstract: A sensor module can include a battery housing comprising a battery cavity sized and shaped to receive a battery. The battery cavity can be defined at least in part by a wall to be disposed about at least a portion of a periphery of the battery. A package housing can be disposed on the wall of the battery housing, the package housing smaller than the battery housing. An integrated device package can be disposed in or coupled with the package cavity. The integrated device package can include one or more integrated device dies. An interfacing feature can be coupled with the battery housing and extending transverse to the wall. The interfacing feature can be configured to transduce a biological signature into a signal to be processed by the integrated device package. An interconnect assembly can electrically connect the interfacing feature to the integrated device package.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, devices and methods for guiding placement of electrodes, and particularly ECG electrodes on a patient. A picture of the patient's body the patient can be analyzed to determine where on the patient's body to place electrodes according to a predetermined, conventional or standard placement pattern. The methods, devices and systems may then guide a user in positioning or correcting the position of electrodes on the patient. For example, an image of the patient may be provided showing the correct position of the electrodes, which may act as a patient-specific map or guide. The electrode placement positions can correspond to conventional or standard 12-lead ECG electrode positions.

Abstract: A method includes: obtaining, by an apparatus, instantaneous images from an optical heart activity sensor, wherein the instantaneous images characterize a heart activity data of a user; obtaining information about spatial shifts of a measuring area of the optical heart activity sensor in relation to a body tissue of the user; determining effect of the spatial shifts in the instantaneous images based on the information about the spatial shifts; enhancing the instantaneous images by decreasing the effect of the spatial shifts in the instantaneous images; and processing the enhanced instantaneous images into the heart activity data of the user.

Abstract: System and method for evaluating a cognitive load on a user, corresponding to a stimulus is disclosed. Electroencephalogram (EEG) data corresponding to the stimulus of a user is received. The stimulus corresponds to a mental task performed by the user. The EEG data is split into a plurality of slots. A slot of the plurality of slots comprises a subset of the EEG data. One or more EEG features are extracted from the subset of the EEG data. The one or more EEG features are represented in one of a frequency domain and a time domain. A plurality of data points present in the one or more EEG features is grouped into two or more clusters using an unsupervised learning technique. The two or more clusters comprise one or more data points of the plurality of data points. The one or more data points correspond to a level of the cognitive load.

Abstract: Systems and methods for non-invasive blood pressure measurement are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system comprises a wearable member configured to generate first and second signals (e.g., PPG signals), and a blood pressure calculation system. The blood pressure calculation system includes a wave selection module configured to identify subsets of waves of the signals, a feature extraction module configured to generate sets of feature vectors form the subsets of waves, and a blood pressure processing module configured to calculate an arterial blood pressure value based on the sets of feature vectors and an empirical blood pressure calculation model, the empirical blood pressure calculation model configured to receive the sets of feature vectors as input values. The blood pressure calculation system further includes a communication module configured to provide a message including or being based on the arterial blood pressure value.