Abstract: A biological signal detection apparatus includes a neck band worn by a user along a circumferential direction of a neck of the user and a pair of sensors mounted to both ends of the neck band to detect a biological signal. Each sensor includes a conductive cloth with a planar or substantially planar shape, a main body on which the conductive cloth is set, a frame body that holds a periphery of the conductive cloth between the main body and the frame body, and an input terminal provided on a surface of the main body that opposes the frame body.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a Functional Contact Lens (FCL) for detecting at least one target analyte. The FCL may comprise a substrate for supporting electronic components and providing structural support for the functional contact lens; at least one sensing element disposed on the substrate for sensing the at least one target analyte and undergoing a physical change representing a sensed signal; and an antenna disposed on the substrate for transmitting the sensed signal to an external device, the antenna being coupled to the at least one sensing element.

Abstract: Location data associated with a cardiac wall motion during a cardiac cycle can be received. The cardiac cycle can be divided into incremental phases. The location data associated with the cardiac wall motion can be assigned to the incremental phases. A fiducial pair of coordinates can be determined for each of the incremental phases. The fiducial pair of coordinates can include location data for an intermediate cardiac phase and location data for a reference cardiac phase. A fiducial loop can be determined from the fiducial pair of coordinates for each of the incremental phases. A learned cardiac mapping between the reference cardiac phase and the intermediate cardiac phase can be determined using the fiducial loop.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a sensing module configured to receive a cardiac electrical signal via electrodes carried by a medical electrical lead coupled to the implantable medical device and a control module configured to detect a lead issue. The sensing module is configured to produce cardiac sensed event signals and spike detect signals. The control module is configured to determine event intervals defined by consecutive ones of the received cardiac sensed event signals and the received spike detect signals and identify one or more received spike detect signals as lead issue spikes based on at least one of the determined event intervals.

Abstract: A method to quantitatively predict a patient's serum lactate level, comprising measuring arterial blood pressure and heart rate from the patient, computing estimates of one or more cardiovascular parameters from the measured arterial blood pressure and heart rate, providing one or more classifiers that have been trained on a training data set including a reference set of arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and serum lactate levels and using the one or more classifiers to estimate the serum lactate level of the patient.

Abstract: A physiological detection system including a light source module, a photo sensor and a processor is provided. The light source module is configured to provide light to illuminate a skin region. The photo sensor is configured to detect emergent light passing the skin region with at least one signal source parameter and output an image signal. The processor is configured to calculate a confident level according to the image signal to accordingly adjust the at least one signal source parameter.

Abstract: A device for detecting biometric information is provided. The device includes a housing, a fastener coupled to a part of the housing and detachably attached to a part of a user's body, at least one first sensor configured to detect the motion of the electronic device, at least one second sensor configured to detect a change in the user's body, a memory, and a processor electrically connected to the at least one first sensor, the at least one second sensor, and the memory.

Abstract: A wearable device is disclosed. The wearable device comprises an ambient temperature sensor, an ambient humidity sensor, an ultraviolet detector, a skin temperature sensor, an alarm module and a process unit. The ambient temperature sensor, the ambient humidity sensor and the ambient humidity sensor detect an ambient temperature, an ambient humidity and an ultraviolet index nearby the wearable device, respectively. The skin temperature sensor contacts with the user's skin and detects a skin temperature of the user. The process unit stores at least one preset heatstroke condition and determines whether heatstroke occurs based on the detected results of the ambient temperature, the ambient humidity, the ultraviolet index and/or the skin temperature and the at least one preset heatstroke condition. The alarm module is enabled by the process unit to generate at least one alarm signal when the process unit determines that the at least one preset heatstroke is met.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for processing, transmitting and displaying data received from an analyte sensor, such as a glucose sensor. The system may include a display device with at least one input device. In response to movement of or along the input device, the display device may change a glucose data output parameter and update an output of the display device using the changed output parameter.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a medical monitoring hub as the center of monitoring for a monitored patient. The hub is configured to receive and process a plurality of physiological parameters associated with the patient. The hub includes advanced analytical presentation views configured to provide timely, clinically-relevant, actionable information to care providers. In certain embodiments, the monitoring hub stores and is able to replay previously presented data reflective of the patient's condition.

Abstract: A system for tracking tumors during radiotherapy for interleaving treatment pulses with imaging pulses is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of multisource scanning eBeam X-ray tubes, each having multiple focal spots. The X-ray tubes are configured to emit X-rays in a plurality of different locations on a target by sequentially emitting the X-rays to the focal spots in the different focal spots. This is done such that the X-rays can be emitted to the plurality of different locations without substantially moving the X-ray tube or the target. The system further includes multiple imager panels configured to act as targets and configured to receive the X-rays from the focal spots of the X-ray tube. The system further includes a tomosynthesis reconstruction module configured to process outputs from the imager panels to construct a unified three-dimensional image that takes information from each of the different imager panels.

Abstract: A cross section obtained by cutting an X-ray beam at a time of taking projection data from the X-ray beam detected by an X-ray sensor, with a plane, which is perpendicular to the central axis of the X-ray beam and runs through the central axis of a photographic region, is defined as a photography specification surface. The number of the photography specification surface per unit area in a plane, as the photographic region is viewed from a point in the direction along the central axis of the photographic region, is defined as overlap density of the projection data. A controller of an X-ray photography device executes a leveling control which levels the overlap density of the projection data between at an outer portion and inner portion of the photographic region. Thus, an X-ray photographic device is provided that is capable of improving the image quality in the entire photographic region.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging method and an apparatus having an improved structure configured to reduce pain and discomfort during a procedure. The X-ray imaging apparatus acquires an X-ray image by compressing an object that is irradiated by an X-ray source. An X-ray detector includes an object contact material that contacts the object. X-rays that pass through the object are detected X-rays, an electrical signal is generated based on the X-rays. A paddle is disposed between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector to be vertically adjustable relative to the X-ray source and X-ray detector so as to compress the object placed on the object contact surface. The paddle includes a supporting member, a pressure member coupled to the supporting member, and at least one adjustment member arranged between the supporting member and the pressure member to regulate movement of the pressure member according to the shape of the object.

Abstract: A nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry configured to perform control to execute gamma ray acquisition for main imaging for a subject, and prior acquisition to acquire gamma rays in a plurality of acquisition positions in the subject prior to the main imaging, calculate values of gamma ray acquisition time for respective imaging positions in the main imaging, based on count values of gamma rays acquired in the prior acquisition, and perform control to execute the main imaging, based on the calculated values of the gamma ray acquisition time for the respective imaging positions.

Abstract: Provided is a CT system having a cooling system. The CT system may include a gantry unit including: a rotor; and an assembly component; an intake provided on a first surface of the rotor; and an outtake provided on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the rotor, wherein the gantry unit is cooled by air moving through the intake and the outtake due to a rotation force or a centrifugal force generated by a rotation movement of the rotor.

Abstract: A computed tomography (CT) apparatus includes a reconstruction unit which reconstructs a first CT image corresponding to a field of view (FOV) by using a first sinogram acquired by a CT scan of an object; and a correction unit which acquires a second sinogram by performing forward projection on the first CT image and acquires a second CT image by using the second sinogram and a third sinogram representing a portion of the object that is not included in the FOV. Thus, the CT apparatus reduces generation of image errors to thereby provide a high-quality reconstructed CT image.

Abstract: The present invention correlates information, to be processed, about an organ and/or a disease, etc., obtained from a medical image and anatomical/functional medical knowledge information, and enables the information obtained from the medial image to be effectively utilized in medical examination and treatment processes. In a medical image information system (101), an image processing unit (103) processes an image, a graph model creation unit (104) creates a graph data model from the information obtained from the image, a graph data model processing unit (106) acquires a graph data model based on anatomical/functional medical knowledge, compares with each other and integrates the graph data models and stores an integrated graph data model, and a display processing unit (110) displays the integrated graph data model, whereby the effective use of information obtained from the image is made possible.

Abstract: A method for automated evaluation of motion correction is presented. The method includes identifying one or more regions of interest in each of a plurality of images corresponding to a subject of interest. Furthermore, the method includes selecting valid voxels in each of the one or more regions of interest in each of the plurality of images. The method also includes computing a similarity metric, a dispersion metric, or both the similarity metric and the dispersion metric for each region of interest in each of the plurality of images. Additionally, the method includes generating a similarity map, a dispersion map, or both the similarity map and the dispersion map based on the similarity metrics and the dispersion metrics corresponding to the one or more regions of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a radiographic imaging apparatus and a corresponding radiographic imaging method. The proposed apparatus comprises an X-ray source and a photon counting X-ray detector. The X-ray source comprises a rotary X-ray anode having a number of radial slits and a target layer provided on a surface of said rotary X-ray anode in between said radial slits for emitting X-ray radiation when hit by said electron beam. The said photon counting X-ray detector comprises a persistent current sensing and correction unit for sensing a persistent output current in a blanking interval during which no X-ray radiation is emitted by said X-ray source and for using the sensed persistent output current to correct a detector signal in a subsequent measurement interval during which X-ray radiation is emitted by said X-ray source.

Abstract: In an example, a method for air calibration is provided. An initial scanning condition may be generated from a subject scanning sequence of medical equipment, wherein, the subject scanning sequence is generated when a subject is scanned by the medical equipment to obtain an image of the subject and recorded in association with a subject ID uniquely identifying the subject. An air calibration scanning condition may be obtained by correcting the initial scanning condition. An air calibration may be performed on the medical equipment according to the air calibration scanning condition to generate air calibration data.

Abstract: An individualized imaging method, comprising the following steps: scanning an imaging subject mould; conducting calibration, rectification and optimization on the imaging system according to the information obtained after mould imaging: scanning the imaging subject with the calibrated, rectified and optimized imaging system; optimizing information obtained by scanning the imaging subject and the mould thereof to obtain higher quality imaging results and data analysis result; and applying the higher quality imaging results and data analysis results to optimize the mould for use in the next imaging.

Abstract: A detector of a gamma camera is configured such that a radioactive point source is positioned within a field of view at a fixed distance from the detector. A predetermined number of gamma photons emitted by the point source and passed through a collimator are acquired. A system-specific planar sensitivity is computed for a combination of the collimator and detector using the number of gamma photons acquired, a time duration of the acquisition, and precalibrated radioactivity data of the point source corrected for decay that occurred after a precalibration time. A deviation of the computed system-specific planar sensitivity from a class standard sensitivity value for a combination of the radioactive point source, the collimator, and the detector is computed. A class standard sensitivity value for a combination of a radiopharmaceutical, the collimator, and the detector is scaled by the computed deviation, yielding a scaled system-specific sensitivity value for the radiopharmaceutical.

Abstract: The invention relates to a model for use in an imaging technique based on an interaction of the model with an electromagnetic radiation. The model comprises a plurality of volume elements. The interaction intensities of two neighbouring volume elements are distinguishable by an imaging technique. The model comprises first volume elements made of a supporting material, and second volume elements are made of a supporting material and a contrast material and exhibit a higher interaction intensity with the electromagnetic radiation than the first volume elements because of the presence of contrast material. The second volume elements have been generated by a printing method. The invention further relates to a method for fabricating the model by 3D printing.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lung phantom system provided with an elastic film that separates a first chamber and a second chamber having inner space that may be filled with liquid, the elastic film configured to repeat expansion and restoration according to introduction and discharge of liquid, thereby providing an effect of accurately replicating movements of an actual lung during its respiratory movement.

Abstract: A respiratory function testing system includes an air transforming device, a sound reception device and an operation device. The air transforming device is configured to collect exhaled air for a predetermined period and generate a full-range sound signal according to the collected exhaled air. The full-range sound signal at least contains an ultrasonic signal. The sound reception device is configured to receive and record the full-range sound signal. The operation device is in communication with the sound reception device and is configured to receive and compute the ultrasonic signal contained in the full-range sound signal recorded by the sound reception device to generate a respiratory function parameter. A respiratory function testing method of the respiratory function testing system is also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for using ultrasound for evaluating pressure of a vessel of a user, the method including: providing an ultrasound system configured to be placed at a body region proximal the vessel of the user, generating a correlation between a set of push pulse parameters and a set of push pulse-dependent values associated with the vessel, wherein generating the correlation includes providing a push pulse and determining a push pulse-dependent value based on the push pulse, generating a pressure value from the vessel based on the correlation, and generating a pressure waveform from the pressure value and a set of supplemental pressure values.

Abstract: Devices and methods for obtaining a real-time, three-dimensional image of a body part, particularly a blood vessel. A catheter has a chamber in its tip. The chamber contains an ultrasound transducer and reflector which generally face each other and rotate about a common axis. The transducer element on the transducer and the reflective face on the reflector are both tilted off-axis. The difference in angular velocity generally creates a phase shift between the transducer and the reflective face. The phase shift allows the transducer and the reflective face to actively scan a three-dimensional volume that is generally bounded interiorly by a hyperboloid and exteriorly by the effective range of the ultrasound beam. The transducer and reflector may rotate at constant speeds or nonconstant speeds as well in the same direction or in opposite directions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ultrasound imaging on a capsule endoscope platform. It relates to the generation of a focused ultrasound acoustic signal and the receiving of echo signals from the wall of a body lumen with an array of acoustic transducers wrapped around the circumference of the capsule. It relates to sending the generated echo image signals to receiver devices attached or worn on the body. It relates to the generation of 360° overlapping sidewall ultrasound scans of a body lumen, and image processing techniques to assemble these scans into a high resolution continuous ultrasound image. Finally, it relates to the manufacture and assembly of such an ultrasound scanning capsule endoscope (USCE). The concept is extendable to conventional endoscopes and catheters.

Abstract: An improved high voltage MEMS, and a portable ultrasound device comprising such a MEMS, and use of such a portable device for detecting a liquid volume. Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) relate to a technology of very small devices. Piezoelectricity relates at one hand to accumulation of electric charge in certain solid materials in response to an applied mechanical stress.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of devices and methods for imaging the inside of a body part, such as a blood vessel. In particular embodiments, a catheter has a chamber within which is a transducer. A wire guide channel extends throughout the length of the catheter. The transducer is rotatable about the wire guide channel and the transducer is driven by a cable or other device that is connected to a motor which is located outside the catheter. In one form, a torque cable connects the transducer to the motor. In other embodiments, a pusher piece having a plurality of lumens is positioned in the catheter. Each of the lumens is sized to receive a cable, wire, and/or flushing fluid. The lumens maintain the orientation and separation of the cables, wires, and/or to flushing fluid.

Abstract: Reception beamforming that does not generate discontinuity in the vicinity of the depth of a transmit focus is executed even if reception scanning lines are disposed outside of the irradiation area of a focusing-type transmission beam. The degree of discontinuity showing the discontinuity of reception signals detected by plural ultrasound elements 105 or the degree of discontinuity regarding the discontinuity of the wave fronts of phased signals is detected by a discontinuity extracting unit 113. If there is an area where the degree of discontinuity is larger than a predefined value, a delay time generating unit 114 for discontinuity elimination changes the delay times in the area where the discontinuity is generated.

Abstract: Reception beamforming is executed using delay times that complexly vary in accordance with differences between transmission conditions. An irradiation area 32 of a transmission beam is calculated, and the lengths of segments, using which delay times are calculated, are set in accordance with the positional relationships between the calculated irradiation area 32 and reception scanning lines 31. For example, the reception scanning lines 31 are divided into areas A to C, and the lengths of segments 40b in the outer area B located outside of the irradiation area 32 are set shorter than the lengths of segments 40a and 40c in the inner areas A and C.

Abstract: For acoustic radiation force ultrasound imaging, multiple displacement profiles for a given location are acquired. Physiological and/or transducer axial and/or lateral motion are accounted for using the displacements from the different acoustic radiation force impulses. For axial motion, a difference between the displacements of the different profiles provides information about motion during displacement at the location caused by just the undesired motion. A more accurate estimate of the undesired motion for removing from the displacement profile is provided. For lateral motion, the displacement profiles are obtained using waves traveling from different directions relative to the given location. An average of velocities estimated from the different profiles removes undesired lateral motion.

Abstract: Methods and systems for ultrasound data processing are provided. One method includes acquiring channel ultrasound data from a plurality of channel connected to a plurality of elements of an ultrasound probe and storing the channel ultrasound data from the plurality of channels. The method further includes generating ultrasound images based on processing of the acquired channel ultrasound data and displaying the ultrasound images. The method also includes performing additional processing on the stored channel ultrasound data while the ultrasound images are displayed and displaying updated ultrasound images generated by the additional processing.

Abstract: An image forming processing unit forms image data for the interior of a body on the basis of a received ultrasonic signal. A Doppler processing unit generates Doppler information for the body interior on the basis of the receiving signals of ultrasonic waves. A velocity vector calculating unit generates velocity information (velocity vector) for blood flow on the basis of the Doppler information for the body interior. A region of interest setting unit sets a region of interest corresponding to a heart cavity in the image data. An energy calculating unit calculates the amount of energy lost in the blood flow in the heart cavity on the basis of the blood flow velocity information in the region of interest corresponding to the heart cavity.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved medical imaging apparatuses, systems and methods, especially those using ultrasonography. For example, an imaging system can include a transducer, a scanner, a signal processing unit, and a display unit. The scanner, coupled to the transducer, can convert analog signals to a plurality of digital signals. The signal processing unit, coupled to the scanner, can be configured to: receive the plurality of digital signals; multiply a first magnitude estimate of the plurality of digital signals by a probability that an actual magnitude of the plurality of digital signals is greater than zero to determine a second magnitude; and form an image based on the second magnitude estimate. The display unit displays the image. The present invention also provides for products produced by the methods of the present invention and for apparatuses used to perform the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking the position of a region in a subject using an ultrasound system is provided. Training data that indicates the position of the region is acquired from the subject while ultrasound data is acquired from the subject using the ultrasound system. A position mapping table is formed using the training data and ultrasound data; this table relates position information contained in the training data to the acquired ultrasound data. The position of the region is tracked by acquiring additional ultrasound data from the subject using the ultrasound system. This additional ultrasound data is compared to the ultrasound data contained in the position mapping table to identify the position of the region based on a unique relationship between the position of the region and ultrasound echo signatures of the ultrasound data acquired in both the training and motion tracking stages.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to facilitate the minimally invasive removal of tissue biopsies and to facilitate the direct approach to anesthetizing the chest wall, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. A pull-type cutting device 1 comprises two coaxially nested tubes, each extending from a proximal end 21 to a distal end 22. The first tube 61 defines a guide wire lumen 23 for slidingly receiving a guide wire. The second tube 63 extends over the first tube 60 and coupled thereto at the distal end 22 defining an expandable portion 13 adjacent the distal end 22. The second tube 63 defines an inflation lumen 25 extending from the shaft proximal end 21 to the expandable portion 13. The inflation lumen 25 communicates inflation fluid from the proximal end 21 to the expandable portion 13 so as to inflate and deploy the expandable portion 13.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a drive unit configured to receive a disposable unit having a needle carrier. The drive unit is configured to move a cutting element such that the needle carrier is driven a predetermined distance to move a needle-shooting mechanism to a cocked configuration. A user-actuatable control is configured to release the needle-shooting mechanism to cause the needle-shooting mechanism to shoot a biopsy needle simultaneously with the cutting element by an amount of the predetermined distance.

Abstract: A cervical sampling system for collecting a cervical sample for a Pap test. The cervical sampling system includes an insertion tube and an introduction guide member that guides the insertion tube into a vaginal cavity.

Abstract: A device for occluding a perforation in a blood vessel includes a catheter shaft that has a first lumen and a second lumen. The first lumen is adapted to receive at least one of a guidewire and an implanted cardiac lead, and the second lumen is adapted to receive an inflation fluid. The device further includes an inflatable balloon that is carried by the catheter shaft. The inflatable balloon is adapted to receive the inflation fluid from the second lumen. The inflatable balloon has a working length of about 65 mm to about 80 mm and an inflated diameter of about 20 mm to about 25 mm.

Abstract: A surgical device for closure Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) with minimally invasive approach and a transcatheter device for closure ASD using pericardial patch includes a distal jaw that is distal relative to a person holding the device and a proximal jaw, a guide rod which drives the jaws to pass a pericardium patch through a patient's ASD and fix the pericardium patch onto an ASD rim.

Abstract: A method of performing a coronary bypass procedure, the method may be performed by the flexible apparatus controlled by at least one controller, the method may include acts of: percutaneously situating the flexible apparatus into a first artery coupled to connective tissue of a chest wall; transluminally detaching at least a portion of the first artery from the connective tissue by applying ultrasound signals of a first type emitted by at least one transducer of the flexible apparatus; steering at least a portion of the detached portion first artery from a current location to a bypass location at a target artery by applying a force transmitted through the flexible apparatus situated within the first artery; and coupling, by the flexible apparatus situated within the first artery, the first artery to the target artery at the bypass location to establish flow communication between the first artery and the target artery.

Abstract: A mucous membrane lifting instrument for an endoscope includes a first support portion which has an outer circumference surface and a longitudinal axis; a second support portion which is provided at a position spaced from the outer circumference surface of the first support portion, and has an outer circumference surface and a longitudinal axis; a pressing portion which has a proximal end and a distal end connected to the proximal end thereof and positioned more distally than the distal end portion of the endoscope; a lifting portion which is connected to the distal end of the pressing portion, extended from the distal end of the pressing portion, and passes through the space between the first support portion and the second support portion; and an attachment member configured to attach both of the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion to the endoscope.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for delivery of fluid materials, particularly multi-part fluid materials, including modular apparatuses in which various components are maintained separately until ready for use. Each fluid component is maintained in a separate housing until mixing of the fluid components is desired. Maintaining components separately until use allows for proper filling, sterilization, packaging and storing until use.

Abstract: A surgical access system includes a connector including an arm, a coupling element, a rod, and a ridged slider. The arm includes first and second notched sections disposed in opposed lateral sides thereof. The coupling element includes a body section defining an opening therethrough, and opposed tabs protruding therefrom that are configured to receive the second notched section therebetween such that the arm is pivotably coupled to the coupling element. The rod includes a shaft having a plurality of angled grooves defined partially along a length thereof. The rod extends through the opening of the coupling element and the first notched section of the arm. The ridged slider includes a first surface having a plurality of ridges extending along a partial length thereof. The ridged slider extends through the coupling element with the plurality of ridges operably engaged with the plurality of angled grooves of the rod.

Abstract: The use of red or near infrared light upon neurons of the lumbar plexus that are in distress due to retraction-induced ischemia. The surgeon may protect nerves made ischemic in the surgery by: a) making an incision in a patient, b) inserting an access device into the patient through the incision to at least partially create a path to a spine of the patient, and c) irradiating nervous tissue adjacent the path with an amount of NIR or red light effective to provide neuroprotection.

Abstract: A retractor device according includes a first arm, a second arm connected to the first arm by a fastener, a first handle attached to a first end of the first arm, a second handle attached to a first end of the second arm, and a blade attached to each of a second end of the first arm and a second end of the second arm. A portion of the first arm includes a first hollow, the first hollow having a first opening and a second opening and a portion of the second arm includes a second hollow, the second hollow having a first opening and a second opening.

Abstract: A clamp for a surgical retractor system. The clamp has a tapered conically shaped washer against and through which clamping force is applied to place the clamp in a clamped position. The clamping force is applied by a cam head connected to a central shaft. A locking pin connects the cam head to the shaft. Apertures are provided in the clamp for receiving rod ends of a surgical retractor. Such apertures are circular and are positioned to be closer to the top and bottom edges of the clamp portion of the clamp than to the end edge of the clamp portion.

Abstract: An ultrasonic aspirator includes a body, an aspirator wand extending from the body, a shield to cover the aspirator wand, a removable headpiece removably attached to the aspirator wand, and a guard extending past an end of the headpiece in a direction distal to the body. the aspirator also includes a generator or a detector to generate or detect electrical pulses, light sources, endoscopy, modified body angles, image navigation integration for improved visualization and optimization of the surgical field.