Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an intelligent nursing care device, which is a wearable nursing care device and comprises a monitoring unit that acquires a position information and a health condition information of a wearer in real time, and a control unit that determines, based on the position information and the health information acquired by the monitoring unit, a safety condition and a health condition of the wearer, and transmits a determination result to at least one of a cloud server and a monitoring terminal. By wearing the intelligent nursing care device, an intelligent nursing care service and safety tracking service are provided to a wearer.

Abstract: The disclosed automatic calibration systems and methods provide a repeatable way to detect internal catheter reflections and to shift the internal catheter reflections to calibrate an image.

Abstract: A system including a medical instrument, a sensor, and a processor module in communication with the sensor. The medical instrument includes a radiation source for transmitting electromagnetic radiation from within a body and through a material in the body. The sensor receives a portion of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the material, and the processor module determines at least one characteristic of the material based on the electromagnetic radiation received by the sensor.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a film part, and a sensing unit. A circumscribing rectangle circumscribing a configuration of a film surface of the film part has a first side, a second side, a third side connected to one end of the first side and one end of the second side, a fourth side connected to one other end of the first side and one other end of the second side, and a centroid of the circumscribing rectangle. The circumscribing rectangle includes a first region enclosed by the first side, line segments connecting the centroid to the one end of the first side, and to the one other end of the first side. The sensing unit includes sensing elements provided on a portion of the film surface overlapping the first region. Each sensing element includes a first, second magnetic layers, and a spacer layer.

Abstract: A sphygmomanometer, in a deflation process after inflation to prescribed pressure adjusts a drive voltage of an exhaust valve such that a deflation speed of a fluid bag achieves a prescribed deflation speed during an adjustment period, which is a prescribed period after starting deflation. When the adjustment period ends or when the deflation speed of the fluid bag achieves the prescribed speed, control is subsequently performed to fix the drive voltage of the exhaust valve and deflate the fluid bag while holding a gap of the exhaust valve constant.

Abstract: A physiological signal such as a heart rate acquired from a monitoring device is processed to reduce interference, ambiguity, or artifacts arising during various activities. For example, the system can process a physiological signal to account for motion artifacts in the physiological signal and, thus, reduce the impact of movement on the physiological signal. Additionally, or alternatively, the system can process a physiological signal based on one or more measurement contexts associated with a wearable device. In general, the physiological signal processed as described herein can be useful as a reliable, continuous indication of a physiological parameter and, thus, can serve as the basis for other physiological assessments (e.g., heart rate variability) derived from the physiological parameter.

Abstract: Sensor arrangement, comprising at least one ballistocardiographic sensor for detecting body movements of a subject and at least one noise sensor for detecting vibration, method of ballistocardiographic detection of body movements, ballistocardiographic sensor system and uses of the sensor arrangement. It is suggested to pickup an external noise signal using an inertia sensor that is vibration isolated from a subject under ballistocardiographic examination.

Abstract: The invention provides a body-worn system that continuously measures pulse oximetry and blood pressure, along with motion, posture, and activity level, from an ambulatory patient. The system features an oximetry probe that comfortably clips to the base of the patient's thumb, thereby freeing up their fingers for conventional activities in a hospital, such as reading and eating. The probe secures to the thumb and measures time-dependent signals corresponding to LEDs operating near 660 and 905 nm. Analog versions of these signals pass through a low-profile cable to a wrist-worn transceiver that encloses a processing unit. Also within the wrist-worn transceiver is an accelerometer, a wireless system that sends information through a network to a remote receiver, e.g. a computer located in a central nursing station.

Abstract: A nerve interface electrode has a plurality of conductive fibers. The fibers have a nonconductive sheath (108) surrounding a conducting wire. A conducting region (105) of the wire is exposed to the interior of the nerve (200). The fibers are configured for insertion between fascicles (204) of the nerve. In other teachings, a layer of polymer material configured to switch from a high strength/tensile modulus state to a low strength/tensile modulus state upon introduction of the fibers into the nerve is disposed on the fibers.

Abstract: This invention provides a fully automatic method and a system for detecting and classifying cardiac arrhythmias from a surface ECG record. The method defines four relevant parameters whose values are extracted from said ECG record. Clinically relevant conclusions are assigned to various combinations of the obtained values of said parameters. The method can be employed for detecting fetal QRS complexes from abdomen ECG of a pregnant woman.

Abstract: A stochastic Bayesian non-linear filtering system and method that improves the filtering of noisy signals by providing efficiency, power, speed, and flexibility. The filter only requires the likelihood function p(observation|state) to determine the system state and works in various measurement models. This allows for the processing of noisy signals to be used in real time, such as in a biofeedback device that senses noisy surface electromyography muscle electrical activity, filters the sensed signal using the nonlinear filtering method, and provides vibrations based on the muscular activity.

Abstract: A cardiac signal generator includes a first circuit, a user input device, an output display, and a processing circuit. The first circuit provides, according to any of predetermined plurality of settings, cardiac signals comprising a repeating cardiac waveform, and respiratory signals comprising a repeated respiratory waveform. The output display includes a plurality of indicators, each indicator corresponding to one of the plurality of settings. Each setting includes a combination of a frequency of repetition of the cardiac waveform and a frequency of repetition of the respiratory waveform. The processing circuit causes the first circuit to provide cardiac and respiratory signals according to a selected one of the plurality of settings. The processing circuit is further configured to receive a signal from the user input device, and change the selected setting from a first setting of the plurality of settings to a second setting of the plurality of settings responsive thereto.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wearable monitor device and methods and systems for using such a device. In certain embodiments, the wearable monitor records cardiac data from a mammal and extracts particular features of interest. These features are then transmitted and used to provide health-related information about the mammal.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a thin, low thickness snap for use, for example, in a heart rate monitor belt. The snap can be integrated or built directly in to a heart rate monitor belt. Furthermore, the heart rate monitor belt can be integrated within a textile or garment, for example a compression shirt, sports bra or cycling shorts. The snap can be flushly integrated into the belt or garment such the snap does not take away from the general wearability of the heart rate monitor belt or garment.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring subjects, analyzing EEG data, and maintaining subjects at desired sedation states using automatic processing systems to determine a mean burst suppression interval for a specified time length and using that interval to inform monitoring or administration of sedation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for identifying and targeting brain regions and brain structures. In one embodiment, a method of identifying a brain structure in a patient comprises imaging a brain region using Diffusion Tensor Imaging MRI to identify a nerve tract, following the nerve tract to a first brain structure, and identifying the first brain structure based on the location and orientation of the nerve tract.

Abstract: A method of obtaining information about the position and/or orientation of a magnetic component relatively to a magnetometric detector, the magnetic component and the magnetometric detector being moveable independently from each other relatively to a static secondary magnetic field, the method comprising the steps of: measuring in the presence of the combination of both the magnetic field of the magnetic component and the static secondary magnetic field essentially simultaneously the strength and/or orientation of a magnetic field at at least a first position and a second position spatially associated with the magnetometric detector, the second position being distanced from the first position; and combining the results of the measurements to computationally eliminate the effect of the secondary magnetic field and derive the information about the position and/or orientation of the magnetic component.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical tool has a marker positioned at a distal portion of the ophthalmic surgical tool. The distal portion of the ophthalmic surgical tool is inserted into an eye along with the marker to perform surgeries in the eye. An imaging device captures images of the fundus of the eye including the distal portion of the ophthalmic surgical tool. An image processor processes the captured images to identify and extract the marker from the captured images. The marker has a high-contrast feature in a visible light or infrared light range or other spectral ranges. Thus, the image processor may identify and extract the marker from the captured images. Indicators may be generated based on the marker and be overlaid with the captured or processed images of the fundus and displayed to a user to indicate surgical information to the user.

Abstract: The system of the present invention includes an implantable device that can detect high and low frequency current signature. The implantable device can communicate with a communication device that includes a conductive element, an electronic component, and a partial power source in the form of dissimilar materials. Upon contact with a conducting fluid, the communication device is activated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a respiratory phase determination apparatus enabling a respiratory phase determination robust to personal differences in respiration among subjects and fluctuations in respiration of subjects in person without any need for calibration.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining the occurrence of a closed or open apnea. Respiratory air flow from a patient is measured to give an air flow signal. The determination of an apnea is performed by applying an oscillatory pressure waveform of known frequency to a patient's airway, calculating a complex quantity representing a patient admittance (12) and comparing its value with ranges (14,16) indicative of open or closed apneas. The method distinguishes open from closed apneas even when the model used to calculate admittance is not based on details of the respiratory apparatus. In addition the patient admittance may be compared with admittance during normal breathing to avoid having to characterize the airway.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting an ineffective effort of a patient being mechanically ventilated by a ventilator comprises (i) monitoring a respiratory flow of air of the patient after said ventilator has cycled; (ii) creating a signal indicative of said flow; (iii) removing artifact from said signal; (iv) monitoring said signal for perturbations; and (v) determining that an ineffective effort has occurred when said perturbation is significant.

Abstract: Biometric monitoring devices, including various technologies that may be implemented in such devices, are discussed herein. Additionally, techniques for enhancing GPS speed and distance measurements based on step counts measured by a biometric monitoring device are provided. Such techniques may, in some implementations, involve blending two independently-measured data streams of raw distance traveled—one based on inter-coordinate GPS coordinate distances and one based on step count and stride length—using a Kalman filter to provide an enhanced-accuracy measurement of distance or speed traveled. In some other or additional implementations, distances or speeds calculated based on inter-coordinate GPS coordinate distances may be smoothed with a smoothing constant that is proportional to the variance in measured step count.

Abstract: A method for estimating joint angles of a multi-segment limb from inertial sensor data accurately estimates and tracks the orientations of multiple segments of the limb as a function of time using data from a single inertial measurement unit worn at the distal end of the limb. Estimated joint angles are computed from measured inertial data as a function of time in a single step using a nonlinear state space estimator. The estimator preferably includes a tracking filter such as an unscented Kalman filter or particle filter. The nonlinear state space estimator incorporates state space evolution equations based on a kinematic model of the multi-segment limb.

Abstract: A method for performing health risk assessments for a patient in a home or medical facility is provided. In various embodiments, the method comprises compiling depth image data from at least one depth camera associated with a particular patient, and generating at least one three-dimensional object based on the depth image data. The method additionally includes identifying a walking sequence from the at least one three-dimensional object, analyzing the walking sequence to generate one or more parameters, and performing at least one health risk assessment based on the one or more parameters to determine a health risk assessment score. The method further comprises sending an alert message to at least one caregiver when the at least one health risk assessment indicates the occurrence of an incident (i.e., the recorded depth image data) denoting that the patient has fallen or that there exists a high risk of the patient falling.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting lameness in a standing animal uses at least one optical imaging device coupled to processing arrangement. The optical imaging device is arranged in a position to capture at least one image showing the lower portions of at least one leg of an animal and to forward the image to the processing arrangement, which, in turn, analyses the image to determine a condition of lameness when said at least one leg is held in a raised position on or above ground level. The system is particularly suited to detecting lameness in dairy animals and can be integrated in a milking or feeding stall or with an automatic or semi-automatic milking system.

Abstract: Methods for treating a patient using therapeutic renal neuromodulation and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology is directed to biomarker sampling in the context of neuromodulation devices, systems, and methods. Some embodiments, for example, are directed to catheters, catheter systems, and methods for sampling biomarkers that change in response to neuromodulation. A system can include, for example, an elongated shaft and a neuromodulation and sampling assembly having a neuromodulation and a sampling element.

Abstract: A method of operating a glucose test meter is provided. The method can be achieved by storing a plurality of glucose readings to a first memory of the test meter, each of the glucose readings having a time stamp and an order index, the time stamp comprising a date and a time when the glucose reading was performed, the order index indicating an order in which the plurality of glucose readings was saved to the first memory; determining whether successively saved glucose readings have time stamps in chronological order consistent with the order index; and indicating that the date and the time setting in the test meter is incorrect if there are successively saved glucose readings having time stamps inconsistent with the order index.

Abstract: The inventive concept relates to a measuring device. The measuring device irradiates a first beam including a polarization component and a second beam which is a wavelength swept laser having a coherence length previously set and can measure a glucose concentration of an aqueous humor by measuring an optical path length and the rotation amount of a polarization plane respectively from a first output beam and a second output beam being output from an eye.

Abstract: A light based method and technique for measuring the static and average plasma glucose concentration over a prolonged period of time. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a method that utilizes mathematical analysis of appendage mobile LED flash IR light transmittance, absorption and scattering by using high resolution mobile camera data to estimate the concentration of glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in millimoles per liter (mmol/L).

Abstract: Methods and systems are discussed for determining venous oxygen saturation by calculating a ratio of ratios from respiration-induced baseline modulations. A calculated venous ratio of ratios may be compared with a look-up table value to estimate venous oxygen saturation. A calculated venous ratio of ratios is compared with an arterial ratio of ratios to determine whether baseline modulations are the result of a subject's respiration or movement. Such a determination is also made by deriving a venous ratio of ratios using a transform technique, such as a continuous wavelet transform. Derived venous and arterial saturation values are used to non-invasively determine a cardiac output of the subject.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for intercommunication between a medical sensor and an electronic patient monitor are provided. For example, one embodiment of a system for communicably coupling a medical sensor to an electronic patient monitor may include a sensor-side communication connector and a monitor-side communication connector. The sensor-side communication connector may be capable of receiving a raw physiological measurement signal from the medical sensor, and the monitor-side communication connector may be capable of providing a digital physiological measurement signal based at least in part on the raw physiological measurement signal to the electronic patient monitor via a data link.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for accurate noninvasive determination of tissue properties. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise an optical sampler having an illumination subsystem, adapted to communicate light having a first polarization to a tissue surface; a collection subsystem, adapted to collect light having a second polarization communicated from the tissue after interaction with the tissue; wherein the first polarization is different from the second polarization. The difference in the polarizations can discourage collection of light specularly reflected from the tissue surface, and can encourage preferential collection of light that has interacted with a desired depth of penetration or path length distribution in the tissue. The different polarizations can, as examples, be linear polarizations with an angle between, or elliptical polarizations of different handedness.

Abstract: A biological signal measuring system includes: a light emitter emitting light beams having different N kinds of wavelengths, where N is an integer of four or more; a light receiver outputting N kinds of signals respectively in accordance with received light intensities of the N kinds of light beams that have been passed through or reflected from a living tissue; a first calculating section acquiring N kinds of light attenuations based on the N kinds of signals; a second calculating section acquiring (N?1) kinds of blood-derived light attenuations based on two light attenuations related to (N?1) kinds of combinations selected from the N kinds of light attenuations; a third calculating section identifying concentrations of (N?1) kinds of in-blood substances based on the (N?1) kinds of blood-derived light attenuations; and an outputting section outputting the identified concentrations.

Abstract: Novel methods and devices including modified endoscopes that employ fiber optic technology and multiple extrinsic optical sensors for enablement of simultaneous determination of change rates of biological analytes in vivo with single-cell resolution. The devices employ dynamic oscillatory actuation to determine the gradient of analytes of interest along one or multiple directions with respect to the cell. The change rate or flux of the analyte of interest can be easily determined by applying the first Fick's law that relates the flux with the concentration gradient. The dual operation mode of the device markedly increases measurement sensitivity and accuracy.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for increasing oxygen availability to implantable devices. The preferred embodiments provide a membrane system configured to provide protection of the device from the biological environment and/or a catalyst for enabling an enzymatic reaction, wherein the membrane system includes a polymer formed from a high oxygen soluble material. The high oxygen soluble polymer material is disposed adjacent to an oxygen-utilizing source on the implantable device so as to dynamically retain high oxygen availability to the oxygen-utilizing source during oxygen deficits. Membrane systems of the preferred embodiments are useful for implantable devices with oxygen-utilizing sources and/or that function in low oxygen environments, such as enzyme-based electrochemical sensors and cell transplantation devices.

Abstract: A biological fluid collection device that is adapted to receive a multi-component blood sample having a cellular portion and a plasma portion is disclosed. After collecting the blood sample, the biological fluid collection device is able to separate the plasma portion from the cellular portion. After separation, the biological fluid collection device is able to transfer the plasma portion of the blood sample to a point-of-care testing device. The biological fluid collection device also provides a closed sampling and transfer system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample and provides fast mixing of a blood sample with an anticoagulant. The biological fluid collection device is engageable with a testing device for closed transfer of a portion of the plasma portion from the biological fluid collection device to the testing device. The testing device is adapted to receive the plasma portion to analyze the blood sample and obtain test results.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely evaluating patient compliance status is presented. Compliance to a course of treatment is periodically checked through qualitative inquiry of a patient under remote management. Physiometry of the patient, that indicates emotional state, is remotely monitored contemporaneously with the qualitative state. Patient status is evaluated, including at least one of corroborating the compliance and identifying an emotional imbalance, based upon the indicated emotional state of the patient.

Abstract: An allergy testing kit contains a plurality of allergy testing applicators, an allergy testing tray and a plurality of allergen bottles each containing an allergen. Each of the applicators contains an elongated handle, a plurality of arms extending from the elongated handle and disposed in an asymmetrical configuration, and a plurality of legs with tines extending from each of the arms. The allergy testing tray contains a main body having an underside and a top surface, a cover for locking with the main body and a plurality of reservoirs extending from the underside of the main body. The reservoirs each have a chamber with an opening extending from the top surface. The reservoirs are disposed in different groups and each group has an asymmetrical configuration matching that of the applicator.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to measure lymphatic pressure with more safety and ease at lower cost. To achieve this, a lymphatic pressure-measuring system 1 includes: a manchette 11 fitted on a vital observation portion; a measurement unit 13 that measures and outputs pressure of the manchette 11; an infrared camera 21 that detects fluorescence emitted from fluorescent dye previously injected into a lymph vessel in the vital observation portion; and an image processing device 22 that generates and displays an image showing a position of the fluorescent dye in the lymph vessel based on a detection result of the infrared camera 21. The infrared camera 21 repeats the detection while the pressure of the manchette 11 decreases from first pressure to block a lymph flow in the vital observation portion to second pressure at restart of the lymph flow. The measurement unit 13 repeats the measurement during the period.

Abstract: Described here are implantable devices and methods for monitoring physiological information relating to sleep. The implantable devices are generally designed to include at least one sensor for sensing physiological information, a processor for processing the physiological information using low computational power to detect a sleep stage, and a battery. The detected sleep stage information may then be used to indicate sleep quality, identify or monitor a medical condition, or guide treatment thereof.

Abstract: A biological-information obtaining apparatus includes a light-emitting unit configured to emit light, an image-capturing unit configured to capture images, in time sequence, obtained by irradiating a living body with the light emitted and by causing the light to be transmitted through or reflected by the living body, the image-capturing unit being sensitive to at least two color components, an extreme generation unit configure to generate, for each of the captured images in the time sequence, a maximum value and a minimum value of each of the color components in a certain area of the captured image, and an oxygen-saturation calculation unit configured to calculate oxygen saturation on the basis of the maximum value and the minimum value of each of the color components in the certain area of the captured image.

Abstract: Provided herein is an integrated wireless patch comprising a contact layer, an electronics layer, and a battery layer. The contact layer is a substrate having gel cutouts. The electronics layer can be folded into contact with the contact layer. The battery layer can be folded into contact with the electronic layer. Further provided herein is a method of manufacturing a wireless integrated patch comprising folding a substrate comprising at least one cutout, at least one contact disk in communication with a surface of a patient through the cutout, and battery terminals, wherein the at least one cutout, the at least on contact, and the battery terminals are adaptable to be located in different layers after the substrate is folded.

Abstract: The invention concerns a skin-mountable medical device comprising a patch portion with a contact surface facing the skin of a patient during use, a process unit attached to the patch portion, and a plaster kit for securing the patch portion to the skin, wherein the plaster kit has a primary pad adapted to releasably adhere to at least a section of a peripheral skin surface surrounding the contact surface. According to the invention, the plaster kit further comprises at least one auxiliary pad which is connectable or connected to the patch portion and adapted to functionally replace the primary pad after a wearing time.

Abstract: A fiber optic force sensing assembly for detecting forces imparted at a distal end of a catheter assembly. The structural member may include segments adjacent each other in a serial arrangement, with gaps located between adjacent segments that are bridged by flexures. Fiber optics are coupled to the structural member. In one embodiment, each fiber optic has a distal end disposed adjacent one of the gaps and oriented for emission of light onto and for collection of light reflected from a segment adjacent the gap. The optical fibers cooperate with the deformable structure to provide a change in the intensity of the reflected light, or alternatively to provide a variable gap interferometer for sensing deformation of the structural member. In another embodiment, the gaps are bridged by fiber Bragg gratings that reflect light back through the fiber optic at central wavelengths that vary with the strain imposed on the grating.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for identifying when a subject is likely to be affected by a medical condition. For example, at least one processor may be configured to receive information reflective of an external soft tissue image of the subject. The processor may also be configured to perform an evaluation of the external soft tissue image information and to generate evaluation result information based, at least in part, on the evaluation. The processor may also be configured to predict a likelihood that the subject is affected by the medical condition based, at least in part, on the evaluation result information.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining maximal oxygen uptake per unit time for a subject. The apparatus comprises at least one body sensor measuring body temperature of the subject; at least one body sensor measuring sweat output of the subject; and a processor. The processor is configured to receive measurements from said at least one body sensors; determine whether said subject is exercising in steady state; and calculate, subject to said determining, maximal oxygen uptake per unit time for said subject using said received measurements.

Abstract: A clinical workstation includes a processing unit configured to record context information and user habit information based on user interaction with a computer-based application during a plurality of phases of a medical workflow. The processing unit may also be configured to generate a plurality of macro sets based on the recorded context information and the recorded user habit information. Each macro set may be associated with at least one user preferred application tool and be bound to one of the plurality of phases.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the x-ray apparatus includes an x-ray source adapted to emit an x-ray beam and a detector adapted to receive the x-ray beam of the x-ray source. The x-ray source is adapted to be moved in relation to a first portion of the x-ray apparatus and the detector is adapted to be moved in relation to a first portion of the x-ray apparatus. A control unit controls the movement of the x-ray source and detector. The x-ray source and the detector are adapted to rotate in relation to a first portion of the x-ray apparatus. Further, the x-ray beam is directed essentially towards the detector during the movement of the x-ray source and the detector.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present, a method for acquiring an image is provided. The method comprises acquiring initial image data, identifying one or more regions of interest in at least one of the initial image data or in a first image generated from the initial image data. The method further comprises automatically deriving one or more scan parameters based upon the regions of interest, and acquiring second image data using the scan parameters.