Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes: receiving, by a computing device, information identifying a user's activity; determining, by the computing device, the user's tasks based on the information identifying the user's activity; determining, by the computing device, the user's context switches based on the user's tasks; receiving, by the computing device, biometrics data associated with the user via an application programming interface (API); determining, by the computing device, the user's stress levels at various times based on the biometrics data; storing, by the computing device, information linking the user's stress level with the user's context switches; and outputting, by the computing device, the information linking the user's stress level with the user's context switches.

Abstract: Techniques for measuring the emotional state of minds in a person based upon a set of biological data captured from the person in a natural environment, where the person is not restricted at all. Various signals from sensors are captured with or without the intervention of the person. These signals are processed to be converted to sensor data. A dedicated computing device working as a server is provided to collect the sensor data along with other necessary data available on the Internet, where the measurement of the emotion is measured, derived or calculated based on the sensor data, the fetched necessary data and/or the historical measurements.

Abstract: A device for monitoring of an irregular liquid flow rate, such as urine or another bodily fluid from a catheterized patient, includes a measurement chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a liquid level sensor in the collection vessel, a closure, and a control unit. The chamber is configured to allow liquid to enter through the inlet and leave through the outlet, respectively. The closure opens and closes the outlet in response to signals from the control unit. The liquid level sensor provides a signal to the control unit when liquid in the vessel attains a first preset volume.

Abstract: A jaw function measurement apparatus comprises a mastication measurement device having a pliable body, the pliable body defining at least one bite location having at least one force sensor therein. A data collection device is in data communication with the mastication measurement device. Also, a data analysis device is in data communication with the data collection device, which converts data collected by the data collection device into a format suitable for output. Moreover, an input output device is in data communication with the data analysis device 106 that outputs measured bite force.

Abstract: A coupler for indicating the presence of a substance in blood is disclosed. The coupler includes a housing and a test strip. The housing has a proximal end and a distal end, and defines a hollow interior for receiving withdrawn blood. The test strip is held within the hollow interior of the housing. The housing removably couples with a medical instrument and a needle. The test strip produces a visible signal that indicates the presence or absence of the substance in the withdrawn blood. A kit including a syringe, a needle and the coupler is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention addresses confounding difficulties involving continuous sweat analyte measurement. Specifically, the present invention provides: at least one component capable of monitoring whether a sweat sensing device is in sufficient contact with a wearer's skin to allow proper device operation; at least one component capable of monitoring whether the device is operating on a wearer's skin; at least one means of determining whether the device wearer is a target individual within a probability range; at least one component capable of generating and communicating alert messages to the device user(s) related to: wearer safety, wearer physiological condition, compliance with a requirement to wear a device, device operation; compliance with a behavior requirement, or other purposes that may be derived from sweat sensor data; and the ability to utilize aggregated sweat sensor data that may be correlated with information external to the device to enhance the predictive capabilities of the device.

Abstract: The invention addresses confounding difficulties involving continuous sweat analyte measurement. Specifically, the present invention provides: at least one component capable of monitoring whether a sweat sensing device is in sufficient contact with a wearer's skin to allow proper device operation; at least one component capable of monitoring whether the device is operating on a wearer's skin; at least one means of determining whether the device wearer is a target individual within a probability range; at least one component capable of generating and communicating alert messages to the device user(s) related to: wearer safety, wearer physiological condition, compliance with a requirement to wear a device, device operation; compliance with a behavior requirement, or other purposes that may be derived from sweat sensor data; and the ability to utilize aggregated sweat sensor data that may be correlated with information external to the device to enhance the predictive capabilities of the device.

Abstract: Apparatus, method, computing devices, and computer programs related to photodiagnosis and photodynamic therapy, methods of use thereof, and a method for detecting abnormal tissue, are provided,

Abstract: A system and method for correlating health related data for display. The system includes a medical device recording data and a display producing device which correlates the data and simultaneously displays different types of data or displays two sets of the same type of data along with the circumstances at which the two sets of data were recorded. Such displays aid a physician in prescribing and ascertaining the efficacy of cardiac therapies.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter is provided. In one embodiment, the catheter includes an elongate, deformable shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a basket electrode assembly coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The basket electrode assembly has a proximal end and a distal end and is configured to assume a compressed state and an expanded state. The electrode assembly further includes one or more tubular splines having a plurality of electrodes disposed thereon and a plurality of conductors. Each of the plurality of conductors extends through the tubular spline from a corresponding one of the plurality of electrodes to the proximal end of the basket electrode assembly. The tubular splines are configured to assume a non-planar (e.g., a twisted or helical) shape in the expanded state.

Abstract: Sleep systems having embedded sensors are described. In one aspect, a sleep system includes a mattress and one or more force sensors embedded within the mattress. The force sensors are positioned within the mattress to sense movement of an occupant of the mattress. The sleep system also includes one or more processors coupled with the one or more force sensors. At least one of the processors is configured to determine sleep state information for the occupant based on data obtained from one or more of the force sensors.

Abstract: First and second sensors attached to a living body are connected to first and second input connectors respectively. An analog-to-digital converter converts a first analog voltage signal input from the first sensor through the first input connector into a first digital voltage signal. A first voltage-to-current converter converts the first digital voltage signal into a first analog current signal. A first interface connector outputs a second analog voltage signal and the first analog current signal, the second analog voltage signal being input from the second sensor through the second input connector. A physiological information processing apparatus has a second interface connector through which the first analog current signal and the second analog voltage signal are input to the physiological information processing apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating a pseudo-CT prediction model that can be used to generate pseudo-CT images. An exemplary system may include a processor configured to retrieve training data including at least one MR image and at least one CT image for each of a plurality of training subjects. For each training subject, the processor may extract a plurality of features from each image point of the at least one MR image, create a feature vector for each image point based on the extracted features, and extract a CT value from each image point of the at least one CT image. The processor may also generate the pseudo-CT prediction model based on the feature vectors and the CT values of the plurality of training subjects.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to predict decompensation in a subject with heart failure. The system comprises one or more hardware processors configured by machine-readable instructions to receive weight information, blood pressure information, and heart rate information about the subject; determine one or more weight parameters, one or more blood pressure parameters, and one or more heart rate parameters based on the received information; and predict decompensation in the subject based on the one or more weight parameters, the one or more blood pressure parameters, and the one or more heart rate parameters. Prior art systems use weight parameters alone for such prediction. However, weight parameters alone are often not predictive of decompensation.

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: Systems and methods for detecting events indicative of worsening using heart sounds are disclosed. A system can include a signal sensor circuit to sense a heart sound (HS) signal. The system can detect at least first and different second HS components using the HS signal, and generate respective first and second HS metrics. The system can determine a trend indicator for the first or second HS metric, and selectively generate one or more composite HS metrics using the first and second HS metrics, according to the trend indicator indicating a growing or decay trend. The system can include a heart failure (HF) event detector to produce a HF status using the composite HS metrics, and output an indication of the HF status, or deliver therapy according to the HF status.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a patient monitoring and display system. The system allows a clinician to trigger the occurrence of a clinical event, and record a patient's status following the clinical event. The system calculates and displays a change in a patient's status resulting from the clinical event. The system allows multiple parameters to be tracked and displayed on a single screen. The system can also display various animated organs, such as a heart or a lung, corresponding to an operation of the organs in the patient.

Abstract: A tomography system with a beam source and a detector that is adapted to carry out a scan. While the beam source is guided along a circular or helical first trajectory about an orbital axis, a rectangular sensor surface of the detector is guided at a distance from the beam source along a circular or helical second trajectory about the orbital axis. During the scan, a yaw angle between a perpendicular bisector of the sensor surface and the plane of rotation in which the beam source is currently located has a value of greater than 0° and simultaneously smaller than 90°.

Abstract: For position sensors, e.g., a fiber-based system, that build a shape of an elongated member, such as a catheter, using a sequence of small orientation measurements, a small error in orientation at the proximal end of the sensor will cause large error in position at distal points on the fiber. Exemplary methods and systems are disclosed, which may provide full or partial registration along the length of the sensor to reduce the influence of the measurement error. Additional examples are directed to applying selective filtering at a proximal end of the elongated member to provide a more stable base for distal measurements and thereby reducing the influence of measurement errors.

Abstract: Methods and related apparatuses for processing of count events detected by an X-ray sensitive detector. A signal model is fitted to the detected events to compute a physical quantity of interest.

Abstract: A lumen passability checking device checks whether a capsule medical device configured to be introduced into a gastrointestinal tract of a subject is allowed to pass through the gastrointestinal tract. The device includes: a main body dissolvable by a substance in the gastrointestinal tract; a first layer coating the main body, having an outer diameter substantially equivalent to an outer diameter in a minor axis of the capsule medical device, and being dissolvable by the substance in the gastrointestinal tract; and a second layer coating the first layer and being dissolvable by the substance in the gastrointestinal tract. The first and second layers contain different discriminating materials. The first layer has at least two regions extending along a circumference of a cross section of the first layer, the cross section intersecting with a long axis of the device, a part of each region being thinner than other parts.

Abstract: Sensor coupled to the ultrasound probe provides position information related to an ultrasound imaging position in the object. A processor performs first registration between the medical image and the ultrasound image based on the anatomical feature in the ultrasound image and a medical image of the object acquired by imaging modality different from the ultrasound apparatus, obtains first registration information which provides a relationship between a coordinate system of the medical image and a coordinate system of the ultrasound image based on the first registration, performs second registration between the sensor and the medical image based on the position information and the first registration information, and obtains second registration information based on the second registration. A display displays a portion of the medical image corresponding to the ultrasound imaging position based on the second registration information. The medical image includes one among SPECT, PET, MR, PET-CT, and PET-MR image.

Abstract: An iterative algorithmic method determines spatial distribution of attenuation values of an object based on measured projection data of the object. An algorithm generates estimated projection data based on an estimated spatial distribution of the attenuation values. Correction data is determined based on a difference between the measured projection data and the estimated projection data. Spatially extended correction data is back projected to update the estimated spatial distribution of the attenuation values. The algorithmic iterations continue until a stopping criterion is reached.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for X-ray tube scanner automation using a 3D camera is disclosed. An RGBD image of a patient on a patient table is received from a 3D camera mounted on an X-ray tube. A transformation between a coordinate system of the 3D camera and a coordinate system of the patient table is calculated. A patient model is estimated from the RGBD image of the patient. The X-ray tube is automatically controlled to acquire an X-ray image of a region of interest of the patient based on the patient model.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for locating wireless fetal monitoring probes in a set area. The method comprises the following steps: instructions are sent via a plurality of wireless base stations to instruct the wireless probes in the action scopes of the wireless base stations to send base station signal intensity data tables; the wireless probes search all receivable base station signals, establish the base station signal intensity data tables; operations are carried out based on the received current base station signal intensity data tables and base station signal intensity data tables of reference points to obtain a distance reference table; the position of one with the smallest distance value is selected to be regarded as the current position of the corresponding probe. The method and the device have the benefits of quickly locating each wireless probe and avoiding loss of monitoring data.

Abstract: A method and system of ultrasound imaging includes acquiring ultrasound channel data for a region-of-interest, determining an estimated size of a heat-affected region, identifying a first subset of the ultrasound channel data, and identifying a second subset of the ultrasound channel data. The method and system includes generating a pilot trace based on the first subset of ultrasound channel data and comparing the second subset of the ultrasound channel data to the pilot trace to determine delay errors for the second subset of the ultrasound channel data. The method and system includes determining that the heat-affected region has experienced a temperature-induced tissue change based on the delay errors and the estimated size of the heat affected region, and presenting information indicating that the heat-affected region has experienced the temperature-induced tissue change.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for acquiring and providing information about orthopedic features of a body using acoustic energy. In some aspects, an acoustic orthopedic tracking system includes portable acoustic transducers to obtain orthopedic position information for feeding the information to an orthopedic surgical system for surgical operations.

Abstract: There are provided an acoustic wave image generating apparatus for generating a B-mode image having a fixed brightness and a control method thereof. First brightness information (81) indicating the brightness of a first B-mode image in the depth direction of the subject is generated. Positional deviation correction is performed on an acoustic wave echo signal having a positional deviation between the focusing position of acoustic waves and the observation target position, and second brightness information (82) indicating the brightness in the depth direction of the subject is generated from a superposition signal obtained by superimposing an acoustic wave echo signal for which the positional deviation has been corrected and an acoustic wave echo signal without positional deviation. The brightness of the first B-mode image is corrected based on the first brightness information and the second brightness information.

Abstract: An object information acquiring apparatus of the present invention has a conversion element receiving an acoustic wave generated in and propagated from an object and converting the acoustic wave to an electric signal, a holding unit holding an acoustic matching member that acoustically matches the object to the probe, a temperature measuring unit measuring temperatures at a plurality of positions in the acoustic matching member, a reconstruction processing unit acquiring a sound speed of the acoustic matching member and characteristic information of the object based on the sound speed and the electric signal, and a controlling unit performing control based on the temperatures measured at the plurality of positions.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment includes a tip part, an operation part, a bending part, and a heat conducting part. The tip part includes transducer elements configured to transmit and receive ultrasound waves, electronic circuitry electrically connected to the transducer elements, and a frame having the electronic circuitry provided thereon. The operation part receives operations from an operator. The bending part includes a cable electrically connected to the electronic circuitry, and changes the orientation of the tip part by bending in accordance with operations performed on the operation part. The heat conducting part includes a unitary component extending from the tip part at least to the bending part, and is in contact with the frame in the tip part and in the close vicinity of the cable in the bending part.

Abstract: An ultrasound device includes: a plurality of transducers constituting a two-dimensional (2D) probe; a signal processor configured to generate non-inverted signals based on first signals received from first transducers of a first group from among the plurality of transducers and to generate inverted signals based on second signals received from second transducers of a second group from among the plurality of transducers; a beamformer configured to generate a first summing signal corresponding to the non-inverted signals by performing beamforming on the non-inverted signals and to generate a second summing signal corresponding to the inverted signals by performing beamforming on the inverted signals; and a differential amplifier configured to differentially amplify the first summing signal and the second summing signal.

Abstract: Ultrasonic imaging apparatus or techniques can include obtaining at least an approximation of samples of reflected ultrasonic energy and constructing a representation of an imaging plane within the tissue region. Such apparatus or techniques can include separately determining, for respective focusing locations respective first sums of at least approximated complex samples of reflected ultrasonic energy obtained via respective first lines of transducers, and separately determining, for the specified focusing location, a second sum of at least some the respective first sums of at least approximated complex samples of reflected ultrasonic energy, the second sum corresponding to a second line of transducers in the ultrasonic transducer array. The separately determining the first or second sums of at least approximated complex samples can include phase-rotating at least some of the complex samples. The second line of transducers can be orthogonal to respective first lines in the transducer plane.

Abstract: An ultrasound image diagnostic apparatus includes the following. An ultrasound probe outputs transmission ultrasound into a subject in response to reception of a pulsed signal and outputs a reception signal in response to reception of ultrasound reflected from the subject. A transmitter generates the pulsed signal and outputs the generated pulsed signal to the ultrasound probe. A receiver receives the reception signal from the ultrasound probe and generates sound-ray data. An image generator generates ultrasound image data from the sound-ray data. An input receiver receives target position information on a target position. A highlighted-area determiner determines a first highlighted area among multiple areas in a body mark based on the target position information. A display combiner combines the body mark including the first highlighted area with the generated ultrasound image data and displays the resulting image on a display unit.

Abstract: A method of evaluating tissue stiffness of a target area includes positioning an ultrasound elasticity imaging apparatus adjacent a surface of an area of tissue where the target area is located and applying a dynamic range of force to the tissue. A plurality of ultrasound beams can be directed at the tissue and a plurality of ultrasound echoes can be acquired from the strained tissue in the target area to calculate an amount of developed strain within the target area.

Abstract: Methods and systems for acquiring a plurality of data vectors at a first frequency and a plurality of data vectors at a second frequency, where the first frequency is greater than the second frequency. The plurality of first frequency data vectors can be formed into a first set of data vectors and the plurality of second frequency data vectors can be formed into a second set of data vectors. A first filter can be applied to the first set of data vectors to form a first modified data set and a second filter can be applied to the second set of data vectors to form a second modified data set. Based on the first and second modified data sets, a frequency response of an item in the imaging view can be determined. Using the determined frequency response of the item, an image is created on a display.

Abstract: Provided are an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and method for analyzing a contrast enhanced ultrasound image. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and method determine, by analysis, causes of defects in a frame of an ultrasound image based on a time intensity curve and allow visual display of the defective frame based on the determined causes. Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnosis method and apparatus may provide a user interface for quick access to causes of defects in a frame of the ultrasound image and to a position of the defective frame.

Abstract: A sweat sensor device (200) includes one or more sweat sensors (220) and a seal (280) covering the one or more sweat sensors (220). The seal (280) is adapted to protect the sweat sensors (220) from outside contaminants when the device (200) is placed on the skin (12). The sweat sensor device (200) may include an absorbing medium (230) to absorb sweat from the skin (12) that is covered by the seal (280). The seal (280) can be permeable to gas, permeable to water and impermeable to at least one aqueous solute, or selectively permeable to at least one aqueous solute. The sweat sensor device (200) may include an artificial sweat stimulation mechanism (345) for stimulating sweat when the device (200) is placed on the skin (12).

Abstract: Disclosed is a biopsy specimen carrier adapted for tissue biopsy samples where the specimen need not be removed or handled once housed within and including a backer board, a media removable secured to the backer board, a media carrier removable secured to the media and receptive to hold a tissue biopsy sample, a first strip of adhesive material on the media adjacent to the media carrier, and a release strip covering the first strip of adhesive material. The media is foldable to cover the media carrier carrying a tissue biopsy sample and is secured to the first strip of adhesive material with the release strip removed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device useful for preserving tissue samples after extraction from human or animal patients. The device includes a circular blade for taking a tissue sample, the blade being coupled to a sealing cap which mates to one end of a container. A retrieval port is also disclosed for extracting fluids from the container. Methods are also disclosed by which tissue samples may be taken and prepared for storage, processing, culture, or other analysis.

Abstract: Devices and methods for profiling microbiota of skin are described which include a hand-held microbe profiling device including a housing defining an opening, the housing including at least one rotatable component at least partially disposed in the opening defined by the housing, an elongated flexible strip disposed on an outer surface of the at least one rotatable component, the outer surface of the elongated flexible strip positioned to contact one or more regions of a skin surface of an individual through the opening defined by the housing, a location-capture component to detect a location of one or more regions of the skin surface as the elongated flexible strip contacts said one or more regions, at least one sensor component to detect one or more signals emitted or reflected from the elongated flexible strip, and a computing component to associate the location of said one or more regions of the skin surface and the detected one or more signals.

Abstract: A vein harvesting assembly for harvesting a vein in a body comprises: a dissecting member, with the dissecting member being insertable into the body and moved along a vein to dissect tissue surrounding the vein. A covering member possesses a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, with the covering member possessing a covered space extending from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion, and the covering member being mountable on and movable along the dissecting member when the dissecting member is positioned in a living body. A cutting member is comprised of an elongated member and a blade member so that rotation of the elongated member results in turning of the cutting member to cut tissue surrounding the vein. The cutting member is insertable into the space in the covering member and is movable in a distal direction along the space.

Abstract: A vein harvesting device for harvesting a vein in a body includes a tubular member, an elongated dissecting member positioned inside the tubular member to dissect a tissue so that the tubular member axially overlaps the elongated dissecting member, wherein the tubular member is rotatable relative to the dissecting member, and an elongated cutting member positioned on the elongated dissecting member to cut a vessel and rotatable relative to the elongated dissecting member.

Abstract: A vein harvesting device for harvesting a vein in a living body includes an elongated hollow member possessing a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, and a dissecting member at the distal end portion of the elongated hollow member and configured to dissect tissue in the body surrounding the vein during harvesting of the vein, wherein the dissecting member possessing a proximal end portion communicating with the elongated hollow member. The dissecting member possesses two side portions, with each of the side portions possessing a first end at an end of the side portion farther from the hollow member and a second end at an end of the side portion closer to the hollow member. A projection projects from the first end at each of the side portions of the dissecting member to contact the tissue in the body surrounding the vein during the harvesting of the vein.

Abstract: A vein harvesting device for harvesting a vein in a living body comprises a tubular member possessing a lumen, a dissecting member positioned in the lumen of the tubular member to dissect tissue surrounding the vein, a protrusion at the distal end portion of the dissecting member, and a heating member located at the distal end portion of the dissecting member and being separate from the protrusion. The tubular member is rotatable relative to at least one of the dissecting member and the heating member.

Abstract: A biodegradable device for maintaining the alignment of the edges of a trocar defect, consisting of two bases coupled and offset by a connector. The first base to be positioned below the defect and a second base above. The first base has a threaded hole from its upper surface but not through the lower surface. The connector attached to the bases such that there is a hole aligned with the threaded hole in the first base allowing a device to mate with the threads in the first base. The second base has a hole aligned with the hole in the connector and wide enough to allow a device to mate with the threads in the first base. The device is arranged so the distance between the lower surface of the second base and upper surface of the first base holds the fascia around the trocar defect.

Abstract: A method for maintaining the alignment of the edges of a trocar defect by inserting into a defect a device for compressing the tissue such that part of the device is above while the other is below the defect, then pulling back on the device so that the part below the defect is up against the defect, then while holding the device below the defect in place, push down on the part above the wound so that it compresses the tissue. Finally, release the device from the insertion tool.

Abstract: Disclosed is an occlusion device for use in a body lumen such as the left atrial appendage. The occlusion device includes an occlusion member and may also include a stabilizing member. The stabilizing member inhibits compression of the left atrial appendage, facilitating tissue in-growth onto the occlusion member. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are puncture sealing systems and methods of locating a puncture site within a vessel. The systems can include puncture locating dilators and access sheaths that are configured to locate the puncture site within a vessel so that the position of the puncture site relative to a distal end of the access sheath is known during a puncture sealing procedure.

Abstract: An instrument handle and replaceable tip may include a reusable instrument handle and a single-use instrument tip. The instrument tip may include an outer base, a nosecone, a pressure mechanism, a hypodermic tube, a blank, and a fixation mechanism. The instrument handle may include an actuation structure, a fixation mechanism receptacle, and an instrument tip housing. The fixation mechanism and the fixation mechanism receptacle may be configured to temporarily fix the instrument tip in the instrument tip housing. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to actuate the hypodermic tube relative to the blank. The instrument tip may be removed from the instrument tip housing after use by removing the fixation mechanism from the fixation mechanism receptacle.

Abstract: An applicator for spraying at least two components in the interior of the body of a patient uses a compressed gas, the applicator being suitable in particular for laparoscopic applications. The applicator has a connecting piece for connection of the applicator to two reservoirs for the components and for delivery of a compressed gas. A multi-lumen tube extends from the connecting piece to a spray head. A flexible wire is fixed in a first lumen which extends off-center. The applicator has at least one adapter having two tube connectors which are introduced into two further lumina. These two further lumina likewise extend off-center and are offset in the circumferential direction from the lumen which receives the wire. A further lumen can extend centrally and can receive a second wire. Identical adapters can be provided at both ends of the multi-lumen tube.