Abstract: Assessing decongestive therapy delivered to a heart failure patient involves use of an implantable sensor configured to sense a physiologic parameter indicative of the patient's diuresis status and a processor coupled to the implantable sensor. The sensor may comprise a thoracic fluid sensor, a heart sounds sensor, a cardiac chamber or arterial pressure sensor, a respiration sensor, or a blood chemistry sensor, for example. The processor is configured to determine if a target level of patient diuresis has been achieved based on a relationship between the sensed physiologic parameter and a threshold developed for the patient, and to produce an output in response to determining that the target level of patient diuresis has been achieved. The processor may be disposed in an implantable housing, in a patient-external housing, or in a network server system.

Abstract: A method for characterizing a brain electrical signal comprising forming a temporo-spectral decomposition of the signal to form a plurality of time resolved frequency signal values, associating each instance of the signal value with a predetermined function approximating a neurological signal to form a table of coefficients collectively representative of the brain electrical signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for measuring the body fat percent and fat accretion during pregnancy, which preferably utilizes a Fourier transform near infrared spectroscopy (FT-NIR) fat determination method. The FT-NIR results can be used to measure and monitor body fat percent, and used to measure the mother's fat accretion rate. A method to monitor weight gain in a pregnant subject is provided wherein the body fat percentage of the subject is maintained at a constant level during gestation, and the subject's fat accretion rate is monitored so as to follow the fat accretion rate provided by using pre-defined fat accretion determination formulae. By measurement of the body fat percent and fat accretion rates, the weight gain of a subject can be monitored and/or controlled during pregnancy.

Abstract: A wearable device comprises a body portion, a strap portion coupled with the body portion, the strap portion provided to allow the body portion to be worn on a human body, and a connection module provided in a portion of the strap portion and a portion of the body to couple the strap portion with the body portion. The connection module comprises a connection pin portion provided in the strap portion to detachably couple the strap portion with the body portion and a holder portion provided in an end of the strap portion, the connection pin portion inserted in the holder portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a wearable device, a physiological information monitoring system and a physiological information monitoring method. The wearable device includes a device body, a measurement circuit, and a measurement trigger interface. The measurement circuit is disposed on the device body and adapted to perform a physiological information measurement operation to measure a physiological signal and generate physiological information accordingly. The measurement trigger interface is triggered to generate a measurement trigger signal. The measurement circuit performs the physiological information measurement operation in response to the measurement trigger signal.

Abstract: Example headsets and methods for gathering electroencephalographic signals are disclosed herein. An example headset includes an adjustment assembly including a first support to be disposed on a first side of a head of a person and a second support to be disposed on a second side of the head of the person. The example headset also includes an adjustor operatively coupled to the first support. Further, the example headset includes an electrode strip and a tension strap having a first end operatively coupled to the adjustor and a second end operatively coupled to the second support.

Abstract: A garment is provided, configured to support a body part, an comprising a load-bearing portion configured to at least partially bear the weight of the body part, and a sensor functionally connected to the load-bearing portion so as to be acted on by the weight. The sensor comprises a core having one or more strain gauges mounted thereon, and one or more stress absorbers attached to the core. Each stress absorber 5 comprises a flexing member having a fixed end connected to the core, and a free end.

Abstract: A garment and/or garment system with health-monitoring (e.g., cardiovascular monitoring) capability, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

Abstract: An intelligent wearable outfit, and an external information platform and a computer program product which are in conjunction with the intelligent wearable outfit, provide various functional modules for measuring physiological signals in a modular design. An appropriate functional module (or even more than one functional module if desired) may be selected therefrom and arranged in the wearable outfit to extend and change functions of the wearable outfit, making the intelligent wearable outfit suitable for most users who can manage personal health appropriately.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a sealed package and a method of forming such package are disclosed. The package can include a non-conductive substrate that includes a cavity disposed in a first major surface. A cover layer can be disposed over the cavity and attached to the first major surface of the non-conductive substrate to form a sealed enclosure. The sealed package can also include a feedthrough that includes a via between a recessed surface of the cavity and a second major surface of the substrate, and a conductive material disposed in the via. An external contact can be disposed over the via on the second major surface of the non-conductive substrate, where the external contact is electrically connected to the conductive material disposed in the via. The sealed package can also include an electronic device disposed within the sealed enclosure that is electrically connected to the external contact.

Abstract: Employed is a probe support apparatus having: a base stand; an arm connected to an upper end of the base stand so that the arm can be tilted and rotated in a horizontal direction; and a probe support section connected to a distal end of the arm at a side opposite that of a portion connected to the base stand. The probe support section is constituted by a deformable section and a non-deformable section, and the non-deformable section is connected to a distal end of the arm so that the non-deformable section can rotate about an axis parallel to a rotation axis about which the arm is tilted.

Abstract: A biomarker detector used to detect and notify a user of a biological substance. More specifically, a biomarker detector coating layered on a surgical instrument that enables a user of the surgical instrument to know when a critical bodily fluid, such as cerebrospinal fluid, or critical tissue, such as nerve tissue, has been reached by the surgical instrument, thereby allowing the user to react accordingly and avoid iatrogenic injury.

Abstract: Systems for facilitating display of cardiac mapping information include a mapping probe configured to sense cardiac electrical signals. The systems also include a processing unit configured to receive the cardiac electrical signals; determine signal features; and determine conduction characteristics. The processing unit also is configured to generate, based on the signal features and the corresponding conduction characteristics, a cardiac map.

Abstract: A catheter includes a proximal segment and a distal segment. The catheter is configured to permit relative movement between the distal segment and the proximal segment in response to an application of force on the distal segment. The catheter further includes an inductive sensing element configured to measure displacement between the proximal segment and the distal segment.

Abstract: A system for collecting data for assessment of cardiovascular function includes a plurality of monitoring devices coupled to different respective body parts. Each monitoring device is configured to measure a respective signal at the respective body part in response to cardiovascular activity. The respective signal includes a cardiovascular component attributable to the cardiovascular activity and an artifact component not attributable to the cardiovascular activity. When the monitoring devices measure the respective signals simultaneously over a same time period, the cardiovascular components are correlated, and the artifact components are not correlated.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods for acquisition of biosignals with motion sensor-based artifact compensation. One example embodiment is a system for acquisition of biosignals from a subject. The system includes at least one biosensor worn over a first location of a body part of the subject configured for biosignal measurement and providing a measured biosignal. The system also includes a plurality of inertial motion sensors worn over a plurality of locations of the body part of the subject. Each of the inertial motion sensors is configured for providing a motion vector signal. The system further includes a biosignal adaptation unit configured for receiving and adapting the measured biosignal. In addition, the system includes a motion estimation unit. Further, the system includes a digital filter unit. At least one of the plurality of inertial motion sensors is mechanically connected to the at least one biosensor.

Abstract: A measurement device includes a sensor attached to a biosensor which includes a reagent that selectively responds to a specific analyte in a biological fluid, an analyte measurer that measures a concentration of the specific analyte with a biosensor, and a motion measurer that measures a motion level of the measurement device. A recorder records the concentration of the analyte and motion information, and a controller connects the analyte measurer and the motion measurer and controls the analyte measurer and the recorder based on the controller motion information. The controller includes a damage determiner that judges whether or not the measurement device is damaged, based on the motion level.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method and system for detecting an anaerobic threshold heart rate. After first physiological data, second physiological data and third physiological data are obtained while a user is exercising, an interval of the third physiological data corresponding to an estimated range of first physiological data and a turning point of a curve fitting the third physiological data within the interval are obtained, to determine the anaerobic threshold heart rate of a user.

Abstract: A method of processing a biosignal includes estimating a time period from a time-domain biosignal, converting a biosignal corresponding to a time interval based on the time period to a frequency-domain signal, performing signal processing to remove a distortion component from the frequency-domain signal, and converting a processed frequency-domain signal obtained through the signal processing to a time-domain signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a neck-worn sensor that is a single, body-worn system that measures the following parameters from an ambulatory patient: heart rate, pulse rate, pulse oximetry, respiratory rate, temperature, thoracic fluid levels, stroke volume, cardiac output, and a parameter sensitive to blood pressure called pulse transit time. From stroke volume, a first algorithm employing a linear model can estimate the patient's pulse pressure. And from pulse pressure and pulse transit time, a second algorithm, also employing a linear algorithm, can estimate systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Thus, the sensor can measure all five vital signs along with hemodynamic parameters. It also includes a motion-detecting accelerometer, from which it can determine motion-related parameters such as posture, degree of motion, activity level, respiratory-induced heaving of the chest, and falls.

Abstract: The invention provides a neck-worn sensor that is a single, body-worn system that measures the following parameters from an ambulatory patient: heart rate, pulse rate, pulse oximetry, respiratory rate, temperature, thoracic fluid levels, stroke volume, cardiac output, and a parameter sensitive to blood pressure called pulse transit time. From stroke volume, a first algorithm employing a linear model can estimate the patient's pulse pressure. And from pulse pressure and pulse transit time, a second algorithm, also employing a linear algorithm, can estimate systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Thus, the sensor can measure all five vital signs along with hemodynamic parameters. It also includes a motion-detecting accelerometer, from which it can determine motion-related parameters such as posture, degree of motion, activity level, respiratory-induced heaving of the chest, and falls.

Abstract: The invention provides a neck-worn sensor that is a single, body-worn system that measures the following parameters from an ambulatory patient: heart rate, pulse rate, pulse oximetry, respiratory rate, temperature, thoracic fluid levels, stroke volume, cardiac output, and a parameter sensitive to blood pressure called pulse transit time. From stroke volume, a first algorithm employing a linear model can estimate the patient's pulse pressure. And from pulse pressure and pulse transit time, a second algorithm, also employing a linear algorithm, can estimate systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Thus, the sensor can measure all five vital signs along with hemodynamic parameters. It also includes a motion-detecting accelerometer, from which it can determine motion-related parameters such as posture, degree of motion, activity level, respiratory-induced heaving of the chest, and falls.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of cardiovascular resuscitation and, more specifically, it concerns a novel method of monitoring the ventriculo-aortic coupling of at-risk patients on the basis of the aortic pressure/flow loop of the patient and the zoning of this loop.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of systems and techniques for estimating the severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a patient. For example, in some embodiments, a system for estimating COPD severity in a patient may include logic to receive a breathing signal representative of breathing activity of the patient over a time interval, receive a locomotion signal representative of locomotive activity of the patient over the time interval, and provide breathing data and locomotion data to additional logic, wherein the additional logic is to generate an estimate of COPD severity in the patient by comparison of 1) a cross-recurrence quantification analysis (cRQA) parameter between the breathing data and the locomotion data and 2) a reference value. The breathing data may be based on the breathing signal, and the locomotion data may be based on the locomotion signal.

Abstract: Drowsiness onset detection implementations are presented that predict when a person transitions from a state of wakefulness to a state of drowsiness based on heart rate information. Appropriate action is then taken to stimulate the person to a state of wakefulness or notify other people of their state (with respect to drowsiness/alertness). This generally involves capturing a person's heart rate information over time using one or more heart rate (HR) sensors and then computing a heart-rate variability (HRV) signal from the captured heart rate information. The HRV signal is analyzed to extract features that are indicative of an individual's transition from a wakeful state to a drowsy state. The extracted features are input into an artificial neural net (ANN) that has been trained using the same features to identify when an individual makes the aforementioned transition to drowsiness. Whenever an onset of drowsiness is detected, a warning is initiated.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a biological information measurement device includes: a biological information measurer configured to carry out intermittent measurement of biological information of a user; a motion information measurer configured to measure motion information of the user; a feature calculator configured to calculate a feature from the motion information; a behavior state determiner configured to determine a behavior state of the user on the basis of the feature; and a measurement interval controller configured to select one intermittent measurement from a plurality of intermittent measurements having different measurement intervals on the basis of the determined behavior state of the user and control the biological information measurer.

Abstract: A method for detecting the need for providing assistance to an individual suspected of overdosing on an opiate is provided. The method includes using a wearable device for continuous or intermittent monitoring of one or more physiological parameters of the individual. If the level of one of the one or more physiological parameters exceeds a threshold level specific to that parameter, an alarm is triggered. If the alarm is not aborted, an alert is transmitted to one or more emergency contacts conveying that the individual has overdosed. The method optionally provides for injection of an opioid receptor antagonist into the individual to reverse the effects of the overdose. Also provided is a device for implementing these methods.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and system of providing a real time audification of neonatal EEG signals. The method comprises the steps of: receiving preprocessed neonatal EEG signals; changing a characteristic of the preprocessed signals in a phase vocoder; resampling the output signals from the vocoder to a predetermined audio frequency range; converting the resampled signals into stereo signals; and selecting a plurality of channels from the stereo signals as the output audio signals.

Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus includes: a gantry having an opening provided to be interposed between an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector; a couch including driving circuitry for inserting a couchtop on which a subject is placed, into the opening; storage circuitry storing therein pieces of information that are related to puncture positions of the couchtop and correspond to pieces of unique information of practitioners who each apply a manipulation to the subject; and processing circuitry configured, when a first practitioner is to apply the manipulation, to control the driving circuitry so as to move the couchtop to a puncture position indicated by a piece of information related to a puncture position corresponding to a piece of unique information pertaining to the first practitioner, the piece of information being among the pieces of information that are related to the puncture positions and stored in the storage circuitry.

Abstract: The invention relates to a projection data acquisition apparatus (31) for acquiring projection data. The projection data acquisition apparatus comprises a radiation device (32) for generating a pulsed radiation beam (4) for traversing an object and a detection device (6) for generating projection data being indicative of the pulsed radiation beam (4) at different acquisition positions, wherein the radiation device (32) is adapted to generate the pulsed radiation beam (4) such that at different acquisition positions the pulsed radiation beam (4) has different shapes, i.e. is differently blocked and/or attenuated. Thus, not the complete radiation providable by the radiation device is used at each acquisition position, but at least at some acquisition positions only a smaller pulsed radiation beam is used. This can lead to less scattered radiation and hence to improved projection data and an improved computed tomography image, which may be reconstructed based on the acquired projection data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to x-ray detector systems and methods for imaging of objects. The detector system can include a scintillator mounted to a solid state pixelated detector having a buried channel structure. An electronic shutter can be used to control detector exposure during an imaging procedure.

Abstract: An integrated radiopharmaceutical patient treatment system includes a portable radioisotope generation module configured to generate a gaseous radioisotope, a radiopharmaceutical processing module configured to dissolve the radioisotope in an injectable medical fluid, a fluid injection system in fluid communication with the radiopharmaceutical processing module and configured to inject a dose including the radioisotope and the injectable medical fluid into a patient, and at least two imaging devices configured to independently detect biological and physiological characteristics of the patient based on the dose. The radiopharmaceutical processing module may be in fluid communication with the radioisotope generation module.

Abstract: Acquisition of X-ray transmission data at three or more energy levels is described. Various implementations utilize generator waveforms that utilize fast-switching, slow-switching, or a combination of fast- and slow-switching to transition between X-ray energy levels. In addition, various sampling arrangements for sampling and/or binning three or more energy levels of X-ray transmission data are discussed. The use of these data in subsequent processing steps, such for material decomposition and/or improvement of dual-energy material decomposition processing, are also described.

Abstract: An imaging system (200) includes a radiation source (208) that emits radiation that traverses an examination region. The imaging system further includes a hybrid data acquisition system (212) that receives radiation that traverses the examination region. The hybrid data acquisition system includes a phase-contrast sub-portion (304) spanning a sub-portion of a full field of view. The hybrid data acquisition system further includes at least one of an integrating portion (302, 702, 804, 806, 902) or a spectral portion (402, 704, 706, 802, 1002) spanning the full field of view. The hybrid data acquisition system generates a phase-contrast signal and at least one of an integration signal or a spectral signal. The imaging system further includes a reconstructor (216) that reconstructs the phase-contrast signal and at least one of the integration single or the spectral signal to generate volumetric image data indicative of the examination region.

Abstract: The invention discloses an integrated device for carrying out mammography, tomosynthesis and stereotactic biopsy of patient's breast in sitting, standing and lying down position. The patient's breast is positioned on the detector and x-ray beam of suitable energy is collimated on the patient's breast to take 2D, 3D images and perform stereotactic biopsy operations. The x-ray source and the detector plate is capable of moving at different angles with respect to each other that assist in taking images and perform stereotactic biopsy of patient's breast in sitting, standing and lying down position.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a mammography apparatus includes an X-ray, an imaging stage, a pressing plate, a guide information generator, and an X-ray detection unit. The X-ray tube generates X-rays. The imaging stage supports a breast. The pressing plate presses the breast supported on the imaging stage. The guide information generator provides the imaging stage with guide information for guiding a placement position of the breast. The guide information is generated based on a nipple position, an image start position, and an image end position of a previous image of the breast. The X-ray detection unit generates X-ray projection data by detecting X-rays transmitted through the breast by an X-ray detector.

Abstract: An X-ray system, in particular a computed tomography system, for acquiring projection data of an examination subject is described. In an embodiment, the X-ray system includes an X-ray emitter arrangement including a number of X-ray radiation sources and a number of photon-counting detectors including at least two detection thresholds. In this configuration, the X-ray emitter arrangement is embodied so as to generate X-ray radiation including at least two X-ray radiation spectra. Furthermore, the number of photon-counting detectors are arranged and embodied so as to detect at least the X-ray radiation passing through the examination subject in an energy-resolved manner in the form of projection data. An image reconstruction method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is for determining a spatial distribution of a material property value in an examination region of an examination object. According to an embodiment, the method includes capturing measurement projection data; reconstructing image data based upon the captured measurement projection data; estimating a distribution of two basic materials using a threshold value by classifying image points; determining a distribution of the two basic materials based upon the estimated distribution and a general dependency rule; and determining a spatial distribution of the material property value, independent of the measurement energy, based upon the determined distribution and based upon a previously known theoretical relationship between the distribution of the material property value and a distribution of the two basic materials. In addition, a material property distribution determining device is described in one embodiment, and a computer tomography system is also described in another embodiment.

Abstract: A method of adaptive suppression of over-smoothing in noise/artefact reduction techniques such as total variation minimization or other compressed sensing strategies for Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) images, the method including the steps of: (a) inputting a CBCT image; (b) identifying the anatomical structures of interest in the CBCT images by exploiting their likely shapes, attenuation coefficients, sizes, positions, or any other similar features that can be used to identify them from an image; (c) extracting intensity, gradient, or other image-related information of the identified anatomical structures from the CBCT image; (d) adaptively suppressing over-smoothing in noise/artefact reduction techniques such as total-variation minimization or other compressed sensing strategies at the anatomical structures of interest using the information of the anatomical structures extracted previously.

Abstract: A radiographic imaging apparatus and a method for controlling the same. The radiographic imaging apparatus includes a database configured to store first subject information and an imaging condition corresponding to the first subject information A controller, upon receiving second subject information regarding a subject to be image, is configured to detect an imaging condition corresponding to second subject information acquired from the database, determine a recommended imaging condition using the detected imaging condition, and determine reliability of the recommended imaging condition. A user interface (UI) is configured to display the recommended imaging condition and the reliability of the recommended imaging condition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an X-ray imaging apparatus for photographing a marker provided in an X-ray detector with a camera to acquire information about the distance between the X-ray detector and an X-ray source or information about the pose of the X-ray detector at low cost The X-ray imaging apparatus may include an X-ray source that generates X-rays and irradiates the X-rays. A photographing device installed in the X-ray source photographs a marker image. A controller outputs, when a marker of a plurality of markers constituting a multi-marker array formed in a surface of an X-ray detector is not detected from the marker image, a notice informing that no marker is detected. The controller detects a single marker from another marker image photographed after the notice informing that the marker is not detected is outputted.

Abstract: In accordance with the example embodiments of the invention there is at least a method and apparatus to perform receiving, with at least one diaphragm of a device placed on a skin of a living body of a human being or animal, acoustic data of the living body; determining digitized data from the acoustic data of the living body; and sending the digitized data towards an analytics system for a medical diagnosis associated with the living body; determining a relationship between the digitized data and health conditions of the human being or animal; and applying the relationship to a diagnosis of the health conditions of the human being or animal.

Abstract: A system for presenting multiple parallel slices comprises a display for displaying ultrasound data comprising 3D Doppler data over time. A user interface defines a proximal plane and a distal plane within the ultrasound data that are parallel to one another. The proximal and distal planes define a region of interest (ROI). A signal processor automatically extracts at least two slices based on the ultrasound data within the ROI. The at least two slices are parallel with respect to each other and are displayed on the display.

Abstract: In one aspect, an ultrasound receive beamformer (212) is configured for one-way only beamforming (112) of transmissive ultrasound using one-way delays. The receive beamforming in some embodiments is used to track, in real time, a catheter, needle or other surgical tool within an image of a region of interest. The tool can have embedded at its tip a small ultrasound transmitter or receiver for transmitting or receiving the transmissive ultrasound. Optionally, additional transducers are fixed along the tool to provide the orientation of the tool.

Abstract: A method for assisted reading of automated ultrasound image volumes includes receiving a plurality of scan images generated from an imaging device, wherein the plurality of scan images comprises a chest wall region. The method further includes determining a chest wall model representative of the chest wall region based on the plurality of scan images. The method also includes determining a plurality of segmented scan images segmented along the chest wall region based on the chest wall model. In addition, the method includes determining lesion information using an automated lesion detection technique applied to the plurality of segmented scan images. The method also includes displaying the plurality of scan images along with at least one of the lesion information and the chest wall model.

Abstract: A medical device includes a sheath having a guide wire lumen allowing a guide wire to be inserted therein and an imaging core lumen configured to have an ultrasound transducer inserted therein that acquires image information inside a living body. The medical device includes a rotary shaft that is inserted into the imaging core lumen and is rotatable in order to transmit mechanical drive force to the ultrasound transducer. In the sheath, a circular portion having a constant radii of curvature of the imaging core lumen is formed on a side separated from the guide wire lumen, and a non-circular portion having distances from the center point of the circular portion to the inner surface of the imaging core lumen non-uniform and longer than the radius of the circular portion is formed in at least a part of a side close to the guide wire lumen.

Abstract: A docking station for electrically charging and managing a thermal condition of an ultrasound probe is presented. The docking station includes a first charging unit magnetically coupled to an induction unit of the ultrasound probe and configured to charge at least one battery in the ultrasound probe. Further, the docking station includes a first cooling unit thermally coupled to a thermal unit of the ultrasound probe and configured to dissipate heat from the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer array is formed by stacking an acoustic lens on a laminated body of a transducer section including transducers and first acoustic matching layers, and a second acoustic matching layer. Arrangement of the laminated body is such that a groove width of a groove portion of the transducer section is equal to or greater than a groove width of a groove portion of the second acoustic matching layer.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a flexible planar strip (40) including a plurality of layers. The strip is configured to at least partially encapsulate a medical device. The strip includes a first dielectric layer (10), a conductive shield layer (12) disposed on the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer (14) formed on the conductive shield layer; and a patterned conductive layer including a sensor electrode (26), a hub electrode (28) and a trace (18) connecting the sensor electrode and the hub electrode.

Abstract: Provided is a method of displaying a medical image, including: generating a first image showing a region of interest (ROI) by using echo signals corresponding to ultrasound signals transmitted toward the ROI; selecting second images showing the ROI from among prestored images; and displaying the first image and the second images on a screen.