Patents Issued in June 22, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170172446
    Abstract: A flexible, optically transparent electrode array comprises at least one graph electrode. The electrode may be positioned on a substrate. The flexible, optically transparent electrode may be used for simultaneous optical imaging and electrophysiological monitoring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
    Inventors: DUYGU KUZUM, ERTUGRUL CUBUKCU, BRIAN LITT
  • Publication number: 20170172447
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a sensor, a system, and a holder arrangement for biosignal activity measurement. One example embodiment includes a sensor module for brain activity measurement. The sensor module includes a main electrode base. The sensor module also includes a plurality of pins protruding from the main electrode base. The plurality of pins is arranged such that, when applied on a subject, the pins make contact with skin of the subject or are in close proximity with the skin of the subject. The main electrode base comprises electronic circuitry for near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measurements and electronic circuitry for electroencephalography (EEG) measurements, both connected to the plurality of pins. The plurality of pins includes electrically conductive pins. The plurality of pins also includes at least one source waveguide pin configured for light emitting purposes or at least one detector waveguide pin configured for light detection purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicants: IMEC VZW, Stichting IMEC Nederland
    Inventors: Srinjoy Mitra, Bernard Grundlehner
  • Publication number: 20170172448
    Abstract: A wearable device includes a case, a bio-processor embedded in the case, and a plurality of electrodes connected to the bio-processor. The bio-processor is configured to selectively and respectively operate the electrodes as sensing electrodes and sourcing electrodes in response to a selection signal. The selected one/ones of the electrodes operated as sensing electrodes which pick up a biological signal from (e.g. biological activity or a biological condition of) the wearer. The selected one/ones of the electrodes operated as sourcing electrodes supply current to the wearer regulated to cause the desired biological signal to be picked up by the sensing electrode(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: SEUNG-CHUL SHIN, GYE SOO KOO, SE-HOON LIM, HEE-JAE JO, HYUNG JONG KO, YONG IN PARK, SEOUNG JAE YOO
  • Publication number: 20170172449
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring signals representative of muscle activity are provided. One method includes detecting an ECG signal through a plurality of electrodes. The ECG signal includes a plurality of ECG sample signals, and each ECG sample signal is a bipolar signal associated with two of the plurality of electrodes and includes a cardiac signal component and a myographic signal component. The method further includes filtering each of the ECG sample signals to remove at least a portion of the cardiac signal component and generate a combined myographic power signal for the two of the plurality of electrodes with which the ECG sample signal is associated. Each combined myographic power signal represents a myographic potential between the two electrodes. The method further includes calculating individual myographic power signals for each of the plurality of electrodes by applying the combined myographic power signals within a covariance matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Mortara Instrument, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Mortara
  • Publication number: 20170172450
    Abstract: Disclosed are method of detecting or characterizing a tumor by quantitatively measuring and comparing changes in mass transfer into the tumor and normal tissue over time using computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The methods can be used to predict therapeutic response to treatment and to develop treatment plans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Eugene KOAY, Vittorio CRISTINI, Jason FLEMING, Priya BHOSALE, Christopher CRANE, Haifa SHEN, Mauro FERRARI
  • Publication number: 20170172451
    Abstract: A method includes applying a plurality of currents to a plurality of electrodes disposed on a surface surrounding an anatomical region in a subject. Further, the method includes measuring a plurality of voltages generated in response to the plurality of currents. The method also includes selecting a coarse-scale basis corresponding to a response function associated with the plurality of electrodes. Moreover, the method includes determining simultaneously an internal admittivity corresponding to the anatomical region and a contact impedance corresponding to the plurality of electrodes based on the plurality of voltages and the coarse-scale basis. The method also includes reconstructing the diagnostic image based on the internal admittivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Gregory Boverman, David Michael Davenport, Jeffrey Michael Ashe, Bruce Courtney Campbell Amm
  • Publication number: 20170172452
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a bioelectric impedance is provided. The apparatus may measure the bioelectric impedance using three electrodes. The apparatus may measure the bioelectric impedance by compensating for a change of a contact impedance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yeol Ho LEE, Kak NAMKOONG, Myoung Hoon JUNG, Young Jun KOH
  • Publication number: 20170172453
    Abstract: A system and method for quantitative imaging using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is disclosed. The method includes generating a steady-state pulse sequence on the MRI system, performing the pulse sequence to acquire magnetic resonance (MR) signals from a volume of the subject with two or more scans, representing physical parameters of the subject in relation with the MR signals through equations, generating values of the physical parameters of the subject, and generating a report indicating the physical parameters. The pulse sequence can sample two or more magnetization pathways of MR signals and at least one scan parameter of the pulse sequence changes from scan to scan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: BRUNO MADORE, Cheng-chieh CHENG
  • Publication number: 20170172454
    Abstract: A method for providing a localization system with detailed information regarding a catheter's construction, while at the same time preventing operator input errors, for use in a three-dimensional localization field, including providing a catheter having at least one feature, providing a catheter catalog for use by the localization system, wherein the catheter catalog comprises reference data relating to features of the catheter, placing the catheter into the localization field, creating a map with the localization field, locating the catheter on the map, and correlating features of the catheter within the localization field with measurements made by the localization system when the feature is at various locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Luke Y. Chen, Eric S. Olson
  • Publication number: 20170172455
    Abstract: Catheterization is carried out by inserting a sheath into a human patient and moving a catheter having an electrode through the sheath lumen. A variation between a first threshold value and a second threshold value in electrical current through the electrode is identified. Responsively to the variation, it is reported that a portion of the catheter has transitioned between an in-sheath condition and an out-of-sheath condition. The sheath is defined and identified by the historical data of the readings of the magnetic sensor during its movements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Assaf Pressman, Shaul Haim Raz, Avigdor Rosenberg, Dror Berman
  • Publication number: 20170172456
    Abstract: While a catheter that includes (i) a catheter body, and (ii) a catheter shaft, which includes a sensor and which is disposed inside a lumen of the catheter body, is inside a body of a subject, a position and an orientation of a distal end of the catheter body with respect to the sensor are ascertained, based on (a) a calibration image, acquired by an imaging system, that shows an indication of the distal end of the catheter body, and (b) a signal from the sensor, but not based on any indication of the sensor shown in the calibration image. Using the ascertained position and orientation of the distal end of the catheter body with respect to the sensor, a visual output is generated. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventor: Vadim Gliner
  • Publication number: 20170172457
    Abstract: While a catheter that includes (i) a catheter body, and (ii) a catheter shaft, which includes a sensor and which is disposed inside a lumen of the catheter body, is inside a body of a subject, a coordinate system of the sensor is registered with a coordinate system of an imaging system, using (a) a calibration image, acquired by the imaging system, that shows an indication of a distal end of the catheter body, and (b) a signal from the sensor, but not using any indication of the sensor shown in the calibration image. Using the registering, a visual output is generated. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Yaron Ephrath
  • Publication number: 20170172458
    Abstract: This application provides a medical guidance device with an inertial measurement unit and a mechanical interface. This device can provide accurate and precise orientation of insertable medical tools is critical in surgical procedure, such as for placement of a needle-like instrument according to plan based on medical images (e.g., computed tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)) in percutaneous interventions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Takahisa Kato, Elizabeth Rogers Kelly
  • Publication number: 20170172459
    Abstract: Devices and methods for monitoring respiratory activity of a patient. The system includes a first sensor for sensing the acoustics of the patient during breathing and a second sensor for sensing chest wall motion of the patient during breathing. Specific aspects of the patient's breathing can be determined based on the sensor readings. This may include whether the patient is experiencing regular breathing, slow breathing (hypopnea), fast breathing (tachypnea), no breathing (apnea), or obstructed breathing. The methods and devices may further be configured to trigger an alarm in predetermined situations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth Bernstein, Bryce Hill
  • Publication number: 20170172460
    Abstract: An airway measurement/estimation device may comprise a sizing shaft at least partially disposable with a bronchoscope. The sizing shaft may comprise a plurality of bristles of known lengths such that when the sizing shaft is inserted into a patient's airway, and viewed through a bronchoscope, the size or diameter of the airway may be approximated based at least in part on the size of the bristles in relation to the size of the airway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Spiration, Inc. d.b.a. Olympus Respiratory America
    Inventor: Hugo Xavier Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20170172461
    Abstract: Embodiments of a sizing device that can be used to measure the size of airways lumens, such as those connected to lungs. The sizing device can have different expandable elements in order to accurately and consistently measure the particular dimensions of a lumen. In some embodiments, markings viewable by a user can be used to determine the particular size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Spiration, Inc. d.b.a. Olympus Respiratory America
    Inventors: Timothy J. Johnson, Brandon James Shuman, David H. Dillard
  • Publication number: 20170172462
    Abstract: Embodiments of a smart mobility aid device may have sensors to collect, monitor, analyze and represent data including but not limited to activity tracking, biometrics and safety and emergency features. The activity tracking include number of steps, miles, and activity speed, user pressure on a device, activity types and analysis. The user biometric data includes but is not limited to blood work, blood pressure, blood sugar, heart rate, oxygen level/rate, ECG, EMG, muscle strain, humidity, UV, body temperature. Additional features include an emergency button, fall detection, warnings, and user pattern analysis changes. The mobility aid device is connected to other smart electronic device and/or the Internet using but not limited to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and or/and SIM card. The device gives the user or/and caregiver live feedback about user health metrics and status using a data representation method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventor: Ahmad AlSayed M. ALGHAZI
  • Publication number: 20170172463
    Abstract: A method and system for wellness monitoring using one or more wellness indicator inputs and values is provided. One or more wellness indicator monitoring devices may he provided for measuring wellness indicator input. The wellness indicator monitoring devices may have one or more sensors and a microcontroller in communication with the one or more sensors. One or more servers may communicate with the one or more wellness indicator monitoring devices over a network. A processor may be configured to manipulate the wellness indicator input, and one or more output device may create a desired output based on the wellness indicator values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: NRV-WELLNESS, LLC
    Inventors: Amy PAPADOPOULOS, Cindy A. CRUMP, Bruce G. WILSON
  • Publication number: 20170172464
    Abstract: A method for monitoring activity of a subject in an environment, comprising providing at least one sensing assembly in the environment of the subject; providing a server communicating with at least one of: i) the subject and ii) the at least one sensing assembly; generating property vectors from data collected by the at least one sensing assembly; characterizing activity of the subject from the property vectors; and having a result of said characterizing step accessible to the server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventor: CHRISTIAN CLOUTIER
  • Publication number: 20170172465
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are provided for detecting fall events of a person. Fall events are falls that are likely to occur, are occurring, or have occurred. Fall detectors and fall detector systems detect fall events of the person. Data relating to the person are received from sensors and analyzed to perform fall detection. Data relating to the person includes accelerations and forces experience by the person, changes in body position of the person, movements of the person, and body signals and sounds of the person. Neurological tests are administered to determine levels of responsiveness and awareness of the person in response to detections. Warnings are issued, and safety measures are deployed, in response to detections. Data relating to fall events are recorded and logged. Fall event histories based upon the logged data and fall detection algorithm performance are used to improve future fall detection and prediction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventor: Ivan Osorio
  • Publication number: 20170172466
    Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising memory configured to store a user-specific calibration metric, and at least one processing core, configured to determine an activity type identifier of an activity a user is engaged in, and to determine a user-specific intensity level of the activity, wherein determining the user-specific intensity level is based at least partly on the identifier of the activity type, the user-specific calibration metric and data obtained from a kinematic or speed sensor, and to obtain the user-specific calibration metric by causing the apparatus to participate in a calibration procedure, the calibration procedure including communicating heart rate data of the user with a server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Timo Eriksson, Mikko Martikka, Erik Lindman
  • Publication number: 20170172467
    Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising memory configured to store a user-specific calibration metric, at least one processing core, configured to determine an activity type identifier of an activity a user is engaged in, and to determine a user-specific intensity level of the activity, wherein determining the user-specific intensity level is based at least partly on the identifier of the activity type, the user-specific calibration metric and data obtained from a kinematic sensor or speed sensor, and to obtain the user-specific calibration metric by causing the apparatus to participate in a calibration procedure, the calibration procedure including communicating kinematic or speed sensor data with a server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Timo Eriksson, Mikko Martikka, Erik Lindman
  • Publication number: 20170172468
    Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising memory configured to store a user-specific calibration metric, at least one processing core, configured to determine an activity type identifier of an activity a user is engaged in, and to determine a user-specific intensity level of the activity, wherein determining the user-specific intensity level is based at least partly on the identifier of the activity type, the user-specific calibration metric and data obtained from a kinematic sensor, and to obtain the user-specific calibration metric by performing a calibration procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Timo Eriksson, Mikko Martikka, Erik Lindman
  • Publication number: 20170172469
    Abstract: Methods and devices for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes are disclosed in which an analyte concentration within a peritoneal fluid of a human subject may be determined by implanting an analyte sensor apparatus in the subject where the apparatus may comprise a housing and a flexible sensing catheter which has a lumen with a plurality of apertures and an exterior surface with an analyte sensor affixed thereto. The catheter may comprise a proximal end attached to the housing and the remaining end may be positioned freely within the peritoneal space to contact peritoneal fluid where an analyte concentration in the peritoneal fluid may be sensed. The housing may be anchored at a subcutaneous site proximate the peritoneal space. The sensed analyte concentration may then be transduced into a transmittable electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: TheraNova, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel R. BURNETT, Evan S. LUXON, Marcie HAMILTON, Brian M. NEIL, Brett D. MENSH
  • Publication number: 20170172470
    Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a sweat sensing device configured with self-aligned sweat stimulation means to provide adequate sweat generation for continuous monitoring of sweat. The disclosed device includes one or more analyte-specific sweat sensors that self-align with sweat glands. In one embodiment, the sweat sensing device includes means to protect the self-aligning sensors from abrasion against the skin or device components. In another embodiment, the device includes prolonged sweat stimulation for the self-aligning sensors through diffusion of a sweat stimulating compound into the skin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Eccrine Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavi Begtrup, Jason Heikenfeld
  • Publication number: 20170172471
    Abstract: A new biostable glucose permeable polymer has been developed which is useful, for example, in implantable glucose sensors. This biostable glucose permeable polymer has a number of advantageous characteristics and, for example, does not undergo hydrolytic cleavage and degradation, thereby providing a composition that facilitates long term sensor stability in vivo. The versatile characteristics of this polymer allow it to be used in a variety of contexts, for example to form the body of an implantable glucose sensor. The invention includes the polymer composition, sensor systems formed from this polymer composition, and methods for making and using such sensor systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Tri T. Dang, Henrik Egesborg, Jakob Janting, Rajiv Shah, Daniel Aaskov, Joseph F. Hall, Soren Aasmul
  • Publication number: 20170172472
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for power management in an electronics unit of a sensor device, e.g., such as in a continuous analyte sensor system. In some example embodiments, there is provided a method that includes monitoring, by a controller of a sensor electronics module, counts associated with signals received from a sensor device for a first period of time. The method also includes comparing a number of received counts with one or more benchmarked count thresholds, and determining whether to initiate an operational mode of the sensor electronics module based on the comparison. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Wedekind, Douglas William Burnette, Mark Dervaes, Jose Hector Hernandez-Rosas, Zebediah L. McDaniel, Pauline T. Lieu, Minda McDorman Grucela
  • Publication number: 20170172473
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for power management in an electronics unit of a sensor device, e.g., such as in a continuous analyte sensor system. In some example embodiments, there is provided a method that includes monitoring, by a controller of a sensor electronics module, counts associated with signals received from a sensor device for a first period of time. The method also includes comparing a number of received counts with one or more benchmarked count thresholds, and determining whether to initiate an operational mode of the sensor electronics module based on the comparison. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Wedekind, Douglas William Burnette, Mark Dervaes, Jose Hector Hernandez-Rosas, Zebediah L. McDaniel, Pauline T. Lieu, Minda McDorman Grucela
  • Publication number: 20170172474
    Abstract: A diagnostic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) procedure is applied to measure values of impedance-related parameters for one or more sensing electrodes. The parameters may include real impedance, imaginary impedance, impedance magnitude, and/or phase angle. The measured values of the impedance-related parameters are then used in performing sensor diagnostics, calculating a highly-reliable fused sensor glucose value based on signals from a plurality of redundant sensing electrodes, calibrating sensors, detecting interferents within close proximity of one or more sensing electrodes, and testing surface area characteristics of electroplated electrodes. Advantageously, impedance-related parameters can be defined that are substantially glucose-independent over specific ranges of frequencies. An Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) enables implementation of the EIS-based diagnostics, fusion algorithms, and other processes based on measurement of EIS-based parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: NING YANG, Raghavendhar Gautham, Bradley C. Liang, Rajiv Shah
  • Publication number: 20170172475
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring body chemistry of a user, the system comprising: a housing supporting: a microsensor comprising a first and second working electrode, a reference electrode, and a counter electrode, and configured to access interstitial fluid of the user, and an electronics subsystem comprising a signal conditioning module that receives a signal stream, from the microsensor, wherein the electronics subsystem is configured to detect an impedance signal derived from two of the first working electrode, the second working electrode, the reference electrode, and the counter electrode; and a processing subsystem comprising: a first module configured to generate an analysis indicative of an analyte parameter of the user and derived from the signal stream and the impedance signal, and a second module configured to transmit information derived from the analysis to the user, thereby facilitating monitoring of body chemistry of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Ashwin Pushpala, Dominic Pitera, Matthew Chapman, Michael Gifford
  • Publication number: 20170172476
    Abstract: Method and device for measuring a signal representative of a physiological parameter of a user. A body worn device includes a securing band and at least one sensor for measuring the signal. The sensor is arranged on the securing band of the device such that when worn, the at least one sensor abuts against the body of the user. A value of the signal is measured using the sensor. An amplitude envelope control band is defined having an envelope upper amplitude value and an envelope lower amplitude value. The amplitude of the measured value is controlled to be within the amplitude envelope control band by controlling a force pressing the at least one sensor in a direction substantially perpendicular to the body of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: SCINT B.V.
    Inventor: Stephanus Francisus Schilthuizen
  • Publication number: 20170172477
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a handheld apparatus for in vivo examination of the viability of a biological tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Prasad Adusumilli, MAROM BIKSON
  • Publication number: 20170172478
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventor: Daniel Lisogurski
  • Publication number: 20170172479
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product include aiming a light source at an object, where the light source is communicatively coupled to the processor, and where the light source and the image capture device are both positioned at pre-defined distances from a the object and are not in contact with the object. The processor enables the image capture device, to capture measurements of reflected light, where the reflected light comprises the light from the source as the light is reflected out of the object, where the image capture device is communicatively coupled to the processor, and where an image comprises the measurements. The processor obtains the image and locates data indicating a center of the light source in the image. The processor extracts intensities of the reflected light at a pixel location measured to be a predefined distance from the center of the light source in the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Leanne HIRSHFIELD, Christopher M. MEIER
  • Publication number: 20170172480
    Abstract: A reagentless whole-blood analyte detection system that is capable of being deployed near a patient has a source capable of emitting a beam of radiation that includes a spectral band. The whole-blood system also has a detector in an optical path of the beam. The whole-blood system also has a housing that is configured to house the source and the detector. The whole-blood system also has a sample element that is situated in the optical path of the beam. The sample element has a sample cell and a sample cell wall that does not eliminate transmittance of the beam of radiation in the spectral band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: James R. Braig, Peter Rule, Philip C. Hartstein, Bernhard B. Sterling, Jennifer H. Gable, Kenneth I. Li
  • Publication number: 20170172481
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to devices, systems and methods for the collection of bodily fluids involving a single-use actuation and retraction mechanism disposed within a collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Erwin Berthier, Ben Casavant, Ben Moga
  • Publication number: 20170172482
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the parenteral procurement of bodily-fluid samples. The present invention is also directed to systems and methods for parenterally procuring bodily-fluid samples with reduced contamination from dermally-residing microbes. In some embodiments, a bodily-fluid withdrawing system is used to withdraw bodily fluid from a patient for incubation in culture media in one or more sample vessels. Prior to withdrawing bodily fluid into the one or more sample vessels for incubation, an initial volume of withdrawn bodily fluid is placed in one or more pre-sample reservoirs and is not used for the incubation in culture media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Magnolia Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard G. PATTON
  • Publication number: 20170172483
    Abstract: A method includes receiving heartbeat data of a patient and receiving activity data of the patient. The activity data includes one or more activity values that are related to an activity level of the patient and that are measured independently of the heartbeat data. The method further includes determining a value of a weighting factor based on the activity data. The method also includes determining modified heartbeat data by applying the weighting factor to at least a portion of the heartbeat data. The method also includes detecting a seizure event based on the modified heartbeat data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Shivkumar SABESAN
  • Publication number: 20170172484
    Abstract: A wearable sweat sensor device (1) may include a plurality of sensors (150, 160, 170, 180) capable of measuring a plurality of ion-selective biomarker potentials and a mechanism that analyzes a combination of measurements as a proxy for one or more physiological conditions such as muscle activity, exertion, or tissue damage. A device may include a sensor capable of taking at least one skin impedance measurement along with a plurality of sensors (150, 160, 170, 180) and a mechanism that analyzes a combination of measurements as a proxy for one or more physiological conditions, such as hydration or sweat rate. Because several of said sensors (150, 160, 170, 180) may not be stable when stored if fully exposed to air, the device (1) may include a temporary seal (400) for said sensors (150, 160, 170, 180) that is removable prior to placement and use of said sensors (150, 160, 170, 180).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Zachary Cole Sonner, Jason C. Heikenfeld, Joshua A. Hagen
  • Publication number: 20170172485
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing milk volume changes within a breast are described. Also described are systems and methods for assessing volume changes in the stomach of an infant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, John Y. Chang, Theodore M. Bender, Brendan M. Donohoe
  • Publication number: 20170172486
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein that generally involve measuring a prostate or other object. In some embodiments, a finger clip having a roller ring or wheel rotatably mounted thereto is disposed within an inflatable membrane. The roller ring can include a measurement pattern positioned opposite to optical fibers configured to receive light reflected from the measurement pattern. A user can put on the finger clip, position the membrane in proximity to a rectal wall overlying a prostate, and inflate the membrane. As the user slides their finger across the inside of the membrane, which is pressed against the rectal wall, the roller ring can rotate with respect to the fibers such that the fibers move relative to the measurement pattern. A controller can sense light reflected through the fibers from the reference pattern and calculate or estimate various attributes of the prostate based on the reflected light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph James George, Christopher LaFarge
  • Publication number: 20170172487
    Abstract: The current invention relates to medical analysis of skin Basal-cell carcinoma and melanoma by sub skin infrared imaging and 3-D tomographic reconstruction of malignant images. It is the purpose of this invention to provide methods and compositions to reliably collect data of malignant and benign lesions on the skin and beneath the surface of the skin in a non-invasive manner. Detection of a skin cancer is carried out by physical examination of the skin, or by imaging technologies of the epidermis. This is followed by biopsy of selected lesions suspected to be cancerous. The diagnostic methods of the invention are based on external imaging of lesions combined with an image taken with sub skin illumination revealing under the skin structures. A combination of the two images increases the available data, offering a better diagnostic tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventor: Oren Aharon
  • Publication number: 20170172488
    Abstract: A system for measuring and monitoring wound hermaticity of a patient is provided that includes one or more sensors for measuring parameters that correlate to a degree of wound hermaticity, where the one or more sensors are incorporated into the design of a percutaneous skin access device (PAD), a bone anchor, a wound dressing, or a bandage. The degree of wound hermaticity is related to impedance measurements performed on the patient's skin, via measurements of humidity in a vacuum line to the PAD or the bone anchor, or via measurements of local tissue oxygenation in the immediate vicinity of the PAD or the bone anchor interface with the patient's skin. The hermaticity measurement parameters are communicated by wired or wireless connection to a computing or a communication device for immediate or remote monitoring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Allen B. KANTROWITZ, Chris MORTIS, Bradley POFF
  • Publication number: 20170172489
    Abstract: A method is provided for making multiple environmental measurements using a single sensing element. Each sensing element (sensel) includes a thin-film transistor (TFT) and a passive element. Typically, a plurality of sensels is provided arranged into an array. In response to an electrical stimulus, an electrical measurement is supplied that is responsive to a change in TFT electrical characteristic correlated to a first environmental condition, as well as a change in a characteristic of the passive element correlated to a second environmental condition. When the sensels are formed in an array, a plurality of electrical measurements is supplied corresponding plurality of locations on a monitored surface. Some exemplary environmental conditions include temperature, pressure, moisture, chemicals, oxygen, solution pH, salinity, and shear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventor: Themistokles Afentakis
  • Publication number: 20170172490
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a circuit and a method for the electrical data read-out of a large-area sensor flexible circuit. This circuit incorporates sensing elements of two types, and is therefore used for the measurement of two physical metrics associated with the etiology of pressure ulcers, one of which might be pressure. The flexible circuit is large enough to cover the area(s) of the human body. The flexible circuit comprises electrically of the following components: (a) a passive or active matrix array, and (b) its scanning/read-out circuitry. The matrix array (a) comprises further of (i) two electrodes for the sensing of pressure in each sensing element (sensel) of the array, and (ii) two electrodes for the sensing of another metric (temperature, moisture, pH, etc.) in each sensel. One electrode is shared (common) between the first (i) and the second (ii) sensor in the sensel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Themistokles Afentakis, Anne Sledd, Shivani Joshi
  • Publication number: 20170172491
    Abstract: A system and a method for detecting a muscle activity are provided. The system includes a vibration sensor. The vibration sensor detects a vibration signal at a sensing point located at an opposite side of an operating muscle system for analyzing a body movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chi-Kang WU, Cheng-Li CHANG
  • Publication number: 20170172492
    Abstract: To provide a muscular relaxation monitoring device, a muscular relaxation monitoring method and a muscular relaxation monitoring program capable of accurately grasping a muscular relaxation state of a subject. An input/output unit obtains a first reaction, a second reaction, a third reaction and a fourth reaction which are the first to fourth stimulation reaction values of four consecutive stimulations of a muscle. A display unit displays a display screen. A control unit generates the display screen in which a display effect of the first reaction and the fourth reaction is different from a display effect of the second reaction and the third reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Nihon Kohden Corporation
    Inventors: Rie Tanaka, Kazuya Nagase
  • Publication number: 20170172493
    Abstract: A system is provided that predicts eating events for a user. The system includes a set of sensors each of which is configured to continuously measure a different physiological variable associated with the user and output a time-stamped data stream that includes the current value of this variable. A set of features is periodically extracted from the data stream output from each of the sensors, where these features have been determined to be specifically indicative of an about-to-eat moment. This set of features is then input into an about-to-eat moment classifier that has been trained to predict when the user is in an about-to-eat moment based on this set of features. Whenever an output of the classifier indicates that the user is currently in an about-to-eat moment, the user is notified with a just-in-time eating intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Tauhidur Rahman, Mary Czerwinski, Ran Gilad-Bachrach, Paul R. Johns, Asta Roseway, Kael Robert Rowan
  • Publication number: 20170172494
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the effectiveness of breath training regimens are disclosed. The systems include a sensor assembly configured to detect data indicative of at least one physiological parameter of a user during breath training sessions while the user is awake and while the user is asleep. The system also includes an electronic computing unit with a processor configured to analyze the data indicative of the at least one physiological parameter of the user detected by the sensor assembly, and determine effectiveness of the breath training sessions on the user by determining trends of the at least one physiological parameter of the user from the analyzed data, and determining changes in the at least one physiological parameter of the user while the user is asleep occurring during a period of time from the determined trends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: ANTHONY C. WARREN, KYLE H. GOLDSCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20170172495
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for using neurochemical markers to identify different types of pain, including chronic and acute, and providing the capacity to monitor response to therapy on an individual basis. The present invention relates to a method and system for using neuro biomarkers to identify pain of different types and origins, and the capacity to monitor response to therapy on a personalized basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Carolyn Mountford, Saadallah Ramadan, Alexander Lin