Abstract: A system, method and device are described for biometric analysis using a wearable device. The device can be removeably securable to a user's skin surface and can include a plurality of electrodes positioned to acquire electrical signals from the skin surface. The device can also include an electromyography acquisition module and skin impedance acquisition module. A processing unit can use the electrodes to capture a plurality of electrical signals including at least one electromyography signal. The processing unit can generate calibration data based on a subset of the captured electrical signals and process the electromyography signals using the calibration data to determine a biometric for the user.

Abstract: A device (100) for measuring the amount of water in a subject's body includes a main body part (110) formed in a linear shape and an insertion part (120) extending in a curved shape from one end of the main body part (100). The insertion part (120) includes a tip side insertion part (120-2) having a tip surface (122) to which a sensor unit (121) is fixed and a base end side insertion part (120-1), wherein the sensor unit (121) is brought into contact with a body surface of a subject through a slide mechanism. A protective member (651) liquid-tightly covers the slide mechanism between the tip side insertion part (120-2) and a base end side insertion part (120-1). The protective member (651) smoothly connects the outer peripheral surface of the tip side insertion part (120-2) and the outer peripheral surface of the base end side insertion part (120-1).

Abstract: In a method and apparatus, magnetic resonance angiography images of an examination volume of a patient are obtained using time-of-flight angiography in a magnetic resonance scanner. By continuous recording, a number of two-dimensional slice images covering the examination volume along an axial direction are acquired in a slice-by-slice layer-wise, such as with overlapping. The slice images are divided into groups of, in each case, a predetermined number of consecutive slice images in the axial direction. A maximum intensity projection image is determined for each group, and the angiography images are determined as the maximum intensity projection images and/or dependent on the maximum intensity projection images.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to aligning a patient with a target position of a magnetic resonance imaging system. For example, a computer may receive an input identifying a set of coordinates to be aligned with a target position of the magnetic resonance imaging system. The coordinates may correspond to a position of an anatomical feature of a patient within the magnetic resonance imaging system. The computer may also calculate a first travel distance and a second travel distance. Each of the first and second travel distances may be a distance along first and second axes, respectively, along which a patient handling system of the magnetic resonance imaging system is capable of moving. The computer may further reposition the patient handling system according to both the first travel distance and the second travel distance such that the anatomical feature is aligned with the target position.

Abstract: A bed-leaving sensor for detecting bed-leaving by a user on a bed, including: a sitting position detection member that detects a sitting position of the user based on a detection value of a pressure sensor arranged on the bed; a foot movement detection member for detecting foot movement of the user based on the detection value of the pressure sensor; and a bed-leaving behavior detection member that detects bed-leaving behavior of the user with the sitting position or the foot movement being detected within a preset bed-leaving expectation region as a condition.

Abstract: A system for measuring the luminance and temperature of a light source element of a spectrophotometric device is provided. The system includes a photodiode, a luminance measuring device, a temperature measuring device, a first switch, and a controller. The photodiode is operable to receive light signals emitted by the light source element and passing through a subject's body tissue. The luminance measuring device is operable to measure luminance of the light signals received by the photodiode. The temperature measuring device is operable to measure the temperature of the photodiode. The first switch is operable to connect the photodiode to the luminance measuring device or the temperature measuring device. The controller is operable to control the connection of the first switch.

Abstract: A physiological sensor has an optic assembly, an acoustic assembly and an attachment assembly. The optic assembly has an optic transducer that is activated so as to transmit a plurality of wavelengths of light into a tissue site and to detect the light after attenuation by pulsatile blood flow within the tissue site. The acoustic assembly has an acoustic transducer activated so as to respond to vibrations at the surface of the tissue site. The attachment assembly affixes the optic assembly and acoustic assembly to the tissue site, such as along one side of a person's neck or the forehead. A sensor cable extends from the attachment assembly so as to transmit an optic transducer signal and an acoustic transducer signal to a monitor for calculation of physiological parameters.

Abstract: A wire extends through a ceramic body. The wire comprises a material selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, osmium and alloys of platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, and osmium. The wire directly contacts the ceramic body to form a substantially hermetic seal between the ceramic body and the wire.

Abstract: Analyte sensor connectors that connect analyte sensors, e.g., conductive members of analyte sensors, to other devices such as sensor electronics units, e.g., sensor control units, are provided. Also provided are systems that include analyte sensors, analyte sensor connectors, and analyte sensor electronics units, as well as methods of establishing and maintaining connections between analyte sensors and analyte sensor electronics units, and methods of analyte monitoring/detection. Also provided are methods of making analyte sensor connectors and systems that include analyte sensor connectors.

Abstract: A lancing device includes: a cover section, a part of which is provided with an opening; a main body held on the cover section and configured to be movable in a predetermined direction from the opening relative to the cover section; a lancing unit which is launched in the predetermined direction; and an operating section configured to launch the lancing unit when the operating section is pushed by applying a force in the predetermined direction, wherein the lancing unit is launched when the force is applied to the operating section in the predetermined direction with regulating a movement of the main body in the predetermined direction, and the main body moves, instead of pushing the operating section, by applying the force in the predetermined direction without regulating the movement of the main body in the predetermined direction is disclosed.

Abstract: Described here are meters and methods for sampling, transporting, and/or analyzing a fluid sample. The meters may include a meter housing and a cartridge. In some instances, the meter may include a tower which may engage one or more portions of a cartridge. The meter housing may include an imaging system, which may or may not be included in the tower. The cartridge may include one or more sampling arrangements, which may be configured to collect a fluid sample from a sampling site. A sampling arrangement may include a skin-penetration member, a hub, and a quantification member.

Abstract: Here provided are systems and methods for monitoring bladder and/or abdominal pressures, and a bladder function recovery device. In the systems and methods, the bladder pressure can be detected in real time with a bladder pressure detection unit that is communicated with a urinary catheter. In addition, the abdominal pressure can also be obtained in real time according to the corresponding relationship between the bladder pressure and the abdominal pressure. Furthermore, the bladder function recovery device can be used for bladder function recovery for patients in need.

Abstract: A system for assessing the stability of a person relative to a horizontal surface during an assessment session is provided. The system includes a platform having a stage upon which the person stands. A sensing configuration senses when the person is unbalanced on the stage, and conveys this information to a processor. The processor converts this information into meaningful graphics for viewing on a display.

Abstract: A system for assessing a sympathovagal balance of a patient includes a generator configured to produce stimulation pulses, a stimulator that receives the stimulation pulses produced by the generator and outputs a stimulation energy, a sensor configured to measure a physiological signal, and a processor. The processor is configured to control the generator during a plurality of sequences to produce the stimulation pulses over a test period, determine a biological parameter of a current activity of the patient derived from the physiological signal, determine a variation of the biological parameter resulting from the stimulation pulses, and determine a sympathovagal balance index according to the variation in the biological parameter.

Abstract: Parameters extracted from high definition manometric measurements of the pharynx and upper esophagus at preidentified locations and times are applied to a supervised learning machine trained using x-ray fluoroscopy data to provide diagnostic information comparable to that of x-ray fluoroscopy without radiation exposure.

Abstract: A wrinkle detection apparatus is an apparatus for detecting a wrinkle area of skin included in an image. The wrinkle detection apparatus includes a first threshold processing unit that detects a first edge area included in the image by performing first threshold processing for comparing a gradient value that indicates a degree of change in pixel values in the image with a first threshold, a second threshold processing unit that detects a second edge area included in the image by performing second threshold processing for comparing the gradient value with a second threshold, and an edge selection processing unit that determines a wrinkle area based on an overlapping area in which the first edge area and the second edge area are overlapped.

Abstract: Concepts for measuring and monitoring characteristics of osseous tissue are presented. In various embodiments, a monitoring probe may be inserted through a hollow passageway within a cannulated screw during an operation in order to measure characteristics of the osseous tissue in which the cannulated screw is inserted. In various embodiments, the cannulated screw may be inserted into a femoral head, through a physis, and into an epiphysis for stabilization of Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis. During surgical treatment thereof, a pressure transducer may be inserted into the osseous tissue through the cannulated screw in order to monitor epiphysis perfusion through the femoral head.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems, devices and methods for acquiring, measuring, monitoring, processing and analyzing physiological signals. More particularly, the present invention relates to using physiological signals to determine a subject's response to various conditions, variables or constraints. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to monitoring the subject's external body motion and/or environmental factors and determining the amount of pain a subject is suffering as a result of the motion and factors. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a system, device and methods of quantifying a subject's pain to provide an objective measurement of the subject's pain. The present invention further relates to establishing and improving pain management protocols and therapy or treatment for the subject's pain based on the quantified pain measurement.

Abstract: A resuscitation system for use by a rescuer for resuscitating a patient, comprising at least two high-voltage defibrillation electrodes, a first electrical unit comprising circuitry for providing resuscitation prompts to the rescuer, a second electrical unit separate from the first unit and comprising circuitry for providing defibrillation pulses to the electrodes, and circuitry for providing at least one electrical connection between the first and second units.

Abstract: A user interface component and system for physiological parameters telemetry is provided. A user interface component may be reversibly or irreversibly attached to a garment that allows connection to a user's skin, such as via one or more holes in the garment. Signals transmitted through a conductive transfer layer in the user interface component are provided to a signal receiving unit which can collect and transmit physiological data.

Abstract: Articles of footwear and other devices include modules, e.g., for sensing physical and/or physiological characteristics associated with use of the footwear or other devices. Such devices may include an authentication or activation system for providing power or otherwise determining the connection of a sensor in the article of footwear.

Abstract: A lifestyle service with data and routines storable in a memory of a wearable electronic device is discussed. The lifestyle service has at least a Sleep data routine and an Activity data routine. The lifestyle service can cooperate with an insight engine. The lifestyle service is aware of different types of information contained in one or more time synchronous applications. The system can compare tracked physical activity data with historical data in set increments in light of the information in the time synchronous applications and then communicate notifications to the user.

Abstract: A photoelectric sphygmograph measurement device includes a light emitting part emitting light pulses, a light receiving part having a light receiving element that receives the light pulses and producing a corresponding output signal, and a control part driving the light emitting part to emit the light pulses and performing a pulse wave measurement by using the output signal. The control part drives the light emitting part so that a charge accumulated in the light emitting element converges on a predetermined amount in a case where the charge accumulated in the light receiving element decreases to the predetermined amount or less during a time when driving of the light emitting part is stopped and/or in a case where the light receiving element changes to a first state in which the light receiving element is capable of receiving the light pulses from a second state in which the light receiving element is not capable of receiving the light pulses.

Abstract: Provided are a wearable device and a method for controlling the same. The wearable device may include a distance sensor unit configured to output a first signal for determining a distance between a user and the wearable device and to receive the first signal reflected from the user. The wearable device may also include a biometric sensor unit configured to output a second signal for determining biometric information of the user and to receive the second signal reflected from the user, and a controller configured to determine the distance based on the received first signal and to obtain the biometric information of the user based on a change in an attribute of the received second signal. The controller may control the biometric sensor unit to output the second signal if the determined distance is equal to or less than a reference distance.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a medical device for measuring blood pressure. The medical device may include an elongated shaft having a proximal region and a distal region. An optical fiber may extend along the proximal region. An optical pressure sensor may be coupled to the optical fiber. The optical pressure sensor may be disposed along the distal region. A centering member may be coupled to the optical fiber and positioned adjacent to the optical pressure sensor.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a track, a catheter holding device including a catheter receiving portion translatably associated with the track, a translation servo mechanism to control translation of the catheter holding device relative to the track, a catheter deflection control mechanism, a deflection servo mechanism to control the catheter deflection control mechanism, and a controller to control at least one of the servo mechanisms. The catheter receiving portion is adapted for quick installation and removal of a catheter. The catheter receiving portion may be rotatable, with a rotation servo mechanism to control the rotatable catheter receiving portion. The controller controls at least one of the deflection and rotation servo mechanisms to maintain a substantially constant catheter deflection as the catheter rotates. An introducer, which may be steerable, and an expandable, collapsible sterile tube may also be provided.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for capturing hearing characteristics from self-administered hearing tests, including loudness tolerance levels at different sound frequencies, as an individualized shaped auditory profile for automatically enhancing audio to complement and address an individual's hearing deficits experienced via a particular signal pathway including the audio device used to administer the test, the sound environment, and the user's hearing capabilities. The user may self-administer a hearing test on a smartphone or other device. The shaped auditory profile may be used to produce enhanced sound subsequently transmitted to the individual via the same signal pathway. In some aspects, the invention is useful for any individual seeking an enhanced hearing experience, whether having hearing within normal range or hearing that is impaired.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for reducing noise in health monitoring including monitoring systems, methods and/or devices receiving a health signal and/or having at least one electrode or sensor for health monitoring.

Abstract: In a respiratory apparatus for treatment of sleep apnea and other disorders associated with an obstruction of a patient's airway and which uses an airflow signal, an obstruction index is generated which detects the flattening of the inspiratory portion of the airflow. The obstruction index is used to differentiate normal and obstructed breathing. The obstruction index is based upon different weighting factors applied to sections of the airflow signal thereby improving sensitivity to various types of respiration obstructions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical tomosynthesis system (10) having an interventional device (15) and an image acquisition device (11, 12) for acquiring images of a subject volume in a plurality of angular positions around the subject volume. In the system, a three-dimensional geometrical model of the interventional unit is used to identify the projection angles of the image acquisition device that actually can be used. Preferably, this three-dimensional model is achieved by reconstructing it from projection images acquired with the X-ray image acquisition device. The invention also relates to a method for acquiring images with such a system.

Abstract: An x-ray breast imaging system comprising a compression paddle in which the compression paddle comprises a front wall and a bottom wall. The front wall is configured to be adjacent and face a chest wall of a patient during imaging and the bottom wall configured to be adjacent a length of a top of a compressed breast. The bottom wall extends away from the patient's chest wall, wherein the bottom wall comprises a first portion and a second portion such that the second portion is between the front wall and the first portion. The first portion is generally non- coplanar to the second portion, wherein the compression paddle is movable along a craniocaudal axis. The x-ray breast imaging system also comprises a non-rigid jacket releasably secured to the compression paddle, the non-rigid jacket positioned between the compression paddle and the patient.

Abstract: Intraoral tomosynthesis systems, methods, and computer readable media for dental imaging can include an x-ray source containing multiple focal spots spatially distributed on one or multiple anodes in an evacuated chamber, an x-ray detector for positioning inside a mouth of a patient, a device for determining imaging geometry of the intraoral tomosynthesis system; and control electronics configured to regulate the x-ray source, by sequentially activating each of the multiple focal spots, such that multiple two dimensional (2D) projection images of the mouth of the patient are acquired from multiple viewing angles. In some aspects, the device for determining the imaging geometry can comprise a plate connectedly attached to the x-ray detector, at least one light source connectedly attached to the x-ray source, and a camera configured to capture at least one light spot produced by a projection of at least one light beam onto the plate.

Abstract: A radiographic imaging system that includes: a radiation detector including an imaging region in which a plurality of pixels are provided, each pixel including a sensor portion that generates charges in accordance with radiation amounts of irradiated radiation and accumulates the generated charges during an accumulation period, and a switching element that reads out the charges from the sensor portion after the accumulation period; an imaging control section that images a radiographic image by sequentially imaging radiographic images during the accumulation period using division regions, into which the imaging region of the radiation detector is plurally divided, one at a time; and a display control section that displays, at a display section, information relating to remaining imaging until the imaging is complete, the information representing a state of progress of the imaging by the imaging control section.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprising a radiation source (2) for emitting radiation from a focal region (20) through an imaging area (5), a detection unit (6) for detecting radiation from said imaging area (5), said detection unit comprising an anti-scatter grid (62) and a detector (61), a gantry (1) to which said radiation source (2) and said detection unit (6) are mounted and a controller (9) for controlling said detection unit (6) to detect radiation at a plurality of projection positions and for manipulating the position, setting and/or orientation of at least a part of said radiation source (2) and/or said detection unit (6) at first projection positions (80) so that the radiation incident on the detector (61) at said first projection positions is attenuated by said anti-scatter grid (62) to a larger extent compared to second projection positions (80) representing the remaining projection positions.

Abstract: An X-ray device has a detector which is arranged on a mobile unit and is assigned to a first positioning unit. An X-ray source is arranged on an arcuate second positioning unit. The positioning of the first and second positioning units can be matched to one another in the course of their movements. The first positioning unit has at least one articulated arm and the second positioning unit has a first and a second arc-shaped positioning element. The first and second positioning units are arranged separately from one another on a movable unit.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for imaging and treating a tumor of a patient using positively charged particles and X-rays. A mounting rail, supporting a scintillation detection system element and an X-ray detection system element, is alternatingly extended/retracted to position the required detection system element opposite a patient tumor position from an exit nozzle of a beam transport system connected to an accelerator of the positively charged particles, where the positively charged particles are alternatingly used to treat the tumor via irradiation. The mounting rail optionally rotates with rotation of the exit nozzle about the patient, such as with rotation of a support gantry.

Abstract: The disclosure herein provides methods, systems, and devices for tracking motion of a patient or object of interest during biomedical imaging and for compensating for that motion in the biomedical imaging scanner and/or the resulting images to reduce or eliminate motion artifacts. In an embodiment, a motion tracking system is configured to overlay tracking data over biomedical imaging data in order to display the tracking data along with its associated image data. In an embodiment, a motion tracking system is configured to overlay tracking data over biomedical imaging data in order to display the tracking data along with its associated image data. In an embodiment, one or more detectors are configured to detect images of a patient, and a detector processing interface is configured to analyze the images to estimate motion or movement of the patient and to generate tracking data describing the patient's motion.

Abstract: In the X-ray CT system according to an embodiment, a control means displaces and images imaging regions in the subject by controlling a top board driver and an imaging means such that the X-rays are projected onto the subject every time a top board is moved by a predetermined transfer amount. An acquiring means acquires projection data of the respective imaging regions. A reconstruction means, based on the projection data, reconstructs tomographic images for each predetermined size of a reconstruction region. In the scan control mode, the control means outputs the transfer amount corresponding to this mode to the top board driver. In the reconstruction control mode, the control means outputs the size of the reconstruction region corresponding to this mode to the reconstruction means.

Abstract: A medical device, such as a mobile C-arm, is positioned and/or aligned via a touch-sensitive control panel of a tablet. The touch-sensitive control panel provides access to one or more function units, for example, for initiating control signals for a positioning and/or an alignment of the medical device, or a second function unit for specifying a direction of movement for a mobile medical unit, or a third function unit for specifying a motion speed for the mobile medical device.

Abstract: A radiographic imaging system includes plural radiographic imaging devices that image a same subject. The radiographic imaging device includes: a radiation detector; a detection unit that detects whether or not application of the radiation has been started based on electrical signals indicating detection results of sensors that detect the application of the radiation and that are disposed in correspondence to the radiation detector; a determination unit that determines whether or not noise is superimposed on the electrical signals after the detection unit has detected whether or not the application of the radiation has been started; and a communication unit that is connected to another radiographic imaging device and transmits to and receives from the other connected radiographic imaging device a detection result signal indicating the detection result of the detection unit and a determination result signal indicating the determination result of the determination unit.

Abstract: An electronic catheter stethoscope measures and analyzes acoustic fields and dynamic pressure variations in the gaseous or liquid fluid inside a conventional medical catheter that is positioned in a patient's urologic, digestive, reproductive, cardiovascular, neurological or pulmonary system. Measurement transducers are installed in a housing connectable to multiple preselected medical catheters. The transducers detect bodily functions that are transmitted to the preselected catheter from within the body. The transducers, housing, electrical interface and signal processing electronics are positioned outside the body.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic scanner is provided which includes a transmitting and receiving unit that transmits two kinds of ultrasonic waves with inverted phases to each of a plurality of scanning lines and receives first and second echo signals corresponding to the two kinds of ultrasonic waves from one scanning line to another, a first adder that obtains a third echo signal by adding up the first and second echo signals for each scanning line, a first signal generating unit that generates a first processed signal from the first echo signal and a second processed signal from the third echo signal, a second adder that generates a third processed signal from the first and second processed signals, an image processor that generates an ultrasonic image from the third processed signal, and an display monitor that displays the ultrasonic image.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for localizing and/or determining the relative position of surgical instruments during a surgical procedure are disclosed. A method includes capturing an image depicting at least a portion of a first surgical instrument disposed at a first position with respect to a target tissue, and at least a portion of a second surgical instrument disposed at a second position with respect to the target tissue, the second position different from the first position. The method includes transforming the image to a three-dimensional model so the first position of the portion of the first surgical instrument is rendered with the three-dimensional model, and the second position of the portion of the second surgical instrument is rendered with the three-dimensional model. The method includes calculating distance between the portion of the first surgical instrument and the portion of the second surgical instrument based on the three dimensional model.

Abstract: An ultrasound catheter includes an elongated body, a first and second ablation element each configured to ablate soft tissue and an imaging core having an ultrasound transducer. In another example, an ultrasound catheter includes an elongated body, a RF ablator configured to ablate soft tissue at a frequency less than 1 MHz, and an ultrasound transducer configured to image at a frequency greater than or equal to 10 MHz. In another example, an ultrasound catheter apparatus includes an ultrasound catheter having an ablator and an ultrasound transducer, and a graphical user interface displayed using a computer processor. The graphical user interface displays a real-time image of a treatment area and the ultrasound catheter, and a chart displaying ablation as a function of time, the chart being updated in real-time.

Abstract: A first convex portion is arranged at an outer peripheral portion of a first support portion constituting a distal end portion of an insertion portion, and a protruding amount of the first convex portion is set such that an outer peripheral length of the distal end portion including the first convex portion is smaller than an outer peripheral length determined based on a distal end outer diameter as an effective outer diameter of the distal end portion, to thereby ensure durability without an unnecessary increase in a size of the distal end portion and improve insertability of the distal end portion into a subject.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer device includes a base, a first electrode film, a piezoelectric film, a second electrode film and a first conductive film. The base has a plurality of vibrating film portions arranged in an array pattern. The first electrode film is disposed on each of the vibrating film portions. The piezoelectric film is disposed on the first electrode film. The second electrode film is disposed on the piezoelectric film. The first conductive film is connected to the first electrode film. The first conductive film has a film thickness larger than a film thickness of the first electrode film.

Abstract: A medical imaging apparatus includes an ultrasound probe to transmit and receive an ultrasound signal to obtain an ultrasound image of an object; a sensor coupled to the ultrasound probe to provide a position information related to an ultrasound imaging position in the object; and a processor to extract a certain anatomical feature from the ultrasound image and the certain anatomical feature from a medical image of the object acquired by an imaging modality different from an ultrasound apparatus, perform a first registration between the medical image and the ultrasound image based on the certain anatomical feature, perform a second registration between the sensor and the medical image based on the position information and the first registration, and control a display to display a portion of the medical image corresponding to the ultrasound imaging position based on the second registration.

Abstract: A method for real-time correction of tissue compression for tracked ultrasound includes acquiring an ultrasound image of tissues of interest with an ultrasound probe having a probe surface, where the ultrasound probe is tracked to provide a position and an orientation of the probe surface of the ultrasound probe for the acquired ultrasound image; acquiring intraoperative measurements of the undeformed tissue surface; constructing a generic grid representation of tissues for use with a mathematical model of tissue biomechanics, where the generic grid representation is pre-aligned to the acquired ultrasound image by performing a calibration to the ultrasound probe; determining boundary conditions to the mathematical model represented by the generic grid representation; solving the mathematical model for 3D displacements in the generic grid representation of the tissues; and performing correction of tissue compression by using the reversed and interpolated 3D displacement field on the acquired ultrasound image.

Abstract: A notched tissue-collection needle configured similarly to a fine-needle-aspiration needle is provided with a cutting edge disposed in the notch and configured to excise tissue into the notch for collection. A stylet may be provided through a lumen of the needle during introduction into a patient body. The needle may be provided with echogenicity-enhancing features. A coated-coiled-wire sheath through which the needle is slidably disposed includes an overcoating that is thicker along a distal length and thinner along a mid-section length intermediate the proximal and distal lengths, and may include another thicker proximal-most portion adjacent the handle.