Abstract: A method for introducing an elongate medical instrument with a shaped portion into the body of a subject includes at least partially straightening the shaped portion from an exterior of the elongate medical instrument. A retention element may then be introduced into an interior of the shaped portion to maintain the shaped portion in an at least partially straightened configuration as the external force is removed from the shaped portion. With the retention element in place, the shaped portion may be introduced to a desired location within a hollow interior of an internal organ. The retention element may then be removed to enable the shaped portion to return to its desired shape. A straightening apparatus includes the retention element, as well as an external element that at least partially straightens the shaped portion of the elongate medical instrument from the outside. A system includes the elongate medical instrument and the straightening apparatus.

Abstract: Support structures for positioning sensors on a physiologic tunnel for measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters of the body and to produce an action according to the measured value of the parameters. The support structure includes a sensor fitted on the support structures using a special geometry for acquiring continuous and undisturbed data on the physiology of the body. Signals are transmitted to a remote station by wireless transmission such as by electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared, sound and the like or by being reported locally by audio or visual transmission. The physical and chemical parameters include brain function, metabolic function, hydrodynamic function, hydration status, levels of chemical compounds in the blood, and the like. The support structure includes patches, clips, eyeglasses, head mounted gear and the like, containing passive or active sensors positioned at the end of the tunnel with sensing systems positioned on and accessing a physiologic tunnel.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a user-platform apparatus, such as a bodyweight sensing scale, includes a heart/cardiogram sensor which is used to detect heart and vascular characteristics of a user, and provide a cardiogram output indicative of the detected cardiovascular characteristics. The cardiogram output can be used for various purposes, such as detecting arterial stiffness and/or aging.

Abstract: A non-invasive, optical-based physiological monitoring system is disclosed. In an embodiment, the non-invasive, optical-based physiological monitoring system comprises an emitter configured to emit light into a tissue site of a living patient; a detector configured to detect the emitted light after attenuation by the tissue site and output a sensor signal responsive to the detected light; and a processor configured determine, based on the sensor signal, a first physiological parameter indicative of a level of pain of the patient.

Abstract: A method for inflating a cuff of a non-invasive blood pressure measurement apparatus includes obtaining a plurality of pressure values of the cuff at a plurality of time points; calculating a first inflation speed parameter on the basis of the plurality of pressure values, a plurality of target pressure values of the cuff at the plurality of time points and a plurality of inflation speed parameters corresponding to each time interval between every two adjacent time points of the plurality of time points; and inflating the cuff at a speed corresponding to the first inflation speed parameter from a last time point of the plurality of time points to a first time point after the plurality of time points. In this way, uniform cuff inflation can be achieved when the target pressure values of the cuff change uniformly, so that the over-voltage phenomenon or the condition of low-speed cuff inflation can be reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for monitoring a patient that includes a cuff configured to inflate to at least partially occlude an artery of the patient and a cuff controller configured to inflate the cuff during a dynamic phase and generally maintain inflation of the cuff at about a target pressure during a static phase. The system also includes a sensor configured to receive a signal associated with the at least partially occluded artery and generate an output signal based on the received signal, and a cuff control module configured to determine the target pressure during the dynamic phase and based on the output signal, and control the cuff controller during the dynamic phase and the static phase.

Abstract: A heart beat detection device comprises at least one optical reflection sensor to be positioned on the skin of a person. The sensor unit is provided with a light emitter and a corresponding light receiver which converts the light reflected by the skin into an electric signal and comprises electrically adjustable opt cal filters connected to the emitter, to the receiver or to both of them in order to select, upon operation, a desired light wavelength and perform processing of the signals thus obtained in order to reinforce the heart beat signal. A system with this device and a detection method are also described.

Abstract: A heart rate detection apparatus includes a signal acquisition device for acquiring an intra-aural vibration wave signal and converting the intra-aural vibration wave signal into an intra-aural vibration electrical signal; and an arithmetic processing device for processing the intra-aural vibration electrical signal by computing to generate heart rate information. In the prior art, the heart rate detection apparatus cannot accurately and reliably detect the heart rate information due to the weak optical signal detected by a sensor. The heart rate detection apparatus acquires the intra-aural vibration wave signal to obtain the heart rate information, thus enabling the apparatus to accurately and reliably detect heart rate information.

Abstract: A method for characterizing an electrocardiogram, including receiving a first unipolar signal from a first location of a heart and a second unipolar signal from a second location of the heart. The method further includes generating a bipolar signal from the first and second unipolar signals, and analyzing the bipolar signal to delineate a time period during which the first and second locations generate a bipolar complex. The method also includes analyzing the first unipolar signal within the time period to determine an activation time of the first location.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, apparatuses, and systems for heart monitoring of a patient. The heart monitoring system can be used to take an electrocardiogram (ECG) using only two electrodes. A handheld device can be used to sequentially measure the electrical signal between different positions on a patient's body. The electrical signals can be processed and analyzed to prepare an ECG for the patient, including a 12-lead ECG.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device includes a device body and a wearing element. The wearing element is connected to the device body. The device body includes a conductive upper cover, a conductive lower cover, an insulating frame and a circuit system. The insulating frame is disposed between the conductive upper cover and the conductive lower cover and forms an accommodating space therewith. The circuit system is disposed in the accommodating space. The conductive upper cover has a first feeding point. The conductive lower cover has a second feeding point. The circuit system is coupled to the first feeding point and the second feeding point respectively.

Abstract: A biomedical sensor system is disclosed that includes a high impedance conductive electrode having an electrode impedance of at least about 20 k?/sq-mil, and a dielectric material on a first side of the electrode for receiving a discharge of an electrical signal from the dielectric material responsive to the presence of a time varying signal adjacent a second side of the dielectric material that is opposite the first side.

Abstract: Cardiac catheterization is performed with a catheter having a basket-shaped assembly at its distal end. A plurality of spline electrodes are disposed on the splines of the assembly. The assembly is configurable in an expanded arrangement wherein the splines bow radially outwardly and in a collapsed arrangement, wherein the splines are arranged generally along the longitudinal axis of the catheter body. A far-field electrode is disposed in the interior of the assembly. An intracardiac electrogram and a far-field electrogram are obtained with at least one of the spline electrodes and the far-field electrode, respectively. The far-field component is removed from the intracardiac electrogram using the far-field electrogram.

Abstract: Provided is an atrial fibrillation detection system which can reduce the burden on a test subject, with which it is possible to detect even paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and which can be used in the home, contributing to early detection of atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: This invention detects tissue injury by measuring decreased skin conductance as shown by research. Two electrical probes on the device are placed onto a subject's skin. The device sends an electrical microcurrent from one probe, through the subject's skin, to the other probe. A gauge measures the microcurrent in microamps, and a speaker emits a tone with pitch and volume proportional to the percentage of maximum conductance. Per research, the skin conductance will decrease significantly over a site of tissue injury, such as an average of around 70% over a sprained ankle. Also, force gauges measure the force applied to the electrical probes for consistency of measurement. Cotton pads are placed at the tips of the electrical probes for hygiene.

Abstract: A sensory-and-logic system includes a ring-shaped, electrically-conductive skin sensor sized and shaped to form an electrical connection with human skin, and an electrical component surrounded by the ring-shaped, electrically-conductive skin sensor.

Abstract: Cardiac ablation is monitored to detect hemopericardium by iteratively acquiring magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data that includes the pericardium, measuring the pericardium by analyzing the sets of MRI data, making a determination that a measurement of the pericardium in consecutive sets of MRI data differ, and responsively to the determination reporting a change in configuration of the pericardium.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a specifying unit and an acquiring unit. The specifying unit specifies, on a basis of a detection result of target sites of a subject detected from an image on which the target sites are visualized, a first region and a second region which is different from the first region on the image. The acquiring unit acquires data of the second region by using an imaging condition which is different from an imaging condition on an imaging slice and used for acquiring data of the first region.

Abstract: A system for superimposing virtual anatomical landmarks on an image includes a medical positioning system (MPS) for producing location readings with respect to points within a region of interest in accordance with an output of a location sensor disposed in a medical device. A coordinate system of the MPS is registered with an image coordinate system. A control unit receives a signal from a user to record a location reading when the medical device is at a desired point in the region of interest where the user desires to place a virtual landmark, modifies the recorded location reading for motion compensation, transforms the motion-compensated location reading from the MPS coordinate system to the image coordinate system to produce a target location, and then superimposes a representation of the virtual landmark on the image at the target location.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking catheter electrode locations with the body of a patient during an MRI scan sequence includes mitigation logic configured to identify one or more impedance measurements that were taken during potentially noise-inducing conditions (i.e., magnet gradients, RF pulses), and were thus subject to corruption by noise. The mitigation logic is configured to replace the potentially corrupt impedance measurements with previously-obtained impedance measurements taken from an immediately preceding acquisition cycle (e.g., from a previous time-slice).

Abstract: A method of locating a tip of a central venous catheter (“CVC”) having a distal and proximal pair of electrodes disposed within the superior vena cava, right atrium, and/or right ventricle. The method includes obtaining a distal and proximal electrical signal from the distal and proximal pair of electrodes and using those signals to generate a distal and proximal P wave, respectively. A deflection value is determined for each of the P waves. A ratio of the deflection values is then used to determine a location of the tip of the CVC. Optionally, the CVC may include a reference pair of electrodes disposed within the superior vena cava from which a reference deflection value may be obtained. A ratio of one of the other deflection values to the reference deflection value may be used to determine the location of the tip of the CVC.

Abstract: An apparatus and method apply magnetic fields by generators external to a body or body part with sensors within an in vivo source that are sensitive to applied magnetic fields Through the use of these applied magnetic fields and sensitive sensors, disclosed embodiments can realize much better spatial resolution than is conventionally possible.

Abstract: In a multi-sensor system and method of monitoring vital body signals during movement of a body of a human or an animal, acceleration sensors are placed at body locations in such a way that an acceleration angle change induced by the vital body signals differs between the at least two acceleration sensors. The retrieval of the vital body signals is achieved by extracting a wanted vital body signal based on measurement results from multiple sensors that may be motion contaminated. Three retrieval schemes are proposed, each with preferred sensor locations that provide optimal performance of retrieving the vital body signal(s).

Abstract: A method to identify feature points associated with the heart valve movement, heart contraction or cardiac hemodynamics is revealed. The mechanocardiography (MCG) is a technology that makes use of vibrational waveforms acquired using at least one gravity sensor attached on one of the four heart valve auscultation sites on the body surface. The data of the electrocardiography (ECG) is recorded simultaneously with the MCG. The feature points are identified by comparing P, R and T points of synchronized ECG with the MCG spectrum. By the time sequences and amplitudes of the feature points, the method provides additional clinical information of cardiac cycle abnormalities for diagnosis.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for providing a matching system for correlating accelerometer data to known movements. Data representing known movements can be obtained and stored in a database such as by processing and storing accelerometer data obtained from one or more accelerometers worn by a user while performing a particular movement. The accelerometer data obtained from a particular movement can be processed to generate a feature set descriptive of the accelerations associated with a particular movement or series of movements.

Abstract: A method for determining hearing thresholds in the absence of pure-tone testing includes an adaptive speech recognition test which includes a calibrated item pool, each item having a difficulty value (di) and associated standard error (se). Test items are administered to a group of individuals having mild to moderately severe hearing loss to obtain responses. The responses are subjected to multiple regression statistical methods to develop an equation for converting an individual's test score to hearing threshold values at several frequencies. The adaptive speech recognition test can be administered to an individual and their score can be converted into hearing thresholds at each of the several frequencies by use of the equation.

Abstract: An apparatus for non-invasive blood glucose monitoring includes a light source for generating at least one ray of light, a beam splitter with a focusing function leads the light into an eyeball and focuses on the eyeball, a set of photo detectors for measuring optical angular information and absorption energy information of the light reflected from the eyeball and transmitted through the first beam splitter to the set of photo detectors, and a processing unit. The processing unit receives and processes the Optical angular information and the absorption energy information to obtain an Optical angular difference and an absorption energy difference between the light emitted from the light source and the light transmitted to the set of photo detectors, and analyzes the Optical angular difference and the absorption energy difference to obtain a glucose information, and since the glucose information has a corresponding relationship with a blood glucose information, the blood glucose information may be read.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a pump configured to deliver insulin, an input configured to receive blood glucose data, a user interface, and a controller communicatively coupled to the pump, the input, and the user interface. The controller includes a blood glucose data module to compare the blood glucose data to a target blood glucose level for an insulin pump user. The controller is configured to present a question related to the blood glucose level via the user interface when the blood glucose level is different than the target blood glucose level, receive a response to the question via the user interface, and present a recommended user action based at least in part on the response. Other devices, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring glucose level in the body fluid of a subject, typically blood glucose level, by measuring impedance of a body tissue, with two pairs of electrodes, two electrodes for injecting current into a body tissue and two electrodes for detecting the ensuing voltage of the body tissue. The body tissue is typically a sub-dermal or sub-cutaneous tissue. The measured impedance of the body tissue is used to correlate with directly determined glucose levels to determine the glucose level from the measured impedance. It is thus possible to determine body fluid glucose levels in a reliable and reproducible manner.

Abstract: A blood component is accurately analyzed by appropriately extracting a blood-vessel transmitted light component. In a blood component analyzing apparatus, a sensor section has a light-emitting section that irradiates light from a predetermined irradiation position situated over a blood vessel and a light-receiving section including a first photodetector that receives light at a first light-receiving position that is different from the irradiation position and is situated over the blood vessel and a second photodetector that receives light at a second light-receiving position that is not situated over the blood vessel. A spectrum synthesizing section synthesizes a first light-reception result at the first light-receiving position and a second light-reception result at the second light-receiving position by performing a predetermined synthesis process based on a positional relationship among the irradiation position, first light-receiving position, and second light-receiving position.

Abstract: Optical coherence tomography (herein “OCT”) based analyte monitoring systems are disclosed. In one aspect, techniques are disclosed that can identify fluid flow in vivo (e.g., blood flow), which can act as a metric for gauging the extent of blood perfusion in tissue. For instance, if OCT is to be used to estimate the level of an analyte (e.g., glucose) in tissue, a measure of the extent of blood flow can potentially indicate the presence of an analyte correlating region, which would be suitable for analyte level estimation with OCT. Another aspect is related to systems and methods for scanning multiple regions. An optical beam is moved across the surface of the tissue in two distinct manners. The first can be a coarse scan, moving the beam to provide distinct scanning positions on the skin. The second can be a fine scan where the beam is applied for more detailed analysis.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing calibration of analyte sensor including applying a control signal, detecting a measured response to the control signal, determining a variance in the detected measured response, and estimating a sensor sensitivity based on the variance in the detected measured response is provided.

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

Abstract: An arrangement for producing a sample of body fluid from a wound opening created in a skin surface at a sampling site includes: a housing, the housing comprising a first opening; a skin interface member disposed in the first opening, the skin interface member comprising an inner member having a second opening, and an outer member at least partially surrounding the inner member and attached to the first opening; and at least one skin-penetration member configured and arranged to project within the second opening. Arrangements having alternatively constructed skin interface members are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for automatically identifying emotional states of a person in real-time based on physiological responses by exposing a person to a stimulus, measuring the person's physiological response to the stimulus, and comparing the measured physiological response to a known baseline physiological. The deviation of the measured physiological response from the baseline physiological response is determinative of the emotional state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting seizures with motor manifestations including detecting EMG signals, isolating from the EMG signals spectral data for a plurality of frequency bands, and calculating a T-squared value there from. The T-squared values may be detected in real time, such as in a patient's home environment, and the T-squared data may be compared to a threshold T-squared value to determine whether an alarm is sent.

Abstract: A system and method for automatic reading skin for an allergy to a substance, includes a consumer electronics device that acquires images of skin; a consumable member having a surface divided into elementary areas, each elementary area with a different possible allergenic substance; and a palette that, when applied against each elementary area brings the depositing part into contact with the skin thereby depositing the corresponding possible allergenic substance on or under the skin, where an image processing operation of the image of the skin taken by the consumer electronics device localizes the location that each depositing part has deposited the possible allergenic substance during the application and provides information in relation with a sensitivity of the skin, as indicated by a visible reaction, to the possible allergenic substance at each localized location.

Abstract: Method for examining bone in vivo, comprises obtaining a laser beam; modulating the laser beam to insert therein photoacoustic frequencies including optical frequencies and acoustic frequencies, the acoustic frequencies being able to give rise to acoustic waves; directing the modulated beam at a bone to cause acoustic waves resulting from the beam to travel through the bone; analyzing received signals from the bone including signals resulting from the acoustic waves, to determine a mineral density and a bone quality for said bone, and thus obtain in-vivo data that can be of assistance to a doctor when diagnosing osteoporosis.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein relate to a sleep diagnostic system including a mattress assembly, a plurality of sensors, data acquisition circuitry, an input device, a sleep processor, and a display device. The mattress assembly may have a sleeping surface, and the plurality of sensors may be disposed within the mattress assembly below the sleeping surface. The sensors are configured to measure at least one sleep condition and output data signals indicative of the sleep condition. The sleep processor receives signals from both the sensors and one or more other input devices, and determines a sleep characteristic based upon these received signals. The display device, which includes circuitry and a graphical user interface, receives the sleep characteristic from the sleep processor and displays it to the user.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes an array of microphones for detecting audible sounds generated by a patient and for generating audio information representing the detected audible sounds, a first beamformer having a first adaptability speed and configured to generate first audio information and first noise information from the audio information, a second beamformer having a second adaptability speed which is slower than the first adaptability speed, the second adaptive beamformer configured to generate second audio information and second noise information from the audio information, an audio classification unit for generating audio classification information based on the first audio information, a head movement detection unit for generating head movement information based on at least one of the second audio information, the first noise information, and the second noise information, and a diagnosis unit for determining a sleep apnea diagnosis based on the audio classification information and the head movement

Abstract: A system, device and method are presented for utilizing stretchable active integrated circuits with inflatable bodies. The invention allows for such operative features to come into direct contact with body structures, such as the inner wall of a lumen. Such direct contact increases accuracy of measurement and delivery of therapy.

Abstract: A computer-based method includes receiving, from a computer-based user interface, user-specified information about one or more events influential on the user's blood glucose level, generating, with a computer-based processor, a plurality of estimated trajectories of the user's blood glucose level as influenced by the one or more events, receiving a set of data that represents actual blood glucose measurements for the user, and identifying, with the computer-based processor, which of the estimated trajectories represents a best fit to the set of data that represents the actual blood glucose measurements for the user. At least some of the actual blood glucose measurements occurred later in time than a start time of the one or more events influential on the user's blood glucose level. A computer-based system is provided for implementing the method.

Abstract: The described physiology sensor is worn on a single finger to capture one or more different physiological signals and has a sensor body including first and second raised mounds, protruding from its surface and being longitudinally spaced-apart such as to define a transverse air gap therebetween. The mounds each retain electrodes which abut palmar surfaces of the single finger. The sensor also has one or more physiological sensing devices housed within the body, including a skin conductance sensing device. The sensor can also have at least one of a temperature sensing device, and a photoplethysmography sensing device. A processor is housed within the body and communicates with the electrodes and the sensing devices to apply an electrical excitation thereto, and to process the physiological measurements.

Abstract: A monitoring device suitable for attachment to a surface of a subject, the device having a data collector and a processor. The data collector includes a flexible foil attached to a less flexible socket, where the foil forms a dermal side surface of the data collector for adhesion to a skin surface of a subject to be monitored. To enable communication of electrical signals between the data collector and the processor, the data collector includes a distribution structure formed as a pattern of an electrically conductive material on an outer surface of a foldable sheet. The foldable sheet forms a layer in the flexible foil and having an interface portion which is folded into an aperture in the socket to form a coupling inside the cavity for electrical communication with a matching coupling of the processor when the processor is received in the cavity.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a computer supported thereon that acts as a thin client for at least one network service available on a remote network to which the patient support apparatus has access. The thin client architecture of the patient support apparatus enables the patient support apparatus to dynamically change its functions, algorithms, features and other aspects more easily. The thin client architecture may be applied to generating alerts, performing maintenance functions, analyzing sensor data—including, but not limited to—weight sensors used to detect weight distributions on the patient support apparatus, implementing patient care protocols, performing patient assessments, accumulating information for billing, and monitoring patient movement. The patient support apparatuses may also function as local WiFi hotspots and/or as software access points to the healthcare network and/or the Internet. One or more Software-as-a-Service applications may run on the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: A biomedical signal sensing circuit including a first and a second modulation unit, an amplifying unit, a first and a second demodulation unit is provided. The first modulation unit performs a first modulation operation to a first biomedical signal according to a first signal to generate a first modulation signal. The second modulation unit performs a second modulation operation to a second biomedical signal according to a second signal to generate a second modulation signal. The amplifying unit amplifies the first and second modulation signals, and adds the amplified first and second modulation signals to generate a third modulation signal. The first demodulation unit performs a first demodulation operation to the third modulation signal according to the first signal to generate a first sensing signal. The second demodulation unit performs a second demodulation operation to the third modulation signal according to the second signal to generate a second sensing signal.

Abstract: Activities and abnormalities in activities are detected by: (1) receiving data corresponding to measurements of an activity occurring during a time interval; (2) determining a plurality of primitives associated with the data, wherein each of the plurality of primitives represents a characteristic pattern in a portion of the time interval; (3) derive an activity structure relating a first subset of the plurality of primitives that are correlated in time; and (4) based on the activity structure, classify a second subset of the plurality of primitives as an abnormal instance of the bodily activity.

Abstract: A method for monitoring workplace safety and evaluating risks during lifting activities is provided, the method comprising receiving signals from wearable first and second devices, identifying portions of the signals corresponding to lifting activities, excerpting the portions of the signals corresponding to lifting activities, and calculating risk metrics based on measurements extracted from the excerpted portions of the signals, the risk metric indicative of high risk lifting activities.

Abstract: Implementations for obtaining objective measurements related to a patient's dental condition and reporting a patient's dental health based on these objective measurements are described herein. One or more of implementations can be used to provide an objective standard by which a patient's dental health can be evaluated. In some implementations, one or more numerical scores can be generated for a patient, where each score describes a different aspect of the patient's dental health. In some cases, a single dental health score can be generated to represent the patient's overall dental health. In some cases, dentists can use these implementations to improve the consistency and impartiality of their medical opinions, and to communicate more efficiently and effectively with others (e.g., other dentists, administrators, and patients).