Abstract: A medication confirmation method and apparatus for confirming administration of medication employing an inhalable medication administration apparatus. The method of an embodiment of the invention includes the steps of capturing one or more video sequences of a user administering medication employing the inhalable medication administration apparatus, storing the captured one or more video sequences, capturing one or more audio sequences of the user administering medication employing the inhalable medication administration apparatus and storing the captured one or more audio sequences. At least one of the stored video sequences and at least one of the stored audio sequences are then analyzed to confirm that the user has properly administered the medication.

Abstract: A medical apparatus system includes a first communication section provided in a medical apparatus and configured to transmit battery use information including information concerning a residual capacity of a first battery, a charger including a power supply section configured to charge a second battery, and a control section configured to set a charging current of the power supply section on the basis of the battery use information and battery charging information including a residual capacity of the second battery such that a capacity insufficiency residual time, which is time until the residual capacity of the first battery changes to a state of residual capacity insufficiency, is equal to or longer than a charging completion residual time, which is time until the second battery changes to a completely charged state.

Abstract: A stereoscopic endoscope pupil configuration for embedding in a stereoscopic endoscope, the shape of the cross section of the stereoscopic endoscope is a predetermined closed two-dimensional shape, the stereoscopic endoscope pupil configuration including at least two pupils, each of the at least two pupils having a shape covering a different unique portion of the two-dimensional closed shape, and together the at least two pupils substantially fully forming the two-dimensional closed shape.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope includes a helical tube, a cover, and an inhibition mechanism. The inhibition mechanism enables movement of a densely wound portion to the cover in a direction of a central axis of the helical tube and inhibits movement of a loosely wound portion to the cover in the central axis direction of the helical tube.

Abstract: A medical luminaire for photodynamic diagnosis. The medical luminaire including: a broad-band lamp for generating broad-band background light; a semiconductor lamp for generating short-wave excitation light, wherein the semiconductor lamp comprises a laser diode, the light from which is fed alternatively or additionally into a light path of the broad-band lamp, and a light fiber bundle for transporting the light, wherein the excitation light is transported in a partial bundle.

Abstract: A sheath for an endotracheal intubation device includes an elongate flexible portion defining a closed conduit and an adjacent open channel defined by opposing lips for releasably retaining an endotracheal tube, and a rigid portion extending from a distal end of the flexible portion, the flexible portion including a gap in one of the lips adjacent the rigid portion to expose an edge of the rigid portion, the gap allowing the endotracheal tube to be pinched between the edge of the rigid portion and a lip of the flexible portion to enhance retention of the tube when an articulated arm disposed in the closed conduit is curved, and facilitate release of the tube when the arm is not curved.

Abstract: A vaginal speculum apparatus includes a portable illumination assembly that is releasably attached to one of the upper blade and lower blade of a disposable vaginal speculum. The portable illumination assembly is defined by a housing that retains at least one LED and a portable power supply. The portable illumination assembly can be energized by an externally accessible member after the illuminator has been attached to the speculum.

Abstract: In some example implementations, there is provided a method. The method may include determining a probabilistic model representing threshold sensitivities across the visual field, the probabilistic model determined based on the data, the connection strengths, and the noise values. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed. In some implementations, the probabilistic model may include a continuous probability distribution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for administering eye tests to identify cone sensitivity loss associated with hereditary and acquired color vision loss which may be used for early detection, progress, treatment, and monitoring of eye conditions, traumatic brain injury, optic neuritis, systemic and neurological diseases including Glaucoma, Retinopathy, Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's Disease, and Parkinson's Disease and retinal toxicity. Particularly, the method and apparatus disclosed uses a Cone Contrast Test (CCT) to test individuals for hereditary or acquired color vision loss associated with (a) early signs of potential disease/damage/toxicity in an effort to (i) provide opportunity for treatment, and (ii) prevent permanent eye damage, and (b) monitor progress and treatment of such disease/damage/toxicity.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography apparatus includes a generation unit configured, based on interfering light produced by interfering a return beam and a reference beam of light emitted toward the object to be measured, to generate tomographic images of an object to be measured, an image processing unit configured to perform image processing for increasing image quality to at least one of the tomographic images generated by the generation unit, and a display control unit configured to display one of the tomographic images generated by the generation unit and then display the image on which the image processing is performed by the image processing unit on a display unit.

Abstract: An ophthalmologic system comprising and eye tracker and an OCT system. A method of operating the ophthalmologic system comprises: providing data representing a placement of a first B-scan performed on an eye relative to the eye; performing a measurement on the eye using the eye tracker; determining a placement of the eye relative to the ophthalmologic system based on the measurement using the eye tracker; placing the eye relative to a reference placement of the OCT system based on the provided data and the determined placement; performing A-scans on the eye at at least three A-scan positions; determining a placement of a second B-scan relative to the OCT system based on at least one of the at least three A-scans and the provided data such that the second B-scan and the first B-scan have a substantially same placement relative to the eye; and generating a representation of the second B-scan.

Abstract: A system and method for automated determination of position and movement of a contact lens with respect to a subject wearer's eye based upon a complimentary pair of images, acquired in rapid succession, in which one image of the pair is acquired using light that allows viewing of the pupil and/or limbus through the lens and the other image is acquired using light that is absorbed by the lens to generate an opaque image with a defined edge relative to the surrounding sclera. The images of the pair are acquired in close enough temporal proximity to ensure that eye movement in the interval therebetween is insignificant and both images are in the same approximate reference frame. Thus, the location of the pupil and limbus in one image can be accurately compared with the location of the contact lens edge in the other image.

Abstract: A multimode fundus camera enables three-dimensional and/or spectral/polarization imaging of the interior of the eye to assist in improved diagnosis.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of identifying a patient undergoing periodic hemodialysis treatments at increased risk for death that includes determining at least one of the patient's clinical or biochemical parameters, including systolic blood pressure, serum albumin concentration level, body weight, body temperature, serum bicarbonate concentration level, serum potassium concentration level, serum calcium concentration level, hemoglobin concentration level, serum phosphorus concentration level, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, equilibrated normalized protein catabolic rate (enPCR), equilibrated fractional clearance of total body water by dialysis and residual kidney function (eKdrt/V), EPO resistance index, transferrin saturation index, serum ferritin concentration level, serum creatinine concentration level, platelet count, Aspartat-Aminotransferase level, and Alanin-Aminotransferase level at periodic hemodialysis treatments, and identifying a patient as having an increased risk for death if the pati

Abstract: A method of monitoring a patient includes operating each of one or more wireless sensing devices to measure a physiological parameter from a patient and wirelessly transmit a parameter dataset, and receiving the one or more parameter datasets from the one or more wireless sensing devices. The method further includes calculating a patient condition index based on the one or more parameter datasets, wherein the patient condition index is an indicator of stability of the one or more physiological parameters. A measurement interval is then assigned for each wireless sensing device based on the patient condition index, and each wireless sensing device is operated according to the respective measurement interval.

Abstract: Systems and computer-implemented methods of automated triage prioritization including a mobile communication and display device with a communications interface configured to receive, from a plurality of monitoring devices, electronic signals corresponding to a plurality of real-time physiological parameters, location, and orientation, of a plurality of subjects, and one or more respective environmental parameters.

Abstract: A measurement probe is configured to be detachably connected to an optical measurement apparatus for optically measuring a living tissue and includes: an illuminating fiber configured to apply illumination light to the living tissue; a plurality of light receiving fibers configured to receive, at different positions, the backscattering light which is applied by the illuminating fiber and backreflected and/or backscattered from the living tissue; and a support section that is substantially cylindrical and configured to make a distance from each distal end of the illuminating fiber and the plurality of light receiving fibers to the living tissue constant, and permit the illumination light to pass through at least a part of a side surface thereof. An illumination area of the illumination light applied by the illuminating fiber on the living tissue is larger than the area of a distal end of the support section.

Abstract: An apparatus for turbid sample measurement comprising a plurality of light sources for illuminating a turbid sample target area with non-spatial structured light, a projection system for illuminating the turbid sample target area with spatial structured light, a sensor for collecting light from the turbid sample target area, and a processor to analyze the data captured by the sensor to yield scattering and absorption coefficients of the turbid sample. A method comprises illuminating the sample with spatial structured light, collecting light reflected from the sample at a number of wavelengths, illuminating the sample with non-spatial structured light, collecting light reflected from the sample at a number of wavelengths, and combining the measurements of the collected light to obtain the optical properties of the sample and/or the concentration of absorbing or fluorescent molecules. The wavelengths of the spatial and non-spatial light sources are preferably different.

Abstract: Method, and the associated device, for examining a biological tissue, in particular dental tissue or tooth enamel of one or several teeth, the method including the steps of taking into account at least the fluorescence of the tissue detected in a first wavelength range and the fluorescence of the tissue detected in a second wavelength range. The device can be a surgery microscope with one or several filters. The filters can be swiveled into or out the Illumination beam path or the optical path of the light source of the device.

Abstract: The invention is a method for the aesthetic analysis of the teeth in the smile area, suited to facilitate the identification of aesthetic dental treatments and including: photographic examination of the patient's teeth; calibration of the images as a function of certain measures taken; consistency check of the data to detect and limit errors due to incorrect measurements; identification on the calibrated images of a defined set of reference points; automatic analysis and parametrization of the images with respect to the reference points; determination of possible treatments suited to achieve the desired aesthetic improvement; and display and/or print representation of the resulting possible treatments.

Abstract: A light irradiating apparatus is used, which is characterized by having: a probe including an irradiating unit which guides light to an object, a housing containing the irradiating unit, and a touch sensor acquiring a contact condition amount between the object and the housing; and a controller controlling irradiation with light from the irradiating unit based on a level of the contact condition amount and a change in the contact condition amount, wherein in a case where the contact condition amount is equal to or more than a first reference value while the change in the contact condition amount which occurs when the housing is pressed against the object is a positive value, the controller performs a control which enables irradiation with light from the irradiating unit when the change in the contact condition amount is equal to or more than a second reference value.

Abstract: An object information acquiring apparatus includes a probe configured to detect a photoacoustic wave generated from an object irradiated with light, a signal collector configured to generate a first detection signal from the photoacoustic wave, a signal processor configured to generate, from the first detection signal, a second detection signal in which a component having a phase inverted from the phase of a component deriving from the photoacoustic wave is reduced, by using a differential signal of an impulse response of the probe, and an image generator configured to generate image data on the inside of the object using the second detection signal.

Abstract: Provided are a photo-acoustic imaging apparatus and a method of displaying a photo-acoustic image by the photo-acoustic imaging apparatus. The method of displaying a photo-acoustic image by a photo-acoustic imaging apparatus includes: obtaining a first reception signal, which converts a first acoustic wave generated as light having a first wavelength is absorbed by a subject, and a second reception signal, which converts a second acoustic wave generated as light having a second wavelength is absorbed by the subject; determining a first correction coefficient for the first reception signal and a second correction coefficient for the second reception signal based on a ratio between a size of the first reception signal and that of the second reception signal; and displaying a photo-acoustic image which is corrected based on the first and second correction coefficients.

Abstract: Apparatus is described, including a motion sensor configured to sense motion of a patient and to generate a motion signal in response thereto. The apparatus includes an output unit and a control unit. The control unit is configured to analyze the motion signal, to identify breathing of the patient as being shallow breathing in response to the analyzing, and to drive the output unit to generate an alert in response to identifying the breathing of the patient as being shallow breathing. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Described herein is an optical coherence tomograph (OCT) angiography technique based on the decorrelation of OCT signal amplitude to provide flow information. The full OCT spectrum can be split into several narrower spectral bands, resulting in the OCT resolution cell in each band being isotropic and less susceptible to axial motion nose. Inter-B-scan decorrelation can be determined using the individual spectral bands separately and then averaged. Recombining the decorrelation images from the spectral bands yields angiograms that use the full information in the entire OCT spectral range. Such images provide significant improvement of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for both flow detection and connectivity of microvascular networks compared to other techniques. Further, creation of isotropic resolution cells can be useful for quantifying flow having equal sensitivity to axial and transverse flow.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for detecting biometric information. The apparatus may include a biometric signal measurer comprising a light-receiving element and a plurality of light-emitting elements; and a processor including a tracking unit configured to sequentially drive the plurality of light-emitting elements, receive a signal detected by the light-receiving element, and determine a tracking line that connects at least two positions of a radial artery of the object from the received signal; and an analyzing unit configured to detect a pulse wave signal at the at least two points on the tracking line and analyze biometric information from the detected pulse wave signal.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are disclosed for implementing multi-core beamforming algorithms. In one aspect, a method of implementing a beamformer technique includes using a spatial filter that contains lead-fields of two simultaneous dipole sources rather than a linear combination of the two to directly compute and obtain optimal source orientations and weights between two highly-correlated sources.

Abstract: A method can determine one or more origins of focal activation. The method can include computing phase for the electrical signals at a plurality of nodes distributed across a geometric surface based on the electrical data across time. The method can determine whether or not a given candidate node of the plurality of nodes is a focal point based on the analyzing the computed phase and magnitude of the given candidate node. A graphical map can be generated to visualize focal points detected on the geometric surface.

Abstract: In described embodiments, a device and method for diagnosing brain and neurological issues is provided. The device measures the performance of Convergence, Divergence, and binocular tracking capabilities of a subject's eyes, which can be used to determine whether a subject has experienced a brain or other neurological event.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for control of a prosthetic or orthotic device (POD) based on electromyography (EMG) signals are described. The POD may be a lower or upper limb POD having one or more joints. One or more EMG sensors may detect the EMG signals. The EMG sensors may be external, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, epimysial, intramuscular, or other types. Control of the POD may be based on EMG and non-EMG signals, such as velocity, acceleration, position, force, etc. Voluntary and/or automatic control may be implemented, for example with voluntary muscle contractions and/or data based on velocity, acceleration, position, force, etc. In some embodiments, the neutral position of an ankle POD is adjusted based on EMG signals.

Abstract: A technique to detect an eye potential of a wearer of an eyewear by using an electrode abutting on the glabella of the wearer has been known, but it is desirable to surely cause the electrode to abut on the glabella so as to prevent deterioration in the detection accuracy of detecting a biosignal indicating an eye potential, myogenic potential, brain wave or the like. In view of this, an eyewear including: a frame; a first electrode that abuts on a glabella of a wearer of the eyewear; and an electrode holding unit that holds the first electrode such that a distance between the frame and the first electrode is changeable is included.

Abstract: Discussed herein is an image processing device and a corresponding method for assessing inflammatory bowel diseases. A plurality of dynamic MRI sequence of images of a bowel that include peristalsis information of the bowel and static MRI image(s) of the bowel that identify at areas of inflammation, stenosis, and increased mural thickness of the bowel are processed. A displacement of the bowel caused by respiration of the patient is conducted on the dynamic MRI sequences by performing a non-rigid registration. A peristaltic activity is determined by performing motion flow analysis on the dynamic sequences of images. A peristaltic activity of the static MRI image(s) based on a weighted sum of two closest dynamic MRI sequences of images is computed and the static image is combined with the closest dynamic MRI sequence of images by performing a multi-modal registration.

Abstract: Fiducial localization methods and apparatus are described.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for acquiring information useful to support a patient in implementing and adhering to a medically prescribed therapy plan are provided. The therapy may incorporate biofeedback methods and/or personalized therapy aspects. A method includes steps of receiving, by a receiving device, biometric information associated with an ingestible event marker; analyzing, by a computing device having a microprocessor configured to perform a biometric information analysis, the biometric information; and determining a therapeutic recommendation at least partly on the basis of the analysis and/or integrating biofeedback techniques into patient therapy or activity. A system includes a biometric information module to receive biometric information associated with an ingestible event marker; an analysis module to analyze the biometric information; and a determination module to optionally determine and communicate a therapeutic recommendation at least partly on the basis of the analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and engine for defining respiration events in body sensor signals that are highly accurate and compatible with many different classes of respiration monitoring devices. The present method and engine provide improved respiration event definition through the expedients of dynamic thresholding, segment merging and tail identification.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the respiration activity of a subject, comprising the acquisition of a sensor signal of at least one Doppler-Radar sensor representing the respiration activity of a subject, the transformation of the sensor signal into a transformation signal being a series according to Formula (I) where ak is a set of predetermined constant coefficients specific for one individual subject, and processing the transformation signal S(t). The transformation signal can be analyzed with basic signal processing techniques that are applied in the field of inductive plethysmography. The invention is further related to a corresponding monitoring system.

Abstract: A sensor includes a sensor array formed on a first side of a substrate and at least one circuit operative to communicate with the sensor array formed on a second side of the substrate. At least one via extends through the substrate to electrically connect the sensor array to the at least one circuit. Placing the at least one circuit on the second side of the substrate allows the sensor array to occupy substantially all of the first side of the substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an in vivo concentration of a small molecule substance of interest is provided that takes advantage of the semi-permeable nature of skin, which allows small molecules to passively diffuse through the skin and onto the skin surface. The systems and methods of the present invention allow for the collection of these small molecules that have passively diffused through the skin without skin disruption or breaking of the skin. The systems and methods of the present invention are noninvasive, painless and safe even for delicate newborns, and are particularly suited for the determination of blood glucose in newborns and infants in a noninvasive manner.

Abstract: A detecting device includes at least one detecting module. In the detecting module, a light source unit is configured to emit a first beam and a second beam. The wavelength of the first beam is different from that of the second beam. A packaging unit is disposed on the light source unit and a light detecting unit and on transmission paths of the first beam and the second beam from the light source unit. An optical microstructure unit is disposed on the transmission paths of the first beam and the second beam. The first beam and the second beam emitted from the light source unit pass through the packaging unit to pass the optical microstructure unit to be transmitted to a biological tissue, and then pass through the optical microstructure unit to pass the packaging unit to be transmitted to the light detecting unit in sequence.

Abstract: A living body optical measurement apparatus of the present invention includes: a light irradiation/measurement unit for irradiating light to an object and measuring the light passed through the object, a signal processing unit for processing measurement data of the light irradiation/measurement unit and creating a living body optical measurement image, and a position measurement unit for measuring positions where light is irradiated to an object and where the passing light is extracted from the object, the light irradiation/measurement unit includes plural optical fibers. The light irradiation/measurement unit includes plural optical fibers, plural optical fiber plugs attached to the plural optical fibers respectively, and a holder fixed detachably at a measurement site of an object and holds the plural optical fiber plugs.

Abstract: Certain embodiments comprise an implantable probe for rapid measurement of multiple neurochemicals on the cellular scale in the brain. Rapid detection of multiple chemicals in vivo (animal or humans) may provide an improved understanding of acute changes in neurochemicals that occur over several seconds. The neurotransmitter chemical sensing platform may provide for continuous in vivo sensing in trials of psychoactive drugs in the laboratory animal market. The high spatial resolution of the probe may allow for chemical detection around small groups of neurons, which may help to isolate the endogenous activity of different neuron types due to disease states. Neurochemical detection may also be used to measure tissue response to exogenous stimuli, such as pharmacodynamics of drugs. The high temporal and spatial resolutions and multi-neurochemical sensing of the probe may allow for detailed studies on in vivo brain response to both endogenous and exogenous stimuli.

Abstract: Systems and methods of analyzing biological fluid biomarkers, calculating biomarker data, transmitting data to a transceiver device, and storing the data and/or analytics in a database and/or on at least one remote computer server.

Abstract: The invention relates to a test element as a single-use article for examining a body fluid, comprising a lancing member that can be inserted into a body part, a collecting area configured thereon for body fluid obtained by the lancing and at least one light guide for an optical measurement in the collecting area. The collecting area is formed by a collection recess of the lancing member which extends in the lancing direction and the light guide is integrated into the lancing member such that it is secure against displacement and the distal end thereof is arranged in a proximal measurement zone of the collection recess.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for analyzing the composition of bodily fluid. The apparatus can include a fluid handling network including a patient end configured to maintain fluid communication with a bodily fluid in a patient and a pump unit in operative engagement with the fluid handling network. The pump unit can have an infusion mode, in which the pump unit is operable to deliver infusion fluid to the patient through the patient end, and a sample draw mode, in which the pump unit is operable to draw a sample of the bodily fluid from the patient through the patient end. The apparatus can include a spectroscopic analyzer positioned to analyze at least a portion of the sample; a processor in communication with or incorporated into the spectroscopic analyzer; and stored program instructions executable by the processor to obtain measurements of two or more properties of the sample.

Abstract: A fluid handling system for use in bodily fluid analysis. The system comprises a first fluid handling module configured to interface with a main instrument. The first fluid handling module has a first fluid handling network and the first fluid handling network includes an infusate passage and an infusion fluid pressure member suitable for moving fluid within the infusate passage. The fluid handling system also has a second fluid handling module separate from the first module which is configured to interface with the main instrument. The second fluid handling module has a second fluid handling network and at least one sample analysis cell which is accessible via the second fluid handling network. The first and second modules are configured to interconnect and provide fluid communication between the first and second fluid handling network and the sample cells.

Abstract: Cognitive tests are loaded onto myriad touch screen client computing devices. Patients are administered the tests using the touch screen devices, and their performance is captured and transmitted to cloud servers that store the patient information of all the touch screen devices in a database. In addition to cognitive test results, touch screen devices may also transmit patient medical information for storage in the database. Consequently, the database includes a large population of performance and medical data that can be evaluated to gain insights into cognitive disorders and create more effective digital tests for their diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract: Under one aspect, a method of displaying medical information about a subject having a plurality of regions includes: resolving light obtained from each region of the plurality of regions into a corresponding spectrum; selecting a portion of each spectrum, the selected portion including medical information about the corresponding region; constructing an image based on the selected portion of each spectrum; and projecting the image onto the subject. Under another aspect, a method of displaying medical information about a subject that has a plurality of regions includes: resolving light obtained from each region of the plurality of regions into a corresponding spectrum; selecting a portion of each spectrum, the selected portion including medical information about the corresponding region; constructing a spectral image based on the selected portion of each spectrum; displaying an image of the plurality of regions; and displaying the spectral image overlying the image of the plurality of regions.

Abstract: A medication delivery system for delivering medicament to a body of a user. The medication delivery system may include a housing having a plurality of medicament reservoirs therein, a first sensor configured to continuously monitor a parameter of the body, and a pump mechanism configured to pump medicament from each of the plurality of medicament reservoirs to a delivery mechanism having a portion disposed within the body of the user.

Abstract: A method of directing positioning of ECG electrodes on a patient includes receiving at a processor an image of the patient with one or more electrodes and determining with the processor an actual location of each of the electrodes on the patient based on the image. The method further includes determining with the processor whether the actual location of each of the electrodes is correct and providing information via a user interface regarding the actual location of the electrodes.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a health status of a subject. The system comprises: a medical device implantable in the subject and having a passage or compartment through which blood flows through; a sensor device embedded at or near a surface of said passage within said medical device for generating signals suitable for measuring a Doppler shift effect occurring within said passage; and a control device coupled to said sensor device for measuring a liquid blood flow rate within said passage based on sensor generated signals outputs. The embedded sensor device comprises a first piezo-electric element configured to generate an acoustic excitation signal and a second piezo-electric element configured to receive said acoustic excitation signal. The second piezo-electric element emits a signal responsive to said acoustic excitation signal. Control device in real time compares a generated output signal with the input excitation signal to determine a Doppler frequency shift measurement.