Abstract: An information acquisition apparatus includes a light emission unit configured to emit light to irradiate a subject with the light, and an ultrasonic probe configured to receive an ultrasonic wave generated from irradiation of the subject with the light to output an electric signal wherein the light emission unit is provided in such a manner that a surface of the light emission unit in contact with the subject protrudes more toward a side of the subject than a surface of the ultrasonic probe in contact with the subject, and wherein an emission direction of the light emitted from the light emission unit is inclined in a direction in which the emission direction is away with respect to a line perpendicular to the surface of the ultrasonic probe where the ultrasonic probe is in contact with the subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to providing an apparatus and a method for suitably displaying a photoacoustic image for assisting diagnosis using an ultrasound image when restricting the degradation of diagnostic capability. An information processing method according to the present disclosure includes displaying an ultrasound image through transmission and reception of an ultrasonic wave to/from a subject, setting a partial region of the ultrasound image as a region of interest when the ultrasound image is being displayed, setting a light irradiation condition including a light quantity and a repetition frequency of irradiation light to the subject according to the region of interest, and receiving a photoacoustic wave generated through light irradiation to the subject under the light irradiation condition, and displaying a photoacoustic image of a region corresponding to the region of interest.

Abstract: A photoacoustic apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a hand-held type probe including a light source and a reception unit configured to receive a photoacoustic wave generated due to light irradiation of a subject with light emitted from the light source, and a supply unit configured to supply power to the light source in such a manner that a heat generation amount generated in the light source per unit time does not exceed a predetermined value.

Abstract: The invention provides a body-worn monitor featuring a processing system that receives a digital data stream from an ECG system. A cable houses the ECG system at one terminal end, and plugs into the processing system, which is worn on the patient's wrist like a conventional wristwatch. The ECG system features: i) a connecting portion connected to multiple electrodes worn by the patient; ii) a differential amplifier that receives electrical signals from each electrode and process them to generate an analog ECG waveform; iii) an analog-to-digital converter that converts the analog ECG waveform into a digital ECG waveform; and iv) a transceiver that transmits a digital data stream representing the digital ECG waveform (or information calculated from the waveform) through the cable and to the processing system. Different ECG systems, typically featuring three, five, or twelve electrodes, can be interchanged with one another.

Abstract: Various system embodiments comprise a stimulator adapted to deliver a stimulation signal for a heart failure therapy, a number of sensors adapted to provide at least a first measurement of a heart failure status and a second measurement of the heart failure status, and a controller. The controller is connected to the stimulator and to the number of sensors. The controller is adapted to use the first and second measurements to create a heart failure status index, and control the stimulator to modulate the signal using the index. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and system for processing a heart sensor output, wherein a blood flow and a simulated aortic blood pressure are derived from a sensed blood pressure using an arterial flow model and values for arterial flow parameters. The simulated aortic blood pressure is matched to a part of the sensed blood pressure in the cardiac cycle by manipulating at least one of the values for the arterial flow parameters of the arterial flow model.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for ascertaining a time-dependent blood pressure curve. Time- and volume-dependent blood flow values are detected in a noninvasive manner in a tissue section with a good blood flow as photoplethysmography values P(t) using a photoplethysmography sensor. A data processing unit transforms the photoplethysmography values P(t) into blood pressure values B(t) by carrying out a transformation rule. An output and storage unit at least temporarily stores the transformed blood pressure values B(t) as time-dependent blood pressure values and transfers said values to an external or internal display and/or storage unit arranged downstream.

Abstract: A method and a device for diagnostic of skin cancer and other mammalian skin tissue pathologies are described. The method relies on determination of pathological changes in tissue vascularization and capillary blood flow. The device uses photonic or ultrasound emitters and detectors to characterize temporal and spatial changes in blood flow associated with pulsative actions of the heart.

Abstract: A fluid bladder includes multiple segment bladders that are each formed by folding one sheet in half in a width direction X extending along an artery passing through the measurement site, welding or adhering edge portions on a side opposite to the folding location for folding in half, and welding or adhering edge portions in a lengthwise direction Y. The multiple segment bladders are stacked in a width direction orthogonal to the measurement site and integrated, and the folding locations are arranged alternatingly on opposite sides in the width direction.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to stimulation and monitoring devices for in utero cognitive stimulation of and interaction with developing fetuses by synthesizing sounds and sound patterns derived from movements of the fetuses' bodies and appendages. The exemplary stimulation and monitoring devices comprise arrays of sensors positionable above and/or the sides of the womb for detecting and recording movements of the fetus's body and appendages, one or more speakers, a microprocessor, controls, and optionally one or more light-emitting components. The collected movement data may be processed by a synthesizer for production of sound patterns and light patterns that are correlated with the movement data. The sound patterns and light patterns produced by the synthesizer may be transmitted through the speakers and the light-emitting components toward and into the womb to provide the development fetus with immediate cognitive stimulation in response to the movements of their body and appendages.

Abstract: The arterial health of an individual can be determined by: attaching a fingertip photopiethysmography device to a fingertip of the hand of the elevated arm of the individual; measuring the analog pulse contour of the individual using the fingertip photopiethysmography device; digitizing the analog pulse contour; analyzing the digitized pulse contour for stable waveforms; processing the stable waveforms of the digitized pulse contour using dynamic time warping; comparing the stable waveforms to a library of known disease state waveforms; and assigning a most probable disease state for the individual based on said comparison.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a device for sensing at least one biological parameter (e.g., heart rate, heart rate variability) of a subject, the device comprising a contact surface configured for being brought into a contact with a skin surface of the subject. The device has at least one light source for illuminating the skin surface through the contact surface along an illumination source optical axis with illumination including at least one sensing wavelength, and at least one detector for detecting a response of said illumination at least at said wavelength, from the skin surface through the contact surface along a detector optical axis, and providing signals configured for determining said biological parameter based thereon, said illumination optical axis forming with said contact surface an acute included angle.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a wearing portion to be worn by a subject and a sensor unit that includes a sensor configured to detect a pulse wave of the subject. The sensor unit includes a displacement portion configured to contact a measured part of the subject and to be displaced in accordance with the pulse wave of the subject when the wearing portion is worn by the subject.

Abstract: A treatment strategy for treatment of elevated pressure in a body conduit, such as a pulmonary vein, with a prosthetic partitioning device for placement in and/or about pulmonary veins is described, as well as delivery systems, and strategies for use thereof. A control device is configured to transmit signals to the prosthetic device to effectuate the repetitive transition between a first, less restricted flow configuration and a second, restricted flow configuration are described. A sensor device may be provided for monitoring physiological parameters of the patient, and can provide signals to the control device for effectuating the transition between the first and second configuration.

Abstract: A biomedical electrode which is detachably attached to a garment and includes: an electrode coming into contact with a living body clothed in the garment to acquire a biological signal emitted by the living body; and a locked section which is conductive, is electrically connected to the electrode, is detachably locked to a locking section which is conductive and is provided in the garment, and is electrically connected to the locking section when locked to the locking section.

Abstract: The present disclosure encompasses an “artifact score” derived from the signal characteristics of an acquired 12-lead ECG, (2) a “patient context score” derived from key elements of the patient's history, presentation, and prehospital emergency care, and (3) techniques for integrating these scores into an emergency medical care system.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials related to the non-invasive measurement of analytes in blood.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing electrophysiological signals acquired from a subject are provided. In some aspects, a method includes receiving electrophysiological signals acquired from a subject using one or more sensors, and assembling a set of time-series data using the acquired electrophysiological signals. The method also includes analyzing the set of time-series data using a state-space multi-taper framework to generate spectral information describing the electrophysiological signals, and determining a brain state of the subject using the spectral information. The method further includes generating a report indicative of the determined brain state.

Abstract: A body worn patient monitoring device includes a flexible substrate having a plurality of electrical connections adapted to be coupled to a skin surface to measure physiological signals. The flexible substrate is adapted to be directly and non-permanently affixed to a skin surface of a patient and configured for single patient use. A communication-computation module, removably attached to an upper surface of the flexible substrate, is configured to receive physiological signals from the flexible substrate and includes a microprocessor that is configured to process and analyze the physiological signals. A series of resistive traces screened onto the flexible substrate are configured as at least one series current-limiting resistor to protect the communication-computation module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of taking biopotential measurements, with the ability to perform in high-density sensing applications. The invention is a hierarchical referencing method for the electrodes in the biopotential measurement system that is able to recover potential at each location with respect to a global reference with smaller requirements on ADC resolution, and thus with lower power and area requirements as compared to current systems.

Abstract: Biopotential waveforms such as ERPs, EEGs, ECGs, or EMGs are classified accurately by dynamically fusing classification information from multiple electrodes, tests, or other data sources. These different data sources or “channels” are ranked at different time instants according to their respective univariate classification accuracies. Channel rankings are determined during training phase in which classification accuracy of each channel at each time-instant is determined. Classifiers are simple univariate classifiers which only require univariate parameter estimation. Using classification information, a rule is formulated to dynamically select different channels at different time-instants during the testing phase. Independent decisions of selected channels at different time instants are fused into a decision fusion vector. The resulting decision fusion vector is optimally classified using a discrete Bayes classifier.

Abstract: A robust liver function quantification algorithm to quantify regional and global liver function using temporally sparse-sampled multi-phase MRI with gadoxetic-acid injection is provided. The liver function quantification algorithm may be utilized in a liver function analysis server and indications of a patient's liver function may be provided for display on a healthcare professional's network-enabled device. The use of a single clinical multi-phase MRI with gadoxetic-acid injection may provide 1) regional liver function assessment, 2) global liver function assessment, and 3) risk analysis for future liver intervention.

Abstract: An electrical impedance tomography device (1) includes an electrode array, including a plurality of electrodes (33) arranged spaced apart from one another, a signal feed unit (51) and a signal acquisition unit (50). A calculation and control unit (70) is configured to determine a situation with an axial twist angle of the electrode array on a thorax (34) of a human being and to provide a control signal (79), which indicates the situation with axial twist angle of the electrode array. The calculation and control unit (70) may be configured as a central unit or an array of distributed units (cloud computing) in order to determine and to provide the axial twist angle.

Abstract: An electrical impedance tomography device (1) includes an electrode array, including a plurality of electrodes (33) arranged spaced apart from one another, a signal feed unit (51) and a signal acquisition unit (50). A calculation and control unit (70) is configured to determine a current elliptical circumferential shape (20?) of the electrode array on a thorax (34) of a human being and to provide a control signal (79), which indicates the elliptical circumferential shape (20) of the electrode array. The calculation and control unit (70) may be configured as a central unit or an array of distributed units (cloud computing) in order to determine and to provide the current elliptical circumferential shape (20?).

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include receiving, from an imaging system operating in an image coordinate system, a three-dimensional image of a body cavity including open space and body tissue, and receiving, from a medical probe having a location sensor and inserted into the body cavity, a signal indicating a location of a distal tip of the medical probe in a sensor coordinate system. The image coordinate system is registered with the sensor coordinate system so as to identify one or more voxels in the three-dimensional image at the indicated location, and when the identified voxels have density values in the received three-dimensional image that do not correspond to the open space, the density values of the identified voxels are updated to correspond to the open space.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system that includes a display and a processor. The processor is configured to modify an image that includes a representation of a wall of an anatomical cavity, by overlaying an icon that represents an intrabody tool on a portion of the image that corresponds to a location of the intrabody tool within the anatomical cavity, and overlaying a marker on a portion of the representation of the wall that corresponds to a location at which the intrabody tool would meet the wall, were the intrabody tool to continue moving toward the wall in a direction in which the intrabody tool is pointing. The processor is further configured to display the modified image on the display. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An implantable device with in vivo functionality, where the functionality of the device is negatively affected by ROS typically associated with inflammation reaction as well as chronic foreign body response as a result of tissue injury, is at least partially surrounded by a protective material, structure, and/or a coating that prevents damage to the device from any inflammation reactions. The protective material, structure, and/or coating is a biocompatible metal, preferably silver, platinum, palladium, gold, manganese, or alloys or oxides thereof that decomposes reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydrogen peroxide, and prevents ROS from oxidizing molecules on the surface of or within the device. The protective material, structure, and/or coating thereby prevents ROS from degrading the in vivo functionality of the implantable device.

Abstract: A device for use with a respiratory monitor is disclosed that includes features for collecting and guiding a breath gas sample from a user. The device includes a breath intake structure connected to a handheld body structure. The breath intake structure may include one or more permeable membranes to filter particular substances, such as bacteria, viruses, and microbes, from the breath gas sample before it proceeds through the body structure. The device further includes one or more pre-conditioning elements that pretreats the breath gas sample before it enters a respiratory monitor. In some embodiments, the device may include a mouthpiece and body that are used to collect and guide a breath gas sample to a nitric oxide detection device. Moisture is removed from the breath gas sample using a desiccant loaded into a pre-conditioning cartridge. The mouthpiece may be removably connected to the body and disposable.

Abstract: A respiration detection device includes a mouth guard mounted in a mouth of a user. A coupling seat is mounted to a front end of the mouth guard and is located in a position in front of a nose and the mouth of the user. A detection unit includes a circuit board, a microphone, a micro-processing circuit, and a transmission circuit. The circuit board is mounted to the coupling seat and is connected to a battery. The micro-processing circuit, the transmission circuit, and the microphone are mounted on the circuit board. The micro-processing circuit is configured to receive and process a message from the microphone to indicate a respiratory rate of the user. The transmission circuit is electrically connected to the micro-processing circuit and is configured to proceed with data transmission with an external device. The respiration detection device can accurately detect the respiratory rate in real time.

Abstract: The fat burning analyzer includes a sampling part, an analysis unit and a processing unit. The sampling part collects a breath sample from the user, information on the conditions of the breath sample collection, and provides a sampling signal correlated to the collection condition of the breath sample. The analysis unit provides a detection signal corresponding to an acetone concentration in the collected breath sample and, as such, provides information on the breath acetone of the user (during exercise or resting). The processing unit receives the sampling signal and/or detection signal, and evaluates the sampling signal and/or the detection signal. The evaluation provides information correlated to the fat burning intensity of the user. These information can be provided as an output signal by the processing unit. Accordingly, the processing unit is equipped to provide an output signal correlated to the fat burning intensity of the user.

Abstract: There is provided a body state detecting apparatus for detecting a body state of a subject on a bed, the apparatus including: a plurality of load detectors which are placed in the bed or under feet of the bed and which detect a load variation depending on a respiration of the subject; and a body state detecting unit which determines an extending direction of a body axis of the subject and a head placement of the subject based on the detected load variation. The body state detecting unit includes a body axis direction determining unit which determines the extending direction of the body axis of the subject based on the detected load variation, and a head placement determining unit which determines the head placement of the subject, in the determined extending direction of the body axis of the subject, based on the detected load variation.

Abstract: A gait state recognizing apparatus may include an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor configured to measure a movement of at least one leg of a user and a processor configured to calculate a rotation angle and an angular velocity of the at least one leg based on the measured movement of the at least one leg, and the processor may be configured to calculate the rotation angle of the at least one leg relative to a direction of gravity from the movement of the at least one leg and the angular velocity of the at least one leg relative to the direction of gravity based on a trend of the rotation angle.

Abstract: Various limb manipulation and evaluation devices are provided. The devices generally include three drives, namely a first drive configured to manipulate a first bone relative to a second bone in a first direction, a second drive configured to manipulate the first bone relative to the second bone in a second direction, a third drive configured to manipulate the first bone relative to the second bone in a second direction. The three directions are different relative to each other and in some embodiments represent three distinct axes. The devices are further configured such that at least one of the drives is mutually decoupled relative to at least one other drive, such that operation of the one drive does not affect the position or movement of the another drive. One or multiple of the drives may be decoupled. A corresponding method of operating such decoupled drives is also provided.

Abstract: The diagnostic probe can be inserted into a vaginal or rectal body endo-cavity of the human body so as to measure the displacement of the walls of the endo-cavity and organs that surround the endo-cavity and so as to measure the displacement and the passive and active resistance of at least one muscle of the perineum. The diagnostic probe includes at least one endo-cavitary body provided with at least two pressure sensors arranged in the same plane and acting either in the same direction or in two opposite directions. The endo-cavitary body can be deformable without opposing resistance and matching the walls of the endo-cavity. The endo-cavitary body includes at least one device for measuring the displacement of the endo-cavitary wall along the three axes X, Y and Z.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of survey and analysis of materials chemical composition and can be preferentially used in diagnostic medical equipment for noninvasive determination of glucose content in blood.

Abstract: In some aspects, an apparatus for a biosensor includes a sensor wire and a rigid member. The rigid member may be coupled to the sensor wire and include a contact surface. The contact surface may be sized to enable a suction head of a robotic placement device to create a vacuum seal on the contact surface for lifting the sensor wire and rigid member.

Abstract: In some examples, a sensor holder device is described. The sensor holder device may include a rigid body, a set legs attached to the rigid body, a sensor guiding structure, a sensor retaining structure, and an electrical trace. The sensor retaining structure may be sized to accommodate a sensor wire. The electrical trace may extend proximate the sensor retaining structure and along one of the legs.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for continuous measurement of an analyte concentration. The device can include a sensor having a plurality of sensor elements, each having at least one characteristic that is different from other sensor(s) of the device. In some embodiments, the plurality of sensor elements are each tuned to measure a different range of analyte concentration, thereby providing the device with the capability of achieving a substantially consistent level of measurement accuracy across a physiologically relevant range. In other embodiments, the device includes a plurality of sensor elements each tuned to measure during different time periods after insertion or implantation, thereby providing the sensor with the capability to continuously and accurately measure analyte concentrations across a wide range of time periods.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for determining whether a regional oximetry sensor is properly positioned on a subject. First and second metric values may be determined based on respective first and second light signals. The first and second metric values and a relationship between the first and second metrics are used to determine whether the sensor is properly positioned on the subject. The first and second metrics may form a pair of metrics, and whether the sensor is properly positioned on the subject may be determined based on whether the pair of metrics falls within a sensor-on region. In some embodiments, a plurality of metrics may be determined based on a plurality of received physiological signals. The plurality of metrics may be combined, using, for example, a neural network, to determine whether the regional oximetry sensor is properly positioned on a subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a device and method of measuring an individual's cortisol awakening response; a device and method of measuring an individual's diurnal cortisone level, including the basal cortisol level; a device and method of indicating an individual's stress profile based on sweat cortisol measurements; a device for measuring and interpreting sweat analytes relevant to risk-taking behavior; and a method of determining an individual's risk-taking propensity based on measurement and development of sweat analyte profiles.

Abstract: An apparatus for non-invasively estimating a biological component is provided. The apparatus may include: a sensor configured to measure a calibration spectrum for a first duration and measure a biological component estimation spectrum for a second duration, based on light returning from an object; and a processor configured to remove a signal of a biological component from the calibration spectrum to obtain a background spectrum for the first duration, and estimate the biological component, based on the background spectrum and the biological component estimation spectrum, for the second duration in response to a command for measuring the biological component.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for non-invasively measuring blood glucose levels in a biological sample based on spectral data. This includes at least one light source configured to strike a target area of a sample, at least one light detector positioned to receive light from the at least one light source and to generate an output signal, having a time dependent current, which is indicative of the power of light detected, a processor configured to receive the output signal from the at least one light detector based on the received output signal, calculate the attenuance attributable to blood in a sample present in the target area with a ratio factor, eliminate effect of uncertainty caused by temperature dependent detector response of the at least one light detector, and then determine a blood glucose level associated with a sample present in the target area based on the calculated attenuance with the processor.

Abstract: A regional oximetry pod drives optical emitters on regional oximetry sensors and receives the corresponding detector signals in response. The sensor pod has a dual sensor connector configured to physically attach and electrically connect one or two regional oximetry sensors. The pod housing has a first housing end and a second housing end. The dual sensor connector is disposed proximate the first housing end. The housing at least partially encloses the dual sensor connector. A monitor connector is disposed proximate a second housing end. An analog board is disposed within the pod housing and is in communications with the dual sensor connector. A digital board is disposed within the pod housing in communications with the monitor connector.

Abstract: An active-pulse blood analysis system has an optical sensor that illuminates a tissue site with multiple wavelengths of optical radiation and outputs sensor signals responsive to the optical radiation after attenuation by pulsatile blood flow within the tissue site. A monitor communicates with the sensor signals and is responsive to arterial pulses within a first bandwidth and active pulses within a second bandwidth so as to generate arterial pulse ratios and active pulse ratios according to the wavelengths. An arterial calibration curve relates the arterial pulse ratios to a first arterial oxygen saturation value and an active pulse calibration curve relates the active pulse ratios to a second arterial oxygen saturation value. Decision logic outputs one of the first and second arterial oxygen saturation values based upon perfusion and signal quality.

Abstract: For a sensor module that is easily positioned at a position at which biological information can be obtained when attached to an object under detection and a biological information displaying system that includes the sensor module, provided is a biological information displaying system 1 that includes a sensor module 10 that includes a light emitting part 11 including a light emitting element 11a1 and a light emitting element 11a2 arranged at an interval; and a light receiving part 12 including one light receiving element 12-1 sensitive to near-infrared light. The one light receiving element 12-1 is arranged to receive light emitted by the light emitting element 11a1 and the light emitting element 11b1, and the light emitting element 11a1 and the light emitting element 11b1 emit near-infrared light having a same central wavelength ?1.

Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomous intravenous needle insertion are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a system for autonomous intravenous insertion include a robot arm, one or more sensors pivotally attached to the robot arm for gathering information about potential insertion sites in a subject arm, a medical device pivotally attached to the robot arm, and a controller in communication with the sensors and the robot arm, wherein the controller receives the information from the sensors about potential insertion sites, and the controller selects a target insertion site and directs the robot arm to insert the medical device into the target insertion site.

Abstract: Disclosed are personality testing device and method. A personality testing device, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises: an input and output unit for providing test questions which comprise a stimulation word and obtaining a response word which is a response received from a person to be tested with respect to the stimulation word; and a control unit for forming the test questions by extracting a stimulation word from a word graph that is classified by personality types and for distinguishing the personality type of the person to be tested by analyzing the response word by means of the word graph.

Abstract: A method of providing hygiene services to a patient. The method includes acquiring patient status data of a patient with a sensor. Incontinence event data is acquired with an incontinence detection system. After the occurrence of the incontinence event, a sleep status of the patient is determined based the patient status data. A time period to provide hygiene services to the patient is determined based on the incontinence event data and the sleep status of the patient.

Abstract: A subject performs a sit-to-stand operation while wearing a device (SU) that contains an acceleration sensor (11) on the front of the chest. The present invention derives a muscular strength index representing the muscular strength of a human body by obtaining maximum acceleration value data from a signal expressing the size of an acceleration vector comprising a tri-axial component in detected acceleration, and using the maximum acceleration value data and the muscle mass or body fat mass of the subject. The present invention has the ability to derive a physical activity amount from the acceleration detection results, and on the basis of the activity amount (ACT) during a prescribed activity target period and the muscular strength index at the start and end times of the activity target period, obtains an activity efficiency index that corresponds to changes in the muscular strength index in response to the amount of activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring the perception of equilibrium in individuals comprising an opaque mask having an inclination sensor and a display arranged within the mask for displaying an image, which can be rotated in order to determine the subjective visual vertical of an individual, and having a means for detecting the posture of the individual, and a monitoring unit which, during the determination of the subjective visual vertical, indicates and/or stores the position and/or movement of one or more areas of the body. During the measurement of the sense of equilibrium, the subjective visual vertical is determined and, at the same time, the posture of the individual is measured.