Abstract: In an endoscope system, an image processing section on a processor side detects a movement amount or a distance in an image. An endoscopic-procedure-scene classifying section classify, from a feature value, to which of endoscopic procedure scene a scene of an image corresponds and further determines whether reliability of the classified endoscopic procedure scene is low. When the reliability is low, the endoscopic-procedure-scene classifying section decides a target compression ratio from an endoscopic procedure scene classified in the past, and transmits a compression parameter corresponding to the target compression ratio to a wireless endoscope. The wireless endoscope performs wireless transmission of an image compressed with the compression parameter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are single-use integral indicators and methods and systems for employing the same. Such indicators and their uses are directed toward identifying and rendering inoperable single-procedure medical devices after their intended—and only—use.

Abstract: A connection body includes: a wire for operating an endoscope; and a joint member having a cylindrical shape including a through hole into which the wire is inserted, the joint member being configured to be joined to an operating mechanism of the endoscope including an operating lever, the joint member including: a first cylindrical portion provided on a longitudinal rear end side of the joint member, a part of the first cylindrical portion being plastically deformed through pressurization to deform a part of the through hole such that the wire is fixed; and a second cylindrical portion provided on a front end side of the first cylindrical portion and having an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion. The part of the first cylindrical portion plastically deformed is separated from the second cylindrical portion.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a housing with a distal end insertable into a cavity; an image capture device at the distal end to obtain 3D images, and process them to form a video signal; and a folded substrate folded into a U-shape having first and second legs. The image capture device includes a detector and a lens system with right and left multi-band pass filters having right pass bands that are complements of left pass bands. The lens system receives the 3D images including right and left images. The detector faces the lens system to obtain the right and left images. A processing circuit faces the proximal end behind the detector to process signals from the detector. The folded substrate includes the detector at an outer side of the first leg facing the lens system and the processing circuit at an outer side of the second leg facing the proximal end.

Abstract: A hand-free arthroscopic outflow control device (100) having a body (10) featuring a multi port valve body comprising a sleeve (50) fitted with a piston (40) actuated by a pedal (30), the sleeve (50) communicating with a surgical site inflow port (52), a surgical theatre inflow port (54) and an outflow port (56) disposed between these respective inflow ports (52,54), so that the piston (40) can be positioned alternatively to vent the outflow port (56) under suction by drawing from one only of the surgical site inflow port (52) and the surgical theatre inflow port (54).

Abstract: An endoscopic has an fiber optic waveguide that transmits an image from a distal end to a proximal end, the waveguide having an outer diameter of less than 3 mm. A lens system is positioned at the distal end of the fiber optic waveguide. An imaging device is optically coupled to the proximal end of fiber optic waveguide. A disposable sheath extends about the fiber optic waveguide to provide a sterile barrier, and in a preferred embodiment the sheath includes an illumination channel. In a preferred embodiment, the lens system has a first lens element, a second lens element and an aperture stop.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: a first chip including a light receiving unit, and a read circuit; a second chip including a timing control circuit, an A/D conversion circuit, and a cable transmission circuit; and a connection unit configured to connect the first and the second chips. The read circuit includes a column read circuit and a horizontal selection circuit, and a vertical selection circuit. The connection unit of the first chip is provided in a first area along a side of the rectangular light receiving unit, and in a second area adjacent to the column read circuit, the horizontal selection circuit, and the vertical selection circuit. The connection unit of the second chip is provided in a third area around the timing control circuit, the A/D conversion circuit, and the cable transmission circuit and in a fourth area adjacent to the timing control circuit and the A/D conversion circuit.

Abstract: An image sensor includes: pixels; first transfer lines configured to transfer imaging signals of shared pixels that are present in a plurality of different rows and share a single column transfer line for each predetermined number of pixels adjacent in a row direction and; a constant current source configured to transfer the imaging signals; output units configured to externally output the imaging signals; and a control unit configured to simultaneously and externally outputs, by simultaneously driving the plurality of shared pixels present in a same single column transfer line in the plurality of different rows, each of the plurality of imaging signals, which are output from the shared pixels and are present in the same column in the plurality of different rows, and externally output all of the imaging signals of the shared pixels present in the plurality of different rows same number of times as the predetermined number.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: plural pixels; a color filter including a blue filter having spectral characteristics where a maximum value of its transmission spectrum is in the blue wavelength band and transmittance of the wavelength band of a narrow band light is higher than the transmission spectrum in the red and green wavelength bands, a red and green filters having spectral characteristics where minimum values of their transmission spectra are near the maximum value of the transmission spectrum of the blue wavelength band, and having spectral characteristics where their transmission spectra gradually increase toward a short wavelength side from 440 nm; and a control unit configured to execute control of making an accumulation time of a pixel of the plural pixels shorter than accumulation times of pixels having other filters arranged thereon, the pixel having highest spectral sensitivity to the narrow band light.

Abstract: A new Laryngoscopy blade having variable size blade is designed. This blade can supply the necessary length and appropriate view for Laryngoscopy without repeated blade changing.

Abstract: A global registration system and method identifies bronchoscope position without the need for significant bronchoscope maneuvers, technician intervention, or electromagnetic sensors. Virtual bronchoscopy (VB) renderings of a 3D airway tree are obtained including VB views of branch positions within the airway tree. At least one real bronchoscopic (RB) video frame is received from a bronchoscope inserted into the airway tree. An algorithm according to the invention is executed on a computer to identify the several most likely branch positions having a VB view closest to the received RB view, and the 3D position of the bronchoscope within the airway tree is determined in accordance with the branch position identified in the VB view. The preferred embodiment involves a fast local registration search over all the branches in a global airway-bifurcation search space, with the weighted normalized sum of squares distance metric used for finding the best match.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical apparatus for dissecting a part of cornea during lamellar keratoplasty, which provides a surgical apparatus comprising: an injector unit including a hollow injection needle having a bevel structure at one end; a laser unit for emitting a laser for OCT imaging; an OCT detection unit for photographing a tomographic image of the cornea using the laser; a laser light sensor located on an inner surface of the bevel structure of the injection needle and connected to the laser unit and the OCT detection unit through an optical fiber; and a depth adjusting unit for adjusting a depth of the injection needle in the cornea according to an operation of a user.

Abstract: Provided are a method and system for noncontact vision-based 3D cognitive fatigue measuring. The method comprises: acquiring pupil images of a subject exposed to visual stimuli; extracting a task evoked pupillary response (TEPR) by using the pupil images; detecting dominant peaks from the TEPR; calculating latency of dominant peaks; and determining cognitive fatigue of the subject by comparing a value of the latency to a predetermined reference value.

Abstract: An apparatus for non-contact examination of an eye comprises for illuminating and imaging the eye: an apparatus objective of a positive optical power and a positive spherical aberration which illuminates and images an angle wider than a cross section of the zone I of the retinal vasculature, the apparatus objective being common to the imaging and the illumination the optical paths of which are deviated from each other in the examination apparatus; and a secondary lens unit, which is located behind the apparatus objective in the optical path in a direction of the imaging, modifies at least one of the following optical features: lateral color aberration, astigmatism, field curvature and coma caused by the apparatus objective, and focuses the imaging radiation modified by the secondary lens unit on an image sensor for forming an image of a retina of the eye.

Abstract: An eye imaging apparatus includes a lighting device including a fundus illuminator and a cornea illuminator; a half mirror; an imaging device including a camera having a first objective lens; and a first polarizer. The first polarizer is disposed between the half mirror and the camera. The fundus illuminator irradiates the half mirror with first light polarized in a direction orthogonal to a transmission axis of the first polarizer. The half mirror receives the first light and outputs resulting light to an eye. A travel direction of the resulting light is in alignment with an optical axis of the first objective lens. The cornea illuminator emits light at a timing different from an emission timing of the first light, and the eye is irradiated with second light based on the light emitted by the cornea illuminator from a direction different from a direction parallel with the optical axis.

Abstract: The present application describes the addition of various feedback mechanisms including visual and audio feedback mechanisms to an ophthalmic diagnostic device to assist a subject to self-align to the device. The device may use the visual and non-visual feedback mechanisms independently or in combination with one another. The device may provide a means for a subject to provide feedback to the device to confirm that an alignment condition has been met. Alternatively, the device may have a means for sensing when acceptable alignment has been achieved. The device may capture diagnostic information during the alignment process or may capture after the alignment condition has been met.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a medical imaging device attachment with onboard sensor array and computational processing unit, which can be adapted to and reversibly attached to multiple models of binocular indirect ophthalmoscopes (“BIOs”), enabling simultaneous or time-delayed viewing and collaborative review of photographs or videos from an eye examination. The invention also claims a method for photographing and integrating information associated with the images, videos, or other data generated from the eye examination.

Abstract: Individuals who suffer from certain kinds of medical conditions, particularly conditions that only sporadically exhibit measurable symptoms, can feel helpless in their attempts to secure access to medical care because, at least in part, they are left to the mercy of their condition to present symptoms at the right time to allow diagnosis and treatment. Providing these individuals with ambulatory extended-wear health monitors that record ECG and physiology, preferably available over-the-counter and without health insurance preauthorization, is a first step towards addressing their needs. In addition, these individuals need a way to gain entry into the health care system once a medically-actionable medical condition has been identified. Here, the ECG and physiology is downloaded and evaluated post-monitoring against medical diagnostic criteria.

Abstract: A medical system and method of communicating between a telemetry controller and medical devices is provided. Coupling coefficients between a primary coil of the telemetry controller and secondary coils of the medical devices differ from each other. A primary carrier signal is applied to the primary coil, thereby respectively inducing secondary carrier signals on the secondary coils. An amplitude of the secondary carrier signal is measured on each of the secondary coils. The envelope of each secondary carrier signal is modulated in accordance with data, thereby inducing modulation of the envelope of the primary carrier signal for the implanted medical devices. The secondary carrier signal envelopes are modulated based on the measured amplitudes of the respective secondary carrier signals.

Abstract: A method for quantifying microvascular function in a patient includes stabilizing a test portion of the patent to analyze. A microvascular blood flow parameter is measured using a first spectral imaging technique. A microvascular reserve parameter is measured using a second spectral imaging technique. A tissue respiration parameter is measured using a third spectral imaging technique. A microvascular permeability parameter is measured using a fourth spectral imaging technique. The method further includes processing the microvascular blood flow parameter, the microvascular reserve parameter, the tissue respiration parameter, and the microvascular permeability parameter together using a processor configured to generate a summary microvascular parameter corresponding to the microvascular function in the patient.

Abstract: An image processing unit includes a grayscale image creating unit, a shininess region removal unit, a region of interest tracing unit, and a time intensity curve measuring unit. Further, the region of interest tracing unit includes a feature image extracting unit which extracts a feature image in the tissue on the basis of the grayscale image created by the grayscale image creating unit, a binarizing unit which binaries the grayscale image to create a binary image, and a tracing unit which traces the region of interest by detecting the amount of movement of the feature image in the binarized image created by the binarizing unit over a plurality of frames.

Abstract: An image processing unit includes a grayscale image creating unit, a shininess region removal unit, a region of interest tracing unit, and a time intensity curve measuring unit. The time intensity curve measuring unit includes a pixel value measuring unit which measures the pixel value of a specific point in the fluorescence image photographed by the fluorescence image pickup element, and a measurement position movement unit which moves the measurement position of the pixel value in the pixel value measuring unit in accordance with the region of interest traced by the region of interest tracing unit.

Abstract: The present invention employs an information processing apparatus, comprising: an information processing unit configured to: acquire concentration information, which indicates a spatial distribution of concentration of a substance constituting an object and which originates from a photoacoustic wave generated by light irradiation of the object; and correct, based on the concentration in a specific position of the object in the concentration information, the concentration in a deep region of the object deeper than the specific position in the concentration information.

Abstract: An apparatus can be provided according to certain exemplary embodiments. For example, the apparatus can include a waveguiding first arrangement providing at least one electromagnetic radiation. A configuration can be provided that receives and splits the at least one electromagnetic radiation into a first radiation and a second radiation. The apparatus can further include a waveguiding second arrangement which has a first waveguide and a second waveguide, whereas the first waveguide receives the first radiation, and the second waveguide receives the second radiation. The first arrangement, the second arrangement and the configuration can be housed in a probe.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including identifying that a subject suffers from sleep apnea. Positive airway pressure (PAP) is applied to the subject via a mask placed on a face of the subject. A respiratory-related parameter of the subject is sensed, while the mask is on the face of the subject, and a need of the subject for respiratory support is assessed, responsively to the respiratory-related parameter. In accordance with the assessed need, the mask is configured to regulate the PAP provided to the subject's face. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for blood circulation evaluation by providing a measurement device collection in communication with a thermal exchange device comprising an appendage chamber having a thermal exchange member. The measurement device collection may measure patient information such as height, weight, temperature, pulse, and/or blood pressure, and transmit the patient information to the thermal exchange device to estimate patient blood volume based on the patient information. Blood flowing through the arteriovenous anastomosis (AVA) of the appendage may be heated or cooled at the thermal exchange member for therapeutic application of thermal energy to adjust blood viscosity in the human to alleviate symptoms associated with a number of autoimmune, circulatory, neurological, lymphatic, and endocrinal maladies.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some instances, the intravascular device is a guide wire with electrical conductors embedded within a core wire. In some instances, the electrical conductors are coupled to conductive bands adjacent a proximal portion of the guide wire and a sensing element adjacent a distal portion of the guide wire. Methods of making, manufacturing, and/or assembling such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for notifying a patient before blood pressure monitoring. Also provided is a dynamic blood pressure monitor, which is used for notifying a patient before commencement of a blood pressure measurement.

Abstract: A method of controlling a biometric parameter, such as heart rate and/or breathing rate, of a subject engaged in an activity includes sensing the biometric parameter via a monitoring device worn by the subject, determining frequency characteristics of the biometric parameter, and presenting to the subject musical audio having a tempo correlated to the frequency characteristics of the biometric parameter. The tempo of the musical audio presented to the subject may be changed in order to cause a change in the biometric parameter. A method of modulating heart rate of a subject engaged in an activity includes sensing a breathing rate of the subject via a monitoring device worn by the subject, and then presenting to the subject musical audio having a tempo selected to change the breathing rate by an amount sufficient to cause a change in the heart rate.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to be worn at or near at least one ear of a subject includes a battery, a reflective pulse oximeter, a motion sensor, an analog-to-digital convertor configured to convert analog signals from the reflective pulse oximeter and the motion sensor into digitized information, a speaker, a digital memory device configured to store at least one algorithm for signal processing, a transceiver, and a signal processor. The signal processor is configured to process data from the reflective pulse oximeter to monitor cardiopulmonary functioning of the subject, process data from the motion sensor to monitor head and body motion, execute the at least one algorithm for assessing a health state of a subject, poll the reflective pulse oximeter and the motion sensor at certain time intervals to extend life of the battery, and process digital audio information into analog sounds to be presented to the subject via the speaker.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to be worn at or near an ear of a subject includes at least one battery, a plurality of electrodes configured to contact the ear and to sense physiological information from the subject, at least one motion sensor configured to monitor subject body motion, at least one analog-to-digital convertor configured to convert analog sensor signals from the plurality of electrodes into digitized information, at least one speaker configured to supply sound to the subject, at least one digital memory device configured to store at least one algorithm for signal processing, at least one signal processor configured to process data from the plurality of electrodes and the at least one motion sensor using the at least one algorithm to monitor physiological information from the subject, and at least one transceiver configured to enable wireless communication between the apparatus and a remote device.

Abstract: Wearable apparatus for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices, such as earpiece modules. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed.

Abstract: Wearable apparatus for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices, such as earpiece modules. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed.

Abstract: Wearable apparatus for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices, such as earpiece modules. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed.

Abstract: Vessel perfusion and myocardial blush are determined by analyzing fluorescence signals obtained in a static region-of-interest (ROI) in a collection of fluorescence images of myocardial tissue. The blush value is determined from the total intensity of the intensity values of image elements located within the smallest contiguous range of image intensity values containing a predefined fraction of a total measured image intensity of all image elements within the ROI. Vessel (arterial) peak intensity is determined from image elements located within the ROI that have the smallest contiguous range of highest measured image intensity values and contain a predefined fraction of a total measured image intensity of all image elements within the ROI. Cardiac function can be established by comparing the time differential between the time of peak intensity in a blood vessel and that in a region of neighboring myocardial tissue both pre and post procedure.

Abstract: A pressurizing/depressurizing section (3) increases or decreases an internal pressure of a cuff (20). A first controlling section (4) controls an operation of the pressurizing/depressurizing section (3) so as to cause the internal pressure to transit from a pressure transient state to a pressure steady state and vice versa. A detecting section (5) detects the internal pressure. A storage section (6) stores control modes ways for increasing/decreasing the internal pressure of which are different. A determining section (7) determines a type of the cuff (20) in accordance with whether the detected internal pressure has reached the pressure steady state within a predetermined time period since start of the pressure transient state. A second controlling section (9) selects one of the control modes in accordance with the determined type of the cuff (20), and to control the operation of the pressurizing/depressurizing section (3) in accordance with the selected one of the control modes.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the cardiac function of a patient includes receiving a position input from a position sensor attached to the patient and classifying the position input into a position class. Cardiac waveform data is received for the patient and then the cardiac waveform data is compared to model waveform parameters for the position class.

Abstract: A method is presented for forming a nanowire electrode. The method includes forming a plurality of nanowires over a first substrate, depositing a conducting layer over the plurality of nanowires, forming solder bumps and electrical interconnections over a second flexible substrate, and integrating nanowire electrode arrays to the second flexible substrate. The plurality of nanowires are silicon (Si) nanowires, the Si nanowires used as probes to penetrate skin of a subject to achieve electrical biopotential signals. The plurality of nanowires are formed over the first substrate by metal-assisted chemical etching.

Abstract: The present invention provides a brain function measuring apparatus that includes a magnetic generator that is arranged at a deep portion of the brain of a subject and generates a magnetic field; and a magnetic sensor that is arranged at the scalp of the brain, and senses the magnetic field generated by the magnetic generator, wherein the magnetic sensor senses the magnetic field passed through the brain after being generated by the magnetic generator and relates to a brain activity of the subject.

Abstract: A method is presented for forming a nanowire electrode. The method includes forming a plurality of nanowires over a first substrate, depositing a conducting layer over the plurality of nanowires, forming solder bumps and electrical interconnections over a second flexible substrate, and integrating nanowire electrode arrays to the second flexible substrate. The plurality of nanowires are silicon (Si) nanowires, the Si nanowires used as probes to penetrate skin of a subject to achieve electrical biopotential signals. The plurality of nanowires are formed over the first substrate by metal-assisted chemical etching.

Abstract: A system for managing care of a person receiving emergency cardiac assistance includes one or more capacitors arranged to deliver a defibrillating shock to a person; one or more electronic ports for receiving a plurality of signals from sensors for obtaining indications of an electrocardiogram (ECG) for the person; and a patient treatment module executable on one or more computer processors using code stored in non-transitory media and to provide a determination of a likelihood of success from delivering a future defibrillating shock to the person with the one or more capacitors, using a mathematical computation applied to a vector value defined by signals from at least two of the plurality of signals.

Abstract: A system for determining T wave bifurcation that includes three or more ECG leads configured to receive an ECG signal and a first computing device including a processor coupled to a memory, the processor and the memory configured to perform operations including: generating at least two orthogonal ECG vectors based on the ECG signal of a patient, processing the at least two orthogonal ECG vectors to determine a loop trajectory of at least a portion of the ECG signal, identifying a trajectory bifurcation by comparing the loop trajectory to a control loop trajectory for a plurality of cardiac cycles, and determining an indicator of a cardiac event based on the trajectory bifurcation.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ECG waveform detecting apparatus includes an input circuit and processing circuitry. The input circuit receives an ECG signal. The processing circuitry performs first detection of a specific waveform included in the ECG signal, performs update processing of a detection parameter for detecting the specific waveform based on a part of the specific waveform or result of the first detection, performs second detection of the specific waveform from the ECG signal by using the detection parameter after the update processing, and generates a synchronization signal based on information on the second detection.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for signal analysis in an implantable cardiac device such as an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. In illustrative examples, captured data including detected events is analyzed to identify likely overdetection of cardiac events. Analysis of the apparent width of detected events is used to determine whether overdetection is occurring. If overdetection is identified, data may be modified to correct for overdetection, to reduce the impact of overdetection, or to ignore overdetected data.

Abstract: Methods and devices adapted for cardiac signal analysis. A method or device has accessible to it more than one approach to cardiac cycle rate analysis and is adapted to monitor sensing signal quality. In response to an apparent reduction in signal quality or other trigger, the method or device checks whether an arrhythmia or an actual drop in signal quality is occurring prior to modifying sensing configurations or parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus includes: a first layer including first and second measurement electrodes disposed at a distance from one another, wherein the first and second measurement electrodes are skin electrodes that measure an electric physiological property from a skin; and a second layer disposed on top of the first layer including first and a second shielding elements that are electrically conductive and arranged to cover at least partially both the first and second measurement electrodes to protect the first and second measurement electrode against electromagnetic interference. Each of the shielding elements are connected to a skin electrode. The first shielding element and the second shielding element extend adjacent with respect to one another between the first and second measurement electrodes on a plane defined by the second layer. The second shielding element is electrically isolated from the first shielding element.

Abstract: Provided herein is a device, a system, and a method of using the device and system to deliver non-contact thermal stimulation to the skin of a person and, by detecting evoked potentials in that person's central nervous system, to determine a neurological condition of the person.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a change to a region of interest over time are disclosed. Exemplary embodiments may: (a) apply one or more layers of a stress-sensitive material to an object of interest; (b) incorporate the object of interest into a region of interest; (c) insert the region of interest with stress-sensitive material into an electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) device to interrogate the region of interest; (d) generate a first map of the region of interest based on captured information from the ECT device; (e) after a first length of time, repeat steps (c)-(d) to generate a second map of the region of interest; and (f) compare the first map to the second map to determine changes to the region of interest based on changes to the stress-sensitive material.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying a stimulation location on a nerve is disclosed. The system includes an image-based navigation interface used to facilitate advancing a stimulation element within a patient body toward a target nerve stimulation site. Using the system one determines, separately for each potential target nerve stimulation site, a neuromuscular response of muscles produced upon applying a stimulation signal at the respective separate potential target stimulation sites. The image-based navigation interface is configured to display a graphic identification of which muscles were activated for each respective potential target nerve stimulation site upon applying the stimulation signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for improving imaging resolution of electrical impedance tomography (EIT). More specifically, the present disclosure forms virtual electrode(s) using an electric current steering technique, which is used to improve imaging resolution of an EIT system without physically increasing a number of conducting electrodes. The EIT system of the present disclosure may includes a plurality of conducting electrodes, at least one signal generator, at least one signal receiver and at least one electric current steering device. In other words, the present disclosure applies both the electric current steering technique and the virtual electrode technique to EIT. Consequently, imaging resolution of EIT can be improved without physically increasing the number of conducting electrodes.