Abstract: A system for providing a connected dental device is disclosed. In particular, the system may include integrating a network chip or transceiver into a dental device, such as a toothbrush, so as to enable the dental device to communicate with a user device and one or more accessory devices. Once the user device and one or more accessory devices are paired with the user device, the system may track information associated with the dental device and the user using the dental device. Based on the tracked information, the system may determine an action to be performed by the user using the dental device. Using the dental device, the system may transmit a notification to the user device to alert the user of the action that needs to be performed. The system may also transmit notifications providing status information for the dental device and the one or more accessory devices.

Abstract: A system for closed-loop pulsed transcranial stimulation for cognitive enhancement. During operation, the system identifies a region of interest (ROI) in a subject's brain and then estimates ROI source activations based on the estimated source of the ROI. It is then determined if a subject is in a bad encoding state based on the ROI source activations. Finally, one or more electrodes are activated to apply a pulsed transcranial stimulation (tPS) therapy when the subject is in a bad encoding state, a predefined external event or behavior occurs, or the subject is in a consolidation state during sleep.

Abstract: A dual purpose wearable patch includes a stretchable and permeable substrate, a sensing unit mounted in the stretchable and permeable substrate, wherein the sensing unit can conduct a measurement of a user to produce a measurement signal, one or more electrodes respectively attached to the stretchable and permeable substrate, a circuit substrate on the stretchable and permeable substrate, wherein the circuit substrate includes a circuit electrically connected with the one or more electrodes and the sensing unit, and a semiconductor chip mounted on the circuit substrate and in connection with the circuit. The semiconductor chip can receive the measurement signal from the sensing unit and can produce a treatment control signal to control the one or more electrodes to apply a voltage across the user's body.

Abstract: A wireless medical system for remotely monitoring, detecting, and/or diagnosing a patient. The system includes a patch, a data transfer mechanism, and an assistive interpretation module. The system can also include additional modules or components without deviating from the spirit of the invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates in general to a device and a method for providing a measure of a circumference of a body part. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to how to provide a measure of a circumference of a body part, wherein the body part may have swelled, such that it for example can be observed whether the body part swells further or less. Most specifically, the swelled body part may be swelled due to oedema and/or lymphoedema.

Abstract: A wrist apparatus as a portable electronic apparatus includes a case section having a rear surface as a second surface brought into contact with a user's body, a solar battery unit and a display unit provided side by side on a first surface side located on an opposite side to the second surface, a band portion used to mount the case section on the user's body, and a circuit board disposed in the case section and electrically connected to the solar battery unit and the display unit.

Abstract: A wrist apparatus includes a case, a solar battery that is provided in the case, and an optical sensor unit as a biological information measurement unit that is provided in the case, measures biological information, and is disposed at a position overlapping the solar battery in a plan view of a light reception surface of the solar battery.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring patient data includes a frame having a plurality of electrode hubs. Each hub can include one or more electrode members. The frame can be configured to receive a head of a patient. Each of the electrode hubs can have a single electrode member or a plurality of electrode members that extend from or are connected to an outer member for contacting a scalp of the head of the patient. The outer member can have at least one circuit configured to transmit data received by at least one of the electrode members to a measurement device via a wireless communication connection (e.g. Bluetooth, near field communication, etc.) or a wired communication connection.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring patient data includes a frame having a plurality of electrode hubs. Each hub can include one or more electrode members. The frame can be configured to receive a head of a patient. Each of the electrode hubs can have a single electrode member or a plurality of electrode members that extend from or are connected to an outer member for contacting a scalp of the head of the patient. The outer member can have at least one circuit configured to transmit data received by at least one of the electrode members to a measurement device via a wireless communication connection (e.g. Bluetooth, near field communication, etc.) or a wired communication connection.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring patient data includes a frame having a plurality of electrode hubs. Each hub can include one or more electrode members. The frame can be configured to receive a head of a patient. Each of the electrode hubs can have a single electrode member or a plurality of electrode members that extend from or are connected to an outer member for contacting a scalp of the head of the patient. The outer member can have at least one circuit configured to transmit data received by at least one of the electrode members to a measurement device via a wireless communication connection (e.g. Bluetooth, near field communication, etc.) or a wired communication connection.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided for performing diagnostic or therapeutic transcranial procedures using a patient-specific transcranial headset. The patient-specific headset may include a patient-specific frame that is fabricated, according to volumetric image data, to conform to an anatomical curvature of a portion of a patient's head. The patient-specific frame is configured to support a plurality of transducers in pre-selected positions and orientations, which may be spatially registered to the volumetric image data. This spatial registration may be employed to control at least a portion of the transducers to focus energy at a pre-selected tissue region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an underwear-based body data monitoring method and device. The method includes: receiving position data disposed on underwear and respiration data disposed on underwear; calculating displacement, velocity and acceleration; determining whether the displacement, velocity and acceleration all exceed a preset threshold; further determining whether the respiration data is within a preset respiration range when the displacement, velocity and acceleration all exceed a preset threshold; and outputting alarm information when the respiration data is not within a preset respiration range. By the underwear-based body data monitoring method and device, body data can be collected by sensors disposed on underwear in real time. In addition, it is able to roughly determine whether the physical condition is abnormal by the displacement, velocity and acceleration, and then further determine the physical condition by respiration data.

Abstract: There is provided a pulse wave detector. A body portion includes a pulse wave detection sensor which detects a pulse wave from an artery in a wrist of a user. A strip-shaped band member secures the body portion to the wrist. In a secured state where the body portion is secured to the wrist with the band member, the body portion is placed in a position where a process of an ulna in the wrist or a process of a radius in the wrist is exposed. The band member includes a first region, and a second region which is higher in stretchability than the first region. In the secured state, the second region is at least in contact with the process of the ulna in the wrist or the process of the radius in the wrist.

Abstract: A device that may be used to monitor a user's biomechanical behavior to investigate the synergy of risk factors in the workplace. The device may assesses factors such as motion, force, vibration, and/or temperature experienced by a user for a period of time. Data may be uploaded from the device to software configured to assess safety and risk associated with the user's behavior. Modifications to the user's biomechanical behavior may then be modified to mitigate safety risks.

Abstract: A biological feature detection apparatus and an electronic device are provided. The apparatus includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The light emitting unit is configured to emit light to a detection surface of a biological tissue, the light emitted by the light emitting unit is processed by the biological tissue and then transmitted to the light receiving unit, and the light receiving unit is configured to receive the light and perform a photoelectric conversion to generate an original electrical signal for biological feature detection; the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are attached to the detection surface of the biological tissue. As such, the signal-to-noise ratio of the original electrical signal is improved and accuracy of biological feature detection is enhanced.

Abstract: An electronic device for long-term adhesion to a mammal includes a housing with an electronic component. The electronic device may include a first wing and a second wing, each being integrally formed with the housing. An electrode is positioned on a bottom surface of each of the wings, the electrodes electrically connected to the electronic component. An adhesive layer is provided for adhesion to a surface of the mammal. The adhesive layer may cover a portion of the bottom surfaces of the wings but generally does not cover the electrode or a bottom surface of the housing. A method of applying an electronic device to a mammal includes removing first and second adhesive covers from first and second wings of the electronic device to expose an electrode and an adhesive coated on a bottom surface of each wing.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein pertain to optical sensors, systems and methods for continuous glucose monitoring. In some embodiments, methods of preparing a layered optical sensor are disclosed. The optical sensor can be formed by laminating a plurality of sheets together to form a final sensor. In some embodiments, the sensor tip comprises a oxygen conduit, an enzymatic layer, and an sensing layer. In some embodiments, the sensor includes a plurality of waveguides configured to direct light to and from a target material, such as an oxygen sensing polymer. Systems are also disclosed for an adhesive system for attaching an optical sensor-transmitter system. Methods and systems are also disclosed for a sensor inserter system. The inserter can include a lancet tip that includes a convex feature attached to a first surface of the lancet tip.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems, devices and methods for treating and/or diagnosing a heart arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation. Specifically, the present invention provides a system including a diagnostic catheter and an ablation catheter. The diagnostic catheter includes a shaft, multiple dipole mapping electrodes and multiple ultrasound transducers. The ablation catheter is slidingly received by the diagnostic catheter shaft.

Abstract: The present specification is directed to systems, apparatus and methods for treating lipid-related diseases including homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, ischemic stroke, coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndrome, peripheral arterial disease, or renal arterial disease and its complications, and for treating the progression of Alzheimer's disease using imaging techniques to assess changes in one or more lipid-containing atheroma areas and volumes after serial infusions of delipidated plasma as compared to a baseline

Abstract: The invention relates to an analyzing unit (9?) for connecting to at least one sensor (12) which can be coupled to sleeping or reclining furniture in order to detect vibrations, movement, and/or sound. The analyzing unit (9?) is designed to process and analyze the signals of the at least one sensor (12) and detect physiological parameters (P) of a person using the sleeping or reclining furniture, and the analyzing unit (9?) is designed to transmit data to or exchange data with at least one external component. The invention further relates to a method for analyzing signals of at least one such sensor (12) and to sleeping or reclining furniture, in particular a bed (1), comprising at least one such sensor (12).

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a display control unit. The display control unit is configured to execute control to display a plurality of partial waveform data in parallel in a time axis direction of the plurality of partial waveform data, the plurality of partial waveform data each representing temporal change of one or more biological signals and each respectively representing biological waveform data corresponding to a respective partial time period, spots from among the biological waveform data being specifiable, the display control unit being further configured to execute control to display the spots of the plurality of partial waveform data, with emphasis, upon being specified.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a method for assessing a patient include determining scan parameters of the patient using deep learning, scanning the patient using the determining scan parameters to generate at least one three-dimensional (3D) image, detecting an injury from the 3D image using the deep learning, classifying the detected injury using the deep learning and assessing a criticality of the detected injury based on the classifying using the deep learning.

Abstract: A diagnosis assistance device assists a diagnosis, by using a plurality of sets of biological information that are measured from a subject, and that are stored in a storage medium. The diagnosis assistance device includes an achievement status determining section and a notification processing section. The achievement status determining section determines an achievement status of a predetermined condition related to biological information that is measured from the subject, based on the plurality of sets of biological information stored in the storage medium. The notification processing section performs a process of notifying of the achievement status. The condition is that the pattern of a change of biological information which is stored in the storage medium contains, threshold or more times, a specific pattern. The specific pattern is extreme-dipper, non-dipper, or riser.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a catheter body, an imaging sensor, a drive motor, a current sensor, a display, and a controller. The catheter body includes a drive shaft. The imaging sensor is fixed relative to the distal end of the driveshaft and is configured to rotate therewith. The drive motor is configured to rotate the drive shaft. The current sensor is configured to measure an amount of current drawn by the drive motor as the drive shaft is rotated. The display is configured to display one or more images obtained by the imaging sensor as the imaging sensor is rotated. The controller is configured to adjust a rotational orientation of the one or more images displayed by the display based upon the measured current.

Abstract: Provided is a radiation imaging apparatus including: an image acquisition unit configured to rotate a radiation generator and a radiation detector around a subject, to thereby acquire a plurality of radiographic images of the subject based on detected data on a radiation applied to the subject from a plurality of rotation angles; a first scattered radiation estimation unit configured to estimate a first scattered radiation distribution in a first radiographic image among the plurality of radiographic images; and a second scattered radiation estimation unit configured to use the first scattered radiation distribution to estimate a second scattered radiation distribution in a second radiographic image, which is different from the first radiographic image.

Abstract: A system and method for providing image guidance for planning approach paths for one or more medical devices at a target location. The system can receive a volumetric medical image, determine a density of content within the volumetric medical image, receive an indication of a target location within the volumetric medical image, identify obstructing objects within the volumetric medical image, and determine a plurality of pathways from an approach region of the volumetric medical image to the target location. The system can cause a display to concurrently display the volumetric medical image and a plurality of emplacements for one or more medical imaging devices.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring volumetric breast density using a low dose of radiation are provided. This low-dose image can be added to a standard mammographic screening protocol with less than a two percent increase in radiation dose imparted to the subject. This low-dose image can also be used as a single standalone test to determine breast density for younger women for the purposes of risk determination or screening regimen planning. The breast density measurement is more accurate than measurements that can be obtained with existing systems and methods by making use of a compression assembly that maintains a parallel alignment between the compression paddle and breast support table. Additionally, the compression assembly maintains a uniform known thickness of the compressed breast. The system and method have the added benefit that they can be readily implemented on a conventional digital x-ray unit with low cost.

Abstract: An extra-oral dental imaging system comprises an X-ray source (102) and an imaging device (101) suitable for producing multiple frames during at least part of an exposure of an object (200), the imaging device (101) being displaced along a scanning direction (X). A method for creating a cephalometric image of a human skull comprises a step of setting said imaging device (101) with an active area having in an imaging plane a width extending along said scanning direction (X), said width varying along a height direction perpendicular to said scanning direction (X); a step of synchronously displacing the X-ray source (102) and the imaging device (101) along said exposure profile; and a step of registering multiple frames produced by the imaging device (101) during the exposure of said object (200) to be imaged. Using for creating a cephalometric image by digital tomosynthesis.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for treating a tumor, comprising the steps of: (1) a main controller sequentially delivering charged particles from a synchrotron along a first beam transport line, through a nozzle system, and to the tumor according to a current version of the radiation treatment plan; (2) concurrent with the step of delivering, generating an image of the tumor using an imaging system; (3) the main controller automatically generating an updated version of the radiation treatment plan using the image, the updated version of the radiation treatment plan becoming the current version of the radiation treatment plan; and (4) repeating the steps of: delivering grouped bunches of the charged particles, generating an image of the tumor, and automatically generating the updated or current version of the radiation treatment plan with optional intervening doctor approval.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to make a photon-counting CT apparatus capable of more accurate data acquisition. Such apparatus is provided with a reference detection unit and a time measuring instrument to measure temporal fluctuations in a rotational direction of an X-ray irradiation unit. The apparatus corrects temporal fluctuations in the rotational direction involved in data measured by the reference detection unit, using time measurement data which is output by the time measuring instrument. Using corrected measurement data measured by the reference detection unit, the apparatus makes corrections of fluctuations pertaining to the X-ray tube of the X-ray irradiation unit and pile-up. Data corrections with high accuracy are thus enabled.

Abstract: Provided is a mobile radiation generation apparatus which reliably prevents the unsteady motion of a carriage unit with a simple structure and facilitates the positioning of an operation panel even in a case in which a wheel of the carriage unit is a caster. Each of a front wheel and a rear wheel of a carriage unit is a caster that swivels about a swivel axis extending in a vertical direction. An operation panel is provided in a main body unit mounted on the carriage unit. The operation panel rotates about an axis that extends in the Z-axis direction with respect to the carriage unit. The carriage unit includes a front pedal that is provided closer to the front wheel than a support and locks both the rotation and swivel of the caster at the same time.

Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes a photon counting detector and processing circuitry. The photon counting detector includes a plurality of detection areas arranged in a channel direction and a column direction and is configured to output detection signals corresponding to the quantity of photons incident thereto, the detection areas each including a plurality of detecting elements. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate a heat generation amount for each of the detection areas on the basis of the detection signal corresponding to the incident photons detected in the detection area, to determine a control amount on the basis of the heat generation amount calculated for each of the detection areas, and to control temperature in each of the detection areas by using the determined control amount.

Abstract: Provided is a calibration device for three-dimensional imaging equipment including a first bead group including first beads arranged in a first pattern, and a second bead group including second beads arranged in a second pattern different from the first pattern, wherein the first and second bead groups have different cross ratios or different segment ratios from each other, the first beads are arranged in a line, and the second beads are arranged in a line.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus is provided with a distance sensor for measuring an SSD which is a distance between a focal point of the X-ray tube and a surface of a subject M, an input unit for setting a reference SSD associated with an incident dose in which imaging is allowed, and a comparator for comparing an SSD at the time of imaging associated with the incident dose obtained by using the SD measured by the distance sensor and a reference SSD set by the input unit.

Abstract: A radiology assembly and a method for aligning such an assembly, comprising comprises: an x-ray tube for generating a beam of x-rays that is centered on a main emission direction; and substantially perpendicular to the main emission direction, a planar sensor to receive the x-rays.

Abstract: A spectral Doppler processor for an ultrasound system produces blood flow velocity estimates by processing a sequence of complex blood flow echo samples with an FFT algorithm. The FFT algorithm is executed with a long window of samples to produce velocity estimates with good velocity precision and is executed with a short window of samples to produce velocity estimates with good time precision. The long window algorithm is used when blood flow velocity is not changing rapidly, and the short window algorithm is used when blood flow velocity is changing rapidly.

Abstract: A pulmonary function measurement device, a pulmonary function measurement method, and a pulmonary function measurement program are disclosed. The pulmonary function measurement device for measuring data for evaluating a pulmonary function includes a sound output unit configured to be fixed to a body surface on one of front and rear sides of a lung, and outputs a sound toward the lung; a sound detection unit configured to be fixed to a body surface on one of the front and rear sides of the lung different from the side on which the sound output unit is to be fixed, and detects the sound from the sound output unit; a measurement unit configured to calculate a transmission time from when the sound output unit outputs the sound to when the sound detection unit detects the sound; and a variation calculation configured to calculate the amount of variation in the transmission time.

Abstract: An acoustic probe connectable to an imaging system. The acoustic probe has a substrate with first and second principal surfaces, at least one device insertion port comprising an opening passing through the substrate from the first principal surface to the second principal surface, and an array of acoustic transducer elements supported by the substrate and disposed around the at least one device insertion port. The acoustic probe comprising an instrument guide disposed within the device insertion port, the instrument guide being configured to selectively allow the interventional device to move freely within the device insertion port and to selectively lock the interventional device within the device insertion port in response to a user input via a user interface connected to the acoustic probe.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed with a priming hole for exhaust at a distal portion of the catheter, the priming hole being used when filling with a priming solution is performed, and movably and rotatably accommodates an imaging core. The catheter includes a first connector that is provided at a rear end portion of the catheter and is supported by a fixed connector portion of a motor drive unit included in an imaging apparatus for diagnosis and a second connector that is supported by a movable connector portion of the motor drive unit. The catheter includes a reservoir, which is provided in the first connector and has a volume which decreases depending on a pull-out length of the second connector from the first connector, and a supply route, through which a priming solution injected from a priming injection port is supplied to the reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed is an imaging transducer holding device for use with a patient that includes a holding structure which holds an imaging transducer and an attachment portion which attaches the holding structure to a patient. The holding device is useful for assessing the condition of a patient's blood vessel via ultrasound imaging. Also disclosed are a system and a method for imaging the vascular condition of a patient, the system containing the holding device and an imaging transducer.

Abstract: The ultrasonic oscillator unit has: an ultrasonic oscillator array in which a plurality of ultrasonic oscillators are arranged; an electrode part having a plurality of electrodes provided on an end surface side of the ultrasonic oscillator array and electrically connected to the plurality of ultrasonic oscillators, respectively; a backing material layer that is disposed on a back surface of the ultrasonic oscillator array, has an outer surface having a circular-arc cross-section and is provided with a recess on the inside thereof opposite to the outer surface; a wiring board having a plurality of wiring lines electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes of the electrode part; and a cable wiring part in which a plurality of cables connected to the plurality of wiring lines, respectively, are wiring-connected; at least a portion of the cable wiring part being included in the recess of the backing material layer.

Abstract: An apparent point-source transmit transducers comprises a substantially constant-thickness shell of piezoelectric material in a shape of a spherical-section. Such transducers may be sized such that a single apparent point-source transmit transducer may produce ultrasound waveforms with substantial energy in a medium to be imaged. Use of such transducers in three-dimensional ping-based imaging may permit deeper and higher quality imaging than may be possible with conventional transducers.

Abstract: Methods for acquiring ultrasonic data are disclosed. An image-acquiring system is provided. A three-dimensional target region is selected. A plurality of fiducial positions corresponding to anatomical features in the target region are calculated. A model of the target region comprising a plurality of target locations representing a plurality of planned locations in the target region at which ultrasonic data is to be acquired is created, and a visual representation of the model comprising a plurality of graphical elements is displayed. Ultrasonic data at each of the planned locations is acquired.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an annotation device (154) configured to generate annotations in images of a first imaging modality or a second imaging modality. A registration module (115) is configured to fuse images of the first and second imaging modalities including the annotations. A robot guidance control system (156) is configured to guide a robot (144) in accordance with the annotations and a measured position of the robot to position and maintain an assigned view position in a fused image of the first and second imaging modalities.

Abstract: Methods of ultrasound imaging, some of which comprise: generating one or more transmit beams towards a target region; defining one or more reception phase centers (“defined reception phase centers”), and for each of the one or more defined reception phase centers defining one or more reception boresights (“defined reception boresights”); for each of the one or more defined reception phase centers, for each of the one or more defined reception boresights, generating two or more receive beams using a probe (26) comprising a transducer array (30), wherein each of the two or more receive beams uses the corresponding defined reception phase center and the corresponding defined reception boresight, and wherein each of the two or more receive beams is associated with a different and distinct beam pattern; for each receive beam, producing beamformed range-gate data; and processing the beamformed range-gate data, said processing comprising, for at least one of the one or more defined reception phase centers, for at

Abstract: The invention is related to a system and method for determining a physiological condition. The system includes a processor configured to receive, from a first sensor, skin temperature measurements during a first period of time, wherein the first sensor is detachably and thermally coupleable to a user's skin, receive from a second sensor, measurements of ambient temperature during the first period of time, adjust the skin temperature measurements received from the first sensor using the ambient temperature measurements received from the second sensor to reduce ambient influence, receive one or more stored temperature measurements measured for at least a second time period, calculate representative temperature information for the first period of time based on the adjust skin temperature measurements from the first period of time and stored temperature measurements and display the representative temperature information.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for extraction and analysis (1) of anatomical tissues, such as synovial liquid and the like, comprising an extraction line (2, 21, 211, 212) of said tissue to be analyzed, having a needle (22), for the withdrawal of said tissue to be analyzed, an extraction duct (21, 211, 212), an extraction syringe (24), having an inlet/outlet mouth connected fluid-dynamically to said needle (22) by means of said extraction duct (21, 211, 212), and an analysis device (3), fluid-dynamically connected to said inlet/outlet mouth of said extraction syringe (24) by means of said extraction duct (21, 211, 212), said analysis device (32) having one or more receptacles (321, 322, 323), in each of which a respective reagent is arranged, and reading means (33), for detecting possible alterations of said reagents.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for restoring normal microbiota in pre-term newborns or newborns delivered by Cesarean section and methods for preventing or ameliorating diseases associated with delivery by Cesarean section or pre-term birth comprising administering to said newborns at the time of birth or shortly thereafter an effective amount of a vaginal microbiota inoculum obtained from the newborn's mother or a donor or an effective amount of a probiotic composition. The invention also relates to a device for collecting maternal vaginal microbiota from the vaginal canal of a patient. The device can have a housing forming a cavity, an absorbent material removable disposed within the cavity, and a deployment element disposed in the housing and movable along a length of the housing. The movement of the deployment element can displace the absorbent material out of the cavity and in to the vaginal canal.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge can be used for biofluid sample collection, preparation, and mixing with reagents. After sample collection, the cartridge can be inserted into a reader for sample analysis. This system can be used for detecting and measuring analytes, such as drugs, in saliva for example. This is useful for point of test detection of drugs in applications such as workplace drug testing and driving under the influence of drugs testing.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes an elongated probe having a central longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end. A tissue penetrating tip includes a proximal base and a sharp distal point. The proximal base is secured to the distal end of the elongated probe. The sharp distal point is distal to the proximal base and is aligned with the central longitudinal axis. The tissue penetrating tip has a plurality of concave surfaces annularly arranged to form at least three adjacent pairs of concave surfaces. Each concave surface of the plurality of concave surfaces extends from the proximal base to the sharp distal point. Each adjacent pair of concave surfaces intersect to form a concave curved cutting edge. Cumulatively, the at least three adjacent pairs of concave surfaces form a plurality of concave curved cutting edges that distally terminate at the sharp distal point.