Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods to receive physiologic information from a patient using an ambulatory medical device, and to determine an indication of cardiotoxicity using the received physiologic information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a physiological sensing and therapeutic administration system. The system comprises a sensor and a pharmacokinetic (PK) server. The sensor (e.g., a physiological sensor) is configured to acquire real-time physiological measurements of a patient. The PK server is configured to determine a recommended administration of a therapeutic for the patient based on the acquired real-time physiological measurements of the patient. Due to the patient metabolizing therapeutic, the therapeutic has a time-varying concentration level in the patient. For instance, the concentration of the therapeutic in the patient decreases after an infusion.

Abstract: Techniques for shielding wearable surface electromyography (sEMG) devices are described. According to some aspects, an sEMG device may comprise amplification circuitry comprising at least a first differential amplifier and at least two sEMG electrodes electrically connected to the amplification circuitry. The device may further comprise at least one auxiliary conductor not electrically connected to the amplification circuitry, wherein the at least one auxiliary conductor is configured to be electrically coupled to a wearer of the wearable device, and an electromagnetic shield surrounding the wearable device at least in part and electrically connected to the at least one auxiliary conductor.

Abstract: Provided is an electronic device to monitor a user's biological measurements in two stages, where the first stage determines whether to make measurements and/or appraisals in the second stage.

Abstract: An oral device for checking a time to go to a dentist. The oral device includes a pH sensor configured to measure pH within an oral cavity, a housing on which the pH sensor is mounted, a processor configured to analyze measured pH from the pH sensor, and a wireless communication unit functionally connected to the processor and configured to perform communication with an external device. The oral device is useful for a patient who needs continuous management such as an implant surgery patient by allowing the patient to visually and easily check a time to go to a dentist and an individual oral condition of the patient. Further, by allowing the user to simply check the condition of the oral cavity at home, it is possible to more effectively manage the condition of the teeth and to save medical expenses.

Abstract: A method of providing XR contents for a passenger in a vehicle includes: checking whether or not the passenger has a specific disease based on the health information of the passenger on board the vehicle; receiving a condition monitoring result of the passenger from the vehicle; determining whether or not the passenger has an abnormal symptom based on the check result and the received condition monitoring result of the passenger; and displaying XR contents based on at least one of the determination result and the health information of the passenger.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a garment including a plurality of biometric sensors and adapted to cover a body part, a shoulder, and an upper limb of a subject, the plurality of biometric sensors being attached to the garment so that when the subject wears the garment each of them comes into contact with a respective one of a plurality of testing places, in which biometric sensors that are adjacent to each other across a shoulder joint are connected to each other by a wiring cable that passes above an acromial end, and biometric sensors that are adjacent to each other across an elbow joint are connected to each other by a wiring cable that passes an outer side of a lateral epicondyle.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the arterial structure of the hand of a subject, the apparatus comprising a wrist pulse measurement device configured to measure wrist pulse signals at the wrist of the subject, a digit pulse measurement device configured to measure digit pulse signals at the digits of the hand, the apparatus being configured to compare the arrival time of one or more waveform features in a wrist pulse signal and the arrival time of the corresponding feature in two or more digit pulse signals in order to determine a pulse transit time for each of the one or more waveform features, thereby estimating the arterial structure of the hand.

Abstract: Disclosed here is an active device for monitoring animal being capable of measuring vital signs of the animal and actively signaling an external apparatus. The device comprises a pin adapted to penetrate a predetermined portion of the animal; a gasket having two ring portions formed as one piece; a base having a first sleeve portion for allowing the pin to squeeze through so as to be engaged with each other and blocking the pin from slipping off after engagement; a monitoring unit; and a cover having a second sleeve portion to receive the first sleeve portion, and being joined with the base in a waterproof manner so as to accommodate the monitoring unit therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to medical nanobots with embedded biosensors for real-time and continuous in-vivo anatomic localization, diagnosis, disease surveillance, and therapeutic intervention.

Abstract: A transvascular pressure sensing device including a housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion opposite the distal portion, the proximal portion including a blood pressure sensor disposed therein, a compliant balloon surrounding at least a portion of the housing and defining a fluid chamber therebetween, the fluid chamber including a first portion defining a first volume and a second portion defining a second volume greater than the first volume, and a fluid disposed within the fluid chamber and exerting a hydraulic pressure on the balloon, the blood pressure sensor being configured to measure a change in the hydraulic pressure when a force is distributed over the second portion of the balloon.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive device including a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion opposite the proximal portion, the distal portion being made of a shape memory alloy, a flexible diaphragm at least partially surrounding the body and defining a fluid chamber between the flexible diaphragm and the distal portion of the body, and a non-compressible fluid disposed within the flexible diaphragm and exhibiting a hydraulic pressure in communication with the flexible diaphragm.

Abstract: Mattress assemblies and pillows are provided that include a flexible biosensor array provided on a layer of the mattress assembly for sensing an electrical conductivity associated with sweat emitted from an end user of the mattress assembly and producing an ionic concentration of at least one electrolyte; and a processor connected to the flexible biosensor array for interpreting the ionic concentration of the at least one electrolyte. Also disclosed are processes for monitoring and analyzing sweat from an end user of the mattress assemblies and pillows.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining rotational data and translational data for a joint. The rotational and translational data is indicative of rotational and translational movement of the joint during rotational and translational joint testing, respectively. The rotational and translational joint testing is implemented by a robotic testing apparatus. Respective zero torque points are determined for the rotational and translational movement based on the rotational data and the translational data. The respective zero torque points are combined for the rotational and translational movement to determine an equilibrium position for the joint. A biomechanical characteristic of the joint is ascertained based on an analysis of the equilibrium position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for minimizing or eliminating transient non-glucose related signal noise due to non-glucose rate limiting phenomenon such as ischemia, pH changes, temperatures changes, and the like. The system monitors a data stream from a glucose sensor and detects signal artifacts that have higher amplitude than electronic or diffusion-related system noise. The system replaces some or the entire data stream continually or intermittently including signal estimation methods that particularly address transient signal artifacts. The system is also capable of detecting the severity of the signal artifacts and selectively applying one or more signal estimation algorithm factors responsive to the severity of the signal artifacts, which includes selectively applying distinct sets of parameters to a signal estimation algorithm or selectively applying distinct signal estimation algorithms.

Abstract: A datum warning method and a datum rebuilding method are applied to a bio-sensor module equipped in a wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device includes a warning interface and a bio-sensor module coupled with the warning interface. The bio-sensor module includes a sensor and a processor electrically connected with the sensor. The sensor is adapted to continuously receive a plurality of physical signal. The processor is adapted to identify if one specific physical signal meets a predefined condition, and output a warning signal to show a reminder via the warning interface when the specific physical signal is identified. Further, the processor is adapted to display each of the physical signals via the warning interface, and replace at least one of the physical signals and then store the replaced physical signal with non-replaced physical signals for rebuilding a statistic curve.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus comprise a model to accurately assess and track changes in physical activity and locomotor patterns measured by an activity sensor such as accelerometer or step counter of mobile and wearable devices to evaluate the age, hazard rate or hazard ratio, frailty, obesity and type 2 diabetes status. The model is capable of detecting age-related and age-independent hazard rate or hazard ratio and other related parameters such as age, biological age, frailty, obesity and type 2 diabetes status that are detectable in activity sensor data acquired from freely moving subjects engaged in routine activities. The disclosed methods and apparatus have sufficient accuracy for practical implementation in personal and corporate wellness with readily available mobile devices such as personal smartphones and wristbands.

Abstract: A method, computer system, and a computer program product for automated smart watch assistance is provided. The present invention may include detecting a distress signal from a sensor of a distressed user device. The present invention may then include broadcasting a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) request based on detecting the distress signal from the sensor of the distressed user device. The present invention may then include receiving a response to the broadcasted CPR request based on an altered direction of travel of a responding user device. The present invention may finally include establishing a connection between the distressed user device and the responding user device.

Abstract: A health notification system includes a wearable device for monitoring a vital sign of a user, a mobile device communicably coupled to the wearable device, and a software interface configured to operate a mobile application being located on the mobile device. The wearable device further includes a wireless communication module configured to communicate with the mobile device. Upon notification that the wearable device has detected a specified condition, the mobile application executes a message trigger function established to deliver at least one preconfigured message to a recipient or recipients.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for synthetic CT image creation that allow MR-only radiotherapy of cancer patients, e.g., head and neck (H&N) cancer patients, prostate cancer patients, patients with cancer of the pelvis, abdomen cancer patients, patients with cancer of the extremities, brain cancer patients, or thorax cancer patients. The methods and systems described herein feature image processing techniques that improve the similarity between CT and MR images prior to CT-MR image registration, as well as standardization of the MR intensity histograms prior to MR-MR registration. Application of the techniques result in more accurate assignment of the Hounsfield unit to each point in the synthetic CT compared to other atlas-based methods, providing for more accurate dosing in MR-only radiotherapy simulation and planning.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating arterial flow information can include a processor generating a time attenuation sequence for each point of a pair of points along a segment of a coronary artery structure. The processor can determine the arterial flow velocity between the pair of points using the distance between the pair of points and the difference between average transit times associated with the pair of points. The one or more processors can determine the average transit times across the same time window. The processor can determine the arterial flow velocity between the pair of points using the distance between the pair of points and the difference between a first time duration that a number of particles take to pass by a first point of the pair of points and a second time duration that the number of particles take to pass by the other point.

Abstract: Radiation therapy systems and their components, including secondary radiation shields. At least some versions of the disclosed systems combine a radiation delivery device, a primary radiation shielding device, and a secondary shielding layer into an integrated, modular unit. This is accomplished by using a small direct beam shield capable of blocking a primary beam from a radiation delivery device. In turn, a thinner shielding layer can be used to surround the radiation delivery device and primary shielding device, enabling a single modular unit to be delivered to an installation site. In some embodiments, a bed may be disposed within the secondary shielding layer. In some embodiments, the system is configured to provide up to 4-pi (4?) steradians of radiation coverage to the bed from the radiation delivery device.

Abstract: A method is for monitoring the status of an X-ray tube assembly for an X-ray facility, including an X-ray source. In an embodiment, the method includes determining input information describing at least one of an application of the X-ray source, a current status of the X-ray source, and a current status of surroundings of the X-ray source. The method further includes deriving status information to be issued to a user, using the input information determined; and displaying the status information derived on an indicator device. The condition-related information, describing transportation conditions during transportation, is used as the input information.

Abstract: A system (300) for radiation dose monitoring in a medical environment (305) includes an imaging device (310) for directing radiation (312) onto a patient (315) and a radiation dose measuring device (325) for measuring a radiation dose of at least one medical personnel (320) within the medical environment (305). The system further includes a processor (327) for receiving radiation dose information of the patient or of the at least one medical personnel, and for rendering, in real-time, a virtual object (401) associated with each radiation dose measuring device (325), the virtual object (401) representing radiation dose information. The system can further include a display (340) for displaying distribution of radiation (505) in the medical environment (305).

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and storage mediums for angiography are provided. In one aspect, a method includes: obtaining a first contrast image sequence collected by a X-ray detector of a DSA system at a first position; obtaining a flow path of a contrast medium by analyzing the first contrast image sequence; when the contrast medium is about to flow out of a collection area of the X-ray detector according to the flow path, controlling the X-ray detector to move to a second position, so that the contrast medium remains within the collection area; when the X-ray detector is located at the second position, obtaining a virtual mask image based on a last frame of the first contrast image sequence and a first frame of a second contrast image sequence collected by the X-ray detector at the second position; and generating a DSA image sequence by using the virtual mask image.

Abstract: A deep learning (DL) convolution neural network (CNN) reduces noise in positron emission tomography (PET) images, and is trained using a range of noise levels for the low-quality images having high noise in the training dataset to produceuniform high-quality images having low noise, independently of the noise level of the input image. The DL-CNN network can be implemented by slicing a three-dimensional (3D) PET image into 2D slices along transaxial, coronal, and sagittal planes, using three separate 2D CNN networks for each respective plane, and averaging the outputs from these three separate 2D CNN networks. Feature-oriented training can be implemented by segmenting each training image into lesion and background regions, and, in the loss function, applying greater weights to voxels in the lesion region. Other medical images (e.g. MRI and CT) can be used to enhance resolution of the PET images and provide partial volume corrections.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting abnormal heart sounds in a phonocardiogram of a person are disclosed. At least one segmented cardiac cycle of the phonocardiogram is received at a processor. The processor decomposes the segmented cardiac cycle into a plurality of frequency sub-bands using a first convolutional neural network having, in particular a plurality of time-convolution layers (tConv). The kernel weights of each time-convolution layer are learned in a training process such that the time-convolution layers identify pathologically significant frequency sub-bands. The processor determines a probability that the segmented cardiac cycle contains an abnormal heart sound based on the plurality of frequency sub-band segments using at least one further neural network. In some embodiments, the time-convolution layers are configured to have a linear phase response (LP-tConv) or a zero phase response (ZP-tConv).

Abstract: A wireless stethoscope is described, having wireless sensors that are enclosed in disposable pads so that the same pads are not used on more than one patient, preventing cross-infection of patients associated with conventional stethoscopes. The present wireless stethoscope also detects pulmonary sounds and cardiac sounds, allowing the user to monitor one or the other without interference. Also described is a method for diagnosing a pulmonary condition using the wireless stethoscope.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system and method acquire a sequence of image data as a bolus of contrast agent washes into and out of the liver. The image data of contrast intensity is used to compute time-intensity curves of contrast flow in the hepatic artery, the portal vein, and at one or more regions of interest in the liver. The time-intensity curve of contrast flow in the hepatic artery is scaled to the time-intensity curve of contrast flow in a region of interest to produce time-intensity curve data representing the flow of blood at the region of interest due to arterial flow. The time-intensity curve data representing the flow of blood at the region of interest due to arterial flow is subtracted from the time-intensity curve of contrast flow in the region of interest to produce time-intensity curve data representing the flow of blood at the region of interest due to venous flow.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards systems and methods for detecting and sizing mineralized tissue. An exemplary method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, can provide for imaging a region of interest containing the mineralized tissue with unfocused ultrasound beams via a primary imaging method. The method can then provide for computing a wavefront coherence at the imaged region of interest. The method can then provide for segmenting pixels of the imaged region of interest based on their intensities and intensities of surrounding pixels. The method can then provide for identifying a border and a shadow of the mineralized tissue based on the segmenting. Then, the method can provide for calculating a size of the mineralized tissue based on the border and the shadow.

Abstract: A method of analyzing the quality of bone at one or more bone regions during an orthopedic surgical procedure includes an initial audio sample being recorded with an acoustic sensor, while a cutting instrument cuts a first region of a bone. The first audio sample is stored as a reference sample that represents a good degree of bone quality. A second audio sample is recorded with the acoustic sensor, while the cutting instrument cuts a second region of the bone. The second audio sample is compared to the reference sample to analyze the bone quality at the second region of the bone. A system for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A hand-held type ultrasonic probe includes a housing having a reception region portion and a grip portion. The reception region portion includes an ultrasonic element array which receives ultrasonic waves and the grip portion includes a vibration actuator.

Abstract: There is provided an assembly for hands-free ultrasonic monitoring and imaging via a suprasternal notch of a target individual, comprising: a cradle comprising: a lower portion having a surface shaped according to a surface of an anatomical region including a suprasternal notch of sample individual(s), and a holding portion connected to the lower portion, the holding portion shaped to fit a housing component, the holding portion including at least one elongated slot elongated at a predefined angle relative to the surface of the lower portion, and a housing component comprising: an ultrasound transducer, a multi-directional mechanism for adjusting the position of the ultrasound transducer within the housing component along at least two degrees of freedom, and a securing mechanism set at a location within housing component for engaging the at least one elongated slot of the cradle when housing component is fitted within the holding portion of the cradle.

Abstract: A method of generating an image of a medical instrument using a medical apparatus includes a catheter, a medical instrument assembly, and an imaging assembly. The catheter has a first working channel terminating with a first distal exit, and a second working channel terminating with a second distal exit. The medical instrument assembly has a medical instrument adapted to be housed within the first working channel and adapted to be extendable through the first distal exit to an extended position beyond the first distal exit to intercept a target tissue. The imaging assembly includes an imaging device adapted to be housed within the second working channel and is extendable through the second distal exit to an extended position beyond the second distal exit. The imaging device is adapted to generate an image in an image plane of the distal end of the medical instrument when the distal end of the medical instrument is extended out the first distal exit.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for portable medical ultrasound imaging. Preferred embodiments utilize a hand portable, battery powered system having a display and a user interface operative to control imaging and display operations. A keyboard control panel can be used alone or in combination with touchscreen controls to actuate a graphical user interface. Exemplary embodiments also provide an ultrasound engine circuit board including one or more multi-chip modules, and a portable medical ultrasound imaging system including an ultrasound engine circuit board.

Abstract: A multi-patch ultrasound array according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of patches of transducer elements, the plurality of patches arranged along a first direction of the array, and a frame connecting the plurality of patches such that adjacent ones of the plurality of patches are slidable relative to one another in a second direction of the array which is perpendicular to the first direction. An ultrasound system according to the present disclosure includes a multi-patch ultrasonic array comprising a plurality of ultrasound patches, each individually operable to transmit ultrasound toward a region of interest and receive echoes from the region of interest, wherein each patch is slidable in relation to an adjacent patch, an ultrasound scanner configured to generate an ultrasound image from the received echoes, and a communication link configured to selectively couple each of the plurality of patches to the ultrasound scanner.

Abstract: Provided is a wireless ultrasound probe configured to detect a state in which the wireless ultrasound probe is detached from a charging terminal of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, causing supply of the charging power to the wireless ultrasound probe to be discontinued, and the wireless ultrasound probe is paired with the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus by using a wireless communication scheme when supply of the charging power is discontinued. Also provided are an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and an operating method of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus configured to be automatically paired with a wireless ultrasound probe in a state in which the wireless ultrasound probe is detached from a charging terminal of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, causing supply of the charging power to the wireless ultrasound probe to be discontinued.

Abstract: Various embodiments include systems and methods for utilizing depth from ultrasound volume rendering for 3D printing. Volumetric ultrasound dataset may be generated, based on echo ultrasound signals, and one or more volume rendered ultrasound images, based on the volumetric ultrasound dataset, may be displayed. Based on the one or more volume rendered ultrasound images and/or the volumetric ultrasound dataset, three-dimensional (3D) printing data may be generated. The 3D printing data may be configured to enable producing, via a 3D printer, a physical volume representation of one or more objects and/or structures in the one or more volume rendered ultrasound images. The 3D printing data may be based on 3D modeling of at least a portion of at least one of the one or more volume rendered ultrasound images. The 3D modeling may comprise a surface mesh representation.

Abstract: An ultrasonic blood flow parameter displaying method, comprises: acquiring, by means of a probe (1), an ultrasonic signal from an object to be scanned (S100); acquiring, according to the ultrasonic signal, a plurality of velocities and directions of blood flow within the object to be scanned (S200); extracting the plurality of velocities and directions of blood flow (S300); quantifying the dispersion of the plurality of velocities and directions of the blood flow extracted (S400); and displaying the quantization result of the dispersion (S500). The present invention provides a method for quantifying and evaluating the direction of the motion of blood flow, and provides a better perspective of observation for a user.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for imaging includes an input interface (54) and a processor (50). The input interface receives a sequence of input images of a target. Each input image includes a grid of pixels representing reflections of a transmitted signal from reflectors or scatterers in the target. A resolution of the input images is degraded by a measurement process of capturing the input images in the sequence. The processor derives, from the sequence of input images, an aggregated image in which each pixel comprises a statistical moment calculated over corresponding pixels of the input images, and converts the aggregated image into a super-resolution image of the target, having a higher resolution than the input images, by applying to the aggregated image a recovery function, which outputs the super-resolution image as a solution to the recovery function, provided that the reflectors or scatterers are sparse or compressible in a predefined transform domain.

Abstract: A medical system according to an embodiment includes a medical apparatus and a first terminal. The medical apparatus is configured to have medical information therein. The first terminal is configured to be communicably connected to the medical apparatus so as to be able to transmit and receive the medical information thereto and therefrom, to have a function of an access point, and to cause a display to display a first code containing identification information of the access point. The first terminal is configured to be communicably connected to a second terminal having read the first code so as to be able to transmit and receive medical information thereto and therefrom.

Abstract: An ultrasound system (100) includes an ultrasound transducer, a processing circuit (300), and a display. The ultrasound transducer is configured to detect ultrasound information from a patient (610) and output the ultrasound information as an ultrasound data sample (612), the ultrasound information representing blood flow of the patient. The processing circuit (300) is configure to determine a first characteristic of a first plurality of the ultrasound data samples (614) detected prior to a current ultrasound data sample, the first characteristic representing periodic features of the blood flow, determine a second characteristic of the current ultrasound data sample (616), compare the first characteristic to the second characteristic (618), modify the current ultrasound data sample based on the comparison (620), and output spectrum information (622) of the current ultrasound data sample modified based on the comparison of the first characteristic and the second characteristic.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system is provided which can obtain an accurate synthesized image, even if a specimen has a surface with a large curvature. An ultrasonic imaging system may include a probe and processing circuitry. The probe may perform scan of first and second ultrasonic waves different from each other. The processing circuitry may generate a first ultrasonic image based on the first ultrasonic wave and generate a second ultrasonic image based on the second ultrasonic wave. The processing circuitry may calculate a spatial relationship based on two first ultrasonic images at two positions and two second ultrasonic images at the two positions. The processing circuitry may synthesize one of the first and second ultrasonic images at one of the two positions with the one of the first and second ultrasonic images at the other position based on the calculated relationship.

Abstract: A system 100 comprises a first medical image capture apparatus UL1 and a second medical image capture apparatus UL2 that share values of at least some of a plurality of preferences and are of different kinds, wherein a first control device 81 in the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL1 executes an output function of outputting a value of a preference that the first input device 71 has accepted, to a server 104 along with information on the kind of the first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL1, and a server control device 1411 converts the output value of the preference based on conversion information, and then, transmits the converted value to the second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2. The second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus UL2 converts the converted value from the server 104 into that in the kind of the second medical image capture apparatus, and performs setting of the converted value.

Abstract: A device may comprise a work element, an outer tube co-axially disposed around a portion of the work element and a collar assembly. The work element may be configured to rotate and define proximal and distal ends, and may comprise a body portion, one or more articulable beak(s) configured to cut tissue, and a beak actuation portion. The collar assembly may be coupled to the work element away from the articulable beak(s), and may comprise a distal collar element coupled to the body portion, a middle collar element coupled to the outer tube and a proximal collar element coupled to the beak actuation portion. The distal collar element may comprise a first peripheral surface that extends around the distal collar element and that faces the proximal end and the middle collar element may comprise a second peripheral surface that that extends around the middle collar element, faces the distal end and at least partially contacts the first peripheral surface.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a first cannula driver connected to a first cannula and a second cannula driver connected to a second cannula. The first cannula driver has a first rack member and a flange. The second cannula driver has a second rack member. A drive assembly has a linear motor drive, a transmission assembly, a switching motor drive, and an electrical controller circuit. The electrical controller circuit is configured to execute program instructions to selectively operate the linear motor drive and the switching motor drive. The transmission assembly has a gear assembly drivably coupled to the switching motor drive and configured to releasably engage at least one of the first rack member of the first cannula driver and the second rack member of the second cannula driver. A coupler member is connected to the linear motor drive, and is configured to engage the flange of the first cannula driver.

Abstract: A medical instrument having an aspiration needle, handle device and an actuation force limiter. The actuation force limiter provides an active or passive force release mechanism that keeps the force from overpowering operation of the needle.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and kits for the retrieval of samples from a biopsy needle and to methods of using such devices. In one embodiment, components of the system are supplied in the form of a kit contained in packaging that is utilized during the retrieval of the sample.

Abstract: Systems and methods for closing a tissue defect are disclosed. The systems may include a subcutaneous guide that is placed transcutaneously between two skin access sites and a self-locking strap that may be advanced into the body through a first access site via a first needle and then passed to a second needle. The strap may be withdrawn with the second needle through a second access site to the outside of the body. The strap may be withdrawn from the first needle, leaving the strap placed through both access sites and across the defect. As the subcutaneous guide is withdrawn from the body it pulls the captured strap such that both ends of the strap protrude from the first access site, allowing the strap to be tightened around the defect. Devices for closure of a tissue defect are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wound closure apparatus can be a self-contained device for delivery and deployment of a wound plug. The apparatus can include a post and a wound plug. The post can have a top end, a bottom end, and an interior channel located between the top end and the bottom end. The bottom end of the post can include a plurality of perforations extending from the interior channel to an outer surface of the post. The wound plug can include a body and a bladder, the bladder disposed around the body. In an assembled configuration of the wound closure apparatus, the bottom end of the post is positioned through an opening of the bladder such that the bladder can receive a fluid through the interior channel and the plurality of perforations.