Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise a fiber optic guidewire having a hypotube with a plurality of openings that provide variable stiffness and tracking characteristics between at least one proximal segment and one distal segment of the guidewire. In some embodiments, the guidewire further comprises a mandrel disposed within the hypotube, the mandrel cooperating with the optical fibers to permit the distal end of the hypotube to be shaped as desired by a user. Methods of manufacturing and using the guidewire are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical instrument may comprise a plurality of links disposed in series along an axial direction. The plurality of links also may comprise a brake assembly comprise one or more first braking components coupled to a first link in the pair of adjacent links and one or more second braking components coupled to a second link in the pair of adjacent links. The one or more first braking components and the one or more second braking components may have an interleaved arrangement with each other. The braking assembly may be actuatable between an engaged state and a disengaged state, wherein the one or more first braking components and the one or more second braking components inhibit the pair of adjacent links from pivoting relative to one another in the engaged state of the brake assembly, and wherein the one or more first braking components and the one or more second braking components permit the pair of adjacent links pivoting relative to one another in the disengaged state of the brake assembly.

Abstract: A flexible tube insertion support apparatus includes a generation section configured to generate propriety information regarding a propriety of a twisting operation of a flexible tube in accordance with a force quantity of an external force applied to the flexible tube when the flexible tube is twisted in a counterclockwise direction or a clockwise direction around a central axis of the flexible tube. The external force is detected by at least one external force detector that is disposed on the flexible tube to be inserted into the subject and configured to detect the external force. The flexible tube insertion support apparatus also includes an output section configured to output the propriety information generated by the generation section.

Abstract: Various apparatuses to attach a first medical device to a second medical device are described that allow the physician to grasp only a single device while the other device remains securely attached to the one being grasped. The apparatuses, once they are attached to the first medical device, are designed to be easily and quickly attached and detached to a second medical device, normally only requiring the use of one hand. Furthermore, the apparatuses oftentimes include a base that can easily couple and decouple from the portion that is attached to the second medical device so that if the need arises to separately use the second medical device, it can be decoupled from the first medical device without completely removing the apparatus from the second medical. device.

Abstract: An endoscope has a pannable camera at the distal end of its insertion shaft, the pannable camera assembly being pivotable to provide a range of a field of view that can be equal to or greater than 180 degrees. A terminal light emitting element may be mounted to the camera assembly in order to illuminate the immediate field of view of the camera sensor regardless of the rotational position of the camera assembly. A fluid-carrying conduit of the insertion section may also be used to house functional components, including the camera assembly, actuation cables, a communications cable connected to the camera sensor, and/or a fiberoptic cable providing light to the light emitting element. A distal section of the endoscope handle may be rotatable relative to a proximal hand-held section of the endo scope handle, a rotary encoder being provided to convert the rotational position of the insertion shaft relative to the handle into a signal for the purpose of image orientation correction by an electronic processor.

Abstract: A stereoscopic endoscope system includes: a first objective optical system, a second objective optical system, an image sensor which has a first image pickup range corresponding to a range of a field of view of the first objective optical system and a second image pickup range corresponding to a range of a field of view of the second objective optical system; and a monitor, wherein the stereoscopic endoscope system satisfies the condition (1) and condition (2).

Abstract: An exemplary method includes an image processing system Receiving a first frame captured at a first time from light received by an endoscope, the first frame including a first visible image, the first visible image comprising a first plurality of visible color components; receiving a second frame captured at a second time different from the first time from light received from the endoscope, the second frame including a combination image, the combination image being a combination of a second visible image and a first fluorescence image; creating a second fluorescence image, the second fluorescence image comprising artifacts from the first frame and the second frame; creating a third fluorescence image based on the second fluorescence image; and generating, based on the third fluorescence image, an image including an artificial fluorescence image for display by a display system.

Abstract: In an endoscope device, a light source unit is configured to sequentially emit first illumination light and second illumination light. The first illumination light includes visible light. The second illumination light includes first excitation light. At least the second illumination light out of the first illumination light and the second illumination light includes second excitation light. An excitation wavelength blocking filter has a characteristic of blocking a wavelength band of the first excitation light and a wavelength band of the second excitation light and a characteristic of transmitting a wavelength band of the visible light, a wavelength band of first fluorescence, and a wavelength band of second fluorescence. An imaging unit is configured to capture an image of the visible light, the first fluorescence, and the second fluorescence and configured to output a first imaging signal and a second imaging signal.

Abstract: An endoscope light source device includes: a plurality of solid-state light sources; a plurality of collimating lenses that respectively collimate light beams emitted from the plurality of solid-state light sources into substantially parallel light beams; a multiplexing optical member that multiplexes the light beams that have been collimated into substantially parallel light beams by the plurality of collimating lenses; at least one diaphragm disposed between at least one of the plurality of solid-state light sources and a corresponding at least one of the plurality of collimating lenses; and a focusing lens that focuses multiplexed light beams from the plurality of solid-state light sources and causes the light beams to enter an end surface of a light guide of an endoscope, wherein the at least one diaphragm blocks more peripheral light as an optical path length from each of the plurality of solid-state light sources to the focusing lens becomes smaller.

Abstract: A ureteroscope system includes a handle; an elongated shaft extends from the handle to a distal end and includes a working channel which is opened at the distal end; an external member extends from a proximal end to a distal end and is coupled to the shaft, the member includes a hub and a tube defining a first external channel; and a coupling mechanism defines first and second tubes and is coupled the distal end of the member to the distal end of the shaft. The first tube defines a first lumen and the second tube defines a second lumen which is sized and shaped to receive a distal end of the member. A proximal portion of the first tube is sized and shaped to be inserted into a distal portion of the shaft such that the first lumen is opened to the working channel.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for performing an ophthalmic diagnostic test are disclosed. In one aspect, a head-wearable device for administering an ophthalmic test to a subject can comprise a head-wearable frame for mounting the device onto the subject's head, and a light seal configured for coupling to the frame so as to isolate at least one eye of the subject from ambient light when the device is worn by the subject.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for performing an ophthalmic diagnostic test are disclosed. In one aspect, a head-wearable device for administering an ophthalmic test to a subject can comprise a head-wearable frame for mounting the device onto the subject's head, and a light seal configured for coupling to the frame so as to isolate at least one eye of the subject from ambient light when the device is worn by the subject.

Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus includes an OCT measurement unit, a corneal shape measurement unit, an eyeball model generator, and a site specifying unit. The OCT measurement unit is configured to acquire data of a subject's eye by deflecting measurement light using an optical scanner to project onto the subject's eye and detecting interference light between returning light of the measurement light from the subject's eye and reference light. The corneal shape measurement unit is configured to obtain curvature radius distribution on a cornea by detecting returning light of a measurement pattern projected onto a cornea of the subject's eye. The eyeball model generator is configured to generate an eyeball model using the curvature radius distribution on the cornea.

Abstract: An ophthalmic imaging apparatus of an exemplary aspect includes a data acquisition device, image constructing circuitry, and composing circuitry. The data acquisition device is configured to sequentially apply optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans to a plurality of regions different from each other of a fundus of a subject's eye in order and under a condition according to a fundus shape, to acquire a plurality of pieces of data corresponding to the plurality of regions. The image constructing circuitry is configured to construct an image from each of the plurality of pieces of data. The composing circuitry is configured to construct a composite image of a plurality of images constructed from the plurality of pieces of data by the image constructing circuitry.

Abstract: An optical probe includes first and second light guiding components, and a ball lens arranged along an optical axis and enclosed in a sheath having asymmetric optical power. The probe transmits at least two light beams including first and second beams each having a different wavelength. The ball lens has a curved surface and an angled surface arranged such that light is reflected off from the angled surface and focused by the curved surface at a working distance with a beam waist profile having lateral and longitudinal directions. Beam waist locations of the first and second beams are different from each other, and the beam waist profiles of the first and second beams in the lateral direction differs less than the beam waist profiles in the longitudinal direction. This ball lens design compensates for the sheath asymmetric optical power and provides balanced astigmatism and substantially achromatic performance.

Abstract: Methods and systems for adaptive configuration of ophthalmic devices are disclosed. An example method may comprise receiving, by a first sensor system disposed on or in a first ophthalmic device, sensor data representing movement of an eye of a user, wherein the first ophthalmic device is disposed within or upon an eye of the user; causing, based on the sensor data, storage of a history of movement of the eye; determining, based on the history of movement, a dwell characteristic indicating a distance at which the eye is fixated when an event occurs; and causing output of a signal indicative of performing an action in response to determining the dwell characteristic.

Abstract: A system is disclosed in which an eye-tracking sensor signal is received and a moving image is generated to be rendered on one or more displays based on the eye-tracking sensor signal. Responsive to an input control signal from a user-operable control device or based on a determination that the user's gaze direction is tracking the moving image, the system adjusts the moving image.

Abstract: A method of identifying iris includes: providing incident beams entering an eye locating at a reference position; setting a first, a second and a third reference point for locating the eye at the reference position; forming a first, a second and a third measuring glint by the incident beams after the eye moves from the reference position to a measuring position, and positions of the first, the second and the third measuring glint corresponding to the positions of the first, the second and the third reference point; capturing an eye image including a first, a second, a third measuring glint image and an iris image; comparing the gray scale value with a threshold gray scale value to obtain the positions of the first, the second and the third measuring glint; and calculating a first and a second variation to obtain an resolution variation of the iris image.

Abstract: An ophthalmologic information processing apparatus includes a reference data setting unit, a first region specifying unit, and a second region specifying unit. The reference data setting unit is configured to set, as first reference data, first fundus data among a plurality of fundus data of a fundus of a subject's eye acquired at different acquisition timings using optical coherence tomography. The first region specifying unit is configured to specify one or more first atrophy regions in the fundus by analyzing the first reference data. The second region specifying unit is configured to specify one or more second atrophy regions by analyzing second fundus data based on the one or more first atrophy regions, the second fundus data being acquired after the acquisition timing of the first reference data among the plurality of fundus data.

Abstract: A medical image diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to obtain a plurality of pieces of first medical information indicating wall motion parameters in a first local region and in a first global region, with respect to the heart of a first patient. The processing circuitry is configured to determine abnormality in the first local region on the basis of the plurality of pieces of first medical information.

Abstract: A detection device for active dental caries and/or tooth erosion, comprising a light detection means, fluid dispensing means, and an atomiser, wherein the fluid dispensing means and atomiser are in fluid communication such that a disclosing fluid contained within the fluid dispensing means is dispensed through the atomiser evenly onto a surface of interest.

Abstract: There is provided an insert including: a puncture needle main body which has an opening at a tip and is formed in a hollow shape and of which at least a tip portion is inserted into a subject; an optical fiber that is provided in a hollow portion of the puncture needle main body along a length direction of the puncture needle main body; and a photoacoustic wave generation portion that is provided at a light emission end of the optical fiber disposed on a tip side of the puncture needle main body, absorbs light emitted from the light emission end, and generates photoacoustic waves. A resin member provided at the light emission end of the optical fiber is formed in a shape having curvature.

Abstract: Provided are an insert that can detect the tip of the insert, such as a puncture needle, with high sensitivity and a photoacoustic measurement device including the insert. An insert includes: a puncture needle main body 15a which has an opening 15b at a tip and is formed in a hollow shape and of which at least a tip portion is inserted into a subject; an optical fiber 14 that is provided in a hollow portion 15c of the puncture needle main body 15a along a length direction of the puncture needle main body 15a; and a photoacoustic wave generation portion 16 that is provided at a light emission end 14a of the optical fiber 14 which is disposed on a tip side of the puncture needle main body 15a, absorbs light emitted from the light emission end 14a, and generates photoacoustic waves. A surface of the light emission end 14a of the optical fiber 14 is rougher than a surface of a light incident end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A method for determining a change of temperature of an object. The method may include heating an object and measuring scattering parameters (S-parameters) of scattered microwave electric fields from the object. A distorted Born iterative method may be used to determine a change of a dielectric property of the object based on the measured S-parameters. A change of temperature of the object may be determined based on the change of the dielectric property of the object.

Abstract: A sensing system comprising a sensing assembly and a reader device is provided according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The sensing assembly comprises at least one sensing device and a plurality of sensors coupled to the at least one sensing device. The reader device is coupled to the sensing assembly. The sensing assembly is configured to sense a plurality of body temperatures of a user by the plurality of sensors, and the sensing assembly is further configured to transmit sensing data reflecting the sensed body temperatures to the reader device via a communication interface of the at least one sensing device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method, an apparatus and a computer program for noninvasively determining a cause of a blood pressure change. The method includes at least: obtaining maximum amplitudes of heart sounds; monitoring changes in the maximum amplitudes; estimating change amounts of indexes on a myocardial contractile force and on vascular resistance, based on increasing or decreasing of a blood pressure of the patient, and the changes in the maximum amplitudes; and determining the cause of the blood pressure change of the patient as an effect of at least one of alpha action, alpha blockage, beta action and beta blockage, based on results of the estimation of the first change amount of the first index, the second change amount of the second index and the third change amount of the third index.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for estimating bio-information. The apparatus for estimating bio-information includes: a sensor part comprising a pulse wave sensor array configured to detect a pulse wave signal when an object contacts a contact surface of the sensor part, and a load sensor configured to detect a first contact load applied by the object to the contact surface; and a processor configured to obtain contact load distribution of the contact surface based on the pulse wave signal, and to estimate bio-information based on the contact load distribution.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention of the present application is non-invasive equipment for monitoring blood flows and/or respiratory cycles of a human or animal body, comprising at least one segment of conductive elastomer with variable resistance arranged so as to extend over the circumference of the body element and sensitive to the length of the circumference of said element, means for capturing said length by virtue of said variable resistance and supplying a signal representing said length, and means for processing said signal, comprising means for extracting parameters of the blood flows and/or respiratory cycles to be monitored.

Abstract: A bed includes: a bed body having a space for a user to rest; a monitoring device connected to the bed body, the monitoring device including a pressure detecting mechanism, a signal processing unit electrically coupled to the pressure detecting mechanism, and a monitoring unit electrically coupled to the signal processing unit. The pressure detecting mechanism is configured to detect pressure variations of the bed body, generate pressure data, and transmit the pressure data to the signal processing unit. The signal processing unit is configured to process the pressure data and generate processed signal data. The monitoring unit is configured to monitor the processed signal data.

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: The present invention relates, generally, to a component containing a composite of at least two layers that are connected to each other, in which the first layer comprises a hole and the second layer has a thickness in the range of 1 to 50 ?m. The first and second layers each contain at least one metal and compositions of the first and second layers are different. Further objects of the present invention include a method for producing a component containing at least two layers that are connected to each other and have the aforementioned features, a method for producing a component containing at least three layers that are connected to each other and have the aforementioned features, as well as a component that is obtained by one of the aforementioned methods and a device containing at least one of the aforementioned components for use in a living body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for revascularization assessment. The methods can in some cases include one or more of the steps of measuring blood perfusion as a function of time to obtain time series data, mathematically transforming the time series data into a power spectrum, calculating at least one parameter of the power spectrum within a specific frequency range, and using the at least one calculated parameter as a discriminator for the first population and the second population.

Abstract: Patient therapy and patient condition sensing devices and methods can be operated as a function of estimated internal hydrostatic pressure of a body part, for example at a position where a pressure or compression therapy is applied. Information relating to a patient's position, posture, ambulation and/or a physiological condition such as blood pressure can be used to control pressure or compression therapy.

Abstract: The disclosure includes an apparatus for insertion into a body lumen. The apparatus can comprise an optical fiber pressure sensor. The optical fiber pressure sensor can comprise an optical fiber configured to transmit an optical sensing signal. A temperature compensated Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) interferometer can be in optical communication with the optical fiber. The FBG interferometer can be configured to receive a pressure and modulate, in response to the received pressure, the optical sensing signal. A compliant member such as a sensor membrane can be in physical communication with the FBG interferometer. The membrane configured to transmit the received pressure to the FBG interferometer.

Abstract: A heated blood pressure cuff assembly for warming a blood pressure cuff includes an electronic blood pressure monitor that has a plurality of controls and a display. A blood pressure cuff is provided and is in fluid communication with the electronic blood pressure monitor for checking blood pressure in a patient. A heating unit is coupled to the blood pressure cuff and the heating unit is in thermal communication with the blood pressure cuff. The heating unit warms the blood pressure cuff when the heating unit is turned on thereby inhibiting a physiological response to cold in the patient when the blood pressure cuff is applied.

Abstract: A method of generating a model for heart rate estimation from a photoplethysmography, PPG, signal of a subject comprises: receiving (102) subject-specific training data for machine learning, said training data comprising a PPG signal from the subject and a heart rate indicating signal from the subject, wherein the heart rate indicating signal provides a ground truth of heart rates of the subject for associating a heart rate with a time period of the PPG signal; using (104) associated pairs of a heart rate and a complete dataset of a time-series of a PPG signal over a time period as input to a deep neural network, DNN; and determining (106; 312), through the DNN, a subject-specific model relating the PPG signal of the subject to the heart rate of the subject.

Abstract: A diagnostic mask and method of diagnosing are disclosed. The method includes collecting data from a plurality of sensors in a mask placed on a patient's face such that the mask covers the patient's eyes, the data representing a plurality of health signs of the patient, wherein at least one of the health signs relates to the patient's eyes; and transmitting a signal from the mask, the signal representing the data representing the plurality of health signs.

Abstract: A system for reporting cardiologic data includes a patient-portable monitoring device and circuitry. The monitoring device is configured to detect electrocardiogram (ECG) data and patient-initiated event data. The circuitry is configured to receive the ECG data and the patient-initiated event data; detect atrial fibrillation (AF) events in the ECG data; calculate the duration of each AF event by subtracting the respective start time from the respective stop time of each AF event; compare the duration of each AF event to a first duration threshold; store each AF event having a duration exceeding the first duration threshold; calculate a monitoring time period duration by subtracting the monitoring start time from the monitoring stop time; calculate, based on the stored AF events, AF burden; and output a graphical presentation of the patient-initiated event data, AF burden, and stored AF events. The first duration threshold is less than 30 seconds.

Abstract: Methods and systems methods for continuously monitoring a patient for cardiac electrical abnormalities including atrial fibrillation, asystole, ventricular fibrillation and tachycardia.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an electro-mechanic assembly comprising a snap connector. In order to provide a connection interface for an electronic device having a housing with at least one protruding stud which detachably fits within a socket region of the snap connector, the electro-mechanic assembly comprises a snap and at least one material layer being in at least one portion electrically conductive to electrically connect least one electrode with the snap. At least one surface of said snap is metallic and deposited with a non-oxidizing conductive material layer which faces and is in contact with a conductive portion of the material layer.

Abstract: A pulse discrimination device is configured to receive an electrical signal from a living body in which a functional pulse propagates at a predetermined time interval, and is configured to discriminate between the functional pulse and a noise pulse which are included in the electrical signal. The pulse discrimination device includes: a pulse detector configured to sequentially detect an electrical pulse included in the electrical signal based on variation in an intensity of the electrical signal received from the living body; and a pulse discrimination unit configured to determine whether the electrical pulse detected by the pulse detector is the functional pulse or the noise pulse based on a detection interval of the electrical pulse detected by the pulse detector and a pulse time predetermined based on the predetermined time interval.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of computer technologies, and provides a brainprint signal recognition method and a terminal device. The method includes: acquiring a brainprint signal to be classified, mapping the brainprint signal to be classified into a vector space, and determining a coefficient vector of the brainprint signal to be classified; acquiring class centers and distance thresholds of respective existing classes in the vector space, where each of the existing classes corresponds to a brainprint signal set; and determining, according to the coefficient vector of the brainprint signal to be classified and the class centers and the distance thresholds of the respective existing classes, the class to which the brainprint signal to be classified belongs.

Abstract: A bioelectric interface for monitoring, detection and transmission of detected ECG data is provided comprising a sensory system for detecting bio-physiological measurements utilizing spatially resolved potential profiles obtained from a localized cluster of sub-electrodes to form constituent sets of miniature sensor arrays. Using only a single macro-electrode, two or more sets of sub-electrode arrays are used to measure bipolar spatial gradients obtained from measured cardiac potentials. The sets of sub-electrodes containing the clusters are optimized to attain measurable gradients of diagnostic value. A minimax procedure allows bio-potential sensory acquisition through a bi-directional digital steering process, which essentially comprises monitoring, detection, selection, grouping, recording and transmission of ECG waveform characteristic data.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a flexible, comfortable breast radio frequency (RF) coil assembly for a magnetic resonance imaging system. The breast RF coil assembly may include two cups each housing eight RF coils arranged in an overlapping fashion. The breast RF coil assembly may further include respective flanking coil arrays on a side of each cup, with each flanking coil array housing four RF coils.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatuses and computer readable media for measuring sub-epidermal moisture in patients to determine damaged tissue for clinical intervention. The present disclosure also provides methods for determining damaged tissue.

Abstract: Aspects of the instant disclosure relate to various types of medical catheters with a deformable body that deflect in response to a force exerted on the catheter tip. A magnetic field sensor and permanent magnet respectively coupled on either side of the deformable body are used to determine a change in a magnetic field associated with the deflection of the catheter tip. Controller circuitry may receive a signal from the magnetic field sensor indicative of the deflection of the deformable body and associate the signal with the force exerted.

Abstract: A method for determining the 3D location of a catheter distal end portion in a patient's body, the distal end portion including an electrode, the method comprising: (a) placing first and second body-surface patches on the patient in positions such that body region of interest is therebetween; (b) driving an alternating current between the patches; (c) measuring the voltage at the electrode and substantially contemporaneously capturing a 2D fluoroscopic image of the region of interest; and (d) determining the 3D location of the catheter distal end portion from the image and the measured voltage. A primary application of this method is 3D navigation during cardiac interventional procedures.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, from a probe that comprises electrodes and is positioned inside a cavity in an organ of a patient, (i) proximity signals indicative of proximity of the electrodes to a wall of the cavity, and (ii) position signals indicative of positions of the electrodes within the cavity. Based on the proximity signals and the position signals, at least a portion of a volume of the cavity is represented by a sphere model including multiple spheres. An estimated contour of the wall of the cavity is calculated based on the sphere-model. The estimated contour of the wall is presented to a user.

Abstract: A breath analyzer device includes a tube for communicating a breath sample from a user of the breath analyzer device, the tube having a first opening where the breath sample enters and a second opening where the breath sample exits. The tube is adapted to provide minimal restrictions on the flow of the breath sample. The device also includes an oxygen sensor and carbon dioxide sensor disposed partially within the tube and adapted to detecting an amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide present in the breath sample respectively. The device also includes a controller adapted to receive data from the oxygen sensor and the carbon dioxide sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes devices, methods and systems for modifying or altering gait kinematics via sensory augmentation and/or modifying muscle activation patterns via augmented motor learning to slow the progression of and/or reduce the pain associated with knee OA, particularly during gait (e.g., walking, running, stair climbing, etc.). Sensors can be used to measure gait parameters and characteristics and muscle activation patterns. Stimulation can be provided to the individual in order to promote learning new gait kinematics and muscle activation patterns.