Abstract: A method for monitoring at least one cardiac tissue. The method comprises a) intercepting a plurality of reflections of an electromagnetic (EM) radiation reflected from at least one cardiac tissue of a patient in a plurality of EM radiation sessions, b) computing a mechanical tracing indicative of at least one mechanical property of said at least one cardiac tissue according to said plurality of reflections, c) analyzing said mechanical tracing so as to detect a presence or an absence of a physiological condition, and d) outputting said analysis.

Abstract: A magnetic particle imaging device is provided. The device includes a magnetic field source configured to produce a magnetic field having a non-saturating magnetic field region, an excitation signal source configured to produce an excitation signal in the non-saturating magnetic field region that produces a detectable signal from magnetic particles in the non-saturating magnetic field region, and a signal processor configured to convert a detected signal into an image of the magnetic particles. Aspects of the present disclosure also include methods of imaging magnetic particles in a sample, and methods of producing an image of magnetic particles in a subject. The subject devices and methods find use in a variety of applications, such as medical imaging applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device, method and computer readable media for determining the adequacy of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). The device comprises an electrical source generator, an electrical signal sensor receiving a signal from the electrical source generator and a microprocessor. The microprocessor determines changes in impedance of the patient based on the signal received from the electrical signal sensor. Software executing on the microprocessor determines at least one of intrathoracic volume, change in intrathoracic volume, rate of compression, depth of compression, respiratory volume, and respiratory rate based on the change of impedance of the patient and outputs a signal indicating the adequacy of ventilation and compressions.

Abstract: Example embodiments associated with characterizing a sample using NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic that repetitively and variably samples a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals that are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic that produces an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals and a characterization logic that characterizes a tissue in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals. Example embodiments facilitate distinguishing prostate cancer tissue from normal peripheral zone tissue based on quantitative data acquired using NMR fingerprinting in combination with apparent diffusion co-efficient (ADC) values or perfusion values acquired using DWI-MRI or DCE-MRI.

Abstract: A medical imaging apparatus is designed to acquire medical imaging data of a patient during a medical imaging examination and has a medical data acquisition scanner, which has a patient reception area at least partially enclosed by the scanner, inside of which a body area of a patient for examination is situated during the medical imaging examination. A positioning unit has a projector and at least one positioning surface situated inside the patient reception area. The projector is designed to project at least one item of anatomical information onto the at least one positioning surface inside the patient reception area.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating and/or registering a shape sensing fiber in or to various instruments are described herein. Registration fixtures and registration techniques for matching the coordinate system of a fiber to the coordinate system of an elongate instrument or other device are provided. Various systems and methods for integrating a shape sensing fiber into an elongate instrument or other device are also described herein.

Abstract: Devices detect and assist in the avoidance of blood vessels during a surgical procedure—to avoid rupturing these blood vessels. Devices may be any penetration sensor device (such as a dilator sensor device, hollow needle sensor device, or trocar sensor device) that penetrates the skin and subcutaneous layers to reach a target location inside the body. The device includes a sensor probe which can make optical measurements to determine various parameters of the tissue at the tip of the sensor probe. These parameters may include an optical signal level returned from tissue contacting the tip of the sensor probe, an oxygen saturation level of the tissue, a total hemoglobin concentration, a blood flow, and a pulse. Based on these parameters, the presence or absence of a blood vessel at the tip of the device can be determined while the device travels towards the target location for surgery.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of medical monitoring, and in particular non-contact, video-based monitoring of pulse rate, respiration rate, motion, and oxygen saturation. Systems and methods are described for capturing images of a patient, producing intensity signals from the images, filtering those signals to focus on a physiologic component, and measuring a vital sign from the filtered signals. Examples include flood fill methods and skin tone filtering methods.

Abstract: As a non-limiting example, various aspects of this disclosure provide embodiments of continuous background heartrate and heartbeat events detection using a motion sensor during various phases of activity by a user.

Abstract: One variation of a method for detecting and responding to falls by residents within a facility includes: at a wearable device worn by a resident, writing sensor data from a sensor integrated into the wearable device to a buffer, inputting sensor data into a compressed fall detection model—defining a compressed form of a complete fall detection model and stored locally on the wearable device—to detect a fall event at a first time, and transmitting a corpus of sensor data from the buffer and a cue for confirmation of the fall event to a local wireless hub in response to detecting the fall event; and, remotely from the wearable device, inputting the corpus of sensor data into the complete fall detection model—stored remotely from the wearable device—to confirm the fall event and dispatching a care provider to assist the resident in response to confirming the fall event.

Abstract: A gait posture meter that evaluates a gait posture of a measurement subject includes an accelerometer affixed to a centerline of the measurement subject's waist area and a computation unit. The computation unit calculates a Z feature amount and an X feature amount indicating a degree of a difference between up-down and front-rear axis direction accelerations of the waist area in a left leg reference period and up-down and front-rear axis direction accelerations of the waist area in a right leg reference period using a timewise change waveform in three axis accelerations outputted by the accelerometer, and calculates a Y feature amount indicating a degree of a difference between a displacement of a left-right axis direction trajectory of the waist area in the left leg reference period and a displacement of the left-right axis direction trajectory of the waist area in the right leg reference period by finding a second-level integration of the left-right axis acceleration outputted by the accelerometer.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a patient includes obtaining a first image of an object, obtaining a second image of the object, determining a level of similarity between the first and second images, obtaining a third image of the object, determining a level of similarity between the first and third images, analyzing a time series of values that includes the determined level of similarity between the first and second images and the determined level of similarity between the first and third images, and determining a state of the patient based at least on a result of the act of analyzing.

Abstract: Measuring the impedance of a human body region at a high frequency (ZHF) and a low frequency (ZLF). ZHF is used to obtain the value of the volume of fluid in the tissues of the region. ZLF is used to obtain the value of the volume of extracellular fluid in the tissues. The increase in the metabolic component in the volume of extracellular fluid is determined by the increase of the volume of all of the fluid in comparison with the previous measurement, determining the increase in the volume of extracellular fluid in comparison with the previous measurement and subsequently calculating the difference between the increases in the volume of all of the fluid and the volume of extracellular fluid. The glucose concentration G(tk) is determined by adding the amount of increase in the glucose concentration and the value of the glucose concentration determined at the previous measuring stage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an analyte sensing biointerface that comprises a sensing electrode incorporated within a non-conductive matrix comprising a plurality of passageways extending through the matrix to the sensing electrode. Also disclosed herein are methods of manufacturing a sensing biointerface and methods of detecting an analyte within tissue of a host using an analyte sensing biointerface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an analyte sensing biointerface that comprises a sensing electrode incorporated within a non-conductive matrix comprising a plurality of passageways extending through the matrix to the sensing electrode. Also disclosed herein are methods of manufacturing a sensing biointerface and methods of detecting an analyte within tissue of a host using an analyte sensing biointerface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring oxygenation signals are presented. The method includes positioning an oxygenation measuring system over a side portion of a head of a user, wherein the oxygenation measuring system includes an outer shell, a gel seal coupled to the outer shell, a near-infrared spectroscopy sensor configured to measure oxygenation signals from a user, a printed circuit board coupled to the near-infrared spectroscopy sensor, and a bone conducting transducer. The method further includes measuring the oxygenation signals from the user using the near-infrared spectroscopy sensor, recording data pertaining to the measured oxygenation signals of the user, and comparing the data, using the printed circuit board, with known human performance data.

Abstract: Devices and methods of making and using the device for the non-invasive detection of volatile anesthetics are provided. The devices are capable of measuring the concentration of volatile anesthetics transdermally and in a non-invasive manner. The devices and methods can be applied in detection of volatile anesthetics in samples collected from human skin perspiration.

Abstract: A transcutaneous sensor device configured for continuously measuring analyte concentrations in a host is provided. In some embodiments, the transcutaneous sensor device 100 comprises an in vivo portion 160 configured for insertion under the skin 180 of the host and an ex vivo portion 170 configured to remain above the surface of the skin 180 of the host after sensor insertion of the in vivo portion. The in vivo portion may comprise a tissue piercing element 110 configured for piercing the skin 180 of the host and a sensor body 120 comprising a material or support member 130 that provides sufficient column strength to allow the sensor body to be pushable in a host tissue without substantial buckling. The ex vivo portion 170 may be configured to comprise (or operably connect to) a sensor electronics unit and may comprise a mounting unit 150. Also described here are various configurations of the sensor body and the tissue piercing element that may be used to protect the membrane of the sensor body.

Abstract: A method for providing a signal quality degree associated with an analyte value measured in a continuous monitoring system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: receiving a measured analyte value from a biosensor; determining at least two impact parameters, wherein each of the impact parameters is influenced by an operational status of the continuous monitoring system and wherein each of the impact parameters is capable of exerting an influence on the signal quality of the biosensor and wherein the influence of each of the impact parameters on the signal quality of the biosensor is expressed by a weight assigned to each of the impact parameters; and determining the signal quality degree associated with the measured analyte value as a function of the weights and the corresponding impact parameters; and providing the signal quality degree associated with the analyte value. Further methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for sampling a fluid from a tissue site is described. The system includes a collection fitting, a reduced-pressure source, and a specimen container. The collection fitting includes a tee-fitting having a first arm having a first union, a second arm having a second union, and a third arm. At least one lumen extends through the tee-fitting from the first arm to the third arm, and at least one lumen extends through the tee-fitting from the second arm to the third arm. A container union is coupled to the third arm. The reduced-pressure source is configured to be fluidly coupled to the first union, and the specimen container is configured to be coupled to the container union.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing sympathetic nervous system (SNS) tone for renal neuromodulation therapy are disclosed herein. A system configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, a detector attached to or implanted in a patient and a receiver communicatively coupled to the detector. The detector can measure cardiac data and the receiver and/or a device communicatively coupled thereto can analyze the cardiac data to provide one or more SNS tone indicators. The SNS tone indicators can be used to determine whether a patient will be responsive to a neuromodulation therapy and/or whether a neuromodulation therapy was effective.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, systems and computer program products for monitoring a person for a traumatic brain injury. Aspects include monitoring a gait of the user with one or more accelerometers embedded in the uniform and analyzing, by a processor, one or more characteristics of the gait of the user. Aspects also include determining whether the one or more characteristics of the gait indicate that the user may have suffered the traumatic brain injury and creating an alert that the user of the helmet may have suffered the traumatic brain injury.

Abstract: A brain activity estimation device includes a facial skin temperature acquisition element and a brain activity estimation element. The acquisition element detects a skin temperature of at least part of a human face, and acquires facial skin temperature data including detected temperature data and location data of a detection region in a time series manner. The estimation element estimates human brain activity based on the facial skin temperature data acquired. The estimation element decomposes the facial skin temperature data into a plurality of components, extracts a component as a determination component, and determines whether the determination component is related to the human brain activity based on a presence or absence of a temperature change in a prescribed region of the human face.

Abstract: An olfactory examination apparatus includes: an odor generating unit having an odorant generating mechanism that stores an odorant and generates an odorous gas having a defined concentration or an defined intensity and an odorless gas generating mechanism; a gas supply unit configured to alternately supply an odorous gas or an odorless gas having a defined concentration or a defined intensity of the odor from the odorant generating mechanism and the odorless gas generating mechanism to an examinee through an odor presentation mechanism placed on a nostril portion of the examinee, and a reply unit that allows the examinee to express an answer when smelling the odorant in order to examine an olfactory function.

Abstract: A hiding board includes a flat surface; and a plurality of containers arranged in a random fashion on the flat surface and secured thereto, each container being configured to receive a three-dimensional object from a user. A method for neuropsychological assessment includes presenting one or more three-dimensional objects to a participant in a first arrangement on a hiding board; removing the one or more three-dimensional objects from the hiding board; re-presenting the one or more three-dimensional objects to the participant in an arrangement that is different from the first arrangement; and tasking the participant with recreating the first arrangement.

Abstract: A device and methods for using a device, for determining a passing of flatus is described. The device comprises a sleeve comprising a first porous gas-permeable surface, a second surface attached to the first porous gas-permeable surface defining a pocket within the sleeve, and a flatus detector inserted within the pocket of the sleeve and positioned between the first porous gas-permeable surface and the second surface. The flatus detector may be a dry-surface carbon dioxide detector that irreversibly changes colour upon contact with increased concentrations of CO2 gas, a chemiresistor, or a near field communication tag. The chemiresistor or near field communication tag may be modified for detecting target gases. The device may be a patch that is affixed to a patient or attached to a garment that is worn by the patient, or a capsule, with a detector disposed therein.

Abstract: Breast monitoring systems and methods are described including a flexible substrate fabricated to substantially conform to one or more breasts of a subject; dynamically bendable optical fibers associated with the flexible substrate; a light source operably coupled to the optical fibers; a photodetector positioned to detect light reception from the optical fibers; a reporting device; and a microcontroller including a microprocessor and circuitry, wherein the circuitry includes input circuitry configured to receive a first set of signals and at least one second set of signals from the photodetector; calculation circuitry configured to calculate a curvature delta value based on a comparison of the received first and at least one second set of signals, and calculate a breast volume delta value from the calculated curvature delta value; and reporting circuitry configured to transmit a signal to the reporting device based on the calculated breast volume delta value.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a penile tumescence diagnosis device and method. The penile tumescence diagnosis device includes: a plurality of ring sensors configured to measure a body part of a user and generate sensor-sensed information; and a processor configured to generate diagnostic information about the body part of the user based on the sensor-sensed information generated by the plurality of ring sensors. The plurality of ring sensors includes: a first ring sensor configured to have a first threshold length and be disposed on the body part to surround the body part in a ring shape; and a second ring sensor configured to have a second threshold length larger than the first threshold length and be disposed on the body part to surround the body part in a ring shape.

Abstract: An evaluation method for determining a skin sensory evaluation value from an image, including: acquiring an image of an area including skin of a subject; extracting a skin region from the image; calculating at least two characteristic indices representing characteristics of the image of the skin region; and determining a skin sensory evaluation value based on the calculated at least two characteristic indices.

Abstract: Implantable sensors for determining bone health are described that can be utilized in conjunction with orthopedic implants. The sensors can include passive strain gauges or passive chemical sensors that can be read by radiographic imaging techniques. Sensors can be affixed to implantable support devices so as to non-invasively monitor the effect of load on the implant for instance to provide a quantitative assessment of when a fracture is sufficiently healed to allow safe weight-bearing upon the limb. Alternatively, sensors can monitor the health of a local implant area, for instance to monitor the implant area of early stage infection or healing of a fusion procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating motions of a joint is provided that is designed for determining stability of an anatomical joint. The apparatus includes a support frame, a fixation assembly for securing a first body segment of a joint, and a displacement assembly mounted to the support frame. The fixation assembly includes an axis of rotation movable relative to the support frame. The displacement assembly includes a first frame pivotably mounted to the support frame and rotatably connected to a first end of the fixation assembly, and a second frame pivotably mounted to the support frame and rotatably connected to a second end of the fixation assembly.

Abstract: An example of a system for providing a patient with pain management includes a pain monitoring circuit. The pain monitoring circuit may include parameter analyzer circuitry and pain score generator circuitry. The parameter analyzer circuitry may be configured to receive and analyze one or more timing parameters and one or more baroreflex parameters allowing for determination of baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) of the patient. The one or more timing parameters are indicative of time intervals during which values of the one or more baroreflex parameters are used to determine the BRS. The pain score generator circuitry may be configured to compute a pain score using an outcome of the analysis. The pain score is a function of the BRS during the time intervals and indicative of a degree of pain of the patient.

Abstract: A system and method configured to control pressure during enhanced cough flow of a subject are provided. A pressure regulator is operated such that during an individual exhalation of the subject, the pressure regulator is toggled between a first mode in which a subject interface is closed such that substantially no gas is communicated with the airway of the subject there through and a second mode in which the subject interface is opened to cause a series of exsufflation events for the individual exhalation of the subject. The pressure relief valve is associated with the subject interface and configured to open and release gas out of the subject interface, responsive to pressure within the subject interface exceeding a predetermined threshold value so as to maintain the pressure within the subject interface within a predetermined pressure range during the enhanced cough flow.

Abstract: A physical area network described herein enables significantly improved health monitoring and treatment by utilizing internal (in-body) mechanisms and information and external mechanisms and information.

Abstract: A method of detecting a presence and/or concentration of a marker, e.g., a marker, in a liquid, e.g., a liquid, is disclosed. The method comprises: contacting the liquid with a sensor having an immobilized affinity moiety interacting with the marker and being configured to generate a detectable signal responsively to the interaction. The method further comprises washing the liquid off the sensor, and detecting the presence and/or concentration of the marker based on a detectable signal received from the sensor within a time-window beginning a predetermined time period after a beginning time of the washing.

Abstract: An integrated adhesive sensor array includes an adhesive a patch, a sensor hub, and a detachable sensor pod packaged as a unit. The patch may include a docking area for the detachable sensor pod. The detachable sensor pod may include at least one sensor and may be configured to be detached from the patch and applied to various locations on a body. The detachable sensor pod may send sensor data to the sensor hub via a wired link when on the patch and via a wireless link when detached from the patch. The sensor hub receives sensor data from the various sensors, and relays the data to a receiver. The sensor hub and detachable sensor pod may include indicators for communicating information. The sensor hub may include a power source for powering the sensor hub and a detachable sensor pod attached to the main sensor unit or patch.

Abstract: A hand-held catheter force control device includes an elongate base sized to be hand-held. The base defines a longitudinal axis between first and second opposing longitudinal ends. A linear actuator is mounted to the base to provide linear motion substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base. A sheath clamp is coupled to the base. The sheath clamp is sized to fixedly capture a sheath handle. A catheter clamp is coupled to the linear actuator. The catheter clamp is sized to fixedly capture a catheter, and is aligned to be substantially co-axial with the sheath clamp. Systems and methods can incorporate the catheter force control device.

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: A thin-film, diaphragm based device is disclosed which can be used to perform an array of sensing and actuating operations where a very thin profile is desired, such as in millimeter, micrometer, or nanometer tight spaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piezoresistive textile sensor for detecting the heart and respiratory rate, comprising a lower textile layer whereon a conductive ink or paste is deposited such that first conductive strips are defined, said lower textile layer being joined to a second piezoresistive textile layer whereon a second conductive strip is arranged, to which an upper textile layer is then joined, on which conductive inks and/or pastes can be deposited, said piezoresistive textile sensor being used in a system for detecting the heart and/or respiratory rate.

Abstract: Disclosed are an optical spectroscopy system using a matched filter-based broadband signal receiver for stable data extraction, and a method for controlling the optical spectroscopy system. The optical spectroscopy system may comprise: a light transmission unit for irradiating light on a particular region of a subject by means of a plurality of light sources, wherein the light irradiated from the plurality of light sources is code-modulated by means of the Walsh codes and then irradiated; and a light receiving unit for detecting emergent light which has passed through the particular region, wherein the light source is identified by demodulating the light by means of the Walsh codes.

Abstract: A feature extraction apparatus configured to perform biometric information detection includes a bio-signal obtainer configured to acquire a bio-signal; and a processor configured to decompose a waveform of the acquired bio-signal into component pulses and extract a feature for the biometric information detection based on characteristic points of the component pulses.

Abstract: A target frequency band to be processed in a detected signal of a heartbeat sensor is controlled according to a detected signal of an inertial sensor.

Abstract: A method for analysing physiological measurement values of a user is proposed. The method comprises at least one data acquisition step, wherein, during the data acquisition step, physiological measurement values of the user are acquired at different measurement times and stored in a measurement data record; at least one pattern selection step, wherein, during the pattern selection step, measurement values acquired during one comparison time interval are selected as at least one comparison pattern; and at least one pattern recognition step, wherein, during the pattern recognition step, patterns corresponding to the comparison pattern are sought after in the measurement data record.

Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for heart diffusion imaging, when an ECG trigger signal by a computer that operates an MR scanner, the MR scanner is operated to acquire a navigator echo before a stimulated echo sequence, in order to detect diaphragm position information. When the first diaphragm position information is not located in an acquisition window, the stimulated echo sequence is not executed, and the computer waits to receive the next ECG trigger signal. The detection time of the navigator echo after the stimulated echo sequence as well as the acquisition time of the stimulated echo sequence, are thus eliminated when the first diaphragm position information does not meet requirements, so can significantly reduce scanning time, and increase the image SNR.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and system of providing a real time audification of neonatal EEG signals. The method comprises the steps of: receiving preprocessed neonatal EEG signals; changing a characteristic of the preprocessed signals in a phase vocoder; resampling the output signals from the vocoder to a predetermined audio frequency range; converting the resampled signals into stereo signals; and selecting a plurality of channels from the stereo signals as the output audio signals.

Abstract: A multi-parameter patient monitoring device rack can dock a plurality of patient monitor modules and can communicate with a separate display unit. A signal processing unit can be incorporated into the device rack. A graphics processing unit can be attached to the display unit. The device rack and the graphic display unit can have improved heat dissipation and drip-proof features. The multi-parameter patient monitoring device rack can provide interchangeability and versatility to a multi-parameter patient monitoring system by allowing use of different display units and monitoring of different combinations of parameters. A dual-use patient monitor module can have its own display unit configured for displaying one or more parameters when used as a stand-alone device, and can be docked into the device rack when a handle on the module is folded down.

Abstract: A biological information processing device includes a controller programmed to obtain biological information indicating a body condition, and associate different kinds of the biological information with respective specific graphical elements. Each of the respective specific graphical elements constitute a respective specific appearance of a graphical figure, with one of the respective specific graphical elements representing a surface count of a polyhedron which changes in relation to a numerical change in the biological information. The controller is further programmed to set value to the specific graphical element depending on degree of the biological information for at least one specific graphical element associated with the biological information obtained, and generate indicating data of a biological figure on the basis of the value set, the biological figure being an aggregate of the specific graphical elements.

Abstract: This disclosure describes example alarm notification systems that can enable a clinician to respond to an alarm notification received via a computing device, which may have more advanced functionality than a pager. The clinician device may be a mobile device, such as a cellphone or smartphone, tablet, laptop, personal digital assistant (PDA), or the like. The clinician device may communicate with a remote server to obtain patient data generated by a patient device at the point-of-care (such as a bedside device or patient-worn monitor). This patient data may be continuous monitoring data for one or more patients. A mobile application (optionally a browser application) on the clinician device can enable the clinician to view continuous monitoring data for multiple patients, as well as view and respond to alarms and alerts, all from the clinician device, regardless of location.