Abstract: Electroanatomic mapping is carried out by inserting a multi-electrode probe into a heart of a living subject, recording electrograms from the electrodes concurrently at respective locations in the heart, delimiting respective activation time intervals in the electrograms, generating a map of electrical propagation waves from the activation time intervals, maximizing coherence of the waves by adjusting local activation times within the activation time intervals of the electrograms, and reporting the adjusted local activation times.

Abstract: Single-unit EEG sensors contain multiple closely spaced dry electrodes that can hook onto skin and associated electronic circuitry such as amplifiers, A/D convertors, wireless transmitters, and a power source such as a battery. The electrodes can be separated by about 20 mm or less, and the associated circuitry can be situated within a volume defined by the multiple electrodes. The single-unit sensors hook onto the skin using a tooth surface so that a rotation of the sensor secures and electrically connects the sensor to the skin.

Abstract: As one example, a fluid monitoring apparatus includes a dielectric microsensor that includes a capacitive sensing structure integrated into a microfluidic channel. The microfluidic channel includes a fluid input to receive a sample volume of a sample under test (SUT). A transmitter provides an input radio frequency (RF) signal to an RF input of the microsensor. A receiver receives an output RF signal from the microsensor. A computing device computes dielectric permittivity values of the SUT that vary over a time interval based on the output RF signal. The computing device may determine at least one permittivity parameter based on the computed dielectric permittivity values over at least a portion of the time interval.

Abstract: An orientation tracking device includes a memory for storing data including magnetic reference data relating to the direction of a static magnetic field of a magnetic imaging scanner in a selected principle co-ordinate frame and earth gravitational reference data relating to the direction of the gravitational field of the earth in the principle co-ordinate frame. The device also includes an accelerometer, magnetometer and communication module. A processor is adapted for receiving from the magnetometer measured magnetic field vector and from the accelerometer a measured acceleration vector. These vectors are in a co-ordinate frame of the orientation tracking device, within the magnetic imaging scanner in which the orientation tracking device is placed in use.

Abstract: A medical system, includes an imaging apparatus, which includes an array of detectors, which define an imaging volume and form images of a region within a body of a patient that is positioned in the imaging volume. A movable bed transports the body of the patient through the imaging volume. An invasive probe is inserted into a lumen within the body of the patient. A tracking apparatus includes a field transducer positioned in the imaging apparatus and defining a tracking volume within the imaging apparatus, and generates an indication of a location of the invasive probe within the tracking volume responsively to an interaction between the field transducer and the invasive probe. A controller controls the movable bed in response to the location of the invasive probe indicated by the tracking apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for determining the position of a medical instrument, particularly for the purpose of medical navigation. In order to use a simple system to provide a relatively inexpensive technique for determining positional information, the position and/or orientation of the medical instrument is determined by ascertaining the same on the basis of position finding operations. Electromagnetic fields are first measured and the results of relative field strength measurements are taken as a basis for ascertaining the direction of a line from a transmitter to a receiver. After this direction information is known, it is used to determine the positional information of the medical instrument.

Abstract: A method of obtaining information about the position and/or orientation of a magnetic component relatively to a magnetometric detector, the magnetic component and the magnetometric detector being moveable independently from each other relatively to a static secondary magnetic field, the method comprising the steps of: measuring in the presence of the combination of both the magnetic field of the magnetic component and the static secondary magnetic field essentially simultaneously the strength and/or orientation of a magnetic field at at least a first position and a second position spatially associated with the magnetometric detector, the second position being distanced from the first position; and combining the results of the measurements to computationally eliminate the effect of the secondary magnetic field and derive the information about the position and/or orientation of the magnetic component.

Abstract: A registration method whereby a sensor-based approach is used to establish initial registration and whereby upon the commencement of navigating an endoscope, image-based registration methods are used in order to more accurately maintain the registration between the endoscope location and previously-acquired images. A six-degree-of-freedom location sensor is placed on the probe in order to reduce the number of previously-acquired images that must be compared to a real-time image obtained from the endoscope.

Abstract: An implantable device with in vivo functionality, where the functionality of the device is negatively affected by ROS typically associated with inflammation reaction as well as chronic foreign body response as a result of tissue injury, is at least partially surrounded by a protective material, structure, and/or a coating that prevents damage to the device from any inflammation reactions. The protective material, structure, and/or coating is a biocompatible metal, preferably silver, platinum, palladium, gold, manganese, or alloys or oxides thereof that decomposes reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydrogen peroxide, and prevents ROS from oxidizing molecules on the surface of or within the device. The protective material, structure, and/or coating thereby prevents ROS from degrading the in vivo functionality of the implantable device.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for detecting the deteriorating health of a patient receiving gas from a respiratory device. The apparatus comprises a sensor unit configured to monitor a flow rate or pressure of a gas that is flowing in a pipe that connects the respiratory device to a gas delivery device worn by the patient, and a processor configured to measure a respiratory rate of the patient based on variations in the flow rate or pressure of gas in the pipe and to implement a trend analysis of the measured respiratory rate. The processor is configured to generate a warning when it determines that there is an upward trend in the measured respiratory rate and that a magnitude of the trend exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods measure impedance across a user's chest during respiration to determine a rate of respiration. With AC-modulation contacts separated from impedance-measuring contacts, analog filtering to remove EMI, a bridging capacitor to remove DC noise, and digital filtering to further remove EMI, a user's respiration may be measured with the AC-modulation contacts and the impedance-measuring contacts placed at user extremities.

Abstract: A notification system is provided that provides notification of patient events such as movement and/or incontinence. The notification system provides for a plurality of different pressure sensor pads as well as an incontinence pad to be used in association with a single monitor.

Abstract: A position identifying unit is configured to identify the location of a monitored person in the horizontal direction and maximum height of the monitored person in the vertical direction on the basis of top-down image data acquired by an upper image sensor provided above a monitored area capturing an image of the monitored area and lateral image data acquired by a lateral image sensor provided along a side of the monitored area capturing an image of the monitored area. An event determining unit assesses a fall-related event for the monitored person on the basis of a location in the horizontal direction, a maximum height in the vertical direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to user interfaces and more specifically to techniques for displaying user interfaces associated with physical activities. Exemplary user interfaces related to activity competitions are described. Exemplary user interfaces related to a friends list for activity sharing are described. Exemplary user interfaces associated with alerts presented to a user in response to automatically determining a boundary of a workout are described. Exemplary user interfaces associated with configuring a pace alert for a workout application are described.

Abstract: A non-invasive system, and method for simple, quantitative screening for mTBI and other forms of mid cognitive impairment using a visuo-motor performance test (for example, a submaximal grip test) in response to visual feedback to quantitatively measure the intra-individual variability of performance metric for initial screening of patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), and other neurological disorders. The system and method can be administered in minutes, by any level of caregiver, in any environment including military in-the-field or sports on-field deployments, and is useful in screening those truly injured from those disguising or mimicking injury. In addition to screening, the system and method can be used to monitor and/or detect changes to intra-individual variability over time by comparison to a baseline, which in turn is helpful in determining estimated recovery trajectory or other related information.

Abstract: Compact medical device inserters, systems incorporating the same, and related methods of use are described. The inserters can include a housing, a sharp support, a sharp body, and a shroud, and can apply a sensor control device to a recipient with a sensor implanted in the recipient's body. The shroud can extend from the sensor control device in a position that covers or protects the sensor and a sharp, and can be retracted by pressure placed upon the inserter against the recipient's body to cause the sharp and sensor to penetrate the body, after which the sharp can be automatically withdrawn with the aid of a biasing element.

Abstract: An analyte monitoring system and method. The analyte monitoring system may include an analyte sensor and a transceiver. The analyte sensor may include an indicator element that exhibits one or more detectable properties based on a concentration of an analyte in proximity to the indicator element. The transceiver may be configured to (i) receive measurement information from the analyte sensor, (ii) calculate the concentration of the analyte in proximity to the indicator element based on at least the received measurement information, and (iii) calculate a blood analyte concentration based on the calculated concentration of the analyte in proximity to the indicator element by (1) incorporating the calculated concentration of the analyte in proximity to the indicator element into a governing equation that models analyte transport over an interval, and (2) solving the governing equation. In some embodiments, the governing equation includes no more than two discrete boundary conditions.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a sweat sensing device configured with self-aligned sweat stimulation means to provide adequate sweat generation for continuous monitoring of sweat. The disclosed device includes one or more analyte-specific sweat sensors that self-align with sweat glands. In one embodiment, the sweat sensing device includes means to protect the self-aligning sensors from abrasion against the skin or device components. In another embodiment, the device includes prolonged sweat stimulation for the self-aligning sensors through diffusion of a sweat stimulating compound into the skin.

Abstract: Devices and systems have a sensor probe configured to measure tissue oxygen saturation in the intestine or mesentery. The devices and systems can determine the oxygenation state of the entire thickness of the intestine or mesentery. Thus, embodiments of the invention can be applied in diagnosing intestinal ischemia in a patient, as well as in monitoring tissue oxygen saturation of the intestine or mesentery during or after a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a hypersaturation index for measuring a patient's absorption of oxygen in the blood stream after a patient has reached 100% oxygen saturation. This hypersaturation index provides an indication of the partial pressure of oxygen of a patient. In an embodiment of the present invention, a hypersaturation index is calculated based on the absorption ratio of two different wavelengths of energy at a measuring site. In an embodiment of the invention, a maximum hypersaturation index threshold is determined such that an alarm is triggered when the hypersaturation index reaches or exceeds the threshold. In another embodiment, an alarm is triggered when the hypersaturation index reaches or falls below its starting point when it was first calculated.

Abstract: A light source emits light into a first portion of a living body. Functionalized particles within the body are configured to specifically bind to a target analyte, and upon receiving the emitted light, undergo a reaction that separates a detectable label from the functionalized particle. A sensor device is configured to detect a response signal from a second portion of the living body that is indicative of an abundance of the detectable label in the second portion. A control system uses the sensor device to obtain sensor data indicative of the response signal from the second portion of the living body detected by the sensor device during a measurement interval, and determines a presence or absence of the target analyte within the first portion of the living body based in part on the obtained data.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing phlebotomy through a peripheral intravenous line. The apparatus includes an introducer and a catheter configured to advance the catheter through a peripheral intravenous line. A y-adapter with a port of larger diameter is configured to receive the catheter and place in fluid communication with the peripheral intravenous line. When advanced the catheter is configured to transport a bodily fluid (i.e. blood) to a volume outside of the body.

Abstract: A portable device for evaluating a physical strength is disclosed. The portable device includes a first sensor for sensing walking of a user; a second sensor for sensing heartbeat of the user; and a controller for: measuring a walking speed of the user using a sensed result of the first sensor; measuring a heart rate of the user using a sensed result of the second sensor; and evaluating a physical strength of the user using the measured heart rate when the walking speed of the user is changed by a specific speed or more by comparing a virtual heart rate calculated using the walking speed of the user with the measured heart rate.

Abstract: A system and method for providing reminding assistance. The system includes at least one processing component, at least one memory component, and a memory impairment detection and assistance environment. The memory impairment detection and assistance environment includes a reminding database, an analysis module, and an assistance module. The analysis module includes an attribute analyzer configured to determine values for attributes based on memory impairment detection data and a memory evaluator configured to determine that an attribute has a value that crosses a threshold attribute value. The assistance module includes a reminding assistant configured to receive a memory impairment signal and, in response, generate a reminder that includes information selected from the reminding database.

Abstract: An imaging device for monitoring a skin feature includes a camera, at least one processor and memory. The imaging device displays a body area guide, receives a selection of a body area, initiates an image sequence of the body area, the image sequence including capturing, using the camera, a plurality of images, determines whether all body areas have been imaged, analyzes the images, and provides the analyzed images to a clinician. The imaging device can be part of a system including a server in communication with a monitor, where the clinician views the images on the monitor. Additionally, each skin feature can be ranked in order of risk and presented to the clinician in that order.

Abstract: A loading device, a monitoring system, and a method thereof can measure stiffness of a structural member (SM), such as a bone, and monitor progress or property over time. The loading device includes two types of displacement sensors, one type being an antenna. As the SM, which is in a magnetic or electromagnetic field and electromagnetically coupled to the antenna without contact, undergoes displacement under known loads, characteristics of the electromagnetic field coupling between the antenna and the SM change over time due to the displacement of the SM. The shift in the characteristics of the electromagnetic field coupling between the antenna and the SM can be used to determine the displacement of the SM. Based on the changes in the displacement over time, diagnosis of the SM being monitored over an evaluation period can be made.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting lubrication conditions, lubrication regimes, impingement, stick-slip, and/or surface damage allows the health of a joint to be monitored. The system and method provides in situ or in vivo real-time monitoring of dynamic and static conditions of the joint. The monitoring system may use both passive and active sensing approaches that employ strategically placed piezoelectric transducers on/in the articulating components of the joint. In some embodiments, the transducers may be Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) transducers. Active sensing may be used to detect lubrication regimes under static and dynamic conditions. Passive sensing may be used to characterize the joint motion and abnormities, such as impingements and surface damages.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and/or controlling a state of consciousness of a subject experiencing anesthesia are provided. In some aspects, the system includes a plurality of sensors placed about the subject and configured to acquire electroencephalogram (“EEG”} data therefrom while the subject is receiving anesthesia, and at least one processor configured to receive the EEG data from the plurality of sensors, and perform a phase-amplitude coupling analysis using the received EEG data to determine a phase-amplitude frequency distribution. The at least one processor is also configured to identify a state of consciousness of the subject using the determined phase-amplitude frequency distribution, and generate a report indicative of the state of consciousness of the subject.

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

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for favorably coordinating a timing relationship between a musculoskeletal activity cycle and a cardiac cycle of a user. A method may include repetitively detecting a signal that correlates to a blood volume in the user; determining an actual value of the signal that varies with the timing relationship; computing a trend of the actual value of the signal; and adjusting the movement guidance based on the trend of the actual value. A system may include a prompt device configured to provide recurrently a movement guidance to the user for guiding performance of the rhythmic musculoskeletal activity; a sensor configured to provide a signal that correlates to a blood volume in the user; and a processor configured to determine an actual value of the signal that varies with the timing relationship and to adjust the movement guidance based on the trend of the actual value.

Abstract: A method and system for determining training status of a user from exercises using a device with a heart rate sensor, a processor, memory, an output device and software. The training status is selected from a fixed group of alternatives. Each exercise is monitored using the heart rate sensor. Chosen exercise characteristics of each executed exercise are determined using obtained heart rate data and the determined characteristics of each executed exercise are stored in a memory. The chosen exercise characteristics include values of at least following variables: a date of the exercise, a value depicting physical readiness level for exercise during the exercise, a value depicting a training load of the exercise. When the exercises have been executed, values of selection variables are calculated using the stored exercise characteristics in the memory.

Abstract: An intraoral multisensor device includes a mouthpiece, a plurality of sensors at least one of attached to or integrated with the mouthpiece, and a data communications unit configured to receive signals from the plurality of sensors. The mouthpiece has a form to permit stable arrangement at least partially within a person's mouth such that it can remain for hands-free sensing of a plurality of biological parameters. Also, an intraoral multisensor system includes an intraoral multisensor device and a data processing device adapted to communicate with the intraoral multisensor device.

Abstract: A device includes a digit probe, a plurality of optical elements, a processor, and a communication module. The digit probe has an interior surface and has an exterior surface. The interior surface is configured to engage a digit and the exterior surface is configured to engage a tissue site associated with the digit. The plurality of optical elements is coupled to at least one of the interior surface and the exterior surface. The plurality of optical elements includes at least one emitter and includes at least one detector. The processor is coupled to the plurality of optical elements. The processor is configured to generate a measure of arterial oxygenation corresponding to the digit and configured to generate a measure of regional oxygenation corresponding to the tissue site. The communication module is coupled to the processor. The communication module is configured to communicate the measure of arterial oxygenation and regional oxygenation with a remote device.

Abstract: A finger clamping device and an oximeter using the finger clamping device are provided. The finger clamping device includes a shell, an upper clamping member, and a lower clamping member. The shell includes two oppositely facing sidewalls. Each sidewall defines at least one sliding rail. The upper clamping member is arranged in the shell and defines two guiding rods. The two guiding rods are received in and slide along the sliding rail. At least one elastic member joins the lower clamping member and the upper clamping member and is tensioned when a finger is inserted between the upper clamping member and the lower clamping member.

Abstract: A system for controlled neuromodulation procedures is disclosed. A system for controlled micro ablation procedures is disclosed. Systems and methods for imaging, monitoring, stimulating, and/or ablating neurological structures coupled to one or more organs of the lower urinary tract (LUT) are disclosed. Such processes may be used to alter the hormonal secretions from one or more organs, to modulate the growth of an organ, alter the growth rate or rate of perineural invasion of a tumor, or the like. In particular such processes may be used to slow, halt and/or reverse the growth of a prostate gland or a prostate tumor.

Abstract: In some examples, a device includes processing circuitry configured to determine a set of correlation coefficient values for first and second physiological parameters. The processing circuitry is further configured to determine a metric of the correlation coefficient values for a first plurality of bins and for a second plurality of bins, wherein each bin of the first plurality has a first bin parameter and each bin of the second plurality of bins has a second bin parameter different than the first bin parameter. The processing circuitry is also configured to determine a composite estimate of a limit of autoregulation of the patient based on the metric for the first plurality of bins and the metric for the second plurality of bins. The processing circuitry is configured to determine an autoregulation status based on the composite estimate and output, for display via the display, an indication of the autoregulation status.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring workplace safety and evaluating risks is provided, the method comprising receiving signals from at least one wearable device, identifying portions of the signals corresponding to physical activities, excerpting the portions of the signals corresponding to the physical activities, and calculating risk metrics based on measurements extracted from the excerpted portions of the signals, the risk metric indicative of high risk lifting activities.

Abstract: A method for performing a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure on a partial occlusion within a blood vessel, includes positioning a guide having a sensor configured and adapted to measure at least one of pressure, volume or flow within a blood vessel, advancing the guide through an at least partial occlusion within the blood vessel such that the sensor is downstream of the occlusion, measuring at least one of pressure, volume or flow downstream of the occlusion using the sensor and analyzing data obtained from the sensor to assist in determining the viability of tissue of the blood vessel downstream of the occlusion.

Abstract: A method, electronic device, and non-transitory computer readable medium for estimating body composition are provided. The method includes receiving a set of forced breath data from an electronic device. The method also includes deriving a flow rate based on the set of forced breath data. The method further includes determining a body composition based on the derived flow rate of the set of forced breath data.

Abstract: A system for identifying an area of interest on a surgical image, including a source of surgical image data, which may be a camera, an image processing unit, which may be a camera control unit, and a destination, which may be a display. The image processing unit is configured to receive the surgical image data and combine it with an overlay pattern for identifying an area of interest, which is then displayed on the display. The overlay pattern may include centric lines, concentric ovals, concentric circles, or other concentric shapes. The overlay may include a key with coordinates or labels. Properties of the overlay and the key may be customized and adjusted.

Abstract: A device to facilitate reading of a chest tube display, the device including a pole, a handle disposed at a first end of the pole, a connecting portion disposed at a second end of the pole, a base to connect to the pole via the connecting portion on a top surface of the base, and a camera holding portion disposed on the top surface of the base to hold a camera therein.

Abstract: The present invention is disclosing several methods related to intra-body navigation of radiopaque instrument through natural body cavities. One of the methods is disclosing the pose estimation of the imaging device using multiple images of radiopaque instrument acquired in the different poses of imaging device and previously acquired imaging. The other method allows to resolve the radiopaque instrument localization ambiguity using several approaches, such as radiopaque markers and instrument trajectory tracking.

Abstract: Disclosed is an X-ray image display apparatus with improved depth resolution, the display apparatus including a storage storing a plurality of X-ray frame data about a subject, an image processor reconstructing a first X-ray image by using a first group of X-ray frame data constituted by at least a portion of the plurality of X-ray frame data and reconstructing a second X-ray image by using a second group of X-ray frame data constituted by at least a portion of the plurality of X-ray frame data, a display configured to provide a screen, and a viewer module displaying a background image display part and a partial image display part disposed at a portion of the background image display part on the screen, displaying the first X-ray image on the background image display part, and displaying a portion of the second X-ray image corresponding to the first X-ray image on the partial image display part.

Abstract: Detecting hidden objects on a human body includes acquiring an incoming X-ray image of the human body passing through a penetrating X-ray scanner; generating additional images based on the incoming image by performing logarithmic or saliency transformations or contrasting of the incoming image; obtaining maps for all objects and known object classes, the maps show which pixels correspond to objects or to background, by passing the incoming and the additional images through a neural network with a deep Segnet-U-Net architecture optimized for overlapping object detection with long skip connections before each downsampling layer of the neural network; using the maps, identifying unknown objects in the incoming image by recognizing all objects/objects of known classes, excluding previously classified objects from the known classes from segmented non-anatomic areas; segmenting the incoming image of the human body into multiple parts; and identifying parts containing objects belonging to both the known and unknown

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a system for radiation treatment of a tumor allowing for imaging of the tumor and a surrounding region during radiation therapy and to methods of using such a system. In one embodiment, the system includes a number of radiation detectors positioned in an array to detect radiation scattered from the tumor and the surrounding region. A 3-dimensional image of the tumor is reconstructed from the 2-dimensional scattered radiation projections.

Abstract: Clamping mechanisms that assist with the operation of small, portable x-ray devices are described. A support structure contains a clamping device for a portable X-ray device having a C-arm and a bottom containing a cradle configured to abut and support a C-arm of the portable x-ray device, a mounting plate configured to support a bottom portion of the portable x-ray device. The mounting plate has length members with ridges and a width member extending between the length members, a registration insert configured to mate with an opening in the portable x-ray device, and two clamps configured to secure the portable x-ray device to a cradle and the mounting plate. This clamping device allows the portable x-ray device to be quickly and easily attached to, and detached from, the support structure using only a single hand, while simultaneously preventing the portable x-ray device from accidentally being removed. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: An imaging system is provided. The imaging system comprises a first imaging device and a second gantry. The first imaging device comprises a first gantry, a first X-ray source provided on the first gantry and a first detector that is opposed to the first X-ray source and provided on the first gantry. The first imaging device is used to execute a first imaging mode. The second gantry is separably connected with the first gantry, and executes a second imaging mode combined.

Abstract: Imaging devices and medical apparatuses are provided. The imaging device comprises a first cantilever, a second cantilever and an aligning and locking device where the second cantilever is separably connected with the first cantilever, and the aligning and locking device is provided at a connection of the first cantilever and the second cantilever and comprises a positioning groove, a positioning block and a locking member. The positioning groove is concavely provided on one of the first cantilever and the second cantilever and the positioning block is convexly provided on the other and extendable into the positioning groove to cooperate with the positioning groove for positioning. A locking groove is concavely provided in the positioning block. The locking member is movably provided in the cantilever on which the positioning groove is provided, and may insert into the locking groove to cooperate with the locking groove for locking.

Abstract: A radiographic imaging apparatus comprises: a leg unit that is capable of traveling on an apparatus-placement surface by a wheel unit; a body unit that is held on the leg unit; an arm unit that is connected to the body unit and is capable of protruding upward from the body unit; and a radiation source that is mounted on the arm unit, wherein the arm unit includes a body-side part that is capable of extending and retracting in a direction of the protruding of the arm unit and is connected to the body unit, and a radiation source-side part on which the radiation source is mounted, the radiation source-side part is connected to a distal end side of the body-side part so as to be revolvable in a direction where an angle between the radiation source-side part and the body-side part changes, and revolution regulating unit.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a highly safe moving-type radiation device can be provided. In the case of a conventional configuration using tension springs, if a spring is severed, the fragments will separate from each other permanently. Therefore, the present invention uses compression spring 8a and 8b instead. According to the spring mechanism of the present invention, even if a shaft is about to move largely in accordance with the severing of a spring, fragments of the spring, which has become stuck each other and immovable, interfere and prevent the movement of the shaft. What has been devised in the present invention is a junction spring seat that links a plurality of compression springs 8a and 8b. With this, even in cases where the compression springs 8a and 8b are linked in series, the compression springs 8a and 8b will not be buckled.