Abstract: A sensor includes a bridge circuit including one or more strain gauges mounted on a nail plate, the bridge circuit outputting a voltage signal, an amplifier circuit amplifying the voltage signal output by the bridge circuit to generate an amplified signal, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter converting the amplified signal into a digital signal, a controller receiving the digital signal and facilitating communication with a receiver, and an antenna configured to transmit the digital signal.

Abstract: A medical patch applicator device for easily and effectively applying medical patches on difficult to reach areas of a person's body. The medical patch applicator device includes an elongated semi-rigid patch support member for supporting a medical patch to be applied anywhere upon a user's body; and patch engagement members attached to the support member and to which the medical patch clings so that the user can effectively apply the medical patch without the medical patch bunching and crumpling up.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes an attaching member and a sensing circuit. The attaching member includes a face configured to be attached to a detection target. The sensing circuit includes a sensing interface provided on the face. The sensing circuit is configured to obtain information related to a contact state between the sensing interface and the detection target from the sensing interface.

Abstract: Provided is a sensing catheter having an outer flexible sheath and a proximal section containing a sensing system having a sensing means, a radiant energy providing means and radiation transmitting means, preferably all housed within a fluid channel.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatuses, and/or devices for alerting a user of a change in a medical condition. The methods, systems, apparatuses, and/or devices may include a first sensor configured to measure a first physiological characteristic of a user to obtain a first set of physiological data for a physiological condition. The methods, systems, apparatuses, and/or devices may include a processing device configured to: receive a second set of physiological data for the physiological condition; determine a unique physiological characteristic of the user based on the second set of physiological data; determine a unique baseline for the unique physiological characteristic of the user based on the second set of physiological data; determine a relative physiological measurement for the physiological condition based on the first set of physiological data; and provide an alert to the user or a third party.

Abstract: A physiological state determination system includes a CPU and a camera. The camera acquires a photographic image data of a time-series change in facial data of a subject to which brain function activation information that activates human brain function was provided. The CPU determines a mental or physical physiological state of the subject based on facial change information corresponding to the photographic image data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting and/or detecting cardiac events based on real-time biomedical signals are discussed herein. In various embodiments, a machine learning algorithm may be utilized to predict and/or detect one or more medical conditions based on obtained biomedical signals. For example, the systems and methods described herein may utilize ECG signals to predict and detect cardiac events. In various embodiments, patterns identified within a signal may be assigned letters (i.e., encoded as distributions of letters). Based on the known morphology of a signal, states within the signal may be identified based on the distribution of letters in the signal. When applied in the in-vehicle environment, drivers or passengers within the vehicle may be alerted when an individual within the vehicle is, or is about to, experience a cardiac event.

Abstract: Provided is a stroke monitoring system capable of measuring a user's biometric signal including an electroencephalogram using a device such as a wearable device for determining whether a user has a stroke for 24 hours, building a database of the measured user's biometric signal and other information, and predicting an occurrence of a user's stroke.

Abstract: A method of adding sensing of moisture and other characteristics into a garment such as a diaper, incontinence garment, brief, or underwear is disclosed. The primary design intent is optimal moisture detection, low per unit cost, and wide-scale data analysis of groups of patients. The embodiments place various forms of electrodes within a garment, and measuring the electrical properties of the electrodes to determine if the garment has contacted moisture. The embodiments herein could be used for sensing incontinence, sensing perspiration, and detecting failure of protective garments, among other purposes. The target moisture is urine and feces; however, other sources of body moisture can also be sensed. A specialized mesh network achieves accuracy of the information obtained, as well as redundancy and timely updating of that information.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including apparatus for use with a plurality of clinicians. The apparatus includes a patient-monitoring system, including a plurality of clinical sensors, configured to detect physiological parameters of respective patients, and to generate respective sensor signals in response thereto. At least one output unit is configured to generate an output to clinicians who are caring for the patients, in response to the sensor signals. A monitoring system (a) analyzes clinician performance in responding to the output of the output unit, and (b) generates an indication of a performance level of the clinicians in response to the analyses. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A computed tomography (CT) system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening to receive an object to be scanned, an x-ray tube, a pixelated detector positioned on the rotatable gantry to receive the x-rays from the x-ray tube, and a computer programmed to acquire helical CT data, determine a sunrise (SR) view position for each pixel within a SR index image, and determine a sunset (SS) view position for each pixel within a SS index image, for a given reference image slice, wherein the SR view position is a first angle of an illumination range for a voxel and the SS view position is a last angle of the illumination range for the voxel, for all slices, rotate the SR index image and the SS index image through a projection index, and reconstruct an image based on the rotated SR index image and the SS index image.

Abstract: A Computed Tomography (CT) machine and a rotator thereof are provided. The rotator includes a rotating base with a scanning hole, a reinforcement with an axial through hole, and a load-carrying part for carrying scanning parts. The reinforcement is of a circumferentially closed structure. The axial through hole communicates with the scanning hole in a way that the reinforcement does not axially block the scanning hole. The load-carrying part is mounted on an external peripheral surface of the rotating base, and an axial end of the load-carrying part is connected with the reinforcement.

Abstract: A dental x-ray sensor holder 1 and sheath 4 for affixing a sensor to a backing plate 2 of the holder 1. The dental x-ray sensor holder 1 and sheath 4 generally includes a sensor holder 1 with a backing plate 2, having one or more spring arms 3, and affixed to or formed contiguously with a proximal end of a bite block 9 of the holder 1. It also includes a sensor sheath adapted to secure a sensor to the backing plate for X-ray acquisition.

Abstract: A portable X-ray imaging apparatus is prevented from losing a connection with a medical member when a detection element is set up in the proximity of the subject to carry out an X-ray imaging. The portable X-ray imaging apparatus 100 comprises an X-ray tube device 4 that irradiates an X-ray to a subject P, an X-ray receiver 6 that detects the X-ray that transmits the subject P, a housing 1b that houses the X-ray receiver 6 capable of being pulled out, and a control element 21 that provides an alarm to prompt paying attention based on the connecting information 30a relative to a connection of the medical member with the subject P.

Abstract: A real-time fluoroscopic imaging system includes a collimator and a detector which are rotationally movable independent of the support assembly, e.g., c-arm, to which they are mounted. Rotational movement of the collimator and the detector are coordinated such that the orientation of the detector with respect to the collimator does not change. The collimator may include a geared flange member to facilitate rotation, and may be a single molded piece formed of a plastic such as tungsten polymer material. The system may also include a plurality of interchangeable collimators characterized by different shapes. A display is provided to present an image to an operator, and image orientation logic displays a target anatomy in a selected orientation regardless of orientation of the target anatomy relative to the detector, and regardless of rotation of the detector.

Abstract: This X-ray phase-contrast imaging apparatus is equipped with a plurality of gratings and grating holders for holding the plurality of gratings. The plurality of gratings is arranged such that the extending direction of grating components of the plurality of gratings is oriented in a direction in which the positional displacement due to the grating holder becomes maximum in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis of the X-ray.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image displaying device including: a display section that displays a pair of mutually related sectional images; a reception section that, for one of the sectional image pair, receives a successive change instruction for a slice position; a generation section that generates a combined sectional image, corresponding to the slice position of the one sectional image, from the other sectional image of the pair; and a controller that, in cases in which the reception section has received the successive change instruction, effects control to switch display of the one sectional image from the one sectional image being displayed to the one sectional image that corresponds to the slice position indicated in the instruction, and, in conjunction with switching, to successively switch display of the other sectional image from the other sectional image that is being displayed to the combined sectional image.

Abstract: A radiographic image processing apparatus includes a hardware processor, which determines the intensity of an edge in a radiographic image obtained by radiographically imaging a subject, sets a weighting factor to be used in extracting a frequency component from the radiographic image according to a determination result of the edge intensity, extracts the frequency component from the radiographic image using the weighting factor having been set, multiplies the extracted frequency component by a scattered radiation content rate to estimate a scattered radiation component in the radiographic image, multiplies the estimated scattered radiation component by a scattered radiation removal rate to generate a scattered radiation image representing the scattered radiation component to be removed from the radiographic image, and performs scattered radiation correction on the radiographic image by subtracting the scattered radiation image from the radiographic image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for imaging of an object (30), an X imaging system (1) for imaging of an object (30), a method for imaging of an object (30), a computer program element for controlling such device or system for performing such method and a computer readable medium having stored such computer program element. The device (10) comprises a provision unit (11) and a processing unit (12). The provision unit (11) is configured to provide position and orientation data of an object (30) to be imaged and to provide position and orientation data of an imaging unit (20) relative to a region of the object (30) and adjusted for a subsequent imaging of the region. The processing unit (12) is configured to combine the position and orientation data of the object (30) and the position and orientation data of the imaging unit (20) to determine the region to be subsequently imaged and to set at least one imaging parameter of the imaging unit (20) based on the determined region to be subsequently imaged.

Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus includes: a detection unit configured to detect emitted radiation and output radiation image data; a clock control unit that has an internal clock and is configured to control a timing at which the detection unit is driven, based on time information of the internal clock; and a communication unit configured to transmit and receive data through a network, wherein the communication unit, if a communication traffic of the radiation image data is at a threshold or less, transmits the time information to a control apparatus that is connected through the network, and the clock control unit corrects the time information of the internal clock using time information that is a reply from the control apparatus to the time information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automatically assessing quality of imaging systems are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a processor configured to receive data from an imaging device; determine whether the received data corresponds to a test exam; in response to determining that the received data corresponds to the test exam, determine whether the test exam was correctly performed based on a comparison of the data to a validity criterion; and when the test exam was correctly performed, determine that the imaging system satisfies a performance criteria based on a comparison of a characteristic of the data corresponding to the performance indicator with a performance threshold; and a storage configured to store the performance indicator in conjunction with the data.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasound device for measuring blood flow velocity in a blood vessel of a subject without imaging functionality in the device. The measurement depends upon reflections of a collimated beam of ultrasound from a subject's body part. Received electrical signals representative of the reflected ultrasound energy is used for generating a representation of blood flow at a plurality of predetermined locations in the volume and calculating a first blood flow velocity at each of the locations. The representation of flow is used for delineating the blood flow in the blood vessel in the volume. An angle calculating unit calculates the Doppler angle between the direction of the radiated collimated beam in the delineated blood flow at each point. A velocity calculator calculates a second blood flow velocity at the plurality of points based on the calculated first velocities and the calculated angle at the point.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes an ultrasonic probe, a display, an actuator, and a needle assembly. The display is associated with the ultrasonic probe, and the ultrasonic probe is configured to send a signal to the display to generate an image on the display. The needle assembly is coupled to the actuator and is at least partially disposed within a channel defined in the ultrasonic probe. The actuator is configured to move the needle assembly in a distal direction relative to the ultrasonic probe and through the channel of the ultrasonic probe from a retracted position to a deployed position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for characterizing adventitial tissue. In one aspect, a system and method are disclosed that characterizes tissue types within the adventitial tissue including nerve bundles and blood vessels. In a further aspect, the adventitia is imaged and characterized to provide guidance for crossing lesions within an occluded vessel.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to ultrasound imaging systems and methods that provide a user interface on the touchscreen display. The user interface includes an ultrasound image feed and a single control for modifying imaging depth of the ultrasound image feed. When input via the single control is received to modify the imaging depth, the system: adjusts frequency of ultrasound signals being used to acquire the ultrasound image feed; adjusts a beamformer parameter of the ultrasound signals being used to acquire the ultrasound image feed; receives first image data of the ultrasound image feed based on the adjusted frequency and the adjusted beamformer parameter; based on the first image data, adjusts Time Gain Compensation (TGC) of the ultrasound image feed; and receives second image data of the ultrasound image feed based on the adjusted frequency, beamformer parameter and TGC. Display of the second image data on the touchscreen display is then optimized without receipt of additional user input.

Abstract: The ultrasound examination system automatically detects a lesion, based on a dynamic image including a plurality of frame arrays that are temporally continuous and are output from the ultrasound examination apparatus with an ultrasonic probe being manipulated. Detection accuracy of the ultrasound examination system can be increased. A feature extractor in a frame checker extracts cubic higher-order local autocorrelation features from each frame of a plurality frames that constitute a dynamic image of a human body part as obtained from an ultrasound examination apparatus while an examiner manipulates an ultrasonic probe on the examinee. A final determinator determines that the frame in question is a normal frame when a speed determinator determines that the speed of the ultrasonic probe is not a normal speed even though the frame in question can be determined as an abnormal frame containing a lesion.

Abstract: In the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, the method of determining the sound velocity, and the program recorded in a recording medium, a probe is made transmit an ultrasonic beam a plurality of times so as to form a predetermined transmission focus point, an analog element signal output by the probe is A/D converted into the first element data, the second element data corresponding to any one of a plurality of the first element data is generated, and the second element data is used to determine the sound velocity in an inspection object, whereby the sound velocity of the ultrasonic waves in the inspection object can be accurately determined without decreasing the frame rate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for identifying conditions in a human or animal body, such as pregnancy or ovulation. For example, the present disclosure relates to devices and methods for identifying pregnancy or ovulation, which devices and methods are adapted to mitigate the “hook effect”, thereby improving accuracy of the devices and methods.

Abstract: A device comprises a tubular member with a longitudinal axis having a proximal end and a distal end, at least one partial cut located at, along or near the distal end of the tubular member, the at least one partial cut comprising an orientation that is angled relative to both the longitudinal axis and an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, a pusher member positioned within an interior of the tubular member and configured to selectively advance the distal end of the tubular member longitudinally, wherein the distal end of the tubular member is configured to at least partially rotate when the pusher member is advanced relative to the tubular member so at to facilitate placement of the distal end in a particular branch of a subject's intraluminal network, wherein the distal end of the tubular member is configured to longitudinally elongate along or near an area of the at least one partial cut.

Abstract: In intervertebral operative spinal procedures, using separate or pre-attached spreader blocks to control the directional growth of a distracting balloon.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the repair of a ruptured ligament using a scaffold device are provided. Aspects of the invention, may include a scaffold attached by a suture to an anchor. In aspects of the invention, the anchor may be secured to a bone near or at the repair site.

Abstract: A suture anchor according to embodiments of the invention includes a body (102) having a proximal (121) and distal (125) ends and at least two suture paths open towards the proximal end and not open (e.g. looped around) towards the distal end and which are respectively capable of receiving a suture, and a proximal cavity (103) opening into a transverse cavity (104). The anchor may also include a transverse wall (105) arranged at least partially in the transverse cavity (104), and for each suture path, a distinct eyelet (112) for the passage of a suture through the transverse wall (105), so that a suture thread (162) in place in the anchor (100) forms a U with a first strand (162a) along the longitudinal axis (X-X), a second strand (162c) substantially parallel thereto, and an arc (162b) formed in the eyelet (112) and connecting the first and second strands.

Abstract: An inserter device that has a driver, a removable inserter tip (or plurality of inserter tips) and a cannulation device slidable over the inserter tip is provided, wherein the removable inserter tip is provided as an interchangeable component of the device, one configuration of the interchangeable inserter tip being of a substantially hexagonal cross-sectional shape (suitable for accommodating a screw-in fixation device (screw), and another configuration of the interchangeable inserter tip being of a substantially circular cross-sectional shape (suitable for accommodating a push-in anchor). A suture anchor assembly has the inserter device that is used with a plug-in anchor, a screw-in anchor, or interchangeably with a plug-in or screw-in anchor, is also disclosed. A method for assembling the suture anchor assembly as well as a method of using the surgical assembly for tissue repair are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching a suture to an object, the apparatus comprising: an anchor comprising a body having a distal end and a proximal end, and a vertical bore extending through the body substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body; wherein the anchor further comprises a recess formed on one side of the body and a U-shaped slot formed on the opposing side of the body, whereby to form a flexible finger extending distally within the body, and further wherein the distal end of the finger is spaced from an opposing portion of the body; and wherein at least one of the flexible finger and the body comprises a cutout extending therethrough, with the cutout cooperating with the U-shaped slot and the recess so as to together form a suture loading hole extending through the body, with the suture loading hole being sized to receive a suture therein.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, methods and/or systems for securing tissue to bone, including a suture anchor implant having a body through which a suture eyelet extends transversely, and one or more suture pinch slits extending proximally from the suture eyelet, the suture pinch slit(s) angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the anchor such that a distal end of at least one suture pinch slit is positioned within a suture recess extending along the body and a proximal end of the at least one suture pinch slit is positioned outside of the suture recess.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing a biological construct according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, attaching a suture loop/needle construct to a reinforcement material and stitching the reinforcement material to a biological construct to form a reinforced biological construct. The reinforcement material is attached to the suture loop/needle construct prior to approximating the reinforcement material to the biological construct.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the repair of a ruptured ligament using a scaffold device are provided. Aspects of the invention, may include a scaffold attached by a suture to an anchor. In aspects of the invention, the anchor may be secured to a bone near or at the repair site.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the repair of a ruptured ligament using a scaffold device are provided. Aspects of the invention may include a scaffold attached by one or more sutures to one or more anchors. In aspects of the invention, the anchors may be secured to a bone near or at the repair site.

Abstract: A method of delivering and recovering a curved needle includes a step of inserting a first needle holder into abdominal cavity, a step of inserting a second needle holder holding a curved needle into gastrointestinal tract, a step of penetrating gastrointestinal wall with the curved needle to protrude the curved needle to the abdominal cavity, a step of removing the curved needle from the gastrointestinal wall and delivering the curved needle and the suture thread to the abdominal cavity, a suture step of suturing tissues in the abdominal cavity, a step of protruding the curved needle to the gastrointestinal tract, a step of removing the curved needle from the gastrointestinal wall and returning the curved needle from the abdominal cavity to the gastrointestinal tract, and a step of taking out the curved needle from the gastrointestinal tract to outside of body to recover the curved needle.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a knot-tying device and a knot-tying system with the knot-tying device. The knot-tying device comprises a shear knife provided at a front end of a driving rod. Hilts of the shear knife (18) are opened by an elastic member, and the hilts are pressed by the driving rod to close and cut a suture. The shear knife is used as a substitute for a cutter in the related art, and is driven to close by the driving rod so as to realize a shearing function. When the suture is cut off by the shear knife, a requirement for sharpness of blades are greatly reduced, and the blades are able to be realized by a common processing method, thereby greatly reducing cost while ensuring reliability. In addition, abrasion on the blades from the suture is reduced, thereby greatly prolonging the service life of the product.

Abstract: A shapeable passer for surgical cable or suture is made from a flexible tubular extrusion which includes at least one lumen arranged to receive the leading end of a surgical cable or suture, and at least one lumen arranged to contain a malleable stiffener element. The lumens and stiffener element are arranged parallel to each other and lengthwise along longitudinal axis of the extrusion, such that the malleable stiffener element enables the malleable portion of the passer to be shaped as desired. The leading ends of the lumens are preferably sealed, capped or tipped, while the trailing ends of the lumens arranged to receive the surgical cables or sutures are preferably flared to facilitate manual insertion of the cables or sutures.

Abstract: This invention provides a suture system and method that does not require knots. A locking suture includes a needle and a thread that is provided with a plurality of locking barbs. The needle is applied over an end of the thread by conventional systems. The exterior surface of the thread is covered with barbs. The barbs can be arranged in rows of at least one barb each, circumscribing the thread of the suture and are oriented so that they are uniformly feathered, being closed in the direction of the needle and open toward the terminal (posterior) end. The feathering provides for the barbs to lie flat when drawn through a membrane or other material, and the bias causes them to splay open when a tension towards the terminal/posterior end is exerted. This splaying creates a locking force.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for securing sutures that obviate the need for tying knots. Disclosed suture clips can comprise a first part and a second part that are attachable together to secure one or more sutures in a suture engagement region between the first and second parts. The first and second parts can include locking projections and slots at opposing ends of the suture engagement region to align the two parts, contain sutures, and/or secure the clip onto sutures. When the first and second parts are attached together, first engagement features of the first part inter-engage with second engagement features of the second part to grip and secure sutures within suture engagement region. An exemplary delivery device has hold a plurality of such suture clips in an elongated shaft portion and deploy the clips successively to sutures via actuation of a handle portion.

Abstract: A rotational driver that comprises a interactive portion, wherein each interactive portion comprises a first extended member and a second extended member, a rotational system and a linear motion system, wherein the rotational driver permits a left or right handed surgeons to perform the surgical suturing procedure in a less complicated and more secure way by allowing more control over the angled suturing needle and the area to be stitched, even when the suturing area is small, deep, and/or restricted. Also the rotational driver comprises several configurations at the interactive portion ends to provide selected angles for the needle during the suturing procedure.

Abstract: A swaging system for attaching surgical needles to sutures and testing the attachment strength includes a bottom swaging die and a top swaging die that is configured to move up and down along a swaging axis that is in alignment with the bottom swaging die. The bottom swaging die includes a swaging tool mounted thereon that extends toward the top swaging die along the swaging axis. The swaging tool includes an upper end having a top surface with a swaging notch for swaging a needle to a suture to form an armed surgical needle, and a testing notch, adjacent the swaging notch, for conducting a pull test on the armed surgical needle.

Abstract: A surgical braid comprising a plurality of fibers arranged in a tubular braid, the tubular braid comprising an outer wall and at least first and second sections, the first section having a first core and the second section having a second core; and the plurality of fibers comprising a fiber having first color, the fiber having a first color being braided into the outer wall of the first section and forming at least art of the second core in the second section.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for the securement of dermal tissues. The device provides approximation and eversion of the tissue as well as the placement of a fixation element that bridges a wound. The fixation element may be produced in several fixed or dynamic configurations that may or may not alter the ability to engage tissue in response to stresses placed upon the fixation member post-deployment. The delivery device inserts the fastener percutaneously through the epidermis into the sub-dermal position without entering the wound margins with any part of the approximation portion of the delivery device.

Abstract: A surgical circular stapler has a handle assembly, a shaft, a stapling assembly, a motor, a drive assembly, and a firing assembly. The shaft extends distally from the handle assembly. The stapling assembly is secured to a distal end of the shaft. Longitudinal translation of the firing assembly causes the stapling assembly to drive a plurality of staples in a circular array to secure two lumens of tissue together. The stapling assembly may further drive a blade to sever any excess tissue interior of the circular array of staples. The motor is operable to rotate the drive assembly to thereby translate the firing assembly. A resilient member biases the firing assembly proximally. Through cooperation between the firing assembly and the resilient member, the firing assembly is driven distally and proximally to complete a firing stroke in response to rotation of the drive assembly through a single revolution.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for applying tacks to tissue includes a handle assembly, an elongated portion, an outer tube, an end effector, a rotation assembly, and a rotation-limiting structure. The rotation assembly is configured to rotate at least a portion of the outer tube about a first longitudinal axis and with respect to the handle assembly. The rotation assembly includes a rotation knob rotationally fixed to a proximal portion of the outer tube. The rotation-limiting structure is disposed in mechanical cooperation with at least one of the rotation assembly and the handle assembly, and is configured to limit an amount of rotation of the outer tube with respect to the handle assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a surgical apparatus, comprising an anvil jaw configured to form at least one surgical staple, a cartridge jaw configured to deploy one or more surgical staples against the anvil jaw, and a pressure distribution device attached to at least one of the anvil jaw and the cartridge jaw, wherein the pressure distribution device is configured to distribute a clamping pressure to a target tissue during a clamping and a stapling of the target tissue.