Abstract: The invention discloses a method of monitoring a beverage consumption of a human implemented by a computer, comprising the following steps: dividing a timespan of a day into a plurality of time intervals; estimating the estimated hydration loss during each of the time intervals based on the activity of the human, the weight of the human, the temperature in the surrounding of the human and the humidity in the surrounding of the human; evaluating for each of the time intervals the volume of beverage consumed by the human; estimating for each of the time intervals an effective hydration loss of the human based on the estimated hydration loss and the volume of beverage consumed by the human; defining an euhydration threshold depending on the weight of the human, wherein the euhydration threshold indicates that the hydration of the human is at the lower limit of euhydration; defining an euhydration warning threshold depending on the weight of the human, wherein the euhydration warning threshold indicates an eff

Abstract: A mouth guard senses impact forces and determines if the forces exceed an impact threshold. If so, the mouth guard notifies the user of the risk for injury by haptic feedback, vibratory feedback, and/or audible feedback. The mouth guard system may also remotely communicate the status of risk and the potential injury. The mouth guard uses a local memory device to store impact thresholds based on personal biometric information obtained from the user and compares the sensed forces relative to those threshold values. The mouth guard and its electrical components on the printed circuit board are custom manufactured for the user such that the mouth guard provides a comfortable and reliable fit, while ensuring exceptional performance.

Abstract: A sensor patch includes a housing configured to support a sensor, the housing including a surface configured to be disposed adjacent to skin of a subject, the surface including a pattern of microstructures defining protrusions and recesses, wherein the protrusions facilitate attachment of the housing to the skin of the subject.

Abstract: A garment includes a securing portion operable to removably secure the garment about an abdomen of a wearer; a sensor attachment portion pivotably attached to the securing portion, the sensor attachment portion including a sensor mount configured to receive and retain a sensor therein; and a sensor received in the flexible sensor mount; the securing portion and the sensor attachment portion being configured such that, when the securing portion is secured around the back of a wearer, the sensor attachment portion pivots with respect to the securing portion so as to self-position the sensor attachment portion across (a) an upper portion of the wearer's abdomen or (b) a lower portion of the wearer's abdomen; the flexible sensor mount being configured to orient a sensor received therein to be flush with skin of the wearer when the garment is worn by the wearer and to self-adjust during the course of pregnancy.

Abstract: A garment shaped to approximate the abdomen of an expectant mother having a layered laminated conductive material adhered to the garment is disclosed. A portion of the laminated material is configured to directly contact the skin of the maternal abdomen to create an electrical signal connection. A portion of the layered laminated material comprises a stretchable circuit assembly having a substrate with an adhesive layer, a thermoplastic layer, a conductive layer and an encapsulating layer. A monitor controller is disposed about the garment and is configured to receive electrical signals from the circuit assembly and transmit information related to the electrical signals to a remote location.

Abstract: A wearable device for healthcare and a method thereof, wherein the device is worn on a finger for measuring the health data of the user, including but not limited to, the heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, etc. The wearing size of the device is adjustable for different sizes of fingers. In one embodiment, the device includes a main body at least partially worn on a digit of a user; at least one physiological sensor attached to the main body for detecting physiological information; and at least two branches coupled to the main body for holding the digit while reducing the movement of the device. At least a part of at least one branch is changeable such that the wearing size of the device is adjustable for different sizes of digits. In another embodiment, at least a part of at least one branch is movable such that the wearing size of the device is adjustable for different sizes of digits.

Abstract: A health patch includes a non-conductive surface configured to be disposed adjacent to skin of a subject, the non-conductive surface including a pattern of non-conductive microstructures defming protrusions and recesses, wherein the protrusions facilitate attachment of the housing to the skin of the subject.

Abstract: Pressure sensors that can be reliability operated with the maximum current flowing through the device restricted to 10 uA or below, or below 50 uA in a single-fault condition. This can provide at least a reduced need for the final medical device architect to consider potential risks from excessive current to the patient, simplifying the design and manufacturability of the medical device. An additional benefit is that the sensors are generally more accurate at lower current flow, as self-heating of the resistors and parasitic leakages are reduced, if the signal-to-noise problem is resolved.

Abstract: The embodiments include an apparatus used in combination with a computer for sensing biopotentials. The apparatus includes a catheter in which there is a plurality of sensing electrodes, a corresponding plurality of local amplifiers, each coupled to one of the plurality of sensing electrodes, a data, control and power circuit coupled to the plurality of local amplifiers, and a photonic device bidirectionally communicating an electrical signal with the data, control and power circuit. An optical fiber optically communicated with the photonic device. The photonic device bidirectionally communicates an optical signal with the optical fiber. An optical interface device provides optical power to the optical fiber and thence to the photonic device and receives optical signals through the optical fiber from the photonic device. The optical interface device bidirectionally communicates an electrical data, control and power signal to the computer.

Abstract: A sensor strap system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a sensor capable of detecting physical or physiological activities or conditions of a target subject; a top strap extending along a top surface of a bed, the top strap configured to secure the sensor to the top surface of the bed; and a circumferential strap extending about a circumference of the bed and coupled with the top strap.

Abstract: Example apparatus are provided to measure characteristics of a test strip. The apparatus may include an accessory for a mobile device to measure characteristics of a test strip. The accessory may include a mobile device adaptor and a test strip adaptor. The mobile device adaptor may include a first sheath and a second sheath coupled to the first sheath to secure the mobile device. The test strip adaptor may be detachably coupled to the mobile device adapter. The test strip adaptor is configured to receive different types of test strips.

Abstract: A stroke detection system operative to detect strokes suffered by mobile communication device users, the system comprising a hardware processor operative in conjunction with a mobile communication device having at least one built-in sensor; the hardware processor being configured to, repeatedly and without being activated by the device's user, compare data derived from said at least one sensor to at least one baseline value for at least one indicator of user well-being, stored in memory accessible to the processor and/or make a stroke risk level evaluation; and/or perform at least one action if and only if the stroke risk level is over a threshold.

Abstract: The terminal includes a touch panel including first electrodes arranged in a first direction and second electrodes arranged in the second direction intersecting the first direction, a display panel attached to the touch panel and to display an image, and a processor to control the touch panel and the display panel. In a measuring mode, the processor is configured to: apply a driving signal to the touch panel, the touch panel being configured to form an electric field and/or magnetic field when the driving signal is applied, and determine body composition of a user based on a sensing signal output from the touch panel in accordance with eddy current, the eddy current being induced to a body of the user by the electric field and/or magnetic field formed around the touch panel.

Abstract: A method includes generating a three-dimensional (3D) surface map associated with a patient from a patient sensor, generating a 3D patient space from the 3D surface map associated with the patient, determining a current pose associated with the patient based on the 3D surface map associated with the patient, comparing the current pose with a desired pose associated with the patient with respect to an imaging system, determining a recommended movement based on the comparison between the current pose and the desired pose, and providing an indication of the recommended movement. The desired pose facilitates imaging of an anatomical feature of the patient by the imaging system and the recommended movement may reposition the patient in the desired pose.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for facilitating the extraction of cleaner biometric signals from biometric monitors. A motion reference signal is generated independently from a biometric signal and then the motion reference signal is used to remove motion artifacts from the biometric signal.

Abstract: A monitor comprises circuitry to receive a signal and process the signal to monitor at least one characteristic of a subject, and a flexible polymer casing forming a waterproof enclosure for the circuitry. The flexible polymer casing is infused with a conductive material at at least one location to form at least one infused electrode that extends from an exterior of the flexible polymer casing to an interior of the flexible polymer casing, and the at least one infused electrode is coupled to the circuitry so as to allow the signal to pass from outside the flexible polymer casing to the circuitry. A polymer in a portion of the flexible polymer casing that is infused with the conductive material at the at least one location is cross-linked with a polymer in a portion of the flexible polymer casing that is not infused with the conductive material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for biomonitoring and personalized healthcare are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method for forecasting a blood glucose state of a patient is provided. The method comprises: receiving blood glucose data of the patient; generating at least one initial prediction of the blood glucose state by inputting the blood glucose data into a first set of machine learning models; determining a plurality of features at least partly from the at least one initial prediction; and generating a final prediction of the blood glucose state by inputting the plurality of features into a second set of machine learning models.

Abstract: A method for measuring and analyzing blood pressure using PPG includes receiving, by a computer, a PPG signal from a finger of a subject, dividing, by the computer, a normalization pulse wave signal derived from the received PPG signal into one or more predetermined windows, extracting, by the computer, a maximum lower amplitude value from one of the respective divided windows, extracting, by the computer, a target feature pattern from the extracted maximum lower amplitude value, deriving, by the computer, a first target unique vector and a second target unique vector with respect to the target feature pattern, using a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) algorithm to display the first target unique vector and the second target unique vector of the target feature pattern on 2-dimensional (2D) graph, and providing, by the computer, a blood pressure state of the subject, using the 2D graph.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus may include a foam frame defining a space. A bladder assembly may be positioned in the space. The bladder assembly may include a plurality of foam filled bladders. Each of the foam filled bladders may be interconnected by a manifold. A plurality of mutually exclusively selectable pressure relief valves may be provided to release air from the bladder assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises means for engaging a patient platform. The means comprises at least one layer of laminar sheeting of radiolucent material. At least one anatomical support member which comprises at least one layer of laminar sheeting of radiolucent material. At least one articulating joint unit is in engagement with the at least one of anatomical support member. The at least one articulating joint unit comprise at least one layer of laminar sheeting of radiolucent material with a primarily non-metallic connector at a central pivot point. The at least one articulating joint unit is positionable in at least a vertical and horizontal orientations enabling positioning of portions of an anatomy in three dimensions along x, y, and z axes.

Abstract: Embodiments can provide a medical imaging patient bed with an integrated electronic ruler system, comprising a light strip, mounted to the medical imaging bed; a trough comprising an open end and a closed end, mounted to the medical imaging bed and oriented such that the light strip is bounded by the open end and the closed end of the trough; a laser distance meter attached to the open end of the trough; a microcontroller; and a power source configured to provide power to the light strip, laser distance meter, and microcontroller; wherein the microcontroller is configured to illuminate the light strip after one or more distance measurements are received from the laser distance meter when an object is inserted into the trough; wherein a position of the illumination of the light strip corresponds to the one or more distance measurements received from the laser distance meter.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus includes a detection unit, having an X-ray detector and a stray radiation collimator in stacked arrangement, and an X-ray source opposite the detection unit. The X-ray source is embodied, starting from a focal point, to emit X-rays towards the X-ray detector. The X-ray detector has a sensor plane and is subdivided in a first direction into a plurality of detector elements. Each detector element of the plurality of detector elements is embodied to convert the X-rays impinging on a surface region, assigned to the detector element, of the sensor plane into an electrical pixel measurement signal. The stray radiation collimator has a plurality of collimator walls. The collimator walls are arranged over the surface region of a detector element of the plurality of detector elements, such that a shadow cast by a respective collimator wall completely overlaps with the surface region of the corresponding detector element.

Abstract: Improved mapping and ablation procedures and corresponding devices are provided. A variety of methods and apparatuses can be used for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias by identifying the location of an arrhythmia source and ablating that source. The methods and apparatuses can provide an improved means of electrical mapping of the heart to identify the location of the arrhythmia source and advancing an ablation electrode to that location so that it may be ablated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating dual energy X-ray imaging data. It is described to position an X-ray detector relative to an X-ray source such that at least a part of a region between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector is an examination region for accommodating an object. A grid filter is positioned (220) between the examination region and the X-ray source. The X-ray source produces (230) a focal spot on a target to produce X-rays. The X-ray source moves (240) the focal spot in a first direction across a surface of the target. The grid filter has a structure in a first orientation such that the movement of the focal spot in the first direction results in an associated change in an intensity of X-rays transmitted by the grid filter. The X-ray source moves (250) the focal spot in a second direction across the surface of the target that is orthogonal to the first direction.

Abstract: New and improved CT imaging systems are presented which improve the ability to deploy CT imaging in a mobile setting, such as in an ambulatory setting or as part of a mobile hospital unit. Improvements disclosed include implementation of an internal drive system for moving a scanner component relative to a fixed or static platform/base, improved modularity of components for quick maintenance/repair and the inclusion of an integrated patient alignment mechanism connected directly to the CT system.

Abstract: Systems and methods relate to multi-modal imaging of tissue combined with highly focused radiation interventions. The system is a portable multimodal imaging unit that integrates imaging and image analysis. The system can be retrofitted to use with any commercial radiation therapy machine. In one aspect, a system integrates various imaging modalities into a single, coordinated structure. The system integrates X-ray and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), optical imaging (such as bioluminescent imaging (BLI), fluorescence tomography (FT)), and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in a single, self-contained structure.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for imaging a tumor with X-rays while, simultaneously or alternatingly, treating or imaging the tumor with positively charged particles. An X-ray imaging system, such as one or two sets of a cone beam X-ray source coupled to an X-ray detector, is rotatable about a first axis and a patient. The X-ray imaging system is positioned off axis a path of charged particles delivered through an exit port of a nozzle system from a synchrotron and does not block a path of the positively charged particles from the exit nozzle to the patient or an imaging path from the patient to a scintillation detector. Fiducial indicators are used to confirm an unobstructed path of the positively charged particles in a treatment room comprising many movable elements, such as the X-ray imaging system and a patient positioning system/couch.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, from a volumetric imager, a first image including a target of a patient. The method further includes receiving a second image including the target of the patient. The method further includes tracking, by a processing device, a position of the target using the first image and the second image by maintaining a fixed alignment between a treatment beam of a linear accelerator (LINAC) and a source and detector pair of the volumetric imager during operation of the LINAC.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a 3D perspective indicator and a generation method therefor and an application thereof. The present invention specifically provides a 3D perspective indicator for a CT system and a generation method therefor as well as a method and an apparatus for controlling a scanning range in a CT system.

Abstract: A compression plate of a mammography apparatus has an upper surface which is irradiated with radiation, a lower surface which is opposite to the upper surface and comes into contact with the breast, and a surface which is parallel to the upper surface between the upper surface and the lower surface. In the compression plate, a compression plate scale for identifying an in-plane position of each surface is given to any one of the surfaces. A first display control unit of a console performs control to display a radiographic image captured by the mammography apparatus on a display unit. A second display control unit of the console performs control to display an image scale which indicates a position on the radiographic image corresponding to the in-plane position of the compression plate on the radiographic image displayed on the display unit.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for creating a three-dimensional digital subtraction angiography image of a vascular system of a patient. The method includes: providing a first reconstructed three-dimensional filling image which was acquired during at least partial contrast agent filling of the vascular system with a first contrast agent; providing a second reconstructed three-dimensional filling image which was acquired during at least partial contrast agent filling of the vascular system with a second contrast agent; and subtracting the first three-dimensional filling image from the second three-dimensional filling image so that a three-dimensional subtraction angiography image is produced, wherein the first contrast agent and the second contrast agent differ in that one of the two causes increased X-ray absorption and the other causes reduced X-ray absorption relative to a vascular system without contrast agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to image processing devices and related methods. The image processing device (10) comprises a data input (11) for receiving spectral computed tomography volumetric image data organized in voxels. The image data comprises a contrast-enhanced volumetric image of a cardiac region in a subject's body and a baseline volumetric image of that cardiac region, e.g. a virtual non-contrast image, wherein the contrast-enhanced volumetric image conveys anatomical information regarding coronary artery anatomy of the subject. The device comprises a flow simulator (12) for generating, or receiving as input, a three-dimensional coronary tree model based on the volumetric image data and for simulating a coronary flow based on the three-dimensional coronary tree model.

Abstract: A medical information processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry obtains image data rendering a blood vessel of a patient. The processing circuitry performs a fluid analysis on the obtained image data and calculates an index value related to a blood flow in the blood vessel with respect to each of a plurality of positions in the blood vessel. With respect to the index values to be calculated, the processing circuitry selects a position in which a first value is to be obtained from among the plurality of positions or selects a value serving as the first value from among the index values exhibited in positions. The processing circuitry causes a display to display the first value in a predetermined display region thereof used for displaying the first value.

Abstract: A radiation image processing device (100) includes an image processor (6) configured to calculate an adjustment coefficient (Iideal/Ireal) for adjusting a signal reduction rate (Dscat) due to removal of a scattered component in a subject (S) of radiation transmitting through the subject (S) acquired based on a luminance value (Inogrid) of a radiation image (Xnogrid) captured with the radiation radiated to the subject (S) without a grid (8) being arranged, the luminance value (Inogrid) of the radiation image (Xnogrid) containing a signal of a scattered ray.

Abstract: A radiation imaging control apparatus is provided that includes a camera imaging control unit configured to control a camera apparatus to image an implementation state of radiation imaging examination, a subject body shape recognition unit configured to recognize a body shape in an imaging part of a subject by using a camera image imaged by the camera apparatus under control of the camera imaging control unit, a specifying unit configured to specify radiation imaging setting related to the radiation imaging examination by using the body shape of the subject recognized by the subject body shape recognition unit, and a selecting unit configured to select the radiation imaging setting specified by the specifying unit as setup information of the radiation imaging examination.

Abstract: Devices and systems are provided that include an auxiliary electrocardiogram (ECG) assembly that can be utilized to acquire ECG data of a patient and transmit the ECG data to a handheld probe, such as an ultrasound probe. The handheld probe may include a housing and an ultrasound sensor that is at least partially surrounded by the housing. The ultrasound sensor may be located at or near a sensor face of the handheld probe. An auxiliary ECG connector is included that is at least partially exposed by the housing of the handheld probe. The auxiliary ECG connector may be utilized to electrically couple one or more auxiliary ECG leads to the handheld probe.

Abstract: A medical ultrasound device is disclosed. The device comprises an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end (10) and a distal end region (1). One or more ultrasound transducers (4) for generating acoustic radiation are positioned in the distal end region, inside the elongated body. A transmission element (5) which is substantially transparent to acoustic radiation is positioned in the radiation path of the acoustic radiation, and a controller unit is operatively connected to the ultrasound transducer. The controller unit detects the acoustic path length through the transmission element and determines the temperature at the distal end from the detected acoustic path length. In an embodiment, the medical device is an ultrasound RF ablation catheter.

Abstract: Provided is a testing method for determining an oral indicator by which an oral indicator can be determined. The testing method for determining an oral indicator includes an image acquisition step of acquiring an ultrasonic image of an inside of an attached gingiva of a subject, using a measurement probe, an average brightness acquisition step of acquiring average brightness of the ultrasonic image, and an indicator determination step of determining an oral indicator of the subject by referring to the average brightness and a reference of an oral indicator.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to extraction of probe motion estimates from acquired ultrasound image frames. Such image-extracted probe motion data can be used alone or in combination with sensed motion data, such as acquired using an inertial measurement unit (IMU). In certain implementations, the image-extracted probe motion can be used to provide or maintain anatomic context in a sequence of images or to provide guidance to a user.

Abstract: A clinical data acquisition system includes a probe and a mobile clinical viewing device communicatively coupleable to the probe. The probe includes at least one sensor that acquires physiological data of a patient. The mobile clinical viewing device includes a frame, a display, and a handle. The display is secured to a first side of the frame. The handle is secured to a second side of the frame. The handle includes a plurality of user input elements, and a user may control one or more operations of the mobile clinical viewing device by providing input via the user input elements on the handle. This allows a user to comfortably hold the mobile clinical viewing device and to control operations of the device in one hand, while the other hand is free to perform other operations such as holding the probe during examination of the patient.

Abstract: An ultrasonic-image-construction apparatus can construct an ultrasonic-tomographic image of a thin, layer-structured target object to be measured relatively easily and highly accurately in a manner in which such layered structure is easily understood. An ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic-image-constructing apparatus transmits ultrasonic waves to the target object. A reference substance makes contact with a base substrate, with such ultrasonic waves being incident on the target object via the base substrate, then receives an impulse response of an ultrasonic waveform. A computing means performs calculation to estimate acoustic-physical-property distribution in consideration of the multiple-reflections influence based on normalized-impulse information obtained from impulse-response information of such ultrasonic waveform incident on the reference substance and from impulse-response information of such ultrasonic waveform incident on the target object.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ultrasound imaging spatial compounding method and system. The method includes: setting receive lines at different deflection angles in a position of a transmitted beam where each scanning is performed; obtaining the receive lines at the different angles through beamforming; after all positions are scanned, enabling the receive lines at the same deflection angle to form a frame of image at the angle, using one of a plurality of frames of image at the different deflection angles as a basic image, and transforming the remaining frames of image except the basic image into images having the same coordinate system as the basic image; and performing spatial compounding on the plurality of frames of image in the same coordinate system to obtain a compound image for output. The present invention does not affect the temporal resolution of imaging, thereby avoiding image lagging and trailing phenomena.

Abstract: Kalman filtering, including a model of system dynamics, is used to identify flash artifact. The Kalman filtering predicts the velocity or powers based on a past sequence of velocity or power. The prediction defines a confidence interval. Any current measures surpassing the confidence interval are identified as flash artifact and suppressed.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a co-registration system according to the embodiments disclosed herein includes one or more processors, an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) device including an IVUS imaging probe, an angiogram device, and memory storing instructions. The IVUS device and angiogram device are in communication with the one or more processors. The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to determine a pull-back speed of the IVUS imaging probe based on received radiological image data from the angiogram device. In addition, the one or more processors determine a beamforming setting for the INTS imaging probe based on the pull-back speed, wherein the determined beamforming setting changes an image quality parameter for a subsequently received IVUS image. And, the one or more processors provide the determined beamforming setting to the IVUS imaging probe.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for health monitoring using one or more sensors comprising first measuring (100) a body composition via one or more sensors. The measured body composition is then classified (102) into one of a plurality of categories. An at least one setting to be used for the health monitoring is adjusted (104) based on the classified body composition. Then, the health monitoring is performed (106) using the adjusted at least one health monitoring setting, wherein at least one of the sensors used to measure the body composition may also be used to perform the health monitoring.

Abstract: An acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus 1 includes a display unit 7, an operation unit 16, a user identification information acceptance unit 15 that accepts user identification information, a measurement item designation acceptance unit 13 that accepts a measurement item, a detection and measurement algorithm setting unit 9 that sets a detection and measurement algorithm from the measurement item, a position designation acceptance unit 14 that accepts designation of a measurement position from the operation unit 16, a measurement unit 8 that performs detection and measurement of a measurement target using a scan range on the basis of the measurement position and the detection and measurement algorithm and causes the display unit 7 to display a measurement result, a scan range modification unit 10 that modifies the scan range, and a scan range memory 11 that stores the modified scan range for each piece of user identification information, and the measurement unit 8 detects the measurement target using the modifi

Abstract: A syringe is coupled to a biopsy needle through a coupling structure that includes a motor-driven element such as a gear to rotate the needle. The motor can oscillate back and forth to cause the needle to oscillate. Structures are described to permit one-handed operation of the device and automatic motor activation based on attaining a desired plunger position. Non-electric motors are described along with a mechanism for axial oscillation of the needle.

Abstract: Devices and systems for analyzing biological samples are provided. Devices include a hollow body extending from a first end to a second end. The body defines a sample collecting portion. A first opening at the first end of the body is operable to receive a source of negative pressure and a second opening at the second end of the body is operable to receive a biological sample. The body also includes an optically transparent region disposed in a region corresponding to the sample collecting portion, the optically transparent region being configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation therethrough from an imaging device capable of imaging the biological sample when disposed in the sample collecting portion.

Abstract: A device and method for catching a biological specimen from an individual. The device comprises a main chamber, an inlet oriented on the top portion of the device, an outlet oriented on the bottom portion of the device, and a removable filter including a specimen shelf. The device is connected to a medical scope and a vacuum system. When the device is placed under suction, the biological specimen is extracted and trapped on the removable filter of the device. The removable filter is disengaged from the main chamber of the device and deposited along with the biological specimen into a specimen container.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a puncture includes a positioning member including a proximal end, a distal end sized for insertion into a puncture, an expandable element on the distal end, and a tension indicator on the proximal end. The tension indicator includes a distal housing portion fixed relative to the proximal end, and a proximal housing portion or handle movable proximally relative to the distal housing portion. The handle is biased towards the distal housing portion such that, when sufficient tensile force is applied between the expandable element and the handle, the handle moves away from the distal housing portion. During use, the distal end is introduced through a puncture into a vessel, the expandable element is expanded, and the positioning member is partially withdrawn until the expanded element contacts a wall of the vessel and the handle separates from the distal housing portion, indicating that sufficient tension is applied.