Abstract: The inventive concept relates to a respiratory disease patient management device, and may determine a patient's respiratory state based on the patient's peak expiratory flow and asthma symptom score, and may provide information about the additional dose of medication required by the patient by determining the patient's respiratory state based on the patient's peak expiratory flow and asthma symptom score.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is presented for quantifying hydration in a subject. The method includes: receiving a heart rate signal indicative of heart rate of the subject; extracting features from the heart rate signal, where one or more of the extracted features include a frequency domain representation of the heart rate signal; constructing a feature vector from the extracted features; and quantifying hydration status of the subject as a percent of body weight of the subject by classifying the feature vector using machine learning, where percentages of body weight are expressed in increments on the order of one percent or less.

Abstract: Devices and methods for monitoring physiologic parameters are described where an airway device, in one embodiment, may comprise a mouthpiece section and an opening section defining one or more airway lumens therethrough with a first sensor in fluid communication with the one or more airway lumens and a second sensor positioned upon a hand-piece for contact against a portion of the user. The first sensor may be configured to detect an airway pressure when a user inhales or exhales through the one or more airway lumens, and the second sensor may be configured to detect a physiological signal from the user. Additionally, a controller may be in communication with the first and second sensors where the controller is programmed to correlate pressure oscillations in the airway pressure with heartbeats.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for delivering and/or withdrawing a substance or substances such as blood or interstitial fluid, from subjects, e.g., from the skin and/or from beneath the skin. In one aspect, the present invention is generally directed to devices and methods for withdrawing or extracting blood from a subject, e.g., from the skin and/or from beneath the skin, using devices containing a fluid transporter (for example, one or more microneedles), and a storage chamber having an internal pressure less than atmospheric pressure prior to receiving blood. In some cases, the device may be self-contained, and in certain instances, the device can be applied to the skin, and activated to withdraw blood from the subject. The device, or a portion thereof, may then be processed to determine the blood and/or an analyte within the blood, alone or with an external apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for delivering and/or withdrawing a substance or substances such as blood or interstitial fluid, from subjects, e.g., from the skin and/or from beneath the skin. In one aspect, the present invention is generally directed to devices and methods for withdrawing or extracting blood from a subject, e.g., from the skin and/or from beneath the skin, using devices containing a fluid transporter (for example, one or more microneedles), and a storage chamber having an internal pressure less than atmospheric pressure prior to receiving blood. In some cases, the device may be self-contained, and in certain instances, the device can be applied to the skin, and activated to withdraw blood from the subject. The device, in some cases, may be interfaced with external equipment to determine an analyte contained within a fluid contained within or collected by the device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are medical systems and devices that include an elongate probe configured for insertion into a patient, where the elongate probe includes an electrically conductive (EC) medium extending along probe. The EC medium may take several forms, including a conductive cannula, an ionic solution, a flex circuit, wires, or platings. The probe includes a conductive tip for exchanging electrical signals with a patient. The probe includes optical fiber having shape sensing core fibers, illuminating core fibers and imaging core fibers. A console of the system includes logic executed by one or more processors to perform operations that include providing and/or receiving electrical signals to and from the patient. Operations further include shape sensing of the probe, projecting illuminating light, and receiving imaging light.

Abstract: A vascular graft system comprising a vascular graft and a processing unit. The vascular graft comprises at least one pressure sensing device. The processing unit is connected to the at least one pressure sensing device. The processing unit comprises a processor which is configured to (a) receive an arterial pressure pulse trace from the pressure sensor which comprises pressure pulses, (b) classify each pulse as regular or irregular and remove the irregular pulses; and (c) for at least one of the pulses calculate at lease one of PWV, SI, K and AI. There is also disclosed an associated method of processing an arterial pressure pulse trace to obtain at least one of PWV, SI, K and AI.

Abstract: The present disclosure 1s directed to systems and methods for endovascular electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocorticography (ECoG) systems. In some embodiments, the disclosed systems include electrode arrays that are configured to record and/or stimulate brain tissue via placement within blood vessels of the brain. Venous and arterial EEG and ECoG electrodes, ambulatory EEG and ECoG systems, and transcutaneous access and signal control systems for general and ambulatory endovascular electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocorticography (ECoG), as well as endovascular neural stimulating electrodes are discussed.

Abstract: A system for a physiological characteristic sensor deployed with a sensor inserter includes an adhesive skin patch coupled to the physiological characteristic sensor. The adhesive patch is to couple the physiological characteristic sensor to an anatomy. The system also includes a gravity resistance system coupled to the adhesive patch and to be coupled to the sensor inserter. The gravity resistance system maintains the adhesive patch substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the sensor inserter prior to deployment of the physiological characteristic sensor and is removable from the adhesive patch by the sensor inserter upon deployment of the physiological characteristic sensor.

Abstract: A contactless physiological measurement device is disclosed. The contactless physiological measurement device is an electronic device comprising a processor and a memory storing an application program. When the application program is executed, the processor controls a front camera and a rear camera of the electronic device to photograph a user, so as to obtain a face image and a hand image. Subsequently, after extracting a first rPPG signal and a second rPPG signal from the face image and the hand image respectively, physiological parameters are calculated by apply a signal process to the first/second rPPG signal. Moreover, a signal parameter difference is also acquired after applying a signal difference calculation to the two rPPG signals. Consequently, an estimation value of blood pressure is outputted by inputting user anthropometric parameter, said signal parameter difference and at least one physiological parameter into a pre-trained blood pressure estimating model.

Abstract: Aspects relate to providing radio frequency components responsive to magnetic resonance signals. According to some aspects, a radio frequency component comprises at least one coil having a conductor arranged in a plurality of turns oriented about a region of interest to respond to corresponding magnetic resonant signal components. According to some aspects, the radio frequency component comprises a plurality of coils oriented to respond to corresponding magnetic resonant signal components. According to some aspects, an optimization is used to determine a configuration for at least one radio frequency coil.

Abstract: A real-time in-ear EEG signal verification system. The system includes an in-ear device (IED) configured to be placed within an ear canal of a user and a controller. The IED includes a speaker configured to present a calibration audio signal to the user, the calibration audio signal being embedded with a predetermined audible feature, and an in-ear electrode configured to be in contact with an inner surface of the ear canal. The controller is configured to instruct the speaker to present the calibration audio signal to the user, and generate neural signal data based on electrical signals from the in-ear electrode. The electrical signals correspond to brain activity of the user in response to the predetermined audible feature. The controller is configured to determine a quality of the generated neural signal data, and perform an action based on the quality of the neural signal data.

Abstract: The method and system for predicting geriatric syndrome according to the present invention predicts a risk degree of geriatric syndrome of a subject based on the foot depth image and plantar pressure data acquiring the foot depth image and the plantar pressure data.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for administering healthcare to a user or patient based on analysis of user-specific respiratory and oximetry parameters is disclosed. Additional parameters specific to the user, the user’s health condition, or the user’s current or planned treatment are optionally included in the analysis. The user inputs parameter values on a healthcare monitoring device. The device communicates such values to a healthcare information hub, which pre-processes the values into data sets and forwards the data sets to a healthcare server. The hub performs preliminary analysis of the parameter values and provides a preliminary report to the user that indicates a characterization of the user’s health condition (e.g., diagnosis, prognosis, suggested preliminary therapy regimen, etc) or whether further parameter values should be input. The healthcare server analyzes the datasets received from the information hub, optionally including additional data sets (e.g.

Abstract: A monitor configuration system which communicates with a physiological sensor, the monitor configuration system including one or more processors and an instrument manager module running on the one or more processors. At least one of the one or more processors communicates with the sensor and calculates at least one physiological parameters responsive to the sensor. The instrument manager controls the calculation, display and/or alarms based upon the physiological parameters. A configuration indicator identifies the configuration profile. In one aspect of the invention, the physiological sensor is a optical sensor that includes at least one light emitting diode and at least one detector.

Abstract: Vital data including data regarding a pulse is continuously obtained from a wearable terminal worn by a person to be monitored and stored in a database as target quantitative information associated with disease information and physical condition information regarding the person; an analysis with time-series patterns based on the vital data as an explanatory variable and the disease information and/or the physical condition information at and after times when the time-series patterns were obtained as a response variable is performed using the target quantitative information accumulated in the database; a time-series pattern based on new vital data is compared with the time-series pattern found in the analysis to be correlated with the disease information and/or the physical condition information; and a physical event including disease onset and a physical condition change of a person who has shown the new vital data is estimated or predicted.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identification and display of airway collapse due to conditions such as tracheomalacia (TM) or dynamic airway collapse (DAC). In an aspect, the technology relates to a method for identifying airway collapse. The method includes emitting, from an acoustic sensor, a series of acoustic pulses into a tracheal tube positioned in an airway of a patient; detecting, by the acoustic sensor, echoes resulting from the series of acoustic pulses; generating, based on the detected echoes, a time series of passageway sizes of the airway; based on the time series of passageway sizes, detecting an airway collapse has occurred; and based on detecting the airway collapse has occurred, activating an airway collapse alarm.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to detecting prostate cancer. A processor receives image data indicative of a computed tomography scan comprising a spatial sequence of two-dimensional cross-sectional images. The processor then applies a neural network to the image data by calculating three-dimensional convolutions in one or more convolutional layers of the neural network and evaluating an output layer. A first dimension of the convolutions is defined in space along the spatial sequence of the two-dimensional cross-sectional images. The three-dimensional convolutions comprise convolutions along the first dimension. The output layer is connected to the one or more convolutional layers in the neural network, and has an output value that is indicative of a probability of detecting prostate cancer in the computed tomography scan. Three-dimensional convolutions in the neural network provide a more accurate probability of detecting prostate cancer.

Abstract: Imaging systems and methods are provided for scanning a patient’s head using a portable CT scanner. An imaging assembly can comprise a portable scan board on which a patient is positioned, and a corresponding portable CT scanner positioned and locked onto the portable scan board. The portable CT scanner and the portable scan board can form a portable CT scanning assembly capable of rotating an X-ray source and corresponding X-ray detector around the patient’s head to transmit X-rays through the patient’s head at one or more angles, while translating across the portable scan board to scan one or more portions of the patient’s head. A composite image reconstructed based on the rotational and translational scanning is generated representing one or more interior aspects of the patient’s head.

Abstract: The invention provides, in some aspects, a system for implementing a rule derived basis to display image sets. In various embodiments of the invention, the selection of the images to be displayed, the layout of the images, as well as the rendering parameters and styles can be determined using a rule derived basis. In an embodiment of the present invention, the user is presented with images displayed based on their preferences without having to first manually adjust parameters.

Abstract: There are provided a medical image display apparatus, method, and program capable of reducing a burden on a doctor in a case of interpreting a medical image. At least one processor is provided, and the processor acquires a detection result of at least one region of interest included in a medical image detected by analyzing the medical image, specifies at least one region of attention to which a user has paid attention in the medical image, and distinguishably displays the detection result of the region of interest and a specification result of the region of attention on a display.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system (100) for a Cephalometric dentomaxillofacial X-ray imaging operation. The imaging system comprises a controller (132), an X-ray emitter (104) for emitting X-rays (106), primary and secondary collimators (108, 110) for collimating the X-rays, an X-ray receiver (124) for receiving the X-rays from the emitter, and a positioner (120) for positioning an object (102) to be imaged. The controller is configured to select (264) one of one-shot and scanning Cephalometric imaging operations and to control the emitter to emit X-ray radiation (106) and the receiver to receive the emitted radiation in order to acquire (266) an X-ray image data (ID) in the selected imaging operation.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for acquiring image data of a subject. The image data can be collected with an imaging system using various selection techniques. The selection techniques may be used to assist in generating selected images for viewing. Selection techniques may include moving a filter to filter a selected portion of an imaging beam.

Abstract: The present invention provides means and methods for the assessment of coronary vessels, in particular to determine the patterns of blockage or restriction to the blood flow through a coronary vessel. More particularly, the present invention relates to a generalized approach to synchronize angiographic projection angles in real time with external 3-dimensional coronary CT angiographic images. Accordingly, a system is provided to project two-dimensional angiographic images side by side with three-dimensional coronary CT images.

Abstract: Described herein is a technique (e.g., apparatus and method) to improve consistency of lumbar lordosis (LL) and disc height index (DHI) measurements. In at least one embodiment, one or more processors are to measure lumber spine based, at least in part, on cross-sectional area and optical center of mass of segmented intervertebral discs (IVDs).

Abstract: A method for determining respiratory induced blood mass change from a four-dimensional computed tomography (4D CT) includes receiving a 4D CT image set which contains a first three-dimensional computed tomographic image (3D CT) and a second 3D CT image. The method includes executing a deformable image registration (DIR) function on the received 4D CT image set, and determining a displacement vector field indicative of the lung motion induced by patient respiration. The method further includes segmenting the received 3D CT images into a first segmented image and a second segmented. The method includes determining the change in blood mass between the first 3D CT image and the second 3D CT image from the DIR solution, the segmented images, and measured CT densities.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to obtain an X-ray CT image relating to a subject. The processing circuitry is configured to obtain a camera image capturing a position and a shape of the subject corresponding to the X-ray CT image. The processing circuitry is configured to generate an attenuation map based on the camera image and the X-ray CT image. The processing circuitry is configured to obtain detection data based on gamma rays radiating from a radiation source administered into the subject. The processing circuitry is configured to reconstruct an image based on the attenuation map and the detection data.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing a quality of computed tomography (CT) images generated by a CT system by altering a shape of a focal spot of an X-ray emitter of the CT system. In one embodiment, a method comprises controlling the CT system to focus a beam of electrons generated by a cathode of the CT system at a plurality of focal spots on a surface of an target of the CT system; generating a composite focal spot from the plurality of focal spots; and obtaining projection data of the CT system with the composite focal spot. For example, two focal spots may be combined to generate the composite focal spot. By combining focal spots to generate composite focal spots, a quality of a resulting view produced by the CT system may be increased.

Abstract: A controller and method are for configuring operation of a kVp-s witching spectral CT imaging apparatus which, in at least one mode, aims to mimic the user-side operating workflow of a conventional non-spectral CT scanner. The controller receives user-defined settings associated with operation of a non-spectral CT system, comprising a desired peak tube voltage and desired tube current. Based on these user-specified inputs, the controller performs a conversion procedure to derive a set of spectral CT operating parameters which are estimated to result in administration of the same dose of X-ray radiation over a single kVp switching cycle as would be administered by the conventional scanner over a same time duration.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for calibrating a medical imaging system. In one example, a method includes identifying a calibration vector to be updated based on an artifact in an image acquired with the medical imaging system, determining calibration data to be obtained with the medical imaging system based on the calibration vector, obtaining the calibration data with the medical imaging system, and updating the calibration vector based on the calibration data.

Abstract: A deformable image registration phantom, having a housing, an outer cylinder with a first diameter, a parallel eccentric inner cylinder with a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, a ball and socket mount, and a target. The target is mounted to the housing by way of the inner and outer cylinders and the ball and socket mount. The inner cylinder is rotatably mounted within the outer cylinder and the target is rotatably mounted, directly or indirectly, within the inner cylinder. The outer cylinder may be rotatably mounted within the housing and the ball and socket mount rotatably mounted within the inner cylinder. Alternatively, the outer cylinder may be rotatably mounted within the ball and socket mount and the ball and socket mount rotatably mounted within the housing.

Abstract: An analysis device includes a detection unit that detects abnormality in lung sounds for each of auscultation positions on the basis of time-series acoustic signals including lung sounds of each of the auscultation positions; a determination unit that determines severity of heart failure of a patient on the basis of a detection result of abnormality in the lung sounds of each of the auscultation positions detected by the detection unit and condition information representing a condition of the patient; and an output unit that decides whether or not to output predetermined information to an external device on the basis of a result of determination by the determination unit, and performs output corresponding to a result of decision.

Abstract: A modular stethoscope system has multiple ear pieces and chest pieces. The modular stethoscope system allows multiple peoples’ heartbeat and breathing sounds to be shared. The apparatus can have multiple heart modules that are placed on users’ chests that can each receive circulatory and/or respiratory audio signals from the users. The heart modules can be coupled to each other and/or coupled to multiple audio output devices so that some or all of the users can hear the combined heartbeats. The heart modules’ inputs and outputs can be shared through direct physical links and/or converted into electrical or wireless signals that can be received by other electrical audio output devices so that multiple users can listen to multiple heartbeat outputs.

Abstract: A method is provided of treating cardiac arrest or shock in a patient without effective cardiac output and being administered chest compressions to maintain blood flow during cardiac arrest. The method employs transesophogeal echocardiography (TEE) used in a twelve-view examination of standard TEE views (RESCUE TEE) performed in sequence to minimize problem movement and provide a logical flow of views and information. The method allows for rapid monitoring of intra arrest pathology and adjusting chest compressions as necessary to optimize blood flow and initiating other treatments to stabilize the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a five-degree-of-freedom (5-DOF) therapeutic focus positioning device for magnetic resonance guidance, including: a driving bed body, a working bed body and an auxiliary bed body; the working bed body is provided with a probe connection plate and a probe movement control assembly for controlling the probe connection plate to perform a multi-degree-of-freedom movement, and the probe connection plate is provided with an ultrasonic probe; the probe movement control assembly includes a mechanism moving front and rear of the probe, a mechanism moving left and right of the probe, a rotation mechanism of the probe, a mechanism moving up and down of the probe and a swinging mechanism of the probe; and the driving bed body is provided with a motor variable speed group for driving the probe movement control assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for providing guidance in an ultrasound imaging procedure involves presenting graphical user interface elements overlaid onto an external image of the subject's body. The system includes at least one camera for capturing the external image of the subject. The system may utilize trained artificial neural network(s) to identify locations in the external image that correspond to scanning zones of a scanning protocol. A probe placement marker is overlaid at each identified location to indicate the position of the probe's face onto the subject's body for acquiring a target view of the internal anatomy. Additional graphical elements may be presented via the guidance interface and results findings may optionally be overlaid onto the external image of the subject at the completion of the scan. In embodiments herein, imaging guidance is provided solely via the external images of the subject without displaying the ultrasound image data.

Abstract: A catheter-type ultrasound endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an ultrasound module for acquiring an ultrasound image, and a biopsy needle, wherein the ultrasound module includes a pMUT module and an ASIC signal processing circuit, and the ASIC signal processing circuit uses CMOS-MEMS technology. This steerable catheter-type ultrasound endoscope capable of performing tissue biopsies according to the present invention obtains ultrasound images from representative digestive organs, such as the bile duct and the pancreatic duct, through the miniaturization of the ultrasound module, and performs a biopsy while the ultrasound images are observed in real time, and thus can improve the accuracy of diagnosis.

Abstract: An ultrasonic endoscope (1) including a distal end body block component (260) in which an ultrasound transducer (50), an observation optical system (40), and an illumination optical system (44) are mounted, and a channel block component (70) in which a channel into which a treatment tool is inserted is mounted, in which the ultrasonic endoscope (1) has a first load receiving structure (110) in which the channel block component (70) receives a load from the distal end body block component (260), and a second load receiving structure (120) in which the distal end body block component (260) receives a load from the channel block component (70).

Abstract: A region of interest is defined in a living body. A plurality of transmission beams are simultaneously formed along a transmission center axis in such a manner that a plurality of transmission focal points are formed at a plurality of positions shallower than the region of interest on the transmission center axis. As a rest, a composite transmission beam is generated in the living body. After the composite transmission beam is formed, a reception beam set is generated.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a transmitter/receiver that causes an ultrasonic probe to transmit and receive an ultrasonic beam; a signal processor that generates an ultrasonic image on a basis of a reception signal acquired from the ultrasonic probe; a target identifier that performs segmentation processing based on a structure type on the ultrasonic image to generate a likelihood image indicating an existence region of a target in the ultrasonic image; and a likelihood image synthesizer that synthesizes the likelihood images of a plurality of the ultrasonic images generated by ultrasonic scanning using the ultrasonic beams having steer angles different from each other to generate a space compound likelihood image.

Abstract: An ultrasound apparatus includes: a display unit configured to display on an ultrasound image a measuring device image including a plurality of measuring points which indicate points on the ultrasound image that are to be measured, and an adjusting portion for adjusting the plurality of measuring points; an input unit configured to receive a touch input for changing a position of the adjusting portion; and a controller configured to adjust a position of at least one of the plurality of measuring points based on the changed position of the adjusting portion, and to obtain a measurement value based on positions of the plurality of measuring points including the at least one measuring point, the position of which is adjusted, wherein the plurality of measuring points are disposed apart from the adjusting portion.

Abstract: A system and method for performing ultrasound scans is provided. One embodiment of the ultrasonagraphic system acquires sonogram information from a series of ultrasonic scans of a human subject. The series of ultrasound scans are taken over a portion of interest on the human subject which has their underlying bone structure or other ultrasound discernable organ that is under examination. The data from the series of scans are synthesized into a single data file that corresponds to a three-dimensional (3D) image and/or 3D model of the underlying bone structure or organ of the examined human subject.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for ultrasound diagnostics using spread spectrum, coherent, frequency- and/or phase-coded waveforms.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a transfer adapter, a puncture member, a disinfection member, and a fluid reservoir. The transfer adapter has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and defines an inner volume configured to receive the puncture member. The transfer adapter is coupled to the disinfection member. The distal end portion of the transfer adapter includes a port fluidically coupled to the puncture member and configured to be placed in fluid communication with a bodily-fluid of a patient. The proximal end portion is configured to receive a portion of the fluid reservoir to allow the fluid reservoir to be moved within the inner volume between a first position, in which a surface of the fluid reservoir is placed in contact with the disinfection member, and a second position, in which the puncture member punctures the surface to place the puncture member in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: Irrigation and/or aspiration devices and methods may be configured to aspirate and irrigate alone, sequentially, or concurrently. The devices and methods may provide a base with a removable head, and adapted for partial or complete separation of the irrigation and aspiration functions. The devices and methods can be configured to aspirate and/or irrigate the nasal and sinus cavities. The devices and methods may be manually and/or automatically controlled. The devices and methods may include removable, and/or replaceable, and/or refillable, and easily cleanable reservoirs for aspirant and irrigant. The device head and/or aspirant reservoir may comprise a diagnostic device, i.e., test device and/or container after use of the devices and methods.

Abstract: Irrigation and/or aspiration devices and methods may be configured to aspirate and irrigate alone, sequentially, or concurrently. The devices and methods may provide a base with a removable head, and adapted for partial or complete separation of the irrigation and aspiration functions. The devices and methods can be configured to aspirate and/or irrigate the nasal and sinus cavities. The devices and methods may be manually and/or automatically controlled. The devices and methods may include removable, and/or replaceable, and/or refillable, and easily cleanable reservoirs for aspirant and irrigant. The device head and/or aspirant reservoir may comprise a diagnostic device, i.e., test device and/or container after use of the devices and methods.

Abstract: A liquid specimen collection device. Various embodiments implement oral fluid collection, extraction, storage, and/or testing. The device can be used to collect fluid, and to then extract and prepare the fluid for analysis, which can eliminate human error in collection and reduce complexity in diagnostic analysis. The disclosed device may be used to collect any liquid specimen. Any instance when liquid should be collected, stored, and tested may benefit from use of this disclosure.

Abstract: A biological sample collection system includes (i) a sample collection vessel having an opening for receiving a biological sample, (ii) a selectively movable valve comprising a core and a collar disposed about the core, and (iii) a sealing cap coupled to the valve and including a reagent chamber for storing a sample preservation reagent. The valve is configured to retain the sample preservation reagent in the reagent chamber when the valve is in a closed configuration. The sealing cap is configured to associate and form a fluid tight connection with the sample collection vessel. Associating the sealing cap with the sample collection vessel causes the valve to be placed in an open configuration in which a fluid vent through the core is placed into fluid communication with the reagent chamber, thereby causing or allowing sample preservation reagent to pass from the regent chamber to the sample collection vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a skin microbe sampler comprising: a plurality of solid microneedles extending from a support surface, wherein the microneedles are dimensioned to penetrate the epidermis and/or dermis layer of the skin to obtain microbes residing in the skin. In particular, in one embodiment, the microneedles comprise a cone shape that is substantially devoid of patterning on the surface of said cone shape, in another embodiment, the surfaces of the microneedles comprise an adhesion coating on their surfaces for enhancing adhesion of the microbes on the microneedles. Also provided are a method of sampling microbes residing in a skin, a method of making the microbe sampler, and a mold for making the microbe sampler. In particular, in one embodiment, the method of making the microbe sampler comprises 3D printing the solid microneedles and/or molding the solid microneedles from a negative imprint of the solid microneedles.

Abstract: A set of medical sampling parts for use with an endoscope, including: a sampling device; a sample container including a separator part located at a top of the sample container, a base located at a bottom of the sample container opposite of said top, and a container part at least partly enclosing a sample volume located at the bottom of the sample container, so that a container axis extends between said separator part and said base; and a connector for connecting the sampling device with the sample container, wherein the sample container can be detached from the sampling device by a translational movement along a detachment axis.