Abstract: An optical tip-tracking system is disclosed including a light-emitting stylet, a light detector, and a console configured to operably connect to the light-emitting stylet and the light detector. The light-emitting stylet is configured to be disposed in a lumen of a catheter. The light-emitting stylet includes a light source in a distal-end portion of the light-emitting stylet configured to emit light. The light detector is configured to be placed over a patient. The light detector includes a plurality of photodetectors configured to detect the light emitted from the light source. The console is configured to instantiate an optical tip-tracking process for optically tracking the distal-end portion of the light-emitting stylet while the light-emitting stylet is disposed in a vasculature of the patient, the light source is emitting light, the light detector is disposed over the light-emitting stylet, and the photodetectors are detecting the light emitted from the light source.

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber optic devices and related methods that allow for measurement of blood flow and oxygenation in real time. These devices have particular application to the spinal cord. Such devices have applicability in, for example, the care of military members sustaining combatant and noncombatant spinal injuries, as well as to civilians. The devices also have utility in the acute and subacute management of spine trauma, enhancing the efficacy of interventions aimed at the prevention of secondary ischemic injury, and ultimately improving neurologic outcome.

Abstract: An ingestible device is disclosed which can produce spectral data of one or more analytes, as well as associated methods for characterizing the gastrointestinal tract of a subject which contains such analytes. Related kits and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a mono-light emission mode, specific illumination light is emitted and a specific observation image obtained from the image pickup of an object to be observed illuminated with the specific illumination light is displayed on a monitor 18. In a multi-light emission mode, first illumination light and second illumination light are emitted while being switched according to a specific light emission pattern and a first observation image and a second observation image are displayed on the monitor 18 while being switched according to a specific display pattern. In a case where a designated condition set in advance by a user is satisfied, a mode is automatically switched to the mono-light emission mode from the multi-light emission mode.

Abstract: An electronic device and method for measuring biometric information are provided. The electronic device includes at least one light emitter; light receiver; and a processor. The processor is configured to emit light outside of the electronic device through the at least one light emitter, obtain, through the light receiver, light reflected by an external object among the emitted light, obtain a signal generated based on at least a portion of the reflected light and corresponding to the external object, output guide information related to a location of the external object when the signal satisfies a first designated condition, and obtain biometric information about the external object when the signal satisfies a second designated condition. When a finger of a user finger of the electronic device is not accurately located at a bio sensor, by guiding an accurate grip location, biometric information about the user can be accurately measured.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting onset of cardiac arrest utilizing a perfusion monitor. Detecting cardiac arrest comprises transmitting a signal toward a user to interact with the skin of the user, receiving a reflection of the signal, generating a photoplethysmogram, and processing the photoplethysmogram to detect whether the user is experiencing cardiac arrest.

Abstract: Provided are a processor device, an endoscope system, and an image processing method capable of discovering not only a lesion in which scattering particles according to a specific scattering model are present but also various lesions. A processor device 16 includes an image acquisition unit 54 that acquires images of three wavelength ranges of a blue wavelength range, a green wavelength range, and a red wavelength range; a scattering characteristic amount calculation unit 71 that calculates a scattering characteristic amount representing a scattering characteristic of an observation object, using the images of the three wavelength ranges; and an image generation unit 74 that generates a scattering characteristic amount image representing a distribution of the scattering characteristic amount.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus configured to acquire an image of an observation object includes a light source unit and an imaging system. The light source unit is configured to emit first and second narrow band light selected based on absorption spectra of first and second characteristic substances, respectively. The imaging system is configured to separately acquire first and second images by the first and second narrow band light, respectively. The apparatus further includes a characteristic substance region extractor configured to extract a characteristic substance region related to the first characteristic substance on the first image and/or a characteristic substance region related to the second characteristic substance on the second image.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus in an endoscopic system includes a light source unit having lasers with different peak wavelengths, the lasers being divided by peak wavelength into narrow band light source groups, a color imaging unit that detects the illumination color of illumination light, a memory that stores an appropriate illumination color for each narrow band light source group, an output calculator that, for each narrow band light source group, compares the illumination color obtained upon light emission by the lasers belonging to the narrow band light source group with the appropriate illumination color of the narrow band light source group and calculates an appropriate output for each of the lasers belonging to the narrow band light source group, and a light source controller that controls the lasers on the basis of the calculated appropriate output.

Abstract: A laparoscopic medical device includes an oximeter sensor at its tip, which allows the making of oxygen saturation measurements laparoscopically. The device can be a unitary design, wherein a laparoscopic element includes electronics for the oximeter sensor at a distal end (e.g., opposite the tip). The device can be a multiple piece design (e.g., two-piece design), where some electronics is in a separate housing from the laparoscopic element, and the pieces (or portions) are removably connected together. The laparoscopic element can be removed and disposed of; so, the electronics can be reused multiple times with replacement laparoscopic elements. The electronics can include a processing unit for control, computation, or display, or any combination of these. However, in an implementation, the electronics can connect wirelessly to other electronics (e.g., another processing unit) for further control, computation, or display, or any combination of these.

Abstract: A method for measuring differential blood oxygen saturation in a solid tumor is described that includes the steps of obtaining a first oxygenation image of a solid tumor before, during, or immediately after a administration of vascular therapy; obtaining a second oxygenation image of the solid tumor after a devascularization time period; and determining a differential blood oxygen saturation value by comparing the first oxygenation image and the second oxygenation image. The differential blood oxygen saturation value can be compared to a blood oxygen saturation necrosis value to provide a prognosis for tumor recurrence, or to guide of the tumor.

Abstract: An optical source for guiding light to a target of a patient includes at least one light source configured to emit red light and infrared light. The at least one light source is embedded within a light-conducting sheet. A photodistributor is spaced from the at least one light source. The photodistributor includes a light-emitting surface and at least one light-receiving surface optically coupled to the light-conducting sheet. The photodistributor is configured to discharge at least a portion of the emitted red light and at least a portion of the emitted infrared light into a target.

Abstract: An atrial fibrillation analyzer includes: an acquisition unit that acquires a waveform signal indicating a temporal change of a pulse wave or an electrocardiogram; an RR interval calculation unit that calculates a parameter corresponding to an average RR interval for each frame on the basis of a spectrum of each frame obtained by frequency analysis of the acquired waveform signal, and calculates an RR waveform signal indicating a temporal change of the parameter; a power calculation unit that calculates a temporal change of power of a predetermined frequency band in a frequency spectrum of the RR waveform signal; a variation coefficient calculation unit that calculates a variation coefficient of the average RR interval; an analysis unit that analyzes presence of atrial fibrillation on the basis of a set of the power and the variation coefficient; and a measurement unit that measures an amount of activity of a user.

Abstract: An atrial fibrillation analyzer includes: an acquisition unit that acquires a detected waveform signal indicating a detection result of a pulse wave or an electrocardiogram; an RR interval calculation unit that calculates, on the basis of a spectrum of each unit period obtained by frequency analysis performed on the acquired detected waveform signal every unit period longer than 4 seconds and equal to or shorter than 16 seconds, a parameter corresponding to an average RR interval of the unit period every unit period; a power calculation unit that calculates power of a frequency band determined in advance in an RR waveform signal indicating a temporal change of the average RR interval calculated by the RR interval calculation unit; and an analysis unit that determines whether or not the power satisfies specific conditions and outputs information indicating presence of atrial fibrillation from the determination result.

Abstract: A method for measuring a glomerular filtration rate in a mammalian kidney comprises a source of reporter and marker fluorescent molecules. The fluorescent molecules are introduced into the blood stream of a mammalian subject. Over a period of time, a measurement of the intensities of the reporter and marker fluorescent molecules is taken. A ratio is calculated to determine the health of the subject's kidney. This method measures volume of plasma distribution based on a fluorescence of a marker molecule relative to a fluorescence of a reporter molecule.

Abstract: A device for measuring the blood flow of a body tissue comprises a catheter having a catheter head for the insertion into the inside of a body tissue and a center piece having a light emission surface, out of which an optical conductor leads, and having a reflection surface, which is disposed opposite of the light emission surface and oriented obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the optical conductor. The optical conductor is disposed such that an emitted light beam is directed at the reflection surface, the emitted light beam can be deflected at the reflection surface and reflected into the body tissue, and a reflected light beam can be reflected out of the body tissue at the reflection surface and fed into the optical conductor. The catheter head is divided into an insertion region and a connecting region, wherein the insertion region comprises a plurality of recesses on the surface thereof. In the direction of the connecting region, the insertion region has an increasing diameter.

Abstract: A distributed sensor and a method for identifying an internal anatomical landmark (R) includes inserting (502) a distributed sensing device (212) into a volume of a body and extending (504) a portion of a length of the distributed sensing device beyond an area of interest. Parameters are measured (506) using sensors (202) located along the length of the distributed sensing device (212), and a transition region is determined (510) based upon a parameter value difference between adjacent sensors. A location of an anatomical landmark is assigned (512) using the transition region.

Abstract: Disclosed techniques include monitoring a physiological characteristic of a patient with a sensor that is mounted to an inner wall of a thoracic cavity of the patient, and sending a signal based on the monitored physiological characteristic from the sensor to a remote device.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to medical monitoring of physiologic parameters, and particularly, but not exclusively, relating to compositions, methods and systems for the measurement of venous and arterial oxygen saturation in the blood of blood-filled anatomical structures.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying the location of a medical device within a patient's body may be used to localize the fossa ovalis for trans-septal procedures. The systems and methods measure light reflected by tissues encountered by an optical array. An optical array detects characteristic wavelengths of tissues that are different distances from the optical array. The reflectance of different wavelengths of light at different distances from an optical array may be used to identify the types of tissue encountered, including oxygenated blood in the left atrium as detected from the right atrium through the fossa ovalis.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for accessing and forming an operative corridor to targeted spinal sites using optical imaging to detect and avoid vascular tissue. The optical imaging may include tissue oximetry to measure the oxygen saturation of tissue proximate to surgical access instruments utilized during surgery. Sensors may be situated near the distal end of the surgical access instruments and monitoring for vessel proximity may be performed during advancement of the instrument.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wireless implantable communication system, method and sensing device, wherein an implantable data conversion module is adapted for operative coupling to a distinct or integrated implantable sensing device for the conversion of a characteristic signal for transmission thereof to an external receiver, e.g. by way of an inductive element. Upon positioning an external inductive element in the vicinity of the implanted device, a corresponding signal is induced within the external element allowing for reconstruction of the converted signal, and thereby allowing for recovery of the characteristic signal. Embodiments for the communication of data across a biological barrier, including communications from an external transmitter to an implanted receiver, an implanted transmitter to an external receiver, and an implanted transmitter/receiver pair are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for targeting, accessing and diagnosing diseased lung compartments are disclosed. The method comprises introducing a diagnostic catheter with an occluding member at its distal end into a lung segment via an assisted ventilation device; inflating the occluding member to isolate the lung segment; and performing a diagnostic procedure with the catheter while the patient is ventilated. The proximal end of the diagnostic catheter is configured to be attached to a console. The method may also comprise introducing the diagnostic catheter into the lung segment; inflating the occluding member to isolate the lung segment; and monitoring blood oxygen saturation. The method may further comprise introducing the diagnostic catheter into the lung segment; determining tidal flow volume in the lung segment; determining total lung capacity of the patient; and determining a flow rank value based on the tidal flow volume of the lung segment and the total lung capacity.

Abstract: An intravascular sensor delivery device for measuring a physiological parameter of a patient, such as blood pressure, within a vascular structure or passage. In some embodiments, the device can be used to measure the pressure gradient across a stenotic lesion or heart valve. For example, such a device may be used to measure fractional flow reserve (FFR) across a stenotic lesion in order to assess the severity of the lesion. The sensor delivery device has a distal sleeve configured to pass or slide over a standard medical guidewire. Some distance back from the sensor and distal sleeve, the device separates from the guidewire to permit independent control of the sensor delivery device and the guidewire. The sensor delivery device can be sized to pass over different sizes of guidewires to enable usage in coronary and peripheral arteries, for example.

Abstract: An image of a target portion is captured while first light beams are applied thereto. Thereby, a first image signal is obtained. The first light beams are in a wavelength range in which an absorption coefficient varies in accordance with a change in oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in blood. An image of the target portion is captured while second light beams in a broadband wavelength range are applied thereto. Thereby, second and third image signals are obtained. Oxygen saturation is calculated from the first to third image signals. Reliability of the oxygen saturation is calculated from one of the first to third image signals. Color difference signals each corresponding to the oxygen saturation is obtained from a color table. Each of the color difference signals is corrected in accordance with the reliability. An oxygen saturation image is generated based on corrected color difference signals and displayed.

Abstract: An ear sensor provides physiological parameter monitoring. The ear sensor may comprise an in-ear portion configured to fit in an ear of a user. The in-ear portion may include at least one light emitter configured to emit light into an ear tissue site of the user and at least one light detector configured output a signal responsive to at least a portion of the emitted light after attenuation by ear tissue of the ear tissue site.

Abstract: A color image sensor captures a reflected image of narrowband light having a wavelength range in which an extinction coefficient varies with a change in an oxygen saturation level of hemoglobin in blood. Thereby a first blue signal, a first green signal, and a first red signal are obtained. The color image sensor captures a reflected image of white light. Thereby a second blue signal, a second green signal, and a second red signal are obtained. Only an oxygen saturation level, out of two or more types of biological functional information including a blood volume and the oxygen saturation level, is obtained based on the first blue signal, the second green signal, and the second red signal. The oxygen saturation level is visualized to produce an oxygen saturation image.

Abstract: A wireless communication system includes a first device having a communications control circuit configured to initiate transmission of a wireless communication signal, and a second device including a communication interface circuit and a number of other circuits. The communication interface circuit may be responsive to the wireless communication signal to provide information carried by the wireless communication signal to at least one of the other circuits. Alternatively or additionally, the communication interface circuit may be responsive to the wireless communication signal to receive information specified by the wireless communication signal from at least one of the other circuits and to transmit another wireless communication signal carrying the retrieved information back to the first device. In either case, the communication interface circuit is unresponsive to control thereof by any of the number of other circuits.

Abstract: In imaging an oxygen saturation level of blood, measurement light having a wavelength of 450 to 500 nm, B light, G light, and an R light are sequentially taken out of broad band light BB emitted from a xenon lamp. An internal body portion is imaged under irradiation with the measurement, B, G, and R light to obtain image data B1, B2, G2, and R2, respectively. A correlation memory stores first and second correlations, each being a correlation among the oxygen saturation level and intensity ratios between the image data B1 and G2 and between the image data R2 and G2. When a cumulative lighting time of the xenon lamp is less than a certain value, the oxygen saturation level is calculated using the first correlation. When the cumulative lighting time equals or exceeds the certain value, the oxygen saturation level is calculated using the second correlation.

Abstract: A device adapted for insertion into one or more of an esophagus, a stomach, an intestine and a colon for detecting a blood-oxygen level associated with at least one mucous membrane region in said one or more of the esophagus, the stomach, the intestine and the colon is disclosed. The device includes a flexible and elongated main body, and a blood oxygen level detecting unit. The blood oxygen level detecting unit includes one or more blood oxygen level detecting modules disposed on the main body and capable of generating one or more signals associated with the blood oxygen level(s) of one or more mucous membrane regions nearby the blood oxygen level detecting module(s).

Abstract: In a special mode for imaging an oxygen saturation level of blood, an internal body portion is imaged under irradiation with special illumination light. A light amount evaluation section judges based on an obtained image whether or not a reflected light amount of the special illumination light is adequate for calculating the oxygen saturation level. When the reflected light amount is judged to be adequate, a normal image sensor captures an image under irradiation with the special illumination light. When the reflected light amount is judged to be low, a high-sensitivity image sensor is used. In using the high-sensitivity image sensor, a binning process is applied to an image signal in accordance with the reflected light amount of the special illumination light, in order to further sensitize the image signal.

Abstract: A method for obtaining diagnostic information relating to the lungs of a subject includes directing into tissue of the lungs of the subject light of a first wavelength and detecting part of the light that has passed primarily through microcirculatory tissue of the lungs and generating a signal which is a function of intensity of the detected light. The signal is then processed to derive a PPG curve for pulmonary microcirculatory arteries. The method is implemented using various locations for a light source and a detector, including various combinations of positioning on the thoracic wall, insertion into the esophagus, and in some cases, insertion of a probe through the thoracic wall to a position adjacent to the pulmonary pleura. Use of two different wavelengths allows derivation of mixed venous blood oxygen saturation.

Abstract: The endoscopic diagnosis system comprises an image sensor that receives reflected light from a subject illuminated with white light and first narrowband light to acquire a narrowband light image for blood vessel observation in a narrowband light observation mode, and receives reflected light from the subject illuminated with second narrowband light to acquire a narrowband light image for oxygen saturation level observation in an oxygen saturation level observation mode; a controller that controls such that the narrowband light images for blood vessel observation and oxygen saturation level observation are acquired alternately; an image processor that generates an oxygen saturation level image based on the narrowband light images for blood vessel observation and oxygen saturation level observation; and a display unit that simultaneously displays the narrowband light image for blood vessel observation and the oxygen saturation level image.

Abstract: Embodiments provide an apparatus, system, kit and method for in vivo measurement of blood oxygen saturation (BAS). One embodiment provides an implantable apparatus for measuring BAS comprising a housing, emitter, detector, processor and power source. The housing is configured to be injected through a tissue penetrating device into a target tissue site (TS). The emitter is configured to emit light into the TS to measure BAS, the emitted light having at least one wavelength (LOW) whose absorbance is related to a BAS. The detector is configured to receive light reflected from the TS, detect light at the LOW and generate a detector output signal (DOS) responsive to an intensity of the detected light. The processor is operably coupled to the detector and emitter to send signals to the emitter to emit light and receive the DOS and includes logic for calculating a BAS and generate a signal encoding the BAS.

Abstract: In a special observation mode, an oxygen saturation frame period, a normal frame period, and a vessel pattern frame period are repeatedly performed. A brightness detector detects the brightness of a latest frame image of an oxygen saturation video image, being a key video image. The intensity of light to be applied in the next oxygen saturation frame period is determined from the detected brightness. From the determined light intensity and a light intensity ratio among frames, the intensity of light to be applied in the next normal frame period and the next vessel pattern frame period is calculated. The exposure time of the next oxygen saturation frame period is determined from the detected brightness. From the determined exposure time and an exposure time ratio among frames, the exposure time of the next normal frame period and the next vessel pattern frame period is determined.

Abstract: When an endoscope system is put into a special mode, first and second frame periods for performing imaging under first and second measurement light to measure an oxygen saturation level, a third frame period for performing imaging under normal light, and a fourth frame period for performing imaging under vessel detection light to detect blood vessels in specific depth are repeated. An oxygen saturation image, a normal image, and a vessel pattern image are produced and displayed in a tiled manner on a monitor in the form of moving images. When a freeze button is pressed during display of the moving images, the light intensity and exposure time to be used in the first to fourth frame periods of a still image recording process are calculated using an image that is captured immediately before pressing the freeze button. Still images are obtained with the calculated light intensity and exposure time.

Abstract: First to third lights are applied to a body cavity from a light source. The first and second lights have different wavelength ranges. Each of the first and second lights varies in absorbance in accordance with oxygen saturation of hemoglobin. The third light is a reference light used for comparison with the first and second lights. A monitoring section monitors a first light quantity ratio between the first and third lights and a second light quantity ratio between the second and third lights. A controller controls the light source such that first and second light quantity ratios reach their respective standard values. First to third data are obtained from images captured with illumination of the three lights, respectively. Vessel depth information and oxygen saturation information are obtained simultaneously from a first brightness ratio between the first and third data and a second brightness ratio between the second and third data.

Abstract: Disclosed techniques include monitoring a physiological characteristic of a patient with a sensor that is mounted to an inner wall of a thoracic cavity of the patient, and sending a signal based on the monitored physiological characteristic from the sensor to a remote device.

Abstract: A method for non-invasive determination of oxygen saturation of blood within a deep vascular structure of a human or animal patient comprising locating on skin of the patient in a vicinity of the deep vascular structure of interest emitter and receiver elements of a light oximeter device, wherein optimal location of said elements is achieved through matching of a plethysmography trace obtained from the oximeter device to known plethysmography characteristics of the deep vascular structure of interest, wherein the emitter element emits light at wavelengths of from about 1045 nm to about 1055 nm and from about 1085 nm to about 1095 nm, and wherein oxygen saturation is determined from a ratio of light absorbed at these two wave-lengths by haemoglobin in blood within the vascular structure of interest.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an interconnect for an implantable medical device. The interconnect includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer introduced over the first conductive layer, and a third conductive layer introduced over the second conductive layer. One of the first conductive layer, the second conductive layer, and the third conductive layer comprises titanium-niobium (Ti—Nb).

Abstract: A medical device for monitoring of oxygen saturation includes an optical sensor adapted for positioning adjacent to a tissue volume. The optical sensor has a light emitting portion capable of emitting light at a plurality of wavelengths and a light detecting portion capable of generating an electrical output signal corresponding to light incident on the detecting portion. A control module coupled to the optical sensor controls the light emitted by the light emitting portion. A monitoring module receives the output signal from the light detecting portion and computes a volume-independent measure of oxygen saturation in the volume of tissue using the output signal.

Abstract: An optical sensor for a medical device includes a fixed lens spacing between emit and receive modules to achieve target sensor sensitivity, while varying other sensor parameters in order to increase signal amplitude without increasing power demand. An optical sensor connected to a housing of a medical device includes a circuit board, an opto-electronic component, a wall, a lens, and a ferrule. The circuit board is arranged within the housing. The opto-electronic component is mounted on a surface of the circuit board. The wall protrudes from the surface of the circuit board and surrounds the opto-electronic component. The lens is offset from the surface of the circuit board. The ferrule is connected to the housing, the lens and the wall. An inner surface of the wall mates with an outer surface of the ferrule.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying the location of a medical device within a patient's body may be used to localize the fossa ovalis for trans-septal procedures. The systems and methods measure light reflected by tissues encountered by an optical array. An optical array detects characteristic wavelengths of tissues that are different distances from the optical array. The reflectance of different wavelengths of light at different distances from an optical array may be used to identify the types of tissue encountered, including oxygenated blood in the left atrium as detected from the right atrium through the fossa ovalis.

Abstract: An implantable medical device comprises a connector connectable to an implantable oxygen sensor configured to generate a sensor signal representative of oxygen concentration in coronary sinus blood in a subject's heart. An ischemia detector is connected to the connector and configured to detect an ischemic event in the heart if the sensor signal indicates a temporary decrease in oxygen concentration in the coronary sinus blood below a normal level followed by a temporary increase in oxygen concentration in the coronary sinus blood above the normal level.

Abstract: In a blood information acquisition mode for obtaining an oxygen saturation level of hemoglobin in a blood vessel, preliminary imaging and main imaging are performed. In the preliminary imaging, a normal internal body part is imaged. A blood information calculation section calculates an oxygen saturation level of each pixel. A changing section corrects standard reference data in accordance with a difference between an average of the oxygen saturation levels obtained in the preliminary imaging and a predetermined standard value of the oxygen saturation level. In the subsequent main imaging, corrected reference data is used to calculate an oxygen saturation level of each pixel corresponding to an internal body part being observed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-invasively determining a blood oxygen saturation level within an organ of a subject using direct application of a near infrared spectrophotometric sensor is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) transmitting a light signal directly into the subject's organ using the sensor; b) sensing a first intensity of the light signal and a second intensity of the light signal, after the light signal travels a predetermined distance through the organ of the subject; c) determining an attenuation of the light signal along multiple different wavelengths using the sensed first intensity and sensed second intensity; d) determining a difference in attenuation of the light signal between wavelengths; and e) determining the blood oxygen saturation level within the subject's organ using the difference in attenuation between wavelengths.

Abstract: In a blood information measuring apparatus, a plurality of types of light of a superficial layer wavelength set, a middle layer wavelength set, and a deep layer wavelength set are successively applied to a detected hypoxic region. A CCD captures an image under the light of each wavelength set, and an oxygen saturation image is produced independently from one wavelength set to another. A wavelength set determination section creates a histogram of each oxygen saturation image. The wavelength set determination section chooses one of the wavelength sets corresponding to the histogram having a maximum variance as an actual imaging wavelength set. Actual imaging operation is performed using the actual imaging wavelength set, and an oxygen saturation level of each pixel is calculated. The oxygen saturation level is reflected in the image, and the image is displayed on a monitor.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion into a vascular system of a patient and for directing fluid flow includes a catheter body having a longitudinal axis and longitudinally spaced proximal and distal catheter ends with an intermediate catheter portion defined therebetween. An intermediate catheter outlet in the catheter body is located in the intermediate catheter portion and is spaced longitudinally from the proximal and distal catheter ends. A first lumen is defined within the catheter body and has longitudinally spaced proximal and distal first lumen ends with a reversing bend located therebetween, the first lumen providing fluid communication between the proximal catheter end and the intermediate catheter outlet. The reversing bend is located longitudinally between the intermediate catheter outlet and the distal catheter end. The reversing bend directs fluid flow to turn approximately 180° as the fluid flows through the first lumen. A method of using the catheter is also described.

Abstract: A medical monitoring system in which information related to ischemia or an oxygenation to be determined is transmitted by a sending unit (167) using radiofrequency signals to a receiver (183), and the results are displayed on an external and remote monitor (313). The entire device may be encapsulated by a biocompatible shell (102) to permit implantation.

Abstract: A first special image is produced by combining an overall bright normal light image with a blue-enhanced image in which blood vessels and their shapes are enhanced, and displayed on a display device. A suspected lesion such as a spot is detected in the first special image. When the suspected lesion is found, an oxygen saturation level of the suspected lesion is obtained. When the oxygen saturation level of the suspected lesion is in a hypoxic condition within a predetermined range, an oxygen saturation image representing the oxygen saturation level is displayed instead of the first special image on the display device.