Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method of detecting activity by a wheelchair user. In one aspect, a method comprises collecting motion data of a user device located on an appendage of the user; detecting, by a processor circuit, that one or more activities by the wheelchair user occurred based on the motion data; calculating, by a processor circuit, an energy expenditure by the user based the one or more activities by the wheelchair user occurred; and outputting, by a processor circuit, the energy expenditure estimation.

Abstract: A palpation device for palpation of tissues for characterization (e.g., qualification and/or quantification) of subcutaneous structures is provided. The palpation device includes a frame formed from a substantially rigid material and comprising an opening; a tonometric lens extending through the opening of the frame; and a radiation source. The lens is configured to at least partially impinge a tissue of interest to identify an object embedded therein. The lens includes a body having a reflective coating on an outer surface thereof. The radiation source is positioned to illuminate the reflective coating such that a topography of the coating can be observed. The body includes a body material that is as stiff or stiffer than the tissue of interest and less stiff than the embedded object to be characterized. A system including the palpation device and an image device for obtaining an image through the lens is also provided.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided that includes an elongated shaft that includes a proximal end and a distal end; a cantilever beam is disposed at the distal end of the shaft; an optical fiber extends within a channel that extends within between proximal and distal portions of the cantilever beam; a first fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is formed in a segment of the optical fiber within the proximal portion of the beam; a second FBG is formed in a segment of the optical fiber within the distal portion of the beam.

Abstract: A device and method for treating a bone includes a bone plate including first and second portions joined to one another via a connecting portion, a rigidity of the connecting portion being less than rigidities of each of the first and second portions in combination with a first sensor mounted on the first portion measuring strain on the first portion and a second sensor mounted on the second portion measuring strain on the second portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for deriving tissue temperature from thermal strain includes a thermal strain measuring module. The module uses ultrasound (156, 158) to measure thermal strain in a region, within a subject, that surrounds a location (166a, 166f) where a temperature sensor is disposed. Also included is a temperature measurement module configured for, via the sensor, measuring a temperature at the sensor while the sensor is inside the subject. Further included is a patient-specific thermal-strain-to-temperature-change proportionality calibration module. The calibration module is configured for calibrating (S238) a coefficient and for doing so based on a measurement of a temperature parameter at that location derived from output of the temperature measurement module and on a measurement of thermal strain at that location obtained via the strain measuring module.

Abstract: Elastic electrical connectors that may be incorporated into a garment to connect multiple electrical components in the garment. These electrical connectors are typically long strips of fabric substrate to which wires are attached along a length of one side in a sinusoidal or zig-zag pattern. The connector may also include an adhesive coating on one side to secure it to a fabric. The wires are electrically insulated, which may be a thermoremovable insulation (e.g., a polyurethane having a melting point of <400° C.). The wires may be attached to the surface of the fabric strip by a stitch at each peak and trough of the sinusoidal or zig-zag pattern with a length between peak and trough stitches between about 1 mm and 15 mm.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method of detecting activity by a wheelchair user. In one aspect, a method comprises collecting motion data of a user device located on an appendage of the user; detecting, by a processor circuit, that one or more activities by the wheelchair user occurred based on the motion data; calculating, by a processor circuit, an energy expenditure by the user based the one or more activities by the wheelchair user occurred; and outputting, by a processor circuit, the energy expenditure estimation.

Abstract: It is disclosed a device for determining an axis joining origins of two reference systems of a rigid body. The device comprises first and a second inertial sensors constrained to the rigid body and for defining the first and second reference systems. The device comprises a processing unit comprising an acquiring module of first data of angular velocities and second data of linear accelerations of the rigid body, a first module for calculating third data of angular accelerations of the rigid body as a function of the first acquired data, a second module for calculating a relative orientation between the first and the second reference system as a function of the first data, a third module for calculating a vector joining origins of the first and second reference system, wherein the primary direction of the primary vector is representative of the axis joining the origins of the two reference systems.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing remote expert feedback to an operator of an ultrasound imaging machine. The remote feedback consists of graphical icons that are dragged and dropped onto a video stream of the patient being scanned or the ultrasound image being captured and shared in real-time with the local operator to help improve their scanning technique.

Abstract: The present invention provides a subject information accumulating apparatus that conducts diagnosis with high reliability. The subject information accumulating apparatus includes compression plates configured to compress a subject, an irradiation unit configured to apply light, an acoustic wave detector configured to receive acoustic waves generated within a subject and to output an electric signal, and a controller configured to perform control so that an acoustic wave image and pressure information are displayed on a display unit.

Abstract: A body posture detection system includes an inertial measurement unit, at least two ultrasonic transceivers and a processor. The inertial measurement unit is configured to retrieve an orientation vector of a first portion of a human body. The ultrasonic transceivers are mounted on the first portion and a second portion of the human body respectively. The processor is configured to generate a candidate gesture range of the first portion according to the orientation vector. The processor is configured to measure a distance between the first portion and the second portion according to an ultrasound transmitted between the ultrasonic transceivers. The processor is further configured to determine a current gesture of the first portion from the candidate gesture range according to the distance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for auscultation of a body. An embodiment of the device includes a housing dimensioned and configured for disposition in an operative orientation relative to a predetermined portion of the body. The housing includes a plurality of chambers disposed therewithin. The plurality of chambers are collectively structured to receive an acoustic signal at least when the housing is disposed in the operative orientation. The housing also includes at least one transducer at least partially disposed in a corresponding one of the chambers. The transducer is structured to convert the acoustic signal into an electrical signal. A concentric structure is formed around the housing for additionally receiving and processing low frequency signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of simulating mastication. The method includes obtaining computer-readable three-dimensional representations of a first skeletal fragment including a portion of at least one of a mandible and a maxilla and of a recipient skeletal fragment including a portion of at least one of a mandible and a maxilla. The method also includes obtaining placement data and obtaining muscle insertion data. The method also includes simulating a contraction of a muscle positioned according to the muscle insertion data in a representation of a surgical hybrid comprising at least a portion of the first skeletal fragment positioned according to the placement data relative to at least a portion of the recipient skeletal fragment. The method also includes outputting a representation of mastication represented by the simulating.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing parameters of an orthopaedic procedure for a particular patient, including parameters relating to the anatomic and biomechanic fit of an implant or implant system implanted into the patient's joint. These systems and methods may utilize patient-specific information gathered pre-operatively in conjunction with optimization algorithms to determine an optimal implant design and an optimal position and orientation for implantation of the implant into the particular patient's joint.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to managing user interfaces associated with physical activities. The user interface displays a scrollable list of affordances associated with physical activities. The affordances may contain physical activity and heart rate information. A user can launch a physical activity tracking function or an interface to change a workout metric using an affordance. Users can also control the music that is played in response to selecting a workout. Further, the interface can be used to compose a reply message to a received message that contains workout information. The interfaces can show a graph that includes heart data when the user's heart rate meets a heart rate alert criteria.

Abstract: A possibility is to be created of achieving the diagnosis of objects which are difficult to access. To this end, an apparatus and a method are proposed for producing a model findings object, in which image data or images of an original findings object are provided. Geometry data and one or a number of values for at least one material property are obtained from this image data. The model findings object is finally printed via a 3D printing method according to the geometry data with a material according to the value or values of the at least one material property. A physician can then diagnose the model findings object in addition to the images using palpation.

Abstract: A method of operating a virtual memory manager (VMM) in a computing system is provided. The method includes receiving a boot-up instruction, determining an amount of available configurable memory, determining a system logical memory block (LMB) size and selecting a memory stripe size for memory stripes respectively associated with LMBs provided within the available configurable memory. The selecting of the memory stripe size for the memory stripes is based in part on the determined amounts of the available configurable memory and the system LMB size.

Abstract: This invention comprises wearable deformable electromagnetic energy pathways which enable ambulatory (camera-free) three-dimensional human body motion capture including trans joint pitch, yaw, and roll. It can be embodied in a plurality of elongate electrically-conductive strips which diverge as they span a body joint in a proximal to distal manner and pairs of electromagnetic energy emitters and receivers which are in electromagnetic communication with the strips. In an example, conductive-fluid-filled lumens can be used instead of electrically-conductive strips.

Abstract: Predicting gastrointestinal impairment may involve obtaining intestinal sounds of a patient to generate audio data, identifying predefined spectral events in the audio data that are predictive of subsequent gastrointestinal impairment, the spectral events being defined by predefined parameters, and predicting the likelihood of subsequent gastrointestinal impairment relative to the identified spectral events.

Abstract: Methods and systems incorporating non-linear dynamic (NLD) analysis such as entropy or other complexity analysis monitoring continuous or evoked signals from a biological subject are presented, where such a system comprises of processing steps including: a) the combination of a biological signal evoked as a result of patient stimulation presented to a biological subject and a non-linear analysis method capable of capturing temporal changes in signal order or regularity; b) any combination of processed evoked or continuous central nervous or peripheral physiological mechanisms b) a means to generate a measure indicative of a patient's level of anaesthesia and consciousness depth (A&CD), sedation or sleep/wake state.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-sensor system for monitoring a patient's respiratory rate. The system features an impedance pneumography sensor featuring at least two electrodes and a processing circuit configured to measure an impedance pneumography signal and a 3 axis accelerometer) that attaches to the patient's torso and measures an ACC signal indicating movement of the chest or abdomen that is also sensitive to respiratory rate. The signals are collectively processed, e.g. with the adaptive filter to determine a value for the respiratory rate.

Abstract: In an approach to providing feedback to a user using a wearable computing device, a computer records an activity being performed by a user operating a wearable computing device, and identifies the activity being performed by the user. The computer retrieves performance data corresponding to the activity being performed by the user, and determines, based on the retrieved performance data and the recorded activity being performed by the user, whether the user deviates from the retrieved performance data. Responsive to determining the user deviates from the retrieved performance data, the computer transmits, based on the retrieved performance data, performance feedback to the user.

Abstract: A surgical spacer equipped to measure important parameters for determining the optimal placement of a surgically-implanted sling.

Abstract: A system and method for the non-invasive measurement of tone, state of tension, biomechanical or viscoelastic properties of soft biological tissues includes a testing-end, an actuator arranged to apply a force to the testing-end, and a sensor to sense movement of the testing-end. A signal generating circuit supplies a control signal to the actuator so the biological tissues are subjected by the testing-end to a load, including means to adjust the signal provided by the signal generating circuit in accordance with the component of weight acting through the testing-end onto the biological tissue so that the load to which the biological tissue is subjected is constant. An impulse signal generating circuit supplies an impulse signal to the actuator so the biological tissue is subjected by the testing-end to a mechanical deformation. In use the soft biological tissue is subjected first to the constant load, and then to the impulse signal; and the consequent movement of the biological tissue is then registered.

Abstract: Example implants, systems and methods using sensors for orthopedic surgical assessment and/or planning are described herein. An example system can include a wearable sensor device for pre-operative use by a patient before an orthopedic surgery to generate pre-operative sensor data. The system can also include an implantable sensor device (e.g., a bone implant) to generate and aggregate post-operative sensor data associated with the patient after the surgery. The system can retrieve the pre-operative sensor data and the post-operative sensor data and predict, analyze or assess an outcome of the surgery.

Abstract: Systems, methods and circuits can perform automated pedicle placement planning on 3D image data sets of the spine using global and local coordinate axes systems and ray casting to identify a center of the vertebral foramen and a center of a solid vertebral body for the local coordinate axis system.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and a method for determining an edge hardness value for a cementitious board can be used to effectively determine the hardness of the board after it has been made and dried at a predetermined location, such as, at a stacking station, for example. An actuator assembly can manipulate a punch such that the punch is inserted into one of the edges of one of the cementitious boards in the stacker in a controlled manner. A force gauge can be associated with the punch to measure the resistance force exerted by the cementitious board in response to the punch being inserted into its edge. The measured resistance force can be used to determine the edge hardness value.

Abstract: In an approach to providing feedback to a user using a wearable computing device, a computer records an activity being performed by a user operating a wearable computing device, and identifies the activity being performed by the user. The computer retrieves performance data corresponding to the activity being performed by the user, and determines, based on the retrieved performance data and the recorded activity being performed by the user, whether the user deviates from the retrieved performance data. Responsive to determining the user deviates from the retrieved performance data, the computer transmits, based on the retrieved performance data, performance feedback to the user.

Abstract: A system is provided to provide haptic feedback during a medical procedure comprising: a quantitative three-dimensional (Q3D) endoscope; a surgical instrument disposed to deform a tissue structure; a haptic user interface device configured to provide an indication of tissue structure deformation in response to information indicative of the measure of tissue structure deformation; and a processor configured to produce a Q3D model that includes information indicative of a measure of tissue structure deformation and to provide the information indicative of the measure of tissue structure deformation to the haptic user interface device.

Abstract: A process according to certain embodiments includes generating a distal femur model including an intercondylar surface model, receiving information related to user-selected points on the intercondylar surface model, generating a datum line extending between the points, generating an axis line, and determining an AP axis based upon the axis line. Generating the axis line includes performing an axis line procedure including generating a plurality of planes along the datum line, generating a plurality of contours at intersections between the intercondylar surface model and the planes, generating saddle points at local extrema of the contours, and fitting the axis line to the saddle points. The process may further include generating an updated datum line based upon the axis line, and performing a subsequent iteration of the axis line procedure using the updated datum line.

Abstract: This document describes systems and methods for controlling an exoskeleton. The system receives a measurement of a first torque applied to a rotational joint coupling a first component to a second component, the first torque being applied by a motor via a cable. The system determines, based on the measurement of the first torque, a first portion of a second torque to apply to the rotational joint. The system determines, based on the measurement of the first torque, a second portion of the second torque to apply to the rotational joint. The system determines a value of the second torque to apply to the rotational joint based on the first portion and the second portion. The system controls the motor for applying the second torque to the rotational joint via the cable.

Abstract: An automated medical diagnostic system includes antennas, transmitter, receiver, and a processor-based device or system. Excitations signals are transmitted into bodily tissue at each of a plurality of discrete frequencies (e.g., steps of 1 MHz from 300 MHz to 2500 MHz) or unequal steps. The response signals are received and analyzed against the excitation signals at each of a number of the frequencies, for example determining gain/loss due to passage through bodily tissue. The results are analyzed for patterns indicative of a presence or absence of an abnormal condition, and results presented.

Abstract: A method for behavior monitoring using a wearable detector is described. The method includes detecting a force of a patient action using the detector worn by the patient. The patient action is characterized as a behavior based on a location of the detector; and a frequency of the force, a magnitude of the force, a direction of the force and/or one or more threshold values. A determination is made as to whether to transmit a notification based at least in part on the behavior characterized. In response to a determination to transmit a notification, the notification is transmitted. Apparatus and computer readable media are also described.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for quantitatively assessing hand function strength and range of motion via various instrumentations are disclosed. In one example embodiment, a hand function diagnostic and therapeutic system includes distal and proximal finger flexion measurement apparatuses used to automate quantitative assessment of hand function based on a combination of strength, range of motion, and time performance metrics.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing an auxiliary device suitable for the manufacture of a patient customized implant comprising the steps of: 1) obtaining 3D image data, preferably a CT of a defect site of a patient's anatomy (1); 2) generating a computer model of the defect site based on the 3D image data and 3D generic reference data by using image processing techniques; 3) virtually reconstructing the defect site; 4) generating a computer template (30) which represents an auxiliary device (40) that is suitable for sizing, shaping and positioning of alloplastic implants; and 5) manufacturing an auxiliary device (40) using 3D printing. Furthermore, there is provided a method for manufacturing a patient customized implant using the auxiliary device and a method for the reconstruction of a particular anatomy by using the manufactured patient customized implant.

Abstract: A gait monitor 100 is disclosed which has a pair of movement sensors 501, 503 configured to be placed on either side of a user's head, preferably secured in the ears. Therefore, the movement sensors 501, 503 are each placed on both sides of the user's body but in equal distance to the midsagittal plane of the user and can monitor the gait of the user without need of any movement sensor centrally aligned in the midsagittal plane. Furthermore, the gait monitor 100 is able to determine if the steps of the user strikes the ground in a heel strike or forefoot strike in order to help the user improve his running efficiency.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device is provided. The wearable electronic device includes a main body and a wearing unit that allows the main body to be worn on a user's body. The wearing unit may include a first wearing member extending from the main body, a binding member coupled to the first wearing member to be moved in a longitudinal direction of the first wearing member, and a driving member installed in the first wearing member to move the binding member.

Abstract: A locator assembly is provided. The locator assembly includes an article of wear and a location sending device embedded in the article of wear. A bio-related electric generator is connected to the location sending device for providing power for the location sending device. A system for locating a person and a locating method are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to analyzing fatigue level of users by transmitting pressure data from user's shoes wirelessly for real-time monitoring. Athletes for in body-contact games such as football, are often suddenly forced out of games due to injuries as it is often difficult to ascertain the nature of the injury on the field. The present invention enables a coach to have an ability to monitor performance of the athletes as they play, thus help in determining current level of athlete's injury, and help in preventing career threatening and/or fatal injuries. Further, pressure sensors can be used to determine fatigue detection and can be verified by readings from knock sensor, accelerometer data, etc. Variations in all such sensors for a time slice t-seconds can be used as an indicator for fatigue.

Abstract: A device for measuring a mechanical property of a tissue includes a probe configured to perturb the tissue with movement relative to a surface of the tissue, an actuator coupled to the probe to move the probe, a detector configured to measure a response of the tissue to the perturbation, and a controller coupled to the actuator and the detector. The controller drives the actuator using a stochastic sequence and determines the mechanical property of the tissue using the measured response received from the detector. The probe can be coupled to the tissue surface. The device can include a reference surface configured to contact the tissue surface. The probe may include a set of interchangeable heads, the set including a head for lateral movement of the probe and a head for perpendicular movement of the probe. The perturbation can include extension of the tissue with the probe or sliding the probe across the tissue surface and may also include indentation of the tissue with the probe.

Abstract: A mammography apparatus includes: a compression plate that compresses a breast; a moving unit that moves the compression plate in a compression direction in which the breast is compressed and a decompression direction in which the breast is decompressed; a radiation source that emits radiation; and a control unit that controls the moving unit such that the compression plate is moved to a first position in the compression direction, is moved to a second position where the position of the compression plate is changed from the first position by a predetermined variation or more in the decompression direction, and is stopped and performs control such that the radiation is emitted from the radiation source to the breast.

Abstract: A device for treating bone in a living body includes (a) comprises an implant configured for attachment to a bone; (b) a first sensor measuring a strain on a first portion of the implant, the first portion of the implant being configured to be mechanically coupled to a weakened portion of a bone when the implant is coupled to the bone in a target position in combination; and (c) a second sensor measuring strain in a non-weakened portion of the bone.

Abstract: An operator interface that may be in communication with at least one processor, or at least one robot. The operator interface includes a body defined, in part, by an outer surface shaped to receive a hand of an operator, and a plurality of sensors overlying the outer surface of the body. In response to inward force exerted by the operator, the force sensors produce a plurality of input signals. The input signals represent information that may be used to guide the at least one robot in an environment or an avatar in a virtual world.

Abstract: A mammography apparatus includes: a moving unit that moves a compression plate in a compression direction in which the breast is compressed and a decompression direction in which the breast is decompressed; a radiation source; a pressure sensor that is used to measure a compression pressure which is a compression force of the compression plate per unit area; and a control unit that controls the moving unit such that the compression plate is moved to a first position where the compression pressure measured by the pressure sensor is a first compression pressure in the compression direction and is moved to a second position where the compression pressure measured by the pressure sensor is a second compression pressure in the decompression direction and performs control such that radiation is emitted from the radiation source in a state in which the compression plate is located at the second position.

Abstract: A terminal apparatus and method therefor according to the present invention are an apparatus and method for receiving and displaying monitoring information in an object monitoring system for sensing and monitoring an object, have a plurality of operation modes including a condition check mode of checking a condition of the object until receiving an intention to actually perform an action on the object after receiving the monitoring information, and prohibit executing the condition check mode on the object when a condition of the object is being checked by other apparatus in the condition check mode. The present invention relates to an object monitoring system using the terminal apparatuses, and a central processing apparatus and central processing method therefor.

Abstract: Electronic devices may determine tasks of interpreting information sensed by sensors, for example, recognition tasks, and operations to be performed by the electronic devices, for example, control tasks, based on types of connected electronic devices. Information sensed by one of the connected electronic devices may be shared with another electronic device, and the other electronic device may perform an operation based on the shared information. A task of interpreting information sensed by a sensor of one of the connected electronic devices may be performed based on a format suitable for being used by another electronic device. Furthermore, the electronic devices may select an electronic device to perform the determined recognition tasks and the determined control tasks based on resource states of the electronic devices.

Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery (CAS) system for tracking an orientation of a pelvis comprises at least one instrument, the instrument having an acetabulum abutment end adapted to be received in an acetabulum, a rim abutment adapted to be abutted against a rim of the acetabulum, and an indicator representative of a physical orientation of the instrument. An inertial sensor unit is connected to the at least one instrument, the inertial sensor unit producing readings representative of its orientation.

Abstract: A wearable device has a core contraction sensor and a movement sensor which transmits signals to a processor which analyzes the signals and uses the data to control aspects of a video game. The core contraction signal may determine if the user's core is contracted or relaxed. A video game may be used with the wearable device to encourage usage of the core muscles with the player getting points or rewards for engaging their core muscles and properly timing the engagement of the core muscles with body movements. The wearable device may be used in place of, or together with conventional video game control devices. Developing the habit of using the core muscles during may be beneficial in back pain rehab and prevention, fitness training and wellness, athletic performance improvement, and reducing workplace injuries in occupations involving heavy lifting.

Abstract: A lower loading assessment system having at least one motion sensor mounted to a subject's lower limb that is configured to sense the tibial shockwaves experienced by the lower limb as the subject performs a repetitive physical activity involving repetitive footstrikes of the lower limb with a surface. The motion sensor comprises an accelerometer that is configured to sense acceleration data in at least three axes and generate representative acceleration data over a time period associated with the physical activity. The acceleration data represents a series of discrete tibial shockwaves from the discrete footstrikes. A data processor receives the tibial shockwave data and processes that to generate output feedback data comprising data to assist the subject to minimize future loading in their lower limbs.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described herein for adjusting a notification system of a vehicle. An example method includes receiving, by a controller, an occupant profile of an occupant of the vehicle. The method further includes adjusting, by the controller, a haptic array according to the occupant profile, the haptic array comprising a plurality of haptic actuators, the adjusting comprising activating a first subset of the haptic actuators and deactivating a second subset of the haptic actuators. Further, the method includes providing, by the haptic array, a notification to the occupant of the vehicle by providing a haptic feedback using the activated haptic actuators.