A measurement device and associated systems and methods are described. The device includes a body and an attachment mechanism fixed to and extending from the body. The attachment mechanism is configured for attachment to a part of a human or animal subject. The or a part of the body is configured for gripping by a user. The device incudes a processor in communication with a force sensor module and a position sensor module. The force sensor module is configured to measure a force applied to the attachment mechanism, in use, and output force measurement data relating to the measured force. The position sensor module is configured to measure the position of the part of the human or animal relative to other parts thereof, in use, and output position measurement data. The processor is configured to store the force measurement data and position measurement data in a memory component associated therewith.

Identifying target anatomic locations in a subject's body, and delivering medicinal substances thereto, following transtissual progression (penetrating, cutting through body tissue) and reaching body tissue with medical device distal tip. Involves acquiring mechanical properties of body tissue. Exemplary medicinal substance is, or includes, a drug (anesthetic agent), and exemplary target anatomic location is epidural space in subject's body. Exemplary system includes: cannular member enclosing cannula lumen; pusher-probe having distal end in cannula lumen and positionable from retracted to protruding positions, wherein pusher-probe distal end protrudes out of cannula distal end; and extending mechanism including cam member, a follower shiftable from first to second stations on cam member, and plunger selectively traveling in cannula lumen while forcing relative motion between cam member and follower, wherein pusher-probe distal end repositions between retracted and protruding positions. Optionally, includes data-information analyzing device having triggering mechanism via a winged hub member and associated components.

In one aspect, an elastography system includes an elastography device and a position sensing device connected to the elastography device. The elastography device includes a housing, a probing element removably attached to the housing, and a force sensor attached within the housing, where the force sensor is connected to the probing element. In another aspect, an elastography) method includes inserting a probing element into a material, producing, by a force sensor connected to a base of the probing element a signal indicative of a force applied to the probing element upon insertion of the probing element into the material, and based on the signal, deriving a mapping of spatial variations of a material property within the material.

A bio-information estimating apparatus includes a sensor part configured to measure a pulse wave signal from an object, a contact force that is applied by the object to the sensor part, and a contact area of the object that is applied to the sensor part, and a processor configured to obtain a first feature value, based on a first change in the contact area with respect to a second change in the contact force, obtain a second feature value, based on the pulse wave signal, and estimate bio-information, based on the first feature value and the second feature value.

An apparatus and method are adapted for characterizing human tissue type. A plurality of inflatable bladders enable the application of kinetic energy to the human tissue. Collected data responsive to the applied kinetic energy differentiates between different tissue types and patient loading. The data can be routed via a network to a remote location.

A biological information detecting device or the like in which waterproof performance or the like is improved by a simple structure. The device includes a sensor unit which detects biological information of a test body, and a case portion in which the sensor unit is disposed. The case portion is provided with a light transmitting portion including a detection window which transmits light incident on the sensor unit, and a light blocking portion blocking light from being incident on an inner portion of the case portion. In a case where a direction towards the sensor unit from the test body at the time of mounting the biological information detecting device is set to a first direction, a joining portion between the light transmitting portion and the light blocking portion protrudes or is dented along a direction intersecting with the first direction.

Disclosed herein is a device for repeatably and accurately measuring the threshold sensitivity of the skin on a body part or surface such as the plantar surface of the foot. The machine uses a monofilament pressure test, where a monofilament is applied to the surface of the skin until it buckles at a corresponding force. The device may measure a broad range of pressures and responsive sensation in the patient using multiple applications of the monofilament. The patient indicates a positive or negative response, based on whether the patient sensed the monofilament pressure. The machine may include a foot clamping assembly, a support chassis, a linear motion translation assembly for locating the monofilament at a given position for testing, and a camera for taking images used to identify testing locations and report results. Methods of use and testing protocols are also described herein.

An evaluation test apparatus is configured to evaluate or test measurement precision of a biological information measurement device configured to measure biological information. The evaluation test apparatus includes: a function generator configured to generate a plurality of input waveform signals by a predetermined operation; an indenter configured to pressure a piezoelectric element of the biological information measurement device; a vibration driver selected from a motor and a solenoid and configured to vibrate the indenter; and a control board configured to control the vibration driver. The control board includes an adder configured to combine the plurality of input waveform signals generated by the function generator. The vibration driver vibrates the indenter based on a composite waveform signal combined by the adder.

A method for orthodontic treatment is provided. The method comprises obtaining feedback data including patient feedback data points collected by fitting an orthodontic appliance configured to apply a force to a tooth of a patient and indicating a level of discomfort experienced by the patient, wherein the force is a function of a critical force that is specific to the patient, correlating the level of discomfort to the force applied to the tooth of the patient, and, determining whether or not the feedback data is optimized for determining a target orthodontic force for orthodontic treatment that is an optimal orthodontic force based on the critical force.

A method for characterising a mechanical property of a material. The method comprises the steps of providing the material having a deformable portion and providing a device having an optical element that is arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation.