A heart size measuring tool includes a tubular body, a flexible measuring cord having length indicia, a measuring cord support mechanism movable between retracted and extended states with respect to the body, and an actuating mechanism to move the measuring cord support mechanism. When in the retracted state the measuring cord support mechanism is positioned within the tubular body with the measuring cord in a collapsed position. When the measuring cord support mechanism is in the extended state the measuring cord extends around a portion of a heart to be measured. A scale on the body can be used in connection with the indicia on the measurement cord to provide a reading of the heart size.

The cannula (1) comprises a tube (2) with a front end (4) at which there is provided at least one suction opening (10), and with a back end (3) intended to be connected to a source of vacuum; in the tube (2) there being defined at least one longitudinal flow conduit (8, 9) for the aspirated material; and an imaging apparatus (11, 12) capable of supplying first signals or data allowing the generation of a visual representation of the environment in close proximity to the front end of the tube (2) of the cannula (1) down to a first depth or distance, and second signals or data allowing the generation of a visual representation of the environment around the front end of the tube (2) of the cannula (1) down to a second depth or distance, greater than the said first depth or distance.

Embodiments herein relate to devices and methods for assessing deep tissue temperature using optical sensing. In an embodiment an optical temperature monitoring device is included having an optical emitter, wherein the optical emitter is configured to emit light at a first wavelength from 100 nm to 2000 nm. The optical temperature monitoring device also includes an optical detector configured to detect incident light. The optical temperature monitoring device can be configured so that the light from the optical emitter propagates at a depth of at least 1 cm through tissue as measured from a surface of the optical temperature monitoring device and back to the optical detector and the incident light detected by the optical detector is used to determine a temperature of the tissue at depths of at least 1 cm as measured from a surface of the optical temperature monitoring device. Other embodiments are also included herein.

The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for measuring impedance across a plurality of electrodes and assessing proximity or contact between electrodes of a medical device and patient tissue. In one embodiment, contact is assessed individual electrodes and cardiac tissue using bipolar electrode complex impedance measurements. Initially, baseline impedance values are established for each of the individual electrodes based on the responses of the electrodes to the applied drive signals. After establishing the baseline impedance values a series of subsequent impedance values are measured for each electrode. For each electrode, each subsequent impedance value may be compared to a previous baseline impedance value for that electrode. If a subsequent impedance value is less than the baseline impedance value for a given electrode, the baseline impedance value may be reset to the subsequent impedance value. Such systems and method are particularly applicable to medical devices having numerous electrodes.

A universal implantable integrated circuit medical device platform having integral and monolithic circuit traces. The platform allows for implanting into a mammalian body single and multi-functional interface devices for sensing, monitoring stimulating and/or modulating physiological conditions within the body. Microelectronic circuitry may be integrated onto the platform or may be joined as modular components to the platform.

A system may use unconscious behaviors and conscious behaviors for recommendations and authentication. A method, system, computer readable storage medium, or apparatus provides for sending stimulus, wherein the stimulus is in the presence of an object, wherein the stimulus comprises video, audio, or text; observing activity of the object, wherein the object comprises human or animal; measuring reaction of the object to the stimulus; classifying the reaction of the object to the stimulus; and transmitting a message based on the classification.

Described herein are systems, devices, and methods for energy-efficient operation of wireless devices. In some variations, a wireless monitor may comprise a sensor configured to measure a physiological parameter of a patient at a first resolution. A processor may be configured to generate physiological parameter data based on the measured physiological parameter of the patient at the first resolution. The sensor may be configured to measure the physiological parameter of the patient at a second resolution based at least in part on the physiological parameter data.

Systems and method for monitoring the blood glucose concentration of a patient during a hemodialysis session and automated administration of a medication in response to the glucose concentration falling outside a specified range. The system includes a hemodialysis system and a glucose sensor. The hemodialysis system includes a control system, at least one medication infusion pump, and a dialyzer fluidly connectable to a venous patient line and an arterial patient line. The glucose sensor is in communication with the control system and positioned to continuously measure the blood glucose concentration of the patient during the hemodialysis session. The control system can be programmed to provide automated administration of medication by the at least one medication infusion pump in response to changes in the blood glucose concentration of the patent during the hemodialysis session.

An apparatus includes a current source, an electronic circuit and a circuit board. The current source is configured to flow an electrical current having a selected frequency between a pair of electrodes coupled to a medical probe. The electronic circuit is configured to measure a single-ended voltage relative to ground that is formed on at least one of the electrodes in the pair in response to the electrical current, and, based on the measured voltage, to assess physical contact between the at least one of the electrodes and tissue. The circuit board includes the current source and the electronic circuit, and includes a layout that produces, at the selected frequency, a predefined capacitance between the current source and ground, thus forming a reference for measurement of the single-ended voltage.

A method of monitoring cardiac dysfunction, such as pericardial effusion, is disclosed. The method uses an indwelling probe inserted within a coronary sinus or a chamber or vessel of the heart, the probe having motion sensing means configured to sense motion of the probe based on movement of the wall of the coronary sinus or other chamber or vessel. Data is obtained from the motion sensing means and processed to monitor for cardiac dysfunction. The monitoring can be in real-time and can utilise one or more three-axis accelerometers. In some embodiments, two or more three-axis accelerometers are spaced longitudinally along an elongate body of the probe, which can increase accuracy and reliability of monitoring.