Where a flexible tool includes a tool body with a flexible portion, a distal end and a first optical fiber within the flexible portion, shape sensing can be achieved with increased accuracy by inserting or otherwise including a second optical fiber within the flexible portion. The increased accuracy can be achieved when the second optical fiber has a diameter larger than that of the first optical fiber. Once the shape of the flexible tool has been determined using at least the second optical fiber, the first optical fiber can be used for subsequent shape sensing. This may be particularly applicable where the tool includes an instrument such as an optical imaging device inserted in a channel of the tool, where not all of the width of the channel is occupied by functional components behind the operable end of the instrument.

A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a shaft, a sensing array and a fluid detection circuit. The sensing array is positioned within the shaft. The fluid detection circuit is electrically coupled to the sensing array, and is configured to determine when a fluid originating from an environment external to the shaft is present within the shaft.

Systems and methods for processing sensor data and end of life detection are provided. In some embodiments, a method for determining the end of life of a continuous analyte sensor includes evaluating a plurality of risk factors using an end of life function to determine an end of life status of the sensor and providing an output related to the end of life status of the sensor. The plurality of risk factors may be selected from the list including the number of days the sensor has been in use, whether there has been a decrease in signal sensitivity, whether there is a predetermined noise pattern, whether there is a predetermined oxygen concentration pattern, and error between reference BG values and EGV sensor values.

Techniques for estimating the temperature of an external portion of a medical device are described. In an example, processing circuitry may determine a temperature sensed by at least one temperature sensor of an internal portion of the device, and determine, based on an algorithm that incorporates the temperature of the internal portion of the device, an estimated temperature of a second portion of the device, wherein the algorithm is representative of an estimated temperature difference between the first portion of the device and the second portion of the device based at least in part on a dynamic transfer function that operates in a time-domain.

Aspects of the present disclosure include a sensor configured to store in memory indications of sensor use information and formulas or indications of formulas for determining the useful life of a sensor from the indications of sensor use information. A monitor connected to the sensor monitors sensor use and stores indications of the use on sensor memory. The monitor and/or sensor compute the useful life of the sensor from the indications of use and the formulas. When the useful life of the sensor is reached, an indication is given to replace the sensor.

A patient support apparatus includes a frame and a mattress supported by the frame and arranged to support a patient thereon. A sensor is included to detect moisture on the patient and/or the patient support apparatus. The sensor produces signals indicative of the presence of moisture on the patient support apparatus. One or more alerts are output in response to the signals provided by the sensor to notify a caregiver of the presence of moisture on the patient support apparatus.

In some examples, a medical device is configured to deliver sub-threshold electrical stimulation therapy to a patient at a stimulation intensity that is significantly less than a perception or paresthesia threshold intensity level for the patient. The medical device may determine the particular intensity level for the patient through a titration process. The medical device may titrate automatically or based upon the input of the patient, a clinician or a physician.

Disclosed are a monitoring apparatus and a method for operating same, a monitor and a computer storage medium. During the process of monitoring a monitored object, a monitoring signal of the monitored object is acquired in real time by a sensor accessory connected to the monitored object; monitoring parameter of the monitored object is obtained according to the monitoring signal, and the monitoring parameter is analyzed according to a first data analysis function. When the monitoring parameter satisfies a preset condition, a second data analysis function for at least one type of physiological parameter of the monitored object is turned on or off. Thus, a monitoring function for a physiological parameter of a monitored object can be turned on or off according to the current monitoring parameter of the monitored object, such that a monitored physiological parameter can be adaptively adjusted, thereby improving the monitoring quality.

A surgical instrument is disclosed comprising a housing and a control circuit mounted to and/or embedded in the housing.

A monitoring device configured to be attached to a subject includes a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor configured to measure a plurality of physiological parameters from the subject, a motion sensor configured to detect an activity state of the subject, and a processor coupled to the PPG sensor and the motion sensor. The PPG sensor is configured to measure each physiological parameter in a respective one of a plurality of time intervals. The processor instructs the PPG sensor to measure a first one of the plurality of physiological parameters if the activity state is at or above a threshold, and to measure a second one of the plurality of physiological parameters if the activity state is below the threshold.