A balloon catheter (100), suitable for delivery of a balloon to the stomach via application by the nose, the balloon catheter comprising a catheter (2) and one or more inflatable balloons (1) fixedly attached to the catheter. The balloons have an outer diameter from 4 to 7 cm, are made of a relatively hard material (e.g. durometer 70 to 100 shore A), and have an effective length of 7 to 18 cm or a total inner volume of 90 to 330 ml, when inflated by 0.2 psi. A system comprising the balloon catheter, and a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure of a fluid inside the balloon, and optionally a fluid pump for inflating and/or deflating the balloon, and a control unit for reading the pressure sensor and optionally for controlling the fluid pump.

A method of predicting successful treatment of disorders of bodily tissue includes obtaining, with a device, energy signal data from the bodily tissue of a patient. The obtained energy signal data is analyzed in a controller to determine an activity score value associated with the bodily tissue. The activity score value is compared, in the controller, to a threshold value, with the threshold value being based on energy signal data from the same bodily tissue of normal, disease free patients. Based on the comparison, a probability of success of a particular therapy in treating the bodily tissue is determined. A system for performing the method is also disclosed.

The present disclosure relates to a system and a method for automatically measuring and assessing hemodynamics in tissue of an anatomical structure of a subject. In particular the present disclosure relates to continuously measuring and assessing hemodynamics in medical procedures using fluorescence imaging and wherein the administration of the fluorescent agent is controlled and automated. One aspect relates to a method of automatic perfusion assessment of an anatomical structure of a subject, the method comprising administration into a vein of a bolus corresponding to less than 0.005 mg ICG/kg body weight of a first fluorescence imaging agent. Another aspect relates to a system for automatic perfusion assessment of an anatomical structure during a medical procedure of a subject comprising a controllable injection pump for holding at least one first fluorescence imaging agent, the injection pump being configured for injecting a predefined amount of said first fluorescence imaging agent into the blood of the subject, wherein the system is configured for receiving and analysing a time series of fluorescence images of the tissue of said anatomical structure following the injection of the first fluorescence imaging agent, and determining at least one perfusion parameter of said anatomical structure based on said analysis.

Apparatuses for use with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The apparatus can include a partial power source, which in turn includes electrodes or materials that are configured to generate an electrical potential upon contacting or being exposed to an ionic solution. The apparatus can further include a circuit electrically or communicatively coupled to the partial power source. The circuit can generate various types of signals, such as RF signals, when powered by the partial power source. The circuit is stably fittable to the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The apparatus can further include a barrier, a protective layer, or a membrane that isolates the electrodes or materials from the ionic solution and is configured to be dissolved by the ionic solution.

Apparatuses for use with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The apparatus can include a partial power source, which in turn includes electrodes or materials that are configured to generate an electrical potential upon contacting or being exposed to an ionic solution. The apparatus can further include a circuit electrically or communicatively coupled to the partial power source. The circuit can generate various types of signals, such as RF signals, when powered by the partial power source. The circuit is stably fittable to the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The apparatus can further include a barrier, a protective layer, or a membrane that isolates the electrodes or materials from the ionic solution and is configured to be dissolved by the ionic solution.

A swallowable in-vivo device comprising a shell defining a cavity of the in-vivo device, the shell being formed with at least one aperture extending through the shell's wall. The in-vivo device is configured for allowing inlet of fluid into the cavity; The in in-vivo device further comprises and immunoassay system accommodated within the cavity and configured for interacting within the fluid; The in-vivo device also comprises at least one breach mechanism covering the at least one inlet for preventing ingress of fluids into the cavity via the inlet; The at least one breach mechanism comprises a film layer configured for reacting with the fluid and designed to be breached after a predetermined amount of exposure time to the GI fluid, corresponding to a desired location along the GI tract.

Devices and methods to measure gastric residual volume (GRV) are described where at least one additive component (a GRV indicator) may be dispersed in a body lumen such as a stomach. The GRV indicator may changes a physical (chemical, electrical, thermal, mechanical, optical, etc.) characteristic within the stomach by a measureable degree. This degree of change and/or the rate of return to the previous state, may be used to determine the GRV of a patient. The determined GRV can also be used to automatically or semi-automatically control the patient's feeding rate and/or volume and/or frequency to adequately nourish the patient but avoid complications. The physical characteristic(s) may also be used to detect that the feeding catheter or tube is in the correct location (ie stomach vs lung or esophagus.

The system includes at least one infrared light intensity sensor positioned on substrate to measure infrared light incident from a baby's stomach during a feeding. The infrared light is provided by an infrared light source. An initial intensity of infrared light incident from the human stomach is measured at the beginning of the feeding. A feeding intensity of infrared light incident from the human stomach is measured at the end of the feeding. The ratio of these infrared intensity measurements are used to calculate a value for the volume ingested into the human stomach during the feeding. The infrared light intensity measurements can be taken continuously to provide a real-time report of how the feeding is progressing, such as to a parent or doctor. The light source and sensor can be incorporated into an article of clothing to provide non-invasive measurements that do not physically obstruct the feeding.

Described herein are methods and systems for monitoring acoustical activity from the abdominal region to guide the optimal timing of food ingestion. According to one embodiment of the method, the rate of intestinal digestion events, as well as the change in the rate across specific time periods, is analyzed to guide ingestion behavior in a way that improves health. The result of guidance may be to reduce weight in people who are obese, to improve performance in athletes seeking to balance energy availability and energy expenditure, or to increase caloric intake in people who are undernourished. The method can be applied using a smartphone application to provide contextually appropriate and specific user guidance about whether, when, and how much to eat in a manner that aligns with the physiologic patterns of intestinal activity.

A method for recognizing physiological symptom and a physiological symptom sensing system are provided. After the sound signal is obtained, multiple signal segments are captured from the sound signal. Afterwards, a sound type corresponding to each signal segment is recognized. Moreover, a physiological state of a living body is determined based on a plurality of the sound type of the signal segments and combinations of a plurality of the sound types.