Various embodiments are described herein for a system and associated method for performing collagen assessment of an object using Photoacoustic Image (PA) data obtained for the object, wherein the method is performed by a processing unit and the method comprises: obtaining beamformed PA image data for the object using at least three wavelengths related to chromophores including collagen, oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin, the three wavelengths being less than 1000 nm; performing spectral decomposition on the beamformed PA image data using the three wavelengths to obtain data that is used for generating at least one collagen map; and determining a collagen score for the at least one collagen map.

A pressure sensing device including an elongate housing configured to be at least partially inserted into a user, and that defines an external surface having a proximal end and a distal end defining a longitudinal axis therebetween. The device includes a first pressure sensor, configured to sense pressure applied to a first portion of the external surface and to convert the sensed pressure to first pressure data, and a second pressure sensor, configured to sense pressure applied to a second portion of the external surface and to convert the sensed pressure to second pressure data. Sensor is spaced, along the longitudinal axis, toward the distal end from sensor.

A colon cleanliness indicating device including a forward toilet-secured receiving section configured with a recessed receptacle for receiving colonic effluent and a rearward indicating section for indicating a degree of colon cleanliness. The indicating section is formed with one or more channels in fluid communication with the receptacle through which the received colonic effluent is flowable and by which the received colonic effluent can be visualized in order to assess a degree of colon cleanliness.

A pressure sensor system with at least two absolute pressure sensors can have an external sensor with a pressure sensitive surface in contact with atmospheric pressure (proximal) and internal sensors each with a pressure sensitive surface in contact with one or more regions at an unknown pressure (distal). The unknown pressure is determined by a means to calculate the difference between the first sensor and the internal sensors.

The disclosure relates to a system for determining and signalling moisture propagation in an adhesive material layer of a base plate and/or a sensor assembly part for an ostomy appliance. The disclosure further relates to aspects of a base plate and/or a sensor assembly part for an ostomy appliance and its use in such a system.

A pellet for testing distal colonic and anorectal function. In one embodiment the pellet comprises a bag comprising the exterior of the pellet wherein the bag is comprised of a polymer that is reactive with a catalyst to form a more solid-like substance. In another embodiment, the pellet may comprise one of a grapheme layer, a wavelength transducer, or a magnetically attractive element. In another embodiment the pellet may comprise a telescopic extender and further comprise a telescope bad coupled to the telescopic extender.

A method for automatically detecting a clinically relevant leak and/or inadequate closure following a medical procedure, in a hollow organ residing in the interior volume of a body cavity. The test method includes the steps of: injecting, via an adapted injection element, a specific test gas or a gas mixture containing at least one test gas, into the organ, analyzing the gas mixture and measuring the test gas concentration in the interior volume of the body cavity via an adapted detection element and at least during a measurement window, evaluating the likelihood of the presence of a leak and its degree of severity, by comparing stored data and real-time data with each other. The pressure difference between the interior of the hollow organ(s) and the interior volume of the body cavity is controlled or mastered at least at a given moment during at least one measurement window.

An excreta identification device includes: a sound data acquisition unit that acquires sound data collected by a microphone arranged in a toilet; an excreta identification unit that identifies which of defecation, urination, and farting has been performed by inputting the acquired sound data to an identification model subjected to machine learning where sound data indicating any of defecation sound, urination sound, and farting sound is an input value, and which of defecation, urination, and farting has been performed is an output value; and an identification result output unit that outputs an identification result.

The present disclosure relates to methods of collecting and testing bacteria containing samples from within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of a subject. The methods may include disposing an ingestible device in the GI tract, collecting a bacteria-containing sample from the GI tract, selectively lysing eukaryotic cells in the sample by combining the sample with a dried reagent, exposing bacteria in the sample to resazurin in the ingestible device to produce resorufin, emitting light from the ingestible device, the emitted light being filtered through an optical filter to control for scatter so that the light interacts with the resorufin to produce fluorescence, and measuring a total fluorescence from the resorufin; or a rate of change of fluorescence from the resorufin as a function of time within the GI tract of the subject; and correlating the measured parameter to a number of viable bacterial cells in the sample.

Improvements in ingestible electronics with the capacity to sense physiologic and pathophysiologic states have transformed the standard of care for patients. Yet despite advances in device development, significant risks associated with solid, non-flexible gastrointestinal transiting systems remain. Here, we disclose an ingestible, flexible piezoelectric device that senses mechanical deformation within the gastric cavity. We demonstrate the capabilities of the sensor in both in vitro and ex vivo simulated gastric models, quantified its key behaviors in the GI tract by using computational modeling, and validated its functionality in awake and ambulating swine. Our piezoelectric devices can safely sense mechanical variations and harvest mechanical energy inside the gastrointestinal tract for diagnosing and treating motility disorders and for monitoring ingestion in bariatric applications.