A method of data collection of stool data via a mobile device operable to enable monitoring of gastrointestinal function. A related method of long-term monitoring of patient gastrointestinal function, using one or more signal processing tools (e.g. machine learning algorithms) for automatically interpreting patient stool data, including real-time patient-assessments, in order to detect an adverse clinical event from patient stool data. A system for facilitating real-time monitoring the gastrointestinal function, the system comprising: a camera on a mobile device, a user interface that facilitates self-monitoring of stool characteristics, so as to create health-monitoring data; mobile device storage, server storage, and remote storage (with at least one communication link between them) for storing some or all of the health-monitoring data; and a processor for interpreting such health-monitoring data for clinical or other health-monitoring application.

The present disclosure relates to compounds that are useful as near-infrared fluorescence probes, wherein the compounds include i) a pteroyl ligand that binds to a target receptor protein, ii) a dye molecule, and iii) a linker molecule that comprises an amino acid or derivative thereof. The disclosure further describes methods and compositions for incorporating the compounds as used for the targeted imaging of tumors. Conjugation of the amino acid linking groups increase specificity and detection of the compound. Methods and compositions for use thereof in diagnostic imaging are contemplated.

A toilet device includes a toilet seat disposed on an upper side of a toilet; an image sensor provided on a back surface of the toilet seat and configured to image an inner space of a toilet bowl at time of excretion; an open-close acquiring device configured to acquire open-close information of the toilet seat; and an imaging controller configured to determine whether or not to image by the image sensor according to the open-close information of the toilet seat acquired by the open-close acquiring device.

An imaging capsule including, a radiation source, a collimator that provides a collimated beam from the radiation source, at least one detector configured to detect particles resulting from X-ray fluorescence and/or Compton backscattering in response to the collimated beam to reconstruct images of a user's gastrointestinal tract, wherein the imaging capsule is configured to identify an inflamed area, within the user's gastrointestinal tract, based on a count of the detected particles and initiate actions responsive to detecting the inflamed area.

A glove-mountable system for pelvic floor muscle (PFM) examination includes a first flexible member including a force sensor configured to detect a force applied to a PFM of a patient by a user. A second flexible member includes an electromyography (EMG) electrode, a stimulation electrode, and a 3-D digitization probe. The second flexible member is stacked on the first flexible member and each flexible member is secured to an examination glove. An actuation button is actuated by the user when at least one point of interest is detected in at least on PFM. A computer including a processor and a memory is in communication with the first flexible member, the second flexible member and the actuation button. The computer generates a 3-D map of a plurality of PFMs of the patient based on data received from the first flexible member, the second flexible member and the actuation button.

A method for determining if a tissue is ganglionic is provided. The method comprises a) generating at least one hyperspectral Raman image of a tissue from a region of interest in a tissue suspected to contain ganglion cells that was optionally identified by a method comprising autofluorescence (AF) and Second Harmonic generation (SHG) imaging of the tissue; and b) analyzing any of the images for one or more of the following: i) optical excitation; ii) chemical information or emission spectra; or iii) AF, SHG, and/or Raman signatures, wherein the analysis provides indicators that the region of interest is either ganglionic or non-ganglionic. A system for analysis of in vivo tissue or ex vivo tissue samples including a multiphoton autofluorescence microscope, a Second Harmonic Generation microscope, and a hyperspectral Raman microscope in operative communication is also provided.

The object of the present invention is the method to assess the pelvic floor muscle injury, comprising the steps of applying the measuring probe into the anus, generation of electric current signals of constant amplitude, using a current generator, and applying the signals into the pelvic floor muscles by means of application electrodes (EA1) and (EA2), detection of electric voltage signals from the pelvic floor muscles by means of a plurality of measuring electrodes (EP1), EP2 . . . EPn, analysis of electric current and voltage signals for amplitude values and phase dependencies of their waveform, wherein the electric current signals and the electric voltage signals from the pelvic bottom muscles constitute signals variable in time, of the frequencies ranging from 2 kHz to 200 kHz. The object of the invention is also an electrode based measuring probe and apparatus implementing the method of assessment pelvic floor muscles injury.

Transient molecules in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, such as nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide, are important signals and mediators of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Because these molecules may be short-lived in the body, they are difficult to detect. To track these reactive molecules in the GI tract, a miniaturized device has been developed that integrates genetically engineered probiotic biosensors with a custom-designed photodetector and readout chip. Leveraging the molecular specificity of living sensors, bacteria were genetically encoded to respond to IBD-associated molecules by luminescing. Low-power electronic readout circuits (e.g., using nanowatt power) integrated into the device convert the light from just 1 μL of bacterial culture into a wireless signal. Biosensor monitoring was demonstrated in the GI tract of small and large animal models and integration of all components into a sub-1.4 cm.sup.3 ingestible form factor capable of supporting wireless communication. The wireless detection of short-lived, disease-associated molecules may support earlier diagnosis of disease than is currently possible, more accurate tracking of disease progression, and more timely communication between patient and their care team supporting remote personalized care.

A method for measuring gut permeability includes administering a solution including a fluorescent contrast agent to a subject; irradiating a location on the skin of the subject to cause a portion of the solution leaked into the bloodstream to fluoresce; obtaining fluorescence data of the intensity of the fluorescence as a function of time; normalising the fluorescence data to obtain normalised data of said intensity as a function of time; and analysing said normalised data to determine the gut permeability by calculating: (a) the first peak value of said intensity; (b) the integral of said intensity with respect to time; (c) the product of the first peak value of said intensity and the time at said peak value; (d) the time at which the first peak value of said intensity occurs; or (e) the first peak value of said intensity divided by the time at which said peak value occurs.

A cognitive level evaluation system includes a detector and a cognitive level evaluator. The detector is configured to detect a behavior of a subject in a toilet space. The cognitive level evaluator is configured to evaluate a cognitive level of the subject based on a detection result of the detector.