Provided according to embodiments of the invention are photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors, systems and methods of using the same. In some embodiments of the invention, methods of obtaining a photoplethysmography (PPG) signals include securing a PPG sensor onto a nasal columella of an individual; and obtaining a PPG signal from the PPG sensor.

A method for measuring sound from vortices in the carotid artery comprising: a first and second quality control provisions, wherein the quality control compares detected sounds to pre-determined sounds, and upon confirmation of the quality control procedures, detecting sounds generated by the heart and sounds from vortices in the carotid artery for at least 30 seconds. A method for determining stenosis of the carotid artery in a human patient consisting of a first step of placing a sensing device comprising an array and three sensing elements onto the patient, wherein a first sensing element is placed near the heart and the two remaining sensing elements are placed adjacent to the carotid arteries; the sensing elements then measure sounds from each of the three sensing elements, resulting in sound from three channels. The sound is measured in analog and modified to digital format and then each of the three channels are analyzed before a power spectral density analysis is performed. The power spectral density graph reveals peaks that are not due to noise, that are then analyzed to provide for a calculation of percent stenosis or complete occlusion of the carotid artery.

The system includes an instrument for determining the anatomical, biomechanical, and physiological properties of a body segment that includes one or more force sensitive probes is provided. A human operator actuates one or more force sensitive probes, wherein the force sensitive probes are positioned at the surface of the body segment. The operator pushes on the force sensitive probes with varying force applied on the body segment to measure tissue deflection forces. The instrument may include one or more of gyroscopes, accelerometers, and magnetometers capable of measuring changes in tissue deflection caused by the force sensitive probes relative to a grounded reference frame in 3-D space, wherein the tissue deflection force data and the change in tissue deflection data are used to compute segment tissue viscoelastic properties. The instrument may also be untethered or wireless.

Disclosed herein is a single portable computing device with components for secure authentication and subject identification with a set of integrated electronic diagnostic instruments that accompany a healthcare or veterinary professional as he or she examines or treats a subject before moving to another subject in another location. The device has a network interface so that secure access can be afforded to an electronic application for updating and observation. The disclosure permits clinicians to examine subjects and securely access protected information from an electronic medical record or similar veterinary application at different locations, that also reduces risk of transmitting infection, improves and facilities secure authentication and subject identification.

A palpometer device for assisting an examiner to evaluate deep pain sensitivity in a patient includes a housing supporting an axially displaceable spring-biased probe having a proximal end extending from an axial bore in a proximal axial face of the housing, and adapted for abutting contact with the patient. Within the housing, the spring-biased probe incorporates an annular flange for engaging one end of a bias spring coaxially disposed within the housing. The bias spring is disposed coaxially about the probe to resist axial displacement of the housing towards the proximal end of the probe upon manual application of a bias force to the housing, when the proximal end of the probe is in contact with a patient's body.

A portable device for measuring a bioimpedance-related property of tissue includes a plurality of electrodes arranged in a pattern on a surface and associated software for measuring bio-impedance related data of localized regions of tissue and calculate health-related parameters based on the measured data. These calculated parameters may be representative of muscular health of the localized tissue region.

A method for measuring a myocardial physiologic parameter according to an embodiment includes placing an at least partially convex portion of a spectral sensor against an intercostal space of a human over a heart of the human and measuring the physiologic parameter of a myocardium of the heart with the spectral sensor over time during an emergency medical event. The spectral sensor may be configured to determine and visually display a suggested position adjustment for directing the spectral radiation more directly toward the tissue of interest (e.g. the myocardium), and/or for placing the operative elements of the spectral sensor closer to the tissue of interest (e.g. the myocardium).

An intraoral optical probe is provided that includes a distal elongate optical waveguide for interrogating dental tissue. In some example embodiments, the elongate optical waveguide has dimensions suitable for the insertion of the waveguide into an exposed root canal. According to various example embodiments, the elongate optical waveguide, when inserted into an internal region of a tooth, can direct incident optical radiation from the intraoral optical probe directly onto an inner surface, such as an internal surface of a root canal, such that status of the root canal can be interrogated directly. The intraoral optical probe may be employed to provide intraoperative feedback regarding internal dental tissue, such as interoperative feedback pertaining to the interior of the root canal during an endodontic procedure, location of secondary or lateral root canals, location of the apex or tip of the root canal system and or detection of the pulp chamber roof or floor.

An earpiece module includes a plurality of sensor regions, each sensor region contoured to matingly engage a respective different region of an ear of a subject, and each sensor region including an electrode. The earpiece module is configured to detect or measure physiological information about the subject from the different ear regions via the respective electrodes.

Sensor data are obtained for an activity performed by a user. The sensor data include data from one or more sensors in one or more grips gripped by the user's left hand and the user's right hand during the activity. The sensor data are analyzed to identify a difference in performance of the activity between the left side of the user's body and the right side of the user's body. Feedback is provided to the user to compensate for the difference.