A system (100) for assessing a subject at risk of a soft tissue abnormality such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), comprises a motion sensor (108) which is adapted to be fixed, in use, to a muscle (106) of the subject. The motion sensor includes a transmitter (206) configured to transmit a signal (400) representing motion of the sensor. A receiver (118) is configured to receive the signal from the transmitter of the motion sensor. A signal processor (112) is coupled to the receiver and configured to analyse first and second data sets received via the receiver from the motion sensor. The first and second data sets represent respective first and second oscillatory mechanical responses of first and second muscles of the subject resulting from mechanical stimuli. The analysis comprises determining first and second parameter sets characterising the first and second oscillatory mechanical responses, and comparing the first parameter set with the second parameter set to assess a possible presence of DVT in the subject.

An apparatus and method are adapted for characterizing human tissue type. A plurality of inflatable bladders enable the application of kinetic energy to the human tissue. Collected data responsive to the applied kinetic energy differentiates between different tissue types and patient loading. The data can be routed via a network to a remote location.

Fully-passive sensor systems that receive an input electromagnetic signal and return an output electromagnetic signal are described. The sensor systems can be used to measure pressure in biological or non-biological systems.

A biological information detecting device or the like in which waterproof performance or the like is improved by a simple structure. The device includes a sensor unit which detects biological information of a test body, and a case portion in which the sensor unit is disposed. The case portion is provided with a light transmitting portion including a detection window which transmits light incident on the sensor unit, and a light blocking portion blocking light from being incident on an inner portion of the case portion. In a case where a direction towards the sensor unit from the test body at the time of mounting the biological information detecting device is set to a first direction, a joining portion between the light transmitting portion and the light blocking portion protrudes or is dented along a direction intersecting with the first direction.

Methods, apparatus and systems for characterizing changes in at least one physical property of soft tissue. A series of acoustic pulses is generated and directed into the soft tissue such that at least one of the pulses is of sufficiently high intensity to induce physical displacement of the tissue. Waves reflected off the tissue, or a flexible member that moves with the tissue, are received and measured to estimate at least one characteristic of the physical displacement induced thereby. Repetition of the generating, receiving and estimating steps provides characterization of the at least one physical property over time. Methods, apparatus and systems for characterizing at least one physical property of blood, by generating a series of acoustic pulses and directing the series of pulses into the blood such that at least one of the pulses is of sufficiently high intensity to induce physical displacement of the blood. Acoustic pulses and/or optical waves reflected from the blood, or a flexible member in contact with the blood that moves with the blood, are received and measured to estimate at least one characteristic of the physical displacement induced thereby.

A method for characterising a mechanical property of a material. The method comprises the steps of providing the material having a deformable portion and providing a device having an optical element that is arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation.

The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for controlling the pressure a sensor applies on the surface of tissue to facilitate locating underlying pressure sensitive critical structures. The laparoscopic device includes a handle and a shaft extending distally from the handle. A flexible member is slidably disposed within the shaft and movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A sensor is coupled to a distal end of the flexible member. The flexible member is configured to flex to limit an amount of pressure applied by the sensor to a tissue surface when the sensor is in contact with a tissue surface.

Methods and apparatuses for use in screening for and assessing neuropathies, such as severe diabetic neuropathies of the feet, also known as Loss of Protective Sensation (“LOPS”). The methods and apparatuses described herein employ a kit including one or more of an insert having at least one testing instrument attached thereto, the at least one testing instrument comprising at least a holder and a monofilament; an enclosure including inner compartments for holding and securing the insert; a folder having one or more pockets for securing the insert and one or more of a mirror, a packet and other material, such as instructions. The apparatuses safely secure and protect the testing instrument(s) so that the risk of breaking or otherwise damaging the testing instruments during storage and/or shipping is significantly reduced. The methods and apparatuses are easy and low cost to manufacture, easy to use, scalable, and allow users to self-screen/test for, among other things, severe diabetic neuropathies of the feet.

Provided is a method for evaluating muscle strength characteristics of a limb based on a muscle group model including a first pair of antagonistic one-joint muscles, a second pair of antagonistic one-joint muscles, and a pair of antagonistic two-joint muscles, where the limb has a first rod having a proximal end supported by a first joint and a second rod supported on a free end of the first rod through a second joint. The method includes: measuring a maximum output of a free end of the second rod in at least one predetermined direction; measuring orbiting outputs of the free end of the second rod in all directions in the plane; and creating a hexagonal maximum output distribution corresponding to a contribution amount of each muscle of the muscle group model based on the maximum output in the predetermined direction and the orbiting outputs.

A functional optical coherent imaging (fOCI) platform includes at least one active camera unit (ACU) having a coherent and/or a partially coherent light source, and means for spectral filtering and imaging a selected body area of interest; an image processing unit (IPU) for pre-processing data received from an ACU; at least one stimulation unit (STU) transmitting a stimulation to a subject; at least one body function reference measurement unit (BFMU); a central clock and processing unit (CCU), with interconnections to the ACU, the IPU, the STU, for collecting pre-processed data from the IPU, stimuli from the STU body function reference data from the BFMU in a synchronized manner; a post-processing unit (statistical analysis unit, SAU); and an operator interface (HOD. A process for acquiring stimuli activated subject data includes aligning a body function unit at a subject and monitoring pre-selected body function; selecting a stimulus or stimuli; imaging a body area of interest; exerting one or a series of stimuli on the subject; imaging the body area of interest synchronous with said stimuli and the preselected body functions; and transferring said synchronized image, stimuli and body function data to a statistical analysis unit (SAU) and performing calculations to generate results pertaining to body functions.