The invention provides improved devices and apparatuses and related methods for sensing differences in pressure or other parameters in the environment of the body of a patient during passage of the device through one or more tissues. In one aspect, the devices and apparatuses of the invention are configured to sense differences in the environment of the body of the patient as the device passes through tissue adjacent to the epidural space to tissue of the epidural space. In one aspect, a dual cannula device comprising one or more sensors connected to a signaling component is provided for sensing passage into of the device into the epidural space and positioning therein. Methods of using same are also provided.

The invention includes a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt and a method of operating it. The shunt includes: a ventricular catheter for transferring CSF from the ventricle of a brain of a patient; a pressure sensor communicated to the ventricular catheter to measure the pressure of the CSF as delivered to the pressure sensor; a temperature sensor communicated to the ventricular catheter to measure the temperature of the CSF as delivered to the temperature sensor; a wireless data transmitter to transmit the measured pressure and temperature to an attending physician; a nonprogrammable reporting valve or programmable valve communicated to the pressure sensor and temperature sensor to regulate flow of the CSF; and peritoneal tubing communicated to the programmable valve for delivering CSF to the peritoneal cavity.

An apparatus that monitors information associated with an oral cavity is provided, the apparatus comprising: a three-dimensional oral appliance; a data collection device having at least one sensor and/or hydrogel like material configured to sense the information associated with the oral cavity; an interface device cooperatively coupled to the data collection device, the interface device configured to transfer the information from the sensor device to a receiving device external to the oral cavity or the entire device is analyzed.

Embodiments of the present systems and methods may provide improved, automated monitoring of brain function. In embodiments, a multimodal, multi-sensor monitoring device may provide to monitoring of the full spectrum of brain function. In an embodiment, a system for monitoring brain function of a subject may include an apparatus for mounting a plurality of stimulus and response sensors on a head of the subject, including a cognizance stimuli-sensor suite, a physiologic sensor suite, and advance monitoring devices such as a transcranial Doppler puck, an electroencephalograph monitor, and an optic nerve sheath parameter sensor.

A device for measuring a pressure differential comprises a tube, at least one pressure sensor and a processor. The tube comprises a closed insertion portion for insertion into a body, the insertion portion having an insertion end and an internal bore in communication with ambient pressure via an opening in the tube. The sensor is located in or on the insertion portion and comprises an internally facing region in communication with the bore and an externally facing region in communication with an exterior of the tube. The processor is configured to provide a stimulus, which may be an electrical stimulus, to the pressure sensor so that when the stimulus is provided, the pressure sensor provides a measurable response wherein the processor correlates the response with the pressure differential between the exterior of the tube and the bore. The measurable response may be indicative of a change in pressure differential between the exterior of the tube and the bore. There may be a plurality of pressure sensors, in which case at least two of the sensors may have different resonant frequencies at the same pressure differential. The insertion portion may comprise at least one aperture sealed by at least one pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may comprise an electromechanical or micro-electromechanical material and may comprises a piezoelectric and/or electrocapacitive sensor. The externally facing region of the pressure sensor may comprise a coating, which may be electrically insulative.

A device for measuring a pressure differential comprises a tube, at least one pressure sensor and a processor. The tube comprises a closed insertion portion for insertion into a body, the insertion portion having an insertion end and an internal bore in communication with ambient pressure via an opening in the tube. The sensor is located in or on the insertion portion and comprises an internally facing region in communication with the bore and an externally facing region in communication with an exterior of the tube. The processor is configured to provide a stimulus, which may be an electrical stimulus, to the pressure sensor so that when the stimulus is provided, the pressure sensor provides a measurable response wherein the processor correlates the response with the pressure differential between the exterior of the tube and the bore. The measurable response may be indicative of a change in pressure differential between the exterior of the tube and the bore. There may be a plurality of pressure sensors, in which case at least two of the sensors may have different resonant frequencies at the same pressure differential. The insertion portion may comprise at least one aperture sealed by at least one pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may comprise an electromechanical or micro-electromechanical material and may comprises a piezoelectric and/or electrocapacitive sensor. The externally facing region of the pressure sensor may comprise a coating, which may be electrically insulative.

Disclosed is an endoscope for measuring intra-organ pressure (e.g., intragastric pressure), and more particularly an endoscope for measuring intra-organ pressure (e.g., intragastric pressure) and visualizing the response of an adjacent sphincter (e.g., lower esophageal sphincter) to changes in the intra-organ pressure.

A method of assessing intracranial hemorrhage in a subject may include at a first time point: measuring, for a plurality of times, optical density (OD) value at first location on a first side of a head of the subject at a first time point, and a first corresponding location on a second side of the head of the subject. Change in optical density (ΔOD) is computed by subtracting each OD value measured on the first side from each corresponding OD value measured on the second side. A predetermined number of largest absolute ΔOD values are eliminated from the ΔOD values and a first average ΔOD value is computed by averaging the remainder of ΔOD values. The process is repeated at a second time point to obtain a second average ΔOD. Progression of intracranial hemorrhage is determined based on a difference between the first average ΔOD and the second average ΔOD.

A sensor interface system for providing a connection between at least one sensor and a maternal-fetal monitor, wherein the interface system converts electrical muscle activity captured by the sensor(s) into uterine activity data signals for use by the maternal-fetal monitor. The sensor interface system of the invention preferably includes a conversion means for converting the signals from the sensor(s) into signals similar to those produced by a tocodynamometer.

A catheter insertable into a patient for monitoring pressure having an expandable outer balloon. An expandable inner balloon is positioned within the lumen of the catheter and has having a second outer wall and forms a gas chamber to monitor pressure within the patient. In response to pressure exerted on the outer wall of the outer balloon, fluid within the outer balloon enters an opening in the wall of the catheter lumen to exert a pressure on the outer wall of the expanded inner balloon to deform the inner balloon and compress the gas within the inner balloon. A pressure sensor communicates with the gas containing chamber for measuring pressure based on compression of gas caused by deformation of the expanded inner balloon resulting from deformation of the expanded outer balloon.