A device and method for verifying the proper position of catheters in the body by means of acoustic reflectometry, the device including a sound source, one or more sound receivers, a tube with compliant walls and open distal end to be introduced through an entrance to a body cavity, the sound source and receiver(s) coupled to the proximal end of the tube, a processor for causing the sound source to generate an acoustic excitation signal, the processor processing the acoustic signals sensed by the sound receiver(s) and generating an approximation of the acoustic impulse response of the tube, and the processor analyzing the acoustic impulse response to determine the position of the tube in the body cavity.

An integrated device for screening swallowing safety and swallowing efficiency can (i) receive first vibrational data for a first set of swallowing events executed successively by a first individual, (ii) compare at least a portion of the first vibrational data and/or at least a portion of second vibrational data derived from the first vibrational data against preset classification criteria defined for each of swallowing safety and swallowing efficiency, (iii) assign a swallowing safety probability and a swallowing efficiency probability to each of the first plurality of swallowing events, (iv) determine a swallowing safety classification based at least partially on the swallowing safety probability of each of the first plurality of swallowing events and (v) determine a swallowing efficiency classification based at least partially on the swallowing efficiency probability of each of the first plurality of swallowing events.

An ostomy bag can include one or more sensors for measuring one or more metrics. An ostomy wafer can also include one or more sensors for measuring one or more metrics. The sensors can be temperature sensors and/or capacitive sensors, for example, and the metrics can include bag fill, leakage, skin irritation, and phase of stoma output, among others.

Sampling systems and methods for non-invasive sampling of inner-colonic microbiome and its potential derivatives are provided. The sampling systems may operate in fluid communication with a large intestine cleansing system and comprise an electromechanical sampling device configured to collect at least a part of large intestine contents drained by the cleansing system. The electromechanical sampling device may comprise a collection unit configured to collect at least one sample from the contents, and an electromechanical robotic unit configured to move the collection unit to and from a sampling position and to manipulate the collection unit into a respective casing, to deposit the sample(s). Sampling methods may comprise optically monitoring drained contents of the large intestine, characterizing the optically-monitored (and possibly spectrally analyzed) drained contents to determine sampling times, and sampling the drained contents according to the characterization.

A method to measure sound-producing behaviors of a subject with a power- and bandwidth-limited electronic device that includes a processor includes measuring, by a microphone communicatively coupled to the processor, sound in a vicinity of the subject to generate an audio data signal that represents the sound. The method also includes measuring, by at least one second sensor communicatively coupled to the processor, at least one parameter other than sound to generate at least a second data signal that represents the at least one parameter other than sound. The method also includes detecting one or more sound-producing behaviors of the subject based on: both the audio data signal and the second data signal; or information derived from both the audio data signal and the second data signal.

A system is provided herein for stimulating an anatomical element of a patient. For example, the system may include a device (e.g., an implantable pulse generator) and an electrode device electrically coupled to the device. In some examples, the device may be configured to generate a current that is to be applied to the anatomical element via the electrode device to stimulate the anatomical element as part of a therapy aimed at achieving or supporting glycemic control in the patient. Additionally, the current may be applied to the anatomical element based on a machine learning algorithm that uses inputs gathered for determining one or more characteristics for the current. Accordingly, the machine learning algorithm may be configured to determine the one or more characteristics for the current specific to the patient (e.g., to provide personalized therapy settings for the patient).

Systems and methods for mechanically blocking a nerve are provided. The system may comprise a blocking device configured to selectively compress the nerve. The system may also comprise a feedback mechanism configured to measure a response correlating to whether the nerve is blocked. When the blocking device compresses the nerve, a response from the feedback mechanism is received that correlates to the nerve being blocked or unblocked after a period of time.

System and methods for stimulating or blocking a nerve are provided. The system may include an implantable pulse generator configured to generate a current and an electrode device in communication with the implantable pulse generator and configured to surround the nerve. The electrode device may include a housing comprising an inner surface, a first edge, and a second edge opposite the first edge; at least one electrode disposed on the inner surface and configured to apply the current to the nerve; and at least one closure configured to couple the first edge to the second edge to form a seal.

A system is provided herein for stimulating an anatomical element of a patient. For example, a device may be configured to generate a current, and an electrode device coupled to the device may be configured to apply the current to the anatomical element. Additionally, the system may include a user interface in communication with the implantable pulse generator, the electrode device, or both. In some examples, the user interface may include a first element that is configured to display information associated with the patient. Additionally, the user interface may include a second element that is configured to receive inputs for programming parameters of the current. The user interface may also include a third element that is configured to display diagnostic information associated with applying the current to the anatomical element.

A system is provided herein for stimulating an anatomical element of a patient to achieve glycemic control for the patient. In some examples, the system may include a device configured to generate a current and an electrode device electrically coupled to the device that includes a plurality of electrodes configured for placement on or around the anatomical element. The device may receive instructions to apply the current to the anatomical element via the plurality of electrodes of the electrode device. Additionally, the current may be applied using a first waveform of a plurality of waveforms that the device is capable of generating, where each of the plurality of waveforms comprise a substantially similar charge density. Additionally or alternatively, a system is provided that provides a pharmacological blockade at the anatomical element using a micropump that is configured to deliver a pharmacological agent to the anatomical element to achieve glycemic control.