Abstract

A sensing device includes a sensor housing mounting sensor elements and an attachment member, the attachment member including first and second components. The first component is configured to receive the sensor housing therein and to permit rotational movement between the attachment member and the sensor housing and to restrict relative movement between the attachment member and the sensor housing in the axial direction of the sensor housing. The second component includes a flexible membrane that is attachable to an underside of the first component attached to an underside of the first component, the flexible membrane extending at least in part beyond an outer edge of the first component. The flexible membrane allows for attachment of the attachment member to a patient, and the attachment member is adapted to allow passage of non-ionising radiation from the sensor housing to the patient.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes Identification of persons

Abstract

A sensing device comprises a sensor housing mounting sensor elements and an attachment member, the attachment member comprising first and second components. The first component is configured to receive the sensor housing therein and to permit rotational movement between the attachment member and the sensor housing and to restrict relative movement between the attachment member and the sensor housing in the axial direction of the sensor housing. The second component comprises a flexible membrane that is attachable to an underside of the first component attached to an underside of the first component, the flexible membrane extending at least in part beyond an outer edge of the first component. The flexible membrane comprises attachment means for attachment of the attachment member to a patient, and the attachment member is adapted to allow passage of non-ionising radiation from the sensor housing to the patient.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes Identification of persons
• A61B 5/1455 - Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration or pH-value using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters

Abstract

An apparatus for use in the assessment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in a patient, the apparatus comprising: at least one pair of photoplethysmographic (PPG) pulse sensors, one PPG sensor of the at least one pair attachable to a left hand side body extremity and the other of the pair attachable to a corresponding right hand side body extremity; a memory storing normal range values derived from measurements made on individuals without significant PAD; and a processor having at least two inputs and at least one output, the processor configured to operate an algorithm, the algorithm performing the following steps: i. acquire pulse signals from the PPG sensors over a predetermined number of heart beats, wherein the pulse associated with each heart beat has a first pulse foot, a second pulse foot and a first dominant peak; ii. filter the signals to remove unwanted high and low frequency noise; iii. normalise each filtered pulse signal in width over a number of equally spaced time intervals between consecutive pulse feet; iv. normalise each filtered pulse signal in height between lower and upper thresholds from the first pulse foot to the first dominant peak; v. calculate a value related to the acquired pulse signals for each equally spaced time interval; vi. for each equally spaced time interval, comparing the value calculated in step v for a patient, with the same value, or a normal range thereof, from the memory and generating an output representing the comparison; vii. calculating a shape distortion index representing the output of step vi.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61B 5/02 - Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the cardiovascular system, e.g. pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow

Abstract

The present invention relates to egg chambers for use in collection, inspection and selection of eggs for in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. The egg chamber, in use, provides an effectively closed and fluid filled system which minimizes the environmental changes that a harvested egg is exposed to, thus maximizing viability. The egg chamber comprises a vessel which can be made airtight, comprising at least one side wall, an upper wall and a lower wall, at least a portion of the upper wall being transparent and at least a portion of the lower wall being light permeable; a first inlet with a sealable port; a first outlet with a sealable port; a filter with a pore size appropriate for egg collection disposed within the vessel between the first inlet and the first outlet and configured to separate the vessel into a first internal chamber and a second internal chamber.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61B 17/435 - Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods for reproduction or fertilisation for embryo transplantation
• A61D 19/04 - Instruments or methods for reproduction or fertilisation for embryo transplantation
• C12M 1/26 - Inoculator or sampler

Abstract

The invention provides a method for expansion of limbal stem cells, comprising:(i) providing a limbal biopsy on a growth support;(ii) culturing for a first time period the limbal biopsy in the presence of epithelial culture medium supplemented with serum and one or more antibiotics; and(iii) substituting the epithelial culture medium of step ii) with epithelial culture medium which is supplemented with serum and which is free from antibiotics, and culturing for a second time period.

IPC Classes  ?

• C12N 5/079 - Neural cells

Abstract

The present invention relates to egg chambers for use in collection, inspection and selection of eggs for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedures. The egg chamber, in use, provides an effectively closed and fluid filled system which minimises the environmental changes that a harvested egg is exposed to, thus maximising viability. The egg chamber comprises a vessel which can be made airtight, comprising at least one side wall, an upper wall and a lower wall, at least a portion of the upper wall being transparent and at least a portion of the lower wall being light permeable; a first inlet with a sealable port; a first outlet with a sealable port; a filter with a pore size appropriate for egg collection disposed within the vessel between the first inlet and the first outlet and configured to separate the vessel into a first internal chamber and a second internal chamber.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61D 19/04 - Instruments or methods for reproduction or fertilisation for embryo transplantation
• A61B 17/435 - Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods for reproduction or fertilisation for embryo transplantation

Abstract

The present invention relates to egg chambers for use in collection, inspection and selection of eggs for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedures. The egg chamber, in use, provides an effectively closed and fluid filled system which minimises the environmental changes that a harvested egg is exposed to, thus maximising viability. The egg chamber comprises a vessel which can be made airtight, comprising at least one side wall, an upper wall and a lower wall, at least a portion of the upper wall being transparent and at least a portion of the lower wall being light permeable; a first inlet with a sealable port; a first outlet with a sealable port; a filter with a pore size appropriate for egg collection disposed within the vessel between the first inlet and the first outlet and configured to separate the vessel into a first internal chamber and a second internal chamber.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61B 17/435 - Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods for reproduction or fertilisation for embryo transplantation
• A61B 17/425 - Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods for reproduction or fertilisation
• A61D 19/04 - Instruments or methods for reproduction or fertilisation for embryo transplantation

Abstract

b) for periodically measuring the respective volumes of blood in the first and second storage portions; adding the volume of blood in the first storage portion to the volume of blood in the second storage portion at that time in order to calculate the total volume of blood within the first and second storage portions at that time; and comparing the total measured volumes of blood within the first and second storage portions measured over a predetermined time interval to calculate the volume of fluid removed from the blood during that predetermined time interval.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61M 1/36 - Other treatment of blood in a by-pass of the natural circulatory system, e.g. temperature adaptation, irradiation
• A61M 1/30 - Single needle dialysis
• A61M 1/34 - Filtering material out of the blood by passing it through a membrane, i.e. hemofiltration, diafiltration
• A61M 1/10 - Blood pumps; Artificial hearts; Devices for mechanical circulatory assistance, e.g. intra-aortic balloon pumps

Goods & Services

Urine flowmeters; parts and fitting for the aforementioned goods.

Abstract

An apparatus for performing haemodialysis on a patient comprises: first blood transfer means (3) for selectively withdrawing blood from a patient and storing it in a first storage portion (5); second blood transfer means (11) for removing filtered blood from a filtration device (7) and storing it in a second storage portion (13); and a fluid measurement system (51a, 51b) for periodically measuring the respective volumes of blood in the first and second storage portions; adding the volume of blood in the first storage portion to the volume of blood in the second storage portion at that time in order to calculate the total volume of blood within the first and second storage portions at that time; and comparing the total measured volumes of blood within the first and second storage portions measured over a predetermined time interval to calculate the volume of fluid removed from the blood during that predetermined time interval.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61M 1/30 - Single needle dialysis

Abstract

A device for attachment to a bag, provides an indication when the volume of matter in the bag reaches a predetermined value. The device comprises detachment detection means for providing a detachment signal when the device detaches from the bag.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61F 5/445 - Colostomy devices
• G01F 23/24 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of resistance of resistors due to contact with conductor fluid
• G01F 23/26 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields

Abstract

A device for applying pressure to an artery disposed within a limb, said device comprises a pressurising portion having at least one pressurising chamber, the pressurising portion being adapted to be placed adjacent a limb, and control means for controlling the flow of fluid into and out of the pressurising chamber. The device is adapted such that when the pressurising portion is placed adjacent the limb and a controlled flow of fluid is introduced into at least one said pressurising chamber, pressure is applied to substantially the whole of the surface of the limb.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61B 5/022 - Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels by applying pressure to close blood vessels, e.g. against the skinOphthaldynamometers

Abstract

A method for measuring bladder pressure in a patient, comprises the steps of: attaching an inflatable cuff around the penis of the patient; maintaining a flow of urine at a predetermined flow rate for a period of time during voiding of the bladder, by means of deflating or inflating the cuff over said period of time, as required; and measuring the cuff pressures required to maintain said predetermined urine flow rate during said period of time.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61B 5/20 - Measuring urological functions

Abstract

A method ofgenerating an ultrasound image of a target object, said method comprises the steps of: transmitting a first ultrasound pulse and at least one further ultrasound pulse in sequence along a predetermined scan line, each said transmitted ultrasound pulse having an energy spectrum with at least one peak, each said peakhaving a predetermined centre frequency,the predetermined centre frequency of at least one peak of one saidtransmitted ultrasound pulse beingdifferent from the predetermined centre frequency of at least one peak of at least one other transmitted ultrasound pulse; generating at least two respective ultrasound echo signals derived from the respective reflections of said first and at least one said further transmitted ultrasound pulses from a target object; and summing at least two said ultrasound echo signals to generate a resultant echo signal having a resultant echo signal energy spectrum.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01S 7/52 - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
• G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging

Abstract

A flow rate measuring apparatus comprises a vessel for receiving electrically conductive liquid, and a measuring element for measuring electrically the filled volume of the vessel as a function of time to provide a signal representative of the flow rate of electrically conductive liquid entering the vessel. The measuring element is disposable within the vessel and is configured to regulate the flow of electrically conductive liquid from the first side to the second side of the measuring element.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01F 1/00 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
• G01F 23/26 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields
• A61B 5/20 - Measuring urological functions