Apparatus, instruments, implements, or processes that are either specially adapted or intended to be solely utilized utilised for evaluating, examining, measuring, monitoring, studying, or testing particular characteristics and aspects of either living or dead human and animal bodies for medical purposes (i.e. diagnosis). Diagnosis consists of scrutinizing scrutinising the following characteristics or aspects of bodies:

Apparatus, instruments, implements, or processes that are either specially adapted or intended to be solely utilised for medical procedures employing physical actions (e.g. laser cutting, pressure of fluid) on portions of human or animal bodies to correct, enhance, or inspect (e.g. autopsies) them for medical purposes (i.e. surgery). Surgery consists of the following medical procedures:

Apparatus, instruments, implements, or processes that are either specially adapted or intended to be solely utilised in procedures for identifying individual human beings (e.g. finger printing, by recognition of shape or dimension of body part) using unique characteristics of their bodies (i.e. identification). Adjunct or supplementary means specially adapted for use in, or intended for exclusive use in, diagnosis, surgery, or identification. These adjunct or supplementary means contribute to the effectiveness (e.g. surgical drapes) or safety (e.g. operating gloves) of a medical procedure, but may or may not (e.g. protective covers for scalpels) themselves involve any direct contact with a body.

Components of diagnosis, surgery, or identification means with structural features limiting their usefulness to medical procedures.

The prosthesis assessment or monitoring may produce an input signal useful for the control of prosthetics found in A61F 2/482, A61F 2/70 or A61F 2/72.

Several subclasses provide for subject matter that is used for 'diagnosis'. The relationship between these subclasses with regard to the type of 'diagnosis' covered by each is as follows:

Subclass A61B provides for diagnosis in general. A61B also provides for any surgical or identification apparatus or methods when

A61B additionally provides for any diagnostic apparatus or methods combined with therapy apparatus or method normally covered by subclass A61H or A61N when

Subclass A61H provides for diagnostic means or steps that are combined with massage and physical therapy apparatus or methods used for the treatment of disease or disability (i.e. an abnormal condition of the body) by utilisation of direct mechanical energy; when the diagnostic means or step is used solely for operational feedback purposes to enhance therapy.

Subclass A61N provides for diagnostic means or steps that are combined with medical treatment therapy apparatus or methods used for the treatment of disease or disability by utilisation of forms of energy other than direct mechanical energy; when the means or step is used solely for operational feedback purposes to enhance therapy.

A61B 1/00 - A61B 1/127 deal with technical features of endoscopes. From A61B 1/227 - A61B 1/32 endoscopes are classified according to the body cavity where they are intended to be used.

Operational signal transmission and data processing related with endoscopes if not provided in other, more specific technical fields.

Operational image processing for display during use of the endoscope, e.g. on-chip or by the camera control unit.

Extracting and/or emphasizing biological structures by image processing e.g. blood vessels for assessing depth, thickness, shape or patterns.

Enhancement processing of live image output quality, e.g. denoising, artifact removal, deblurring, edge enhancement.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning, e.g. details of AI model and its implementation, the training process, or training data generation.

All types of signal transmission.

Wireless data transmission between probe within the body and external receiver.

Wire based data transmission by electrical signals.

Exchangeable memory like memory cards, e.g. for image recording or changing endoscope function.

Power source integral with the endoscope, e.g. batteries.

All types of user input/interface means.

Data input means, e.g. keyboards, touch screens, GUIs or voice recording.

Control means, e.g. knobs, switches, joysticks, remote or voice control.

All types of output means, e.g. visual or acoustic.

Display construction, e.g. portable, head mounted displays, supports for displays.

Display of images obtained by endoscopes, combinations of images, combination of images and other data, e.g. graphs, ECG curves, pulse waveforms, alphanumeric data.

Small display screen at the proximal end of the endoscope shaft, e.g. mounted on the handle.

Alerting/indicating to user of an operative condition/fault, e.g. by voice synthesiser, indicator lights. Includes physiological parameter of patient during endoscopic examination.

All types of endoscope testing, e.g. optical performance, leak detection. Testing operation of endoscope, fault detection.

Endoscope provided with identification means, e.g. barcode, memory chip (ROM), coded resistor etc. May also include other data, e.g. operating data, manufacturer's serial number etc.

Limiting the number and/or duration of uses of an endoscope, e.g. by a counter/timer. Also limiting use to one patient by configuring endoscope to patient ID. Counting usage for payment.

Structural or operational features of the handle, e.g. control elements.

Construction of valve switches for controlling suction/water/air supply.

Details of endoscope shaft/sheath construction, e.g. layers.

Groove(s) on external surface of endoscope to receive additional channel(s), e.g. for tools, suction, rinsing etc.

Details of endoscope shaft/sheath construction, including oversleeves, for stiffening.

Distal tip features not separately provided for below, e.g. distal tips with certain shapes, protective caps, strengthening means, vibrating elements, heating etc.

Distal fluid inflatable balloons, e.g. for retaining endoscope in a fixed position within a body cavity or for enlarging visual field etc.

Distal expandable basket/cage structure, e.g. for retaining endoscope at a fixed position within the body cavity or for spacing the imaging lens from the tissue surface.

Distal tip tool as part of, mounted on or attached to the endoscope shaft or oversleeve, e.g. for displacing/cutting tissue.

Distal hood, e.g. projecting beyond the lens/window plane, for restricting field of view.

Distal nozzles/baffles/fluid deflectors, e.g. for directing rinsing fluid on to the distal lens/window.

Distal suction openings for removing fluid/debris; openings may be in an endoscope oversleeve.

Distal optical features, e.g. window shapes, lens arrangements, mirrors, prisms or filters arranged in the distal tip of an insertion section.

Additional non-imaging sensor(s) in the vicinity of the distal tip, e.g. force/pressure sensors for contact detection, distance/time-of-flight sensors for depth/distance detection of objects, temperature sensors for thermal control or patient safety; light/CO₂ detection for endotracheal navigation.

Distal deflector for a tool/instrument/optical fibre introduced through an endoscope channel.

Disposable endoscope or endoscope parts explicitly intended for single use only and usually not sterilizable.

Modular construction of endoscope allows parts to be exchanged/replaced, e.g. different shafts used with the same handle. Also for disassembly of parts for easier cleaning. Multiple endoscopes interchangeably connected to a monitor unit.

Portable endoscopes not requiring a physical connection to further supply or monitor units, e.g. including integrated power supply, light source and video controller, suction and fluid supply, telemetry and/or display means.

All types of steps/processes in manufacturing / assembling endoscopes or parts thereof.

All types of couplings are included here, e.g. optical, mechanical, electrical.

Details of electrical cables. Includes cable construction and cable arrangements.

Details of optical cables, e.g. light supply cables for connection to an external light source.

Also universal cables for combined water/air/suction supply.

Details of any type of electrical connector used with endoscopes, includes connectors at the distal end of a cable projecting from the operation portion and connectors mounted on the operation portion.

Details of any type of mechanical connector used with endoscopes, includes connectors or adaptors at the proximal end of the working channel.

Drive unit for attachment to an endoscope for driving/introducing a tool/instrument. May be manual or motor driven.

Separate oversleeve tube and optical assembly. The optical assembly is inserted into the oversleeve prior to use in a body cavity. The oversleeve may have features like additional working channels for instruments, rinsing or suction channels, illumination channels or further distal tools.

For closing or sealing openings at both ends of an endoscope, e.g. forceps plugs for the proximal end of a working channel.

Any type of fastening element to attach an accessory/tool/channel to the outside of the endoscope shaft, e.g. clip, clamp, loop, band.

Prevention of contamination with bodily fluids of a patient, e.g. by a hygienic sheath covering the insertion tube of an endoscope.

Packages for keeping endoscope sterile before use/in storage.

Means for holding and/or changing the position (advancing, rotating, pivoting etc.) of an endoscope with respect to the patient/cavity.

Propelling, advancing or securing of an endoscope in direct physical contact with tissue or anatomical structures of a patient, e.g. by balloons or tissue anchors provided on/with the endoscope.

Articulated arms for holding and positioning an endoscope.

Propelling/advancing endoscope by everted tube means, e.g. by turning the tube inside out.

Guiding arrangements positioned at the opening of a body cavity to aid insertion of the endoscope along the guiding arrangement and into the cavity, e.g. guide tubes or wires not fixed or attached to the endoscope shaft.

Probe operating inside the body without physical contact with the external environment.

The probe, e.g. a capsule endoscope, is guided by a magnetic field controlled by the operator. Also for controlled bending of endoscope insertion tube by magnetic forces.

Drive unit, e.g. proximal motor, for insertion of an endoscope into the body.

Details of optical arrangements for transmitting image within the endoscope not covered by any lower ranking class. Includes jointed image paths using mirrors/prisms.

Guiding light from distal to proximal end of the endoscope, not limited to imaging.

2D/3D scanning of illumination and/or imaging light beams.

Optical element at distal end of endoscope allows side-viewing.

Optical element at distal end of endoscope sets the field-of-view at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope i.e. between 0-90 degrees, in forward or rearward direction.

Optical elements allow multiple different fixed views, e.g. combining either alternative or simultaneous 0 degree frontal and 90 degrees side-viewing.

Optical element at distal end of endoscope allows variable field of view, e.g. by rotation or deflection of a distal optical element.

Filters in the optical imaging path of an endoscope.

Optical and/or mechanical arrangements for adjusting the focal point or magnification of an endoscope, e.g. for auto-focus or endo-microscopy.

Lens with variable refractive properties, e.g. fluid filled lens, Alvarez lens.

Stereoscopic or three dimensional imaging, e.g. by combining images from two laterally spaced cameras.

Image acquisition and related image processing for three-dimensional imaging (3D), e.g. based on passive or active triangulation.

Features of the eyepiece, e.g. lens arrangement, attachment to endoscope shaft/camera etc. Includes binocular eyepieces.

Multiple eyepieces allowing more than one observer to view the image.

Operating elements for active control of bending, e.g. mechanical levers, dials or pulleys, but also electrical switches usually mounted on the handle.

Backbone elements repetitively aligned and movably connected to each other to provide stability and flexibility to the insertion tube.

Operating elements for transmission of forces for the purpose of e.g. bending, flexing, twisting, pivoting or rotation of a flexible portion of the insertion tube.

Means for interconnecting (rigid) backbone elements of the shaft to provide flexibility, e.g. hinges, joints or pivots.

Determining the bending state, curvature or shape of the insertion part by features inherent to the endoscope, not for locating or tracking the endoscope with respect to the body.

Guiding means, which are independent from the flexible endoscope and its integrated tip steering mechanisms, e.g. guide wires or insertion aids.

Combination of at least 2 endoscopes, where one endoscope is introduced into the body cavity, e.g. by passing it through a channel of another endoscope.

Controlling fluid supply or evacuation to or from cavities of the human body.

All kind of working channels for insertion of medical instruments thought the endoscope shaft, e.g. for minimally invasive surgery.

Small mostly capsule type cameras, usually but not necessarily swallowed for minimally invasive visual documentation e.g. of the gastroenterologic tract or blood vessels. Often in combination with miniaturized on-board diagnostic or therapeutic tools.

Endoscopic cameras integrated into or detachably fixed to the proximal end of an endoscope.

Visual imaging of tissue fluorescence induced e.g. by exogenously administered fluorophores or endogenous autofluorescence.

Visual imaging of tissue absorbance with or without contrast agents, e.g. using infrared light.

Infrared (IR) or near infrared (NIR) imaging indent from the used light source.

Details of mounting the CCD chip in the distal tip of the endoscope.

Illumination arrangements with spatially modulated light patterns, e.g. LCDs or spatially arranged illumination fibers.

Illumination arrangements where light exits the endoscope forwardly in multiple points or circularly, including illumination sources for the oral cavity not incorporated in the endoscope shaft.

Illumination arrangements where light exits the endoscope radially (perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis). Single or multiple illumination ports.

Illumination of cavity at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope other than at 90 degrees.

Optical elements allow multiple different fixed illumination angles, e.g. combining either alternative or simultaneous 0 degrees frontal and 90 degrees side illumination.

Optical element at distal end of endoscope allows variable illumination angles, e.g. by rotation or deflection of a distal optical element.

Illumination with multiple spectral bands, e.g. for fluorescence endoscopy.

Optical filters provided in the illumination path of the endoscope, e.g. for fluorescence endoscopy.

Endoscope comprising one or several light source(s), e.g. semiconductor light source or LEDs, that illuminate(s) a fluorescent material, e.g. phosphor, to emit light at a different wavelength than the exciting light.

Automatic control of illumination-related settings such as intensity, spectral, geometric or pulse properties e.g. of the light source, apertures or other optical elements in the illumination path and based e.g. on measured parameters or image processing.

External or internal light sources coupled to or positioned at the proximal end of an endoscope for illumination.

Headlamps, e.g. used for dental or ENT applications.

Guiding illumination light from proximal to distal end of the endoscope.

Fluid supply or evacuation for functional purposes of the endoscope.

Cleaning, e.g. physically, of endoscopes and/or parts thereof after use.

Tools for cleaning endoscopes after use, e.g. cleaning swabs or brushes inserted into endoscope channel.

Washing machines specially adapted for cleaning endoscopes.

Fluid circulation in the endoscope during endoscope cleaning cycle.

Active cleaning of endoscope parts during use, e.g. of distal windows to maintain vision.

Prevention of fogging, e.g. by dedicated covers or coatings.

Monitoring/controlling/regulation of temperature in an endoscope (shaft or handle) and related units like proximal light sources.

Devices for enlarging natural openings of the human body for visual inspection, e.g. specula or the like.

A61B 3/02 - A61B 3/09 for subjective testing i.e. with patient feedback and A61B 3/10 - A61B 3/158 for objective testing i.e. without patient feedback

The breakdown symbols (i.e. the non "parallel" or non "mirror" symbols) and "orthogonal" symbols are to be used for classifying the invention information (in addition to the invention symbols) in case the invention is insufficiently classified by an invention information symbol. They are also to be used for classifying the additional information. They are stored in the additional information field.

Illuminating means for examining the eyes (not related to a specific measuring instrument)

Use of any type of eye model, e.g. to aid in measurement of visual function or checking correct prescription of corrective lens.

Determination of parameters of contact lenses or of intraocular lenses on the basis of ophthalmic measurements

Correlation of eye images taken at different times

All types of user input/interface means, e.g. particular keyboard/switch layouts, control desks/panels, voice-controlled, light pen, touch screen, joysticks, cursors etc.

Display construction, e.g. portable, supports for displays.

Display of images obtained by all types of apparatus in A61B 3/00, combinations of images, e.g. side-by-side, superimposed, tiled etc., combination of images and/or other data, e.g. graphs, waveforms, alphanumeric data, questionnaires, patient reports etc.

Identification of apparatus or component parts of the apparatus by any means, e.g. RFID, bar code, coded resistors, EPROM etc.

Control levers for ophthalmic apparatus

Means for positioning of a patient with respect to apparatus, e.g. head-rests, chin-rests, seats etc. Adjustable positioning, e.g. sliding elements or motor driven structures.

Details or arrangements of fixation targets or lights.

The fixation light 16 includes a plurality of LEDs arranged in a lattice shape. By lighting one LED, the fixation light 16 can guide a sight line of the subject's eye E to a direction of the LED lighting.

Also to relax the accommodation power

Examination or measurement of the contrast sensitivity of the eye.

Determining the field of vision

Measurements on the eye without the patient's feedback.

Besides the below-listed fields, the following is included:

Measurement of any quantity related to tear secretion or tear film production, e.g. volume, flow, or film thickness.

Measuring optical aberrations of the eye or corneal topography with wavefront sensor.

wavefront sensor, Hartmann sensor, shack sensor, lenslet array, microlens array

By optical coherence tomography, also in combination and sharing optical components with scanning laser ophthalmoscopy.

Scanning the eye wherein a detector receives only the reflected light focussed on a single point in the eye tissue, e.g. cornea or retina.

This field mostly relates to processing of ophthalmic data in order to estimate astigmatism.

Measurement of corneal topography.

E.g. by projecting a light pattern (moiré, placido rings) on the cornea

Examination of limbus

Measurement of interpupillary distance in the context of diagnostic procedures.

Eye tracking mainly for diagnostic purposes.

Example: Using imagine processing.

Examination of the anterior chamber: Space between the cornea and the iris

Examination of the posterior chamber: Iris, ciliary body, lens

Any type of apparatus for determining, measuring or examining the opacity of the lens, e.g. due to cataract.

Lens adapted to be placed on the cornea for direct observation of the retina

Means for focussing an eye image detector:

Also:

Means for stopping, e.g. polarised light reflected from the cornea to enhance detection of light reflected from the retina, e.g. in eye fundus examinations.

Detect intraocular pressure.

E.g., using a deformable element in contact with the cornea

Also:

Detect intraocular pressure by deforming the eye surface with a gas jet a measuring the deformation of the eye surface

Combinations of eye-testing apparatus in a single workstation, e.g. at a test station.

Apparatus may be modified for different applications by exchanging component parts.

The breakdown symbols (i.e. the non "parallel" or non "mirror" symbols) and "orthogonal" symbols are to be used for classifying the invention information (in addition to the invention symbols) in case the invention is insufficiently classified by an invention information symbol. They are also to be used for classifying the additional information. They are stored in the additional information field.

Documents in this subgroup should be also be classified according to type of imaging apparatus in other subgroups of A61B 5/00.

Imaging apparatus, for example employing electron or nuclear magnetic resonance, including surgical and therapeutic techniques to facilitate healing.

Implantable medical device may include pacemakers. Ablating includes cutting, eroding, melting, evaporating, or vaporizing. Ventilating includes oxygenating, aerating.

Testing or evaluating the body or part of the body by applying mechanical forces or stimuli and measuring the response of the body or tissue to the mechanical force or stimulus.

1) Vibration stimulator, e.g. for detecting pain threshold

2) Apply stimulation while carrying out measurements, e.g. oximetry:

Applying compression during a measurement:

Holding skin for skin gauges, palpation, indentation

Applying suction or vacuum at the measurement area during the measurement, e.g. to increase blood pressure:

Applying torque, friction etc. to a body part during the measurement of an effect of this force

Testing or evaluating the body, parts of the body or body tissues by applying light and measuring the change in light characteristics caused by the interaction of the light with the body or tissue.

Diagnosis using scanned light, e.g.:

Laser speckle imaging

Apparatus for optical scanning of the external body surface:

Detection using coherent light emission

The use of confocal scanning techniques, e.g. confocal laser scanning microscopy in order to obtain images at selected depths of body tissue.

Detecting fluorescence emission as a result of irradiating excitation light

Reconstructing volumes using light irradiated into the body and scattered outside the body

Evaluating spectral properties of body parts

Apparatus for viewing and taking images of the surface of the body. Documents may include diagnostic evaluation of images, e.g. evaluation of images taken with a camera at different times

Devices using light adapted for a particular medical procedure, e.g. dentistry, mammography, insertion into the body

Inspecting the composition of body tissues using light probes introduced into the body

Detecting properties of all types of oral or dental tissue, e.g. teeth, gums, tongue

Detection of breast cancer or other properties using light

E.g., magnetoacoustic examination: apply magnetic energy, detect resulting acoustic radiation

Apply light, detect resulting acoustic emission

Apply acoustic (e.g. ultrasonic) energy, detect resulting light emission

Apparatus for detecting, measuring or recording physiological parameters related to diagnosis of the cardiovascular system. It includes apparatus where calculation of health indices, e.g. an arterial index, are made or apparatus for monitoring trends in the patient's condition by analysis of the physiological data, e.g. ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.

Multiple subgroups may be allocated if the particular physiological parameter is essential for the determination of a diagnosis or calculation of a health index.

Apparatus for detecting, measuring or recording multiple physiological parameters where at least one parameter is a cardiovascular parameter. Combinations with any other physiological parameters, not only a respiratory condition, are allowed, e.g. measurement of heart rate, movement activity and blood glucose concentration. Multiparameter vital signs monitoring.

Indexing Codes added for specific parameters to show the combination of physiological parameters measured, e.g. A61B 5/024, A61B 5/0816 and A61B 5/14532.

Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and body temperature. Multiple vital signs monitoring where at least one cardiovascular parameter is measured with body temperature, e.g. heart rate and temperature.

Apparatus for detecting, measuring or recording blood pressure, diastolic pressure, systolic pressure, arterial pressure, venous pressure. Includes measuring pressure in specific blood vessels, e.g. aortic pressure.

IPC precedence does not apply in the case where the blood pressure in combination with another physiological parameter is essential for the invention, e.g. in calculation of a particular arterial index.

All types of apparatus for detecting, measuring or recording blood pressure invasively including catheters, needle probes, guidewires and implanted devices. Blood pressure may be measured in blood vessels or in the heart itself.

Apparatus for detecting, measuring or recording blood pressure in a blood vessel or the heart comprising optical means for transmitting the pressure change, e.g. deflection of a pressure sensitive membrane is detected optically.

Methods or apparatus for calibrating the pressure sensor repsonse. May include correction or compensation of the measured value, e.g. due to drift.

Apparatus provided with two or more pressure sensors for measuring the blood pressure in the body, e.g. two pressure transducers mounted on a catheter.

Apparatus for detecting, measuring or recording blood pressure where the blood vessel is fully occluded during part of the measurement cycle and then released to allow blood flow.

Details of occluders, e.g. construction of inflatable cuffs, adjustable clamps.

Details of valves specially adapted for use in blood pressure measuring apparatus, e.g. valves for releasing air from an inflatable cuff. Includes valves used in any part of the apparatus..

This subgroup is not restricted to apparatus where the blood vessel is occluded.

Apparatus for detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate, e.g. given in beats per minute.

Apparatus for detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate using an optical sensor for detecting photoplethysmograph signals.

Details of optical sensors for detecting photoplethysmograph signals. Includes constructional details of sensors, arrangements of sensors in housings or probes.

All types of portable devices for detecting, measuring or recording pulse or heart rate. Heart rate devices may be worn on any part of the body or be incorporated in a portable device providing a non-medical function, e.g. a music player.

Details of sensors for measuring heart or pulse rate not covered by A61B 5/02416 or A61B 5/0245. For example, pressure sensors, strain gauges or accelerometers for measuring the tissue deformation due to the pulse wave. Inlcudes sensor construction and arrangements of sensors in housings or probes.

Apparatus for measuring, detecting or recording the heart rate using the detection ECG signals.

Apparatus for measuring, detecting or recording blood flow or perfusion of blood in tissue. The extent of blood flow detected is not always given as a flow rate, e.g. in ml/s.

Apparatus for detecting, measuring or recording fluid pressure within any part of the body other than blood pressure of the heart or blood vessels.

Measurements carried out while applying a magnetic field, an electric field or an electromagnetic field, e.g.:

1) Magnetic induction tomography, note figure showing measurement coils, or

2) Measurements of microwaves modified by parts of the body.

Measuring skin impedance, conductance or resistance by applying a current or voltage to the skin.

Using skin conductance measurement to detect acupuncture points

Measurements are carried out while presenting a stimulus (visual, auditory, auditive, etc.) to the subject of the examination

Conductance / impedance measurement on teeth

Detection of volume changes by impedance measurements

Reconstruction of images of parts of the body by means of impedance measurements:

Fat content evaluation: measuring various parameters of body composition including body fat composition, lean body mass, body-fat ratio, tissue hydration, total body water, extracellular fluid volume etc..

A61B 5/055 mainly covers the relationship between magnetic resonance apparatus (NMR, MRS, MRI, fMRI etc.) and other devices classified in A61B 5/00. This subgroup does not include specific MR arrangements and MR processes as such which are already covered in G01R 33/20, however includes documents where the diagnostic application of MR predominates rather than the system details or the details of the MR process. The following image shows an example of an MRI device with arterial tone measurement output.

There is an overlap between the scope of G01R 33/20 (or its relevant subgroup) and A61B 5/055 in the sense that, depending on the disclosure of a given document, the document may have to be classified in G01R 33/20 (or its relevant subgroup) only, in A61B 5/055 only or in both places.

For instance:

Position sensors on a probe to detect relative positions of different components

Sensor 50 is configured to provide position data for the emitter 56 and detector 57.

Sensor 50 comprises a sensor body that includes the emitter 56, detector 57, and one or more position indicators 58 and 60

External tracking device detecting position of:

1) Invasive probes comprising position indicating element

2) Markers placed on the surface of the body

Probes comprising magnet or electromagnetic coil

Impedance measurement means for detecting the position of an invasive probe

The coordinates of a catheter inside the body are determined by passing currents between catheter electrodes 60, 62 and body surface electrodes 30.

1) Detecting position of markers associated with a sensor, the markers being placed on the surface of the body of the patient.

2) Tracking position of markers associated with an invasive probe

The position and movement of the tracking members are tracked by the control unit 14.

The pressure sensors in rings 18a-18i serve as the tracking members.

The probe is provided with means for detecting its own position within the body

Position sensors detect positions relative to their own reference frame, e.g., gyroscopes, accelerometers

Registration of pre-operative images with detected positions of a probe.

Wireless data transmission between probe within the body and external monitor

Swallowed capsules travelling through the GI system

Implanted devices that are attached or anchored to the internal body tissue so that movement of the device from the place of attachment does not occur.

Using clips, sensor 10 may be held at a fixed position in the Gl tract.

Device 10 uses a wireless communication protocol to transmit data to monitor 14

Evaluation of the respiratory system.

Apparatus for recording respiratory parameters, e.g. portable devices for ambulatory recording.

Evaluating volume changes due to respiration

1) by measuring changes of spatial dimensions:

2) by measuring pressure changes in a closed chamber

Detection of electrical impedance of respiratory organs

IP (impedance pneumography) circuit 27 25 generates a current that is modulated at a high frequency (typically 50-100 kHz). The current passes through electrode LL 24. It then propagates through the patient's chest, as indicated by the arrow 29, where a respiration-induced capacitance change modulates it according to the RR.

Electrode UR 20 detects the resultant analog signal, which is then processed within the IP circuit to determine an analog IP waveform 30 featuring a low-frequency series of pulses corresponding to RR.

The analog filters in the IP circuit 27 are chosen to filter out high-frequency components that contribute to the ECG QRS complex.

1) Evaluation of tracer quantity absorbed by the lungs

.

2) Inhalators for tracers to be detected by imaging devices, e.g. MRI, PET

Detection of respiratory signals, e.g.:

using photoplethysmography, i.e. a signal provided by a pulse oximeter on a body part, e.g. finger, ear

Detection of chemical composition of exhaled breath.

Not relating to lung function.

Detector 441 is optionally operable to detect bacteria, virus, fungus, antibody, protein, or chemical such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, alcohol and the like

Detect cough events which may be spontaneous coughing events or where the patient is asked to voluntarily cough:

Evaluate cough event:

Detection of all types of apnoea events, e.g. cessation of breathing (apnoea), shallow breathing (hypopnea), fast deep breathing (hypernoea), Cheynes-Stokes respiration etc.

Breath test specially adapted to detect rate of metabolism. For example, properties of exhaled gas are compared to properties of inhaled air.

Evaluation of O2 uptake from breath analysis.

Evaluation of CO2 release.

Detection of mechanical impedance of respiratory organs.

Evaluate breath flow

Text1

Detectors of maximum air flow

I

The pointer 4 is entrained along its slot 6 by the exhaled air flow. When the exhalation ends friction retains the pointer 4 in its displaced position to indicate a peak flow value against a scale 8 marked along the slot

Detection of breath flow using optical sensors. The optical sensor is placed in or by the flow path.

The detector 40 generates an electrical signal that is related to the radiant power falling on it. The detector senses the breath exhaled into the volume 16 close to the patient's mouth and nose.

The signal processing circuit 48 examines the electrical signal 44 to determine whether it varies in a manner that indicates the patient is breathing.

E.g. for indicating flow level for breath training.

Object 29 is raised in tube 26 according to exhalation effort of the patient.

Flaps 16, 18 are deflectable in response to breath flow 25.

A filament 34 is secured to the ends of the four pins 32.

The filament 34 is used to measure the flow rate of the fluid 26 based on its power consumption.

An optical detector detects rotor movement to evaluate air flow

Detecting spatial properties of the human or animal body, e.g. lengths, areas, volumes, angles, velocities, accelerations, weights

Illustrative example of subject matter classified in A61B 5/1032

Assessing body features by comparison with colour patterns or atlases

Illustrative example of subject matter classified in A61B 5/1036

Measuring spatial dimensions: distances (e.g. length, depth, thickness), angles, areas, volumes etc.

By detecting marker positions:

Measurements of angles

Angle measuring device 6 comprising light source 7 and light detector 8

Processing module is enabled to calculate, from the ratio between the power entered into the light source 7 and the power received by the light detector 8, an angle between the first and second member

Rulers, tapes, height measuring device for direct measurement on the body

The arm has been segmented into discrete volumes C1-C10

Circumference measurement is taken at the intersection of each linear segment of centerline 10.

Evaluate changes in the arm volume over time.

All types of apparatus for measuring dimensions non-invasively, e.g. calipers, gauges, templates for measuring on patient images. Also, includes imaging apparatus with measuring scales projected on the image or cursors allowing dimensions to be read from an image.