Abstract: A spectroscopy device is disclosed for inline monitoring of analytes in bulk fluid streams, capable of maintaining sterile conditions. The device comprises a cassette suitable for holding a fluid analyte (151) and having a laser entry wall part and a detector wall part, the laser entry wall part arranged to be optically transparent to laser radiation of a predetermined wavelength and the detector wall part arranged to be optically transparent for spectral parts of interest. Laser transmission optics are provided to focus a laser beam to produce a breakdown plasma discharge within the fluid inside the cassette. A photodetector substrate is provided comprising an array of photosensors, tuned to detect characteristic emission lines from the plasma. The photodetector substrate is conformal to at least the detector wall part of the cassette. A placement provision is arranged for user removable placement of the cassette.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for providing feedback to a user on his or her running style or running technique. The system employs a pressure sensitive surface to record a gait line of the center of pressure exerted by the user's foot on an underlying surface during a footstep period. In case of a fore or mid-foot landing the gait line may be observed to move backwards with respect to the sagittal plane. From a backwards-going gait line two time stamps are determined. The first timestamp T1 is the time that the foot strikes the ground. The second timestamp T2 is the time that the gait line reaches the most backward position. From the time difference between these two timestamps a loading time dT is determined. The reactivity of the running style describes the viscoelastic behavior of the muscle-tendon unit and may be calculated as a function of this loading time and/or the distance moved by the center of pressure backwards towards the heel.

Abstract: Method, device and system for measuring a degree of torsion or bending of a joint. The method comprises the steps of attaching a sensor (56) to the limbs that are joined by the joint, measuring an output signal of the sensor during torsion or bending at the joint, and a final step of relating said output signal of the sensor to a degree of torsion or bending. The sensor comprises an electrically conductive loop (51), with loop parts that run from one limb to other and back in the loop, the area of said loop at least partially covering both limbs from one limb to the other. The limbs may be limbs of the human or animal body, for instance limbs at a knee. The sensor further comprises an output unit (57) for providing an output signal that is a measure for the inductance of the loop. Calibration data for the sensor may be determined by detecting the output signal of the sensor for a well defined degree of torsion or bending at said joint under static conditions and storing the calibration data.

Abstract: A spectroscopy device is disclosed for inline monitoring of analytes in bulk fluid streams, capable of maintaining sterile conditions. The device comprises a cassette suitable for holding a fluid analyte (151) and having a laser entry wall part and a detector wall part, the laser entry wall part arranged to be optically transparent to laser radiation of a predetermined wavelength and the detector wall part arranged to be optically transparent for spectral parts of interest. Laser transmission optics are provided to focus a laser beam to produce a breakdown plasma discharge within the fluid inside the cassette. A photodetector substrate is provided comprising an array of photosensors, tuned to detect characteristic emission lines from the plasma. The photodetector substrate is conformal to at least the detector wall part of the cassette. A placement provision is arranged for user removable placement of the cassette.

Abstract: Method and system for determining the speed of a walking or running person from a foot motion. The method comprises providing (1) a pressure sensor between the foot and the ground, which sensor may be placed on or in an insole of a shoe. The pressure sensor is configured for transmitting pressure data to a communication unit (9). The method further comprises a step of determining a center of pressure gait line (3) and calculating the center of pressure speed (4) from the gait line. In addition, the method comprises the step of detecting whether the person is walking or running (5). Another step (6) is obtaining a correlation between the speed of a person and the center of pressure speed. As a final step (7) of the method the speed of the person is deduced from the correlation. The system comprises a human interface for control and to inform the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for providing feedback to a user on his or her running style or running technique. The system employs a pressure sensitive surface to record a gait line of the center of pressure exerted by the user's foot on an underlying surface during a footstep period. In case of a fore or mid-foot landing the gait line may be observed to move backwards with respect to the sagittal plane. From a backwards-going gait line two time stamps are determined. The first timestamp T1 is the time that the foot strikes the ground. The second timestamp T2 is the time that the gait line reaches the most backward position. From the time difference between these two timestamps a loading time dT is determined. The reactivity of the running style describes the viscoelastic behavior of the muscle-tendon unit and may be calculated as a function of this loading time and/or the distance moved by the centre of pressure backwards towards the heel.

Abstract: Method and system for determining the speed of a walking or running person from a foot motion. The method comprises providing (1) a pressure sensor between the foot and the ground, which sensor may be placed on or in an insole of a shoe. The pressure sensor is configured for transmitting pressure data to a communication unit (9). The method further comprises a step of determining a centre of pressure gait line (3) and calculating the centre of pressure speed (4) from the gait line. In addition, the method comprises the step of detecting whether the person is walking or running (5). Another step (6) is obtaining a correlation between the speed of a person and the centre of pressure speed. As a final step (7) of the method the speed of the person is deduced from the correlation. The system comprises a human interface for control and to inform the user.

Abstract: Method, device and system for measuring a degree of torsion or bending of a joint. The method comprises the steps of attaching a sensor (56) to the limbs that are joined by the joint, measuring an output signal of the sensor during torsion or bending at the joint, and a final step of relating said output signal of the sensor to a degree of torsion or bending. The sensor comprises an electrically conductive loop (51), with loop parts that run from one limb to other and back in the loop, the area of said loop at least partially covering both limbs from one limb to the other. The limbs may be limbs of the human or animal body, for instance limbs at a knee. The sensor further comprises an output unit (57) for providing an output signal that is a measure for the inductance of the loop. Calibration data for the sensor may be determined by detecting the output signal of the sensor for a well defined degree of torsion or bending at said joint under static conditions and storing the calibration data.