Abstract: A sensor system is for sensing the start of milk expression into a collection vessel when using a breast pump device. An optical sensor is used to provide a signal indicating the presence of the first milk expressed, for use in controlling the breast pump to switch from a stimulation mode to an expression mode.

Abstract: An inductive sensing system (8) has a resonator circuit (10) with an antenna (12) for simultaneously applying electro-magnetic signals to a body and sensing secondary electromagnetic signals returned from the body. The system includes signal sensing means (30) which is configured to detect a measure indicative of an imaginary part of an additional inductance component added to the resonator circuit by the secondary electromagnetic signals but which does not measure the real part. In particular, the signal sensing means may be configured to detect a measure indicative of damping in the resonator circuit (e.g. a damping factor), and comprises no means for detecting any measure indicative of variations in a natural frequency of the resonator circuit.

Abstract: A core body temperature sensor system which has multiple pairs of temperature sensors across a first insulating layer. The sensed temperatures are monitored as well as the rate of change of sensed temperature at the temperature sensors. The core body temperature is obtained based on a first representative temperature for the first set of temperature sensors, a second representative temperature for the second set of temperature sensors and rate of change information.

Abstract: The invention describes a single heat flux sensor arrangement (1) comprising a sensor (10) comprising a layer (100) of thermally insulating material, an inner temperature measurement means (S1) arranged at an inner region of the insulating layer (100) and an outer temperature measurement means (S2) arranged at an outer region of the insulating layer (100); an evaluation unit (11) adapted to receive a temperature input from the inner 5 temperature measurement means (S1) and to receive a temperature input from the outer temperature measurement means (S2); and a heating means (12, S2) realized to deliberately raise the temperature of a region of the insulating layer (100). The invention further describes a non-invasive method of measuring a core body temperature (T0) of a subject (3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (100), a method (200) and a computer program for adapting power usage of a mobile unit (110) that is configured to communicate data to a base unit (120). In wearable/portable modules, the power needed by an ISM radio link between the wearable/portable mobile unit (110) and the (quasi-)stationary base unit (120) is determined primarily by the attenuation of the transmitted wave between transmitter and receiver. By monitoring the power setting needed for the transmitter to maintain the link, that information can be used to optimize the position of the base unit (120) for achieving lowest power consumption in the battery operated mobile unit (110).

Abstract: The invention describes a single heat flux sensor arrangement (1) comprising a sensor (10) comprising a layer (100) of thermally insulating material, an inner temperature measurement means (S1) arranged at an inner region of the insulating layer (100) and an outer temperature measurement means (S2) arranged at an outer region of the insulating layer (100); an evaluation unit (11) adapted to receive a temperature input from the inner 5 temperature measurement means (S1) and to receive a temperature input from the outer temperature measurement means (S2); and a heating means (12, S2) realized to deliberately raise the temperature of a region of the insulating layer (100). The invention further describes a non-invasive method of measuring a core body temperature (T0) of a subject (3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (100), a method (200) and a computer program for adapting power usage of a mobile unit (110) that is configured to communicate data to a base unit (120). In wearable/portable modules, the power needed by an ISM radio link between the wearable/portable mobile unit (110) and the (quasi-)stationary base unit (120) is determined primarily by the attenuation of the transmitted wave between transmitter and receiver. By monitoring the power setting needed for the transmitter to maintain the link, that information can be used to optimize the position of the base unit (120) for achieving lowest power consumption in the battery operated mobile unit (110).

Abstract: A capacitive proximity device for sensing a presence and/or absence of an object in the proximity of an electronic device includes an emission electrode capacitively coupled to a receiver electrode, an oscillator for generating an emission-signal being an alternating electric field between the emission electrode and the receiving electrode, and a sensing circuit connected to the receiving electrode. The sensing circuit receives a measured-signal from the receiver electrode and includes a first synchronous detection circuit together with a low-pass filter for generating an output-signal being proportional to a distance between the object and the electronic device. The sensing circuit further includes a noise-suppresser for reducing noise from the measured-signal before entering the first synchronous detection circuit.

Abstract: It is provided a capacitive type proximity sensor, comprising a sensing electrode, whereas the sensing electrode has a surface with electroconductive areas 113 and not-electroconductive areas 117, whereas the sensor is adapted for measuring an electrical field 110, 112 between the sensing electrode and an object 109, 111. Further it is described an apparatus for medical x-ray diagnosis and/or x-ray therapy and/or nuclear diagnosis/therapy, e.g. SPECT, a system for medical x-ray diagnosis and/or x-ray therapy and/or nuclear diagnosis/therapy, e.g. SPECT, a method for avoiding collision between an apparatus for medical x-ray diagnosis and/or x-ray therapy and/or nuclear diagnosis/therapy, e.g. SPECT, and an object, a program element and a computer readable medium. It is disclosed a capacitance type proximity sensor whose sensitivity of approaching objects has an improved independence from the special geometry of the sensor itself.

Abstract: The invention relates to a capacitive proximity device (30, 40, 50, 60) for sensing a presence and/or absence of an object (32) in the proximity of an electronic device (34). The capacitive proximity device (30, 40, 50, 60) comprises: an emission electrode (TA) capacitively coupled to a receiver electrode ( ), an oscillator (17) for generating an emission-signal (ES) being an alternating electric field ( ) between the emission electrode (TA) and the receiving electrode ( ), and a sensing circuit (70, 72, 74, 76, 78) connected to the receiving electrode ( ). The sensing circuit receives a measured-signal (MS) from the receiver electrode ( ), and comprising a first synchronous detection circuit ( ) together with a low-pass filter (14) for generating an output-signal (OS) being proportional to a distance between the object and the electronic device.

Abstract: It is provided a capacitive type proximity sensor, comprising a sensing electrode, whereas the sensing electrode has a surface with electroconductive areas 113 and not-electroconductive areas 117, whereas the sensor is adapted for measuring an electrical field 110, 112 between the sensing electrode and an object 109, 111. Further it is described an apparatus for medical x-ray diagnosis and/or x-ray therapy and/or nuclear diagnosis/therapy, e.g. SPECT, a system for medical x-ray diagnosis and/or x-ray therapy and/or nuclear diagnosis/therapy, e.g. SPECT, a method for avoiding collision between an apparatus for medical x-ray diagnosis and/or x-ray therapy and/or nuclear diagnosis/therapy, e.g. SPECT, and an object, a programme element and a computer readable medium. It is disclosed a capacitance type proximity sensor whose sensitivity of approaching objects has an improved independence from the special geometry of the sensor itself.