Abstract: A self-mixing interferometry sensor module, comprising a light emitter (LE), a detector unit (DU) and an optical element (OE), wherein the light emitter (LE) is operable to emit coherent electromagnetic radiation towards an external object (ET) to be placed outside the sensor module and undergo self-mixing interference, SMI, caused by reflections of the emitted electromagnetic radiation from the external object back inside the sensor module. The detector unit (DU) is operable to generate output signals indicative of an optical power output of the light emitter (LE) due to the SMI. The optical element (OE) is aligned with respect to the light emitter (LE) such that a first fraction of electromagnetic radiation is directed towards the external target (ET) or the light emitter (LE) and a second fraction of electromagnetic radiation is directed towards the detector unit (DU). An optical power ratio determined by the first and second fractions meets a pre-determined value.

Abstract: A method for testing the accuracy and the performance of an ultrasound transducer able to generate cavitation bubbles by placing in a volume of an ultrasound-transmitting medium an elastomer block at an expected cavitation region of the ultrasound transducer, activating the ultrasound transducer so as to generate cavitation bubbles in the elastomer block, detecting in the elastomer marks corresponding to the generated cavitation bubbles and deducing from the marks the three-dimensional characteristics of a real cavitation region of the ultrasound transducer. A system comprising volume of an ultrasound-transmitting medium, an elastomer block disposed in the volume of an ultrasound-transmitting medium, and an ultrasound transducer is also provided.

Abstract: An ultrasonic processing apparatus is provided. The ultrasonic processing apparatus comprises an ultrasonic therapy transducer (ATA) adapted to generate focused ultrasonic waves; an ultrasonic imaging transducer (UID) connected to the ultrasonic therapy transducer; and an electronic system configured to control the ultrasonic therapy transducer so as to emit a pulse train of ultrasonic waves generating a cloud of cavitation bubbles (BC); control the ultrasonic imaging transducer so as to acquire at least one image of the region to be processed; acquire a plurality of echo signals of ultrasonic wave pulses emitted by the ultrasonic therapy transducer captured by the ultrasonic imaging transducer; process the plurality of echo signals so as to reconstruct an image of the cloud of cavitation bubbles; and display said image of the cloud of cavitation bubbles superposed on said image of the region to be processed. The processing includes spatio-temporal filtering.

Abstract: An ultrasonic processing apparatus is provided. The ultrasonic processing apparatus comprises an ultrasonic therapy transducer (ATA) adapted to generate focused ultrasonic waves; an ultrasonic imaging transducer (UID) connected to the ultrasonic therapy transducer; and an electronic system configured to control the ultrasonic therapy transducer so as to emit a pulse train of ultrasonic waves generating a cloud of cavitation bubbles (BC); control the ultrasonic imaging transducer so as to acquire at least one image of the region to be processed; acquire a plurality of echo signals of ultrasonic wave pulses emitted by the ultrasonic therapy transducer captured by the ultrasonic imaging transducer; process the plurality of echo signals so as to reconstruct an image of the cloud of cavitation bubbles; and display said image of the cloud of cavitation bubbles superposed on said image of the region to be processed. The processing includes spatio-temporal filtering.

Abstract: A cervical collar brace including a main body collar, a first chin side support pivotally mounted to the main body collar, and a second chin side support pivotally mounted to the main body collar. A cable adjuster adjustably secures the first and second chin side supports to the main body collar and includes a rotatable wheel, one or more cables, and one or more lift effectors for lifting the chin side supports in response to rotation of the rotatable wheel in a first rotation direction. A chin piece is provided for supporting a wearer's chin.

Abstract: A cervical collar brace including a main body collar, a first chin side support pivotally mounted to the main body collar, and a second chin side support pivotally mounted to the main body collar. A cable adjuster adjustably secures the first and second chin side supports to the main body collar and includes a rotatable wheel, one or more cables, and one or more lift effectors for lifting the chin side supports in response to rotation of the rotatable wheel in a first rotation direction. A chin piece is provided for supporting a wearer's chin.

Abstract: A cervical collar brace including a main body collar, a first chin side support pivotally mounted to the main body collar, and a second chin side support pivotally mounted to the main body collar. A cable adjuster adjustably secures the first and second chin side supports to the main body collar and includes a rotatable wheel, one or more cables, and one or more lift effectors for lifting the chin side supports in response to rotation of the rotatable wheel in a first rotation direction. A chin piece is provided for supporting a wearer's chin.

Abstract: A cervical collar brace including a main body collar, a first chin side support pivotally mounted to the main body collar, and a second chin side support pivotally mounted to the main body collar. A cable adjuster adjustably secures the first and second chin side supports to the main body collar and includes a rotatable wheel, one or more cables, and one or more lift effectors for lifting the chin side supports in response to rotation of the rotatable wheel in a first rotation direction. A chin piece is provided for supporting a wearer's chin.

Abstract: A cervical collar brace including a main body collar, a first chin side support pivotally mounted to the main body collar, and a second chin side support pivotally mounted to the main body collar. A cable adjuster adjustably secures the first and second chin side supports to the main body collar and includes a rotatable wheel, one or more cables, and one or more lift effectors for lifting the chin side supports in response to rotation of the rotatable wheel in a first rotation direction. A chin piece is provided for supporting a wearer's chin.

Abstract: A cervical collar brace including a main body collar, a first chin side support pivotally mounted to the main body collar, and a second chin side support pivotally mounted to the main body collar. A cable adjuster adjustably secures the first and second chin side supports to the main body collar and includes a rotatable wheel, one or more cables, and one or more lift effectors for lifting the chin side supports in response to rotation of the rotatable wheel in a first rotation direction. A chin piece is provided for supporting a wearer's chin.

Abstract: A lumbo-sacral orthopedic brace includes a rear member including a back portion and side portions. The brace also includes a front member. A closure is provided for adjustably and releasably securing the front member to the rear member and the closure includes straps coupled to the rear member. The straps are adapted to collectively span the front member and include hook and loop fastener elements to allow cooperating straps to be fastened to one another. The straps include finger loops into which the user or wearer can slip his or her fingers to conveniently manipulate the straps into position. In particular, the finger loops allow one to easily stretch out the straps to cinch the brace tight and to secure the straps to one another in a quick and easy manner.

Abstract: A hip brace apparatus for use by a user and comprising a waist cuff, a thigh cuff, and an abduction joint connecting the waist cuff to the thigh cuff, the abduction joint adapted for causing abduction of the user's leg as the user sits down while wearing the hip brace apparatus. The abduction joint comprises an upper pivot arm for attachment to the waist cuff and a lower pivot arm for attachment to the thigh cuff, with the lower pivot arm pivotally mounted for pivotal motion relative to the upper pivot arm about a pivot axis which extends at an oblique angle relative to the upper pivot arm. The pivot axis extends downwardly at an angle of between 100° and 115° relative to the upper pivot arm when the user is standing upright.

Abstract: A hip brace apparatus for use by a user and comprising a waist cuff, a thigh cuff, and an abduction joint connecting the waist cuff to the thigh cuff, the abduction joint adapted for causing abduction of the user's leg as the user sits down while wearing the hip brace apparatus. The abduction joint comprises an upper pivot arm for attachment to the waist cuff and a lower pivot arm for attachment to the thigh cuff, with the lower pivot arm pivotally mounted for pivotal motion relative to the upper pivot arm about a pivot axis which extends at an oblique angle relative to the upper pivot arm. The pivot axis extends downwardly at an angle of between 100° and 115° relative to the upper pivot arm when the user is standing upright.