Abstract: The present invention is a pressure injury relief system for patient recovery and transport comprising a plurality of regions of open-cell foam support material each being separately tuned for the portion of the patient body that it is supporting. At least one cut-out region occurs between opposing padded regions to correspond to a patient's bony prominence when said patient lies on said cushioning support.

Abstract: A replaceable liner, for a respiratory mask comprising an elastic substantially tubular shaped body dimensioned to stretch around the mask cushion. The liner is made of a knitted fabric in radially-continuous tubular structure that is preferentially formed through a circular knit to create a seamless tube. The ends of the fabric tube may be hemmed, finished with a fabric or elastic welt, or otherwise finished to prevent unraveling of the knit. The seamless tubular body may be knitted from a variety of natural yarns, such as wool or cotton, or from synthetic yarns, such as nylon, polyester, spandex, or elastic, to achieve a balance of comfort and wicking of skin oils and moisture, while maintaining sufficient radial elasticity to stretch around the respiratory mask. The fabric may be treated with antimicrobial coatings to provide protection against bacteria, fungus and reduce propensity of odors/stains.

Abstract: A softgoods seat covering convertible into vehicle extraction device for immobilizing a patient while still seated in the seat of a vehicle, and for safe extraction and transport thereafter. The device uses a plurality of inflatable panels enclosed within a woven cover and connected together by inflation tubing to an inflator for simultaneous or sequential inflation. In normal, pre-blast operations, the durable, uninflated device simply acts as the outer fabric of the seat back and seat cushion, with deployable structures folded/tucked behind the seat back and under the seat pan. Upon arrival of the medic, sections of the device are sequentially deployed through inflation and secured around the patient by wraparound straps to immobilize the patient in the sitting position, and to facilitate extraction and removal in a supine position. The device is intended to mitigate injuries/casualties caused by exposure to landmine or IED blasts.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for quantitative and qualitative determination of heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, and central fluid volume. Phonocardiography based technique using multiple transducers and multi-sensor processing algorithms provides a non-invasive method of evaluating the output of the heart. This basic system coupled with additional sensor elements provides a wide range of potential capabilities. A system comprising these techniques in a wearable form provides a non-invasive method of determining hydration status and blood volume status. Phonocardiography augmented with multi-sensor signal processing techniques improves signal quality to analyze heart sounds and associated features (e.g. S1 and S2, amongst others). Noise compensation and cancellation techniques for phonocardiography further improve signal to noise ratio to reject external disturbances.

Abstract: A replaceable liner, for a respiratory mask comprising an elastic substantially tubular shaped body dimensioned to stretch around the mask cushion. The liner is made of a knitted fabric in radially-continuous tubular structure that is preferentially formed through a circular knit to create a seamless tube. The ends of the fabric tube may be hemmed, finished with a fabric or elastic welt, or otherwise finished to prevent unraveling of the knit. The seamless tubular body may be knitted from a variety of natural yarns, such as wool or cotton, or from synthetic yarns, such as nylon, polyester, spandex, or elastic, to achieve a balance of comfort and wicking of skin oils and moisture, while maintaining sufficient radial elasticity to stretch around the respiratory mask. The fabric may be treated with antimicrobial coatings to provide protection against bacteria, fungus and reduce propensity of odors/stains.

Abstract: A softgoods seat covering convertible into vehicle extraction device for immobilizing a patient while still seated in the seat of a vehicle, and for safe extraction and transport thereafter. The device uses a plurality of inflatable panels enclosed within a woven cover and connected together by inflation tubing to an inflator for simultaneous or sequential inflation. In normal, pre-blast operations, the durable, uninflated device simply acts as the outer fabric of the seat back and seat cushion, with deployable structures folded/tucked behind the seat back and under the seat pan. Upon arrival of the medic, sections of the device are sequentially deployed through inflation and secured around the patient by wraparound straps to immobilize the patient in the sitting position, and to facilitate extraction and removal in a supine position. The device is intended to mitigate injuries/casualties caused by exposure to landmine or IED blasts.

Abstract: A protective flooring system for a vehicle having a base structure such as a hull or frame and a floor, using a plurality of controllable fluid energy absorbers connected between the floor and base structure for attenuating forces transmitted there between as a function of a control signal applied to the energy absorber. The floor may be suspended or supported above the body, and in either case the energy absorber may be pre-biased by a spring or means of activating the controllable fluid. The energy absorbers may be attached in the manner of a Stewart platform: along the perimeter of the floor by ball-and-socket-joints to provide multi-axis damping. In another embodiment, the protective flooring system comprises a plurality of resilient bladders sandwiched between the floor and overlying tiles, each bladder being filled with controllable fluid in fluid communication with one or more flow valve(s) which can activate the controllable fluid to provide a controllable fluid damping characteristic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for attenuating loads transmitted from a base to a supported payload, and more particularly to a system utilizing a plurality of chambers of encapsulated fluid sandwiched between a base and payload interface for providing said attenuation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for quantitative and qualitative determination of heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, and central fluid volume. Phonocardiography based technique using multiple transducers and multi-sensor processing algorithms provides a non-invasive method of evaluating the output of the heart. This basic system coupled with additional sensor elements provides a wide range of potential capabilities. A system comprising these techniques in a wearable form provides a non-invasive method of determining hydration status and blood volume status. Phonocardiography augmented with multi-sensor signal processing techniques improves signal quality to analyze heart sounds and associated features (e.g. S1 and S2, amongst others). Noise compensation and cancellation techniques for phonocardiography further improve signal to noise ratio to reject external disturbances.

Abstract: An adaptive energy absorption system for a vehicle seat is disclosed, utilizing an adaptive energy absorber or variable profile energy absorber (VPEA) for mitigating occupant injury due to extreme vehicle movement (e.g., during a vehicle shock event), and/or for mitigating vibration experienced by an occupant of the vehicle seat during normal vehicle operating conditions. The adaptive energy absorption system achieves the aforementioned objectives for a wide range of occupant weights and load levels. An alternate configuration of a dual-goal energy absorption system is also disclosed that enables both shock mitigation and vibration isolation.

Abstract: A Constant Force Control methodology and system utilizing integrated sensors and unique control algorithms to determine required applied force to mitigate shock events in an adaptive energy absorption system, typically comprising of a spring and an adjustable energy absorber or damper element. By utilizing an expected acceleration profile and event duration for an anticipated shock event an acceleration amplitude can be determined from a measure impact velocity. From this and a measured payload mass a system controller can determine the force necessary to be applied by the energy absorber in order to stop the payload over the full desired length of the available energy absorber stroke in order to minimize the forces experienced by the payload.

Abstract: An adaptive energy absorption system for a vehicle seat is disclosed, utilizing an adaptive energy absorber or variable profile energy absorber (VPEA) for mitigating occupant injury due to extreme vehicle movement (e.g., during a vehicle shock event), and/or for mitigating vibration experienced by an occupant of the vehicle seat during normal vehicle operating conditions. The adaptive energy absorption system achieves the aforementioned objectives for a wide range of occupant weights and load levels. An alternate configuration of a dual-goal energy absorption system is also disclosed that enables both shock mitigation and vibration isolation.

Abstract: A Constant Force Control methodology and system utilizing integrated sensors and unique control algorithms to determine required applied force to mitigate shock events in an adaptive energy absorption system, typically comprising of a spring and an adjustable energy absorber or damper element. By utilizing an expected acceleration profile and event duration for an anticipated shock event an acceleration amplitude can be determined from a measure impact velocity. From this and a measured payload mass a system controller can determine the force necessary to be applied by the energy absorber in order to stop the payload over the full desired length of the available energy absorber stroke in order to minimize the forces experienced by the payload.

Abstract: An adaptive energy absorption system for a vehicle seat is disclosed, utilizing an adaptive energy absorber or variable profile energy absorber (VPEA) for mitigating occupant injury due to extreme vehicle movement (e.g., during a vehicle shock event), and/or for mitigating vibration experienced by an occupant of the vehicle seat during normal vehicle operating conditions. The adaptive energy absorption system achieves the aforementioned objectives for a wide range of occupant weights and load levels. Various configurations of dual-goal energy absorption apparatuses that enable both shock mitigation and vibration isolation are disclosed.

Abstract: An adaptive energy absorption system for a vehicle seat is disclosed, utilizing an adaptive energy absorber or variable profile energy absorber (VPEA) for mitigating occupant injury due to extreme vehicle movement (e.g., during a vehicle shock event), and/or for mitigating vibration experienced by an occupant of the vehicle seat during normal vehicle operating conditions. The adaptive energy absorption system achieves the aforementioned objectives for a wide range of occupant weights and load levels. Various configurations of dual-goal energy absorption apparatuses that enable both shock mitigation and vibration isolation are disclosed.