Abstract: A system is provided for triggering an action based on a disease severity and/or an affective state of a subject. Sensor data are used which monitors physiological conditions of the subject as well as user data which convey a subjective assessment of their affective state. An objective health indication is obtained from the sensor data and a subjective health indication is obtained from the user data. These indications are compared and this comparison is used in estimating a disease severity. A trigger for action by the subject or by a caregiver is generated based on the estimated disease severity and/or affective state.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices and systems for respiratory therapy delivered by a therapy vest. A therapy vest is provided in which an independent body fitting function is provided by use of a body fit layer or compartment(s). The body fit layer or compartment(s) may be controlled independently from the therapy layer or compartment(s), such that the fit of the therapy vest is placed on more equal footing with the therapy delivering components of the therapy vest. Other examples are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A ventilation apparatus has a breathing gas delivery system for delivering breathing gas to a user of the apparatus as ventilation therapy, with a controllable pressure and flow. The breathing pressure and flow are monitored to derive a respiration variability. A state of relaxation of the user is derived during provision of breathing assistance based on at least the respiration variability. Settings of the ventilation apparatus are then adapted dependence on the estimated state of relaxation for assisting the user in habituating to the breathing assistance, and hence habituating to breathing therapy.

Abstract: Provided is a system for correcting a sweat analyte measurement for temperature. The system comprises a sweat collector (106) for collecting sweat from skin (102). The collected sweat is drawn from the sweat collector to an outlet (110) via a capillary (108). The sweat is drawn through the capillary by capillary action and evaporation of the sweat from the outlet. The evaporation of the sweat from the outlet depends on the temperature. A flow sensor (112) measures a flow rate of the sweat being drawn through the capillary. An analyte sensor (114) obtains the sweat analyte measurement. The system further comprises a controller which is configured to determine a temperature from the measured flow rate. The sweat analyte measurement is then corrected using the determined temperature.

Abstract: A system is for analyzing physical characteristics of mucus, in particular during patient respiratory support using a ventilator. A ventilation waveform is sensed and analyzed and an estimate of, or a change in, at least one mucus characteristic can then be determined.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus for sputum conditioning and analysis. The apparatus comprises: a microfluidic device configured to receive a sputum sample and to separate the sputum sample into a plurality of droplets; a biosensor configured to analyze each of a predetermined number of droplets of the plurality of droplets to acquire measurements of a characteristic of each droplet of the predetermined number of droplets; and a processor configured to analyze the acquired measurements to determine a characteristic of the sputum.

Abstract: A system determines a risk level of a respiratory attack of a user of the system. The system comprises part of a network of systems, and it reports information to, and receives information from, the network. The system comprises a local activity monitoring device for tracking the physical activity level of the user. Location information and activity levels in respect of other users of the network of systems are received, relating to when they have suffered a respiratory attack. A warning can then be given to the user which takes account of the location of the user and the activity level or planned activity level of the user, and the received location information and activity levels in respect of other users.

Abstract: A sweat sensing system comprises a mesh for location over a sweat surface on which sweat is formed or collected, and a vibration system for vibrating the mesh to nebulize sweat droplets. The nebulized sweat droplets are condensed on a sensing surface, and a sweat sensor performs biomarker sensing of the sweat at the sensing surface.

Abstract: There is provided a wearable device for quantitatively detecting a biomarker in a sweat sample obtained from the skin of a subject. The wearable device comprises a microfluidic network. The microfluidic network comprises a reservoir filled with a carrier fluid containing a predetermined amount of a marker; a sample collection chamber disposed downstream from the reservoir and adapted to contact the skin of the subject and collect a sweat sample; a first sensor disposed downstream from the sample collection chamber and adapted to detect the marker; and a second sensor disposed downstream from the first sensor and adapted to detect the biomarker.

Abstract: The invention provides a positive airway pressure therapy system comprising a positive pressure generation unit, adapted to generate a positive pressure airflow for provision to a subject, and an oscillatory pressure generation unit adapted to modulate the positive pressure airflow at a modulation frequency thereby imparting a frequency component to the positive pressure air flow. The oscillatory pressure generation unit is adapted to modulate the airflow during an exhalation phase of a breathing cycle of the subject.

Abstract: A user interface system receives activity information relating at least to electronic device usage by a user. A mental state of the user is derived from this activity information, received during a preceding finite time period. Learning content is provided to a user based on learning goals and their associated difficulty levels, based on whether or not those goals have been met and also based on the mental state of the user. In this way, suitable learning content is selected based on the mental state of the user before the commencement of delivery of the learning content.

Abstract: A method is for analysis of sputum samples of a subject, for use in monitoring respiratory health of the subject. The method comprises acquiring optical sensing data of a sputum sample at a plurality of spatial locations across the sample, and determining a respective color measurement for each of the spatial locations. The method further comprises determining a property associated with the sample, or determining health information related to the patient, based on the combination of color measurements from the plurality of locations. More detailed and precise analysis of the sputum can be achieved compared to acquiring a single color measurement, which allows for more precise monitoring of the patient progress. Additional information not attainable with a single color measurement can also be derived.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus disclosed herein relate to apparatus and techniques for harvesting energy from operation of a syringe, and utilizing that energy for various purposes. In various embodiments, a method (400) for harvesting and using electrical energy during operation of a syringe (100, 300) may include: operating (402) the syringe, wherein operating includes displacing a plunger (112) of the syringe to draw fluid into a reservoir (114) of the syringe or expel fluid from the reservoir of the syringe; converting (404), by an electrical generator (120, 122) that is integral with the syringe, motion associated with displacing the plunger into electrical energy; and using (406) at least some of the electrical energy to at least temporarily store, in a memory component (136) integral with the syringe, one or more data points associated with operation of the syringe.

Abstract: Provided is a method of determining a concentration (Ca) of a first analyte (a) in sweat excreted by a first sweat gland type at a first skin location (i) having the first sweat gland type and a second sweat gland type. The method comprises measuring a first concentration (I) of the first analyte in sweat excreted at the first skin location and measuring at least one parameter of sweat excreted by the second sweat gland type at a second skin location (ii) having the second sweat gland type but not the first sweat gland type. The at least one parameter is used to determine a dilution factor (II) which quantifies dilution of the first analyte by sweat excreted by the second sweat gland type at the first skin location. This dilution factor (II) is then used to correct the first concentration (I) so as to determine the concentration (Ca). Further provided is an apparatus (100) for determining the concentration (Ca).

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus disclosed herein relate to apparatus and techniques for harvesting energy from operation of a pill pack, and utilizing that energy for various purposes. In various embodiments, an energy harvesting apparatus configured to receive a pill pack (104, 304) is disclosed. An energy harvesting apparatus in accordance with various embodiment may include a housing (102, 302), where the housing is configured to receive a pill pack (104, 304), and an electrical generator incorporated into the housing (102, 302), where the electrical generator converts motion associated with compression of at least one blister (1031-n, 3031-n) of the pill pack (104, 304) expelling one or more pills (1051-n, 3051-n) from the pill pack into electrical energy, where the electrical energy is used to collect one or more data points associated with operation of the pill pack during the expelling of the one or more pills.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a wearable device, the wearable device comprising: an inflatable body configured to be mounted to a torso of a user; a first sensing device, wherein the first sensing device comprises a first sensor and a first actuator coupling the first sensor to the inflatable body; and a memory storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed, cause the wearable device to: inflate the inflatable body from a first state of the inflatable body to a second state of the inflatable body; actuate the first actuator from a first state of the first actuator to a second state of the first actuator, wherein actuating the first actuator from the first state of the first actuator to the second state of the first actuator reduces a volume of a first air gap between the torso and the first sensor; and while the inflatable body is in the second state of the inflatable body and the first actuator is in the second state of the first actuator receive a first signal from the first sensor.

Abstract: A system is provided for detecting fluid accumulation in a subject. A movement induced by the beating of the heart is analyzed over time, by monitoring a movement, pressure or force. Changes in density caused by fluid accumulation result in changes in the sensor arrangement signals. Changes are used to indicate that fluid accumulation such as internal bleeding is likely to have taken place.

Abstract: There is provided a respiratory apparatus. The respiratory apparatus comprises a respiratory interface configured to aid a user in respiration and an attachment configured to hold the respiratory interface in position on the face of the user. The respiratory apparatus also comprises at least one electrode configured to provide electrical stimulation to one or more facial muscles of the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device, system and method for improved non-invasive and objective detection of pulse of a subject. The device comprises an input unit (2a) configured to obtain a series of images of a skin region of the subject and a processing unit (2b) for processing said series of images by detecting pulse-related motion of the skin within the skin region from the series of images, generating a motion map of the skin region from the detected pulse-related motion, comparing the generated motion map with an expected motion map of the skin region, and determining the presence of pulse within the skin region based on the comparison.

Abstract: A breast pump device (1) is equipped with or used in conjunction with an acoustic milk expression assessment system (6) for the purpose of obtaining an indication about a fat content of expressed milk. The acoustic milk expression assessment system (6) includes an acoustic sensor (61) and a processor (62) configured to process an acoustic signal received from the acoustic sensor (61) during operation of the breast pump device (1) when a milk receptacle (4) is used with the device (1). By recording sound during a pumping session, it is possible to determine a frequency shift in the sound of droplets falling down in the receptacle (4) and hitting a surface of the milk contained by the receptacle (4) with respect to a reference situation of a liquid having 0% fat content, which can be taken as a factor in estimating a value related to the fat content of the milk.