Abstract: A field-driven electroactive polymer actuator is provided with a current sensor for sensing a current flowing to the actuator. A control circuit is used for driving the actuator which includes a voltage source. The driving of the actuator is controlled in dependence on the sensed current, thereby to provide a predetermined charge delivery for particular changes in actuation level of the actuator. This provides a combined voltage-based and current-based drive scheme for a voltage-driven EAP actuator, and it enables mechanical movements of the actuator to be more reliably repeated.

Abstract: A system is provided for detecting lung abnormalities in a subject. The system comprises a first sensor, for sensing a first acoustic signal generated by, or applied to, the subject and an arrangement of one or more second sensors for detecting a plurality of second acoustic signals from the lungs of the subject, wherein the second acoustic signals comprise attenuated versions of the first acoustic signal after passing through the lungs of the subject. The system further comprises a processor, wherein the processor is configured to determine a respective signal attenuation between the first acoustic signal and at least a subset of the plurality of second acoustic signals and process the signal attenuations thereby to detect a lung abnormality.

Abstract: An actuator device has an electroactive polymer actuator (35) and an integrated piezoelectric transformer (30) whose primary side (32) and secondary side (34) are formed from different electroactive polymer materials. At least the secondary side (34) of the transformer shares a piezoelectric electroactive polymer layer (36) with the electroactive polymer actuator, so that lower external voltages can be applied to the device.

Abstract: An ultrasound interface element (10) is for establishing interface with an incident tissue surface (32) for the purpose of transfer of ultrasound waves. An ultrasound-transmissive active layer (14) is provided comprising one or more responsive material elements (16) deformable in response to an electromagnetic stimulus. The one or more elements are controlled to deform in a manner such as to progressively establish with the tissue surface (32) an outwardly expanding interface, starting from an initial point or line of contact and spreading outwards to a wider area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging system (10), comprising at least one gradient coil (20), and a processing unit (30). The processing unit is configured to control a gradient coil to produce intentional noise for sedation monitoring of a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stimulation apparatus (10), comprising a magnetic stimulation unit (20), and a processing unit (30). The processing unit is configured to control the magnetic stimulation unit to provide intentional nerve and/or muscle stimuli to a peripheral body part of a patient.

Abstract: Provided is a brush head for an oral cleaning device for cleaning teeth with a combination of brushing and emitting of a cleaning agent. The brush head comprises a bristle set for brushing the teeth and a nozzle for emitting the cleaning agent. When actuating the bristle set from a first configuration, which is optimized for brushing, to a second configuration, which is optimized for emitting of a cleaning agent, at least a part of the bristle 5 set is moved away from the nozzle and/or away from a path of the cleaning agent when being emitted from an orifice of the nozzle.

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 hair cutting device for cutting hair on a body of a subject includes a light source for generating laser light at one or more specific wavelengths corresponding to wavelengths absorbed by one or more chromophores in hair; and a cutting element that has an optical waveguide that is coupled to the light source to receive laser light. A portion of a side wall of the optical waveguide forms a cutting face for contacting hair where, at least at the cutting face, the optical waveguide has a refractive index that is equal to or lower than the refractive index of hair and higher than the refractive index of skin.

Abstract: A flow control device comprises a laminate structure of an electroactive material layer and a non-actuatable layer. An array of orifices is formed in one of the layers wherein the orifices are open in one of the rest state and actuated state and the orifices are closed in the other of the rest state and actuated state. Actuation of the electroactive material layer causes orifices to open and close so that flow control function may be implemented.

Abstract: A system (SYS) and related method for imaging support. The system (SYS) comprises a stimulus delivery component (SDC) configured to cause a chemoreceptor stimulus in a patient residing in or at an imaging apparatus (IA). A response measuring component (RMC) measure a response of the patient to the stimulus, and a decision logic (DL) establishes, based on the measured response, a sedation status of the patient for the purpose of imaging the patient. An imaging operation can be modified, for instance, halted if the patient is no longer sufficiently sedated.

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: A hair cutting device for cutting hair on a body of a subject includes a light source for generating laser light at one or more specific wavelengths corresponding to wavelengths absorbed by one or more chromophores in hair; and a cutting element that has an optical waveguide that is coupled to the light source to receive laser light. A portion of a side wall of the optical waveguide forms a cutting face for contacting hair where, at least at the cutting face, the optical waveguide has a refractive index that is equal to or lower than the refractive index of hair and higher than the refractive index of skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid based tooth cleaning system (10) comprising a holdable body (20), a fluid delivery unit (30), at least one sensor (40) and a control unit (50). The holdable body is configured to be coupled to a head (60). The fluid delivery unit (30) is configured to be coupled to a nozzle (80) configured to emit fluid, and the nozzle (80) is comprised within the head (60). The at least one sensor (40) is configured to provide information, including velocity information, relating to the head (60) with respect to a user's teeth. The at least one sensor (40) is configured to provide the information to the control unit (50). The control unit (50) is configured utilize the information to enable the fluid delivery unit (30) to emit fluid from the nozzle (80) onto the user's teeth.

Abstract: There is provided a controller for use with an oral care device; wherein the controller is configured to estimate the location of the oral care device relative to an interdental space in a mouth using predetermined data and current use data, the current use data relating to at least one of: actions of the user during use of the oral care device, operations of the oral care device; and generate a control signal based on the outcome of the estimation. There is also provided an oral care system and a kit of parts, and a computer implemented method for an oral care device.

Abstract: An electroactive polymer actuator includes an electroactive polymer structure and a driver for providing an actuation drive signal. In one aspect, a first drive level is used to charge the electroactive polymer structure from a non-actuated state to an actuated state. When or after the electroactive polymer structure reaches the actuated state, a lower second drive level is used to hold the electroactive polymer structure at the actuated state. This temporary overdrive scheme improves the speed response without damaging the electroactive polymer structure. In another aspect, a driving method makes use of several different level segments over time, which compensates for the delayed actuation response of the EAP actuator.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oral cleaning system (100) for cleaning teeth with a combination of brushing and interdental liquid cleaning. The oral cleaning system (100) comprises a cleaning head (200) as well as a support unit (300) having a fluid reservoir (350) for containing a fluid (110). The cleaning head (200) comprises a brush (240) for brushing the teeth, and an orifice (250) for emitting a part of the fluid (110) for interdental liquid cleaning. A first fluid channel (210) guides the fluid from the fluid reservoir to a hydraulic motor (230) driving the brush (240), and to the orifice (250). The cleaning head (200) further comprises a second fluid channel (220) configured for transporting at least a part of the fluid (110) back from the hydraulic motor (230) to the fluid reservoir (350) of the support unit (300).

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: An actuator device has an ionic electroactive material actuator unit includes a unitary membrane with first and second actuation electrodes on the unitary membrane. A DC drive signal is applied between the actuation electrodes to cause migration of charges from one part of the unitary membrane towards another part of the unitary membrane. In addition, a pair of closely spaced measurement electrodes is provided on the first surface of the unitary membrane. In particular, the measurement electrodes are spaced apart by a spacing which is less than ten times the thickness of the unitary membrane at a location between the measurement electrodes. A local surface-effect impedance change is used as the basis of a signal measurement, for providing feedback relating to the state of actuation of the device.

Abstract: An acoustic sensing apparatus and method are disclosed for acoustically surveying the chest area of a subject, and in particular the rib cage. In use the apparatus is placed on the chest, and it includes an arrangement of one or more sound sensors for sensing acoustic signals received from inside the chest. Based on the signal intensities picked up at a plurality of different locations across the chest, the different locations are each classified by a controller as either rib-aligned or intercostal space-aligned. The controller is further adapted to identify one or more sound intensity hotspots (42) within the signal intensity distribution to locate one or more anatomical objects or regions of interest within the chest, such as the heart mitral valve, the heart tricuspid valve, heart aortic valve, and the pulmonary artery as key areas for an auscultation procedure.