Abstract: To protect an airway of a patient, it is important for the patient to be able to swallow and cough effectively. To promote an effective cough or swallow, electrodes are positioned upon skin of the neck of the patient, the electrodes configured for both capturing electromyographic (EMG) information, and for transmitting a stimulating electrical signal to the body. A microphone is positioned upon or near the neck to capture audio information emanating from the body of the patient. Software analyzes the EMG and audio information to identify an attempted or needed cough or swallow, and causes the electrodes to apply an electrical stimulus to the neck of the patient to produce a more efficacious cough or swallow. An additional microphone can be positioned to capture ambient noise, so that such noise can be reduced in the audio information of the first microphone.

Abstract: To protect an airway of a patient, it is important for the patient to be able to swallow and cough effectively. To promote an effective cough or swallow, electrodes are positioned upon skin of the neck of the patient, the electrodes configured for both capturing electromyographic (EMG) information, and for transmitting a stimulating electrical signal to the body. A microphone is positioned upon or near the neck to capture audio information emanating from the body of the patient. Software analyzes the EMG and audio information to identify an attempted or needed cough or swallow, and causes the electrodes to apply an electrical stimulus to the neck of the patient to produce a more efficacious cough or swallow. An additional microphone can be positioned to capture ambient noise, so that such noise can be reduced in the audio information of the first microphone.

Abstract: An airway of a patient is protected from intrusion of contaminants by monitoring muscles of the patient to detect an attempted cough or swallow, and applying an electrical stimulus to the neck of the patient, varying amplitude and/or frequency over time, the applied electrical stimulus operates to promote an efficacious cough or swallow. The electrical stimulus induces a voltage within a range of greater than zero volts and less than 20 volts, and the frequency have patterned changes between at least about 4 Hz to not more than about 30 Hz. The monitoring is carried out by an electronic device, and the patient may indicate to the electronic device that a swallow or cough is impending.

Abstract: An airway of a patient is protected from intrusion of contaminants by monitoring muscles of the patient to detect an attempted cough or swallow, and applying an electrical stimulus to the neck of the patient, varying amplitude and/or frequency over time, the applied electrical stimulus operates to promote an efficacious cough or swallow. The electrical stimulus induces a voltage within a range of greater than zero volts and less than 20 volts, and the frequency have patterned changes between at least about 4 Hz to not more than about 30 Hz. The monitoring is carried out by an electronic device, and the patient may indicate to the electronic device that a swallow or cough is impending.

Abstract: Novel, advantageous oral compositions formulated to affect any one or combination of the following: reduce physical and mental fatigue, enhance activity, improve recovery from activity, promote muscle performance, increase energy substrates, contribute to improved antioxidant defenses (i.e., reduce oxidative stress or lipid peroxidation, conserve anti-oxidants in the sera), enhance mood, assist in preventing primary and secondary diseases associated with fatigue and muscle atrophy associated with inactivity, improve nervous system (i.e., neuronal) and musculoskeletal (i.e., increase skeletal muscle protein synthesis, increase satellite cells) health, and contribute to improvements in overall health. The compositions of the subject invention are preferably used as a replacement for a snack or meal in cases of hunger or fatigue for individuals across the broad spectrum of human function from elite athletes to those individuals compromised by aging and certain disease states.