Abstract: A patch for iontophoretic transdermal application of a medicant, where the patch includes a border portion disposed about an aperture. The border portion can include a first polarity electrode in electrical communication with the medicant, and a second border portion including a second electrode having a second polarity opposite the first electrode polarity. One patch has a liftable cover, preferably a transparent and non-adherent cover, disposed over the patch aperture. A preferred medicant for inclusion in the present invention is a local anesthetic or analgesic. Other medicants such as anti-inflammatory agents or anti-infective agents may be used to locally reduce inflammation, contain infection, and alleviate pain. The present invention can allow performing a field block anesthetic about an epidermal target site. The present invention can allow observing a target or treatment site while leaving the patch in place.

Abstract: Sensor systems, methods of making sensor modules and circuit modules, and methods of making expanded sensor systems including the sensor modules and circuit modules. A sensor module can include a flexible substrate, internal conductor lines, edge conductor lines for module interconnection, and sensors integrated thereon. One sensor module includes an array of interconnected capacitive pressure tactile sensors (taxels), being row addressable from address lines and readable through data lines. The sensor modules can be bonded to each other to form a larger array of sensors. One bonding method utilizes anisotropic conductive paste (ACP). The sensor system provided can be flexible and easy to expand to cover large areas. By using various sensor modules, the sensor system can be used for various applications. Readout modules can be coupled to the exterior edges to read all the individual sensors. Applications include robotic skin and wearable sensor fabrics.

Abstract: Devices and methods for evenly distributing sludge, including manure and industrial sludge, to numerous hoses, over a large range of sludge supply pressures. Some devices include a housing having an inlet for receiving sludge under pressure and several outlets disposed outwardly through the housing cylindrical wall for coupling to hoses. The devices can include a rotating plate within the housing sweeping one or more baffles over the outlets to momentarily occlude the outlets and reduce flow through the occluded outlets. The baffles can include a first portion secured to the plate and a second portion removably secured to the first portion and/or the plate. Changing the total length of the baffles can change the affective cross-sectional area of the outlets available for flow at any instant in time.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a system that allow users to purchase goods and health-related services over a distributed network, like the Internet. Using a portal or a buyer interface, a user connects to a controller or server through a distributed network either directly or via a service provider. When the user connects to the controller, the controller initiates a validation sequence to identify the portal and the user. When the portal and the user are identified, the controller assigns an access code that defines the user's access rights to the controller. The user can then access fitness, nutrition, and wellness information or purchase goods from the controller, which in one embodiment emulates a web site, or provide access to other linked sites. In addition, the method and system provides users with opportunities to engage in on-line conversations with fitness instructors, coaches, doctors, and others that may be on-line.

Abstract: Devices and methods to heat and cool human beings, including inducing and maintaining hypothermia in human patients. Methods include inducing hypothermia to treat ischemic events, including heart attack and stroke, to limit damage caused by the ischemic event. Methods can include: using the lungs for heat exchange; using cooled gases for ventilation; using helium in the ventilation gas mixture, using medications to control reflex heat production; and injecting a perfluorocarbon mist into the gas stream to increase the cooling rate. The high thermal conductivity and diffusivity of helium results in greater inspired gas temperature equalization toward body temperature. Due to the latent heat of vaporization, addition of even small quantity of phase-change perfluorocarbon dramatically increases the heat carrying capacity of the respiratory gases. Hypothermia may be terminated by discontinuing the medications and warming the patient using a warmed helium-oxygen mixture.