Abstract: A curved scissor linkage mechanism (1) includes at least four linkage elements (2) each having a first end (3) and a second end (4). The linkage elements are arranged to form sides of one or more rhombi or parallelograms. Each linkage element is rotationally connected to another linkage elements via a revolute joint (5) at the first end and is rotationally connected to another one of the other linkage elements via another revolute joint at the second end. The linkage elements are configured so that the axes of each joint coincide at one common remote centre of motion. The mechanism is connectable to a first external member (7) at a proximal end and is rotationally connectable to a second external member (9) at an opposite distal end to obtain three DOFs. The scissor linkage mechanism may further include a motion controlling mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining the laxity of a joint (9, 15) of a human (5) or an animal. The method comprises providing at least one patient-specific geometrical model (1) of at least one bone and/or at least one prosthesis comprised by the joint. Known loads are applied to the joint or to a part of the body connected to the joint, and a series of actual images (16) of the joint are obtained while the loads are applied. Then the at least one patient-specific geometrical model (1) is registered onto the actual images (16). Based thereon relative displacement and/or rotation of the at least one bone and/or at least one prosthesis is calculated as a function of the applied loads, and based thereon a measure of the laxity of the joint is determined. The invention further relates to a system for performing such a method and to a computer readable medium for performing such a method.

Abstract: A protocol for use in wireless mesh networks uses helper nodes to improve data flow in the network. The protocol is compatible with traditional mesh network routing algorithms. Techniques, systems, devices, and circuits for implementing the protocol are described.

Abstract: A front-end device for monitoring operation of an associated electric power device with semiconductor power switches generating a power output, e.g. a three-phase power output. The front-end device has input terminals arranged for connection to the electric phase(s) of the power output of the associated electric power device, and an electric circuit connected to the input terminals and connected to at set of output terminals. The electric circuit has a passive interconnection comprising electric semiconductor switches and diodes. The electric circuit serves to electrically block any high voltage component from the input terminals from reaching the output terminals, while allowing an on-state voltage of at least one semiconductor power switch in the associated electric power device to pass to the at least two output terminals. The front-end allows low voltage equipment to be connected to its output terminals for determining an on-state voltage of switches of the electric power device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hand orthosis (1) for assisting the movements of a user's hand. The hand orthosis comprises a soft glove (2) adapted to receive at least a part of the user's hand with finger sections of the glove receiving each of the user's fingers. It further comprises at least one actuator box (3), and a power transmission (4) for transferring forces from the at least one actuator box to different parts of the glove via exo-tendons (5). The exo-tendons are arranged on a dorsal side, on a palmar side, or on both a dorsal side and a palmar side of the glove. The exo-tendons are arranged so that the glove can assist flexion, extension, or both extension and flexion of the fingers, respectively and so that the exo-tendons act on the fingers to produce motion that mimics the movement of a human hand. The hand orthosis provides different grasp types, self- adaptation of the fingers' motion to the shape of the object, and physiologically appropriate distribution of finger forces.

Abstract: The proposed technology relates to the quantifying of cardiorespiratory fitness. It includes the obtaining (102) of a seismocardiogram (SCG) recorded with an accelerometer (14) configured to measure accelerations and vibrations of the chest wall of a person (18) caused by myocardial movement. Properties of a first signal feature (AC) in the seismocardiogram (SCG) are determined (104), wherein the first signal feature (AC) corresponds to the aortic valve closure (AC) of a heartbeat. A measure indicating cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2 max) is then determined (106) based on the properties of first signal feature (AC).

Abstract: A method is provided for determining pulmonary embolism and/or increased risk thereof in a human being, comprising collecting a sample of exhalation air from said human being and determining the presence or absence in said exhaled air of one or more biomarkers associated with pulmonary embolism. Additionally, a kit that comprises the means for detecting at least one biomarker associated with pulmonary embolism or risk thereof is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for identification of the degree to which a transient disturbance in ventilation causes changes in measurement of arterial acid-base status.

Abstract: The invention relates to a curved spherical scissors linkage mechanism (1) comprising at least four linkage elements (2) each having a first end (3) and a second end (4); the linkage elements are arranged to form sides of one rhombus or parallelogram, or a series, such as a network, of joined rhombi or parallelograms. Each of the linkage elements is rotationally connected to one of the other linkage elements via a revolute joint (5) at or near the first end and is rotationally connected to another one of the other linkage elements via another revolute joint at or near the second end. The linkage elements are shaped, dimensioned and arranged so that the axes of all the revolute joints coincide at one common remote centre of motion (RCM). Furthermore, the mechanism is grounded or connected or connectable to a first external member (7) at a proximal end and is rotationally connected or connectable to a second external member (9) at an opposite distal end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identification of tissue hypoxia from measurements of acid-base and oxygenation status from venous and/or arterial blood.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a condition of a heart, comprises receiving a plurality of electric signals, which are acquired by non-invasive measurement on the skin of a person or animal, each signal representing electrical activity in a respective region of the heart of the person or animal; calculating a derivative value of each signal at a plurality of time instances; selecting a plurality of the calculated derivative values of a first signal and determining a first point in time of a first event based on the selected derivative values; selecting a plurality of the calculated derivative values of a second signal and determining a second point in time of a second event, corresponding to the first event, based on the selected derivative values of the second signal, and calculating at least one measure based on a difference of the first point in time and the second point in time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electronic power circuits and their use in power converters and in modular multi-level converters (MMCs) comprising such power converters.

Abstract: Disclosed apparatus and method improve the computational efficiency of encoding and decoding data having erasures according to a maximum distance separable (MDS) code based on a Reed-Solomon code. Thus, n encoded fragments are formed by multiplying k data fragments by an n×k generator matrix for the MDS code. The code is formed by reducing, in the generator matrix to the extent possible, the size of the finite field to which entries belong—in some cases to the base field having only two elements. In this way, unlike codes known in the art, the generator matrix has more than one column whose entries each take values in the finite field having two elements. In some cases, the generator matrix has a column whose entries each take values in one or more intermediate fields between the finite field having two elements and the encoding field.

Abstract: A method for assessing nerve fiber excitability is disclosed. The method comprises: arranging an electrode in contact with skin of a person; determining a first and a second threshold value based on a stimulation current pulse of a first and a second waveform, respectively; wherein said determining of the first threshold value and said determining of the second threshold value each comprises: repeatedly providing a stimulation current pulse of the first or second waveform, respectively, through the electrode, wherein a stimulation current strength is altered between repetitions; and receiving signals from an interaction element with which the person interacts, said signals from the interaction element providing an indication of the first threshold value or the second threshold value, respectively, corresponding to a stimulation current strength necessary to be perceived by the person; and determining at least one measure of psychophysical perception based on the determined first and second threshold values.

Abstract: A curved scissor linkage mechanism (1) includes at least four linkage elements (2) each having a first end (3) and a second end (4). The linkage elements are arranged to form sides of one or more rhombi or parallelograms. Each linkage element is rotationally connected to another linkage elements via a revolute joint (5) at the first end and is rotationally connected to another one of the other linkage elements via another revolute joint at the second end. The linkage elements are configured so that the axes of each joint coincide at one common remote centre of motion. The mechanism is connectable to a first external member (7) at a proximal end and is rotationally connectable to a second external member (9) at an opposite distal end to obtain three DOFs. The scissor linkage mechanism may further include a motion controlling mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining the laxity of a joint (9, 15) of a human (5) or an animal. The method comprises providing at least one patient-specific geometrical model (1) of at least one bone and/or at least one prosthesis comprised by the joint. Known loads are applied to the joint or to a part of the body connected to the joint, and a series of actual images (16) of the joint are obtained while the loads are applied. Then the at least one patient-specific geometrical model (1) is registered onto the actual images (16). Based thereon relative displacement and/or rotation of the at least one bone and/or at least one prosthesis is calculated as a function of the applied loads, and based thereon a measure of the laxity of the joint is determined. The invention further relates to a system for performing such a method and to a computer readable medium for performing such a method.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a condition of a heart, comprises receiving a plurality of electric signals, which are acquired by non-invasive measurement on the skin of a person or animal, each signal representing electrical activity in a respective region of the heart of the person or animal; calculating a derivative value of each signal at a plurality of time instances; selecting a plurality of the calculated derivative values of a first signal and determining a first point in time of a first event based on the selected derivative values; selecting a plurality of the calculated derivative values of a second signal and determining a second point in time of a second event, corresponding to the first event, based on the selected derivative values of the second signal, and calculating at least one measure based on a difference of the first point in time and the second point in time.

Abstract: A method for use in a distributed storage system having a plurality of nodes, the method including receiving, at a source node, original data, encoding the original data into plurality of coded fragments using a linear code, transmitting at least a first one of the coded fragments from the source node to a first sink node. The method further includes receiving, at the source node, modified data, calculating, at the source node, a coded difference between the original data and the modified data, transmitting the coded difference from the source node to the first sink node; and recovering, at the first sink node, at least a first portion of the modified data using the coded difference and the at least a first one of the coded fragments.

Abstract: A protocol for use in wireless mesh networks uses helper nodes to improve data flow in the network. The protocol is compatible with traditional mesh network routing algorithms. Techniques, systems, devices, and circuits for implementing the protocol are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the provision of leaf protein concentrate and food grade soluble functional proteins and possibly other high value products and fibres from a green plant material. The method further provides for the possibility obtaining fermentation products as biogas and finally fertilizer. The soluble functional protein product may be used in food and/or in pharmaceutical products.