Abstract: A method for assessing and reversing exercise impairment in adults having peripheral vascular disease includes quantifying a musculoskeletal deoxygenation level (MDL) of a human subject provided by a wearable near infrared spectroscopy system configured to measure the deoxygenation level during exercise, comparing the quantified MDL to a range of pre-determined healthy MDL values for the subject, and, if the quantified MDL is outside of the pre-determined target MDL values, determining a corrective exercise intensity level or ‘dose’ effective to bring the MDL of the subject within the target MDL values and reverse the exercise impairment.

Abstract: A system for predicting an occurrence of a foot ulcer includes a mat configured to be stood upon by a human subject, a plurality of sensor arrays disposed on or in said mat and arranged in adjacent proximity to one another. Each sensor includes an oxygenation probe, itself including a first light source and a light detector, and a secondary probe operable to utilize the light detector of the oxygenation probe and itself including a plurality of light sources exclusive of the first light source. The plurality of light sources of the secondary probe are arranged in a pattern around the oxygenation probe. The oxygenation probe is located at the approximate geometric center of the pattern. The system further includes a control module in signal communication with the light detector, and configured to independently control emission of light from the first light source of the oxygenation probe and the plurality of light sources of the secondary probe.

Abstract: Devices and methods for assessing ulceration risk in a tissue. Some embodiments include a device having a scan head on an extension neck extending from housing and having range of motion relative to the housing. The scan head includes light-emitting system that alternately emits light at different selected wavelengths into the tissue, and a photodetector that generates an electrical signal based on the receive light. A processor calculates regional-perfusion-index (RPI) data based on the electrical signal. Some embodiments provide a tissue-vibration mechanism to help measure mechano-transduction induced recovery from vibratory stimulation for determining short-term metabolic deficit. In some embodiments, the scan head has a topological feature (such as one or more grooves, holes, bumps and/or ridges) that provides pressure-change stimulation for measuring vascular recovery from pressure changes.

Abstract: Miniature pumps for dispensing a volume a flowable substance are described. One pump embodiment includes an environmentally-responsive plug layer that can contract in size, e.g., when exposed to an environmental change such as temperature, to allow an activation solution to flow to a layer of expandable material, such as a superporous hydrogel. Expansion of the expandable material urges a diaphragm into a chamber that holds the dispensable fluid, gas, or gel, forcing the fluid, gas or gel out of the pump.

Abstract: Miniature pumps for dispensing a volume a flowable substance are described. One pump embodiment includes an environmentally-responsive plug layer that can contract in size, e.g., when exposed to an environmental change such as temperature, to allow an activation solution to flow to a layer of expandable material, such as a superporous hydrogel. Expansion of the expandable material urges a diaphragm into a chamber that holds the dispensable fluid, gas, or gel, forcing the fluid, gas or gel out of the pump.