Abstract: A pipe scanning apparatus includes a scanner collar fitted around the outside of a pipe with tools for inspecting or modifying the pipe, a tubular fabric pipe sheath fitted around the outside of the pipe and connected at an end to the scanner collar, and a powered winch or manually operable reel configured to draw in the tubular fabric pipe sheath so as to scan the scanner collar connected to the end of the tubular fabric pipe sheath over the pipe. The tubular fabric pipe sheath may include inelastic warp fibers running parallel with the pipe and elastic weft fibers running around the pipe. The pipe sheath may include at least one longitudinal slit with a slit fastener, and may include two such slits on opposite sides so that the pipe sheath is separable into two sheath halves.

Abstract: Group coherence is facilitated in a group environment, such as a gaming, competitive, cooperative or collaborative environment. In one embodiment, a graphical representation of a scenario may be presented to a plurality of individuals. A physiological measure for each of the plurality of individuals may be sampled and used to track the individuals' heart rhythm patterns. A current group coherence level for the plurality of individuals may then be determined, where the group coherence level corresponds to a collective degree to which said plurality of heart rhythm patterns exhibit a sine waveform. In one embodiment, an appropriate modification to the scenario may be determined, where the modification is based on the current group coherence level. The updated graphical representation of the scenario may then be presented to the plurality of individuals.

Abstract: A portable electronic device monitors the pulse or electrocardiogram of a person by integrated, attachable or wireless sensors. The portable device evaluates this data in real-time to assess heart rate variability coherence, and provide feedback through a variety of sounds and an array of LEDs. The feedback may be in the form of a breathing indicator or pacer usable as a respiratory cycle training system to indicate to the subject when the next breath should be taken. Such feedback may be correlated to the level of coherency the subject achieves. A coherence indicator may be used to provide the subject with real-time information relating to the level of coherence achieved.

Abstract: A coherence value or category for an animal subject is calculated, and a corresponding coherence indication is provided to a human subject. In one embodiment, the beat-to-beat changes in the animal subject's heart rate is monitored, and used to calculate a coherence value, which may be representative of a coherence category. The coherence value may be determined by the power distribution of the heart rate variability data for the animal subject. In another embodiment, the degree of synchronization between an animal subject's coherence and an associated human subject's coherence may be determined and provided as feedback.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the state of entrainment between biological systems which exhibit oscillatory behavior such as heart rhythms, respiration, blood pressure waves and low frequency brain waves based on a determination of heart rate variability (HRV) and an evaluation of the power spectrum thereof. Entrainment reflects a harmonious balance between the two branches of the autonomic nervous system within the body. This internal state of heightened physiological efficiency enhances health and promotes optimal performance. According to one embodiment a method is used to determine the entrainment level based on an entrainment parameter related to HRV. The method first determines the power distribution spectrum (PSD) and then calculates an entrainment parameter (EP), which is a measure of the power distribution in the HRV spectrum.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electrophysiological detection and measurement of intuition are disclosed. In one embodiment, one or more electrophysiological properties of one or more individuals are monitored and used as an indication of a future event. In one embodiment, the electrophysiological property may include heart rate variability, brain wave activity, respiration pattern, skin conductance level, etc. In another embodiment, a signal averaging technique is used to generate a waveform that may be used as an indicator of future events.

Abstract: Group coherence is facilitated in a group environment, such as a gaming, competitive, cooperative or collaborative environment. In one embodiment, a graphical representation of a scenario may be presented to a plurality of individuals. A physiological measure for each of the plurality of individuals may be sampled and used to track the individuals' heart rhythm patterns. A current group coherence level for the plurality of individuals may then be determined, where the group coherence level corresponds to a collective degree to which said plurality of heart rhythm patterns exhibit a sine waveform. In one embodiment, an appropriate modification to the scenario may be determined, where the modification is based on the current group coherence level. The updated graphical representation of the scenario may then be presented to the plurality of individuals.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the state of entrainment between biological systems which exhibit oscillatory behavior such as heart rhythms, respiration, blood pressure waves and low frequency brain waves based on a determination of heart rate variability (HRV) and an evaluation of the power spectrum thereof. Entrainment reflects a harmonious balance between the two branches of the autonomic nervous system within the body. This internal state of heightened physiological efficiency enhances health and promotes optimal performance. According to one embodiment a method is used to determine the entrainment level based on an entrainment parameter related to HRV. The method first determines the power distribution spectrum (PSD) and then calculates an entrainment parameter (EP), which is a measure of the power distribution in the HRV spectrum.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the state of entrainment between biological systems which exhibit oscillatory behavior such as heart rhythms, respiration, blood pressure waves and low frequency brain waves based on a determination of heart rate variability (HRV) and an evaluation of the power spectrum thereof. Entrainment reflects a harmonious balance between the two branches of the autonomic nervous system within the body. This internal state of heightened physiological efficiency enhances health and promotes optimal performance. According to one embodiment a method is used to determine the entrainment level based on an entrainment parameter related to HRV, The method first determines the power distribution spectrum (PSD) and then calculates an entrainment parameter (EP), which is a measure of the power distribution in the HRV spectrum.

Abstract: A portable electronic device monitors the pulse or electrocardiogram of a person by integrated, attachable or wireless sensors. The portable device evaluates this data in real-time to assess heart rate variability coherence, and provide feedback through a variety of sounds and an array of LEDs. The feedback may be in the form of a breathing indicator or pacer usable as a respiratory cycle training system to indicate to the subject when the next breath should be taken. Such feedback may be correlated to the level of coherency the subject achieves. A coherence indicator may be used to provide the subject with real-time information relating to the level of coherence achieved.

Abstract: A coherence value or category for an animal subject is calculated, and a corresponding coherence indication is provided to a human subject. In one embodiment, the beat-to-beat changes in the animal subject's heart rate is monitored, and used to calculate a coherence value, which may be representative of a coherence category. The coherence value may be determined by the power distribution of the heart rate variability data for the animal subject. In another embodiment, the degree of synchronization between an animal subject's coherence and an associated human subject's coherence may be determined and provided as feedback.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the state of entrainment between biological systems which exhibit oscillatory behavior such as heart rhythms, respiration, blood pressure waves and low frequency brain waves based on a determination of heart rate variability (HRV) and an evaluation of the power spectrum thereof. Entrainment reflects a harmonious balance between the two branches of the autonomic nervous system within the body. This internal state of heightened physiological efficiency enhances health and promotes optimal performance. According to one embodiment a method is used to determine the entrainment level based on an entrainment parameter related to HRV. The method first determines the power distribution spectrum (PSD) and then calculates an entrainment parameter (EP), which is a measure of the power distribution in the HRV spectrum.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating physiological coherence using respiratory training are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optimal respiratory cycle and/or RSA pattern is determined. A subject is then trained to adhere to this optimal respiratory level using one or more breath indicators. In another embodiment, the timing sequence of the breath indicators is optimized for a given subject's reaction time and/or atypical breathing events. In yet another embodiment, a subject's respiratory rhythms are used to detect their emotional state and corresponding feedback provided.

Abstract: Magnetic direct current to direct current converter with the input isolated from the output. A pulse generator from the feedback is incorporated in the feedback circuitry to regulate the output relative to the input.

Abstract: A new drill-type cranial perforator is disclosed of the type which comprises a front drill head assembly made up of a leading inner drill and a trailing outer drill, and a rear support and drive assembly adapted to enable both drills so long as the leading inner drill is encountering a resistive surface and to disable both drills when the leading inner drill stops encountering the resistive surface.The leading inner drill has at least one drilling flute with a forward cutting edge including a reentrant cutting segment axially rearward from the outer end of the forward cutting edge and extending inwardly towards the longitudinal axis of the perforator.

Abstract: Apparatus for defoaming a fluid material. The apparatus comprises a non-wetting material in closely adjacent relationship to a material having a lesser degree of non-wetting characteristics with respect to the fluid being defoamed. In one embodiment, fibers with different non-wetting characteristics are woven together with one type of fibers being woven at a 90.degree. angle with respect to the other type of fibers. In another embodiment, fabrics consisting of one type of fibers are in alternate adjacent contact with fabric of the other type of fibers. The characteristics of the fibers are preferably inherent in the material.

Abstract: A method for oxygenating blood by combining blood and oxygen in a receptacle to form a foam, the foam flowing upwardly through a bead bed having a multitude of tortuous paths and contact surfaces. The oxygenated blood is then defoamed and collected for recirculation to the patient.