Abstract: At least one conductor is formed at a preselected location on a substrate made of a first insulating material having a high temperature resistance. The conductor is made from a solidified electrically conductive thick film material. A coating made of a second insulating material is formed over the substrate to hermetically seal at least a portion of the conductor. An exposed distal region of the conductor provides a detection electrode. The conductor has a reduced porosity that inhibits migration of fluid or constituents thereof through the conductor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for monitoring and evaluating brain electrical activity. Methods are provided for obtaining local synchrony information relating to regions of a brain. Methods are provided that include obtaining EEG information from an infant subject, and using the obtained EEG information in obtaining local coherence information. A mathematical technique or computer algorithm can be used to process the EEG information in order to reduce residual volume conduction error in the obtained local coherence information.

Abstract: Device and method for non-invasively monitoring asthma and other respiratory diseases, as well as non-respiratory diseases. The method includes collecting condensate from a subject's breath, testing the condensate to determine its acetic acid/acetate level or concentration, and evaluating these properties to determine the presence, absence or status of a respiratory or non-respiratory disease in the subject. The method may also include, prior to the testing step, standardizing the volatile substances that may be present within the condensate in a degassing or gas standardizing step. The device includes a mouthpiece apparatus configured to receive breath from a subject, a condensation apparatus to condense the subject's breath and produce a condensate, and a collection apparatus having a collection chamber containing means for testing the condensate to determine the acetic acid and/or acetate concentration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for monitoring, diagnosing, and treating certain medical conditions, such as asthma, gastroesophageal reflux or laryngopharyngeal reflux. The system includes a mask apparatus or sensor module fitted with a pH sensor and thermocouple, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, a processing receiver, and a therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device. The mask apparatus, CPAP device and therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device are connected by a pneumatic means. The pH sensor and the thermocouple are in electrical communication with the processing receiver that controls, through an electronic means, the CPAP device and therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device. The electrical communications can be in the form of a plurality of wires or employ wireless means.

Abstract: A cuff for measuring volume and change in volume of a body appendage includes a hollow, rigid tube having an inner surface; and a bladder having an inner surface and an outer surface, the ends of the bladder being sealed to the ends of the tube to create an enclosed internal volume between the inner surface of the bladder and the inner surface of the tube and an external volume defined by the outer surface of the bladder and surrounded by the internal volume, the bladder having a normal, relaxed state, in which the internal volume is filled with a fluid and a retracted state in which the fluid is evacuated from the internal volume. Two stiffener ribs placed on the inner surface of the bladder, parallel to each other and to the lengthwise axis of the tube at diametrically opposite positions. A plurality of emitters and detectors arranged in a linear array are embedded in one of the ribs, so as to emit and detect light through the bladder.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and a device for determining the blood pressure, in which a pressure sensor is applied to an individual's limb to detect the blood pressure prevailing in said limb. According to the present invention, the orientation of the limb is detected by means of an orientation sensing unit, and the detected blood pressure is corrected in an evaluating unit in response to the limb's detected orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for collecting non-invasive blood pressure readings from a patient is provided. A non-invasive blood pressure cuff is arranged to be worn about a wrist of a patient and to be operatively connected to a blood pressure monitor. Communication means are operatively connected to the blood pressure cuff the monitor and arranged to automatically communicate a parameter associated with the cuff to the monitor. The monitor is arranged to automatically adjust blood pressure algorithms based upon the parameter to enhance the accuracy of blood pressure readings.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a sphygmomanometer having 3D positioning function, which comprises a microprocessor chip which is coupled individually to a microprocessor chip which is coupled individually to a pressure sensor, an alarm unit, a storing unit, a 3D acceleration sensor chip, a display device, a driving device, and an air valve, so that when a person's blood pressure is measured, the 3D acceleration sensor chip detects the spatial position of the measuring cuff of the sphygmomanometer and sends the parameters related to the detected spatial position to the microprocessor chip. In the meantime, the microprocessor chip will retrieve a predetermined range of the parameters related to the spatial position from the storing unit, and compare such range with the value of the detected parameters. If the values of the detected parameters fall beyond the predetermined range of parameters, the microprocessor chip will issue an alarm through the alarm unit until the spatial position is correct.

Abstract: A region of skin, other than the fingertips, is stimulated. After stimulation, an opening is created in the skin (e.g., by lancing the skin) to cause a flow of body fluid from the region. At least a portion of this body fluid is transported to a testing device where the concentration of analyte (e.g., glucose) in the body fluid is then determined. It is found that the stimulation of the skin provides results that are generally closer to the results of measurements from the fingertips, the traditional site for obtaining body fluid for analyte testing.

Abstract: An arteriosclerosis evaluating apparatus 10 includes an arteriosclerosis evaluating procedure 46 (Steps S7, S8, S9, and S10) that evaluates arteriosclerosis of a living subject, based on a relationship between difference ?P of internal and external pressure of an artery of the subject in the state in which the pressure difference ?P is in equilibrium, and amplitude AM of a pulse wave produced from the artery. Therefore, the present apparatus 10 can as easily as possible evaluate the arteriosclerosis of the subject based on a characteristic curve 58 representing the relationship between in-equilibrium pressure difference ?P and pulse-wave amplitude AM which curve is obtained from a pressing pressure Pc of a cuff 12 wound around a certain portion of the subject, and the pulse wave produced from the artery.

Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.

Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.

Abstract: The An angular velocity sensor of the present invention has one end connected to a holding section and the other another end connected to a weighting section. According to the angular velocity sensor, a driving arm has a dog-leg bent structure of arms extending in a direction perpendicular to a connecting direction of the holding section and the weighting section.

Abstract: An implantable magnet that can freely turn in response to an external magnetic field, thus avoiding torque and demagnetization on the implantable magnet. The implantable magnet can be combined with an electric switching function depending on the orientation of an external magnetic field, thus protecting an implanted coil and/or implant electronics against induction of over-voltage or performing an electric switching function for other various purposes. The magnetic switch may further include, for example, a first switching contact and a second switching contact. A magnetically soft body that includes an electrically conductive surface is shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with the first and second switching contacts, and a second position where the body is out of contact with at least one of the first and second switching contacts.

Abstract: A fluid level sensor assembly comprises a sensor mounted to a sensor housing. A carrier extends from the sensor housing in an angled orientation. A float is located within the carrier such that the float may move along a longitudinal axis of the carrier. A fragment is secured to the float, and the sensor detects a location of the fragment as the float moves within the carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides the simple operation for displaying the information that is expected to be necessary for the user and the simplified procedure of the hands-free operation when displaying the map information on the screen. The display device 20 in which an arrangement state of the screen can be selected between a first state and a second state displays on the screen the detailed information of a destination or its surrounding area such as parking lot information, an access route guide to the transportation facilities, and information of the facility of the destination is displayed on the screen if a change of the arrangement of the screen is detected, if the destination has been set in advance, and if a distance between a current position and the destination is within a predetermined distance.

Abstract: In an electronic device with a serial ATA interface, upon detection of the issue or reception of a preset command, a confirmation device, such as a CPU, confirms the completion of execution of the command. Upon confirming the completion of execution of the command, a controller, which may also be the CPU, controls shifting of the serial ATA interface to a power saving mode.

Abstract: A raster-based system for global navigation satellite system (GNSS) guidance includes a vehicle-mounted GNSS antenna and receiver. A processor provides guidance and/or autosteering commands based on GNSS-defined pixels forming a grid representing an area to be treated, such as a field. Specific guidance and chemical application methods are provided based on the pixel-defined treatment areas and preprogrammed chemical application prescription maps, which can include variable chemical application rates and dynamic control of the individual nozzles of a sprayer.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and computer program products wherein a user's reviewing of select text in a synchronized news story, article, or electronic book generates a changed presentation of associated multimedia content, including photographs, videos, and computerized graphics. User's reviewing of select text is detected automatically or managed manually, with select embodiments integrating touch-screen controls. This process of changing multimedia continues with the user's reviewing of additional select text segments. Select multimedia is modified instead of completely replaced as the user advances to an additional select text segment, leading to uniquely flowing presentations. Multimedia is visually modified through zooming, panning, resizing, highlighting, and/or other approaches. Select embodiments include similarly modified holographic imagery, advertisements, securities charts, and shifted text. In select embodiments, the user's reading speed adjusts visual modifications.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting a QoS in a portable communication system are provided. The method includes, when using a high quality video communication service, sending a request for the high quality video communication service to a destination terminal using a Circuit Service Data (CSD) channel, receiving a reply message to the high quality video communication service request and, when the reply message is an acceptance of an execution of the high quality video communication service, disconnecting the CSD channel and then connecting a Packet Service Data (PSD) channel, and providing the high quality video communication service using the PSD channel.