Abstract: The invention concerns a physiological monitoring device that, in one embodiment, comprises a capacitive sensor. The sensor comprises a first plate, a second plate and a dielectric medium coupled to the first plate and second plate. A power source charges the sensor to generate an initial capacitance. A band couples the sensor to a blood vessel of a patient. For example, the blood vessel can be located in the umbilical cord of a human baby. An impulse from the blood vessel exerts pressure against the second plate of the sensor and consequently generates a first capacitance. A controller monitors the patient's physiological measurement by detecting the generation of the first capacitance.

Abstract: Corrosion, mold and moisture can be detected under outer layer of structures, such as surfaces associated with vessels and/or buildings, using nondestructive evaluation (NDE). Characterizing the dielectric properties of materials associated with a target can be executed by directing primary microwave energy from a source towards a target, receiving secondary microwave energy signals returned from the target, analyzing the secondary microwave energy signals, and characterizing dielectric properties of materials associated with the target based on analysis of the secondary signals.

Abstract: Corrosion, mold and/or moisture can be detected under outer layers of structures, such as surfaces associated with vessels and/or buildings using the present Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) systems and methods. Nondestructively characterizing the dielectric properties of materials associated with a target can be carried out by directing primary microwave energy from a microwave source towards a target, receiving secondary microwave energy signals returned from said target, analyzing the secondary microwave energy signals, and characterizing dielectric properties of materials associated with said target based on said analyzing of said secondary microwave signals.