Abstract: There is provided a bed exit warning system for use in monitoring a user on a bed that comprises one or more sensors for measuring one or more physiological characteristics of the user and for producing corresponding signals indicative of the one or more physiological characteristics; and a processor adapted to monitor the corresponding signals and to determine the likelihood that the user is about to get out of the bed from changes in the one or more physiological characteristics.

Abstract: A device for optical navigation, containing an image sensor which has a large number of image sensor units which are disposed in an array-like manner with respectively at least one light-sensitive surface and at least one lens which is disposed between an object to be imaged and the image sensor. A microlens array is present, at least one microlens being assigned to one image sensor unit.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and signal processing device (620) for analyzing a ballistocardiogram (BCG). The actual energy content of the cardiac part of the BCG in a predefined time window is determined and compared with a reference value. A difference between the actual energy content and the reference energy content exceeding a predefined threshold is indicative of the presence of an arrhythmia in the evaluated part of the BCG because the force exerted by an arrhythmic ventricular contraction, if at all present, is typically substantially smaller than the force exerted by a ventricular contraction of a regular heartbeat. This insight facilitates a more accurate detection of the presence of arrhythmias in a BCG compared to BCG detection schemes based on a heart rate analysis.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and a kit for stress and relaxation management. A cardiac activity sensor (101) is used for measuring the heart rate variability (HRV) signal of the user and a respiration sensor (102) for measuring the respiratory signal of the user. The system contains a user interaction device (103) having an input unit (104) for receiving user specific data and an output unit for providing information output to the user. A processor (106) is used to assess the stress level of the user by determining a user related stress index. The processor is also used to monitor the user during a relaxation exercise by means of determining a relaxation index based on the measured HRV and respiratory signals, the relaxation index being continuously adapted to the incoming measured signals and based thereon the processor instructs the output unit to provide the user with biofeedback and support messages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (1) and method for automatically monitoring the movement activity of a fetus. In order to provide a simple and reliable technique for monitoring the movement activity of a fetus, a method of automatically monitoring the movement activity of a fetus is suggested, the method comprising the steps of: detecting (200) the overall movements of a pregnant female, said overall movements comprising movements of the pregnant female and movements of the fetus; detecting at least one second physiological signal (26) of the pregnant female; and—determining (300) the movement activity of the fetus by analyzing the detected overall movements of the pregnant female, analyzing the at least one second physiological signal (26) of the pregnant female, and discriminating movements of the pregnant female from movements of the fetus depending on the analyzing results.

Abstract: The invention refers to a sensor arrangement for weight and/or movement sensing in a bed and uses thereof, to a bed and to a method of sensing weight and/or movement of a user in a bed. For the sensing of weight, activity and/or cardiopulmonary performance in a bed, force sensors (6) integrated between a bedframe (2) and a mattress frame (3) are used. The sensors are designed in a way that they can be positioned between the mattress frame and the bedframe without significantly enhancing the height of a mattress bearing surface. Thus, the integration into any bed with bedframe can be easily realized. The measurements do not require any user interaction or even direct contact between user and sensor.

Abstract: A device for the homogenization of radiation, preferably light, using chirped microlens arrays (cMLA) from the established regular microlens arrays (rMLA), chirped microlens arrays are an arrangement of non-identical lenses in one array. Non-identical means that the lens parameters of the lenses of the array, such as e.g. the radius of curvature, the free diameter, vertex position, and others, can vary from lens to lens or cell to cell. The parameters of each lens or cell can be determined by functions (analytically, numerically), the functions preferably being dependent upon the position of the cell or the lens in the array.

Abstract: Image sensor having a large number of image sensor units in an essentially array-like arrangement, the light-sensitive surfaces of the image sensor units being node points at a spacing relative to each other and these, together with the horizontal and vertical connection lines which connect the node points, spanning a two-dimensional network, and the array-like arrangement having a central region and an edge region, the central region and the edge region being connected to each other along at least connection line, characterised in that the spacing respectively of two adjacent node points of the array-like arrangement is different along the at least one connection line in the central region and in the edge region. Furthermore, a camera system with an image sensor according to the invention and an additionally disposed lens system is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining body position uses ECG sensors at fixed positions, not fixed to the patient. The ECG signals recorded from the sensors are used to detect body position, using the variation of ECG potential over the surface of the body. The results may be processed by measuring artefacts related to the angle between the sensors and the heart, in particular the polarity of the QRS complex. The sensors may be fixed on the upper surface of a bed and used to measure sleep position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a user interface system for a personal healthcare environment. Furthermore the invention relates to a method of operating such a user interface system. In order to provide a user interface system which can easily be used by disabled users, a user interface system (1) is suggested, comprising a number of user interface components (2, 3, 4), and further comprising an adaptation module (5), said adaptation module (5) being adapted to carry out an automatic adaptation of at least one of the components (2, 3, 4) based on the disabilities of an individual user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method of analyzing the movement of a user. More particularly the present invention relates to a new technique for assessing a user's motor functions. It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, robust, and low-cost technique for analyzing the movement of a user, which can be used in an unsupervised home environment. This object is achieved according to the invention by a method of analyzing the movement of a user, the method comprising the steps of causing the user to perform a coordinated movement in accordance with an instruction, generating video image data in form of a sequence of images by video recording the user, determining in the sequence of images a degree of synchronicity of optical flow on the left and right body half using a computer system comprising computer vision technology, and assessing the user's motor functions based on the degree of synchronicity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bed with an integrated sensor unit for a patient. Furthermore the invention relates to a method of providing a bed with a sensor unit for a patient. In order to provide a simple and reliable technique for monitoring patients a bed is suggested, comprising a bedframe (3) with at least a first and a second bedframe section (1, 2), said bedframe sections (1, 2) being connected to each other by means of at least one hinge (4), the bed further comprising a sensor unit (5, 5?), characterized in that the sensor unit (5, 5?) is connected with the pivot (9) of the hinge (4), and is adapted to measure the movement of a bedframe section (1, 2) in a direction (21) substantially perpendicular to the rotary axis (22) of the pivot (9).

Abstract: The invention refers to a sensor arrangement comprising at least one capacitance sensor for detecting a pressure and a shear force, wherein the capacitance sensor is integrated into a wearable textile, a method for measuring a shear force and a pressure by such a sensor arrangement, wherein the shear force and pressure is exerted on a skin of a person lying in a bed or sitting in a chair and to combinations and uses of the method. This described textile sensors allow for a simultaneous measurement of shear stress and pressure in anti decubitus textiles. This enhances risk assessment with regard to the development of bedsore ulcer.

Abstract: The invention refers to a sensor arrangement with at least one sensor and a method for monitoring physiological aparameters of a person, a textile fabric and a use of a textile fabric. An sensor arrangement is described that is suited to improve signal quality and suppress noise, for instance in remote capacitive sensing of body parameters. To achieve this, certain textile fabrics are used, preferably integrated into textile used in a bed, e.g. the blanket, the bed cover, or the mattress. These textile fabrics allow for a suppression of electromagnetic interference from external sources and can be arranged to avoid charge build-up during measurements, in particular those caused by movements of the person.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (1) and method for obtaining cardiopulmonary and/or activity data of a patient (3) situated in a bed (2). In order to provide a simple and reliable technique for obtaining physiological data, in particular cardiopulmonary data and/or activity data, of a patient (3) situated in a bed (2), a method is suggested, comprising the steps of: providing a bed (2) with a bed structure (4) comprising at least one elastically deformable member (6), said member (69 being deformable by the patient (3) being situated in the bed (2); in case of deformation of said member (6), acquiring deformation data (25) of said member (6); and determining physiological data of said patient (3) using said deformation data (25).

Abstract: A device for the homogenization of radiation, preferably light, using chirped microlens arrays (cMLA) from the established regular microlens arrays (rMLA), chirped microlens arrays are an arrangement of non-identical lenses in one array. Non-identical means that the lens parameters of the lenses of the array, such as e.g. the radius of curvature, the free diameter, vertex position, and others, can vary from lens to lens or cell to cell. The parameters of each lens or cell can be determined by functions (analytically, numerically), the functions preferably being dependent upon the position of the cell or the lens in the array.

Abstract: Sensor arrangement, comprising at least one ballistocardiographic sensor for detecting body movements of a subject and at least one noise sensor for detecting vibration, method of ballistocardiographic detection of body movements, ballistocardiographic sensor system and uses of the sensor arrangement. It is suggested to pickup an external noise signal using an inertia sensor that is vibration isolated from a subject under ballistocardiographic examination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for automatically testing the temperature sensitivity of a patient. Furthermore the invention relates to a computer program for automatically testing the temperature sensitivity of a patient. For providing a simple technique to test for numbness a method and device for automatically testing the temperature sensitivity of a patient is suggested, the device (1) comprising a number of contact areas (4, 5), each area being arranged to get in contact with an area (2, 3) of the patient's body, and further adapted to cause a temperature stimulation of that body area (2, 3), the device (1) further comprising a response unit (7) adapted to receive a response of the patient with respect to the patient's sensation and further adapted to generate a response signal accordingly, and the device (1) further comprising a control unit (8) adapted to automatically control the sensitivity test depending on the response signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to the area of rehabilitation for patients with motor disabilities, especially for hemiplegic patients. With the present invention a long term, e.g. day and night, patient activity monitoring can be established in a home environment. A core idea of the invention is to evaluate the functional use of a limb by determining the synchronicity of the patient's movements depending on the movement's cyclicity. With this approach a reliable assessment of limb usage can be made based on the daily living activities of the patient. With the present invention the progress of rehabilitation can be monitored and guidance can be provided to therapists and patients about the state of the rehabilitation process. It further makes them aware of a lack of limb usage.

Abstract: The present invention allows on demand retrofit of a bed (2) with the sensing units (9) of a new monitoring system, which allows mechanical sensing of the presence of patients, movements of patients, breathing and heart rate.