Abstract: A wearable apparatus for gesture control is disclosed. The wearable apparatus includes one or more first sensors configured to contact skin on a wrist of a user when the wearable apparatus is worn by the user. The one or more first sensors are configured to generate first signals associated with muscle activity of the user. The wearable apparatus further includes an inertial sensor configured to generate second signals associated with a motion of the user. The wearable apparatus further includes one or more processors configured to receive the first signals generated by the one or more first sensors and receive the second signals generated by the inertial sensor. The one or more processors are further configured to determine a gesture of the user based at least in part on an analysis of the first signals and the second signals, and perform an action associated with the gesture.

Abstract: Wearable devices for sensing neuromuscular signals using a small number of sensor pairs are disclosed. One example wrist-wearable device a band. The band includes a plurality of sensors arranged in the band configured to be worn on a wrist of a user, the plurality of sensors configured to sense electrical signals travelling through the wrist of the user and to output signals comprising information indicating a movement of the wrist, a hand, and/or fingers of the user. The band further includes one or more processors configured to determine a gesture of the user based at least in part on the information indicating the movement of the wrist, the hand, and/or the fingers of the user. The one or more processors are further configured to output a flag that identifies the determined gesture.

Abstract: Wearable devices for sensing neuromuscular signals using a small number of sensor pairs are disclosed. One example wrist-wearable device includes eight pairs of neuromuscular-signal sensors. Each pair of neuromuscular-signal sensors is positioned over a portion of a wrist of a user while the wrist-wearable device is worn by the user. Each pair of neuromuscular-signal sensors further includes a first and second electrodes configured to be used as a differential sensor of neuromuscular signals travelling through the wrist of the user, and electrical signal-processing circuitry configured to amplify and filter neuromuscular signals received from the first and second electrodes to produce processed neuromuscular signals. The wrist-wearable device also includes a shared ground electrode configured to ground both the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: Systems, articles, and methods for surface electromyography (“EMG”) sensors that combine elements from traditional capacitive and resistive EMG sensors are described. For example, capacitive EMG sensors that are adapted to resistively couple to a user's skin are described. Resistive coupling between a sensor electrode and the user's skin is galvanically isolated from the sensor circuitry by a discrete component capacitor included downstream from the sensor electrode. The combination of a resistively coupled electrode and a discrete component capacitor provides the respective benefits of traditional resistive and capacitive (respectively) EMG sensor designs while mitigating respective drawbacks of each approach. A wearable EMG device that provides a component of a human-electronics interface and incorporates such capacitive EMG sensors is also described.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the respiratory and other physiological status of a patient. Here, an oscillometric device is mounted on a patient's limb, and oscillometric pulse waveforms are obtained as the device's cuff deflates, thus obtaining pulse wave signals and artifact signals over multiple patient breaths. A computer processor analyzes these signals, and removes artifacts according to various algorithms. The resulting signal can be viewed as containing both an amplitude modulated envelope of pulse waves (AM signals) and a frequency modulated sequence of pulses at various time intervals (FM signals). The main harmonics of the AM and FM signals contain respiratory status data, and the system analyzes both signals. Breathing depth and even pain data may also be obtained by this method. Artifacts caused by aberrant breathing can be distinguished using non-contact microphones and suitable algorithms. The final respiratory status data is output or stored in memory.

Abstract: Systems, articles, and methods for improved capacitive electromyography (“EMG”) sensors are described. The improved capacitive EMG sensors include one or more sensor electrode(s) that is/are coated with a protective barrier formed of a material that has a relative permittivity ?r of about 10 or more. The protective barrier shields the sensor electrode(s) from moisture, sweat, skin oils, etc. while advantageously contributing to a large capacitance between the sensor electrode(s) and the user's body. In this way, the improved capacitive EMG sensors provide enhanced robustness against variations in skin and/or environmental conditions. Such improved capacitive EMG sensors are particularly well-suited for use in wearable EMG devices that may be worn by a user for an extended period of time and/or under a variety of skin and/or environmental conditions. A wearable EMG device that provides a component of a human-electronics interface and incorporates such improved capacitive EMG sensors is described.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the breathing rate of a patient using only an oscillometric device as the physiological sensor. Here, the oscillometric device is mounted on a patient's limb, and oscillometric pulse waveforms are obtained as the device's cuff deflates, thus obtaining pulse wave signals and artifact signals over multiple patient breaths. A computer processor analyzes these signals, and removes artifacts according to various algorithms. The resulting signal can be viewed as containing both an amplitude modulated envelope of pulse waves (AM signals) and a frequency modulated sequence of pulses at various time intervals (FM signals). The main harmonics of the AM and FM signals both contain breathing rate data, and system accuracy can be improved by comparing the AM harmonics with the FM harmonics. The final breathing rate data, often a function of the AM and FM harmonics, is output or stored in memory.

Abstract: Systems, articles, and methods for surface electromyography (“EMG”) sensors that combine elements from traditional capacitive and resistive EMG sensors are described. For example, capacitive EMG sensors that are adapted to resistively couple to a user's skin are described. Resistive coupling between a sensor electrode and the user's skin is galvanically isolated from the sensor circuitry by a discrete component capacitor included downstream from the sensor electrode. The combination of a resistively coupled electrode and a discrete component capacitor provides the respective benefits of traditional resistive and capacitive (respectively) EMG sensor designs while mitigating respective drawbacks of each approach. A wearable EMG device that provides a component of a human-electronics interface and incorporates such capacitive EMG sensors is also described.

Abstract: Systems, articles, and methods for improved capacitive electromyography (“EMG”) sensors are described. The improved capacitive EMG sensors include one or more sensor electrode(s) that is/are coated with a protective barrier formed of a material that has a relative permittivity ?r of about 10 or more. The protective barrier shields the sensor electrode(s) from moisture, sweat, skin oils, etc. while advantageously contributing to a large capacitance between the sensor electrode(s) and the user's body. In this way, the improved capacitive EMG sensors provide enhanced robustness against variations in skin and/or environmental conditions. Such improved capacitive EMG sensors are particularly well-suited for use in wearable EMG devices that may be worn by a user for an extended period of time and/or under a variety of skin and/or environmental conditions. A wearable EMG device that provides a component of a human-electronics interface and incorporates such improved capacitive EMG sensors is described.

Abstract: Systems, articles, and methods for improved capacitive electromyography (“EMG”) sensors are described. The improved capacitive EMG sensors include one or more sensor electrode(s) that is/are coated with a protective barrier formed of a material that has a relative permittivity ?r of about 10 or more. The protective barrier shields the sensor electrode(s) from moisture, sweat, skin oils, etc. while advantageously contributing to a large capacitance between the sensor electrode(s) and the user's body. In this way, the improved capacitive EMG sensors provide enhanced robustness against variations in skin and/or environmental conditions. Such improved capacitive EMG sensors are particularly well-suited for use in wearable EMG devices that may be worn by a user for an extended period of time and/or under a variety of skin and/or environmental conditions. A wearable EMG device that provides a component of a human-electronics interface and incorporates such improved capacitive EMG sensors is described.

Abstract: Systems, articles, and methods for improved capacitive electromyography (“EMG”) sensors are described. The improved capacitive EMG sensors include one or more sensor electrode(s) that is/are coated with a protective barrier formed of a material that has a relative permittivity ?r of about 10 or more. The protective barrier shields the sensor electrode(s) from moisture, sweat, skin oils, etc. while advantageously contributing to a large capacitance between the sensor electrode(s) and the user's body. In this way, the improved capacitive EMG sensors provide enhanced robustness against variations in skin and/or environmental conditions. Such improved capacitive EMG sensors are particularly well-suited for use in wearable EMG devices that may be worn by a user for an extended period of time and/or under a variety of skin and/or environmental conditions. A wearable EMG device that provides a component of a human-electronics interface and incorporates such improved capacitive EMG sensors is described.

Abstract: A patient monitoring device, system and method, based on a neck mounted monitoring harness configured to be capable of operating in a stand-alone mode. The neck-mounted harness is a rigid or semi-rigid U-shaped device, with its own independent processor, power source, and ECG circuitry, configured to be worn around the patient's neck with ECG electrodes, mounted on opposite ends of the U, configured to straddle opposite sides of the patient's sternum near the patient's heart. The device is also configured to interface with other devices such as patient ear worn oximeters and oscillometric blood pressure monitors. The device processor has the capability of independently operating the sensors, analyzing sensor data, and reporting results. The device is also configured to interface with various types of external computerized devices. The device can be configured to help to prepare patients for cardiac CT scans or other imaging scans, and this application is described in detail.

Abstract: Systems, articles, and methods for surface electromyography (“EMG”) sensors that combine elements from traditional capacitive and resistive EMG sensors are described. For example, capacitive EMG sensors that are adapted to resistively couple to a user's skin are described. Resistive coupling between a sensor electrode and the user's skin is galvanically isolated from the sensor circuitry by a discrete component capacitor included downstream from the sensor electrode. The combination of a resistively coupled electrode and a discrete component capacitor provides the respective benefits of traditional resistive and capacitive (respectively) EMG sensor designs while mitigating respective drawbacks of each approach. A wearable EMG device that provides a component of a human-electronics interface and incorporates such capacitive EMG sensors is also described.

Abstract: Systems, articles, and methods for surface electromyography (“EMG”) sensors that combine elements from traditional capacitive and resistive EMG sensors are described. For example, capacitive EMG sensors that are adapted to resistively couple to a user's skin are described. Resistive coupling between a sensor electrode and the user's skin is galvanically isolated from the sensor circuitry by a discrete component capacitor included downstream from the sensor electrode. The combination of a resistively coupled electrode and a discrete component capacitor provides the respective benefits of traditional resistive and capacitive (respectively) EMG sensor designs while mitigating respective drawbacks of each approach. A wearable EMG device that provides a component of a human-electronics interface and incorporates such capacitive EMG sensors is also described.

Abstract: Systems, articles, and methods for improved capacitive electromyography (“EMG”) sensors are described. The improved capacitive EMG sensors include one or more sensor electrode(s) that is/are coated with a protective barrier formed of a material that has a relative permittivity ?r of about 10 or more. The protective barrier shields the sensor electrode(s) from moisture, sweat, skin oils, etc. while advantageously contributing to a large capacitance between the sensor electrode(s) and the user's body. In this way, the improved capacitive EMG sensors provide enhanced robustness against variations in skin and/or environmental conditions. Such improved capacitive EMG sensors are particularly well-suited for use in wearable EMG devices that may be worn by a user for an extended period of time and/or under a variety of skin and/or environmental conditions. A wearable EMG device that provides a component of a human-electronics interface and incorporates such improved capacitive EMG sensors is described.

Abstract: Systems, articles, and methods for improved capacitive electromyography (“EMG”) sensors are described. The improved capacitive EMG sensors include one or more sensor electrode(s) that is/are coated with a protective barrier formed of a material that has a relative permittivity ?r of about 10 or more. The protective barrier shields the sensor electrode(s) from moisture, sweat, skin oils, etc. while advantageously contributing to a large capacitance between the sensor electrode(s) and the user's body. In this way, the improved capacitive EMG sensors provide enhanced robustness against variations in skin and/or environmental conditions. Such improved capacitive EMG sensors are particularly well-suited for use in wearable EMG devices that may be worn by a user for an extended period of time and/or under a variety of skin and/or environmental conditions. A wearable EMG device that provides a component of a human-electronics interface and incorporates such improved capacitive EMG sensors is described.

Abstract: Systems, articles, and methods for surface electromyography (“EMG”) sensors that combine elements from traditional capacitive and resistive EMG sensors are described. For example, capacitive EMG sensors that are adapted to resistively couple to a user's skin are described. Resistive coupling between a sensor electrode and the user's skin is galvanically isolated from the sensor circuitry by a discrete component capacitor included downstream from the sensor electrode. The combination of a resistively coupled electrode and a discrete component capacitor provides the respective benefits of traditional resistive and capacitive (respectively) EMG sensor designs while mitigating respective drawbacks of each approach. A wearable EMG device that provides a component of a human-electronics interface and incorporates such capacitive EMG sensors is also described.

Abstract: Systems, articles, and methods for improved capacitive electromyography (“EMG”) sensors are described. The improved capacitive EMG sensors include one or more sensor electrode(s) that is/are coated with a protective barrier formed of a material that has a relative permittivity ?r of about 10 or more. The protective barrier shields the sensor electrode(s) from moisture, sweat, skin oils, etc. while advantageously contributing to a large capacitance between the sensor electrode(s) and the user's body. In this way, the improved capacitive EMG sensors provide enhanced robustness against variations in skin and/or environmental conditions. Such improved capacitive EMG sensors are particularly well-suited for use in wearable EMG devices that may be worn by a user for an extended period of time and/or under a variety of skin and/or environmental conditions. A wearable EMG device that provides a component of a human-electronics interface and incorporates such improved capacitive EMG sensors is described.

Abstract: Systems, articles, and methods for surface electromyography (“EMG”) sensors that combine elements from traditional capacitive and resistive EMG sensors are described. For example, capacitive EMG sensors that are adapted to resistively couple to a user's skin are described. Resistive coupling between a sensor electrode and the user's skin is galvanically isolated from the sensor circuitry by a discrete component capacitor included downstream from the sensor electrode. The combination of a resistively coupled electrode and a discrete component capacitor provides the respective benefits of traditional resistive and capacitive (respectively) EMG sensor designs while mitigating respective drawbacks of each approach. A wearable EMG device that provides a component of a human-electronics interface and incorporates such capacitive EMG sensors is also described.

Abstract: Systems, articles, and methods for surface electromyography (“EMG”) sensors that combine elements from traditional capacitive and resistive EMG sensors are described. For example, capacitive EMG sensors that are adapted to resistively couple to a user's skin are described. Resistive coupling between a sensor electrode and the user's skin is galvanically isolated from the sensor circuitry by a discrete component capacitor included downstream from the sensor electrode. The combination of a resistively coupled electrode and a discrete component capacitor provides the respective benefits of traditional resistive and capacitive (respectively) EMG sensor designs while mitigating respective drawbacks of each approach. A wearable EMG device that provides a component of a human-electronics interface and incorporates such capacitive EMG sensors is also described.