Abstract: Disclosed are nerve stimulation assemblies adapted to apply stimulation signals to a person's nervous system. The assemblies are adapted to apply such signals to nerves terminating on the outer ear of a person, for example, the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. The assemblies comprise an ear canal extension adapted to fit within an ear canal of the person, a housing connected with the extension, and an electrode arm connected with the housing by a connection member. The connection member is adapted to articulate the electrode arm to position the electrode arm relative to the outer ear. An electrode is connected with a distal end of the arm. When the arm is articulated to a selected orientation and the extension is fitted in the ear canal, the electrode is in electrical contact with a portion of the outer ear innervated by a selected peripheral nerve, such as the vagus nerve.

Abstract: Disclosed are nerve stimulation assemblies adapted to apply stimulation signals to a person's nervous system. The assemblies are adapted to apply such signals to nerves terminating on the outer ear of a person, for example, the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. The assemblies comprise an ear canal extension adapted to fit within an ear canal of the person, a housing connected with the extension, and an electrode arm connected with the housing by a connection member. The connection member is adapted to articulate the electrode arm to position the electrode arm relative to the outer ear. An electrode is connected with a distal end of the arm. When the arm is articulated to a selected orientation and the extension is fitted in the ear canal, the electrode is in electrical contact with a portion of the outer ear innervated by a selected peripheral nerve, such as the vagus nerve.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for restoring motion to a person's paralyzed body part, for example, the person's hand. The device senses movement of another part of the person's body not affected by the paralysis, for example, the person's arm or shoulder. Motion sensors generate motion signals as the person moves the non-paralyzed body part. A processor stores information associating a predefined trajectory with a particular action, for example, closing the hand to grasp an object. The processor monitors the motion signals and, when the motion corresponds with the predefined trajectory, the processor energizes muscle stimulators connected with muscles that control the paralyzed hand to perform the action, for example, to cause the hand to close around and grasp the object.

Abstract: A gamma ray detector includes a gamma ray detecting rod elongated along a longitudinal axis, wherein gamma ray detection is enhanced along the longitudinal axis, and a gamma ray shield encapsulating the rod, the shield having an aperture at an end of the detecting rod along the longitudinal axis to admit gamma rays substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated detecting rod, wherein gamma ray detection is enhanced along the longitudinal axis and aperture to substantially collimate the sensitivity of the gamma ray detector along the combined aperture and longitudinal axis of the detecting rod.

Abstract: Tissue sensors house one or more sensor elements. Each element has a housing mounted substrate and a superstrate with a planar antenna between. A transitional periphery (TP) of a superstrate outer surface interconnects a base to a plateau. At least some of the TP has a generally smooth transition. Plural elements are spaced by the housing. Alternately, the superstrate TP is flat, the housing extends to the outer superstrate surface and a shield surrounds the element. The housing is flush with or recessed below the superstrate and defines a TP between the housing and superstrate. A method converts a reference signal to complex form; plots it in a complex plane as a reference point (RP); converts a measurement signal to complex form; plots it in the complex plane as a measurement point (MP); determine a complex distance between the MP and the RP; and compares complex distance to a threshold.

Abstract: Tissue sensors house one or more sensor elements. Each element has a housing mounted substrate and a superstrate with a planar antenna between. A transitional periphery (TP) of a superstrate outer surface interconnects a base to a plateau. At least some of the TP has a generally smooth transition. Plural elements are spaced by the housing. Alternately, the superstrate TP is flat, the housing extends to the outer superstrate surface and a shield surrounds the element. The housing is flush with or recessed below the superstrate and defines a TP between the housing and superstrate. A method converts a reference signal to complex form; plots it in a complex plane as a reference point (RP); converts a measurement signal to complex form; plots it in the complex plane as a measurement point (MP); determine a complex distance between the MP and the RP; and compares complex distance to a threshold.