Abstract: A conception aid for assisting in natural conception may include a platform configured for placement in a vaginal canal, wherein the platform comprises one or more capturing elements configured to collect semen. A method of aiding conception may include providing a conception aid device including one or more capturing elements, collecting semen with the one or more capturing elements wherein the one or more capturing elements is configured to contain the collected semen on the device, and positioning the device in a vaginal canal.

Abstract: A classifying sensing system, a classifying method performed using a sensing system, a tactile sensor, and a method of fabricating a tactile sensor. The classifying sensing system comprises a first spiking neural network, SNN, encoder configured for encoding an event-based output of a vision sensor into individual vision modality spiking representations with a first output size; a second SNN encoder configured for encoding an event-based output of a tactile sensor into individual tactile modality spiking representations with a second output size; a combination layer configured for merging the vision modality spiking representations and the tactile modality spiking representations; and a task SNN configured to receive the merged vision modality spiking representations and tactile modality spiking representations and output vision-tactile modality spiking representations with a third output size for classification.

Abstract: Disclosed are fluid controllers configured for removable attachment to a fluid introduction device, wherein the fluid controller comprises a body configured to extend at least partially over the fluid introduction device; an orifice arranged relative to the body to facilitate transfer of a fluid from the fluid introduction device through the fluid controller; a fluid retention structure extending outwardly from at least a portion of the body, wherein the fluid retention structure is configured to engage with a wall of a vaginal canal and inhibit a flow of the fluid from the vaginal canal; and at least one connector configured to releasably attach the fluid controller to the fluid introduction device.

Abstract: Disclosed are fluid controllers configured for removable attachment to a fluid introduction device, wherein the fluid controller comprises a body configured to extend at least partially over the fluid introduction device; an orifice arranged relative to the body to facilitate transfer of a fluid from the fluid introduction device through the fluid controller; a fluid retention structure extending outwardly from at least a portion of the body, wherein the fluid retention structure is configured to engage with a wall of a vaginal canal and inhibit a flow of the fluid from the vaginal canal; and at least one connector configured to releasably attach the fluid controller to the fluid introduction device.

Abstract: A conception aid for assisting in natural conception may include a platform configured for placement in a vaginal canal, wherein the platform comprises one or more capturing elements configured to collect semen. A method of aiding conception may include providing a conception aid device including one or more capturing elements, collecting semen with the one or more capturing elements wherein the one or more capturing elements is configured to contain the collected semen on the device, and positioning the device in a vaginal canal.

Abstract: In a described embodiment, a sensor-based communication apparatus (100) is disclosed. The communication apparatus (100) comprises a plurality of sensor nodes (112) associated with respective unique pulse signatures (200) and adapted to communicate with respective sensors (113) with each sensor (113) configured to generate a sensory signal (113a) in response to a respective stimulus (113b). Each sensor node (112) is triggered, upon receipt of the corresponding sensory signal (113a), to transmit the associated unique pulse signature (200) independently and asynchronously through a transmission medium (110) shared by the sensor nodes (112), and the unique pulse signatures (200) transmitted by the sensor nodes (112) being a representation (300) of a stimulus event associated with the stimuli detected by the corresponding sensors (113). A method and a communication medium are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dielectric material, to a device comprising the dielectric material and to use of the dielectric material in the fabrication of a device. One dielectric material may comprise a halogen-based elastomer mixed with a halogen based surfactant and exhibiting electro-mechanical self-healing properties and/or an increased dielectric constant compared to the halogen-based elastomer. Another dielectric material may comprise a halogen-based polymer mixed with a halogen based surfactant and exhibiting an increased dielectric constant compared to the halogen-based polymer.

Abstract: A composite structure for a pressure sensor, a pressure sensor, a method of pressure sensing using the pressure sensor, and a method of fabricating a composite structure for a pressure sensor. The method of fabricating a composite structure for a pressure sensor comprises the steps of forming an array of microstructures made from an elastomeric material; and forming a flexible conductive coating on the array of microstructures such that a surface morphology of microstructures is substantially maintained for the coated array of the microstructures; wherein the conductive coating exhibits a Young's modulus that is higher than that of the elastomeric material.

Abstract: A conception aid for assisting in natural conception may include a platform configured for placement in a vaginal canal, wherein the platform comprises one or more capturing elements configured to collect semen. A method of aiding conception may include providing a conception aid device including one or more capturing elements, collecting semen with the one or more capturing elements wherein the one or more capturing elements is configured to contain the collected semen on the device, and positioning the device in a vaginal canal.

Abstract: A sensing structure and a method of fabricating a sensing structure for a compressive-type pressure sensor. The method comprises the steps of providing an elastic micropatterned substrate defining a plurality of 3-dimensional microstructures, each microstructure comprising a tip portion pointing away from the substrate in a first direction; forming a conductive film on the elastic micropatterned substrate such that the 3-dimensional microstructures are substantially covered by the conductive film; and forming cracks in the conductive film in areas on 3-dimensional microstructures.

Abstract: A stretchable interconnect structure for electrically connecting electronic devices and a method of fabricating a stretchable interconnect structure for electrically connecting electronic devices. The method comprises the steps of providing an electrically conductive wire having a 3-dimensional helical form; and embedding the electrically conductive wire in a substrate made from an elastic material.

Abstract: There is provided a metamaterial textile for providing wireless sensor network and method of designing such. The metamaterial textile comprising a sheet of metamaterial textile cut into a comb shape comprising long base with a plurality of metamaterial textile teeth extending along and from the base, wherein a gap is present between every two adjacent teeth, whereby, the metamaterial textile is configured to enable propagation of radio-surface plasmons wave along the metamaterial textile for providing wireless sensor network. The metamaterial textile is configured to control the height of the radio-surface plasmons wave by changing number of the metamaterial textile teeth, and changing dimensions of the metamaterial textile teeth and changing dimensions of the gaps.

Abstract: A conception aid for assisting in natural conception may include a platform configured for placement in a vaginal canal, wherein the platform comprises one or more capturing elements configured to collect semen. A method of aiding conception may include providing a conception aid device including one or more capturing elements, collecting semen with the one or more capturing elements wherein the one or more capturing elements is configured to contain the collected semen on the device, and positioning the device in a vaginal canal.

Abstract: There is provided a device for insertion into a body cavity, the device includes an insertion member configured to be inserted into the body cavity, an expandable member coupled to the insertion member, the expandable member capable of being expanded to apply pressure onto tissue within the body cavity, a first member configured for storing a first endothermic reactant therein, and a second member configured for storing a second endothermic reactant therein. In particular, the first and second members are configured to, in a state of the device (e.g., compressed state), allow the first and second endothermic reactants to cooperate to effect an endothermic reaction to generate an endothermic product. Furthermore, the expandable member is configured to receive at least one of the first or second endothermic reactant and the endothermic product through a channel within the insertion member. There is also provided a method of fabricating a device for inserting into a body cavity.

Abstract: In a described embodiment, a sensor-based communication apparatus (100) is disclosed. The communication apparatus (100) comprises a plurality of sensor nodes (112) associated with respective unique pulse signatures (200) and adapted to communicate with respective sensors (113) with each sensor (113) configured to generate a sensory signal (113a) in response to a respective stimulus (113b). Each sensor node (112) is triggered, upon receipt of the corresponding sensory signal (113a), to transmit the associated unique pulse signature (200) independently and asynchronously through a transmission medium (110) shared by the sensor nodes (112), and the unique pulse signatures (200) transmitted by the sensor nodes (112) being a representation (300) of a stimulus event associated with the stimuli detected by the corresponding sensors (113). A method and a communication medium are also disclosed.

Abstract: Sensors, sensing arrangements and devices, and related methods are provided. In accordance with an example embodiment, an impedance-based sensor includes a flexible dielectric material and generates an output based on pressure applied to the dielectric material and a resulting compression thereof. In certain embodiments, the dielectric material includes a plurality of regions separated by gaps and configured to elastically deform and recover in response to applied pressure.

Abstract: There is provided a device for insertion into a body cavity, the device includes an insertion member configured to be inserted into the body cavity, an expandable member coupled to the insertion member, the expandable member capable of being expanded to apply pressure onto tissue within the body cavity, a first member configured for storing a first endothermic reactant therein, and a second member configured for storing a second endothermic reactant therein. In particular, the first and second members are configured to, in a state of the device (e.g., compressed state), allow the first and second endothermic reactants to cooperate to effect an endothermic reaction to generate an endothermic product. Furthermore, the expandable member is configured to receive at least one of the first or second endothermic reactant and the endothermic product through a channel within the insertion member. There is also provided a method of fabricating a device for inserting into a body cavity.

Abstract: A coated substrate is formed with aligned objects such as small molecules, macromolecules and nanoscale particulates, such as inorganic, organic or inorganic/organic hybrid materials. In accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus or method involves an applicator having at least one surface patterned with protruded or indented features, and a coated substrate including a solution-based layer of objects having features and morphology attributes arranged as a function of the protruded or indented features.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to pressure sensing. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, an external energy field is applied to a resonant circuit having inductive conductors separated by a compressible dielectric, for wirelessly detecting pressure. Specifically, the resonant circuit is responsive to the energy field and applied pressures by operating in respective states exhibiting different resonant frequencies that are based upon pressure-related compression of the compressible dielectric. These resonant frequencies, or a change in the resonant frequencies, can be used as an indication of the pressure.

Abstract: Input devices are provided. In accordance with an example embodiment, an input device includes an interface layer that flexes in response to pressure, a plurality of sense electrodes, a dielectric between the sense electrodes and the interface layer, and interconnecting circuitry. The dielectric compresses or expands in response to movement of the interface layer, and exhibits dielectric characteristics that vary based upon a state of compression of the dielectric. The interconnecting circuitry is to the sense electrodes and provides an output indicative of both the position of each sense electrode and an electric characteristic at each sense electrode that provides an indication of pressure applied to the dielectric adjacent the respective sense electrodes.