Abstract: A triboelectric energy generator (1) comprises a first generating element (8) and a second generating element (10). The first generating element comprises a first triboelectric material (9) and the second generating element comprises a second triboelectric material (13). Movement of the second generation element relative to the first generation element results in an output voltage, as a consequence of the triboelectric effect. A stopper (7) is configured to restrict rotation of the second generating element, so that the second generating element may only rotate through a desired angle.

Abstract: An energy conversion system comprises a generator which generates electrical power in response to movement, wherein the generator comprises first and second elements which generate energy in an energy generation mode. In some examples, these can be brought into and out of contact with each other by a drive mechanism so that the energy conversion system has an (e.g.) intermittent charging mode in which the first and second 5 elements are brought into contact by the drive mechanism and an energy generation mode in which the first and second elements are out of contact. The relative speed, the spacing between, or the relative orientations or positions of the first and second elements are controlled during the energy generation mode to decrease the variation in output power or voltage of the generator. This system controls the physical positions or the motion of the 10 elements of the generator during the energy generation mode in order to implement a more constant power or voltage generation.

Abstract: A device for treating skin includes a skin treatment member, a skin contacting surface, a mounting member for mounting the skin treatment member and the skin contacting surface, and a friction controlling device to control friction between the skin contacting surface and skin to be treated, in at least one controlled friction area of the skin contacting surface when the skin contacting surface is moved over the skin. The friction controlling device introduces a slip motion of the controlled friction area relative to the mounting member in a direction corresponding to a local direction of extension of the skin contacting surface. The device also includes a sensor for detecting a first parameter related to an amount of friction between the skin contacting surface and the skin during use, and the friction controlling device controls a second parameter of the slip motion in dependence on a value of the first parameter.

Abstract: The invention provides a power generation device comprising at least two generating arrangements, each adapted to generate a voltage output through the relative motion of two differently charged generating elements, the generating elements having some separation distance (which may be zero or non-zero). The arrangements are co-operatively configured in such a way that the separation distances between their respective elements are reciprocally related: an increase in one leads to a related decrease in the other. By combining these two signal outputs, a single voltage, current or power output may be provided in a self-regulating manner by the device whose amplitude is substantially independent of any changes or variations in the separation distance between elements of either of the two arrangements.

Abstract: A sensor is provided for sensing layer removal from a surface. A head has an abrasive portion for contacting the surface and a conducting portion inside the head. This device has a sensor design which provides self-generation of a sensor signal with no power supply to the device head. This simplifies the design of the sensor head, and means it can have a design which is easy to clean with no parts which are easily damaged. In one set of examples, the device is a skin treatment device.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy generation system comprising a generator having charged mutually rotating plate elements, and comprising an integrated drive mechanism for precisely controlling a separation distance between the plates. The drive mechanism provides a separation which varies as a function of the speed of rotation, hence assimilating separation control within the natural operation of the device. Embodiments provide plates comprising self-generating bearings, both hydrodynamic gas and fluid bearings and centrifugal regulator solid bearings, the bearings providing a supporting force between the plates of a magnitude which increases as the rotational speed of the plates increases. Methods of energy generation are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy generation and/or conversion system and method wherein an electrical power generator is controlled to periodically alternate between a contact-mode, during which elements of the generator are brought into contact to induce a state of charging, and a non-contact mode, during which plates of the generator are separated from one another and electrical energy is generated through electrostatic induction. Timing and duration of contact and non-contact modes are controlled by a controller, or by user commands, in dependence on a charge state of the elements of the generator: In this way elements are controlled to come into contact only when surface charge has fallen below a certain level, and re-charging is necessary; contact time between the elements may hence be minimised—thereby minimising incurred noise and surface wear—whilst still maintaining a given desired threshold power output.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy generation system comprising a generator having charged mutually rotating plate elements, and comprising an integrated drive mechanism for precisely controlling a separation distance between the plates. The drive mechanism provides a separation which varies as a function of the speed of rotation, hence assimilating separation control within the natural operation of the device. Embodiments provide plates comprising self-generating bearings, both hydrodynamic gas and fluid bearings and centrifugal regulator solid bearings, the bearings providing a supporting force between the plates of a magnitude which increases as the rotational speed of the plates increases. Methods of energy generation are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vital sign monitoring system. The system comprises a segmented electrode forming an in-plane electrode array, wherein the electrode comprise a skin contacting skin adhering contact layer mounted on an electrode backing material, a deformation sensor arranged for identifying deformation information of the electrode, a signal processor arranged to receive a vital sign signal from the electrode and process the deformation information to remove artefacts from the vital sign signal, wherein the electrode comprises multiple electrode segments and wherein the signal processor is arranged to select that electrode segment that has a lowest deformation of all electrode segments of the electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to wearable or insertable devices that allow for ongoing sampling and analysis of biomarkers and self-cleaning. In various embodiments, an apparatus may include a base (102) defining at least one reservoir (104), and at least one microneedle (106, 306, 406, 506, 606, 706, 806, 906) extending from the base. The at least one microneedle may define an inner lumen (409, 509, 609, 709, 809, 909) that fluidly couples the at least one reservoir with tissue of the patient. A mechanically responsive material (670, 770, 870) on an inner surface of the at least one microneedle defining the inner lumen may be reactive to various stimuli to undergo various mechanical responses, such as one mechanical response that purges fluid from the inner lumen of the at least one microneedle and another mechanical response that draws fluid into the inner lumen of the at least one microneedle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to patient interfaces optically indicating a user that a member of the patient interface needs to be replaced due to wear. In particular, the present invention relates to a member for patient interface which includes at least one functional material having a predefined functionality and at least one indicator wherein the concentration of the at least one indicator in the member correlates with the predefined functionality of the at least one functional material.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for generating electrical currents of a particular desired waveform through the combining of a plurality of different frequency output currents generated by plurality of power generating arrangements. The power generating arrangements each comprise at least first and second sets of generating elements, configured to hold a relative charge and to be moveable with respect to one another in order to generate an electrical output current of a particular frequency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a member (14, 24, 26) of a patient interface (10) for providing a flow of breath-able gas to a self-ventilating patient (12). The member (14, 24, 26) includes a wear-out indicator (32) for indicating a wear-out of the member (14, 24, 26) to the patient (12). The wear-out indicator (32) includes an elastic structure (34) that appears in a first colour in an unstressed condition and is configured to re-versibly change its apparent colour when being stretched and re-turned to its unstressed condition again. The elastic structure (34) is configured to indicate a wear-out of the member (14, 24, 26) by appearing in a second colour in its unstressed condition when the structure (34) has lost at least a part of its elasticity, wherein the second colour is different from the first colour.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to enhanced sampling of bioanalytes from bodily fluids using wearable and/or insertable devices. In some embodiments, an apparatus (100, 500, 600) for sampling bioanalyte(s) in tissue (107, 507, 607) may include: a base (102, 502, 602) having conduit(s) adapted to receive fluid extracted from the tissue; microneedles (106, 306, 506, 606) fluidly coupled with the conduit(s) and adapted to be pierced into the tissue; a plurality of individually-controllable energy emitters (112, 114, 350, 612, 614); and logic (90) operably coupled with the plurality of individually-controllable energy-emitters. The logic may be adapted to operate a subset of the plurality of individually-controllable energy emitters to apply energy at a first subset of the microneedles to induce bioanalyte flow through tissue towards the first subset or a second subset of the microneedles, or through the first subset or a second subset of the microneedles.

Abstract: Patient interface devices (8) structured to deliver a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient include a member (16) structured to contact and adhere to a face of the patient responsive to the patient interface being donned by the patient, the member having a contact surface and an adhesive layer (34) provided on the contact surface.

Abstract: A fiber quality sensor (S) comprises a first pair of mutually adjacent electrodes arranged for contacting the fiber to generate a first voltage over the electrodes, the first voltage being indicative of the quality of the fiber, the first pair of electrodes including a first conductive electrode (1), and a first dielectric electrode (D, 2) having a first dielectric material (D) with a conductive backing (2). The fiber quality sensor (S) may further comprise a second pair of electrodes arranged for contacting the fiber to generate a second voltage over the electrodes, the second voltage being indicative of the quality of the fiber, the second pair of mutually adjacent electrodes including a second conductive electrode (1), and a second dielectric electrode (D, 2) having a second dielectric material with a conductive backing, wherein in a tribo-electric series of materials, the material of the conductive electrode is arranged between the first and second dielectric materials.

Abstract: The invention provides a power generation device comprising at least two generating arrangements, each adapted to generate a voltage output through the relative motion of two differently charged generating elements, the generating elements having some separation distance (which may be zero or non-zero). The arrangements are co-operatively configured in such a way that the separation distances between their respective elements are reciprocally related: an increase in one leads to a related decrease in the other. By combining these two signal outputs, a single voltage, current or power output may be provided in a self-regulating manner by the device whose amplitude is substantially independent of any changes or variations in the separation distance between elements of either of the two arrangements.

Abstract: A sensor is provided for sensing layer removal from a surface. A head has an abrasive portion for contacting the surface and a conducting portion inside the head. This device has a sensor design which provides self-generation of a sensor signal with no power supply to the device head. This simplifies the design of the sensor head, and means it can have a design which is easy to clean with no parts which are easily damaged. In one set of examples, the device is a skin treatment device.

Abstract: The invention provides a device (and method) for generating electrical power, comprising an electrical power generator configured to generate an electrical output current using charge induction. A load capacitor is used for storing charge in response to the rectified electrical output current, wherein the load capacitor has a capacitance which increases with voltage. This means the voltage stored on the load capacitor becomes flatter as it is charged and discharged; in a relatively discharged state, the capacitance is reduced giving a relatively larger voltage based on the stored charge, and in a relatively charged state, the capacitance is increased giving a relatively smaller voltage based on the stored charge. This improves initial energy transfer from the generator towards the storage element (non-linear capacitor) and makes the output voltage more flat and easier for practical use.

Abstract: An energy conversion system comprises a generator which generates electrical power in response to movement, wherein the generator comprises first and second elements which generate energy in an energy generation mode. In some examples, these can be brought into and out of contact with each other by a drive mechanism so that the energy conversion system has an (e.g.) intermittent charging mode in which the first and second 5 elements are brought into contact by the drive mechanism and an energy generation mode in which the first and second elements are out of contact. The relative speed, the spacing between, or the relative orientations or positions of the first and second elements are controlled during the energy generation mode to decrease the variation in output power or voltage of the generator. This system controls the physical positions or the motion of the 10 elements of the generator during the energy generation mode in order to implement a more constant power or voltage generation.