Abstract: A laryngeal nerve exciting system includes a collar holding a bridge, or a neckband, pressing soft tissue nerve exciters against a patient's neck providing a source of vibrations to stimulate the laryngeal nerve through the larynx. At least one exciter, and preferably two exciters, provide vibrations at preferably 70 Hz to 110 Hz and sufficiently strong to penetrate to the laryngeal nerve. The exciters may be held by the collar circling the neck, or by the neck band partially circling the neck. The therapy system includes a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and software which wirelessly connects, monitors, and triggers the device. The system may be used to treat dysphagia, chronic cough, and spasmodic dysphonia.

Abstract: A laryngeal nerve exciting system includes a collar holding a bridge, or a neckband, pressing soft tissue nerve exciters against a patient's neck providing a source of vibrations to stimulate the laryngeal nerve through the larynx. At least one exciter, and preferably two exciters, provide vibrations at preferably 70 Hz to 110 Hz and sufficiently strong to penetrate to the laryngeal nerve. The exciters may be held by the collar circling the neck, or by the neck band partially circling the neck. The therapy system includes a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and software which wirelessly connects, monitors, and triggers the device. The system may be used to treat dysphagia, chronic cough, and spasmodic dysphonia.

Abstract: A method for calibrating at least one solid-state sensor coupled to an elongate body comprising an expandable member is described herein. In some variations, the method may include advancing the expandable member to a target location in a blood vessel of a patient, injecting a calibration bolus into the expandable member, obtaining, using a controller, a first sensor data from an expandable member sensor, obtaining, using the controller, a second sensor data from the at least one solid-state sensor, and adjusting the second sensor data based on the first sensor data.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for minimization of backlash in a syringe pump are described herein. Syringe pumps may comprise a syringe including a cylindrical body and a plunger, and a controller. The plunger may comprise a linear gear that may operably couple with a circular gear in the controller. The controller may be configured to bias the circular gear in a biasing rotational direction, thereby positioning the plunger to move towards a biasing translational direction. The methods may comprise determining a backlash compensation amount, determining a fluid transfer movement amount, moving at least one component of the syringe pump the backlash compensation amount and the fluid transfer movement amount in a first direction, and moving the at least one component of the syringe pump a biasing movement amount in a second direction opposite the first direction to re-engage the first gear and the second gear to minimize backlash.

Abstract: Methods for performing endovascular procedures are described herein. The methods may comprise advancing an expandable member of a blood flow control device to a target location in a blood vessel of a patient, and rotating a circular gear positioned at least partially within a housing of a controller via the controller communicably coupled to the blood flow control device. Rotating the circular gear may translate a linear gear of a syringe pump fluidly coupled to the expandable member thereby adjusting a volume of the expandable member. Various blood flow control devices, control systems, and fluid delivery systems are also described herein. The fluid delivery systems may include a pump configured for manual or automated delivery of fluids, or configured to switch between automated and manual modes of delivery. The pump may be a syringe pump that utilizes a rack and pinion system, a motor, and a sensor to track the position and/or movement of a component of the syringe pump during fluid transfer.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a fetal-blood-oxygen-saturation estimation technique using a deep neural network without performing explicit fetal signal extraction from mixed maternal-fetal photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals. In one aspect, the disclosed fetal-blood-oxygen-saturation estimation technique receives multiple channels of PPG signals from two or more photodetectors detecting transabdominal diffused light from two or more light sources emitting two or more distinct wavelengths, wherein the photodetectors and light sources are positioned on a maternal abdomen. Note that each channel of the multiple channels of PPG signals includes mixed maternal-fetal PPG signals.

Abstract: The system determines a fetal blood oxygenation level by activating two or more light sources, having different wavelengths, which are positioned on the maternal abdomen of a pregnant mammal to direct light into a maternal abdomen toward a fetus. The system then receives a maternal signal from a first photodetector, which is positioned on the maternal abdomen to receive reflected light that traverses maternal tissue. The system also receives a mixed signal from a second photodetector, which is positioned on the maternal abdomen to receive reflected light that traverses both maternal and fetal tissue. The system performs a filtering operation that removes maternal signal components from the mixed signal to produce a fetal signal. The system determines the fetal blood oxygenation level by performing a pulse-oximetry computation on the fetal signal. The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters in the face of changing variables, such as fetus position and depth.

Abstract: The system determines a fetal blood oxygenation level by activating two or more light sources, having different wavelengths, which are positioned on the maternal abdomen of a pregnant mammal to direct light into a maternal abdomen toward a fetus. The system then receives a maternal signal from a first photodetector, which is positioned on the maternal abdomen to receive reflected light that traverses maternal tissue. The system also receives a mixed signal from a second photodetector, which is positioned on the maternal abdomen to receive reflected light that traverses both maternal and fetal tissue. The system performs a filtering operation that removes maternal signal components from the mixed signal to produce a fetal signal. The system determines the fetal blood oxygenation level by performing a pulse-oximetry computation on the fetal signal. The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters in the face of changing variables, such as fetus position and depth.

Abstract: The disclosed system determines a fetal blood oxygenation level. During operation, the system activates two or more light sources, having different wavelengths, which are positioned on the abdomen of a pregnant mammal to direct light into the maternal abdomen toward a fetus. Next, the system receives a set of mixed signals from a set of photodetectors, which are positioned at different locations on the maternal abdomen to receive reflected light that traverses both maternal and fetal tissue. The system then performs a filtering operation that removes signal components associated with a maternal heart rate and a maternal respiration rate from the set of mixed signals to produce a set of fetal signals. Next, the system combines the set of fetal signals to produce a composite fetal signal. Finally, the system determines the fetal blood oxygenation level by performing a pulse-oximetry computation based on the composite fetal signal.

Abstract: Devices and methods for preventing knee sprain injuries. To protect the knee joint from knee sprain injuries, the device comprises a sensing part configured to sense data associated with knee motion; an analyzing part configured to analyze the knee motion data to determine a knee articulation; and a stimulating part configured to stimulate one or more lower limb muscles to initiate an earlier muscle reaction than would naturally occur in response to the determined knee joint articulation. The determined knee joint articulation may include knee joint articulation or a particular type of articulation such as a knee sprain movement associated with knee sprain. The methods involve sensing data associated with knee joint motion, analyzing the data to determine a knee joint articulation; and stimulating one or more lower limb muscles to initiate an early muscle reaction within the determined knee joint articulation.

Abstract: A device and method for measuring joint rotation of an object, which provides an objective quantification of a laxity of the joint, especially in external and internal rotation. The device for measuring rotation of a first joint of an object comprises an orthosis for immobilizing a second joint of the object, the second joint being connected to the first joint by a bone of the object; a torque sensor fixed to the orthosis for monitoring a value of torque applied to the second joint, the applied torque being transferred to the first joint via the bone; and a motion sensor for tracking a rotational displacement of the bone occurring under the applied torque.

Abstract: A finger prosthesis comprising a tip for simulating different functions of a finger and a ring for attaching the prosthesis to a stump. The finger prosthesis further includes a joint coupled between the tip and the ring, wherein the joint includes an interlocking mechanism configured to allow the joint to rotate at lockable intervals so as to lock the tip into different positions during a flexion period of the finger prosthesis.

Abstract: Devices and methods for preventing ankle sprain injuries. To protect the ankle joint from acute ankle supination or inversion sprain injuries, the device comprises a sensing part configured to sense data of an ankle motion; an analyzing part configured to analyze the data to judge whether the motion is a sprain motion; and a stimulating part configured to stimulate one or more lower limb muscles against the motion in light of a result of the analyzing. The method also involves sensing data of an ankle motion; analyzing the data to judge whether the motion is a sprain motion; and stimulating one or more lower limb muscles against the motion if the motion is a sprain motion.

Abstract: Devices and methods for preventing ankle sprain injuries. To protect the ankle joint from acute ankle supination or inversion sprain injuries, the device comprises a sensing part configured to sense data of an ankle motion; an analyzing part configured to analyze the data to judge whether the motion is a sprain motion; and a stimulating part configured to stimulate one or more lower limb muscles against the motion in light of a result of the analyzing. The method also involves sensing data of an ankle motion; analyzing the data to judge whether the motion is a sprain motion; and stimulating one or more lower limb muscles against the motion if the motion is a sprain motion.