Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein for monitoring physiological data of subjects urinating or defecating into an excretion collection device, including systems, devices, and methods for monitoring temperature of objects (e.g., urine or feces) received through the opening of the excretion collection device. In some embodiments, systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein include a temperature sensor that can generate a temperature profile associated with a urination or defecation event, and determine a core body temperature of a subject based on the temperature profile.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein for monitoring physiological data of subjects seated on a toilet, including systems, devices, and methods for monitoring loads and forces on a scale device. In some embodiments, systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein include a set of sensors that can measure loads and forces present at a scale device receiving the feet of an individual seated in a toilet.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for determining physiological parameters of an individual including blood pressure, arterial compliance, flow velocity, and pressure wave velocity. A noninvasive method for determining the blood pressure of a patient is based on measurements of flow velocity, pulse wave velocity and arterial compliance. A noninvasive method for determining the arterial compliance of a patient is based on measurements of blood pressure, flow velocity, and pulse wave velocity.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide acoustic monitoring are disclosed, comprising receiving a first acoustic signal and providing a first analog signal output representative of the received first acoustic signal using a first sensor, determining at least one of a continuous noise level of the first analog signal output of the first sensor or a peak level of impulse noise of the first analog signal output of the first sensor using analog signal processing circuitry, and sampling, using digital signal processing circuitry, at least one of the determined continuous noise level of the first analog signal output or the peak level of impulse noise of the first analog signal output from the analog signal processing circuitry to provide data privacy of the first analog signal output.

Abstract: Material properties are manipulated using rapid pulse application of energy in combination with applied electric or magnetic fields. When sintering, annealing or crystallizing a target film, the pulse repetition cycle can be constrained to ensure material temperature rises above and falls below the Curie temperature before the next energy pulse. This process results in enhanced material properties as compared to traditional techniques having a single, slow temperature excursion and subsequent application of the applied external field.

Abstract: A miniature pump including a first chamber, a second chamber, a deformable membrane provided within the second chamber that divides the second chamber into first and second sub-chambers, the second sub-chamber defining a reservoir configured to contain liquid to be dispensed, a passage that connects the first chamber to the first sub-chamber, and an outlet in fluid communication with the reservoir, wherein pressurized fluid within the first internal chamber flows through the passage and into the first sub-chamber to compress the deformable membrane and cause liquid contained within the reservoir to flow out from the reservoir through the outlet and wherein the deformable membrane does not generate significant restoring forces when it is deformed and, therefore, will not return to its initial undeformed shape unless the reservoir is refilled.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a fluid storage device includes a rigid outer housing that defines a septum cavity, a reservoir cavity, and a channel that extends between the two cavities, the outer housing further defining an outlet in fluid communication with the reservoir cavity, a septum provided within the septum cavity, the septum being made of an elastic polymer and facilitating refilling of the fluid storage device, and a thin, collapsible membrane that does not generate significant restoring forces when it is deformed as fluid is drawn from the reservoir cavity and, therefore, does not completely or partially return to its initial non-deformed shape even if the outlet of the device remains open after doses are administered.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein for monitoring physiological data of subjects seated on a toilet, including systems, devices, and methods for monitoring loads and forces on a scale device. In some embodiments, systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein include a set of sensors that can measure loads and forces present at a scale device receiving the feet of an individual seated in a toilet.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for determining physiological parameters of an individual including blood pressure, arterial compliance, flow velocity, and pressure wave velocity. A noninvasive method for determining the blood pressure of a patient is based on measurements of flow velocity, pulse wave velocity and arterial compliance. A noninvasive method for determining the arterial compliance of a patient is based on measurements of blood pressure, flow velocity, and pulse wave velocity.

Abstract: A miniature pump including a first chamber, a second chamber, a deformable membrane provided within the second chamber that divides the second chamber into first and second sub-chambers, the second sub-chamber defining a reservoir configured to contain liquid to be dispensed, a passage that connects the first chamber to the first sub-chamber, and an outlet in fluid communication with the reservoir, wherein pressurized fluid within the first internal chamber flows through the passage and into the first sub-chamber to compress the deformable membrane and cause liquid contained within the reservoir to flow out from the reservoir through the outlet and wherein the deformable membrane does not generate significant restoring forces when it is deformed and, therefore, will not return to its initial undeformed shape unless the reservoir is refilled.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide vocal acoustic attenuation for an acoustic sensor are disclosed, comprising attenuating an acoustic signal using an attenuation material covering at least a portion of a first surface of the acoustic sensor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a fluid storage device includes a rigid outer housing that defines a septum cavity, a reservoir cavity, and a channel that extends between the two cavities, the outer housing further defining an outlet in fluid communication with the reservoir cavity, a septum provided within the septum cavity, the septum being made of an elastic polymer and facilitating refilling of the fluid storage device, and a thin, collapsible membrane that does not generate significant restoring forces when it is deformed as fluid is drawn from the reservoir cavity and, therefore, does not completely or partially return to its initial non-deformed shape even if the outlet of the device remains open after doses are administered.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein for monitoring physiological data of subjects urinating or defecating into an excretion collection device, including systems, devices, and methods for monitoring temperature of objects (e.g., urine or feces) received through the opening of the excretion collection device. In some embodiments, systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein include a temperature sensor that can generate a temperature profile associated with a urination or defecation event, and determine a core body temperature of a subject based on the temperature profile.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein for monitoring physiological data of subjects seated on a toilet, including systems, devices, and methods for monitoring loads and forces on a scale device. In some embodiments, systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein include a set of sensors that can measure loads and forces present at a scale device receiving the feet of an individual seated in a toilet.

Abstract: Apparatus, system and method for medical analysis of a seated individual, includes determining the aortic valve opening; the PTT; and calculating the PWV. Determining the aortic valve opening includes collecting BCG data while sitting on a seat and determining the timing of the aortic valve opening, taking into account posture. Measuring the aortic pulse wave transit time includes collecting BCG data while sitting on a seat capable of measuring changes in apparent weight; determining the timing of the aortic valve opening; detecting the arrival of the pulse wave at the end point; and measuring the relative timings of the two events. Calculating the PWV includes determining a length of the arterial segment through which a pulse wave is to be measured between a start point and an end point; and dividing the determined length of the arterial segment by the PTT.

Abstract: An approach to printing a nickel precursor ink on a wide range of substrates for electronics and magnetic applications is disclosed. The nickel ink reduces to elemental nickel following heating. The ink was printed using an ultrasonic aerosol printing technique. By sintering the nickel precursor ink in the presence of a homogeneous magnetic field, the reduced nickel complex formed continuously aligned nickel nanofibers axially aligned with the direction of the magnetic field. The fabrication of aligned interlayered nanofiber films provides opportunities to produce structures with enhanced isotropic electrical and magnetic properties. The resistivity of the film was found to be as low as 0.56 m?·cm, and the saturation magnetization was measured to be 30 emu/g, which is comparable to bulk Ni. Magnetic anisotropy was induced with an easy axis along the direction of the applied magnetic field with soft magnetic properties.

Abstract: Apparatus, system and method for medical analysis of a seated individual, includes determining the aortic valve opening; the PTT; and calculating the PWV. Determining the aortic valve opening includes collecting BCG data while sitting on a seat and determining the timing of the aortic valve opening, taking into account posture. Measuring the aortic pulse wave transit time includes collecting BCG data while sitting on a seat capable of measuring changes in apparent weight; determining the timing of the aortic valve opening; detecting the arrival of the pulse wave at the end point; and measuring the relative timings of the two events. Calculating the PWV includes determining a length of the arterial segment through which a pulse wave is to be measured between a start point and an end point; and dividing the determined length of the arterial segment by the PTT.

Abstract: An integrated bioinstrumentation system, combining an accurate and robust quasi 1D computational model with experimental peripheral measurements, is designed to extract information on other quantities of interest, for which the direct measurements are not feasible. The system is able to quantify and visualize the distributions of a cardiac output (CO), aortic blood pressure (BP), flow, velocity, and aortic arterial compliance, based on a peripheral analysis of a pulse transit time (PTT) measured at the available peripheral sites. A preliminary calibration stage extracts the arterial properties from simultaneous measurements of a pulse transit time, and an upper arm blood pressure. Obtained transfer functions, linking noninvasive peripheral measurements to the aortic pressure, cardiac output, aortic compliance and others serve to quantify the indicators of cardiac morbidity and mortality.

Abstract: A capsule is disclosed which includes a flexible outer shell capable of transforming into an asymmetric shape; an internal medium encapsulated by the outer shell, the medium including a plurality of magnetic particles, wherein the magnetic particles can move in response to an applied magnetic field. A valve system includes an in-line valve sized to fit within a flow channel including a capsule having a flexible outer shell containing an internal medium encapsulated by the outer shell, the medium including a plurality of magnetic particles; and a magnetic field source disposed about the exterior wall of the channel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a peristaltic micropump comprising a substrate having a first side and a second side, a microtube that extends across the first side of the substrate, and multiple pump actuators formed on the first side of the substrate and positioned adjacent to the microtube at discrete, spaced positions along the length of the microtube, wherein the micropump is configured to sequentially actuate the pump actuators so as to create peristaltic action that drives fluid contained in the microtube along the length of the tube.