Abstract: An extended auricular electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring system, an auricular Speckle Contrast Optical Spectroscope (SCOS) unit and photoplethysmography (PPG) unit are integrated to detect and guide therapy of migraine, impending migraine, cluster headache and impending cluster headache. An automatic detection-therapy system includes the auricular EEG monitoring system, the SCOS unit-PPG unit and neuromodulation units. When presence of EEG signals and blood flow data suggestive of migraine or cluster headache is detected by the processing unit, the neuromodulation unit is configured to automatically start neuromodulating electric stimulation immediately to at least one of: auricular branch of vagus nerve, auriculotemporal nerve, supraorbital nerve, infraorbital nerve, occipital nerve and greater auricular nerve. A neurovascular monitoring system, comprising an auricular EEG, SCOS and PPG to monitor EEG and cerebral blood flow, can monitor stroke, brain injury and warn impending stroke.

Abstract: An extended auricular electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring system has a processing unit configured to analyze EEG data to detect neuropsychiatric disorders and impending neuropsychiatric disorders. An automatic detection-therapy system includes the auricular EEG monitoring system and one or more neuromodulation units. When presence of EEG signals suggestive of a neuropsychiatric disorder or an impending neuropsychiatric disorder is detected by the processing unit, the neuromodulation unit is configured to immediately start neuromodulating electric stimulation automatically to one or various combinations of the following: auricular branch of vagus nerve, supraorbital nerve, infraorbital nerve, auriculotemporal nerve, occipital nerve and greater auricular nerve to alleviate or abort the condition. A combined neuromodulation system having two or three neuromodulating components with synergistic effect is useful for health maintenance and prophylaxis of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Abstract: An auricular electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring system may include an EEG recording module having a plurality of EEG sensor electrodes, configured to be coupled to a wearer's ear, and a processing unit configured to analyze EEG data recorded by the EEG recording module to detect presence or cessation of neuropsychiatric disorders of the wearer. An automatic detection-remedy system may include an auricular electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring system and a transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) unit having a stimulating electrode in contact with vagus innervated auricular skin of the wearer's ear. When the presence of EEG signals suggestive of the neuropsychiatric disorder is detected by the processing unit, the processing unit is configured to immediately send signals to the taVNS unit to automatically start sending pre-determined electric stimuli to the vagus innervated auricular skin of the wearer's ear.

Abstract: Novel auricular sleep monitoring systems and ear-canal pulse oximeter may be configured to be coupled to a wearer's ear or peri-auricular area. The sleep monitoring systems may include one or more of an auricular electrooculogram (EOG) system; an auricular electroencephalogram (EEG) system; an auricular electrocardiogram (ECG) system; and an ancillary sleep surveillance system, comprising a conventional pulse oximeter or a novel ear-canal pulse oximeter and other sleep-relevant sensors. A processing unit may be configured to analyze data from EOG system, EEG system, ECG system, pulse oximeter and other sleep-relevant sensors to assess the wearer's sleep profile. When obstructive sleep apnea is detected, a notification may be automatically generated immediately to warn the wearer to take appropriate actions.

Abstract: Wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) systems configured to record ECG from ears (auricular ECG systems), fingers (ear-finger or finger-finger ECG systems) or toes, comprising a processing unit configured to analyze the ECG data to detect serious cardiac arrhythmias or impending serious cardiac arrhythmia. Automatic anti-arrhythmia systems comprise one of the ECG systems and a transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) unit. When serious cardiac arrythmias are detected, the anti-arrhythmia systems may automatically send pre-determined electric stimuli to a vagus nerve to alleviate or stop the cardiac arrhythmias. The ECG electrodes and the stimulating electrode of the taVNS unit are located on a surface of a housing structure made of flexible elastic and adaptable material such that these electrodes will be naturally and snugly contacting the wearer's skin. These wearable ECG and anti-arrhythmia systems are suitable for easy self-installation, self-removal and daily ambulatory use.

Abstract: An auricular electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring system may include an EEG recording module having a plurality of EEG sensor electrodes, configured to be coupled to a wearer's ear, and a processing unit configured to analyze EEG data recorded by the EEG recording module to detect presence or cessation of neuropsychiatric disorders of the wearer. An automatic detection-remedy system may include an auricular electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring system and a transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) unit having a stimulating electrode in contact with vagus innervated auricular skin of the wearer's ear. When the presence of EEG signals suggestive of the neuropsychiatric disorder is detected by the processing unit, the processing unit is configured to immediately send signals to the taVNS unit to automatically start sending pre-determined electric stimuli to the vagus innervated auricular skin of the wearer's ear.

Abstract: Novel auricular health monitoring systems, preferably including one or more of the following: auricular electroencephalogram (EEG), electrooculogram (EOG), electrocardiogram (ECG) and ear-canal pulse oximeter, which may be useful in health monitoring or in brain-computer interface. The EEG electrodes, EOG electrodes, ECG electrodes, light generator and light detecting sensor may be housed on a surface of an earbud-style structure or other in-ear structures made of flexible elastic and adaptable material such that these pre-mounted EEG electrodes, EOG electrodes, ECG electrodes and the pulse oximeter will be naturally and snugly contacting the skin of the wearer's external ear canal. A processing unit may be configured to analyze data from EEG system, EOG system, ECG system and ear-canal pulse oximeter to assess the wearer's health profile. These wearable monitoring systems are suitable for easy self-installation or self-removal and daily ambulatory use.

Abstract: A check valve assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a cup-shaped check valve housing having a cylindrical wall, an open end, and an upstream closed end, to define a chamber. An inlet passage extends through the closed end to introduce flow to the chamber. A filter assembly is received in the chamber, adjacent the upstream closed end of the check valve housing. A valve seat member is received in the chamber, downstream of the filter assembly, and has an annular ring slidingly received in the cylindrical wall and a valve seat extending radially inward from the annular ring with a central opening. A circular valve disk is oriented in the chamber, downstream of the valve seat member, and operates to close the central opening to prevent flow upstream through the check valve assembly and to flex allowing flow downstream through the central opening.

Abstract: An improved anti-coking air injection reaction system in which individual air passages in the engine cylinder head are provided with electrical resistance heating elements that are periodically activated to develop radiant energy that bums off coke deposits formed on the passage side-walls. The heating elements are conveniently implemented with conventional glow plugs. A controller monitors engine operating parameters to identify conditions likely to result in the formation of coke deposits, and schedules activation of the heating elements in relation to the frequency of the identified conditions or the cumulative time of engine operation. The heating elements may be activated sequentially or in banks to reduce electrical loading, and the activation is preferably scheduled during non-critical operating conditions defined by specified ranges of coolant temperature and engine speed and/or load.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system provides four distinct steering modes, including a first steering mode for steerage of front wheels with rear wheels neutral, a second steering mode for steerage of rear wheels with front wheels neutral, a third steering mode for coincidence-phase steerage of front wheels and rear wheels, and a fourth steering mode for reverse-phase steerage of front wheels and rear wheels. In the first embodiment, a specially elongated pinion shaft includes two groups of pinion gears. One of the first group pinion gears meshes with a gear on a steering rack for front wheels; and, simultaneously, one of the second group pinion gears meshes with a gear on a steering rack for the rear wheels. A vehicle user can shift the steering shaft to one of four operating positions, each operating position providing a distinct steering mode.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system for vehicles with steerable front wheels and steerable rear wheels. A specially elongated pinion steering shift includes two groups of pinion gears. One of the first group of pinion gears meshes with a gear on a steering rack for the front wheels; and, simultaneously, one of the second group of pinion gears meshes with a gear on a steering rack for the rear wheels. A vehicle user can selectively shift the steering shaft to four distinct operating positions. Each operating position provides a specific steering mode, including: a first steering mode for steerage of front wheels with rear wheels neutral, a second steering mode for steerage of rear wheels with front wheels neutral, a third steering mode for coincidence-phase steerage of front wheels and rear wheels, and a fourth steering mode for reverse-phase steerage of front wheels and rear wheels. This invention can be similarly applied to a steering system with worm shaft and ball nut, or other types of steering systems.