Abstract: Disclosed is a patient monitor control unit (10) comprising a processor arrangement (11, 13) adapted to receive a series of ultrasound measurements received from a sensor (30) comprising at least one configurable ultrasound transducer; process said series of ultrasound measurements to obtain haemodynamic data of a patient coupled to the sensor; control a patient monitor (20) to display the obtained haemodynamic data; evaluate the obtained haemodynamic data to detect a variance in said data; and generate a reconfiguration signal for the at least one configurable ultrasound transducer, wherein the timing of said generation is a function of said evaluation. Also disclosed are a patient monitoring system, a method of operating a patient monitor control unit and a computer program product for implementing such a method.

Abstract: Various improvements are provided to breathing training, monitoring and/or assistance devices. A portable device is provided which optionally includes a gas canister, a feedback system for implementing pressure control, and a visual output for indicating adherence to a breathing exercise to the user. The pressure control may provide regulation of different pressures for inhalation and exhalation.

Abstract: There is provided a hydration state indicator. The hydration state indicator comprises a watertight shell; a semi-permeable membrane configured to permit the passage of water molecules and to block the passage of molecules of at least one solute; a water-absorbent indicator layer enclosed by the shell and the membrane; and output means configured to provide an output. The water-absorbent indicator layer has a predetermined osmotic strength. The volume of at least one part of the indicator layer is variable in dependence on the water content of the indicator layer. The output is variable in dependence on the volume of the at least one part of the indicator layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for obtaining a parameter relating to flow from a vessel. The method begins by obtaining ultrasound data, which includes Doppler ultrasound data, from an imaging plane and identifying a vessel cross section within the imaging plane based on the ultrasound data. A shape of the identified vessel cross section is then determined and a vessel axis extending along the length of the vessel is determined based on the shape of the identified vessel cross section, with the assumption of a circular cross section on a plane perpendicular to the vessel axis. A Doppler angle is determined between the vessel axis and the imaging plane and the parameter relating to flow derived based on the Doppler angle, the vessel axis and the Doppler ultrasound data.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for guiding the acquisition of ultrasound data. The method begins by obtaining ultrasound data from a plurality of data acquisition planes and performing spatial registration of the data acquisition planes. A number of vessels are then identified in each data acquisition plane. A location of a vessel bifurcation is then identified based on the spatial registration of the data acquisition planes and the number of vessels in each data acquisition plane. A guidance instruction is generated based on the location of the vessel bifurcation, wherein the guidance instruction is adapted to indicate a location to obtain further ultrasound data.

Abstract: There is provided a method of improving a measurement of the flow velocity of blood in a blood vessel of a subject, the method comprising using an ultrasound transducer to emit an ultrasound beam to measure flow velocity in a part of a body of a subject; forming a spatial time velocity profile for the part of the body from the measured flow velocity; and analyzing the spatial time velocity profile to determine a correction to the angle of the ultrasound beam with respect to the subject, the correction being based on a difference between the position of a peak in the spatial time velocity profile and the center of the spatial time velocity profile.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for monitoring a blood pressure information of a subject is disclosed. The monitoring apparatus comprises an ultrasound transducer for emitting ultrasound waves to a volume of the subject that includes a blood vessel and for receiving ultrasound waves from said volume of the subject, and for providing a first signal on the basis of ultrasound waves received from the volume of the subject. A light source is included for emitting light to the subject and a light sensor is included for detecting light received from the subject and for providing a second signal on the basis of the light received from a skin of the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed is a patient monitor control unit (10) comprising a processor arrangement (11, 13) adapted to receive a series of ultrasound measurements received from a sensor (30) comprising at least one configurable ultrasound transducer; process said series of ultrasound measurements to obtain haemodynamic data of a patient coupled to the sensor; control a patient monitor (20) to display the obtained haemodynamic data; evaluate the obtained haemodynamic data to detect a variance in said data; and generate a reconfiguration signal for the at least one configurable ultrasound transducer, wherein the timing of said generation is a function of said evaluation. Also disclosed are a patient monitoring system, a method of operating a patient monitor control unit and a computer program product for implementing such a method.

Abstract: Apparatus and method comprising an ultrasound transmitter, for placement at a first location on the body of a subject, to emit an ultrasound pulse; an ultrasound receiver, for placement at a second location on the body, to detect an emitted ultrasound pulse; and a controller in communication with the transmitter and receiver. The controller causes an ultrasound pulse to be emitted by the transmitter; receives a measurement signal from the receiver; determines, based on the received measurement signal, a time of arrival at the receiver, T1 s of a first part of the emitted ultrasound pulse; determines, based on the received measurement signal, a time of arrival at the receiver, T2, of a second part of the ultrasound pulse; and calculates, using T1 and T2, a flow velocity of blood in a blood vessel between the first location and the second location.

Abstract: Various improvements are provided to breathing training, monitoring and/or assistance devices. A portable device is provided which optionally includes a gas canister, a feedback system for implementing pressure control, and a visual output for indicating adherence to a breathing exercise to the user. The pressure control may provide regulation of different pressures for inhalation and exhalation.

Abstract: An electrode configured to provide electrical contact with skin of a subject is provided. The electrode includes an electrode body configured to be removably coupled with the skin of the subject and to receive electrical signals from and/or transmit electrical signals to the skin of the subject, and an electrical coupling that facilitates coupling the electrode to an external computing system. The electrode body includes a conductive silicone material configured to enable uptake or diffusion of moisture from the skin of the subject over which the electrode body is disposed; and a detergent configured to facilitate a flow of ions through the conductive silicone material.

Abstract: A nozzle (12) for an oral irrigator device (10) having a guidance tip (34) with an orifice at one end, and a dynamic nozzle actuator (64) positioned within said guidance tip. The orifice (36) is configured to expel a fluid as one of a jet, a spray, or any combination thereof. The dynamic nozzle actuator (64) comprises at least one responsive material adapted for being energized and configured to implement at least one dynamic actuation of an effective channel (62) for dynamically influencing at least one of (i) a direction of fluid expelled from the orifice (36), (ii) an angle of fluid expelled from the orifice (36), (iii) a cross-sectional width of fluid expelled from the orifice (36), and (iv) any combination thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasound array comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements (20) on a carrier (10), said carrier further carrying an actuator arrangement (30, 30?) of a material having an adjustable shape in response to an electromagnetic stimulus, e.g. an electro active polymer or optically responsive polymer, wherein the material is arranged to change the orientation of said ultrasound transducer elements in response to said stimulus. This facilitates configurable beam shaping and/or body contour matching with the ultrasound array. An ultrasound system (100) comprising such an ultrasound array is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a method of improving a measurement of the flow velocity of blood in a blood vessel of a subject, the method comprising using an ultrasound transducer to emit an ultrasound beam to measure flow velocity in a part of a body of a subject; forming a spatial time velocity profile for the part of the body from the measured flow velocity; and analyzing the spatial time velocity profile to determine a correction to the angle of the ultrasound beam with respect to the subject, the correction being based on a difference between the position of a peak in the spatial time velocity profile and the center of the spatial time velocity profile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (10) and method for non-invasively measuring a hydration state of a living being (62). To improve with respect to the convenience-to-use, the cost-effectiveness and the accuracy of the delivered results, the proposed device comprises a first light source (14) for emitting light of a first wavelength into a tissue portion (12) of the living being (62), polarization means (18) for polarizing at least part of the emitted light prior to an interaction of the emitted light with the tissue portion (12), a first light detector (26) for detecting polarized light of the first wavelength reflected at the tissue portion (12) and processing means (32) configured to derive a tissue hydration parameter from the detected reflected polarized light and to determine a body hydration index based on said tissue hydration parameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound apparatus for medical examination of a subject. The ultrasound apparatus comprises a plurality of ultrasound transducers for emitting and receiving ultrasound waves and for providing different ultrasound signals on the basis of the ultrasound waves. A connection layer is provided, which is attachable to the subject, wherein the ultrasound transducers are coupled to the connection layer. A processing unit, which is connectable to the ultrasound transducers is provided for receiving the ultrasound signals and for determining at least one parameter on the basis of the ultrasound signals. The processing unit is adapted to determine at least one parameter indicative of a relative position of the ultrasound transducers to each other and/or a shape of the connection layer and the ultrasound waves are surface acoustic waves transmitted through the connection layer or a layer attached to the connection layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shaving device for skin hairs. The device comprises a skin-contacting surface structure (14, 15), a cutter (6) for cutting hairs in a hair-cutting area (16), a shape-changing smart material (7), and a controller for controlling activation of the shape-changing smart material during use of the shaving device. The shape-changing smart material is configured, arranged and effective to adapt the relative position and/or relative orientation between at least part of the skin-contacting surface structure (14) and at least part of the hair-cutting area (16).

Abstract: Various improvements are provided to breathing training, monitoring and/or assistance devices. A portable device is provided which optionally includes a gas canister, a feedback system for implementing pressure control, and a visual output for indicating adherence to a breathing exercise to the user. The pressure control may provide regulation of different pressures for inhalation and exhalation.

Abstract: Various improvements are provided to breathing training, monitoring and/or assistance devices. A portable device is provided which optionally includes a gas canister, a feedback system for implementing pressure control, and a visual output for indicating adherence to a breathing exercise to the user. The pressure control may provide regulation of different pressures for inhalation and exhalation.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for monitoring a blood pressure information of a subject is disclosed. The monitoring apparatus comprises an ultrasound transducer for emitting ultrasound waves to a volume of the subject that includes a blood vessel and for receiving ultrasound waves from said volume of the subject, and for providing a first signal on the basis of ultrasound waves received from the volume of the subject. A light source is included for emitting light to the subject and a light sensor is included for detecting light received from the subject and for providing a second signal on the basis of the light received from a skin of the subject.