Abstract: Methods, devices and machine readable programs are presented for measuring blood pressure using a device configured to guide a user regarding placement of an anatomical region of interest in relation to a sensor. The methods can include measuring, by the sensor, a pressure applied to the sensor and measuring, by the sensor, blood volume oscillations in the anatomical region of interest while pressure is being applied to the sensor by the anatomical region of interest. The methods can further include estimating, by processing circuitry (e.g, computer processor(s), memory and the like) of the device, a blood pressure value for the user from the measured pressure and the measured blood volume oscillations.

Abstract: A flexible, thin pouch sized to fit in a clothing pocket that includes an open side to insert and remove contents. Additional features such as one face that includes a hole to aide with inserting and removing contents. An opposite face that includes a non-damaging, non-perforating, quick release method of attachment, such that it can be affixed and removed quickly and repetitively to a hard surface with one hand, without the use of tools, without degradation of performance.

Abstract: A vehicle console assembly includes a vehicle console and a support member. The vehicle console includes first and second cup holders. Each of the cup holders has an upper opening defined by a surface of the vehicle console and a bottom portion extending downwardly in the vehicle. The bottom portions of the cup holders are spaced from each other. The support member directly couples the bottom portion of the first cup holder to the bottom portion of the second cup holder. Also, the support member is spaced apart from the surface of the vehicle console that defines the upper openings.

Abstract: A vehicle console assembly includes a vehicle console and a support member. The vehicle console includes first and second cup holders. Each of the cup holders has an upper opening defined by a surface of the vehicle console and a bottom portion extending downwardly in the vehicle. The bottom portions of the cup holders are spaced from each other. The support member directly couples the bottom portion of the first cup holder to the bottom portion of the second cup holder. Also, the support member is spaced apart from the surface of the vehicle console that defines the upper openings.

Abstract: A system for monitoring physical properties of structures within animate and inanimate objects, including internal organs and bones of humans. The system includes sensing and readout devices. The sensing device is adapted to be implanted in a body and attached to a structure within the body, and includes an electrical circuit containing a first inductor coil formed at least in part by a conductor with portions thereof separated by gaps. The first inductor coil is adapted to be physically coupled to the structure so that changes in shape and size of the structure cause changes in shape and/or size of the first inductor coil and/or changes in the gaps, which alter the inductance of the first inductor coil when current flows through the electrical circuit. The readout device is not adapted to be implanted in the patient, and includes an inductor coil capable of electromagnetic telecommunication and/or electromagnetic powering of the sensing device.

Abstract: A getter device including a substrate formed of a first getter material having a composition for gettering a first gas specie, and a second getter material contacting an external surface of the substrate and having a composition for gettering a second gas specie. The substrate has internal porosity connected to openings at its external surface, and the second getter material covers at least a portion of the external surface of the substrate but is absent from at least part of the internal porosity within the substrate so that the first getter material is exposed within the internal porosity for gettering the first gas specie. According to a second aspect, a substrate is formed of a material transparent to radiation, and a film of getter material is deposited on the substrate to be sufficiently thin and/or porous so that the film is also transparent to the radiation transmitted through the substrate.

Abstract: A microfluidic device a micromachined freestanding member adapted to sense one or more properties of a fluid flowing through the freestanding member. The freestanding member is supported by a substrate and spaced apart and separated from the substrate to enable the freestanding member to move relative to the substrate under the influence of a vibration-inducing element. Movement of the freestanding member relative to the substrate is then sensed by a sensing element. The freestanding member has an inlet, an outlet, an internal passage that fluidically couples the inlet and outlet, and a wall that defines and separates first and second passage portions of the internal passage that are arranged in fluidic series so that a fluid flowing through the internal passage flows through the first and second passage portions in opposite directions.

Abstract: A fluid system installed on a vehicle and a method for assessing a property of a fluid flowing in the fluid system. The fluid system and method entail flowing at least a portion of the fluid through a passage within a freestanding portion of a micromachined tube supported above a substrate so as to define a gap therebetween, vibrating the freestanding portion of the micromachined tube at a resonant frequency thereof, sensing the movement of the freestanding portion of the micromachined tube so as to measure at least one of the vibration frequency and deflection of the freestanding portion relative to the substrate and produce therefrom at least one output corresponding to at least one of the mass flow rate, specific gravity, and density of the portion of the fluid flowing through the passage, and then using the output to compute the property of the fluid.

Abstract: A medical treatment procedure and system that makes use of a bidirectional flow sensor unit to monitor, detect, and control the flow of one or more fluids to and from a patient. The sensor unit measures both flow rate and flow direction of a fluid of a conduit through which a first fluid flows to or from the patient in a first direction, and through which it is possible that the first fluid or a second fluid may flow in a reverse direction through the conduit from or to, respectively, the patient. The sensor unit measures the flow rate of the first fluid as the first fluid flows through the bidirectional flow sensor unit, and senses if the first fluid or the second fluid flows through the bidirectional flow sensor unit in the reverse direction. A signal is relayed to indicate the occurrence of a reverse flow condition.

Abstract: A process for producing a tube suitable for microfluidic devices. The process uses first and second wafers, each having a substantially uniform doping level. The first wafer has a first portion into which a channel is etched partially therethrough between second and third portions of the first wafer. The first wafer is then bonded to the second wafer so that a first portion of the second wafer overlies the first portion of the first wafer and encloses the channel to define a passage. The second wafer is then thinned so that the first portion thereof defines a thinned wall of the passage. Second and third portions of the second wafer and part of the second and third portions of the first wafer are then removed, and the thinned wall defined by the second wafer is bonded to a substrate such that the passage projects over a recess in the substrate surface. The second and third portions of the first wafer are then removed to define a tube with a freestanding portion.

Abstract: A micromachined fluid sensing device and a method for its fabrication. The sensing device incorporates a bypass passage, preferably an integral bypass passage within the device, that enables a volume of fluid to be delivered to the device, with a limited portion of the fluid passing through a passage within the device in which one or more properties of the fluid are sensed, such as but not limited to density, specific gravity, and chemical concentrations. The device is suitable for monitoring the fuel concentration in a fuel mixture for a fuel cell.

Abstract: A process for producing a tube suitable for microfluidic devices. The process uses a uniformly-doped first material having a first portion into which a channel is etched partially through the first material between second and third portions of the first material. The first material is then bonded to a second material so that a first portion of the second material overlies the first portion of the first material and encloses the channel to define a passage. The second and third portions of the second material and part of the second and third portions of the first material are then removed, and the first portion of the second material is bonded to a substrate such that the passage projects over a recess in the substrate surface. The second and third portions of the first material are then removed to define a tube with a freestanding portion.

Abstract: A method and device for assessing rheological properties of a fluid, including lubricity and viscosity. The invention utilizes a tube into which the fluid is introduced, and relies on tracking the movement of particles intentionally introduced into the fluid to assess the rheological properties of the fluid. The method and device generally entail introducing at least one solid particle into the fluid to cause the particle to flow through the portion of the tube, and assessing a rheological property of the fluid within the tube by tracking the movement of the particle through the portion relative to the flow of the fluid through the portion.

Abstract: A treatment system and method for treating a fluid withdrawn and then returned to a living body. The system includes outgoing and incoming fluid lines connected to the living body for transporting the fluid from the living body, through the treatment system, and back to the living body, a device for altering at least the density of the fluid as it flows through the system, and a sensing unit within the system and comprising a device for sensing the density of the fluid as the fluid flows through the sensing unit. The sensing device may be a micromachined Coriolis-based sensor also capable of sensing mass flow rate.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system and method that combine a fluid source and an inline unit capable of delivering a precise amount of a therapeutic fluid to a patient based on specific data associated with the fluid, such as its identity, density, dosage, and dosage rate, so that the correct fluid is safely delivered in controlled amounts specific to its characteristics, purpose, and intended destination. The inline unit includes a flow controller and a flow sensor that produces a signal corresponding to the flow rate of the fluid flowing therethrough. The system further includes memory containing the data associated with the fluid, and electronic circuitry that causes the controller to regulate flow from the fluid source at the prescribed dosage rate and to deliver the prescribed dosage amount from the fluid source based on the signal from the sensor and the data contained by the memory.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a precise amount of fluid, such as a fluid for medical treatment. The system is a compact, fully-integrated, assembly that includes a sheet configured to be secured to a patient so that a surface of the sheet is held in contact with the patient's skin. The sheet carries a reservoir containing the fluid, a flow sensing device fluidically coupled to the reservoir, a device for initiating and interrupting flow of the fluid from the reservoir to the flow sensing device, a device for introducing the fluid into the patient's body, electronic circuitry for controlling fluid flow based on the output of the flow sensing device, and a power source.