Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to improvements in the collection personal health data. It further relates to a Personal Health Monitor (PHM), which may be a Personal Hand Held Monitor (PHHM), that incorporates a Signal Acquisition Device (SAD) and a processor with its attendant screen and other peripherals. The SAD is adapted to acquire signals which can be used to derive one or more measurements of parameters related to the health of a user. The computing and other facilities of the PHM with which the SAD is integrated are adapted to control and analyse signals received from the SAD. The personal health data collected by the SAD may include data related to one or more of blood pressure, pulse rate, blood oxygen level (SpO2), body temperature, respiration rate, ECG, cardiac output, heart function timing, arterial stiffness, tissue stiffness, hydration, blood viscosity, blood pressure variability, the concentration of constituents of the blood such as glucose or alcohol and the identity of the user.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a personal hand-held monitor (PHHM) which comprises a signal acquisition device for acquiring signals which can be used to derive a measurement of a subject's blood pressure (BP), the signal acquisition device being integrated with a personal hand-held computing device (PHHCD). The signal acquisition device comprises a blood flow occlusion means adapted to be pressed against one side only of a body part or to have one side only of a body part pressed against it, a means for measuring the pressure applied by or to the body part, and a means for detecting the flow of blood through the body part in contact with the blood flow occlusion means. The blood flow occlusion means comprises at least part of an external surface of the PHHM and wherein the pressure is sensed by means of a flexible and essentially incompressible gel in which is immersed a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor is adapted to provide electrical signals to the processor of the PHHCD.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that enables the use of an incomplete SONAR array matrix in a correlation SONAR system. An improvement is achieved through the generation of a correlation-array model matrix of hydrophone correlations, based on an independent estimate of the ship's velocity, such as from an inertial navigator. Meanwhile, estimates of the missing values are generated based on one or more values from the model matrix, an interpolation of values from the SONAR array matrix itself, or some combination thereof. Regardless of how the missing values are generated, the model matrix provides a basis for comparison with the SONAR array matrix, which is populated with the estimated values, wherein subsequent comparisons are made between successive iterations of the model matrix and the SONAR array matrix. By applying the disclosed technique, a correlation SONAR system with incomplete data is able to continue working, and in the presence of a greater number of hydrophone failures than before.

Abstract: Methods for mitigating errors in velocity estimates obtained from correlation SONARs when the SONARs are operated over irregular ocean-bottom terrain are disclosed.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that enables the use of an incomplete SONAR array matrix in a correlation SONAR system. An improvement is achieved through the generation of a correlation-array model matrix of hydrophone correlations, based on an independent estimate of the ship's velocity, such as from an inertial navigator. Meanwhile, estimates of the missing values are generated based on one or more values from the model matrix, an interpolation of values from the SONAR array matrix itself, or some combination thereof. Regardless of how the missing values are generated, the model matrix provides a basis for comparison with the SONAR array matrix, which is populated with the estimated values, wherein subsequent comparisons are made between successive iterations of the model matrix and the SONAR array matrix. By applying the disclosed technique, a correlation SONAR system with incomplete data is able to continue working, and in the presence of a greater number of hydrophone failures than before.

Abstract: Methods for mitigating errors in velocity estimates obtained from correlation SONARs when the SONARs are operated over irregular ocean-bottom terrain are disclosed.

Abstract: A correlation SONAR that provides improved velocity estimates due to a reduction in random and bias errors is disclosed. Rather than basing the velocity estimate on a single set of primary receiver pairs, one or more additional velocity estimates are generated based on one or more available receiver pair sets having the same velocity vectors as the primary receiver pairs set. Additional velocity estimates also provide a reliability and accuracy improvement by enabling identification and subsequent elimination of erroneous velocity estimates.

Abstract: A device for controlling the collection and delivery of materials to a patient, the device has a dispenser-engaging portion, the dispenser-engaging portion being operable in a release position to receive a materials dispenser when the dispenser is in a materials-containing configuration, the dispenser-engaging portion being operable in a lock condition for locking the dispenser therewith, and access control means for controlling the release and lock positions according to a material transaction condition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for the collection, treatment and delivery of an autologous blood sample, comprising a first syringe having a first body portion. A first sample transfer portion has a first syringe inlet for drawing an untreated blood sample from a patient and a first syringe outlet for dispensing the untreated blood sample. A blood sample treatment chamber having a chamber inlet, the first syringe outlet being operable to establish a dedicated first fluid coupling with the chamber inlet to dispense the untreated blood sample to the blood sample treatment chamber. The blood sample treatment chamber having a chamber outlet for dispensing a treated blood sample following treatment. The second syringe has a second body portion and a second sample transfer portion, the second sample transfer portion having a passage with a first access location which is operable to form a dedicated second fluid coupling with the chamber outlet.

Abstract: A medical treatment process and system, in which a patient fluid is subjected to extracorporeal handling and treatment prior to administration to the patient, is provided. The system includes two or more treatment units which successively handle the fluid, and a token associated with the patient. The token includes a patient identification and, as the treatment proceeds, more information is added to the token as the fluid moves around the system until the token contains a record of the treatment conducted on the sample, the times of various treatments, and a verification that treatment has been conducted in accordance with pre-determined criteria. The token, provided it contains information verifying the identity of the patient and treatment according to specification, allows administration of the treated fluid to the patient and provides an audit record of the treatment.