Abstract: A system for transmitting signals between a body of a living being and a virtual reality space includes a wearable device configured to be worn on the body. The device provides haptic feedback to the body indicative of interactions between a virtual body and one or more virtual objects within the virtual reality space. The device includes a base affixed to the body, a container supported on the base, and a flow control device that controls flow of a mass between the container and a tank. A controller generates a flow control signal to control the flow control device responsive to an interaction between the virtual body and a virtual object within the virtual reality space. The container assumes an expanded state in which the container assumes a defined shape when the mass is present in the container and a contracted state in the absence of the mass.

Abstract: A system for transmitting signals between a body of a living being and a virtual reality space includes a mount and a base configured to be affixed to respective first and second bony members of the body on a distal side and a proximal side, respectively, of a joint. An elongate, flexible strip is affixed at a first end to the mount and at a second end to the base. A sensor disposed on the base is configured to generate a displacement signal indicative of displacement of the strip in response to movement of the first bony member relative to the second bony member. The system further includes a display and a controller configured to receive the displacement signal and to control movement of a virtual representation of the body on the display responsive to the displacement signal and feedback of interaction in the virtual space to the living being.

Abstract: An ultrasound measurement device and related method for ultrasonic measurement are provided. In one embodiment the device includes a first ultrasound transducer and a second ultrasound transducer spaced from the first ultrasound transducer and configured to receive a plurality of ultrasound signals transmitted from the first ultrasound transducer through a fixed object. The device further includes means for moving at least one of the transducers relative to the object over an area of the object such that each of the plurality of ultrasound signals travels through a different location within the area. In this manner, the device achieves the functionality of array transducers with transducers having fewer transducer elements.

Abstract: A system for transmitting signals between a body of a living being and a virtual reality space includes a mount and a base configured to be affixed to respective first and second bony members of the body on a distal side and a proximal side, respectively, of a joint. An elongate, flexible strip is affixed at a first end to the mount and at a second end to the base. A sensor disposed on the base is configured to generate a displacement signal indicative of displacement of the strip in response to movement of the first bony member relative to the second bony member. The system further includes a display and a controller configured to receive the displacement signal and to control movement of a virtual representation of the body on the display responsive to the displacement signal and feedback of interaction in the virtual space to the living being.

Abstract: A system for monitoring or controlling a remote programmable device is provided. The system includes a server configured for connection to the programmable device and a local computing device. The server includes code that establishes a data structure accessible by both devices and including a plurality of user configurable records. The server receives instructions from the local device to configure each record as an input, output or input/output channel corresponding to input, output or input/output parameters of the programmable device and to define input values for the input channels and input/output channels. The server transmits the input values and input/output values to the programmable device and receives output values and input/output values from the programmable device for transmission to the local computing device.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for locating a region of interest in the calcaneus. A pair of ultrasound transducers are positioned on the medial and lateral sides of the heel, respectively. The positioning is based on a size of a portion of the body of a subject upon whom the ultrasound assessment of the calcaneus is to be made. In a presently preferred embodiment, the length of the foot from the back to the head of the first metatarsal is used in conjunction with a proportionality constant and an angle, to position the pair of transducers. The positioning so obtained facilitates (i) reproducible measurements and (ii) comparisons of the results obtained in one person with another, because relatively analogous portions of the highly heterogeneous calcanei are assessed in both. In an alternative embodiment, a single transducer is positioned similarly on the heel, operating in pulse-echo mode.

Abstract: A method and system for quantitatively evaluating bone fracture risk in a living being are provided that generate a value for an index indicative of a degree of bone fracture risk. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of acquiring values for a height H, a weight W, and a bone mineral density BMD of the living being. The method further includes the step of calculating a quantitative bone fracture risk index QI associated with the living being in accordance with the formula QI=H?*W?/BMD? where ?, ?, and ? are constants selected based on previously obtained data indicative of bone fracture risk.

Abstract: A system for monitoring or controlling a remote programmable device is provided. The system includes a server configured for connection to the programmable device and a local computing device. The server includes code that establishes a data structure accessible by both devices and including a plurality of user configurable records. The server receives instructions from the local device to configure each record as an input, output or input/output channel corresponding to input, output or input/output parameters of the programmable device and to define input values for the input channels and input/output channels. The server transmits the input values and input/output values to the programmable device and receives output values and input/output values from the programmable device for transmission to the local computing device.

Abstract: A system for configuring a prosthetic limb for use by a living being is provided. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to receive a control signal generated in response to a command from the living being and to generate a plurality of virtual bodies on a display including members of a virtual prosthetic limb and at least one virtual object. The ECU is further configured to control movement of at least one member of the virtual limb responsive to the control signal, to determine a contact force between first and second virtual bodies of the plurality of virtual bodies upon engagement between the first and second bodies caused by movement of one of the one member of the virtual limb and the at least one virtual object and to adjust a position of at least one of the first and second bodies responsive to the contact force.

Abstract: A system for configuring a prosthetic limb for use by a living being is provided. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to receive a control signal generated in response to a command from the living being and to generate a plurality of virtual bodies on a display including members of a virtual prosthetic limb and at least one virtual object. The ECU is further configured to control movement of at least one member of the virtual limb responsive to the control signal, to determine a contact force between first and second virtual bodies of the plurality of virtual bodies upon engagement between the first and second bodies caused by movement of one of the one member of the virtual limb and the at least one virtual object and to adjust a position of at least one of the first and second bodies responsive to the contact force.

Abstract: A system is provided that provides a current interne protocol address associated with a remote computing device. The system includes a server configured for connection to the remote computing device over a first network and to a local computing device over a second network. The server has a computer program encoded thereon that includes code for: receiving a request for a resource from a web browser on the remote computing device and obtaining the current internet protocol address from the request. The program further includes code for providing the current internet protocol address to the local computing device.

Abstract: A method and system for quantitatively evaluating bone fracture risk in a living being are provided that generate a value for an index indicative of a degree of bone fracture risk. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of acquiring values for a height H, a weight W, and a bone mineral density BMD of the living being. The method further includes the step of calculating a quantitative bone fracture risk index QI associated with the living being in accordance with the formula QI=H?*W?/BMD? where ?, ?, and ? are constants selected based on previously obtained data indicative of bone fracture risk.

Abstract: An ultrasound measurement device and related method for ultrasonic measurement are provided. In one embodiment the device includes a first a first ultrasound transducer and a second ultrasound transducer spaced from the first ultrasound transducer and configured to receive a plurality of ultrasound signals transmitted from the first ultrasound transducer through a fixed object. The device further includes means for moving the first and second ultrasound transducers together relative to the object over an area of the object in a first direction, the first ultrasound transducer generating an ultrasound signal of the plurality of ultrasound signals at each of a plurality of locations within the area. In this manner, the device achieves the functionality of array transducers with transducers having fewer transducer elements.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for locating a region of interest (ROI) in the radius. A method and apparatus are disclosed that use a pair of ultrasound transducers for ultrasound assessment of various properties of bone. The invention includes positioning the transducers on the anterior-posterior (dorsal and ventral) sides of a forearm of an individual. The positioning is based on the forearm length, and a selected percentage of this length at which the ROI is desired. In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the ROI is defined as the ?rd location. An arm is placed in an ultrasound fixture which has a first surface, a second surface with a raised portion against which the ulna styloid process is placed, and a third surface on which the elbow is placed. The distance between the raised portion of the second surface and the centerlines of the pair of ultrasound transducers is adjustable.

Abstract: A method for the assessment of various properties of bone is provided. The method includes applying a pair of ultrasound transducers to skin on opposite sides of the bone and generating an ultrasound signal and directing the signal through both the bone to obtain a bone output signal. The method further includes establishing a set of parameters associated with the bone output signal and then further processing the parameters in order to obtain the desired bone property. Two novel parameters are also disclosed, namely the net time delay (NTD) and mean time duration (MTD) parameters. An apparatus for the assessment of various properties of bone is also provided. The apparatus includes a pair of ultrasound transducers which may be single-element transducers or array transducers in any combination. The apparatus further includes various computer hardware components and computer software for generating and directing the ultrasound signal, establishing the parameter set and performing the processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-invasive and quantitative assessment of the status of a lumbar vertebral body in a living being for at least one of several quantities (e.g., bone-mineral density, bone mass, etc.) is provided. The method includes the steps of acoustically coupling first and second transducers to nearby skin on opposite sides of a torso of the living being and generating an ultrasound signal and directing the ultrasound signal from the first transducer to the second transducer through the torso. At least a portion of the ultrasound signal passes through the lumbar vertebral body and the second transducer generates an output signal responsive to receipt of the ultrasound signal. The method further includes the step of processing the output signal to obtain an estimate of the at least one quantity.

Abstract: A system for configuring a prosthetic limb for use by a living being is provided. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to receive a control signal generated in response to a command from the living being and to generate a plurality of virtual bodies on a display including members of a virtual prosthetic limb and at least one virtual object. The ECU is further configured to control movement of at least one member of the virtual limb responsive to the control signal, to determine a contact force between first and second virtual bodies of the plurality of virtual bodies upon engagement between the first and second bodies caused by movement of one of the one member of the virtual limb and the at least one virtual object and to adjust a position of at least one of the first and second bodies responsive to the contact force.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for locating a region of interest (ROI) in the radius. A method and apparatus are disclosed that use a pair of ultrasound transducers for ultrasound assessment of various properties of bone. The invention includes positioning the transducers on the anterior-posterior (dorsal and ventral) sides of a forearm of an individual. The positioning is based on the forearm length, and a selected percentage of this length at which the ROI is desired. In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the ROI is defined as the ?rd location. An arm is placed in an ultrasound fixture which has a first surface, a second surface with a raised portion against which the ulna styloid process is placed, and a third surface on which the elbow is placed. The distance between the raised portion of the second surface and the centerlines of the pair of ultrasound transducers is adjustable.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for locating a region of interest in the calcaneus. A pair of ultrasound transducers are positioned on the medial and lateral sides of the heel, respectively. The positioning is based on a size of a portion of the body of a subject upon whom the ultrasound assessment of the calcaneus is to be made. In a presently preferred embodiment, the length of the foot from the back to the head of the first metatarsal is used in conjunction with a proportionality constant and an angle, to position the pair of transducers. The positioning so obtained facilitates (i) reproducible measurements and (ii) comparisons of the results obtained in one person with another, because relatively analogous portions of the highly heterogeneous calcanei are assessed in both. In an alternative embodiment, a single transducer is positioned similarly on the heel, operating in pulse-echo mode.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for locating a region of interest in the calcaneus. A pair of ultrasound transducers are positioned on the medial and lateral sides of the heel, respectively. The positioning is based on a size of a portion of the body of a subject upon whom the ultrasound assessment of the calcaneus is to be made. In a presently preferred embodiment, the length of the foot from the back to the head of the first metatarsal is used in conjunction with a proportionality constant and an angle, to position the pair of transducers. The positioning so obtained facilitates (i) reproducible measurements and (ii) comparisons of the results obtained in one person with another, because relatively analogous portions of the highly heterogeneous calcanei are assessed in both. In an alternative embodiment, a single transducer is positioned similarly on the heel, operating in pulse-echo mode.