Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to determine sleep stages in a subject based on cardiac artifact information and brain activity information in EEG signals. Cardiac artifacts present in EEG signals can cause erroneous sleep stage determinations which may result in inopportune sensory stimulation during sleep, no stimulation at all, discarding long periods of EEG signal information, and/or other events. The present system enhances real-time sleep stage determinations compared to prior art systems and/or provides other advantages because the present system determines the current sleep stage of the subject based on both cardiac activity information and brain activity information included in the EEG signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to adjust an intensity of sensory stimulation delivered to a subject during a sleep session based on sleep depth in the subject during the sleep session. The restorative value of sleep may be increased by enhancing sleep slow-waves using sensory stimulation. The stimulation may be applied at an appropriate timing and/or intensity to enhance sleep slow-waves to enhance slow-waves without disturbing sleep.

Abstract: A pipetting reservoir kit includes a base, a disposable liner, and a lid. The disposable liner includes anti-vacuum channels on the bottom wall to prevent a pipette tip vacuum engaging the wall during aspiration. The groupings of anti-vacuum channels located on the bottom surface of the liner face upward into the basin that holds liquid samples or reagents. The groupings of anti-vacuum channels are spaced in an array 4.5 mm apart for a 384 pipetting head and 9 mm apart for a 96 pipetting head. The anti-vacuum channels also lower the required working volume for the liner and reduce liquid waste.

Abstract: Pipetting containers, such as reservoirs, reservoir liners, microplates, PCR plates, microtubes and PCR tubes, include anti-vacuum channels on the bottom wall of the receptacle to prevent a pipette tip vacuum engaging the wall during aspiration. The groupings of anti-vacuum channels are located on the bottom surface facing upward into the basin that holds liquid samples or reagents. The anti-vacuum channels also lower the required working volume for pipetting and reduce liquid waste.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system and method for managing a sleep session of a subject. Managing the sleep session is based on slow wave activity in the subject during the sleep session. Slow wave activity is related to sleep pressure. Sleep pressure dissipates and/or decreases as the subject sleeps. The dissipation dynamics depend on a given subject. The manner in which dissipation occurs regulates the length of the given sleep session and is linked to the temporal dynamics of slow wave activity. The system is configured to determine a metric indicating sleep pressure dissipation and, responsive to the determined sleep pressure dissipation metric indicating that sleep pressure dissipation has reached a dissipation threshold level during the sleep session, wake the subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to detect transitions in sleep state of a subject during a sleep session; provide sensory stimulation to the subject with a timing based on the detected transitions in sleep state; subsequent to the sleep session, obtain reference indications of transitions in sleep state; compare the detected transitions in sleep state to the reference indications of transitions in sleep state during the sleep session; based on the comparison, adjust baseline sleep state criteria to enhance correlation between detected transitions in sleep state during the sleep session using the baseline sleep state criteria and the reference indications of transitions in sleep state during the sleep session; and subsequent to adjustment of the baseline sleep state criteria, utilize the adjusted baseline sleep state criteria to detect transitions in sleep state of the subject for the purpose of controlling the one or more sensory stimulators.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to manage a sleep session of a subject. In some embodiments, the sleep session is a nap and the system is configured to increase the restorative value of the nap by enhancing and/or maintaining sleep slow waves (and/or slow wave activity estimated using an EEG) in the subject during the nap with sensory stimuli. The present system is configured to enhance restorative sleep during a nap by delivering sensory stimulation to the subject during lighter NREM sleep stages (e.g., during a portion of stage N2 sleep) while still avoiding arousals. In some embodiments, the system is configured to facilitate a “powernap” by delivering the sensory stimulation to the subject in such a way so as to prevent transition into deep sleep(e.g., stage N3 sleep).

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to determine timing of sensory stimulation provided to a subject to increase sleep slow waves during a sleep session. The system generates output signals conveying information related to a sleep stage of the subject during the sleep session with one or more sensors; detects slow wave sleep in the subject based on the output signals; controls one or more sensory stimulators to provide first sensory stimulation to the subject to induce sleep slow waves; determines a representative slow wave; and determines timing of second stimulation provided to the subject, the second stimulation configured to increase sleep slow waves in the subject during the sleep session, the timing determination based on the representative slow wave.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect sleep stages of a subject analyze physiological parameters of the subject in combination with a subject's reactions to stimuli of increasing intensity and/or stimuli having different modalities. Stimuli are provided until a predetermined level of probability is reached for the accuracy of an estimation of the sleep stage of the subject.

Abstract: A method includes forming a card having a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and a decal removably attached to the bottom surface, the decal including a first unique identifier. The method also includes removably attaching a bottom surface of a token to the top surface of the card, the bottom surface of the token including a second unique identifier operable to provide access to a digital gift. The method further includes removing the decal from the card, attaching the decal to a base of packaging configured to retain the token and the card, and disposing the card and the token within the packaging such that at least the token is removably retained by the packaging and the second unique identifier is inaccessible.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering stimuli to a subject that prompt the subject to fall asleep use multiple parameters that are based on measured signals related to a patient's brain activity, for example obtained through electroencephalography (EEG). The parameters indicate amplitude in different frequency bands, e.g. high-frequency brain activity and low-frequency brain activity. A stimulus, e.g. auditory stimulus, is delivered to the subject such that the intensity of the stimulus is adjusted based on (changes in) the multiple parameters.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to provide sensory stimulation to a subject (12) during a sleep session. The system includes one or more sensory stimulators (16) configured to provide sensory stimulation to the subject; one or more sensors (18) configured to generate output signals conveying information related to brain activity of the subject; and one or more processors (20) configured to detect individual slow waves in the subject; control the one or more sensory stimulators to provide sensory stimulation to the subject based on the detected individual slow waves; predict a timing for occurrence of a predicted slow wave based on the previously detected individual slow waves; and responsive to not detecting the predicted slow wave at the predicted timing control the one or more sensory stimulators to provide sensory stimulation at the predicted timing for occurrence of the predicted slow wave.

Abstract: Various themed gift card and gift card holder combinations are disclosed. Some embodiments are contained inside a box along with novelty gift items that are themed or otherwise related to the type of gift card contained therein. Other embodiments contain various three-dimensional pop-up structures and other paper engineered constructs that are shaped, decorated and otherwise themed to match an accompanying gift card. And in yet other embodiments, the gift card holders are directed to specific holidays or special occasions with appropriate gift cards included. Each embodiment may include electronic features, such as audio and light. The packaging of gift card and gift card holder combinations is also disclosed.

Abstract: A greeting card having special effects such as lights, sound and motor movement of a pop-up structure. The pop-up structure is in the form of a miniature faux Ferris wheel. When the greeting card is opened, the Ferris wheel begins to turn, the lights are illuminated and audio begins to be emitted through a speaker.

Abstract: A method includes causing a plurality of gift provider options to be provided via a display, receiving a first input indicative of a selection of a gift provider, causing, a plurality of gift values to be provided via the display, receiving a second input indicative of a selection of a desired gift value, requesting payment information corresponding to at least the desired gift value, and receiving a third input including payment information indicative of the desired gift value. The method also includes receiving a unique value code corresponding to the gift provider from a remote processing center, wherein the desired gift value is redeemable from the gift provider using the value code. The method further includes causing a printer to print the unique value code on one of a greeting card or giftable item separate from the greeting card.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to a system configured to detect slow waves based on adjusted slow wave detection criteria and time delivery of the sensory stimulation to correspond to slow waves detected based on the adjusted criteria. The system is configured to adjust slow wave detection criteria to enhance detection of slow waves in a subject. Slow wave detection using adjustable slow wave detection criteria produces more stimulation relative to prior art systems because more individual stimuli are provided if more slow waves are detected. In some embodiments, the system includes one or more of a sensory stimulator, a sensor, a processor, electronic storage, a user interface, and/or other components.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system configured to adjust the duration of individual sensory stimuli provided to a subject. The system is configured to determine a current amount of slow wave activity in the subject, responsive to the subject being presently in slow wave sleep, control one or more sensory stimulators to provide the individual sensory stimuli to the subject, determine habituation of the subject to the individual sensory stimuli and, responsive to the slow wave activity in the subject for a period of time following the providing of the individual sensory stimuli showing habituation, adjust the duration of the individual sensory stimuli.

Abstract: A token provides the recipient with access to gifted content. Upon activation and redemption of the token, the recipient may be gain access to a gift, and the gift can take various forms. Some gifts may be electronic, while others may be physical in nature. Physical gifts, such as subscription-based gifts are not physically present at the time of giving. The token is pre-packaged in a fun gift packaging, making the gifting and unwrapping experience more meaningful.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to adjust an intensity of sensory stimulation delivered to a subject during a sleep session based on sleep spindles in the subject during the sleep session. The system is configured to adjust the intensity of the stimulation based on a sleep spindle frequency and/or a sleep spindle density. The system is configured to determine a recent spindle density and/or a recent spindle frequency for a recent period of time during the sleep session based on detected sleep spindles, and to determine a previous spindle density and/or a previous spindle frequency for a previous period of time during the sleep session based on the detected sleep spindles. The system controls the intensity of sensory stimulation provided to the subject based on a comparison of the previous spindle density to the recent spindle density and/or the previous spindle frequency to the recent spindle frequency.