Abstract: Ultra-high speed valve comprising a valve unit which comprises: a moving valve member, a valve seat and a magnetic latch, such that the valve is held shut by the latch, holding the moving valve member against the valve seat such that the valve bursts open along the direction of fluid flow the moment the valve is unlatched, aided by the fluid pressure. The valve opening can be additionally aided by decompression of a compression member compressed by the latched moving valve member and by using an additional actuator connected to the moving valve member. Movement of the moving valve member can also be accelerated by utilizing varying fluid pressures on both sides of the moving valve member. Combinations of the valve unit can be used to configure monostable and bistable valves and to form ultra-high speed actuators when used with compressed air.

Abstract: Safe and easy lung cleansing apparatus and method comprising a hollow nasopharyngeal tube with longitudinal misting and air sections inserted in user's nostril, misting means, lung cleansing fluid, fluid and air pumps and automated postural lung cleansing and drainage bed synchronized with the air and fluid pumps, to rotate and turn the user to mist, drain and thereby in turn all areas of the user's lungs. Some embodiments include a cuirass-type negative pressure ventilator to recruit more alveoli for cleansing, loosen mucus in the lungs and induce a cough to clear mucus. The method may include premedication to loosen mucus, tar and other foreign matter in the lungs. In some embodiments, the user's chest could be vibrated to loosen mucus in the lungs to aid thorough cleansing by the misting and automate postural drainage thereafter.

Abstract: Infant care apparatus and system comprising a tray molded in the shape of an infant's body; and fastening devices to fasten the tray around the caregiver's chest, to provide safe kangaroo care to infants. Some embodiments may include sensors to monitor the infant's physiological parameters, and/or a negative pressure ventilator and/or an automated urine and feces collection and disposal system, and/or an external cardiac compression system, and/or electroencephalograph cap, and/or a heat pump to maintain infant body temperature; and/or light emitting diodes to provide phototherapy; and/or an aspirator for suctioning secretions from nose and/or mouth of infant; and/or warm mist generating apparatus to humidify air around the infant. It may include a networking module for transmission of sensor data to and receiving of operating commands from remote servers accessible by medical professionals. The invention thus also provides safe and easy-to-operate intensive care for infants, along with kangaroo care.

Abstract: An interactive education system for stimulating higher cognitive processes of at least one user includes an interactive interface for communicating with at least one user, a feedback component includes an assessment module and a biofeedback module, a host processor includes a multimedia module. The multimedia module includes at least one teaching module and a storage module. The storage module performs at least one modification in the at least one teaching module of the multimedia module in response to data received from the assessment module and/or the biofeedback module and a communication network for coupling the feedback component to the host processor.