Abstract: A method of providing vagus nerve stimulation to a user is provided. The method includes the step of prompting, via a first audio cue emitted by an earpiece worn by a user, the user to inhale at a first point in time. The method may further include the step of prompting, via a second audio cue emitted by the earpiece, the user to exhale at a second point in time. The method may further include the step of stimulating a vagus nerve of the user with a first electrical signal generated by the earpiece at the second point in time. The first electrical signal may be applied to a concha of an ear of the user. The first electrical signal may be applied to an ear canal of the user. The first electrical signal may be applied to a tragus of the user.

Abstract: A method of providing vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) to a user is provided. The method includes the steps of: (1) collecting, by one or more sensors monitoring a user, one or more sets of physiological data; (2) determining, by a controller, an occurrence of a physiological event based on the one or more sets of physiological data; (3) stimulating, by a first earpiece worn by a user, a vagus nerve of the user with a VNS signal generated based on the controller determining the occurrence of the physiological event, wherein the VNS signal has an amplitude. The physiological condition may be an anxiety attack. The physiological condition may be a migraine headache.

Abstract: A method of providing vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) to a user is provided. The method includes the steps of: (1) collecting, by one or more sensors monitoring a user, one or more sets of physiological data; (2) determining, by a controller, an occurrence of a physiological event based on the one or more sets of physiological data; (3) stimulating, by a first earpiece worn by a user, a vagus nerve of the user with a VNS signal generated based on the controller determining the occurrence of the physiological event, wherein the VNS signal has an amplitude. The physiological condition may be an anxiety attack. The physiological condition may be a migraine headache.

Abstract: A method of providing vagus nerve stimulation to a user is provided. The method includes the step of prompting, via a first audio cue emitted by an earpiece worn by a user, the user to inhale at a first point in time. The method may further include the step of prompting, via a second audio cue emitted by the earpiece, the user to exhale at a second point in time. The method may further include the step of stimulating a vagus nerve of the user with a first electrical signal generated by the earpiece at the second point in time. The first electrical signal may be applied to a concha of an ear of the user. The first electrical signal may be applied to an ear canal of the user. The first electrical signal may be applied to a tragus of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to rest on a wearer's neck or shoulders, and has a first microphone positioned at a first position located on the right side of the wearer, when the apparatus is worn, and a second microphone positioned at a second position located on the left side of the wearer. A processor receives audio signals output by the first and second microphones, and compares the audio signals from the first microphone to the audio signals from the second microphone. Based on the comparison, the processor determines whether the wearer's head is rotated to the right, left, or center, during an instance of the user speaking. Based on the determination, the processor selects a first one of at least two audio signal destinations, and provides the audio signal from at least one of the microphones to the first selected audio signal destination.

Abstract: Various aspects include approaches for controlling acoustic beams. In some particular aspects, a system includes: a microphone array; a camera system for detecting a visual characteristic of a user; and a control system coupled with the microphone array and the camera system, the control system programmed to control the microphone array by: receiving a camera signal from the camera system; and focusing the microphone array in response to the camera signal indicating the visual characteristic of the user, prior to receiving an audio input from the user at the microphone array.

Abstract: A system configured for remote communication includes a sensor configured to detect a presence of a first individual, a processor configured to determine an intent of the first individual to establish communication with a remote individual, a communication module configured to communicate the presence and intent to a remote system and further configured to receive an indication of the presence and availability of a second individual at the remote system to communication, and an indicator configured to indicate the second individual's presence and availability to communication. The indicator is configured to indicate a plurality of different presence and availability states for the second individual.

Abstract: Various aspects include approaches for controlling acoustic beams. In some particular aspects, a system includes: a microphone array; and a control system coupled with the microphone array, the control system programmed to control the microphone array by: processing a signal from a beacon device to identify a physical location of the beacon device relative to the microphone array; and focusing the microphone array in a direction based upon the physical location of the beacon device prior to receiving an audio input at the microphone array.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to rest on a wearer's neck or shoulders, and has a first microphone positioned at a first position located on the right side of the wearer, when the apparatus is worn, and a second microphone positioned at a second position located on the left side of the wearer. A processor receives audio signals output by the first and second microphones, and compares the audio signals from the first microphone to the audio signals from the second microphone. Based on the comparison, the processor determines whether the wearer's head is rotated to the right, left, or center, during an instance of the user speaking. Based on the determination, the processor selects a first one of at least two audio signal destinations, and provides the audio signal from at least one of the microphones to the first selected audio signal destination.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to rest on a wearer's neck or shoulders, and has a first microphone positioned at a first position located on the right side of the wearer, when the apparatus is worn, and a second microphone positioned at a second position located on the left side of the wearer. A processor receives audio signals output by the first and second microphones, and compares the audio signals from the first microphone to the audio signals from the second microphone. Based on the comparison, the processor determines whether the wearer's head is rotated to the right, left, or center, during an instance of the user speaking. Based on the determination, the processor selects a first one of at least two audio signal destinations, and provides the audio signal from at least one of the microphones to the first selected audio signal destination.

Abstract: Various aspects include approaches for controlling acoustic beams. In some particular aspects, a system includes: a microphone array; and a control system coupled with the microphone array, the control system programmed to control the microphone array by: processing a signal from a beacon device to identify a physical location of the beacon device relative to the microphone array; and focusing the microphone array in a direction based upon the physical location of the beacon device prior to receiving an audio input at the microphone array.

Abstract: A system configured for remote communication includes a sensor configured to detect a presence of a first individual, a processor configured to determine an intent of the first individual to establish communication with a remote individual, a communication module configured to communicate the presence and intent to a remote system and further configured to receive an indication of the presence and availability of a second individual at the remote system to communication, and an indicator configured to indicate the second individual's presence and availability to communication. The indicator is configured to indicate a plurality of different presence and availability states for the second individual.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to rest on a wearer's neck or shoulders, and has a first microphone positioned at a first position located on the right side of the wearer, when the apparatus is worn, and a second microphone positioned at a second position located on the left side of the wearer. A processor receives audio signals output by the first and second microphones, and compares the audio signals from the first microphone to the audio signals from the second microphone. Based on the comparison, the processor determines whether the wearer's head is rotated to the right, left, or center, during an instance of the user speaking. Based on the determination, the processor selects a first one of at least two audio signal destinations, and provides the audio signal from at least one of the microphones to the first selected audio signal destination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for removal of dead tissue from wounds or skin using topical nitric oxide donor devices and/or compositions. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a transdermal patch device that is designed to deliver nitric oxide. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to one or more devices and/or compositions that are designed to deliver nitric oxide and optionally one or more other compounds, where such devices/compositions include, without limitation, bandages, layered bandages, adhesive bandages, transdermal patches, creams, ointments, or a any combination of two or more thereof.

Abstract: A conversation assistance system with a bi-lateral array of microphones arranged externally of a space that does not include any array microphones, where the space has a left side, a right side, a front and a back, the array comprising a left side sub-array of multiple microphones and a right side sub-array of multiple microphones, where each microphone has a microphone output signal, and a processor that creates from the microphone output signals a left-ear audio signal and a right-ear audio signal. The left-ear audio signal is created based on the microphone output signals from one or more of the microphones of the left-side sub-array and one or more of the microphones of the right-side sub-array and the right-ear audio signal is created based on the microphone output signals from one or more of the microphones of the left-side sub-array and one or more of the microphones of the right-side sub-array.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monitoring patients for an inflammatory condition or infection (preferably wound infection) by testing an extracellular fluid such as a wound fluid for an elevated level of: (i) vimentin; (ii) a vimentin breakdown product; or (iii) a marker indicative of the presence of vimentin. The present invention provides methods of diagnosis and prognosis, wound dressings, devices (e.g. biosensors) and kits for use in such methods.

Abstract: A conversation assistance system with a bi-lateral array of microphones arranged externally of a space that does not include any array microphones, where the space has a left side, a right side, a front and a back, the array comprising a left side sub-array of multiple microphones and a right side sub-array of multiple microphones, where each microphone has a microphone output signal, and a processor that creates from the microphone output signals a left-ear audio signal and a right-ear audio signal. The left-ear audio signal is created based on the microphone output signals from one or more of the microphones of the left-side sub-array and one or more of the microphones of the right-side sub-array and the right-ear audio signal is created based on the microphone output signals from one or more of the microphones of the left-side sub-array and one or more of the microphones of the right-side sub-array.

Abstract: A computer system includes a processor configured for detecting initial command response times of a plurality of paths for transmitting signals from the processor to one or more external devices via a plurality of channels, assigning weighted values to the plurality of paths based on the detected initial command response times, and modifying a frequency at which respective paths among the plurality of paths are selected for transmitting the signals based on the weighted values assigned to the respective paths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis, prognosis and/or treatment of wound infection by testing wound fluid for the presence of a marker which is present in an amount which is indicative of infection. The marker may be high molecular weight phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) or a marker which is correlated with cPLA2.

Abstract: A method of reducing interference by a first wireless audio communication system with a second wireless communication system that is different from the first wireless system is provided. The first wireless system is caused to transmit data packets with a time gap between packets during which the first wireless system is not transmitting. Periodically a long time gap between two packets of the first system is set to be at least as long as a longest time it can take the second wireless system to transmit a data packet even when packet transmission errors are occurring in the first wireless system such that if packets were retransmitted by the first wireless system the long time gap would be reduced to be less than the longest time it can take the second wireless system to transmit a data packet. As such, the second wireless system can transmit one or more data packets during each long time gap during which the first wireless system is not transmitting.