Abstract: The invention relates to a method of generating oxygen. The method comprises the steps of: intermittently guiding a stream of oxygen comprising gas through at least one adsorption chamber (12) being equipped with an oxygen separation adsorbent (16), thereby defining an adsorption mode and a desorption mode of the at least one adsorption chamber (12), and thereby enriching the oxygen comprising gas with respect to oxygen, guiding the enriched oxygen comprising gas to a primary side of a dense membrane (52), heating the dense membrane(52) to a temperature at which it is permeable for oxygen, generating an oxygen flow through the dense membrane (52) to its secondary side, thereby separating the oxygen from the enriched oxygen comprising gas and forming a stream of oxygen. According to the invention, the invention further comprises the step of guiding at least a part of the generated oxygen through the at least one adsorption chamber (12) being in desorption mode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric component comprising at least one first MIM capacitor having a ferroelectric insulator with a dielectric constant of at least 100 between a first capacitor electrode of a first electrode material and a second capacitor electrode of a second electrode material. The first and second electrode materials are selected such that the first MIM capacitor exhibits, as a function of a DC voltage applicable between the first and second electrodes, an asymmetric capacitance hysteresis that lets the first MIM capacitor, in absence of the DC voltage, assume one of at least two possible distinct capacitance values, in dependence on a polarity of a switching voltage last applied to the capacitor, the switching voltage having an amount larger than a threshold-voltage amount. The invention is applicable for ESD sensors, memories and high-frequency devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for separating oxygen from an oxygen containing gas. It comprises a membrane unit (12), and an electrode unit (24). The membrane unit (12) comprises a porous substrate (20), a dense membrane (14) and at least one electrode (18), wherein the porous substrate (20) is directed towards the electrode unit (24), and wherein the electrode unit (24) comprises at least one electrode comprising at least one rotatable electrode wing (26) being at least partially electrically conductive. An arrangement according to the invention allows to separate oxygen with improved efficiency and improved convenience with respect to maintenance and noise.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transducer (11) comprising—a membrane (31) configured to change shape in response to a force, the membrane (31) having a first major surface (16) and a second major surface (17),—a piezoelectric layer (18) formed over the first major surface (16) of the membrane (31), the piezoelectric layer (18) having an active portion,—first and second electrodes (19) in contact with the piezoelectric layer (18), wherein an electric field between the first and second electrodes (19) determines the mechanical movement of the piezoelectric layer (18),—support structures (40) at the second major surface (17) of the membrane (15) on adjacent sides of the active portion of the piezoelectric layer (18), at least part of the support structures (40) forming walls perpendicular, or at least not parallel, to the second major surface (17) of the membrane (31), so as to form a trench (41) of any shape underlying the active portion, so that an ultrasound transducer is obtained with a high output press

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane system which is particular suitable for oxygen generation. It comprises a membrane (14), and a porous substrate (12) for supporting the membrane (14), wherein the substrate (12) comprises pillars (15) and defined channels (16) for bringing a gas in controlled contact with the membrane (14). This membrane system (10) allows a gas flux and is furthermore applicable for small and light devices.

Abstract: A presence detection system (1) for detecting a presence of an object (3), particularly a person or an animal or vehicle, within an area (5) divided in detection zones (9A;9B;9C;9D) covering the area. The system comprises a movement detection device (11A;11B;11C;11D) for detecting a movement of the object. The system further comprises an electronic processing device (13) for storing information relating to a position of the object in a zone-wise way, based on a detected movement of the object. The electronic processing device is configured for determining the presence of the object within the area based on a detected movement of the object and stored information relating to the position of the object. The system is highly sensitive and highly prevents false presence detections. The invention also relates to a method for presence detection, and a lighting system comprising the presence detection system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to determining or measuring a biological, physical or physiological parameter of an object (10) by a sensor (2). It may be beneficial to constantly monitor or determine a biological, physical or physiological parameter of an object (10) by a sensor (2), subsequently allowing for a preferred removal of the sensor (2) from object (10) when the monitoring is no longer required. Accordingly, a sensor (2) is provided, e.g. a flow sensor, employing a degradable adhesive (8) for attachment of the sensor (2) to the object (10). The degradable adhesive (8) may be degradable e.g. by time, by exposure to a certain measure, e.g. induced heat, or substance for detaching the sensor (2) from the object (10) for subsequent removal of the sensor (2).

Abstract: A seal for a respiratory mask that includes a first end portion adapted to be coupled to a mask shell, a second end portion for sealing engagement with a face of a patient, and a sidewall extending between the first end portion and the second end portion. At least a portion of the second end portion includes a textured area having a predetermined pattern. The area of increased surface roughness provides the patient contacting portion of the seal with a silky feeling to maximize patient comfort and the effectiveness of the seal without impairing the sealing ability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor system (102) for measuring a velocity of a fluid (110) flowing through a channel (108), comprising a heating element (104) for heating the fluid, wherein the heating element (104) is provided with a predetermined level of power during operation. The sensor system (102) furthermore comprises a primary electronic circuit (114) having a primary resonance frequency, which primary resonance frequency is temperature dependent. Herein the temperature of the primary electronic circuit (114) is determined by heat transferred from the heating element (104) to the fluid (110) flowing through the channel (108). In addition, the sensor system (102) comprises a transducer arrangement (126) configured for generating a measurement signal (128) indicative for the velocity of the fluid (110) flowing through the channel (108). Herein, the measurement signal (108) is based on the primary resonance frequency.

Abstract: An endoscopic method involves an advancement of an endoscope (20) as controlled by an endoscopic robot (31) to a target location within an anatomical region of a body, and a generation of a plurality of monocular endoscopic images (80) of the anatomical region as the endoscope (20) is advanced to the target location by the endoscopic robot (31). For avoiding or detecting a collision of the endoscope (20) with and object within monocular endoscopic images (80) (e.g., a ligament within monocular endoscopic images of a knee), the method further involves a generation of distance measurements of the endoscope (20) from the object as the endoscope (20) is advanced to the target location by the endoscopic robot (31), and a reconstruction of a three-dimensional image of a surface of the object within the monocular endoscopic images (80) as a function of the distance measurements (81).

Abstract: According to the present invention, a light guidance system for adapted illumination in emergency or power cut situations is provided, wherein the light guidance system is connected to an auxiliary power supply system (101) and comprises at least one light unit (103) adapted to emit light for illuminating surroundings and a control unit adapted to increase a light level of the light unit (103) according to a presence signal indicating the presence of a person, wherein the increasing of the light level is adjusted to enable a mandatory lighting period and a mandatory light level by considering a power value of the auxiliary power supply system (101).

Abstract: A capacitive ultrasound transducer includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode, the third electrode including a central region disposed in collapsibly spaced relation with the first electrode, and a peripheral region disposed outward of the central region and disposed in collapsibly spaced relation with the second electrode. The transducer further includes a layer of a high dielectric constant material disposed between the third electrode and the first electrode, and between the third electrode and the second electrode. The transducer may be operable in a collapsed mode wherein the peripheral region of the third electrode oscillates relative to the second electrode, and the central region of the third electrode is fully collapsed with respect to the first electrode such that the dielectric layer is sandwiched therebetween. Piezoelectric actuation, such as d31 and d33 mode piezoelectric actuation, may further be included.

Abstract: A transducer (800) is provided where a membrane (830) is formed over a front substrate (615); and a piezoelectric layer (820) is formed over the membrane (830) at an active portion (821) and peripheral portions located adjacent the active portion (821). A patterned conductive layer including first and second electrodes (840, 845) is formed over the piezoelectric layer (820). Further, a back substrate structure is provided having supports (822, 824) located at the peripheral portions adjacent the active portion (821). The height (826) of the supports (822, 824) is greater than a combined height (828) of the patterned piezoelectric layer and the patterned conductive layer. Many transducers may be connected to form an array, where a controller may be provided for controlling the array, such as steering a beam of the array, and processing signals received by the array, for presence or motion detection and/or imaging, for example.

Abstract: The invention proposes to equip the tip of a surgical instrument such as a needle or catheter or any other instrument with an ultrasound transducer array to measure flow just in front of the tip by means of time and frequency differences between the sent and received pulses. Since no image is required, only a few transducer elements are required. The transducer elements generate a pressure pulses in specific directions and receives its echo's without the use of imaging techniques and complex driving electronics. Using the frequency shift and time delay of the received signals the proximity and lateral direction of the blood flow may be detected, thus identifying blood vessels.

Abstract: An elongate device (e.g. a catheter) for interventional MRI has one or more passive LC-circuits (wireless markers) attached to its distal tip portion for position tracking. The LC-circuits comprise an inductor winding (480) and a three-dimensional “trench” capacitor (420-440) and are integrated in a piece of silicon (410). Optical fibres may be included in the device for optical probing of tissue surrounding the distal tip portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to position determining system (201) for determining a position of an object (2). A first position detection unit (205) detects a first position of the object (2) based on radiation transferred between the object (2) and transfer positions being known relative to a reference position by a sending and receiving unit (203, 214, 216, 217). A second position detection unit (35) detects a second position based on an acceleration of the object (2) and the determined first position, wherein an output unit (12) outputs at least one of the first position and the second position. If the transfer of radiation is interrupted, the second position can be output by the output unit. Moreover, the first position can be used as an initial value for determining the second position or to update the second position. This improves the quality of determining the position of the object.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a probe for measurement temperature data of tissue within a patient's body is proposed. The probe (2) comprises a flexible substrate (3) attached to a medical device core (5), the flexible substrate (3) comprising one or more thermopiles (7) and may furthermore comprise resistors for measuring an absolute temperature and heat sources for locally applying heat. The thermopiles can be processed directly on a flexible polymer carrier or, alternatively, on a silicon substrate and transferred to a flexible carrier (3) enabling both, a highly flexible substrate (3) and very small structural dimensions for the thermopiles (7) and, possibly, the resistors and heat sources. Accordingly, measurement of temperature gradients of tissue being in contact to the medical device may be performed at high resolution allowing reliable detection of temperature anomalies e.g. due to malign tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic component, that comprises, on a substrate, at least one integrated MIM capacitor, (114) an electrically insulating first cover layer (120) which partly or fully covers the top capacitor electrode (118) and is made of a lead-containing dielectric material, and a top barrier layer (122) on the first cover layer. The top barrier layer serves for avoiding a reduction of lead atoms comprised by the first cover layer under exposure of the first cover layer to a reducing substance. An electrically insulating second cover layer (124) on the top barrier layer has a dielectric permittivity smaller than that of the first cover layer establishes a low parasitic capacitance of the cover-layer structure. The described cover-layer structure with the intermediate top barrier layer allows to fabricate a high-accuracy resistor layer (126.1) on top.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric component comprising at least one first MIM capacitor having a ferroelectric insulator with a dielectric constant of at least 100 between a first capacitor electrode of a first electrode material and a second capacitor electrode of a second electrode material. The first and second electrode materials are selected such that the first MIM capacitor exhibits, as a function of a DC voltage applicable between the first and second electrodes, an asymmetric capacity hysteresis that lets the first MIM capacitor, in absence of the DC voltage, assume one of at least two possible distinct capacitance values, in dependence on a polarity of a switching voltage last applied to the capacitor, the switching voltage having an amount larger than a threshold-voltage amount. The invention is applicable for ESD sensors, memories and high-frequency devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic device provided with an electronic component which comprises an integrated circuit arrangement including a semiconducting substrate, active components, and passive components such as capacitors and resistors. The resistors comprise materials of a high resistivity and can be manufactured with resistance values which lie within a narrow tolerance range. The invention further relates to a transmitter, a receiver, an electronic component, a peripheral circuit, a current supply circuit, a filter module, and an integrated circuit arrangement.