Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for sampling internal substance(s) in the gastrointestinal tract of an animal composed of at least one wall which is partially expandable. The invention also relates to a method of orally administering the device to an animal and recovering the device from the stool to carry out analysis on the collected sample for diagnosing the health of the gastrointestinal tract and determining nutrient absorption and digestibility.

Abstract: A system and method verifies continuity with and measures voltage across a circuit under test (in some instances simultaneously) using two or more test probes. Two or more probe continuity circuits measure continuity through the test probes by injecting a test current through and measuring a processed test current received at each of the plurality of test probes. The probe continuity circuits measure the respective processed test current rendered by the test current flowing through the test circuit at each test probe. A voltmeter measures the potential difference across the test probes.

Abstract: A system and method verifies continuity with and measures voltage across a circuit under test (in some instances simultaneously) using two or more test probes. Two or more probe continuity circuits measure continuity through the test probes by injecting a test current through and measuring a processed test current received at each of the plurality of test probes. The probe continuity circuits measure the respective processed test current rendered by the test current flowing through the test circuit at each test probe. A voltmeter measures the potential difference across the test probes.

Abstract: A multiplier assembly for a power supply and a method of manufacturing the multiplier assembly. The multiplier assembly may be a stack of capacitors and support elements electrically and mechanically coupled together to form a first capacitor string and a second capacitor string. The support elements may electrically and mechanically connect adjacent series capacitors in the first capacitor string. Additionally or alternatively, the support elements may electrically and mechanically connect adjacent series capacitors in the second capacitor string. In one embodiment, the power supply may include drive and feedback circuitry capable of controlling operation of the multiplier assembly.

Abstract: A multiplier assembly for a power supply and a method of manufacturing the multiplier assembly. The multiplier assembly may be a stack of capacitors and support elements electrically and mechanically coupled together to form a first capacitor string and a second capacitor string. The support elements may electrically and mechanically connect adjacent series capacitors in the first capacitor string. Additionally or alternatively, the support elements may electrically and mechanically connect adjacent series capacitors in the second capacitor string. In one embodiment, the power supply may include drive and feedback circuitry capable of controlling operation of the multiplier assembly.

Abstract: Valve implant systems positionable within a flow passage, the systems having an inlet, an outlet, and a remotely activatable valve between the inlet and outlet, with the valves being operable to provide intermittent occlusion of the flow path. A remote field is applied to provide thermal or magnetic activation of the valves.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for an oxygen consumption monitoring system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an oxygen consumption monitoring system is disclosed. The oxygen consumption monitoring system may comprise a probe, wherein the probe comprises a light source and a photodetector; and a main unit, wherein the main unit comprises a microcontroller and wireless transmitter. The probe may be hermetically sealed and may be capable of being implanted onto tissue. The photodetector may be capable of collecting reflectance data from the light emitted by the light source. The reflectance data may be capable of being sorted into arterial and venous blood oxygen consumption data for the tissue onto which the probe was placed or implanted. The data from the probe may be further sorted and processed to produce perfusion, heart rate, energy expenditure, caloric burn, blood pressure, hemoglobin concentration changes, and tissue oxidative stress.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for a tissue mechanical property monitoring system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a tissue mechanical property monitoring system is disclosed. The tissue mechanical property monitoring system may comprise a probe, wherein the probe comprises a light source and a photodetector; and a main unit, wherein the main unit comprises a microcontroller and wireless transmitter. The probe may be hermetically sealed and may be capable of being implanted onto tissue. The photodetector may be capable of collecting reflectance data from the light emitted by the light source. The reflectance data may be capable of being sorted and processed into tissue mechanical property data such as tissue compliance, vascular resistance, and the like for the tissue illuminated with the probe.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing gait analysis of a subject are provided. A method includes obtaining a plurality of measurement sets for a subject, each of the plurality of measurement sets including inertial measurements obtained from a sensor device associated with a different one of a plurality of segments of the subject and calculating a sensor orientation for the sensor device associated with each of the plurality of segments based at least on a portion of a corresponding one the plurality of measurement sets. The method also includes computing an estimate of a segment orientation for each of the plurality of segments based on a data fusion process applied at each of the plurality of segments, where the data fusion process includes combining at least a one of the plurality measurement sets and the corresponding sensor orientation to estimate the segment orientation.

Abstract: Valve implant systems positionable within a flow passage, the systems having an inlet, an outlet, and a remotely activatable valve between the inlet and outlet, with the valves being operable to provide intermittent occlusion of the flow path. A remote field is applied to provide thermal or magnetic activation of the valves.

Abstract: Valve implant systems positionable within a flow passage, the systems having an inlet, an outlet, and a remotely activatable valve between the inlet and outlet, with the valves being operable to provide intermittent occlusion of the flow path. A remote field is applied to provide thermal or magnetic activation of the valves.

Abstract: Valve implant systems positionable within a flow passage, the systems having an inlet, an outlet, and a remotely activatable valve between the inlet and outlet, with the valves being operable to provide intermittent occlusion of the flow path. A remote field is applied to provide thermal or magnetic activation of the valves.

Abstract: A monolithic sensor includes a reference channel and at least one sensing channel. Each sensing channel has an oscillator and a counter driven by the oscillator. The reference channel and the at least one sensing channel being formed integrally with a substrate and intimately nested with one another on the substrate. Thus, the oscillator and the counter have matched component values and temperature coefficients. A frequency determining component of the sensing oscillator is formed integrally with the substrate and has an impedance parameter which varies with an environmental parameter to be measured by the sensor. A gating control is responsive to an output signal generated by the reference channel, for terminating counting in the at least one sensing channel at an output count, whereby the output count is indicative of the environmental parameter, and successive ones of the output counts are indicative of changes in the environmental parameter.