Abstract: A method of ensuring an electrical connector for a medical device is disinfected or sterilized is disclosed. The method comprises: receiving the medical connector in a blocked state, wherein a component of the medical connector comprises a shape-memory alloy (SMA); and heating the medical connector to a sufficient temperature to change a shape of the SMA to an unblocked state. A medical connector comprising the SMA material is also disclosed.

Abstract: An oral care device (8) adapted to generate an RF field for performing an oral cleaning function. The device includes a cleaning unit (10) for receipt in the mouth which includes a conductor arrangement (18, 19) which is driven with a drive signal to generate an RF field which cleans surfaces in the mouth. Means is further provided for sensing an electrical or electromagnetic signal arising from interaction of the RF energy with bodies in the mouth, for performing a sensing function with the same RF system components used for generating the RF field for cleaning or treatment.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer system includes a power transmitter (201) arranged to provide a power transfer to a power receiver (205) via a power transfer signal. The power receiver (205) comprises a first mode controller (709) for transmitting a standby mode exit request to the power transmitter (201) by changing a loading of a communication inductor (209) of the power transmitter (201). The power transmitter (201) comprises a mode controller (405) which controls the power transmitter (201) to operate in a standby mode wherein a presence of the power receiver (205) is detected but no power transfer signal is generated. It furthermore comprises a detector (403) for detecting an impedance change of the communication inductor (209). The mode controller (405) is arranged to initiate a transition from the standby mode to a power transfer mode in response to the detector (403) detecting the impedance change.

Abstract: Various improvements are provided to breathing training, monitoring and/or assistance devices. A portable device is provided which optionally includes a gas canister, a feedback system for implementing pressure control, and a visual output for indicating adherence to a breathing exercise to the user. The pressure control may provide regulation of different pressures for inhalation and exhalation.

Abstract: A breathing training, monitoring and/or assistance device is provided for home use. The device is for providing support and guidance during the training of breathing exercises. The device takes account of external data which relates to one or more of: the environmental conditions in which the device is being used; activity information in respect of the user; physiological sensor data about the user which is not related to breathing characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vital sign monitoring system. The system comprises a segmented electrode forming an in-plane electrode array, wherein the electrode comprise a skin contacting skin adhering contact layer mounted on an electrode backing material, a deformation sensor arranged for identifying deformation information of the electrode, a signal processor arranged to receive a vital sign signal from the electrode and process the deformation information to remove artefacts from the vital sign signal, wherein the electrode comprises multiple electrode segments and wherein the signal processor is arranged to select that electrode segment that has a lowest deformation of all electrode segments of the electrode.

Abstract: An energy conversion system comprises a generator which generates electrical power in response to movement, wherein the generator comprises first and second elements which generate energy in an energy generation mode. In some examples, these can be brought into and out of contact with each other by a drive mechanism so that the energy conversion system has an (e.g.) intermittent charging mode in which the first and second 5 elements are brought into contact by the drive mechanism and an energy generation mode in which the first and second elements are out of contact. The relative speed, the spacing between, or the relative orientations or positions of the first and second elements are controlled during the energy generation mode to decrease the variation in output power or voltage of the generator. This system controls the physical positions or the motion of the 10 elements of the generator during the energy generation mode in order to implement a more constant power or voltage generation.

Abstract: The invention provides a power generation device comprising at least two generating arrangements, each adapted to generate a voltage output through the relative motion of two differently charged generating elements, the generating elements having some separation distance (which may be zero or non-zero). The arrangements are co-operatively configured in such a way that the separation distances between their respective elements are reciprocally related: an increase in one leads to a related decrease in the other. By combining these two signal outputs, a single voltage, current or power output may be provided in a self-regulating manner by the device whose amplitude is substantially independent of any changes or variations in the separation distance between elements of either of the two arrangements.

Abstract: A sensor is provided for sensing layer removal from a surface. A head has an abrasive portion for contacting the surface and a conducting portion inside the head. This device has a sensor design which provides self-generation of a sensor signal with no power supply to the device head. This simplifies the design of the sensor head, and means it can have a design which is easy to clean with no parts which are easily damaged. In one set of examples, the device is a skin treatment device.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy generation and/or conversion system and method wherein an electrical power generator is controlled to periodically alternate between a contact-mode, during which elements of the generator are brought into contact to induce a state of charging, and a non-contact mode, during which plates of the generator are separated from one another and electrical energy is generated through electrostatic induction. Timing and duration of contact and non-contact modes are controlled by a controller, or by user commands, in dependence on a charge state of the elements of the generator: In this way elements are controlled to come into contact only when surface charge has fallen below a certain level, and re-charging is necessary; contact time between the elements may hence be minimised—thereby minimising incurred noise and surface wear—whilst still maintaining a given desired threshold power output.

Abstract: Various improvements are provided to breathing training, monitoring and/or assistance devices. A portable device is provided which optionally includes a gas canister, a feedback system for implementing pressure control, and a visual output for indicating adherence to a breathing exercise to the user. The pressure control may provide regulation of different pressures for inhalation and exhalation.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and apparatus for leveraging the triboelectric effect to improve fall detection. In various embodiments, fall detection system (100) may include: a triboelectric sensor (102) that is securable to a portion of a person's body or is affixed to clothing worn by the person, wherein the triboelectric sensor includes at least one electrode (103) that defines a surface; readout circuitry (104) that detects charge at the at least one electrode caused by physical contact between the surface of the at least one electrode and at least one other surface; and logic (106) that receives, from the readout circuitry, a first signal indicative of the detected charge at the at least one electrode and, based at least in part on the first signal, provides output indicative of a detected fall.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer system includes a power transmitter (201) arranged to provide a power transfer to a power receiver (205) via a power transfer signal. The power receiver (205) comprises a first mode controller (709) for transmitting a standby mode exit request to the power transmitter (201) by changing a loading of a communication inductor (209) of the power transmitter (201). The power transmitter (201) comprises a mode controller (405) which controls the power transmitter (201) to operate in a standby mode wherein a presence of the power receiver (205) is detected but no power transfer signal is generated. It furthermore comprises a detector (403) for detecting an impedance change of the communication inductor (209). The mode controller (405) is arranged to initiate a transition from the standby mode to a power transfer mode in response to the detector (403) detecting the impedance change.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vital sign monitoring system. The system comprises a segmented electrode forming an in-plane electrode array, wherein the electrode comprise a skin contacting skin adhering contact layer mounted on an electrode backing material, a deformation sensor arranged for identifying deformation information of the electrode, a signal processor arranged to receive a vital sign signal from the electrode and process the deformation information to remove artefacts from the vital sign signal, wherein the electrode comprises multiple electrode segments and wherein the signal processor is arranged to select that electrode segment that has a lowest deformation of all electrode segments of the electrode.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer system includes a power transmitter configured to provide a power transfer to a power receiver via a power transfer signal. The power receiver includes a first mode controller configured to transmit a standby mode exit request to the power transmitter by changing a loading of a communication inductor of the power transmitter. The power transmitter includes a mode controller configured to control the power transmitter to operate in a standby mode where a presence of the power receiver is detected but no power transfer signal is generated. A detector is configured to detect an impedance change of the communication inductor. The mode controller is configured to initiate a transition from the standby mode to a power transfer mode in response to the detector detecting the impedance change.

Abstract: A system comprises a power generator for generating electrical power and a switched capacitor converter for down-converting the output voltage of the power generator. The switched capacitor converter comprises a bank of capacitors and a switch arrangement. A controller is used for controlling the switches, based on a feedback signal from the power generator. This provides automatic control of the switched capacitor converter, thereby simplifying the overall control circuitry and improving efficiency.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for generating electrical currents of a particular desired waveform through the combining of a plurality of different frequency output currents generated by plurality of power generating arrangements. The power generating arrangements each comprise at least first and second sets of generating elements, configured to hold a relative charge and to be moveable with respect to one another in order to generate an electrical output current of a particular frequency.

Abstract: A power transmitter (101) for inductively transferring power to a power receiver (105) comprises a resonance circuit (201) comprising a transmitter coil (103) for generating a power transfer signal. A sampler (511) samples a current through, or voltage over, the transmitter coil (103). A message receiver (509) receives messages load modulated onto the power transfer signal based on the samples. A driver (203) generates a drive signal for the resonance circuit (201) and a resonance modification circuit (505) reduces the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit (201) by slowing a state change for a resonating component of the resonance circuit (201) for a fractional time interval of the cycles of the drive signal. A sample time controller (513) controls the sample times in response to at least one of start-times and end-times of the fractional time intervals, and specifically may set the sample times to be within the fractional time intervals.

Abstract: A power transmitter (101) inductively transferring power to a power receiver (105) comprises a resonance circuit (201) comprising a transmitter coil (103). A driver (203) generates a drive signal for the resonance circuit (201) and a data receiver (513) receives messages load modulated onto a power transfer signal by the power receiver (105) during communication time intervals. An error unit (507) determines a coil current error and a control loop (511) controls the current through the transmitter coil (103) in response to the coil current error with the control loop (511) being active during the communication time intervals. A loop response of the control loop is attenuated for coil current errors in a reduced control range relative to coil current error indications outside the reduced control range, where the reduced control range includes a zero coil current error.

Abstract: A wireless power transmitter (101)) comprises a resonance circuit (201) comprises a transmitter inductor (103) for generating a power transfer signal for wirelessly transferring power to the power receiver (105). A driver (203) generates a drive signal for the resonance circuit (201) and a resonance modification circuit (505) aligns the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit (201) with the drive frequency of the drive signal by slowing a state change for resonance circuit (201) for a fractional time interval of cycles of the drive signal. A load estimator (509) generates a load estimate reflecting an equivalent load resistor for the transmitter inductor (103) reflecting the loading of the power transfer signal. A drive frequency adapter (511) then adapts the drive frequency in response to the load estimate. The invention may in particular improve load modulation communication quality.