Abstract: Disclosed herein are acoustic spectrometers with broadband actuators and advanced system identification techniques for modeling the characteristic response of a gas. Benefits of the spectrometer devices and methods disclosed herein, which can include speed of sound measurements (or combined therewith), provide for more robust and less expensive solutions than previous technologies.

Abstract: An acoustic system can track gas emissions by exploiting the nostril-accessible nasal pathways of an animal. Actuators and microphones used in the apparatus can be similar to those currently found in cell phones, which in turn make the acoustic apparatus small and rugged. The nostril geometry can be mapped using sound waves, similar to the mapping done by an acoustic rhinometer. Where acoustic rhinometers assume a constant speed of sound to measure changes in geometry, acoustic approaches as disclosed herein can assume constant geometry to measure changes in the speed of sound. Approaches disclosed here are particularly useful with any gas, such as (for example) methane, hydrogen, helium, etc. that has a speed of sound higher than other typical gaseous components of exhaled air, such as nitrogen, carbon-dioxide, oxygen, etc.

Abstract: An acoustic system can track gas emissions by exploiting the nostril-accessible nasal pathways of an animal. Actuators and microphones used in the apparatus can be similar to those currently found in cell phones, which in turn make the acoustic apparatus small and rugged. The nostril geometry can be mapped using sound waves, similar to the mapping done by an acoustic rhinometer. Where acoustic rhinometers assume a constant speed of sound to measure changes in geometry, acoustic approaches as disclosed herein can assume constant geometry to measure changes in the speed of sound. Approaches disclosed here are particularly useful with any gas, such as (for example) methane, hydrogen, helium, etc. that has a speed of sound higher than other typical gaseous components of exhaled air, such as nitrogen, carbon-dioxide, oxygen, etc.

Abstract: A compact ratcheting buckle mechanism which enables significant mechanical advantage can be used in a multitude of devices. The compact ratcheting buckle mechanism comprises a base plate which holds a ratchet tab and release tab, which are spring-loaded and held in place by pivot pins which pass through slots in the base plate. The ratchet and release tabs are then able to articulate. The ratchet tab teeth engage with a compatible ratchet ladder strap, which passes through the compact ratcheting buckle mechanism linearly when the ratchet tab is articulated. The release tab holds applied tension in the compact ratcheting buckle mechanism, and is substantially covered by the ratchet tab to ensure for a compact design and low chance of accidental release. The compact ratcheting buckle mechanism can be released through a defined pincer motion, disengaging both the ratchet tab and release tab teeth from the compatible ratchet ladder strap.

Abstract: A device for the measurement of electrical properties on a surface. Sensor consists of several conductive elements arranged at vertices of a three-dimensional geometry. As such, the device achieves a favorable sensing configuration regardless of initial orientation. The device includes circuitry for interfacing with the conductive elements. This circuitry determines the electrical properties of the surface. The measurement has many uses, one of which is to discriminate between dry and wet surfaces. This patent presents various analysis methods to determine the electrical property.

Abstract: A compression device, useful for applying circumferential compression to an object, includes a simplified cinch mechanism. The device includes a guidance slide, a jamming feature/pull tab, a buckle assembly and a cinch strap, which form a loop for placing about an object. The cinch strap includes both an inner portion, anchored to the jamming feature, and an outer portion, anchored to the guidance slide. The inner portion of the cinch strap passes through the guidance slide to an adjustable, locking side of the buckle assembly, and the outer portion of the cinch strap passes from the adjustable, locking side of the buckle assembly to the guidance slide. The cinch strap can move freely when pulled on by the inner portion and lock when pulled on by the outer portion, such that an inner circumference of the device is adjustable but can maintain a minimum circumferential length after tension is applied.

Abstract: A compression device, useful for applying circumferential compression to an object, includes a simplified cinch mechanism. The device includes a guidance slide, a jamming feature/pull tab, a buckle assembly and a cinch strap, which form a loop for placing about an object. The cinch strap includes both an inner portion, anchored to the jamming feature, and an outer portion, anchored to the guidance slide. The inner portion of the cinch strap passes through the guidance slide to an adjustable, locking side of the buckle assembly, and the outer portion of the cinch strap passes from the adjustable, locking side of the buckle assembly to the guidance slide. The cinch strap can move freely when pulled on by the inner portion and lock when pulled on by the outer portion, such that an inner circumference of the device is adjustable but can maintain a minimum circumferential length after tension is applied.

Abstract: A compression device, useful for applying circumferential compression to an object, for example, as a tourniquet to occlude blood flow in a hemorrhaging extremity, is provided. The device includes a buckle assembly, first and second guidance slides, a connecting member between the first and second guidance slides, and a strap. Each end of the strap is anchored to a guidance slide. From each of the anchored ends, the strap passes through the buckle assembly, forming outer segments. The strap then returns along respective insides of the outer segments and through the guidance slides, forming inner segments. The buckle assembly, inner segments and connecting member form a loop for placing about an object, an inner circumference of the loop being adjustable by pulling on a portion of the strap located along the outside of the connecting member and between the two guidance slides to tighten the loop around the object.

Abstract: A device for the measurement of electrical properties on a surface. Sensor consists of several conductive elements arranged at vertices of a three-dimensional geometry. As such, the device achieves a favorable sensing configuration regardless of initial orientation. The device includes circuitry for interfacing with the conductive elements. This circuitry determines the electrical properties of the surface. The measurement has many uses, one of which is to discriminate between dry and wet surfaces. This patent presents various analysis methods to determine the electrical property.

Abstract: A compression device, useful for applying circumferential compression to an object, includes a simplified cinch mechanism. The device includes a guidance slide, a jamming feature/pull tab, a buckle assembly and a cinch strap, which form a loop for placing about an object. The cinch strap includes both an inner portion, anchored to the jamming feature, and an outer portion, anchored to the guidance slide. The inner portion of the cinch strap passes through the guidance slide to an adjustable, locking side of the buckle assembly, and the outer portion of the cinch strap passes from the adjustable, locking side of the buckle assembly to the guidance slide. The cinch strap can move freely when pulled on by the inner portion and lock when pulled on by the outer portion, such that an inner circumference of the device is adjustable but can maintain a minimum circumferential length after tension is applied.

Abstract: A device for the measurement of forces on the tip of a jet injector drug ampoule. Sensor consists of multiple spokes with strain sensing capability where each spoke has a modified linkage to allow for quasi-free bending behavior on one spoke end. By using the strain output of all three full bridges in parallel, it is possible to discriminate between lateral forces and axial forces directed collinear with the center axis of the ampoule applied to the tip of the nozzle. This information can be relayed to the user to attain, for example, a pre-determined contact force between the nozzle and an area receiving an injection.

Abstract: A device for the measurement of forces on the tip of a jet injector drug ampoule. Sensor consists of multiple spokes with strain sensing capability where each spoke has formations to allow for quasi-free bending behavior on one spoke end. By using the strain output of all three full bridges in parallel, it is possible to discriminate between lateral forces and axial forces directed collinear with the center axis of the ampoule applied to the tip of the nozzle. This information can be relayed to the user to attain, for example, a pre-determined contact force between the nozzle and an area receiving an injection.

Abstract: A compression device, useful for applying circumferential compression to an object, for example, as a tourniquet to occlude blood flow in a hemorrhaging extremity, is provided. The device includes a buckle assembly, first and second guidance slides, a connecting member between the first and second guidance slides, and a strap. Each end of the strap is anchored to a guidance slide. From each of the anchored ends, the strap passes through the buckle assembly, forming outer segments. The strap then returns along respective insides of the outer segments and through the guidance slides, forming inner segments. The buckle assembly, inner segments and connecting member form a loop for placing about an object, an inner circumference of the loop being adjustable by pulling on a portion of the strap located along the outside of the connecting member and between the two guidance slides to tighten the loop around the object.

Abstract: A system includes a device (100) for imaging a skin abnormality of a patient, and a web interface (115, 125). The imaging device has a camera (103) recording a plurality of images from locations separated by that distance, thereby obtaining a stereoscopic image of the skin abnormality. The imaging device may be configured as a handheld unit, with the camera a plug-and-play webcam and the device having a USB connection (114) to a computer (110, 120). The web interface (115, 125) links the computer (110, 120) to a web site providing access to storage of the image data. The web interface provides a patient portal for entering information regarding the skin abnormality, and a doctor portal for accessing patient medical history and entering clinical data regarding the skin abnormality. The system may further include a server (160) to receive and analyze the image data, generate 3D stereoscopic images of the skin abnormality, and compute metrics for clinical evaluation of the skin abnormality.