Abstract: A monitoring system comprises sensors adapted to be worn by a user, and, a processor linked with the sensor. The processor receives sensor data and processes this data to determine user posture data including data indicative of vertical distance between level of the user's heart and ankle. Based on the posture data together with a value for degree of user chronic venous insufficiency and/or blood density, generate an estimate of user static venous pressure while the user is static, without calf muscle pump activity. The processor also processes the sensor data to determine if there is calf muscle pump activity, and generates an estimate of user active venous pressure according to the static venous pressure estimate, rate of calf muscle activity, and a value for degree of user chronic venous insufficiency. The processor may generate the venous pressure estimate in real time, and may control an NMES device accordingly.

Abstract: A monitoring system comprises sensors adapted to be worn by a user, and, a processor linked with the sensor. The processor receives sensor data and processes this data to determine user posture data including data indicative of vertical distance between level of the user's heart and ankle. Based on the posture data together with a value for degree of user chronic venous insufficiency and/or blood density, generate an estimate of user static venous pressure while the user is static, without calf muscle pump activity. The processor also processes the sensor data to determine if there is calf muscle pump activity, and generates an estimate of user active venous pressure according to the static venous pressure estimate, rate of calf muscle activity, and a value for degree of user chronic venous insufficiency. The processor may generate the venous pressure estimate in real time, and may control an NMES device accordingly.

Abstract: A blood volume monitor includes a carrier mountable on a subject's body part. A measuring arrangement is mounted on the carrier. The measuring arrangement provides data relating to a change in volume of the body part, and outputs signals representative of the change. A control unit is in communication with the measuring arrangement to process data output by the measuring arrangement to determine, using the volume data, the volume of the body part and determines blood volume in the body part. The control unit uses the response signals received from the measuring arrangement and the determined volume of the part of the body to determine the blood volume.

Abstract: A monitoring system (1) comprises sensors (102) adapted to be worn by a user, and, a processor (101, 302) linked with the sensor. The processor receives sensor data and processes this data to determine user posture data including data indicative of vertical distance between level of the user's heart and ankle (?h, Vd 1, Vd2, Vd3). Based on the posture data together with a value for degree of user chronic venous insufficiency and/or blood density, generate an estimate of user static venous pressure while the user is static, without calf muscle pump activity. The processor (101, 302) also processes the sensor data to determine if there is calf muscle pump activity, and generates an estimate of user active venous pressure according to the static venous pressure estimate, rate of calf muscle activity, and a value for degree of user chronic venous insufficiency. The processor (101, 302) may generate the venous pressure estimate in real time, and may control an NMES device accordingly.

Abstract: A handrail includes a support assembly for attachment to a concrete slab having an upper surface with attachment formations anchored at the upper surface. The assembly includes a handrail support component and a connector component. The connector component is attachable to the support component and an attachment formation. The support and connector components can be tightened to each other to tighten the connector component to the attachment formation for tightening the support component onto the slab. The invention extends to a handrail system including the slab, and to a method of installing handrail components on the slab.

Abstract: A monitoring system comprises sensors adapted to be worn by a user, and, a processor linked with the sensor. The processor receives sensor data and processes this data to determine user posture data including data indicative of vertical distance between level of the user's heart and ankle. Based on the posture data together with a value for degree of user chronic venous insufficiency and/or blood density, generate an estimate of user static venous pressure while the user is static, without calf muscle pump activity. The processor also processes the sensor data to determine if there is calf muscle pump activity, and generates an estimate of user active venous pressure according to the static venous pressure estimate, rate of calf muscle activity, and a value for degree of user chronic venous insufficiency. The processor may generate the venous pressure estimate in real time, and may control an NMES device accordingly.

Abstract: A pneumocardial function monitor includes a carrier configured to be mounted about at least a part of a trunk of a body of a subject. A sensing arrangement is mounted on the carrier, the sensing arrangement including at least one element for monitoring changes in volume of the part of the subject's body. A signal processing module is in communication with the sensing arrangement for processing signals output from the sensing arrangement, the signal processing module having at least one output for outputting a signal related to respiratory function and/or cardiac function.

Abstract: A monitoring system has biomechanical sensors, physiological sensors and a controller which receive sensory inputs from the sensors to provide output signals for the output device, and it detects from the sensory inputs risk of a syncopal event The bio-mechanical sensors include sensors arranged to allow the processor to detect a user postures and posture transitions. The processor operates a finite state machine, in which there is a state corresponding to each of a plurality of user physical postures and to each of a plurality of transitions between said postures, and the processor determines a relevant state depending on the sensory inputs. A device output may be muscle stimulation to prevent syncope, and there are stimulation permissions associated with the finite state machine states.

Abstract: A blood volume monitor includes a carrier mountable on a subject's body part. A measuring arrangement is mounted on the carrier. The measuring arrangement provides data relating to a change in volume of the body part, and outputs signals representative of the change. A control unit is in communication with the measuring arrangement to process data output by the measuring arrangement to determine, using the volume data, the volume of the body part and determines blood volume in the body part. The control unit uses the response signals received from the measuring arrangement and the determined volume of the part of the body to determine the blood volume.

Abstract: A pneumocardial function monitor includes a carrier configured to be mounted about at least a part of a trunk of a body of a subject. A sensing arrangement is mounted on the carrier, the sensing arrangement including at least one element for monitoring changes in volume of the part of the subject's body. A signal processing module is in communication with the sensing arrangement for processing signals output from the sensing arrangement, the signal processing module having at least one output for outputting a signal related to respiratory function and/or cardiac function.

Abstract: A monitoring system has biomechanical sensors, physiological sensors and a controller which receive sensory inputs from the sensors to provide output signals for the output device, and it detects from the sensory inputs risk of a syncopal event The bio-mechanical sensors include sensors arranged to allow the processor to detect a user postures and posture transitions. The processor operates a finite state machine, in which there is a state corresponding to each of a plurality of user physical postures and to each of a plurality of transitions between said postures, and the processor determines a relevant state depending on the sensory inputs. A device output may be muscle stimulation to prevent syncope, and there are stimulation permissions associated with the finite state machine states.

Abstract: A handrail includes a support assembly for attachment to a concrete slab having an upper surface with attachment formations anchored at the upper surface. The assembly includes a handrail support component and a connector component. The connector component is attachable to the support component and an attachment formation. The support and connector components can be tightened to each other to tighten the connector component to the attachment formation for tightening the support component onto the slab. The invention extends to a handrail system including the slab, and to a method of installing handrail components on the slab.

Abstract: A monitoring system has biomechanical sensors, physiological sensors and a controller which receive sensory inputs from the sensors to provide output signals for the output device, and it detects from the sensory inputs risk of a syncopal event The bio-mechanical sensors include sensors arranged to allow the processor to detect a user postures and posture transitions. The processor operates a finite state machine, in which there is a state corresponding to each of a plurality of user physical postures and to each of a plurality of transitions between said postures, and the processor determines a relevant state depending on the sensory inputs. A device output may be muscle stimulation to prevent syncope, and there are stimulation permissions associated with the finite state machine states.

Abstract: A surface NMES stimulation device the device has a control processor, a voltage regulator connected to a high voltage supply, a bridge of control switches, and electrodes or electrode terminals connected in the bridge to receive drive signals via the control switches. The processor directs a drive scheme for the bridge control switches in which charge build-up on a user's skin is allowed to dissipate to ground in an inter-pulse interval. An isolation capacitor isolates the high voltage supply from the electrodes, and charging of the capacitor only occurs if a switch allows it. Sensors senses supply voltage and bridge current and the processor monitors there to determine further stimulation and faults.

Abstract: A monitoring system has biomechanical sensors, physiological sensors and a controller which receive sensory inputs from the sensors to provide output signals for the output device, and it detects from the sensory inputs risk of a syncopal event The bio-mechanical sensors include sensors arranged to allow the processor to detect a user postures and posture transitions. The processor operates a finite state machine, in which there is a state corresponding to each of a plurality of user physical postures and to each of a plurality of transitions between said postures, and the processor determines a relevant state depending on the sensory inputs. A device output may be muscle stimulation to prevent syncope, and there are stimulation permissions associated with the finite state machine states.

Abstract: A surface NMES stimulation device the device has a control processor, a voltage regulator connected to a high voltage supply, a bridge of control switches, and electrodes or electrode terminals connected in the bridge to receive drive signals via the control switches. The processor directs a drive scheme for the bridge control switches in which charge build-up on a user's skin is allowed to dissipate to ground in an inter-pulse interval. An isolation capacitor isolates the high voltage supply from the electrodes, and charging of the capacitor only occurs if a switch allows it. Sensors senses supply voltage and bridge current and the processor monitors there to determine further stimulation and faults.

Abstract: A monitoring system comprises sensors adapted to be worn by a user, and, a processor linked with the sensor. The processor receives sensor data and processes this data to determine user posture data including data indicative of vertical distance between level of the user's heart and ankle. Based on the posture data together with a value for degree of user chronic venous insufficiency and/or blood density, generate an estimate of user static venous pressure while the user is static, without calf muscle pump activity. The processor also processes the sensor data to determine if there is calf muscle pump activity, and generates an estimate of user active venous pressure according to the static venous pressure estimate, rate of calf muscle activity, and a value for degree of user chronic venous insufficiency. The processor may generate the venous pressure estimate in real time, and may control an NMES device accordingly.

Abstract: A shoring box system (10) for use in a ground trench (60) includes a pair of shoring panels (12) and a number of elongate props (22). The props are attached to the two shoring panels to maintain the panels in an erected position in which they are spaced apart, with an open zone (19) between the panels. The props can be detached from the shoring panels while the shoring panels are in the erected position. In an embodiment each panel is hollow and has a lower opening (36) with a closure flap (38) for closing the opening, to enable filling material in the hollow to pour from the panel as it is removed from the trench. Also in an embodiment, each shoring panel is tapered in a downward direction.