Abstract: A simplified electronics approach to allow cost, size, and power consumption to be reduced while maintaining state of the art accuracy and reliability, key features for wireless medical devices/systems. Extreme accuracy is achieved by innovative noise shaping and filtering introduced to the electrochemical sensor, before sampling by the analog to digital converter. Introduction of the noise to the electrochemical sensor provides very low power biasing which is necessary to achieve overall reliable and very accurate bias for the electrochemical reaction cell.

Abstract: A simplified electronics approach to allow cost, size, and power consumption to be reduced while maintaining state of the art accuracy and reliability, key features for wireless medical devices/systems and industrial sensors alike. Extreme accuracy is achieved by innovative noise shaping and filtering introduced to the electrochemical sensor, before sampling by the analog to digital converter. Introduction of the noise and bias to the electrochemical sensor provides very low power biasing which is necessary to achieve overall reliable and very accurate bias for the electrochemical reaction cell.

Abstract: A simplified electronics approach to allow cost, size, and power consumption to be reduced while maintaining state of the art accuracy and reliability, key features for wireless medical devices/systems. Extreme accuracy is achieved by innovative noise shaping and filtering introduced to the electrochemical sensor, before sampling by the analog to digital converter. Introduction of the noise to the electrochemical sensor provides very low power biasing which is necessary to achieve overall reliable and very accurate bias for the electrochemical reaction cell.

Abstract: A method of oral delivery of a medication to a user's lungs with an inhaler that includes the steps of (a) receiving an actuation signal in response to release of the medication from the inhaler, (b) receiving a first accelerometer measurement indicating an orientation of the inhaler, (c) storing the actuation signal and the first accelerometer measurement in a memory, (d) determining whether the orientation of the inhaler exceeds a predetermined proper orientation threshold, and (d) determining a quality of use of the inhaler based on the actuation signal and the first accelerometer measurement.

Abstract: Various embodiments include an inhaler for oral delivery of medication that includes an actuation detector configured to provide an actuation signal in response to release of the medication from the inhaler, and an accelerometer configured to measure an orientation of the inhaler. The inhaler may include a processor, coupled to the actuation detector and the accelerometer, configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations to determine a quality of use of the inhaler based on the actuation signal provided by the actuation detector and the orientation of the inhaler measured by the accelerometer.

Abstract: An irrigation control system is described for optimizing water used for growing crops. The irrigation control system uses a moisture sensor to measure soil moisture by measuring directly the relative phase velocities of different modes of propagation along a metallic structure mounted to a dielectric substrate. The average phase velocity is a function of the water content of the soil. The water content measurement is then transmitted to a central controller which then, through a set of heuristic algorithms, regulates the water distributed to the soil in a spatial and temporal manner.

Abstract: An irrigation control system is described for optimizing water used for growing crops. The irrigation control system uses a moisture sensor to measure soil moisture by measuring directly the relative phase velocities of different modes of propagation along a metallic structure mounted to a dielectric substrate. The average phase velocity is a function of the water content of the soil. The water content measurement is then transmitted to a central controller which then, through a set of heuristic algorithms, regulates the water distributed to the soil in a spatial and temporal manner.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide a pulse oximeter capable of taking blood oxygen readings based on readings from an accelerometer. The various embodiments may provide an electronic patch including a pulse oximeter and accelerometer connected to a processor, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to control the operation of the pulse oximeter based at least in part on data received from the accelerometer. In various embodiments the electronic patch may further include a coin cell battery, or other low power source, that may power the pulse oximeter.

Abstract: A method of establishing a physical and electrical connection between a battery and a circuit board are described. The methods include applying a texture formed from conductive material to a portion of a battery exterior surface. The texture is a region populated by a plurality of protrusions. Protrusions may be configured to partially perforate and lodge within a contact surface secured to a circuit board. The battery with a texture surface may be pressed against the circuit board resulting in perforation of the contact surface by the region of protrusions. The methods may result in a battery and circuit board in electrical communication, and suitable for use within a variety of medical devices.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a variety of sensors, such as a pulse oximeter, configured to track a dynamic component of a sensor and take an action based on a characteristic of the dynamic component. Some embodiments may include determining a gain applied to a signal of the sensor, determining whether the gain is discontinuous, and indicating that a sensor measurement associated with the signal is low quality in response to determining that the gain applied is discontinuous. Some embodiments may include determining a peak-to-peak voltage of an output of a sensor, determining whether the peak-to-peak voltage is within an acceptable peak-to-peak voltage range, and indicating that a measurement associated with the received signal is low quality in response to determining that the peak-to-peak voltage is outside the acceptable peak-to-peak voltage range.

Abstract: A wearable electronic patch with an enhanced radio antenna includes an antenna, radio circuitry, a base portion, a distal portion, and intermediate portion, and a spacer, configured to raise the antenna away from the base portion, and thus away from a wearer to improve radiation properties of the antenna. The spacer may be sized and shaped to expand from a compressed state, as it may be when the patch is packaged, to an expanded state that raises the antenna when it is applied to a wearer. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a variety of sensors, such as a pulse oximeter, configured to track a dynamic component of a sensor and take an action based on a characteristic of the dynamic component. Some embodiments may include determining a gain applied to a signal of the sensor, determining whether the gain is discontinuous, and indicating that a sensor measurement associated with the signal is low quality in response to determining that the gain applied is discontinuous. Some embodiments may include determining a peak-to-peak voltage of an output of a sensor, determining whether the peak-to-peak voltage is within an acceptable peak-to-peak voltage range, and indicating that a measurement associated with the received signal is low quality in response to determining that the peak-to-peak voltage is outside the acceptable peak-to-peak voltage range.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide a device capable of determining a blood property based at least in part on the measurement of the amount of light received by a receiver circuit with a limited current capacity by charging a capacitor with a low voltage power supply and intermittently discharging the capacitor through a light emitting diode. In some embodiments the device may be a pulse oximeter capable of taking blood oxygen readings. In some embodiments the device may be a heart rate monitor to determine a heart rate based on an amount of light passed through tissue. The various embodiments may enable pulse oximeters and/or heart rate monitors to be incorporated into small unobtrusive body patches, while enabling the pulse oximeters to operate from a power output equivalent to that of a small coin cell battery or printed cell battery.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electronic device comprises an oscillator configured to generate an oscillator signal, and a timing circuit configured to generate a count value based on the oscillator signal, to compare the count value with a first compare value, to determine a first expiry event upon the count value matching the first compare value, and to generate a first wakeup signal in response to the first expiry event. The electronic device also comprises a battery pass circuit configured to receive the first wakeup signal, and to couple a power source to a main device in response to the first wakeup signal to power on the main device. The electronic device further comprises a state sequencing circuit configured to store a state of the main device, and an interface circuit configured to communicate the stored state to the main device.

Abstract: An irrigation control system is described for optimizing water used for growing crops. The irrigation control system uses a moisture sensor to measure soil moisture by measuring directly the relative phase velocities of different modes of propagation along a metallic structure mounted to a dielectric substrate. The average phase velocity is a function of the water content of the soil. The water content measurement is then transmitted to a central controller which then, through a set of heuristic algorithms, regulates the water distributed to the soil in a spatial and temporal manner.

Abstract: An electronic sensor patch includes a capacitive sensor configured to detect when the electronic sensor patch is applied to a patient. A processor may be powered down for a predetermined time interval in response to determining that the electronic patch is not in close proximity to a body. The electronic sensor patch may be activated in response to determining that the electronic patch is in close proximity to the body. The capacitance sensor may be used to determine whether the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body by measuring capacitance of the capacitance sensor, comparing the measured capacitance to a threshold, and determining that the electronic sensor patch is in close proximity to a body in response to the measured capacitance of the capacitance sensor being more than the threshold.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide a device capable of determining a blood property based at least in part on the measurement of the amount of light received by a receiver circuit with a limited current capacity by charging a capacitor with a low voltage power supply and intermittently discharging the capacitor through a light emitting diode. In some embodiments the device may be a pulse oximeter capable of taking blood oxygen readings. In some embodiments the device may be a heart rate monitor to determine a heart rate based on an amount of light passed through tissue. The various embodiments may enable pulse oximeters and/or heart rate monitors to be incorporated into small unobtrusive body patches, while enabling the pulse oximeters to operate from a power output equivalent to that of a small coin cell battery or printed cell battery.

Abstract: A wearable electronic patch with an enhanced radio antenna includes an antenna, radio circuitry, a base portion, a distal portion, and intermediate portion, and a spacer, configured to raise the antenna away from the base portion, and thus away from a wearer to improve radiation properties of the antenna. The spacer may be sized and shaped to expand from a compressed state, as it may be when the patch is packaged, to an expanded state that raises the antenna when it is applied to a wearer. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and disclosed.

Abstract: A method of establishing a physical and electrical connection between a battery and a circuit board are described. The methods include applying a texture formed from conductive material to a portion of a battery exterior surface. The texture is a region populated by a plurality of protrusions. Protrusions may be configured to partially perforate and lodge within a contact surface secured to a circuit board. The battery with a texture surface may be pressed against the circuit board resulting in perforation of the contact surface by the region of protrusions. The methods may result in a battery and circuit board in electrical communication, and suitable for use within a variety of medical devices.

Abstract: Various embodiments include an inhaler for oral delivery of medication that includes an actuation detector configured to provide an actuation signal in response to release of the medication from the inhaler, and an accelerometer configured to measure an orientation of the inhaler. The inhaler may include a processor, coupled to the actuation detector and the accelerometer, configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations to determine a quality of use of the inhaler based on the actuation signal provided by the actuation detector and the orientation of the inhaler measured by the accelerometer.