Abstract: A wearable respiration monitoring system having a transmitter coil that is adapted to generate and transmit multi-frequency AC magnetic fields, two receiver coils adapted to detect variable strengths in two of the AC magnetic fields and generate AC magnetic field strength signals representing anatomical displacements of a monitored subject, and at least one accelerometer that is configured to detect and monitor anatomical positions and movement of the subject, and generate and transmit accelerometer signals representing same. The wearable monitoring system further includes an electronics module that is adapted to receive the AC magnetic field strength signals and accelerometer signals, and determine at least one respiratory disorder as a function of the AC magnetic field strength signals and at least one anatomical position of the subject as a function of the accelerometer signals.

Abstract: A wearable respiration monitoring system having a transmitter coil that is adapted to generate and transmit multi-frequency AC magnetic fields, a receiver coil adapted to detect variable strengths in one of the AC magnetic fields and generate AC magnetic field strength signals representing anatomical displacements of a monitored subject, and at least one accelerometer that is configured to detect and monitor anatomical positions and movement of the subject, and generate and transmit accelerometer signals representing same. The wearable monitoring system further includes an electronics module that is adapted to receive the AC magnetic field strength signals and accelerometer signals, and determine at least one respiratory disorder as a function of the AC magnetic field strength signals and at least one anatomical position of the subject as a function of the accelerometer signals.

Abstract: A wearable respiration monitoring system having a transmitter coil that is adapted to generate and transmit multi-frequency AC magnetic fields, a plurality of receiving coils adapted to detect variable strengths in the AC magnetic fields and generate AC magnetic field strength signals representing anatomical displacements of a monitored subject, and at least one accelerometer that is configured to detect and monitor anatomical positions and movement of the subject, and generate and transmit accelerometer signals representing same. The wearable monitoring system further includes an electronics module that is adapted to receive the AC magnetic field strength signals and accelerometer signals, and determine at least one respiratory disorder as a function of the AC magnetic field strength signals and at least one anatomical position of the subject as a function of the accelerometer signals.

Abstract: A wearable respiration monitoring system having a transmitter coil that is adapted to generate and transmit multi-frequency AC magnetic fields and a plurality of receiving coils adapted to detect variable strengths in the AC magnetic fields and generate AC magnetic field strength signals representing anatomical displacements of a monitored subject. The wearable monitoring system further having an electronics module that is adapted to receive the AC magnetic field strength signals and determine at least one respiratory disorder associated with the monitored subject as a function of the AC magnetic field strength signals.

Abstract: A wearable monitoring system and associated method that is configured to (i) determine three dimensional displacement of the spine of a subject's chest wall with respect to the subject's spine, (ii) process the three dimensional anatomical data, (iii) determine at least one respiratory parameter associated with the monitored subject and value thereof as a function of the three dimensional anatomical data, and (iv) determine a respiratory disorder as a function of the determined respiratory parameter and value thereof.

Abstract: An electrical activity monitoring system that includes an sensor sub-system having first and second capacitive electrodes that are configured to electrically couple to a subject's skin and detect electrical signals of a subject, a conductive layer is configured to couple to an anatomical region of the subject and generate an anatomical reference signal, a control module that is programmed to control the sensor sub-system and determine physiological characteristics as a function of signals transmitted from the sensor sub-system.

Abstract: A wearable respiration monitoring system and associated method that is configured to (i) determine three dimensional displacement of the spine of a subject with respect to the axial displacement of the subject's chest wall, (ii) process the three dimensional anatomical data, (iii) determine at least one respiration parameter associated with the monitored subject as a function of the three dimensional anatomical data, and (iv) generate at least one respiration parameter signal representing the respiration parameter.

Abstract: An electrocardiography (ECG) physiological monitoring system that includes an ECG sensor assembly having first and second capacitive electrodes that are configured to electrically couple to a subject's skin and detect ECG signals, a reference electrode that is configured to average the capacitance potential of the first and second electrodes, an electronics module that is in direct communication with the ECG sensor assembly and programmed to control the ECG sensor assembly, process ECG signals therefrom, and wirelessly transmit the processed ECG signals, and transmission conductors that are configured to provide a signal communication path between the electronics module and the ECG sensor assembly.

Abstract: A wearable respiration monitoring system and associated method that is configured to (i) determine three dimensional displacement of the spine of a subject with respect to the axial displacement of the subject's chest wall, (ii) process the three dimensional anatomical data, (iii) determine at least one respiration parameter associated with the monitored subject as a function of the three dimensional anatomical data, and (iv) generate at least one respiration parameter signal representing the respiration parameter.

Abstract: A hearing assistance device for use with respect to a mastoid cavity and an ear canal with a tympanic membrane, external ear canal bone, incudo-stapedial joint of an ossicular chain and a cochlea having a round window membrane. The device includes a removable unit with a microphone to convert a received sound into electrical sound signals, and includes a digital audio signal processor to process the electrical sound signals into envelopes of the electrical sound signals, and includes an infrared transmitter to transmit the envelopes of sound signals as packages of infrared light pulses. The hearing assistance device also includes an implant unit with a photovoltaic cell to receive the packages of light pulses and demodulate the packages of light pulses into electrical signals, and at least one active electrode that delivers the demodulated electrical signals to the cochlea.

Abstract: A wearable physiological monitoring system comprising a garment that is configured to cover at least the chest region and the upper back of a wearer, a stretchable circumferential band that is attachable to the garment, the stretchable band including a respiration detection system that is configured to detect axial chest wall displacements of the wearer and integral signal transmission conductors, an electronics module that is releasably attachable to said garment and programmed to control the respiration detection system, process signals therefrom, and wirelessly transmit the processed signals, and a self-aligning magnetic connection system that is configured to removeably couple the electronics module to said band and, thereby, the signal transmission conductors.

Abstract: A measuring system includes an elongated sleeve having a compact diameter configured to be delivered over a standard guide wire and able to be flexibly threaded into a tortuous or diseased vascular pathway of a human. Sensor(s), located at a distal end of the sleeve, measure physiological parameter(s) inside the human. The sleeve measuring system has an outer diameter of approximately 20 mils or less and is capable of accommodating the standard guide wire, typically 14 mils in diameter.

Abstract: An energized transportation case comprising a housing having an internal region that includes at least one pocket for securely receiving a electronic component, an internal power source, an integral electrical circuitry system for connecting the electronic component to the internal power source, whereby first electrical power is transferred from the internal power source to the electronic component, and a security system that includes power distribution authentication means for secure transmission of external power from an external power source to the internal power source.

Abstract: A remotely adjustable gastric band system is provided. The system includes a gastric band, an implantable fluid reservoir, and a fluid handling device including a piezoelectric pump, and a drive or controller assembly. The piezoelectric pump includes a diaphragm having a compressible spring positioned at an actuator side of the diaphragm, and a space occupying layer disposed between the compressible spring and the actuator side.

Abstract: A method for insulating an electronic component, comprising encapsulating the electronic component with an electrically insulating pouch having a first protective layer and a second electrically insulating layer, the first protective layer comprising a flexible polymeric material, the second electrically insulating layer comprising the parylene layer.

Abstract: An implantable pressure sensor system having a sensor assembly configured and adapted to measure pressure in a volume, the sensor assembly including at least a first MEMS pressure sensor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having memory means, temperature compensation system, drift compensation system, a sensor catheter, and power supply means for powering the sensor assembly, the first MEMS pressure sensor having a pressure sensing element that is responsive to exposed pressure, the pressure sensing element being adapted to generate a pressure sensor signal representative of the exposed pressure, the temperature compensation system being adapted to correct for temperature induced variations in the pressure sensor signal, the drift compensation system being adapted to correct for pressure and temperature induced pressure sensor signal drift.

Abstract: An implantable pressure sensor system having a sensor assembly configured and adapted to measure pressure in a volume, the sensor assembly including at least a first MEMS pressure sensor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having memory means, temperature compensation system, drift compensation system, and power supply means for powering the sensor assembly, the first MEMS pressure sensor having a pressure sensing element that is responsive to exposed pressure, the pressure sensing element being adapted to generate a pressure sensor signal representative of the exposed pressure, the temperature compensation system being adapted to correct for temperature induced variations in the pressure sensor signal, the drift compensation system being adapted to correct for pressure and temperature induced pressure sensor signal drift.

Abstract: A liquid agent delivery apparatus having a hydraulic actuator system, the hydraulic actuator system including a bi-directional pump having a stroke volume less than approximately 100-200 nanoliters, and an agent delivery system that is adapted to cooperate with the hydraulic actuator system, the hydraulic actuator system and cooperating agent delivery system being adapted to jointly deliver approximately 0.05-0.5 micro-liters of a liquid agent out of a skin-piercing agent delivery member per delivery sequence with inlet and outlet pressures at the agent delivery member in the range of approximately ?500 to +500 millibars.

Abstract: A remotely adjustable gastric band system is provided. The system includes a gastric band, an implantable fluid reservoir, and a fluid handling device including a piezoelectric pump, and a drive or controller assembly. The piezoelectric pump includes a diaphragm having a compressible spring positioned at an actuator side of the diaphragm, and a space occupying layer disposed between the compressible spring and the actuator side.

Abstract: A method to regulate respiration generally comprising generating and transmitting at least one simulated action potential signal to the body that is recognizable by the respiratory system as a modulation signal. In a preferred embodiment, the simulated action potential signal includes a positive voltage region having positive voltage (V1) for a first period of time (T1) and a negative region having negative voltage (V2) for a second period of time (T2).