Abstract: Tracking device embodiments, comprising: portable housing with a locking mechanism; band latched about a wrist; tampering detection device to detect tampering with the band, comprising: power source; latch configured to latch one end of the band within the housing; a shape memory material component connected to the latch; an electrical circuit for controlling the power source to heat the shape memory material component to cause the shape memory material component to change from a first length/shape to a second length/shape during supply of power to perform a locking function; a timer; two-way network communication device; a tracking element; tampering signal generation circuit. In embodiments, a tamper resistant container cap, comprises: cap housing releasably lockable to an open end of a container and a locking mechanism using a shape memory material component.

Abstract: Tracking device embodiments, comprising: portable housing with a locking mechanism; band latched about a wrist; tampering detection device to detect tampering with the band, comprising: power source; latch configured to latch one end of the band within the housing; a shape memory material component connected to the latch; an electrical circuit for controlling the power source to heat the shape memory material component to cause the shape memory material component to change from a first length/shape to a second length/shape during supply of power to perform a locking function; a timer; two-way network communication device; a tracking element; tampering signal generation circuit. In embodiments, a tamper resistant container cap, comprises: cap housing releasably lockable to an open end of a container and a locking mechanism using a shape memory material component.

Abstract: Tracking device embodiments, comprising: portable housing with a locking mechanism; band latched about a wrist; tampering detection device to detect tampering with the band, comprising: power source; latch configured to latch one end of the band within the housing; a shape memory material component connected to the latch; an electrical circuit for controlling the power source to heat the shape memory material component to cause the shape memory material component to change from a first length/shape to a second length/shape during supply of power to perform a locking function; a timer; two-way network communication device; a tracking element; tampering signal generation circuit. In embodiments, a tamper resistant container cap, comprises: cap housing releasably lockable to an open end of a container and a locking mechanism using a shape memory material component.

Abstract: Tracking device embodiments, comprising: portable housing with a locking mechanism; band latched about a wrist; tampering detection device to detect tampering with the band, comprising: power source; latch configured to latch one end of the band within the housing; a shape memory material component connected to the latch; an electrical circuit for controlling the power source to heat the shape memory material component to cause the shape memory material component to change from a first length/shape to a second length/shape during supply of power to perform a locking function; a timer; two-way network communication device; a tracking element; tampering signal generation circuit. In embodiments, a tamper resistant container cap, comprises: cap housing releasably lockable to an open end of a container and a locking mechanism using a shape memory material component.

Abstract: An electronic stethoscope head includes a head member having a contact surface for contact with a patient's body, a transducer in the head member, and an adhesive on the contact surface. A processing system for an electronic stethoscope includes a conditioning circuit configured to receive a transducer signal from a transducer and to be capable of amplifying and/or filtering the transducer signal, to yield a conditioned signal. There is also a signal processor system configured to subject the conditioned signal to an audio editing process. Bodily sounds are detected by applying an electronic stethoscope head a patient's body; generating a patient sonograph of the patient's bodily sounds; and comparing the patient sonograph to a reference sonograph. An electronic stethoscope system may include an accessory device and control circuitry to control the accessory device when abnormal bowel sounds are detected or no bowel sounds are detected for a predetermined interval.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gait measurement in which a walking aid such as a walker, cane, or crutch is instrumented with load sensors to measure the loads in the aid as it is being used. The measured loads are used to analyze the user's gait to insure proper selection and sizing of a walking aid, stability of the user, and proper limb loading. In a preferred embodiment, strain gauges are mounted on the legs of a walker and connected through a signal processing interface to a computer for data analysis and display. The gauges are mounted, calibrated, and connected to the signal processing interface so as to permit measurement of the axial, bending, and torsional forces in each leg of the walker as it is being used. This data is then used for qualitative and quantitative assessment of the user's gait.