Abstract: The technology involves scaffold structures used for in-ear sensor systems. Such systems that can perform biometric signal detection or act as a human-computer interface. Scaffolding arrangements minimize the amount of material placed in the ear while providing a secure fitting device that can be worn for hours, days or longer in order to provide maximal benefit to the wearer. The scaffolding includes a “C”-shaped arcuate curvature for at least part of the housing. This configuration can act as a natural leaf spring to help maintain the housing in contact with different points along the ear. Sensors are located along various points of the scaffolding for use in different diagnostic situations. Different components of an on-board sensor input and processing system can be distributed along different parts of the scaffolding. Such structures beneficially minimize ambient sound occlusion and avoid the need of an exterior strap or clip worn around the ear.

Abstract: A plunger head for a fluid injection device includes a transducer disposed in the plunger head to measure a compressive force when applied to the plunger head. The plunger head also includes a power source and a microcontroller disposed in the plunger head. The microcontroller is coupled to the power source and the transducer, and the microcontroller is coupled to enter a high-power mode in response to sensing application of the compressive force to the plunger head.

Abstract: The technology provides a system and method for simulating and detecting bio signals such as brain bio-signals. Optical fibers provide modulated signals received from an optical signal modulator. The modulated signals are received by a set of emission elements disposed within the phantom body, which output corresponding electrical signals. The electrical signals are detected by a set of sensors and evaluated by a receiver device, such as for an electroencephalograph (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG), electromyogram (EMG) or magnetoencephalography (MEG) diagnostic system. A controller manages the modulation of light signals so that specific electrical signals can be generated as desired. Because tens, hundreds or thousands of emission elements may be arranged in the phantom body, the controller can manage operation of the optical signal modulator so that the precise physical location of each emission element can be mapped quickly and efficiently.

Abstract: The technology involves scaffold structures used for in-ear sensor systems. Such systems that can perform biometric signal detection or act as a human-computer interface. Scaffolding arrangements minimize the amount of material placed in the ear while providing a secure fitting device that can be worn for hours, days or longer in order to provide maximal benefit to the wearer. The scaffolding includes a “C”-shaped arcuate curvature for at least part of the housing. This configuration can act as a natural leaf spring to help maintain the housing in contact with different points along the ear. Sensors are located along various points of the scaffolding for use in different diagnostic situations. Different components of an on-board sensor input and processing system can be distributed along different parts of the scaffolding. Such structures beneficially minimize ambient sound occlusion and avoid the need of an exterior strap or clip worn around the ear.

Abstract: The technology provides a modular auricular sensing system which can be used for biometric sensing in a variety of applications. The sensing system includes an earpiece module and an electronics module. The earpiece module includes a housing and one or more electrodes with contacts along an exterior surface of the housing. The earpiece module has a first end portion configured for at least partial insertion into the ear canal and a second end portion releasably coupled to the electronics module. The coupling between the earpiece module and the electronics module is configured to allow relative movement (e.g., translation and/or rotation) between the earpiece module and the electronics module while maintaining electrical connectivity between electrode(s) of the earpiece module and the electronics module.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for tracking administering of medication by syringes is provided. The apparatus may include a plunger head for a syringe. The plunger head may include a transducer that sends and receives ultrasonic signals. The plunger may also include an antenna and a microcontroller that interfaces with the transducer and the antenna. The plunger may also include a power source that powers the microcontroller and the transducer. The transducer, the antenna, the microcontroller, and the power source may be at least partially encapsulated in an elastomer housing that fits within a barrel of the syringe. The microcontroller may be programmed with instructions to calculate data representative of the quantity of medication dispensed from the barrel and transmit the data to a remote device via the antenna.

Abstract: A rotary encoder includes an electret unit, an electrostatic field sensor, and a controller. The electret unit generates an electrostatic field. The electrostatic field sensor is disposed proximate to the electret unit to sense a modulation of the electrostatic field that varies with rotation of one or more rotary components of the rotary encoder about a rotation axis of the rotary encoder. The controller is electrically coupled to the electrostatic field sensor to track activations of the electrostatic field sensor as the one or more rotary components rotate. The controller is configured to digitally encode a rotational position of the one or more rotary components based upon the activations.

Abstract: A plunger head for a fluid injection device includes a transducer disposed in the plunger head to measure a compressive force when applied to the plunger head. The plunger head also includes a power source and a microcontroller disposed in the plunger head. The microcontroller is coupled to the power source and the transducer, and the microcontroller is coupled to enter a high-power mode in response to sensing application of the compressive force to the plunger head.

Abstract: A medication injection device including a plunger, a temperature sensor, an antenna, and a controller is described herein. The plunger is configured to dispense medication. The temperature sensor is to measure a temperature representative of an ambient temperature of the medication injection device. The antenna is to pair the medication injection device with a remote device. The controller includes logic that when executed causes the medication injection device to perform operations, including placing the medication injection device into a low-power sleep mode, measuring the temperature with the temperature sensor at a regular interval while the medication injection in the low-power sleep mode, detecting a temperature change with the temperature sensor while in the low-power sleep mode, transitioning the medication injection device into an initialization mode in response, and pairing the medication injection device with the remote device using the antenna while in the initialization mode.

Abstract: The technology involves scaffold structures used for in-ear sensor systems. Such systems that can perform biometric signal detection or act as a human-computer interface. Scaffolding arrangements minimize the amount of material placed in the ear while providing a secure fitting device that can be worn for hours, days or longer in order to provide maximal benefit to the wearer. The scaffolding includes a “C”-shaped arcuate curvature for at least part of the housing. This configuration can act as a natural leaf spring to help maintain the housing in contact with different points along the ear. Sensors are located along various points of the scaffolding for use in different diagnostic situations. Different components of an on-board sensor input and processing system can be distributed along different parts of the scaffolding. Such structures beneficially minimize ambient sound occlusion and avoid the need of an exterior strap or clip worn around the ear.

Abstract: The technology provides a system and method for simulating and detecting bio signals such as brain bio-signals. Optical fibers provide modulated signals received from an optical signal modulator. The modulated signals are received by a set of emission elements disposed within the phantom body, which output corresponding electrical signals. The electrical signals are detected by a set of sensors and evaluated by a receiver device, such as for an electroencephalograph (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG), electromyogram (EMG) or magnetoencephalography (MEG) diagnostic system. A controller manages the modulation of light signals so that specific electrical signals can be generated as desired. Because tens, hundreds or thousands of emission elements may be arranged in the phantom body, the controller can manage operation of the optical signal modulator so that the precise physical location of each emission element can be mapped quickly and efficiently.

Abstract: The technology provides a system and method for simulating and detecting bio signals such as brain bio-signals. The technology can be used for medical or non-medical purposes, for instance to simulate or evaluate certain medical conditions using a physical brain-type phantom body. A set of optical fibers provides modulated signals received from an optical signal modulator, which is managed by a controller to generate repeatable signals with high fidelity. The modulated signals are received by a set of emission elements such as photoreceivers or other optical electrodes disposed within or otherwise about the phantom body. The emission elements output electrical signals corresponding to the input modulated optical signals. The electrical signals are detected by a set of sensors. The sensors are coupled to a receiver device that is able to evaluate the electrical signals, such as for an electroencephalograph (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG), electromyogram (EMG) or magnetoencephalography (MEG) diagnostic system.

Abstract: A plunger head for a medication injection device includes a first ultrasonic transducer coupled to emit ultrasonic signals, where the first ultrasonic transducer is oriented within the plunger head to send the ultrasonic signals along a length of a barrel of the medication injection device when the plunger head is disposed in the barrel. A second ultrasonic transducer is disposed within the plunger head and oriented to receive reflections of the ultrasonic signals. A controller is disposed in the plunger head and coupled to the first ultrasonic transducer and the second ultrasonic transducer. The controller includes logic that when executed by the controller causes the controller to perform operations including instructing the first ultrasonic transducer to emit the ultrasonic signals.

Abstract: A plunger head for a fluid injection device includes a transducer disposed in the plunger head to measure a compressive force when applied to the plunger head. The plunger head also includes a power source and a microcontroller disposed in the plunger head. The microcontroller is coupled to the power source and the transducer, and the microcontroller is coupled to enter a high-power mode in response to sensing application of the compressive force to the plunger head.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a low-power measuring device. In one implementation, the low-power measuring device includes a first sensor for measuring a first value, the first value being a measurement of a variable, and a counter unit for generating a first counter value indicative of a first elapsed time since the first value is measured by the first sensor. The low-power measuring device further includes at least one processor configured to send the first value to a remote apparatus, send the first counter value to the remote apparatus, cause the remote apparatus to determine the first elapsed time based on the first value and the first counter value, and cause the remote apparatus to determine a first obtained time at which the first value is measured by the first sensor based on the determined first elapsed time and a reference time of the remote apparatus.

Abstract: The technology relates to fabricating and employing a sensor unit with a malleable housing to obtain various bio-signals detected while the sensor unit is disposed in the wearer's ear canal. A set of sensor contacts is arranged along an exterior ear-contacting portion of the housing. The malleable material can be compressed for insertion into the ear canal, then automatically expanding to contact the ear canal at multiple points. The sensor contacts are distributed along the exterior of the housing to provide an orientation agnostic configuration. The sensor unit is able to be worn for hours, a day or longer. During wear, the contacts can detect EEG and/or MEG-related signal, such as Alpha waves. Other sensors may be included with the sensor unit to supplement the detection of bio-signals. The obtained signals may be processed on-board or transmitted to a remote device for off-board processing.

Abstract: A medication injection device includes a barrel and a plunger disposed to dispense a fluid from the barrel. A dosage tracking system is coupled to output data indicative of the fluid dispensed. A controller is disposed within the medication injection device and coupled to receive the data from the dosage tracking system. The controller includes logic that when executed by the controller causes the controller to perform operations including determining, based on the data, whether an air shot event occurred while dispensing the fluid.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plunger head for a medication injection device includes assembling at least a portion of a first component, assembling at least a portion of a second component, and assembling the first component into a cavity of the second component. The first component has a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end being configured for insertion into a barrel of the medication injection device before the proximal end, and the first component houses at least one electronic component. The second component is configured to at least partially surround the first component and to separate the first component from a medication contained within the barrel of the medication injection device.

Abstract: A rotary encoder includes an electret unit, an electrostatic field sensor, and a controller. The electret unit generates an electrostatic field. The electrostatic field sensor is disposed proximate to the electret unit to sense a modulation of the electrostatic field that varies with rotation of one or more rotary components of the rotary encoder about a rotation axis of the rotary encoder. The controller is electrically coupled to the electrostatic field sensor to track activations of the electrostatic field sensor as the one or more rotary components rotate. The controller is configured to digitally encode a rotational position of the one or more rotary components based upon the activations.

Abstract: Various apparatuses and methods for tracking the administration of medication by medication injection devices are provided. A plunger head for a medication injection device may include a first component that houses electronic components and a second component that couples to the first component to form the plunger head. When the plunger head is installed within a barrel of the medication injection device the second component may separate the first component from medication contained within the barrel.