Abstract: An apparatus and method for predicting a fertility window include an image capture device and a processor. The fertility window includes a period of increased fecundability for a woman based on optical monitoring of facial features. The image capture device is configured to record images including facial features of a subject. The processor is configured to receive data corresponding to the recorded plural images; determine from the data changes in the facial features; and predict a fertility window based on the determination.

Abstract: Skin-contact products with a transpiration function such as medical devices or medicinal products, of which face masks, aspirators, ventilators, breast pumps or wound dressings are examples are described especially a skin-contact product with a transpiration function with an improved microclimate at a patient interface material-skin contact area. In an embodiment a material system is described that comprises a hydrophobic silicone base material and a hydrophilic silicone material that is combined with the hydrophobic base material.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus (100) for determining a blood pressure measurement for a subject (102). The apparatus (100) comprises a processor (104) configured to acquire, from a light sensor (106), measurements of an intensity of light (108) of a first wavelength range reflected from the skin (110) of the subject (102) for a range of forces at which the light sensor (106) is applied to the skin. The processor (104) is further configured to determine a pulse amplitude from the measurements of light intensity at the range of applied forces and analyze the determined pulse amplitudes to determine a systolic blood pressure measurement based on the applied force at which the pulse amplitude drops below a predefined threshold and/or an integral of the pulse amplitudes and/or a diastolic blood pressure measurement based on the applied force at which an initial rise in the pulse amplitude is identified.

Abstract: Skin-contact products with a transpiration function such as medical devices or medicinal products, of which face masks, aspirators, ventilators, breast pumps or wound dressings are examples are described especially a skin-contact product with a transpiration function with an improved microclimate at a patient interface material -skin contact area. In an embodiment a material system is described that comprises a hydrophobic silicone base material and a hydrophilic silicone material that is combined with the hydrophobic base material.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for monitoring a subject (14) is disclosed. The monitoring apparatus comprises a storage device (18) for storing first skin secretion data (27) of the subject. A detection unit (12) detects a skin secretion at a skin portion of the subject and provides second skin secretion data (28) of the subject. An evaluation unit (16) evaluates the second skin secretion data and determines at least one physical parameter on the basis of the first skin secretion data and the second skin secretion data. One of the at least one physical parameter is a time value (25, 26) determinable on the basis of a difference between the first and the second skin secretion data.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus (100) for determining a blood pressure measurement for a subject (102). The apparatus (100) comprises a processor (104) configured to acquire, from a light sensor (106), measurements of an intensity of light (108) of a first wavelength range reflected from the skin (110) of the subject (102) and an intensity of light (112) of a second wavelength range reflected from the skin (110) of the subject (102) for a range of forces at which the light sensor (106) is applied to the skin (110). The processor (104) is also configured to determine a ratio of the intensity of light (108) of the first wavelength range to the intensity of light (112) of the second wavelength range for each of the applied forces and determine a blood pressure measurement for the subject (102) based on an integral of the ratios with respect to the applied forces.

Abstract: A patient-contacting element for a patient interface for delivering a flow of gas to a user is being configured to provide a substantially air-tight seal with the user's skin during use. The patient-contacting element includes an inlet for receiving at least part of the flow of gas, at least one gas-permeable element that is disposed within the patient-contacting element and arranged in fluidic communication with the inlet, and a first layer of an air-tight material that is arranged between the at least one gas-permeable element and an inner space of the patient-contacting element for receiving a nose and/or a mouth of the user. The air-tight material has at least one opening therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a member (14, 24, 26) of a patient interface (10) for providing a flow of breath-able gas to a self-ventilating patient (12). The member (14, 24, 26) includes a wear-out indicator (32) for indicating a wear-out of the member (14, 24, 26) to the patient (12). The wear-out indicator (32) includes an elastic structure (34) that appears in a first colour in an unstressed condition and is configured to re-versibly change its apparent colour when being stretched and re-turned to its unstressed condition again. The elastic structure (34) is configured to indicate a wear-out of the member (14, 24, 26) by appearing in a second colour in its unstressed condition when the structure (34) has lost at least a part of its elasticity, wherein the second colour is different from the first colour.

Abstract: A patient interface device uses a pressure flap which extends inwardly from an outer edge of a mask of the device. The pressure flap is for contacting the skin of the patient to provide a seal or partial seal between the mask volume and the ambient surroundings. The pressure flap includes a cavity area which is exposed to a reduced pressure compared to the mask volume. This assists in keeping the pressure flap pressed against the patient's skin, and thereby maintain a large contact area. This in turn gives a reduction in local high pressure areas.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus (12) is presented that predicts a fertility window comprising a period of increased fecundability for a woman based on optical monitoring of facial features.

Abstract: A fiber quality sensor (S) comprises a first pair of mutually adjacent electrodes arranged for contacting the fiber to generate a first voltage over the electrodes, the first voltage being indicative of the quality of the fiber, the first pair of electrodes including a first conductive electrode (1), and a first dielectric electrode (D, 2) having a first dielectric material (D) with a conductive backing (2). The fiber quality sensor (S) may further comprise a second pair of electrodes arranged for contacting the fiber to generate a second voltage over the electrodes, the second voltage being indicative of the quality of the fiber, the second pair of mutually adjacent electrodes including a second conductive electrode (1), and a second dielectric electrode (D, 2) having a second dielectric material with a conductive backing, wherein in a tribo-electric series of materials, the material of the conductive electrode is arranged between the first and second dielectric materials.

Abstract: A patient interface and a patient interface system comprise a responsive material and a method for preventing the formation of red marks due to wearing a patient interface that is pressing against the skin of a patient for a longer time and/or for reducing air leakages of the patient interface that may result from an unintended shift of the patient interface on the patient's face. The responsive material is configured for alternating the pressure exerted by the cushion element on the patient and/or the area on the patient where the pressure is exerted by the cushion element in response to a physical quantity acting on the responsive material. The formation of red marks and of air leakages can be reduced or even avoided by means of the responsive material.

Abstract: A number of user interface device embodiments are disclosed that provide for increased cooling of the skin covered by the mask and/or increased flushing of gasses, including CO2, from the mask.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device, system and method for managing treatment of an inflammatory autoimmune disease of a person. The proposed device comprises an input unit (20) for receiving measurement data acquired over time including white blood cell count data related to the person's white blood cell count, tumor necrotic factor-? data related to the person's tumor necrotic factor-?, C-reactive protein data related to the person's C-reactive protein, cortisol level data related to the person's cortisol level and melatonin data related to the person's melatonin concentration. The device further comprises a treatment manager (21) for managing treatment of the inflammatory autoimmune disease of the person by combining the obtained measurement data by an algorithm to obtain a disease activity level, to monitor the disease activity level over time and to determine treatment interventions based on the monitored disease activity level.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for monitoring a subject (14) is disclosed. The monitoring apparatus comprises a storage device (18) for storing first skin secretion data (27) of the subject. A detection unit (12) detects a skin secretion at a skin portion of the subject and provides second skin secretion data (28) of the subject. An evaluation unit (16) evaluates the second skin secretion data and determines at least one physical parameter on the basis of the first skin secretion data and the second skin secretion data. One of the at least one physical parameter is a time value (25, 26) determinable on the basis of a difference between the first and the second skin secretion data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device, system and method for detecting illness- and/or therapy-related fatigue of a person in an easy and reliable way. For this purpose the device comprises an input unit (20) for obtaining white blood cell count data related to the person's white blood cell count, hemoglobin level data related to the person's hemoglobin level and cortisol level data related to the person's cortisol level, and an analyzer (21) for detecting illness- and/or therapy-related fatigue of the person based on the obtained white blood cell count data, hemoglobin level data and cortisol level data.

Abstract: There is provided a contact lens for detecting changes in a property of ocular fluid. The contact lens comprises a lens part comprising an indicator material, wherein the volume of the indicator material is variable in dependence on a property of ocular fluid. The contact lens further comprises output means disposed on the lens part, wherein the output means is configured to provide an output which is variable in dependence on the volume of the indicator material.

Abstract: Skin monitoring device for application near the skin includes a processing circuit and at least one photosensor configured to detect at least one approximate wavelength of light reflected and/or emitted by the skin. A signal receiving circuit receives signals from the photosensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a patient-contacting element (10) or a patient interface (12) including such a patient-contacting element (10) wherein the required minimum pressure for sealing may be realized for all different values of CPAP pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a member (14, 24, 26) of a patient interface (10) for providing a flow of breathable gas to a self-ventilating patient (12). The member (14, 24, 26) comprises a wear-out indicator (32) for indicating a wear-out of the member (14, 24, 26) to the patient (12). The wear-out indicator (32) comprises an elastic structure (34) that appears in a first colour in an unstressed condition and is configured to reversibly change its apparent colour when being stretched and returned to its unstressed condition again. The elastic structure (34) is configured to indicate a wear-out of the member (14, 24, 26) by appearing in a second colour in its unstressed condition when the structure (34) has lost at least a part of its elasticity, wherein the second colour is different from the first colour.