Abstract: Monitoring apparatus for measuring the respiratory rate of a subject comprises an upper arm unit attached to a subject's upper arm in use and containing at least one movement sensor and a photoplethysmograph configured to monitor blood volume within the subject's upper arm while the upper arm unit is worn on the subject's upper arm. The output from the photoplethysmograph and movement sensor(s) are processed to calculate and output an estimate of the rate of respiration of the subject. Respiratory cycle induced variations in the photoplethysmograph signal and movement sensor signals can be independently determined and there is a greater confidence in the calculated respiratory rate when these independent calculations give consistent readings. If there is insufficient confidence, no rate of respiration is displayed.

Abstract: Monitoring apparatus for measuring the respiratory rate of a subject comprises an upper arm unit attached to a subject's upper arm in use and containing at least one movement sensor and a photoplethysmograph configured to monitor blood volume within the subject's upper arm while the upper arm unit is worn on the subjects upper arm. The output from the photoplethysmograph and movement sensor(s) are processed to calculate and output an estimate of the rate of respiration of the subject. Respiratory cycle induced variations in the photoplethysmograph signal and movement sensor signals can be independently determined and there is a greater confidence in the calculated respiratory rate when these independent calculations give consistent readings. If there is insufficient confidence, no rate of respiration is displayed.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes: a vacuum motor; one or more sensors configured to generate sensor signals associated with the vacuum cleaner; and a controller configured to: process the generated sensor signals using a surface type model defining a mapping between generated sensor signals and surface types to determine a type of surface on which the vacuum cleaner is being operated; control the power of the vacuum motor in dependence on the determined type of surface; and update the surface type model based on the generated sensor signals and/or the determined type of surface.

Abstract: An optical element includes an optical block constructed of a first material having a % transmission of at least 50% throughout a spectral range of 300 nm to 2700 nm through at least a thickness of the optical block. The optical block comprises a surface. A grating layer constructed of a second material is disposed on the surface of the optical block, the grating layer comprising a first surface that is directly in contact with the surface of the optical block and a second surface comprising a plurality of diffraction features forming a diffraction grating.

Abstract: Systems and methods for diabetes management with automatic basal and manual bolus insulin control are presented. An exemplary system includes a delivery device, a glucose sensor, and a controller. The delivery device delivers insulin and the glucose sensor measures glucose levels of the subject. A basal insulin dose is calculated using a model predictive control algorithm and physiological data of the subject including desired glucose levels, amounts of the delivered insulin and the measured glucose levels. A manual bolus insulin dose is initiated by the subject. The manual bolus insulin dose is modified based on one or both of the model predictive control algorithm and the physiological data of the subject. A total insulin dose is determined based on the modified manual bolus insulin dose and the calculated basal insulin dose, and delivered to the subject.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for optimized spinal fixation using additive manufacturing techniques to create implants with optimized structure for various surgical approaches, anatomies, etc. One exemplary embodiment includes a cage having an X-shaped connection that can bear a load during cage impaction. The cage can be additively manufactured to incorporate features such as variable wall thickness or material density to adjust properties of the cage, including load bearing capability, flexibility, radiolucency, etc. The cage can further include one or more of the connectors disposed between upper and lower endplates. In some embodiments, the cage can include a feature for coupling an insertion device thereto for introducing the cage into the body of a patient. In some embodiments, a plate can be appended to or integrally formed with a proximal end of the cage to assist with securing the cage to vertebral bodies.

Abstract: Systems and methods for diabetes management with automatic basal and manual bolus insulin control are presented. An exemplary system includes a delivery device, a glucose sensor, and a controller. The delivery device delivers insulin and the glucose sensor measures glucose levels of the subject. A basal insulin dose is calculated using a model predictive control algorithm and physiological data of the subject including desired glucose levels, amounts of the delivered insulin and the measured glucose levels. A manual bolus insulin dose is initiated by the subject. The manual bolus insulin dose is modified based on one or both of the model predictive control algorithm and the physiological data of the subject. A total insulin dose is determined based on the modified manual bolus insulin dose and the calculated basal insulin dose, and delivered to the subject.

Abstract: A control valve assembly for a load handling vehicle such as forklift comprises a valve body having a bore and a spool located within the bore that is axially movable along the bore between at least two operating configurations. The valve body includes a service port connected to a hydraulic actuator, a pressure port connected to a pump, and a tank port connected to a hydraulic tank reservoir. The valve is reconfigurable between first and second operating configurations. In the first operating configuration the spool defines a fluid pathway connecting the pump port, the service port and the tank port such that in a first flow direction fluid is able to flow from the pressure port to the service port and the tank port, and in a second flow direction fluid is able to flow from the service port to the pressure port and the tank port. The spool is also controllable in the first operating configuration to variably restrict flow to the tank port.

Abstract: A hydraulic system (1, 50) for a load handling vehicle comprises lifting actuator (2, C1) that operates in a load lifting mode in which a load is induced on the actuator, and a load lowering mode in which the actuator provides hydraulic power PI to the hydraulic system. An auxiliary hydraulic actuator (4, 6, 8, C2) is also provided that has a hydraulic power demand P2. A hydraulic pump (10, 58) directs hydraulic power to the hydraulic lifting actuator and the at least one auxiliary hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a cleaner head defining a suction chamber and having an agitator arranged to be rotated by an agitator motor, a dirt separator, a vacuum motor arranged to draw air into the suction chamber and then into the dirt separator, and a controller. The controller is configured to monitor the electrical load of the agitator motor, compare the magnitude of the electrical load to a threshold, and selectively adjust the electrical power delivered to the vacuum motor. The controller is configured either to increase the electrical power delivered to the vacuum motor to a predetermined upper power level if the electrical load is greater than the threshold, or to decrease the electrical power delivered to the vacuum motor to a predetermined lower power level if the electrical load is smaller than the threshold.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for optimized spinal fixation using additive manufacturing techniques to create implants with optimized structure for various surgical approaches, anatomies, etc. One exemplary embodiment includes a cage having an X-shaped connection that can bear a load during cage impaction. The cage can be additively manufactured to incorporate features such as variable wall thickness or material density to adjust properties of the cage, including load bearing capability, flexibility, radiolucency, etc. The cage can further include one or more of the connectors disposed between upper and lower endplates. In some embodiments, the cage can include a feature for coupling an insertion device thereto for introducing the cage into the body of a patient. In some embodiments, a plate can be appended to or integrally formed with a proximal end of the cage to assist with securing the cage to vertebral bodies.

Abstract: Monitoring apparatus for measuring the respiratory rate of a subject comprises an upper arm unit attached to a subject's upper arm in use and containing at least one movement sensor and a photoplethysmograph configured to monitor blood volume within the subject's upper arm while the upper arm unit is worn on the subjects upper arm. The output from the photoplethysmograph and movement sensor(s) are processed to calculate and output an estimate of the rate of respiration of the subject. Respiratory cycle induced variations in the photoplethysmograph signal and movement sensor signals can be independently determined and there is a greater confidence in the calculated respiratory rate when these independent calculations give consistent readings. If there is insufficient confidence, no rate of respiration is displayed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for diabetes management with automatic basal and manual bolus insulin control are presented. An exemplary system includes a delivery device, a glucose sensor, and a controller. The delivery device delivers insulin and the glucose sensor measures glucose levels of the subject. A basal insulin dose is calculated using a model predictive control algorithm and physiological data of the subject including desired glucose levels, amounts of the delivered insulin and the measured glucose levels. A manual bolus insulin dose is initiated by the subject. The manual bolus insulin dose is modified based on one or both of the model predictive control algorithm and the physiological data of the subject. A total insulin dose is determined based on the modified manual bolus insulin dose and the calculated basal insulin dose, and delivered to the subject.

Abstract: Described and illustrated is a system for management of diabetes that includes an infusion pump, glucose sensor and controller with a method programmed into the controller. The infusion pump is configured to deliver insulin to a subject. The glucose sensor is configured to sense glucose levels in the subject and provide output signals representative of the glucose levels in the subject. The controller is programmed to switchover from one mode of MPC control based on a predetermined range of blood glucose values to another MPC mode based on a predetermined target.

Abstract: The invention provides for disabling of the audio bolus feature of a drug delivery system on the occurrence, or predicted occurrence, of certain events mitigating the problem of a user delivering unneeded drug. The invention provides a drug delivery system having at least one controller configured to autonomously modulate drug delivery from the drug delivery device, a sensor for measuring an analyte of the user, and an audio bolus feature, wherein the audio bolus feature is automatically disabled if the controller determines a therapeutically significant state is present.

Abstract: An electric vehicle comprises an electrical system and a hydraulic system. The electrical system comprises an electric power supply and an electric motor-generator connected to the drive train of the vehicle. The hydraulic system includes a pump, and a hydraulic actuator. At least one of the electrical system and the hydraulic system includes energy recovery means arranged to convert kinetic energy from the drive train to electrical energy or to convert kinetic energy from the hydraulic actuator into hydraulic pressure respectively. The electrical and hydraulic systems are connected such that the recovered energy may be converted from electrical to hydraulic energy and/or vice versa. The hydraulic system may further include a hydraulic accumulator.

Abstract: Described and illustrated is a system for management of diabetes that includes an infusion pump, glucose sensor and controller with a method programmed into the controller. The infusion pump is configured to deliver insulin to a subject. The glucose sensor is configured to sense glucose levels in the subject and provide output signals representative of the glucose levels in the subject. The controller is programmed to switchover from one mode of MPC control based on a predetermined range of blood glucose values to another MPC mode based on a predetermined target.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an insulin pump in response to glucose measurements are responsive to a base insulin delivery profile and a temporary insulin delivery profile. These can be used, e.g., to control blood glucose level of a subject using a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin infusion pump. During a selected time range, an insulin amount for the pump to supply is determined using the temporary insulin delivery profile. Outside that time range, the insulin amount is determined using the base insulin delivery profile. The temporary insulin delivery profile can specify an exact amount to be supplied (a “hard” profile), a nominal amount to be supplied if doing so does not drive glucose out of a desired zone (“soft”), or a soft profile with a minimum amount of insulin to be delivered (“semi-soft”).

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an insulin pump in response to glucose measurements are responsive to a base insulin delivery profile and a temporary insulin delivery profile. These can be used, e.g., to control blood glucose level of a subject using a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin infusion pump. During a selected time range, an insulin amount for the pump to supply is determined using the temporary insulin delivery profile. Outside that time range, the insulin amount is determined using the base insulin delivery profile. The temporary insulin delivery profile can specify an exact amount to be supplied (a “hard” profile), a nominal amount to be supplied if doing so does not drive glucose out of a desired zone (“soft”), or a soft profile with a minimum amount of insulin to be delivered (“semi-soft”).

Abstract: Described and illustrated is a system for management of diabetes that includes an infusion pump, glucose sensor and controller with a method programmed into the controller. The infusion pump is configured to deliver insulin to a subject. The glucose sensor is configured to sense glucose levels in the subject and provide output signals representative of the glucose levels in the subject. The controller is programmed receives signals from at least one of the glucose sensor and the pump and configured to issue signals to the pump to deliver an amount of insulin determined by a feedback controller that utilizes a model predictive control of the subject based on desired glucose levels, insulin amount delivered and measured glucose levels of the subject. The controller is also configured to deliver insulin using a tuning factor based on either one of an omission index module or a calibration index module.