Abstract: A distension/compression device for assisting breathing in a subject is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first tube includes a flexible and elastic material that forms a first tube lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the first tube. Longitudinal expansion of the first tube is restricted less than radial expansion of the first tube. A connection element including a first air supply port is in fluid communication with an open proximal end of the first tube lumen and attached to a proximal end of the first tube. A method for assisting breathing of a patient and a method for assisting the clearing of secretions is also included.

Abstract: A distension/compression device for assisting breathing in a subject according to one embodiment includes a first tube having a flexible and elastic material that forms a first tube lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the first tube. Longitudinal expansion of the first tube is restricted less than radial expansion of the first tube. A connection element including a first air supply port is in fluid communication with an open proximal end of the first tube lumen and attached to a proximal end of the first tube. A method for assisting breathing of a patient and a method for assisting the clearing of secretions is also included.

Abstract: A distension/compression device for assisting breathing in a subject is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first tube includes a flexible and elastic material that forms a first tube lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the first tube. Longitudinal expansion of the first tube is restricted less than radial expansion of the first tube. A connection element including a first air supply port is in fluid communication with an open proximal end of the first tube lumen and attached to a proximal end of the first tube. A method for assisting breathing of a patient and a method for assisting the clearing of secretions is also included.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) cannula that includes multiple independent sensors may help decrease the incidence of ventricular collapse and provide automatic speed control. A cannula may include two or more independent sensors. One sensor may measure ventricular pressure, while another may measure ventricular volume and/or ventricular wall location. With this information an automatic control system may be configured to adjust pump speed to minimize the likelihood of ventricular collapse and maximize LVAD flow in response to physiologic demand. Typically the volume sensors are conductance sensors. Further embodiments provide LVADs that are powered by RF energy.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) cannula that includes multiple independent sensors may help decrease the incidence of ventricular collapse and provide automatic speed control. A cannula may include two or more independent sensors. One sensor may measure ventricular pressure, while another may measure ventricular volume and/or ventricular wall location. With this information an automatic control system may be configured to adjust pump speed to minimize the likelihood of ventricular collapse and maximize LVAD flow in response to physiologic demand. Typically the volume sensors are conductance sensors. Further embodiments provide LVADs that are powered by RF energy.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) cannula that includes multiple independent sensors may help decrease the incidence of ventricular collapse and provide automatic speed control. A cannula may include two or more independent sensors. One sensor may measure ventricular pressure, while another may measure ventricular volume and/or ventricular wall location. With this information an automatic control system may be configured to adjust pump speed to minimize the likelihood of ventricular collapse and maximize LVAD flow in response to physiologic demand. Typically the volume sensors are conductance sensors. Further embodiments provide LVADs that are powered by RF energy.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) cannula that includes multiple independent sensors may help decrease the incidence of ventricular collapse and provide automatic speed control. A cannula may include two or more independent sensors. One sensor may measure ventricular pressure, while another may measure ventricular volume and/or ventricular wall location. With this information an automatic control system may be configured to adjust pump speed to minimize the likelihood of ventricular collapse and maximize LVAD flow in response to physiologic demand. Typically the volume sensors are conductance sensors. Further embodiments provide LVADs that are powered by RF energy.

Abstract: A lighting unit includes a power supply, a light source, a controller, and an output intensity adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism is configured to allow a user to set an output intensity of a plurality of non-zero intensities generatable by the light source. The controller is operable to control a supply of electrical power from the power supply to the light source such that the light source illuminates in accordance with the intensity set by the user. The lighting unit is also operable to optionally report usage information for the lighting unit (e.g., cumulative on time) using the light source to produce a visually undetectable information signal. The controller is further optionally operable to adjust (e.g., increase) the electrical power supplied to the light source when the cumulative on time for the light source corresponds to a point on a lumen depreciation curve indicating a reduction in light source intensity.

Abstract: A hands-free hair dryer mounting apparatus adapted for holding a hair dryer in a universal hair dryer holder assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support bracket that is removably affixed to a wall mounting plate adapted for secure attachment to a wall or other surface. A universal hair dryer holder, adapted for receiving and holding any type, size, or style of handheld hair dryer, projects outward from the bracket. The hair dryer holder is connected to an adjustable arm which contains a vertical pivot connection that allows for manual angular adjustment and affixation of the hair dryer about a generally horizontal pivot axis. The adjustable arm also contains a horizontal pivot connection that allows for manual angular adjustment and affixation of the hair dryer about a generally vertical pivot axis. Angular adjustment in both the vertical and horizontal directions is accomplished by a spring biased interlocking joints.

Abstract: A hands-free hair dryer mounting apparatus adapted for holding a hair dryer in an oscillating universal hair dryer holder assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a wall mountable housing that is removably affixed to a wall mounting plate adapted for secure attachment to a wall or other supporting surface. A universal hair dryer holder, adapted for receiving and holding any type, size, or style of handheld hair dryer, projects outward from the housing. The hair dryer holder is connected to an oscillating arm via a horizontal pivot connection that allows for manual angular adjustment and affixation of the hair dryer about a generally horizontal pivot axis. The oscillating arm extends into the base and is connected to an electric motor by mechanical linkage such that angularly adjustable side-to-side oscillation is enabled.

Abstract: A lighting unit includes a power supply, a light source, a controller, and an output intensity adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism is configured to allow a user to set an output intensity of a plurality of non-zero intensities generatable by the light source. The controller is operable to control a supply of electrical power from the power supply to the light source such that the light source illuminates in accordance with the intensity set by the user. The lighting unit is also operable to optionally report usage information for the lighting unit (e.g., cumulative on time) using the light source to produce a visually undetectable information signal. The controller is further optionally operable to adjust (e.g., increase) the electrical power supplied to the light source when the cumulative on time for the light source corresponds to a point on a lumen depreciation curve indicating a reduction in light source intensity.

Abstract: A person monitoring system employs an exemplary method for wirelessly monitoring one or more persons, wherein each person is initially positioned in a respective person support device (PSD) and each PSD is associated with a presence determining device (PDD) operable to detect a presence of a person in the PSD. A portable unit (PU) of the system wirelessly receives status signals during a training period from one or more PDDs. Each status signal includes a respective identifier corresponding to the PDD. The PU stores identifiers included in status signals received during the training period to produce monitored identifiers. After expiration of the training period, the PU wirelessly receives status signals from at least some of the PDDs. The PU then determines whether each monitored identifier is included in at least one respective post-training status signal received during a predetermined time interval and, if not, alerts a user of the PU.

Abstract: A hands-free hair dryer mounting apparatus adapted for holding a hair dryer in a universal hair dryer holder assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support bracket that is removably affixed to a wall mounting plate adapted for secure attachment to a wall or other surface. A universal hair dryer holder, adapted for receiving and holding any type, size, or style of handheld hair dryer, projects outward from the bracket. The hair dryer holder is connected to an adjustable arm which contains a vertical pivot connection that allows for manual angular adjustment and affixation of the hair dryer about a generally horizontal pivot axis. The adjustable arm also contains a horizontal pivot connection that allows for manual angular adjustment and affixation of the hair dryer about a generally vertical pivot axis. Angular adjustment in both the vertical and horizontal directions is accomplished by a spring biased interlocking joints.

Abstract: A hands-free hair dryer mounting apparatus adapted for holding a hair dryer in an oscillating universal hair dryer holder assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a wall mountable housing that is removably affixed to a wall mounting plate adapted for secure attachment to a wall or other supporting surface. A universal hair dryer holder, adapted for receiving and holding any type, size, or style of handheld hair dryer, projects outward from the housing. The hair dryer holder is connected to an oscillating arm via a horizontal pivot connection that allows for manual angular adjustment and affixation of the hair dryer about a generally horizontal pivot axis. The oscillating arm extends into the base and is connected to an electric motor by mechanical linkage such that angularly adjustable side-to-side oscillation is enabled.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to be used in connection with an artificial heart assembly having a blood inlet conduit, a blood outlet conduit, and a pump that pumps blood from the blood inlet conduit to the blood outlet conduit. The apparatus includes an internal coil adapted to be implanted beneath the skin of a subject, an AC-to-DC converter that provides electric power from the internal coil to the pump, an external coil adapted to be disposed adjacent the internal coil and separated from the internal coil by the skin of a subject, the external coil being coupled to transmit electric power to the internal coil through the skin of the subject. A DC-to-AC converter is coupled to the external coil and to a source of DC power. The DC-to-AC converter selectively converts DC power from the DC power source into either a first frequency during a first period of time or a second frequency during a second period of time, the first frequency being different than the second frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to be used in connection with an artificial heart assembly having a blood inlet conduit, a blood outlet conduit, and a pump that is adapted to pump blood from the blood inlet conduit to the blood outlet conduit. The apparatus includes an internal coupler adapted to be implanted beneath the skin of a subject and an external coupler operatively coupled to the internal coupler so that the external coupler induces an alternating electric current in the internal coupler. A rectification circuit is coupled to receive the alternating electric current induced in the internal coupler and generates DC electric power for the motor. The rectification circuit operates synchronously with, or at the same frequency as, the alternating current induced in the internal coupler and produces DC electric power from the alternating electric current.