Abstract: Disclosed herein are speech therapeutic devices and methods. In one aspect, the speech therapeutic device includes audio input circuitry, signal processing circuitry, and stimulus circuitry. In certain embodiments, the audio input circuitry is configured to provide an input signal that is indicative of speech provided by a user and the signal processing circuitry is configured to utilize a reconfigurable rule that includes a condition, receive the input signal, process the input signal using the reconfigurable rule, and provide an alert signal responsive to attainment of the condition. The stimulus circuitry is configured to receive the alert signal and provide a stimulus to the user. The signal processing circuitry is additionally configured to (i) receive the reconfigurable rule from a communication network, and/or (ii) generate a record indicative of the alert signal, store the record in a memory, and send the record to a communication network.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are speech therapeutic devices and methods. In one aspect, the speech therapeutic device includes audio input circuitry, signal processing circuitry, and stimulus circuitry. In certain embodiments, the audio input circuitry is configured to provide an input signal that is indicative of speech provided by a user and the signal processing circuitry is configured to utilize a reconfigurable rule that includes a condition, receive the input signal, process the input signal using the reconfigurable rule, and provide an alert signal responsive to attainment of the condition. The stimulus circuitry is configured to receive the alert signal and provide a stimulus to the user. The signal processing circuitry is additionally configured to (i) receive the reconfigurable rule from a communication network, and/or (ii) generate a record indicative of the alert signal, store the record in a memory, and send the record to a communication network.

Abstract: A hearing assistive device is provided having a microphone, at least one audio signal processing mechanism, a vibration signal processing mechanism, and a vibrator. The audio signal processing mechanism receives an input audio signal from the microphone and generates a first output signal according to the received input audio signal wherein the first output signal coupled to a transducer that generates auditory perception in an ear of a user. The vibration signal processing mechanism receives the input audio signal and generates a second output signal according to the input audio signal. The vibrator is configured to be placed adjacent to the skin of the user, and configured to generate a vibration stimulation signal on the skin of the user according to the second output signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are speech therapeutic devices and methods. In one aspect, the speech therapeutic device includes audio input circuitry, signal processing circuitry, and stimulus circuitry. In certain embodiments, the audio input circuitry is configured to provide an input signal that is indicative of speech provided by a user and the signal processing circuitry is configured to utilize a reconfigurable rule that includes a condition, receive the input signal, process the input signal using the reconfigurable rule, and provide an alert signal responsive to attainment of the condition. The stimulus circuitry is configured to receive the alert signal and provide a stimulus to the user. The signal processing circuitry is additionally configured to (i) receive the reconfigurable rule from a communication network, and/or (ii) generate a record indicative of the alert signal, store the record in a memory, and send the record to a communication network.

Abstract: A hearing assistive device is provided having a microphone, at least one audio signal processing mechanism, a vibration signal processing mechanism, and a vibrator. The audio signal processing mechanism receives an input audio signal from the microphone and generates a first output signal according to the received input audio signal wherein the first output signal coupled to a transducer that generates auditory perception in an ear of a user. The vibration signal processing mechanism receives the input audio signal and generates a second output signal according to the input audio signal. The vibrator is configured to be placed adjacent to the skin of the user, and configured to generate a vibration stimulation signal on the skin of the user according to the second output signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting noise in cardiac pacing response classification processes involve determining that a cardiac response classification is possibly erroneous if unexpected signal content is detected. The unexpected signal content may comprise signal peaks that have polarity opposite to the polarity of peaks used to determine the cardiac response to pacing. Fusion/noise management processes include pacing at a relatively high energy level until capture is detected after a fusion, indeterminate, or possibly erroneous pacing response classification is made. The relatively high energy pacing pulses may be delivered until capture is detected or until a predetermined number of paces are delivered.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting noise in cardiac pacing response classification processes involve determining that a cardiac response classification is possibly erroneous if unexpected signal content is detected. The unexpected signal content may comprise signal peaks that have polarity opposite to the polarity of peaks used to determine the cardiac response to pacing. Fusion/noise management processes include pacing at a relatively high energy level until capture is detected after a fusion, indeterminate, or possibly erroneous pacing response classification is made. The relatively high energy pacing pulses may be delivered until capture is detected or until a predetermined number of paces are delivered.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting noise in cardiac pacing response classification processes involve determining that a cardiac response classification is possibly erroneous if unexpected signal content is detected. The unexpected signal content may comprise signal peaks that have polarity opposite to the polarity of peaks used to determine the cardiac response to pacing. Fusion/noise management processes include pacing at a relatively high energy level until capture is detected after a fusion, indeterminate, or possibly erroneous pacing response classification is made. The relatively high energy pacing pulses may be delivered until capture is detected or until a predetermined number of paces are delivered.

Abstract: Cardiac devices and methods that select pacing rates for automatic threshold tests based on a patient's hemodynamic need. A sensor-indicated pacing rate corresponding to a patient's hemodynamic need is determined. A test pacing rate is selected from either the sensor-indicated rate or another rate. Capture threshold testing is performed using the selected pacing rate.

Abstract: Cardiac devices and methods that select pacing rates for automatic threshold tests based on a patient's hemodynamic need. A sensor-indicated pacing rate corresponding to a patient's hemodynamic need is determined. A test pacing rate is selected from either the sensor-indicated rate or another rate. Capture threshold testing is performed using the selected pacing rate.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting noise in cardiac pacing response classification processes involve determining that a cardiac response classification is possibly erroneous if unexpected signal content is detected. The unexpected signal content may comprise signal peaks that have polarity opposite to the polarity of peaks used to determine the cardiac response to pacing. Fusion/noise management processes include pacing at a relatively high energy level until capture is detected after a fusion, indeterminate, or possibly erroneous pacing response classification is made. The relatively high energy pacing pulses may be delivered until capture is detected or until a predetermined number of paces are delivered.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting noise in cardiac pacing response classification processes involve determining that a cardiac response classification is possibly erroneous if unexpected signal content is detected. The unexpected signal content may comprise signal peaks that have polarity opposite to the polarity of peaks used to determine the cardiac response to pacing. Fusion/noise management processes include pacing at a relatively high energy level until capture is detected after a fusion, indeterminate, or possibly erroneous pacing response classification is made. The relatively high energy pacing pulses may be delivered until capture is detected or until a predetermined number of paces are delivered.

Abstract: Cardiac devices and methods that select pacing rates for automatic threshold tests based on a patient's hemodynamic need. A sensor-indicated pacing rate corresponding to a patient's hemodynamic need is determined. A test pacing rate is selected from either the sensor-indicated rate or another rate. Capture threshold testing is performed using the selected pacing rate.

Abstract: Approaches for adjusting the pacing energy delivered by a pacemaker are provided. Adjusting the pacing energy involves performing a plurality of capture threshold tests, each capture threshold test measuring a capture threshold of the heart. One or more measured captured thresholds are selected, including at least one capture threshold that is higher relative to other measured capture thresholds acquired by the plurality of capture threshold tests. The pacing energy is adjusted based on the one or more selected capture thresholds.

Abstract: Adjusting the pacing energy involves performing a plurality of capture threshold tests, each capture threshold test measuring a capture threshold of the heart. One or more measured captured thresholds are selected, including at least one capture threshold that is higher relative to other measured capture thresholds acquired by the plurality of capture threshold tests. The pacing energy is adjusted based on the one or more selected capture thresholds.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gas permeable electrode comprising an electrocatalyst which is permeable to a reactant or reaction product, the electrocatalyst comprising particulate boron-doped diamond. There is also disclosed a method of making an electrocatalyst which is permeable to a reactant or reaction product, the method comprising the step of forming an electrocatalyst comprising particulate boron-doped diamond.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring pressure buildup in a body compartment that encases muscular tissue. The method includes assessing the body compartment configuration and identifying the effect of pulsatile components on at least one compartment dimension. This process is used in preventing tissue necrosis, and in decisions of whether to perform surgery on the body compartment for prevention of Compartment Syndrome. An apparatus is used for measuring excess pressure in the body compartment having components for imparting ultrasonic waves such as a transducer, placing the transducer to impart the ultrasonic waves, capturing the reflected imparted ultrasonic waves, and converting them to electrical signals, a pulsed phase-locked loop device for assessing a body compartment configuration and producing an output signal, and means for mathematically manipulating the output signal to thereby categorize pressure build-up in the body compartment from the mathematical manipulations.

Abstract: There is provided a method for optimizing a download of requested data to an electronic data processing unit that is currently receiving unrequested multicast data through a router included in a network. The unrequested multicast data corresponds to at least one multicast data group. Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) V2 Leave Messages are sent to the router for the at least one multicast data group. IGMP Membership Queries issued by the router for the at least one multicast data group are ignored, so as to cause the router to terminate a transmission of the unrequested multicast data to free up available bandwidth for the download of the requested data.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for measuring pressure buildup in a body compartment that encases muscular tissue. The method includes assessing the body compartment configuration and identifying the effect of pulsatible components on compartment dimensions and muscle tissue characteristics. This process is used in preventing tissue necrosis, and in decisions of whether to perform surgery on the body compartment for prevention of Compartment Syndrome. An apparatus is used for measuring pressure build-up in the body compartment having components for imparting ultrasonic waves such as a transducer, placing the transducer to impart the ultrasonic waves, capturing the imparted ultrasonic waves, mathematically manipulating the captured ultrasonic waves and categorizing pressure build-up in the body compartment from the mathematical manipulations.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device and method obtains desirable crimp connections between a crimp connector and a wire, or bundle of wires, by assessing the desirability of connections made in a wire-to-wire connection and in other situations where two materials with good acoustic propagation characteristics are joined together via deformation. An embodiment of the device as a crimping tool comprises a compressing means, pulse-generating circuitry, at least one ultrasonic transmitting transducer, at least one ultrasonic receiving transducer, receiving circuitry, and a display. The user may return to a previously crimped connection and assess the desirability of the connection by compressing the device about the connection, sending an acoustic signal through the crimp, and comparing the received signal to a signal obtained from known desirable connections.