Abstract: There is provided a surgical system including a monitoring sensor configured to sense a characteristic of a surgical site within a body, in a sensing region of the surgical site which includes at least a part of a region outside a display field of an endoscope, and circuitry configured to detect an occurrence of a medical abnormality in the region outside the display field of the endoscope based on a result of the sensing by the monitoring sensor, and generate notification information regarding the detected medical abnormality.

Abstract: A medical signal processing device 6 receives a picture signal imaged by a medical observation device 2 and processes the picture signal. The medical signal processing device 6 includes: a signal input unit 61 that receives the picture signal; a first signal converting unit 62 that converts the picture signal received by the signal input unit 61 from an RGB signal into a luminance signal and a color difference signal by performing a matrix calculating process; an identification information appending unit 63 that appends color gamut identification information related to a color gamut of the picture signal and corresponding to the matrix calculating process, to the picture signal resulting from the conversion; and a signal output unit 64 that outputs the picture signal to which the color gamut identification information has been appended, to either a medical display device 4 or a medical recording device provided externally.

Abstract: A three-dimensional endoscope comprises a video signal input portion to which a first video signal is obtained by a first imaging system and a second video signal is obtained by a second imaging system are inputted. A video signal identification portion that identifies a two-dimensional video signal and a three-dimensional video signal are obtained from the video signal input portion. An image condition detection portion that when the video signal identification portion has detected the two-dimensional video signal, analyzes a display area of a two-dimensional image to detect a foggy region. An image combining portion that, when the image condition detection portion has detected a foggy region in a video of at least one of the first imaging system and the second imaging system, combines both of the first video signal and the second video signal to generate a composite image in which fogginess of the foggy region being eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adaptor that is suitable for attachment to an endoscopic device for delivery of a secondary gas. The adaptor generally comprises an adaptor body with first and second fluid transport components and can include a gas inlet on one of the fluid transport components suitable for attachment to a secondary gas source. A sealing member can be included to prevent leakage of any fluid (e.g., liquid or gas) that is transported through channels extending through the fluid transport components. The adaptor may be used in endoscopy methods and is particularly useful for adding a secondary gas source in an endoscopy procedure.

Abstract: An imaging device that includes at least one lens that collects light incident from an object; an imaging sensor that receives light from the lens and converts it to an electric signal; a multi-layer substrate electrically connected to the imaging sensor that includes electronic components and conductive layers and vias; and a collective cable including at least one coaxial cable. A core connection electrode connected to a core of the coaxial cable is formed on a first surface of the multi-layer substrate, the first substrate intersecting with a height direction of the multi-layer substrate. A shielded-wire connection electrode connected to a shielded wire of the coaxial cable is formed on a side surface of the multi-layer substrate adjacent to the first surface. The side surface faces and the cable extend to a proximal end.

Abstract: An endoscopy auxiliary device includes an insertion tube and a clamping unit. The clamping unit has a pipe and a connector. The connector is connected to the insertion tube. The tube is configured to clamp a capsule endoscope. The pipe has an inner space configured to accommodate a part of the capsule endoscope. The pipe includes a first slit, a second slit and a third slit. The first slit extends from a free end of the pipe for a first distance toward a connection end of the pipe. The second slit extends from the free end of the pipe for the connection distance toward the connection end of the pipe. The third slit extends from the free end of the pipe for a third distance toward the connection end of the pipe. The first slit, the second slit and the third slit are separate.

Abstract: An insertion device includes a long and thin insertion section, a rotating housing that is provided to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis, a drive shaft that is connected to a motor rotating the rotating housing, and that transmits a rotation of the motor, a rotor that is provided at a distal-end side of the drive shaft and that is provided to be movable in relation to the rotating housing in axial direction of the insertion section, and that transmits the rotation to the rotating housing via a coating of the insertion section, a sensor that detects that the rotor moves a predetermined amount in either forward or backward direction relative to the axial direction of the insertion section, and a control unit that controls, according to the detection by the sensor, a state of the motor including a positive rotation, a negative rotation, and rotation halt.

Abstract: Exemplary apparatus and optical systems for forward and side view apparatus are described. These apparatus include a light focusing element, a grating element inclined with respect to the optical axis of the apparatus, and a transparent element. The transparent element has a proximal surface in contact with the grating element and an inclined distal surface. Such apparatus can be used as spectrally encoded endoscopy (SEE) probes.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an insertion section, a bending portion provided in the insertion section, including a distal side and a proximal side, and deformable into an arcuate shape by bending in at least one predetermined direction, a distal-side bending portion, a proximal-side bending portion, a first variable stiffness section provided in the distal-side bending portion and configured to change a stiffness of the distal-side bending portion, a second variable stiffness section provided in the proximal-side bending portion and configured to change a stiffness of the proximal-side bending portion, and a controller for performing control to make a stiffness of the first variable stiffness section higher than a stiffness of the second variable stiffness section.

Abstract: An endoscopic stereo matching method and apparatus using a direct attenuation model is provided. A method for generating a depth image according to an embodiment includes: generating a stereo image; and estimating a depth image from the stereo image based on an attenuation trend of light of an illumination used to generate the stereo image. Accordingly, a dense depth image can be obtained by using images obtained from a capsule endoscope, and thus the geometric structure of the inside of the GI tract can be estimated.

Abstract: An otoscope includes an instrument head, a tip element and an optical system. The instrument head has a distal insertion portion for insertion into an ear of a human or veterinary subject. The distal insertion portion has a distal opening. The tip element is releasably attached to the distal insertion portion. The tip element has a distal opening. The optical system is contained within the instrument head. The optical system includes a plurality of optical components. The optical system further comprises a viewing component for viewing of an image of a target of interest aligned along an optical axis disposed within said distal opening. The optical system is configured to provide a field of having a diameter equaling at least 7 mm at a distance of at least 15 mm from a distal opening of said attached tip element. The optical system is further configured to simultaneously provide a distance range of optimal focus having a range of at least 8 mm.

Abstract: A vaginal speculum includes a spreading element and at least two electromyographic sensors. At least one of the electromyographic sensors is mounted in or on the spreading element. The electromyographic sensors generate signals indicative of electromyographic activity in a vagina, cervix, or uterus.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes obtaining an image of a retinal fundus. A plurality of features is extracted from the image of the retinal fundus. The plurality of features includes at least one feature based on anatomical domain knowledge of the retinal fundus and at least one response of a pre-trained deep convolutional neural network to at least a portion of the image of the retinal fundus. The retinal fundus is determined to belong to a left eye or a right eye, based on an analysis of the plurality of features.

Abstract: An optical imaging device includes a support structure and imaging channels, where each imaging channel includes a discrete optical imaging pathway. The imaging channels may be disposed within the support structure, and the imaging channels may be aimed at different angles relative to each other such that each optical imaging pathway is directed towards a pupil of the eye. Additionally, the optical imaging device may include a primary fixation target configured to emit optical signals along a primary fixation target projection path towards the pupil of the eye. Further, an artifact of the primary fixation target may be generated onto a portion of the eye to be imaged.

Abstract: A subjective optometry apparatus includes a subjective measurement portion which subjectively measures optical characteristics of an subject eye, an objective measurement portion which objectively measures optical characteristics of the subject eye, a control portion which causes the objective measurement portion to objectively measure the optical characteristics during the measurement by the subjective measurement portion, and a display control portion which performs a control to display an eye diagram representing the subject eye and an imaging position of a target light flux incident on the subject eye. The display control portion performs a control to display the imaging position based on the objectively measured optical characteristics.

Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing a health state of a person via eye movement-driven biometric systems are provided. Examples of the health states that it would be possible to detect with such a system are but not limited to brain injuries (e.g., concussions), dementia, Parkinson's disease, post-traumatic stress syndrome, schizophrenia, fatigue, cybersickness, autism, Bipolar Disorder and other health conditions that manifest themselves in abnormal behavior of the human visual system. Described methods and systems can also detect influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The system extracts biometric template of a person by deriving features from the captured eye movement signal. The system may compare the difference between previous healthy state of a tested person and newly captured template or an averaged biometric template created from the records of multiple healthy people state of multiple people and a newly captured template from a person who needs to be tested.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the head position and postural sway of a subject is disclosed herein. The system generally includes a head position detection device, a postural sway detection device, and a data processing device operatively coupled to the head position detection device and the postural sway detection device. During the execution of the method, the position of the head of the subject is measured using the head position detection device, and the postural sway of the subject is measured using the postural sway detection device. Also, during the execution of the method, it is determined whether the subject is displacing his or her head over a prescribed range by comparing the head position information determined by using the head position measurement device to a predetermined head displacement range.

Abstract: Techniques for measuring optical aberrations of the eye are disclosed. An example method comprises positioning the eye in a measurement location adjacent to a measurement arm of an optical coherence tomography (OCT) interferometer apparatus, so that source light from the measurement arm passes into the anterior segment of the eye and detecting an interference pattern, the interference pattern resulting from a combination of light reflected from the eye and light reflected from a reference arm of the OCT interferometer apparatus. Based on the interference pattern, an optical delay between a reference surface in the anterior segment of the eye and a measured surface in the eye is calculated, the reference surface being the anterior surface of the cornea or the lens, wherein said calculating comprises measuring an optical phase shift between the reference surface and the measured surface, based on the detected interference pattern.

Abstract: Methods, devices and a system for disease management are provided that employ diagnostic testing devices (e.g., blood glucose meters) and medication delivery devices (e.g., insulin delivery devices) for providing data to a repository in real-time and automatically. Repository data can be analyzed to determine such information as actual test strip use, patient health parameters to outside prescribed ranges, testing and medication delivery compliance, patient profiles or stakeholders to receive promotional items or incentives, and so on. Connected meters and medication delivery devices and repository data analysis are also employed to associate a diagnostic test to a mealtime based on timing of a therapeutic intervention performed by an individual.

Abstract: An integrated system for the monitoring and treating diabetes is provided, including an integrated receiver/hand-held medicament injection pen, including electronics, for use with a continuous glucose sensor. In some embodiments, the receiver is configured to receive continuous glucose sensor data, to calculate a medicament therapy (e.g., via the integrated system electronics) and to automatically set a bolus dose of the integrated hand-held medicament injection pen, whereby the user can manually inject the bolus dose of medicament into the host. In some embodiments, the integrated receiver and hand-held medicament injection pen are integrally formed, while in other embodiments they are detachably connected and communicated via mutually engaging electrical contacts and/or via wireless communication.

Abstract: Devices, methods, systems and procedures for localized, targeted treatment of angiogenic-based therapy in at least one region of interest in one or more layers of cardiac tissue. Various methods can include diagnosing a patient with ischemic heart disease or “at-risk” of manifesting ischemic heart disease, placing the patient into a specific angiogenic-based treatment therapy group, collecting image data, confirming image data and other diagnostic test results, developing a preoperative plan to target region of interest, inserting the catheter into a heart chamber, monitoring the distal end of the catheter tip within the heart on a visual display, contacting at least one layer of cardiac tissue, creating one or more channels in the heart tissue and/or administering the angiogenic-based therapy.

Abstract: A system may include emitters configured to emit radiation at a first wavelength of electromagnetic (EM) radiation and a second wavelength of EM radiation towards a biological tissue, and receivers configured to receive responses to the first and second wavelengths of EM radiation after the wavelengths of EM radiation interact with the biological tissue. The system may also include a signal mixer unit configured to perform operations that include replicate and mix first signals representative of the responses to the first wavelength of EM radiation received by the receivers and second signals representative of the responses to the second wavelength of EM radiation received by the receivers to generate a set of spectro-spatial responses, replicate and mix the spectro-spatial responses to generate markers, and replicate and mix the markers and user-selected markers to output a sequence associated with characterization of the biological tissue.

Abstract: A refractive component includes at least one reflection surface and at least one diffractive optical element. The refractive component is configured to receive a light beam and the light beam expands within the refractive component and is reflected by the at least one reflection surface. The diffractive optical element is configured to receive the light beam reflected from the at least one reflection surface, collimate the light beam, and redirect the light beam out of the refractive component.

Abstract: An apparatus can be provided which can include a laser arrangement which can be configured to provide a laser radiation, and can include an optical cavity. The optical cavity can include a dispersive optical first arrangement which can be configured to receive and disperse at least one first electro-magnetic radiation so as to provide at least one second electro-magnetic radiation. Such cavity can also include an active optical modulator second arrangement which can be configured to receive and modulate the at least one second radiation so as to provide at least one third electro-magnetic radiation. The optical cavity can further include a dispersive optical third arrangement which can be configured to receive and disperse at least one third electro-magnetic radiation so as to provide at least one fourth electro-magnetic radiation.

Abstract: A method for intraoral scanning, including introducing an intraoral scanner (IOS) head into an oral cavity, acquiring an image of a field of view (FOV), processing the acquired FOV image and adjusting at least one image acquisition parameter based on said processing, and an intraoral scanner (IOS) including an IOS head including at least one imager imaging a field of view (FOV), at least on light emitter that illuminates said FOV and circuitry that controls said imager and/or said light emitter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus includes an infant holding area, a display area, a heating system for warming the infant holding area, an environmental sensor, a physiological sensor, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive an environmental sensor input from the environmental sensor and a physiological sensor input from the physiological sensor. The processor is configured to determine a recommended skin temperature based on the environmental sensor input and the physiological sensor input. The processor is configured to display the recommended skin temperature on the display area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assessing system, an assessing method and a computer program for assessing a heart rate of a subject. It finds application in categorizing a physiological response as a condition, in particular in the diagnosis of pathological tachycardia and bradycardia. The assessing system comprises a photoplethysmography (PPG) signal providing unit (10); a motion signal providing unit (20); a parameter providing unit (30) for providing a subject specific parameter; a heart rate determination unit (40); a resting period determination unit (50); an abnormality determination unit (80) for determining an abnormality of the heart rate during the resting period; and an assessing unit (90) for assessing the determined abnormality based on the subject specific parameter. The invention provides a system and a method, which allow for a more reliable assessment of a heart rate of a subject based on a PPG signal of the subject.

Abstract: Techniques exist for measuring local blood velocity of flow rate waveforms in, for example, mammalian vascular segments. A method and system for deriving information on disease in vascular segments, for example mean pressure, drop in mean pressure and/or hydraulic resistance, from such measured waveforms is described. The waveforms can, for example, be measured non-invasively using Doppler ultrasound or magnetic resonance techniques. Form factors (Vff, Pff) for the velocity waveform and the central arterial pressure are determined. Stenosis may be detected by detecting changes e.g in Vff/Pff.

Abstract: A light-emitting section (21) emits light to be irradiated on a body of a patient (100). A light-receiving section (22) outputs a signal corresponding to an intensity of light which has been transmitted through or reflected from the body of the patient (100). A pulse-amplitude Index acquiring section (32) analyzes amplitude of the signal to acquire a pulse-amplitude Index of the patient (100). A pulse determining section (33) determines presence or absence of a pulse of the patient (100) in accordance with the pulse-amplitude Index. A notifying section (34) notifies a result of determination made by the pulse determining section (33).

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining individual-specific blood flow characteristics. One method includes acquiring, for each of a plurality of individuals, individual-specific anatomic data and blood flow characteristics of at least part of the individual's vascular system; executing a machine learning algorithm on the individual-specific anatomic data and blood flow characteristics for each of the plurality of individuals; relating, based on the executed machine learning algorithm, each individual's individual-specific anatomic data to functional estimates of blood flow characteristics; acquiring, for an individual and individual-specific anatomic data of at least part of the individual's vascular system; and for at least one point in the individual's individual-specific anatomic data, determining a blood flow characteristic of the individual, using relations from the step of relating individual-specific anatomic data to functional estimates of blood flow characteristics.

Abstract: Described herein are microelectrode devices to provide localized neural recording or neural stimulation to a neurological target. The device includes a plurality of electrodes disposed along the shafts of deployable flexible pins. The deployable flexible pins are enclosed within an elongated probe shaft, and can be expanded from their enclosure. Additionally, a specifically manufactured outer housing can be coupled to at least a portion of the elongated probe shaft. During deployment of the flexible pins the outer housing of the microelectrode device reduces friction between the flexible pins and the probe shaft and reduces delamination of the flexible pins during deployment.

Abstract: Embodiments include microelectrodes including a flexible shank and a bioabsorbable material surrounding the flexible shank. The flexible shank can include a flexible substrate, a circuit, and a plurality of sensors. Embodiments also include a methods of forming flexible active electrode arrays including depositing a flexible polymer on a substrate. The methods also include forming a plurality of sensors on the flexible polymer and attaching a silicon-based chip to the flexible shank. The methods also include coating the flexible shank in a bioabsorbable material and cutting the shank and a portion of the bioabsorbable material from the substrate.

Abstract: A flexible dry electrode comprises a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite. The flexible dry electrode may be utilized for monitoring electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. The dry ECG electrode may be fabricated by screenprinting silver (Ag) ink on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate, followed by bar coating of a MWCNT/PDMS composite.

Abstract: A catheter adapted or high density mapping and/or ablation of tissue surface has a distal electrode array with offset spine loops, each spine loop having at least a pair of linear portions and a distal portion connecting the pair of linear portions, and one or more electrodes on each linear portion. The linear portions of the plurality of offset spine loops are arranged in-plane a single common plane, and the distal portions of the plurality of offset spine loops are arranged off-plane from the single common plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for obtaining brain wave data using a microelectrode array, comprising a plurality of electrodes for electrically measuring brain waves and an integrated optical stimulation unit for stimulating brain regions by means of optical signals, wherein the stimulation unit has one or more electrical light sources, and wherein the method includes stimulating neurons of the brain via optical signals produced by the light sources, recording a response of the neurons to the stimulation via the electrodes, unambiguously assigning the recorded response to individual optical stimulation signals provided by the light source, and determining an unambiguous correlation between the optical stimulation signals and resulting brain waves measured by the electrodes.

Abstract: A sensor of an implantable medical device senses electrical activity of the brain. A data analyzer of the device monitors an electrographic signal corresponding to the electrical activity of the sensed brain signal, and processes the brain signal to obtain a measure of phase-amplitude coupling. For a selected portion of the electrographic signal, the data analyzer detects first features and second features of the electrographic signal. The first features represent oscillations in a low frequency range, while the second features represent oscillations in a frequency range higher than the low frequency range. For example, the low frequency range may correspond to theta frequency and the higher frequency range may correspond to gamma frequency. The data analyzer determines a measure of phase-amplitude coupling between oscillations in the low frequency range and oscillations in the higher frequency range based on occurrences of second features which coincide with first features.

Abstract: Electrode array for monitoring of physiological parameters and devices including or utilizing same, the electrode array including an active electrode configured to provide an electrical signal and at least two inactive electrodes configured to collect the electrical signal transferred from the active electrode, wherein each of the at least two inactive electrodes are positioned at a different predetermined distance from the active electrode.

Abstract: A powered surgical cutting and stapling instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes at least one sensor to measure at least one parameter associated with the instrument, at least one processor, and a memory operatively associated with the processor. The memory includes machine executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to monitor the at least one sensor over a predetermined time period and determine a rate of change of the measured parameter.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is configured to generate ultrasound image data of a subject through an ultrasound probe. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes a specifying unit, a transmission/reception condition change unit, and an image generator. The specifying unit specifies a characteristic site, which is included in a scanning range related to the ultrasound image data and has specific acoustic characteristics, based on three-dimensional image data of the subject generated in advance. The transmission/reception condition change unit changes transmission/reception conditions of ultrasound waves based on the acoustic characteristics of the characteristic site. The image generator generates the ultrasound image data based on changed transmission/reception conditions.

Abstract: A system and medical device for the electromagnetic tracking of a medical instrument transported through the medical device. The medical device has a central axis and a channel that receives and transports a medical instrument through the medical device. The channel extends to a distal portion of the medical device and connects with an opening in the medical device that is not aligned with the central axis. The medical device includes a tracking component that is a plurality of coordinated electromagnetic sensors for generating a virtual axis of travel for the medical instrument, with the virtual axis passing through the opening of the device and being aligned with tool insertion axis.

Abstract: A catheter placement system for positioning a catheter in a vasculature of a patient using at least two different modalities. The catheter placement system includes a console with a display, a stylet removably positionable within a lumen of the catheter, a tip location sensor, and an external electrode. The stylet may include an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor assembly for detecting ECG signals of a node of a heart of the patient, and a first connector in communication with the ECG sensor assembly. The tip location sensor may be configured to detect the stylet when the catheter is disposed within the vasculature of the patient, and to communicate information of the stylet to the console. The console may be configured to receive at least one aspect of the ECG signal detected by the ECG sensor assembly indicative of proximity of the ECG sensor assembly to the node.

Abstract: A breath sampling device including a housing having a fluid inlet positioned at a fluid inlet end, a fluid outlet positioned at a fluid outlet end, a fluid channel extending between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and a sensor fluidly coupled to the fluid channel. The sensor is structurally configured to detect a presence of a target gas in a gas sample and a filter assembly fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and positioned between the fluid inlet and the sensor. The filter assembly is structurally configured to absorb heat, water vapor, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: According to an aspect there is provided a method of determining the health of a subject, the method comprising determining the absolute humidity and volume of air exhaled by the subject over time; and analysing the determined absolute humidity and volume of air exhaled by the subject to determine a characteristic of the air that was above the isothermic saturation boundary, ISB, of the subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a body-worn alcohol detection device. The device includes a housing comprising an electronics module and an alcohol detection module. The device further comprises a strap for securing the housing to a limb of the user. The electronics module includes a processor and a communication module, and the alcohol detection module includes an alcohol detection sensor, a sample collection device and a biometric camera for capturing an image of the inside of the user's mouth.

Abstract: Among other thing, the present invention provides solution to the problem, particularly, the present invention certain surfaces and certain sample holder to improve the sensitivity, speed, and easy-to-use of an optical signal based assays, such as colorimetric assays or fluorescence assays.

Abstract: An insole for insertion into an article of footwear, comprising flexible upper sheet, lower sheet, insulating dielectric sheet, capacitive force sensors with upper electrodes and lower electrodes and networks of upper conductive leads and lower conductive leads. The insole comprises a chip support member and control and transmit electronics comprising a control electronic and a wireless transceiver. An upper contacting tab of the upper sheet is in surface contact with the chip support member and comprises conductive leads connected to the upper electrodes. A lower contacting tab of the lower sheet is in surface contact with the chip support member and comprises conductive leads connected to the lower electrodes.

Abstract: Improved cross-calibration between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) coordinates and optical tracking coordinates is provided. Initial calibration is performed with a calibration tool that includes wireless active markers that can be tracked using the MRI scanner, and an optical marker that can be tracked using the optical tracking system. Data from one or more poses of this tool are used to provide an initial cross-calibration. In use, this initial calibration is corrected to account for differences between actual camera position and the reference location. Here the reference location is the camera location at which the initial calibration was performed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a workplace analysis system (1) in a work area (10) for the acquisition and analysis of the presence of a person (P) to be monitored in several differently defined zones (A, B, C) of the work area (10) and of at least the temporal duration of stay (tA, tB, tC) of the person (P) to be monitored within the zones (A, B, C), wherein in the workplace analysis system (1) at least one acquisition device (20) is provided, which is designed to detect and to acquire the presence and the duration of stay (tA, tB, tC) of the person (P) to be monitored in the respective zones (A, B, C), and an analysis device (30) is provided, which is designed to analyze and evaluate the presence and the duration of stay (tA, tB, tC) of the person (P) to be monitored in the respective zones (A, B, C).

Abstract: The invention relates to a system of analyzing and quantifying a user's posture and gait, characterized in that it includes a pair 10 of soles 11, 12 each provided with an electronic box 100, 101, 102, each box comprising: an inertial platform, a data processing module 120, 121, 122, a data storage module 130, 131, 132, a means of communication 140, 141, 142, a power source 150.

Abstract: A respiratory effort belt to be worn by a person undergoing a sleep study comprises a PVDF piezo film transducer having opposite major surfaces metalized and electrical leads electronically connected to the metalized surfaces adhesively bonded to an inelastic cover layer that is, in turn, adhesively joined to an stretchable elastic band that functions as a belt to be secured to the person's chest or abdomen. The transducer produces a time-varying output voltage waveform due to rubbing contact between the elastic band and the PVDF film and not due to tensile forces acting on the film as the person's chest or abdomen rises and falls with inspiration and expiration.