Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a control device include a first user input unit configured to receive a touch input from a user and providing a corresponding first input signal and the user output unit configured to provide an output on said touch screen based on an output signal, and a dial configured to control magnitude and/or size and/or intensity of one or more audiological parameters of an audiological test. The control device further includes an interface configured to provide one of a plurality of user interface layouts presentable on a touch screen, and where said user interface is configured to adaptively modify a provided user interface layout in response to input signals.

Abstract: An applicator for inserting a sensor for biometric information measurement into a user's skin, according to the present invention, comprises: an applicator body which has a bottom portion capable of coming into contact with the user's skin; an insertion unit which is provided in the applicator body to move a sensor unit from a first position where the sensor unit is spaced apart from the user's skin to a second position where the sensor is inserted into the user's skin, the sensor unit comprising the sensor, a sensor unit housing in which the sensor is mounted, an adhesive layer provided on the sensor unit housing, and a protective sheet covering the adhesive layer; a carriage to which a part of the protective sheet is coupled and which is provided in the applicator body to move in the direction away from the sensor unit housing in order to release the protective sheet from the adhesive layer; and an operation member which is provided in the applicator body to be able to operate the carriage through the user'

Abstract: An installation unit of analyte detection device, includes: a housing, provided with an auxiliary-needle limit slot; a parallel slider module, the far end face of which is provided with the slider-buckle; an analyte detection device, located at the front end of the parallel slider module; and an auxiliary-needle module. When implementing the installation action, the auxiliary-needle module moves to the near end along with the parallel slider module relative to the housing. The auxiliary-needle inserts the sensor under the skin until the slider-buckle is separated from the auxiliary-needle limit slot, the auxiliary-needle slide block returns back to the initial position, and the auxiliary-needle retracts back into the housing to avoid unnecessary injury. The installation unit has simple structure, high reliability and convenient use.

Abstract: A device may include a body defining an opening including a first module including a receiver/transmitter, the device being configured to perform operations including transmitting a first electromagnetic waves into a digit, receiving a first scattering waves reflected back to the first module, estimating a permittivity based on the first electromagnetic waves and the first scattering waves, and estimating a blood glucose concentration based on the estimated permittivity and a reference dataset and providing the blood glucose concentration as output, the device being configured to be positioned around the digit. The body may also include a second module for receiving and/or transmitting waves, the estimated permittivity being determined based on the waves measured by the second module. The device may also perform a calibration of the device during a first time period to enable the device to estimate the blood glucose concentration of the user during the second time period.

Abstract: A miniaturized blood glucose measurement module using polarized light is provided, which includes an electromagnet assembly, a light-emitting assembly, and a light-receiving assembly. The electromagnet assembly includes a metal base and a coil. The metal base includes an accommodating portion and a side surface. The accommodating portion is located within a scope of the side surface, and the coil is wound on the side surface. The light-emitting assembly is embedded in the accommodating portion and includes a light-emitting element and a first polarizing element. A light emitted by the light-emitting element passes through the first polarizing element to generate a polarized light, and the light-emitting assembly forms a light-emitting surface. The light-receiving assembly is embedded in the accommodating portion and adjacent to the light-emitting assembly, and the light-receiving assembly includes a light-sensing element, a magnetic crystal and a second polarizing element.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for depositing a therapeutic agent onto analyte sensors (e.g., to reduce signal inaccuracies or in vivo sensor failure, e.g., due to foreign body response (FBR)). In certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a process for coating (e.g., dip coating) analyte sensors with therapeutic agent-containing polymer compositions to obtain analyte sensors that include a therapeutic agent. The present disclosure further relates to sharps coated with a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides computer-implemented methods, systems, and devices for non-invasively measuring a level of an analyte in a user using Stimulated Raman Scattering. A user computing device includes a Raman pump source that emits pump light toward a skin surface of the user at a pump wavelength. The device includes a Stokes source that emits Stokes light toward the skin surface at a plurality of Stokes wavelengths within a window of Raman measurement wavelengths. The Stokes light comprises a plurality of narrowband emissions at a respective plurality of center wavelengths ranging across the window of Raman measurement wavelengths. The device includes a photodetector that measures light that emanates from the skin surface. The device includes a processor that processes the measured light to provide an estimated analyte level of the user.

Abstract: A subcutaneous glucose monitoring system is disclosed. The subcutaneous glucose monitoring system includes a glucose measurement device that includes a sensor having a predetermined usage time length, and a reader comprising a processor, a wireless communication module, a memory, and a user interface configured to couple with the one or more processors and be operated by the user to set the pre-grace period and display the data.

Abstract: A continuous glucose monitoring system may utilize electrode current (Isig) signals, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), and Vcntr values to optimize sensor glucose (SG) calculation in such a way as to enable reduction of the need for blood glucose (BG) calibration requests from users.

Abstract: Methods and Devices to monitor the level of at least one analyte are provided.

Abstract: A dressing system for sensing a presence of an analyte includes a first layer, and a second layer facing a first major surface of the first layer. The second layer has a second permeability to the analyte less than a first permeability of the first layer. The dressing system further includes a first fiber configured to deliver an excitation light. The dressing system further includes at least one sensor layer including a sensor material configured to receive the excitation light from the first fiber and emit an emitted light in response to the excitation light. The dressing system further includes a second fiber separate from the first fiber and configured to receive the emitted light from the at least one sensor layer.

Abstract: A measurement system for measuring blood characteristics includes a controller, an emitter, a sensor, and a reference sensor. The emitter emits light at a plurality of wavelengths from a first side of a blood flow channel to a second side of the blood flow channel. The sensor is provided on the second side of the blood flow channel. The reference sensor is provided on the first side of the blood flow channel. The controller compensates measurements from the sensor based upon measurements from the reference sensor. The reference sensor may be disposed in a position to increase noise immunity of the measurement system. The measurement system may be connected to or part of a dialysis system.

Abstract: Various examples are directed to systems and methods for operating an analyte sensor system using sensor electronics. An example method may comprise applying a bias voltage change to an analyte sensor bias voltage and measuring a current value for each of a plurality of time periods after application of the bias voltage change. The example method may also comprise determining an estimated impedance using the current values for the plurality of time periods and determining a characteristic of the analyte sensor using the estimated impedance. The example method may further comprise receiving from the analyte sensor a signal indicative of an analyte concentration, and determining an estimated analyte concentration level using the determined characteristic of the analyte sensor and the received signal.

Abstract: A device for collecting blood, comprising: a tubular member having a diameter D1 enclosing an interior volume having a rated capacity, a distal end of the tubular member provided with a tip having a first through-hole in fluid communication with the interior volume, a proximal end of the tubular member provided a second through-hole in fluid communication with the interior volume; a cap formed of a self-healing material and configured to seal the tip of the tubular member; and a plunger movably accommodated within the interior volume of the tubular member, the plunger including an elongate member having an enlarged pad provided on a proximal end, an elastomeric member provided on a distal end and one or more locking wing members provided on and biased to extend away from the elongate member; wherein when the plunger is retracted to the rated capacity, the one or more locking wing members extend beyond the interior volume and engage with the proximal end of the tubular member.

Abstract: A funnel for a small-format blood collection device and system according to embodiments described herein. The system may include a funnel having a first conical portion attached to a second cylindrical portion. At the confluence of these two portions is a shoulder having a raised exterior contour to match a contour of a mating small-format container. The mating of the contours of the shoulder and a matching topside of a small-format container provides for greater stability when utilizing the funnel during a blood collection procedure by way of capillary bleeding.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a hypodermic needle, a blood vessel dilator connected to the hypodermic needle, and an actuator connected to the blood vessel dilator in such a way that the actuator expands the blood vessel dilator. The blood vessel dilator helps mitigate blood vessel collapse.

Abstract: A heart rate measurement and mental state detection system and a heart rate measurement and mental state detection method for measuring heart interbeat interval and detecting a direction of attention of an individual engaged in an activity are disclosed. The heart rate measurement and mental state detection and method are configured to instantaneously detect and measure focused attention of an individual during a pre-action phase before the individual performs an action involved in an activity while the individual engages in the activity.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes storing location data for at least one invasive electrode that is movable within a patient's body. The method also includes storing electrophysiological measurement data representing the electrophysiological signals measured at the outer surface of a patient's body by body surface electrodes and within the patient's body by the at least one invasive electrode. The method also includes storing geometry data representing anatomy of the patient spatially, and locations of the respective body surface electrodes and the at least one invasive electrode in three-dimensional space. The geometry data for the at least one invasive electrode can vary based on movement of the at least one invasive electrode within the patient's body. The method also includes reconstructing electrophysiological signals on a surface of interest within the patient's body based on the electrophysiological measurement data and the geometry data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, device, and system for improved mapping and/or ablation of a tissue. The device may generally include an elongate body and a distal assembly affixed to the elongate body that includes a treatment electrode having a conductive mapping region and a selectively conductive ablation region that is conductive of high-frequency current and substantially non-conductive of low-frequency current. Alternatively, the device may generally include a treatment electrode having a conductive mapping or ablation region and a region that is coated with an electrically insulated but thermally conductive layer.

Abstract: A device for determining a physiological or psychological state of a mammal is disclosed. The device has at least one earpiece with a main body having a body of revolution with an axis of revolution, and an endpiece configured to be inserted into an ear canal. The endpiece has a cylindrical channel intended to receive a body of revolution for detachably mounting the endpiece on the main body, the endpiece being arranged to be movable in rotation about the axis of revolution in order to allow at least one electrode to be oriented toward a zone of the brain of the mammal, and the endpiece having a plurality of electrodes arranged on an outer surface of the endpiece, each electrode being configured to pick up an electrical signal in the ear canal of the mammal.

Abstract: A method for circumscribing an insulating barrier region around a singular conductive microneedle structure or plurality of conductive microneedle structures adhered to a fixed substrate for the purpose of spatially defining a conduit for the routing of an electrical signal from the surface of said microneedle or microneedles to the posterior surface of the substrate is disclosed herein. A microneedle-based electrochemical biosensors structure comprises a substrate, a microneedle biosensor, a primary electrically conductive element, a secondary electrically conductive element and an electrically insulative annular barrier.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for predicting a health condition using a single-lead electrocardiogram device, the system including: a single-lead electrocardiogram measurement unit (110) provided with two electrodes, and configured to obtain asynchronous electrocardiogram data by measuring electrocardiograms for at least two electrical axes at different times; and a prediction unit (120) configured to predict the presence/absence of a disease and the degree of the disease from the asynchronous electrocardiogram data input from the single-lead electrocardiogram measurement unit (110) through a diagnostic algorithm (121) previously constructed by being trained on a plurality of standard electrocardiogram datasets in which standard lead electrocardiograms measured for the same electrical axes are matched to the presence/absence of diseases and degrees of the diseases corresponding to the standard lead electrocardiograms.

Abstract: An EEG signal of a single channel indicating frontal lobe EEGs is detected via a pair of electrodes placed at a test subject's forehead; data is converted to segmented images expressed with a two-dimensional coordinate system whose coordinate axes are time and amplitude; and then the relevant seizure symptoms are estimated by referring to a seizure symptom estimation model constructed by deep learning of EEG characteristic data in the respective segmented images.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to objective diagnosis of neurobehavioral disorders. In accordance with one aspect, the disclosure includes performing a spectral analysis on a Laplacian formatted electroencephalograph (EEG) data to generate a spectral coherence data; performing a plurality of regression analysis on the spectral coherence data to generate a smoothed spectral coherence data; performing a principal component analysis (PCA) on the smoothed spectral coherence data to generate an orthogonalized spectral coherence data; and performing a multivariate discriminant function analysis (DFA) on the orthogonalized spectral coherence data to generate a plurality of diagnostic rules and a diagnosis.

Abstract: Data regarding typing by a user may be collected and analyzed in order to assess one or more health conditions or functional states of the user. Each health condition that is assessed may be a disease or a symptom of a disease. For instance, based on the typing data, a computer may assess the presence, severity or probability of, or a change in, one or more symptoms such as: mild cognitive impairment; dementia; impairment of fine motor control; impairment of sensory-motor feedback; or behavioral impairment. A computer may calculate keystroke tensors that encode information about the typing. A computer may select or derive features from the keystroke tensors. These features may be fed into one or more machine learning algorithms, which in turn may output an assessment of a health condition or functional state of the user.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for treating epilepsy by stimulating a main trunk of a vagus nerve, or a left vagus nerve, when the patient has had no seizure or a seizure that is not characterized by cardiac changes such as an increase in heart rate, and stimulating a cardiac branch of a vagus nerve, or a right vagus nerve, when the patient has had a seizure characterized by cardiac changes such as a heart rate increase.

Abstract: A method for etiologic screening of Sleep Breathing Disorders, the most common, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, that includes 6 steps, as following: (1) identifying patients cognitive capabilities, irritability and level of tiredness/fatigue at awakening, (2) day hypersomnia, (3) repetitive hypercaloric food-intake during the day and/or night, (4) extreme fatigue/tiredness in the afternoon-night, (5) snoring (OSA), (6) sleep fragmentation, poor sleep quality, night anxiety, night sweating, insomnia, etc. . . . In case of OSA, the sole responsible for such disturbance is the intermittent hypoxia, in which case, performing all the necessary adherence plans for the APAP is indicated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring and staging sleep using cardiac and respiration information are disclosed. An exemplary system comprises a storage device to store a trained hybrid sleep detection and classification model that comprise a plurality of trained machine-learning models each trained to map input cardiac and respiratory data into one of multiple distinct model-specific awake or sleep classes, and a trained regression model to combine the model-specific awake or sleep classes to a composite awake or sleep classification. A sleep detector applies patient cardiac and respiratory information to the trained hybrid sleep detection and classification model to determine a composite awake or sleep classification for the patient. The composite awake or sleep classification is used to diagnose medical conditions including sleep apnea.

Abstract: A medical treatment tracking device with a cavity configured to store a medical device and one or more sensor configured to obtain data about the medical device. Based on the data obtained by the sensor, adherence to an aspect of a treatment plan is determined by one or more processor. The one or more processor is also configured to determine compliance with the treatment plan based on the adherence determination. A transmitter may then transmit the compliance determination may to an external device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a biosignal of a monitored patient, processing the measured biosignal to generate a treatment protocol for guiding clinical care of the monitored patient, and outputting the treatment protocol for use by a clinical caregiver. In one example, the monitored patient is a preterm infant, the biosignal is a respiratory pattern of the infant during oral feeding, and the treatment protocol provides a recommended treatment regimen setting forth therapeutic interventions and/or medical interventions for a clinical caregiver to follow for achieving a predetermined outcome for improving oral feeding of the monitored infant.

Abstract: An evaluation of a cancer treatment start date for a cancer medication identifies a first plurality of subjects and, for each, the treatment start date. A subject is selected for a second plurality of subjects by applying features for the subject to a model at a propensity value threshold. One subset of the features is associated with a time period and another subset is static. The applying obtains anchor point predictions, each associated with a time in the time period and including a probability that the time is the start date. The time of the anchor point prediction having the greatest probability is assigned the anchor point of the subject. The start date is evaluated with a survival objective based on the start date for each subject in the first plurality and the assigned anchor point for each subject in the second plurality.

Abstract: A metabolism measurement apparatus includes, a photodetector that detects measurement light propagating through the living body and generates a detection signal according to an intensity of the measurement light, and a calculator. The calculator calculates a first parameter and a second parameter based on the detection signal. Each of the first parameter and the second parameter is a temporal relative change amount depending on a concentration of each of O2Hb and HHb in blood and a volume of a blood vessel in an optical path. The calculator obtains, based on the first parameter and the second parameter, a numerical value regarding a concentration of HHb in blood from which an influence of the volume of the blood vessel in the optical path is excluded. The calculator obtains data regarding a degree of metabolism based on the numerical value.

Abstract: An information processing device includes an acquisition unit that acquires a concentration of each of a plurality of components included in a body fluid of a living body, and a calculation unit that calculates a difference between the acquired concentration of each component included in the body fluid of the living body and a target concentration of each component included in a body fluid of a target living body determined by attribute data of the living body.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system for improved thoracic fluid measurement from a patient is provided. The system includes therefrom. The system also includes a remote server including a memory and a processor configured to receive the RF value(s), retrieve weighting parameter(s), and apply the weighting parameter(s) to the RF value(s) to determine and output an amount of thoracic fluid. The weighting parameter(s) is determined by a clinical modality process including receiving reference thoracic fluid information for a patient population, producing RF-based thoracic fluid information for the patient population, and deriving the weighting parameter(s) by optimizing an association of the RF-based thoracic fluid information with the reference thoracic fluid information.

Abstract: A nerve mapping system includes an elongate medical device, a non-invasive mechanical sensor, and a processor. The elongate medical device includes a distal end portion configured to explore an intracorporeal treatment area of a subject, and the distal end portion includes an electrode. The non-invasive mechanical sensor is configured to provide a mechanomyography output signal corresponding to a monitored mechanical response of a muscle innervated by the nerve. The processor is in communication with the electrode and the sensor, and is configured to provide a plurality of electrical stimuli to the electrode. Each of the plurality of stimuli is provided when the electrode is located at a different position within the intracorporeal treatment area. The processor determines the likelihood of a nerve existing at a particular point using the magnitudes of each of the stimuli and the detected response of the muscle.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and devices for measuring tension in the shoelace of the shoe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to physiological monitoring device and systems. In particular, the present invention is directed to a medical device configured to urge at least two physiological monitors with a nominal contact against skin of a wearer to measure and monitor physiological parameters. The medical device of the present invention can measure, evaluate or determine, continuously, in real-time, biomarkers or the like of a subject. More in particular, the present invention is directed to a medical device configured to continuously measure and monitor the pulse, SpO2 or blood pressure of the wearer.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for determining an emplacement of sensors in a wound dressing are disclosed. In some embodiments, a wound dressing includes a plurality of sensors configured to measure wound or patient characteristics. One or more processors are configured to receive wound or patient characteristics data as well as emplacement data. The received data can be used to determine an emplacement of the plurality of sensors, the wound dressing, or a wound. The sensors can include a set of nanosensors. The wound dressing can include pH sensitive ink which can be utilized for determining a placement of the wound dressing and determining a pH associated with the wound. The wound dressing can be used in a negative pressure wound therapy system.

Abstract: Handheld weight units of light weight manufactured as a solid unit, a shell unit with core insert combinations or modular units with interlocking ends. Shell units with core inserts and modular interlocking units allow for the changing of held weight by inserting or removing inserts or by locking or unlocking of modular weight unit sets creating varying held weight. The weight units are primarily used with upper body exercises during aerobic exercises in the home, outdoors, or in a gym setting such as walking or running to vary the intensity of workout during use.

Abstract: An example electronic device, computer-implemented method, and mobile device system for measuring the vital signs of a subject in a non-invasive manner are provided. The example electronic device may include a housing, an electronic display attached to the housing, and an optical sensor disposed within the housing. The electronic display may further include a first side configured to direct transmitted light toward a portion of a subject proximate the electronic display via organic light-emitting diodes (OLED). In addition, the optical sensor may be disposed, opposite the first side of the electronic display, and may be configured to receive reflected light off the portion of the subject. One or more vital signs of the subject may be determined based at least in part on the reflected light.

Abstract: A device for determining a heart rate of a user has a PPG sensor and an accelerometer to compensate for acceleration artifacts within the PPG signal. The device transforms time domain PPG and accelerometer signals into the frequency domain using a Fourier transformation and utilizes the Fourier coefficient magnitudes as indicative of the probability of candidate heart rate values. Candidate heart rate values are determined at sampling times over a time interval and a most probable heart rate path during the time interval is determined using a reward/penalty algorithm.

Abstract: A blood pressure estimation method and a biological information measurement system for accurately estimating blood pressure information of a user in a non-invasive manner. A biological information measurement system executes acquiring a photoplethysmographic signal of a blood vessel of a periphery of a user who is a subject by a photoplethysmographic sensor, calculating a peripheral blood pressure index that is an index of a magnitude of a blood pressure of a capillary or an arteriole of the periphery based on a steepness of rising of the photoplethysmographic signal, and estimating a magnitude of a blood pressure of the user by using a de time and the peripheral blood pressure index. The de time is a peak time difference between a d wave and an e wave in an acceleration pulse wave signal obtained by performing second-order differentiation on the photoplethysmographic signal.

Abstract: A method for determining a periodicity of a physiological signal. The method includes providing a plurality of target periodicities; filtering a physiological signal using a bandpass filter to generate signal samples; converting the signal samples into binary values; calculating an autocorrelation based on the binary values; and determining a periodicity of the physiological signal based on the calculated autocorrelation.

Abstract: Systems and computer-aided methods for automatically classifying a wide complex tachycardia (WCT) pattern of a subject are disclosed that include receiving ECG data indicative of the WCT pattern, transforming the ECG data into at least one engineered feature using at least one transform, and transforming the at least one engineered feature into a classification of the WCT pattern using a predictive model. The classification of the WCT pattern may be transformed into a treatment recommendation.

Abstract: A concussion detection system comprises a kinematic detection device configured to be carried by a head of a user and a concussion detection device disposed in electrical communication with the kinematic detection device. The concussion detection device comprises a controller configured to: receive kinematic data from the kinematic detection device, the kinematic data associated with a head impact of the user, apply the kinematic data to a strain prediction engine to generate a strain identifier associated with the head impact and a concussion risk assessment associated with the strain identifier, and output the concussion risk assessment based upon the strain identifier and configured to identify a concussion risk associated with the head impact. The concussion detection device can assess concussion risk in the user for an individual impact, or based on a history of multiple head impacts, and can further take into account head or brain size differences.

Abstract: A system for monitoring body movement, comprising an inertial motion sensing unit arranged to measure movement of a body part, the sensing unit arranged to iteratively collect data representing movement of the body part over time; and a processor for receiving and analysing the data to determine risk of injury of the body part and/or to track the movement of the body part.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for determining a user's lung capacity may employ a sound-producing breathing device and a recording device such as a microphone included in a user electronic device (e.g., smart phone or tablet computer). A user may inhale or exhale through the sound-producing breathing device, thereby producing a sound that is received by the microphone and communicated to a processor. The processor may analyze the received sound recording to determine one or more sound intensity values over, for example, the duration of the received sound and/or points in time within the sound recording. The sound intensity values may then be used to determine the user's lung capacity.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes system and methods for determining cardiac events from a physiological data signal and optionally constructing a Pressure-Volume (PV) loop display from non-simultaneously acquired measurements of pressure and volume data. One such method comprises obtaining, by a computing device, a physiological data signal of a heart of an individual; identifying, by the computing device, features of the physiological data signal and applying the features as inputs to a prediction model; determining, by the computing device using the prediction model, the cardiac events for one or more valves of the heart, wherein the cardiac events include timing of opening and closing of the one or more valves of the heart; and outputting, by the computing device, the cardiac events determined using the prediction model. The physiological data signal can be combined with non-simultaneously acquired volume data to create a PV loop display.

Abstract: During operation, a measurement sensor in an electronic device may perform radar measurements associated with an individual, where the radar measurements include information corresponding to a physiological signal of the individual. Then, the electronic device may analyze the radar measurements to extract an amplitude and/or a phase of chest motion on or proximate to an anterior surface and/or a posterior surface of the individual. Moreover, the electronic device may map an amplitude and/or a phase of the chest motion on or proximate to the anterior surface and/or the posterior surface to one or more anatomical locations associated with an organ of the individual. Next, the electronic device may detect whether the type of arrhythmia is present based at least in part on the mapped amplitude and/or the phase.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel systems and methods for synchronized streaming of electrocardiogram (ECG) signals to a display. An aspect to the invention provides for synchronizing between first and second pluralities of digitized ECG signals that are sampled from a plurality of medical devices by first and second non-synchronized utilities. One of the pluralities of analog ECG signals, preferably a far-field ECG, is selected for reference and sampled by both the non-synchronized utilities thereby yielding respective first and second digitized reference ECG signals. The reference ECG signals are compared and the results of the comparison is used for synchronizing between the first and second pluralities of digitized ECG signals. Accordingly, the techniques of the invention facilitate concurrent synchronized streaming to a display, of a plurality of digitized ECG signals from a plurality of non-synchronized medical devices. Additional aspects and features of the invention are further disclosed herein.