Abstract: A biometric monitoring system comprises a substrate with a first surface having a length and a width. A first transmitting antenna is coupled to the first surface at a first end of the length of the first surface. A second transmitting antenna is coupled to the first surface at a second end of the length of the first surface. The first and second transmitting antennas extend across the width of the first surface. A plurality of receiving antennas are coupled to the first surface, each of which extends across the width of the substrate and is spaced apart from an adjacent receiving antenna along the length by a predetermined distance. A controller is configured to supply a first signal to the first transmitting antenna and sequentially measure a transmission coefficient or voltage of the first signal at the plurality of receiving antennas until an attenuation in the transmission coefficient or voltage exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: Manufacturing of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by executing various shoe-manufacturing processes in an automated manner. For example, shoe parts may be retrieved and temporarily assembled according to preset relative positions to form part stacks. The part stacks may be retrieved with the relative positioning of the shoe parts being maintained and placed at a stitching machine for more permanent attachment via stitching of the parts to form a shoe assembly. Movement during stitching of a conveyance mechanism that transfers the part stack from the stacking surface to the stitching machine and movement of a needle associated with the stitching machine may be controlled by a shared control mechanism such that the movements are synchronized with respect to one another. Vision systems may be leveraged to achieve movement and position information between and at machines and locations.

Abstract: A heart size measuring tool includes a tubular body, a flexible measuring cord having length indicia, a measuring cord support mechanism movable between retracted and extended states with respect to the body, and an actuating mechanism to move the measuring cord support mechanism. When in the retracted state the measuring cord support mechanism is positioned within the tubular body with the measuring cord in a collapsed position. When the measuring cord support mechanism is in the extended state the measuring cord extends around a portion of a heart to be measured. A scale on the body can be used in connection with the indicia on the measurement cord to provide a reading of the heart size.

Abstract: A method, apparatuses and a system for manufacturing an insole, a shoe or a sole for a shoe. Foot information is determined on the shape and dimensions of a foot, and a pin matrix is formed at least partially based on the foot information. An insole or sole preform is placed on the pin matrix for shaping the insole preform, and an insole or sole is formed from the preform based on the foot information using the pin matrix. A positive and a negative pin matrix at least partially based on the foot information can be formed wherein the negative pin matrix essentially corresponds to the positive pin matrix.

Abstract: A heart size measuring tool includes a tubular body, a flexible measuring cord having length indicia, a measuring cord support mechanism movable between retracted and extended states with respect to the body, and an actuating mechanism to move the measuring cord support mechanism. When in the retracted state the measuring cord support mechanism is positioned within the tubular body with the measuring cord in a collapsed position. When the measuring cord support mechanism is in the extended state the measuring cord extends around a portion of a heart to be measured. A scale on the body can be used in connection with the indicia on the measurement cord to provide a reading of the heart size.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a throwing trainer comprising first and second bands configured to be removably attached to right and left forearms of a user, and an elongated, flexible, adjustable-length connector mounted to the first and second bands, the length of the connector being configured to limit the separation distance between the forearms of the user during wind-up for an overhand throw. A device assembly including a measuring tool and a method of practicing throwing also are disclosed.

Abstract: A physiological measurement device or wearable device simulator includes a frame and a plurality of surfaces distributed within the frame. For each surface, a surface actuator links the surface of the frame. At least one of: i) force or position imparted by the surface on a physiological feature of a subject by the surface actuator; and ii) the force imparted by the physiological feature of the subject on the surface, can be employed to modulate the positions of the surfaces relative to each other independently of the forces imparted by or on those surfaces, thereby measuring the physiological feature of the subject or simulating a wearable device interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) and method for selecting the size and shape of a prosthesis and/or for determining the location of marks to be made on the external face of the skin of a patient intended to receive such a prosthesis, for example for repairing a hernia, comprising a sheet (2) of transparent material, the said sheet comprising:—a plurality of graphical representations (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) concentrically embodying the respective outlines of various shapes and sizes of prosthesis,—a plurality of first holes (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) arranged along the transverse line passing through the centre of the said sheet, and—a plurality of second holes (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 9g) arranged along the longitudinal line passing through the centre (C) of the said sheet.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus configured to be used with a processing unit for determining a dimension of a selected surface of an object, the apparatus comprising i) a piece of stretchable fabric having a shape adapted to fit the selected surface of the object such that the piece of fabric stretches proportionally to the dimension of the surface when draped thereover; ii) a plurality of uniquely identified beacon devices disposed on the piece of fabric when unstretched in accordance with a first spatial configuration known a priori, where, when the piece of fabric is draped over and stretched by the surface, the beacon devices automatically shift position and form a second spatial configuration as a function of the dimension of the surface; and ii) electronic means for detecting the second spatial configuration and for generating data representing the second spatial configuration; where the processing unit is configured to receive data associated with the first and second spatial configurations and to deter

Abstract: In a band in which a plurality of members are connected to one another through joints serving as connection axes parallel to one another, an inter-panel angle indicating an angle between the members adjacent to each other through the joint is adjusted. Each joint is provided with an angular sensor for detecting the inter-panel angle. Based on the detected inter-panel angle, the peripheral shape indicating a shape of at least a part of a periphery of the object to be measured, on which the band is mounted, is measured. The present technology, for example, is useful for an abdominal girth measurement apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein for aligning a block in a microtome attempt to save time, money, and the sample by aligning a block in any rotary or cryostat microtome. One such device for aligning a block in a microtome has a knife holder component removably attached to a knife holder of the microtome and a pin alignment component extending vertically from the knife holder component in a direction substantially parallel to the block. The pin alignment component has a plurality of front pins extending from a front surface of the pin alignment component configured to slide in response to an angle of the block and a plurality of rear pins extending from a rear surface of the pin alignment component and coupled to the front pins. The rear pins are configured to indicate the extension of the front pins from the pin alignment component.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein for aligning a block in a microtome attempt to save time, money, and the sample by aligning a block in any rotary or cryostat microtome. One such device for aligning a block in a microtome has a knife holder component removably attached to a knife holder of the microtome and a pin alignment component extending vertically from the knife holder component in a direction substantially parallel to the block. The pin alignment component has a plurality of front pins extending from a front surface of the pin alignment component configured to slide in response to an angle of the block and a plurality of rear pins extending from a rear surface of the pin alignment component and coupled to the front pins. The rear pins are configured to indicate the extension of the front pins from the pin alignment component.

Abstract: A leveling device comprises a generally horizontal frame configured to hold a number of parallel, closely spaced support legs in a generally vertical configuration. The support legs are slidably mounted in collars formed in the frame such that the legs may slide up and down within the collars. The support legs are configured to move independently of one another and to be locked into place using a locking mechanism configured to frictionally or mechanically engage the support legs once the legs are positioned to match the contour of the ground or other uneven surface. Multiple embodiments of the locking mechanism are disclosed. The leveling device of the present invention not only may be used to level an object on an uneven surface, but also can be used to adjust the height of an object on a even or uneven surface by adjusting the length of the support legs.

Abstract: A self-applied measurement kit for a hair replacement mold is provided. The kit comprises one shape wire, two side wires, one shape sheet and one domed support pad. The shape wire is adjusted to fit the desired hair boundaries and to be fixed on the head. The two side wires are draped downward toward the chin of the user and tied, so as to fix the shape wire in place. The shape sheet covers the head wearing the shape wire, so as to imprint the shape of the head, and the shape sheet is pinched to imprint the position and shape of the shape wire. The domed support pad keeps the molded shape wire and shape sheet from deforming. The two side wires facilitates fixing the shape wire on the head and imprinting the shape of the head and the shape wire fixed in place fitting the desired hair boundaries.

Abstract: An office chair is provided having a back assembly which is configured to provide supplemental support to the back of a chair occupant in addition to the support provided by the primary support surface of the chair back. The chair back includes a lumbar support unit having a lumbar support pad wherein asymmetric support is provided to the left and right halves of the lumbar pad. As such, the asymmetric support loads are independently adjustable to more comfortably support a chair occupant. A testing apparatus and method are used to optimize the support pressure characteristics of the lumbar pad.

Abstract: Clearance between a support contour of a seat cushion and an adjacent pelvic and proximal thigh anatomical portion of a person is evaluated with a clearance measurement device that deforms in response to force applied thereto. The clearance measurement device is located on the support contour at a predetermined location where the clearance is to be evaluated. A person sits on the cushion with the clearance measurement device. The clearance is related to the extent of deformation. Impression foam, a malleable putty-like substance, or a fluid cushion are examples of clearance measurement devices.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) capture method and system having a 3-D contour capture device for capturing a surface contour of an object, a contoured support device for placing between the surface and the 3-D contour capture device that provides additional support to at least a portion of the surface, wherein a first contour captured by the 3-D contour capture device is modified based on a second contour captured with the contoured support device placed between the surface and the 3-D contour capture device to provide a resultant 3-D contour.

Abstract: The method and device are used for at least regional determination of an outer contour of a body. For this purpose, a contour element is used which can be formed at least regionally according to an outer contour of the body. The shape of the contour element in a state formed by the body is stored by modifying at least one material property of the contour element. After elastic removal of the contour element from the body, another manipulation of the contour element is carried out in such a way that the shape of the contour element in the state formed by the body is determined by evaluating the modified material property.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a plantar contour of a foot of a user, the plantar contour having a height. The apparatus comprises an impression block having a thickness sufficient to form an impression of at least a portion of the height of the plantar contour. A method for forming an insole corresponding to a plantar contour of a foot of a user, wherein the plantar contour has a height. The method comprises the steps of (1) placing the foot of the user into an impression block having a thickness wherein the thickness is sufficient to form an impression of at least a portion of the height of the plantar contour (i.e., a portion or the full arch contour); (2) forming a digitized model of the impression; (3) extrapolating data from the digitized model of the impression to form a complete digitized model of the full height of the plantar contour; (4) providing the complete digitized model to a milling machine; and (5) directing the milling machine to manufacture the insole using the complete digitized model.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a plantar contour having a foam impression block and a carrier. The apparatus has a foam impression block including a front portion and a rear portion and a carrier including a height adjuster. The block is associated with the carrier such that the rear portion and the height adjuster are adjacent one another.

Abstract: A posture analyzer for analyzing a patient's spine having an upright standard secured to a base resting on a floor. A rectangular frame has one side frame member secured to the upright standard at a selected height. The frame member supports a markable panel, which panel includes an orthogonal grid pattern and a normal spine depiction on the panel. A bar holder is slidably secured to a second side frame member. The bar holder is moveable in the vertical direction along the second side frame member. The bar holder includes means for slidably holding a bar which extends in a horizontal direction parallel to the planar surface of the panel. A roller is secured to an end of the bar for rolling up and down a patient's spine, and a pen is secured to the opposite end of the bar for marking on the planar surface of the panel. When the roller is moved vertically and horizontally along a patient's spine, the pen makes a corresponding tracking mark on the panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a person's plantar contour having a foam impression block with a toe thickness and a heel thickness wherein the toe thickness is less than the heel thickness. A method for measuring a person's plantar contour using such a foam impression block by placing the plantar contour of the person's foot over the foam impression block such that the toes are over the toe thickness and the heel is over the heel thickness; and then pressing the plantar contour into the block to deform the block.

Abstract: A three dimensional impression pin screen has two parallel axially aligned perforated spaced plates. Apertures of each plate have a plurality of pins passing through them which have a head on one end and a cap on the other. The heads and caps prevent the pins from passing out of the plates given any orientation of the pin screen. Magnetic strips or pressure strips equal in width to the spacing between the plates contact the shanks of rows or a row of pins between the plates. Strips magnetized on both sides are used to contact the shanks of pins of two adjacent rows. Each magnetic strip is longer than the pin filled apertures of adjacent rows. Each pressure strip contacts a single row of pins. The strips are of a thickness less than the spacing between the shanks of pins in adjacent rows which have the same aperture spacing. Pins are held in displaced positions by attraction to the magnetic strips or by resistance against the pressure strips.

Abstract: A method of measuring the height of a foot arch precisely and easily using two essential heights of the foot arch is disclosed. In the method, a foot cast is primarily cast by pouring plaster into a foot mold. Thereafter, a first intersecting point and a second intersecting point are determined. The first intersecting point is determined by making a first line and a third line intersect. The second intersecting point is determined by making a second line and the third line intersect. The first line is a straight line extending from the center of the second toe to the center of the heel end. The second line is a straight line extending from the center of the big toe to a point spaced apart inwardly from the center of the heel end by ⅛ of the total distance of the heel end. The third line is a center line of the transverse arch of the foot. Finally, a first height and a second height are measured while the foot pattern is set in an upright position.