257results about "Proximity sensors" patented technology

Methods of forming garments having one or more stretchable conductive ink patterns. Described herein are method of making garments (including compression garments) having one or more highly stretchable conductive ink pattern formed of a composite of an insulative adhesive, a conductive ink, and an intermediate gradient zone between the adhesive and conductive ink. The conductive ink typically includes between about 40-60% conductive particles, between about 30-50% binder; between about 3-7% solvent; and between about 3-7% thickener. The stretchable conductive ink patterns may be stretched more than twice their length without breaking or rupturing.

A method and system to provide electrical pulses for neuromodulating vagus nerve(s) to provide therapy for autism, comprises implantable and external components. The pulsed electrical stimulation to vagus nerve(s) may be provided using one of the following stimulation systems, such as: a) an implanted stimulus-receiver with an external stimulator; b) an implanted stimulus-receiver comprising a high value capacitor for storing charge, used in conjunction with an external stimulator; c) a programmer-less implantable pulse generator (IPG) which is operable with a magnet; d) a microstimulator; e) a programmable implantable pulse generator; f) a combination implantable device comprising both a stimulus-receiver and a programmable implantable pulse generator (IPG); and g) an implantable pulse generator (IPG) comprising a rechargeable battery. In one embodiment, the external components such as the programmer or external stimulator may comprise a telemetry means for networking. The telemetry means therefore allows for interrogation or programming of implanted device, from a remote location over a wide area network.

Methods and devices for measuring the size of a body lumen and a method for ablating tissue that uses the measurement to normalize delivery of ablational energy from an expandable operative element to a luminal target of varying circumference are provided. The method includes inserting into the lumen an expandable operative element having circuitry with resistivity or inductance that varies according to the circumference of the operative element, varying the expansion of the operative element with an expansion medium, measuring the resistivity of the circuitry, and relating the resistivity or inductance to a value for the circumference of the operative element. In some embodiments the sizing circuit includes a conductive elastomer wrapped around the operative element. Other embodiments of the method apply to operative elements that include an overlapping energy delivery element support in which the overlap varies inversely with respect to the state of expansion, and which is configured with sizing electrodes that sense the amount of the overlap.

Methods of forming garments having one or more stretchable conductive ink patterns. Described herein are method of making garments (including compression garments) having one or more highly stretchable conductive ink pattern formed of a composite of an insulative adhesive, a conductive ink, and an intermediate gradient zone between the adhesive and conductive ink. The conductive ink typically includes between about 40-60% conductive particles, between about 30-50% binder; between about 3-7% solvent; and between about 3-7% thickener. The stretchable conductive ink patterns may be stretched more than twice their length without breaking or rupturing.

Apparatus, systems, and methods for monitoring head acceleration and / or forces acting thereon are disclosed. A device for monitoring an acceleration or a force acting on the head of a user includes a flexible article adapted to be worn on the head of the user; and a monitoring assembly coupled to the flexible article. The monitoring assembly includes a sensor for measuring a force on the head and transmitting data relating to the force, the sensor disposed proximate to the head, a processor adapted to receive the force data from the sensor, and a flexible strip operatively connecting the sensor and the processor.

An insertion detector for monitoring a position of a medical probe relative to a body cavity of a patient, the probe incorporates a proximity sensor that is responsive to a predetermined property of the patient's body. The proximity sensor may include a light emitter and a light detector. When the medical probe is inserted into the body cavity, a light flux between the light emitter and light detector is changed due to either obstruction by the cavity walls or reflection by the patient's skin. A response from the proximity sensor may be used to adjust a temperature measured from the body cavity to correct for errors due to non-insertion or partial insertion of the probe into the body cavity.

Systems and methods for automatically triggering wireless power and data exchange between an external reader and an implanted sensor. The implanted sensor may measure the strength of an electrodynamic field received wirelessly from the reader and convey field strength data based on the measured strength of the received electrodynamic field to the reader. If the field strength data indicates that the strength of an electrodynamic field received by the sensor is sufficient for the implanted sensor to perform an analyte measurement, the reader may convey an analyte measurement command to the sensor, which may execute the analyte measurement command and convey measurement information back to the reader. The systems and methods may trigger the analyte measurement as the reader transiently passes within sufficient range / proximity to the implant (or vice versa).

A system and method for quickly detaching an implant and for locating the detachment zone of a detachable implant. A sensor determines a sudden change in the local environment as the sensor passes from within a microcatheter to being exposed to the vasculature. The sensor may be a temperature sensor, ultrasonic sensor, pressure sensor or the like. If the detachable implant assembly uses a heater coil to detach the implant, the heater coil may be used as a sensor. Additionally, the implant itself may be used as a sensor if a change in electrical resistance is detectable as the implant exits the microcatheter and changes shape.

A proximity sensor for a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) system detects the proximity of a TMS coil assembly to a position at which the coil is to receive pulses during TMS treatment and provides feedback to the operator so that the operator may adjust the TMS coil assembly as necessary to maintain optimal positioning during treatment. A flexible substrate containing a sensor or sensor array is disposed between the TMS coil assembly and the position such that the coupling of the TMS coil assembly to the position may be detected by the sensor(s). Sensor outputs are processed by signal processing circuitry to provide an indication of whether the TMS coil assembly is properly disposed with respect to the position during TMS treatment. A display may be used to provide an indication of how to adjust the TMS coil assembly to improve the positioning of the TMS coil assembly. On the other hand, a sound generator may be used to generate a sound that indicates to an operator whether the TMS coil assembly is properly positioned at the position. Many different types of sensor devices may be used to detect proximity, including membrane switches, variable resistance sensors, resistive strips, touch screens, pickup loops, fluid displacement sensors, optical sensors, acoustic sensors, inductive coupling sensors, capacitive coupling sensors, temperature sensors, and the like.

A surgical instrument including a housing, an elongated portion, an end effector, a drive beam and a force applier is provided. The housing includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The elongated portion extends distally from the housing and defines a longitudinal axis. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion, and includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The first jaw member has a cavity defined therein. Actuation of the first actuator causes distal translation of the drive beam to move the first jaw member relative to the second jaw member toward the approximated position, which applies a fist force against tissue disposed between the jaw members. Actuation of the second actuator causes distal translation of the force applier such that at least a portion of the force applier moves into the cavity of the first jaw member and applies an additional force against tissue disposed between the jaw members.

Apparatuses and methods for treating wounds are disclosed. An apparatus for treating wounds is disclosed comprising an instrument for generating a low temperature, atmospheric pressure plasma, a means of flowing gas through the instrument, and a means of contacting the wound with the reactive gases flowing out of the instrument. A method for treating wounds using reactive gases is disclosed. The use of atmospheric pressure plasmas for treating wounds is also disclosed.

Described herein are apparatuses (e.g., garments, including but not limited to shirts, pants, and the like) for detecting and monitoring physiological parameters, such as respiration, cardiac parameters, and the like. Also described herein are methods of forming garments having one or more stretchable conductive ink patterns and methods of making garments having one or more highly stretchable conductive ink pattern formed of a composite of an insulative adhesive, a conductive ink, and an intermediate gradient zone between the adhesive and conductive ink. The conductive ink typically includes between about 40-60% conductive particles, between about 30-50% binder; between about 3-7% solvent; and between about 3-7% thickener. The stretchable conductive ink patterns may be stretched more than twice their length without breaking or rupturing.

The invention discloses a wearing state detection method and device of wearable equipment. The method comprises that an accelerometer is used to detect the acceleration of the wearable equipment, and when the acceleration of the wearable equipment changes, wearing state detection for the wearable equipment is started; a near-distance sensor detects the distance between the wearable equipment and an neighbor object, a heart rate sensor and a temperature sensor are started when the distance is lower than a set distance threshold, and wearable equipment is determined to be in the wearing state when data detected by the heart rate sensor satisfies the set heart rate condition and the surface temperature, detected by the temperature sensor, of the neighbor object satisfies the set temperature condition. According to the invention, the accelerometer is used to start wearing state detection for the wearable equipment, power consumption of the wearable equipment can be effectively reduced, and during wearing state detection, different types of sensor are used comprehensively to detect the wearing state of the wearable equipment accurately.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a distributed computer system and a method for determining the quality of sleep of a sleeping user 340. The distributed computer system will determine the quality of sleep by detecting the changes in body posture of the sleeping user 340. The quality of sleep will be determined by the feature vectors associated with each posture of the sleeping user 340. The posture of the user will be determined by recording a body motion signal 200 caused by the mechanical and muscle movements of the body of the user.

A device operation method and an electronic device for supporting the same are provided. The method includes establishing a communication channel with an external device, receiving request information for requesting to activate a sensor of an electronic device in connection with executing a function of the external device, and activating the sensor in response to the request information.

A wearable system and methods for measuring physiological data from a device worn about a body part of a user is provided comprising a base module, a first sensor module, and a second sensor module. The base module comprises a display and a base computing unit. The first sensor module measures a gravitational force experienced by the device. The second sensor module is spatially positioned relative to the base module and over a portion of the body part for measuring one or more physiological characteristics calibrated based on the gravitational force measured with the first sensor module. The base module is adjustably positioned by the user relative to the second sensor module such that the sensor module maintains its positioning over the body part for sufficient contact with the body part for accurate measurements of physiological data regardless of the anthropometric size of the body part.

A wearable system and methods for measuring physiological data from a device worn about a body part of a user is provided comprising a base module and sensor module. The base module comprises a display and a base computing unit. The sensor module is spatially positioned relative to the base module and over a portion of the body part for measuring one or more physiological characteristics. The base module is adjustably positioned by the user relative to the sensor module such that the sensor module maintains its positioning over the body part for sufficient contact with the body part for accurate measurements of physiological data regardless of the anthropometric size of the body part.

The invention discloses a body temperature testing method and device. The method includes the steps of starting a camera and a first infrared thermodetector when receiving a temperature testing instruction, photographing a user through the camera to obtain an image, recognizing the image, determining the to-be-tested part of the user, obtaining the distance between the first infrared thermodetector and the user, controlling the first infrared thermodetector to measure the temperature of the to-be-tested part of the user when the distance is consistent with a preset distance threshold, and determining the body temperature value of the user or the range of the body temperature value of the user according to a preset rule and the measured temperature, wherein the preset distance threshold is set according to the focal length of a Fresnel lens of the first infrared thermodetector. The device comprises a device body, a microprocessor arranged on the device body, and the camera and the first infrared thermodetector connected with the microprocessor. By means of the method and device, the far-distance precise body temperature testing is realized, and actual requirements are met.

An electrode includes separate first and second electrical contacts to contact the skin of a subject. A charge-holding structure is electrically connected between the first and second contacts. An indicator is operatively coupled to the charge-holding structure so that the indicator changes visibly in response to a change in the charge stored in the charge-holding structure. The electrode can include a rectifier across the contacts. A container for electrodes includes an electrical supply and a plurality of receptacles for electrodes so that a voltage difference is maintained across conductors of each receptacle (and contacts of an electrode therein) for at least one week. A method of making electrodes includes arranging the contacts over a support, connecting the charge-holding structure between them, arranging the indicator over the support, and charging the charge-holding structure so that the indicator has a first visual appearance.

A surgical controlling system, comprising: at least one surgical tool configured to be inserted into a surgical environment of a human body; at least one location estimating means configured for real-time localization of the 3D spatial position of said at least one surgical tool at any given time t; at least one movement detection means communicable with a movement's database and with said location estimating means; a controller having a processing means communicable with a controller's database; said controller's database is in communication with said movement detection means; and at least one display configured to real time provide an image of at least a portion of said surgical environment; wherein said controller is configured to direct said surgical tool to said location via said instructions provided by said controller; further wherein said location is real time updated on said display as said at least one surgical tool is moved.

Described here are systems, devices, and methods useful for minimally invasive surgical procedures performed by a single operator. The surgical systems may include a user interface, a display, one or more support arms each comprising an external magnet, and one or more intracavity devices. The intracavity devices may be configured to be attracted to respective external magnets. The user interface may be configured to allow the operator to control the location and orientation of the intracavity devices by control of the position of the support arms and magnetic field of the external magnet.

A wearable mobile device and a method of detecting a biosignal with a wearable mobile device are provided. A method of detecting a biosignal with a wearable mobile device involves determining whether a wearable mobile device is closely attached to a user; and providing a biosignal-based service in response to the wearable mobile device being determined to be closely attached to the user.

An immersion sensor for use with a cushion or mattress for determining the relative immersion of a person within the cushion or mattress comprising a sensor, a ground and a circuit for measuring capacitance. The sensor comprises a sheet of conductive material, and the ground comprises a second sheet of conductive material. The circuit is adapted to send short bursts of electrical current to the sensor and a capacitor. The circuit is further adapted to measure the length of time the burst of current takes to charge the capacitor. Based upon the measured time, the circuit calculates the proximity of the object based upon the time taken to charge the capacitor. A method that may be implemented with the immersion sensor is also disclosed.

A user monitoring device system includes a user monitoring device with a microphone and sensors to determine air quality, sound level / quality, light quality and ambient temperature near the user. A movement detection device detects a user's movement information. The movement detection device and the monitoring system assist to determine user sleep information and sleep behavior information. The microphone records user movement sounds detected by the movement detection device. The movement detection device is configured to cause the microphone to stop recording user movement sounds when the movement sounds are not directed to a sleep related parameter. In response to determining user sleep information or sleep behavior information the system is used for treatment of sleep or psychiatric disorders.