Abstract:
Technologies are generally described to monitor a sweat rate of an area of a skin. A hydration status of a human or non-human entity is monitored based on the sweat rate. The sweat rate is monitored when the sweat rate monitor is detected as sealed against the surface of the skin. The sweat rate monitor is attached to the surface of the skin with an adhesive, or a tape among other schemes to hold the sweat rate monitor in place during a measurement. The sweat rate monitor includes a container to capture an initial amount of sweat that comes out of the surface of the skin. When, the container is detected as filled with the initial amount of sweat, a pump of the sweat rate monitor is actuated to compress the container. The container is compressed to force a volume of the initial amount of sweat in the container out of an ejection port of the sweat rate monitor.
Abstract:
Technologies are generally described for devices for detection of a biofilm by a color change in a moisture-indicating substance, such as a chemical or a dye. The moisture indicating material may be supported by a substrate and sealed to keep moisture from the moisture indicating material. Alternatively, the moisture indicating material may be supported in a pouch and sealed by the pouch. The color change results from an ingress of moisture accompanying growth of a biofilm. The moisture-indicating substance may be used with indwelling or other devices to detect a biofilm. When the biofilm has sufficiently degraded the seal, an ingress of moisture and its accompanying pH may cause a color change in the moisture-indicating substance to signify the presence of the biofilm. Methods of manufacture and use of the disclosed devices are also described.
Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed that may include a substrate that may have a surface, a channel of a volume that may be defined, at least in part, by the substrate, wherein the channel may have a first end and a second end, a valve may be coupled to the channel at the first end, wherein the valve may be configured to allow a fluid to pass into the channel when the valve is open, and a continuity detector, which may be coupled to the channel at the second end, wherein the continuity detector may be activated when the fluid contacts the continuity detector, wherein the continuity detector may further be configured to provide a signal to close the valve and remove the fluid from the channel. A method for calculating a rate of flow of a fluid collected from a bodily surface into a body-worn device is disclosed.
Abstract:
A gradient refractive index light emitting diode is disclosed. The light emitting diode includes a die at least partially encapsulated within a polymer, and nanoparticles dispersed within the polymer along a concentration gradient related to the distance from the die. The refractive index of the nanoparticles is different from the refractive index of the polymer.
Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed that may include a substrate that may have a surface, a channel of a volume that may be defined, at least in part, by the substrate, wherein the channel may have a first end and a second end, a valve may be coupled to the channel at the first end, wherein the valve may be configured to allow a fluid to pass into the channel when the valve is open, and a continuity detector, which may be coupled to the channel at the second end, wherein the continuity detector may be activated when the fluid contacts the continuity detector, wherein the continuity detector may further be configured to provide a signal to close the valve and remove the fluid from the channel. A method for calculating a rate of flow of a fluid collected from a bodily surface into a body-worn device is disclosed.
Abstract:
A system may include a mesh that includes a non-electrically conductive mesh material. The system may also include a first electrode coupled to the mesh at a first location of the mesh. The system may further include a second electrode coupled to the mesh at a second location of the mesh that is different from the first location. Additionally, the system may include a control unit electrically coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode. The control unit may be configured to generate a notification signal when the first electrode and the second electrode are electrically coupled to each other.
Abstract:
Technologies are generally described to employ an optical effect, such as Pockels effect to direct an optical communication signal within a gradient index (GRIN) backplane. An electric field may be created between two or more electrodes located on different surfaces of the GRIN backplane in response to an application of electrical excitation to at least one of the electrodes. The electric field may be configured to change an orientation of nanoparticles in at least a portion of GRIN material comprising the GRIN backplane so as to control a direction of one or more optical pathways within the GRIN backplane. Propagation of an optical communication signal between one or more components mounted on one or more surfaces of the GRIN backplane may be facilitated via the controlled direction of the optical pathways, which may enable control of routing, including switching, of the optical communication signal to a particular optical pathway.
Abstract:
Technologies are disclosed for a method and a device for detecting device colonization. Disclosed herein is an indwelling medical device configured to detect a biofilm. The device comprises a substrate configured to contact blood and a detecting material, disposed with the substrate, configured to detect the presence of a biofilm thereon. The detecting material is soluble in blood, removable by kidneys from the blood, and passable to urine by the kidneys for detection in the urine. A method for detecting the growth of a biofilm on an indwelling medical and a method for making an indwelling medical device are also disclosed herein.
Abstract:
Liposomal detection devices and methods of making and using such devices are disclosed. Such liposomal detection devices may be used to detect microbes by detecting a byproduct of microbial metabolism, or may be used to detect changes in pH and/or changes in temperature. Liposomal detection devices may include a first liposome encapsulating a first destabilizing compound and a second liposome encapsulating a second destabilizing compound. The first liposome may destabilize in response to the detection of the target compound or change to release the first destabilizing compound which may destabilize the second liposome. A matrix, such as a hydrogel matrix, may encase the first liposome and the second liposome.
Abstract:
Technologies are generally described to monitor a sweat rate of an area of a skin. A hydration status of a human or non-human entity is monitored based on the sweat rate. The sweat rate is monitored when the sweat rate monitor is detected as sealed against the surface of the skin. The sweat rate monitor is attached to the surface of the skin with an adhesive, or a tape among other schemes to hold the sweat rate monitor in place during a measurement. The sweat rate monitor includes a container to capture an initial amount of sweat that comes out of the surface of the skin. When, the container is detected as filled with the initial amount of sweat, a pump of the sweat rate monitor is actuated to compress the container. The container is compressed to force a volume of the initial amount of sweat in the container out of an ejection port of the sweat rate monitor.