摘要:
A method of monitoring the contact of a biomedical electrode to skin of a patient is disclosed, where the phase angle of current flow through one portion of the electrode is compared to the phase angle of current flow through another portion of the electrode. The two portions are both electrical conductors, one having a lossy dielectric surface and the other bare metal. Any monitoring of an electrical interface is possible based on the difference in phase angle. Lift of any portion of the electrode from contact with skin of a patient can be monitored more easily than using conventional Contact Quality Monitoring circuitry and “split plate patient plates.”
摘要:
Hygiene monitoring systems and methods are described herein. In various embodiments, the systems and methods may be used to monitor cleaning events (e.g., hand washing events, equipment sanitation events, etc.).
摘要:
The present invention provides for very rapid autofocusing of optical scanning systems. If a sample is sufficiently out of focus, the focal error signal used to focus a conventional half-blocked system can become saturated. Multiple steps toward the focus position then typically are required to bring the system into the operational range. To minimize this, a light adjustment system is provided to reduce the amount of light impinging on the half-blocked system when the focal error signal is at or near saturation. The half-blocked system then becomes primary controller again, and can move the system into a position generally close to the correct focal point. The light adjustment system then can be deactivated, but since the system now is much closer to focus, the half-blocked system can quickly bring the system into final focus. Alternatively, the photodetectors used to generate the focal error signal are segmented. The approximate distance to the correct focal point then is determined by comparing the amount of light detected by segments at different radial positions.
摘要:
The present invention provides for very rapid autofocusing of optical scanning systems. If a sample is sufficiently out of focus, the focal error signal used to focus a conventional half-blocked system can become saturated. Multiple steps toward the focus position then typically are required to bring the system into the operational range. To minimize this, a light adjustment system is provided to reduce the amount of light impinging on the half-blocked system when the focal error signal is at or near saturation. The half-blocked system then becomes primary controller again, and can move the system into a position generally close to the correct focal point. The light adjustment system then can be deactivated, but since the system now is much closer to focus, the half-blocked system can quickly bring the system into final focus. Alternatively, the photodetectors used to generate the focal error signal are segmented. The approximate distance to the correct focal point then is determined by comparing the amount of light detected by segments at different radial positions.
摘要:
A system includes a plurality of carriers for storing articles sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD), wherein each of the plurality of carriers includes a device having a sensor to sense one or more environmental parameters. At least one of the environmental parameters comprises an ESD parameter. The system also includes a plurality of radio frequency (RF) receiving devices and a coordinator unit to which the RF receiving devices communicate according to a wireless networking standard. The RF receiving devices are configured to obtain data associated with the sensed environmental parameters from the devices of the plurality of carriers via wireless communications according to the wireless networking standard. The plurality of RF receiving devices route the data obtained from the devices of the plurality of carriers to the coordinator unit.
摘要:
A carrier includes an enclosure for storing articles sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD) and a replacement component that is affixed to the enclosure as an integral component of the carrier. The replacement component includes a housing that provides an enclosure for a device having a sensor for sensing one or more environmental parameters. At least one of the sensed environmental parameters is an ESD parameter.
摘要:
An apparatus and method for regulating the charge voltage of a number of electrochemical cells connected in series is disclosed. Equalization circuitry is provided to control the amount of charge current supplied to individual electrochemical cells included within the series string of electrochemical cells without interrupting the flow of charge current through the series string. The equalization circuitry balances the potential of each of the electrochemical cells to within a pre-determined voltage setpoint tolerance during charging, and, if necessary, prior to initiating charging. Equalization of cell potentials may be effected toward the end of a charge cycle or throughout the charge cycle. Overcharge protection is also provided for each of the electrochemical cells coupled to the series connection. During a discharge mode of operation in accordance with one embodiment, the equalization circuitry is substantially non-conductive with respect to the flow of discharge current from the series string of electrochemical cells. In accordance with another embodiment, equalization of the series string of cells is effected during a discharge cycle.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for the direct noninvasive prediction of hematocrit in mammalian blood using photoplethysmography techniques and data processing. The method and apparatus also include optional prediction of other analytes of interest: percent oxygen saturation of mammalian blood and methemoglobin of stored blood. The method and apparatus can be used for the immediate, periodic, or continuous noninvasive diagnosis or monitoring of hematocrit levels in mammalian patients without pain to the patient or exposure of the health care practitioner to the blood of the patient.
摘要:
Methods, apparatus and systems for verifying proper delivery of health care bundles to patients are described. The methods, apparatus, and systems may be configured to monitor the delivery of health care bundles to one or more patients, to collect delivery data such as sounds and/or images that can be processed to determine if delivery of the health care bundle is being or has been properly delivered to a patient, to provide feedback during delivery of a health care bundle to a patient, and/or to store an indicator that is indicative of proper delivery of the health care bundle.
摘要:
Hygiene monitoring systems and methods are described herein. In various embodiments, the systems and methods may be used to monitor cleaning events (e.g., hand washing events, equipment sanitation events, etc.).