An earpiece monitor configured to be worn by a subject includes a battery, an earpiece fitting configured to be inserted within an ear canal of an ear of the subject, a reflective pulse oximeter configured to measure pulse rate and pulse intensity of the subject, a motion sensor configured to monitor footsteps and head motion of the subject, a digital memory for storing at least one algorithm, and a processor configured to process signals from the reflective pulse oximeter and the motion sensor using the at least one algorithm to generate as assessment of a health state of the subject. The earpiece fitting is configured to transmit sound to the inner ear or eardrum of the subject. The assessment of the health state of the subject may include an assessment of subject physiological stress and/or an assessment of overall subject health.

Capacitively isolated current-loaded or current-driven charge pump circuits and related methods transfer electrical energy from a primary side to a secondary side over a capacitive isolation boundary, using a controlled current source to charge isolation capacitors with constant current, as opposed to current impulses, while maintaining output voltage within tolerance. The charge pump circuits provide DC-to-DC converters that can be used in isolated power supplies, particularly in low-power applications and in such devices as sensor transmitters that have separate electrical ground planes. The devices and methods transfer electrical energy over an isolated capacitive barrier in a manner that is efficient, inexpensive, and reduces electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Capacitively isolated current-loaded or current-driven charge pump circuits and related methods transfer electrical energy from a primary side to a secondary side over a capacitive isolation boundary, using a controlled current source to charge isolation capacitors with constant current, as opposed to current impulses, while maintaining output voltage within tolerance. The charge pump circuits provide DC-to-DC converters that can be used in isolated power supplies, particularly in low-power applications and in such devices as sensor transmitters that have separate electrical ground planes. The devices and methods transfer electrical energy over an isolated capacitive barrier in a manner that is efficient, inexpensive, and reduces electromagnetic interference (EMI).

An earpiece module includes a physiological sensor, an external energy sensor, a transceiver, a communication module, a data storage component, and a power source. The communication module includes a microphone, a speaker, and a signal processor. The signal processor processes audio information received from a remote source via the transceiver and communicates the processed audio information to a subject via the speaker. The signal processor processes information in real time from the physiological sensor and the external energy sensor, and the signal processor provides biofeedback to the subject based on signals produced by the physiological sensor. The data storage component includes a plurality of algorithms. At least one algorithm focuses processing resources on extracting physiological information from the physiological sensor, at least one algorithm is configured to be modified or uploaded wirelessly via the transceiver, and at least one algorithm is a compression/decompression (CODEC) algorithm.

An earpiece module includes a physiological sensor, an external energy sensor, a transceiver, a communication module, a data storage component, and a power source. The communication module includes a microphone, a speaker, and a signal processor. The signal processor processes audio information received from a remote source via the transceiver and communicates the processed audio information to a subject via the speaker. The signal processor processes information in real time from the physiological sensor and the external energy sensor, and the signal processor provides biofeedback to the subject based on signals produced by the physiological sensor. The data storage component includes a plurality of algorithms. At least one algorithm focuses processing resources on extracting physiological information from the physiological sensor, at least one algorithm is configured to be modified or uploaded wirelessly via the transceiver, and at least one algorithm is a compression/decompression (CODEC) algorithm.

Wearable apparatus for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices, such as earpiece modules. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed.

Wearable apparatus for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices, such as earpiece modules. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed.

An apparatus adapted to be worn at or near at least one ear of a subject includes a battery, a reflective pulse oximeter, a motion sensor, an analog-to-digital convertor configured to convert analog signals from the reflective pulse oximeter and the motion sensor into digitized information, a speaker, a digital memory device configured to store at least one algorithm for signal processing, a transceiver, and a signal processor. The signal processor is configured to process data from the reflective pulse oximeter to monitor cardiopulmonary functioning of the subject, process data from the motion sensor to monitor head and body motion, execute the at least one algorithm for assessing a health state of a subject, poll the reflective pulse oximeter and the motion sensor at certain time intervals to extend life of the battery, and process digital audio information into analog sounds to be presented to the subject via the speaker.

An apparatus adapted to be worn at or near at least one ear of a subject includes a battery, a reflective pulse oximeter, a motion sensor, an analog-to-digital convertor configured to convert analog signals from the reflective pulse oximeter and the motion sensor into digitized information, a speaker, a digital memory device configured to store at least one algorithm for signal processing, a transceiver, and a signal processor. The signal processor is configured to process data from the reflective pulse oximeter to monitor cardiopulmonary functioning of the subject, process data from the motion sensor to monitor head and body motion, execute the at least one algorithm for assessing a health state of a subject, poll the reflective pulse oximeter and the motion sensor at certain time intervals to extend life of the battery, and process digital audio information into analog sounds to be presented to the subject via the speaker.

The present invention is drawn to UV-curable ink and coating compositions comprising acylphosphine oxide photoinitiators and acids. The acids may be inorganic or organic acids, or acids generated by a photoacid generator during UV-cure. Incorporation of the acids into the UV-curable ink and coating compositions results in a reduction of migratable aldehydes that are produced by acylphosphine oxide photoinitiators during UV-cure. The ink and coating compositions are particularly useful for use in applications N that require low migration of low molecular weight materials, such as, for example, food packaging.