A method classifies vibrational data acquired for a swallowing event to identify a possible swallowing impairment in a candidate. The method includes receiving axis-specific vibrational data for an anterior-posterior (A-P) axis and a superior-inferior (S-I) axis and representative of the swallowing event, for example from a sensor operatively coupled to a processing module that is a local or remote computing device. A portion of the axis-specific vibrational data for the A-P axis can be combined with a portion of the axis-specific vibrational data for the S-I axis on the processing module using one or more of linear combination, squared (power) sum, moving window correlation of the two signals, local minimum or local maximum of the two signals, and trigonometric relation. The method can include outputting from the processing module a classification of the swallowing event based on the combined vibrational data.

The training device for chewing and swallowing can be used by patients who have difficulty chewing and/or swallowing to assist them to learn how to chew and swallow. The device includes a bolus delivery cylinder and a plunger. The bolus delivery cylinder can include a cylindrical housing having a peripheral wall and a hollow interior. The plunger can be slidably received in the cylindrical housing and secured thereto. In some embodiments the peripheral wall can be perforated. The interior of the housing is configured to accommodate small pieces of food. The bolus delivery cylinder can be made from a transparent, flexible material, such as silicon.

Devices and methods for providing sensory feedback during an exercise are disclosed. An exertion target is set, for a user performing the exercise, based on a self-calibration that estimates the user's ability using signal amplitudes of surface electromyography (sEMG) data, wherein the exertion target includes a target signal amplitude of muscle contractions to be reached during the exercise. sEMG data are received from a measurement device attached to the user as the user performs the exercise. Upon processing the sEMG data, sensory feedback is generated at a computing device operated by the user, wherein the sensory feedback has an intensity proportional to the user's exertion level as the user performs the exercise, and wherein the sensory feedback changes over a course of the exercise in dependence on a duration that the user maintains a muscle contraction at or above the target signal amplitude, and the change in sensory feedback is configured to encourage the user to prolong the duration.

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.

A wearable device collects a plurality of photoplethysmography (PPG) waveforms from a PPG sensor in the wearable device and collects inertial data associated with subject motion from an inertial sensor in the wearable device. The wearable device processes the inertial data in an assessment processor of the wearable device to determine a data integrity of the plurality of PPG waveforms and, responsive to the determined data integrity, processes the plurality of PPG waveforms in the assessment processor using a neural network comprising thousands of coefficients to generate an assessment of the subject blood pressure.

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.

A wearable device collects a plurality of photoplethysmography (PPG) waveforms from a PPG sensor in the wearable device and collects inertial data associated with subject motion from an inertial sensor in the wearable device. The wearable device processes the inertial data in an assessment processor of the wearable device to determine a data integrity of the plurality of PPG waveforms and, responsive to the determined data integrity, processes the plurality of PPG waveforms in the assessment processor using a neural network comprising thousands of coefficients to generate an assessment of the subject blood pressure.

Devices and methods for delivering an ingestible medicament of a medicament tablet into the gastrointestinal tract of a user. A device according to the invention includes a vibrating ingestible capsule and a hollow medicament compartment housing. The vibrating capsule includes a housing, a vibrating agitation mechanism disposed within the housing, a power supply, and a control element. The hollow medicament compartment housing is associated with the housing of the capsule and includes at least one aperture. The hollow of the medicament compartment housing is configured to have the medicament tablet disposed therein. The aperture(s) are dimensioned to enable fluid communication the surrounding environment and the hollow.

A swallowing medical device includes: an attachment unit configured to be attached to a target portion of a human body for a medical operation; a control unit configured to control the medical operation; and a storage configured to store use information regarding a use state over time of the attachment unit. The control unit executes a control for restricting use of the attachment unit on the basis of a fact that the use information does not satisfy a set condition for ensuring a characteristic of the attachment unit.