One variation of a method for video conferencing includes, during a setup period: accessing a test video feed; and generating a face model, representing facial characteristics of a first user depicted in the test video feed, based on features detected in the test video feed. The method also includes, during an operating period: accessing a video feed; representing constellations of facial landmarks, detected in frames in the video feed, in a feed of facial landmark containers; representing sets of facial muscle actions, detected in frames in the video feed, in a feed of facial expression containers; and transforming the feed of facial landmark containers, the feed of facial expression containers, and the face model into a feed of synthetic face images according to the synthetic face generator.

Described herein are noninvasive electrical stimulation devices, systems and methods for stimulation of the Vagus nerve through its auricular branch to provide beneficial physiological responses in subjects, including alleviation, mitigation or elimination of symptoms of various disorders, including metabolic and inflammatory disorders.

A garment (e.g., a shirt) for monitoring biometric properties of the wearer of the garment is disclosed. The garment may include sensors for monitoring or assessing the vital signs and body position of the wearer. A processor associated with the garment may provide an output indicative of an assessed condition of the wearer based on the assessed vital signs and the assessed body position of the wearer of the fabric. The garment may include an injector assembly that is used to administer a drug injection to the wearer when the assessed condition indicates that the wearer is in an alert condition.

A bed includes components to control temperature of a sleep surface, for example based on time and historical usage patterns by a user. In some embodiments the temperature of the sleep surface is controlled based on information indicating a sleep state of the user. In some embodiments the temperature is dynamically adjusted so to achieve particular sleep states and/or sleep patterns for the user. In some embodiments the temperature and timing of temperature adjustments is iteratively adjusted over multiple sleep sessions so to achieve improvements in sleep states and/or sleep quality for the user.

A torque enhancement device having torque enhancement member(s) with each having an exterior (preferably bi-symmetric or essentially bi-symmetric) surface configuration with parallel, longer side walls extending in a Y-axis direction and shorter side walls extending in an X-axis direction and corner recesses positioned between ends of adjacent longer and shorter side walls, and with some embodiments of the invention featuring a torque enhancement device having a hole extending in a Z-axis direction. A fastener assembly is also provided that includes one or more torque enhancement devices as well as methods for utilization of the torque enhancement device or utilization or assemblage of an assembly including a torque enhancement device. The surface configuration includes arrangements where there is a torque differential in one direction or the other as well as arrangements that are adapted to handle both standard fastener configurations and torque enhancement configurations with a common torque enhancement device.

Systems and methods provide for holding surgical drain evacuators in inelastic expandable pouches. Particularly, apparatuses and methods include or utilize garments for supporting and protecting surgical drain evacuators and surgical drains include straps or belts for attaching the garment to a patient. The garments include one or more expandable pouches configured to receive a surgical drain evacuator, wherein the expandable pouch is formed of a flexible inelastic material.

A negative pressure wound therapy system can include a negative pressure source configured to provide, via a fluid flow path, negative pressure to a wound covered by a wound dressing. The system can include a controller. The controller can be configured to periodically activate the negative pressure source to maintain negative pressure in the fluid flow path between a low negative pressure setpoint and a high negative pressure setpoint. The controller can be configured to determine a change in a volume of the wound based on a difference between a first time and a second time at which the high negative pressure setpoint has been established in the fluid flow path, the second time being subsequent to the first time. The controller can be configured to provide indication of the change in the volume of the wound.

A phototherapy device (100) and a phototherapy instrument (500), comprising a near infrared irradiation module (110) used for emitting near infrared light to the head, and a control component (120) used for controlling the operation of the near infrared irradiation module (110) and coupled to the near infrared irradiation module (110). A method for using near infrared light for therapy, which comprises applying a first, optional second, optional third or more near infrared lights to the head of a patient. The device and method are used for treating Alzheimer's disease, improving brain mitochondrial function and ATP levels, promoting amyloid beta protein (Aβ) decomposition, reducing Aβ deposition, reducing damage to nerve cells, improving nerve tissue repair and regeneration capabilities, improving cognitive ability etc. A therapy method using the phototherapy device (100) or the phototherapy instrument (500), and a computer readable recording medium controlling required near infrared light.

Exemplary embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for administer multiple stimulus to a patient in order to improve the efficacy of the administered stimulus on the brain activity of the patient. Exemplary embodiments described herein may combined magnetic stimulation along with sensory stimulation to influence the intrinsic frequency of an EEG band of a person.

Apparatus are described herein for providing a garment (e.g. a bra) that can be used by a wearer during extraction of breast milk using a breast pump, and/or during breast feeding. In some embodiments, a garment can include a support strap having an adjustable portion, a shoulder strap, and a back panel. The support strap can be coupled to the shoulder strap via an engagement mechanism. The adjustable portion of the support strap can be configured to be adjusted relative to the engagement mechanism to change a length of the support strap between the engagement mechanism and the back panel so that the support strap can be disposed over a flange of a breast pump to hold the flange against the breast of a user. An outer panel can be coupled to the back panel and the engagement mechanism. In another embodiment, an inner panel can be removably coupled to the inner panel and the engagement mechanism.