A monitoring device comprising: electric field detection circuitry configured to detect an electric field; and processing circuitry configured to: determine whether the detected electric field has a characteristic indicative of a predetermined electric field source; and if the detected electric field has the characteristic, output a signal indicating that the predetermined electric field source has been detected.

A device, system and method for monitoring a pulmonary system of a subject. An optical member for emitting a light signal through a cavity of the pulmonary system of the subject. The optical member and a detector unit are configured to be positioned so that the light signal detected that has ebb transmitted from the optical member through the cavity. A control unit is configured for evaluating the detected light signal for determining a physiological status of said pulmonary system of the subject.

A reconfigurable implantable system for ultrasonic power control and telemetry includes a charging device that includes an ultrasonic transducer to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals transmitted through a biological body, and a signal generator to drive the ultrasonic transducer to transmit an ultrasonic charging signal through the biological body. The system further includes an implantable device configured to communicate wirelessly with the charging device through the biological body via an ultrasonic communication link between the implantable device and the charging device. An implantable ultrasonic transducer receives the ultrasonic charging signal from the charging device and transmits ultrasonic signals through the biological body. A power unit coupled to the ultrasonic transducer harvests energy from the received ultrasonic charging signal when the implantable device is in an energy harvesting mode. A communication unit is configured to switch the implantable device between the energy harvesting mode and an ultrasonic communication mode, and to read data from the sensing or actuation unit and transmit the data through the implantable ultrasonic transducer when the implantable device is in the ultrasonic communication mode.

A multifunctional personal health monitor with an activity tracker embedded into a pet leash is provided. The energy of a pet pulling the leash cord is converted to an electrical power to run and to analyze operation of multiple biometric sensors embedded into the leash. The physical activities of the pet and its owner may be tracked. The obtain biometric information may be wirelessly transmitted for additional processing or an emergency call can be initiated. The generated by pet movement electrical power may be used to charge various external devices.

A sensor system including: a wristband (2) which has a storage unit storing patient identification information so that a patient can be identified by the patient identification information; and a sensor (3) which can measure vital information of the patient; wherein: the wristband (2) can transmit the patient identification information to the sensor (3) by human body communication through a surface of a body of the patient in a state in which the wristband (2) and the sensor (3) are attached to the patient; and the sensor (3) associates the patient identification information with the vital information and then transmits the vital information including the patient identification information to a bedside monitor 4.

A system for monitoring blood pressure includes an implantable medical device (IMD) and an external device (ED). The IMD senses an electrogram (EGM) signal, identifies a feature thereof indicative of a ventricular depolarization, and transmits a conductive communication signal through patient tissue indicating when the ventricular depolarization occurred. The ED is worn against skin and configured to receive the conductive communication signal. The ED is also configured to sense a plethysmography (PG) signal and identify a feature thereof indicative of when a pulse wave responsive to the ventricular depolarization reaches a region of the patient adjacent the ED, and determine a delay time (TD) indicative of how long it takes the pulse wave to travel from the patient's heart to the region of the patient adjacent to the ED. The TD is a surrogate of the patient's blood pressure and useful for monitoring the patient's blood pressure and/or changes therein.

Remote measuring and sensing. Some example embodiment related to optical energy harvesting by identification device, such as infrared identification device (IRID devices). Other embodiments relate to RFID device localization using low frequency source signals. Yet still other embodiments related to energy harvesting by RFID in electric fields in both conductive and non-conductive environments.

According to an aspect, a wireless communication device is wearable on a living body. The wireless communication device includes an antenna and an attachment. The antenna has a first conductor, a second conductor, at least one third conductor, a fourth conductor, and a feeding line. The first conductor and the second conductor are opposed to each other in a first axis. The third conductor is positioned between the first conductor and the second conductor. The third conductor extends in the first axis. The fourth conductor extends in the first axis. The feeding line is electromagnetically connected to any one of at least one third conductor. The first conductor and the second conductor are capacitively connected to each other through the third conductor. The attachment allows the fourth conductor to be opposed to the living body.

An intra-body communication system for monitoring physiological changes in a patient is provided. The system can include a first device implanted into a patient's body; a second device spaced apart from the first device; and a receiver for detecting and/or decoding the signals to monitor physiological changes in the patient. The first device and second device are capable of engaging in a two-way communication through transmission of one or more signals through at least a portion of the patient's body between the first device and the second device. In one embodiment, the signal may be an optical signal.

A target authentication device includes an electrode to detect an electrical signal associated with a user of the device. The electrical signal represents an authentication code for the device. An authentication receiver module is coupled to the electrode. The module receives the electrical signal from the electrode and determines whether the electrical signal matches a predetermined criterion to authenticate the identity of the user based on the electrical signal. An authentication module is also disclosed. The authentication module includes one electrode to couple an electrical signal associated with a user to a user of a target authentication device, the electrical signal represents an authentication code for the device. An authentication transmission module is coupled to the electrode. The authentication transmission module transmits the electrical signal from the electrode. A method of authenticating the identity of a user of a target authentication device also is disclosed.