Systems and methods are provided to limit abdominal distension and alleviate uncomfortable side effects related to it—in patients treated in hydrocolonic preparation units. Systems may comprise a water delivery unit comprising a controllable water supply, configured to introduce water controllably into the patient's large intestine, a drainage configured to drain, by gravity, the introduced water with contents of the patient's large intestine and a controller. The drainage comprises a drainage pipe and sensor(s) such as camera(s) configured to continuously measure the amount of drained water drained by the drainage pipe. The controller is configured to control the water introduction with respect to the measured amount of drained water, keeping an amount of water retained in the patient below a specified water retention threshold to reduce uncomfortable side effects of abdominal distension.

A wireless stethoscope is described, having wireless sensors that are enclosed in disposable pads so that the same pads are not used on more than one patient, preventing cross-infection of patients associated with conventional stethoscopes. The present wireless stethoscope also detects pulmonary sounds and cardiac sounds, allowing the user to monitor one or the other without interference. Also described is a method for diagnosing a pulmonary condition using the wireless stethoscope.

A swallowing sensor that is attached to a person's pharyngeal portion and that measures the person's swallowing ability includes: a film-shaped detector that detects vibration based on displacement and sound of the pharyngeal portion; an adhesive layer that is provided on one of two main sides of the detector and that attaches the detector to the pharyngeal portion; and a sensing film arranged on the detector to cover entirety of the other main side of the detector, wherein a main side of the sensing film that contacts the detector contains an adhesive component, the sensing film is attachable to the pharyngeal portion around the detector using the adhesive component, and the sensing film conveys vibration to the detector. Accordingly, the swallowing ability can be more accurately measured.

Described herein are methods and systems for monitoring acoustical activity from the abdominal region to guide the optimal timing of food ingestion. According to one embodiment of the method, the rate of intestinal digestion events, as well as the change in the rate across specific time periods, is analyzed to guide ingestion behavior in a way that improves health. The result of guidance may be to reduce weight in people who are obese, to improve performance in athletes seeking to balance energy availability and energy expenditure, or to increase caloric intake in people who are undernourished. The method can be applied using a smartphone application to provide contextually appropriate and specific user guidance about whether, when, and how much to eat in a manner that aligns with the physiologic patterns of intestinal activity.

According to certain described aspects, multiple acoustic sensing elements are employed in a variety of beneficial ways to provide improved physiological monitoring, among other advantages. In various embodiments, sensing elements can be advantageously employed in a single sensor package, in multiple sensor packages, and at a variety of other strategic locations in the monitoring environment. According to other aspects, to compensate for skin elasticity and attachment variability, an acoustic sensor support is provided that includes one or more pressure equalization pathways. The pathways can provide an air-flow channel from the cavity defined by the sensing elements and frame to the ambient air pressure.

A wireless stethoscope is described, having wireless sensors that are enclosed in disposable pads so that the same pads are not used on more than one patient, preventing cross-infection of patients associated with conventional stethoscopes. The present wireless stethoscope also detects pulmonary sounds and cardiac sounds, allowing the user to monitor one or the other without interference. Also described is a method for diagnosing a pulmonary condition using the wireless stethoscope.

The invention relates to a device for assessing the characteristics of the swallowing process in a subject a sensor that is capable of detecting vibrations of the throat during swallowing.

Described herein is a method employing acoustic data from a patient's abdominal cavity to predict potential onset of postoperative ileus (POI) in patients recovering from surgery. According to one embodiment of the method, the rate of intestinal motility events, as well as the change in the rate across specific time periods, is analyzed to predict, or rule out, potential onset of POI. The current risk assessment may then be reported, and used to determine a course of treatment, such as rapidly advancing diet in low risk patients according to enhanced recovery after surgery protocols. The method can be applied at the patient's bedside by a nurse or other medical provider, and used to determine the POI risk assessment for the patient.

Microelectromechanical system are disclosed that include at least one electrode, microelectrode or combination thereof, wherein the at least one electrode comprises a carbon material, a glassy carbon material or a combination thereof. Contemplated systems are suitable for μ-ECoG arrays. Additional microelectromechanical systems are disclosed that include at least one electrode, microelectrode or combination thereof, wherein the at least one electrode comprises a carbon material, a glassy carbon material or a combination thereof; at least one substrate, surface, layer or a combination thereof, wherein the at least one electrode, microelectrode or combination thereof is disposed on, coupled with or otherwise layered on the at least one substrate, surface, layer or a combination thereof; and at least one bump pad, wherein the at least one electrode, microelectrode or combination thereof is coupled with the at least one bump pad via at least one conductive metal. A method of making a microelectromechanical system includes patterning a polymer precursor, a carbon-containing material or a combination thereof onto a surface, a substrate, at least one layer or a combination thereof; and heating or pyrolysing the polymer precursor, a carbon-containing material or a combination thereof in order to form a glassy carbon material. Uses of microelectromechanical systems are also contemplated to measure at least one electrical property in a mammal or for electrocorticography.

According to certain described aspects, multiple acoustic sensing elements are employed in a variety of beneficial ways to provide improved physiological monitoring, among other advantages. In various embodiments, sensing elements can be advantageously employed in a single sensor package, in multiple sensor packages, and at a variety of other strategic locations in the monitoring environment. According to other aspects, to compensate for skin elasticity and attachment variability, an acoustic sensor support is provided that includes one or more pressure equalization pathways. The pathways can provide an air-flow channel from the cavity defined by the sensing elements and frame to the ambient air pressure.