The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) apparatus for the detection of carbon dioxide. It is described to place (210) a part of a housing in contact with a skin area of a patient. the part of the housing and a gas measuring chamber within the housing are configured such that gases diffusing through the skin area of the patient enter the gas measuring chamber. radiation is emitted (220) from a radiation source within the housing, wherein at least some of the radiation emitted by the radiation source enters the gas measuring chamber. The radiation entering the gas measuring chamber has wavelengths that extend over an absorption band of carbon dioxide and has wavelengths that extend over a region other than the absorption band of carbon dioxide. A radiation filter is positioned (230) relative to the gas measuring chamber such that an interaction radiation path is defined between the radiation source through the gas measuring chamber to the radiation filter. A first radiation detector is positioned (240) relative to the radiation filter such that a first detection radiation path is defined that is in addition to the interaction radiation path, and a second radiation detector is positioned relative to the radiation filter such that a second detection radiation path is defined that is in addition to the interaction radiation path. The radiation filter is configured such that radiation in the first detection radiation path has a wavelength that extends over the absorption band of carbon dioxide and with an intensity of radiation that extends over the region other than the absorption band being significantly less than that in the interaction radiation path. The radiation filter is also configured such that radiation in the second detection radiation path has a wavelength that extends over the region other than the absorption band of carbon dioxide and with an intensity of radiation that extends over the absorption band being significantly less than that in the interaction radiation path. a partial pressure of carbon dioxide is determined (250) in the skin of the patient using a signal from the first radiation detector and a signal from the second radiation detector.

An apparatus for mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising a first device arranged and adapted to generate aerosol, smoke or vapor from a target and one or more second devices arranged and adapted to aspirate aerosol, smoke, vapor and/or liquid to or towards an analyzer. A liquid trap or separator is provided to capture and/or discard liquid aspirated by the one or more second devices.

The invention is a system for monitoring and reporting health and wellness data. The system includes a pre-qualification mechanism, whereby an individual can become a pre-qualified user. The system also includes a plurality of stations, with each station including a user identification unit to determine if the user is a pre-qualified user and, if so, identify that pre-qualified user and a toilet. The toilet includes a bowl to receive excreta, two or more sensors configured to detect properties of the excreta from a pre-qualified user, and a bowl clearing mechanism to dispose of the excreta. Each station also includes a station processor configured to receive signals from the two or more sensors and from the user identification unit to create excreta event data for the identified pre-qualified user. Each station also includes a station data communication unit. The system also includes a central base that, in turn, includes a central base data receiving unit configured to receive excreta event data via the station data communication unit from each of the plurality of stations. The central base also includes a central base data storage unit configured to store excreta event data. The central base further includes a central base data processor configured to process the excreta event data for each pre-qualified user and produce health and wellness data for that pre-qualified user. The central base still further includes a central base data reporting unit configured to report health and wellness data to the appropriate pre-qualified user.

Disclosed is a method of determining a condition of a subject based on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in a gaseous phase, originating from the subject. The method may include: receiving from one or more sensors a set of sensor signals in response to exposing the one or more sensors to a sample of the VOCs; extracting one or more feature values from the set of sensor signals; receiving a classification model, trained to classify samples of VOCs based on the one or more extracted feature values correlated to one or more condition of the subject; associating the one or more extracted features received from the set of sensor signals with one or more classes of the classification model; and determining the condition of the subject based on the association.

A transdermal oxygen patch measures an oxygen concentration based on transcutaneous oxygen diffusing through an epidermal surface of a patient. Transcutaneous oxygen differs from hemoglobin-bound oxygen often measured in a patient blood flow. The patch employs an indicator responsive to an oxygen presence for emitting light having an intensity and lifetime (duration) based on the oxygen presence. An optical receptor is in communication with logic for receiving the intensity of emitted light and computing the oxygen concentration based on the received intensity and lifetime (duration). A wireless transmitter conveys the results to a base station or monitoring counterpart for untethered patient monitoring. Low power demands and circuit footprint are amenable to a wearable device such as a patch for continuous use.

A system for determining the gender and/or fertility status of avian eggs including a sampling apparatus and an electromagnetic radiation transmitter and detector. In certain embodiments, the transmitter operates in the terahertz range. The sampling apparatus can be coupled to an avian egg. The sampling apparatus includes a vacuum source, a gas collection device, and a membrane that can be positioned in the passageway coupling the vacuum source to the gas collection device. The membrane is capable of capturing volatile organic compounds. The sampling apparatus applies a vacuum from the vacuum source to the gas proximate to the avian egg and directs the gas captured from the vicinity of the egg toward the membrane. Subsequently, the membrane is positioned within the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the transmitter, generating a spectrum which can be analyzed to determine whether the egg is fertile or infertile, and if fertile, whether the egg is male or female. In an embodiment, the captured volatile organic compounds are transferred to a sample chamber where the captured gas is analyzed.

A system for determining the gender and/or fertility status of avian eggs including a sampling apparatus and an electromagnetic radiation transmitter and detector. In certain embodiments, the transmitter operates in the terahertz range. The sampling apparatus can be coupled to an avian egg. The sampling apparatus includes a vacuum source, a gas collection device, and a membrane that can be positioned in the passageway coupling the vacuum source to the gas collection device. The membrane is capable of capturing volatile organic compounds. The sampling apparatus applies a vacuum from the vacuum source to the gas proximate to the avian egg and directs the gas captured from the vicinity of the egg toward the membrane. Subsequently, the membrane is positioned within the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the transmitter, generating a spectrum which can be analyzed to determine whether the egg is fertile or infertile, and if fertile, whether the egg is male or female. In an embodiment, the captured volatile organic compounds are

An oral care device for placement in the oral cavity. The oral care device may include a support component, a piezoelectric component, and/or a therapeutic element. The support component is configured for placement between one or more maxillary teeth and one or more mandibular teeth. The piezoelectric element is configured to generate an electrical current from relative movement of the maxillary teeth and the mandibular teeth. The therapeutic element is configured to release a therapeutic composition into the oral cavity at least in part in response to receiving the electrical signal. The device may include the piezoelectric component, the therapeutic element, or both.

A method of spectrometric analysis comprises obtaining one or more sample spectra for an aerosol, smoke or vapour sample. The one or more sample spectra are subjected to pre-processing and then multivariate and/or library based analysis so as to classify the aerosol, smoke or vapour sample. The results of the analysis are used for various surgical or non-surgical applications.

An analytical toilet comprising a bowl for receiving excreta from a user; a lid adapted to cover the bowl; and a first health and wellness sensor in the lid for measuring a characteristic of the user's excreta is disclosed.