Described herein is an implantable device having a sensor configured to detect an amount of an analyte, a pH, a temperature, strain, or a pressure; and an ultrasonic transducer with a length of about 5 mm or less in the longest dimension, configured to receive current modulated based on the analyte amount, the pH, the temperature, or the pressure detected by the sensor, and emit an ultrasonic backscatter based on the received current. The implantable device can be implanted in a subject, such as an animal or a plant. Also described herein are systems including one or more implantable devices and an interrogator comprising one or more ultrasonic transducers configured to transmit ultrasonic waves to the one or more implantable devices or receive ultrasonic backscatter from the one or more implantable devices. Also described are methods of detecting an amount of an analyte, a pH, a temperature, a strain, or a pressure.

Provided is a wearable, self-contained drug infusion or medical device capable of communicating with a host controller or other external devices via a personal area network (PAN). The medical device utilizes a PAN transceiver for communication with other devices in contact with a user's body, such as a physiological sensor or host controller, by propagating a current across the user's body via capacitive coupling. The wearable nature of the medical device and the low power requirements of the PAN communication system enable the medical device to utilize alternative energy harvesting techniques for powering the device. The medical device preferably utilizes thermal, kinetic and other energy harvesting techniques for capturing energy from the user and the environment during normal use of the medical device. A system power distribution unit is provided for managing the harvested energy and selectively supplying power to the medical device during system operation.

Disclosed are biofeedback methods and devices suitable for providing biofeedback useful for helping a user control an own breathing, for example, to help in inducing deep breathing, and such biofeedback devices further comprising a dispenser for dispensing an inhalable substance.

A method for removing bodily fluid includes drawing bodily fluid that has accumulated in excess, converting the drawn fluid from bulk liquid form to aerosol form, and disposing of the aerosol via evaporation of liquid droplets and absorption and/or diffusion of vapor. Conversion from bulk liquid to aerosol may include collecting the bulk liquid fluid in a reservoir, conveying the bulk liquid bodily fluid to an atomizer, converting the bulk liquid fluid into an aerosol having ultrafine droplets, and ejecting the aerosol into a subcutaneous space for disposal via evaporation of liquid droplets and absorption and/or diffusion of vapors. The method may be performed with a subcutaneous atomizer that may be controlled locally or by an external transmitter for effecting a conversion and mist rate to keep pace with the accumulation of excess bodily fluid.

A dialysis system (e.g., a hemodialysis (HD) system) can be designed to operate in alternative environments, such as disaster relief settings or underdeveloped regions. The dialysis system can include a solar panel for generating electricity to power the dialysis machine and an atmospheric water generator for extracting water from ambient air. The extracted water can be used to generate dialysate and saline on-site. One or more of the components of the dialysis machine can be discrete components that are configured to facilitate fast shipping and simple on-site assembly (e.g., at a remote location). In some implementations, the discrete components may be configured to be attached to an existing dialysis system (e.g., a dialysis system designed for operation in a traditional environment) to permit the dialysis system to operate in an alternative environment.

Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to a medical handheld device that includes an actuating feature configured to generate a trigger signal, a sensor configured to detect a functionality of the medical handheld device in response to the trigger signal, and a haptic source configured to generate a haptic signal including information associated with the functionality of the medical handheld device.

An electronic vaporizer is provided. The electronic vaporizer includes a cartridge that facilitates provision of a vaporized solution to an individual. The cartridge includes a housing that includes an interior, wherein the housing is one of a polymer housing or a ceramic housing. The cartridge also includes a heating element located in the interior of the housing, wherein the heating element is configured to vaporize a solution for oral provision to the individual. The vaporizer may also include a power harvesting device operative to acquire energy from the environment for use with powering the heating element.

Described herein is an implantable device configured to detect impedance characteristic of a tissue. In certain exemplary devices, the implantable device comprises (a) an ultrasonic transducer configured to emit an ultrasonic backscatter encoding information relating to an impedance characteristic of a tissue based on a modulated current flowing through the ultrasonic transducer; (b) an integrated circuit comprising (i) a variable frequency power supply electrically connected to a first electrode and a second electrode; (ii) a signal detector configured to detect an impedance, voltage, or current in a circuit comprising the variable frequency power supply, the first electrode, the second electrode, and the tissue; and (iii) a modulation circuit configured to modulate the current flowing through the ultrasonic transducer based on the detected impedance, voltage, or current; and the first electrode and the second electrode configured to be implanted into the tissue in electrical connection with each other through the tissue. Further described are systems including one or more implantable devices and an interrogator for operating the implantable device, methods of measuring impedance characteristic of a tissue in a subject, and methods of monitoring or characterizing a tissue in a subject.

An electronic vaporizer is provided. The electronic vaporizer includes a cartridge that facilitates provision of a vaporized solution to an individual. The cartridge includes a housing that includes an interior, wherein the housing is one of a polymer housing or a ceramic housing. The cartridge also includes a heating element located in the interior of the housing, wherein the heating element is configured to vaporize a solution for oral provision to the individual. The vaporizer may also include a power harvesting device operative to acquire energy from the environment for use with powering the heating element.

An apparatus for inhibiting melatonin synthesis in a horse comprises a blinker having an internal surface of which at least a part is diffusing. A source of light is positioned for direction into the horse's eye by the diffusing-surface. The light source and diffusing surface are configured such that the light directed into the horse's eye is blue.