| TORONTO REHABILITATION INSTITUTE Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20110288431 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING BREATHING CYCLE BY FREQUENCY ANALYSIS OF AN ACOUSTIC DATA STREAM - Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for monitoring, identifying and determining the breathing cycle of an individual from processed acoustic signal waveform data. The breathing sounds of an individual are recorded using a microphone and digitized such that the breathing sounds may be plotted. The data is segmented and transformed to form a plurality of segments representative of a frequency spectrum. The frequency spectrum data is transformed so as to produce magnitude bins and the sum of lower magnitude bins and the sum of higher magnitude bins are determined in a sampling of segments. A Bands Ratio is determined from the sum of lower magnitude bins and the sum of higher magnitude bins in the sampling of segments. A first bands ratio is then determined within a given segment and compared to the mean bands ratio. If the first bands ratio of the given segment is greater than the mean bands ratio by at least a predetermined multiplier, the given segment is labeled as inspiration. If the first bands ratio of the given segment is less than the mean bands ratio by at least a predetermined multiplier, the given segment is labeled as expiration. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110092839 | MASK AND METHOD FOR USE IN RESPIRATORY MONITORING AND DIAGNOSTICS - Disclosed herein is a mask to be worn by a subject on its face for use in respiratory monitoring and/or diagnostics. In general, the mask comprises at least one transducer responsive to sound and airflow for generating a data signal representative thereof, and a support structure shaped and configured to rest on the subject's face and thereby delineate a nose and mouth area thereof. The support structure comprises two or more outwardly projecting limbs that, upon positioning the mask, converge into a transducer supporting portion for supporting the at least one transducer at a distance from the area, thereby allowing for monitoring via the at least one transducer of both sound and airflow produced by the subject while breathing. The limbs may, in some examples, have along at least a portion thereof, an inward-facing channel defined therein for channeling toward a given transducer, air flow produced by the subject while breathing. A method is also disclosed for remotely diagnosing a breathing disorder of a subject. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20100117836 | HAND HYGIENE COMPLIANCE SYSTEM - A system and method of encouraging compliance of hand hygiene in an environment where users move from zone to zone and are required to perform hand hygiene between the zones. Users carry a wearable zone sensor which detects zones, detects hand hygiene actions, logs time of changing zones, and hand hygiene actions. The wearable sensor can be integral with a wearable hand hygiene product dispenser and/or can operate in cooperation with a fixed dispenser configured to transmit hand hygiene actions to the wearable zone sensor. The wearable zone sensors are configured to be useable anonymously or to be associated with a user identifier, and to interface with a central computer via a docking station or communication interface to transfer data for later analysis. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100082182 | Powered wheelchair - A powered wheel chair device comprises a motorized undercarriage and a support seat for supporting a wheelchair occupant. At least one support arm is located adjacent the seat. A controller is mounted on the arm, the controller including a joystick unit within reach of the occupant. The joystick is in communication with the motorized undercarriage for driving the undercarriage. The joystick includes an upstanding post with a collar, the collar having a periphery with a number of abutment regions located therealong. A number of actuators are provided, each movable from a storage position distal to the corresponding abutment region and a deployed position adjacent the corresponding abutment region. Each actuator is responsive to an obstacle detecting sensor near a corresponding peripheral region of the undercarriage. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20090045383 | Lifting assist device - Disclosed herein is a device for lifting an article comprising a housing having an inner chamber, the housing having a leading edge region in fluid communication with the inner chamber, the leading edge region being arranged to engage an access region between an article and a support surface beneath the article, an elongate tubular member having a first open end region and a second closed end region, the first open end region being directly or indirectly in fluid tight relation with the leading edge region, the elongate tubular member having a first surface in fluid communication with the inner chamber and an opposite second surface, the housing being arranged to provide a retracted position in which the elongate tubular member is held relative to the leading edge region and responsive to an operative pressure within the inner chamber to unfurl beyond the leading edge region to cause the elongate tubular member to migrate along the access region with the second surface in contact with the article and the support surface and with minimal relative motion between the contacting surfaces of the elongate tubular member, the article and the support surface and toward a deployed position in which the tubular member extends a distance exceeding a lateral dimension of the article with opposed ends of the tubular member being available to be employed for lifting the article from the support surface. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20080290711 | TOILETING CHAIR - A toileting chair has a flexible seat support and a removable seat. The removable seat is positioned on a seat support platform. At least one of the seat support platform and the flexible seat support is vertically movable with respect to the others so as to permit the insertion and removal of the seat. The flexible seat support is independent of the drive means so as to provide a comfortable suspended support on which a person may be seated during the reconfiguration of the chair. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080246599 | Hand hygiene compliance system - A system and method of encouraging compliance of hand hygiene in an environment where users move from zone to zone and are required to perform hand hygiene between the zones. Users carry a wearable zone sensor which detects zones, detects hand hygiene actions, logs time of changing zones, and hand hygiene actions. The wearable sensor can be integral with a wearable hand hygiene product dispenser and/or can operate in cooperation with a fixed dispenser configured to transmit hand hygiene actions to the wearable zone sensor. The wearable zone sensors are configured to be useable anonymously or to be associated with a user identifier, and to interface with a central computer via a docking station or communication interface to transfer data for later analysis. | 10-09-2008 |
