Can Technology-Based Social Memory Aids Improve Social Engagement? Perceptions of a Novel Memory Aid for Persons With Memory Concerns.

Social withdrawal and isolation are frequently experienced among people with cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, and Alzheimer's disease related dementias. Few assistive technologies exist to support persons with memory concerns' (PWMC) continuing social engagement. This study aimed to understand PWMC and family caregivers' initial perspectives on the feasibility and utility of a wearable technology-based social memory aid. We recruited 20 dyads, presented the memory aid, and conducted semi-structured interviews from June to August 2020 over Zoom video conferencing. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Overall, participants anticipated the technology could reduce socializing-related stress now and in the future for both members of the care dyad. However, certain features of the memory aid (e.g., visitors must have the app), could limit utility, and participants provided recommendations to enhance the tool. Our findings will inform future technology-enabled social memory aid development for PWMC and family caregivers.

Stereoscopic Distance Filtering Plus Thermal Imaging Glasses Design.

The authors present the development of eyewear that incorporates stereoscopic and thermal imaging cameras for the purpose of highlighting objects/views of interest. Image processing algorithms that simplify complex elements in a scene have the ability to improve the utility of blind and low vision aids. Thermal imaging can be used to highlight important objects such as people or animals, while stereoscopic imaging can be used to filter background imagery beyond a certain distance. The methods used have been successful in providing utility to retinal prosthesis users. The stereoscopic camera systems involved strict requirements on the relative orientation of the cameras for calibrated distance filtering. A mechanical design is presented that fixes the relative camera locations on a 3D printed titanium structure that can float in the frame to maintain orientations even when the eyewear is flexed during wearing. Clinical Relevance - The design presented has utility in improving perceived spatial resolution in implantable retinal prostheses, implantable visual cortical prostheses, direct-vision prostheses, and wearable low vision aids.

ICD lead failure detection in chronic soaked leads.

Abrasion-induced insulation breach is a common failure mode of silicone-body, transvenous, implantable cardioverter defibrillator leads. It is caused either by external compression or internal motion of conducting cables. The present method of monitoring lead integrity measures low frequency conductor impedance. It cannot detect insulation failures until both the silicone lead body and inner fluoropolymer insulation have been breached completely, exposing conductors directly to blood or tissue. Even then the resistance changes are usually swamped by the baseline values. Thus the first clinical presentation may be either failure to deliver a life-saving shock or painful, inappropriate shocks in normal rhythm. We have previously presented a method for identifying early lead failure based on high frequency transmission line impedance measurements. That work used fresh leads in a liquid simulation bath; we have now demonstrated similar effects in leads soaked for 32 days and hence with saline-saturated silicone lead bodies.

Distance bounded energy detecting ultra-wideband impulse radio secure protocol.

We present a demonstration of a novel protocol for secure transmissions on a Ultra-wideband impulse radio that includes distance bounding. Distance bounding requires radios to be within a certain radius to communicate. This new protocol can be used in body area networks for medical devices where security is imperative. Many current wireless medical devices were not designed with security as a priority including devices that can be life threatening if controlled by a hacker. This protocol provides multiple levels of security including encryption and a distance bounding test to prevent long distance attacks.

ICD lead failure detection through high frequency impedance.

Abrasion-induced insulation breach is a common failure mode of silicone-body, transvenous, implantable cardioverter defibrillator leads. It is caused either by external compression or internal motion of conducting cables. The present method of monitoring lead integrity measures low frequency conductor impedance. It cannot detect insulation failures until both the silicone lead body and inner fluoropolymer insulation have been breached completely, exposing conductors directly to blood or tissue. Thus the first clinical presentation may be either failure to deliver a life-saving shock or painful, inappropriate shocks in normal rhythm. We present a new method for identifying lead failure based on high frequency impedance measurements. This method was evaluated in 3D electromagnetic simulation and bench testing to identify insulation defects in the St. Jude Medical Riata® lead, which is prone to insulation breach.

Telemedicine enabled remote critical care ventilator.

Following a critical illness, technology-dependent children on chronic ventilator support require specialized care to facilitate recovery and rehabilitation that minimally impedes social and psychological development. Intervention strategies have been confounded by the need for frequent assessment via physical exam in a relatively immobile patient population. The availability of technology that enables effective, timely, and reliable information transfer between the homecare providers and the attending pulmonologist is likely to decrease the need for transport and hospitalization, and provide a dramatically increased level of comfort for care givers in the home and ultimately the children. A Pulmonetic Systems LTV 1200 ventilator was enabled with a wireless cellular interface to make its settings and performance data real-time accessible over a secure wireless Internet connection. A complete web-browser ventilator interface program was specified, coded, and tested. The live web interface was used to support a formal survey of pediatric pulmonologists to help gauge the potential medical utility of the new remote interface to the ventilator. The survey results were overwhelmingly supportive of the concept, and the pulmonologists listed many varied ways that the data could have utility in their patient populations.

Calibration tools for PC-based vision assessment.

This paper details the research and development of the PC Vision system, a unique calibration and monitoring subsystem that will enable use of personal computers as accurately calibrated and controlled vision test instruments. The need for such a system is evident. Display intensity and chromaticity, test distance, room illumination, and a number of other variables must be controlled to avoid unexplained discrepancies in test outcomes, within and between individuals and test locations. Modern displays (CRT-, LCD-, or projector-based) have sufficient resolution, gamut, and stability to allow high-quality stimulus presentation. The PC Vision system consists of two categorical functions - one to calibrate screen properties, the other to monitor room and test setup conditions - packaged into a fully integrated hardware prototype.

Resolving subjects and measuring observer/subject distances with a thermal tactile imager.

Visually-impaired people have difficulty detecting objects beyond the reach of a cane. We functionally coupled a far-infrared camera to a linear array of tactile elements to create a thermal tactile viewer that enhances environmental awareness. Users may scan such a device across a scene to spatially locate people. We observed in a series of acuity-measuring tasks, at twenty feet of observer/subject separation, observers could resolve two people standing four inches apart (a separation angle of 1 degrees ) and locate the angular position of people within a room with 78% accuracy. Additionally, when employing a technique involving two sweeps from two observation points separated by approximately an arm span, subjects correctly reported observer/subject separation distance with 60% accuracy. These observations suggest the technique of information transfer provided by a thermal tactile viewing device provides the fundamental acuity required for an assistive locating device.