PROJECTS: Applications and TECHNOLOGIES

A list of some of the varied projects we have worked on. In a few cases we did paper studies, and bowed out. In a few more we made a lab evaluation prototype (works like, doesn’t look like). In many we made a fully functional works like, looks like, prototype. And in others we did pre-production runs of under 50 units. Some of the truly great ideas never made it to market. Some are in use, but undercover: hope you never see them! And some made it to the commercial market place and were well received.

We devised a battery powered medication dispenser that metered the correct medication dosage into the eye. Its speed of operation was faster than the blink reflex, delivering all the medication on to the eyeball. The design combined: microprocessor timing and control firmware, battery charging and power conversion hardware, and precise DC motor control.

We engineered extremely precise light-level control of an an array of LEDs for an innovative early glaucoma diagnostic tool. The device diagnosed glaucoma earlier than existing methods allowing treatment before retinal damage. To implement this we used a microcomputer to sequence the LEDs and designed special hardware to interface to the micro and produce the precise light levels needed.

We engineered a complete high speed ultrasound system for measurement and imaging of the eye. This comprised real-time ultrasonic imaging of the eye, precise measurement for corrective implants during cataract surgery, and pachymetry as a diagnostic tool. A high-speed USB interface delivered the images to a desktop PC and controlled the imaging and measurement processes. The ultrasound was pulsed at several tens of megahertz. The design featured high speed FPGA control of the impedance matched transducer pulser. Variable gain video amplification, precise pulse characterisation and measurement, and position control of the mechanical scanning motor were all done by means of a microprocessor. The implementation allowed for real time control and adjustment of the scanning angle and frequency.

Much of our work has involved work supporting anti-terrorism efforts and our defense forces. We can’t give you details but some of the highlights include:

• a flexible view scope which is safe in explosive atmospheres.

• MIL-STD-1275E compliant military vehicle power systems .

• A rugged device providing 400W of true sine wave power from a 24VDC standard military vehicle, with no fans or ventilation to outside.

• Armored personnel vehicle (MRAP and JLTV) door controller. A microprocessor controlled an electro-hydraulic circuit with go-no go decisions from a logic array device providing a safety system to prevent uncommanded motion. The door is big, heavy, and moves very quickly — dangerous!

• Target designation using military GPS.

• Low light cryogenic vision systems.

• Air sampling and monitoring systems for biological and chemical agents — versions engineered both for fixed building installation and portable devices for response teams.

• Nuclear radiation detection and source (isotopic) identification.

• XM25 urban assault weapon fire control system review and roadmap.

• Large screen navigation display integration and interfacing.

Depression is a terrible disease, so when we were invited to be a key part of a team assembled to develop a new and effective treatment we were thrilled. The treatment is called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and the resulting device is the Neurostar.

An innovative design of a water quality test meter. It measures absorbance of light at specific frequencies. Replacing a unit costing over ten times as much, it is also more versatile. It does more tests, including tests at two different light wavelengths, and can derive test results from two or more individual measurements.

We devised circuitry for generating, controlling, and delivering a pulsed magnetic field. This precision digital circuitry did not execute any software/firmware, which simplified FDA processes. The supporting circuitry provided 48 hours operation on a single battery charge, and expedited re-charging. Treatment protocol record keeping and reporting was also supported.

What’s in a name? More than you might think! Designed with busy medical professionals in mind these smart badges are wireless enabled. This allows automatic hands-free unlocking and logging on to a medical computer system, and also setting the level of access permitted for that employee. When the employee goes ‘out of range’ (settable) they are logged off and the computer terminal is locked again.

We designed and prototyped this five time zone wristwatch. Some forty cities are stored, and the wearer can select which ones he wants displayed, and where. Once a city is selected the offset from GMT (UCT) is automatic, as is usage of daylight savings time. Wireless charging is incorporated and provides three days of typical usage between charges. The wearer can choose from a range of seven display colors: the hardware supports many more should the user interface be extended.

Two examples of previous projects both involve horses. Traditional ultrasound technology launches high frequency sound wave pulses into the tissues of interest and looks at what gets reflected - the echo. However X-ray imaging passes the X-rays through the tissue and looks at what comes out the other side - the shadow. We worked on a project to develop transmission ultrasound imaging, forming an image from sound waves that passed through the tissues. In another application we revised the user interface to a conventional imaging ultrasound unit, greatly improving its usability and exposing some previously inaccessible modes of operation. And, in a rarity for us, we looked at an inert gas powered handheld cryosurgery device - no electronics.

We took a popular electrosurgical generator and reviewed the circuitry to produce requirements. We then re-engineered the device (applying the many IEC standards) to use up-to-date technology, replacing outdated and obsolescent components. In a related project we implemented a series of bipolar modes on a monopolar generator and designed an accompanying range of electrosurgical tools.

It’s interesting to look at a couple of projects related to breathing. In one of them we developed a novel technique for measuring the volume of air inhaled and exhaled with a simple hand-held device. In another we used a microphone to listen to the noises made when the patient breathed in and out. In principle this is what a doctor does when listening through a stethoscope. We took the audio from the microphone and used digital signal processing to emphasize noises that had medical significance. This successfully produced quantifiable measures of ‘abnormal’ noises. As well as a diagnostic tool it proved invaluable for demonstrating the progress resulting from treatment.

Although now facing strong competition from LED arrays, HID lighting is still very much a viable solution in many instances. We designed an electronic ballast (control unit) to operate these bulbs. They have three phases of operation: when first energized they are in a ‘warm-up’ phase. They get brighter over the next few minutes until they are at working temperature and full brightness. When turned off they enter a cool down phase. During the cool-down they cannot be switched on again: the physics of the hot gas in the bulb will not permit a re-start until substantially cooled — typically at least a few minutes. Using patented techniques we were able to design the ballast such that the bulb could be reliably and successfully re-started within a few seconds.

Projects relating to products for first responder use in battlefield and extreme conditions:

• Rugged infusion pump - often IV administration of fluids is a priority. This may have to be done wherever the victims are located and before they can be moved. We worked on an infusion pump designed specifically for these conditions. We also worked on its more sophisticated little sister for hospital and clinical use.

• Blood warmer - blood loss is a common result of battlefield trauma. Casualties requiring a lot of blood, quickly, are often in a state of fragile health. Blood is stored under refrigeration at about 5 degrees Celsius. Infusing a large quantity of blood at this temperature will chill the patient severely. In a hospital setting water baths are used to warm the blood as it is infused. These baths are not portable. We devised an electrically heated catheter to raise the blood temperature to the desired level, regardless of flow rate.

• CPR chest compressor - an automated mechanism to deliver chest compressions autonomously mimicking the direct action of human-provided CPR protocols.

• Hydraulic jaws-of-life - a preferred alternative to electrically powered equipment in the presence of fuel spills.

Let us help you with your next project, whatever stage it’s at from first ideas to design implementation. Contact us today!