Smart Wireless Transducer Dedicated for Use in Aviation Laboratories.

Reliable testing of aviation components depends on the quality and configuration flexibility of measurement systems. In a typical approach to test instrumentation, there are tens or hundreds of sensors on the test head and test facility, which are connected by wires to measurement cards in control cabinets. The preparation of wiring and the setup of measurement systems are laborious tasks requiring diligence. The use of smart wireless transducers allows for a new approach to test preparation by reducing the number of wires. Moreover, additional functionalities like data processing, alarm-level monitoring, compensation, or self-diagnosis could improve the functionality and accuracy of measurement systems. A combination of low power consumption, wireless communication, and wireless power transfer could speed up the test-rig instrumentation process and bring new test possibilities, e.g., long-term testing of moving or rotating components. This paper presents the design of a wireless smart transducer dedicated for use with sensors typical of aviation laboratories such as thermocouples, RTDs (Resistance Temperature Detectors), strain gauges, and voltage output integrated sensors. The following sections present various design requirements, proposed technical solutions, a study of battery and wireless power supply possibilities, assembly, and test results. All presented tests were carried out in the Components Test Laboratory located at the Lukasiewicz Research Network-Institute of Aviation.

Wearable Pulse Oximeter for Swimming Pool Safety.

The purpose of this research was to develop an algorithm for a wearable device that would prevent people from drowning in swimming pools. The device should detect pre-drowning symptoms and alert the rescue staff. The proposed detection method is based on analyzing real-time data collected from a set of sensors, including a pulse oximeter. The pulse oximetry technique is used for measuring the heart rate and oxygen saturation in the subject's blood. It is an optical method; subsequently, the measurements obtained this way are highly sensitive to interference from the subject's motion. To eliminate noise caused by the subject's movement, accelerometer data were used in the system. If the acceleration sensor does not detect movement, a biosensor is activated, and an analysis of selected physiological parameters is performed. Such a setup of the algorithm allows the device to distinguish situations in which the person rests and does not move from situations in which the examined person has lost consciousness and has begun to drown.

Acceleration-Based Method of Ice Quality Assessment in the Sport of Curling.

Despite the significant influence of ice conditions on results in the sport of curling, players and ice technicians lack a measurement device that would objectively measure ice quality during a curling competition. This paper presents such a new measurement method by using a device consisting an inertial measurement unit (IMU) attached to the handle of the curling stone and data processing software. IMU is used to measure the vibration of curling stone during its movement on the surface of the ice. The acceleration signal is recorded, and then the software calculates the value of so-called R parameter in frequency domain. The value of R allows one to determine if an ice sheet had been pebbled and if the shape of pebbles is suitable for the game of curling. The presented system was tested in various ice conditions-on both freshly prepared and used ice. Ice technicians and players may use the proposed system to decide whether the ice surface is suitable for play or if it should be remade.

Capillary Sensor for Detection of Amphetamine Precursors in Sewage Water.

This paper deals with the problem of detecting benzyl methyl ketone (BMK), which is a precursor of amphetamine that can be synthesized in home labs. The focus of our work was to identify an improvement for the analysis of sewage introduced into the municipal sewage system. The sensors used to detect BKM in these systems are often clogged and therefore cannot function properly. In this article, a new method of detecting BMK and other chemicals in wastewater is presented. A system containing capillary polypropylene, hydrophobized with polysiloxane coating fibers was prepared. These solutions were used for continuous online measurements by ion mobility spectrometry. The use of pipes with a polysiloxane coating reduces the permeation of water and significantly increases the BMK permeation due to its high solubility in the polymer.

[Comparison of ability to humidification of inspired air through the nose and oral cavity using dew point hygrometer]. / Porównanie skutecznosci nawilzania powietrza wdychanego przez nos i przez jame ustna za pomoca higrometru punktu rosy.

AIM: Aim of this study was to check at the hospital the dew point hygrometer for fast measurement of air humidity in upper airways. The nose ability to humidification of inspired air and partially recover moisture from expired air was evaluated. Measurements from respiration through the nose and oral cavity were compared. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out in a group of 30 people (8 female and 22 male), age group 18 to 70 (mean age: 37 years old). In 22 of the participants there were no deviation from normal state in laryngologic examination, while in 4 participants nasal septum deviation without imaired nasal; oatency was found, in other 3--nasal vonchae hyperthrophy and in 1--nasal polips (grade I). The measurements of air humidity in upper air ways was done using specially designed and constructed measurement system. RESULTS: The air inspired through the nose and oral cavity is humidified. For typical external conditions (T = 22 degrees C i RH = 50%) the nose humidifies inspired air two times better then oral cavity (short time range of measurement approximately 1 min). Moisture from expired air through the nose is partially recovered (for patients with regular patency is 25% of the value of humidifying of inspired air). The oral cavity does not have ability to partially recovery moisture form expired air. CONCLUSION: The paper presented fast dew point hygrometer based on semiconductor microsystems for measurement humidity in inspired and expired air through the nose and oral cavity. Presented system can be a proper instrument for evaluation of nasal functions.

[Air temperature measurements in nasal cavities and oral cavity]. / Pomiary temperatury powietrza w jamach nosa i jamie ustnej.

AIM: Aim of this study was to check at the hospital the electronic thermometer for fast measurement of air temperature in upper airways. The nose ability of heating of inspired air and heat recovering from expired air was evaluated. Measurements from respiration through the oral cavity were compared. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out in a group of 30 people (6 female and 24 male), age group 18 to 62 (mean age: 33.5 years old). Almost the half of participants had no deviation from normal state in laryngologic examination. The rest of participants had nasal septum deviation (7 persons), nasal vonchae hyperthrophy (3 persons) and grade I nasal polips (2 persons). The measurements of air temperature in upper air ways was done using specially designed and constructed measurement system. RESULTS: The air inspired through the nose and oral cavity is heated during respiration. For typical external conditions (T = 22 degrees C i RH = 50%) the nose heats inspired air 1,5 times better then oral cavity (short time range of measurement approximately 1 min.). Heat from expired air is recovered for both nasal cavities and oral cavity. Nasal cavities respiration ability for heat recovery from expired air is 3 times higher then oral cavity respiration. CONCLUSION: The paper concerns the system for inspired and expired temperature measurements by miniature thermometer in different places of upper airways. Presented system can be a useful instrument for evaluation of thermal nasal cavities function.

[Examination of upper airway function using the dew point hygrometer with semiconductor detector]. / Badanie funkcji górnych dróg oddechowych za pomoca higrometru punktu rosy z detektorem pólprzewodnikowym.

The nasal mucosa with blood capillary network has a remarkable role in respiration process. The most important nose functions are heating and humidifying to optimal level of reaching throat and lungs air and partly absorption of humidity and temperature from expired air. Variations of humidifying and heating processes can invoke some upper airways disorders. The paper presents dew point hygrometer which was specially design for laryngological purposes. The hygrometer can measure dynamic changes of humidity in upper airways. The device is fully automated, easy to operate and can communicate with external personal computer. Database application allows saving patient data with archive examination results and can display them easily. During ongoing clinical tests, still increasing amount of data will allow precisely investigate correlations between humidifying process and some diseases. The main advantage of the device is a short response time on humidity changing. The number of readings (detections) can reach 5 readings per second (slightly depending on humidity level) which is much faster than in available on the market hygrometers with sorption sensors. The paper also presents some results obtained in group of healthy volunteers and one patient with tracheostomy The tests figured out actual humidity in certain parts of upper airways: nose, throat, trachea in breathing cycles under various surrounding conditions. The constructed hygrometer can be used for air humidity measurement in upper airways during some diseases and for evaluation of an influence of some drugs and environmental conditions changing on air upper ways mucosa.

[Examination of the temperature stabilization process in the upper airways using a miniaturized electronic thermometer]. / Badanie procesu stabilizacji temperatury w górnych drogach oddechowych za pomocq miniaturowego termometru elektronicznego.

Diagnostic and treatment procedures in laryngology demand the knowledge on physiological processes taking place in nasal cavities in the course of breathing. It is of special importance in treatment with pharmacologic agents exerting an influence on nasal blood vessels and in nasal structures operations. The paper presents electronic thermometer which was specially designed for measurements in human higher airways. The system is set of flexible measurement head with miniature thermistor and microprocessor system connected to the personal computer fit out database application for collect and visualization measurement data. The device is safe for medical doctor and patient as well. With patient point of view, the measurements can be done easily and comfortably. The system allows recording dynamic changes of air temperature in upper airways and recalculates average inspired and expired air temperatures. The paper presents also initial results obtained in group of 15 healthy volunteers and 3 with tracheotomy It was made an estimation nasal ability to heating inspired air in particular places of nasal cavity and determined air temperature in nasal cavity outlet.