Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a method for retinal image analysis implemented in a medical system with one or more processors comprising the method steps of: (a) locating an optical disk on the retinal images and establishing a plurality of circumferences centered at the disk; (b) detecting a plurality of vessels within a region defined by said circumferences' radii using a crease-based algorithm; (c) extracting a plurality of vessel segments based on a deformable models (snakes) algorithm; (d) measuring a plurality of vessel calibers; (e) classifying each vessel as a vein and an artery; and (f) computing an arteriolar-to-venular ratio.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include an apparatus for water sampling and analysis, the apparatus comprising: (a) a device for water sampling at a plurality of depths comprising a hosepipe and a plurality of internal independent pipes with a plurality of sampling inlets at a plurality of water depths, and (b) a pumping system to pump a sample of water collected using the device for water sampling at a plurality of depths to an isolated module for analysis. According to one embodiment, the apparatus is an autonomous multi-parametric buoy with capabilities for multi-depth water sampling, self-maintenance, monitoring, data collection, transmission, and analysis.

Abstract: The invention disclosed includes a method and apparatus for calculation of T-wave alternas in electrocardiographic (ECG) signals; said method comprises the following method steps: (a) collecting and storing an ECG signal; (b) detecting each heartbeat T-wave in the ECG signal using an automatic detection and segmentation algorithm; (c) classifying said heartbeat T-wave as an even or odd heartbeat T-wave; (d) initializing said method by taking the first even and the first odd heartbeat T-wave as their respective initial average; (e) processing all the heartbeat T-waves in the ECG signal to generate an even heartbeat T-wave weighted average and odd heartbeat T-wave weighted average; and (f) calculating TWA using a distance metric between the even heartbeat weighted average and the odd heartbeat weighted average, said distance metric including curve matching Continuous Dynamic Time Warping (CDTW).

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include methods for cleaning wax, substantially equivalent impurities, and other contaminants from porous stones in historical monuments and artworks using nondestructive means. According to one embodiment the method for removal of contaminants from porous stones using laser comprises the following method steps: (a) identifying regions of a contaminant on the porous stone monument; (b) characterizing the contaminant on the porous stone monument; (c) exposing the contaminant on the porous stone monument to irradiation from a laser characterized by a wavelength, a pulse length, a repetition rate, and a laser energy fluence determined and optimized for a given contaminant-porous stone system and the laser characteristics; and (d) adaptively evaluating the cleaning results by quantifying the thickness of the remaining contaminant.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a telemedicine communication system designed to make possible “virtual” patient visits by approved visitors such as the spouse, family, and friends of the hospitalized patient having the appropriate digital certificate and visitation/communication permissions. According to one embodiment, the system enables relatives to visit hospitalized patients using audiovisual communication modalities selected according to the severity and health status of the patient. Additionally, the system provides functionality to enable approved relatives to follow the health status of the patient according to their permissions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and related apparatus for determining a cardiac parameter from either the arterial blood pressure signal or the photoplethysmographic signal to quantify the degree of amplitude modulation due to respiration (pulse pressure variation) and predict fluid responsiveness. The method involves the application of Lempel-Ziv complexity to a filtered and segmented physiologic signal for direct determination of the fluid status of a patient. Real-time monitoring of fluid status involves the implementation of the disclosed method as part of a bedside monitoring apparatus.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include coolant compositions, packages of such compositions, and articles of manufacture derived from coolant compositions. According to one embodiment disclosed a liquid coolant composition is disclosed that comprises: (a) glycerol, (b) an aqueous solution of menthol, (c) calcium hydroxide, (d) barium hydroxide, and (e) water. According to another embodiment, a gel coolant composition is disclosed that comprises: (a) glycerol, (b) an aqueous solution of menthol, (c) calcium hydroxide, (d) barium hydroxide, (e) water, and (f) sodium polyacrylate. Such gel coolant composition can be converted to solid form by adding paraffin.

Abstract: An embodiment of an auscultation device can be constructed using electronic components to provide improved acquisition, processing, and communication of sound signals. An input device can be used for detecting sounds, and electrical signals representing the sounds can be processed and transmitted via Bluetooth and/or another form of wireless communication. Such embodiments can employ, at least in part, one or more of several commercially available wireless receiver devices, such as, without limitation, headsets and headphones, mobile phones, PDAs and/or other handheld devices, desktop, laptop, palmtop, and/or tablet computers and/or other computer devices and/or electronic devices.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments of the invention include a method, system, and apparatus to monitor cardiovascular signals such as arterial blood pressure (ABP), pulse oximetry (POX), and intracranial pressure (ICP). The system can be used to calculate and monitor useful clinical information such as heart rate, respiratory rate, pulse pressure variation (PPV), harmonic phases, pulse morphology, and for artifact removal. The method uses a statistical state-space model of cardiovascular signals and a generalized Kalman filter (EKF) to simultaneously estimate and track the cardiovascular parameters of interest such as the cardiac fundamental frequency and higher harmonics, respiratory fundamental frequency and higher harmonics, cardiac component harmonic amplitudes and phases, respiratory component harmonic amplitudes and phases, and PPV.

Abstract: A apparatus and method for non-invasively measuring blood pressure. Cuff pressure and oscillometric signals are generated. The signals are conditioned by a plurality of linear filters to remove artifacts and local trends. Rank-order filters are applied to the conditioned oscillometric signal to detect upper and lower envelops. The systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure are calculated using a plurality of multidimensional threshold vectors.