Abstract: The present invention is related to a connector for a lead wire for a electrode. The present invention is further related to the use of a connection element to provide mechanical and electrical connections with a physiological electrode. The present invention is further related to the use of a helical connection element to provide mechanical and electrical connections with the node of a physiological electrode. In various embodiments, the invention comprises an expander that can stretch the connection element so that it may fit over the head of a male connector of an electrode and release to secure the connection element around the neck of the male connector of the electrode. When secured to the electrode, the connection element preferably makes contact with the electrode at multiple points in order to increase electrical connectivity with the electrode and decrease mechanical force in a single direction on the electrode.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses the inclusion of non-heat, active-force humidifiers into CPAP devices. These humidifier modules use for example ultrasonics, atomization, and nebulization to increase the relative humidity of the air being delivered to the patient. Humidity is important in CPAP devices because it is vital to patient comfort and optimum health. All of these various, non-heat active humidifier modules are components or attachments to a CPAP device, and all optionally employ various procedures and devices for dealing with excess condensation. Most importantly, these humidification modules avoid the main problems associated with heat-requiring humidifiers, such as the added cost and time needed to operate these humidifiers, the excess condensation produced, and the increased likelihood of microbial growth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of analyzing a subject for excessive daytime sleepiness, and more particularly to a quick (short duration), quantitative method of sleep disorder analysis. The present invention additionally relates to a method that can be used to quantitatively measure the treatment endpoints for the subject, i.e., appropriate levels of stimulants. Additionally, the present invention relates to a device for sleep disorder analysis.

Abstract: The present invention is both a device and a method for verifying a subject's identity while using a medical device or undergoing a medical diagnostic or therapeutic procedure, particularly at home or at a remote location. The method and device can be used for inpatient and remote sleep and signal analysis with biometric identification. The present invention is further related to the devices and sensors used in executing the method, and includes various embodiments of a method of inpatient and remote sleep analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated sleep diagnosis and treatment device, and more particularly to an integrated apnea diagnosis and treatment device. The present invention additionally relates to methods of sleep diagnosis and treatment. The sleep disorder treatment system of the present invention can use a diagnosis device to perform various forms of analysis to determine or diagnose a subject's sleeping disorder or symptoms of a subject's sleep disorder, and using this analysis or diagnosis can with or in some embodiments without human intervention treat the subject either physically or chemically to improve the sleeping disorder or the symptoms of the sleeping disorder. The diagnostic part of the system can use many different types of sensors and methods for diagnosing the severity of the symptoms of or the sleep disorder itself. The treatment part of the system can use a device to physically or chemically treat the subject's symptoms or sleep disorder itself.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a data acquisition system for EEG and other physiological conditions, preferably wireless, and method of using such system. The wireless EEG system can be used in a number of applications including both studies and clinical work. These include both clinical and research sleep studies, alertness studies, emergency brain monitoring, and any other tests or studies where a subject's or patient's EEG reading is required or helpful. This system includes a number of features, which enhance this system over other systems presently in the marketplace. These features include but are not limited to the having multiple channels for looking at a number of physiological features of the subject or patient, a built in accelerometer for looking at a subject's or patient's body motion, a removable memory for data buffering and storage, capability of operating below 2.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a device for acoustically monitoring a subject's airway to determine airway obstruction(s) and their location(s). The device is particularly useful when performing sleep analysis and sleep therapy, but is also highly useful in determining airway obstructions of any subject when the subject is sleeping or otherwise unconscious, and can further be used in certain applications when the subject is awake or conscious. The device, in its simplest form, is comprised of a supporting body (e.g. a mask, mouthpiece, or nasal cannula) used to position at least one acoustic generator and at least one acoustic sensor at a location essentially proximal to a subject's airway, the acoustic generator and acoustic sensor generating and/or sensing sound waves useful in determining obstruction(s) and their location(s) within the airway of a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of analyzing a subject for excessive daytime sleepiness, and more particularly to a quick (short duration), quantitative method of sleep disorder analysis. The present invention additionally relates to a method that can be used to quantitatively measure the treatment endpoints for the subject, i.e., appropriate levels of stimulants. Additionally, the present invention relates to a device for sleep disorder analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated sleep diagnosis and treatment device, and more particularly to an integrated apnea diagnosis and treatment device. The present invention additionally relates to method of sleep diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to joining two or more cartridges containing cell or tissue cultures from different organs found in the human body in fluid connection. It includes a vitro method and system for testing chemicals and agents as they pass through organs other than the brain or combinations of body systems including the brain. It greatly enhances the ability for researchers to test a proposed chemical or agent on human cells and tissue prior to testing it in vivo. Often, it is found that chemicals or agents have different reactions when tested on a single organ in vitro or in animals, than it does in the human body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to joining two or more cartridges containing cell or tissue cultures from different organs found in the human body in fluid connection. It includes a vitro method and system for testing chemicals and agents as they pass through organs other than the brain or combinations of body systems including the brain. It greatly enhances the ability for researchers to test a proposed chemical or agent on human cells and tissue prior to testing it in vivo. Often, it is found that chemicals or agents have different reactions when tested on a single organ in vitro or in animals, than it does in the human body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated sleep diagnosis and treatment device, and more particularly to an integrated apnea diagnosis and treatment device. The present invention additionally relates to methods of sleep diagnosis and treatment. The sleep disorder treatment system of the present invention can use a diagnosis device to perform various forms of analysis to determine or diagnose a subject's sleeping disorder or symptoms of a subject's sleep disorder, and using this analysis or diagnosis can with or in some embodiments without human intervention treat the subject either physically or chemically to improve the sleeping disorder or the symptoms of the sleeping disorder. The diagnostic part of the system can use many different types of sensors and methods for diagnosing the severity of the symptoms of or the sleep disorder itself. The treatment part of the system can use a device to physically or chemically treat the subject's symptoms or sleep disorder itself.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a sensor for simultaneously measuring both normal and shear forces applied to two or more flexible sensors, and further a statically responsive sensor for measuring shear forces. The present invention further includes a method of designing an object, prototype or a device using these sensors to detect both shear and normal forces encountered at the sensor locations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of analyzing a subject for excessive daytime sleepiness, and more particularly to a quick (short duration), quantitative method of sleep disorder analysis. The present invention additionally relates to a method, which can be used to quantitatively measure the treatment endpoints for the subject, i.e., appropriate levels of stimulants. Additionally, the present invention relates to a device for sleep disorder analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of quantifying a subject's wake or sleep state, and more particularly to a higher resolution method of determining when a subject is awake or asleep. The present invention additionally relates more specific applications of this method, and a system for making these quantitative measurements. There are numerous embodiments of the present invention, which are envisioned, with a few of those listed below. The present invention relates to a method of analyzing a subject, and preferably a human subject to determine quantitatively when the subject is awake and when the subject is sleeping. The present invention has application for use with alertness devices, for use to better analyze sleeping disorders, anesthesia monitors, psychiatric and hypnosis medication monitoring, and for looking at the effect of various other therapies.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for providing continuous positive airway pressure for treating sleep apnea. The method comprising the steps of providing a breathing gas flow to a subject, measuring a respiratory characteristic of the subject, determining or estimating a preferable breathing gas flow for the subject based on wavelet analysis utilizing in part the respiratory characteristic of the subject; and preferably adjusting the breathing gas flow if the determined or estimated preferable breathing gas flow is different. This method and apparatus can be used in a number of applications including both clinical and home use in the form of CPAP for the treatment of sleep apnea or less preferably as a ventilator to assist in patient breathing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of analyzing a subject for excessive daytime sleepiness, and more particularly to a quick (short duration), quantitative method of analyzing a subject for sleep apnea. The present invention additionally relates a device for use in detecting excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and another device for detecting sleep apnea. One embodiment of the present invention includes a method of screening for sleep apnea comprising of measuring EEG signals from a subject to determine sleep onset time(s) over a measurement period, as well as measuring and analyzing respirations of the subject to determine variability of the subject's respiration about the sleep onset time(s). A determination about whether the subject has sleep apnea will be based in part on the variability of the subject's respirations about the sleep onset time(s).

Abstract: A wireless electrode patch and system for measuring the physiological condition of a subject, more particularly to an electrode patch for ECG monitoring, and a method of sensing, analyzing and/or transmitting or relaying a physiological signal. The wireless electrode patch and system is lightweight, compact and reusable. The wireless electrode patch provides a low, power system for extended battery life and use. The wireless electrode patch and system allows for good reliable measurement of physiological signals from the subject. The wireless electrode is simple enough to apply as a single patch but versatile enough to be reconfigured as more than one patch.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a flexible circuit connector as well as a system using the connector. The present invention further includes an electrical case comprising part of the flexible circuit connection system. Various embodiments of each the flexible circuit connector, flexible circuit system and electrical packaging integrated with the flexible circuit system of the present invention are possible. The flexible circuit connector of the present invention takes advantage of the stiffness of the flexible circuit to bias the circuit against leads in the connector. The flexible circuit connector can also be designed to provide for polarization (or only one means) to connect to the connector. In particular embodiments the connector can be designed into a circuit board, an electrical case or housing or into other types of connectors.