Abstract: A portable device that receives data provided by one or more sensors and displays statistical data related to the sensor data or otherwise related to the person. Statistical data may include high, low, average, mean value, median value, standard deviation, least square, variance, distribution, compilation, etc. for or at any given time or period of time for the person being monitored, as well as for such values for segments or groups of the population, or limit values, or target values, etc. The values may represent measurements and other data related to physiological signs and parameters such as blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, electrocardiogram, glucose level, substances and/or chemical presence or level, analyze measurements, etc. The portable device may also display such measurements. The portable device may compute the statistical data, with or without the aid of a remote computer, and/or store statistical data, and/or a remote computer may compute and/or store statistical data.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a pulse oximeter device and an apparatus incorporating the method and a system for utilizing the method. The method is based on modeling light propagation in tissue at two wavelengths, typically, one in the red and one in the infrared range of the spectrum. A formula is derived relating the arterial oxygen saturation to a ratio R commonly measured by standard pulse oximeters. A specific parameter is identified and utilized in the calibration of the oximeter. This parameter is formulated in terms of the DC signals measured by the pulse oximeter at the two wavelengths. An empirical method for estimating this parameter based on experimental data is also described.

Abstract: According to the invention, the eye of the subject is lit with light from the non-visible spectrum (infrared light) in such a way that its image, taken with an infrared camera, is of sufficiently high-contrast for an evaluation, so that the actual line of sight can be calculated from the picture based on the characteristics of the eye and that, proceeding from the determined line of sight, the coordinates of the coming optical stimulation can be adjusted in such a way that the intended retinal area is stimulated.

Abstract: A medical examination chair includes a group of sensors including electrodes in finger-tip sensors, various other types of sensors incorporated in straps for the patient in the chair and load cells supporting the chair, all of which provide data which is partially processed in the electronics mounted in the chair and then transmitted to central station for patient diagnosis.

Abstract: A microminiature sensing module and a sensing catheter system are provided. The module includes a sensor and signal conditioning circuit mounted on a substrate having electrical contacts positioned to facilitate connection of the module to an electrical bus, such as a dual lead electrical bus. The catheter system incorporates a dual lead electrical bus and one or more sensor modules. Methods of fabricating sensing catheter systems are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems relating to the objective measurement of the subjective perception of pain in a subject are disclosed. In one aspect, a system for objectively measuring a subjective perception of pain by a subject comprises a plurality of electrodes, including a left channel electrode and a right channel electrode. The plurality of electrodes measures electrical activity at a respective plurality of sites on the subject to generate at least two sets of electrical activity measurements. The system further comprises a processor for processing the at least two sets of electrical activity measurements into at least two normalized signals, and comparing the at least two normalized signals to each other to identify the presence of pain in the subject.

Abstract: Indication of worsening health condition in patients with congestive heart failure using the analysis of the speed and pattern of temperature change in a way that is individualized toward patient's health condition.

Abstract: A novel tonometry method wherein measured intraocular pressure corresponding to inward applanation of the cornea and corneal hysteresis derived from a pressure differential associated with inward and outward applanation events in the same measurement pulse allows comparison with a predetermined population normality function to avoid corneal effects so that the actual status of intraocular pressure can be ascertained. A dual mode non-contact tonometer allows selection between a standard measurement mode for patient comfort and an alternate measurement mode wherein pressure-time characteristics of the fluid pulse are varied to allow additional observation of corneal hysteresis associated with the dynamic measurement process for carrying out the novel tonometry method. Corresponding tonometry method embodiments include a method adapted for a contact tonometer and a method based on a pair of non-contact tonometer measurements taken using different air pulse pressure ramp rates.

Abstract: An external fluid-filled catheter pressure transducer for monitoring fluid pressure characteristics in a vessel in a living body. The external fluid-filled catheter pressure transducer includes an inverted sensor bonded to a hollow carrier so that measuring occurs on the inside of the carrier. The fluid-filled catheter pressure transducer allows pressure measurements to be taken in vessels smaller than 1 mm in diameter. A method for manufacturing an external fluid-filled catheter pressure transducer describes connecting sections of tubing (semi-rigid and flexible) to an inverted sensor module, and providing a reference port for the inverted sensor module.

Abstract: The invention comprises methods for noninvasively monitoring physiological characteristics of a patient's blood. Determinations of blood constituent concentrations may be made by comparing absorbance of radiation at varying parameters, such as path length and blood pressure. Preferably, changes in pressure are effected by changing the height of the probes relative to the patient's heart. Determinations of blood pH may be made by comparing absorbance of the blood at different wavelengths. The temperature of the blood, and thus of the patient's core, may also be accurately determined. Further, cardiac output characteristics and blood pressures may be noninvasively determined using the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for accurately measuring the blood oxygen saturation with a retinal vessel. The apparatus includes an optical source for illuminating the retinal vessel with optical signals. The apparatus also includes a filter, such as an aperture, disposed within the path of the optical signals returning from the eye. The filter preferentially passes single pass optical signals that have diffused through the retinal layer and/or the choroidal layer of the eye while traversing the retinal vessel only once, while blocking or otherwise redirecting the other optical signals. The apparatus also includes a detector for separately detecting at least the single pass optical signals and, in some instances, the other optical signals as well. The apparatus can also include a processing element for determining the blood oxygen saturation in the retinal vessel based upon the optical signals that have been detected.

Abstract: An intelligent, rule-based processor provides recognition of individual pulses in a pulse oximeter-derived photo-plethysmograph waveform. Pulse recognition occurs in two stages. The first stage identifies candidate pulses in the plethysmograph waveform. The candidate pulse stage identifies points in the waveform representing peaks and valleys corresponding to an idealized triangular wave model of the waveform pulses. At this stage, waveform features that do not correspond to this model are removed, including the characteristic dicrotic notch. The second stage applies a plethysmograph model to the candidate pulses and decides which pulses satisfies this model. This is done by first calculating certain pulse features and then applying different checks to identify physiologically acceptable features.

Abstract: A non-invasive apparatus system for monitoring autonomic nervous system, and its uses in monitoring autonomic nervous system functional change side effects caused by drugs and monitoring the aging of autonomic nervous system and tracing therapeutic effect thereof.

Abstract: In a technique for collecting and analyzing physiological signals to detect sleep apnea, a small light-weight physiological monitoring system, affixed to a patient's forehead, detects and records the pulse, oximetry, snoring sounds, and head position of a patient to detect a respiratory event, such as sleep apnea. The physiological monitoring system may contain several sensors including a pulse oximeter to detect oximetry and pulse rate, a microphone to detect snoring sounds, and a position sensor to detect head position. The physiological monitoring system also can contain a memory to store or record the signals monitored by the mentioned sensors and a power source. The physiological monitoring system may be held in place by a single elastic strap, thereby enabling a patient to use the system without the assistance of trained technicians.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a blood pressure of a living subject, including an inflatable cuff which has an inside surface adapted to contact a body surface of the subject and an outside surface exposed to an ambient air, and which is adapted to be wound around a portion of the subject to press the portion of the subject, a temperature sensor which is provided in the inside surface of the cuff and detects, in a state in which the cuff is wound around the portion of the subject, a temperature of the portion of the subject, and a display device which displays the temperature of the portion of the subject detected by the first temperature sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for processing patient polysomnograph data are provided. An abstractor obtains raw patient polysomnograph data and generates a subset of the data to include selected factors, including data clusters. The subset of the patient polysomnograph data is transferred to two or more neural networks that process the data and generate sleep classification data. An integrator obtains the sleep classification data from the two or more neural networks by integrating the sleep classification data from each neural network. A cumulative sleep stage score is generated including confidence values and accuracy estimations for review.

Abstract: Provided is an electronic blood pressure monitor capable of realizing functions of blood pressure measurement in a shorter time and blood pressure measurement with more of correctness in the same and one construction thereof. The electronic blood pressure monitor includes: an oscillometric measuring section capable of calculating a blood pressure with a high precision using much of biogenic information though a time is required since a blood pressure is calculated during a period in which the cuff pressure is gradually changed; and an SPD measuring section completing measurement in a short time though a fluctuation in precision of measurement arises according to an with less of biogenic information since individual difference a blood pressure is calculated using only one or several pulse waves. Since the oscillometric measuring portion performs a calibration processing for the SPD measuring section simultaneously during measurement thereof, calibrating operation a complicated can be practically excluded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for differentiating in a given area of tissue a tumorous tissue from a normal tissue, the method comprising measuring a plurality of tissue impedance over a range of tissue temperatures and comparing the measured tissue impedance with reference tissue impedance of the normal tissue adapted for tissue differentiation. The management of tissue temperatures may be accomplished with a probe arrangement comprising two elements of different electromotive potential conductively connected at a probe junction, and passing an electrical current through the elements to reduce or raise a temperature of the probe junction in accordance with the Peltier effect.

Abstract: A photoplethysmographic instrument is used to obtain physiological parameter information related to low frequency heart rate and blood volume variability. In one implementation, a plethysmographic signal is filtered relative to a Mayer Wave frequency to provide an output related to low frequency blood volume variability. In another implementation, the photoplethysmographic signal is first processed to obtain a heart rate signal and the heart rate signal is in turn processed to obtain information regarding low frequency heart rate variability. In either case, a Mayer Wave effect having potential diagnostic significance can be monitored using a photoplethysmographic instrument such as a pulse oximeter.

Abstract: A method and a device for measuring blood pressure and heart rate in an environment comprising extreme levels of noise and vibrations is disclosed. Blood pressure signals corresponding to the Korotkoff sounds are detected using an array of primary acoustic sensors, placed on the patient's skin over the brachial artery. A secondary acoustic transducer is placed on the outside of a pressure cuff the patient away for detecting noise and vibrations. Pressure is applied to the artery using the pressure cuff forcing the artery to close. The pressure is then reduced and while reducing the pressure the acoustic signals detected by the first and second acoustic sensor as well as a signal indicative of the pressure applied to the artery are provided to a processor. The signals provided by the primary acoustic sensors are then processed using a combination of focused beamforming and planar wave beamforming.