Abstract: The invention relates to a method, device, and computer program product for monitoring the physiological state of a person. In the method, the heartbeat of the person is detected in order to obtain a pulse signal, and at least one parameter depicting the respiration of the person is determined in the time domain with the aid of time stamps made of the basis of the pulse signal. With the aid of the method, it is possible to calculate an estimate of the person's energy consumption during exercise, without complicated calculations or preliminary data based on measurements.

Abstract: A method for processing pressure signals derived from locations inside or outside a human or animal body or body cavity. Different aspects relate to a method for optimal differentiating between cardiac beat- and artifact-induced pressure waves, a method for obtaining new and improved information from the pressure signals, and methods for predicting pressures inside a body or body cavity from pressure-related signals derivable from outside the body or body cavity. Devices and a system for sensing continuous pressures signals and displaying output of processing according to method. Other features related to aspects of draining fluid from a brain or spinal fluid cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus used in the medical industry, in order to increase transpulmonary pressure and respiratory volumes, to improve inspiratory muscle performance and re-establish the normal pulmonary hyperinflation, through the employment of electronic technology, providing audible, simulated, verbal, human sounding words, that assist, guide and prompt, increasing patient usage. In the past, lack of usage of this simple plastic, antiquated, disposable unit, by the patient, has contributed to severe problems, such as pneumonia. Without prompting, the patient finds it hard to inhale into a tube repetitively, to improve their lungs. Previous applications of prior equipment has been poor, thus adding intelligence in the form of electronic technology, which prompts without assistance, is a tremendous advantage in helping not only the sighted, but also the blind as well, since normally only written information accompanies the incentive spirometer, thus, changing the use of this medical device as we know it today.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for analysing the physico-chemical properties of a cutaneous surface comprising: a group of sensors which are assembled at an acquisition zone (4), opposite which the cutaneous surface to be analysed is positioned; and a processing unit (1) which is interfaced with the group of sensors, said unit being equipped with analysis means that can be used to determine certain physico-chemical properties of the cutaneous surface to be analysed using signals produced by said group of sensors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for assessing the reactivity observable in a certain physiological signal, especially the EEG signal, of a subject. In order to obtain a compact measurement arrangement that enables reliable assessment of changes in the reactivity of the subject even during a long time period, a conventional monitoring device is provided with a stimulation module configured to supply stimuli to the subject through a measurement probe that the device uses to receive physiological signal data from the subject. The measurement probe may comprise, for example, an arm cuff through which the device monitors the blood pressure of the subject.

Abstract: A method of creating an analyte sensor. The method starts with the step of providing an electrochemically active surface. Then, at least one nub made of dielectric material and extending transversely outwardly from the electrochemically active surface is created. A curable liquid is applied to the electrochemically active surface and the nub and is then cured. In this process, the nub, which could be one of several nubs, serves to support the liquid before and during the curing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the transcutaneous monitoring of blood gases generally comprises a blood gas data acquisition device, a vacuum source and a blood gas transducer unit. The blood gas transducer unit is adapted for application to a patient's skin and administration of a local vacuum at the area of patient application. It further comprises an electrochemical blood gas transducer, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, which is disposed entirely within the local vacuum at the area of patient application. The vacuum source is placed in fluid communication with the blood gas transducer unit, through a hydrophobic membrane filter for safety purposes, in order to induce a condition of hyperperfusion in the locality of the electrochemical blood gas transducer. Under the control of a microcontroller, or equivalent means, the blood gas acquisition device is then utilized to capture a measure of skin surface oxygen or carbon dioxide pressure.

Abstract: A noninvasive blood glucose level measurement system for determining the glucose level of blood, including a processor configured for determining a blood glucose level from a measurement of arterial pressure. Also included is a method of determining a blood glucose level from a measurement of arterial pressure.

Abstract: A patient's peripheral pulse volume and blood pressure are measured. The quantities are used to obtain a quantitative measure of peripheral vascular function. The quantitative measure can be one or more of pulsatile limb blood flow, total limb blood flow, limb vascular compliance and limb vascular resistance.

Abstract: Techniques are described for use by a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) or other implantable medical device. The techniques are provided for evaluating the likelihood that the patient, in which the device is implanted, has impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or diabetes mellitus. Briefly, a value representative of sleep quality of the patient is detected and then the likelihood that the patient has IGT or diabetes mellitus is determined based on the sleep quality value. In this regard, it has been found that a decrease in overall sleep quality is associated with an increased likelihood of IGT or diabetes mellitus, which is in turn associated with an increased risk of mortality. Hence, sleep quality may be used as a proxy for evaluating the likelihood that the patient has IGT or diabetes mellitus and for assessing associated mortality risk.

Abstract: A means and method for inducing a temporary physiological state-of-mind to effect persistent changes to the cognitive-emotive profile of an individual, which is adaptable for neurofeedback and “mental-state” therapeutic and non-therapeutic interventions. The system comprises an EEG Recording Module (ERM), a Neurodynamics Assessment Module (“NAM”), and a Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation module (“TMS”) for acquiring and manipulating bioelectrical and/or EEG data, defining a cognitive-emotive profile, and mapping the cognitive-emotive profile to selectively control transcranial magnetic stimulation to drive therapeutic and non-therapeutic stimulus interventions. A bi-directional feedback feature is provided to further enhance the performance of the system to effect prolonged changes.

Abstract: In a sensor for detecting a carbon dioxide gas in an expiration gas of a living body, an airway case is adapted to be disposed below nostrils of the living body, and formed with an airway passage extending across an optical axis of a light beam emitted from a right emitter of the sensor. A mouth guide is adapted to be disposed in front of a mouth of the living body so as to define a space communicated with the airway passage. The mouth guide is pivotably supported on the airway case. A retainer is adapted to retain an oxygen supply tube on the airway adapter body in such an attitude that an oxygen gas supplied from prongs of the oxygen supply tube is not directly injected into the nostrils.

Abstract: One or more cardiovascular parameters is estimated as a function of the arterial pressure waveform, in particular, using at least one statistical moment of pressure waveform having an order greater than one. Arterial compliance, the exponential pressure decay constant, vascular resistance, cardiac output, and stroke volume are examples of cardiovascular parameters that can be estimated using various aspects of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, not only are the first four moments (mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis) of the pressure waveform used to estimate the cardiovascular parameter(s) of interest, but also heart rate, statistical moments of a set of pressure-weighted time values, and certain anthropometric patient measurements such as age, sex, body surface area, etc.

Abstract: In an apparatus adapted to measure a pulse rate of a subject, a plurality of band pass filters, each of which has a center frequency that is different from the others are provided. The band pass filters are connected in parallel to one another so as to be adapted to receive a first signal corresponding to a pulse wave of the subject and be operable to output a plurality of second signals each of which is obtained by filtering the first signal with each center frequency. A first processor is operable to obtain a fundamental frequency of the first signal. A selector is operable to select one of the second signals which is output from one of the band pass filters having such a center frequency that is closest to the fundamental frequency. A second processor is operable to calculate the pulse rate from the selected one of the second signals.

Abstract: A monitoring system for cardiac operations with cardiopulmonary bypass comprising: a processor operatively connected to a heart-lung machine; a pump flow detecting device connected to a pump of the heart-lung machine to continuously measure the pump flow value and send it to the processor; a hematocrit reading device inserted inside the arterial or venous line of the heart-lung machine to continuously measure the blood hematocrit value and to send it to the processor; a data input device to allow the operator to manually input data regarding the arterial oxygen saturation and the arterial oxygen tension; computing means integrated in the processor to compute the oxygen delivery value on the basis of the measured pump flow, the measured hematocrit value, the preset value of arterial oxygen saturation, and the preset value of arterial oxygen tension; and a display connected to the processor to display in real-time the computed oxygen delivery value.

Abstract: The invention consists of a sensor with multiple indicating (sensing) electrodes covered with a selectively permeable membrane for monitoring fluid concentrations in a biological environment. The indicating electrodes respond to changes in certain analytes, such as glucose, through an enzyme-mediated reaction. The currents generated from the enzyme-mediated reactions are transmitted through radio signals to an external receiver where the information is processed and recorded. Through the use of various biomaterials and biochemicals associated with the sensor, the monitoring accuracy is improved and the overall viability is prolonged. The process of foreign body fibrosis (formation of a scar capsule around the implanted sensor) eventually limits the functional life of the device. We teach methods of delivery of certain biochemicals that can increase the functional life of the sensor by inhibiting the formation of the foreign body capsule or by stimulating the growth of capillaries into the capsule.

Abstract: A sleep state of a subject is estimated from respiration signals that are readily detected without restraining the subject. From a voltage waveform based on respiratory movement of a person, positive peak values and the (time) interval between adjacent peaks are calculated. Also obtained is the area of a region that is enclosed by the voltage waveform and a time axis between peaks, and the average value and dispersion value of the obtained inter-peak areas are calculated. The calculated values are used to set a preliminary sleep state value for a given period, and sleep state values over plural periods are factored in to estimate a sleep state at a given time point.

Abstract: A closed blood pressure cuff including a ring-shaped inflatable bladder having an inner portion for making direct contact with a user's arm and an outer portion having a fixed circumference outside the inner portion. The bladder is formed of non-distensible material, preferably by joining a tubular starting element. The inner portion of the bladder is not constrained during inflation and thus can readily conform to a subject's limb, the outer portion accommodating an upper limit of arm circumference within the cuff. The cuff may include a stiffener attached to the outer portion of the bladder to automatically adjust the shape of the bladder during inflation. The stiffener may be in the form of a continuous layer or may comprise a plurality of axial ribs, allowing the cuff to be folded when not in use. The cuff may be generally cylindrical or may be tapered.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to characterize NO gas exchange dynamics in human lungs comprising the steps of: (1) performing a series of breath hold maneuvers of progressively increasingly breath hold times, each breath hold maneuver comprising a) inhaling a gas, b) holding a breath for a selected time duration, and c) exhaling at a flow rate which is uncontrolled but which is effective to ensure evacuation of the airway space and (2) measuring airway NO parameters during consecutive breath hold maneuvers. As a result disease states of the lungs are diagnosed using the measured airway NO parameters.

Abstract: Ultrasound is used to provide input data for a blood pressure estimation scheme. The use of transcutaneous ultrasound provides arterial lumen area and pulse wave velocity information. In addition, ultrasound measurements are taken in such a way that all the data describes a single, uniform arterial segment. Therefore a computed area relates only to the arterial blood volume present. Also, the measured pulse wave velocity is directly related to the mechanical properties of the segment of elastic tube (artery) for which the blood volume is being measured. In a patient monitoring application, the operator of the ultrasound device is eliminated through the use of software that automatically locates the artery in the ultrasound data, e.g., using known edge detection techniques. Autonomous operation of the ultrasound system allows it to report blood pressure and blood flow traces to the clinical users without those users having to interpret an ultrasound image or operate an ultrasound imaging device.