Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for evaluating whether an oscillometric signal representative of pressure oscillations in the vasculature of a patient is associated with special conditions that may lead to inadvertently identifying the signal as being indicative of peripheral arterial disease or non-analyzable. In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining an oscillometric signal at a location on an extremity of the patient, determining a ratio using a value associated with a first frequency component of the oscillometric signal and a value associated with a second frequency component of the oscillometric signal, comparing the ratio to a threshold value, associating a first diagnostic class with the oscillometric signal when a first outcome results from comparing the ratio to a threshold value, and associating a second diagnostic class with the oscillometric signal when a second outcome results from comparing the ratio to a threshold value.

Abstract: An intravascular pressure sensor assembly is disclosed herein that is produced in part using photolithography and DRIE solid-state device production processes. Using DRIE production processes facilitates a number of features that could not be readily incorporated in sensor chips fabricated using mechanical saws. In accordance with a first feature, sensor chips are created with non-rectangular outlines. The sensor chip includes a widened portion that substantially abuts an inner wall of a sensor housing, and a cantilevered portion that is relatively narrow in relation to the widened portion. The non-rectangular outline of the sensor chip is formed using photolithography in combination with DRIE processing. In accordance with another feature, the sensor chip is positioned width-wise in the housing, thereby reducing a required length for the housing.

Abstract: A relatively compact implantable cardiac medical device includes a wireless communications module, which employs a directional antenna and which is adapted to receive input concerning ventricular wall motion. When the cardiac medical device is anchored to a ventricular wall, transmitter elements of the communications modules are only activated for communication during a detected period of reduced ventricular wall motion. The period of reduced ventricular wall motion may be defined as at least one time interval during which an axis of the directional antenna does not rotate out from a baseline orientation by more than 15 degrees. The communication may be conducted with an external programmer-type device, or with another implanted device, for example, located remote from the heart.

Abstract: A method and device for determining the glucose level in living tissue are based on measuring the response of the tissue an electric field as well as temperature measurements. In order to improve accuracy, it has been found that measurements in at least three frequency ranges between 1 kHz and 200 kHz, 0.2 MHz an 100 MHz as well as above 1 GHz should be combined since the response of the tissue in these different frequency ranges is ruled by differing mechanisms.

Abstract: Diagnostic classifications of pulse signal waveform data is provided. In one example, diagnosis or prediction of a disease may be performed by analyzing pulse signal waveform data, and comparing aspects of the pulse signal waveform data with a morphology pattern that has been found to indicate a subject is suffering from a specific disease. A pulse signal can be captured via wrist electrodes using bio-electric sensors based on an impedance plethysmographic principle, for example, and processed using feature extraction for diagnosis and assessment of the subject's proneness to a disease. Analysis of the pulse signal and pulse morphology patterns provides an in-vitro, non-invasive, and low-cost method for diagnosing diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for implementing a system for detecting the observance by a patient of an oxygen-therapy treatment involving an oxygen supply, and for recording the data of said treatment and transmitting said data. The invention also relates to the use of said device, and to a method for tracking the observance of an oxygen-therapy treatment.

Abstract: A disposable active pulse sensor has an emitter that generates optical radiation having a plurality of wavelengths, a detector that is responsive to the optical radiation and an unbalanced electrical motor that vibrates when energized. A tape assembly removably attaches the emitter, the detector and the unbalanced electrical motor to a tissue site. The tape assembly also physically mounts the emitter, the detector and the unbalanced electrical motor in a spatial arrangement so that vibration from the unbalanced electrical motor induces pulsatile blood flow within the tissue site, the emitter transmits the optical radiation into the tissue site and the detector generates a sensor signal responsive to the intensity of the optical radiation after attenuation by the pulsatile blood flow within the tissue site.

Abstract: Automated seizure detection from within an electroencephalogram (EEG) by instrumental means employs novel algorithms within software, using specific measurements of individual waves in trains, rather than any “bulk” process. The acquired signal is filtered, the wave shapes are individually described within a number of parallel runs using a variety of parameters, then criteria (including regularity criteria) are calculated and applied in order to create raw detection results. Finally the raw results are “integrated” for display. As a result, reported seizures closely follow the incidence and duration of seizures detected by trained clinicians. The invention is useful in intensive-care monitoring of EEGs from neonates and in EEG monitoring in general.

Abstract: In specific embodiments, a method for estimating central arterial blood pressure (CBP), comprises determining a time t1 from a predetermined feature of a signal indicative of electrical activity to a predetermined feature of one of a first and second signals, the time t1 being a first pulse arrival time (PAT1) indicative of how long it takes a pulse wave to travel from the aorta to one of a first and second sites, determining a time t2, the time t2 being a second pulse arrival time (PAT2) indicative of how long it takes a pulse wave to travel from the aorta to the other of the first and second sites, and (f) estimating the patient's central arterial blood pressure (CBP) based on the first pulse arrival time (PAT1) and the second pulse arrival time (PAT2).

Abstract: A blood pressure measurement device accurately calculates an index useful in determining the degree of arteriosclerosis by accurately detecting a difference in time of appearance of a ejection wave and reflected wave in a blood pressure waveform. The device sets a threshold value based on an index that expresses a characteristic of the blood pressure waveform with respect to the point of appearance of the reflected wave in the blood pressure and estimates a rise point of the reflected wave by calculating an x-coordinate value of a point based on a maximum amplitude of the reflected wave and the threshold value. The device obtains the index of degree of arteriosclerosis by calculating a time difference in appearance between the ejection wave and the reflected wave based on the estimated rise point of the reflected wave.

Abstract: One or more respiratory characteristics of a patient are measured by coupling patient monitor apparatus (e.g., a photoplethysmograph (“PPG”)) to the patient in order to produce a patient monitor signal that includes signal indicia indicative of effort the patient is exerting to breathe. A breathing or respiratory effort signal for the patient is extracted from the patient monitor signal. A respiratory characteristic signal is extracted (at least in part) from the effort signal. This may be done, for example, on the basis of an amplitude feature of the effort signal and a relative time of occurrence of that amplitude feature. Alternatively, the respiratory characteristic signal may be based on a relationship between two amplitude features of the effort signal, with or without regard for specifics of the times of occurrence of those amplitude features. A breath air flow meter may also be coupled to the patient, if desired, in order to produce a flow signal.

Abstract: A system for transmitting bioelectrical signals. The system includes an implantable bioelectrical sensor for receiving at least one bioelectrical signal; an analog-to-time converter for converting the received bioelectrical signal from an analog domain to a time domain signal; and a radio frequency (RF) modulator for transmitting the time domain signal. The the analog-to-time converter and the RF modulator are implantable in a living being.

Abstract: An optical device including a contact part having a contact surface and an opposing surface, the contact surface coming into contact with a test subject and the opposing surface being opposite the contact surface; a support body installed on the opposing surface; a first element supported by the support body; and a second element disposed between the opposing surface and the support body; wherein one of the first element and the second element is a light-emitting element for emitting light towards a detection site of the test subject; another of the first element and the second element is a light-receiving element for receiving reflected light, the reflected light being light emitted by the light-emitting element and reflected at the detection site; and the contact part is formed from a material that is transparent with respect to a wavelength of the light emitted by the light-emitting element.

Abstract: A blood pressure measurement control method for controlling the measurement of a blood pressure according to an oscillometric method has the steps of determining whether to employ a depressurization measurement method or a pressurization measurement method to measure the blood pressure according to a person to be measured, performing a measurement process of the blood pressure in a depressurization process when determined to measure the blood pressure with the depressurization measurement method, performing a measurement process of the blood pressure in a pressurization process when determined to measure the blood pressure with the pressurization measurement method, and outputting the measured blood pressure value.

Abstract: Computer program product for processing GSR (galvanic skin response) signals, which when run on a computer controls the computer to estimate a level of arousal, or at least a change in the level of arousal, of a user, provided with an algorithm that is configured to control a computer to calculate a third or higher central moment of a recorded GSR signal and to derive an estimation of the level of arousal from said third or higher central moment.

Abstract: A pressure cuff is disclosed herein. The pressure cuff includes a sleeve and a cuff bladder. The cuff bladder defines a bladder length of 9.2+/?2.1 centimeters and a bladder width of 24.6+/?4.2 centimeters. The bladder length and bladder width dimensions provide precise non-invasive blood pressure measurements when the pressure cuff is applied to a forearm having a circumference in the range of 27 to 37 centimeters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing a sleeping condition of a user, including measuring a physiological signal of a user who is sleeping, determining whether or not a predetermined motion artifact is contained in the measured physiological signal, and determining that the user goes into an awake state when the predetermined motion artifact is contained in the measured physiological signal.

Abstract: A cuff for a blood pressure monitor includes a bag-shaped cover body containing an air bag and a curled elastic member as a curved elastic plate. The bag-shaped cover body is formed by stacking an inner cover member located on a living body side when applied and an outer cover member located on a side opposite to the living body side when applied, one on the other, and sewing their rims. The curled elastic member contained in the bag-shaped cover body includes a large curvature region and a small curvature region in a winding direction thereof to fit a measurement site. In a state where the air bag is not inflated, the inner cover member at a portion corresponding to the large curvature region of the curled elastic member is stretched in a width direction thereof. With this configuration, a cuff for a blood pressure monitor which is less likely to have wrinkles in a bag-shaped cover body can be provided.

Abstract: A disposable active pulse sensor has an emitter that generates optical radiation having a plurality of wavelengths, a detector that is responsive to the optical radiation and an unbalanced electrical motor that vibrates when energized. A tape assembly removably attaches the emitter, the detector and the unbalanced electrical motor to a tissue site. The tape assembly also physically mounts the emitter, the detector and the unbalanced electrical motor in a spatial arrangement so that vibration from the unbalanced electrical motor induces pulsatile blood flow within the tissue site, the emitter transmits the optical radiation into the tissue site and the detector generates a sensor signal responsive to the intensity of the optical radiation after attenuation by the pulsatile blood flow within the tissue site.

Abstract: Pulse waves of a subject are detected in time sequence. Amplitude of the pulse waves is detected, and an interval between two pulse waves adjacent along a time axis is detected. A first change ratio of the interval along the time axis, and a second change ratio of the amplitude divided by the interval along the time axis are calculated respectively. By comparing the first change ratio and the second change ratio with a first threshold and a second threshold respectively, it is decided whether the pulse waves of the subject are irregular.