Abstract: A monitoring system comprises a specific remote unit or monitor and a plurality of base stations that are capable of communicating with one another. A designated one of the plurality of base stations transmits a message via a wireless medium to the specific remote unit on behalf of the plurality of base stations, and the plurality of base stations use a shared base station identifier or shared sender address for communication with the specific remote unit or monitor. In another aspect, a first designated one transmits a message during a first time period and a second designated one transmits a message during a second time period. Receiving messages from a designated one of the plurality of base stations using the shared base station identifier helps the specific remote unit or monitor to reduce its power usage.

Abstract: A monitoring system comprises a specific remote unit or monitor and a plurality of base stations that are capable of communicating with one another. A designated one of the plurality of base stations transmits a message via a wireless medium to the specific remote unit on behalf of the plurality of base stations, and the plurality of base stations use a shared base station identifier or shared sender address for communication with the specific remote unit or monitor. In another aspect, a first designated one transmits a message during a first time period and a second designated one transmits a message during a second time period. Receiving messages from a designated one of the plurality of base stations using the shared base station identifier helps the specific remote unit or monitor to reduce its power usage.

Abstract: A medical testing system includes telemetry features whereby physiological data collected by a collection device at a medical facility is transmitted to a remote processing center for analysis by a trained analyst to provide a test result. In one embodiment, the collection device is a heart rate monitor capable of collecting data with which heart rate variability can be assessed. The heart rate monitor includes a display on which is displayed a waveform showing the breathing performance of the patient during data collection along with standards against which to compare the waveform in order to determine the extent to which the patient followed a predetermined breathing regimen during data collection. The operator of the monitor can use the performance waveform to assess how well the test was taken (i.e., how well the patient complied with the prescribed breathing regimen) and can accept or reject the physiological data accordingly.

Abstract: A system for enhancing patient compliance with a predetermined breathing pattern during inspiration measurements utilizes patient feedback based on inspiration flow. The measured inspiration flow is displayed on a first display and a target inspiration flow is displayed on a second display, preferably, disposed adjacent to the first display to facilitate visual comparison. The patient is instructed to breathe in a manner that causes the measured inspiration flow display to match, or follow the target inspiration flow display.

Abstract: A system for enhancing patient compliance with a predetermined breathing pattern during inspiration measurements utilizes patient feedback based on inspiration flow. The measured inspiration flow is displayed on a first display and a target inspiration flow is displayed on a second display, preferably, disposed adjacent to the first display to facilitate visual comparison. The patient is instructed to breathe in a manner that causes the measured inspiration flow display to match, or follow the target inspiration flow display.

Abstract: A medical testing system includes telemetry features whereby physiological data collected by a collection device at a medical facility is transmitted to a remote processing center for analysis by a trained analyst to provide a test result. In one embodiment, the collection device is a heart rate monitor capable of collecting data with which heart rate variability can be assessed. The heart rate monitor includes a display on which is displayed a waveform showing the breathing performance of the patient during data collection along with standards against which to compare the waveform in order to determine the extent to which the patient followed a predetermined breathing regimen during data collection. The operator of the monitor can use the performance waveform to assess how well the test was taken (i.e., how well the patient complied with the prescribed breathing regimen) and can accept or reject the physiological data accordingly.

Abstract: A system for enhancing patient compliance with a predetermined breathing pattern during inspiration measurements utilizes patient feedback based on inspiration flow. The measured inspiration flow is displayed on a first display and a target inspiration flow is display on a second display, preferably, disposed adjacent to the first display to facilitate visual comparison. The patient is instructed to breathe in manner that causes the measured inspiration flow display to match, or flow the target inspiration flow display.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a single, accurate indicator of a patient's autonomic nervous system function are described. The indicator is a combination of results of a plurality of different autonomic nervous system tests performed on the patient and referenced to a cross-sectional population. In one embodiment, the results of the different autonomic nervous system tests are referenced to a limited age group of the cross-sectional population. A method according to the invention includes generating a mathematical expression for each of the autonomic nervous system tests as a function of physiological data of the cross-sectional population, inserting measured physiological data of the patient into the mathematical expressions to compute output values for each of the tests, and combining the output values to provide the autonomic function indicator.

Abstract: A glucose meter includes means for processing a blood sample to provide a glucose measurement and a communication interface to send and receive data including the glucose measurement to a remote processing center. The processing center collects and processes a plurality of glucose measurements to provide a modified method for processing a blood sample in order to provide an adjusted glucose measurement. In one embodiment, the modified blood sample processing method is a function of a permissible glucose deviation for the patient and in another embodiment, the modified blood sample processing method is a function an aging factor indicative of test strip variations over time.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining the precise times of occurrence of R-waves in an ECG signal of a patient. Samples of the patient's ECG signal are accumulated and an ECG window comprising a predetermined number of the samples is defined. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the patient's blood pressure signal is processed to detect systoles and the ECG window has a predetermined time relationship to detected systoles. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the ECG signal is first processed to approximate the times of occurrence of R-waves and the ECG window is defined to have a predetermined time relationship to the approximated R-wave times. ECG signal samples within the ECG window are processed to determine a maximum and the time of occurrence of the maximum is stored as the time of an R-wave event.

Abstract: A system for measuring a patient's inspiration volume and for enhancing patient compliance with a predetermined breathing pattern during inspiration volume measurements. A flexible conductive loop adapted for being wrapped around, and conforming to the patient's chest is coupled to an amplifier circuit including a signal generator and an exclusive-OR gate. The signal generator generates a square-wave signal for coupling to a first terminal of the conductive loop and the exclusive-OR gate is responsive to the applied square-wave signal and to a signal at the second terminal of the loop for measuring the delay between the signals. The output signal of the amplifier circuit is indicative of the inductance of the loop, which varies with the patient's inspiration volume. The measured inspiration volume is displayed on a first display and a target inspiration volume is displayed on a second display, preferably, disposed adjacent to the first display.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining the precise times of occurrence of R-waves in an ECG signal of a patient. Samples of the patient's ECG signal are accumulated and an ECG window comprising a predetermined number of the samples is defined. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the patient's blood pressure signal is processed to detect systoles and the ECG window has a predetermined time relationship to detected systoles. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the ECG signal is first processed to approximate the times of occurrence of R-waves and the ECG window is defined to have a predetermined time relationship to the approximated R-wave times. ECG signal samples within the ECG window are processed to determine a maximum and the time of occurrence of the maximum is stored as the time of an R-wave event.