Abstract: Disclosed herein is the use of plasma osteopontin (OPN) levels for diagnosing and predicting the severity and outcomes in traumatic brain injury (TBI), such as adult and pediatric TBI. The disclosed method can be used to diagnose TBI in any subject, such as pediatric, adult, and geriatric subjects. However, the method is particularly useful in pediatric subjects where current methods are insufficient. A particularly useful advantage of the disclosed methods is the ability to diagnose Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) in a pediatric subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is the use of plasma osteopontin (OPN) levels for diagnosing and predicting the severity and outcomes in traumatic brain injury (TBI), such as adult and pediatric TBI. The disclosed method can be used to diagnose TBI in any subject, such as pediatric, adult, and geriatric subjects. However, the method is particularly useful in pediatric subjects where current methods are insufficient. A particularly useful advantage of the disclosed methods is the ability to diagnose Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) in a pediatric subject.

Abstract: A system is disclosed having a storage, a communications module for interacting with a medical measurement device, an analysis controller, and a test module that allows for the testing and evaluating of decision-support algorithms. A method for testing decision-support algorithms is disclosed having the steps of receiving into storage of a ruggedized, compact computer at least one decision-support algorithm; detecting with a communications module the initiation of a vital-sign monitoring session; receiving and storing vital-sign information into storage by the communications module; pushing the stored vital-sign information by an analysis controller to a test module running the stored at least one decision-support algorithm; and providing at least one output from the decision-support algorithm to at least one of a database and a display.

Abstract: A system is disclosed having a storage, a communications module for interacting with a medical measurement device, an analysis controller, and a test module that allows for the testing and evaluating of decision-support algorithms. A method for testing decision-support algorithms is disclosed having the steps of receiving into storage of a ruggedized, compact computer at least one decision-support algorithm; detecting with a communications module the initiation of a vital-sign monitoring session; receiving and storing vital-sign information into storage by the communications module; pushing the stored vital-sign information by an analysis controller to a test module running the stored at least one decision-support algorithm; and providing at least one output from the decision-support algorithm to at least one of a database and a display.

Abstract: A system is disclosed having a storage, a communications module for interacting with a medical measurement device, an analysis controller, and a test module that allows for the testing and evaluating of decision-support algorithms. A method for testing decision-support algorithms is disclosed having the steps of receiving into storage of a ruggedized, compact computer at least one decision-support algorithm; detecting with a communications module the initiation of a vital-sign monitoring session; receiving and storing vital-sign information into storage by the communications module; pushing the stored vital-sign information by an analysis controller to a test module running the stored at least one decision-support algorithm; and providing at least one output from the decision-support algorithm to at least one of a database and a display.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for performing a circulatory measurement on an extremity, such as a hand, of a subject. The circulatory measurement results in the derivation of an output circulatory metric that may encompass blood pressure or various other circulatory metrics. An indicator of an input circulatory metric at a locus on the extremity is measured, such as a pulse transit time. To determine the pulse transit time, a first plethysmographic signal may be obtained at a first position on the extremity, while a second plethysmographic signal may be obtained at a second position on the extremity of the subject. A transit time characterizing a circulatory pressure wave is calculated based on the first and second plethysmographic signals, leading to derivation of a wave speed. A calibration is then applied to provide the circulatory measurement based at least on the derived wave speed and a measured indicator of a hydrostatic component of blood pressure.

Abstract: An arterial blood pressure apparatus and methods for using the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus has a force transfer element for applying unidirectional force to a body part of the subject and a pressure sensor for generating a signal based on the unidirectional force. Multiple degrees of force may be applied simultaneously or serially. The apparatus also has a second sensor for generating a signal associated with blood volume within a blood vessel of the body part and a processor for inferring arterial blood pressure from the force sensor signal and the second sensor. The apparatus may take the form of a glove or a wand.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring arterial blood pressure at an extremity of a subject. Arterial blood pressure is derived from a circulatory measurement performed on an extremity of a subject and the circulatory measurement is normalized to account for the instantaneous vertical displacement of the extremity. The vertical displacement of the extremity relative to the heart of the subject is obtained using the angular orientation of the subject's extremity. An improved photoplethysmograph can discriminate light traversing the extremity from ambient light on the basis of differential response. The apparatus may have a conducting polymer actuator for applying pressure to the extremity of the subject. A pulsatile waveform from the photoplethysmographic signal may be obtained at a plurality of externally applied pressures to calibrate the photoplethysmograph.