Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for using the PG waveform to determine peripheral venous and arterial saturations. Generally, saturations are determined by isolating an indicator of venous or arterial blood volume in each of a plurality of PG waveforms and using the isolated indicators to determine saturation in the corresponding region of the vasculature. Indicators may include respiratory induced variations of AC and/or DC components of the PG waveforms, peaks of the PG waveforms, troughs of the PG waveforms, venous pulsations of the PG waveforms, etc. Indicators may further be isolated in either the time or frequency domain. The isolated indicators may advantageously be normalized, e.g., based on a baseline of the PG waveform or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle minimizing resistance to catheter advancement during vascular cannulation includes a needle shaft and a needle tip including an open needle bevel extending along middle and proximal portions of the open bevel until a distal end of the needle shaft, wherein a most distal portion of the open bevel is filled to prevent flashback. The hypodermic needle also includes a catheter overlying the needle shaft in the resting position.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional system for assessing, coding, quantifying, displaying, integrating and communicating information relating to patient health and perioperative risk includes a mechanism for inputting patient information and providing an output relating to the patient health and perioperative risk. The output includes a score for the physical condition of the patient, a score for the degree of expected surgical risk and invasiveness, a score for other vital assessments of perioperative complexity, and alphanumeric codes for other factors that may require special preoperative preparation and planning.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring changes in blood volume using waveforms in the peripheral vasculature. In particular, the systems and methods relate to detecting ventilation-induced variation (VIV) of waveforms in the peripheral vasculature. Advantageously, the systems and methods may relate to analyzing VIV in peripheral venous pressure (PVP). Thus, the VIV of PVP may be measured, wherein decreased VIV is indicative of decreased blood volume In exemplary embodiments, such as involving spontaneous breathing, it may be necessary to account for changes in respiratory signal strength. Thus systems and methods are also provided for assessing coherence between ventilation and VIV for a flow or pressure waveform. Specifically, coherence is evaluated by comparing the waveform to a detected respiratory signal. Finally, systems and method are provided for distinguishing the impact of respiration on the PG signal during hypervolemia as compared to hypovolemia.

Abstract: A method and system for assessing blood volume within a subject includes generating a cardiovascular waveform representing physiological characteristics of a subject and determining blood volume of the subject by analyzing the cardiovascular waveform. The step of analyzing includes generating a first trace of the per heart-beat maximums of the cardiovascular waveform, which is representative of the systolic pressure upon the cardiovascular signal, generating a second trace of the per heart-beat minimums of the cardiovascular waveform, which is representative of the diastolic pressure upon the cardiovascular signal, and comparing the respective first trace and the second trace to generate an estimate of relative blood volume within the subject. In accordance with an alternate method of analyzing harmonic analysis is applied to the cardiovascular waveform, extracting a frequency signal created by ventilation and applying the extracted frequency signal in determining blood volume of the subject.

Abstract: A method for interrogating the microcirculation of a subject for use in characterizing function in health and disease, monitor changes in microcirculation over time, and identify responses in microcirculation to potentially harmful or beneficial interventions. The method includes delivering a study agent to a study surface for trans-surface delivery to the microvasculature of the subject and monitoring the microvasculature of the subject in the area of the study surface. A system is also provided which includes a micro-patch for delivery of study agent to a study surface for trans-surface delivery to the microvasculature of the subject and a monitoring probe for monitoring the microvasculature of the subject in the area of the study surface.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for assessing the condition of a subject by measuring and characterizing one or more oscillatory activities of the subject. The oscillatory activities are under the control of the autonomic nervous system and characterizing the activities provides information related to the status of the autonomic nervous system.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for assessing the condition of a subject by measuring and characterizing one or more oscillatory activities of the subject. The oscillatory activities are under the control of the autonomic nervous system and characterizing the activities provides information related to the status of the autonomic nervous system.

Abstract: A device that converts a diaphragm prior to its first penetration for clinical use, to be more readily penetrable by a needle or cannula after conversion, by creating a prehole or preslit in the surface of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A process of reversibly increasing a compression pressure on a compromised diaphragm, which comprises the steps of compromising the diaphragm to enhance its penetrability; then applying pressure to a receptacle which encircles the diaphragm, to seal the diaphragm; then releasing the pressure; and then permitting an insertion member to permeate the diaphragm in its compromised region for fluidic communication after relief of the pressure.

Abstract: A needle has a blunted tip and a recessed orifice to avoid unintentional needle sticks and user contact with inoculum contained in the needle. A diaphragm is designed for use with the relatively blunt tip needle so that the needle easily penetrates the diaphragm at a force substantially lower than the force required to puncture skin, preferably at most 50% of the force required to puncture skin.

Abstract: A needle, related attachments, and methods of constructing and using the same, for reducing the risk of infection from material in a used hypodermic needle. The needle is formed with a solid tip having no orifice, at a distal end of the needle. At least one longitudinal bore is formed in the needle which terminates proximal to the needle tip. At least one outlet orifice is formed in communication with the bore, for passage of all material into or out of the needle, the outlet orifice being located at a lateral position spaced back from the solid tip, thereby reducing the risk that an individual who contacts the tip of the needle will contact material retained in the needle.