Abstract: Method and apparatus for displaying an alarm condition on a patient monitor. A graphical user interface can include an alarm communication device that indicates a state of a physiological parameter. The alarm communication device can include a stable region, an intermediate region, and a critical region. At least one of the intermediate region and the critical region can represent the alarm condition. The graphical user interface can also include a tolerance control that adjusts at least one of a boundary and a width of at least one of the stable region, the intermediate region, and the critical region in order to adjust the alarm condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to detect irregular heart activity and estimate heart rate. In one embodiment, the heart rate estimation apparatus includes a group of six RR storage structures that receives an input of six successive RR interval values. The apparatus also includes a probability engine coupled to the group of RR storage structures, the probability engine is operable to calculate and output a mean value of the six RR interval values and a median value of the mean value and the six RR interval. In one embodiment, the apparatus carries out a method including the acts of determining a plurality of interval values between successive R waves; determining a mean of a group of six interval values; determining a median interval value for a group including the group of six interval values and the mean of the group of six interval values; and determining a running average of interval values between successive R waves using the median interval value.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for displaying an alarm condition on a patient monitor. A graphical user interface can include an alarm communication device that indicates a state of a physiological parameter. The alarm communication device can include a stable region, an intermediate region, and a critical region. At least one of the intermediate region and the critical region can represent the alarm condition. The graphical user interface can also include a tolerance control that adjusts at least one of a boundary and a width of at least one of the stable region, the intermediate region, and the critical region in order to adjust the alarm condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to detect irregular heart activity and estimate heart rate. In one embodiment, the heart rate estimation apparatus includes a group of six RR storage structures that receives an input of six successive RR interval values. The apparatus also includes a probability engine coupled to the group of RR storage structures, the probability engine is operable to calculate and output a mean value of the six RR interval values and a median value of the mean value and the six RR interval. In one embodiment, the apparatus carries out a method including the acts of determining a plurality of interval values between successive R waves; determining a mean of a group of six interval values; determining a median interval value for a group including the group of six interval values and the mean of the group of six interval values; and determining a running average of interval values between successive R waves using the median interval value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to detect irregular heart activity based upon a ventricular activity analysis, P wave activity, similarities in R wave to R wave intervals, and a state evaluation. The invention includes a beat classification module that receives ECG information as an input. The beat classification module determines whether the heart beat being analyzed falls within classifications that are suitable for use in analyzing whether an irregular condition exists. If the beat falls within a class suitable for analysis, the ECG information is fed to an interval calculator. The interval calculator determines the interval between successive R waves. The information from the interval calculator is provided to a probability engine and to a contextual analysis module. The probability engine is designed to detect atrial fibrillation based upon beat classification and RR interval values from the interval calculator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to detect irregular heart activity based upon a ventricular activity analysis, P wave activity, similarities in R wave to R wave intervals, and a state evaluation. The invention includes a beat classification module that receives ECG information as an input. The beat classification module determines whether the heart beat being analyzed falls within classifications that are suitable for use in analyzing whether an irregular condition exists. If the beat falls within a class suitable for analysis, the ECG information is fed to an interval calculator. The interval calculator determines the interval between successive R waves. The information from the interval calculator is provided to a probability engine and to a contextual analysis module. The probability engine is designed to detect atrial fibrillation based upon beat classification and RR interval values from the interval calculator.