Abstract: A method of predicting onset of electromechanical dissociation in a heart of a subject is disclosed. The method comprises: extracting from the composite input signal an electrocardiac signal and determining electrical activity of the heart based on the electrocardiac signal; extracting from the composite input signal a radiofrequency signal and determining blood flow measure based on the radiofrequency signal; and if the blood flow measure is below a predetermined threshold and the electrical activity is above a predetermined threshold, then predicting the onset of electromechanical dissociation.

Abstract: A method of estimating exercise capacity of a subject is disclosed. The method uses output radiofrequency signals transmitted to the subject during exercise and input radiofrequency signals received from the subject during exercise. The method comprises: determining a phase shift of the input radiofrequency signals relative to the output radiofrequency signals; calculating cardiac output based on the phase shift; and using the cardiac output for estimating the exercise capacity of the subject.

Abstract: A method of calculating blood flow in an organ of a subject using output radiofrequency signals transmitted to the organ and input radiofrequency signals received from the organ, the method comprises determining a phase shift of the input radiofrequency signals relative to the output radiofrequency signals and using the phase shift to calculate the blood flow in the organ.

Abstract: A method of monitoring sleep of a sleeping subject is disclosed. The method comprises determining a phase shift of input radiofrequency signals received from the subject during sleep relative to output radiofrequency signals transmitted to the subject during sleep, calculating cardiac output based on the phase shift, and using the cardiac output for identifying sleep apnea events.

Abstract: A method of processing a signal pertaining to at least one electrical property of an organ of a subject is disclosed. The method comprises determining a physiological condition of the subject, selecting a frequency band, filtering the signal according to the frequency band, and dynamically adapting the frequency band in response to a change in the physiological condition.

Abstract: A method suitable for assessing the vascular condition of a subject is disclosed. The method comprises: measuring the transit time TT1 of a blood wavefront from the subject's heart to a distal point in a limb of the subject, and measuring the transit time TT2 of a blood wavefront from an intermediate point in the limb of the subject to the distal point of the subject's limb. The method further comprises computing the ratio TT2/TT1 and determining the likelihood that a small vessel disease condition exists when the ratio TT2/TT1 is above a preselected threshold.

Abstract: A system for measuring blood flow in an organ of a subject, particularly useful for non-invasive cardiac output monitoring (N.I.C.O.M.™), the system comprises: a radiofrequency generator for generating output radiofrequency signals; a plurality of electrodes, designed to be connectable to the skin of the subject, the electrodes being for transmitting the output radiofrequency signals to the organ and for sensing input radiofrequency signals of the organ. The system further comprises a mixer, electrically communicating with the radiofrequency generator and at least a portion of the plurality of electrodes, for mixing the output radiofrequency signals and the input radiofrequency signals, so as to provide a mixed radiofrequency signal being indicative of the blood flow.

Abstract: An antenna assembly for a cellular telephone, includes a solid dielectric core, and a two-terminal balanced antenna assembly, including an electrical conductor on the solid dielectric core; the electrical conductor being configured and dimensioned to be matched to the operating frequency band of the cellular telephone communication band and terminating at each of its opposite ends in a common feed point connection such as to provide a two-terminal balanced antenna assembly having an isotropic radiation pattern and reduced electromagnetic field radiation. In two described embodiments, the electrical conductor is configured to define two orthogonal coils; and in a third described embodiment, it is configured to define an electrically-conductive wire extending axially through the core, and an electrically-conductive helix extending around the outer surface.

Abstract: Medical monitoring apparatus to be used in an environment including electrical supply lines of a particular line frequency, for monitoring a particular body activity and for producing an electrical output signal corresponding to the monitored body activity includes: a first filter network connected to receive the electrical output signal and tuned to the line frequency for rejecting the line frequency component of the electrical output signal; a second filter network connected to receive the output of the first filter network and also tuned to the line frequency for rejecting the line frequency component of the electrical output signal; and a high impedance coupling between the first and second filter networks.

Abstract: An antenna assembly for a cellular telephone, includes a solid dielectric core, and a two-terminal balanced antenna assembly, including an electrical conductor on the solid dielectric core; the electrical conductor being configured and dimensioned to be matched to the operating frequency band of the cellular telephone communication band and terminating at each of its opposite ends in a common feed point connection such as to provide a two-terminal balanced antenna assembly having an isotropic radiation pattern and reduced electromagnetic field radiation. In two described embodiments, the electrical conductor is configured to define two orthogonal coils; and in a third described embodiment, it is configured to define an electrically-conductive wire extending axially through the core, and an electrically-conductive helix extending around the outer surface.

Abstract: An NMR probe, includes a permanent magnet generating a static magnetic gradient field (B0), and a pair of RF coils enclosing the permanent magnet for receiving RF current to generate a varying magnetic field (B1) perpendicular to the static magnetic gradient field (B0). The pair of RF coils are orthogonally located with respect to each other such that the gradient magnetic field (B1) is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the probe according to the current through one RF coil relative to that through the other RF coil. As described, the NMR probe is particularly useful for intra-luminal imaging.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for angiographically imaging a portion of a patient's vascular system, by: (a) producing a first sequence of masking images of the portion of the patient's vascular system; (b) determining the masking image in the sequence having a minimum change over its immediately preceding masking image in the sequence; (c) injecting a contrast material into the patient's vascular system; (d) producing a corresponding sequence of contrast images of the portion of the patient's vascular system while containing the contrast material and (e) subtracting from each contrast image of the sequence the corresponding masking image in the sequence starting with the minimum change masking image, to thereby produce a difference image having an enhanced contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the presence of arteriosclerosis in an individual includes detecting an ECG signal of the individual's heart, detecting a blood front wave in a peripheral artery of the individual, and measuring the time lag between a predetermined reference point of the detected blood front wave and a predetermined reference point in the ECG signal to provide an indication of the cardiovascular condition of the individual, particularly arteriosclerosis or arterial obstruction.

Abstract: A method for aligning an antenna polarization axes of a dual polarized end-user terminal having an antenna. The antenna is aligned with a satellite in relation to azimuth and elevation. The end-user terminal is configured in an alignment mode to produce a first output corresponding to a first component of a received signal parallel to a first polarization axis of the antenna and a second output corresponding to a second component of the received signal parallel to a second polarization axis of the antenna. The first polarization axis is orthogonal to the second polarization axis. The method includes the steps of: receiving a linearly polarized signal; autocorrelating the first output and the second output to produce a measurement of autocorrelation; and adjusting the antenna polarization axes to minimize the measurement of autocorrelation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging a body by exposing the body to radiation transmitted through the body via successive angular portions from a radiation source on one side of the body to a radiation detector in alignment with the radiation source on the opposite side of the body; the radiation detector including a two-dimensional matrix of detector elements producing electrical outputs corresponding to the magnitudes of the radiation received by each detector element; the radiation source producing a conical beam sufficiently large such that each exposure covers all the detector elements in the two-dimensional array after traversing the body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging a body by exposing the body to radiation transmitted through the body via successive angular portions from a radiation source on one side of the body to a radiation detector in alignment with the radiation source on the opposite side of the body; the radiation detector including a two-dimensional matrix of detector elements producing electrical outputs corresponding to the magnitudes of the radiation received by each detector element; the radiation source producing a conical beam sufficiently large such that each exposure covers all the detector elements in the two-dimensional array after traversing the body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for angiographically imaging a portion of a patient's vascular system, by:

Abstract: Medical monitoring apparatus to be used in an environment including electrical supply lines of a particular line frequency, for monitoring a particular body activity and for producing an electrical output signal corresponding to the monitored body activity includes: a first filter network connected to receive the electrical output signal and tuned to the line frequency for rejecting the line frequency component of the electrical output signal; a second filter network connected to receive the output of the first filter network and also tuned to the line frequency for rejecting the line frequency component of the electrical output signal; and a high impedance coupling between the first and second filter networks.

Abstract: An X-ray tube includes an evacuated envelope; a cold cathode mounted at one end of the envelope and capable of field emission of electrons when subjected to a high electrostatic field; and an anode mounted at the opposite end of the envelope coaxial with and axially spaced from the cathode, and capable of emitting X-rays when struck by electrons emitted by the cathode. The envelope includes an end wall made of thermally-conductive and electrically-insulating material in contact with the anode and formed with a fluid cooling channel to remove the heat generated at the anode. In one described embodiment, the cathode includes a body of a getter material which is both electron emissive and gas absorptive. In other described embodiments, the cathode includes a carbon nanotube field-emission electron source.