Abstract: This invention concerns a method for altering an individual's level of consciousness by directing stimulation or inhibition to a CNS locus target region in the individual's brain that is responsible for consciousness.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for monitoring the anesthetic state of a subject. Physiological signal data including EEG and possibly also EMG signal components is acquired from a subject and supplied to a monitoring process configured to derive, based on the said data, a state index indicative of the anesthetic state of the subject. In order to extend the applicability of present-day monitoring processes, the operation of the monitoring process is controlled according to whether at least one drug inducing high frequency EEG signal components is administered to the subject. The presence of the high frequency EEG signal components in the physiological signal data may be detected automatically.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for monitoring the cerebral state of a subject. At least one of a first and second parameters is derived from the physiological signal data obtained from the subject, wherein the first parameter is indicative of the sum of spectral values of the physiological signal data in a first frequency band lying above high frequency EEG activity and the second parameter is indicative of the relative magnitudes of a first sum of k-th order spectral values and a second sum of n-th order spectral values. The second sum is calculated over a frequency band lying above high frequency EEG activity (k>2 and n>1). A state index is then formed, which is dependent on the at least one parameter and indicative of the cerebral state of the subject. The first and second parameters may be used in the Bispectral Index (BIS™) algorithm.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for obtaining diagnostic information of a patient, the method comprising the steps of carrying out heart rate measurements of the patient at least during two sleep stages before the operation to obtain preoperative heart rate data, carrying out measurements containing information related to the different stages of sleep that are synchronized with the heart rate measurements to obtain preoperative sleep stage data, and calculating a dynamic heart rate variability measures by utilizing non-linear analysis from heart rate data obtained and enabling comparison of the heart rate variability measure between at least two different stages of the sleep state.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for predicting perioperative myocardial ischemia. Heart rate measurements are carried out for example at night- and day-time before the operation to obtain heart rate data. The heart rate data obtained is carried to a device configured to carry out heart rate variability analysis (HRV). Dynamic heart rate variability analysis is carried out by utilizing fractal analysis of the heart rate data and fractal correlation properties obtained from the measured heart rate data are examined to find considerable lowering of the fractal correlation properties during for example night-time when compared to day-time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for monitoring the cerebral state of a subject. At least one of a first and second parameters is derived from the physiological signal data obtained from the subject, wherein the first parameter is indicative of the sum of spectral values of the physiological signal data in a first frequency band lying above high frequency EEG activity and the second parameter is indicative of the relative magnitudes of a first sum of k-th order spectral values and a second sum of n-th order spectral values. The second sum is calculated over a frequency band lying above high frequency EEG activity (k>2 and n>1). A state index is then formed, which is dependent on the at least one parameter and indicative of the cerebral state of the subject. The first and second parameters may be used in the Bispectral Index (BIS™) algorithm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for monitoring the anesthetic state of a subject. Physiological signal data including EEG and possibly also EMG signal components is acquired from a subject and supplied to a monitoring process configured to derive, based on the said data, a state index indicative of the anesthetic state of the subject. In order to extend the applicability of present-day monitoring processes, the operation of the monitoring process is controlled according to whether at least one drug inducing high frequency EEG signal components is administered to the subject. The presence of the high frequency EEG signal components in the physiological signal data may be detected automatically.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for predicting perioperative myocardial ischemia. In the invention heart rate measurements are carried out for example at night- and day-time before the operation to obtain heart rate data. The heart rate data obtained is carried to a device configured to carry out heart rate variability analysis (HRV). Dynamic heart rate variability measures are carried out by utilizing fractal analysis from the heart rate data obtained and fractal correlation properties obtained from the heart rate data measured are examined to find considerable lowering of the fractal correlation properties during for example night-time when compared to day-time.

Abstract: A method for treating alcoholism. The alcohol-drinking response of alcoholics is extinguished by having them drink alcoholic beverages while nalmefene, an opiate antagonist, blocks the positive reinforcement effect of ethanol in the brain.