Abstract: An alarm system for a computer-based monitoring system such as a patient medical monitoring system is provided. The system comprises a main processor connected to a first speaker, a second processor communicatively connected to the main processor for exchange of messages; and a second speaker controlled by the second processor. A sensor is communicatively connected to the main processor of the monitoring system for receiving input such as physiologic input from a patient. The second speaker acts as a back-up in the event that the main processor fails to annunciate an alarm or an operator fails to respond to the first alarm within a predetermined time interval. An audible alarm is sounded when the main processor or second processor are not functioning normally.

Abstract: An automatic blood pressure gauge generates a signal representing the instantaneous pressure levels in a blood pressure cuff. This pressure signal includes a slowly changing component representing a deflating cuff and a more rapidly changing component representing blood pressure pulses that are mechanically coupled to the cuff. The pressure signal is DC coupled to a microprocessor. The microprocessor filters the pressure signal using a minimum order-statistic filter coupled in cascade with a median order-statistic filter to generate an auxiliary signal having peaks at the starting points of the pulses. This auxiliary signal is used to generate a signal representing the slowly changing component of the pressure signal. The slowly changing component of the pressure signal is subtracted from the pressure signal, leaving only the blood pressure pulse signal. The microprocessor then generates a function representing peaks of the blood pressure pulses versus a corresponding cuff pressure at which they occur.