Abstract: A device, comprises an electrical circuit, comprising a processor, a memory, and a clock, operable to determine a physiological parameter of a user from a physiological signal; a counter, having a count number decremented by an operation of the electrical circuit to determine the physiological parameter; and a software program, executable by the processor, operable to receive an authorization code, to determine an increment number from the authorization code, and to change the count number by the increment number, wherein the device can be used a greater number of times by the user after receipt of the authorization code.

Abstract: A method and system for the early detection of infectious diseases, or the symptoms of bioterrorism attacks in a population, includes a plurality of local input devices located with a plurality of individuals geographically dispersed with a population, the local input devices being capable of recording information relating to certain physiological conditions of the respective individuals, and transmitting the information to a central computer via a communication network; and a central computer capable of receiving the transmitted information, of statistically analyzing the information based on a comparison of such information to information transmitted at previous times, to detect patterns of infectious diseases or symptoms of terrorism attacks, and of utilizing the statistical analysis to produce outputs relating to actions to be taken.

Abstract: A system for assisting a person achieve a health related goal comprises a local computer, adapted to receive a physiological parameter or other health related data relating to a subject, and a remote computer, in communication with the local computer over a communications network, adapted to receive data from the local computer, and further operable to provide biofeedback or other feedback or assistance to the subject, wherein the subject is assisted in achieving a health-related goal.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to the physiological monitoring of a subject are disclosed. A system embodiment for physiological monitoring of a person comprises a monitor module, which monitors a physiological parameter of the person, the module having a wireless transmitter such as a Bluetooth transmitter. The system further comprises an interactive television system, which receives a signal from a remote control unit, such as an IR or other wireless transmission, wherein the received signal is used to modify visual presentations on a display of the interactive television system, such as changing channel, providing numerical data in response to presented menus, selecting from presented menus using navigation keys, and the like.

Abstract: An indirect calorimeter operative to measure the respiratory oxygen consumption per unit time of a subject includes a respiratory connector operative to be supported in contact with a subject, so as to pass respiratory gases as the subject breathes into the respiratory connector, and a bi-directional flow meter having an ultrasonic flow transducer that bi-directionally transmits and receives ultrasonic signals to the transducer to generate a signal as a function of the volume of gases passing through the flow meter. The indirect calorimeter also includes a gas concentration sensor operative to generate a signal as a function of an instantaneous carbon dioxide content of gases passing by the gas concentration sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring the caloric expenditure rate of a subject, comprising: a caloric expenditure rate detector for detecting and measuring the caloric expenditure rate of the subject; a body activity detector for detecting and measuring the body activity of the subject; and a processor for storing a measured caloric expenditure rate and a concurrently measured body activity for each of a plurality of different body activities and activity rates, to enable each subsequently detected body activity measurement to be converted to the caloric expenditure rate of the respective subject.

Abstract: A diet and activity-monitoring device includes a housing configured to be mounted on the subject and a display integral with the housing for displaying information to the subject. The device also includes a body activity monitor operatively disposed within the housing for monitoring the body activity of the subject, a consumption notation control operable by the subject to indicate food consumption, and a timer operable to output a time indicative signal. The device further includes a processor operable to receive and process the body activity signal, time indicative signal and the food consumption signal, for use in determining a food consumption indicator or a body activity indicator, that is stored in a memory portion of the processor for recall by the subject on the display screen.

Abstract: An indirect calorimeter for measuring the metabolic rate of a subject includes a disposable portion and a reusable portion. The disposable portion includes a respiratory connector configured to be supported in contact with the subject so as to pass inhaled and exhaled gases as the subject breathes. The disposable portion also includes a flow pathway operable to receive and pass inhaled and exhaled gases, having a first end in fluid communication with the respiratory connector and a second end in fluid communication with a source and sink for respiratory gases. The disposable portion is disposed within the reusable portion, which includes a flow meter, a temperature sensing means, a humidity sensing means, a pressure sensing means, a component gas concentration sensor, and a computation unit.

Abstract: An indirect calorimeter for measuring the metabolic rate of a subject includes a respiratory connector configured to be supported in contact with the subject so as to pass inhaled and exhaled gases as the subject breathes, a flow pathway, and a hygiene barrier positioned to block a predetermined pathogen from the exhaled gases. The indirect calorimeter also includes a flow pathway having a first end in fluid communication with the respiratory connector and a second end in fluid communication with a source and sink for respiratory gases. The flow pathway includes a flow tube through which the inhaled and exhaled gases pass, an outer housing surrounding the flow tube, and a chamber disposed between the flow tube and the first end.

Abstract: A method of determining a respiratory parameter for a subject using an indirect calorimeter is provided. The indirect calorimeter includes a respiratory connector for passing inhaled and exhaled gases, a flow pathway operable to receive and pass inhaled and exhaled gases having a flow tube within the flow pathway through which the inhaled and exhaled gases pass, a flow meter for determining an instantaneous flow volume of the inhaled and exhaled gases, a component gas concentration sensor for determining an instantaneous fraction of a predetermined component gas and a computation unit having a processor and a memory. The method includes the steps of initializing the indirect calorimeter and the subject breathing into the respiratory connector if the indirect calorimeter is initialized, sensing the flow volume of the inhaled and exhaled gases passing through the flow pathway using the flow meter and transmitting a signal representing the sensed flow volume to the computation unit.

Abstract: A respiratory gas analyzer for measuring the cardiac output of a subject includes a flow meter and an oxygen sensor interconnected with one another between a mouthpiece and a source of respiratory gases, which may be a controlled source or the atmosphere. An oximeter provides measurements of the oxygen saturation of the subject. A computer connected to receive the signals from the flow meter, oxygen sensor, and oximeter can then calculate the subject's cardiac output.

Abstract: An indirect calorimeter for measuring the metabolic rate of a subject includes a disposable portion and a reusable portion. The disposable portion includes a respiratory connector configured to be supported in contact with the subject so as to pass inhaled and exhaled gases as the subject breathes. The disposable portion also includes a flow pathway operable to receive and pass inhaled and exhaled gases, having a first end in fluid communication with the respiratory connector and a second end in fluid communication with a source and sink for respiratory gases. The disposable portion is disposed within the reusable portion, which includes a flow meter, a component gas concentration sensor, and a computation unit. The flow meter generates a signal as a function of the instantaneous flow volume of respiratory gases passing through the flow pathway and the component gas concentration sensor generates a signal as a function of the instantaneous fraction of a predetermined component gas in the exhaled gases.

Abstract: A diet and activity-monitoring device includes a timer which outputs a time-indicative signal. A body activity monitor monitors the body activity of a subject and outputs a signal indicative of the body activity. A consumption notation control is provided which the subject may operate to indicate when they consume food. An activity calculator receives the body activity signal and determines a body activity level for the subject. A consumption calculator communicates with the consumption notation control and receives the time-indicative signal. The consumption calculator determines and stores the times when the consumption location control is operated.

Abstract: An analyzer for detecting at least one gas component of a gas, particularly useful for analyzing a respiratory gas, includes a flow channel for conducting the gas; a removable liner removably lining the inner surface of the flow channel, the removable liner carrying a fluorescent film having at least one fluorescent element effective, when excited by an excitation source, to emit fluorescent radiation of a particular frequency quenchable by a gas component of the gas; a detector for detecting the fluorescent radiation; and an excitation source for exciting the fluorescent film to emit the fluorescent radiation. In one embodiment, the removable liner is transparent; and in a second embodiment, a transparent member is used for carrying the fluorescent film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring changes in the concentration of a particular gas component of a breathing gas mixture after inhalation and exhalation by means of a degradable sensor. This is done by exposing, during inhalation, the sensor to a breathing gas mixture of known concentration to produce an inhalation output corresponding to the measured concentration of the gas component in the inhalation. From the known concentration of the gas component in the breathing gas mixture and the measured concentration in the inhalation output, a degradation parameter is determined representing the instantaneous degradation condition of the sensor.

Abstract: An improved respiratory connector for use with a respiratory analyzer is provided. The respiratory connector includes a housing configured to be supported in contact with the subject, a flow pathway within the housing for passing the inhaled and exhaled gases therethrough and a connector port extending from the housing for connecting the respiratory connector to the respiratory analyzer. The respiratory connector also includes a usage indicating means within the housing for indicating usage of the respiratory connector to the subject. The respiratory analyzer includes a flow pathway operable to receive and pass inhaled and exhaled gases. A first end of the flow pathway is in fluid communication with the respiratory connector and a second end is in fluid communication with a source and sink for respiratory gases. A flow meter generates electrical signals as a function of the instantaneous flow volume of inhaled and exhaled gases passing through the flow pathway.

Abstract: The oxygen and carbon dioxide content of expired respiratory gas is determined by measuring the mass and volume of the expired breath. From the composition of the inspired gas which may either be assumed or measured, the mass of the inspired volume may be determined, and since the inspired and expired breaths contain the same mass of nitrogen, the oxygen and carbon dioxide content of the expired breath may be determined. Measurements of temperature and humidity may be required to account for temperature and humidity changes between the inhalation and the exhalation or the inhaled gas may be adjusted in temperature and humidity to equalize the inhaled and exhaled temperature and humidity conditions. The mass and volume of the expiration and the volume mass of the inhalations are determined by an ultrasonic transit time system and a gas density sensor.

Abstract: An indirect calorimeter for measuring the metabolic activity of a subject includes a respiratory connector operative to be supported in contact with the subject so as to pass inhaled and exhaled gases therethrough as the subject breathes, and a flow tube forming a flow pathway for passing inhaled and exhaled gases therethrough, wherein one end of the flow tube is operatively connected to the respiratory connector and the other end of the flow tube is open, and a wall of the flow tube includes an opening. The indirect calorimeter also includes a flow meter adapted to generate a signal as a function of the instantaneous volume of inhaled and exhaled gases in the flow pathway that is in fluid communication with the flow pathway via the opening in the flow tube, and an oxygen sensor operative to generate a signal as a function of the instantaneous fraction of oxygen in the inhaled and exhaled gases in the flow pathway that is in fluid communication with the flow pathway via the opening in the flow tube.

Abstract: An indirect calorimeter operative to measure the respiratory oxygen consumption per unit time of a subject includes a respiratory connector operative to be supported in contact with a subject, so as to pass respiratory gases as the subject breathes into the respiratory connector, and a bi-directional flow meter having an ultrasonic flow transducer that bi-directionally transmits and receives ultrasonic signals to the transducer to generate a signal as a function of the volume of gases passing through the flow meter. The indirect calorimeter also includes a gas concentration sensor operative to generate a signal as a function of an instantaneous carbon dioxide content of gases passing by the gas concentration sensor.

Abstract: A system for ultrasonic mammography includes an ultrasonic mammography device for constructing an ultrasonic image of a breast having a support structure with an ultrasonic transducer mounted on the support structure. The system also includes a personal digital assistant operatively connected to the ultrasonic transducer via a communication link, a patient computer system operatively connected to the personal digital assistant via a second communication link, and a healthcare provider computer system operatively connected to the patient computer system via an internet, for constructing the image of the breast. The method includes the steps of positioning the ultrasonic mammography device having an ultrasonic transducer on the patient and activating the ultrasonic transducer to generate a signal for constructing an image of the breast.