Abstract: A system and method for remote pregnancy monitoring of a pregnant woman is provided. The system includes an ultrasound transducer positioned on a pregnant woman having a processor, a transmitter and a receiver, and a personal digital assistant operatively connected to the ultrasound transducer via a communication link. The system also includes a patient computer system operatively connected to the personal digital assistant via a second communication link. The system further includes a healthcare provider computer system operatively connected to the patient computer system via an internet, and activation of the ultrasound transducer generates a data signal transmitted to the personal digital assistant via the communication link, and transmission of the signal to the healthcare provider computer system via the second communication link, for monitoring the pregnant woman by a healthcare provider.

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: 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: A monitor system is provided for allowing a person to remotely monitor a physiological parameter of a subject, comprising: a sensor system having a transducer and a transmitter, a computing device, receiving a signal transmitted by the sensor system, a software application program, running on the computing device, to determine values of the physiological parameter from the received signal. Received data is stored in a memory of the computing device, and shown as a chart on the display of the computing device. Data may be further transmitted over a communications network, where it is accessible by a caregiver at a remote location.

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.

Abstract: An indirect calorimeter for measuring the subject's oxygen consumption per unit time employs a mouthpiece through which the subject breathes for a period of time. Conduits connect the mouthpiece to a flow meter and a capnometer so that the subject's inhalations and exhalations pass through the flow meter and the exhalations also pass through the capnometer. Electrical signals from the flow meter and capnometer are provided to a computer which calculates the CO2 exhaled by the subject during the test by integrating the instantaneous CO2 content of an exhalation as measured by the capnometer over the volume as measured by the flow meter and subtracts that quantity from the exhaled volume and subtracts their difference from the inhaled volume. In alternative embodiments the system can also measure the subject's Cardiac Output and Delivered Oxygen.

Abstract: An improved respiratory analyzer comprises a disposable flow module and non-disposable electronics module. An improved ventilator system comprises a supply of respiratory gases, a ventilator line for directing the respiratory gases to a patient, a flow module holder located in series with the ventilator line into which a flow module can be inserted, and an electronics module which connects to the flow module. In a preferred embodiment, the flow module and electronics module operate in combination to provide the functionality of an indirect calorimeter, so as to determine the metabolic rate of the patient. Feeding of an intubated patient can be controlled using determined patient metabolic rates. Other respiratory parameters can be determined by the system, such as peak flow, tidal volume, end-tidal concentrations, and respiratory quotient. The system provides a non-invasive method of cardiac output determination. A flow module can also be inserted into the mouth or internal respiratory tube of a person.

Abstract: An indirect calorimeter is disclosed which comprises a test body (18) and a computation unit (24). In use, oxygen consumption in a respirator gas flow is determined by measuring inhaled and exhaled flow rates, and exhaled flow density, such that oxygen consumption is computed as a function of the exhaled mass.

Abstract: A respiratory gas analyzer for measuring the metabolic activity and the cardiac output of a subject includes a bi-directional flow meter and a capnometer sensor interconnected by conduits and valving between a mouthpiece and a source of respiratory gasses which may be a controlled source or the atmosphere. A pass-through carbon dioxide scrubber may be plugged into the conduits and the valving controlled so that upon inhalation by the subject gasses are passed through the flow meter to the mouthpiece and upon exhalation the exhaled gasses are passed first through the scrubber and then through the flow meter in a direction opposite to the inhaled gasses. A computer connected to receive the signals from the flow meter and the capnometer can then calculate the subject's metabolic activity. When the valving is shifted a portion of the exhaled gasses are stored in the conduit so that upon inhalation the subject inhales a substantial portion of rebreathed gasses.

Abstract: A respiratory gas analyzer for measuring the metabolic activity and the cardiac output of a subject includes a bi-directional flow meter and a capnometer sensor interconnected by conduits and valving between a mouthpiece and a source of respiratory gasses which may be a controlled source or the atmosphere. A pass-through carbon dioxide scrubber may be plugged into the conduits and the valving controlled so that upon inhalation by the subject gasses are passed through the flow meter to the mouthpiece and upon exhalation the exhaled gasses are passed first through the scrubber and then through the flow meter in a direction opposite to the inhaled gasses. A computer connected to receive the signals from the flow meter and the capnometer can then calculate the subject's metabolic activity. When the valving is shifted a portion of the exhaled gasses are stored in the conduit so that upon inhalation the subject inhales a substantial portion of rebreathed gasses.

Abstract: A calorimeter for generating signals representative of the oxygen consumption of a subject over a test period includes a bidirectional volume flow sensor and a carbon dioxide scrubber connected to a mouthpiece. Interconnections are such that the air inhaled by the subject passes through the flow meter and the exhaled breath passes first through the carbon dioxide scrubber and then through the flow meter. The electrical output signals from the flow meter are provided to a microprocessor-based computer which integrates the volume differences between the inhaled gas, and the exhaled gas after the carbon dioxide has been removed from it, over the period of the test. Since the exhaled carbon dioxide essentially replaces the oxygen used by the subject during the test, this integral difference is a function of the patient's oxygen consumption. The use of a bidirectional flow meter results in a simple instrument that may be disposed after a single use to avoid the need for sterilization.

Abstract: A calorimeter for generating signals representative of the oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production of a subject over a test period includes two flow sensors and a carbon dioxide scrubber connected to a patient mouthpiece. Interconnections are such that the air inhaled by the subject passes through one flow meter and the exhaled breath passes first through the other flow meter the carbon dioxide the scrubber and then through the first flow meter. The electrical output signals from the flow meters are provided to a microprocessor based computer which integrates the volume differences between the inhaled gas, and the exhaled gas after the carbon dioxide has been removed from it, over the period of the test. The inhaled volume less that part of the exhaled volume which does not constitute CO.sub.2 measures the oxygen comsumption per breath, the integral difference is a function of the patient's oxygen consumption over the period of the test.

Abstract: An indirect calorimeter for calculating the metabolic rate of a subject by measuring the oxygen consumption during respiration over a period of time includes a gas flow meter providing output electric signals to a microprocessor which drives a display and printer. A carbon dioxide scrubber is connected to the flow meter and a mouthpiece so that inhaled gas passes first through the scrubber and then through the flow meter before being provided to the subject's respiratory system through the mouthpiece. The exhaled gas passes through the scrubber and then through the flow meter. The difference in volume between the inhaled gas and the exhaled gas is proportional to the oxygen consumption of the subject and the microprocessor integrates that signal over the time of the test, and multiplies it by a constant to provide a metabolic rate display.

Abstract: An indirect calorimeter for calculating the metabolic rate of a subject by measuring the oxygen consumption during respiration over a period of time includes a gas flow meter providing output electric signals to a microprocessor which drives a display and printer. A carbon dioxide scrubber is connected to the flow meter and a respiratory connector including a mouthpiece so that inhaled gas passes first through the scrubber and then through the flow meter before being provided to the subject's respiratory system through the mouthpiece. The exhaled gas passes through the scrubber and then through the flow meter. The difference in volume between the inhaled gas and the exhaled gas is proportional to the oxygen consumption of the subject and the microprocessor integrates that signal over the time of the test, and multiplies it by a constant to provide a metabolic rate display.