Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for non-invasively determining a cardiovascular status of a patient. Cardiac pulse waveforms associated with the peripheral artery are monitored during a plurality of cardiac ejection cycles, using a wideband external pulse transducer. The waveforms are analyzed to obtain information relating to the patient's Augmentation index (AI), cardiac performance, and/or cardiac stroke volume.

Abstract: An apparatus for assessing cardiovascular status of a mammal comprises a system for locally applying a pressure to an artery capable of restricting blood flow through said artery, a wideband external pulse transducer having an output and situated to measure suprasystolic signals proximate to said artery, and a computing device receiving said output for calculating vascular compliance values. The method described is particularly useful for determining cardiac output, assessing whether a pregnant female has preeclampsia or a patient has cardiac insufficiency, or assessing cardiac arrhythmia.

Abstract: A support cushion for a person in a lateral decubitus position, comprising a base, two lateral structural supports, and a central concavity, said lateral supports being sufficiently stiff to resist rolling of the person, said central concavity distributing a weight of the person. The support may be adapted for supporting the human flank above a surface, relieving pressure on an upper arm, and having comprising a structural bladder and a support cushion. The support cushion may be employed to limit a pressure on an upper arm and to maintain a patient in the lateral decubitus position during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A method for predicting peripheral nerve damage comprising the steps of placing a pressure transducer on the skin of a patient proximate to a peripheral nerve; measuring the pressure with the pressure transducer over time; and estimating a damage to the nerve based on the pressure and duration of application and a nerve damage model.

Abstract: A stainless steel catheter assembly for communicating between a lumen of a blood vessel of a patient's body and a source or drain of fluid. A cannular termination is disposed at a distal portion of the catheter assembly and mechanically connected to respective distal ends of a wire-wound spring guide and a wire core which is disposed along an internal surface of the spring guide. A fitting for coupling to a source of intravenous fluid or a drainage device is disposed at a proximal portion of the catheter assembly and mechanically connected to the spring guide and wire core at respective proximal ends. Embodiments may be provided with a tapering distal termination which is disposed around a slidably retractable cannular needle for facilitating percutaneous access to the interior of a patient's vein. In other embodiments, the catheter assembly is terminated at the distal end in a blunted manner so as to permit the taking of central venous pressures.