Abstract: An acoustic sensor is configured to provide accurate and robust measurement of bodily sounds under a variety of conditions, such as in noisy environments or in situations in which stress, strain, or movement may be imparted onto a sensor with respect to a patient. Embodiments of the sensor provide a conformable electrical shielding, as well as improved acoustic and mechanical coupling between the sensor and the measurement site.

Abstract: A pulse oximetry system for reducing the risk of electric shock to a medical patient can include physiological sensors, at least one of which has a light emitter that can impinge light on body tissue of a living patient and a detector responsive to the light after attenuation by the body tissue. The detector can generate a signal indicative of a physiological characteristic of the living patient. The pulse oximetry system may also include a splitter cable that can connect the physiological sensors to a physiological monitor. The splitter cable may have a plurality of cable sections each including one or more electrical conductors that can interface with one of the physiological sensors. One or more decoupling circuits may be disposed in the splitter cable, which can be in communication with selected ones of the electrical conductors. The one or more decoupling circuits can electrically decouple the physiological sensors.

Abstract: A system for non-invasively determining an indication of an individual's blood pressure is described. In certain embodiments, the system calculates pulse wave transit time using two acoustic sensors. The system can include a first acoustic sensor configured to monitor heart sounds of the patient corresponding to ventricular systole and diastole and a second acoustic sensor configured to monitor arterial pulse sounds at an arterial location remote from the heart. The system can advantageously calculate a arterial pulse wave transit time (PWTT) that does not include the pre-ejection period time delay. In certain embodiments, the system further includes a processor that calculates the arterial PWTT obtained from the acoustic sensors. The system can use this arterial PWTT to determine whether to trigger an occlusive cuff measurement.

Abstract: A noninvasive blood pressure monitor. The noninvasive blood pressure monitor may include an inflatable cuff, a pressure transducer, one or more air pumps, and a processor. The processor may control the air pump(s) so as to initiate inflation of the cuff. The processor may also identify an oscillometric signal in an output of the pressure transducer, and may determine an envelope of the oscillometric signal. The processor may also determine one or more characteristics of the envelope of the oscillometric signal, and may control the air pump(s) so as to stop inflation of the cuff based on the one or more characteristics of the envelope of the oscillometric signal.

Abstract: A pulse oximetry system for reducing the risk of electric shock to a medical patient can include physiological sensors, at least one of which has a light emitter that can impinge light on body tissue of a living patient and a detector responsive to the light after attenuation by the body tissue. The detector can generate a signal indicative of a physiological characteristic of the living patient. The pulse oximetry system may also include a splitter cable that can connect the physiological sensors to a physiological monitor. The splitter cable may have a plurality of cable sections each including one or more electrical conductors that can interface with one of the physiological sensors. One or more decoupling circuits may be disposed in the splitter cable, which can be in communication with selected ones of the electrical conductors. The one or more decoupling circuits can electrically decouple the physiological sensors.

Abstract: A wearable device configured to measure one or more physiological parameters of a user is described. In some embodiments, the wearable device includes: a top frame, a bottom frame connected to the top frame, and an interior between the top and bottom frames; a circuit board positioned within the interior; a first temperature sensor coupled to the circuit board and configured to generate one or more signals responsive to thermal energy of the user; and a second temperature sensor coupled to the circuit board and configured to generate one or more signals responsive to at least one of temperature within said interior and temperature outside said interior. In some embodiments, the circuit board is positioned between the first and second temperature sensors and no air gap is present between either of the first and second temperatures and the circuit board.

Abstract: A system for non-invasively determining an indication of an individual's blood pressure is described. In certain embodiments, the system calculates pulse wave transit time using two acoustic sensors. The system can include a first acoustic sensor configured to monitor heart sounds of the patient corresponding to ventricular systole and diastole and a second acoustic sensor configured to monitor arterial pulse sounds at an arterial location remote from the heart. The system can advantageously calculate a arterial pulse wave transit time (PWTT) that does not include the pre-ejection period time delay. In certain embodiments, the system further includes a processor that calculates the arterial PWTT obtained from the acoustic sensors. The system can use this arterial PWTT to determine whether to trigger an occlusive cuff measurement.

Abstract: A wearable device for a noninvasive measurement of a user's body temperature can include a housing, a first substrate coupled to the housing and having an opening, a second substrate coupled to the first substrate and configured to secure to skin of a user, a mounting frame enclosed by the housing and the first substrate, a circuit board secured by the mounting frame, a temperature sensor coupled to the circuit board and configured to determine a body temperature of the user, and a thermally conductive probe. The thermally conductive probe is secured by the mounting frame and positioned proximate to the first temperature sensor. The thermally conductive probe extends at least partially through the opening in the first substrate and transmits a thermal energy from a portion of the user's skin to the first temperature sensor.

Abstract: According to certain described aspects, multiple acoustic sensing elements are employed in a variety of beneficial ways to provide improved physiological monitoring, among other advantages. In various embodiments, sensing elements can be advantageously employed in a single sensor package, in multiple sensor packages, and at a variety of other strategic locations in the monitoring environment. According to other aspects, to compensate for skin elasticity and attachment variability, an acoustic sensor support is provided that includes one or more pressure equalization pathways. The pathways can provide an air-flow channel from the cavity defined by the sensing elements and frame to the ambient air pressure.

Abstract: According to certain described aspects, multiple acoustic sensing elements are employed in a variety of beneficial ways to provide improved physiological monitoring, among other advantages. In various embodiments, sensing elements can be advantageously employed in a single sensor package, in multiple sensor packages, and at a variety of other strategic locations in the monitoring environment. According to other aspects, to compensate for skin elasticity and attachment variability, an acoustic sensor support is provided that includes one or more pressure equalization pathways. The pathways can provide an air-flow channel from the cavity defined by the sensing elements and frame to the ambient air pressure.

Abstract: According to certain described aspects, multiple acoustic sensing elements are employed in a variety of beneficial ways to provide improved physiological monitoring, among other advantages. In various embodiments, sensing elements can be advantageously employed in a single sensor package, in multiple sensor packages, and at a variety of other strategic locations in the monitoring environment. According to other aspects, to compensate for skin elasticity and attachment variability, an acoustic sensor support is provided that includes one or more pressure equalization pathways. The pathways can provide an air-flow channel from the cavity defined by the sensing elements and frame to the ambient air pressure.

Abstract: According to certain described aspects, multiple acoustic sensing elements are employed in a variety of beneficial ways to provide improved physiological monitoring, among other advantages. In various embodiments, sensing elements can be advantageously employed in a single sensor package, in multiple sensor packages, and at a variety of other strategic locations in the monitoring environment. According to other aspects, to compensate for skin elasticity and attachment variability, an acoustic sensor support is provided that includes one or more pressure equalization pathways. The pathways can provide an air-flow channel from the cavity defined by the sensing elements and frame to the ambient air pressure.

Abstract: According to certain described aspects, an acoustic sensor is employed in a variety of beneficial ways to provide improved physiological monitoring, among other advantages. In various embodiments, the acoustic sensor may include an attachment sub-assembly including a deformable portion that enables improved coupling to a patient. Additionally, the acoustic sensor may include an adhesive layer that, in combination with the deformable portion, enables even, robust, and secure attachment of the sensor to the patient. In various embodiments, an acoustic coupler having a semi-spherical shape is provided to further improve coupling of acoustic signals from the patient to the sensor.

Abstract: Various patient monitoring systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for monitoring physiological parameters of a patient. A noninvasive blood pressure monitor can include an inflatable cuff, a pressure transducer, an air pump, and a plurality of air paths connecting the inflatable cuff, the pressure transducer, and the air pump. The monitor can also include an acoustic filter provided along at least one of the air paths. In some cases, the monitor can include first and second air pumps, as well as a processor to independently control operating characteristics of the air pumps. The processor can also control the air pumps so as to provide a first inflation rate for the inflatable cuff during a non-measurement portion of an inflation phase and a second, higher inflation rate during a measurement portion of the inflation phase.