Abstract: The invention relates to acoustic detection of leaks in a pipeline using locally-intelligent, data-adaptive monitors deployed for a period of time. Monitors are initialized by a base station. Following deployment, monitors receive vibration signals at programmed times, process the vibration signals to detect and characterize abnormal vibrations, and save the processed data in the monitor. Monitors may communicate digitally with a base station, sending processed data and receiving instructions. Alternatively, monitors may be removed from the pipeline and placed in a docking station prior to initialization and subsequent re-deployment on a pipeline. A procedural step of re-synchronization corrects for any mis-alignments in time that may occur among received vibration signals from different monitors. Received vibration signals from two or more monitors may then be analyzed using a correlative method to localize the position of any leaks present in the pipeline.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for obtaining status information from a portable medical device and communicating said status information to a remote system or user. In one embodiment, the system comprises a sensing device that comprises an optical receiver for receiving status information from at least one status indicator of the portable medical device. The optical receiver is positioned in sufficient proximity to the status indicator to allow optical communication between the optical receiver and the status indicator. A circuit couplable to the optical receiver communicates the status information represented by the status indicator to the remote system or user. In another embodiment, the sensing device comprises a microphone to receive audible status signals from the portable medical device. In yet another embodiment, the sensing device is mounted to a housing, which allows sensing device to sense the status information of an enclosed portable medical device.

Abstract: The invention provides a wireless automatic location identification (ALI) capable system (10), including a medical device (12) having a wireless data communicator (14), a wireless communication network (16), and a remote locating service (18) for remotely locating and monitoring one or more medical devices over the wireless communication network. When the medical device is linked to the remote locating service over the communication network, the ALI-capable system identifies the location of the medical device and relays the location information to the remote locating service. The system permits reliable determination of the location of the medical device wherever the medical device is situated. The medical device may further be configured to transmit signals indicative of its status, condition, or self-test results, to the remote locating service. This feature allows the remote locating service to centrally monitor the status or condition of a plurality of medical devices.

Abstract: A defibrillator having one or more redundant systems each including functionally interchangeable components from which one component is selected for current operation. Manual or automatic selection of one component in each redundant system is made to form an operational defibrillator. Preferably, such selection is based on a real-time evaluation of the operational integrity of all operational components in a redundant system. Such real-time evaluations may be performed by monitoring systems within a controller, by an external test system within or external to the defibrillator or by self-test mechanisms internal to the operational components themselves. Factors such as user preferences, default component assignment, and predetermined arrangements of operational component combinations may be included in the selection determination along with the operational integrity of each operational component.

Abstract: The invention relates to detecting leaks in a pipeline using enhanced methods of data sensing, digitally encoded transmission, and cross-correlation. A plurality of acoustic sensors are applied to the pipeline to sense a combination of signals from the leak and much greater quantities of noise. The sensed data is digitized at the sensor, encoded and digitally transmitted to a computerized base station. The encoded data from a plurality of sensors received at the base station is decoded, digitally filtered and cross-correlated. Enhanced methods of cross-correlation are performed to estimate the likely presence of a leak and the location and size of any leaks present. Participation in the leak detection procedure by an expert not present at the pipeline is facilitated by communication of data between the base station and a distant supervisory station.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for voice interaction between the service provider to the patient whose life signs, e.g. an electrocardiograph (ECG), concurrently are being monitored are described. Patient data, and preferably patient waveform data, and voice communication are conveyed in real-time on a single, or common, public switched telephone (PSTN) line. A life signs monitor at the patient site is connected to the patient and to a digital simultaneous voice and data (DSVD) device having the ability to digitize and compress the patient's voice and having the ability to decompress and analogize the physician's voice via a standard telephone. A modem modulates and demodulates transmitted and received data over the telephone line. At a remote monitoring site a second modem receives and transmits data over the same telephone line.

Abstract: A portable multiple-vital signs monitor unit of the described apparatus is of ultra-light weight, e.g. less than one pound. In its preferred embodiment, the portable unit takes the form of a right parallelepiped enclosure the volume of which is only approximately 40 in.sup.3 having operator display and control panels and body lead jacks on its face and periphery, respectively, and providing wireless remote full-function communication with an in situ base unit with which the portable monitor may optionally be docked. The base unit communicates via a single telephone line with a remote, typically central location including a host computer and a health care provider, preferably via concurrent voice and data transmission. In its preferred embodiment, the invented apparatus includes in the portable unit the capability for diagnostic quality ECG and pulse oximetry monitoring and in its base unit the capability diagnostic quality blood pressure monitoring.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for voice interaction between the service provider to the patient whose life signs, e.g. an electrocardiograph (ECG), concurrently are being monitored are described. Patient data and voice communication are conveyed on a single, or common, public switched telephone (PSTN) line. A life signs monitor at the patient site is connected to the patient and to a digital simultaneous voice and data (DSVD) device having the ability to digitize and compress the patient's voice and having the ability to decompress and analogize the physician's voice via a standard telephone. A modem modulates and demodulates transmitted and received data over the telephone line. At a remote monitoring site a second modem receives and transmits data over the same telephone line. The second modem is connected with a second DSVD device connected to a display- or printer-equipped receiving station for presentation in textual or graphic form to a remote service provider the patient data, e.g. in the form of an ECG trace.

Abstract: A remote interactive fax imaging system is disclosed. Stored data, including graphic data, is converted to fax format and transmitted to a remote site. The transmitted image includes machine-readable identification data for identifying the underlying database, and a blank dedicated comment field. At the remote site, a user reviews the faxed image and enters annotations within the dedicated field. The annotated image is faxed back to the originating site. At the originating site, the identifying data is read to associate the annotated image with the original underlying database. The dedicated field area of the return image is added into the data base, thereby forming a complete, annotated record without degrading the original data. The disclosed apparatus and methodology are especially useful, for example, for timely over-reading of electrocardiograph data by a physician at a location remote from the patient.

Abstract: A method of sending acquired graphical data over an alphanumeric paging service. The data is compressed, split into and blocks of a size which the paging service can handle, and transferred to the paging service. The paging service transmits the data to a wireless receiver attached to a computer. The computer displays the information on its display, and can further process the data.

Abstract: A cardiograph having a keypad includes an internal disc drive for reading a floppy disc provided to the drive. ROM and RAM in the cardiograph incudes a program for loading a macro instruction contained on a floppy disc into the cardiograph RAM. Another program executes the macro instruction responsive to an operator-actuated input. The macro instruction includes keypad codes which provide patient data and configuration and control instructions to the cardiograph. Several special function codes which do not correspond to keypad codes are provided for pausing the macro instruction, ending the instruction and other special functions. In one aspect, patient data is copied onto the floppy disc from a hospital information system and thereafter provided to the cardiograph preliminary to a cardiographic recording session with the patient.

Abstract: A portable data acquisition unit which features a sample order register which sets addresses in a multiplexer unit allowing one out of many electrical signals connected to the multiplexer to pass through at one time. The selected electrical signal is a sample which is transmitted to an A-to-D converter so that a digital signal is generated and passed to a communications port and then to a remote host device. A clock pulse increments the next address in the sample order list to the multiplexer to establish the next signal sample to be transmitted to the host device. At the host device, the original electrical signals may be reconstituted. For example, the electrical signals may be physiological signals derived from transducers associated with an EKG. The host device may be a remote EKG apparatus.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for acquiring and processing EKG signals. A plurality of electrodes for measuring a patient's cardiac electrical signals provide analog electrode signals to an analog-to-digital converter via a plurality of electrode wires. The analog-to-digital converter converts the analog electrode signals to corresponding digital electrode signals which are then combined into combined signal leads.

Abstract: A portable leadwire signalling terminal is provided as an interface between an EKG base unit and a patient. The portable terminal includes a signal transceiver which transmits leadwire information to the EKG apparatus, as well as pushbutton information. The EKG unit sends back information suitable for a video display in the terminal. This information is indicative of noise on each leadwire, as well as whether a lead wire is disconnected.