Detecting Signal Repetition Rate Patents (Class 600/519)
  • Publication number: 20150005653
    Abstract: A personal electronic device is configured to unobtrusively detect heart rate and rhythm anomalies utilizing an electrocardiogram (EKG)-based detection and monitoring method. As one example, while a user is using the personal electronic device for its intended function, such as communicating, playing music, and/or watching videos, the personal electronic device may be unobtrusively detecting and recording a user's heart rate and heart rhythm to detect anomalies. For instance, while a user is making a phone call, electrodes of the personal electronic device located in the vicinity of the earpiece and on the handset, may come into contact with a user's ear and a user's hand respectively. Thus, while the personal electronic device is being consciously used for a function other than EKG monitoring, EKG monitoring is unobtrusively occurring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Paul Roller Michaelis, Jon Bentley
  • Publication number: 20140378857
    Abstract: An arousal-level determining apparatus includes a generating unit, a calculating unit, an identifying unit, and a determining unit. The generating unit generates heartbeat-interval variation data, which indicates changes in heartbeat interval, on the basis of heartbeat signals indicating subject's heartbeats. The calculating unit applies a band-pass filter, which allows passage of a certain range of frequencies, to each frequency band in the heartbeat-interval variation data while changing the frequency band, and calculates spectral density with respect to each frequency band applied with the band-pass filter. The identifying unit identifies a feature point corresponding to a spectral density peak in the calculated spectral densities in the frequency bands. The determining unit determines subject's arousal level on the basis of the identified feature point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Yuta MASUDA, Satoshi SANO, Junichi ODAGIRI
  • Patent number: 8918168
    Abstract: An electrocardiogram (ECG) signal sensing module is provide. The ECG signal sensing module includes at least one touchpad button, for producing a press signal when being pressed; at least one sensing electrode, mounted on the at least one touchpad button and moving in unison with the at least one touchpad button, for measuring the voltage on the portion thereof touched by a user; an electrocardiogram signal processor, coupled to the at least one sensing electrode, for processing the voltage on the at least one sensing electrode and producing an ECG signal; and a transmission interface, coupled to the at least one touchpad button and the electrocardiogram signal processor, for outputting the press signal and the ECG signal to a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corp.
    Inventors: Brian-Chua Chong, Yao-Tsung Chang, Chia-Hsien Li, Pai-Yang Lin, Shun-Chi Chung
  • Publication number: 20140357960
    Abstract: A method and device is described, which measures and records one or more repetitive biological signals, such as heartbeat, breathing rate, and/or intrinsic brainwave frequency, and uses these tempos and timing information as a feedback mechanism to an individual doing one or more repetitive motion activities, in order to synchronize the activities with the repetitive biological signals, or a simple ratio of harmonics or sub-harmonics thereof. The feedback is achieved through a visual, audio, or tactile signal that indicates to the individual pacing information for precisely when to perform the activity. The purpose of synchronizing repetitive motion activity to biological activity is to optimize the efficiency of the system as a whole, reducing energy consumption and promoting calm and focused performance. Repetitive motion activities include but are not limited to breathing, running, bicycling, swimming, walking, hiking, jump rope, and rowing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: James William Phillips, Yi Jin
  • Patent number: 8897864
    Abstract: A heart rate meter for measuring the heart rate of a living body includes a heart rate variation detecting unit for measuring the variation of the heart rate determined from a heart beat waveform, and a heart rate error detecting and correcting unit for detecting an error of heart rate on the basis of the trend of the heart rate variation and correcting the heart rate error being detected. The heart rate error detecting and correcting unit includes a heart rate error detecting unit for detecting an error of the heart rate variation as a heart rate error on the basis of the trend of the heart rate variation, and a heart rate error correcting unit for correcting the error of heart rate according to the detection of the heart rate error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Shimizu, Tsuneharu Kasai
  • Patent number: 8862214
    Abstract: A system is provided which processes cardiac condition data representative of heart electrical signals to identify a cardiac condition. An acquisition processor is conditioned for acquiring data representing a sequence of successive pulses of a type of electrical heart waveform of a patient. A computation processor is electrically coupled to the acquisition processor and is conditioned for calculating a pulse interval irregularity measure based on a sum of time interval differences occurring between pairs of successive pulses of the sequence of successive pulses and excluding time interval differences exceeding a predetermined maximum threshold from the sum. The computation processor is further conditioned to compare a calculated pulse interval irregularity measure with a predetermined irregularity measure threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Draeger Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Alireza Ghodrati
  • Patent number: 8855756
    Abstract: Methods and program products for providing heart rate information are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for providing heart rate information about a user includes the steps of defining a plurality of heart rate zones as ranges of percentages of a maximum heart rate of the user, determining upper and lower limits for said heart rate zones based on the maximum heart rate of the user, associating a color with each of said heart rate zones, receiving heart rate information from the user, and initiating a graphical display in response to receiving heart rate information from the user, wherein a color of a portion of the graphical display corresponds with the color associated with one of said heart rate zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Adidas AG
    Inventors: Christian DiBenedetto, Maya Ann Powch, Stephen John Black
  • Patent number: 8855755
    Abstract: Techniques are described for distinguishing between treatable and non-treatable heart rhythms. A medical device that operates in accordance with the techniques analyzes characteristics over several cardiac event intervals to detect initiation of a sudden rate onset. After detection of the initiation of the sudden rate onset, the IMD analyzes a morphology of an EGM associated with a selected cardiac event within the first several beats after the initiation of sudden rate onset. In one example, the IMD analyzes the morphology of the EGM associated with the first cardiac event immediately subsequent to the initiation of the sudden rate onset. If the morphology of the EGM of the selected cardiac event is abnormal compared to template EGM, the rhythm is classified as treatable. Otherwise, the rhythm is classified as non-treatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Xusheng Zhang, Robert W. Stadler, Jeffrey M. Gillberg
  • Patent number: 8798727
    Abstract: A method, system, and device for detection of an arrhythmia, and discrimination between different types of arrhythmia, for example to determine whether to administer an electric shock to the heart, the device comprising a wearable monitor with electrodes that detect the electrical activity of a beating heart, attached to an embedded monitoring system having an amplifier, a microprocessor, a data storage device, and a power supply, all disposed on a substrate having large distal end portions that attach to the electrodes and a narrow intermediate portion that attaches to the monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventor: David Thor Linker
  • Patent number: 8792971
    Abstract: A method for identifying oversensing in implantable medical devices (IMDs), such as implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), is described. A near-field electrogram signal and a far-field electrogram signal are obtained via a near-field electrode pair and a far-field electrode pair. The near-field electrogram signal is compared to the far-field electrogram signal and a determination of whether oversensing exists is made based on the comparison. In some instances, a scheduled therapy is withheld in response to determining that oversensing exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. Gunderson, Amisha S. Patel, Chad A. Bounds, Mark L. Brown
  • Patent number: 8781569
    Abstract: A biometric information processing device has a heart rate detection unit that detects the heart rate of a subject; a relative heart rate calculation unit that calculates a relative heart rate, which is the relative value of the heart rate to the prescribed resting heart rate of the subject; a relative oxygen intake calculation unit that calculates a relative oxygen intake based on the relative heart rate; an oxygen intake estimation unit that estimates the oxygen intake from the relative oxygen intake; and a calorie expenditure calculation unit that calculates calorie expenditure based on the oxygen intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Kuroda, Ichiro Aoshima, Takashi Ogiue, Tsukasa Kosuda
  • Patent number: 8781568
    Abstract: In a first aspect, a heart rate monitoring system is provided that includes (1) a heart rate monitor adapted to wirelessly transmit a signal indicative of a heart rate of a user; and (2) a user device adapted to receive the signal from the heart rate monitor, process the signal, and determine sleep information for the user from the heart rate. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Brian M. Dugan, Valerie G. Dugan
  • Patent number: 8771197
    Abstract: Methods for detecting parameters in cardiac output related waveforms are described. The methods include methods for detecting individual heart beat cycles in a cardiac output related waveform, methods for detecting an error in an assigned starting point for an individual heart beat cycle in a cardiac output related waveform, methods for detecting a dichrotic notch for an individual heart beat cycle in a cardiac output related waveform, and methods for detecting an error in an assigned dichrotic notch for an individual heart beat cycle in a cardiac output related waveform. The identification of these parameters is important for a clinician as these parameters form the basis for the calculation of many other cardiac output related parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Feras Hatib, Luchy Roteliuk
  • Patent number: 8771184
    Abstract: A method of medical diagnosis and monitoring using equipment that has wireless electrodes, which are attached to the surface of the skin of the patient. The method comprises collection of data from a patient, converting the data to digital form and transmitting the digital data wirelessly from a patient to a base station located away from the patient where in the wireless transmission between the patient and base station is bi directional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Body Science LLC
    Inventors: Marcus Besson, Gotthart von Czettriz, Ralph Bax
  • Patent number: 8768445
    Abstract: There is provided electronic device, comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive heart rate data generated by a heart rate measuring system; a calculation unit configured to calculate heart rate variation data on the basis of the received heart rate data. The electronic device further comprises: a processing unit configured to analyse the calculated heart rate variation data in comparison with the corresponding heart rate data, and to determine at least one threshold value for fat burning on the basis of the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
    Inventors: Hannu Kinnunen, Juuso Nissilä, Tero Posio, Ulla Salmi
  • Patent number: 8744573
    Abstract: A resuscitation system that includes at least two defibrillation electrodes configured to be applied to the exterior of the chest of a patient for delivering a defibrillation shock, a source of one or more ECG signals from the patient, a defibrillation circuit for delivering a defibrillation shock to the defibrillation electrodes, a control box that receives and processes the ECG signals to determine whether a defibrillation shock should be delivered or whether CPR should be performed, and that issues instructions to the user either to deliver a defibrillation shock or to perform CPR, wherein the determination of whether CPR should be performed and the instructions to perform CPR can occur at substantially any point during a rescue. The control box may include a user operable control for initiating delivery of a defibrillation shock, and the instructions to deliver a defibrillation shock include instructions to activate the user operable control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: ZOLL Medical Corporation
    Inventor: Gary A. Freeman
  • Patent number: 8744559
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of methods, systems and devices for detecting atrial fibrillation (AF) in a patient. According to one embodiment, a patient places his or her left and right hands around left and right electrodes and a hand-held atrial fibrillation detection device acquires an electrocardiogram (ECG) from the patient over a predetermined period of time such as, by way of example, one minute. After acquiring the ECG from the patient, the device processes and analyzes the ECG and makes a determination of whether the patient has AF. The device may further be configured to provide a visual or audio indication of whether the patient has AF, or does not have AF. The device may be employed in a health care provider's office without the need for complicated or expensive diagnostic equipment, and is capable of providing an on-the-spot and low-cost diagnosis of AF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventors: Richard P. Houben, Vincent C. Larik, Robert G. Tieleman
  • Publication number: 20140128759
    Abstract: A monitoring apparatus (50) monitors heart activity by sensing one or more signals accessible at an outer skin surface of a person (100). The monitoring apparatus (50) includes one or more electrodes for contacting onto the outer skin surface of the person (100), a signal processing arrangement (108) for processing one or more signals provided from the one or more electrodes to generate corresponding processed signals, and a display arrangement (106) for receiving the processed signals to generate presentation information from which a heart beat rate of the person (100) is discernible. The signal processing arrangement includes a detector for detecting signal artefacts arising from one or more electronic devices coupled to the person (100) and for removing an influence of the signal artefacts from the processed signals, such that the processed signals provide a more accurate indication of the heart beat rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Spektikor Oy
    Inventor: Ilkka Heikkilä
  • Publication number: 20140114148
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computer system for identifying at least one attribute of a user. An attention level of the user is determined with the identified at least one attribute. The attention level of the user is analyzed. An action of the user is classified as an attention deficiency event using the analyzed attention level of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Questionmark Computing Limited
    Inventors: Eric Shepherd, John Kleeman
  • Patent number: 8700136
    Abstract: A method for analyzing signals, including: sensing a time-varying intracardiac potential signal and finding a fit of the time-varying intracardiac potential signal to a predefined oscillating waveform. The method further includes estimating an annotation time of the signal responsive to the fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel), Ltd.
    Inventor: Vladimir Rubinstein
  • Patent number: 8659436
    Abstract: An exemplary vehicle operator alertness monitoring system includes a heart rate monitor and a vehicle operator alert module. The vehicle operator alert module communicates with the heart rate monitor and determines whether a vehicle operator's heart rate is within an acceptable range. The vehicle operator alert module is configured to alert the vehicle operator when the vehicle operator's heart rate is outside of the acceptable range to assist the vehicle operator at maintaining alert control over the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: OES, Inc.
    Inventor: Gordon John Hann Ngo
  • Patent number: 8655436
    Abstract: A heart rate meter includes a heart beat detecting unit for detecting a heart beat waveform of a living body and a signal processor 4 for detecting a heart beat from the heart beat waveform. The signal processor 4 includes a heart beat signal generating processor 5 for adding a predetermined frequency characteristic to the signal within a predetermined narrow band of the heart beat waveform to generate a heart beat signal, and a heart beat detecting processor 6 for detecting a heart beat from a waveform distortion that is added to the heart beat signal by the heart beat signal generating processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Shimizu, Tsuneharu Kasai
  • Publication number: 20140039336
    Abstract: The present invention uses electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to treat epilepsy with minimized or no effect on the heart. Treatment is carried out by an implantable signal generator, one or more implantable electrodes for electrically stimulating a predetermined stimulation site of the vagus nerve, and a sensor for sensing characteristics of the heart such as heart rate. The heart rate information from the sensor can be used to determine whether the vagus nerve stimulation is adversely affecting the heart. Once threshold parameters are met, the vagus nerve stimulation may be stopped or adjusted. In yet another embodiment, the invention may be simply a modified pacemaker having circuitry that determines whether a vagus nerve is being stimulated. In the event that the vagus nerve is being stimulated, the modified pacemaker may control the heart to maintain it within desired conditions during the vagus nerve stimulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: FLINT HILLS SCIENTIFIC, LLC
    Inventors: Ivan OSORIO, Mark G. FREI
  • Patent number: 8639316
    Abstract: A medical device performs a method for determining a cardiac event by obtaining a signal comprising cardiac cycle length information in a patient and determining cardiac cycle lengths during an established time interval. Noise is detected during the time interval and a cardiac cycle length corresponding to a time of the detected noise is rejected. Cycle length differences are determined from the cycle lengths not rejected during the time interval. The cardiac event is determined in response to the cycle length differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Shantanu Sarkar
  • Publication number: 20140018689
    Abstract: An active medical device is configured to receive inputs and to calculate a hemodynamic parameter representative of myocardium contractility determined from an endocardial acceleration signal. The microcontroller acquires heart rate and hemodynamic parameter pairs of values during a plurality of cardiac cycles. The microcontroller is configured to distribute the pairs of values into discrete bins to develop a profile for analysis. The microcontroller is configured to conduct an analysis comprising calculating an index representative of the patient's clinical status. The hemodynamic parameter representative of the myocardial contractility is a time interval separating the first and the second peak of endocardial acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Oliver Baumann, Lionel Giorgis
  • Patent number: 8620414
    Abstract: An implantable medical device and associated method for classifying a patient's risk for arrhythmias by sensing a cardiac electrogram (EGM) signal and selecting a first pair of T-wave signals and a second pair of T-wave signals. A first difference between the two T-wave signals of the first pair is compared to a second difference between the two T-wave signals of the second pair. A T-wave alternans phase reversal is detected in response to comparing the first difference and the second difference, and the patient's arrhythmia risk is classified in response to detecting the phase reversal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Raja N. Ghanem, Xiaohong Zhou
  • Patent number: 8600485
    Abstract: While analyzing ventricular repolarization in accordance with the invention, ECG measurement with excitation of heart rate is evaluated and the coupling of an internal parameter, for example QT to heartbeat interval, for example RR, is modeled by a transfer function with three parameters. The values of the resulting five parameters describing the static and dynamic characteristics of ventricular repolarization are obtained by means of transfer function parameters and the measured values of heart rate and the internal parameter. The effect of medication is evaluated from the difference of the values of these parameters determined before and after administrating the medication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Institute of Scientific Instruments of the ASCR, V.V.I.
    Inventors: Josef Halamek, Pavel Jurak
  • Patent number: 8600522
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) feedback device and a method for performing CPR. A chest compression detector device is provided that measures chest compression during the administration of CPR. The chest compression detector device comprises a signal transmitter operably positioned on the chest of the patient and adapted to broadcast a signal, and a signal receiver adapted to receive the signal. The chest compression detector device also comprises a processor, operably connected to the signal transmitter and the signal receiver. The processor repeatedly analyzes the signal received to determine from the signal a series of measurements of compression of the chest, and feedback is provided to the rescuer based on the series of measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Science Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Peterson, Kenneth F. Olson
  • Patent number: 8600299
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The novel method may further transmit the digital data. In some embodiments, the transmitting may be wireless. The novel device may include transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The transducers may operate to convert a first electrical energy into an ultrasound wave. The first electrical energy may or may not be beamformed. The transducers also may convert an echoed ultrasound wave into a second electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin S. Randall, Jodi Schwartz Klessel, Anthony P. Lannutti, Joseph A. Urbano
  • Patent number: 8594771
    Abstract: Devices and methods comprise or provide an ECG recording device containing a mailable base and electrode assembly and/or other means engageable with the base to receive ECG signals from a subject during a self-administered ECG examination. The devices and methods may also include a single-use or limited-use ECG recording device, in which the base is disposable or reusable or recyclable. In addition, the device may be self-contained, battery-operated, portable, disposable, mailable to a location remote from an ECG examination, provide feedback, indicate its method of use, including graphically depicting same, contain a finger cuff and/or sensor pad for receiving ECG signals, and/or contain a memory. Preferably, the base conforms to various body shapes and/or sizes, is made of flexible and/or semi-flexible material, and/or contains a receptor, such as sealable blood well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Robert Kohls, Sarah Beth Alme, Richard Andrew Valiga, John Edward Lorbiecki, Joel Qiuzhen Xue, Brian Joseph Young, James Russel Peterson, Lawrence Elwood Murphy
  • Patent number: 8577442
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a data acquisition unit and an image generating unit. The data acquisition unit sets a delay time from a reference wave based on heart rate information or peripheral pulse wave information previously acquired from an object and acquires MR signals by an imaging scan with a delay time and in synchronization with a blood flow beat. The delay time represents a time phase for image data acquisition timing in synchronization with the beat. The image generating unit generates a blood flow image based on the magnetic resonance signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsue Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20130289427
    Abstract: Methods for detecting parameters in cardiac output related waveforms are described. The methods include methods for detecting individual heart beat cycles in a cardiac output related waveform, methods for detecting an error in an assigned starting point for an individual heart beat cycle in a cardiac output related waveform, methods for detecting a dichrotic notch for an individual heart beat cycle in a cardiac output related waveform, and methods for detecting an error in an assigned dichrotic notch for an individual heart beat cycle in a cardiac output related waveform. The identification of these parameters is important for a clinician as these parameters form the basis for the calculation of many other cardiac output related parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Feras Hatib, Luchy Roteliuk
  • Patent number: 8538511
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for collecting a physiological signal, comprising a main body, including two devices for taking out the physiological signal from a finger at each side of the main body by pressing the finger therein, each device for taking out the physiological signal from a finger including: a finger contacting element, provided thereon an electrode unit for taking out an electronic signal of the physiological signal at the time of being contacted by the finger; a receiving element, provided on an upper side of the finger contacting element; and an elastic element, being connected to the receiving element, wherein each elastic element is opened an angle at each receiving element according to elastic force of each elastic element, and each finger inserts into a space and engages with the finger contacting element and the receiving element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Vicon Healthcare International Inc.
    Inventors: Jeng-Chung Chen, Terry B. J. Kuo
  • Patent number: 8504145
    Abstract: A biometric information processing device has a heart rate detection unit that detects the heart rate of a subject; a relative heart rate calculation unit that calculates a relative heart rate, which is the relative value of the heart rate to the prescribed resting heart rate of the subject; a relative oxygen intake calculation unit that calculates a relative oxygen intake based on the relative heart rate; an oxygen intake estimation unit that estimates the oxygen intake from the relative oxygen intake; and a calorie expenditure calculation unit that calculates calorie expenditure based on the oxygen intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Kuroda, Ichiro Aoshima, Takashi Ogiue, Tsukasa Kosuda
  • Patent number: 8491487
    Abstract: Methods for detecting parameters in cardiac output related waveforms are described. The methods include methods for detecting individual heart beat cycles in a cardiac output related waveform, methods for detecting an error in an assigned starting point for an individual heart beat cycle in a cardiac output related waveform, methods for detecting a dichrotic notch for an individual heart beat cycle in a cardiac output related waveform, and methods for detecting an error in an assigned dichrotic notch for an individual heart beat cycle in a cardiac output related waveform. The identification of these parameters is important for a clinician as these parameters form the basis for the calculation of many other cardiac output related parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Feras Hatib, Luchy Roteliuk
  • Publication number: 20130172766
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for collecting a physiological signal, comprising a main body, including two devices for taking out the physiological signal from a finger at each side of the main body by pressing the finger therein, each device for taking out the physiological signal from a finger including: a finger contacting element, provided thereon an electrode unit for taking out an electronic signal of the physiological signal at the time of being contacted by the finger; a receiving element, provided on an upper side of the finger contacting element; and an elastic element, being connected to the receiving element, wherein each elastic element is opened an angle at each receiving element according to elastic force of each elastic element, and each finger inserts into a space and engages with the finger contacting element and the receiving element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: VICON HEALTHCARE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: JENG-CHUNG CHEN, TERRY B.J. KUO
  • Patent number: 8428720
    Abstract: Methods and devices for analyzing posture-induced changes to physiological parameters of a patient (e.g., ejection time, heart rate, etc.) to provide an assessment of one or more conditions of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Giorgio Corbucci, Brian B. Lee
  • Patent number: 8406863
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for applying saved frequency information in the form of modulated magnetic fields and/or modulated light to the body, wherein the device comprises at least one transceiver, one display, one memory, one control electronic, one D/A-converter, and a coil (6) for the application of modulated magnetic fields and/or a laser (7) for the application of modulated light. The invention also relates to a method for tapping signals of the electric potential of the heart and the pulse value and applying saved frequency information by means of a device according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Gerhard Lingg
  • Patent number: 8390445
    Abstract: Disclosed are personal electronic devices (PEDs) having a sensory enhancement (SE) system for monitoring environmental conditions and detecting environmental events, for example but not limited to, changes in acoustic, thermal, optical, electromagnetic, chemical, dynamic, wireless, atmospheric, or biometric conditions. The detection of such events can be used to invoke a notification, an alert, a corrective action, or some other action, depending upon the implementation to the PED user or another party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Innovation Specialists, LLC
    Inventors: William L. Betts, Carol Betts
  • Patent number: 8391962
    Abstract: Systems and Methods for stratifying relative risks of adverse cardiac events by processing a duration of electrocardiograph recordings generally recorded by a Holter type of device. The duration of electrocardiograph recordings are processed to resolve RR interval related data, QT interval related data, and are fitted to formulas to at least partially establish fitting related measures. The fitting formulas incorporate circadian related periodic factors, and can further incorporate additional processing including utilizing Lissajous analysis techniques, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Mari Alford Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8391976
    Abstract: An active implantable medical device for cardiac resynchronization therapy with effort based rate-responsive pacing is described. The device calculates a rate-responsive stimulation frequency based on output signal of an effort sensor between a base frequency (fbase) and a maximum frequency (fmax). The device determines a target stimulation frequency based on the difference between a first frequency and the maximum frequency (fmax). The first frequency is the higher frequency of the base frequency (fbase) and the spontaneous frequency of the patient. The device calculates a stimulation frequency that has an immediate increase in the pacing rate from the higher of the initial value of the current stimulation frequency, or the spontaneous frequency to the target stimulation frequency, within a predetermined time, or a predetermined number of cardiac cycles. A plurality of consecutive effort zones (Z1-Z4) is defined over the extent of the dynamic range of the output signal of the effort sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sorin CRM S.A.S.
    Inventor: Marcel Limousin
  • Patent number: 8369936
    Abstract: A monitor device and associated methodology are disclosed which provide a self contained, relatively small and continuously wearable package for the monitoring of heart related parameters, including ECG. The detection of heart related parameters is predicated on the location of inequipotential signals located within regions of the human body conventionally defined as equivalent for the purpose of detection of heart related electrical activity, such as on single limbs. Amplification, filtering and processing methods and apparatus are described in conjunction with analytical tools for beat detection and display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: BodyMedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Farringdon, John M. Stivoric, Eric Teller, David Andre, Scott Boehmke, James Gasbarro, Gregory Kovacs, Raymond Pelletier, Christopher Kasabach
  • Patent number: 8346352
    Abstract: The object is to provide a drowsiness detecting device for detecting strong drowsiness to become a dozing state. A drowsiness detecting device comprises a sympathetic parameter acquiring unit for acquiring a parameter concerning a sympathetic nerve of a subject, a parasympathetic parameter acquiring unit for acquiring a parameter concerning a parasympathetic nerve of the subject, a sympathetic increase determining unit for determining whether the sympathetic parameter is greater than a sympathetic threshold or not, and a drowsiness determining unit for determining drowsiness of the subject according to an increase/decrease relationship between the sympathetic and parasympathetic parameters when the sympathetic increase determining unit determines that the sympathetic parameter is greater than the sympathetic threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 8326407
    Abstract: A method and a system for detection of an arrhythmia and discrimination between different types of arrhythmia to determine whether to administer an electric shock to the heart, the method comprising monitoring the electrical activity of a beating heart, selecting a number of heart beat intervals that will comprise an analysis segment; determining an instantaneous heart rate for each of the heart beat intervals with the segment; calculating the mean instantaneous heart rate for the segment; determining the variability of the instantaneous heart rates compared to a mean; using a linear combination of the mean and the non-linear value for comparison with a predetermined threshold to discriminate the type of arrhythmia to automatically decide if intervention is indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventor: David Thor Linker
  • Patent number: 8321001
    Abstract: An electromedical implant, having a far-field electrocardiogram capturing unit for recording a far-field electrocardiogram signal, which is connected or can be connected to at least two electrodes for recording electric signals reflecting the curve of the far-field electrocardiogram of the right and left atria, a detection unit, which is designed to detect signal features characterizing atrial cardiac actions in an electrocardiogram signal, an averaging unit, which is connected to the recording unit and the detection unit and designed to generate an averaged P-wave signal in that the averaging unit averages a plurality of signal sections of the electrocardiogram signal associated with a particular detected atrial cardiac action, and an evaluation unit, which is connected to the averaging unit and designed to determine the duration of an averaged P-wave in the particular averaged P-wave signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Biotronik CRM Patent AG
    Inventor: Thomas Doerr
  • Patent number: 8311621
    Abstract: A device for judging a degree of awakening and a method for judging a degree of awakening which can more reliably detect weak sleepiness of people in action. The device for judging a degree of awakening in accordance with the present invention comprises a heartbeat sensor for acquiring a heartbeat signal from a driver and an ECU for detecting sleepiness of the driver by processing the heartbeat signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 8271072
    Abstract: A method comprises monitoring a heart rate, a respiration rate and an activity level of a patient, comparing the monitored heart rate, respiration rate and activity level to a predetermined threshold zone which is a function of heart rate, respiration rate and activity level, determining the patient is experiencing worsening heart failure when the monitored heart rate, respiration rate and activity level are outside the predetermined threshold zone; and after determining the patient is experiencing worsening heart failure when the monitored heart rate, respiration rate and activity level are outside the predetermined threshold zone, issuing an alert to indicate that the patient is experiencing worsening heart failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P M Houben, Roger Kessels
  • Patent number: 8265751
    Abstract: An implantable medical device controls an anti-tachyarrhythmia therapy by detecting a tachyarrhythmia episode from a cardiac signal and analyzing the detected tachyarrhythmia episode in a tachyarrhythmia detection and analysis process to determine whether the anti-tachyarrhythmia therapy needs to be delivered. The tachyarrhythmia detection and classification process includes detection of inhibitory events each indicating that the tachyarrhythmia episode is of a type not to be treated by the anti-tachyarrhythmia therapy or that the tachyarrhythmia episode is not sustaining. The detection of each of the inhibitory events causes the tachyarrhythmia detection and classification process to be restarted or extended, or the delivery of the anti-tachyarrhythmia therapy to be withheld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Yunlong Zhang, Jaeho Kim
  • Patent number: 8260410
    Abstract: A device for identifying the likelihood of a patient suffering a myocardial infarction comprises a heart rate monitor operative to generate an output indicative of the current heart rate of the patient, and memory means for storing heart rate data indicative of a heart rate of the patient at which angina has previously occurred. Electronic control means is provided and is operative to analyze both the output from the heart rate monitor and the heart rate data stored on the memory according to an algorithm so as to identify a change in the current heart rate indicative of an increased likelihood of the patient suffering myocardial infarction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Yuk-ki Wong
  • Patent number: 8260408
    Abstract: Post-exercise arrhythmias are detected by an implantable medical device. In some aspects, post-exercise arrhythmia may be prognostic of a worsening cardiovascular condition. Thus, the detection of post-exercise arrhythmia may be used as an indicator for adjusting the therapy prescribed for a patient. In some aspects post-exercise arrhythmia are detected if a patient is exercising at a level that equals or exceeds a threshold exercise level. In some aspects, therapy for a patient is modified if the detected post-exercise arrhythmia exceeds a threshold arrhythmia level. In some aspects therapy for a patient is modified if ischemia is detected in conjunction with post-exercise arrhythmia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventor: Eliot L. Ostrow