Abstract: A method for distinguishing between individual human subjects using plethysmographic waveforms. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: receiving a plurality of plethysmographic signals from different individuals; normalizing the signals to the same period length and mean; changing the basis of each of the plurality of signals to obtain its basis vectors and coefficients; reducing the number of coefficients for each signal in the plurality of signals; and calculating the covariance matrix and mean for each individual's set of normalized and dimensionally-reduced plethysmograph waveforms. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of taking the Mahalanobis distance between each new plethysmograph waveform that has also been normalized and dimensionally reduced and the stored models of all individuals. In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of finding the index of the stored model with the minimum Mahalanobis distance.

Abstract: High resolution full disclosure ECG data is transferred from a body sensor device to a handheld device via a wireless protocol. The handheld device transfers the full disclosure ECG data via a network to a center for analysis.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a therapeutic device for the delivery of therapeutic agents, e.g. a peptide such as leuprolide, via the vagina to a female mammal. In some embodiments, the invention also relates to methods for the treatment of obesity and eating disorders, diabetes, multiple sclerosis (MS), endometriosis, uterine fibroids, polycystic ovarian disease, various cancers such as breast cancer, acne, hirsutism, microbial or fungal or viral infections such as bacterial vaginosis or AIDS/HIV, and chronic diseases using a disclosed vaginal device.

Abstract: A wireless patient monitoring system. In one embodiment the system has a first patient monitoring subsystem including a plurality of sensors and sensor modules; and a processor-transceiver in communication with the plurality of sensors and sensor modules; and a first clinician display subsystem including a processor-transceiver. The processor-transceiver of the first clinician display subsystem broadcasts, on a first predetermined frequency, the frequency the processor-transceiver of the first clinician display subsystem will use to communicate with the processor-transceiver of the first patient monitoring subsystem. The processor-transceiver of the first patient monitoring subsystem then transmits and receives data on the frequency that the processor-transceiver of the first clinician display subsystem will use to communicate with the processor-transceiver of the first patient monitoring subsystem.

Abstract: An indicator for enabling an analytical instrument to positively detect the presence of a vial in respective vial-receiving rack position regardless of whether the vial is oriented in a manner necessary for a code reader to read a code printed on the vial. Translation of a leaf spring upon insertion of a vial into a rack position causes a flag to obscure a code provided adjacent the rack position. An instrument into which the rack is installed interprets the failure of the code reader to detect this code as positive indication that a vial is disposed within the respective rack position.

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.

Abstract: A central server controls the receipt and analysis of patient medical data and patient information. The central server receives patient medical data and patient information from a sensor or a remote computer. A storage system of the central server stores the received patient medical data, patient information, and the associated medical report prepared by the analysis software on the central server after analysis of the patient medical data. The medical report associated with the patient medical data is transmitted from the central server to the remote computer. Also, a method controls the acquisition and analysis of patient medical data over a network by a central server from a remote computer operably interconnected by the network with the central server.

Abstract: A magnetic field tolerant amplifier having an amplifier stage, a differential to single-ended output amplifier stage and a first and second delay line. In another embodiment the invention relates to a magnetic gradient cancellation delay line including two coils connected in series at a junction and non-inductively wound to cancel induced currents from magnetic gradient. In another embodiment the invention relates to a patient lead including a flexible circuit substrate having a flexible conductor having distributed impedance. In still yet another embodiment the invention relates to a wireless transceiver system including an RF cancellation delay line; a differential amplifier stage; a differential to single ended output amplifier stage; an A/D converter; an RF transceiver and an antenna.

Abstract: High resolution full disclosure ECG data is transferred from a body sensor device to a handheld device via a wireless protocol. The handheld device transfers the full disclosure ECG data via a cellular network to a data center for analysis. A monitoring center communicating with the data center facilitates technician and physician review and interactions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a therapeutic device for the delivery of therapeutic agents, e.g. a peptide such as leuprolide, via the vagina to a female mammal. In some embodiments, the invention also relates to methods for the treatment of obesity and eating disorders, diabetes, multiple sclerosis (MS), endometriosis, uterine fibroids, polycystic ovarian disease, various cancers such as breast cancer, acne, hirsutism, microbial or fungal or viral infections such as bacterial vaginosis or AIDS/HIV, and chronic diseases using a disclosed vaginal device.

Abstract: Electrocardiogram data is received in association with a subject, the electrocardiogram data comprising a series of RR intervals and a series of QT intervals. A first value which indicates an amount by which uncertainty associated with the QT intervals is reduced given the RR intervals is generated. A second value which indicates an amount by which uncertainty associated with the RR intervals is reduced given the QT intervals is generated. The subject is determined to be associated with a low risk of cardiac dysfunction responsive to the first value exceeding the second value and a result of the determination is provided.

Abstract: A positioning device is provided for positioning pipettes in medical-technical applications including at least one pipetting apparatus with at least one pipette as well as several drive units for positioning a pipette tip and for moving it over a working area and transversely to a working area, a sliding carriage that is moveable transversely to the working area supports the pipette, at least one pump drive with at least one pump and at least one pump chamber is provided for aspirating or dispensing a medium, such that by providing the at least one pump drive with pump and at least one pump chamber integrated in the sliding carriage that is moveable transversely to the working area, the design of the positioning device becomes compact and precise pipetting is achieved.

Abstract: A system and method for triggering an external device in response to an electrocardiogram signal. In one embodiment the method includes determining a peak in the electrocardiogram signal, determining if the electrocardiogram signal is rising or falling at the peak in the signal and triggering a device in response to the rising or falling peak. In one embodiment of the invention an external trigger signal is produced only a rising peak is detected. In one embodiment, the system includes a microprocessor, a peak detector and a trigger circuit. The trigger circuit outputs a trigger signal to an external device when signaled by the peak detector and not inhibited by a signal from the microprocessor.

Abstract: The device and the method are used for optical detection of at least one phase transition between at least two media, which are taken into a line and/or dispensed from the line by an intake and/or dispensing device. A light-emitting transmitter emits light across and onto the line at a measurement point provided for this purpose. A receiver receives the emitted light, which is influenced by media in the line, to form reception signals. At least one waveguide, which is arranged up to the measurement point on the probe, is provided between the transmitter and/or the receiver and the measurement point (M). Due to the fact that the waveguide is arranged in parallel to the line at least in the area near the probe and at least one deflection lens is provided in the area of the measurement point to deflect the light emitted and/or the light to be detected, a phase boundary or state can be detected, and the dead volume is reduced.

Abstract: An indicator for enabling an analytical instrument to positively detect the presence of a vial in respective vial-receiving rack position regardless of whether the vial is oriented in a manner necessary for a code reader to read a code printed on the vial. Translation of a leaf spring upon insertion of a vial into a rack position causes a flag to obscure a code provided adjacent the rack position. An instrument into which the rack is installed interprets the failure of the code reader to detect this code as positive indication that a vial is disposed within the respective rack position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for determining the impedance of an electrode at the electrode-body interface. The electrode-body impedance of one of the electrodes may be calculated using the voltage difference between that electrode and a plurality of other electrodes, and the voltage and impedance of an alternating current generator in communication with the electrodes.

Abstract: A system and a method of the interaction and preservation of two or more reagents used in a chemical reaction is described, in which the reagents are put in contact one with another only when a buffer (A) carrying a sample to be treated with said reagents breaks a partition barrier (4, 14) placed between two containers belonging to a device comprising a first upper container (2, 12) and a second lower container (3, 13) of a test tube (1), the bottom wall of the first container (2, 12) forming said partition barrier (4, 14) able to be perforated by the buffer (A) carrying the sample to be treated.

Abstract: A magnetic field tolerant amplifier having an amplifier stage, a differential to single-ended output amplifier stage and a first and second delay line. In another embodiment the invention relates to a magnetic gradient cancellation delay line including two coils connected in series at a junction and non-inductively wound to cancel induced currents from magnetic gradient. In another embodiment the invention relates to a patient lead including a flexible circuit substrate having a flexible conductor having distributed impedance. In still yet another embodiment the invention relates to a wireless transceiver system including an RF cancellation delay line; a differential amplifier stage; a differential to single ended output amplifier stage; an A/D converter; an RF transceiver and an antenna.

Abstract: A method of coating a endovascular device that includes coating of a tubular body's surface by at least a thin layer (s) of a inert and biocompatible titanium based material. This method is performed by the following steps in succession: Deposition of a first Titanium layer (21). First nitrogen treatment of said first titanium layer (21) by transmission of high ionic currents on the substrate (Closed Field UnBalanced Magnetron Sputter Ion Plating) to obtain the transformation of at least a part of said first titanium layer (21) in a first layer of titanium nitride ceramic coating (210). Deposition on this said first layer of titanium nitride ceramic coating (210) of a second titanium layer (22). Second nitrogen treatment of said second titanium layer (22) by transmission of high ionic currents on the substrate (Closed Field UnBalanced Magnetron Sputter Ion Plating) to obtain the transformation of at least a part of said second titanium layer (22) in a second layer of titanium nitride ceramic coating (220).