Abstract: A bag holder for supporting bags and to aid in filling the bags with debris comprises a base, a standard extending from the base, and a Support attachable to the standard. The base, standard and support may be disassembled into a compact form. The support is removable from the standard and includes a handle by which a user may exert control. A bag is supported by the support via frictional engagement therewith. This configuration protects the mouth of the bag from coarse debris entering therein and from lawn and garden implements used to fill the bag. A portion of the support which contacts the ground is structured aid configured to conform to the surface of the ground when downward pressure is exerted against the support. The support comprises a cylindrical peripheral wall which is expandable and contractible to engage and disengage the inner surface of the mouth of a plastic bag.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a reliable power supply for a personal health monitor that operates on power provided by a first power source or a second power source and that includes an isolation relay that disconnects the personal health monitor from the first power source in the absence of a supply of power. A controller provides that the personal health monitor is started from the second power source and thereafter connected to the first power source and operated for a first set of one or more activities, disconnected from the first power source and operated from the second power source for a second set of one or more activities, and, upon the condition of a disruption of the first power source, one or more components of the personal health monitor are disconnected from the second power source, and the isolation relay is supported by the second power source to enable the personal health monitor to be restarted from the first power source.

Abstract: In a personal health monitor that includes one or more cables for connection to a patient information about whose clinical condition the personal health monitor can monitor, an improvement for the storage of one or more cables. The improvement includes a spool with a shank portion about which a cable can be wound and a head portion at the end of the shank portion and larger in dimension than the shank portion so as to retain the cable on the shank portion whereby tangling of the cable can be prevented. In an aspect of a further embodiment, a fastener on the head portion secures an end of the cable when not in use thereby preventing tangling. Additionally, in an aspect of a still further embodiment, the spool can be mounted on a bracket that is removably secured to the inside of a compartment door which when open represents the spool with its cable for use by the patient.

Abstract: A personal health monitor includes sensors for measuring patient weight, temperature, blood pressure, and ECG waveform. The monitor is coupled to a central unit via modems and includes a computer which is programmed to prompt a patient to take prescribed medication at prescribed times, to use the sensors to measure prescribed health parameters, and to supply answers to selected questions. Medication compliance information, test results, and patient answers are compiled in a composite log which is automatically transmitted to the central unit. The computer is also programmed automatically to disconnect the monitor from an alternating current power source and to rely on internal battery power during certain periods of patient-monitor interaction, such as during use of the ECG module. In this way, danger to the patient and complexity of the ECG module are minimized.