Abstract: Provided is a system and method for analyzing respiratory tract sounds. Sound transducers are fixed on the skin over the thorax that generates signals indicative of pressure waves at the location of the transducer. Processing of the signals involves performing an event search in the signals and determining event parameters for events detected in the search.

Abstract: A method and system are presented for use in monitoring a subject's heart conditions such as ejection fraction and cardiac synchrony. For determination of the ejection fraction, ECG measured data is processed. This ECG measured data comprises a first measured data portion indicative of a first time profile of an electrical signal measured on a planar pair of electrodes applied on a patient during a measurement session and a second measured data portion indicative a second time profile of an electrical signal measured on a diagonal pair of electrodes applied to said patient during said measurement session. The processing comprises comparing the first and second data portions to identify a time shift between a predetermined event in the first and second time profiles.

Abstract: The invention provides a microphone matrix for recording body sounds, such as respiratory tract sounds. The matrix has a frame having one or more recesses or openings on one of its surfaces. A microphone assembly is disposed in each recess or opening in the frame. When a body portion is applied to the matrix, each microphone assembly moves from an extended, spring biased position in which at least a portion of the microphone assembly protrudes beyond the surface of the frame towards a retracted position in which the microphone assembly is deeper inside the recess.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing sounds originating in at least a portion of an individual's cardiovascular system. N transducers, where N is an integer, are fixed on a surface of the individual over the thorax. The ith transducer is fixed at a location xi and generates an initial signal P(xi,i) indicative of pressure waves at the location xi, for i=1 to N. the signals P(xi,t) are processed so as to generate filtered signals in which at least one component of the signals P(xi,t)not arising from cardiovascular sounds has been removed. The filtered signals may be used for generating an image of the at least portion of the cardiovascular system.

Abstract: A system and computer implemented method for operating a respiratory ventilator ventilating a subject. One or more body signals obtained from the subject indicative of the subject's ventilation are analyzed so as to perform a spirometric assessment of the ventilation. It is then determined whether the spirometric assessment satisfactorily conforms to one or more predetermined spirometric standards. If the spirometric assessment does not satisfactorily conform to the spirometric standard, the operating parameters of the ventilator are adjusted. The invention also provides a system for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A system and method for tissue differentiation. In the method, M acoustic signals si(t), i=1 to M, are obtained from M locations on a body surface. The N signals are subjected to band pass filtering using N band-pass filters, so as to generate NXM signals sij(t), i=1 to M, j=1 to N. K images I1 to IK, where K?N, are then generated using the signals sij(t), i=1 to M, j=1 to N. The pixels are divided into a predetermined number L of categories Cl, l from 1 to L, using the images I1 to IK. For each category Cl, l from 1 to L, and for each pixel p(x,y), A probability pl of assigning the pixel p(x,y) to the category Cl is determined. An image may then be generated using the probabilities pl.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel non-invasive, bedside system and method to monitor parameters associated lung changes. A novel approach for monitoring the operation of the respiratory system of a subject is provided. There is also provided a method for objectively evaluating the benefit of one mode of ventilation over another, and for assessing the differences in regional lung vibration during different modes of mechanical ventilation. The method comprises recording one or more signals from the subject, the signal varying in time according to operation of the respiratory system; and; processing the recorded signals to obtain a predetermined functional thereof presenting one or more time-varying energy functions of the subject, an abnormality in the one or more energy functions being indicative of a suspected abnormality in the operation of the respiratory system.

Abstract: A method and system for regional assessment in two or more regions of an individual's lungs. The system includes a plurality of transducers configured to be fixed over the thorax. Each transducer generates a signal P(xi,t) indicative of pressure waves at the location of the transducer. The transducers are divided into subsets, where each subset overlies a specific region of the two or more regions. An energy assessment signal is calculated from each of the signals P(xi,t). For each region, an assessment of the region is calculated from the energy assessment signals of the region.

Abstract: A method for determining airflow in a portion of a respiratory tract comprising determining a total acoustic energy in a region of a body surface overlying the portion of the respiratory tract. The airflow may be integrated over a time interval in order to determine an air volume that has flowed in the portion of the respiratory tract during the time interval. A graph of the flow rate as a function of the volume may be displayed and analyzed as in spirometry. The invention also provides a system for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing respiratory tract sounds in an individual. A plurality of N transducers are fixed over the thorax. The ith transducer is fixed at a location xi, and generates a signal P(xi,t) indicative of pressure waves at the location xi, for i=1 to N. A processor receives the signals P(xi,t) and determines an average acoustic energy {tilde over (P)}(x,t1,t2) at at least one position x over a time interval where {tilde over (P)}is determined in an algorithm involving at least one of the signals P(xi,t).