Abstract: A computer-equipped mobility device for transporting an occupant of the device over a distance and for providing access to a network comprises a personal mobility device and a computer. The computer is coupled to the personal mobility device and is configured to link to the network as well as to engage in two-way communication with the network. The occupant of the computer-equipped mobility device can operate the computer while operating the personal mobility device.

Abstract: A method and system for determining when to make a reversion to smaller cuff pressure steps during an oscillometric blood pressure measurement is disclosed. The method and system comprise comparing conformance of oscillometric envelope blood pressure data with previous blood pressure data, including measuring a shift between the oscillometric envelope blood pressure data and an oscillometric envelope derived from the previous blood pressure data. In addition, the method and system include making a reversion decision based on whether the shift exceeds an allowable threshold. Once a reversion decision is made a subsequent decision may be made as to the need for increasing the cuff pressure level.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for displaying alternans data of an electrocardiogram signal having a plurality of odd beats and a plurality of even beats. The method can include calculating an odd median complex for at least one of the plurality of odd beats, the odd median complex having a plurality of odd data points; calculating an even median complex for at least one of the plurality of even beats, the even median complex having a plurality of even data points; comparing the plurality of odd data points with the plurality of even data points to generate a plurality of difference data points; assigning each one of the plurality of difference data points a color corresponding to an amplitude; displaying the plurality of difference data points as a difference curve; and displaying a plurality of difference curves in a temporal alignment.

Abstract: A technique is provided for encoding physiological data, such as a digital ECG, as a set of high-resolution symbols. The set of high-resolution symbols may be printed on a printout of the physiological data or other suitable medium. The set of high-resolution symbols may scanned, or otherwise acquired, and decoded to reconstruct all or a portion of the original set of physiological data.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a correlation between sleep apnea and sudden cardiac death. One embodiment of the method can include predicting sudden cardiac death in a patient being monitored for sleep apnea by acquiring respiration data and electrocardiogram data from the patient and analyzing the respiration data and the electrocardiogram data to determine a correlation between sleep apnea and sudden cardiac death.

Abstract: A wireless local area network (WLAN) system comprises multiple access points that are distributed throughout a medical facility to provide wireless access to a hardwired network. The access points implement multiple WLAN protocols, including a realtime protocol for realtime patient monitoring (telemetry) and a standard WLAN protocol (such as IEEE 802.11 within an ISM band) for providing general-purpose wireless access. Some or all of the access points preferably implement both WLAN protocols such that the different WLANs and wireless device types share network access resources. Some or all of the access points may also include RF location-tracking modules which may be used to track locations of patients, hospital personnel, capital equipment, and/or disposable medical supplies.

Abstract: A wireless local area network (WLAN) system comprises multiple access points that are distributed throughout a medical facility to provide wireless access to a hardwired network. The access points implement multiple WLAN protocols, including a realtime protocol for realtime patient monitoring (telemetry) and a standard WLAN protocol (such as IEEE 802.11 within an ISM band) for providing general-purpose wireless access. Some or all of the access points preferably implement both WLAN protocols such that the different WLANs and wireless device types share network access resources. Some or all of the access points may also include RF location-tracking modules which may be used to track locations of patients, hospital personnel, capital equipment, and/or disposable medical supplies.

Abstract: A workstation including a memory management scheme is disclosed herein. The memory management scheme permits a large number of files to be open on the workstation. The memory management scheme includes a prioritization scheme such that the least relevant files are unloaded from the workstation memory when space is needed to download newly opened files. The memory management scheme further includes saving settings of files unloaded from the workstation memory so that they can be reloaded when needed, with a user perceiving the unloaded files as being continually open.

Abstract: A method for updating information about a subject of interest is disclosed. The method comprises assigning the subject a unique signal which signal is physically associated with the subject, identifying the unique signal, and displaying information related to the subject assigned to the unique signal soon after the signal is identified. The method is preferably used in a hospital setting. Also disclosed is a device, a system, and a control program for use in updating information. The device comprises a control logic responsive to an external stimulus, a wireless signal detection unit, and a display unit that displays information about a subject that has been identified. The control program is used with a wireless detector and comprises a feature that controls display, a feature that identifies a signal associated with a subject, and a feature that displays information in response to the identification feature. Security features can also be incorporated.

Abstract: A system and a method for noninvasive ECG detection and diagnosis. The system comprises a multiplicity of electrodes applied to a patient, a data acquisition system for acquiring high-resolution ECG data from the patient; and a processor programmed to process the acquired data in accordance with two or more different ECG analysis algorithms, and then derive a prediction score for a particular clinical end point as a function of the respective results of those ECG analysis algorithms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for acquiring and processing electrical signals produced by a patient's heart. The apparatus includes fewer than ten electrodes for attachment to the patient. Each electrode is attached in a respective one of the standard ten-electrode, twelve-lead ECG positions. The device includes a signal processor connected to the electrodes for acquiring electrical signals from the electrodes and generating a twelve-lead ECG from the electrical signals. The signal processor generates less than twelve of the leads mathematically. For the method of the invention, a plurality of less than ten electrodes are attached to the patient. Each electrode is attached in a respective one of the standard ten-electrode, twelve-lead ECG positions. Electrical signals are acquired from the electrodes and a twelve-lead ECG is generated from the acquired electrical signals. Not all twelve leads are generated mathematically.

Abstract: A data acquisition system can include an acquisition device and a receiving device. The acquisition device includes inputs that receive data from sensors connected to a subject, a wireless and/or a wired transmitter that transmits data received by the inputs, and a housing carrying at least some of the components of the acquisition device. The housing may be wearable by a patient. The acquisition device may be switchable between a tethered data transmission mode and an untethered data transmission mode. The receiving device includes a receiver that receives data transmitted by the acquisition device, and may include an output that outputs data to a host. The system may be configured to transmit data from the data acquisition device to the local monitor point-to-point. The system is particularly useful for monitoring high acuity patients that may or may not require ambulation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of correcting a data signal sampled at a first rate to a data signal displayed on a video monitor at a second rate is claimed. A data signal is received at a first rate. The data signal is separated into data windows. The minimum and maximum values and positions of data points in data windows are identified relative to a reference, and displayed on a video monitor.

Abstract: A method for parsing binary data is disclosed. The method includes receiving binary data and a parse request, the parse request calling for either a non-differenced parsing method or a differenced parsing method, invoking a parse tree and receiving a parse definition to parse the received binary data, parsing the binary data to define a value in accordance with the parse definition and calling a data builder to manage the value parsed. The value parsed is inserted into an updated data tree and an object is returned to the parse requestor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining alternans data of an ECG signal. The method can include determining at least one value representing at least one morphology feature of each beat of the ECG signal and generating a set of data points based on a total quantity of values and a total quantity of beats. The data points can each include a first value determined using a first mathematical function and a second value determined using a second mathematical function. The method can also include several preprocessing algorithms to improve the signal to noise ratio. The method can also include separating the data points into a first group of points and a second group of points and generating a feature map by plotting the first group of points and the second group of points in order to assess an alternans pattern of variation. The feature map can be analyzed by statistical tests to determine the significance difference between groups and clusters.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining alternans data of an ECG signal. The method can include determining at least one value representing at least one morphology feature of each beat of the ECG signal and generating a set of data points based on a total quantity of values and a total quantity of beats. The data points can each include a first value determined using a first mathematical function and a second value determined using a second mathematical function. The method can also include several preprocessing algorithms to improve the signal to noise ratio. The method can also include separating the data points into a first group of points and a second group of points and generating a feature map by plotting the first group of points and the second group of points in order to assess an alternans pattern of variation. The feature map can be analyzed by statistical tests to determine the significance difference between groups and clusters.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a subject can include acquiring data from the subject, and dynamically adjusting an alarm limit based on the data. The method can also comprise determining a first value that is typical for the subject for the characteristic being monitored, determining a second value for the characteristic being monitored, and generating a comparison based on the two values. The method could also comprise setting a threshold for a characteristic being monitored, and decreasing the alarm limit if the data crosses the threshold. The method could also include setting an extremity limit. The following methods can be applied to the monitoring of a healthcare patient, or other subjects of interest. Also, the values used in the monitoring of the subject can be configured to be transferable from one monitor to another.

Abstract: A technique for comparing pressure oscillations obtained during a blood pressure determination wherein two or more sets of matching criteria may be employed. The set of matching criteria to be employed is determined based on the heart rate variability or the presence of heart beat irregularities or arrhythmias as determined by an independent heart monitor, such as an ECG. The selected set of matching criteria may then be employed in determining the acceptability of the time interval between two oscillations and the equivalence of the two oscillations based upon one or more oscillation characteristics, such as peak amplitude. In this manner, non-consecutive oscillations may be matched and used in determining blood pressure.

Abstract: A system and a method for automatically detecting a new left bundle branch block (LBBB) in an ECG series and then issuing an alert for the purpose of accelerating treatment for acute myocardial infarction. A serial comparison program is used to compare each current ECG with a previous ECG for the same patient. Diagnostic statements, measurements and waveforms are compared and based on the comparisons, the system is able to automatically determine that the patient has a new LBBB. The system then automatically determines whether the patient belongs to the category of patients having a high probability of acute myocardial infarction. If acute myocardial infarction is suspected, the system generates a diagnostic statement stating that the new left bundle branch block may be due to acute myocardial infarction. The current ECG exhibiting a new LBBB is then identified with a special tag and sent to a central database server.

Abstract: A method and system for making pulse rate and blood pressure determinations is disclosed. The method and system comprise collecting oscillometric blood pressure data from pulses, determining individual quality values for feature measurements of the pulses, obtaining an overall quality assessment based on the individual quality values, repeating the collecting step until overall quality level is satisfied, and determining blood pressure and pulse rate using the individual quality values.