Abstract: A method of displaying a representation of a physiological signal produced by a patient. The method includes the acts of obtaining a portion of at least one physiological signal acquired from the patient, determining an area to display, and constructing a virtual image representing at least a portion of the patient. The virtual image including (M) polygonal areas. The method further includes transforming the obtained signal to a plurality of values, assigning each value to one of the (M) polygonal areas, assigning a visual characteristic to each polygonal area based in part on the assigned values, and displaying at least a portion of the virtual image including the assigned visual characteristics. The invention further provides a method of optimal feature selection for the classification of the physiological signals produced by a patient.

Abstract: A medical testing system has an instrument for monitoring a characteristic of a patient and an illuminating component for illuminating the instrument. The instrument includes a component for selectively activating and deactivating the illuminating component and a deactivating component for automatically deactivating the illuminating component, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

Abstract: Image data is compressed by decomposing the image data into a plurality of resolutions or sized by wavelet decomposition, followed by compression of the resulting data sets. Adaptive Huffman code compression is optimized for compressing the data sets, predictive errors for a low frequency band and the wavelet transformed values for high frequency bands. The image data is thus compressed losslessly and in multiple resolutions such that desired resolution images can be reconstructed and transmitted in accordance with available-bandwidth and viewing capabilities.

Abstract: Various designs and features of an ambulatory transceiver and ECG lead set are disclosed for use in remote patient monitoring. One feature involves the use of unshielded, dual-conductor lead wires in which one conductor carries the patient's ECG signal and the other conductor provides an RF antenna element for the transceiver. The lead wires used in one embodiment provide improved flexibility, durability, and antenna performance over conventional lead sets with shielded wires. Another feature involves an antenna diversity scheme in which the transceiver switches between two or more ECG-lead antennas, each of which is formed from one or more ECG leads of the lead set. Another feature involves the use of a circuit within the transceiver to monitor, and dynamically compensate for changes in, the impedance of an ECG-lead antenna or a conductor thereof. Another feature is an improved circuit for protecting the transceiver from damage caused by defibrillation pulses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pneumatic control of a blood pressure determination are disclosed. The method and apparatus comprise an inflatable cuff for obtaining a blood pressure measurement from a patient, a hose configured to operate with a pressurizing apparatus for providing pressurization of the inflatable cuff, the hose including a patient end and a non-patient end. In addition the method and apparatus comprise a pneumatic switch coupled to the inflatable cuff near the patient end of the hose.

Abstract: A method and system for eliminating artifacts in an oscillation envelope are disclosed. The method and system comprise evaluating conformance of the oscillometric envelope blood pressure data with a predetermined expected pattern and excluding one or more data points of the oscillometric envelope blood pressure data based on non-conformance with the expected pattern. The expected pattern is based upon generally known physiological principles relating to oscillometric envelopes, a curve fit representing an oscillometric envelope from a previous determination, or other types of criteria.

Abstract: A method for displaying waveform data on a display device is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes apportioning a display region into a first portion and a second portion immediately adjacent to the first portion. The first portion is used to display a first segment of the waveform data including the most recently received data extending back to a determined delay period. The second portion is used to display a second segment of the waveform data, the second segment including the remainder of the waveform data. The data displayed in the first portion has a continuously varying amplitude level adjustment applied thereto for partial baseline correction thereof, while the data displayed in the second portion has a corrected baseline amplitude adjustment with no further amplitude level adjustment applied thereto.

Abstract: A method and system for three-dimensional (3D) volumetric navigation supporting radiological readings in two-dimensional (2D) medical image display systems. Reformatted 3D medical image data such as magnetic resonance (MR) data is linked to raw and formatted 2D image data such as computed tomography (CT) data. An automatic synchronized navigation through entire linked 3D and 2D data sets is provided.

Abstract: A method and system for linking position location information between two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) software applications for viewing diagnostic medical images. The position location information is integrated between 2D and 3D viewing paradigms. This integration provides bidirectional communication between the 2D and 3D viewing paradigm systems. The 3D cursor allows for immediate synchronized navigation through different image sets such as 3D magnetic resonance (MR) images and 2D computed tomography (CT) images while they are being simultaneously viewed on the two different viewing applications.

Abstract: A network based medical telemetry system that uses, to the greatest extent possible, standard hardware and software components. The system allows clinicians using computers anywhere in a large hospital to view physiologic data from patients of the hospital. Each patient is fitted with a set of sensors that measure physiologic properties of the patient (e.g., EKG sensors). The sensors are connected to a transmitter that relays the physiologic data to a central server. The central server comprises a WEB server that supplies basic patient data such as the patient's name and medical history. The central server also comprises a waveform server which supplies the physiologic data, in real-time or near real-time. Workstation, used by a clinician receives the basic patient data from the Web server and the physiologic data from the waveform server, and produces a combined display. The combined display is continuously updated, showing, for example, the patient's EKG.

Abstract: A medical testing system includes an instrument for monitoring the electrical activity of a patient's heart. The instrument includes a work surface and an illuminating component for illuminating the work surface.

Abstract: A tri-mode telemetry system useful for monitoring patients in a care unit of a health care facility. The system includes an antenna system with a first antenna tuned to receive a signal in a first communication band, a second antenna tuned to receive a signal in a second communication band, a third antenna tuned to receive data signals, a down converter for producing a frequency translation signal, and a mixer coupled to the second antenna. The mixer combines the signal received by the second antenna with the frequency translation signal to produce a signal having a frequency in the first communication band. A combiner coupled to the mixer and the first antenna combines the signal generated by the mixer with the signal received by the first antenna. The combined signals and data signals are delivered to a wiring system.

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 for determining respiration rate in a patient can include various parts. The respiration rate can be determined by measuring the heart's S2 split. The S2 split can be identified by observing the timing of the heart sounds. Other respiration related information, such as respiration phase and the occurrence of apnea, can be identified as well. A respiration monitor of this type may be useful for monitoring sub-acute patients, and outpatients. A sensor for the respiration monitor and an electrode for an ECG monitor may be combined into a single probe.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system comprises a non-invasive cardiac output sensor and a patient monitor console. The non-invasive cardiac output sensor is capable of acquiring a signal from a patient indicative of blood flow through a heart of the patient. The patient monitor console includes an analysis module and a display. The analysis module is coupled to the non-invasive cardiac output sensor and processes the signal from the patient indicative of blood flow to produce a value pertaining to cardiac output. The display is coupled to the analysis module and displays the value pertaining to cardiac output.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system has a patient monitor with a screen and mainstream gas input connector configured to receive a mainstream gas concentration signal from a mainstream gas analyzer. A sidestream gas analyzer has an output connector and is configured to transmit a sidestream gas concentration signal via the output connector. The patient monitor receives the sidestream gas concentration signal via the mainstream gas input connector for display on the screen.

Abstract: Heater duty cycle (the active pressure control circuit) in recondensing superconducting magnet systems is monitored to determine total thermal system performance, to minimize non-zero boil-off operation, and to reduce maintenance costs. Undesirable conditions, such as a degrading cold head, plumbing leaks, and so forth, may be detected earlier by monitoring heater duty cycle. Appropriate service intervals may be determined and cryogen or helium losses may be reduced. The technique provides earliest possible identification of failures related to such variables, as well as, facilitates isolation of the root cause of the problem. Monitoring of heater duty cycle (energization time) offers advantages over the traditional approach of monitoring or alarming on low level in the cryogen (helium) vessel. The technique may provide for relying on observation of the effects of reduced cooling capacity, such as abnormal heater duty cycle, early enough in the failure cycle to prevent helium loss and equipment damage.

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 method and apparatus for pneumatic control of a blood pressure determination are disclosed. The method and apparatus comprise an inflatable cuff for obtaining a blood pressure measurement from a patient, a hose configured to operate with a pressurizing apparatus for providing pressurization of the inflatable cuff, the hose including a patient end and a non-patient end. In addition the method and apparatus comprise a pneumatic switch coupled to the inflatable cuff near the patient end of the hose.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system has a patient monitor with a screen and mainstream gas input connector configured to receive a mainstream gas concentration signal from a mainstream gas analyzer. A sidestream gas analyzer has an output connector and is configured to transmit a sidestream gas concentration signal via the output connector. The patient monitor receives the sidestream gas concentration signal via the mainstream gas input connector for display on the screen.