Abstract: A method for organizing and using a statement library and generating clinical reports is disclosed. The method disclosed may include accessing a first medical statement from a statement library the first medical statement including a first grammatical characteristic identifier. The method may also include accessing a second medical statement from the statement library the second medical statement including a second grammatical characteristic identifier. Further, the method may include identifying the grammatical characteristics of the first and second medical statements and assembling the first medical statement with the second medical statement according to the grammatical characteristics of the first medical statement and the second medical statement, into a text block.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for acquiring and displaying physiological patient data wherein the amplitude of the data is represented in color.

Abstract: An antenna is integrated into the handle of a portable patient monitor or other portable medical diagnostic instrument to enable wireless communication with a central station. The handle is made of a rugged plastic material, e.g., polycarbonate, which protects the antennae against damage. In addition, the plastic material used in the handle does not negatively impact RF transmissions to and from the antenna. The antenna is supported in a pair of slots formed in respective ribs of a molded piece forming a part of the handle.

Abstract: A connector cable assembly having an end adapted to be connected to a device. The connector cable assembly includes a connector at the end of the connector cable, a wire electrically connected to the connector, an insulating cover at least partially surrounding the wire, an overmolding at least partially surrounding a portion of the insulating cover, a seal portion adjacent the overmolding, and a clip positionable over at least a portion of the overmolding. The clip includes an engaging member for securing the clip and the connector to the device. Preferably, the overmolding is made from a thermoplastic material that at least partially surrounds the connector. It is also preferred that the seal portion is integral with the overmolding. The invention also provides a method of connecting a connector cable to a device having a housing defining an opening and having therein a socket.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining A, C, and V waves in an atrial pressure waveform. The method includes the acts of establishing a time reference based on R waves in an ECG. A first interval in the an atrial pressure waveform between a first point offset ahead of a first R wave and a second point offset behind the first R wave is determined. The highest peak within the first interval is then identified. This peak is the A wave. Once the A wave is identified, a second R wave in the ECG, ahead of the first R wave, is identified. A second interval in the atrial pressure waveform that extends from the second point to a third point is established. The third point is positioned at a distance ahead of the second point equal to a percentage of the interval from the second point to a location behind the second R wave. The highest peak in the second interval is the V wave. After identifying the V wave, a third interval in the atrial pressure waveform is established.

Abstract: A fetal electrode assembly including a housing having a first opening for receiving a first connector and a second opening for receiving a second connector. The second connector is a snap connector of an electrode mounted on a mother's body. A support is disposed within the housing and has an access opening communicating with the second opening. A contact is mounted on the support opposite the second opening. The contact includes a pair of spaced, resilient members adapted to resiliently engage and make electrical contact with the snap connector. In one aspect of the invention, the contact is bent to define a pair of parallel spaced apart legs, one end of each of the legs being interconnected by a resilient loop portion, the other ends of the legs being free.

Abstract: A connector assembly for a fetal scalp electrode for use in monitoring fetal heart rate. The connector assembly is used in conjunction with a fetal monitor coupling device and includes a holder formed of an insulating material and a fetal electrode and a maternal electrode secured to the holder. Each wire of an insulated pair of elongated flexible wires is electrically connected to a respective one of the fetal and maternal electrodes. The connector assembly further includes a connector having a pin contact electrically connected to one of the wires and a cylindrical contact electrically connected to the other of the wires. The cylindrical contact is mounted coaxially with the pin contact so that the contacts are electrically isolated from each other and are positioned to make electrical contact with complementary contacts in the coupling device. The connector assembly also preferably includes an elongated tubular sheath that covers the connector and is sized to be received in the coupling device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that separates an interference signal from a sampled input signal is provided. The method and apparatus approximates the frequency, phase and amplitude of the interference signal through an optional reverse direction learning process and then separates that portion of the interference signal overlapped or combined with a sample of the input signal. The signals can be separated by generating a second signal of suitable approximation in frequency, amplitude and phase with the interference signal and then subtracting a sample of that signal from the sampled input signal. The second signal frequency and amplitude/phase may be derived through an iterative process that measures the amplitude of the interference signal and the phase angle between the second signal and an output signal and then adjusts the frequency and amplitude of the second signal based, in part, on these measurements until the second signal substantially matches the interference signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining A, C, and V waves in an atrial pressure waveform. The method includes the acts of establishing a time reference based on R waves in an ECG. A first interval in the an atrial pressure waveform between a first point offset ahead of a first R wave and a second point offset behind the first R wave is determined. The highest peak within the first interval is then identified. This peak is the A wave. Once the A wave is identified, a second R wave in the ECG, ahead of the first R wave, is identified. A second interval in the atrial pressure waveform that extends from the second point to a third point is established. The third point is positioned at a distance ahead of the second point equal to a percentage of the interval from the second point to a location behind the second R wave. The highest peak in the second interval is the V wave. After identifying the V wave, a third interval in the atrial pressure waveform is established.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of calibrating a video monitor relative to an external object is claimed. A video representation of an object is displayed on a video monitor. An external object is placed adjacent the monitor. The size of the video representation of the object is changed to substantially match of the size of at least a portion of the external object.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system for acquiring a physiological waveform, and a method of detecting the presence of pacemaker pulses in same. The patient monitoring system includes an input circuit for acquiring an analog ECG, an analog pace detection circuit connected to the input amplifier for generating analog pacemaker pulse markers and energy measures from analog ECG, a digital ECG processing circuit for providing a digitized output of the analog ECG, and software for analyzing the digitized output to establish digital pace detection markers, and for comparing the analog pacemaker pulse markers and energy measures to the digital pace detection markers to eliminate erroneously detected pacemaker pulses.

Abstract: A maternal blood pressure measuring method including the steps of periodically initiating a maternal blood pressure measurement, sensing uterine activity, preventing the initiation or continuation of a blood pressure measurement during uterine contraction, initiating a blood pressure measurement upon the cessation of uterine contractions and a processor programmed to perform these functions.

Abstract: A fetal electrode assembly for use in monitoring fetal heart rate and used in conjunction with a fetal monitor coupling device supported on the mother's body. The assembly including fetal and maternal electrodes secured to an insulating holder, a connector dimensioned and shaped to be received in an opening in a coupling device housing and having first and second contacts separated and electrically isolated from each other and positioned to make electrical contact with complementary contact members in the coupling device. An insulated pair of elongated flexible wires, each electrically connecting a respective one of the first and second contacts to a respective one of the fetal and maternal electrodes. An elongate tubular sheath covers the connector and has a first open end extending over and receiving the ends of the pair of flexible wires, the opposite end of the sheath being spaced from each of the electrodes.