Abstract: A gait monitoring device for recording and assessing, with the use of a personal computer, the gait characteristics of one wearing the device, includes: (a) a transducer array for sensing the temporal variation in the vertical acceleration and angular velocity of the motion of the shank of a wearer, (b) an analog to digital converter for sampling the data sensed by the transducer array, (c) a microprocessor having embedded programmable memory, (d) a sampled data storage means, (e) firmware for controlling the operation of the microprocessor to sample the output of the transducer array at a prescribed time interval and to temporarily store the sampled data, (f) a USB interface that allows for the downloading of the stored data to the personal computer, and (g) software for controlling a personal computer in the analysis of the collected data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring and assessing the occurrences of a person's snoring activity. Being small and portable, the apparatus is easily attached to a subject and detects and quantifies the subject's snoring behavior. It automatically provides an immediate display of the average number of snores per hour (i.e., a “snore index”) and an indication of the sound intensity of these snores, which are measures of the subject's snoring activity.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for scoring the quality of sleep experienced by a subject wearing the apparatus for a specified period. This sleep monitoring apparatus includes a motion sensor that quantifies the temporal variation in the subject's motion, an analog to digital converter to sample the sensor data, a microprocessor with embedded programmable memory to store control and processing firmware, a memory device for data storage, a display means, and a switch for staring and resetting the device. The firmware for this apparatus: (i) directs the microprocessor to sample sensor output at a prescribed time interval and to temporarily store this data in the memory device, (ii) directs the microprocessor to analyze the temporarily stored data to compute a sleep score based on the magnitude of movements recorded during the monitoring period, and (iii) controls the operation of the display means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a device for counting the number of sleep disordered breathing events experienced by a subject within a specified time period.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for diagnosing of the medical condition of a fully ambulatory subject who exhibits temporal variations in various physiological parameters as a result of the subject's medical condition. The method comprises the steps of (1) locating a separate, self-contained, recording unit on a plurality of selected measurement sites of the subject, (2) using these units to collect sensor output data, (3) sampling this sensor output data at prescribed time intervals, (4) time stamping and storing this sampled data in recording, (5) transferring this data via a smart input/output interface device to an external computer, and (6) using the external computer with appropriate application software to analyze and diagnose the medical condition of the subject. A system of recording units is disclosed for an embodiment of the present invention directed at diagnosing subjects exhibiting sleep disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a device for evaluating a fully ambulatory subject for sleep apnea.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for monitoring and recording the position and extent of motion of the body of a human or a lower animal. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it comprises: (1) a three-dimensional-position monitoring, mercury sensor, (2) a programmable control unit that receives as input the output from the sensor and has the capability to sufficiently interpret said input so as to determine the position and related movements with respect to gravity of the measurement site at which said sensor is located on its user's body, (3) a storage device, operable by said control unit, that stores time-stamped, data regarding the user's body position and related movements, and (4) an interface device that has the capability of transferring the stored data to an external computer.