Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring a condition of a patient under anesthesia or sedation, whereupon one, two, three or more signals are acquired, and the signal(s) represent(s) cardiovascular and/or combined electrical biopotential on skull activity of the patient. From said signal or signals are derived or calculated at least two parameter values related to a quantity like waveform amplitude, waveform periodicity, waveform morphology, waveform variability, energy, power, signal complexity and frequency content. A predetermined mathematical index for probability of patient comfort is used, in which function said parameters are variables, and successively changing probability index values of said mathematical index is calculated.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for providing an indication suitable for assessing a physiological condition of a patient, at least two biosignals are obtained from the patient. The biosignals contain at least one common physiological data component, such as an EEG or EMG component. An analysis of each of the biosignals is carried out to obtain a complexity value for each of the biosignals. Or, the biosignals may be divided into their components and a complexity value is obtained for the biosignal components. Thereafter and on the basis of the complexity values, a complexity value indicative of at least one physiological data component present in the biosignals is selected and utilized to provide the physiological condition assessment indication of the patient.

Abstract: The invention seeks to provide a method and a system for identifying a dominant signal component in a biosignal including at least two signal components. A biosignal including a first signal component having a first frequency range and a second signal component having a second frequency range is obtained from a subject. First and second indicators are then determined, which characterize the probability distribution of a predefined property, such as frequency, of the biosignal on predetermined primary and auxiliary frequency bands, respectively. Based on the first and second indicators, the system detects which one of the first and second signal components is currently a dominant signal component in the biosignal. The knowledge of the dominant component may be utilized in different ways in different systems monitoring the state of the subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and arrangement for monitoring the state of the autonomous nervous system (ANS) of a patient. A first measurement signal is acquired from a patient, the first measurement signal representing a physiological signal measured from the patient. In order to enable real-time monitoring of the state of the ANS, a second measurement signal indicative of a respiration rhythm of the patient is acquired and at least one indicator signal is generated by means of the first and second measurement signals. The at least one indicator signal may then be used to obtain an indication of the state of the autonomous nervous system of the patient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ascertaining the cerebral state of a patient using generalized spectral entropy of the EEG signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional digital x-ray image by using digital x-ray images taken of the object from at least two different directions as input for a reconstruction algorithm. In the method, at least one of the images used as input is taken as a tomosynthetic slice image of a region of interest (5) in the object (3) of imaging.

Abstract: To monitor subcortical responsiveness of a patient at least one first measurement signal is acquired from a patient and at least one second measurement signal is derived from the at least one first measurement signal. The second measurement signal is indicative of pain-related activity in the patient. A predetermined stimulus signal is then supplied to the patient and a response caused by the stimulus signal in the at least one second measurement signal is monitored in synchronization with the supplying of the stimulus signal. Based on the monitoring step, an indicator of subcortical responsiveness is determined, the indicator being indicative of the patient's level of antinociception.

Abstract: The invention relates to monitoring of pain-related responses in a patient in order to detect the level of pain experienced by the patient. At least one first measurement signal is acquired from the patient and at least one of the signals is transformed into a normalized signal having a predetermined value range. Based on the at least one normalized signal obtained in this way, a threshold condition is set and a rate at which at least one second measurement signal fulfills the threshold condition is monitored, wherein each of the at least one second measurement signal is derivable from a corresponding normalized signal and indicative of pain-related activity in the patient. The level of pain experienced by the patient depends on the rate monitored.

Abstract: A mammography apparatus has a bracket having one of its arms fitted with an X-ray tube head. The X-ray tube head is formed of an X-ray tube for producing X-radiation and a collimator for collimating the X-radiation. The bracket arm opposite the X-ray tube head is fitted with an image forming element. The bracket is further provided with a compression means for compressing a breast during an imaging procedure. The image forming element has a digital full field detector. The mammography apparatus has integrable therewith a biopsy device with a biopsy needle. The detector required in a biopsy imaging process for imaging the volume space of biopsy is formed of a desired element of the full field detector. A needle guiding unit is provided for a guided movement of the biopsy needle in the volume space of biopsy on the basis of three-dimensional information compiled in the biopsy imaging process.

Abstract: This invention relates to a medical X-ray device arrangement for producing three-dimensional information of an object in a medical X-ray imaging, the medical X-ray device arrangement comprising an X-ray source for X-radiating the object from at least two different directions and a detector for detecting the X-radiation to form projection data of the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to monitoring the neurological state of a patient. In the method invention, both cortex- and subcortex-related biosignal data are obtained from the patient, the subcortex-related biosignal data including at least bioimpedance signal data. A first indicator is calculated based on the cortex-related biosignal data, the first indicator being indicative of cortical activity in the patient and a set of indicators is calculated based on the subcortex-related biosignal data indicative of subcortical activity in the patient, the set of indicators including at least a second indicator calculated based on the bioimpedance signal data. A composite indication is then produced based on the first indicator and on the set of indicators. The invention also concerns an apparatus and a sensor for monitoring the neurological state of the patient.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device 5 for aiming an object 1 in an X-ray imaging apparatus 3 provided with a radiographic imaging detector 4, a radiation source 13, and transfer means for moving e.g. the radiation source into different points along a predetermined path P. Said device comprises at least one laser 6 emitting visible light, and e.g. at least two light guides having first ends and second ends, said first ends connected to said laser for receiving said visible light. Each of said second ends 8a, 8b, 8c provides a light beam, and these light beams 7a, 7b, 7c are directed towards said imaging detector with an angle of convergence K. The light beams are adjusted to intersect in a predetermined focus FL point, which is visible and indicates the proper position of the target 2 inside the object.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and a system for measuring non-invasively a blood pressure of a patient. The method comprises the steps of: determining (1603) a mechanical heart beat starting time point from an impedance cardiogram signal, detecting (1605) a heart beat pulse arrival time at a peripheral site of the patient, calculating (1607) a pulse wave transit time from the heart to the peripheral site by utilizing said mechanical starting point of the heart beat and said heart beat pulse arrival time, calculating (1609) an estimate of the blood pressure of the patient from said pulse wave transit time.

Abstract: A system for selectively collecting location information in a tracking environment includes a first energy signal identification badge for detecting trigger signals and transmitting identification data signals indicating existence of a proximity condition between the first badge and a source of the trigger signals. The trigger source transmits trigger signals of a predetermined power level, wherein the first badge can detect the trigger signals only if the first badge is within a predetermined radius of the trigger source when the trigger source transmits the trigger signals. The first badge transmits the identification data signals when the first badge detects the trigger signals transmitted by the trigger source.

Abstract: A mediator method and system provides an interface between automatic real time input interaction data collection systems and software applications independent of output data format requirements of the applications and the data formats of input interaction data streams generated at the respective collection systems. The collected input interaction data is arranged in a standardized format to provide for integrated processing and interaction events are identified based on the integrated processing. Interaction event data is provided in real time to the respective applications in accordance with their data format requirements.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for panoramic dental X-raying comprises an arm (7) rotating about an axis (6), a radiation source (9) at one end (8) of the arm for generating an X-ray beam (12), a shutter (13) for shaping the X-ray beam, and at the opposite end (10) of the arm, a recorder (11) for receiving the X-ray beam after it has passed through the dental arch for forming an image of the dental arch. The X-raying is performed with rotation of the arm (7) so as to image substantially the entire length of the dental arch. The shutter (13) narrows the X-ray beam (12) in the front area of the dental arch in order to increase the thickness of the sharply imaged layer compared to the two sides of the dental arch.

Abstract: A system for selectively collecting location information in a tracking environment includes a first energy signal identification badge for detecting trigger signals and transmitting identification data signals indicating existence of a proximity condition between the first badge and a source of the trigger signals. The trigger source transmits trigger signals of a predetermined power level, wherein the first badge can detect the trigger signals only if the first badge is within a predetermined radius of the trigger source when the trigger source transmits the trigger signals. The first badge transmits the identification data signals when the first badge detects the trigger signals transmitted by the trigger source.

Abstract: A device for determining exposure values in an X-ray panoramic and/or cephalometric apparatus (20) for imaging patient's head (3). The apparatus comprises adjustable support means (11) provided with support elements (1a, 1b) with a variable spacing (W1) therebetween, and said support means being adapted for positioning against the patient's head prior to exposure. A sensor (2) is connected to said support elements and it provides an electrical output proportional to the dimension (W2) of the patient's head therebetween. An exposure control means (10) adjust the tube current and/or the tube voltage of the X-ray tube and/or the exposure time to be at one of a plurality of predetermined levels.

Abstract: Method and system for real time monitoring of activities within a health care tracking environment generates a substantially complete and accurate electronic patient care record, and makes information on evaluation of patient care, including identification of variances with the performance of patient care in accordance with a patient care event schedule, and patient care activities available in real time. The schedule is updated automatically, or based on human input, when the system deduces from the collected activity information that an event in the schedule has been performed or a change in patient care is necessary. When variances with the schedule of patient care are identified, caregivers are notified and patient schedules are accordingly modified based on the nature of the variance.

Abstract: A non-invasive method for determining the stroke volume of the heart, i.e. the volume of blood discharged per heart beat. A pressure transducer, is placed in a hollow organ, such as the lungs, stomach or bladder of a subject. During ventilation of, or breathing by, the subject, the incremental change in pressure in the hollow organ resulting from an incremental change in breathing gas volume in the subject's lungs is obtained and a ratio between the two is established. The pressure change in the hollow organ caused by volumetric changes resulting from the contraction of the subject's heart when discharging blood is also measured. The stroke volume of the subject's heart is determined by applying the volume/pressure ratio to the pressure change resulting from the contraction of the heart.