Abstract: The invention analyzes relationships between factors, within a patient population, to identify autonomic dysfunction patterns. Patient test results are then compared with the identified patterns to determine the patient's autonomic function. The invention can continually amend the patient population with new test results to create increasingly accurate normative data sets from which a patient's autonomic function can be more accurately assessed. The invention may apply this concept in an application service provider model. An embodiment of the invention may use a novel method of identifying ECG R-waves. The method locates R-waves by searching for maximum slope values, in signals, that exceed threshold values. Another embodiment of the invention entails utilizing data from a non-provocative HRV test and a provocative HRV test in an assessment tool to assess a patient's autonomic function.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for facilitating the provision of health care services using, for example, an application service provider. One embodiment of the invention concerns a physiological testing unit, a RFID tag and a RFID transceiver. The RFID tag communicates with the RFID transceiver. In response, a determination is made regarding whether the physiological testing unit is to be enabled to process physiological data of a patient. If the physiological testing unit is to be so enabled, the physiological testing unit is enabled to process the physiological data of the patient.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention concern methods and apparatuses for deriving respiratory data from both single lead and multi-lead ECG data recordings. Other embodiments of the invention address the assessment of respiration rate from respiratory data such as respiratory data derived from ECG data. Still other embodiments of the invention address methods and apparatuses for the assessment of autonomic function. These last embodiments involve the derivation of respiratory data from ECG data, comparing the respiration rate to key threshold values, and the final derivation of one or more HRV parameters from the ECG data. The embodiments of the invention have implementations applicable to data previously recorded data as well as data recorded and processed in a real-time manner.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for facilitating the provision of health care services using, for example, an application service provider. In one embodiment of the invention, a server computer, physiological testing unit and one or more computer program products coordinate with one another to perform the following tasks. First, receiving a request to utilize the physiological testing unit to process physiological data of a patient. Second, if the request is granted, enabling the physiological testing unit to process the physiological data of the patient. Third, if the request is granted, processing the account of a user.

Abstract: The invention analyzes relationships between factors, within a patient population, to identify autonomic dysfunction patterns. Patient test results are then compared with the identified patterns to determine the patient's autonomic function. The invention can continually amend the patient population with new test results to create increasingly accurate normative data sets from which a patient's autonomic function can be more accurately assessed. The invention may apply this concept in an application service provider model. An embodiment of the invention may use a novel method of identifying certain components on physiological signals such as the R-wave for an ECG. The method locates R-waves by searching for maximum slope values and cycle lengths that satisfy certain threshold values. Another embodiment of the invention entails a non-provocative HRV test whereby certain time domain and frequency domain factors are analyzed to determine a patient's autonomic function.

Abstract: The invention analyzes relationships between factors, within a patient population, to identify autonomic dysfunction patterns. Patient test results are then compared with the identified patterns to determine the patient's autonomic function. The invention can continually amend the patient population with new test results to create increasingly accurate normative data sets from which a patient's autonomic function can be more accurately assessed. The invention may apply this concept in an application service provider model. An embodiment of the invention may use a novel method of identifying ECG R-waves. The method locates R-waves by searching for maximum slope values, in signals, that exceed threshold values. Another embodiment of the invention entails a non-provocative HRV test whereby certain time domain and frequency domain factors are analyzed to determine a patient's autonomic function.

Abstract: The invention entails a mouthpiece for use in a spirometer. In one embodiment of the invention, the mouthpiece comprises a tube forming a conduit between an upstream end and a substantially closed downstream end. An opening is formed through the tube and is proximate to the downstream end of the tube. The mouthpiece also comprises a resistive element that is positioned substantially across the tube opening. In addition, the mouthpiece comprises an outer sleeve that is slide along the exterior of the tube. The outer sleeve may be slid along the tube thereby covering portions of the tube opening in varying amounts. Thus, the outer sleeve may be slid into one position wherein the tube opening is uncovered. The outer sleeve may then be advanced into a closed position wherein the tube opening is substantially sealed. Many partially closed positions exist between the open and closed positions thereby allowing for variable amounts of resistance to air flow.