Abstract: A bi-stable sensor is provided that includes a frame upon which electrical and optical components may be disposed and a coating, such as an overmold coating, provided about the frame. A resistance-providing component is provided integral with or external to the coated bi-stable sensor such that the bi-stable sensor has two mechanically stable configurations that may be transitioned between by overcoming the resistance provided by the resistance-providing component and/or the by the coating. In one embodiment, the resistance-providing component comprises an elastic band provided about a hinge of the frame, either within or external to the coating. In one embodiment, the sensor may be placed on a patient's finger, toe, ear, and so forth to obtain pulse oximetry or other physiological measurements.

Abstract: A pulse oximeter which determines multiple heart rates, and selects between them based on the metrics of only one of the heart rate calculations. A primary heart rate calculation method is selected, and is used unless its metrics indicate questionable accuracy, in which case an alternative rate calculation is available and is used instead.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for measuring a sterol, such as cholesterol, deposited in the skin. Light of two or more wavelengths is emitted toward or into a skin sample and the light is differentially absorbed by the sterol in the skin sample. The differentially absorbed light is detected and the amount of sterol in the skin sample is determined based on the differential absorption.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and devices for delivering a defined gas mixture to a recipient. For example, various embodiments of the present invention provide ventilators that include at least two gas sources, a gas outlet and a differential flow transfer element. The differential flow transfer element receives one component gas from one of the gas sources at a first flow rate, and another component gas from the other gas source at a second flow rate. The differential flow transfer element distributes a mixture that includes at least the aforementioned component gases at a third flow rate via the gas outlet. The third flow rate is less than the sum of the first flow rate and the second flow rate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring the operation of an alternating pressure ventilation mode are provided. According to one embodiment a configuration method includes monitoring gas flow between a patient and a ventilation system. Based on the monitoring, a peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is determined Information indicative of values of parameters of the ventilation mode are received, including a higher pressure setting, a lower pressure setting and a duration of the higher pressure setting. User input is also received indicative of a target percentage of PEFR at which the ventilation system should cycle from the lower pressure setting to the higher pressure setting. Based on the target percentage, a duration of the lower pressure setting is programmatically determined. Finally, the ventilation system is configured to automatically cycle between the higher and lower pressure setting at a predetermined flow based on the parameters and the duration of the lower pressure setting.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for monitoring a patient to produce a signal representing a blood oxygen concentration. The signal may be analyzed to determine the presence of one or more sleep apnea events, and an integral of the signal may be calculated if the signal is outside of a set range or threshold.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may include systems and methods for evaluating physiological parameter data. Embodiments of methods may include monitoring a patient to produce a signal comprising a sequence of numerical values for a physiological parameter over a time period, calculating an index from the signal, comparing the index to a reported index, and if the index is greater than the reported index, setting the reported index to the value of the index. Embodiments of methods may include calculating a modulation of the signal, comparing the modulation to a previous value of the modulation to identify a trend in the modulation and if the trend corresponds to an undesirable condition, using a first function to increase the reported index. Embodiments of methods may include providing an indication of a physiological status based on the reported index.

Abstract: A sensor is provided that includes a flexible wrap enclosure which is folded about the sensor. The flexible wrap includes primary flaps and at least one reinforcement flap. The reinforcement flap may be used to enclose areas of the sensor not enclosed by the primary wrap and/or may be used to provide reinforcement of the enclosure to prevent tearing of the flexible wrap enclosure. The sensor may be placed on a patient's finger, toe, ear, and so forth to obtain pulse oximetry or other physiological measurements.

Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided that includes a frame having a loop structure. An emitter and detector are disposed on opposite sides of the loop structure. A coating is provided over the frame. The coating includes at least one diaphragm structure disposed such that at least one of the emitter and detector can move along an axis running between the emitter and detector. The sensor may thereby be placed on a patient's finger, toe, and so forth to obtain pulse oximetry or other physiological measurements. A sensor frame and method of manufacturing the frame are also provided.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and methods to estimate physiological parameters. In accordance with embodiments a method is disclosed which includes generating distribution data for a plurality of signals. The method may also include deconvolving one of the plurality of signals from the other plurality of signals to produce clean signals. The clean signals may then be used to calculate physiological parameters.

Abstract: An emitter device may include at least two emitters, such as LEDs. The coaxially disposed emitters may emit light in substantially the same area so that no apparent distance is perceived between individual emitters, as in emitter devices in which the emitters are disposed adjacent one another. The coaxially disposed emitters may include emitters suitable for pulse oximetry and/or water fraction measurements, for example.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a strain relief. In various embodiments, the strain relief includes a strain relief body and at least one alignment feature. The strain relief body is configured to provide support for connection of a cable and/or a wire lead of the cable to a frame. The alignment feature is configured to facilitate alignment of the strain relief relative to the frame. In various embodiments, provided are methods of manufacturing a sensor with a strain relief. The methods may include forming the strain relief about a cable and/or wire leads, wherein the strain relief comprises at least one alignment feature, aligning the alignment feature of the strain relief to a complementary alignment feature of a frame, engaging the complementary alignment feature of the frame with the alignment feature of the strain relief, and electrically coupling the cable and/or wire leads to a circuit.

Abstract: The disclosed optical component may include an optical device and an overmold. The optical device may be configured to transmit or receive one or more wavelengths of light. The overmold may be disposed about the entirety of the optical device and may include a material transparent to the one or more wavelengths of light. A method of manufacturing a sensor may include overmolding an optical device with an overmold material that is transparent to a wavelength of light emitted or received by the optical device. The method may also include disposing the overmolded optical device proximate a sensor frame. The method may also include overmolding the sensor frame and the overmolded optical sensing device with a second overmold material. Further, the second overmold material may not block a portion of the overmolded optical device such that light can be emitted or received by the optical device without interference from the second overmold material.

Abstract: In embodiments, methods and systems are provided for the calculation of one or more indices representing variability in the timing of events in a signal representing a physiological parameter. In embodiments, the method and system may utilize an infinite impulse response formulation for the calculation of the indices to minimize memory and computational overhead, while additionally making the indices more responsive to newer measurements.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system is provided that includes a sensor configured to monitor a physiological parameter of the patient. The sensor is further configured to communicate with a portable electronic device configured to communicate over a wireless network. A method of operation of a sensor is provided that includes receiving data from a sensor configured to sense a physiological parameter and determining the physiological parameter from the data. A method of operation of a portable electronic device is also provided.

Abstract: In various embodiments, there is provided an LED drive circuit and a method for using the same. Specifically, the present disclosure is directed to an LED drive circuit for pulse oximeters. In an embodiment, the LED drive circuit includes a current mirror configured to provide drive current to an LED of a sensor. Additionally, the method includes providing current to first and second current mirrors, wherein the first and second current mirrors are configured to control first and second light sources.

Abstract: A tracheal tube comprising a nematic polymer or nematic elastomer, wherein an outer diameter of the tracheal tube changes in size in response to exposure of the tracheal tube to light or heat.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may include a carbon dioxide detector having an acrylic-based substrate impregnated with a carbon dioxide sensitive dye. The carbon dioxide sensitive dye may include a pH indicator which changes color based on the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air at the surface of the indicator. In some embodiments, the impregnated polymer may be incorporated into a window in the carbon dioxide detector, while in other embodiments an element of a ventilation system may be composed of the impregnated polymer. For example, a casing for an endotracheal tube or the tube itself may be composed of the acrylic-based polymer impregnated with the carbon dioxide sensitive dye.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for delivering pressurized gas to an airway of a subject. The disclosure also provides a system for delivering pressurized gas to an airway of a subject. The disclosure further provides a computer-readable storage medium containing a set of instructions executable on a processor that include routines to monitor a respiratory flow rate from a subject, generate a filtered flow and a dynamic flow from the respiratory flow rate, and control a gas generator connected to a breathing device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a patient monitoring system and method. Embodiments may include a patient monitoring device with a battery, one or more charge drawing components, and an operator interface. The operator interface may provide an option to place the patient monitor in a storage mode in which the one or more charge-drawing components draw no or substantially no charge from the battery.