Abstract: A blood pressure monitoring device utilizing an integrally formed, substantially unitary manifold is shown and described. The manifold has an air inlet port for communicating with an air pump, and two cuff ports, one to be coupled to a blood pressure cuff, the other to be used to sample ambient pressure. The manifold further includes a transducer port for communicating with a pressure transducer and four valve seats, for receiving high- and low-pressure distribution valves, and high- and low-pressure relief valves. The distribution valves utilize solenoids, and therefore have two positions, namely, energized and de-energized. When the solenoids are energized, communication is allowed between a first plenum chamber and the cuff ports, the first plenum chamber also being in communication with the high-pressure relief valve and the air inlet port. Simultaneously, communication between the cuff ports and atmosphere is sealed off.

Abstract: A cable connector is provided for mating with connectors of defibrillation electrodes made from various manufacturers. The connector includes a body having a lip portion for mechanically securing the connector to a defibrillation electrode having a cup-type connector. The body includes a spring mounted therein for mechanically securing the connector to a defibrillation electrode including a post. A retainer includes a post channel constructed with a dual diameter for accommodating the construction of both small and long posts of various defibrillation electrode connectors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the blood flow in a patient's tissue by warming the tissue with heat generated by a semiconductor device mounted in a sensor. The amount of heat generated is controlled by varying either the magnitude or the duty cycle of the current that flows through the semiconductor device, with the amount of heat required determined by either the temperature of the sensor's contact surface or the operating performance of the apparatus.

Abstract: A defibrillator electrode pad for conducting electricity between the body of a patient includes a flexible backing having an application surface upon which is mounted a metallic electrode. An adhesive is disposed upon the electrode and a portion of the application surface of the flexible backing. A gripping tab includes a first portion fixed to the flexible backing and a second portion integral with the first portion and projecting outward from the flexible backing. The second portion of the gripping tab includes a gripping surface made of a material selected to prevent the adhesive from sticking to the gripping surface. A paper release sheet is constructed to be applied to the application surface of the backing to prevent the adhesive from unintentionally sticking to objects. The paper release sheet includes a tab portion constructed to project outward from the flexible backing.

Abstract: A sample of a body fluid, such as blood, is collected in a cartridge having a sample chamber for storing the sample and one or more calibration chambers, each for storing a respective calibration fluid. The fluid sample is drawn ino the sample chamber by placing the sample chamber in fluid communication with a needle inserted into the fluid sample and applying a vacuum to the chamber using either a syringe or internal vacuum. A body fluid sample may also be drawn into the sample chamber from a syringe or capillary tube containing the fluid sample. The cartridge may be either planar or cylindrical. The chambers of a cylindrical cartridge may be either elongated voids symmetrically positioned about the longitudinal axis of the cartridge or axially spaced annular voids.

Abstract: A disposable sampling cartridge for use with a blood sample analyzer. The cartridge includes a blood reservoir communicating with a hypodermic needle, a waste collection chamber adapted to receive waste fluids from the blood sample analyzer, and a plurality of ampules each containing a respective analyzing fluid adapted for use by the blood sample analyzer. Each of the ampules contain a piston, and the analyzing fluids in the ampules are expelled by forcing an actuating rod through a frangible wall of the ampule to displace the piston. In one embodiment, the analyzing fluids are withdrawn through a conduit in the actuating rod while the blood and spent analyzing fluids flow through the blood reservoir port on which the hypodermic needle is mounted. In another embodiment the waste fluid flows through an inlet port while the analyzing fluids from the ampules flow through a common port outlet port which selectively communicates with the blood reservoir and the ampules by a valve arrangement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining arterial blood pressures using a photoplethysmograph is provided. In the inventive method the photoplethysmograph output is calibrated to the patient using an auxiliary blood pressure determining instrument, a constant k particular to the patient's arterial blood pressure-volume relationship is determined and is stored for later use; at the time of measurement information is obtained from the photoplethysmograph output; and a computer determines the patient's systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer includes an ion source for ionizing a sample substance to provide an ion current of predetermined beam width and energy. A mass filter includes a plurality of drift tubes wherein succeeding drift tubes are of increasing length separated by gaps that increase in length. The ion current is supplied to the mass filter along with an alternating current electrical signal in a manner so that particles having a predetermined mass receive a predetermined maximum energy increase while traversing the mass filter and so that particles not having the predetermined mass do not receive the maximum energy increase. A detector is provided to create an energy barrier whereby only particles that receive the maximum energy increase will have sufficient to completely traverse the barrier. Particles which traverse the barrier are detected thereby to determine the amount of particles having a predetermined mass that were contained in the sample substance.

Abstract: A device for sensing blood flow in a human aorta and a method for its use. The device includes two arrays, each array including one or more ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and/or receiving ultrasonic pulses. By appropriate weighting and phasing of the two ultrasonic arrays, a wide beam for insonifying the entire aorta, and a narrow beam for insonifying only a portion of the interior of the aorta, are produced. In addition, signals from the arrays can be processed to produce a signal indicating the direction to move the device so that the wide beam insonifies the entire aorta and the narrow beam insonifies only an interior portion of the aorta. The direction-finding array can be made from sensors arranged in a north-south-east-west pattern or as four sectors of an annulus.

Abstract: A blood pressure cuff formed by a cylindrical envelope of flexible, non-resilient, air-impermeable material. The envelope is divided into two circumferentially spaced sections that are isolated from each other thereby forming two separate bladders each of which may be separately inflated. One bladder is inflated to snug the cuff around the arm of a patient while the other bladder is used to make a blood pressure measurement in a conventional manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for photo-optically detecting transducer motion in a transducer using a photodetector elastically suspended inside the transducer housing and photo-optically coupled to a light source. During movement the inertia effect of the photodetector along with the elastic suspension system causes the changes in the photo-optical coupling between the photodetector and the light source. The inertia effect of the photodetector is enhanced by adding a mass to the photodetector. Either the magnitude or the phase of the photodetector output is monitored to detect movement.

Abstract: A positive displacement ampule for storing a fluid therein and dispensing the fluid therefrom. The ampule includes an elongate vessel for storing the fluid having a large diameter base portion at one end thereof joined to a small diameter stem portion at the other end thereof, a piston disposed in the vessel at the base end thereof for forcing the fluid from the vessel and a push rod for fracturing the base end of the vessel and pushing the piston so as to pump the fluid from the vessel after the stem thereof has been fractured. The stem and the base of the vessel have weakened areas which permit the fracturing thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting patient inspiration is provided. It includes means for providing a baseline level for the patient's respiration signal and for establishing a trigger level representative of inspiration. When the respiration signal crosses the trigger level for selected crossovers inspiration trigger signals are generated. Most importantly means are provided for automatically detecting shifts in the baseline level and for re-establishing the trigger level for the shifted waveform. In the preferred embodiment the apparatus is capable of detecting a baseline shift in about one cycle of the respiration waveform.The apparatus and method further provides for an inspiration detector with adjustable detection characteristics to accommodate both adult and neonate patients.

Abstract: An improved blood samplng device is disclosed which includes a coupling device connected to a needle for receiving blood withdrawn from a patient. The coupling device includes first and second ports in flow communication with the needle and is adapted to conduct blood to either the first or second port. The first port includes an adapter sleeve which is adapted to receive a vacutainer-type blood storage device for storing blood samples taken from the patient. A microporous hydrophobic plug is positioned within the coupling device intermediate the first port and the needle for venting air which is trapped within the coupling device during the initial stages of the sampling operation.

Abstract: A system for determining if a blood pressure measurement made by an automatic blood pressure monitor has been adversely affected by artifact. The system first compares the diastolic, mean arterial and systolic pressures to respective average diastolic, mean arterial and systolic pressures. If all three of these pressures are within a predetermined range of their corresponding average pressures and if the relationship between these pressures conforms to a physiologically realistic model, then the diastolic, mean arterial and systolic pressures obtained from a measurement are considered valid. If more than one of these pressures is outside the predetermined range of its corresponding average pressure, then the measurement is considered to be adversely affected by artifact and is rejected. If only one of these pressures is outside the predetermined range of its corresponding average pressure, then a replacement pressure is calculated for that pressure.

Abstract: A method and computerized system for ECG data review and analysis are provided. In preferred embodiments, a transformation is performed on beat data and the transformed data are categorized into beat "bins." The clinician/user may select sensitivity to vary the number of bins created by the system. Once beats are preliminarily assigned to bins by the system, the clinician/user may review beats by bin and reassigned beats as desired. In preferred embodiments, recategorization is accomplished by "dragging" a beat to a new bin with the aid of a pointing device or "mouse." In preferred embodiments, a superimposition mode allows dynamic review of beat graphs with automatic detection, color coding, and optional pause at abnormal beats. Audio information is also preferably provided to aid the clinician/user in detecting abnormal beats. A P-wave marker capability is also provided to give a constant reference point during beat review in the superimposition mode.

Abstract: A system for identifying artifact in automatic blood pressure measuring system. The system determines whether a single blood pressure signal, such as an oscillometric pulse or Korotkoff sound, occurs for each QRS complex of an ECG waveform in order to verify that the blood pressure signal is valid. In the event that multiple blood pressure signals occur between successive QRS complexes, at least some of the blood pressure signals are determined to be induced by artifact.

Abstract: A blood pressure monitor having a motor driven air pump for inflating an blood pressure cuff, and a control system for controlling the voltage applied to the motor to regulate the rate at which the cuff is inflated. The control system utilizes a microprocessor to calculate a desired inflation rate and then compare the desired inflation rate with the actual inflation rate to generate a control signal in the form of a pulse-width modulated square wave. The square wave is low-pass filtered to generate a voltage reference that is applied to one input of a comparator. The other input of the comparator receives a feedback signal indicative of the voltage applied to the motor. The comparator generates a sqaure wave having a duty cycle that is a determined by the polarity of the comparison at its inputs. The square wave modulates a semi-conductor switch which, in turn, controls the voltage applied to the motor.

Abstract: Apparatus for displaying first and second information signals includes detection circuitry for detecting the first and second signals to be displayed as well as detecting the occurrence of a predetermined phenomenon with respect to the first information signal. The first and second information signals are processed in conjunction with a timing signal to provide a display signal, wherein the display signal is adapted to be displayed using known display circuitry. Detection of the predetermined phenomenon provides an interrupt to the processing of the information signals such that the occurrence of the predetermined phenomenon can be recorded, in time correlation with the occurrence of the first and second information signals. The information signals are thereafter processed so that the ocurrence of the predetermined phenomenon can be displayed in time correlation with either the first or second information signal.

Abstract: A control system for a blood pressure monitor having a blood pressure cuff, an air pump for inflating the cuff, a pressure transducer measuring the air pressure in the cuff, and a bleed valve for selectively venting the blood pressure cuff to reduce the cuff pressure. The air pump leaks air when it is de-energized, thereby inadvertently leaking air from the blood pressure cuff when the air pressure in the cuff is to be maintained constant as an attempt is made to detect blood flow beneath the cuff. A two-way valve is placed in series with the air pump to isolate the air pump from the cuff when the pressure in the cuff is to be maintained constant. The two-way valve allows air to leak from the blood pressure cuff through the air pump when the cuff is to be vented. The two-way valve and the bleed valve thus provide redundant venting of the blood pressure cuff.