Abstract: A system and method for tissue differentiation. In the method, M acoustic signals si(t), i=1 to M, are obtained from M locations on a body surface. The N signals are subjected to band pass filtering using N band-pass filters, so as to generate NXM signals sij(t), i=1 to M, j=1 to N. K images I1 to IK, where K?N, are then generated using the signals sij(t), i=1 to M, j=1 to N. The pixels are divided into a predetermined number L of categories Cl, l from 1 to L, using the images I1 to IK. For each category Cl, l from 1 to L, and for each pixel p(x,y), A probability pl of assigning the pixel p(x,y) to the category Cl is determined. An image may then be generated using the probabilities pl.

Abstract: The invention concerns a medical device for implantation in a body, comprising a stimulation unit, a sleep detector unit having at least one signal input which is adapted to detect a sleep condition of the body and to produce a sleep signal, an apnea detector unit which is adapted to detect sleep apnea in dependence on at least one body signal caused by the body and to produce an apnea signal, a therapy unit which is at least indirectly connected to the stimulation unit! the sleep detector unit and to the apnea detector unit and which is adapted to produce, in dependence on the apnea signal and the sleep signal, at least one apnea therapy signal which represents therapy information for preventing and/or for the treatment of sleep apnea, and to send same to the stimulation unit.

Abstract: In a process for measuring partial transcutaneous CO2 pressure on an earlobe by means of a sensor having a measuring device for measuring the partial transcutaneous CO2 pressure and a heating system for heating a sensor contact surface for contact with the earlobe, the sensor contact surface is heated. During a first phase, the sensor contact surface is kept at an elevated temperature of at least 41.5° C. in order to prevent the measured value of partial transcutaneous CO2 pressure from exceeding, due to the measurement process itself, the partial transcutaneous CO2 pressure achieved after stabilization. The temperature of the sensor contact surface is then reduced to between 37° C. and 41° C. This facilitates considerably faster evaluation of the measured values.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for monitoring muscle function based on an index derived from a pressure or force signal. The muscle function index is derived from an instantaneous muscle stiffness ratio computed as the ratio of the first time derivative of the pressure or force waveform to the corresponding instantaneous pressure or force. The instantaneous stiffness ratio, ?/E(t), is in units of 1/sec and relates to the rate of strong bond formation and will be influenced by calcium handling properties of the muscle fibers and the intracellular calcium concentration. As such, an index derived from ?/E(t) provides a measure of the inotropic status of the muscle.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring hydrodynamic parameters, especially for Augmentation Index (Aix) and/or Ejection Duration (ED), by non-invasive, cuff based occlusive, blood pressure measurement, which apparatus comprises occlusive, oscillometric automatic blood pressure meter and units. There can also be a method for non-invasive measurement of hemodynamic characteristics, especially AN and/or ED with an occlusive, pressure sensor cuff, placed on the brachial artery, wherein the apparatus according to the invention samples and analyzes and evaluates the signal flow of the oscillations of pulse waves using an unusual stepwise blood pressure measurement.

Abstract: A cuff assembly for placement around a body vessel comprises a cuff member sized to substantially surround the body vessel, and a tether assembly engaged with the cuff member. The tether assembly is sized to at least substantially encircle the cuff member, and includes a locking mechanism for releasably maintaining a selected tension when the tether assembly encircles the cuff member. The tether assembly may comprise a tether and a tab, wherein the tab is engaged with the cuff member and has an aperture therethrough. The distal end of the tether is engaged with the tab. The locking mechanism may comprise a plurality of stop members disposed along a surface of the tether.

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: Method and arrangement for measuring breath gases of a patient in which the patient is connected to a breath gas unit by using a sampling line to enable flowing a sample of the breathing gases with a pre-determined sample flow rate to the breath gas measuring unit. The sample flow rate is adjusted in case it is not within limits set by the patient's breathing rate.

Abstract: An analyte test sensor for use in measuring the concentration of a particular analyte in a test sample includes a non-conductive substrate, a reference electrode deposited on the substrate, a working electrode deposited on the substrate and a compensation electrode deposited on the substrate. The compensation electrode is provided with a resistive ladder and is designed to correct for test result inaccuracies which are the result of variances in the manufacturing of the test sensor. Specifically, in one embodiment, the compensation electrode corrects for test result inaccuracies in an analog manner by shunting a portion of the working current away from working electrode. In another embodiment, the compensation electrode corrects for test result inaccuracies in a digital manner by providing a calibration code which is proportional its resistance value. A batch of analyte test sensors are preferably manufactured in the following manner. An initial batch of the test sensors is constructed.

Abstract: An autonomic nervous activity monitor capable of predicting occurrence of abnormal reaction depending on autonomic nervous activity and used for medical practice and the like is provided. A blood component collecting apparatus 100 carries out frequency analysis to a pattern of heartbeat which is acquired by an ECG 300 from a donor, and calculates a high frequency component value [msec2] defined as an indicator for parasympathetic activity and a ratio value of a low frequency component to the high frequency component defined as an indicator for sympathetic activity to detect a change in these values on a time-series base. When a judgment circuit 204 predicts that abnormal reaction may occur to a donor after blood collection operation is started, a controller 200 controls a pump 9 to decrease a blood drawing or blood returning speed, or, to stop blood drawing or blood returning operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic blood pressure monitor for measuring the arterial blood pressure at a location on a patient. The automatic monitor of the invention does not require an external pump of any type. The invention uses a propellant supply chamber containing a predetermined quantity of propellant in order to inflate a pressure occluding bladder, thus allowing the measurement to be made. All of the elements comprising the monitor are attached to or are an integral part of a strap, which supports the monitor at the desired location on the patient. The monitor of the invention is inexpensive and simple to operate and can be used by non-professional persons in non-clinical or non-laboratory environments.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring blood pressure of a wearer has an inflatable arm cuff that is selectably inflatable to differing air pressures that incorporates a fabric having both a light transmission property and a light reflection property when the fabric is illuminated with light having wavelength(s) in the range from about 400 to about 2200 nanometers. A radiation source and a detector are attached to the fabric in relative positions such that the reception of incident radiation by the detector is directly affected by a change in the amount of light transmitted through the fabric relative to the amount of light reflected by the fabric as the fabric stretches in response to motion in the wearer's body due to changes in the flow of blood through an artery disposed beneath the fabric occurring in consonance with variations in the air pressure within the inflatable cuff.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically and periodically measuring a patient's blood glucose level wherein the patient has a catheter in a blood vessel and is receiving infusion fluid through the catheter. A testing unit is provided which has a main infusion channel and, in a preferred embodiment, the testing unit includes a side channel. The side channel has a restrictive cross-sectional area compared with the main infusion channel. A glucose test chamber is formed in the side channel. First and second valves are placed adjacent the test chamber in the side channel to isolate a blood sample for testing. The isolation of the sample provides more accurate blood glucose measurements than those provided by systems of the prior art. A second embodiment of the invention has an isolatable test chamber placed in the main infusion line and no side channel is utilized.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for controlling therapy delivered in response to Cheyne-Stokes Respiration (CSR) or other forms of periodic breathing in an effort to reduce the likelihood of unnecessary therapy directed toward preventing sleep interruption. Following each burst of respiration during CSR, a prediction is made as to whether the amount of respiration achieved during the burst will be sufficient to sustain the patient through a period of apnea until the next respiration burst. If not, aggressive therapy, such as aggressive diaphragmatic pacing, is delivered to improve respiration and prevent the imminent sleep interruption. If, however, the amount of respiration achieved during the burst appears to be sufficient to sustain the patient until the next respiration burst, then relatively mild therapy is instead delivered.

Abstract: A wrist-worn apparatus capable of sensing pulsation of blood in the blood tubes of a user's wrist with high accuracy. The apparatus comprises a body of the apparatus, a band to be used to wear the body of the apparatus on the user's wrist, and a fluid-containing pulsation-sensing fluid chamber provided on the user's wrist side of the case. A part of an outer wall that defines the fluid chamber comprises an elastically deformable member that is elastically deformed depending on pulsation of blood transmitted from the band to thereby change the fluid pressure within the fluid chamber. A deformation preventing member is bonded by vulcanization to a part of a side of the deformable member that will come into contact with the user's wrist for preventing the part of the deformable member from being elastically deformed.

Abstract: A system for performing telemetry of multi-channel biological signals obtained from electrodes attached to a subject, is provided with a transmitter and a receiver. In the transmitter, a converter converts the multi-channel biological signals to digital data, and a storage stores the digital data. In the transmitter, a first transceiver is operable to transmit a prescribed amount of the digital data stored in the storage, and a battery is operable to supply a battery voltage to the first transceiver. In the transmitter, a switch places the battery in either a first state where the battery voltage is supplied to the first transceiver or a second state where the battery voltage is not supplied to the first transceiver, so that the first transceiver intermittently transmits the digital data. In the receiver, a second transceiver is operable to receive the digital data transmitted from the first transceiver. The received digital data is to be reproduced multi-channel biological signals at an output device.

Abstract: One embodiment is a microprobe. An example of the microprobe comprises a housing having an aperture. This example of the microprobe also comprises an ISFET attached to the housing. The ISFET may have a gate located proximate the aperture. This example of the microprobe further comprises a reference electrode attached to the housing proximate the aperture. Another embodiment is a microsensor system. Another embodiment is a method for measuring a characteristic of tissue. Yet another embodiment is a method for monitoring tissue pH.