Abstract: An audiological screening and testing method for newborns and infants employing audiological screening via statistical phase analysis of otoacoustic emissions in response to acoustic stimuli.

Abstract: A data processing system and method for evaluating the treatment of chest pain patients in a medical facility is disclosed. The system comprises means for entering patient treatment information, means for storing the patient treatment information, means for retrieving the patient treatment information, means for comparing the patient treatment information to predetermined values, and means for reporting the comparison of the patient treatment information to the predetermined values, so that the medical facility is able to improve its treatment of chest pain patients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for measuring three important physiological systems, circulation, breathing, and body water compartments. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for a continuous simultaneous/synchronized and noninvasive measurement of heart pump function, elastic properties of the vascular system, systemic vascular resistance, breathing capacity, and body water compartments through the combined use of bioimpedance and continuous blood pressure measurement techniques (5, 6) and, optionally, spirometry (7) and/or plethysmography.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for non-invasively determining the cardiac output or pulmonary capillary blood flow of a patient using partial re-breathing techniques. The apparatus includes a substantially instantaneously adjustable deadspace volume for accommodating differences in sizes or breathing capacities of various patients. The apparatus may be constructed of inexpensive elements, including one or more two-way valves, which render the apparatus very simple to use and inexpensive so that the unit may be employed as a disposable product. The method of the invention includes estimating the cardiac output or pulmonary capillary blood flow of a patient based on partial pressure of alveolar CO2 rather than on the partial pressure of end tidal CO2, as previously practiced. A computer program for calculating the cardiac output or pulmonary capillary blood flow of a patient is also disclosed.

Abstract: A universal cuff for a blood pressure monitor that has a usable length that is variable so that it can be used on a wide range of arm circumferences. The universal cuff includes a mechanism for setting the usable length having a shutoff cam and a D-ring. A blood pressure monitor is also presented having a mechanism for determining the usable length of the cuff by measuring inflation rate or by controlling a deflation rate control valve during deflation.

Abstract: The present invention is a portable recording unit (10) which allows for recording the respiratory sounds of a horse (100) while the horse is exercising. The recording unit includes a portable microphone (12) connected to a recorder (16). The microphone is mounted by a support bar (14) to the forehead (102A) of the horse such that the head (12A) of the microphone is adjacent the nostrils (108) of the horse. The recorder is attached to the neck (104) of the horse. The portable microphone and recorder allow for recording of the upper airway respiratory sounds without having to transport the horse to a facility. Alternatively, the horse can be positioned on a treadmill (110) and the recorder can be separate from the exercising horse.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for non-invasively monitoring a subject's blood pressure, in which a pressure sensor assembly that includes a pressure transducer is compressed against tissue overlying an artery, with sufficient force to compress the artery. A motor first servo control system optimizes the amount of artery compression, which occurs at a mean transmural pressure of about zero, by modulating one side of a lever arm compressing the assembly against the tissue, creating a pressure signal indicative of transmural pressure. Since different pressure effects are realized according to the amount of artery compression, an appropriate control signal can be produced that provides for a second motor to adjust the other side of the lever arm to provide the optimum compression of the assembly into the tissue overlying the artery. The apparatus is optimally positioned over an artery by including an ultrasonic blood flow sensor configured to sense the flow of blood under the pressure transducer.

Abstract: A protocol for the recording of bowel sounds, a computerized algorithm for recognizing the start and stop time of bowel sounds in the digital sound recordings, metrics that can be calculated from the start and stop times and limits of these metrics which can be used to categorize individuals with respect to medical conditions which effect the gastrointestinal tract. The use of these methods and values allows for the diagnosis of certain gastrointestinal syndromes or diseases with a high degree of accuracy in a manner not previously possible.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electronic sphygmomanometer for determining a blood pressure depending on variation in pulse wave amplitude variation waveform and cuff pressure formed by variation in the amplitude of the pulse wave, comprising: detecting the pulse wave amplitude and cuff pressure when the pulse wave exceeds a first threshold to define a first threshold; detecting the pulse wave amplitude and cuff pressure when the pulse wave exceeds a second cuff pressure to define a second point; and then, calculating a pulse wave amplitude linear equation for connecting the first and the second points to obtain a systolic blood pressure value. According to the invention, the electronic sphygmomanometer is capable of precisely measuring a blood pressure even if dispersion occurs in pulse wave amplitude depending on how to mount the cuff or even if there is certain distortion in pulse wave depending on the physical conditions of a subject.

Abstract: Method and device for collecting and processing stimuli data and measuring the reactions to them, in which the physiological reactions of respondents to the stimuli presented, or components thereof, are measured automatically and are recorded in one or more computer systems. Recorded data, stimuli data, whether or not in combination with respondent data, are automatically processed, e.g. in central units, to interpretable results which, stored in a database, a relational database for example, are accessible to anyone under certain conditions.

Abstract: A one-handed blood sampling reservoir for an infusion line having a configuration which allows discard fluid to be drawn into the reservoir and then returned to the patient in two squeezing motions. Both drawing and returning steps are performed by squeezing two of a plurality of finger grips provided on the reservoir. The reservoir may include a bracket which enables one-handed operation in either a hand-held or a pole-mounted configurations. In the alternative, the reservoir and finger grips may be formed by telescoped inner and outer housings without a bracket. The reservoir desirably includes a syringe-like body forming a chamber and a plunger/piston assembly reciprocal therein to vary the volume of the chamber. A narrow gap is provided in the chamber open to both inlet and outlet ports when the piston is fully seated to ensure a consistent and minimum flush volume in the chamber.

Abstract: A weight-bearing apparatus such as a cushion, prosthetic device, or bed mattress includes a support surface having a shaped or sculpted portion that conforms to the shape of a body portion being supported. The shaped portion fits to the body portion, thereby to position the body portion so as to situate one or more weight-bearing parts of the body portion over specific zones of the support surface that are cooled below normal body temperature. The reduced temperature applied to the zones of the support surface removes heat from the weight-bearing areas, thereby reducing the risk of injury to tissue in those areas.

Abstract: A signal enhancing and artifact reducing blood pressure cuff for use during the non-invasive measurement of blood pressure. The non-invasive blood pressure cuff has an inflatable bladder and a semi-rigid insert disposed over an outer side of the inflatable bladder for enhancing a blood pressure signal by reducing blood pressure signal attenuation. The semi-rigid insert also acts to reduce the effects of external artifact on the inflatable bladder of the blood pressure cuff. The blood pressure cuff has the insert disposed over the outer side of the inflatable bladder to substantially cover the inflatable bladder when the cuff is wrapped around the limb of the subject. An optional damping device made of an impact absorbing material may be disposed over the outer side of the insert to further reduce the effects of external artifacts. A pocket may be formed over the outer side of the cuff to hold the insert.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical signal monitoring system and method for displaying physiological signals of different types and modalities in different formats on a single system. Physiological signals, e.g., electrical physiological signals from electrodes attached to a subject, are provided to the system. The raw wide band physiological signals may be recorded on disk, and may be processed multiple times to display desired signals of interest. The parameters used to process the signals to be displayed are selectable by an operator employing a user interface. The user interface allows an operator to define a set of panels in which one or more signals will be displayed. The type of panel selected to display the signal determines the basic format of the signal to be displayed, e.g., various types of waveforms. A signal to be displayed in a panel is defined by selecting, for example, the signals from two electrodes attached to a subject from which a montaged pair signal to be displayed is derived.

Abstract: A flow restrictor is applied to a respiration-channeling device such as a tracheostomy tube, a mouthpiece, or a face mask. The flow restrictor creates a pressure differential which varies with volume flow rate. A pressure reading is taken on either side of the flow restrictor in the respiration-channeling device and from this, a volume flow rate is determined. A data acquisition device is used to derive further pulmonary function parameters from the volume flow rate.

Abstract: The present invention involves a clitoral stimulation apparatus for the holding and timed distribution of a gel or cream onto the clitoris of a user of the apparatus. The apparatus comprises an enclosing body having a first end and a second end, a channel-shaped clitoris-interfacing surface on the first end of the body, and a gel or cream distribution arrangement on the body of the apparatus to permit the user to be clitorally stimulated as desired.

Abstract: An indwelling catheter having an extremely low profile proximal section. The indwelling catheter of the present invention solves the problems associated with the prior art feeding catheters by providing an extremely low profile proximal section which is situated external to the patient's body when the catheter is in place. The external portion is preferably in the form of a “trap door”, including a flat base portion that lies against the patient's skin and a flat, hinged cover which is operative to seal the proximal opening of the catheter when not in use. In order to retain the catheter and prevent it from being accidentally dislodged, the catheter includes a series of helical coils which are unformed during catheter insertion and then automatically reform in order to hold the catheter in place internally. The catheter is self-adjusting in that fewer or greater loops will automatically reform depending upon the thickness of the patient's abdominal wall.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for measuring skin blood flow includes apparatus (12) for applying a predetermined temperature gradient to a portion of skin, thereby to change the temperature thereat from a first temperature to a second temperature; a single temperature sensing element (14) for measuring a temperature at a selected location near the portion of skin; a control apparatus (20) for operating the apparatus (12) for applying a predetermined temperature gradient, and further for operating the temperature sensing element (14) in first and second operative modes; in the first mode the temperature sensing element (14) measuring a first reference temperature at the selected location, and in the second mode the temperature sensing element (14) being operable to measure a second temperature at the selected location; wherein the second mode, the control apparatus (20) operates the apparatus (12) for applying a predetermined temperature gradient so as to maintain the predetermined gradient between the first and second tempe

Abstract: A dispersed-type testing/measuring system provides for example a simplified terminal unit to be installed at a patient's home. The dispersed-type testing/measuring system has a central controlling unit (20) and a plurality of terminal units 30 each accessible to the central controlling unit via a communication line (15). Each terminal unit (30) includes a crude data collecting portion (40), and a data transmitting means 45 for sending the data collected by the crude data collecting portion 40 to the central controlling unit (20). The central controlling unit 20 includes a measurement data calculating means (210) for generating measurement data by making calculation on the crude data sent from each terminal unit (30).

Abstract: A universal biopsy system is provided for performing percutaneous medical procedures. The biopsy system includes a cannula assembly removably coupled to a handle. The releasable coupling structures of the handle and the cannula assembly allow for rotational displacement of the cannula assembly using the handle, as well as the application of an axially directed force, either toward or away from the patient.