Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a patient's blood glucose level. The apparatus includes an implantable medical device having a controller and an implantable heart sounds sensor configured to transmit signals to the controller of the implantable medical device. The controller is configured to determine if a patient is hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic based on the signals from the heart sounds sensor. A method is also disclosed that includes sensing the patient's heart sounds, determining the amplitude of the S2 heart sound, determining the length of the interval from the S1 heart sound to the S2max heart sound, determining the length of the interval from the S1 heart sound to the S2end heart sound, and determining the patient's blood glucose status based on the patient's heart sounds.

Abstract: A method for predicting a user's future glycemic state includes measuring a user's glucose concentration at intervals over a time duration, thereby generating a plurality of glucose concentrations as a function of time. First and second glucose prediction equations that are fits to the plurality of glucose concentrations based on first and second non-identical mathematical models, respectively, are then derived. The method also includes calculating first and second predicted glucose concentrations at a future time using the first and second glucose prediction equations, respectively. Thereafter, an average predicted glucose concentration and a merit index are calculated based on the first and second predicted glucose calculations. The plurality of glucose concentrations as a function of time, the merit index and average predicted glucose concentration are input into a trained model (for example, a Hidden Markov Model) that outputs a set of glucose concentration probabilities.

Abstract: Described are devices, methods, and kits for non-invasively measuring glucose. In general, the devices comprise skin patches for placement on a skin surface and measurement devices for measuring glucose collected in the patches. The patches may include an adhesive material, a collection layer, an interface layer, and a sweat-permeable membrane. The sweat-permeable membrane is configured to act as a barrier to epidermal contaminants and glucose brought to the skin surface via diffusion. In this way, non-correlatable skin surface glucose will not be measured. The patches may further include components to induce a local sweat response. The measurement device typically includes a display, a processor, and a measurement mechanism. The methods typically include the steps of wiping the skin surface with a wipe containing at least one solvent for removing glucose, placing a patch on a skin surface, and measuring glucose collected in the patch. Kits comprising the patch and measurement device are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for assisting in choosing a suitable site for a skin invasive action, such as drug injection, e.g. insulin for persons with diabetes, or collecting blood or tissue samples. Measures and processes parameters relating to a specific area part of the skin or subcutis and determines whether the area part is suitable for the skin invasive action based on the processed parameters. Suitable for assisting a person in choosing a site during an injection/sampling procedure, ensuring that skin invasive actions are performed at suitable sites only. Very useful for repetitive skin invasive actions, such as BG measurements and insulin injections. Helps in varying sites for the skin invasive action without the need for keeping a record of used sites manually. Helps in avoiding tissue infiltrations and lipodystrophy.

Abstract: A sphygmomanometer having an elongated tube, an air chamber coupled to a first end of the tube, and a liquid chamber coupled to a second end of the tube. The liquid chamber is partially filled with fluid and is couplable to a source of external pressure. An offset region located proximate the second end of the tube has a significantly reduced cross-sectional area so as to reduce the effect of fluid level changes on pressure measurement accuracy. At least one ventilation valve is coupled to the elongated tube and the air chamber and is operative to vent the elongated tube and the air chamber to atmosphere.

Abstract: Apparatus for improving health of a user is provided, including a first sensor, adapted to measure a first physiological variable, which is indicative of a voluntary action of the user. A second sensor is adapted to measure a second physiological variable, which is substantially governed by an autonomic nervous system of the user. Circuitry is adapted to receive respective first and second sensor signals from the first and second sensors, and, responsive thereto, to generate an output signal which directs the user to modify a parameter of the voluntary action.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting blood flow in or at a subject's fingertip (20) or other body part, in which Doppler-shifted measuring beam radiation (18) is reflected by the red blood cells and re-enters the laser cavity of the laser diode (10), so as to effect changes in operation thereof, such changes being representative of the blood flow. The apparatus may be incorporated in a fingerprint sensor as a “liveness” detector.

Abstract: A method for measuring lung collapse and for providing information regarding recruitment and successfulness of actions taken to recruit the lung is provided. Alveolar- and proximal pressures are determined at different lung pressures or volumes. Patient airway resistance is calculated combining these measurements with flow measurement. Plotting the resistance against the lung pressure or volume gives a within-breath distribution of the resistance. Increase of this resistance at end-expiration volume or pressure indicates lung collapse.

Abstract: A medical device for predicting a user's future glycemic state includes a memory module, a processor module and a user alert module. The memory module is configured to receive and store a plurality of glucose concentrations as a function of time that were generated by a user's use of a continuous glucose monitor. The processor module is configured to derive first and second glucose prediction equations that are fits to the plurality of glucose concentrations stored in the memory module with the fits being based on first and second mathematical models, respectively. The processor module is also configured to calculate first and second predicted glucose concentrations at a future time using the first and second glucose prediction equations, respectively, and to also calculate an average predicted glucose concentration and a merit index based on the first and second predicted glucose calculations.

Abstract: A method for analyzing synchronizations of the electroencephalography of an individual using a set of sensors starting from cerebral electromagnetic analysis of the individual. The method creates a database by acquisition and digitization of electrophysiological signals output from the sensors, and calculates the degree of synchronization existing between all pairs of sensors recorded in an assembly protocol, in frequency bands between 0 and 2000 Hz, to build up the database of classes each characterizing a reference state. The method further performs statistical validation of a period analyzed in real time, which assigns this period to a class in the database, and detects a specific period with a determined degree of synchronization. A device implements this method.

Abstract: A blood pressure measurement apparatus which can install cuffs at a tragus that has differences includes a holding member 3 having a shape part 52 to be installed in a space between an auricular concha and an antihelix, a first protrusion 54 extended from the shape part such that the first protrusion is directed towards the ear hole, a second protrusion 55 extended from the shape part such that the second protrusion is nearly right-angled with respect to the first protrusion and the second protrusion steps over the tragus, an integral member 50 having an ear hook part 51 that is extended from the shape part, the ear hook is integrally made with the integral member or made as an independent member, inner cuff 6 is supported at the end portion of the first protrusion, support member 15 is attached at the end portion of the second protrusion, cuffs 6,7 are attached to the support member through a clamping width adjustment part 11 that makes a clamping width adjustment against the tragus possible.

Abstract: A blood pressure measurement system that utilizes both a non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) monitor having a blood pressure cuff and a continuous non-invasive blood pressure (CNIBP) monitor. During operation of the NIBP monitor, the blood pressure cuff is inflated to an initial inflation pressure greater than the systolic blood pressure for the patient being monitored. The CNIBP monitor calculates an estimated blood pressure that is supplied to the NIBP monitor. The NIBP monitor utilizes the continuous, estimated blood pressure to select a target inflation pressure for the blood pressure cuff. During operation of the NIBP monitor, the size of the pressure steps from the initial inflation pressure to a final pressure can be varied based upon the continuous blood pressure estimate from the NIBP monitor.

Abstract: A method for enhanced exercise training or performance utilizing intentional controlled tachypnea and somatic sensory alkalosis biofeedback training to maintain an essentially non-acidic state during exercise. A trainee is instructed to decrease measured transcutaneous CO2 levels by increased ventilation and to correlate measured transcutaneous CO2 levels with subjective somatic symptoms. Studies under exercise conditions measure the intensity of exercise correlating to an onset in blood acid accumulation in the trainee and such level of intensity is in turn correlated with a predetermined heart rate. The trainee is then instructed to use heart rate and somatic sensory changes as a guide to the need for increased ventilation to lower blood CO2. In another embodiment, the method of the instant invention utilizes intentional controlled tachypnea to increase maximum breath holding time.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are introduced for determining proportional cardiac output (CO), absolute left atrial pressure (LAP), and/or other important hemodynamic variables from a contour of a circulatory pressure waveform or related signal. Certain embodiments of the invention provided herein include the mathematical analysis of a pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) waveform or a right ventricular pressure (RVP) waveform in order to determine beat-to-beat or time-averaged proportional CO, proportional pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), and/or LAP. The invention permits continuous and automatic monitoring of critical hemodynamic variables with a level of invasiveness suitable for routine clinical application. The invention may be utilized, for example, to continuously monitor critically ill patients with pulmonary artery catheters installed and chronically monitor heart failure patients instrumented with implanted devices for measuring RVP.

Abstract: Provided is a pulse wave propagation detection system including an electrocardiographic signal detection unit, and an eyeground image detection unit for detecting an eyeground image in synchronization with an electrocardiographic signal detected through the detection unit, which system further includes a correlation unit for correlating a change in the diameter of an eyeground vein—which diameter is measured, at the optic papilla, by use of an eyeground image synchronized with an arbitrary electrocardiographic signal—with the state of pulse wave propagation through an intracerebral blood vessel or with the state of sclerosis of a capillary artery.

Abstract: A system and method for prediction of cognitive decline, comprises an input receiving input data corresponding to brain activity of an individual and a processor coupled to the input for analyzing the input data to obtain a selected set of features, the processor comparing the selected set of features to at least a portion of entries in a database corresponding to brain activity of a plurality of individuals, wherein entries in the database have been separated into a plurality of categories corresponding to one of a degree of cognitive decline and a propensity for future cognitive decline of individuals relating to the entries, the processor determining, based on the comparison, a category most closely corresponding to the selected set of features.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing oscillatory artefacts caused by pressure waves in a fluid-filled trans-luminal catheter from invasive blood pressure measurement data, including the steps of setting up a model for the measurement data, fitting the model to the measurement data, identifying the model components, representing the oscillatory artefact, and removing the oscillatory artefact from the measurement data. The invention also relates to a respective device for acquiring and correcting invasive blood pressure measurement data.

Abstract: A heart beat/respiration measuring device comprising a sheet-like capacitance-type pressure sensor adapted to be pressed against the human body, and a measuring circuit for measuring a heart rate and/or respiration rate from the output of the sensor. The capacitance-type pressure sensor includes a sheet-like dielectric body elastically deformable in all directions and a pair of conductive clothes with stretchability disposed on opposite sides of the dielectric body. The measuring circuit comprises a resonant circuit wherein the capacitance-type pressure sensor serves as an oscillation capacitor, and a calculation processing circuit for detecting variations in the oscillation frequency of the resonant circuit and calculating the heart rate and/or respiration rate based on the frequency component or components of heart beats and/or respiration included in the variations.

Abstract: A non-invasive blood glucose measurement method using a magneto-resonance absorption method. A constant magnetic field is applied using a pair of permanent magnets, the magnetic field having a uniform strength. A triangular waveform low frequency modulation magnetic field is applied using a low frequency generator and a pair of low frequency coils, the low frequency modulation magnetic field having a uniform strength. A weak acoustic wave modulation magnetic field is applied using an acoustic wave generator and a pair of acoustic wave coils. Electromagnetic waves are applied to a detector in which a finger is positioned to produce a nuclear magneto-resonance, the electromagnetic waves having a frequency varying in a specific frequency band step by step, the applying being done using a high frequency generator and a sensor coil. A magneto-resonance absorption signal produced by spin-lattice relaxation of protons in a tissue of the finger because of the nuclear magneto-resonance is detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to the determination of the clinical stress of a subject. In order to bring about an uncomplicated and cost-effective method for monitoring the stress status of a subject, plethysmographic signal data is acquired from the subject and a first measurement signal is derived, which is indicative of a predetemined feature of the respiration modulation appearing in the said signal data. An index signal is then formed based on the first measurement signal and the index signal is employed as an index indicative of the clinical stress of the subject.