Abstract: A heart rate monitor implements power saving algorithms while monitoring a subject's heart rate. The monitor continuously monitors a subject during an initial period to determine an initial heart rate. After the initial heart rate is acquired, power may not be provided for portions of the monitor until a heart beat is expected to occur. At some point before the expected heart beat occurs, power is returned to the components which have not received power. The expected heart beat is then detected, and power to selected portions of the monitor is terminated again until another expected heart beat approaches in time. By providing power to monitor components just before an expected heart beat, the monitor may still detect the heart beat and determine the corresponding heart rate of the user. The period of time during which power is terminated for some components may be determined from the detected heart rate. The number of heart beats during which power is terminated for selected monitor components may vary.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a technique for rating neuromodulation efficacy based on evaluation of the response of the patient to sensory stimuli with and without delivery of neuromodulation therapy. In addition, the invention may provide a system capable of delivering sensory stimuli on a quantitative basis in a coordinated manner with delivery of neuromodulation therapy. A device programmer may provide a platform for controlling delivery of the sensory stimuli, delivery of neuromodulation therapy, and generation of rating information for neuromodulation efficacy based on patient sensory response to the stimuli. In operation, the programmer controls application of selected sensory stimuli to the patient's body and records the patient's verbal or physiological responses to the stimuli. This invention can be used to be a diagnostic or prognostic test that a given neuromodulation therapy, such as neurostimulation or drug delivery, is and will be successful.

Abstract: A pulse wave measuring apparatus includes a pressure sensor having a plurality of sensor elements wider in width than the small sensor element required in conventional tonometry. On the basis of differences ? and ? of an AI value based on a pulse wave signal from the sensor element right above an artery and AI values based on pulse wave signals from two sensor elements located at a predetermined distance from the sensor element right above the artery, ?2+?2 is obtained. An AI value correction is calculated using a regression formula with ?2+?2 as a correction parameter representing the distortion degree. Using this correction value, the AI based on a pulse wave signal from the sensor element located right above the artery is corrected.

Abstract: A method of measuring Photoplethysmography (PPG) signals may comprise detecting dual wavelength illumination from a light detector so as to provide detected signals, converting the detected signals into digital signals so as to provide digital signals, reducing noises from the digital signals and increasing independency between the digital signals so as to provide preprocessed signals, subtracting the average value from the preprocessed signals so as to provide adjusted signals, obtaining whitening matrix based on covariance, eigen value, and eigen matrix obtained from the adjusted signals, and restoring data using the whitening matrix.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac device is configured and programmed to collect blood pressure waveforms from one or more implantable pressure sensors. Techniques are described for extracting features and reducing noise in the pressure waveforms by averaging waveforms which are aligned with a detected cardiac cycle. Noise can also be reduced by gating and calibration functions performed in accordance with other sensor data.

Abstract: A method is provided for predicting an onset of an asthma attack. The method includes sensing at least one parameter of a subject without contacting or viewing the subject or clothes the subject is wearing, and predicting the onset of the asthma attack at least in part responsively to the sensed parameter. Also provided is a method for predicting an onset of an episode associated with congestive heart failure (CHF), including sensing at least one parameter of a subject without contacting or viewing the subject or clothes the subject is wearing, and predicting the onset of the episode at least in part responsively to the sensed parameter. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and method detect a detection cluster that is associated with a neurological event, such as a seizure, of a nervous system disorder and update therapy parameters that are associated with a treatment therapy. The occurrence of the detection cluster is detected when the maximal ratio exceeds an intensity threshold. If the maximal ratio drops below the intensity threshold for a time interval that is less than a time threshold and subsequently rises above the intensity threshold, the subsequent time duration is considered as being associated with the detection cluster rather than being associated with a different detection cluster. Consequently, treatment of the nervous system disorder during the corresponding time period is in accordance with one detection cluster. Treatment therapy may be provided by providing electrical stimulation, drug infusion or a combination.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring skin permeable gas, which can be used to obtain clinical information by noninvasive and bloodless operations and are useful for in-home medical care and health management. The device for collecting skin permeable gas includes a finger-stall including a coupler, and one or more connections that are connectable with the coupler and include a stopcock.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for monitoring subjects, especially during sleep. Respiratory and sound data are recorded and coughs arousal are recognized as joint events in both of these signals having selected characteristics. Further, cough-arousal events during sleep are recognized when a likely cough occurs in association with a recognized EEG arousal. Cough arousal events are combined into a cough arousal index that reflects disease severity and sleep disruption due to cough. The methods of this invention are computer-implemented and can be provided as a program product including a computer readable medium. Measurements and indices provided by this invention can be used to monitor and to treat respiratory diseases.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method of detecting a pulse wave at the certain position of an artery. A pressure sensor array has a pressurization surface on which plural pressure sensors are disposed in a direction intersecting with an artery. The pressurization surface, when a pulse wave is detected, is pressed against a surface of a living human body by a cuff pressure in a pressurization cuff. CPU, when a pulse wave is detected, inputs voltage signals indicating pressure information from the plural pressure sensors simultaneously along with the time axis. CPU extracts the DC component indicating a pressure component caused by a hard member from a voltage signal to specify the pressure sensor located above the hard member from the extracted DC component.

Abstract: A pulse wave analyzing apparatus including a cuff 12 for detecting a pulse wave from a living subject, a pressure sensor 16 for converting the pulse wave detected by the cuff 12, into an electric signal, i.e., a pulse wave signal SM, a plurality of band-pass filters 62 (BPF(1), BPF(2), . . . , BPF(n)) that have respective low-side cuff-off frequency bands differing from each other and each receive the pulse wave signal SM, a provisional rising point determining device 64 for determining respective times PS of respective provisional rising points of respective pulse waves represented by respective secondary pulse wave signals SM2 that have passed through the band-pass filters 62, and a proper rising point determining device 66 for comparing the respective times PS of respective provisional rising points with each other and thereby determining a time AS of a proper rising point based on the respective times PS of respective provisional rising points.

Abstract: An arteriosclerosis evaluating apparatus 10 includes an arteriosclerosis evaluating procedure 46 (Steps S7, S8, S9, and S10) that evaluates arteriosclerosis of a living subject, based on a relationship between difference ?P of internal and external pressure of an artery of the subject in the state in which the pressure difference ?P is in equilibrium, and amplitude AM of a pulse wave produced from the artery. Therefore, the present apparatus 10 can as easily as possible evaluate the arteriosclerosis of the subject based on a characteristic curve 58 representing the relationship between in-equilibrium pressure difference ?P and pulse-wave amplitude AM which curve is obtained from a pressing pressure Pc of a cuff 12 wound around a certain portion of the subject, and the pulse wave produced from the artery.