Abstract: A sphygmomanometer, in a deflation process after inflation to prescribed pressure adjusts a drive voltage of an exhaust valve such that a deflation speed of a fluid bag achieves a prescribed deflation speed during an adjustment period, which is a prescribed period after starting deflation. When the adjustment period ends or when the deflation speed of the fluid bag achieves the prescribed speed, control is subsequently performed to fix the drive voltage of the exhaust valve and deflate the fluid bag while holding a gap of the exhaust valve constant.

Abstract: Techniques for delivering genetic material to a target tissue site of a patient via a leadless implantable medical device that includes a pump and a stimulation energy delivery element are described. In some examples, delivery of genetic material to the target tissue site causes transgene expression of tissue at the target tissue site, which may result in generation of new cells or modified properties of existing cells of the target tissue site, facilitating more effective and efficient treatment of a disorder of the patient.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of extracting optimal information from a flow/volume loop concerning the patient's respiratory condition by examining the overall shape of the space under the flow/volume loop's expiration portion. In some embodiments, this is done with reference to the center of mass of that space. In some embodiments, this is done with reference to the area of that space. Some embodiments are significantly less affected by random/statistical variations and/or noise within the measurement system than existing methods.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes 1) a fitting facility configured to maintain data representative of a library of one or more sounds and data representative of a library of one or more environments, and 2) a detection facility configured to detect a selection by a user of a sound included in the library of one or more sounds an environment included in the library of one or more environments. The fitting facility is further configured to generate, based on the selected sound and the selected environment, an audio signal representative of an acoustic scene and use the audio signal to fit a cochlear implant system to a patient. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and systems for determining fractional flow reserve.

Abstract: A method and an implantable medical system for monitoring respiratory parameters, and a corresponding computer program and a corresponding computer-readable storage medium which can be used in particular for monitoring, especially for remote monitoring of the health condition of a patient with cardiac insufficiency that provides an improved method for determining the functional capacity of the cardiovascular system with consideration for stress.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media are provided for automatic identification of patients according to near-term risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Embodiments of the invention are directed to event prediction, risk stratification, and optimization of the assessment, communication, and decision-making to prevent SCD, and in one embodiment take the form of a platform for wearable, mobile, unteathered monitoring devices with embedded decision support. Thus embodiments relate to automatically identifying persons at risk for arrhythmias and SCD through the use of noninvasive, portable, wearable electronic device and sensors equipped with signal-processing software and statistical predictive algorithms that calculate stability-theoretic measures derived from the digital electrocardiogram timeseries acquired by the device.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media are provided for automatic identification of patients according to near-term risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Embodiments of the invention are directed to event prediction, risk stratification, and optimization of the assessment, communication, and decision-making to prevent SCD, and in one embodiment take the form of a platform for wearable, mobile, unteathered monitoring devices with embedded decision support. Thus embodiments relate to automatically identifying persons at risk for arrhythmias and SCD through the use of noninvasive, portable, wearable electronic device and sensors equipped with signal-processing software and statistical predictive algorithms that calculate stability-theoretic measures derived from the digital electrocardiogram timeseries acquired by the device.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided for monitoring a condition of a tissue based on a measurement of an electrical property of the tissue. In an example, the electrical property of the tissue is performed using an apparatus disposed above the tissue, where the apparatus includes at least two conductive structures, each having a non-linear configuration, where the at least two conductive structures are disposed substantially parallel to each other. In another example, the electrical property of the tissue is performed using an apparatus disposed above the tissue, where the apparatus includes at least one inductor structure.

Abstract: A tissue stimulation system and computer software and method of monitoring a neurostimulation lead having a plurality of electrodes implanted within a patient (e.g., adjacent the spinal cord) is provided. Neurostimulation lead models are provided, each of which includes estimated electrical parameter data (e.g., electrical field potential data) corresponding to a predetermined position of the neurostimulation lead. Electrical energy is transmitted to or from the electrodes, and electrical parameter data (e.g., electrical field potential data) is measured in response to the transmitted electrical energy. The measured electrical parameter data is compared with the estimated electrical parameter data of each of the neurostimulation lead models, and a position of the neurostimulation lead is determined based on the comparison.

Abstract: A first oscillation circuit and a second oscillation circuit are connected to a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor, respectively, and oscillate based on the capacity values of the corresponding pressure sensors. The first oscillation circuit and the second oscillation circuit operate in response to instruction from a CPU. The one of the first oscillation circuit and the second oscillation circuit that has received an activation signal from the CPU outputs a signal having a frequency that corresponds to the capacity value of the corresponding pressure sensor. An adjustment circuit is connected to the first oscillation circuit and the second oscillation circuit, and allows one of the frequency signals to pass therethrough, outputting the signal to the CPU.

Abstract: A blood pressure information measurement device includes a main body, including an inflation pump and an exhaust valve, and a cuff, including an air bladder for pulse wave measurement and an air bladder for blood pressure value measurement. The air bladder for pulse wave measurement and the air bladder for blood pressure value measurement are wrapped around a proximal side and a distal side of the upper arm, respectively. A first piping portion connects the air bladder for blood pressure value measurement to the inflation pump and the exhaust valve. A second piping portion branching from the first piping portion connects the air bladder for pulse wave measurement to the first piping portion. The second piping portion includes a 2-port valve that switches between connecting and disconnecting the air bladder for pulse wave measurement and the first piping portion, and a pressure sensor for measuring a pulse wave.

Abstract: In one example, a method includes determining a slope of a cardiac electrogram. The method may also include determining a threshold value based on a maximum of the slope of the cardiac electrogram. The method may further include identifying a last point of the cardiac electrogram before the slope of the cardiac electrogram crosses the threshold as one of an onset or an offset of a wave. In another example, the method further includes receiving an indication of local ventricular motion associated with a cardiac contraction, and determining an electromechanical delay between the identified onset and the local ventricular motion. Some examples include providing the electromechanical delay for configuration of cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Abstract: Systems and methods for applying stimulating current to a patient for treating insufficient uterine contractions are provided. The system includes stimulation electrodes of a balloon electrode array device, a ring electrode array device, an electrode probe device, or a mesh electrode array device. Some aspects of the invention also provide a connector and cable device for coupling the stimulation electrodes to electronics for generating and providing the stimulating current to the stimulation electrodes.

Abstract: A liquid separator removing a liquid from a sample of a breathing gas flowing through an airway adapter having a channel surrounded by a wall is disclosed herein. The separator includes a chamber receiving the sample, and a membrane having an outer surface exposed to the gas flow, the membrane at least partially surrounding the chamber, which membrane separates the liquid received by the chamber. The separator also includes a supporting structure for supporting the membrane, and a connector operationally attached to the supporting structure, the connector being connectable to the adapter. The connector comprises a cavity providing a flow path for the sample from the chamber through an opening of the cavity to a sample tube. The membrane branches from a central part of the channel into at least two different branches extending to different directions.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for detecting, tracking and recognizing human faces in a visual prosthesis. In a visual prosthesis, the input camera is always higher resolution than the electrode array providing percepts to the subject. It is advantageous to detect, track and recognize human faces. Then information can be provided to the subject by highlighting the face in the visual scene, providing auditor or vibratory notice that a human face is in the visual scene, looking up the face in a database to state the name of the person in the visual scene, otherwise communication id like providing a custom vibratory pattern corresponding to known individuals (like custom ring tones associated with caller ID) or automatically zooming in on a face to aid the subject in identifying the face.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein enable reliable estimation of cardiovascular indices on real-time, non-invasive or minimally-invasive, and beat-to-beat basis. Cardiovascular indices which can be estimated include: stroke volume (SV), which being limited to, cardiac output (CO) and total peripheral resistance (TPR). In various embodiments, one or more of these indices are estimated continuously, on a beat-to-beat basis, using peripheral arterial blood pressure (ABP) waveforms and certain parameters derived from the peripheral ABP waveforms. The derived parameters are substantially insensitive to distortions of the ABP waveform arising from tapered arterial branches throughout the arterial tree. The methods describe herein can provide a more accurate and reliable estimate of hemodynamic parameters than existing techniques.

Abstract: A writing utensil for providing active nerve stimulation to the fingertips of a user. The writing utensil has a body portion, a tip portion with a marking tip, and an active stimulator with active stimulation surfaces retained adjacent to the distal end of the body portion to be engaged by the fingertips of the user. The active stimulator has an active state where active stimulation is provided to the fingertips of the user and an inactive state where active stimulation is not provided. The active stimulator can comprise mechanical movement mechanisms where nodules, such as rotatable cam nodules with eccentric portions, periodically extend in relation to the active stimulation surfaces. Additionally or alternatively, the active stimulator can comprise electrical pulse mechanisms for imparting electrical impulses to fingers disposed in contact therewith. Active nerve stimulation can be provided simultaneously, in series, or in some other pattern.

Abstract: A method for determining the metabolic capacity of an enzyme includes time-resolved determination of the concentration of a product in exhaled air. The product is created by metabolism of a substrate, previously administered to an individual, by an enzyme of the individual. The product concentration is determined until the maximum product concentration in the exhaled air is reached. A model function is fitted to measured values of the product concentration, obtained by the time-resolved determination of the product concentration between start and end times. The metabolic capacity of the enzyme is determined based on parameters of the model function. Determining the metabolic capacity of the enzyme takes place based on at least two parameters of the model function, wherein the maximum value and time constant of the model function are not selected as parameters at the same time, and the start and/or end times are not selected as parameters.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) is implanted in a patient. The IMD uses a plurality of electrode vectors to generate intrathoracic impedance measurements. The intrathoracic impedance measurements can be indicative of amounts of intrathoracic fluid in the patient. An accumulation of intrathoracic fluid may indicate that the patient is at an increased risk of experiencing a heart failure event in the near future. The IMD performs a vector selection operation on a recurring basis. When the IMD performs the vector selection operation, the IMD uses impedance measurements to select one of the electrode vectors. The IMD can perform a risk assessment operation on another recurring basis. During performance of the risk assessment operation, the IMD uses impedance measurements of the selected electrode vector and/or other patient characteristics stored within the IMD to determine whether the patient is at an increased risk of experiencing a heart failure event.