Abstract: A fluid control device (101) includes a pump (20), a container (70) that is pressurized or decompressed by the pump (20), a valve (60) that allows communication between the container (70) and an outside of the container (70) when the valve (60) is in an opened state, and a controller (90) that controls the pump (20) and the valve (60). The controller (90) pressurizes or decompresses the container (70) by closing the valve (60) and driving the pump (20) and then cools down the pump (20) by opening the valve (60) and driving the pump (20). Accordingly, an increase in the temperature of the pump can be reduced, and convenience of the fluid control device can be improved.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to devices including one or more hollow needles and a transducing wire disposed within at least one needle. In particular instances, arrays of such needles can be employed. Methods for fabricating and using such devices are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Methods and implantable medical devices (IMDs) are provided for monitoring a cardiac function of a heart. A heart sound sensor is configured to sense heart sound signals of the subject. The IMD includes a memory to store program instructions. The IMD includes a processor that, when executing the program instructions, is configured to identify S2 signal segment from the heart sound signals, analyze the S2 signal segment to identify a pulmonary valve signal (P2 signal) and an aortic valve signal (A2 signal) within an S2 signal segment of the heart sound signals. The processor is configured to determine a time interval between the A2 and P2 signals, characterize the S2 signal segment to exhibit a first type of S2 split based on the time interval, and identify a cardiac condition based on a comparison of the first type of S2 split and a cardiac condition matrix.

Abstract: A pulmonary function measurement device, a pulmonary function measurement method, and a pulmonary function measurement program are provided which are non-invasive and can operate with a reduced burden on a measurement subject. The pulmonary function measurement device for measuring data for evaluating a pulmonary function includes a sound output unit that is capable of being fixed to a part of a body surface near ribs, and outputs a sound toward the ribs; a sound detection unit that is capable of being fixed to a part of a body surface near the ribs toward which the sound is to be output, and detects a sound that is transmitted from the sound output unit through the ribs; and an attenuation calculation unit that calculates an acoustic attenuation from information on the sound output by the sound output unit and the sound detected by the sound detection unit.

Abstract: An electronic device and method for continuous noninvasive blood pressure monitoring in a subject having an electronic device capable of receiving, storing and processing data from an arterial pulse waveform sensor. The electronic device detects key landmarks on the arterial pulse waveform allowing the calculation of pulse rate and left ventricular ejection time (LVET). Based on experimentally determined regression equations between rate-corrected LVET and systolic diastolic and pulse blood pressures, prevailing beat-to-beat blood pressure values are calculated. The only input required for continuous blood pressure monitoring is an arterial pulse waveform, detected in the present invention by a single sensor device, for example a photoplethysmography pulse detector. An electronic device suitable for performing this noninvasive method is further provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an elongated catheter comprising a tubular section with a side wall with essentially annular cross-section defined by an outer surface and an inner surface of the tubular section. In the outer surface of the tubular section, there is at least one longitudinal installation recess extending over a first predefined distance over the longitudinal dimension of the catheter. A flexible circuit board is wrapped around the tubular section. Electrical wiring is disposed on the outer surface of the tubular section. At least one electronic device is assembled on the flexible circuit board and disposed within the at least one longitudinal installation recess. The at least one electronic device is interconnected via the flexible circuit board with the electrical wiring.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient with coronary artery disease. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart and create a model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may be further configured to create, for a given level of physical activity, a physics-based model of blood flow through the patient's heart simulated during a selected level of physical activity; determine and normalize one or more values of at least one blood flow characteristic within the patient's heart during the simulated level of physical activity; and compare the one or more normalized values of the at least one blood flow characteristic to a threshold to determine whether the level of physical activity exceeds an acceptable level of risk.

Abstract: A bio-information measuring apparatus bio-information measuring method are provided. The bio-information measuring apparatus includes: a pulse wave obtainer configured to obtain a pulse wave signal, and a processor configured to correct a feature of the obtained pulse wave signal based on a variation in an amplitude of the obtained pulse wave signal, and to measure bio-information based on the corrected feature.

Abstract: A kit of two compositions comprising the same odorants in mixtures of different proportions is used for the measurement of olfactory discrimination capacity in subjects affected by a psychiatric disorder or disease involving mood disturbance, more particularly mood depression.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system for determining patient cardiovascular information which includes at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of an anatomical structure of a patient; create a model representing at least a portion of the anatomical structure of the patient based on the patient-specific data; determine a first blood flow rate at at least one point of interest in the model by using relations of individual-specific anatomic data to functional estimates of blood flow characteristics generated from a plurality of individuals; modify the model; determine a second blood flow rate at a point in the modified model corresponding to the at least one point of interest by using the relations of individual-specific anatomic data to functional estimates of blood flow characteristics; and determine a fractional flow reserve value as a ratio of the second blood flow rate to the first blood flow rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating an anaerobic threshold may include a heart rate detector configured to detect a heart rate from a signal sensed from a user, and an anaerobic threshold estimator configured to estimate an anaerobic threshold of the user based on a change in the detected heart rate.

Abstract: A method of determining a blood pressure of a patient includes determining a plurality of pressure pulses, wherein each pressure pulse of the plurality of pressure pulses comprises a profile having a maximum profile height. The method also includes determining a pulse score associated with the plurality of pressure pulses, wherein the pulse score is determined based on the profiles of the pressure pulses and the maximum profile heights. The method further includes determining that the pulse score is above a pulse score threshold, and generating, in response to determining that the pulse score is above the pulse score threshold, a pulse curve based on the maximum profile heights. The method also includes determining the blood pressure of the patient without completely occluding a blood vessel of the patient, wherein the blood pressure is determined based on a plurality of values corresponding to respective points on the pulse curve.

Abstract: There is described a method for calculating a patient-specific hemodynamic parameter. The method comprises measuring at least one pressure measurement in an artery using an intravascular pressure measurement device, and taking at least one medical image of the artery from a medical imaging instrument, the at least one medical image of the artery being synchronous with the at least one pressure measurement. Both the pressure measurement and the medical image are fed to a computing system to calculate a flow from the at least one medical image, to calculate parameters of the artery from at least two artery pressure drops and corresponding flow components, and based on the flow and the parameters of the artery, to calculate a patient-specific hemodynamic parameter or a plurality thereof.

Abstract: A method, device, and system for evaluating a vessel of a patient, and in particular the hemodynamic impact of a stenosis within the vessel of a patient. Proximal and distal pressure measurements are made using first and second instrument while the first instrument is moved longitudinally through the vessel from a first position to a second position and the second instrument remains in a fixed longitudinal position within the vessel. A series of pressure ratio values are calculated, and a pressure ratio curve is generated. One or more stepped change in the pressure ratio curve are then identified and/or located using an Automatic Step Detection (ASD) process and/or algorithm.

Abstract: The invention provides a sensor for measuring both impedance and ECG waveforms that is configured to be worn around a patient's neck. The sensor features 1) an ECG system that includes an analog ECG circuit, in electrical contact with at least two ECG electrodes, that generates an analog ECG waveform; and 2) an impedance system that includes an analog impedance circuit, in electrical contact with at least two (and typically four) impedance electrodes, that generates an analog impedance waveform. Also included in the neck-worn system are a digital processing system featuring a microprocessor, and an analog-to-digital converter. During a measurement, the digital processing system receives and processes the analog ECG and impedance waveforms to measure physiological information from the patient. Finally, a cable that drapes around the patient's neck connects the ECG system, impedance system, and digital processing system.

Abstract: Decision support technology is provided for use with patients who may experience respiratory deterioration. A mechanism is provided to determine an indicator of a patient's probability of deterioration of respiratory functioning, which may include calculating a probability of a respiratory deterioration event in patients from whom serial digital recordings of respiratory sounds are acquired. A forecast or score representing a likelihood of deterioration may be generated and used for pulmonary disease prognosis, diagnosis, and/or determining or implementing an appropriate response action such as automatically issuing an alert or notification to a caregiver associated with the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for predicting the viability of a body tissue in a patient. The system comprises a computing device, and a first pressure measuring device for measuring local perfusion pressure in the body tissue of the patient. This measuring device is connected to the computing device. A second pressure measuring device is provided for measuring the systemic perfusion pressure of the patient, said second pressure measuring device being connected to the computing device. A feedback indicator is connected to the computing device and is adapted to indicate the viability of the tissue calculated by the computing device on the basis of the measured local and systemic perfusion pressures. The invention also includes a method of predicting the viability of the body tissue and to the first pressure measuring device.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling neural activity in the brain, including performing a source localization procedure and a neurostimulation procedure, and using the former as a monitor to provide for feedback control of the latter.

Abstract: A sensor module is disclosed herein. The sensor module includes a skin piercing member carried by the carrier. The skin piercing member has a skin piercing end positioned opposite from a base end. The skin piercing member defines a lumen that extends along the central longitudinal axis from the skin piercing end toward the base end and the lumen having a lumen axis. The sensor module also includes a blood sample analysis zone located entirely within the lumen of the skin piercing member and a capillary flow stop for stopping capillary flow at a predetermined location within the lumen of the skin piercing member. The sensor module includes an elongated working electrode positioned within the lumen. The working electrode has a length that extends along the lumen axis where at least a section of the working electrode is positioned within the analysis zone. The working electrode includes sensing chemistry.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing hemodynamic status of a patient experiencing atrial tachyarrhythmia such as an atrial fibrillation (AF) episode are disclosed. A system can comprise an atrial tachyarrhythmia detection circuit configured to detect an AF episode, a hemodynamic sensor circuit configured to sense at least one hemodynamic signal, and a hemodynamic status analyzer circuit that can calculate one or more signal metrics using the sensed hemodynamic signal during the AF episode. The hemodynamic status analyzer circuit can categorize the hemodynamic status of the patient into one of two or more categorical hemodynamic status levels which indicate elevated hemodynamic impact of the detected AF episode. A user interface can provide to an end-user a presentation of the categorized hemodynamic status level during AF.