Abstract: The disclosure relates to a microfabricated sensor (1) comprising at least one hollow microneedle (2) for minimal invasive extraction of a sample of bodily fluid, a fluid channel (3) connected to the at least one microneedle for receiving a sample of bodily fluid extracted by the at least one microneedle, a microwave transmission line (4) coupled to and extending along at least a portion of the fluid channel, such that the dielectric properties of the fluid in the fluid channel provide an influence on the electrical properties of the transmission line. The disclosure further relates to a method of microfabricating such a sensor and a method of sensing the level of a component in bodily fluid of a patient by providing such a sensor.

Abstract: The present system is directed in various embodiments to devices, systems and methods for detection, evaluation and/or monitoring olfactory dysfunction by measuring and determining the patient's olfactory detection threshold for the left and the right nostril. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices, systems and methods for detecting an asymmetric differential in a patient's olfactory detection threshold (left vs right nostril) which, when present, may be used as a tool to screen, detect, diagnose and/or monitor relative olfactory deterioration resulting from Alzheimer's disease. A preferred embodiment comprises cascading aromas by serially administering more than one pure odorant to the patient's nostrils, left vs right, with measurement of the time, or numbers of breaths, required to cognitively notice the pure odorants' presence.

Abstract: A compound membrane breathing tube for use in spirometric applications is provided. The compound membrane comprises a first sheet and a second sheet of flexible sheeting connected together along the periphery thereof, and each of the sheets has an opening cut therethrough to create a flap. The flap of the first sheet overlaps the flap of the second sheet so as to present a higher relative resistance to airflow through the breathing tube at lower airflows.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices include at least one pressure sensing component within a distal portion of the device. In that regard, one or more electrical, electronic, optical, and/or electro-optical pressure-sensing components is secured to an elongated substrate such that the pressure-sensing component is mounted perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the device. In some implementations, the elongated substrate has a cylindrical profile. Methods of making, assembling, and/or using such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided.

Abstract: A method of determining the ventilatory threshold of a subject in real time during an exercise session wherein data relating to physiological parameters of said subject are acquired and stored in function of time during the exercise session, said data including at least data indicative of the respiration and of the heart beat rate.

Abstract: A patient in whom blood diversion due to cerebral venous steal is present, and abolishment of the cerebral venous steal is indicated, is treated by increasing the cerebral venous pressure in the patient. This increase in cerebral venous pressure restores the collapsed cerebral vasculature, thereby increasing cerebral blood flow. The increase in cerebral venous pressure may be achieved using an occluding catheter in the superior vena cava or the internal jugular veins, using external compression of the cervical veins, or any other suitable mechanism. The occlusion may be controlled precisely during treatment, possibly as a function of cerebral blood flow, and after treatment the patient may experience a persistent effect because the cerebral vasculature is no longer collapsed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining brain health of a subject include or employ an electrical stimulator configured to apply a current to at least one pair of electrodes, and the electrodes are positioned on a skull of the subject to apply the current and to receive brain activity of the subject. The electrical stimulator is configured to apply a current having a waveform according to a Stochastic Gabor Function (SGF). A signal processor is configured to record the brain activity of the subject in the form of spectral electrical impedance data, and a computer system having non-transient computer readable media is programmed and configured to process the spectral electrical impedance data and indicate an impedance change within the brain of the subject.

Abstract: A noninvasive light sensor for detecting heart beat signals has a circular support member engageable circumferentially with a body part of a person. There are a plurality of light emitters and light detectors located around a circumference of the circular support member for respectively emitting light signals into different areas of tissue surrounding the body part, and receiving reflected light signals from the different areas of tissue surrounding the body part.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for diagnosing and treating disorders of the lung are provided, which may include any number of features. In one embodiment, a method comprises obtaining diagnostic information relating to a patient's lungs, compiling a list of potential treatment plans for lung volume reduction in the first and second lungs, excluding treatment plans from the list of potential treatment plans that propose treatment of a lung segment that falls within a segment exclusion rule, and identifying at least one preferred treatment plan from the list of potential treatment plans that targets sufficiently diseased lung segments while also targeting a preferred combined volume of the first and second lungs.

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: 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: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices include at least one pressure sensing component within a distal portion of the device. In that regard, one or more electrical, electronic, optical, and/or electro-optical pressure-sensing components is secured to an elongated substrate such that the pressure-sensing component is mounted perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the device. In some implementations, the elongated substrate has a cylindrical profile. Methods of making, assembling, and/or using such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a system for analysis of respiratory distress in hospitalized patients. The system performs multi-parametric simultaneous analysis of respiration rate (RR) and pulse oximetry (SpO2) data trends in order to gauge patterns of patient instability pertaining to respiratory distress. Three patterns in SpO2 and RR are used along with LOWESS algorithm and Chauvenets criteria for outlier rejection to obtain robust short term and long term trends in RR and SpO2. Pattern analysis detects the presence of any one of three pattern types proposed. Further, a learning paradigm is introduced to find unknown instances of respiratory distress. This algorithm in conjunction with the learning model allows early detection of respiratory distress in hospital ward and ICU patients.

Abstract: Presented here are techniques for controlling glucose levels of a patient based on predicted time to a target glucose level. One methodology predicts a trajectory of the blood glucose level based on past observations of the blood glucose level, determines a cost expression based on the trajectory, and affects a future command to an infusion pump to affect a cost value according to the cost expression. Another methodology defines a target blood glucose concentration level for the patient, observes a current blood glucose concentration for the patient based on signals received from a blood-glucose sensor, and predicts a duration of time for the patient's blood glucose concentration to reach the target blood glucose concentration level based on the observed current blood glucose concentration.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a continuous analyte sensor having more than one working electrode, and configured to reduce or eliminate crosstalk between the working electrodes. In another embodiment, a continuous analyte sensor having more than one working electrode, and configured so that a membrane system has equal thicknesses over each of the electrodes, despite having differing numbers of layers over each of the electrodes. In another embodiment, a configuration for connecting a continuous analyte sensor to sensor electronics. In another embodiment, methods for forming precise windows in an insulator material on a multi-electrode assembly. In another embodiment, a contact assembly for a continuous analyte sensor having more than one working electrode.

Abstract: A biological parameter displaying apparatus includes: a coordinate displaying unit which displays first coordinates in which a first biological parameter of a patient, which is measured by a first measuring unit, is set as an X-axis, and a second biological parameter of the patient, which is different in kind from the first biological parameter and which is measured by a second measuring unit, is set as a Y-axis; a plot data producing unit which produces first plot data, each of the first plot data being produced based on first measurement values of the first and second biological parameters which are measured at a same time or in a same time zone; and a plot displaying unit which plots the first plot data in the first coordinates.

Abstract: The present system is directed in various embodiments to devices, systems and methods for detection, evaluation and/or monitoring olfactory dysfunction by measuring and determining the patient's olfactory detection threshold for the left and the right nostril. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices, systems and methods for detecting an asymmetric differential in a patient's olfactory detection threshold (left vs right nostril) which, when present, may be used as a tool to screen, detect, diagnose and/or monitor relative olfactory deterioration resulting from Alzheimer's disease. A preferred embodiment comprises cascading aromas by serially administering more than one pure odorant to the patient's nostrils, left vs right, with measurement of the time, or numbers of breaths, required to cognitively notice the pure odorants' presence.

Abstract: In a sphygmomanometer, a value representing a perimeter of a measuring portion is obtained. A parameter for controlling a drive voltage of a pump is determined based on the value. The drive voltage is determined based on the parameter and an internal pressure of a fluid bladder to pressurize the fluid bladder. In pressurizing process, a diastolic blood pressure value is calculated. A systolic blood pressure value is estimated, and when the internal pressure of the fluid bladder reaches the pressure, the pressurizing is stopped. A gap of a valve for discharging the fluid from the fluid bladder is determined based on a perimeter of a measuring portion, and the fluid bladder is depressurized with the gap constant. In the depressurizing process, the systolic blood pressure value is calculated. When the systolic blood pressure value is calculated, the fluid is discharged from the fluid bladder, and the measurement is terminated.

Abstract: Automated devices provide methodologies for determining sleep conditions, which may be in conjunction with treatment of sleep disordered breathing by a pressure treatment apparatus such as a continuous positive airway pressure device. Based on a measure of respiratory airflow, respiratory characteristics are extracted to detect arousal conditions, sleep stability, sleep states and/or perform sleep quality assessments. The methodologies may be implemented for data analysis by a specific purpose computer, a monitoring device that measures a respiratory airflow and/or a respiratory treatment apparatus that provides a respiratory treatment regime based on the detected conditions.

Abstract: A time domain rule-based processor provides recognition of pulses in a pulse oximeter-derived waveform.