Abstract: A cuff for a blood pressure monitor includes a cuff main unit wound around a measurement site of a living body, and a handle provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cuff main unit and gripped with a hand for fitting the cuff. The cuff main unit includes a cover member in which an air bag for pressing the living body and a curled elastic member wound annularly on the outside of the air bag and radially changeable in size are contained, and a diameter increasing/decreasing mechanism for increasing/decreasing a diameter of the curled elastic member. The handle has a push-button for increasing/decreasing the diameter of the curled elastic member by switching an operation of the diameter increasing/decreasing mechanism. This can provide a cuff for a blood pressure monitor permitting easy mounting/dismounting with respect to the measurement site of the living body.

Abstract: Apparatus and techniques are provided for precise measuring and monitoring of certain vital signs of patients that have been difficult to measure especially in emergency situations. Sensor may be used for detecting contraction and expansion in the vascular bed of the lining tissue of the external auditory canal during a cardiac cycle to obtain a better indication of certain physiological parameters. Such a signal generally may be superimposed with an additional signal that is primarily due to breathing activity of the patient. Based on various scenarios different sensors may be used to determine the signal due to breathing activity and thus the physiological parameter of interest may be derived. The signal corresponding to the physiological parameter of interest, for example, blood pressure may then be used to monitor the vital signs or control other medical equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for non-invasively assessing the functional state and state of homeostasis of a human. Specifically selected and designed tests provide efficient and comprehensive and/or targeted assessment, depending on which tests are selected. The tests preferably include heart rate variability, differential ECG, omega brain wave, jump and stimulus response tests. The non-invasive manner of data recording permits frequent testing which is critical in assessing adaptive response and other performance criteria. The sensors, interface/adapter and computing device are preferably lightweight to promote portability.

Abstract: A battery-operated device, for example, a blood pressure measuring device, consists essentially of a housing (2) and a compartment (3) to accommodate batteries. The compartment (3) is rotatably hinge-connected to the housing (2). The compartment (3) can be pivoted between an insertion position (E) for receiving batteries and an operating position (B). The device (1) has a standing surface (15). The compartment (3) for accommodating batteries is arranged so that the outside surface (4) of the compartment (3) in the operating position (B) forms part of one of the side walls (16a, 16b, 16c), and the inside (8) of compartment (3) is open at the top to receive batteries in the insertion position (E).

Abstract: A method of calculating the carbon dioxide elimination of a patient that includes counteracting any inaccuracy or inconsistency in respiratory flow measurements that may be caused by "noise", such as is attributable to respiratory circuit leaks, signal drift, a non-unity respiratory quotient, or another respiratory flow error-inducing factor. The method includes monitoring the respiratory flow and carbon dioxide of the patient during at least a portion of both inspiration and expiration; calculating an inspiratory tidal volume, an inspiratory volume averaged carbon dioxide fraction, an expiratory tidal volume, and an expiratory volume averaged carbon dioxide fraction; and selecting a tidal volume to replace at least one of the inspiratory tidal volume and the expiratory tidal volume. The carbon dioxide elimination of the patient is then calculated with the select tidal volume, the inspiratory volume averaged carbon dioxide fraction, and the expiratory volume averaged carbon dioxide fraction.