Abstract: A region of skin, other than the fingertips, is stimulated. After stimulation, an opening is created in the skin (e.g., by lancing the skin) to cause a flow of body fluid from the region. At least a portion of this body fluid is transported to a testing device where the concentration of analyte (e.g., glucose) in the body fluid is then determined. It is found that the stimulation of the skin provides results that are generally closer to the results of measurements from the fingertips, the traditional site for obtaining body fluid for analyte testing.

Abstract: The noninvasive measurement of a patient's blood pressure is achieved automatically in high motion situations by using a dual signal channel pressure sensor in a method and system that acquires pressure waveform data while the degree of compression of an artery is being varied. Two pressure measurement channels are used, one being a main channel for monitoring pressure in the pressure transmission path, and the other being a reference channel for monitoring pressure in a wall through which a holddown force is applied. A caregiver applies the NIBP sensor to the patient. Immediately before the patient is about to engage in high motion activities or be placed in a high motion environment, the caregiver turns ON the automatic HMT function, and proceeds with his or her duties while observing the patient to ensure that the patient is quiet until the NIBP monitor acquires a certain number of waveforms without resetting. Once this has occurred, the caregiver may permit the high motion activity to begin.

Abstract: A digital thermometer with enhanced conformity to the anatomy, such as in and around the mouth of a human being. A non-linear probe has a temperature sensor at a first end adapted to be inserted into the mouth and under the tongue, and a downwardly disposed housing portion at the second end. An intermediate portion of the probe is shaped to rest on the lower lip and/or teeth. The probe is preferably integrally molded with the housing. The probe may also be flexible such that it may be bent into the desired non-linear configuration prior to use. Such a flexible probe may have an internal stiffener with a softer plastic overmold. A display component displays the measured temperature. Electronic circuitry receives a temperature signal from the temperature sensor, translates the signal into a value representative of the measured temperature, and provides the translated value to the display for displaying the temperature.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and a system for measuring non-invasively a blood pressure of a patient. The method comprises the steps of: determining (1603) a mechanical heart beat starting time point from an impedance cardiogram signal, detecting (1605) a heart beat pulse arrival time at a peripheral site of the patient, calculating (1607) a pulse wave transit time from the heart to the peripheral site by utilizing said mechanical starting point of the heart beat and said heart beat pulse arrival time, calculating (1609) an estimate of the blood pressure of the patient from said pulse wave transit time.

Abstract: The measurement results judging means 80 judges whether or not the measurement of vital signal. In the case where it has been judged that all of the measurements of the vital signal used for the measurement of such plurality of vital-information are normal, since the above-described plurality of vital-information are automatically output from the printer 58, the troublesome works of the printing operation can be omitted, and in the case where it has been judged that the measurement of the vital signals used for the determination of at least one of the vital-information is not normal, the above-described vital-information is not output from the printer 58, therefore, unnecessary vital-information can be prevented from being output from the printer 58.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product related to the diagnosis of diabetes, and is directed to predicting the long-term risk of hyperglycemia, and the long-term and short-term risks of severe hypoglycemia in diabetics, based on blood glucose readings collected by a self-monitoring blood glucose device. The method, system, and computer program product pertain directly to the enhancement of existing home blood glucose monitoring devices, by introducing an intelligent data interpretation component capable of predicting both HbA1c and periods of increased risk of hypoglycemia, and to the enhancement of emerging continuous monitoring devices by the same features. With these predictions the diabetic can take steps to prevent the adverse consequences associated with hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring the concentration of substances in living organisms using microdialysis, whereby bodily fluid is mixed with a perfusate and passed through a membrane and a substance value is determined for the bodily fluid with the aid of a sensor unit. According to the invention, to allow for the limited transport through the membrane, so that the measured substance value differs from the actual substance value in the organism, a reference substance present in said organism with a known value is also measured after passing through the membrane and mixing with the perfusate and the actual substance value is determined, based on the quotient from the known reference substance value divided by the measured reference substance value, multiplied by the measured substance value.

Abstract: A monitoring device (10), method and system are disclosed herein. The monitoring device (10) utilizes a vital sign monitor (16) to determine a plurality of vital signs of the user. The vital sign monitor (16) preferably comprises a light source (3) and photodetector (31) in communication with a pulse oximetry circuit (35).

Abstract: A capnograph which performs an analysis of the breath waveforms measured by the carbon dioxide sensor, interprets the results of this analysis, and outputs to the operator diagnostic information about the respiratory status of the patient, or about the adequacy of the breathing support provided to the patient. The instrument compares a number of parameters characteristic of the waveforms of the patient's breath with an internal library of the values of those parameters expected from normal waveforms stored in its memory. These parameters may either relate to specific features of the waveform in the time domain, or may characterize spectral components of the waveform in the frequency domain. The capnographic waveform analysis may be combined with further non-invasive measurements in order to provide an indication of the deviation of the value of EtCO2 from PaCO2.

Abstract: At the time of measuring a blood pressure, when an MPU controls a pressure in a cuff, detects a pulse wave generated due to pressurizing of a cuff pressure via a band-pass filter or the like, calculates a wave feature value of the detected pulse wave and calculates the blood pressure so as to output it using the calculated wave feature value, the MPU detects the pulse wave in a range of the cuff pressure where the pule wave can be detected. Therefore, since a blood pressure measuring process constituted of detection of the pulse wave, calculation of the wave feature value and calculation of the blood pressure is executed within the range of the cuff pressure where the pulse wave can be detected, the process is prevented from being executed within a range where the pulse wave cannot be detected, thereby measuring the blood pressure with good accuracy.

Abstract: A device having variable inspiratory resistance suitable for measuring the inspiratory strength of a patient which comprises a chamber in communication with a mouthpiece, said chamber (a) being provided with a calibration system for measuring the inhalation flow rate during inhalation through the mouthpiece and (b) being provided with a variable resistance feature by which the resistance to airflow through the device may be altered.

Abstract: In a method for calibrating an indicator of the status of blood volume in a patient breathing with the aid of a mechanical ventilator, blood pressure data is obtained from the patient and used to determine a patient blood volume status indicator. Changes in at least one patient physiological characteristic or ventilator operating parameter are ascertained and used to alter the patient blood volume status indicator to provide a calibrated patient blood volume status indicator.

Abstract: An inflatable cuff for blood pressure measurement includes a first inflatable bag which is inflatable to press an arterial vessel of a body portion of a living subject and stop flow of blood in the arterial vessel which the inflatable cuff is adapted to be wound around the body portion; a second inflatable bag for sensing a pulse wave propagating along the arterial vessel, which is supported by the inflatable cuff such that the second inflatable bag is located inside a downstream-side portion of the first inflatable bag in the direction of the blood flows in the arterial vessel, and which has a dimension as measured in the direction that is smaller than a dimension of the first inflatable bag as measured in said direction; and a fluid-filled bag which is located between the second inflatable bag and the body portion and which is filled with incompressible fluid.

Abstract: An indirect calorimeter for measuring the metabolic rate of a subject includes a respiratory connector configured to be supported in contact with the subject so as to pass inhaled and exhaled gases as the subject breathes, a flow pathway, and a hygiene barrier positioned to block a predetermined pathogen from the exhaled gases. The indirect calorimeter also includes a flow pathway having a first end in fluid communication with the respiratory connector and a second end in fluid communication with a source and sink for respiratory gases. The flow pathway includes a flow tube through which the inhaled and exhaled gases pass, an outer housing surrounding the flow tube, and a chamber disposed between the flow tube and the first end.

Abstract: To track significant changes in a hemodynamic variable of a living body regardless of measurement noise induced by cyclical functions of the body, the hemodynamic variable is measured at substantially the same instant during several cycles and the measured values compared to identify any statistically significant changes. The measurements may be discrete or continuous. The heart may be stimulated by a cardiac device during some of the cycles and parameters of the device such as the A-V delay of a pacemaker may be adjusted in accordance with the measured change in the hemodynamic variable, which may be, among others, blood pressure or blood volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a concept for placing a subcutaneous device such as a sensor at a selected site within the body of a patient, e.g. to obtain blood glucose readings. In a first aspect, an insertion needle comprises an oblong needle body and a distal end portion, the distal end portion having a pointed distal tip allowing the needle to be introduced subcutaneously and a distally facing generally smooth surface, the body comprising along a portion thereof a longitudinal groove adapted to at least partially accommodate the subcutaneous device. In a second aspect, a combination of an insertion needle and a subcutaneous device form an oblong body portion and a distal end portion formed by either of the members or in combination by the two members, the distal end portion having a pointed distal tip and a distally facing generally smooth surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sock containing a coating applied to at least a portion of a surface of the sock for sensing pressure points on a patient's foot. The coating material comprises a pressure-sensitive film comprised of oxygen-sensitive photo luminescent probe molecules dispersed within a polymer matrix, and, optionally, an inorganic pigment. Areas of increased pressure can be detected by correspondence to areas on the film of increased fluorescence intensity. The coating material can also be comprised of a coloring agent or dye such that after the sock has been worn for a period of time, in those areas of the foot susceptible to pressure points, the coating material transfers from the interior of the sock and adheres to the foot in those points. The present invention is particularly applicable to persons having diabetic neuropathic feet wherein portions of the foot may be insensitive to pressure.

Abstract: A device for continuously monitoring a user's arterial blood pressure has a sensor adapted to continuously detect the blood pressure and to generate signals representative thereof by contact with an external surface of the user's body at a location adjacent an artery. The sensor is securely held in operable contact with the user's body at the location. A microprocessor interprets the signals generated by the sensor to determine the actual arterial blood pressure. The sensor includes a projecting portion for detecting and transmitting changes in blood pressure, wherein the projecting portion is adapted to effect at least partial occlusion of the artery at the location.

Abstract: A blood pressure measuring apparatus having an inflatable cuff including a first inflatable bag adapted to be worn on a body portion of a living subject so as to exclude blood from an artery located in the body portion, and a second inflatable bag adapted to be worn on the body portion, on a distal side of a middle portion of the first inflatable bag, so as to detect a pulse wave produced from the artery, a first piping which is connected to the first inflatable bag, a second piping which is branched from the first piping and is connected to the second inflatable bag, a pump which supplies an inflating fluid to the first and second inflatable bags via the first and second pipings, respectively, a blood pressure determining device which determines a blood pressure of the subject based on the pulse wave detected through the second inflatable bag when a pressing pressure of the first inflatable bag is changed, and a switching device which is provided in the second piping and which selectively switches the second

Abstract: A sphygmogram measure method and device includes an upstream and a downstream pressure sensor arranged in accordance with the bloodstream direction to measure the pulse pressure of two adjacent points on radial artery in the wrist. The pulse pressures are processed and converted to analog signals by an amplitude filter circuit and an adjusting circuit. The analog signal of upstream pulse pressure is converted to a digital signal, which is stored in a digital signal process unit. The signals of upstream pulse pressure and downstream pulse pressure are also transmitted as a start signal and a stop signal respectively to a counter which measures the time lag of a pulse wave passing through the two pressure sensors. The digital signal process unit uses the digital signals of upstream pulse pressure and time lag to calculate the digital signal of downstream pulse pressure.