Abstract: A visceral fat scale equipped with a sphygmomanometer is described, with which a subject can keep track of blood pressure values and grasp the state of obesity to attain more accurate, comprehensive and diversified diagnoses and disease prevention. The visceral fat scale is designed such that after exerting pressure to an artery of a subject by inflation of a cuff, a pulse wave signal is detected in the course of gradual cuff deflation and blood pressure is obtained based on the detected pulse wave signal. The scale comprises an increment/decrement key and display mode selector key for inputting personal data of the subject; an arithmetic operation unit for calculating the amount of visceral fat of the subject based on data input by these keys; and a display unit for displaying a result of the calculation performed by the arithmetic operation unit.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing respiratory tract sounds in an individual. A plurality of N transducers are fixed over the thorax. The ith transducer is fixed at a location xi, and generates a signal P(xi,t) indicative of pressure waves at the location xi, for i=1 to N. A processor receives the signals P(xi,t) and determines an average acoustic energy {tilde over (P)}(x,t1,t2) at at least one position x over a time interval where {tilde over (P)}is determined in an algorithm involving at least one of the signals P(xi,t).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a user's Respiratory Quotient (RQ) using just measured O2 and CO2 concentrations without use of a flow meter. The RQ is determined by measuring the user's real-time inspired O2 concentration (INS O2) and end tidal O2 concentration (ETO2) and measuring the user's real-time inspired CO2 concentration (INS CO2) and end tidal CO2 concentration (ETCO2), and then determining the user's RQ from the measured INS O2, ETO2, INS CO2, and ETCO2 values in accordance with the following equation: RQ=(ETCO2?INS CO2)/(INS O2?ETO2). In order to avoid error introduced by the flow rate, the measurement steps are preferably performed while the user is in a resting condition. Also, ETCO2 is preferably measured as the maximum CO2 value in a breath cycle of the user, while INS CO2 is preferably measured as the minimum CO2 value in a breath cycle of the user.

Abstract: A method for detecting ?-oxoaldehydes in the whole blood, blood plasma and/or serum of a patient. A respiratory air sample is analyzed for the presence of at least one ?-oxoaldehyde, and the presence of ?-oxoaldehydes in the whole blood, blood plasma and/or serum of the patient is determined from the results of the analysis.

Abstract: A plurality of co-operative and complementary software programs are implemented in a web-enabled high speed computer system to remotely monitor, manage and modify the operational and functional parameters of a plurality of implanted medical devices (IMDs). The system utilizes virtual electrophysiologist module (VEM), chronic monitoring module (CMM) and prescription program module (PPM) programs to effect specific therapeutic and diagnostic methods for managing the IMDs, remotely on a conditions and real-time basis. The modules enable remote and continuous monitoring, management and maintenance of the IMDs by identifying critical medical events, determining optimal clinical settings and upgrading performance parameters based on prescriptive data. The modules are implemented in a data center having high-speed computers operating in a web-enabled environment. The modules and the IMDs communicate through wireless communications system via a programmer or an interface medical unit (IMD).

Abstract: A blood-pressure measuring apparatus including a cuff which is adapted to be worn on a portion of a living subject to press the portion, a waveform analyzing device for analyzing a form of a cuff pulse wave which is obtained from the cuff, and a cuff-pulse-wave obtaining device for obtaining, before the cuff presses the portion of the subject for measuring a blood pressure of the subject, the cuff pulse wave from the cuff so that the waveform analyzing device analyzes the form of the cuff pulse wave.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems relating to the objective measurement of the subjective perception of pain in a subject are disclosed. In one aspect, a system for objectively measuring a subjective perception of pain by a subject comprises a plurality of electrodes, including a left channel electrode and a right channel electrode. The plurality of electrodes measures electrical activity at a respective plurality of sites on the subject to generate at least two sets of electrical activity measurements. The system further comprises a processor for processing the at least two sets of electrical activity measurements into at least two normalized signals, and comparing the at least two normalized signals to each other to identify the presence of pain in the subject.

Abstract: A microminiature sensing module and a sensing catheter system are provided. The module includes a sensor and signal conditioning circuit mounted on a substrate having electrical contacts positioned to facilitate connection of the module to an electrical bus, such as a dual lead electrical bus. The catheter system incorporates a dual lead electrical bus and one or more sensor modules. Methods of fabricating sensing catheter systems are also provided.

Abstract: In a technique for collecting and analyzing physiological signals to detect sleep apnea, a small light-weight physiological monitoring system, affixed to a patient's forehead, detects and records the pulse, oximetry, snoring sounds, and head position of a patient to detect a respiratory event, such as sleep apnea. The physiological monitoring system may contain several sensors including a pulse oximeter to detect oximetry and pulse rate, a microphone to detect snoring sounds, and a position sensor to detect head position. The physiological monitoring system also can contain a memory to store or record the signals monitored by the mentioned sensors and a power source. The physiological monitoring system may be held in place by a single elastic strap, thereby enabling a patient to use the system without the assistance of trained technicians.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ascertaining the depth of anesthesia of the patient. In one embodiment, the entropy of the patient's EEG signal data is determined as an indication of the depth of anesthesia. A frequency domain power spectrum quantity is obtained from the patient's EMG signal data. The latter quantity can be updated more frequently than the EEG entropy due to its higher frequency. The EEG entropy indication and the EMG power spectrum indication can be combined into a composite indicator that provides an immediate indication of changes in the state of the patient. In a further embodiment, the frequency range over which the entropy of the biopotential signal from the patient is determined is selected to encompass both EEG signal data and EMG signal data and the entropy so determined used as an indication of the patients state. In addition, entropy of the EEG range alone can be used together with the entropy of the broadened range to indicate separately contributions from EEG and EMG.

Abstract: Determination of a physiological parameter value includes reception of several signals, each representing a respective one of several physiological parameters and including a pulsation associated with the parameter. A system detects a pulsation associated with a physiological parameter. The system includes an input device for receiving a plurality of different signals, each of the plurality of different signals indicating a pulsation in respective different physiological parameters. A signal processor detects and accumulates information from the plurality of different signals. The accumulated information including values of relative delay between the pulsation in the respective different parameters. A timing processor determines a timing of the pulsation in at least one of the different parameters based at least on the accumulated information.

Abstract: Patients may operate a CPAP system to deliver appropriate airway pressure at their home. A patient's apnea problem ca be diagnosed at home without supervision with a CPAP device which delivers a continuously minimum appropriate pressure for substantially the entire period of therapy.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems relating to the objective measurement of the subjective perception of pain in a subject are disclosed. In one aspect, a system for objectively measuring a subjective perception of pain by a subject comprises a plurality of electrodes, including a left channel electrode and a right channel electrode. The plurality of electrodes measures electrical activity at a respective plurality of sites on the subject to generate at least two sets of electrical activity measurements. The system further comprises a processor for processing the at least two sets of electrical activity measurements into at least two normalized signals, and comparing the at least two normalized signals to each other to identify the presence of pain in the subject.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a velocity at which a pulse wave propagates between a first portion and a second portion of a living subject, the apparatus including a propagation-signal producing device which is adapted to be worn on the first portion of the subject and produces a propagation signal, a propagation-signal detecting device which is adapted to be worn on the second portion of the subject and detects the propagation signal that has been produced by the propagation-signal producing device, has propagated through a body tissue of the subject, and has reached the second portion, a blood-vessel-length determining device for determining a length of a blood vessel of the subject that is located between the first and second portions of the subject, based on a signal propagation time from a time when the propagation signal is produced by the propagation-signal producing device, to a time when the propagation signal is detected by the propagation-signal detecting device, and a pre-stored velocity at which the

Abstract: A bladder incorporated in a cuff includes an outer wall located at the outer side, an inner wall located at the inner side, side walls connected to both side ends of the outer wall and the inner wall in the wrapping direction, and folded inward of the bladder, and a joint connecting the side walls inside the bladder. A sphygmomanometer cuff is provided that can maintain the former configuration even when inflated or deflated without change in the width even if the bladder is inflated, and that does not dilate in the width direction when inflated.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems relating to the objective measurement of the subjective perception of pain in a subject are disclosed. In one aspect, a system for objectively measuring a subjective perception of pain by a subject comprises a plurality of electrodes, including a left channel electrode and a right channel electrode. The plurality of electrodes measures electrical activity at a respective plurality of sites on the subject to generate at least two sets of electrical activity measurements. The system further comprises a processor for processing the at least two sets of electrical activity measurements into at least two normalized signals, and comparing the at least two normalized signals to each other to identify the presence of pain in the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides means and methods for noninvasively identifying the blood pressure characteristics in each of the seven types of vessels in the circulatory system, including the central venous pressure (CVP) through a single monitoring system using fluid depletion plethysmography. Known pressure is applied to a body region in increasing amounts to force blood volume from the body region in step-wise fashion through each vessel type. Blood volume depletion for each vessel type is measured by the increasing electrical impedance of the body part during depletion and is plotted against the increasing pressure data. The resulting series of slope changes within the plotted curve reveals the blood pressure for each vessel type. The data obtained may further be used to determine vessel wall compliance/tension as well as standard measurements such as pulse and large artery systolic and diastolic pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring electrical activity, such as brainwaves, in an animal comprising detecting said activity to produce a corresponding output signal, combining the output signal with a random noise signal to produce a modified signal, and analyzing the modified signal using an autocorrelation technique to detect the relative power density values at a plurality of different frequencies. The random noise signal may be a random number. The autocorrelation technique may involve the Yule-Walker method.

Abstract: A physiological-signal-analysis device for determining a blood pressure value of a patient and a method of operating the device. The device includes a cuff attachable to an extremity of the patient, a pneumatic system connected to the cuff that supplies a fluid to the cuff, a pressure transducer that measures the pressure signal having pressure oscillations, and a control unit connected to the pneumatic system and the pressure transducer. The control unit is operable to acquire a first oscillation having a first fiducial point, acquire a second oscillation having a second fiducial point, calculate a time interval representing a time from the first fiducial point to the second fiducial point, decide against selecting the second oscillation when the time interval is not a substantial integral multiple of a nominal oscillation period, and calculate a blood pressure value based on selected oscillations.

Abstract: A central blood pressure waveform estimation device has a pulse wave detection section, a transfer function storage section, and a central blood pressure waveform calculation section. The pulse wave detection section non-invasively detects a peripheral pulse wave. The transfer function storage section stores a transfer function calculated in advance based on a peripheral pulse waveform detected by the pulse wave detection section and a central blood pressure waveform invasively measured. The central blood pressure waveform calculation section calculates a central blood pressure waveform based on a peripheral pulse waveform newly detected by the pulse wave detection section and the transfer function stored in the transfer function storage section.