Abstract: A method is presented for determining diastolic intracranial pressure (ICP) in a patient. A first change in the length of a path across the skull of the patient caused by a known change in ICP is measured and used to determine an elasticity constant for the patient. Next, a second change in the length of the path across the patient's skull occurring between systolic and diastolic portions of the patient's heartbeat is measured. The patient's diastolic ICP is a function of the elasticity constant and the second change.

Abstract: A method for estimating an electrophysiologic response contained in a measured signal includes obtaining a plurality of samples and defining a plurality of bins, each of which corresponds to a range of values of a sorting parameter associated with each of the samples. Each sample of the measured signal is then classified into one of the bins on the basis of a value of a sorting parameter associated with that sample. Then, for each bin, a statistic indicative of samples classified into that bin is maintained. On the basis of these bin statistics, the desired electrophysiologic response can then be estimated.

Abstract: A non-invasive blood pressure measurement device is used for determining blood pressure of an artery. The device comprises a housing unit, a base unit and a sensing unit. The base unit is pivotally connected to the housing unit and comprises electrical circuitry, a flexible ring, and a receptacle. The sensing unit comprises a pressure transducer for sensing pulses of the underlying artery, the transducer having a sensing surface, a flexible diaphragm having an active portion for transmitting blood pressure pulses of the underlying artery, interface means coupled between the sensing surface of the transducer and the flexible diaphragm for transmitting the blood pressure pulses within the underlying artery from the flexible diaphragm to the sensing surface of the transducer, a compressible ring, and connection means for detachably connecting the sensing unit to the receptacle of the base unit.

Abstract: A mobile neurological data acquisition system. A multiplexing circuit is utilized to combined multiple electrical-neurological signal inputs (synaptic “spikes”, EEG, EKG, EMG). A programmable logic device is utilized to package the combined signal into a packet containing a header and a footer. An analog transmitter is utilized to modulate a RF signal with the packetized combined signal and broadcast it to an analog receiver, where it is demodulated. An analog-to-digital converter is used to convert the demodulated combined analog signal into a combined digital signal. A computer and software algorithms are used to demultiplex the combined digital signal into discrete digital representations of the original electrical-neurological signals. The discrete digital signals are sent to a printer or video display for human analysis or stored on digital media such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, or a CD-ROM.

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 invention presents a system for confirming a performer of a fitness exercise. The system includes a heart rate monitor (104) for measuring heart rate parameters (404A to 404N) associated with the fitness exercise from the heart rate of the performer. The system also includes a mathematical model (406) including dependence information between heart rate parameters (404A to 404N) and classes classifying the performer in classes (402A to 402N) such as age or weight. Heart rate parameter data measured from the performer and information in the mathematical model are utilized in identifying the performer of the fitness exercise.

Abstract: The present invention provides implantable physiological or pathophysiological biosensors. The subject biosensors comprise tissue or cells capable of carrying out a physiological or pathophysiological function, which can be used to monitor a chemical, physiological or pathophysiological variable associated with the physiological or pathophysiological function. In one embodiment, the tissue or cells are coupled via an electrical interface to an electronic measuring device or an electronic amplifying device. In another embodiment, the tissue or cells are coupled via an electrical interface to endogenous tissue or cells, including the blood. Preferably, the tissue or cells are excitable tissue or cells such as cardiac tissue or cells and neuronal tissue or cells. The subject biosensors may be placed, inserted or implanted in any animal including but not limited to a mouse, rat, rabbit, pig, cat, dog, cattle, horse, sheep or human.

Abstract: To provide a cuff for a blood pressure monitor having a curled elastic member which is easily attached to an arm, does not make the subject feel pain when attached, and exhibits a characteristic of excellent fitting. A curled elastic member 1A has one end portion 12 extending outward so as to enwind the other end portion 11 inward. Specifically, from the other end portion 11 to a position where the other end portion 11 is mutually opposite, the radius of curvature gently increases. From the mutually opposite portion to the one end portion 12, the radius of curvature largely increases.

Abstract: An indirect calorimetry system includes transducers sensitive to expired airflow that are enclosed within a calorimeter housing, and a microprocessor in communication with the transducers for calculating expiration characteristics. A graphical display displays the expiration characteristics. A communication link transmits expiration characteristics to external devices such as a computer, communication network, or PDA.

Abstract: In an embodiment, neural activity of a subject may be measured with an implant in the sensory motor cortex of the subject and used to predict an intended movement. The measured neural activity may be the local field potential (LFP) at an electrode or single unit (SU) activity. The spectral structure of the LFP and the SU activity may be estimated using spectral analysis techniques. The estimated LFP and SU responses may be used to predict and intended movement by the subject.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed relates to heart beat analysis device and method capable of measuring the heart beats of an individual in physical exercise, notifying the individual of a suitable exercise amount with messages or warning sounds, and allowing the individual to listen to the radio or music.

Abstract: An implanted medical device (e.g. infusion pump) and an external device communicate with one another via telemetry messages that are receivable only during windows or listening periods. Each listening period is open for a prescribed period of time and is spaced from successive listening periods by an interval. The prescribed period of time is typically kept small to minimize power consumption. To increase likelihood of successful communication, the window may be forced to an open state, by use of an attention signal, in anticipation of an incoming message. To further minimize power consumption, it is desirable to minimize use of extended attention signals, which is accomplished by the transmitter maintaining an estimate of listening period start times and attempting to send messages only during listening periods. In the communication device, the estimate is updated as a result of information obtained with the reception of each message from the medical device.

Abstract: Marker compounds indicative of variations in physiological conditions, genetic defects or disease states have been found to be present in apocrine sweat and, in many conditions, these markers are present in apocrine sweat in elevated levels when compared to blood. These markers are collected and/or detected in apocrine sweat and used as an indicator that a disease state or particular physiological condition exists. A skin patch, wipe or electronic detector for vapors released from apocrine sweat are used to indicate the existence of a disease state or changing physiological condition. The patch or wipe can include in monoclonal antibodies or other chemical compounds that can indicate the presence of specific markers. This may include indicators that render visible, the existence of a reaction between the monoclonal antibody or chemical compound and the marker compound to indicate the existence of the condition being tested for.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically measuring a blood pressure of a living subject, including an inflatable cuff which is adapted to be wound around a portion of the subject, an increase-end-pressure determining device for determining, based on a cuff pulse wave occurring to the cuff when a pressure in the cuff is increased at a first rate, an increase-end pressure to which the pressure of the cuff is increased at the first rate, at which the increasing of the pressure of the cuff is ended, and from which the pressure of the cuff is decreased at a second rate lower than the first rate, and a blood-pressure determining device for determining a blood pressure of the subject based on a physical signal obtained from the subject when the pressure of the cuff is decreased at the second rate from the increase-end pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically measuring a blood pressure of a living subject, including a cuff which is wound around a portion of the subject, a cuff pulse wave occurring to the cuff when a pressure in the cuff is changed, a pulse-wave detecting device which is worn on another portion of the subject and detects a volumetric pulse wave, a correction-factor determining device for iteratively determining, for each of respective pulses of the volumetric pulse wave, a correction factor to correct an amplitude of the each pulse to a predetermined value, a first determining device for iteratively multiplying, by the correction factor determined for the each of the pulses of the volumetric pulse wave, an amplitude of one of the pulses of the cuff pulse wave that corresponds to the each pulse of the volumetric pulse wave, and thereby determining a corrected amplitude of the one pulse of the cuff pulse wave, and a second determining device for determining a blood pressure of the subject based on a change of the respec

Abstract: A distributed multi-user system for real time data access during cardiology procedures. The system includes an interactive computer network which can be used to simultaneously display data from a cardiology procedure on a plurality of devices and at a plurality of locations. A catalog, including a list of studies, may be selected by a client workstation. If a user selects one of the studies, the client workstation is dynamically directed to the study. The study can be displayed at any of the plurality of locations, which may be local or remote, during the procedure. Any updates to the data during the procedure will be distributed to the plurality of locations for real-time viewing of the updated data.

Abstract: A real-time controller operating as an artificial pancreas uses a Kalman control algorithm to control glucose level of a patient in real time. The real-time controller receives an estimate of the patient glucose level and a reference glucose level. The estimate of the patient glucose level can be provided by an optimal estimator implemented using a linearized Kalman filter. The estimated glucose level and the reference glucose level are processed by the Kalman control algorithm to determine a control command in real time. The Kalman control algorithm has a dynamic process forced by the control command a cost function determining a relative level of control. The control command is provided to a dispenser which secretes insulin or glucagon in response to the control command to correct a relatively high glucose level or a relatively low glucose level.

Abstract: An indicating apparatus includes a strap for being worn by a user and having a variable condition that changes during the inspiration and expiration phases, respectively, of a respiratory cycle of the user. The strap has a sensor that senses the variable condition and generates electrical output indicative of the variable condition during the inspiration and expiration phases. A signaling device of the indicating apparatus produces a tactile vocalization signal in response to the electrical output that is generated during the expiration phase and produces a tactile pause signal in response to the electrical output that is generated during the inspiration phase. The vocalization and pause signals prompt the user, over a plurality of respiratory cycles, to properly synchronize speaking with the expiration phases and pauses in speaking with the inspiration phases.

Abstract: The device includes: an information intake system that obtains a value representing a non-sensory biological activity of a user's body, such as the pulse or the activity of a limb, a filter for filtration of the value obtained by the said information intake device, which provides a relative position of the said value in a cycle representing a temporal variation of the said biological activity, and an output system to allow the user to know information representing the relative position, for example an alarm, a screen, or a watch hand on a dial.

Abstract: A process is provided for determining the functional residual capacity (FRC) of the lungs during respiration. An environmentally friendly trace gas is used in a process and system for determining the FRC by using fluoropropanes as a trace gas. Values for the FRC can thus be calculated, resolved for individual breaths, from the expiratory trace gas concentration and the expired breathing gas volume and they can be used for determining the FRC depending on their convergence behavior.