Abstract: A method of measuring blood clotting ability of a patient. A known volume of blood is dispensed on a reference disc of blotter paper, such that at least one reference blotch is formed on the reference disc. The surface area of the reference blotch formed on the reference disc, such that a relationship between the volume of blood and the surface area of the reference blotch can be obtained. An incision is made at the patient. A piece of blotter paper to the incision is applied to the incision to collect blood flowing therefrom, such that at least one blotch is formed on the piece of blotter paper. The surface area of the blotch formed on the piece of blotter paper is measured. The volume of the blood absorbed blood by the blotter paper is calculated according to the relationship between the blood volume and the surface area of the blotch.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a subject has Gram negative bacterial pneumonia based on the presence of lipopolysaccharide in exhaled breath condensate collected from the subject. The collection devices utilized to collect exhaled breath condensate from both spontaneously breathing and mechanically ventilated subjects and the devices utilized to determine whether lipopolysaccharide is present in the collected exhaled breath condensate.

Abstract: A physiological sensing device for the measurement of pCO2 includes a closed chamber bounded, at least partially, by a carbon dioxide permeate e membrane (12). There are two electrodes (10) within the chamber. The chamber contains a substantially electrolyte-free liquid in contact with electrodes (10) and the membrane (12). The liquid contains a non-ionic excipient in order to prevent egress of water due to an osmotic gradient across the membrane (12) in use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for monitoring the effectiveness of diabetes treatment. Methods and systems in accordance with the present invention provide information relating to variability of glucose levels and hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Such information is based on time-stamped blood glucose data obtained from a meter or the like and actual measurements of HbA1c levels are not required.

Abstract: A catheter tip of a catheter including at least a power conductor and a data conductor for obtaining data of a subject of interest. The catheter tip may comprise a support member defining an actuator sleeve, a sensor compartment, and a seal pocket. An actuator may be disposed in the actuator sleeve and coupled to the power conductor. A sensor may be disposed in the sensor compartment and coupled to the data conductor. A bearing/seal may be installed in the support member and coupled to the actuator and the sensor. A cover may be coupled to the support member and may define a transparent window exposing the sensor to the subject of interest, wherein the catheter tip may be coupled to the catheter in the seal pocket.

Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to evaluating breathing disorders, such as periodic disordered breathing. A signal representative of patient respiration is developed, typically patient-internally. An envelope of the signal is provided. Periodicity of the envelope is detected, and presence and severity of periodic disordered breathing is determined based on the periodicity of the envelope.

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: Methods of automatically identifying whether a neural recording signal includes a neural response signal include fitting an artifact model to a neural recording signal to produce a fitted artifact model signal, determining a strength-of-response metric that describes a distance of the neural recording signal from the fitted artifact model signal, and identifying the neural recording signal as including a neural response signal if the strength-of-response metric is above a pre-determined threshold. Corresponding systems are also described.

Abstract: A system for characterizing skin condition comprises a spreadable indicator and a reference. The indicator is suitable for application to human skin and visually changeable when in contact with the oil on human skin. The visual change of the indicator is representative of the amount of the oil in contact with the indicator. The reference relates a plurality of possible visual changes of the indicator to a plurality of skin conditions, whereby a user can compare the reference to the visual change of the indicator to characterize a skin condition of human skin due to the amount of the oil on the human skin in contact with the indicator.

Abstract: Utilization of a contact device placed on the eye in order to detect physical and chemical parameters of the body as well as the non-invasive delivery of compounds according to these physical and chemical parameters, with signals being transmitted continuously as electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared and the like. One of the parameters to be detected includes non-invasive blood analysis utilizing chemical changes and chemical products that are found in the conjunctiva and in the tear film. A transensor mounted in the contact device laying on the cornea or the surface of the eye is capable of evaluating and measuring physical and chemical parameters in the eye including non-invasive blood analysis. The system utilizes eye lid motion and/or closure of the eye lid to activate a microminiature radio frequency sensitive transensor mounted in the contact device. The signal can be communicated by wires or radio telemetered to an externally placed receiver.

Abstract: Determining the transition between systole and diastole is important for pulse contour-analytical determination of hemodynamic, first of all cardiac output. During the temporal progression of arterial pressure P(t) on which pulse contour analysis is based, the transition between systole and diastole appears as a local minimum. This local slump of the pressure curve downward is very short and is often little recognizable in the actually measured curves due to inaccuracies conditioned by measuring techniques. It was also found that the transition between systole and diastole can be more reliably and accurately determined as the site of maximum curvature of function P(t). Consequently, the invention relates to a device having a calculation unit that comprises evaluation means for detecting the site of maximum curvature of function P(t) in a detection area between the maximum and minimum functional value of the pulse cycle as the site of transition between systole and diastole.

Abstract: A monitoring system is provided that enables the monitoring of a heart in a living organism by continuously measuring both pressure and volume in a chamber of the heart, preferably the left ventricle (LV). The pressure and volume measurements are acquired using a single sensing tip and are communicated to a transmitting device to be wirelessly transmitted to a receiving device, wherein they are used to monitor the heart. The system may also incorporate a temperature measurement that can be transmitted with the volume and pressure measurement to provide further data for monitoring. The system may also extract an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal from the volume measurement. This allows the monitoring of up to four signals that can be used to determine the beat by beat state of cardiac output and any changes caused by disease or therapy.

Abstract: The invention features a monitoring device that measures a patient's vital signs (e.g.). The device features a first sensor configured to attach to a first portion of the patient's body that includes: i)a first electrode configured to generate a first electrical signal fron the first portion of the patient's body; ii)a first light-emitting component; and iii)a first photodetector configured to receive radiation from the first portion of the patient's body after the radiation is emitted by the first light-emiting component and in response generate a first optical waveform. The device also features a second sensor that includes essentially the same components. An amplifier system, in electrical contact with the first and second electrodes, receives first and second electrical signal from the two sensors to generate an electrical waveform. A processor, in electrical contact with the amplifier system, receives the electrical waveform, the first optical waveform, and the second optical waveform.

Abstract: The present invention applies computer techniques to the power spectrum analysis of brain wave signals, wherein the power spectrum fluctuations of supra-slow wave is obtained by selecting the maximum value of the power amplitude within 0.5 and 50 Hz and performing multiple analysis of the power spectrum and frequency spectrum, and a series of data and parameters are obtained to provide a basis for cerebral functions testing and disease diagnosis by analyzing the fluctuations. The analysis method comprises the analysis of the conventional power spectrum and may also comprises the analysis of the fluctuation signals of brain wave power, fluctuations of brain wave, S pedigree and further multi-item analyses. And the relevant apparatus implementing such method comprises electrodes, brain wave signal amplifier or a brain wave recording box, a Personal Computer, data processor and terminal processors.

Abstract: Prosthetic devices, methods and systems are disclosed. Eye position and/or neural activity of a primate are recorded and combined. The combination signal is compared with a predetermined signal. The result of the comparison step is used to actuate the prosthetic device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for three-dimensional airway reconstruction, assessment and analysis. Specifically, the invention relates to a system and method for acquiring one- and two-dimensional data regarding a cavity, such as an esophagus or an airway, and manipulating that data to reconstruct a three-dimensional geometrical object representing that cavity. Suitable data collection methods include, but are not limited to, non-ionizing, non-invasive protocols including acoustic reflectometry, such as that performed by a DOS®- or Windows®-based pharyngometer or rhinometer. The resulting three-dimensional geometric object of the subject cavity can be used to diagnose cavity morphology/obstruction, aid in management and treatment of the obstruction, evaluate efficacy of management and treatment of the obstruction and also provide information for use in outcome analysis and forensic and medico-legal evaluation of diagnosis and treatment of cavity obstruction/stenosis.

Abstract: A cuff for a blood pressure monitor has an air bag inflated/deflated as the air comes in/out. The air bag has an inner wall portion located on the inner side in the fitted state of the cuff and an outer wall portion located outer than the inner wall portion, and a side wall portion connecting side end portions of the inner and outer wall portions and folded inwards in the deflated state of the air bag to form a gusset at each side end portion of the air bag. A bonded portion is provided at a region of the air bag in its winding direction around the living body, for reducing expansion of the gusset formed by the side wall portion. Thus, occurrence of lateral displacement of the cuff is prevented, and a highly reliable blood pressure monitor of high performance can be obtained.

Abstract: The sensor system comprises an implantable sensor and a user device associated with it. A sensitive liquid is enclosed in the sensor, into which glucose can penetrate. The viscosity of the mixture of sensitive liquid and glucose is measured. The user device, which controls the measurement and its evaluation, is a portable device worn externally on the skin. The viscosity is measured based on the rotation of a measuring element driven by a driving magnet, both disposed in the sensor. The rotation of the measuring element is analyzed based on its decay behavior following switch-off of the driving magnet. In a second embodiment, the viscosity is measured based on the oscillatory behavior of an oscillating element excited to oscillate by a magnet, both disposed in the sensor. The oscillatory behavior is analyzed based on the decay behavior of the oscillating element following switch-off of the magnet.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting, monitoring and analyzing physiological characteristics. Signals from a subject are acquired from a suite of sensors, such as temperature, carbon dioxide, humidity, light, movement, electromagnetic and vibration sensors, in a passive, non-invasive manner. The signals are processed and physiological characteristics are isolated for analysis. The system and method are to analyze sleep patterns, as well as to prevent bed sores or detect conditions such as illness, restless leg syndrome, periodic leg movement, sleep walking, or sleep apnea. However, numerous other applications of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for providing information relating to disturbances and/or disease pattern based on a patient's breathing parameters. Preferably, the apparatus has multiple functionalities and provides information relating to different disturbances and/or disease patterns. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for identifying different indications of a patient, the apparatus comprising a sensor, for sensing signals indicative of a patient's breathing, a processing unit, for processing and/or analyzing the signals, and display means for displaying the outcome of the processing and/or analysis. The corresponding method for identifying different indications of a patient comprises the steps of sensing signals indicative of a patient's breathing, processing and/or analyzing the signals, and displaying the outcome of the processing and/or analysis.