Abstract: At least one of a medical device, such as an implantable medical device, and a programming device determines values for one or more metrics that indicate the quality of a patient's sleep. Sleep efficiency, sleep latency, and time spent in deeper sleep states are example sleep quality metrics for which values may be determined. In some embodiments, determined sleep quality metric values are associated with a current therapy parameter set. In some embodiments, a programming device presents sleep quality information to a user based on determined sleep quality metric values values. A clinician, for example, may use the sleep quality information presented by the programming device to evaluate the effectiveness of therapy delivered to the patient by the medical device, to adjust the therapy delivered by the medical device, or to prescribe a therapy not delivered by the medical device in order to improve the quality of the patient's sleep.

Abstract: A circuit for measuring respiratory waveform with impedance method and a method and device for resisting electrical fast transient interference are provided, and wherein an output from the peak detector circuit and a reference signal are input to two input terminals of the comparator circuit, an output terminal of the comparator circuit is connected to a control terminal of the electronic switch, and one terminal of the electronic switch is connected to an output terminal of the signal amplifier circuit and the other to an input terminal of the demodulator/amplifier circuit. If a level of the output signal of the peak detector circuit is greater than the level of the reference signal, the electronic switch is switched off in response to an inversion of the output of the comparator circuit so that the interference is isolated from the next stage circuit. The present invention is prone to be implemented with significant effect.

Abstract: Airway monitoring apparatus 30 includes a driver 6 for applying sound in the audible frequency range to the airway of a subject and a detector 7 for monitoring the response of the airway, e.g. by detecting transmitted sound signal components and/or reflected sound signal components. Variations in the detected sound signal, e.g. energy, due to attenuation of the signal, give an indication of the state of the airway, e.g. airway patency, and can be used to monitor sleep-disordered breathing events, such as apnea and hypopnea, and to provide a breathing event index, e.g. AHI. The apparatus may provide servo-control for a respiratory assist device, such as a positive airway pressure device, so as to provide an appropriate pressure level setting. It may allow for home use of such devices and for home titration. It may also assist in discriminating central and obstructive breathing events, and in providing a measure of airway resistance.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for invasive bodily fluid pressure measurements using a pressure sensing assembly that is partially reusable. An embodiment includes a system for measuring a bodily pressure level having a support structure that includes at least one reusable pressure transducer that has a sensing face positioned on an exterior portion of the support structure, and a disposable pressure plenum having an inlet in fluid communication with a selected location within the body of a living being that is configured to be removably and slidably engaged with the support structure.

Abstract: A volumetric flow of an analyte, including exhaled air, is fed to a gas sensor unit by used of gas flow device, which can include various sensors for the determination of nitrogen oxides. An oxidation catalyst is used when using an NO2 sensor, which converts nitrogen monoxide to nitrogen dioxide and the gas sensor unit measures the content of nitrogen dioxide. The nitrogen monoxide content is calculated from the nitrogen dioxide content. In order to eliminate cross-sensitivity moisture and ethanol are also measured. The device can be applied to the determination of nitrogen monoxide content of exhaled air.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods to increase the number of analyte-related signals used to provide analyte measurement values, e.g., when two or more analyte-related signals are used to obtain a single analyte measurement value a “rolling” value based on the two or more signals can be employed. In another aspect, interpolation and/or extrapolation methods are used to estimate unusable, missing or error-associated analyte-related signals. Further, interpolation and extrapolation of values are employed in another aspect of the invention that reduces the incident of failed calibrations. Further, the invention relates to methods, which employ gradients and/or predictive algorithms, to provide an alert related to analyte values exceeding predetermined thresholds.

Abstract: A system and method for determining and monitoring various characteristics of a patient positioned on a patient support apparatus, such as a bed, stretcher, or cot, is disclosed. The system and method involve monitoring the forces exerted by the patient on one or more force sensors, which may be load cells on the support apparatus. These force sensors will detect vibrations that correspond to various conditions of the patient, including the patient's heart rate, breathing rate, and/or the seizure status of a patient. These vibrations may be analyzed, such as by Fast Fourier Transforms, in order to determine the various conditions of the patient.

Abstract: Photoplethysmography (PPG) is obtained using one red (e.g., 660 nm) and one infrared (e.g., 880 to 940 nm) light emitting diode with a single photo diode in combination with a pressure transducer thereby allowing both CVP and SpO2 to be measured simultaneously. The system also includes sensors capable of measuring position, angle and/or movement of the sensor or patient. Once the PPG signal is acquired, high pass adaptive and/or notch filtering can be used with one element of the filter from the red and infrared signals used to measure the arterial changes needed to compute SpO2 and the other element of the signal can be used to measure CVP changes.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the presence of secretions in an artificial respiratory system comprises at least one sensing element (20) to detect waves generated by said secretions and output a main signal (50), representative of at least one main parameter characteristic of the waves; a first processing block (30) connected downstream of said first sensing element (20), is set to input the main signal (50) and to generate a corresponding main output alarm signal (51), in the case in which the main parameter has a greater value than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring calories consumed during sleep comprises determination means for determining a breathing/heartbeat oscillation, a body motion and an the intensity of the body motion, coefficient calculation means for calculating a coefficient which is a reference value for calculating calories consumed during sleep, based on the signals in a given period of breathing/heartbeat oscillation and a sleep metabolic rate, consumed calorie calculation means for calculating calories consumed during sleep, based on consumed calories according to the magnitude of each signal and the coefficient, and storage means for storing various arithmetic expressions in advance. Accordingly, the present apparatus makes it possible to acquire calories consumed by the motions of the body of an individual subject in more detail and to measure calories consumed during sleep more accurately.

Abstract: A system for monitoring blood pressure and other physiologic parameters is provided. The system is designed such that it can be delivered to the patient with ease and minimal invasion. The system contains at least one self contained implantable sensing device consisting of a sensor, an electrical circuit for signal conditioning and magnetic telemetry, a biocompatible outer surface and seal, an anchoring method, and an external readout device. The implant is small in size so that it may be delivered to the desired location and implanted using a catheter, although direct surgical implantation is also possible. The circuit, sensor, and antenna for telemetry are packaged together and sealed hermetically to the biologic environment. The larger readout unit remains outside the body but proximal to the implant for minimizing communication distance.

Abstract: A blood pressure meter using a viscoelastic cuff, and a mobile terminal having the blood pressure meter. The blood pressure meter includes a blood pressure sensor for measuring variation in blood pressure, a blood flow sensor for measuring variation in blood flow, a cuff that elastically compresses a body part and decompresses the body part due to its viscoelasticity, and a control unit that analyzes signals measured by the blood pressure sensor and the blood flow sensor and calculates blood pressure. The blood pressure meter is detachably connected to a mobile terminal body, and can be small and portable. It is possible to measure the blood pressure precisely even when the cuff is fitted onto a finger, thereby improving the reliability of the blood pressure measurement. By using the viscoelasticity of the cuff and auxiliary decompressing, it is possible to check the blood pressure at all times.

Abstract: Patient respiration may be characterized using a marked respiration waveform involving a respiration waveform annotated with symbols, markers or other indicators representing one or more respiration characteristics. A respiration waveform may be acquired by sensing a physiological parameter modulated by respiration. A marked respiration waveform may be generated based on the acquired respiration waveform and one or more detected respiration waveform characteristics and/or respiration-related conditions. One or more components used to generate the marked respiratory waveform may be fully or partially implantable.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for performing a circulatory measurement on an extremity, such as a hand, of a subject. The circulatory measurement results in the derivation of an output circulatory metric that may encompass blood pressure or various other circulatory metrics. An indicator of an input circulatory metric at a locus on the extremity is measured, such as a pulse transit time, and calibrated to account for the hydrostatic component of blood pressure arising due to vertical displacement of the extremity with respect to the heart.

Abstract: A connector for blood pressure measurement systems is provided, wherein the connector enables interchangeable individual connection of a cuff to various gage housings, including those equipped with a male fitting or a female fitting, yet wherein the presence of the connector also desirably prevents inadvertent connection of a gage housing to certain other medical equipment.

Abstract: Apparatus, computer system, computer program and storage medium for determining intrathoracic blood volume (ITBV) and other cardio-vascular parameters of a patient by thermodilution measurements. The apparatus includes: temperature influencing means for introducing a traveling temperature deviation to a patient's blood stream, a temperature sensor device for measuring the local temperature of the patient's blood downstream of the temperature influencing means, a computer system adapted to: record local blood temperature measured as a function of time to determine a thermodilution curve, determine global enddiastolic blood volume (GEDV) and intrathoracic thermovolume (ITTV) from the thermodilution curve, determine intrathoracic blood volume (ITBV) as a function of GEDV, ITTV and the airway pressure inside the patient's lungs (P).

Abstract: Methods and systems provide an approach to therapy control based on assessment of a patient's cardiopulmonary status. Conditions sensed via sensors of an external respiratory therapy device are used to assess a patient's cardiopulmonary status. The respiratory therapy device sensors may be utilized alone or in combination with other sensors to determine cardiopulmonary status of a patient. Therapy delivered to the patient is controlled based on the cardiopulmonary status assessment. For example, therapy delivered to the patient may be initiated, terminated, and/or modified based on the assessed cardiopulmonary status of the patient. Cardiopulmonary status assessment, therapy control, or both, are performed by an implantable device.

Abstract: 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (norflurane) is used as a tracer/trace gas for measuring the lung function because of its simple detectability, physiological harmlessness, environmental friendliness and ready availability. Especially advantageous is the possibility of the optical concentration measurement of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane for the measurement of the lung function and especially for the determination of the FRC during respiration during anesthesia, without cross sensitivity occurring during the measurement with respect to anesthetics.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods provide for acquiring respiration information. A respiration information device includes timer circuitry to time a plurality of shorter time apertures and a plurality of longer time apertures. A respiration sensor, which may be implemented as a transthoracic impedance sensor, is configured to generate a signal indicative of patient respiration. For each aperture of the plurality of shorter time apertures and for each aperture of the plurality of longer time apertures, an estimated characteristic of the respiration is determined. Respiration metrics are developed using one or both of the estimated respiration characteristics of the shorter time apertures and the estimated respiration characteristics of the longer time apertures.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.