Abstract: A glucose monitoring system continuously measures the glucose concentration in a patient's blood, provides an indication of the rate of change of such concentration, and determines whether the measured concentration and rate of change are within certain preset limits. If not, an audible and/or visual alarm signal is generated. The glucose monitoring system includes a glucose sensor adapted to be inserted into the venous system of the patient, where it responds to blood glucose and produces sensor signals related to the glucose concentration. The sensor signals are delivered through a suitable interconnect cable to a glucose monitor. In one embodiment, the interconnect cable includes a contactless connector that electrically isolates the glucose sensor from the monitor, and reduces the number of conductors required to interface with a plurality of sensors. The glucose monitor interprets the sensor signals by applying a previously determined calibration to quantitatively determine the blood glucose value.

Abstract: The present invention provides an encoding mechanism for a medical sensor which uses a modulated signal to provide the coded data to a remote analyzer. The modulated signal could be, for instance, a pulse width modulated signal or a frequency modulated signal. This signal is amplitude independent and thus provides a significant amount of noise immunity.

Abstract: An ice pack having a bag, securement devices, and a clip. The bag has two multi-layer walls which are bonded to form a containment section, a neck, a mouth, and a clip mounting tab. The layers of the bag walls perform various functions for the ice pack. The securement devices have hook strips mounted to the bag and pile straps attached to the bag. The pile straps wrap around the object to which the ice pack is to be applied, and engage the hook strips. The clip includes two plates connected together by a hinge. The elongated hooks are positioned such that the two elongated hooks engage when the plates are rotated about the hinge, and secure the neck of the bag between the two elongated hooks. The inner surfaces of the clip are attached to the clip mounting tab located near the neck of the bag, thereby facilitating the sealing of the bag by the clip.

Abstract: Using an improved noninvasive blood pressure measuring apparatus, dynamic parameters (like stretching and contracting velocity, acceleration, force, power and energy) of human arterial wall motion against both the lowering and increasing pressure of an occlusive cuff are detected. They can be displayed along with other physiological signals like aortic pressure AP and ECG taken from other instruments through a data receiving unit. Then this apparatus with ECG makes it possible to noninvasively detect some abnormalities between the mechanical and electrical cardiac cycle on heart function. The apparatus also detects systolic (SYS) and diastolic (DIA) pressure while increasing the cuff pressure. The apparatus can also examine a non-local information on blood circulation by simultaneously using a second occlusive cuff.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a pressure pulse wave produced from an arterial vessel of a living subject, including a pulse wave sensor including at least one pressure sensing element and having a press surface in which the pressure sensing element is provided, the press surface of the pulse wave sensor being adapted to be pressed against the arterial vessel of the subject via a body surface of the subject above the arterial vessel, so that the pressure sensing element detects the pressure pulse wave produced from the arterial vessel; a support member supporting the pulse wave sensor such that the pulse wave sensor is advanceable away from, and retractable toward, the support member, the support member being adapted to be worn on the subject such that the press surface of the pulse wave sensor is opposed to the body surface of the subject; and a polymer actuator provided between the support member and the pulse wave sensor, the polymer actuator producing a pressing force to press the pulse wave sensor against th

Abstract: A device for mounting a tonometry sensor upon a patient's wrist includes a base portion that is specifically adapted to generally conform to the patient's wrist while providing a stable placement of the tonometry sensor relative to a preselected artery. A sensor housing is movably mounted upon the base portion and configured such that the mounting device has an essentially equal thickness at each end of the device. A strap member is provided for releasably securing the mounting device to a patient's wrist. The mounting device facilitates more accurate, non-invasive blood pressure measurement by providing a stable placement of the tonometry sensor relative to the tissue overlying a preselected artery at a measurement location and, further, limits undesirable movement by the patient to thereby reduce undesirable error in the blood pressure measurement.

Abstract: A configuration register is incorporated into an electrically powered tourniquet apparatus for enabling an operator to change the values of parameters initially employed at the time of the next use of the apparatus, such as the initial pressure settings and elapsed time limits. These changed initial values of parameters are stored in memory and remain there despite inadvertent or intentional interruption of electrical power to the apparatus. An event register provides capability for recording the occurrence of events (cuff inflation, cuff deflation, etc.) and for relating the occurrence of the events to hazards and undesirable outcomes such as nerve damage associated with tourniquet usage.

Abstract: An automated sphygmomanometer which automatically determines when a blood pressure determination needs to be made. During a "guard mode" determination, a cuff on an appendage of the patient is frequently inflated to a check pressure, which is preferably below the patient's mean arterial pressure ("MAP"), and the signature (shape, amplitude, pulse period, etc.) of the measured oscillometric signal is compared to a stored signature of a portion of an oscillometric signal at a corresponding portion of the oscillometric envelope determined during a previous blood pressure determination. If these signals differ by some predetermined amount, it is determined that the patient's blood pressure has changed significantly and that a new blood pressure determination needs to be conducted immediately. These guard mode determinations are made in addition to the normal blood pressure determinations made at predetermined intervals typically selected by the user.

Abstract: A pressure waveform monitor for non-invasively monitoring the pressure waveform inside a vessel, such as an artery, includes a flexible diaphragm extended across an opening of a container containing a fluid. The flexible diaphragm is placed against tissue surrounding an artery such that arterial pressure causes a deflection in the diaphragm. A deflection in the diaphragm causes the fluid to be redistributed throughout the container which is effectively divided into an array of volume compartments. The relative volume distribution is determined through impedance plethysmography. The diaphragm is maintained in a calibrated position by maintaining the array of volume compartments at relatively unchanged volumes. When the relative volumes remain essentially unchanged, calibrated tonometry is possible. The pressure within the container is then used to determine the pulse waveform and the pressure within the artery.

Abstract: A thermal packet having temperature retaining particles movable within the packet. A plurality of barriers located within the packet form migration paths and retaining areas to facilitate the use of the packet on various body areas.

Abstract: An implantable blood flow sensor for measuring a blood flow rate through a blood vessel within a person's body. The flow sensor includes a rigid cylindrical tube, sized to fit within the blood vessel, a heater attached to the tube, and a pyroelectric detector located within the tube. A predetermined amount of heat energy is produced by the heater and the pyroelectric detector monitors the resultant temperature change and generates a temperature signal based on the temperature change. A processor generates a data signal, based on the temperature change, that indicates the blood flow rate through the blood vessel or artery. The rigid tube protects the pyroelectric detector from external forces that may produce unwanted signals due to piezoelectric effects. Additionally, the heater may be incorporated into one of the electrodes of the pyroelectric detector as a serpentine path in the electrode that forms a resistive heating element.

Abstract: A system for providing cardiac output from a patient includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen between the proximal and distal ends, and an injection port communicating with the lumen. A first temperature sensor is placed in a blood vessel exiting a first heart ventricle of the patient. A second temperature sensor is placed proximate the injection port. A cardiac output test is performed injecting a medium (or bolus) having contrasting temperature into a first heart chamber of the patient. The injectate temperature is sensed by the second temperature sensor. Blood temperature is sensed by the first temperature sensor as blood carries the medium through the blood vessel. A set of curve data, representative of the sensed blood temperature as a function of time, is stored. The cardiac output test is repeated until a first plurality of sets of curve data are stored. At least one of the first plurality of sets of curve data are displayed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drive circuit for driving a light emitting diode in a pulse oximeter comprising at least two light emitting elements different in wavelength for irradiating a living tissue containing an arterial blood; a light receiving element for receiving light containing one of a reflected light and a transmitted light irradiated from the light emitting elements; a power supply for applying intermittently an inverse bias voltage toward the light emitting elements; and an inductor for applying an inverse electromotive voltage to the light emitting elements, the inductor being connected to the light emitting elements in parallel, wherein a ratio between light absorption change with respect to two wavelengths obtained from optical outputs of the light receiving element so as to obtain a degree of oxygen saturation of arterial blood.

Abstract: An apparatus operable for monitoring physiological vital signs of a human body without physically contacting the body is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sensor operable to transform a movement and/or acoustical wave produced by the body into an electrical signal, a signal processor coupled to the sensor and operable to receive the electrical signal from the sensor and to process the electrical signal adaptively using wavelet correlator analysis. The signal processor provides an output signal indicative of the movement and/or acoustical wave producing the electrical signal. Typically, the apparatus can be used to monitor heart rate, respiration rate and related sounds, digestive system sounds as well as other physiological vital signs considered both essential and desirable for the evaluation of the health of a person.

Abstract: A therapeutic pad is used in footwear which has a liquid absorbent to prevent liquid leakage in the event the sealed envelope of the pad is ruptured. The footwear includes a pair of compartments which substantially surround the foot cavity for receiving the therapeutic pad.

Abstract: A system for keeping the surface temperature of an electric resistance-type heater element in a thermodilution catheter within safe physiological limits includes, in the preferred embodiment, a heater element core temperature monitor, a monitor for monitoring the power that is supplied to the heater element, and a surface temperature calculator for calculating the surface temperature of the heater element based on the core temperature, supplied power, and information representing the characteristics of the particular catheter under anticipated clinical conditions. A second aspect of the invention involves a system for determining the supply of power to the heater element based on the core temperature of the heater element. A third aspect of the invention involves a system readiness test for determining, in vivo, that the thermodilution catheter system is properly calibrated before the system is operational. Methods of operation for each of the above-referenced aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved blood pressure monitoring pad assembly and its method of use are disclosed herein. In accordance with a first feature of the pad assembly a release mechanism is used to prevent the pad assembly from detaching from the skin as the bladder is pressurized. In accordance with a second feature, the pad assembly includes a flexible cover movably connected with a flexible base assembly. In accordance with a third feature, the pad assembly incorporates a biflex member.

Abstract: An optical sensor for use in clinical patient examination by spectrophotometric apparatus, having a body with softly deformable material which is conformable to a selected area on the body of the patient and internally-mounted electro-optical source and receivers for obtaining patient pathology data by transmission of selected wavelengths through a tissue volume adjacent the selected area, including substantially non-deforming light-transfer members disposed in alignment with the source and detectors and between them and the patient, to provide substantially constant and unchanging light-transfer passages or conduits therebetween. In the most preferred form, the light-transfer members comprise generally tubular elements having light-reflective interior walls, and the sensor body comprises either a layered structure of opaque, soft polymeric foam or the like (e.g. , cellular urethane) or a substantially one-piece, molded or other such structure of generally comparable or analogous material and characteristics.

Abstract: A noninvasive method for calculating Actual Stroke Volume and Cardiac Output of a human heart uses computerized algorithms, and is implemented in a continuous noninvasive hemodynamic analyzer which computes a complete real-time Hemodynamic Profile with ten parameters, in both rest and exercise modes. Inputs are received noninvasively by the analyzer, and a cascade of algorithms are used to calculate Stroke Volume, Ejection Fraction and Acceleration Index in Rest and Exercise. The analyzer displays or prints a summary in graphical form.

Abstract: A method and device for indirect, quantitative estimation of cardiac output utilizing invasive, indirect techniques.