Abstract: Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into communication with a host's circulatory system.

Abstract: Membrane systems incorporating silicone polymers are described for use in implantable analyte sensors. Some layers of the membrane system may comprise a blend of a silicone polymer with a hydrophilic polymer, for example, a triblock poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) polymer. Such polymeric blends provide for both high oxygen solubility and aqueous analyte solubility.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue. In particular, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of heart tissue to thereby permit surgery on a coronary vessel in that area without significant deterioration of the pumping function of the beating heart. The local area of heart tissue is immobilized to a degree sufficient to permit minimally invasive or micro-surgery on that area of the heart. The present invention features a suction device to accomplish the immobilization. The suction device is coupled to a source of negative pressure. The suction device has a series of suction ports on one surface. Suction through the device causes suction to be maintained at the ports. The device further is shaped to conform to the surface of the heart. Thus, when the device is placed on the surface of the heart and suction is created, the suction through the ports engages the surface of the heart.

Abstract: In wrapping a blood pressure measurement cuff enclosing therein a bladder, which is inflated when supplied with air, around a region for measurement, first, a predetermined amount of air is supplied to the bladder and then enclosed therein. Then, the blood pressure measurement cuff is wrapped around the region for measurement of a subject for the purpose of measuring his/her blood pressure. During this wrapping process, relative variations in the pressure in the bladder are sequentially detected. The time period in which the detection results indicate that the variation has not reached a predetermined threshold value, the wrapping proceeds. When the detection results indicate that the variation has reached the predetermined threshold value, the wrapping is terminated.

Abstract: The present invention is an apnea monitor giving alarm when apnea occurs. It uses new designed gas flow sensor and gas differential flow sensor to detect actual airflow from patients nose and mouth. The gas flow sensor and gas differential flow sensor are evolved from a galvanometer utilizing it's structure for sensitivity. The apnea monitor measures the change of chest volume to detect breathing by a conductive rubber string. The apnea monitor also detects the frequency of baby's movement to predict possible apnea.

Abstract: The invention comprises methods for noninvasively monitoring physiological characteristics of a patient's blood. Determinations of blood constituent concentrations may be made by comparing absorbance of radiation at varying parameters, such as path length and blood pressure. Preferably, changes in pressure are effected by changing the height of the probes relative to the patient's heart. Determinations of blood pH may be made by comparing absorbance of the blood at different wavelengths. The temperature of the blood, and thus of the patient's core, may also be accurately determined. Further, cardiac output characteristics and blood pressures may be noninvasively determined using the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A biotic sleep state determining apparatus that determines a sleep state of a subject based on a series of pulse interval data that indicate a time interval of one cycle of a pulse wave of the subject, and on body movement data that indicates a body movement of the subject, the apparatus includes a body movement determining unit that determines that the body movement occurs if a fluctuation amount of the body movement data is greater than a first predetermined threshold, a pulse interval data processor that processes the series of pulse interval data after removing pulse interval data measured in parallel with the body movement data from the series of pulse interval data, if the body movement determining unit determines that the body movement occurs, and a sleep state determining unit that determines the sleep state based on autonomic nerve indexes acquired from the series of pulse interval data processed by the pulse interval data processor.

Abstract: A system is provided including: a monitor for monitoring a user's sleep cycles; a processor which counts the sleep cycles to provide a sleep cycle count and which selects an awakening time according to a decision algorithm including the sleep cycle count as an input; and an alarm for awakening the user at the awakening time. Use of the sleep cycle count as an input to the decision algorithm advantageously enables a user to more fully control and optimize his or her personal sleeping behavior.

Abstract: The apparatus and methods of the present invention provide a non-invasive measurement of blood pressure with a frequency that approximates a continuous measurement. Blood pressure measurement provides information that is both clinically and diagnostically significant. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method for providing a non-invasive measurement of blood pressure, includes obtaining a first input signal and a second input signal indicative of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, respectively; tracking a signal indicative of pulse pressure; continuously measuring a third signal indicative of mean blood pressure; and processing the signals to obtain a measurement indicative of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, wherein at least a portion of the measurement indicative of systolic and diastolic blood pressure is continuous.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sensor analyte data, including initiating calibration, updating calibration, evaluating clinical acceptability of reference and sensor analyte data, and evaluating the quality of sensor calibration. During initial calibration, the analyte sensor data is evaluated over a period of time to determine stability of the sensor. The sensor may be calibrated using a calibration set of one or more matched sensor and reference analyte data pairs. The calibration may be updated after evaluating the calibration set for best calibration based on inclusion criteria with newly received reference analyte data. Fail-safe mechanisms are provided based on clinical acceptability of reference and analyte data and quality of sensor calibration. Algorithms provide for optimized prospective and retrospective analysis of estimated blood analyte data from an analyte sensor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a non-invasive blood pressure measurement apparatus and a safety protection method. In addition to a main pressure measurement circuit and a main microprocessor circuit, the measurement apparatus also includes an independently disposed assist pressure measurement circuit and an independently disposed assist microprocessor circuit. In normal measurement, the assist microprocessor circuit periodically samples a cuff pressure via the assist pressure measurement circuit, and compares the measured cuff pressure with a specified overpressure protection value, and if the cuff pressure exceeds the specified overpressure protection value, the assist microprocessor circuit outputs a control signal to open a deflation valve until the pressure falls to below the safety pressure.

Abstract: A method of creating a non-invasive predictor of both physiologic and imposed patient effort from airway pressure and flow sensors attached to the patient using an adaptive mathematical model. The patient effort is commonly measured via work of breathing, power of breathing, or pressure-time product of esophageal pressure and is important for properly adjusting ventilatory support for spontaneously breathing patients. The method of calculating this non-invasive predictor is based on linear or non-linear calculations using multiple parameters derived from the above-mentioned sensors.

Abstract: Peripheral vascular disease is diagnosed through measurements of oxygen saturation. In a specific implementation, peripheral vascular disease is diagnosed based on changes in oxygen saturation in tissue. Ischemia is induced, and then measurements of changes in oxygen saturation in tissue are made. Based on changes in oxygen saturation during a hyperemia phase, a diagnosis is provided of whether a patient has or does not have peripheral vascular disease.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sensor analyte data, including initiating calibration, updating calibration, evaluating clinical acceptability of reference and sensor analyte data, and evaluating the quality of sensor calibration. During initial calibration, the analyte sensor data is evaluated over a period of time to determine stability of the sensor. The sensor may be calibrated using a calibration set of one or more matched sensor and reference analyte data pairs. The calibration may be updated after evaluating the calibration set for best calibration based on inclusion criteria with newly received reference analyte data. Fail-safe mechanisms are provided based on clinical acceptability of reference and analyte data and quality of sensor calibration. Algorithms provide for optimized prospective and retrospective analysis of estimated blood analyte data from an analyte sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus used in the medical industry, in order to increase transpulmonary pressure and respiratory volumes, to improve inspiratory muscle performance and re-establish the normal pulmonary hyperinflation, through the employment of electronic technology, providing audible, simulated, verbal, human sounding words, that assist, guide and prompt, increasing patient usage. In the past, lack of usage of this simple plastic, antiquated, disposable unit, by the patient, has contributed to severe problems, such as pneumonia. Without prompting, the patient finds it hard to inhale into a tube repetitively, to improve their lungs. Previous applications of prior equipment has been poor, thus adding intelligence in the form of electronic technology, which prompts without assistance, is a tremendous advantage in helping not only the sighted, but also the blind as well, since normally only written information accompanies the incentive spirometer, thus, changing the use of this medical device as we know it today.

Abstract: A long term analyte sensor for measuring at least one analyte in the body of a user and which includes a housing, a plurality of analyte contacting sensor elements and at least one structure for relaying information away from the sensor. This plurality of analyte contacting sensor elements are typically disposed in an array. The analyte sensor further includes at least one sensor protection membrane that is controllable in a manner such that sensor elements may be activated (e.g. exposed to the external environment) at different times so as to extend the useful life of the sensor. In illustrative analyte sensors, the analyte is glucose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the administration of carbon monoxide (CO) to a patient. It allows the safe and effective use of carbon monoxide as a medicament.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning at least one sensor in a body lumen, the apparatus including a fixation element, a sensor, and a connecting element that connects the sensor to the fixation element, the connecting element extending at least partially into the lumen so that the sensor is located radially inward from a wall of the lumen.

Abstract: An implantable device monitors the balance between sympathetic tone and parasympathetic tone as a function of an activity level. Cardio-neurological healthy users exhibit a generally sympathetic tone in conjunction with heavy activity level and a generally parasympathetic tone in conjunction with periods of low activity level. Deviations from expected results are associated with a health problem. Measured conditions are stored and available for subsequent reporting to a remote programmer. Therapy delivered by an implantable device is determined as a function of the relationship between autonomic balance and activity level.

Abstract: A probe for use in photoplethysmographic (PPG) measurement includes a light source unit including a light source that contacts a predetermined site of an object and emits light onto the predetermined site, a photodetector unit positioned facing the light source unit to receive the light emitted from the light source unit and transmitted through the object, a body having a space for receiving the object and in which the light source unit and the photodetector unit are positioned in a same optical axis, and a pressure application unit coupled to the body for applying a pressure to the object via the light source unit. A biological signal measuring system includes the above probe, a controller for controlling operations of the probe and for recording and analyzing signals output from the probe, a detected light intensity display unit for displaying an intensity of detected light, and a biological signal display unit.