Abstract: Characterizing the behavior of a chaotic, multi-dimensional system is achieved by measuring each of a number of signals associated with the system, and generating therefrom, a spatio-temporal response based on each signal. Chaoticity profiles are then generated for each spatio-temporal response. Over a period of time, a determination is made as to whether a certain level of dynamic entrainment and/or disentrainment exists between the chaoticity profiles associated with one or more critical channel groups of a selected predictor, where a predictor represents a given number of critical channel groups “x”, a given number of channels per group “y”, and a total number of channels N. Characterizing the behavior of the system is based on this determination.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for assessing the fitness of an individual. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a physical fitness value of an individual by measuring a first trial of an activity conducted by the individual to provide a first measured component. The method further comprises measuring a second trial of an activity conducted by the individual to provide a second measured component. In addition, the method comprises determining the physical fitness values from the first and second measured components. In some embodiments, the method comprises estimating speed or mechanical power output values for the individual over a desired duration. In other embodiments, the method comprises determining the VO2 max of the individual.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for assessing the condition of a subject by measuring and characterizing one or more oscillatory activities of the subject. The oscillatory activities are under the control of the autonomic nervous system and characterizing the activities provides information related to the status of the autonomic nervous system.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a technique for rating neuromodulation efficacy based on evaluation of the response of the patient to sensory stimuli with and without delivery of neuromodulation therapy. In addition, the invention may provide a system capable of delivering sensory stimuli on a quantitative basis in a coordinated manner with delivery of neuromodulation therapy. A device programmer may provide a platform for controlling delivery of the sensory stimuli, delivery of neuromodulation therapy, and generation of rating information for neuromodulation efficacy based on patient sensory response to the stimuli. In operation, the programmer controls application of selected sensory stimuli to the patient's body and records the patient's verbal or physiological responses to the stimuli. This invention can be used to be a diagnostic or prognostic test that a given neuromodulation therapy, such as neurostimulation or drug delivery, is and will be successful.

Abstract: An improved non-invasive respiration monitor combines signals from a spirometer and laser chest displacement sensor to reduce signal error. The improved respirations signal can be used for position correction in radiation therapy and imaging applications and can be displayed to a user in breath control techniques.

Abstract: A cardiovascular analysis system and method includes an implantable medical device with a sensor positioned to sense a hemodynamic pressure over time. The implantable medical device generates hemodynamic pressure waveform data based upon the hemodynamic pressure sensed. A processor analyzes the hemodynamic waveform data to provide an indication of cardiovascular health based upon prominent peaks in the hemodynamic waveform data.

Abstract: Aerosol collectors 10, 120 include pre-collection filters 100, 126, aerosol collection chambers 30, 130, and other exhaled breath conditioning and control features for providing not only accurate and efficient, but also reliable and reproducible aerosol collections that can be used in standardizations and can be compared in meaningful ways to other exhaled breath aerosol collections from the same test subject and from different test subjects. The aerosol collector 10 example includes electrostatic collection components 34, 40, and the aerosol collector 120 includes nucleating condensation components 168, 172 and vortex collection components 132, 138. Both include analyte extraction apparatus 50, 124.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for a continuous analyte sensor, such as a continuous glucose sensor. One such system utilizes first and second working electrodes to measure additional analyte or non-analyte related signal. Such measurements may provide a background and/or sensitivity measurement(s) for use in processing sensor data and may be used to trigger events such as digital filtering of data or suspending display of data.

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 blood pressure measurement unit measures the blood pressure and a CPU accordingly stores, in a blood pressure storage unit, measurement data as well as time information regarding the time at which the blood pressure is measured. The CPU calculates, as representative measurement data, the average of a plurality of measurement data stored in the blood pressure storage unit and correlated with the time information indicating a time in the range between nine weeks ago and ten weeks ago, correlates the representative measurement data with time information representing the corresponding week and stores the data with the time information in the blood pressure storage unit. At this time, the CPU deletes from the blood pressure storage unit those measurement data based on which the representative measurement data is calculated.

Abstract: Systems and software for treating vascular disease in humans and generating data representing treatment plans are disclosed. A first set of clinical vascular health data from a healthcare provider and representing a vascular health condition of a patient is received at a data center server that is communicatively coupled to a public data network. One or more vascular disease analysis algorithms are applied to the first set of vascular health data, to result in creating and storing an initial treatment plan for the patient. A second set of vascular health data is received from a monitoring device that is associated with the patient and that is communicatively coupled to the data network; the second set of data include Doppler monitor data obtained from the peripheral vascular system of the patient. One or more vascular analysis algorithms are applied to result in creating one or more supplementary treatment plans for the patient. At least one of the treatment plans includes a biofeedback interaction.

Abstract: A pulse wave measuring apparatus is disclosed which is capable of measuring the pulse wave accurately in stable fashion and which can be reduced in size and integrated for an improved convenience. The pulse wave measuring apparatus comprises a sensor unit having a plurality of semiconductor pressure sensors, a fixing stand for fixing a living organism in position, a pressure cuff for pressing the semiconductor pressure sensors against the living organism, and a press operation control unit for controlling the press operation of the pressure cuff. The press operation control unit is arranged in the fixing stand.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for weight management of humans. First, the user's initial weight and his target weight are received via a user interface of the device, then food intake amount and exercise instructions to be presented via the user interface of the device are generated on the basis of the difference between the user's initial weight and his target weight. In addition, the user's energy expenditure is generated with the device and the user's food intake amount is received via the user interface of the device. Further, the user's current weight is received via the user interface and a change in the user's weight is generated with the device. Further still, the food intake amount and/or exercise instructions to be presented via the user interface of the device are modified with the device on the basis of the change in the user's weight.

Abstract: The present invention allows easily performing various types of controls and improving productivity without adding a special communication section. The present invention includes a power receiving section 21 to be connected to a driving power supply 50, a voltage measuring section 22 configured to measure a variation of a power supply voltage that is inputted to the power receiving section 21, a signal extracting section 23 configured to analyze measured data thereof and to extract a digital code contained in the measured data, and a control section 24 configured to perform a specific control based on the extracted digital code. As the specific control, the control section 24 selects an operation mode corresponding to the digital code from selectively executable plural operation modes, performs a function setting corresponding to the digital code, or writes the digital code as individual information into a nonvolatile memory.

Abstract: A technique for determining a patient's hematocrit by an electrical impedance measurement is described. An implantable device may be configured to utilize the technique in order to assess a cardiac patient's fluid status. In order to determine the hematocrit, the electrical impedance of the blood is measured and mapped by a mapping function to a corresponding hematocrit value.

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 device measures pressures in animals and humans and includes a pressure transmission catheter (PTC) filled with a pressure transmitting medium and implantable in an area in having a physiological pressure. A transducer communicates with the pressure transmitting medium to provide a pressure signal representing variations in the physiologic pressure on electrical wires. A connecting catheter carries the electrical wires to signal processing and telemetry circuitry, which transmits a telemetry signal representing the pressure signal to a receiver external to the animal or human. A housing holds the signal processing and telemetry circuitry, but the transducer is remote from the housing. The device is particularly useful in measuring venous pressure, pulmonary pressure, bladder pressure, or intracranial pressure without significant head pressure artifact and with a sufficient dynamic response. One embodiment of the PTC includes a multi-durometer stem.

Abstract: The invention involves a device and method for ascertaining the functioning of the respiratory system and, in particular, determining the cardiac output of a patient. The device comprises an apparatus containing sensors for measuring the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations as well as the volume of air inhaled and exhaled by a patient. The patient is provided a mouthpiece for breathing into and out of the device, which subsequently measures oxygen partial pressures of the inhaled and exhaled air. In addition, the patient's arterial oxygen saturation is continuously measured through pulse oximetry and the pH and hemoglobin concentration is determined from a venous blood sample. From this data, the cardiac output of the patient may be calculated.

Abstract: A system is provided for sensing blood glucose data of a patient. The system includes a sensor, user interface, and an optional auxiliary device. If the connection between the sensor and user interface is by a wire, the sensor remains powered when the wire is disconnected. The communication between the sensor and the user interface may be wireless. The auxiliary device can be a patient monitor or other display or signal device, which displays information about the blood glucose data collected by the sensor. The sensor is connected to sensor electronics, which include a sensor power supply, a voltage regulator, and optionally a memory and processor.

Abstract: A system and method for providing computerized, knowledge-based medical diagnostic advice. The medical advice is provided to the general public over a network, such as a telephone network with the use of a telephone or the Internet with the use of an Internet access device. Alternatively, the medical advice can be provided to a patient in a stand-alone mode by use of a computer. The invention utilizes a list-based processing method of generating and executing diagnostic scripts. For the purpose of diagnosing a health problem of a patient, medical knowledge is organized into a list of the diseases to be considered. Each disease on the disease list includes a list of symptoms that is checked in a patient. Each symptom on the symptom list is then further described as a response to a list of one or more questions asked of the patient about the symptom. This triply-nested list structure is converted by suitable data structure transformations into a script that is stored.