Abstract: An implanted heart monitor includes sensors that measure various aspects of the heart failure patient's heart. A remote heart monitoring system connects the implanted heart monitor to a care provider, such as a physician. The data provided by the implanted heart monitor permits the care provider to obtain valuable data on the heart in order to make health care decisions affecting the heart failure patient's treatment. In many cases, the measurement of core body temperature and other patient data will enable the care provider to alter the patient's treatment to address the patient's condition. The implanted heart monitor can communicate over a wireless communication link with an external monitor. The implanted heart monitor may be implemented as part of a pacing device (i.e., pace maker) or may be a separate unit devoted to monitoring functions. The external monitor communicates with a monitoring station over a communication link.

Abstract: A method and system for automated real time interpretation of brain waves in an acute brain injury of a patient using correlations between brain wave frequency power ratio and wave morphology, determined by a measure of the rhythmicity and variability of the brain wave as a function of the slope of the brain wave upstroke, the arc of the brain wave, and the synchronicity of the brain wave. A system is provided with a central processing unit (16), an electroencephalogram acquisition unit (18), a reference database (24), a quantitative electroencephalogram analysis program (14), and a display device (26) for communicating the classification of the acquired electroencephalographic signals. Artifact rejection is also provided.

Abstract: One of pairs of an exciter and a sensor is selected in accordance with the detection signal which is derived from an exciter waveform induced in an artery transmitted therethrough. The pairs of exciters and sensors are arranged on a substrate in various formations. A/D converters are provided to respective detection signals. A frequency of the oscillation signal supplied to the exciter is controlled by various oscillation signal generation circuits. Bandpass filtering for extracting the exciter waveform, low-pass-filtering for extracting a natural blood pressure waveform, phase difference detection processes are provided by a microprocessor, wherein the bandpass filtering and low-pass-filtering processes may be replaced with a bandpass filter and a low pass filter, and their outputs are selected by a switching circuit and supplied to the microprocessor through one a/d converter.

Abstract: A rugged, miniature, spectroscopic gas analyzer apparatus for rapid, non-invasive, multi-component breath monitoring and analysis and subsequent determination of Q or other medical diagnostic applications. The system is comprised of one or more IR emitters focussed by optical elements through a low volume sample cell receiving a sample input of a patient's breath for analysis. The patient either at rest or during exercise, inhales C2H2—SF6 mixtures (balance of oxygen and nitrogen) which is subsequently monitored upon exhalation for CO2, H2O, C2H2, and SF6 which can be employed to determine Q directly and accurately. Measurements are performed in real-time or via post-processing of stored original data. Due to its small size, ruggedness, and low power consumption, the monitor can conveniently be employed in the field or data can also be retrieved remotely using telemetry.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying sleep disordered breathing while the patient is awake. The device includes collection of raw data which is normalized, then conditioned and transformed for comparison against a threshold, enabling identification of the presence of and severity of sleep disordered breathing. Step 1 is the collection of raw data and normalization. Step 2 is the conditioning of the data (using Empirical Mode Decomposition or similar technique). Step 3 is the selection of several components in the conditioned data. Step 4 is the performing of a Hilbert transform on the conditioned data. Step 5 is selecting a constant frequency. Step 6 is charting output against a threshold. Step 7 is identifying the patient's condition based on an array of amplitudes and the threshold.

Abstract: The accuracy of measurements of changes in air volumes within a plethysmograph is improved by addition of a manifold to provide a common source of exterior air to the plethysmograph test and reference chamber. The preferred plethysmograph includes test and reference chambers divided by a common separator wall, pneumotachs in communication with the chambers, and a differential pressure transducer having a first inlet in communication with the test chamber and a second inlet in communication with the reference chamber. The manifold includes an exterior air inlet and a passageway extending between the two pneumotachs and the air inlet. The passageway may be in the form of separate tubes or conduits, or a common housing covering the pneumotachs. Preferably, the distances from the exterior air inlets to the two pneumotachs are approximately the same.

Abstract: An ambulatory data recorder with enhanced infrared data transfer. In particular, the device features an infrared transmitter port having a multi-plane lens. The port, lens and recorder enclosure work together to permit a reliable infrared data link to be established between the recorder and a line voltage device even while the recorder is in a variety of positions. That is, the infrared data link may be established when the device is worn, of when the device is placed on a table in a variety of positions.

Abstract: The device presented here is a device for detecting the presence of pneumothorax in a patient including a non-coherent light source for shining light on a patient, mounted on a first patch, capable of being attached to the patient, a light detector for receiving light from the patient mounted on a second light shielding patch, capable of being attached to the patient, where the detector produces a first signal in response to received light, wherein the first and second patches being independently attachable to the patient and removable from the patient, a driving circuit for causing the light source to turn on and off at a predetermined frequency, a circuit for receiving the first signal from said light detector including a bandpass filter tuned to the predetermined frequency and producing a second signal indicating the presence of pneumothorax when said first signal exceeds a threshol, and an alarm for producing an alarm indicating the presence of pneumothorax in response to said second signal.

Abstract: A method for monitoring vital signs of a human or animal subject includes clothing the subject in an elastically deformable shirt or undershirt, removably attaching a carrier carrying a sensor to the shirt or undershirt, adjacent the thoracic and abdominal regions of the subject, sensing elastic deformations of the shirt or undershirt corresponding to one or more of the group of vital signs including respiration, heart function, heart rhythm, generating electrical signals representative of the deformations, and transmitting the signals to a remote receiver for processing.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a supporting structure and a thermal barrier coupled to the supporting structure. The barrier is sized and adapted for placement between the prostate and rectum during cryosurgical treatment of the prostate. The supporting structure includes a frame movable between an extended position and a retracted position and a handle coupled to the frame. The barrier includes flexible sheet material mounted on the frame and movable with the frame between the extended and retracted positions. The barrier is substantially sonolucent allowing ultrasound visualization of areas beyond the barrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to blankets for use with forced air convection systems, wherein the blankets allow for access to portions of a patient's body before, during or after surgery. In addition, the blankets according to the present invention allow versatility in use by providing access to portions of the patient's body before, during, or after surgery, but which may also completely cover the patient after the surgical procedure is complete. To accomplish these purposes, the blankets according to the present invention include seals or separation lines which extend into the interior of the blanket and which may be separated to allow access to portions of the patient's body.

Abstract: When human intestine becomes damaged due to insufficient blood perfusion (ischemic disease), the damaged tissue must be surgically removed and the remaining tissue sewn together (end-to-end anastomoses). If nonviable tissue is not removed the result can be fatal while removal of too much bowel can also lead to severe complication. The distinction between viable and nonviable tissue must often hastily be made during urgent operations on critically ill patients. This decision remains a challenge for even the most experienced general surgeon. The system disclosed herein is a medical instrument designed to quantify the survivability of intestine compromised by ischemic disease. This medical instrument evaluates ischemic tissue through the quantification of electrical and contractile activity. The computer-based instrument uses advanced signal processing techniques to remove measurement artifact and physiological variability.

Abstract: A method for mediating social and behavioral influence processes through an interactive telecommunications guidance system for use in medicine and business (10) that utilizes an expert (200) such as a physician, counselor, manager, supervisor, trainer, or peer in association with a computer (16) that produces and sends a series of motivational messages and/or questions to a client, patient or employee (50) for changing or reinforcing a specific behavioral problem and goal management. The system (10) consists of a client database (12) and a client program (14) that includes for each client unique motivational messages and/or questions based on a model such as the transtheoretical model of change comprising the six stages of behavioral change (100) and the 14 processes of change (114), as interwining, interacting variables in the modification of health, mental health, and work site behaviors of the client or employee (50).

Abstract: This invention provides a method for determining the presence of capillary leak in a subject which comprises (a) introducing into the subject's circulation a pharmaceutically-acceptable solution comprising biodegradable, nontoxic, macromolecules, which macromolecules are smaller than endothelial gaps in capillaries of a subject having capillary leak, and each of which macromolecules is labeled with a detectable marker; (b) obtaining a sample of blood from the subject; (c) quantitatively measuring the detectable marker in the sample; (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) at a plurality of suitably spaced points in time; and (e) comparing the quantities of detectable marker so measured so as to ascertain a change in the quantity of detectable marker in the subject's circulation over time, the change being indicative of the presence of capillary leak, thereby determining the presence of capillary leak in the subject.

Abstract: A pulse rate monitor having an enhanced accuracy, reduced power consumption and reduced calculation time comprises a pulse wave extraction circuitry for extracting pulse wave frequency components from a power spectrum output of a pulse wave sensor and a movement sensor, and a pulse rate calculation circuit for calculating a pulse rate in accordance with the extracted pulse wave frequency components. A display device may be included to display the calculated pulse rate. In order to reduce power consumption, unnecessary circuitry may be deactivated and unnecessary operations may be avoided by use of a changing circuit which changes the method of calculation when movement of the user is not detected. Accordingly, when no movement has been detected for a predetermined period of time, the pulse rate may be calculated based upon a direct output of the pulse rate sensor, while the frequency analysis circuitry and calculation circuitry may remain deactivated.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring blood pressure is housed in a hermetically sealed, small casing, which is sealed in dust, water and pressure-tight manner by a film on the outside of the casing's cover and on the casing's underside. Pneumatic connecting lines are integrated into the casing cover and consequently separate the pressure-side area from the pressureless area in the casing interior. The casing interior contains a pump for filling a blood pressure cuff that is connectable to the apparatus, a valve for the controllable venting of the cuff, pneumatic connecting lines, pressure sensors and an electric control circuit and electric connecting lines. As a result of the construction according to the invention it is possible to obtain a high integration density and therefore a very small and compact blood pressure measuring module.

Abstract: A new non-invasive, non-toxic, non-sedating method for treatment of vascular headaches (migraine and cluster), tension headache, atypical (chronic) facial pain, allergic rhinitis and cervical muscle spasm is presented. This method comprises the application of cold or frozen water or saline (0.degree.-4.degree. C.), cold metal, or ice to the area of tenderness associated with the plexus formed by the posterior and middle superior alveolar branches of the ipsilateral maxillary nerve, as well as to other branches of the trigeminal nerve. The cold or frozen water or saline can be applied indirectly when contained in small bags, tubes or packs made of plastic film, latex, silicone, or the like. Metal tubes can also be used which have been chilled by either running cold water or ice through their hollow interiors. Preferably plastic tubes encasing a column of ice, which ice can be extruded gradually by the patient or clinician by means of a plunger inserted into the tubes are used.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a sample or a control has been applied to an instrument for measuring coagulation of a fluid by optically detecting when the fluid that has been applied to the instrument has passed a first and a second points, determining the flow time for the fluid between the two points, establishing a time threshold, and the flow time to the threshold to determining if the fluid is a sample or a control.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for measuring a respiration rate of a living subject, including a pulse rate measuring device which iteratively determines a pulse rate of the subject based on a pulse wave continuously produced from a peripheral portion of the subject; a systolic blood pressure measuring device which iteratively determines a systolic blood pressure of the subject based on a magnitude of a pressure pulse wave continuously produced from an arterial vessel of an extremity of the subject; a calculating device for iteratively calculating a product of two or more factors which include one of the iteratively determined pulse rates and one of the iteratively determined systolic blood pressures; and a respiration rate determining device for determining a respiration rate of the subject based on a period of a cyclic change of the iteratively calculated products.

Abstract: A blood pressure (BP) measuring apparatus including a first device for storing a set of BP data representing at least one BP value measured in a measuring operation, and a date and a time when the measuring operation is effected, thereby storing sets of BP data corresponding to measuring operations, a second device for storing a first one of the sets of BP data which belongs to a first number of sets of BP data which have early been stored by the first device, a third device for storing a second one of the sets of BP data which belongs to a second number of sets of BP data which have lately been stored by the first device, a fourth device for storing a third one of the sets of BP data which represents at least one BP value including a highest systolic BP value, a fifth device for storing a fourth one of the sets of BP data which represents at least one BP value including a lowest systolic BP value, and a recording device for recording (a) a graphic representation including first symbols each of which is indic