Abstract: Device, system and method to monitor user breathing patterns utilizing posture and diaphragm (breathing) sensor signals. The user worn device comprises a housing attached to a retractable belt that is worn around the user's trunk. The housing contains both posture and breathing sensors. The device monitors the output signals of these sensors and measures the state of both the user's posture and diaphragm (e.g. changes in the belt's length or force on the belt as a function of user breathing) to analyze breathing signals. The system's processor receives, processes, and transmits sensor signal data, and can also calibrate and interpret these signals utilizing various algorithms. In a preferred embodiment, the posture sensor is an accelerometer, and the retractable belt winds around a spring tensioned spool in the device's housing. The software can produce posture adjusted user respiration data, and can also be used for breath training and other purposes.

Abstract: This disclosure teaches the concept, and method of creating, a dual use device intended for persons who take insulin. In one embodiment, the novel device is an insulin delivery cannula, the outer wall of which contains electrodes, chemical compounds and electrical interconnects that allow continuous glucose sensing and delivery of data to a remote device. Heretofore, the main problem in attempting to sense glucose at the site of insulin delivery has been the high current resulting from oxidation by the sensor of the preservatives in the insulin formulations. One means of eliminating these interferences is to poise the indicating electrode(s) of the sensor at a bias sufficiently low to avoid the signal from oxidation of the preservatives. One way of obtaining a glucose signal at a low bias is to use an osmium-ligand-polymer complex instead of conventional hydrogen peroxide sensing.

Abstract: A respiratory effort belt to be worn by a person undergoing a sleep study comprises a PVDF piezo film transducer having opposite major surfaces metalized and electrical leads electronically connected to the metalized surfaces adhesively bonded to an inelastic cover layer that is, in turn, adhesively joined to an stretchable elastic band that functions as a belt to be secured to the person's chest or abdomen. The transducer produces a time-varying output voltage waveform due to rubbing contact between the elastic band and the PVDF film and not due to tensile forces acting on the film as the person's chest or abdomen rises and falls with inspiration and expiration.

Abstract: A non-invasive blood pressure monitor has a blood pressure cuff and a wireless blood pressure determination unit. The wireless blood pressure determination unit automatically determines the fastest method for measuring blood pressure of a patient based on an initial blood pressure measurement made while inflating the cuff.

Abstract: Bodily fluid indicator devices and methods are provided. Such devices and methods can effectively indicate whether the amount of bodily fluid being produced is within a measurable range. In an exemplary embodiment, a bodily fluid indicator device includes a substrate having a surface. Some portions of the surface are covered with a region of absorbent material and other portions of the surface are devoid of the absorbent material. A graduated scale or a reactive feature is printed on the absorbent material. The device is configured to indicate an amount and/or a composition a bodily fluid present on an area of a patient or subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a framework for facilitating patient signal filtering. In accordance with one aspect, the framework performs a signature cycle matching pursuit method to remove a first signal component from a combination patient signal and generate a first output signal. Sub-bandwidth filtering of the first output signal may be performed to remove a second signal component and generate a second output signal. The framework may further remove a third signal component from the second output signal to generate a third output signal. A signal of interest may then be reconstructed based on the third output signal.

Abstract: Methods of detecting and reducing error of athletic sensor readouts are disclosed. Methods relate to receiving properties, such as an athlete's body mass index and a physiological property, such as heart rate. Based on a body mass index or other parameter being outside a range, selecting a protocol, such as a heart rate measurement protocol. In further embodiments, a heart rate measurement protocol may be augmented.

Abstract: This disclosure teaches the concept, and method of creating, a dual use device intended for persons who take insulin. In one embodiment, the novel device is an insulin delivery cannula, the outer wall of which contains electrodes, chemical compounds and electrical interconnects that allow continuous glucose sensing and delivery of data to a remote device. Heretofore, the main problem in attempting to sense glucose at the site of insulin delivery has been the high current resulting from oxidation by the sensor of the preservatives in the insulin formulations. One means of eliminating these interferences is to poise the indicating electrode(s) of the sensor at a bias sufficiently low to avoid the signal from oxidation of the preservatives. One way of obtaining a glucose signal at a low bias is to use an osmium-ligand-polymer complex instead of conventional hydrogen peroxide sensing.

Abstract: A surgical system includes at least one light emitter generating light at a first intensity and an array of light sensors including a least one row of light sensors, individual light sensors in the row of light sensors adapted to generate a signal including a non-pulsatile component. The system also includes a controller coupled to the array of light sensors, the controller including an analyzer to determine the magnitudes of the non-pulsatile components at the individual light sensors in the row of light sensors, to determine if the non-pulsatile component transitions from a higher magnitude to a lower magnitude and from a lower magnitude to a higher magnitude, and if so, to determine if the first intensity should be changed to a second intensity.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a data processing unit (100) which receives electroencephalographic data based on a measurement of a person (110) exposed to anesthetic drug substance which has one or more estimated or measured non-zero levels of concentration in the body (108) of the person (110) as a function of time; and determines and present activity of slow waves of the electroencephalographic data at the one or more estimated or measured levels of the non-zero concentration of the anesthetic drug substance.

Abstract: In a method for intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, in which the coronary sinus is occluded using an occlusion device, the fluid pressure in the occluded coronary sinus is continuously measured and stored, the fluid pressure curve is determined as a function of time, and the occlusion of the coronary sinus is triggered and/or released as a function of at least one characteristic value derived from the measured pressure values. The pressure increase and/or pressure decrease per time unit each occurring at a heart beat are used as characteristic values.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for quantifying arterial stiffness and assigning an AS factor uses executable program on a computing device. The arterial pulse of an individual is monitored and the data received from the monitoring member transmitted to the computing device. The data received is processed by the processor, performing a pulse wave analysis. The primary systolic pulse and iliac reflection pulse are extracted from the pulse wave analysis and the time delay between the primary systolic pulse and the iliac reflection pulse determined. The time delay is used to calculate a second derivative based least in part, on the time delay. The frequency above zero components are separated from the second derivative and the area of the second derivative determined between a first primary systolic pulse and a first iliac reflection pulse.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for timing measurements in a non-invasive blood pressure measurement system. The systems and methods are capable of providing measurement results according to patient-specific time intervals. The disclosed systems may include a pump unit, signal acquisition circuit, user interface, clock, memory, microprocessor, power unit and communications module. The disclosed invention also contains a method for calculating an expected measurement duration. Additionally systems and methods for providing blood pressure results according to patient-specific time intervals using an expected measurement duration are discussed. Related apparatus, systems, methods and or/articles are described.

Abstract: A biosignal measurement apparatus includes: a potential difference measurement unit that measures a potential difference between a plurality of electrodes of an electrode unit placed on a user's chest; an ECG analysis unit that obtains an electrocardiogram (ECG) indicating a temporal variation of a cardiac potential of the user, from the potential difference measured by the potential difference measurement unit; an impedance measurement switching unit that determines a start timing of a first period which is a period not including an R wave, using the ECG obtained by the ECG analysis unit; an impedance measurement unit that measures an impedance between the plurality of electrodes in the first period; and a respiratory calculation unit that calculates respiratory information related to respiration of the user, based on a temporal variation of the impedance measured by the impedance measurement unit.

Abstract: An incentive spirometer is provided that allows a user to achieve Sustained Maximal Inspiration (SMI) through the use of helical tubes. Specifically, the incentive spirometer includes three chambers, wherein each chamber includes a ball traveling upwards through three helical tubes in sequential order and subsequently dropping down through a basket. Here, each of the helical tubes and corresponding baskets generally represent various levels of lung capacity achieved with repetitive use and operation of the incentive spirometer.

Abstract: A gas collection apparatus for use by a user includes a housing with an inlet and an outlet to permit a breath sample to flow therethrough. The housing includes a first compartment and a second compartment, a chemo-resistive analysis assembly having a substrate coupled to a sensor array and disposed within the first compartment, the substrate being operably connected to a voltage control unit coupled to the housing to heat the sensor array to a desired temperature, a resistance control unit coupled to the housing to measure resistance in the sensor array, an optical analysis assembly having a light-emitting diode array and a photodiode array coupled to the second compartment, and a processor coupled to the housing and operably connected to the chemo-resistive analysis and optical analysis assemblies.