Abstract: A method and system for use in measuring the endothelial dysfunction utilizing flow mediated dilation and determining arterial health of a patient. The system includes a non-invasive blood pressure monitor, an ultrasound system and a pulse oximeter monitor that all communicate with each other to perform the flow mediated dilation. Initially, the ultrasound transducer, blood pressure cuff and pulse oximeter sensor are positioned on an arm of the patient. The blood pressure cuff is inflated to occlude an artery for an occlusion period. Following the occlusion period, the ultrasound system is automatically signaled to begin determining a parameter of the artery, such as diameter, and the flow rate of blood through the artery without any operator intervention. At the same time, the pulse wave velocity PWV is calculated between the ultrasound transducer and the finger probe of the pulse oximeter following the occlusion period.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and estimating the blood pressure of a pregnant patient that modifies the blood pressure estimating algorithm when the patient is pre-eclamptic. The level of carbon monoxide within a patient's bloodstream or exhaled breath can be analyzed to determine whether a pregnant patient is pre-eclamptic. After the patient has been diagnosed as pre-eclamptic, the NIBP monitoring system adjusts its algorithm for estimating the patient's blood pressure to compensate for the physical changes that occur in the patient during pre-eclampsia. The adjusted blood pressure estimates calculated by the NIBP monitoring system can be calculated using different adjustment techniques and methods and are displayed on the NIBP monitor.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and estimating the blood pressure of a pregnant patient that modifies the blood pressure estimating algorithm when the patient is pre-eclamptic. The level of carbon monoxide within a patient's bloodstream or exhaled breath can be analyzed to determine whether a pregnant patient is pre-eclamptic. After the patient has been diagnosed as pre-eclamptic, the NIBP monitoring system adjusts its algorithm for estimating the patient's blood pressure to compensate for the physical changes that occur in the patient during pre-eclampsia. The adjusted blood pressure estimates calculated by the NIBP monitoring system can be calculated using different adjustment techniques and methods and are displayed on the NIBP monitor.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a non-invasive blood pressure monitor that utilizes an SpO2 plethysmograph signal to determine the initial inflation pressure for the blood pressure cuff of the NIBP monitor. A pulse sensor is placed on the patient's limb distal to the blood pressure cuff such that as the blood pressure cuff is inflated, the pulse signals from the pulse sensor will be reduced. When the blood pressure cuff reaches systolic pressure, the pulse signals from the pulse sensor will be initially attenuated and eventually eliminated, thus providing an indication that the cuff pressure has reached systolic pressure for the patient. The central processor of the NIBP monitor compares the pulse signals during cuff inflation to an average pulse signal and terminates the inflation of the blood pressure cuff upon sufficient attenuation.

Abstract: A limb compression system for increasing the flow of venous blood in a patient comprises an inflatable cuff, a pump, a controller, and a pressure transducer. The system collects a signal from the pressure transducer indicative of the pressure in the cuff and uses the signal to determine the blood pressure of the patient. A method for providing patient cardiovascular support and monitoring of patient blood pressure is also herein disclosed.

Abstract: The method and system includes detecting atrial fibrillation in a patient by monitoring the blood oxygen saturation level over a period of time. The method and system produces a plethysmographic waveform from the monitored blood oxygen saturation level and analyzes the plethysmographic waveform and detected intervals and determines whether the patient is in atrial fibrillation. The method and system is preferably implemented in a software application and may be configured to report to the user on the current state of atrial fibrillation (AFIB) and a current trend.

Abstract: A system and method for the optimization of scheduling visits by a clinician to a plurality of remotely located patients. A plurality of predefined or clinician specified risk factors are combined with patient data with a home visit interval algorithm to specify a visit interval for each patient. This interval is used with a calendar with other information regarding past and future scheduled visits to determine the optimal date for the next visit to the patient by the clinician. The patient risk factors may be weighted to place more emphasis on specific factors, thus allowing for the tailoring of the system to meet the needs of an individual patient.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for measuring extreme blood pressure values during a single non-invasive blood measurement, the time intervals between sequential heartbeats are measured for a series of heartbeats in an oscillometric blood pressure measurement time period. Oscillometric blood pressure measurement data for the heartbeats of the series is obtained and associated with the heartbeat time intervals. An average time interval between heartbeats is also determined. A first data bin may be defined for blood pressure data associated with time intervals that are longer as compared to the average time interval. A second data bin is defined for blood pressure data with time intervals that are shorter as compared to the average time interval. The measured oscillometric blood pressure data is sorted into the data bins in accordance with the associated time intervals. The data in the first data bin is used to derive a high systolic blood pressure value and a low diastolic blood pressure value.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and estimating the blood pressure of a pregnant patient that modifies the blood pressure estimating algorithm when the patient is pre-eclamptic. The level of carbon monoxide within a patient's bloodstream or exhaled breath can be analyzed to determine whether a pregnant patient is pre-eclamptic. After the patient has been diagnosed as pre-eclamptic, the NIBP monitoring system adjusts its algorithm for estimating the patient's blood pressure to compensate for the physical changes that occur in the patient during pre-eclampsia. The adjusted blood pressure estimates calculated by the NIBP monitoring system can be calculated using different adjustment techniques and methods and are displayed on the NIBP monitor.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method of remotely monitoring patient health care characteristics. The system utilizes at least two micro-scale to millimeter-scale sensors, a wireless network, a central hub and pre-processing center and a means for notifying a clinician of the remote patient's condition. The system and method includes sensor to sensor coordination, modular-based sensors and processing, and allows a clinician to remotely configure the system.

Abstract: A method and system for determining when to make a reversion to smaller cuff pressure steps during an oscillometric blood pressure measurement is disclosed. The method and system comprise comparing conformance of oscillometric envelope blood pressure data with previous blood pressure data, including measuring a shift between the oscillometric envelope blood pressure data and an oscillometric envelope derived from the previous blood pressure data. In addition, the method and system include making a reversion decision based on whether the shift exceeds an allowable threshold. Once a reversion decision is made a subsequent decision may be made as to the need for increasing the cuff pressure level.

Abstract: A vital sign monitoring system that can be used with multiple patients and utilizes historic patient data information for the patient to optimize the process of obtaining current vital sign measurements. Each patient is identified with a unique patient identification device that is automatically detected by the vital sign monitor. The vital sign monitor communicates with a medical records database and obtains historic patient data information for the patient identified by the patient identification device. The historic patient data information can be utilized by the vital sign monitor to set alarm limits for the vital sign measurements and automatically control the operation of an NIBP monitor for the specific patient.

Abstract: A method of operating a non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) monitor that includes a blood pressure cuff and a pressure transducer. The method initially inflates the blood pressure cuff to a level above systolic pressure and begins to deflate the pressure cuff using a continuous or linear deflation technique. During the linear deflation of the pressure cuff, the oscillation pulses from the pressure transducer are obtained and compared to predicted pulse estimates. If the obtained oscillation pulses vary from the predicted pulse estimates, the linear deflation technique is interrupted and the pressure cuff is then deflated in a sequence of distinct pressure steps. During each pressure step, the oscillation pulses are obtained and the pressure cuff is not deflated to the next pressure step until the oscillation pulses correspond to each other.

Abstract: A method of operating a non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) monitor that includes a blood pressure cuff and a pressure transducer. The method initially inflates the blood pressure cuff to a level above systolic pressure and begins to deflate the pressure cuff using a continuous or linear deflation technique. During the linear deflation of the pressure cuff, the oscillation pulses from the pressure transducer are obtained and compared to predicted pulse estimates. If the obtained oscillation pulses vary from the predicted pulse estimates, the linear deflation technique is interrupted and the pressure cuff is then deflated in a sequence of distinct pressure steps. During each pressure step, the oscillation pulses are obtained and the pressure cuff is not deflated to the next pressure step until the oscillation pulses correspond to each other.

Abstract: A blood pressure measurement system that utilizes a non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) monitor having a blood pressure cuff and pressure transducer. The measurement system provides a plurality of separate processing techniques that each receive a plurality of oscillometric data values from the pressure transducer. Each of the processing techniques separately constructs an oscillometric envelope based upon the oscillometric data values. Based upon the plurality of separate oscillometric envelopes, the system compares the envelopes and develops a calculated blood pressure from the plurality of envelopes. The calculated blood pressure is then displayed by the NIBP system. The plurality of oscillometric envelopes can be compared and combined in different manners to calculate the patient's blood pressure from the plurality of different processing techniques.

Abstract: A blood pressure measurement system that utilizes both a non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) monitor having a blood pressure cuff and a continuous non-invasive blood pressure (CNIBP) monitor. During operation of the NIBP monitor, the blood pressure cuff is inflated to an initial inflation pressure greater than the systolic blood pressure for the patient being monitored. The CNIBP monitor calculates an estimated blood pressure that is supplied to the NIBP monitor. The NIBP monitor utilizes the continuous, estimated blood pressure to select a target inflation pressure for the blood pressure cuff. During operation of the NIBP monitor, the size of the pressure steps from the initial inflation pressure to a final pressure can be varied based upon the continuous blood pressure estimate from the NIBP monitor.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for collecting non-invasive blood pressure readings from a patient is provided. A non-invasive blood pressure cuff is arranged to be worn about a wrist of a patient and to be operatively connected to a blood pressure monitor. Communication means are operatively connected to the blood pressure cuff the monitor and arranged to automatically communicate a parameter associated with the cuff to the monitor. The monitor is arranged to automatically adjust blood pressure algorithms based upon the parameter to enhance the accuracy of blood pressure readings.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for collecting non-invasive blood pressure readings from a patient is provided. A non-invasive blood pressure cuff is arranged to be worn about a wrist of a patient and to be operatively connected to a blood pressure monitor. Communication means are operatively connected to the blood pressure cuff the monitor and arranged to automatically communicate a parameter associated with the cuff to the monitor. The monitor is arranged to automatically adjust blood pressure algorithms based upon the parameter to enhance the accuracy of blood pressure readings.

Abstract: A method and system for determining when to make a reversion to smaller cuff pressure steps during an oscillometric blood pressure measurement is disclosed. The method and system comprise comparing conformance of oscillometric envelope blood pressure data with previous blood pressure data, including measuring a shift between the oscillometric envelope blood pressure data and an oscillometric envelope derived from the previous blood pressure data. In addition, the method and system include making a reversion decision based on whether the shift exceeds an allowable threshold. Once a reversion decision is made a subsequent decision may be made as to the need for increasing the cuff pressure level.

Abstract: A method and technique for the continuous, non-invasive measurement of blood pressure. The blood pressure measurement technique of the present invention utilizes ultrasound measurements to determine the diameter of the blood vessel in which the blood pressure is being measured as well as the flow rate of blood at both an input point and an output point along the blood vessel. The system utilizes a transmission line model to relate various blood vessel measurements with electrical components. The transmission line model, in combination with data management techniques including state variable representations and Kalman filtering, is used to develop a blood pressure measurement in real time.