Abstract: Non-magnetic thermally-controlled bimetal valves comprising active and passive members having different coefficients of thermal expansion, and systems incorporating such valves, are described herein. These valves and systems find particular application in the field of patient care as it relates to magnetic resonance (“MR”) environments, such as environments with strong electromagnetic fields generated by MR imaging machines.

Abstract: Systems and methods for correcting an electrocardiogram (ECG) impacted by the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effect are provided. The systems and methods derive patient information from images captured by a camera, and use this information to calculate a T-wave correction factor used to counteract the amplification of the T-wave due to the MHD effect. While the patient undergoes an MRI scan, an ECG monitor captures an ECG signal for the patient, and the camera captures a series of images of the patient. The series of images are provided to the image processing unit (IPU). The IPU processes the images to derive patient information to calculate the T-wave correction factor. The IPU then attenuates the amplitude of the T-wave of the captured ECG signal to generate a corrected ECG signal. This corrected ECG signal is then used by the MRI scanner for more accurate gated imaging.

Abstract: A method (400) for providing continuous wireless connectivity for monitoring a patient throughout a healthcare facility, including: providing (40) 2) an in-room access point in a room defined at least in part by shielding walls and an access point outside the room and connecting the in-room access point and the access point; (ii) transmitting (404), by a communication unit of a first source device, information related to the patient; (iii) receiving (406), by the access point outside the room, information from the first source device; (iv) receiving (408), by the in-room access point, additional information from the first source device; (v) combining (410), the information and the additional information from the first source device to generate a digital data stream; and (vi) transmitting (412), by an access point communication unit of the access point system, the digital data stream to an information system of the healthcare facility.

Abstract: An ECG measurement node for a patient electrode is provided, including an electrode interface and ECG processing circuitry electrically coupled to the electrode interface. The electrode interface is electrically and removably coupled to the patient electrode. The patient electrode is affixed to a patient. The ECG processing circuitry is configured to generate an ECG signal. The ECG measurement node further includes a transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit the ECG signal or a fiber optic interface configured to transmit the ECG signal via a fiber optic link. An ECG measurement network is also provided, including a first and second ECG measurement node. The first ECG measurement node and the second ECG measurement node are communicatively coupled to a patient monitor. The ECG measurement network may further include a central access point communicatively coupled to the first ECG measurement node, the second ECG measurement node, and the patient monitor.