Abstract: Methods and devices for rapid diagnosis and monitoring a patient for disease or effectiveness of treatment in real time. In preferred embodiments, the methods and devices comprise contacting an array of sensors with a sample from a mammal suspected of having a disease to generate a sensor array profile, measuring a clinical diagnostic marker for the suspected disease, and then developing a diagnosis using the sensor array profile in combination with the clinical diagnostic marker.

Abstract: Methods and devices for rapid diagnosis and monitoring a patient for disease or effectiveness of treatment in real time. In preferred embodiments, the methods and devices comprise contacting an array of sensors with a sample from a mammal suspected of having a disease to generate a sensor array profile, measuring a clinical diagnostic marker for the suspected disease, and then developing a diagnosis using the sensor array profile in combination with the clinical diagnostic marker.

Abstract: A pelvic extension frame for removable attachment to the waist. The pelvic extension frame comprises a yoke having a first end, a second end, a medial aspect and a longitudinal axis. A harness is connected to the medial aspect of the yoke. A first coupling is connected to the first end of the yoke. The first coupling has a first pivot and a first mount. The first pivot is pivotable about the longitudinal axis. A second coupling is connected to the second end of the yoke. The second coupling has a second pivot and a second mount. The second pivot is pivotable about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The presence of a pathologic process in a lung of a mammal is detected by applying exhaled gas of a mammal to an electronic nose. Data derived from the electronic nose is used to determine whether a pathologic process is present in the lung of the mammal. The pathologic process may be a lung infection such as pneumonia.

Abstract: The presence of a pathologic process in a lung of a mammal is detected by applying exhaled gas of a mammal to an electronic nose (12). Data derived from the electronic nose (12) is used to determine whether a pathologic process is present in the lung of the mammal. The pathologic process may also be a lung infection such as pneumonia. Also, a mammalian fluid sample obtained from the sinus or nose is applied to an electronic nose (12) to determine if the fluid sample contains significant amounts of cebrospinal fluid.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for maximizing the volume of blood pumped by a heart and maximizing ventilation/perfusion matching in the lungs, wherein the lungs are ventilated by a respirator in response to a control signal, are shown to include a series of monitors for generating a heart signal such as an electrocardiogram, a lung air flow rate signal and a lung air pressure signal and a controller, connected to receive these signals and to the respirator. The controller monitors the signals and generates the control signal when the heart signal is representative of a desired in point in the pumping cycle of the heart and the other signals indicate desired flow rate and pressure in the lungs. In a preferred embodiment, the control signal is generated so as to maximize the augmentation of the pumping of the heart and to minimize the trapping of air in the lungs. Using the present invention, blood being pumped from the heart is assisted by the ventilation of the lungs.

Abstract: A ventiltor for ventilating the lungs of a patient is described as including a valve member connected to a fluid source and to the patient. The valve member controls the flow of fluid to the patient in response to a control signal. A programmable controller, connected to the valve member, generates the control signal for the valve member. The programmable controller includes a memory in which fluid flow rate information has been stored and a microprocessor. The controller is operative to determine a desired fluid flow rate in relation to the flow rate information and for generating the control signal in relation to the flow rate signal. In a preferred embodiment the valve member includes a plurality of first and second valves, wherein each of the second valves are operative to allow fluid to pass therethrough at flow rates which are multiples of a master flow rate. It is especially preferred for the multiple for each second valve to be equal to the value 2.sup.