Abstract: There is a method and system for detecting heartbeat irregularities comprising the steps of receiving a dataset representative of at least one waveform, the at least one waveform indicative of a subject's heart activity over a predetermined period of time; identifying from the data representative of at least one waveform, a plurality of peaks, each peak corresponding to a heartbeat; identifying from the predetermined period of time the time occurrence of each peak; calculating the difference (duration) between the time occurrence of each peak with its adjacent peak; determining the difference between each duration; classifying the absolute value of the difference into one of at least three intermediate categories; wherein each intermediate category comprises a specified range such that the absolute value is categorized into the intermediate category if it falls between the range; the intermediate categories further providing an indication of whether the subject has heartbeat irregularity.

Abstract: There is a method and system for detecting heartbeat irregularities comprising the steps of receiving a dataset representative of at least one waveform, the at least one waveform indicative of a subject's heart activity over a predetermined period of time; identifying from the data representative of at least one waveform, a plurality of peaks, each peak corresponding to a heartbeat; identifying from the predetermined period of time the time occurrence of each peak; calculating the difference (duration) between the time occurrence of each peak with its adjacent peak; determining the difference between each duration; classifying the absolute value of the difference into one of at least three intermediate categories; wherein each intermediate category comprises a specified range such that the absolute value is categorized into the intermediate category if it falls between the range; the intermediate categories further providing an indication of whether the subject has heartbeat irregularity.

Abstract: There is a method and system for detecting heartbeat irregularities comprising the steps of receiving a dataset representative of at least one waveform, the at least one waveform indicative of a subject's heart activity over a predetermined period of time; identifying from the data representative of at least one waveform, a plurality of peaks, each peak corresponding to a heartbeat; identifying from the predetermined period of time the time occurrence of each peak; calculating the difference (duration) between the time occurrence of each peak with its adjacent peak; determining the difference between each duration; classifying the absolute value of the difference into one of at least three intermediate categories; wherein each intermediate category comprises a specified range such that the absolute value is categorized into the intermediate category if it falls between the range; the intermediate categories further providing an indication of whether the subject has heartbeat irregularity.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium for deriving central aortic systolic pressure by reversing the order of a set of predetermined number of blood pressure measurements to obtain a reversed blood pressure set; averaging the reversed blood pressure set such that the average set represents a moving average waveform; overlaying the reversed blood pressure set and the moving average waveform; identifying a point of intersection on the reversed arterial waveform and the moving average waveform, and setting the central aortic systolic pressure as a reversed blood pressure value in the reversed blood pressure set nearest to the point of intersection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for altering reflected arterial pulse of a body is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a belt having a compression member arranged to apply a pressure to the body, the belt being arranged to be positioned such that the compression member applies the pressure to one of at least two pressure points between the xiphis sternum and navel of the body, the belt adjustable to provide at least two pressure levels to each of the at least two pressure points and a blood pressure monitoring device arranged to obtain a beat-to-beat arterial pulse waveform when the pressure is applied at each of the pressure points and at each of the at least two pressure levels; and analyze the waveform to determine the optimum position for the compression device to apply the pressure to the body to alter the pulse waveform.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for predicting a parameter in the blood stream of a subject is disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser diode source arranged to emit light of at least two different wavelengths; a first optical receiver arranged to receive incident light of the two different wavelengths where the subject is not present; a second optical receiver arranged to receive transmitted or diffuse reflected light of the two different wavelengths when a desired part of the subject is present and a processor for calculating the ratio of the intensity of the received transmitted or diffuse reflected light to incident light for each of the at least two different wavelengths to provide an indication of the parameter in the blood stream of the subject. The apparatus and method are particularly suited for measuring HbA1c in an individual.

Abstract: A method of deriving central aortic systolic pressure comprises (a) creating a set having a predetermined number of blood pressure measurements, the set representative of an arterial waveform; (b) determining an integer interval value; (c) averaging a series of consecutive blood pressure measurement readings in the set equal to the integer interval value commencing from the fth blood pressure measurement in the set; (d) storing the averaged value in a central aortic systolic pressure set; and (e) setting the central aortic systolic pressure as the highest value in the central aortic pressure set. Steps (c) and (d) are repeated with the value of f being incremented by 1 each time until the value of f plus the integer interval value equals the predetermined number of blood pressure measurements in the set.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium for deriving central aortic systolic pressure by reversing the order of a set of predetermined number of blood pressure measurements to obtain a reversed blood pressure set; averaging the reversed blood pressure set such that the average set represents a moving average waveform; overlaying the reversed blood pressure set and the moving average waveform; identifying a point of intersection on the reversed arterial waveform and the moving average waveform, and setting the central aortic systolic pressure as a reversed blood pressure value in the reversed blood pressure set nearest to the point of intersection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method enables a reading of a continuous beat to beat heart rate at the superficial temporal artery to give an indication of blood pressure of the brain and blood related diseases. The apparatus is non-invasive. Preferably a reading of a continuous beat to beat heart rate is measured on both the left superficial temporal artery and the right superficial temporal artery simultaneously during the same heart beat. Where the wave form measured from the left temporal artery differs from the wave form measured from the right temporal artery this may be an indication of an impending stroke or an indication that a stroke has recently happened. Further, the indices of the wave forms may be used as a clinical indication of other blood related diseases.

Abstract: A system (10) and method for measuring a composition in the blood fluid is disclosed. The system (10) comprises a non-invasive measuring unit (12) for measuring the composition; and at least one neural network (16) for processing a plurality of measurements taken by the non-invasive measuring unit (12) to determine an overall measurement of the composition in the blood fluid. A further aspect of the invention discloses a computer-readable medium for performing the above method.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for an intra-articular injection or aspiration, the apparatus having a hollow piercing member through which fluid may pass, the piercing member having a first end adapted to pierce a patient, and a second end releasably secured to a body; a sensing means, wherein upon entering a cavity of the patient the sensor means senses the change in resistance at the first end of the piercing member which results when the first end of the piercing member enters the cavity.

Abstract: A method of deriving central aortic systolic pressure comprises (a) creating a set having a predetermined number of blood pressure measurements, the set representative of an arterial waveform; (b) determining an integer interval value; (c) averaging a series of consecutive blood pressure measurement readings in the set equal to the integer interval value commencing from the fth blood pressure measurement in the set; (d) storing the averaged value in a central aortic systolic pressure set; and (e) setting the central aortic systolic pressure as the highest value in the central aortic pressure set. Steps (c) and (d) are repeated with the value of f being incremented by 1 each time until the value of f plus the integer interval value equals the predetermined number of blood pressure measurements in the set.

Abstract: A mobile first aid post comprising a road vehicle having a compartment of an openable enclosure for housing medical supplies and equipment, the compartment including a fixed structure and at least one rigid panel pivotally movable relative to the fixed structure between a closing condition where the panel defines at least part of a side wall of the enclosure and an erected condition where the panel is in a substantially or near horizontal condition creating an opening and providing a region covered overhead for a person positioned adjacent the side of the vehicle, and wherein medical utilities selected from one or more of compressed air, suction, water, and oxygen are provided accessible by a user from the downwardly facing major surface of the panel aiding in the treatment of patients positioned below the panel. The panel may also be of an extendable type.

Abstract: A device for continuously monitoring a user's arterial blood pressure has a sensor adapted to continuously detect the blood pressure and to generate signals representative thereof by contact with an external surface of the user's body at a location adjacent an artery. The sensor is securely held in operable contact with the user's body at the location. A microprocessor interprets the signals generated by the sensor to determine the actual arterial blood pressure. The sensor includes a projecting portion for detecting and transmitting changes in blood pressure, wherein the projecting portion is adapted to effect at least partial occlusion of the artery at the location.

Abstract: A device for continuously monitoring a user's arterial blood pressure has a sensor adapted to continuously detect the blood pressure and to generate signals representative thereof by contact with an external surface of the user's body at a location adjacent an artery. The sensor is securely held in operable contact with the user's body at the location. A microprocessor interprets the signals generated by the sensor to determine the actual arterial blood pressure. The sensor includes a projecting portion for detecting and transmitting changes in blood pressure, wherein the projecting portion is adapted to effect at least partial occlusion of the artery at the location.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for measuring blood sugar level in vivo, comprising means to generate a waveform signal derived from the systolic and diastolic cycle in an artery or capillary. It includes means to trigger a measurement of blood sugar level in the artery or capillary by non-invasive means in accordance with the waveform signal. The means to generate a waveform signal corresponding to the systolic and diastolic cycle may comprise an oximeter and the non-invasive measurement of blood sugar level may be performed by measuring the absorption of selected wavelengths of light transmitted by a light source.

Abstract: A device for continuously monitoring a user's arterial blood pressure has a sensor adapted to continuously detect the blood pressure and to generate signals representative thereof by contact with an external surface of the user's body at a location adjacent an artery. The sensor is securely held in operable contact with the user's body at the location. A microprocessor interprets the signals generated by the sensor to determine actual arterial blood pressure. The sensor includes a projecting portion for detecting and transmitting changes in blood pressure, wherein the projecting portion is adapted to effect at least partial occlusion of the artery at the location.