Abstract: A method of determining a fitness level of user with a physiological sensor. The method includes measuring a physiological value of the user with the physiological sensor, correlating the measured physiological value into a measurement of the user's respiratory rate and tidal volume, calculating a second respiratory rate value using the measured tidal volume, calculating a breathing efficiency (BE) ratio based on a comparison of the user's measured respiratory rate and the calculated second respiratory rate value, correlating the calculated BE ratio to a predetermined threshold, and assigning a classification to the user based on the calculated BE ratio. The classification is indicative of the user's respiratory function performance.

Abstract: A method of determining a fitness level of user with a physiological sensor. The method includes measuring a physiological value of the user with the physiological sensor, correlating the measured physiological value into a measurement of the user's respiratory rate and tidal volume, calculating a second respiratory rate value using the measured tidal volume, calculating a breathing efficiency (BE) ratio based on a comparison of the user's measured respiratory rate and the calculated second respiratory rate value, correlating the calculated BE ratio to a predetermined threshold, and assigning a classification to the user based on the calculated BE ratio. The classification is indicative of the user's respiratory function performance.

Abstract: A method of monitoring physiological conditions including an acoustic measurement device and a remote controller. The remove controller configured to measure physiological conditions; calculate absolute tidal volume, a direction of tidal volume, and a rate of change of tidal volume; correlate absolute tidal volume, a direction of tidal volume, and a rate of change of tidal volume to a risk score; calculate a direction trend and rate of change for each physiological condition; correlate the direction trend and rate of change for each physiological condition; detect predefined patterns in the direction trend and rate of change of the measured physiological condition at the predetermined interval; and generating at least one from the group consisting of an alert, an alarm, and a medical treatment if the risk score defined on the predefined scale exceeds a first predetermined risk score threshold and at least one predefined pattern is detected.

Abstract: A method of determining a fitness level of user with an acoustic measurement device configured to measure sound associated with airflow through a mammalian trachea. The acoustic measurement device is in communication with a controller having processing circuitry. The method includes correlating the measured sound into a measurement of the user's respiratory rate and tidal volume; calculating a second respiratory rate value using the measured tidal volume; calculating a breathing efficiency (BE) ratio based on a comparison of the user's measured respiratory rate and the calculated second respiratory rate value; correlating the calculated BE ratio to a predetermined threshold; and assigning a classification to the user based on the calculated BE ratio. The classification is indicative of the user's respiratory function performance.

Abstract: A method of monitoring respiration with an acoustic measurement device, the acoustic measurement device having a sound transducer, the sound transducer configured to measure sound associated with airflow through a mammalian trachea, the method includes correlating the measured sound into a measurement of tidal volume and generating at least one from the group consisting of an alert and an alarm if the measured tidal volume falls outside of a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method of monitoring respiration with an acoustic measurement device, the acoustic measurement device having a sound transducer, the sound transducer configured to measure sound associated with airflow through a mammalian trachea, the method includes correlating the measured sound into a measurement of tidal volume and generating at least one from the group consisting of an alert and an alarm if the measured tidal volume falls outside of a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method of monitoring respiration with an acoustic measurement device, the acoustic measurement device having a sound transducer, the sound transducer configured to measure sound associated with airflow through a mammalian trachea, the method includes correlating the measured sound into a measurement of tidal volume and generating at least one from the group consisting of an alert and an alarm if the measured tidal volume falls outside of a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method of monitoring respiration with an acoustic measurement device, the acoustic measurement device having a sound transducer, the sound transducer configured to measure sound associated with airflow through a mammalian trachea, the method includes correlating the measured sound into a measurement of tidal volume and generating at least one from the group consisting of an alert and an alarm if the measured tidal volume falls outside of a predetermined range.

Abstract: A tissue punch including a barrel defining a first open end, a second open end, and inner diameter, an outer diameter, and a lumen there through. A piston is at least partially disposed within the lumen and pressed against the inner diameter of the barrel, the piston being configured to create negative pressure within the barrel when the piston is retracted. A cutting element defines a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the cutting element being disposed at the second open end of the barrel, the distal end of the cutting element defining a cutting edge, the cutting element is in fluid communication with the barrel. A pushing element is slideably disposed about the outer diameter of the barrel, the pushing element is movable from a biased first position away from the cutting edge to a second position proximate the cutting edge.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fiber-containing edible product and a method of making such a product. The edible product contains microparticulated fiber derived from a fiber source preferably having an insoluble fiber content of at least about 2.5%, hydrocolloid in an amount sufficient to maintain the fiber in suspension when the product is mixed with liquid to make an edible composition, and, except where a pudding-like consistency is desired, potable acid in an amount sufficient to lower the pH of the edible composition to a pH sufficient to avoid gelatinization of the composition. The edible product preferably contains sweetener and additional natural flavoring.

Abstract: An edible product which contains microparticulated fiber derived from a fiber source preferably having an insoluble fiber content of at least about 2.5%, hydrocolloid in an amount sufficient to maintain the fiber in suspension when the product is mixed with liquid to make an edible composition, and, except where a pudding-like consistency is desired, potable acid in an amount sufficient to lower the pH of the edible composition to a pH sufficient to avoid gelatinization of the composition. The product preferably contains sweetener and additional natural flavoring and the method of making the fiber-containing edible product includes adding to a volume of liquid less than the total volume, finely ground fiber to create a mixture, hydrating the fiber, adding additional liquid and hydrocolloid, treating the mixture to create microparticulated fiber, hydrate the hydrocolloid and a homogenized mixture and acidifying the mixture to a pH sufficient to avoid gelatinization of the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an edible product containing microparticulated fiber, hydrocolloid in an amount sufficient to maintain the fiber in suspension, and potable acid to avoid gelatinization of the composition. The edible product contains sweetener and flavoring. The method of making the fiber-containing edible product includes, hydrating the fiber, adding additional liquid and hydrocolloid, homogenizing the mixture and acidifying the mixture.