Abstract: Fluid removal systems and methods for removing fluid from a tissue site are presented. The system includes a semi-permeable inbound conduit, which is fluidly coupled to a treatment-fluid delivery unit, for placement proximate to a tissue site, and a semi-permeable outbound conduit, which is fluidly coupled to the inbound conduit and to a treatment-fluid collector, for placement proximate to the tissue site on the patient. The treatment-fluid collector receives the treatment fluid and a recruited fluid from the tissue site. A recruited-fluid determination unit may be coupled to the treatment-fluid collector to determine a volume of fluid recruited from the patient. The treatment fluid is any fluid (including a gas) that pulls fluid from the interstitial and intracellular space. A reduced-pressure treatment subsystem may also be included, among other things, for removing ascites and other fluids from a body cavity.

Abstract: Systems and methods to change an operation of an engine associated with a transportation device based on a state of a traffic light are disclosed. A first message is received at a receiver associated with a transportation device from a transmitter associated with a traffic light. A second message is sent based at least partially on the first message to an electronic control unit managing an engine of the transportation device. The second message causes the electronic control unit to stop an operation of the engine.

Abstract: Methods and systems that incorporate automated or manual control of ventilation and kinetic rotation therapy are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, an artificial ventilator is used to artificially ventilate one of the patient's lungs, the status of the artificially ventilated lung is determined by measuring one or more ventilation status measures, and one or more of the ventilation status measures is used to provide feedback for controlling the positioning of the patient. In some exemplary embodiments, the feedback is used for automated control of the positioning of the patient, while in other exemplary embodiments, the feedback is used as guidance for manual control of the positioning of the patient.

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: The present invention is a system and method of pre-delivery drug identification. The system and method is implemented where drugs are being administered, such as in a hospital or clinic, and identifies the drug being administered to the patient before the drug reaches the patient. The system and method may utilize a sensor used for other physiologic monitoring to identify the drug. After identification, the system and method is configured to cross-reference the identified drug with the patient's prescription and allergy information, and to prevent delivery to the patient, if necessary. The system and method also utilizes data collected from the patient with a physiological monitor or a ventilator sensor to further determine whether the drug is appropriate for the patient. The method and system may also include an override system for medical personnel. The method described may be carried out by a software application.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a subject can include acquiring data from the subject, and dynamically adjusting an alarm limit based on the data. The method can also comprise determining a first value that is typical for the subject for the characteristic being monitored, determining a second value for the characteristic being monitored, and generating a comparison based on the two values. The method could also comprise setting a threshold for a characteristic being monitored, and decreasing the alarm limit if the data crosses the threshold. The method could also include setting an extremity limit. The following methods can be applied to the monitoring of a healthcare patient, or other subjects of interest. Also, the values used in the monitoring of the subject can be configured to be transferable from one monitor to another.

Abstract: System and method of monitoring a patient including acquiring a respiration waveform and an arterial pressure waveform and determining a window on the respiration waveform that represents end expiration and approximates an apnea condition. The method can include calculating a systolic pressure variation value, a delta up value, and a delta down value based on a portion of the arterial pressure waveform corresponding to the window on the respiration waveform. In some embodiments, the respiration waveform can be acquired without manual interruption of mechanical ventilation and the values can be calculated substantially continuously.

Abstract: A wireless bi-directional portable patient monitor incorporated into a mobile clinical information management system is disclosed. The portable patient monitor includes a communications interface to receive patient data from a wireless local area network (WLAN) within a medical care facility and transmit care parameters as needed to the wireless network (WLAN) in response. The portable patient monitor includes a processor connected to the communications interface to process the patient data and the care parameters. A display is connected to the processor to display the processed patient data to the health care provider. The monitor includes an input device connected to the processor to allow a change in the care parameters by the health care provider. The portable patient monitor is also configured to allow wireless transport on the health care provider for extended periods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for acquiring pulse oximetry and electrocardiogram signals from an appendage of a patient. The apparatus can include a substrate that can be attached to the appendage of the patient, an emitter coupled to the substrate, a detector coupled to the substrate, and an electrode coupled to the substrate. The apparatus can generate a blood oxygen saturation output signal based on radiation received by the detector. The apparatus can also generate a reference or non-reference electrocardiogram signal. The apparatus can include a neural-muscular transmission device.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a subject, such as a patient, using rules is provided. The method includes receiving data from the subject, and applying the data to a rule-based algorithm. The method also preferably includes generating a response based on the application of the rule-based algorithm. Some examples of responses include generating an alarm, generating a suggested reason for an identification of an abnormal condition, and generating a suggested response to an abnormal condition that has been identified. Preferably, more than one set of variables is applied to a particular rule-based algorithm. A monitor using the method may be configured to have multiple rule-based algorithms selected and applied simultaneously. Each rule-based algorithm can generate a unique response, or a combination can be used to generate a smaller number of responses. Also, a monitor using this method may be configured to allow rule-based algorithms to be exchanged and/or altered.

Abstract: A method of forming a socket on a pipe of thermoplastic material is disclosed. In the process, an end section of the pipe is heated in a heating station. Then, the pipe is transferred to a socket-forming station having a socket-forming mandrel. This is followed by the socket-forming mandrel being introduced into the pipe end section, heated to a suitable socket-forming temperature, and the end section being formed into a socket. Prior to the pipe end section being heated in the heating station, a support is introduced into the end section in order to internally support the end section. The support remains in the end section after the socket-forming mandrel is introduced into the pipe and in the process the support is pushed deeper into the pipe.