Abstract: The present invention is an in vivo non-invasive method and apparatus for the measurement of the arterial blood oxygen saturation status of a patient, the method is a generalized improvement on conventional pulse oximetry to correct for its skin pigmentation bias and significant errors in oxygen saturation assessment in the presence of methemoglobin. The method requires an additional red light sensor with an infrared long pass filter to conventional pulse oximetry, and utilizes red and infrared light and sensors to non-invasively measure the peripheral pulse optical plethysmograph waveforms (PPG) at three light wavelengths, red, long pass red and infrared, positioned over a finger, or ear or other extremity, and from the pulse oximetric ratio of ratios transforms the PPG measurements by a processing device that determines the subject's arterial blood oxygen saturation directly, without the need for an empirical correction as is required in conventional pulse oximetry.

Abstract: A well system for installing highly permeable inclusions at multiple azimuths in anelastic weakly cemented formations. The well system includes a wellbore device interconnected to a tubular string for initiating and propagating of planar inclusions at multiple azimuths into a formation surrounding the wellbore. The well device radially expands to seal against the formation, with the device having multiple openings in its sidewall at differing azimuths for the initiation and propagating of inclusions into the formation by controlled injection of a viscous non-penetrating fluid. The viscous propagating fluid carries proppant to the extremities of the inclusions, creating highly permeable planes at multiple azimuths from the wellbore. The well device is particularly well suited for use in conjunction with anelastic weakly cemented formations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are in vivo non-invasive methods and devices for the measurement of the hemodynamic parameters, such as blood pressure, cardiac output, stroke volume and vascular tone, of a subject, and the mechanical anelastic in vivo properties of the subject's arterial blood vessels. An exemplary method requires obtaining the peripheral pulse volume waveform (PVW), the peripheral pulse pressure waveform (PPW), and the peripheral pulse velocity waveform (PUW) from the same artery; calculating the time phase shift between the PPW and PVW, and the plot of pulse pressure versus pulse volume; and determining the blood pressures and power law components of the anelastic model from the waveforms PPW and PVW, the cardiac output from the waveforms PPW and PUW, and the quality factor of the artery based upon the calculations. The disclosed methods and devices can be used to diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are in vivo non-invasive methods and devices for the measurement of the hemodynamic parameters and aortic valve conformance and compliance in a subject. The method requires measuring the peripheral pulse volume waveform (PVW), the peripheral pulse pressure waveform (PPW), and the peripheral pulse velocity waveform (PUW) from the same artery using a non-invasive device. The waveforms PPW and PUW are used to calculate the waveform dPdU which is used to determine aortic valve ejection volume, closure volume, and quality factor, as well as stroke volume and cardiac output. The disclosed methods and devices are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of aortic valve disease, disorders, and dysfunction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are in vivo non-invasive methods and devices for the measurement of the hemodynamic parameters, such as such as blood pressure, stroke volume, cardiac output, performance of the aortic and mistral heart valves, arterial blood velocity profile, blood viscosity and the blood flow induced arterial wall shear stress, hypertensive/hypotensive and vasodilation/vasocontraction state and aging status of a subject, and the mechanical anelastic in vivo properties of the arterial blood vessels.

Abstract: A method embodiment includes generating, via a sensor of a computing device, a signal representing vibrations originating from a blood vessel of a subject and decomposing the signal into one or more first intrinsic oscillatory modes and one or more second intrinsic oscillatory modes. The one or more first intrinsic oscillatory modes have respective oscillation frequencies that are less than respective oscillation frequencies of the one or more second intrinsic oscillatory modes. The method includes obtaining an intensity spectrum of the one or more first intrinsic oscillatory modes over a range of frequencies and using the obtained intensity spectrum to determine a blood volume status of the subject. Another method embodiment includes using the one or more second intrinsic oscillatory modes to determine one or more mechanical properties of the blood vessel or tissue adjacent to the blood vessel.

Abstract: The invention is an in vivo non-invasive method and apparatus for the measurement of hypertensive and aging status of a subject and the mechanical anelastic in vivo properties of arterial blood vessels. The method includes measuring a peripheral arterial pulse volume waveform (PVW) using an infra-red emitter and sensor positioned over an extremity and constructing the first time derivative, dPVW, of the PVW. From a ratio of the fall time over rise time of the dPVW and the time location of the second forward pulse wave, a hypertension index is derived. From the hypertensive index, the mechanical anelastic properties of peripheral arterial vascular vessels are determined. The change in the damping of the high frequency shear waves produces vasodilation/vasocontraction index which is a quantitative indicator of the extent of vasodilation, vasocontraction, or induced hypertension. From the index value the mechanical properties of arterial blood vessels are determined.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are in vivo non-invasive methods and devices for the measurement of the hemodynamic parameters, such as blood pressure, cardiac output, stroke volume and vascular tone, of a subject, and the mechanical anelastic in vivo properties of the subject's arterial blood vessels. An exemplary method requires obtaining the peripheral pulse volume waveform (PVW), the peripheral pulse pressure waveform (PPW), and the peripheral pulse velocity wavefcirm. (PUW) from the same artery; calculating the time phase shift between the PPW and FM, and the plot of pulse pressure versus pulse volume; and determining the blood pressures and power law components of the anelastic model from the waveforms PPW and PVW, the cardiac output from the waveforms PPW and PUW, and the quality factor of the artery based. upon the calculations. The disclosed methods and devices can be used to diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are in vivo non-invasive methods and devices for the measurement of the hemodynamic parameters and aortic valve conformance and compliance in a subject. The method requires measuring the peripheral pulse volume waveform (PVW), the peripheral pulse pressure waveform (PPW), and the peripheral pulse velocity waveform (PUW) from the same artery using a non-invasive device. The waveforms PPW and PUW are used to calculate the waveform dPdU which is used to determine aortic valve ejection volume, closure volume, and quality factor, as well as stroke volume and cardiac output. The disclosed methods and devices are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of aortic valve disease, disorders, and dysfunction.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for the subsurface storage of carbon dioxide in reservoir formations, to provide energy storage for electrical load balancing, and to enable the enhanced recovery of hydrocarbon fluids from the subsurface formations by gravity drainage. Multiple propped vertical inclusions are propagated into hydrocarbon fluid bearing reservoir formations at various vertical depths from well casings. Carbon dioxide is injected and stored in the formations. At off-peak power demand periods, carbon dioxide is pumped by a pump/turbine from the low energy formation into a deeper high energy formation, and at peak power demand periods the carbon dioxide is released from the high energy formation and flows to the low energy formation, driving the pump/turbine to generate electricity. Hydrocarbon fluids are produced from the formations depending on the formation conditions. Additional carbon dioxide is injected into the system as hydrocarbon fluids are extracted.

Abstract: Systems and methods for thermal recovery of shallow bitumen using increased permeability inclusions. A method of producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation includes the steps of: propagating at least one generally planar inclusion outward from a wellbore into the formation; injecting a fluid into the inclusion, thereby heating the hydrocarbons; and during the injecting step, producing the hydrocarbons from the wellbore. A well system includes at least one generally planar inclusion extending outward from a wellbore into a formation; a fluid injected into the inclusion, hydrocarbons being heated as a result of the injected fluid; and a tubular string through which the hydrocarbons are produced, the tubular string extending to a location in the wellbore below the inclusion, and the hydrocarbons being received into the tubular string at that location.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to enhanced recovery of petroleum fluids from the subsurface by initiating and propagating vertical permeable inclusions in a plane substantially orthogonal to the borehole axis. These inclusions containing proppant are thus highly permeable and enhance drainage of heavy oil from the formation, and also by steam injection into these planes, enhance oil recovery by heating the oil sand formation, the heavy oil and bitumen, which will drain under gravity and be produced. The present invention generally relates to a method of isolating openings in an expanded casing to provide for fluid injection into the formation in a single longitudinal plane with the wellbore axis.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for enhanced recovery of petroleum fluids from the subsurface by initiating and propagating vertical permeable inclusions in a plane substantially orthogonal to the borehole axis. These inclusions containing proppant are thus highly permeable and enhance drainage of heavy oil from the formation, and also by steam injection into these planes, enhance oil recovery by heating the oil sand formation, the heavy oil and bitumen, which will drain under gravity and be produced. Multiple propped vertical inclusions are constructed at various locations along a substantially horizontal wellbore by dilation of the formation in the plane of the intended inclusion by radial expansion and axial extension of the formation by an expanding packer system that expands both radially and axially.

Abstract: A system and method of liquefying a heavy oil formation to enhance oil production in a well, by inducing shear stress reversal within the formation by a plurality of expanding/contracting bladders in contact with the formation. The induced liquefaction enables formation materials and fluids to flow into the well and thus initiate and propagate the CHOPS (Cold Heavy Oil Production System) process, and thereby enhancing the hydrocarbon production of the well.

Abstract: Systems and methods for thermal recovery of shallow bitumen using increased permeability inclusions. A method of producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation includes the steps of: propagating at least one generally planar inclusion outward from a wellbore into the formation; injecting a fluid into the inclusion, thereby heating the hydrocarbons; and during the injecting step, producing the hydrocarbons from the wellbore. A well system includes at least one generally planar inclusion extending outward from a wellbore into a formation; a fluid injected into the inclusion, hydrocarbons being heated as a result of the injected fluid; and a tubular string through which the hydrocarbons are produced, the tubular string extending to a location in the wellbore below the inclusion, and the hydrocarbons being received into the tubular string at that location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for thermal recovery of shallow bitumen using increased permeability inclusions. A method of producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation includes the steps of: propagating at least one generally planar inclusion outward from a wellbore into the formation; injecting a fluid into the inclusion, thereby heating the hydrocarbons; and during the injecting step, producing the hydrocarbons from the wellbore. A well system includes at least one generally planar inclusion extending outward from a wellbore into a formation; a fluid injected into the inclusion, hydrocarbons being heated as a result of the injected fluid; and a tubular string through which the hydrocarbons are produced, the tubular string extending to a location in the wellbore below the inclusion, and the hydrocarbons being received into the tubular string at that location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for drainage of a heavy oil reservoir via a horizontal wellbore. A method of improving production of fluid from a subterranean formation includes the step of propagating a generally vertical inclusion into the formation from a generally horizontal wellbore intersecting the formation. The inclusion is propagated into a portion of the formation having a bulk modulus of less than approximately 750,000 psi. A well system includes a generally vertical inclusion propagated into a subterranean formation from a generally horizontal wellbore which intersects the formation. The formation comprises weakly cemented sediment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for drainage of a heavy oil reservoir via a horizontal wellbore. A method of improving production of fluid from a subterranean formation includes the step of propagating a generally vertical inclusion into the formation from a generally horizontal wellbore intersecting the formation. The inclusion is propagated into a portion of the formation having a bulk modulus of less than approximately 750,000 psi. A well system includes a generally vertical inclusion propagated into a subterranean formation from a generally horizontal wellbore which intersects the formation. The formation comprises weakly cemented sediment.

Abstract: Casing deformation and control for inclusion propagation in earth formations. A method of forming at least one inclusion in a subterranean formation includes the steps of: installing a liner within a casing section in a wellbore intersecting the formation; and expanding the liner and the casing section, thereby applying an increased compressive stress to the formation. Another method of forming the inclusion includes the steps of: installing an expansion control device on a casing section, the device including at least one latch member; expanding the casing section radially outward in a wellbore, the expanding step including widening at least one opening in a sidewall of the casing section, and displacing the latch member in one direction; and preventing a narrowing of the opening after the expanding step, the latch member resisting displacement thereof in an opposite direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for drainage of a heavy oil reservoir via a horizontal wellbore. A method of improving production of fluid from a subterranean formation includes the step of propagating a generally vertical inclusion into the formation from a generally horizontal wellbore intersecting the formation. The inclusion is propagated into a portion of the formation having a bulk modulus of less than approximately 750,000 psi. A well system includes a generally vertical inclusion propagated into a subterranean formation from a generally horizontal wellbore which intersects the formation. The formation comprises weakly cemented sediment.