Abstract: A system and method of detecting a vascular condition within a body receives vibrations emitted in response to blood flowing through a vascular structure within the body and converts the received vibrations into vibration information. The system and method generates spectral information from the vibration information, calculates a spectral parameter based on the spectral information and detects the vascular condition based on the spectral parameter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing gastrointestinal sounds includes a microphone array to be positioned on a body for producing gastrointestinal sound signals. The signals are digitized and their spectra and duration is determined by a processor. A characterization as to the state of the gastrointestinal tract is made on the basis of the spectra and duration of the sound or event.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing gastrointestinal sounds includes a microphone array to be positioned on a body for producing gastrointestinal sound signals. The signals are digitized and their spectra and duration is determined by a processor. A characterization as to the state of the gastrointestinal tract is made on the basis of the spectra and duration of the sound or event.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of gas cavities in the abdomen, the thorax and elsewhere is disclosed. The apparatus includes an actuator for transmitting low frequency vibro-acoustic waves (such as from a white noise generator, impulse wave or chirp signal) into the body at a first location and a detector (such as from a vibro-acoustic sensor, microphone, air-coupled microphone or optical detector) for receiving the transmitted low frequency vibro-acoustic waves at a second location on the body. The actuator and detector are positioned to be effective for detecting the suspected gas cavity. The detector generates a response signal which is analyzed. Resonance waves and anti-resonance waves in the detected signal indicate the presence of a gas cavity.

Abstract: A device for use in human controlled water surface and subsurface travel includes a towbar having first and second end portions. The device includes a first control member that is rotatably coupled to the towbar adjacent to the first end portion and the first control member has a first control surface and a second control surface opposite the first control surface. The device further includes a second control member rotatably coupled to the towbar adjacent to the second end portion and spaced from the first control member, and the second control member has a third control surface and a fourth control surface opposite the third control surface. The device further includes first and second grips spaced apart and fixed to the towbar between the first and second control members so that rotation of the first and second grips about a longitudinal axis of the towbar enables the first and second control members to be independently rotated about the longitudinal axis of the towbar.

Abstract: A device for use in human controlled water surface and subsurface travel includes a towbar having first and second end portions. The device includes a first control member that is rotatably coupled to the towbar adjacent to the first end portion and the first control member has a first control surface and a second control surface opposite the first control surface. The device further includes a second control member rotatably coupled to the towbar adjacent to the second end portion and spaced from the first control member, and the second control member has a third control surface and a fourth control surface opposite the third control surface. The device further includes first and second grips spaced apart and fixed to the towbar between the first and second control members so that rotation of the first and second grips about a longitudinal axis of the towbar enables the first and second control members to be independently rotated about the longitudinal axis of the towbar.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of gas cavities in the abdomen, the thorax and elsewhere is disclosed. The apparatus includes an actuator for transmitting low frequency vibro-acoustic waves (such as from a white noise generator, impulse wave or chirp signal) into the body at a first location and a detector (such as from a vibro-acoustic sensor, microphone, air-coupled microphone or optical detector) for receiving the transmitted low frequency vibro-acoustic waves at a second location on the body. The actuator and detector are positioned to be effective for detecting the suspected gas cavity. The detector generates a response signal which is analyzed. Resonance waves and anti-resonance waves in the detected signal indicate the presence of a gas cavity.

Abstract: Diagnostic techniques are provided to enable the detection of a respiratory condition within a patient's body. The diagnostic techniques compare the acoustic generation and transmission characteristics of the patient's chest and lungs to reference acoustic characteristics and/or predetermined threshold values to determine if an abnormal respiratory condition is present within the patient. The diagnostic techniques process sound waves or vibrations that have interacted with a respiratory condition within a patient and which impinge on the chest wall of the patient. The sound waves or vibrations may be initiated by a speaker that emits sounds waves into the mouth and trachea of the patient or may be indigenous sounds. Alternatively, the sounds waves or vibrations may be initiated using percussive inputs to the chest wall of the patient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing gastrointestinal sounds includes a microphone array to be positioned on a body for producing gastrointestinal sound signals. The signals are digitized and their spectra and duration is determined by a processor. A characterization as to the state of the gastrointestinal tract is made on the basis of the spectra and duration of the sound or event.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting a vascular condition within a body receives vibrations emitted in response to blood flowing through a vascular structure within the body and converts the received vibrations into vibration information. The system and method generates spectral information from the vibration information, calculates a spectral parameter based on the spectral information and detects the vascular condition based on the spectral parameter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing gastrointestinal sounds includes a microphone array to be positioned on a body for producing gastrointestinal sound signals. The signals are digitized and their spectra and duration is determined by a processor. A characterization as to the state of the gastrointestinal tract is made on the basis of the spectra and duration of the sound or event.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing gastrointestinal sounds includes a microphone array to be positioned on a body for producing gastrointestinal sound signals. The signals are digitized and their spectra and duration is determined by a processor. A characterization as to the state of the gastrointestinal tract is made on the basis of the spectra and duration of the sound or event.