Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and system for processing a heart sensor output, wherein a blood flow and a simulated aortic blood pressure are derived from a sensed blood pressure using an arterial flow model and values for arterial flow parameters. The simulated aortic blood pressure is matched to a part of the sensed blood pressure in the cardiac cycle by manipulating at least one of the values for the arterial flow parameters of the arterial flow model.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and system for processing a heart sensor output, wherein a blood flow and a simulated aortic blood pressure are derived from a sensed blood pressure using an arterial flow model and values for arterial flow parameters. The simulated aortic blood pressure is matched to a part of the sensed blood pressure in the cardiac cycle by manipulating at least one of the values for the arterial flow parameters of the arterial flow model.

Abstract: A method is described for determining at least one patient-related parameter for monitoring a patient. A general population-related non-linear pressure/CSA relationship of the arterial vascular bed is used and the arterial pressure of the patient is measured to obtain a prediction of the cross sectional area (CSA) of the thoracic part of the aorta. The cross sectional area is measured, wherein at least one parameter of the general population-related non-linear pressure/CSA relationship is corrected by means of the measured cross sectional area to determine a patient-related non-linear pressure/CSA relationship such that the cross sectional area obtained with this patient-related pressure/CSA relationship is equal to the measured cross sectional area.

Abstract: A method is described for determining at least one patient-related parameter for monitoring a patient. A general population-related non-linear pressure/CSA relationship of the arterial vascular bed is used and the arterial pressure of the patient is measured to obtain a prediction of the cross sectional area (CSA) of the thoracic part of the aorta. The cross sectional area is measured, wherein at least one parameter of the general population-related non-linear pressure/CSA relationship is corrected by means of the measured cross sectional area to determine a patient-related non-linear pressure/CSA relationship such that the cross sectional area obtained with this patient-related pressure/CSA relationship is equal to the measured cross sectional area.

Abstract: An apparatus for a heart assist device, comprising a processing unit for computing the blood flow rate from the arterial pressure curve and for predicting at every heartbeat the closing time of the heart valve from the curve of the blood flow rate. The processing unit is adapted to deliver a signal for controlling a heart assist device at a point in time, a period ahead in time of the closing time of the heart valve, wherein the mechanical properties of the said heart assist device are taken into account in determining the period. The apparatus adapts itself to changes in a patient's heart frequency and aortic pressure.

Abstract: In order to determine the cardiac output of a patient, the patient's respiration cycle is determined and an indicator is injected into the patient's bloodstream over a period of at least substantially one respiration cycle. The change in the indicator value in the bloodstream downstream of the injection point is measured over a period of a number (n) of respiration cycles and the injected amount of indicator is established. The cardiac output is determined on the basis of the measured change in the indicator value, the injected amount of indicator blood and the initial value thereof. To this end a first variation in the indicator value is measured over at least substantially the period of one respiration cycle, directly prior to the injection, and the change in the indicator value caused by the injection is determined on the basis of the difference between the measured change in the indicator value measured over a period of n times that of the first variation and n times the measured first variation.

Abstract: An apparatus for a heart assist device, comprising a processing unit for computing the blood flow rate from the arterial pressure curve and for predicting at every heartbeat the closing time of the heart valve from the curve of the blood flow rate. The processing unit is adapted to deliver a signal for controlling a heart assist device at a point in time, a period ahead in time of the closing time of the heart valve, wherein the mechanical properties of said heart assist device are taken into account in determining said period. The apparatus adapts itself to changes in a patient's heart frequency and aortic pressure.

Abstract: The segment volume of a cardiac chamber or blood vessel of a patient is determined by injecting a first indicator in the blood stream of a patient, which influences the conductance of the blood. The electrical conductance in the cardiac chamber or blood vessel is measured. An injected quantity of indicator is determined and the development of the concentration of this indicator in the blood is measured wherein the cardiac output is calculated from the injected quantity of indicator and the development of the concentration in the blood. Subsequently, the segment volume and electrical parallel conductance of a cardiac chamber or blood vessel are calculated from the calculated cardiac output, the injected quantity of conductance indicator and the measured conductance.