Abstract: A system and method for the automatic diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in a centralized hospital critical care monitoring system for the monitoring of a plurality of patients in at least one of a critical care, step down, and cardiac ward by telemetry. The system includes a central processor having a display, and a plurality of telemetry units for mounting with patients, each of the telemetry units has a plurality of sensors for connection with each patient, the telemetry unit is capable of the transmission of multiple signals derived from the sensors to the central processor, in one preferred embodiment the method comprising steps of programming the system to analyze the signals and to automatically identify the presence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea and to provide an indication of the identification.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for analyzing data. An exemplary method comprises the acts of receiving data corresponding to at least one time series, and computing a plurality of sequential instability index values of the data. An exemplary system comprises a source of data indicative of at least one time series of data, and a processor that is adapted to compute at least one of a plurality of sequential instability index values of the data.

Abstract: A system and method for organization and analysis of complex and dynamically interactive time series is disclosed. One example comprises a processor based system for relational analysis of physiologic signals for providing early recognition of catastrophic and pathologic events such as pathophysiologic divergence. The processor is programmed to identify pathophysiologic divergence of at least one of first and second physiologic parameters in relationship to the other and to output an indication of the divergence. An object-based method of iterative relational processing waveform fragments in the time domain is described wherein each more complex waveform object inherits the characteristics of the waveform objects from which it is derived. The first physiologic parameter can be the amplitude and frequency of the variation in chest wall impedance or nasal pressure and the second parameter can be a measure or indication of the arterial oxygen saturation.

Abstract: An electromagnetic cardiac assembly adapted to assist ventricular output in a human heart includes a magnetic mat adapted for mounting inside a human body near the heart. The mat is made from a material responsive to application of an electromagnetic field so as to be movable into compressive relation with the heart in response to application of the electromagnetic field thereto and movable out of said compressive relation to permit the heart to relax when application of the electromagnetic field is discontinued. The assembly also includes an electromagnetic subassembly adapted for mounting on the human body in functionally cooperative relation with respect to the mat, and an energy dispersion device adapted for mounting between the mat and the heart. The energy dispersion device is constructed and arranged to disperse energy between the mat and the heart.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for titration of airway pressure in the treatment of hypoventilation. An exemplary method comprises examining both a signal indicative of ventilation of a patient and a signal indicative of oxygen saturation of the patient to determine a condition of hypoventilation, and applying a pressure to the nasal passage of the patient if the condition of hypoventilation is identified.

Abstract: A system and method for organization and analysis of complex and dynamically interactive time series is disclosed. One example comprises a processor based system for relational analysis of physiologic signals for providing early recognition of catastrophic and pathologic events such as pathophysiologic divergence. The processor is programmed to identify pathophysiologic divergence of at least one of first and second physiologic parameters in relationship to the other and to output an indication of the divergence. An object-based method of iterative relational processing waveform fragments in the time domain is described wherein each more complex waveform object inherits the characteristics of the waveform objects from which it is derived. The first physiologic parameter can be the amplitude and frequency of the variation in chest wall impedance or nasal pressure and the second parameter can be a measure or indication of the arterial oxygen saturation.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a patient monitor for evaluating a patient. The patient monitor may comprise a sensor that is adapted to detect a sound associated with breathing of the patient and to produce a first output indicative of the sound, an oximeter that is adapted to receive an input from the patient and to produce a second output indicative of oxygen saturation of blood of the patient, and a processor adapted to receive at least the first output and the second output and to correlate the first output with the second output.

Abstract: An improved luer lock receiving septum having a configuration which provides rapid and tight resealing and yet allows penetration of the septum by the luer tip with a low penetration force. The elongated septum includes an upper portion of enlarged diameter having a target surface, a central slit, and a central, lower septum extension projecting about the slit below the upper portion and into a housing so that following luer insertion there is provided sufficient room for both the laterally displaced extension of the septum, the luer taper, and the housing to be received into a conventional luer lock connector. The septum is further preferably configured to minimize or eliminate the negative pressure deflection normally associated with the withdrawal of the large diameter luer cannula from an enclosed fluid filled lumen or chamber, by substantially isolating the lumen or chamber from the septum material displacement resultant from luer insertion.

Abstract: A system and method for organization and analysis of complex and dynamically interactive time series is disclosed. One example comprises a processor based system for relational analysis of physiologic signals for providing early recognition of catastrophic and pathologic events such as pathophysiologic divergence. The processor is programmed to identify pathophysiologic divergence of at least one of first and second physiologic parameters in relationship to the other and to output an indication of the divergence. An object-based method of iterative relational processing waveform fragments in the time domain is described wherein each more complex waveform object inherits the characteristics of the waveform objects from which it is derived. The first physiologic parameter can be the amplitude and frequency of the variation in chest wall impedance or nasal pressure and the second parameter can be a measure or indication of the arterial oxygen saturation.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a patient monitor for evaluating a patient. The patient monitor may comprise a sensor that is adapted to detect a sound associated with breathing of the patient and to produce a first output indicative of the sound, an oximeter that is adapted to receive an input from the patient and to produce a second output indicative of oxygen saturation of blood of the patient, and a processor adapted to receive at least the first output and the second output and to correlate the first output with the second output.

Abstract: A system and method for organization and analysis of complex and dynamically interactive time series is disclosed. One example comprises a processor based system for relational analysis of physiologic signals for providing early recognition of catastrophic and pathologic events such as pathophysiologic divergence. The processor is programmed to identify pathophysiologic divergence of at least one of first and second physiologic parameters in relationship to the other and to output an indication of the divergence. An object-based method of iterative relational processing waveform fragments in the time domain is described wherein each more complex waveform object inherits the characteristics of the waveform objects from which it is derived. The first physiologic parameter can be the amplitude and frequency of the variation in chest wall impedance or nasal pressure and the second parameter can be a measure or indication of the arterial oxygen saturation.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for detecting a response of a patient to an external stimulus. An exemplary method comprises the acts of generating at least one time series of at least one physiologic parameter, detecting the external stimulus, detecting at least one response associated with the stimulus, the response comprising at least one of a pattern and a value, and outputting an indication of the response.

Abstract: A medical alarm system for processing physiologic and laboratory data in hospitals and other environments is disclosed. The alarm system provides early detection of complex pathophysiologic cascades. The alarm system detects aggregated timed patterns of inflammatory indicators, metabolic, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and/or ventilation trends to detect expanding cascade patterns characteristic of, for example, progressive sepsis. The system may include a processor programmed to convert at least the physiologic and laboratory data of a patient into a predetermined format favorable for searching. The system may also include a processor programmed to search the formatted data to detect the progressively expanding global patterns of abnormal data characteristic of evolving sepsis and/or septic shock. The alarm system may be configured to provide an early warning for healthcare workers when a pattern indicative of progression of a complex pathophysiologic cascade is detected.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for detecting a response of a patient to an external stimulus. An exemplary method comprises the acts of generating at least one time series of at least one physiologic parameter, detecting the external stimulus, detecting at least one response associated with the stimulus, the response comprising at least one of a pattern and a value, and outputting an indication of the response.

Abstract: A processor-based system for analyzing physiologic data and medical care is provided wherein the patient data is analyzed to construct images that are representative of a patient's condition. The processor provides a self-modulating analysis, which is responsive to the occurrence of additional data items to increase the information contained in the images. Identifications of modes of physiologic failure by the analysis of the generated images provides for earlier recognition and intervention and improved protocolization of testing and treatment.

Abstract: A patient safety search engine and alarm processor is programmed to repetitively search the electronic medical records of all patients in a hospital system to automatically provide early detection of patients with evolving pathophysiologic cascades, and in particular the cascades of evolving death, such as cascades of septic shock. The search engine also searches for a wide range of evolving pathophysiologic failures which are commonly fatal if detected too late. An alarm processor is provided which is programmed to provide an alarm upon the detection of a cascade or failure. The processor is further be programmed to provide an image of the cascade, and to determine, the severity of the cascade, and the time of onset of the cascade in relation to the timing and type of procedures and treatment and the increased cost associated with the cascade.

Abstract: A medical valve includes a housing having an inlet end and a fluid outlet end, and a flexible elastomeric plug defining an upper face. At least a portion of the plug is moveable along the housing in response to the application of a male luer against the upper face. The plug defines an elastomeric flow path within it. The flow path defines a distal aperture. The luer displaces at least a portion of the elastomeric plug in a first direction along the housing and the displacing force distorts the plug increasing the volume of the flow path within the plug and enlarging at least a portion of the fluid flow path between the upper face of the plug and the outlet end.

Abstract: A medication delivery system is disclosed to mitigate or reverse the pharmacologic effect of a medication beyond the desired therapeutic window. The system provides sequential delivery of medications including a first agent which induces a physiologic change, a second agent for reversing the physiologic change, and a medication release delaying agent for delaying the release of the second agent so that, upon receipt of the medication delivery system into the body the first agent is released before the second agent so that the physiologic effect of the first agent is mitigated by the second agent. The system can be a pill with the first agent comprising an outer medication and the second agent an inner medication with the medication release delaying agent intermediate the outer medication and the inner medication. In an example, the first agent can comprise a sleep aid and the second agent an arousal agent.

Abstract: A relational pulse oximetry alarm system and method is presented for earlier identification of the occurrence of an adverse clinical event. The system includes a pulse oximeter based microprocessor alarm system which provides an alarm based on a relational conformation of a plurality of time series and further based on the recognition of specific dynamic patterns of interaction between a plurality of corresponding and related time series including the occurrence of pathophysiologic divergence of two or more time series outputs. The processor is programmed to compare a first time series to a second time series to produce a comparison result, to identify a relationship between the first time series and the second time series, to identify a relational threshold breach, and to output an alarm based on the relational threshold breach. The system can include an oximeter testing system for predicting the timeliness of the response of the alarm of a pulse oximeter to the occurrence of an adverse clinical event.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for monitoring patient data. An exemplary method comprises obtaining plethysmographic pulse variation data that corresponds to a variation in a plethysmographic pulse of a patient, searching the plethysmographic pulse variation data for an indication of a reduction of venous return in response to a maneuver on or by the patient, and generating an output if the indication of the reduction of venous return is detected.