Abstract: The disclosure describes an electronic stethoscope system that automatically detects coronary artery disease in patients. The system uses an electronic stethoscope to record acoustic data from the fourth left intercostal space of a patient. A processing technique is then applied in order to filter the data and produce Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) data of magnitude versus frequency. If a bell curve is identified in the data between a predefined frequency range (e.g., 50 and 80 Hz) with a peak magnitude of greater than a predefined threshold (e.g., 2.5 units), the system automatically provides an output indicating that the patient is likely to have 50 to 99 percent stenosis of the coronary artery. If no bell curve is present, the patient may have artery stenosis of less than 50 percent. An interface module may be used to transfer diagnosis information to the stethoscope and data to a general purpose computer.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes providing a monitoring apparatus including one or more modules within a target cavity or lumen of a body. The one or more modules are provided within the target cavity or lumen in a first state in which the monitoring apparatus is configured to remain within the target cavity or lumen. The method further includes monitoring physiological conditions of the body using one or more sensors within the one or more modules, and providing the one or more modules in a second state in which the monitoring apparatus is configured to exit the target cavity or lumen.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes providing a monitoring apparatus including one or more modules within a target cavity or lumen of a body. The one or more modules are provided within the target cavity or lumen in a first state in which the monitoring apparatus is configured to remain within the target cavity or lumen. The method further includes monitoring physiological conditions of the body using one or more sensors within the one or more modules, and providing the one or more modules in a second state in which the monitoring apparatus is configured to exit the target cavity or lumen.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an electronic stethoscope system that automatically detects coronary artery disease in patients. The system uses an electronic stethoscope to record acoustic data from the fourth left intercostal space of a patient. A processing technique is then applied in order to filter the data and produce Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) data of magnitude versus frequency. If a bell curve is identified in the data between a predefined frequency range (e.g., 50 and 80 Hz) with a peak magnitude of greater than a predefined threshold (e.g., 2.5 units), the system automatically provides an output indicating that the patient is likely to have 50 to 99 percent stenosis of the coronary artery. If no bell curve is present, the patient may have artery stenosis of less than 50 percent. An interface module may be used to transfer diagnosis information to the stethoscope and data to a general purpose computer.

Abstract: A system for fetal position-independent, non-invasive fetal monitoring includes a plurality of disposable adhesive patches for placement on an expectant mother's upper and lower abdomen. Each of the patches includes one or more miniature electronic devices embedded within the adhesive patches to detect: (i) heart sounds of a fetus within the mother, (ii) heart sounds of the mother, and (iii) signals indicative of uterine contractions of the mother. A processing hub having a receiver to receive signals from the plurality of patches, wherein the processing hub receives and processes primary signal from the primary patch and the secondary signals from the secondary patches to triangulate the location of the fetus, cancel noise in the primary signal and increase the amplitude of the primary signal for more reliable reporting.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an electronic stethoscope system that automatically detects coronary artery disease in patients. The system uses an electronic stethoscope to record acoustic data from the fourth left intercostal space of a patient. A processing technique is then applied in order to filter the data and produce Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) data of magnitude versus frequency. If a bell curve is identified in the data between a predefined frequency range (e.g., 50 and 80 Hz) with a peak magnitude of greater than a predefined threshold (e.g., 2.5 units), the system automatically provides an output indicating that the patient is likely to have 50 to 99 percent stenosis of the coronary artery. If no bell curve is present, the patient may have artery stenosis of less than 50 percent. An interface module may be used to transfer diagnosis information to the stethoscope and data to a general purpose computer.

Abstract: Techniques are described for analyzing auscultatory sounds to aid a medical professional in diagnosing physiological conditions of a patient. A data analysis system, for example, applies singular value decomposition to auscultatory sounds associated known physiological conditions to define a set of one or more disease regions within a multidimensional space. A diagnostic device, such as an electronic stethoscope or personal digital assistant, applies configuration data from the data analysis system to generate a set of one or more vectors within the multidimensional space representative of auscultatory sounds associated with a patient. The diagnostic device outputs a diagnostic message associated with a physiological condition of the patient based on the orientation of the vectors relative to the disease regions within the multidimensional space.

Abstract: A vibration isolation mount, a vibration isolation system and a method of resiliently mounting a device, and particularly a device that is mounted in a cramped space with the vibration isolation mount including a dagger plate having an elastomer secured thereto to permit a resilient mounting of the dagger plate on a device and a dagger pin for mounting on the support housing for blind engagement with the dagger pin with the dagger pin forming a snug but non-interference fit with a sidewall of an alignment hole in the dagger plate. The method also includes the mounting of a device by resiliently securing a dagger plate to a device and then positioning the device on a dagger pin by moving the device along an axis parallel to the axis of the dagger pin and then securing a further portion of the device to a support housing.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an electronic stethoscope system that automatically detects coronary artery disease in patients. The system uses an electronic stethoscope to record acoustic data from the fourth left intercostal space of a patient. A processing technique is then applied in order to filter the data and produce Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) data of magnitude versus frequency. If a bell curve is identified in the data between a predefined frequency range (e.g., 50 and 80 Hz) with a peak magnitude of greater than a predefined threshold (e.g., 2.5 units), the system automatically provides an output indicating that the patient is likely to have 50 to 99 percent stenosis of the coronary artery. If no bell curve is present, the patient may have artery stenosis of less than 50 percent. An interface module may be used to transfer diagnosis information to the stethoscope and data to a general purpose computer.

Abstract: Techniques are described for analyzing auscultatory sounds to aid a medical professional in diagnosing physiological conditions of a patient. A data analysis system, for example, applies voice recognition and principle component analysis (e.g., singular value decomposition) to auscultatory sounds associated known physiological conditions to define a set of one or more disease regions within a multidimensional space. A diagnostic device, such as an electronic stethoscope or personal digital assistant, applies configuration data from the data analysis system to generate a set of one or more vectors within the multidimensional space representative of auscultatory sounds associated with a patient. The diagnostic device outputs a diagnostic message associated with a physiological condition of the patient based on the orientation of the vectors relative to the disease regions within the multidimensional space.

Abstract: Techniques are described for analyzing auscultatory sounds to aid a medical professional in diagnosing physiological conditions of a patient. A data analysis system, for example, applies singular value decomposition to auscultatory sounds associated known physiological conditions to define a set of one or more disease regions within a multidimensional space. A diagnostic device, such as an electronic stethoscope or personal digital assistant, applies configuration data from the data analysis system to generate a set of one or more vectors within the multidimensional space representative of auscultatory sounds associated with a patient. The diagnostic device outputs a diagnostic message associated with a physiological condition of the patient based on the orientation of the vectors relative to the disease regions within the multidimensional space.

Abstract: A vibration isolation mount, a vibration isolation system and a method of resiliently mounting a device, and particularly a device that is mounted in a cramped space with the vibration isolation mount including a dagger plate having an elastomer secured thereto to permit a resilient mounting of the dagger plate on a device and a dagger pin for mounting on the support housing for blind engagement with the dagger pin with the dagger pin forming a snug but non-interference fit with a sidewall of an alignment hole in the dagger plate. The method also includes the mounting of a device by resiliently securing a dagger plate to a device and then positioning the device on a dagger pin by moving the device along an axis parallel to the axis of the dagger pin and then securing a further portion of the device to a support housing.

Abstract: Pressure is measured inside of a high pressure vehicle. A substance is compressed at a first pressure to create a preform having a first density. The preform is placed inside of a high pressure vessel and subjected to a second pressure, greater than the first pressure. The preform therefore changes in density to a second density, greater than the first density, whereby the second pressure can be determined. The method may also be used in determining the pressure inside of a food product during food processing and a high pressure vessel.

Abstract: Pressure is measured inside of a high pressure vehicle. A substance is compressed at a first pressure to create a preform having a first density. The preform is placed inside of a high pressure vessel and subjected to a second pressure, greater than the first pressure. The preform therefore changes in density to a second density, greater than the first density, whereby the second pressure can be determined. The method may also be used in determining the pressure inside of a food product during food processing and a high pressure vessel.

Abstract: An acetabular cup prosthesis designed to customize the fit and stability of an acetabular cup in deficient acetabulae without excessive reaming of good bone surrounding the deficiency. The acetabular cup prosthesis generally comprises a cup-shaped body portion, an extension, and a liner. The extension is preferably produced at selected angles, which are appropriate to various acetabular defects, and is designed to connect to the cup-shaped body portion. The body portion and extension are secured to the bone and the liner is inserted within the body portion. Those surfaces of the body portion and extension contacting the surface of the bone are preferably porous surfaces that may have also been coated with a coating to enhance bone growth.