Abstract: A method of treating sepsis and septic shock is using a passive simulated exercise device is disclosed. The exercise device functions to increase pulsatile shear stress (friction) to the vascular endothelium. Increased shear stress stimulates release of beneficial mediators from the endothelium into the circulation that promote integrity of the endothelial barrier as well as to prevent its disruption by suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress. The latter is the basis for the deleterious effects of sepsis and septic shock. Failure to control integrity of the endothelial barrier promotes excessive leakage of fluid and proteins from the vasculature into surrounding interstitial fluid that can rapidly escalate into major morbidity, shock and death.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of ambulatory and non-invasive monitoring of a plurality of physiological parameters of a monitored individual. The invention includes a physiological monitoring apparatus with an improved monitoring apparel, the apparel having sensors for monitoring parameters reflecting pulmonary function and/or parameters reflecting cardiac function and/or parameters reflecting the function of other organ systems. The apparel is preferably also suitable for medical, athletic, and for other uses. The sensors include one or more inductive plethysmographic sensors positioned to monitor at least basic pulmonary parameters, and optionally also basic cardiac parameters. The sensors include one or more ECG sensor electrodes that preferably include a flexible, conductive fabric. The monitoring apparatus also includes an electronic unit for receiving data from the sensors and for storing the data in a computer-readable medium and/or wirelessly transmitted the data.

Abstract: A motorized machine for passively applying a tapping force to the bottoms of a user's feet includes a motor, a pedal rocking mechanism, at least one pedal and at least one bumper configured so as to cooperate to, during operation of the motor, cause the bottom portion of the at least one pedal to tap against the at least one bumper so as to provide pulsatile acceleration to the bottom of the user's foot. The pulsatile acceleration has a force sufficient to increase pulsatile shear stress to the endothelium, of sufficient magnitude to cause the release of beneficial mediators.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of ambulatory and non-invasive monitoring of a plurality of physiological parameters of a monitored individual. The invention includes a physiological monitoring apparatus with an improved monitoring apparel, the apparel having sensors for monitoring parameters reflecting pulmonary function and/or parameters reflecting cardiac function and/or parameters reflecting the function of other organ systems. The apparel is preferably also suitable for medical, athletic, and for other uses. The sensors include one or more inductive plethysmographic sensors positioned to monitor at least basic pulmonary parameters, and optionally also basic cardiac parameters. The sensors include one or more ECG sensor electrodes that preferably include a flexible, conductive fabric. The monitoring apparatus also includes an electronic unit for receiving data from the sensors and for storing the data in a computer-readable medium and/or wirelessly transmitted the data.

Abstract: A motorized machine for passively applying a tapping force to the bottoms of a user's feet includes a motor, a pedal rocking mechanism, at least one pedal and at least one bumper configured so as to cooperate to, during operation of the motor, cause the bottom portion of the at least one pedal to tap against the at least one bumper so as to provide pulsatile acceleration to the bottom of the user's foot. The pulsatile acceleration has a force sufficient to increase pulsatile shear stress to the endothelium, of sufficient magnitude to cause the release of beneficial mediators.

Abstract: A method for determining cardiac parameters of a subject includes receiving a signal from a thoracocardiograph (TCG) sensor. The signal is sensitive to positions and/or motions of an anterior chest wall of the subject and include a cardiac component, a respiratory component, and noise and/or artifact components. The method also includes receiving one or more electrocardiogram (ECG) signals and filtering the received TCG signal to limit one or more of the respiratory component and the noise and/or artifact components. The filtering includes one or more of wavelet de-noising, non-linear filtering, and state space filtering. The method further includes ensemble averaging thefiltered TCG signal. Ensemble members are triggered by occurrence of one or more selected fiducial points determined in the ECG signal. Additionally, the method includes extracting parameters of cardiac functioning from the ensemble averaged signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of ambulatory and non-invasive monitoring of a plurality of physiological parameters of a monitored individual. The invention includes a physiological monitoring apparatus with an improved monitoring apparel, the apparel having sensors for monitoring parameters reflecting pulmonary function and/or parameters reflecting cardiac function and/or parameters reflecting the function of other organ systems. The apparel is preferably also suitable for medical, athletic, and for other uses. The sensors include one or more inductive plethysmographic sensors positioned to monitor at least basic pulmonary parameters, and optionally also basic cardiac parameters. The sensors include one or more ECG sensor electrodes that preferably include a flexible, conductive fabric. The monitoring apparatus also includes an electronic unit for receiving data from the sensors and for storing the data in a computer-readable medium and/or wirelessly transmitted the data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of ambulatory and non-invasive monitoring of a plurality of physiological parameters of a monitored individual. The invention includes a physiological monitoring apparatus with an improved monitoring apparel worn by a monitored individual, the apparel having attached sensors for monitoring parameters reflecting pulmonary function, or parameters reflecting cardiac function, or parameters reflecting the function of other organ systems, and the apparel being designed and tailored to be comfortable during the individual's normal daily activities. The apparel is preferably also suitable for athletic activities. The sensors preferably include one or more ECG leads and one of more inductive plethysmographic sensor with conductive loops positioned closely to the individual to preferably monitor at least basic cardiac parameters, basic pulmonary parameters, or both.

Abstract: A method and system for extracting cardiac parameters from a plethysmographic signal is described wherein the plethysmographic signal is passed through a first filter to remove non-cardiac components of the signal. A second filter averages a plurality of cardiac cycles and cardiac parameters are extracted from the averaged cardiac signal.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a mattress, a mattress support, cast shoes, a footboard support, a drive for causing the reciprocating movement, and a box frame to contain and support the reciprocating movement platform is disclosed. The apparatus provides medical treatments, which are also described, by externally applying periodic acceleration to the body of a subject on the mattress.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved systems and methods for processing respiratory signals derived generally from respiratory plethysmography, and especially from respiratory inductive plethysmographic sensors mounted on a garment for ambulatory recording. The systems and methods provide improved signal filtering for artifact rejection, improved calibration of sensor data to produce outputs indicative of lung volumes. Further, this invention provides improved systems and methods directed to processing lung volume signals, however measured or derived, to provide improved determination of respiratory parameters and improved recognition of selected respiratory events.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and systems for extracting cardiac parameters, including ventricular wall motion, from a plethysmographic signal is provided. Additionally, the invention provides a wide range of uses and system configurations for cardiac monitoring, including ambulatory uses, uses for stress testing, uses for monitoring first responder personnel, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved systems and methods for processing respiratory signals derived generally from respiratory plethysmography, and especially from respiratory inductive plethysmographic sensors mounted on a garment for ambulatory recording. The systems and methods provide improved signal filtering for artifact rejection, improved calibration of sensor data to produce outputs indicative of lung volumes. Further, this invention provides improved systems and methods directed to processing lung volume signals, however measured or derived, to provide improved determination of respiratory parameters and improved recognition of selected respiratory events.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing medical treatments is disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus according the present invention comprises a mattress, a mattress support, cast shoes, a footboard support, a drive for causing the reciprocating movement, and a box frame to contain and support the reciprocating movement platform. In another aspect, an apparatus according to the present invention comprises a sling device connected to a drive causing the reciprocating movement, and a box frame to contain and support the reciprocating movement platform.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing medical treatments is disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus according the present invention comprises a mattress, a mattress support, cast shoes, a footboard support, a drive for causing the reciprocating movement, and a box frame to contain and support the reciprocating movement platform. In another aspect, an apparatus according to the present invention comprises a sling device connected to a drive causing the reciprocating movement, and a box frame to contain and support the reciprocating movement platform.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing medical treatments is disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus according the present invention comprises a mattress, a mattress support, cast shoes, a footboard support, a drive for causing the reciprocating movement, and a box frame to contain and support the reciprocating movement platform. In another aspect, an apparatus according to the present invention comprises a sling device connected to a drive causing the reciprocating movement, and a box frame to contain and support the reciprocating movement platform.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a mattress, a mattress support, cast shoes, a footboard support, a drive for causing the reciprocating movement, and a box frame to contain and support the reciprocating movement platform is disclosed. The apparatus provides medical treatments, which are also described, by externally applying periodic acceleration to the body of a subject on the mattress.

Abstract: Methods of medical treatment and diagnosis using mediators released by endothelial cells stimulated by external addition of pulses to the circulation are disclosed. The external pulses produce circumferential shear stress in body fluid channels that subsequently stimulates the endothelial cells to produce mediators that become available for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. The preferred means of adding external pulses is the mechanical inducement of periodic acceleration of the body or parts of the body by a reciprocating motion platform.

Abstract: A method and system for extracting cardiac parameters from a plethysmographic signal is described wherein the plethysmographic signal is passed through a first filter to remove non-cardiac components of the signal. A second filter averages a plurality of cardiac cycles and cardiac parameters are extracted from the averaged cardiac signal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved systems and methods for processing respiratory signals derived generally from respiratory plethysmography, and especially from respiratory inductive plethysmographic sensors mounted on a garment for ambulatory recording. The systems and methods provide improved signal filtering for artifact rejection, improved calibration of sensor data to produce outputs indicative of lung volumes. Further, this invention provides improved systems and methods directed to processing lung volume signals, however measured or derived, to provide improved determination of respiratory parameters and improved recognition of selected respiratory events.