Abstract: An apparatus for assessing cardiovascular status of a mammal comprises a system for locally applying a pressure to an artery capable of restricting blood flow through said artery, a wideband external pulse transducer having an output and situated to measure suprasystolic signals proximate to said artery, and a computing device receiving said output for calculating vascular compliance values. The method described is particularly useful for determining cardiac output, assessing whether a pregnant female has preeclampsia or a patient has cardiac insufficiency, or assessing cardiac arrhythmias.

Abstract: A method and apparatus determine certain cardiac medical parameters that are useful is diagnosing cardiovascular disease. The apparatus is designed to carry out the method, which includes the steps of: (a) inflating a blood pressure cuff on the brachial artery to a supra-systolic pressure; (b) sensing a sequence of pressure pulse waveforms associated with the brachial artery that result from a plurality of cardiac ejection cycles; (c) averaging the waveforms to produce an average, representative waveform having an initial, incident wave portion and a reflected wave portion; (d) analyzing the representative waveform to determine a value of one or more cardiac medical parameters including the reflection wave ratio (RWR), the reflected wave transit time (RWTT), the maximum amplitude of the initial pressure wave (PS1), the maximum rise (slope) of the initial pressure wave (dp/dt), and/or the systolic ejection period (SEP); and (e) displaying the value of the medical parameter(s).

Abstract: An apparatus for assessing cardiovascular status of a mammal comprises a system for locally applying a pressure to an artery capable of restricting blood flow through said artery, a wideband external pulse transducer having an output and situated to measure suprasystolic signals proximate to said artery, and a computing device receiving said output for calculating vascular compliance values. The method described is particularly useful for determining cardiac output, assessing whether a pregnant female has preeclampsia or a patient has cardiac insufficiency, or assessing cardiac arrhythmias.

Abstract: A surgical positioning aid includes a n inflatable pillow with a non-inflatable sleeve. The non-inflatable sleeve has two substantially parallel attachment regions secured to a panel of the inflatable pillow and two open end portions to provide access between the non-inflatable sleeve and the inflatable pillow. The space between the non-inflatable sleeve and the inflatable pillow can be telescoped onto a surgical support post in proximity to an operating table. Air then can be directed into the inflatable pillow so that a patient can be supported relative to the post without creating pressure points on the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for assessing cardiovascular status of a mammal comprises a system for locally applying a pressure to an artery capable of restricting blood flow through said artery, a wideband external pulse transducer having an output and situated to measure suprasystolic signals proximate to said artery, and a computing device receiving said output for calculating vascular compliance values. The method described is particularly useful for determining cardiac output, assessing whether a pregnant female has preeclampsia or a patient has cardiac insufficiency, or assessing cardiac arrhythmia.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining certain cardiac medical parameters that are useful is diagnosing and treating cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the non-invasive measurement, processing and utility of blood pressure cuff oscillation signals from a blood pressure cuff applied to a body part when the blood pressure cuff pressure is at supra-systolic pressures. Oscillometric cardiac pulse waveforms associated with the peripheral artery are monitored during a plurality of cardiac ejection cycles while at supra-systolic pressure, and are measured pneumatically and transduced by an oscillometric pressure sensor. The analog signal is amplified, processed and digitized to provide a recordable waveform that can be analyzed to obtain information relating to the patient's cardiovascular status.

Abstract: A surgical positioning aid includes a n inflatable pillow with a non-inflatable sleeve. The non-inflatable sleeve has two substantially parallel attachment regions secured to a panel of the inflatable pillow and two open end portions to provide access between the non-inflatable sleeve and the inflatable pillow. The space between the non-inflatable sleeve and the inflatable pillow can be telescoped onto a surgical support post in proximity to an operating table. Air then can be directed into the inflatable pillow so that a patient can be supported relative to the post without creating pressure points on the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for assessing cardiovascular status of a mammal comprises a system for locally applying a pressure to an artery capable of restricting blood flow through said artery, a wideband external pulse transducer having an output and situated to measure suprasystolic signals proximate to said artery, and a computing device receiving said output for calculating vascular compliance values. The method described is particularly useful for determining cardiac output, assessing whether a pregnant female has preeclampsia or a patient has cardiac insufficiency, or assessing cardiac arrhythmias.

Abstract: An apparatus for assessing cardiovascular status of a mammal comprises a system for locally applying a pressure to an artery capable of restricting blood flow through said artery, a wideband external pulse transducer having an output and situated to measure suprasystolic signals proximate to said artery, and a computing device receiving said output for calculating vascular compliance values. The method described is particularly useful for determining cardiac output, assessing whether a pregnant female has preeclampsia or a patient has cardiac insufficiency, or assessing cardiac arrhythmias.

Abstract: An inflatable positioning device is provided. The device includes a pump, a tube extending from the pump, a valve intermediate the length of the tube and non-rectangular inflatable pillow connected to the end of the tube remote from the pump. The non-rectangular inflatable pillow is dimensioned for positioning portions of a patient's body during surgery.

Abstract: An inflatable positioning device is provided. The device includes a pump, a tube extending from the pump, a valve intermediate the length of the tube and non-rectangular inflatable pillow connected to the end of the tube remote from the pump. The non-rectangular inflatable pillow is dimensioned for positioning portions of a patient's body during surgery.

Abstract: An inflatable positioning device is provided. The device includes a pump, a tube extending from the pump, a valve intermediate the length of the tube and non-rectangular inflatable pillow connected to the end of the tube remote from the pump. The non-rectangular inflatable pillow is dimensioned for positioning portions of a patient's body during surgery.