Abstract: A system that observes and analyzes, and, only in the event of a significant negative condition, notifies and reports the event. In a hospital environment, the device includes a bedside unit connected to a pad or coverlet with a sensor array (placed under the patient) and also to an existing hospital nurse call system via an interface. The bedside unit is a wall-mounted unit with a display that becomes active when an alarm condition is enabled. Vigilance alarms are suspended if a patient is detected out of bed. An unable-to-measure alert is provided if the system is unable to reliably monitor. An alert message is generated and maintained on the display screen to inform a responding caregiver of the time and reason for any alarm. The system also may be adapted for use as a monitoring system for operators of motor vehicles, aircraft or other devices.

Abstract: A coverlet, or overlay, that contains sensors, electronics and communications systems that measures a subject's physiological condition, accommodates multiple additional add-on sensors, and transmits the data and information from the coverlet to a receiving device, which further transmits information, via wireless infrastructure, or otherwise, to data aggregators, including the Internet and Cloud.

Abstract: A system that observes and analyzes, and, only in the event of a significant negative condition, notifies and reports the event. In a hospital environment, the device includes a bedside unit connected to a pad or coverlet with a sensor array (placed under the patient) and also to an existing hospital nurse call system via an interface. The bedside unit is a wall-mounted unit with a display that becomes active when an alarm condition is enabled. Vigilance alarms are suspended if a patient is detected out of bed. An unable-to-measure alert is provided if the system is unable to reliably monitor. An alert message is generated and maintained on the display screen to inform a responding caregiver of the time and reason for any alarm. The system also may be adapted for use as a monitoring system for operators of motor vehicles, aircraft or other devices.

Abstract: Passive physiological monitoring apparatus and method has a sensor for sensing physiological phenomenon. The sensor is a piezoelectric film of polyvinylidene fluoride. A pad may incorporate the PVDF film. The film converts mechanical energy into voltage signals. A microcomputer is used for recording, analyzing and displaying data from the sensor for on-line assessment and for providing realtime response. The sensor may be an array of sensors provided in a MEDEVAC litter or other patient support for measuring acoustic and hydraulic signals from the body of a patient for field monitoring, hospital monitoring, transport monitoring, home, remote monitoring.

Abstract: An intelligent medical vigilance system that observes and analyzes, and, only in the event of a clinically significant negative condition, notifies and reports the event to the care staff utilizing the hospital's existing nurse call system. The device includes a bedside unit connected to a pad or coverlet with a sensor array (placed under the patient) and also to an existing hospital nurse call system via an interface. The bedside unit is a wall-mounted unit with a display that becomes active when an alarm condition is enabled. Vigilance alarms are suspended if a patient is detected out of bed. An unable-to-measure alert is provided if the system is unable to reliably monitor. An alert message is generated and maintained on the display screen to inform a responding caregiver of the time and reason for any alarm.

Abstract: A coverlet, or overlay, that contains sensors, electronics and communications systems that measures a subject's physiological condition, accommodates multiple additional add-on sensors, and transmits the data and information from the coverlet to a receiving device, which further transmits information, via wireless infrastructure, or otherwise, to data aggregators, including the Internet and Cloud.

Abstract: An intelligent medical vigilance system that observes and analyzes, and, only in the event of a clinically significant negative condition, notifies and reports the event to the care staff utilizing the hospital's existing nurse call system. The device includes a bedside unit connected to a pad or coverlet with a sensor array (placed under the patient) and also to an existing hospital nurse call system via an interface. The bedside unit is a wall-mounted unit with a display that becomes active when an alarm condition is enabled. Vigilance alarms are suspended if a patient is detected out of bed. An unable-to-measure alert is provided if the system is unable to reliably monitor. An alert message is generated and maintained on the display screen to inform a responding caregiver of the time and reason for any alarm.

Abstract: Passive physiological monitoring apparatus and method has a sensor for sensing physiological phenomenon. The sensor is a piezoelectric film of polyvinylidene fluoride. A pad may incorporate the PVDF film. The film converts mechanical energy into voltage signals. A microcomputer is used for recording, analyzing and displaying data from the sensor for on-line assessment and for providing realtime response. The sensor may be an array of sensors provided in a MEDEVAC litter or other patient support for measuring acoustic and hydraulic signals from the body of a patient for field monitoring, hospital monitoring, transport monitoring, home, remote monitoring.

Abstract: An intelligent medical vigilance system that observes and analyzes, and, only in the event of a clinically significant negative condition, notifies and reports the event to the care staff utilizing the hospital's existing nurse call system. The device includes a bedside unit connected to a pad or coverlet with a sensor array (placed under the patient) and also to an existing hospital nurse call system via an interface. The bedside unit is a wall-mounted unit with a display that becomes active when an alarm condition is enabled. Vigilance alarms are suspended if a patient is detected out of bed. An unable-to-measure alert is provided if the system is unable to reliably monitor. An alert message is generated and maintained on the display screen to inform a responding caregiver of the time and reason for any alarm.

Abstract: A coverlet, or overlay, that contains sensors, electronics and communications systems that measures a subject's physiological condition, accommodates multiple additional add-on sensors, and transmits the data and information from the coverlet to a receiving device, which further transmits information, via wireless infrastructure, or otherwise, to data aggregators, including the Internet and Cloud.

Abstract: Passive physiological monitoring apparatus and method has a sensor for sensing physiological phenomenon. The sensor is a piezoelectric film of polyvinylidene fluoride. A pad may incorporate the PVDF film. The film converts mechanical energy into voltage signals. A microcomputer is used for recording, analyzing and displaying data from the sensor for on-line assessment and for providing realtime response. The sensor may be an array of sensors provided in a MEDEVAC litter or other patient support for measuring acoustic and hydraulic signals from the body of a patient for field monitoring, hospital monitoring, transport monitoring, home, remote monitoring.

Abstract: Passive physiological monitoring apparatus and method has a sensor for sensing physiological phenomenon. A converter converts sensed data into electrical signals and a computer receives and computes the signals and outputs computed data for real-time interactive display. The sensor is a piezoelectric film of polyvinylidene fluoride. A band-pass filter filters out noise and isolates the signals to reflect data from the body. A pre-amplifier amplifies signals. Signals detected include mechanical, thermal and acoustic signatures reflecting cardiac output, cardiac function, internal bleeding, respiratory, pulse, apnea, and temperature. A pad may incorporate the PVDF film and may be fluid-filled. The film converts mechanical energy into analog voltage signals. Analog signals are fed through the band-pass filter and the amplifier. A converter converts the analog signals to digital signals. A Fourier transform routine is used to transform into the frequency domain.

Abstract: The invention determines the heart rate and respiration rate of a patient through the patient's extremities. Heart rate and respiration rate are determined via an energy spectrum, periodogram or histogram using a time series analysis. A patient can stand near the device and lean on it, or stand on a piezoelectric pad. A microcomputer provides calculations to determine heart and respiratory rates using signal processing and time series analysis of data.

Abstract: An intelligent medical vigilance system that observes and analyzes, and, only in the event of a clinically significant negative condition, notifies and reports the event to the care staff utilizing the hospital's existing nurse call system. The device includes a bedside unit connected to a pad or coverlet with a sensor array (placed under the patient) and also to an existing hospital nurse call system via an interface. Within the physical bedside unit are a signal processor and an alarm processor that measure data and evaluate whether a clinically significant event is occurring. The bedside unit is a wall-mounted unit with a display that becomes active when an alarm condition is enabled. The sensing pad or coverlet is a thin, piezoelectric film, or other similar sensing technology, with an array of sensors sheathed in soft padding and is not directly in contact with the skin of the patient.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods provide passive patient monitoring of such parameters as body motion, body position, respiratory rate and/or heart rate. Passive monitoring generally involves a sensor device having at least two piezoelectric sensors, provided on a surface, such as a bed, chair, operating table or the like, so that a patient may be coupled with the device by simply allowing the patient to lie, sit, lean, stand on or wear the surface. In one embodiment, multiple patients in a general care area of a hospital may be continuously monitored via multiple passive monitoring devices. If a patient fails to meet one or more predefined threshold criteria or has a negative physiological trend, the system may activate an alarm.

Abstract: The invention determines the energy dispersion via acoustic, electromechanical or other related physiological signals collected from a patient that lies down or otherwise engages a discritized sensing array. Signals are monitored over a range of frequencies and collected in the time domain or frequency domain. A computing machine determines the energy from the signal measured over various elements of the array and calculates the momentum flux. Blood pressure is determined directly from the momentum flux calculation.

Abstract: An intelligent medical vigilance system that observes and analyzes, and, only in the event of a clinically significant negative condition, notifies and reports the event to the care staff utilizing the hospital's existing nurse call system. The device includes a bedside unit connected to a pad or coverlet with a sensor array (placed under the patient) and also to an existing hospital nurse call system via an interface. Within the physical bedside unit are a signal processor and an alarm processor that measure data and evaluate whether a clinically significant event is occurring. The bedside unit is a wall-mounted unit with a display that becomes active when an alarm condition is enabled. The sensing pad or coverlet is a thin, piezoelectric film, or other similar sensing technology, with an array of sensors sheathed in soft padding and is not directly in contact with the skin of the patient.

Abstract: An intelligent medical vigilance system that observes and analyzes, and, only in the event of a clinically significant negative condition, notifies and reports the event to the care staff utilizing the hospital's existing nurse call system. The device includes a bedside unit connected to a pad or coverlet with a sensor array (placed under the patient) and also to an existing hospital nurse call system via an interface. Within the physical bedside unit are a signal processor and an alarm processor that measure data and evaluate whether a clinically significant event is occurring. The bedside unit is a wall-mounted unit with a display that becomes active when an alarm condition is enabled. The sensing pad or coverlet is a thin, piezoelectric film, or other similar sensing technology, with an array of sensors sheathed in soft padding and is not directly in contact with the skin of the patient.

Abstract: Passive Physiological monitoring apparatus and method have a sensor for sensing physiological phenomenon. A converter converts sensed data into electrical signals and a computer receives and computes the signals, and outputs computed data for real-time interactive display. The sensor is a piezoelectric film of polyvinylidene fluoride. A band-pass filter filters out noise and isolates the signals to reflect data from the body. A pre-amplifier amplifies signals. Signals detected include mechanical, thermal and acoustic signatures reflecting cardiac output, cardiac function, internal bleeding, respiratory, pulse, apnea, and temperature. A pad may incorporate the PVDF film and may be fluid-filled. The film converts mechanical energy into analog voltage signals. Analog signals are fed through the band-pass filter and the amplifier. A converter converts the analog signals to digital signals. A Fourier transform routine is used to transform into the frequency domain.

Abstract: An immunological test kit suitable for the rapid detection of ciguatoxin and related low molecular weight lipid polyether marine toxins in fish tissues in the field, home or laboratory. The test procedure utilizes a synthetic membrane laminated onto one end of a solid plastic stick, which is immersed into alcohol with a piece of fish tissue. The membrane is then removed and dried thoroughly, then placed in the suspension of mixed colored beads coated with anti-ciguatoxin. The membrane is then rinsed in water and the intensity of the color compared with a standard range of colors formed (0-3+). The color intensity is proportional to the concentration of toxin in the piece of tissue. The kit includes the synthetic membrane on a plastic stick, a suspension of mixed colored beads coated with anti-ciguatoxin antibody, testing instruments, and a supply of solvent.