Abstract: An ultrasound control unit (10) is for coupling with an ultrasound transducer unit (12). The control unit is adapted to control a drive configuration or setting of the transducers of the transducer unit, each drive setting having a known power consumption level associated with it. The control unit includes a control module (20) adapted to adjust the drive setting from a first setting to a second setting, the second having a lower associated power consumption that the first. The second setting is tested by an analysis module (16), the analysis module adapted to determine a measure of reliability of ultrasound data acquired by the transducer unit, for the purpose of deriving at least one physiological parameter, when configured in the second setting. The second setting is only used if its determined reliability passes a pre-defined reliability condition.

Abstract: A device is for estimating the central blood pressure of a subject. The device comprises a sensor patch comprising an array of sensors configured to measure an indication of the blood pressure of a peripheral blood vessel and perform ultrasound imaging of the peripheral blood vessel. The device also comprises a processor configured to obtain a peripheral pressure signal comprising a pressure waveform from the indication of the blood pressure from the sensor patch and derive an image of the peripheral blood vessel from the signals received from the sensor patch. A vessel diameter is determined from the image of the peripheral blood vessel over time comprising a vessel diameter waveform and an estimate of the central blood pressure of the subject is derived from the pressure waveform and/or the vessel diameter waveform.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system that determines hemodynamic parameters of a patient. The system may include a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) probe including an ultrasound transducer comprising a matrix array of piezoelectric elements, the transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) probe configured to obtain a plurality of clinically relevant views of the patient's heart from a single position. The system may include one or more processors, operatively connected to the TEE probe. The one or more processors are configured by machine-readable instructions to control the TEE probe by electronically steering an ultrasound beam provided by the ultrasound transducer to obtain the plurality of clinically relevant views of the patient's heart; receive the plurality of clinically relevant views of the patient's heart provided by the TEE probe; and determine one or more physiological parameters of the patient's heart based on the received plurality of clinically relevant views of the patient's heart.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system is for determining stroke volume and/or cardiac output. The imaging system may include a transducer unit for acquiring ultrasound data of a heart of a subject (or an input for receiving the acquired ultrasound data), and a controller. The controller is adapted to implement a two-step procedure, the first step being an initial assessment step, and the second being an imaging step having two possible modes depending upon the outcome of the assessment. In the initial assessment procedure, it is determined whether regurgitant ventricular flow is present. This is performed using Doppler processing techniques applied to an initial ultrasound data set. If regurgitant flow does not exist, stroke volume is determined using segmentation of 3D ultrasound image data to identify and measure the volume of the left or right ventricle at each of end systole and end-diastole, the difference between them giving a measure of stroke volume.

Abstract: The invention provides an ultrasound processing unit. A controller (18) of the unit is adapted to receive ultrasound data of an anatomical region, for example of the heart. The controller processes the ultrasound data over a period of time to monitor and detect whether alignment of a particular anatomical feature (34) represented in the data relative to a field of view (36) of the transducer unit is changing over time. In the event that the alignment is changing, the controller generates an output signal for communicating this to a user, allowing a user to be alerted at an early stage to likelihood of misalignment and loss of imaging or measurement capability.

Abstract: An ultrasound control unit (12) is for configuring visualization of ultrasound data using in use a display unit. The control unit is adapted to acquire ultrasound image data and to automatically control visualization of the most relevant parts and views the data, based on current levels of a number of different monitored physiological parameters. In particular, responsively to one of the physiological parameters entering or leaving a pre-defined range of values (e.g. representative of an alert or normal condition respective for the patient), the control unit determines a most appropriate anatomical region within the image data for representing the changed physiological parameter, and a most useful visualization mode (e.g. view) for presenting or showing that anatomical region within the image data. One or more display frames are generated which show the anatomical region visualized in accordance with the selected visualization mode.

Abstract: An ultrasound control unit (10) is for coupling with an ultrasound transducer unit (12). The control unit is adapted to control a drive configuration or setting of the transducers of the transducer unit, each drive setting having a known power consumption level associated with it. The control unit includes a control module (20) adapted to adjust the drive setting from a first setting to a second setting, the second having a lower associated power consumption that the first. The second setting is tested by an analysis module (16), the analysis module adapted to determine a measure of reliability of ultrasound data acquired by the transducer unit, for the purpose of deriving at least one physiological parameter, when configured in the second setting. The second setting is only used if its determined reliability passes a pre-defined reliability condition.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system is for determining stroke volume and/or cardiac output. The imaging system may include a transducer unit for acquiring ultrasound data of a heart of a subject (or an input for receiving the acquired ultrasound data), and a controller. The controller is adapted to implement a two-step procedure, the first step being an initial assessment step, and the second being an imaging step having two possible modes depending upon the outcome of the assessment. In the initial assessment procedure, it is determined whether regurgitant ventricular flow is present. This is performed using Doppler processing techniques applied to an initial ultrasound data set. If regurgitant flow does not exist, stroke volume is determined using segmentation of 3D ultrasound image data to identify and measure the volume of the left or right ventricle at each of end systole and end-diastole, the difference between them giving a measure of stroke volume.

Abstract: The invention provides an ultrasound processing unit. A controller (18) of the unit is adapted to receive ultrasound data of an anatomical region, for example of the heart. The controller processes the ultrasound data over a period of time to monitor and detect whether alignment of a particular anatomical feature (34) represented in the data relative to a field of view (36) of the transducer unit is changing over time. In the event that the alignment is changing, the controller generates an output signal for communicating this to a user, allowing a user to be alerted at an early stage to likelihood of misalignment and loss of imaging or measurement capability.

Abstract: The present application discloses a bladder monitoring system comprising a wearable bladder monitoring device (1) including securing means (27, 29) for securing the device to a subject's (40) body; a phased array (11) of ultrasound transducers (10); and a phased array controller (13) adapted to control the phased array to direct a plurality of ultrasound beams (30, 30?, 30?) into the subject's body under a range of beam angles, as well as a signal processor (23) adapted to receive data pertaining to echo signals (31, 31?, 31?) of said ultrasound beams from the phased array.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system that determines hemodynamic parameters of a patient. The system may include a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) probe including an ultrasound transducer comprising a matrix array of piezoelectric elements, the transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) probe configured to obtain a plurality of clinically relevant views of the patient's heart from a single position. The system may include one or more processors, operatively connected to the TEE probe. The one or more processors are configured by machine-readable instructions to control the TEE probe by electronically steering an ultrasound beam provided by the ultrasound transducer to obtain the plurality of clinically relevant views of the patient's heart; receive the plurality of clinically relevant views of the patient's heart provided by the TEE probe; and determine one or more physiological parameters of the patient's heart based on the received plurality of clinically relevant views of the patient's heart.

Abstract: A phototherapy device with pain location input phototherapy device for relieving nociceptive pain of a body part of a user by illumination of at least a part of the body part. A controllable light source system (LS1, LS2, LS3) comprises at least one light source arranged on a patch structure (PS) so as to allow phototherapeutic illumination of a body part. A user interface (U_I), e.g. a touch panel (TP), is arranged to receive an input from the user regarding a spatial position on the body where the user feels pain. A control system (CS) is arranged to control the controllable light source system (LS1, LS2, LS3) in accordance with said input from the user, e.g. to spatially intensify illumination at the position where the user indicates a sensation of pain. E.g. the device may be wirelessly controlled from the a smart phone, where a map of the body can be displayed, and where the user indicates on this map where he/she feels pain.

Abstract: A system (100) is provided for processing an alert signal of a medical device associated with a patient. The alert signal comprises medical information (122) representing an alert generated by the medical device to alert a healthcare professional to a state of the patient and/or the medical device. The system obtains the alert signal (024) of the medical device (020). The system comprises an interpretation subsystem (140) which accesses an interpretation database (040). Using the interpretation database (040), the interpretation subsystem (140) generates an interpreted version (142) of the alert by using the interpretation data (044) to interpret the medical information. This interpreted version of the alert provides an explanation of the alert in a manner suitable for a non-professional caretaker of the patient.

Abstract: A system (100) is provided for processing status information of a medical device (020-023). The medical device performs a medical function at a bedside of a patient and is arranged for generating an alarm signal (030) to alert a caregiver of the patient to an occurrence of an event which is associated with the performing of the medical function. A status interface (120) acquires a device signal (024) of the medical device, the device signal comprising status information which is indicative of a current status of the performing of the medical function. Moreover, an analysis subsystem (140) analyzes the status information to estimate an imminent occurrence of the event based on said current status, and a notification subsystem notifies the caregiver of the imminent occurrence away from the bedside of the patient of the event by a generating a notification signal (162) for a notification device (060-064). The priority of notifying the caregiver is based on an estimate of whether the patient is asleep.

Abstract: A phototherapy device with pain location input phototherapy device for relieving nociceptive pain of a body part of a user by illumination of at least a part of the body part. A controllable light source system (LS1, LS2, LS3) comprises at least one light source arranged on a patch structure (PS) so as to allow phototherapeutic illumination of a body part. A user interface (U_I), e.g. a touch panel (TP), is arranged to receive an input from the user regarding a spatial position on the body where the user feels pain. A control system (CS) is arranged to control the controllable light source system (LS1, LS2, LS3) in accordance with said input from the user, e.g. to spatially intensify illumination at the position where the user indicates a sensation of pain. E.g. the device may be wirelessly controlled from the a smart phone, where a map of the body can be displayed, and where the user indicates on this map where he/she feels pain.

Abstract: In one aspect, it is aimed to provide a mobile communication device that is connected to a communication module of a vital sign monitoring system in an intensive care unit, comprising: a communication function responsive to vital sign indications of specified nature and origin of respective patients of the intensive care unit, produced by the vital sign monitoring system; wherein the application module is arranged to select a communication urgency level for the another designated professional based on a vital sign indication; a user interface item for initiating communication with another communication device connectable to the vital sign monitoring system, wherein the user interface item is arranged to select another communication device of a further designated professional based on a received availability level of the designated person; and a user interface item for accepting communication with another communication device seeking contact, said user interface item for accepting communication comprising a

Abstract: A system is provided for controling access to a resource, the access being restricted by an access mechanism. The system comprises an access control subsystem for i) subjecting the user to one or more security measures based on use of a security input system, and ii) signaling the access mechanism to grant the user access to the resource based on the user passing the one or more security measures. The system further comprises a task interlace for accessing task data, the task data being indicative of a scheduled task of the user. The access control subsystem is further arranged for determining the one or more security measures based on the scheduled task to establish different levels of security depending on the task. Advantageously, a better adjusting of the level of security is obtained in that it is dynamically adjusted to the scheduled task of the user.

Abstract: A system (100) is provided for processing status information of a medical device (020-023). The medical device performs a medical function at a bedside of a patient and is arranged for generating an alarm signal (030) to alert a caregiver of the patient to an occurrence of an event which is associated with the performing of the medical function. A status interface (120) acquires a device signal (024) of the medical device, the device signal comprising status information which is indicative of a current status of the performing of the medical function. Moreover, an analysis subsystem (140) analyzes the status information to estimate an imminent occurrence of the event based on said current status, and a notification subsystem notifies the caregiver of the imminent occurrence away from the bedside of the patient of the event by a generating a notification signal (162) for a notification device (060-064). The priority of notifying the caregiver is based on an estimate of whether the patient is asleep.

Abstract: A system (100) is provided for processing an alert signal of a medical device associated with a patient. The alert signal comprises medical information (122) representing an alert generated by the medical device to alert a healthcare professional to a state of the patient and/or the medical device. The system obtains the alert signal (024) of the medical device (020). The system comprises an interpretation subsystem (140) which accesses an interpretation database (040). Using the interpretation database (040), the interpretation subsystem (140) generates an interpreted version (142) of the alert by using the interpretation data (044) to interpret the medical information. This interpreted version of the alert provides an explanation of the alert in a manner suitable for a non-professional caretaker of the patient.

Abstract: In one aspect, it is aimed to provide a mobile communication device that is connected to a communication module of a vital sign monitoring system in an intensive care unit, comprising: a communication function responsive to vital sign indications of specified nature and origin of respective patients of the intensive care unit, produced by the vital sign monitoring system; wherein the application module is arranged to select a communication urgency level for the another designated professional based on a vital sign indication; a user interface item for initiating communication with another communication device connectable to the vital sign monitoring system, wherein the user interface item is arranged to select another communication device of a further designated professional based on a received availability level of the designated person; and a user interface item for accepting communication with another communication device seeking contact, said user interface item for accepting communication comprising a