Abstract: The invention provides a method (10) for detecting a neural respiratory drive measure of a user. The method includes obtaining (100) an EMG signal and processing (200, 280) the EMG signal to produce a surrogate respiration signal and a processed EMG signal. Inhalations of the user are then detected (300) based on the surrogate respiration signal. The detected inhalations are then used in conjunction with the processed EMG signal to determine (400) a neural respiratory drive measure of the user.

Abstract: A method for generating a filtered EMG signal includes obtaining a combined signal, wherein the combined signal comprises an ECG signal and an EMG signal. A first high pass filter is applied to the combined signal and an ECG model signal is generated, based on the high pass filtered combined signal. The method further includes, generating a partially filtered EMG signal by subtracting the ECG model from the high pass filtered combined signal. A second high pass filter is then applied to the partially filtered EMG signal to generate a second EMG signal and to the ECG model signal to generate a second ECG model signal. A filtered EMG signal is generated based on the second EMG signal and the second ECG model by way of a gating technique.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for processing a physiological signal using model subtraction, notch filtering and gating. The processing apparatus comprises a model subtraction circuit configured to receive the physiological signal and to reduce a first unwanted signal component, such as an ECG contamination, in the physiological signal by subtracting from the physiological signal a model of the first unwanted signal component to obtain a residual signal; a filter circuit configured to receive the residual signal and to reduce a second unwanted signal component, such as power line noise, in the residual signal by applying a notch filter to obtain a filtered signal; and a gating circuit configured to receive the filtered signal and to apply gating to the filtered signal to obtain a gated signal. The processing apparatus further relates to a corresponding electromyography system and a method for processing a physiological signal using model subtraction, notch filtering and gating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of medical technology and in particular to determining a respiratory activity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on surface electromyography measurements taken from the intercostal muscles on the chest of a subject. A processing apparatus for processing an electromyography signal indicative of an activity of a target muscle in a human or animal body that relates to the measurement of respiratory effort amid an activity of at least one further muscle is presented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to determining a neural respiratory drive (NRD) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on surface electromyography measurements taken from the intercostal muscles on the chest of a subject (100).

Abstract: The invention provides a method (10) for detecting a neural respiratory drive measure of a user. The method includes obtaining (100) an EMG signal and processing (200, 280) the EMG signal to produce a surrogate respiration signal and a processed EMG signal. Inhalations of the user are then detected (300) based on the surrogate respiration signal. The detected inhalations are then used in conjunction with the processed EMG signal to determine (400) a neural respiratory drive measure of the user.

Abstract: A method for generating a filtered EMG signal includes obtaining a combined signal, wherein the combined signal comprises an ECG signal and an EMG signal. A first high pass filter is applied to the combined signal and an ECG model signal is generated, based on the high pass filtered combined signal. The method further includes, generating a partially filtered EMG signal by subtracting the ECG model from the high pass filtered combined signal. A second high pass filter is then applied to the partially filtered EMG signal to generate a second EMG signal and to the ECG model signal to generate a second ECG model signal. A filtered EMG signal is generated based on the second EMG signal and the second ECG model by way of a gating technique.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a processing apparatus (10) for processing a physiological signal (21) using model subtraction, notch filtering and gating. The processing apparatus comprises a model subtraction unit (11) configured to receive the physiological signal (21) and to reduce a first unwanted signal component, such as an ECG contamination, in the physiological signal by subtracting from the physiological signal a model (31) of the 5 first unwanted signal component to obtain a residual signal (32); a filter unit (12) configured to receive the residual signal (32) and to reduce a second unwanted signal component, such as power line noise, in the residual signal by applying a notch filter to obtain a filtered signal (33); and a gating unit (13) configured to receive the filtered signal (33) and to apply gating to the filtered signal to obtain a gated signal (34).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of medical technology and in particular to determining a respiratory activity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on surface electromyography measurements taken from the intercostal muscles on the chest of a subject. A processing apparatus for processing an electromyography signal indicative of an activity of a target muscle in a human or animal body that relates to the measurement of respiratory effort amid an activity of at least one further muscle is presented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to determining a neural respiratory drive (NRD) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on surface electromyography measurements taken from the intercostal muscles on the chest of a subject (100).

Abstract: A device and method for determining and/or monitoring the respiratory effort of a subject are presented. The device comprises a receiving unit for receiving a posture signal of the subject, a breathing signal of the subject, and an electromyography signal of the subject; and a processing unit for determining an electromyography signal based on the posture signal and the breathing signal and for deriving the respiratory effort based on the determined electromyography signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (1) and method for automatically monitoring the movement activity of a fetus. In order to provide a simple and reliable technique for monitoring the movement activity of a fetus, a method of automatically monitoring the movement activity of a fetus is suggested, the method comprising the steps of: detecting (200) the overall movements of a pregnant female, said overall movements comprising movements of the pregnant female and movements of the fetus; detecting at least one second physiological signal (26) of the pregnant female; and—determining (300) the movement activity of the fetus by analyzing the detected overall movements of the pregnant female, analyzing the at least one second physiological signal (26) of the pregnant female, and discriminating movements of the pregnant female from movements of the fetus depending on the analyzing results.

Abstract: The disclosed system and method provide for the automatic assessment of the presence/severity of the sleep problem and its exact nature. The assessment is based on qualitative information about sleep patterns, insomnia-related factors and daytime consequences, as well as quantitative information about sleep patterns measured by a sensor. By combining the different sources of information (subjective as well as objective data), the diagnosis gives more insight into the nature of the sleep problem and is therefore more accurate. Furthermore, the disclosed system may be used to select specific components of the system that are medically relevant to the individual and therefore create a personalized program. The system teaches a selection of self-management skills that could help the individual to better cope with sleep disturbances and target those factors that maintain the problem or make it worse by a particular individual.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and a kit for stress and relaxation management. A cardiac activity sensor (101) is used for measuring the heart rate variability (HRV) signal of the user and a respiration sensor (102) for measuring the respiratory signal of the user. The system contains a user interaction device (103) having an input unit (104) for receiving user specific data and an output unit for providing information output to the user. A processor (106) is used to assess the stress level of the user by determining a user related stress index. The processor is also used to monitor the user during a relaxation exercise by means of determining a relaxation index based on the measured HRV and respiratory signals, the relaxation index being continuously adapted to the incoming measured signals and based thereon the processor instructs the output unit to provide the user with biofeedback and support messages.

Abstract: The invention also relates to an optical sensor for a photoplethysmography measurement, comprising a light unit 1 with a light emitter 2 for emitting light into tissue of a patient 8 and/or a light detector 3 for detecting a part of the emitted light after interaction with the tissue, wherein the light unit is embedded in an elastic material 4. The invention further relates to a device for contactless respiration monitoring of a patient 8, comprising: a distance sensor for consecutively detecting the temporal distance variations relative to the patient's chest 12, preferably based on electromagnetic waves; and a calculating unit for determining the breathing activity based on the detected temporal distance variations. The invention is especially useful for providing a reliable and easy to use possibility for simultaneously monitoring respiration action, blood pressure and heart rate with a handheld device which can be used for spot-checking the vital parameters of patients in hospitals.

Abstract: Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disturbance in the general population. As standard diagnostic method for assessing the nature and the severity of the sleep problem, a so-called sleep log or sleep diary, i.e. a questionnaire usually on paper, is used in most cases. The main drawback of this diagnostic tool is that its accuracy is affected by subjective bias of the patient, e.g. for patients it is often difficult to remember sleep and wake periods during the night correctly. The present invention proposes an automatic sleep log that uses vital body signs as input signals for assessing sleep and wake periods during the night. By using objective data, the diagnosis will be more accurate. Furthermore, this system can also be used to sleep restriction therapy, a non-pharmacological method to treat insomnia. Also in this application it can contribute to patients correctly applying this method and thus leading to a better medical outcome.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and a kit for stress and relaxation management. A cardiac activity sensor (101) is used for measuring the heart rate variability (HRV) signal of the user and a respiration sensor (102) for measuring the respiratory signal of the user. The system contains a user interaction device (103) having an input unit (104) for receiving user specific data and an output unit for providing information output to the user. A processor (106) is used to assess the stress level of the user by determining a user related stress index. The processor is also used to monitor the user during a relaxation exercise by means of determining a relaxation index based on the measured HRV and respiratory signals, the relaxation index being continuously adapted to the incoming measured signals and based thereon the processor instructs the output unit to provide the user with biofeedback and support messages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (1) and method for automatically monitoring the movement activity of a fetus. In order to provide a simple and reliable technique for monitoring the movement activity of a fetus, a method of automatically monitoring the movement activity of a fetus is suggested, the method comprising the steps of: detecting (200) the overall movements of a pregnant female, said overall movements comprising movements of the pregnant female and movements of the fetus; detecting at least one second physiological signal (26) of the pregnant female; and—determining (300) the movement activity of the fetus by analyzing the detected overall movements of the pregnant female, analyzing the at least one second physiological signal (26) of the pregnant female, and discriminating movements of the pregnant female from movements of the fetus depending on the analyzing results.